Target just did something no major national retailer has dared before — it quietly started selling THC beverages in select Minnesota stores. What started as a regional pilot could soon reshape the retail landscape for cannabis and hemp-derived products nationwide.
According to Marijuana Moment, Target has begun selling hemp-derived THC drinks in about 10 stores across the Twin Cities, marking the first time a big-box retailer has officially carried intoxicating cannabis products on its shelves. Brands in the pilot include Cann, Wynk, Wunder, Stigma, Trail Magic, Señorita, Surly, Wyld, Indeed, Birdie, and Hi Seltzer, among others.
The Move That Shocked the Retail World
These beverages are hemp-derived, meaning they contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, but they still deliver light psychoactive effects — typically 5mg THC per serving and up to 50mg per package, per Minnesota state limits.
The drinks are available inside Target’s liquor store sections, which operate under separate entrances in accordance with state law. Customers must be 21 or older to purchase.
“Target’s decision to test THC-infused beverages is a huge milestone for cannabis normalization,” wrote Marijuana Moment, which broke the story earlier this week. “It demonstrates that major retailers are willing to experiment with low-dose THC products under legal state frameworks.”
Why This Is a Big Deal
This isn’t just about convenience-store-level innovation. This is corporate America cautiously stepping into cannabis, and it’s happening during one of the most turbulent regulatory moments in hemp history.
Mainstream Acceptance: When a publicly traded company like Target begins testing THC drinks, it signals a shift that could open the floodgates for other major retailers.
Regulatory Timing: The move comes just as Congress is debating revisions to the 2018 Farm Bill, which may redefine how hemp-derived THC is regulated at the federal level.
Market Validation: THC seltzers are one of the fastest-growing categories in beverage retail. Data from BDSA shows U.S. THC drink sales surpassed $600 million in 2024, growing more than 70% year-over-year — and Minnesota is one of the top markets driving that trend.
Even though this is a limited pilot, the ripple effects could be massive. If the trial goes well, Target could expand across more Minnesota stores and potentially explore THC beverages in other states where hemp regulations allow.
How Minnesota Became Ground Zero
Minnesota has become an unlikely pioneer in cannabis beverages. The state legalized low-dose hemp-derived THC edibles and drinks in 2022 — long before full adult-use cannabis sales officially began.
That legal loophole created one of the most vibrant THC beverage scenes in the country. Craft breweries, wellness brands, and startups flooded the market with sparkling seltzers and mocktails that promised “a light buzz” without the hangover.
By mid-2025, Minnesotans could grab THC drinks from gas stations, breweries, and boutique markets. But seeing them in Target — a globally recognized retail chain headquartered in the state — is a new level of legitimacy.
Local advocates say it could push the industry toward safer, more standardized products:
“If a company like Target is stocking these, you know testing and compliance will be taken seriously,” one Minnesota beverage distributor told Star Tribune. “That helps everyone — small brands, consumers, and regulators alike.”
Inside the Pilot: What’s on Shelves
Target’s limited selection varies by location, but most stores include:
- Cann — The celebrity-backed California microdose brand known for its social seltzers (2mg THC, 4mg CBD per can).
- Wynk — A national brand blending delta-9 THC and CBD for balanced effects.
- Trail Magic — Minnesota-based sparkling THC water inspired by craft beer culture.
- Wyld — One of the biggest names in cannabis edibles, now branching into low-dose beverages.
- Señorita — A non-alcoholic THC margarita that’s been winning over cocktail fans.
Each drink is sold cold, labeled for THC content, and often stocked near hard seltzers or kombucha — not in the traditional “cannabis” section you’d expect.
What Comes Next
If sales are strong and legal pushback remains minimal, Target’s move could set off a chain reaction. Other national players — like Kroger, Walmart, and Costco — are likely watching this closely.
But there are still risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not issued formal national standards for THC beverages, leaving companies to navigate a complex patchwork of state-by-state laws. If the Farm Bill tightens THC limits or bans certain cannabinoids, Target could be forced to pull products from shelves overnight.
For now, though, Minnesota’s local regulators are supportive. State Rep. Zack Stephenson — who helped draft the original hemp beverage law — told local media, “This is exactly what we envisioned: a regulated, adult market that can function safely within state law.”
Why This Moment Matters for Cannabis Culture
For years, cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs fought to normalize consumption beyond smoking. The rise of THC drinks is a key part of that transformation. They’re social, subtle, and feel more like wellness or nightlife products than traditional weed.
Now, with Target’s pilot, THC beverages aren’t just a niche category anymore — they’re officially crossing into the same territory as alcohol and energy drinks.
That shift could redefine the national conversation about cannabis. Instead of asking “Should weed be legal?”, the new question might be: “How do we integrate THC safely and responsibly into everyday commerce?”
This is one of the biggest mainstream moves in cannabis since the launch of CBD at major retailers years ago. But it’s also more controversial — because THC, even when hemp-derived, still intoxicates.
For the cannabis industry, this could be a once-in-a-decade normalization milestone. For Target, it’s a bold brand experiment that walks the line between innovation and risk.
No matter where you stand, one thing’s clear: the walls separating cannabis and mainstream retail just got a little thinner.
