Coca-Cola plans to launch into the cannabis industry – Quartz

One of the largest soft drink companies in the world feels a bit experimental, so it does what many people in the same situation do: it uses drugs.

Specifically, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola is curious to know if a Canadian company – Aurora Cannabis Inc. – has made cannabis or marijuana its main business, according to a new Bloomberg report. As the beverage giant continues to grapple with the slowing of soda sales and increased public interest in teas and flavored waters, leaders would be in internal talks to decide whether to invest in drinks containing or not. CBD. CBD is the non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, which does not allow a person to excel but soothes and relieves pain.

While the soda industry has undoubtedly suffered from slowing sales and intense battles in California, Colorado, and Philadelphia over the application of soft drink taxes, sweetened beverage companies For at least a few years, the beer industry has been closely monitoring the world of cannabis, which is considered a potential threat to what is sometimes called its "buzz share".

This concern is well placed. The marijuana industry is booming. In 2011, legal sales reached just over $ 1 billion. In 2016, this figure was just over $ 4 billion. A year later, at the end of 2017, it has more than doubled to about $ 9 billion.

According to Bloomberg, at least two beer companies, Molson Coors Brewing Co. and Diageo, are in talks with cannabis companies. And Heineken has already launched a non-alcoholic beverage containing marijuana ingredients under its Lagunitas brand.

Although the rules on the sale of cannabis products are qualified by US law, they are still controversial. As a general rule, the sale of marijuana remains illegal, even though a mosaic of states and municipalities makes it possible to buy, grow and keep it for personal use. Still, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still allowed in June a company called GW Pharmaceuticals to sell a marijuana-based product to treat epilepsy. Another drug has been approved by the FDA this week.