Coca-Cola spokesman Kent Landers told Bloomberg, “We have no interest in marijuana or cannabis. Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world. No decisions have been made at this time.”
As the rate of soda consumption gradually declines, Coca-cola, along with many others in the beverage industry, look for alternative beverage solutions, such as CBD infused options.
Cannabidiol is one of at least 113 cannabinoids found in Hemp. CBD is not psychoactive and has countless benefits for bodily pain, reduced anxiety, and seizures, Coca-cola is taking a look at creating CBD infused drinks or “functional wellness beverages.” Reps from Coca-cola say they are “closely watching’ the market. Coke has been in communication with Aurora Cannabis, a Canadian cannabis company, as first reported by Bloomberg.
The $171.81 billion dollar company just launched an alcoholic beverage in Japan, a step towards a CBD infused drink would provide an option for health-conscious consumers. The Brightfield Group, a firm dedicated to market research for the cannabis industry said: “CBD is growing faster than cannabis in the U.S. and will soon be a $22 billion industry.”
The Food and Drug Administration approved a prescription drug of CBD called “Epidiolex” to treat epilepsy in children. Although cannabis is still a Schedule 1 drug, enforcing laws around CBD have become fairly laidback. CBD tinctures, lotions, and dummies are available on Groupon and Amazon. Let’s see if Coke will wait for cannabis to become federally legal before deciding to enter the cannabis industry.
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