(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
FOXBusiness - UPDATE: The Coca-Cola Company has issued the following statement regarding speculation about the company’s interest in CBD (cannabidiol)-infused beverages.
"We have no interest in marijuana or cannabis. Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world. The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time."
Coca-Cola is reportedly in talks with a Canada-based cannabis producer to make marijuana-infused beverages to help ease drinkers' inflammation and pain, according to a new report from BNN Bloomberg.
According to the outlet’s sources, the world’s largest beverage company is talking with Aurora Cannabis to develop a health-focused beverage line infused with CBD — the non-psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that can be used to treat pain but doesn’t get users high. The new beverages will be pegged to drinkers who suffer with inflammation, pain or cramping.
If a partnership between Coke and Aurora does go through, the deal would mark the first entry of a major manufacturer of non-alcoholic beverages into the cannabis market.
A Coke spokesman told FOX Business in a statement that it declines to comment on any report of talks with Aurora or others but did say that the company is “closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world.”
“The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time,” Coke added.