Alain Bouchard, co-founder and executive chairman of the board, said the convenience store operator is developing a strategy so it can move quickly as regulations change to permit cannabis in different regions. (La Presse)

Talking point: Couche-Tard has the physical footprint to be a major player in cannabis sales, depending on how regulations shape up worldwide. The company has about 15,000 stores around the world, but so far, few regions are allowing it to sell out of them. And, it’s been shut out of cannabis retail sales in its home base of Quebec. However, it’s finding other ways to get in on the Canadian market; it’s invested in Alberta-based retail chain Fire & Flower and giant Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth. It’s had more luck selling out of its stores internationally. It sells CBD, the non-intoxicating ingredient in cannabis, in the U.S. and Ireland. The firm’s announcement comes one day after another large Canadian firm, Shopify, announced plans to get in on the U.S. cannabis market. On Tuesday, Shopify said it will allow U.S. vendors to sell CBD products.