The cannabis market has evolved rapidly. Early on, budtenders served cannabis “deli-style” from jars. Now, hemp gummies are sold in grocery stores. Consumer shopping habits have shifted significantly, driven in part by the THC beverage boom and increased product visibility. One sector of the retail market is taking notice—and wants to lean in.
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Convenience stores have become key players in cannabis beverage distribution. National chains like Circle K and Kwik Trip are dedicating more cooler space to hemp-derived THC drinks as sales climb across additional states.
While some have pushed back on the presence of products like delta-8 vapes (so-called “gas station weed”) in truck stops and convenience stores, beverages have emerged as an acceptable form factor.
At the recent CSP Cannabis Forum, convenience store experts, regulators, and beverage leaders gathered to discuss emerging opportunities. Presented by Convenience Store Products (CSP), the inaugural event came amid a looming national ban on hemp products.
Industry leaders say convenience retailers view cannabis as “the next big category” with a major stake in its growth.
“There is a market for this product, and that is why convenience should be in it,” said Melissa Vonder Haar, a mainstream retail marketing leader and chair of CSP’s C-Store Cannabis Board.
Vonder Haar pointed to survey data revealing 80 percent of consumers anticipate cannabis replacing alcohol on some occasions. That shift is already underway: Daily cannabis use now surpasses alcohol use in the U.S., while alcohol sales are at a historic low.
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Support from convenience retailers comes at a critical moment. With more than 150,000 locations nationwide, economic concerns have pushed the industry to act. Liquor distributors face similar struggles; once opponents, they now see cannabis as a path to profit.
Several alcohol-related trade groups have begun lobbying efforts in Washington to save the THC drink category. A provision in a 2025 federal spending bill will change the definition of hemp in November 2026, potentially rendering most consumer products illegal. Now, representatives from groups like the Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of America and chains such as Total Wine are pushing for common-sense regulation rather than an outright ban.
Given their growing stake, convenience retailers may be next to lobby Washington for a compromise.
