If you can’t beat them, own them. The alcohol industry is about to start buying up cannabis brands, and a first major purchase was announced this morning. Constellation Brands, one of the major alcohol corporations and the owner of Corona, High West Whiskey, Svedka Vodka and others, has purchased a 9.9 percent stake in Canadian medicinal marijuana seller Canopy Growth Corp, according to Bloomberg.

MORE: Inside the Marijuana Showdown at the Canadian Border

Read article

It’s a smart way to skirt legality issues in the U.S., where marijuana exists in a sort of gray area. Here it’s hard to invest corporate money, because a change in law enforcement procedures could cost a major company millions. But medicinal marijuana has clearer legality in Canada, and as an international corporation, Constellation can dabble in the great white north without ruffling feathers at home (they’re based in New York).

ALSO: Funky Buddha Brewing Sells to Corona Owner, Constellation Brands

Read article

But this is the first major move from an existing alcohol entity into the cannabis arena. That could be a signal of changing tides from a broader alcohol industry that has been accused in the past of hindering legalization because it hurts alcohol sales. Canada plans to legalize recreational marijuana in 2018, so Constellation’s nearly $200 million buy into Canopy is a solid investment, with a lot of growth potential. And if the U.S. follows suit, they’ll have a leg up on the competition in experience, and potential access to a lot of product. We won’t try and draw parallels with Prohibition, but there’s a reason Canadian whisky was so ubiquitous after it was repealed.

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If you can’t beat them, own them. The alcohol industry is about to start buying up cannabis brands, and a first major purchase was announced this morning.

Constellation Brands, one of the major alcohol corporations and the owner of Corona, High West Whiskey, Svedka Vodka and others, has purchased a 9.9 percent stake in Canadian medicinal marijuana seller Canopy Growth Corp, according to Bloomberg.

MORE: Inside the Marijuana Showdown at the Canadian Border

Read article

It’s a smart way to skirt legality issues in the U.S., where marijuana exists in a sort of gray area. Here it’s hard to invest corporate money, because a change in law enforcement procedures could cost a major company millions.

MORE: Inside the Marijuana Showdown at the Canadian Border

Read article

MORE: Inside the Marijuana Showdown at the Canadian Border

But medicinal marijuana has clearer legality in Canada, and as an international corporation, Constellation can dabble in the great white north without ruffling feathers at home (they’re based in New York).

ALSO: Funky Buddha Brewing Sells to Corona Owner, Constellation Brands

Read article

But this is the first major move from an existing alcohol entity into the cannabis arena. That could be a signal of changing tides from a broader alcohol industry that has been accused in the past of hindering legalization because it hurts alcohol sales.

ALSO: Funky Buddha Brewing Sells to Corona Owner, Constellation Brands

Read article

ALSO: Funky Buddha Brewing Sells to Corona Owner, Constellation Brands

Canada plans to legalize recreational marijuana in 2018, so Constellation’s nearly $200 million buy into Canopy is a solid investment, with a lot of growth potential. And if the U.S. follows suit, they’ll have a leg up on the competition in experience, and potential access to a lot of product.

We won’t try and draw parallels with Prohibition, but there’s a reason Canadian whisky was so ubiquitous after it was repealed.

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

More News

					Highland Park 54 Year Old Is Among Best Scotch Releases of 2023					



					The Rambler 10 Oz Lowball From YETI is a Must Own					



					Best Bars in Mexico City for Low-key Cocktail Lounges and Mezcal Shrines					



					Class It Up With The International Mountains Whiskey Glasses					



					Best Beers You Should Be Drinking Now					



					Uncle Nearest Whiskey Lineup Is Rapidly Expanding					


			All Stories			

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							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





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More News

					Highland Park 54 Year Old Is Among Best Scotch Releases of 2023					



					The Rambler 10 Oz Lowball From YETI is a Must Own					



					Best Bars in Mexico City for Low-key Cocktail Lounges and Mezcal Shrines					



					Class It Up With The International Mountains Whiskey Glasses					



					Best Beers You Should Be Drinking Now					



					Uncle Nearest Whiskey Lineup Is Rapidly Expanding					


			All Stories			

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

More News

					Highland Park 54 Year Old Is Among Best Scotch Releases of 2023					



					The Rambler 10 Oz Lowball From YETI is a Must Own					



					Best Bars in Mexico City for Low-key Cocktail Lounges and Mezcal Shrines					



					Class It Up With The International Mountains Whiskey Glasses					



					Best Beers You Should Be Drinking Now					



					Uncle Nearest Whiskey Lineup Is Rapidly Expanding					


			All Stories			

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City							

More Videos

							The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More							





							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





							Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City