*By Carlo Versano*
The world's largest beverage maker is reportedly eyeing the red-hot cannabis market, according to a [report] (https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/coca-cola-in-talks-with-aurora-to-develop-cannabis-drinks-sources-1.1138528).
Coca-Cola is in "serious talks" with Aurora Cannabis to develop cannabidiol-infused beverages, according to BNN Bloomberg.
A deal on that scale would likely dwarf agreements made by Corona-maker Constellation Brands and Molson Coors, both of which have partnered with Canadian cannabis companies to add CBD, the non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that can be used to treat pain or anxiety, to drinks like coffee, soda, and beer, and would represent a "mainstreaming" of pot products in the eyes of Wall Street.
For Coke, getting into the weed market would be both capturing a trend and a diversification play. Soda sales have been down as younger consumers seek out healthier drinks like sparkling water.
Shares of Aurora were up over 6 percent on the news Monday morning, as were other pot stocks like Tilray.
With the Fed likely set to leave rates unchanged, lower and middle income Americans will continue dealing with higher credit card interest and expenses.
Markets soared in May after Nvidia’s Q1 success, but concerns over slowing consumer spending, especially among middle—and lower-income groups, loom large.
