Boston Beer Co., brewer of Samuel Adams beer, is establishing an R&D center in Canada for non-alcoholic cannabis products.
The new subsidiary will be headed by Paul Weaver, who will have the title “head of cannabis.” Weaver had been director of innovation at Canopy Growth Corp., a major cannabis processor based in Smiths Falls, Ontario, about 36 miles southwest of Ottawa.
The new division has not yet announced a location. Canada has the advantage of laxer and more uniform cannabis laws than the U.S.
"Our mission since day one has been to offer drinkers the highest quality, best tasting products, and they continue to seek new options," Dave Burwick, Boston Beer CEO, said in a statement. “Innovation is core to what we do, beginning with craft beer, then hard cider, hard iced tea, and now Truly Hard Seltzer. We believe non-alcoholic cannabis beverages could represent a new frontier of innovation and want to be ready for future opportunities in the U.S."
