At the moment, you can purchase marijuana via OCS; come next October, cannabis-infused drinks including beers are expected to become legal.
Waterloo Brewing is currently preparing for that incoming legislation.
President and CEO George Croft says they're ready to take on this challenge.
"We've been mixing drinks, ready to drink ciders and beers, for an extended period of time," says Croft. "We think this is a real opportunity for our company."
The numbers for the potential revenue on this product are staggering, according to Croft.
"The belief is that it's about a $1.5 billion opportunity in Canada on an annualized basis," claims Croft. "That's just liquid infused drinks."
He adds that beer isn't the only beverage that is represented in this estimate.
"The research thus far really highlights three opportunities," says Croft. "The first opportunity is around flavoured waters, the second is around teas, and the third is around non-alcoholic beers."
Waterloo Brewing is hoping they can begin production as soon as possible, so that come next fall, you can already purchase them.
The brewing company is currently in the process of obtaining a pair of licenses to start producing.
"It looks like the regulations are coming where the government will absolutely not allow the mixing of alcohol and cannabis-infused beverages," says Tabata. "We are well on the way to installing technology to allow us to make one of the highest quality non-alcoholic beers on the market."
Chief Operating Officer Russell Tabata says when it comes to producing these types of products, they aren't worried about competition from the United States.
"We believe Canada is going to be ahead of the U.S. curve," says Tabata. "Federally in the United States, it's still not legal. That's why there's so much investment in the Canadian cannabis industry."
With files from Brandon Graziano
