The way Rebekah Stevenson sees it, hemp-derived THC beverages in convenience stores are in their infancy.
“In that first year … we have to do a lot for it,” Stevenson, head of packaged beverage for Circle K, said Wednesday during a session at the NACS Show in Chicago. “It’s not doing it on its own. And our goal, as responsible parents, is hopefully when our child turns 18 or graduates from college, they contribute positively to society, and that’s the journey we’re on. Right now, you don’t just leave your child and walk away … You guys, get into this category and get there, and before you know it, they’re going to be 16 and driving, and that’s just going to be running itself.”
Circle K, which is owned by Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard, recently started selling hemp-THC beverages at select stores in Georgia, before expanding to Florida. More states are expected to be added to Circle K’s list in the coming months.
- Alimentation Couche-Tard is No. 2 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.
Stevenson was joined as co-host of the session by Diana Eberlein, chair of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives and chief external affairs officer for emulsion supplier Vertosa. It’s the first time hemp-THC has officially been represented at the c-store industry’s biggest annual event.
“One of the biggest hurdles that convenience has to overcome is eliminating the term ‘gas station weed,’” Eberlein said. “It implies that quality is being sacrificed for convenience. It makes people think that there is no regulation, and convenience stores are selling these products to children.”
But c-stores are a natural fit to sell these types of restricted products, she said.
“You guys sell more age-gated products than any other channel,” she said. “You guys check more IDs daily than the TSA does, even when there isn’t a government shutdown.”
Both speakers urged retailers and suppliers to work together to advocate for responsible state regulations surrounding the sale of hemp-THC products in the convenience segment.
“Please speak up,” Eberlein said. “Because if you don’t speak up, you might not have access to this category … So please talk to your legislators. Please talk to your state chapters. Be vocal.”
Hemp-THC beverages come in many different formats, from ready-to-drink cans to multi-serving bottles to shots to liquid or powder sticks that can be added to any drink. And they come in a wide variety of potencies, from just a couple of milligrams of THC to 10 milligrams, 20 milligrams or more.
Retailers must first understand what products are available in the marketplace and then determine what items would best serve their customers, Stevenson said.
Circle K customers tend to prefer cold, single cans of beverages. So, that’s the format the retailer is focusing on, she said. THC beverages are merchandised near beer, which has been a successful placement, she said.
Suppliers, too, should have a clear understanding of a retailer’s area of interest before pitching them on their products, she said. Stevenson also said suppliers should ask if a retailer wants samples before sending them blindly because many stores do not have space to store them.
When a retailer is ready to try selling hemp-THC products, do so in a market that has very clear regulations.
And don’t give short shrift to the consumer education piece of the puzzle. C-store shoppers are familiar with beer and wine. They know what brands they like. And they know what to expect after having a drink or two.
For many consumers, though, hemp-THC beverages are an entirely new experience.
“There’s education that needs to happen,” Eberlein said. “These products don’t fly off the shelves the way energy drinks do.”
Circle K waited six months after testing hemp-THC drinks in Georgia before launching in other states. The retailer also tested various promotions and marketing messages to see what worked best for its customers.
“We’re not looking for just brands, we’re looking for partners,” Stevenson said. “We believe that this is going to be huge. It’s the most fun I’ve had in my 30 years in retail.”
CSP will host its inaugural Cannabis Forum March 23-26, 2026, in the Chicago area. For more information, contact Michael Marino, senior director of retail relations, at Michael.Marino@informa.com.
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