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The deal focuses on non-combustible products, which, to begin with in 2018, will include oils and gel caps. Longer term, products could include such items as sprays, creams and patches, if they become legal.

“They know how to manufacture all different form factors that we are asked about regularly. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about a patch or a gel cap, (Sandoz) is a company that produces, and has access to manufacturers that know how to manufacture, every different form factor of medicine,” said Kennedy.

How the co-branded products will actually get to patients remains to be seen. Currently, all legal medical marijuana has to be shipped from licensed producers to patients, although some pharmacies are pushing to have a stake in that process, including in-store sales.

Shoppers Drug Mart, for example, has applied for an ACMPR license, and has signed supply deals with four cannabis producers, including Tilray.

Kennedy, for his part, said he’s confident that Canadian pharmacies will be allowed to sell Tilray products within a year.

In-store distribution, however, is far from a sure thing, given disagreement between different provincial colleges of pharmacists. Some colleges of pharmacists, as in B.C. and Quebec, have argued for over-the-counter distribution of cannabis. But others, as in Alberta, have argued that pharmacies should not sell cannabis products until they receive Drug Identification Numbers following more robust scientific testing.