As hemp-THC beverages and edibles slowly make their way into convenience stores (where legal), the segment will check off a big milestone later this month:
Official, sanctioned representation at the NACS Show in Chicago.
But there’s one big caveat: There’s still no sampling of hemp-derived THC products at the Show, on the tradeshow floor or anywhere at McCormick Place.
“At the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago, NACS members that manufacture or distribute hemp-derived cannabinoid products are eligible to participate as exhibitors,” NACS said via email to CSP.
Promotional materials and packaging for the products are allowed, even though samples are not.
And, for convenience retailers looking to get into hemp THC, or expand their offerings, there will be a couple of educational sessions at the NACS Show.
From 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 15, Diana Eberlein, chair of the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives, and Rebekah Stevenson, head of Packaged Beverage for Circle K, will host a presentation titled, “Cracking Open the Potential of THC Beverages.”
Later that day, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eberlein and Melissa Vonder Haar, chair of CSP’s C-Store Cannabis Board and managing director of TradeWorks for iSee Store Innovations, will host a less-formal Q&A titled “Ask Us Anything About THC Beverages” at the NACS TruAge Booth.
Hemp-THC-related exhibitors at the 2025 NACS Show, which runs Oct. 14 through Oct. 16 in Chicago, include 3CHI, Bayou City Hemp Co., Juice Head, Looper, Realize Hemp and Summitt Labs, according to NACS.
Other hemp-THC suppliers will be represented at the Convenience Catalyst Showcase, a curated selection of innovative suppliers who don’t have a NACS booth this year, but will likely have one in the New Exhibitor Area at the 2026 Show.
Check out full coverage of the 2025 NACS Show on CSPDailyNews.com.
CSP will host a Cannabis Forum in March 2026. If you are interested in attending or learning about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mike Marino, senior director of Retail Relations for Informa Connect, at Michael.Marino@informa.com.
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