Seven states and the District of Columbia have adopted the most expansive laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Most recently, California, Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada all passed measures in November legalizing recreational marijuana.
It also would be Kroger's biggest takeover since 1998, when it bought the Fred Meyer food and merchandise store chain in the Northwest for more than $12 billion, according to financial data service Bloomberg.
Kroger Co. said Thursday it is raising its quarterly dividend, launching a 2-for-1 stock split and initiating a $500 million stock-buyback program as the grocery chain has reported stronger results in recent quarters. All Kroger shareholders KR, +0.37% as of July 6 will receive one additional common share for each share they hold around July 6.