Coca-Cola eyeing the cannabis market

A recent study estimates the cannabidiol (CBD) market at 22 billion by 2022 580 million in the United States. Here's a partnership that could contribute to such sudden market expansion: Coca Cola is reportedly in talks with Aurora Cannabis, one of Canada's largest cannabis producers, to develop alcohol-free cannabis drinks, according to Bloomberg.

«We are closely monitoring the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in wellness beverages around the world,» said Coca-Cola spokesperson Kent Landers in a statement sent to Bloomberg News and available on the Coca site. «The space is evolving rapidly. No decision has been made yet.»

According to sources close to the matter, the two companies would like to develop drinks to relieve inflammation, pain or cramps.

In a separate statement, Aurora announced that it would not discuss the ongoing negotiations until they were finalized, adding that «Aurora has expressed specific interest in the infused beverage space, and we intend to enter this market.»

A partnership between Coca Cola and Aurora would mark the first entry by a soft drinks manufacturer into cannabis-based products.

For the moment, however, there are no guarantees, as the agreement between the two companies has not yet been made public.

Earlier this year, several alcohol distributors entered into partnerships with cannabis companies to develop THC beverages. Molson Coors has moved closere of Hydropothecary, while Constellation Brands, the distributor of Corona in the United States, took 38% from Canopy Growth for 3.8 billion euros.