MINNEAPOLIS — Target is expanding its push into the cannabis beverage market after an initial test in Minnesota.
The retailer first began selling THC-infused drinks in select Minnesota liquor stores in October. After what industry reports described as a successful pilot program, Target significantly expanded its presence in April 2026 by adding 72 new licenses across the state.
Now, the company plans to take the next step, bringing those products to new markets. Target confirmed to The Street that it will begin selling THC beverages in Florida, Texas and Illinois, with availability expected in more than 300 stores across the three states.
In a statement to BevNET, the company described the move as a limited test and emphasized that customers must be 21 or older to purchase the drinks.
The expansion marks a shift as large national retailers begin cautiously stepping into THC-infused products in traditional retail spaces. It’s an area that has remained limited due to ongoing regulatory uncertainty. A federal spending bill passed last year includes provisions that could effectively ban hemp-derived products containing more than 0.4% THC starting in November 2026, unless lawmakers take action to revise the rules.
Because of that uncertainty, some industry analysts told BevNET retailers like Target could scale back or start discounting THC drinks later this year if legislation doesn’t change.
Even so, industry analysts say the company’s rapid expansion signals growing confidence that hemp-derived beverages could become a lasting category, potentially joining alcohol and functional drinks as a staple in mainstream retail.
