Uber could get into cannabis delivery, CEO says

Uber's CEO said Monday that the ride-sharing company would «absolutely» consider adding cannabis deliveries to its services once federal prohibition ends.

Dara Khosrowshahi was asked about the prospect of expanding into cannabis deliveries in an interview with CNBC. He said that while the company remains focused on food and alcohol deliveries, in addition to its core ride-sharing service, cannabis delivery will be considered if cannabis is federally legalized in the US.

Uber is interested in «the types of deliveries that a high percentage of consumers will want delivered quickly to their homes and that are fairly frequent,» he said. «We think, obviously, food, groceries, pharmacy and alcohol fall into that category,» but cannabis also has potential.

«When the coast is clear for cannabis, when the federal laws come into play, we're absolutely going to look at it,» Khosrowshahi said. «But for now, with grocery, food, alcohol... we see so much opportunity there and we're going to focus on the opportunity at hand.»

Could you get your weed delivered through Uber? CEO Dara Khosrowshahi discusses the potential business strategy: "When the road is clear for cannabis and federal laws come into play, we're absolutely going to look at it." (via @CNBCTechCheck) https://t.co/6VM454ugka pic.twitter.com/bRjpv7vvhU

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The Uber executive was asked about their possible expansion in light of the legalization recently enacted in New York. A recent survey shows that 53 % of New Yorkers would be in favor of this option. But for now, the CEO said the company was concentrating on its current expansion.

In particular, Uber acquired alcohol delivery service Drizly, which had already developed an ancillary cannabis delivery service called Lantern. Following Uber's acquisition, the two entities were nevertheless separated, and Lantern continues to operate independently.

In any case, Uber's apparent interest in participating in the market once the federal hurdles are cleared is another sign of the industry's potential in the US.