Walmart Canada plans to market CBD products

The supermarket chain Walmart Canada is exploring the possibility of selling products containing CBD, the non-psychotropic cannabis molecule.

A global interest in the cannabis industry

This is not the first time that traditional industries such as the beverage industry have shown an interest in cannabis. Alcohol giants Constellation Brands and Heineken have already invested in cannabis companies or developed infused drinks. The French Pernod Ricard also keeps a close eye on market developments, a practice that is becoming increasingly popular as even Coca-Cola is considering entering the business. The company is said to be in discussions on the subject with Aurora.

Investors and entrepreneurs are showing that they have fewer obstacles to overcome than governments on the subject of cannabis. This normalization could well have repercussions on the political and social vision of cannabis. Buying cannabis products in supermarkets is surely the last step in a democratization process. If it decides to take the plunge, Walmart would be the first supermarket chain to sell them.

A Walmart spokesperson told Reuters that the company had made preliminary inquiries into the matter, but that no concrete action was planned. As usual now, as soon as a company announces that it is considering entering the cannabis business, the value of its shares rises on the stock market. Walmart's value rose by almost 3 % in the afternoon following this announcement, to 97.48$ per share.

The Global stock index, index, which lists all shares publicly bought and sold in the medical and recreational cannabis sector, has already risen by 87 % since last year. In other words, the sector is booming. In Canada alone, cannabis sales are estimated at 7 billion in 2019. No wonder the major retailers are thinking of joining the movement.