With the purchase of a local pot producer, a beer and wine company could bring Saskatchewan to the forefront of cannabis-infused beverages.

The Hill Street Beverage Company out of Ontario has signed a letter of intent to buy OneLeaf Cannabis for $16 million.

Terry Donnelly, chairman and CEO of Hill Street, said the company is going to use OneLeaf’s expertise and massive production facility just outside of Regina to help create its upcoming line of weed-infused beers and wines.

“We think this is the equivalent to the end of prohibition of alcohol, so we’re planning a multi-year strategy to be able to create a whole new portfolio or whole new category of beverages that we believe will be an alternative to alcohol,” explained Donnelly.

When cannabis was first legalized in Canada, customers immediately criticized the excessive plastic packaging that came with it. 

Some products generated as much as 70 grams of plastic and cardboard for one gram of marijuana. 

But that is starting to change. 

Some products, offered in pill containers, have shed the outer cardboard boxes and shrink-wrapped plastic seal. 

Others, such as a gram of cannabis from Ontario producer Aphria, come in sealed brown envelopes. 

"We are certainly mindful of the concerns raised around the amount of packaging used industry-wide, which was largely the result of ensuring compliance with the regulations under the Cannabis Act," said Andrew Swartz, a spokesperson for Aphria. 

The novelty of adding CBD, or cannabidiol, to foods has infiltrated the fast food world with the debut of a Carl’s Jr. burger topped with a CBD-infused sauce on Apr. 20—the international day for weed.

The 4/20 festivities are long over, but the stunt involving the US$4.20 burger—which took place at a single Carl’s Jr. location in Colorado where cannabis, including CBD, has been legal for recreational use since 2014—lives on.

An Ontario-based beverage company looking to create intoxicating alternatives to alcohol will get its key ingredient at the edge of Regina.

“There’s a great saying: Five guys get drunk and they start a fight. Five guys get stoned and they start a band,” said Hill Street Beverage Company chairman and CEO Terry Donnelly.

Hill Street announced Tuesday it will acquire OneLeaf Cannabis for a total purchase price of $16 million. The move is part of Hill Street’s vision to become a leader in the infused beverage market when the sale of cannabis edibles becomes legal in Canada, expected by Oct. 17.

When Canada’s plans to legalize recreational marijuana sprung into existence, people did not take it seriously, as many citizens thought it was a political scheme to convince voters. It was not until Wednesday, October 17, 2018, that many were convinced as Canada became the second country globally to accept the use of said plant.

As stores make their way, those interested need to bear many things in mind. For instance, what might the cost of purchasing marijuana be from province to province? Other factors worth mentioning here include supply and demand, age requirements, amount allowed in one’s possession, etc.

Earlier this month, TheCannalysts and Grant Thornton brought the WeCann Conference to Edmonton, Alberta. Various speakers and panels were invited to the conference to discuss important topics related to cannabis, from marijuana agriculture up to its retail. The gathering aims to recognize and commemorate the cannabis industry’s development and economic growth throughout the years and to explore more on its many possibilities. 

During the one-day event, there was one topic that got the attention of multiple panels –  the second stage of the implementation and the legalization of cannabis edibles into the market. 

Recreational cannabis consumption is legal in 10 states in the United States as well as all across Canada for adults of a certain age. However, unlike other recreational choices like alcohol, in many places, there is no place for adults to socially consume cannabis together.

Despite the discovery of a "product resembling cannabis" that was actually carfentanil, there are no documented cases of opioids being found in marijuana in Canada, according to the Ontario Harm Reduction Network (OHRN).

Some public health organizations and police forces have issued the warnings after the substance — which, despite looking like cannabis from a distance, actually contains no marijuana — was discovered in southern Ontario.

However, Thunder Bay Drug Strategy coodinator Cynthia Olsen said the OHRN has issued a statement about the substance out of concern that the warnings are giving the impression that cannabis containing opioids has been found in Canada.

That has not been the case, Olsen said.

The use of CBD as an ingredient in many treatments and even foods have become an unstoppable trend. Although, various companies were unwilling to sell CBD and related products due to its legal implications, according to Forbes, the financial services company, Square have started to take a slightly different approach. A Square representative spoke to Forbes about how the payment processing service has started to accept payments for specific CBD products.

Legalization in North America has raised many questions. For example, can you take cannabis to your hotel room when on vacation? The age of cannabis legalization is most certainly upon us, with Canada being the most recent on the list to legalize the herb for both medical and recreational. However, in most states where cannabis is legal, on whatever level, consumption is limited to private spaces; usually at home.

Even in states where cannabis is legal, it’s not alright to light up a joint in a club, bar or restaurant, or any similar public space. This doesn’t apply across the board, but for the most part, people enjoy their cannabis in the comfort of their own home.