Jones Soda to launch Mary Jones in Canada

Company partners with Tilray Brands for manufacturing, distribution.

Jones Soda Co.’s cannabis brand Mary Jones has been approved to operate in Ontario, Canada, with additional provinces to follow.

Starting with THC-infused beverages, the products are currently slated for Ontario availability in the first quarter of 2024.

Mary Jones will launch in Ontario with its 10 mg THC-sodas in a variety of Jones flavors, including Berry Lemonade, Boot Rear (Root Beer) And Col.Ahhhhh (Cola), uniquely labeled for Canadian cannabis packaging and naming requirements. The sodas use the same pure cane sugar recipe as mainline Jones, adapted for cannabis. Cannabis consumers in Canada can enjoy Mary Jones THC-infused sodas alone, mixed in craft cocktails, floats and much more.

Mary Jones is also exploring future expansion into other cannabis categories in the Canadian market, bringing the beverage flavors into other product formats. The brand has partnered with Tilray Brands for manufacturing and distribution in Canada. Green Hedge will support sales and field marketing.

"Jones was originally founded in Vancouver, BC, Canada and Tilray is a natural fit for our first international expansion for Mary Jones following the incredible success we've had in our U.S. markets," said David Knight, CEO of Jones Soda. "Canada's recreational cannabis sales increased C$466.1 million in July, up 1.9% from June this year. We're looking forward to bringing Mary Jones to Canada's THC retailers and consumers."

"We are excited to partner with Mary Jones and to produce their one-of-a-kind beverages at our state-of-the-art London, Ontario facility," said Blair MacNeil, president, Tilray Canada. "The Mary Jones brand has seen enormous success in the United States, and we look forward to being a part of their rapid growth in Canada."

Powered by Jones Soda's reputation for flavor innovation and iconoclastic brand persona, Mary Jones was the first non-alcoholic CPG brand to crossover into cannabis with its 2022 debut in California. Recent U.S. expansions have included Washington, Nevada and Michigan with other U.S. markets to follow.

Alyse Thompson-Richards has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served on Cannabis Products Insider since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.