Janelle Irwin Taylor
Several local and state leaders will cut a ribbon for a grand opening celebration at 9 a.m. Wednesday of a new MedMen location at 326 Fifth Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.
Sen. Jeff Brandes, a longtime supporter of medicinal cannabis laws in Florida, will be on hand along with St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Chris Steinocher, Chamber Vice President of Membership Brittany Walsh, MedMen St. Pete General Manager Tiffany Hughes and MedMen Florida Director of Government Affairs Nick Hansen.
The event includes a ribbon-cutting grand opening ceremony as well as 25% off discounts for patients and swag bags for the first 100 customers. The company will donate a portion of its grand opening proceeds to the nonprofit organization Epilepsy Florida.
The facility technically opens at 8 a.m. and will remain open for patients and prospective patients until 9 p.m.
MedMen agreed to pay $53 million for what’s known in Florida as a “medical marijuana treatment center” license from Central Florida’s Treadwell Nursery last June.
Florida’s medical cannabis regulations require vertical integration, which means the same company must participate in every part of the cannabis market process from seed to sale.
MedMen acquired Treadwell Nursery to meet that requirement.
The Los Angeles-based company currently has locations in six states, including Florida. The company also operates a delivery service in Orlando.
The company’s locations have a modern feel. The design is clean and sharp. Splashes of red make the interior stand out. Consultation desks include product displays and interactive tablets to explore the different options for medical cannabis treatments ranging, depending on the state, from whole flower strains varying in strength to vapor pens and tinctures.
Like other medical cannabis providers, there are options to help patients sleep, to ease pain, or to reduce the symptoms of PTSD.
MedMen is backing a proposed 2020 amendment that would legalize adult-use cannabis. Under the Make it Legal Florida proposal, nonmedical adult sales to adults would be made at approved medical marijuana treatment centers.
