The buzz around cannabis is undeniable, and North Carolina is experiencing it firsthand. Great Smoky Cannabis Co., the state’s first legal recreational marijuana dispensary, is seeing lines out the door since its opening on September 7th. Located on the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the store serves adults 21 and over, and according to the general manager, Forrest Parker, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
The trend isn’t limited to North Carolina. Florida, a state with a robust medical cannabis market, is also experiencing a surge in new dispensaries. Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a leading medical cannabis giant, opened two new stores in Lake Worth Hypoluxo and Hudson on September 27th, bringing its product portfolio of in-house and partner brands to customers. Meanwhile, RISE Dispensaries, owned by Green Thumb Industries, opened its 20th Florida location in Jacksonville, marking its 98th dispensary nationwide. Verano Holdings Corp. also expanded its Florida footprint with new locations in Melbourne and Okeechobee, bringing its total number of dispensaries to 79 in the state and 152 nationwide.
New York’s cannabis market is also flourishing. Assembly member John Zaccaro and cannabis fin-tech company Dutchie recently toured dispensaries in the Bronx, highlighting their role in the community and the ongoing effort to combat the illicit market. The Flowery, a Florida-based medical cannabis company, opened its second New York location in Forest Hills, Queens, offering a direct-to-consumer delivery program.
Across the country, other states are seeing a similar influx of new cannabis businesses. Solful, a California-based cannabis retail brand, opened its third dispensary in Healdsburg on October 11th, offering locally sourced cannabis products. Louisiana welcomed Cookies, an international cannabis and lifestyle brand, with a new medical marijuana dispensary in partnership with Capitol Wellness Solutions. Vermont’s cannabis market saw the opening of Sweetspot Farms in Essex Junction, focused on customer education and service. High Haven Cannabis opened a new retail dispensary in Elgin, Illinois, and Ascend Wellness Holdings opened its fifth medical dispensary in Pennsylvania, marking its 39th location across seven states.
The rapid growth of the cannabis industry demonstrates its increasing acceptance and the shift towards a more regulated and accessible market. As more states legalize recreational marijuana, we can expect to see even more new dispensaries opening their doors, serving a growing number of cannabis consumers.
