Target Enters the THC Drink Wars: Last Week in Weed May 5-May 11, 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of “Last Week In Weed,” catching you up on the latest breaking news and industry developments in the world of cannabis.
Here’s what you may have missed over the last week:
Target Expands THC Beverage Sales Into Major U.S. Markets
Retail giant Target is preparing to launch hemp-derived THC beverage sales in Illinois, Florida, and Texas, signaling how rapidly intoxicating hemp products are entering mainstream retail environments. The move could dramatically expand consumer access to THC drinks while intensifying scrutiny around regulation, age verification, and the blurred line between hemp and state-licensed cannabis markets.
As traditional retailers increasingly experiment with hemp-derived intoxicants, the industry’s center of gravity may continue shifting toward beverages, wellness products, and lower-dose formats designed for broader audiences.
Cannabis Stocks Continue Their Long Stall
Cannabis investors hoping for a major rebound are still waiting. According to reporting from New Cannabis Ventures, many cannabis stocks remain stagnant amid ongoing federal uncertainty, weak margins, and investor fatigue. Even companies with strong operational performance continue struggling to attract sustained institutional confidence.
The broader slowdown reflects a growing reality within the industry: access alone is no longer enough. Investors increasingly want proof of operational discipline, profitability, and long-term resilience in a market still shaped by price compression and regulatory instability.
Brazil’s Cannabis Fair Signals a Global Market Shift
Thousands gathered in São Paulo for one of Brazil’s largest cannabis business and culture events, underscoring Latin America’s growing importance in the global cannabis economy. The fair brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, medical professionals, and consumers as Brazil continues navigating the tension between public demand and evolving regulation.
The event highlights how international cannabis conversations are increasingly moving beyond North America, with emerging markets positioning themselves around medical access, cultivation, and future export opportunities.
South Carolina’s Medical Marijuana Debate Intensifies
South Carolina’s long-running fight over medical marijuana reignited this week after Republican gubernatorial candidate and state senator Josh Kimbrell declared that “medical marijuana is now legal” in the state, despite ongoing confusion around implementation and legality. Meanwhile, another Republican candidate referred to marijuana as a “gateway drug,” exposing the deep political divide still shaping cannabis reform across conservative states.
The debate reflects a larger national pattern: while legalization momentum continues advancing, cultural and political resistance remains deeply entrenched in parts of the country.
Read more: The Mothers Building Cannabis – Cannabis & Tech Today
DEA Declares HHC a Schedule I Substance
The DEA formally clarified this week that HHC, a synthetic cannabinoid commonly sold in hemp markets, qualifies as a federally controlled Schedule I substance. The ruling significantly raises enforcement risks for operators selling converted cannabinoids and could have broader implications for interstate commerce and the legality of other hemp-derived compounds.
Attorney Paula Savchenko of Cannacore Group argues the rule may face legal challenges, particularly because recent appellate decisions have interpreted the 2018 Farm Bill more broadly. Still, the move signals increasing federal scrutiny toward chemically converted cannabinoids that have flourished in the post-Farm Bill marketplace.
The Vape Wars Get Smarter
As competition intensifies in the vaporizer market, companies are increasingly positioning hardware reliability as a technological differentiator rather than a commodity feature. Sluggers Hit’s new Gram Slam device claims to solve one of the category’s biggest complaints: burnt flavor and hardware degradation before oil reservoirs are fully used.
The company’s “decreasing heat curve” technology gradually lowers voltage during use to preserve terpene flavor and reduce coil spikes, while internal testing claims a hardware failure rate below 0.1%. As consumers become more educated and selective, cannabis hardware companies are racing to position themselves less like disposable accessory brands and more like precision electronics manufacturers.