The Vitamin Shoppe is the latest large retailer to announce it now carries CBD, but unlike other drugstore chains, the New Jersey-based chain is selling edible CBD supplements and drops.
The move goes against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) repeated warnings that CBD in food, cosmetics and dietary supplements is still illegal.
With 700 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, The Vitamin Shoppe is a wellness store that specializes in health supplements.
It started stocking CBD softgels this week and plans to add drops later this month, according to a CNBC report.
Vitamin Shoppe did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Hemp Industry Daily.
The retailer, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker VSI, sourced Irwin Naturals softgels, a full-spectrum hemp extract, and Garden of Life Dr. Formulated broad spectrum CBD extract softgels and liquid drops.
The products will be available in 14 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. The retailer began selling hemp extract essential oils nationwide in March.
A spokeswoman told CNBC that customers need a reliable place to buy products they know they can trust, including hemp-derived CBD extract.
Within the past month, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid have announced they would each sell products containing CBD.
Several traditional retailers also stock hemp-derived products, including Urban Outfitters, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Neiman Marcus, Barneys and DSW.
