On October 17, 2018, Canada nationally legalized medical and recreational cannabis use for adults. In doing so, that country has set the stage for significant R&D of legal cannabis edibles and beverages—often with the help of U.S. investors.

CBD holds massive potential across every area of food and beverages. According to The Brightfield Group, the U.S. hemp-derived CBD market could hit $22 billion by 2022.

The gummy format is also popular in legal cannabis edibles because it’s popular in the mainstream candy industry.

While the hemp-derived cannabidiol market presents a substantial growth opportunity for food, beverage, and dietary supplement companies, there is much you need to know.

When "The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book" was first published in 1954, it included a recipe for "Haschich Fudge," made with black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, dates, figs, almonds, peanuts, sugar, butter and "a bunch of canibus sativa (sic)."

The bakery industry is gaining a better understanding that there are hazards associated with its products.

Many members of the traditional food and beverage industry—in both manufacturing and from the supply chain—have been reluctant to enter the market due to incongruences related to federal vs. state legal status, the unfamiliarity of the territory, restrictive banking options for legal cannabis businesses, limits imposed on advertising and social media, and other hurdles.

Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics predict that combined medical and recreational legal cannabis sales in the U.S. will top $11 billion in 2018. And according to the 2017 "Marijuana Business Factbook" from Marijuana Business Daily, by 2021 U.S. sales are anticipated to top $17 billion.

Take a look at how Otis Spunkmeyer responded to the deadline to remove partially hydrogenated oils from their food products and the impact on their brand.