Irwin’s caution is inspired by his future competitors. Tilray is a big company compared to other cannabis firms, but not so big when compared to enormous alcohol, tobacco, or other consumer-packaged goods companies—several of which, including tobacco giant Altria and alcohol behemoth Constellation Brands, have invested billions of dollars into cannabis with an eye towards the U.S. market. Those aren’t the kind of firms that Tilray will be able to overpower with brute strength. Simon is a firm believer that legalization will happen in the U.S. “within the next few years.” Until then, in Simon’s analysis, buying an American cannabis license is like buying a lottery ticket. And rather than gamble, Tilray is content to stand pat and watch and wait until the game evolves.“It’s waiting to buy at the right time,” he said. “At the end of the day, if we have to pay more, I’d rather be sure and pay more for something that I know is right, rather than buy a lottery ticket and hope that ticket comes in time"
This brought to mind the Aesops tale of The Hare and The Tortoise:
A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it." The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off. The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up. The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
The race is not always to the swift.