RE:Good news
Aphria will be the Bacardi, Remy and Cointreau of cannabis. Well known, good constant quality, reasonable price. This is very signficant since in most provinces the liquor boards are controlling distribution of cannabis and alcohol in Canada. Having experience there is vital to the success of any licensed producers in the big provinces of Alberta, Quebec and BC which represents over 55% of the Canadian population.
"The Financial Post reports in its Friday edition that the Canadian arm of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits LLC is entering the cannabis market. The Post's Mark Rendell writes that a new company, Great North Distributors, will represent Aphria products to retailers and regulators across the country, essentially acting as Aphria's on-the-spot salesforce. "We're going to be able to take a lot of the experience we have from the beverage alcohol market and translate it to the cannabis market," said Doug Wieland, general manager of Southern Glazer's Canadian division. Southern Glazer's, the largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States, represents in Canada brands such as Bacardi, Remy Cointreau and Tito's Vodka. "We believe there's going to be a lot of similarities with both government involvement, and the way the product will be retailed through those government bodies," Mr. Wieland said. The partnership comes when Canadian cannabis companies are starting to focus on retail strategies for the adult recreational market, which is expected to become legal some time later this year. Industry profits will ultimately depend on getting marijuana on store shelves and creating brand recognition and loyalty."