Canada’s infused cannabis beverages maker BevCanna has signed a definitive agreement with Higharchy Ventures to develop, manufacture and launch a portfolio of cannabis beverage brands.

Under the agreement, BevCanna will produce Higharchy’s beverage-related in-house and established brands, which the latter already holds rights or seeks to obtain permission from the Canadian authorities.

The beverage brands will be distributed in Canada through Higharchy’s growing retail cannabis network.

BevCanna chief commercialisation officer Emma Andrews said: “This partnership is a great opportunity to work closely with another emerging leader in the Canadian cannabis space.

“We’ll leverage our existing manufacturing expertise and facilities to help Higharchy realize their vision of producing world-class brands and products, and we will, in turn, benefit from Higharchy’s retail holdings as we launch our own beverage brands in Canada.”

BevCanna will be a preferred supplier through Higharchy’s cannabis brands, where the regulations permit.

Bevcanna will have the first right of refusal for additional products and brands outside of the beverage category.

Higharchy founder and CEO Matt Christopherson said: “At Higharchy, our team brings experience from some of the today’s most respected and loved consumer brands and as a result, intuitively knows the importance and value of building and delivering on consumer-centric experiences.

“As we grow and shape cannabis brands, our Higharchy team is committed to delivering beyond shareholder value and serving by doing good for both people and planet.”

In August, Health Canada granted a research license to BevCanna to research the stability and homogeneity of water-soluble cannabinoid infusions in water-based beverages.