Page 18 - BEC / DEC / 2019

"The edibles market alone is estimated to be worth companies are looking for opportunities to enter

at least $1.6 billion a year in Canada, with cannabis- the legal cannabis industry to avoid losing market
infused beverages adding a further $529 million," share, which could continue to fuel an already

said Jennifer Lee, a partner and Deloitte Canada's strong market for mergers and acquisitions in the

Cannabis National Leader, and Consumer Advisory cannabis sector. Pharmaceutical companies are
and Analytics Practice National Leader. "According also entering the market, as a growing number of

to our research and stakeholder interviews, much consumers looking to manage various health and

of this economic boost will be on top of current wellness issues are expected to turn to alternative
cannabis product spending. The introduction of cannabis products, including cannabis-infused

cannabis-infused edibles will clearly threaten the topicals, upon legalization in October.
alcohol industry as consumers are using the product

for similar usage occasions." Deloitte says Canadian cannabis companies

currently enjoy significant advantages over their
The report notes that alcohol and tobacco US and global counterparts, including government

18 DECEMBER 2019 | BUSINESS ELITE CANADA