Infused cannabis products started trickling into the Canadian market in December, but wider distribution isn’t expected until later this quarter.

Lisa Campbell, CEO of Mercari Agency, a Toronto-based cannabis consultancy, noted that hurdles stand in the way of beer companies looking to capitalize on cannabis beverages – especially regulatory barriers.

For example, beer makers are unable to produce cannabis beverages unless they build out a separate facility – or partner with someone who already has a separate facility.

That adds significant cost and limits synergy.

Many cannabis beverage joint ventures with some of the biggest brewers have yet to launch a product despite such products being legal, she said.

“The ban of alcohol branding and nomenclature means beer brands can’t capitalize on their existing brands to gain cannabis market share.”