Oregon manufacturer sells partial ownership stake to expand CBD offerings

An Oregon CBD beverage maker has sold a partial ownership stake for $1.6 million to expand production and distribution.

Ablis of Bend, Oregon, makes nonalcoholic beverages that contain 25 milligrams of CBD. The products are distributed in health and wellness retailers in 10 states.

Acquired Sales Corp. of Lake Forest, Illinois, is spending $1.6 million for a 19.99% ownership stake in Ablis.

The company is also buying a stake in two alcohol manufacturers owned by Ablis founder Jim Bendis, pushing Acquired’s total investment to $7.6 million.

Gerard M. Jacobs, CEO of Acquired Sales Corp., told Hemp Industry Daily that the company plans to buy stakes in more CBD manufacturers.

“We think CBD-infused products are taking off, and we feel there’s a lot of potential in investing here,” said Jacobs, who also noted the prospects for CBD-infused beer.

Ablis already is working with an unidentified Oregon brewery to develop such a product, he said.

Acquired Sales Corp. trades on over-the-counter markets as AQSP.