CHARLOTTE, N.C. —Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive component of cannabis, has become one of the most sought-after ingredients in retail products in recent memory. It has emerged in a variety of items, such as gummies, lotions and oils, and is estimated to become a $1 billion industry within the next decade. But concern trumps excitement for many retailers, because neither the U.S. Food & Drug Administration nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture has released guidelines on handling and selling the substance. And until those regulations are released, many retailers will remain on the sidelines of the CBD frenzy.
On this podcast, Brett Dworski, CSP’s foodservice and CBD editor, sits down with Leo Vercollone, CEO of VERC Enterprises, Duxbury, Mass., during CSP’s second CBD & Convenience Retail conference, in Charlotte, N.C., to discuss how Vercollone feels about the category and what his store is planning for the future.
VERC, a regional independent chain of 30 convenience stores and gas stations with locations in eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire, began selling CBD products in early 2019. Its items include gummy bears, topical creams and tinctures. Vercollone has said that his chain is “selling more CBD than gum and mints.”
Twice a month, "At Your Convenience" brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.
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