Sanctuary Medicinals Opens Its 11th Dispensary in Hot Florida Market

The Sunshine State has a new cannabis safe spot with Sanctuary Cannabis announcing this week the opening of its eleventh medical cannabis dispensary in the quaint, historic town of Palatka, Florida.

Sanctuary, headquartered in Littleton, MA, has quickly established itself as a presence in Florida’s medical-only market. Sanctuary s a multi-state cannabis company with other operations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and a provisional retail license in New Jersey. The vertically integrated company cultivates premium products across the cannabis spectrum: flower, vapes, tinctures, edibles, topicals and concentrates. Its online menu lists 137 Sanctuary-branded products. Sanctuary’s dispensaries in Gardner and Woburn were rated in the top 10 in Massachusetts for recreational and medicinal sales by Leafly.

Since Florida legalized medical cannabis three years ago, more than 700,000 Floridians have been approved for  medicinal cannabis-use. Hundreds of doctors are licensed to prescribe medical cannabis and some 22 competing companies have opened more than 400 dispensary locations, according to Insurance Journal.

“From the outset, the goal for Sanctuary Cannabis has been statewide expansion in Florida,” said Bill Dewar, COO, Sanctuary Cannabis.

Dojo Dweller is one of the 137 cannabis products created by Gardner, MA Sanctuary Medicinals. PHOTO COURTESY SANCTUARY

Sanctuary’s newest entry into race — a 1,000-square-foot facility at 839 S State Road 19 in Palatka — takes advantage of cannabis retailers finding … sanctuary… by repurposing Florida’s many malls and drive-throughs into dispensaries. Tucked into the Palatka Marketplace, Sanctuary Palatka was converted from store to state-of-the-art dispensary following a full interior renovation.

With two locations slated to open in Jacksonville before the end of the year, the company says the Palatka branch represents a key step north in Sanctuary’s larger plans for statewide expansion.

“After a string of openings further south and on the east coast of the state, it’s exciting to make inroads north of Orlando,” said Jason Sidman, CEO of Sanctuary Medicinals. “We’re proud to have been the first MMTC to open its doors in Palatka.”

Recreational use is still illegal in Florida, with possession of up to 20 grams punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1000, and the loss of one’s driver’s license.