Marlboro cigarette maker places a $2.4-billion bet on marijuana
Altria Group Inc., one of the world's biggest tobacco companies, is diving into the cannabis market with a $2.4 billion buy-in.
The Marlboro cigarette maker is taking a 45% stake in Cronos Group Inc., the Canadian medical and recreational marijuana provider said Friday.
Altria will pay an additional $1.4 billion for warrants that, if exercised, would give Altria a 55% ownership stake in the Toronto company.