US Retailer Acquires 72 Hemp Licenses for Statewide THC Drink Sales as Federal Ban Looms

Target has secured lower-potency hemp edible (LPHE) licenses for all 72 of its Minnesota stores, making the Minnesota-headquartered retailer the state's largest holder of such licenses, according to Office of Cannabis Management data. The licenses, issued April 1 and expiring April 1, 2027, build on a 10-store pilot program the company ran last year.

Under Minnesota law, LPHE license holders may sell products with up to 5 milligrams of THC per serving and 50 milligrams per package; beverages are capped at 10 milligrams per container.

The expansion comes as Congress has passed—and President Donald Trump has signed—legislation that will recriminalize hemp-derived products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, effective November. Bipartisan lawmakers in the Senate and House have pushed for a delay without gaining traction with congressional leadership.

Brands in Target's initial launch included Birdie, Cann, Find Wunder, Gigli, Hi Seltzer, Indeed, Señorita, Stigma, Surly, Trail Magic, Wyld, and Wynk. Whether the expanded licenses will cover beverages only or extend to other product types is unclear; Target did not respond to a request for comment.

A NuggMD poll found 50.5 percent of marijuana consumers said Target's move makes them more likely to shop there—34.4 percent conditional on their local store stocking THC beverages and 16.1 percent regardless. Another 49.5 percent said it would not affect their habits.

Brewbound first reported the license expansion.

Minnesota's hemp beverage market predates the state's adult-use marijuana law. Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed legislation in 2022 allowing hemp-derived cannabinoids including CBD in food and beverages below the federal 0.3 percent THC threshold. Former Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL), who championed legalization across multiple sessions, later announced plans to launch his own hemp beverage company.

Home Depot last year removed cannabis from employee drug screening and ended pre-employment testing for most workers. Amazon ended cannabis drug testing for most employees in 2021 and in 2022 backed a Republican-led federal marijuana legalization bill, having previously supported a separate Democratic-led measure. The Veterans of Foreign Wars entered a first-of-its-kind licensing deal with a hemp THC beverage company to offer the drinks as an alcohol alternative at VFW posts nationwide.

Target's new Minnesota hemp licenses: