Thrive Dispensary launches recreational marijuana sales

Customers steadily flowed into Thrive Dispensary outside Lewes on the morning of Aug. 1, the first day of recreational sales of marijuana in Delaware.

“This is a big day for us,” said Tim Rasmussen, vice president of retail for Thrive Dispensaries. “It’s been a long time coming. In this industry, it takes a while to get where you want to go.”

Various products in colorful packaging were on display in glass cases, and there were tablets for customers to browse the menu of available items.

Joyce McCarthy, 38, of Lewes, was the dispensary’s first recreational customer around 9 a.m. After years of waiting, she said she’s excited Delaware has finally reached the a major milestone.

Plenty of staff members were there to help customers, and Rasmussen said the dispensary’s vault was jam-packed with products.

“We’re in the business of providing information, education and guidance to make sure you get what you’re looking for, what you need,” he said. “There are answers for everything, and we think we have good people to share that information, to advise properly.”

Thrive Dispensaries has 13 retail locations across multiple states, including the one near Lewes and another in Wilmington.

The company also has growing facilities, including one in Milford.

The two Delaware retail locations, formerly branded as First State Compassion, have both been open for about 10 years in the medical marijuana industry. With the start of the state’s recreational market, Rasmussen doesn’t know what to expect, but he’s feeling optimistic.

“We think there’s a huge opportunity for the state from a tax revenue perspective,” he said. “I don’t want to guess the numbers, because no one knows, but based on the history of what’s happening in other states, we’re anticipating a good outcome here. We’re looking forward to it.”