Business
Marijuana Consumers Are More Likely To Shop At Target Following Decision To Sell Cannabis-Infused Drinks, Poll Shows
Published
on January 22, 2026
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A new poll suggests that Target’s recent decision to sell THC-infused beverages at select locations is resonating with cannabis consumers—and could influence shopping behavior.
The survey, conducted by cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD, asked 285 cannabis users whether the retailer’s pilot program, currently available at select Minnesota stores, would affect their likelihood of shopping at Target.
Survey Findings
| Q: “Last week, news broke that Target has started selling THC-infused cannabis beverages in some stores. Does knowing this make you more likely to shop at Target in the future?” | ||
| n: | % | |
| Yes — but only if my local Target carries the THC-infused products | 98 | 34.4% |
| Yes — I want to support the retailer more now regardless of which locations sell the products | 46 | 16.1% |
| No, it will not affect my behavior | 141 | 49.5% |
| 285 | ||
- Overall, 50.5% of cannabis consumers said the pilot program makes them more likely to shop at Target, though roughly two-thirds of that group’s interest is conditional on product availability at their local store.
Industry Perspective
“What the poll shows should be pretty intuitive to all big-box retailers: selling hemp-derived THC, which is currently federally legal, will bring more cannabis consumers into their stores,” said Andrew Graham, head of communications at NuggMD.
“By responsibly selling these products, Target is doing what Congress still won’t—providing access to THC for adults who want or need it,” Graham added. “I hope the company expands the pilot nationally. While I tend to be a buy-local consumer myself, it’s encouraging to see a national retailer make these products available.”
The survey was conducted between October 16-27, 2025, with a +/-5.8 percentage point margin of error.
Federal and State Regulatory Context
The survey comes amid ongoing uncertainty in federal cannabis policy. Congress continues to debate legislation that could recriminalize hemp products containing measurable THC, while states maintain and adjust their own regulatory frameworks.
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) recently warned he might block spending legislation over a controversial proposal to ban hemp-derived THC products, advocating instead for a study of state regulatory models to guide future federal policy.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan coalition of 39 state and territory attorneys general called on Congress to clarify the federal definition of hemp and prevent the sale of intoxicating cannabinoid products.
In a separate legal development, a subsidiary of a multi-state marijuana company is suing DoorDash, Total Wine, and other businesses for allegedly violating Virginia hemp laws by marketing products exceeding the legal THC limit.
Target’s pilot program demonstrates both growing consumer demand and the complex regulatory landscape facing hemp-derived THC products, highlighting the intersection of mainstream retail and cannabis legalization.
