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Welcome to the first-ever CSP C-Store Cannabis E-Newsletter! |
For those who don’t know me, I’m Melissa Vonder Haar, chair of the inaugural CSP C-Store Cannabis Board and I’ve been covering the cannabis opportunity in convenience retailing since 2012.
Back then, the idea of THC products on c-store shelves seemed like a far-off dream. But the 2018 Farm Bill—which removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act—changed everything. Since then, innovation has exploded, and convenience stores have increasingly embraced this exciting new CPG category, benefiting from strong margins and high consumer interest.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. In 2025, we’ve seen a troubling trend as states begin regulating hemp: In an effort to “do something,” regulators have limited hemp-THC sales to 21+ locations. Kentucky did, Tennessee did and most notably, Alabama did. In Alabama, large grocery stores and pharmacy were carved out—only convenience stores were locked out entirely.
That’s a problem not just for convenience, but for the cannabis industry at large. With over 150,000 stores averaging 1,100 customers a day, no channel is better suited to introducing consumers to new products. Convenience can help normalize THC. This newsletter, along with the C-Store Cannabis Board and other efforts, aims to build a bridge between cannabis and convenience. We’ll advocate for fair laws and provide education for retailers at every stage of their cannabis journey—even those who are not yet in the category or are unable to sell due to regulations.
Because at the end of the day, cannabis should be convenient.
—Melissa Vonder Haar |
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