NEW YORK, June 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — As the Canadian cannabis market continues to mature, the consumer market is expected to witness a proliferation of edibles and other alternative cannabis-based products. Alternative products have become increasingly popular over recent years as consumers continue to stray away from traditional flower. Now shoppers are opting towards products such as concentrates and extracts, which are considered much more potent and cleaner when compared to smoking flower. Emerging products are expected to deliver annual revenue of more than CAD 2.5 Billion and generate higher profits for retailers than cannabis products that are already legal, according to Deloitte’s annual cannabis industry report. In addition to new products, Deloitte mentions other growth drivers such as the introduction of the alcohol and tobacco industry, mergers and acquisitions, and the entry of pharmaceutical companies. However, Deloitte is also forecasting that edibles are expected to be the primary growth driver for the overall Canadian market, as edible and alternative cannabis-based products are expected to account for CAD 1.6 Billion of the total CAD 2.5 Billion marketplace. Infused beverages (CAD 529 Million), topicals (CAD 174 Million), concentrates (CAD 140 Million, tinctures (CAD 116 Million), and capsules (114 Million) also make it on the list. In combination, the global market for alternative products is expected to double over the next five years, reaching USD 194 Billion. And while the U.S. marketplace accounts for a majority of the global market share, Deloitte highlights that Canada is better positioned than the U.S. The firm notes that Canadian-based cannabis companies receive significant advantages over its global counterparts, such as government support, access to capital markets and the banking system, as well as a unified market. As a result, the U.S. is expected to see its market share dwindle as more global players enter into the cannabis industry. Nonetheless, the U.S. market is still expected to thrive, especially after the passage of the U.S. Farm Bill last year. Pasha Brands Ltd. (CSE: CRFT, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON), The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (OTC: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD), Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. (OTC: CBWTF) (TSX-V: XLY)