Globe and Mail
May 10, 2017
The Anderson Economic Group, a business consulting firm in New York, says legalization of marijuana would sap $160-million out of the country’s $22.1-billion booze sector, rising as use of the drug expands.
While there are numerous unknowns governing the sale of marijuana, the Anderson Economic Group based its projections on alcohol sales in U.S. states that have legalized the drug. It also took into account a host of factors in Canada including spending patterns, income and demographics.
The beer market, which is worth about $9.2-billion, is anticipated to take a $70-million hit from in the first year of marijuana legalization, the Anderson Economic Group says.
“It won’t affect spending patterns necessarily the first year to the degree where individuals’ buying habits will change overnight,” said Peter Schwartz, an Anderson consultant and editor of its biannual Cannabis Market Report that will include the analysis in its summer issue.