CBD and cannabis-infused beverages are a major threat to the multi-billion-dollar booze industry, according to a top brewer.
In a Molson Coors’ annual shareholder report, the company listed cannabis among the biggest risks to its business.
It said: “Although the ultimate impact is currently
unknown, the emergence of legal cannabis in certain US states and Canada may
result in a shift of discretionary income away from our products or a change in
consumer preferences away from beer.
“As a result, a shift in consumer preferences away from our
products or beer or a decline in the consumption of our products could result
in a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.”
Alcohol companies are now seeking partnerships with CBD firms, such as Anheuser-Busch InBev announcing a partnership with Tilray to research non-alcoholic beverages infused with THC and CBD.
Meanwhile, Constellation Brands has invested $4 billion in
Canopy Growth Corporation, Molson Coors agreed to a joint venture with
The Hydropothecary Corporation, and Heineken subsidiary Lagunitas has
partnered with cannabis company AbsoluteXtracts.
XPhyto
Therapeutics Corp has just announced that its German subsidiary, Bunker
Pflanzenextrakte GmbH has entered into a cannabis research and development
agreement with the chair of brewing and beverage technology at the Technical
University of Munich.
Robert Barth,
of XPhyto, said: “Given the commercial potential for CBD infused beverages
in Europe,
XPhyto is very pleased to have secured such a strong development partner right
here in Bavaria.
“We are excited to work together, and we are particularly
looking forward to the development of cannabis-infused fermented beverages and
sports drinks.”
In August a CBD food and drinks supplier chain claimed CBD-infused drinks could help restaurants struggling because booze sales are plummeting.
US-based West
Coast Venture Group (WCVG) says the emerging trend can help offset the decline
in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger consumers - with general
sales declining by 0.8% last year.
This same trend
has also led to an increase in alcohol free drinks and health-orientated
products, the company claims
Jim Nixon,
founder and CEO of WCVG, said: “This represents a significant problem for
any restaurant owner.
“In fact,
the rule of thumb says that alcohol sales should be around 30% of a
restaurant’s revenue, but in some rare cases it can be as high as 50%.
“This is a
significant portion of any restaurant’s revenue that is melting away before our
eyes. CBD-infused water could provide a way around that.”
