The Vancouver-based biotech company has the upper hand in research and development in cannabis that is otherwise not permitted legally without a license.

With the federal government on the verge of legalising marijuana, high-value strategic assets in the cannabis sector are becoming valuable.

That is how Ottawa-based cannabis firm CannaRoyalty Corp. explained its interest in buying a 20% stake in Vancouver’s Anandia Laboratories.

The companies announced January 9 that they have signed a letter of intent for CannaRoyalty (CSE:CRZ) to acquire that 20% stake in Anandia for C$4 million (US$3,029,041).

Anandia is a biotechnology company that tests medical marijuana and uses genomics for plant breeding. It has completed extensive research into cannabis genetics and has built a significant intellectual-property position that includes cannabinoid pathway patents, according to the company.

Anandia also has been issued a dealers licence from Health Canada pursuant to the provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances...