Tilray – AB InBev: On December 20, the maker of Budweiser beers, AB InBev (BUD) inked a $100 million deal with Canadian marijuana giant Tilray (TLRY) to study the production and distribution of non-alcoholic drinks infused with cannabis components. The joint venture, in its initial phase, is focused only in Canada.
Tilray – Sandoz: A couple of days before the deal with AB InBev, Tilray sealed another agreement with German company Sandoz, which is a subsidiary of Novartis (NVS). Under this agreement, the two companies would collaborate to make new medical marijuana products and co-brand some non-combustible products.
Aurora Cannabis – Farmacias Magistrales: Earlier this month, Canadian weed firm Aurora Cannabis (ACB) announced that it was acquiring the sole Mexican importer THC products. The deal opens up a Mexican market of 130 million population to Aurora. Value of the deal was not disclosed.
Altria Group – Cronos Group: Altria Group (MO), the parent company of Phillip Morris International (PM), inked a deal in December with Cronos Group (CRON) to invest about $1.8 billion in the Toronto-based weed company. At the close of the deal, Altria’s holding in the company would increase to almost 45%.
Constellation Brands – Canopy Growth: The maker of Corona beer, Constellation Brands (STZ), raised its stake in the largest medical marijuana company, Canopy Growth (CGC), from 10% to almost 38% in August with an additional investment of $4 billion. The deal was sealed on hopes that US regulators will sooner or later give a green signal to the sale of drinkable cannabis.