Target Expands Hemp-Derived THC Beverage Sales Area

NEW YORK – Target is broadening its reach in the hemp-derived THC beverage category, adding the products to more than 300 stores across Florida, Texas and parts of Illinois.

The mass retailer confirmed the move as a limited test, building on its earlier pilot in Minnesota. Products will appear in all stores in Florida and Texas, and in Illinois locations where local rules permit sales of intoxicating hemp items. Some municipalities in Illinois, including Chicago, have placed restrictions on the category.

Target began testing hemp THC drinks last fall in about 10 stores in the Minneapolis area. It later expanded approvals in its home state to cover all 72 locations there. Early offerings carried a 5-milligram THC limit per serving, which the company has since increased to 10 milligrams in some markets. Brands in the initial rollout included Cann, Wynk, Trail Magic, Stigma, Gigli and Daizy’s, typically placed in endcaps within liquor sections where available.

The expansion fits Target’s approach of testing products to match customer interests. “At Target, we’re always exploring new ways to meet our guests’ preferences, grounded in our merchandising authority and focus on thoughtfully curating a relevant assortment,” the spokesperson told BevNET. Purchases remain limited to customers aged 21-plus.

The timing arrives against a backdrop of federal uncertainty. Congress passed legislation in late 2025, signed by President Trump, that sets a new limit of 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container for hemp products, effective in November 2026. That change would effectively end most current intoxicating hemp beverages nationwide unless lawmakers intervene with a delay or adjustment.

Reports indicate Target may prepare for the deadline by discounting inventory if no changes occur. Other retailers, including Sprouts Farmers Market, Breakthru, and some Circle K locations, have also added THC drinks in permitted states.

The category has drawn attention for its potential as an alcohol alternative. Surveys have shown many users reduce or stop drinking alcohol after trying Cannabis beverages, while a separate poll found that Target’s initial move made some customers more likely to shop at the stores.

The expansion puts a major national retailer behind a product line that remains legal, for now, in many places but faces a clear federal sunset date. Success in these large markets could underscore demand, even as operators weigh short-term gains against longer-term regulatory risks.