High times ahead Coca Cola Co eyes off the marijuana-infused drinks market
The world's largest beverage maker, The Coca Cola Co, has responded to a report that was in talks with Canada's Aurora Cannabis Inc. saying that it was closely monitoring the growing marijuana-infused drinks market.
Despite not formal agreement being reached shares in Aurora surged 22 per cent. The marijuana industry has been attracting interest from a handful of big corporate names as Canada and a wave of U.S. states move to legalise recreational use of the drug.
The move by Coca Cola into the cannabinoid infused beverage market would part of a general push into the health related drinks sector which is growing in proportion to the decline in sugar laden beverages. It is speculated that Coke and Aurora would develop beverages that will ease inflammation, pain and cramping.
The alcohol industry has already made its move, withg big players such as Corona maker Constellation Brands investing more than US$4 billion into marijuana producer Canopy Growth to make cannabis based products. Molson Coors Brewing Co's Canadian arm has also stated it will make cannabis-infused drinks with Hydropothecary Corp.
Sheridan Randall, 28th September 2018
