Canadian medical cannabis producer Tilray has entered an agreement with the nation’s largest provider of pharmacy products and services, Shoppers Drug Mart, to sell its products to consumers, according to a KamloopsBCNow report. This is the third medical cannabis producer to strike a deal with Shoppers Drug Mart – Aphria and MedReLeaf announced their own agreements in December.
“Tilray’s products are currently sold in pharmacies in seven countries around the world. Today’s announcement is another strategic milestone as we aim to build the world’s leading medical cannabis brand by increasing availability of a diverse range of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products for patients in need.” Brendan Kennedy, Tilray CEO, to KamloopsBCNow
According to the report, all three deals rely on Health Canada’s approval of Shoppers’ medical cannabis producer application. A spokesperson for Loblaw Companies Ltd., the parent company of Shoppers Drug Mart, told the Canadian Press that the company could not estimate when – or if – the approval might occur.
“As the federal and provincial governments finalize their respective cannabis frameworks, we remain optimistic that they will allow pharmacists in stores, in communities to apply their professional care to medical cannabis patients.” Loblaw spokesman Kevin Groh, to the Canadian Press
Adult-use cannabis legalization is expected in Canada in July.