Coca-Cola to experiment with cannabis
According to BNN Bloomberg, The Coca-Cola Co. is in “serious talks” with Aurora Cannabis about developing drinks infused with marijuana.
It is thought that rather than giving consumers a ‘buzz’, the drinks would be intended to relieve inflammation, pain and cramping using cannabidiol. Known as CBD, cannabidiol is a chemical found in marijuana plants but it doesn’t produce a psychoactive effect.
The firm declined to comment but said in a statement: “Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive cannabidiol as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world.”
Canada is preparing to follow some US states in legalising cannabis for recreational use, after years of allowing its use for medicinal purposes.
Quoting unnamed sources, BNN Bloomberg said Coca-Cola was in “serious talks” with Aurora but no deal had been finalised. One source was quoted as saying: “They’re pretty advanced down the path” of doing a deal, adding: “It’s going to be more of the ‘recovery drink’ category.”
Aurora, in a separate statement, said it would not discuss business development initiatives until they were finalised, but added: “Aurora has expressed specific interest in the infused beverage space, and we intend to enter that market.”
While the sources say the talks between Coca-Cola and Aurora are ongoing, there is no guarantee they will be successful or that a commercial agreement would be made public.
