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Gold Flora Corp. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from               to             

 

Commission File Number: 000-56348

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Canada

 

98-1566338

(State or other jurisdiction of

 incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1550 Leigh Avenue San Jose, California

95125

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (669) 279-5390

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

NONE

 

NONE

 

NONE

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated Filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

As of May 12, 2023, there were 119,751,643 common shares of the registrant issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Page

Item 1.

Financial Statements

4

 

Interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2022

F-2

 

Unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

F-3

 

Unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ (deficit) equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

F-4

 

Unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

F-5

 

Notes to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements

F-6

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

5

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

31

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

31

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

32

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

32

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

32

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

32

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

32

Item 5.

Other Information.

32

Item 6.

Exhibits.

33

Signatures

34

 

 
2

Table of Contents

 

Unless otherwise noted or the context indicates otherwise, in this Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”), the “Company,” “The Parent Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to TPCO Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries and joint ventures to which it is a party. References in this Quarterly Report Statement to “cannabis” mean all parts of the plant cannabis sativa L. containing more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), including all compounds, manufactures, salts, derivatives, mixtures, or preparations.

 

References in this Quarterly Report to the Company’s websites, social media pages or mobile application or third party websites or applications does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through the Company’s websites, social media pages or mobile application or third party websites or applications, and you should not consider such information to be a part of this Quarterly Report.

 

This Quarterly Report contains references to our trademarks and trade names and to trademarks and trade names belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this report may appear without the ® or ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trademarks or trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us or our business by, any other companies.

 

 
3

Table of Contents

 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

Interim condensed consolidated financial statements

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

4

Table of Contents

  

Contents        

 

 

Page

Interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2022

F-2

Unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

F-3

Unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ (deficit) equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

F-4

Unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

F-5

Notes to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements

F-6

   

 
F-1

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Interim condensed consolidated balance sheets

(In United States dollars)

 

As at

 

Note

 

 

March 31, 2023

(unaudited)

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

$76,110,861

 

 

$93,697,529

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

23

 

 

 

928,622

 

 

 

1,205,700

 

Inventory

 

 

3

 

 

 

6,986,273

 

 

 

8,727,858

 

Notes and other receivables, net

 

 

4

 

 

 

123,180

 

 

 

108,957

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

5

 

 

 

10,033,108

 

 

 

8,368,495

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

6

 

 

 

5,698,193

 

 

 

6,102,764

 

Total current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

99,880,237

 

 

 

118,211,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

8

 

 

 

1,478,204

 

 

 

1,478,204

 

Security deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,201,652

 

 

 

1,181,078

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

698,406

 

 

 

844,239

 

Notes and other receivables, net

 

 

4

 

 

 

3,041,450

 

 

 

518,846

 

Property and equipment

 

 

9

 

 

 

14,857,254

 

 

 

15,146,084

 

Right-of-use assets – operating

 

 

10

 

 

 

17,411,362

 

 

 

20,689,086

 

Right-of-use assets – finance

 

 

10

 

 

 

22,679,329

 

 

 

23,070,846

 

Intangible assets

 

 

11

 

 

 

97,556,566

 

 

 

99,378,098

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

$258,804,460

 

 

$280,517,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

12

 

 

$22,457,914

 

 

$24,560,359

 

Consideration payable – current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,547,021

 

 

 

5,777,943

 

Operating lease liability – current portion

 

 

10

 

 

 

1,904,773

 

 

 

2,355,174

 

Finance lease liability – current portion

 

 

10

 

 

 

156,184

 

 

 

156,184

 

Note payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

931,103

 

Contingent consideration

 

 

23

 

 

 

2,357,044

 

 

 

1,611,843

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

 

6

 

 

 

1,119,321

 

 

 

1,309,077

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,542,257

 

 

 

36,701,683

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

10

 

 

 

21,977,258

 

 

 

24,803,815

 

Finance lease liabilities

 

 

10

 

 

 

36,574,393

 

 

 

36,618,530

 

Consideration payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

368,544

 

 

 

383,334

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

13

 

 

 

20,165,803

 

 

 

20,972,629

 

Total liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

112,628,255

 

 

 

119,479,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, no par value, unlimited Common shares authorized 118,827,323 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and 107,516,333 at December 31, 2022

 

 

14

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

998,345,720

 

 

 

996,697,299

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

(852,169,516)

 

 

(835,659,507)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

146,176,205

 

 

 

161,037,793

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

$258,804,460

 

 

$280,517,784

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 22)

Subsequent events (Note 26)

 

See accompanying notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 
F-2

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Interim condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss)

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

  

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

Note

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales, net of discounts

 

 

 

 

$18,054,212

 

 

$22,440,300

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

10,273,162

 

 

 

15,723,406

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

7,781,050

 

 

 

6,716,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

15

 

 

 

22,101,544

 

 

 

38,909,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,320,494)

 

 

(32,193,014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

622,796

 

 

 

-

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,263,928)

 

 

(1,250,568)

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

(93,944)

 

 

(254,473)

Change in fair value of investments

 

 

8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

297,864

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

23

 

 

 

(745,201)

 

 

388,622

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,170

 

 

 

307,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15,795,601)

 

 

(32,703,613)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax recovery (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(714,408)

 

 

(286,700)

Loss and comprehensive loss from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16,510,009)

 

 

(32,990,313)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax

 

 

7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(546,219)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of the company

 

 

 

 

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(33,691,877)

Loss and comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

155,345

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(33,536,532)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share – basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per share from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

$(0.16)

 

$(0.33)

Loss per share from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.01)

Loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

$(0.16)

 

$(0.34)

Weighted average number of common shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

104,208,756

 

 

 

98,820,648

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

 
F-3

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Interim condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ (deficit) equity

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

  

 

 

Note

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

Warrants

 

 

Common Shares to be issued / returned

 

 

Additional Paid in Capital

 

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

97,065,092

 

 

 

35,837,500

 

 

 

743,768

 

 

 

954,102,859

 

 

 

(593,027,673)

 

 

-

 

 

 

361,075,186

 

Shares issued for long-term strategic contract

 

 

 

 

 

1,348,921

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,875,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,875,000

 

Shares issued to settle contingent consideration

 

 

17

 

 

 

569,939

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(305,325)

 

 

299,014

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

299,014

 

Shares issued for RSUs vested

 

 

17

 

 

 

201,380

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Tax settlements associated with RSUs

 

 

17

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(204,802)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(204,802)

Share-based compensation

 

 

17

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,242,077

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,242,077

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(33,691,877)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(33,691,877)

Balance March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

99,185,332

 

 

 

35,837,500

 

 

 

438,443

 

 

$958,314,148

 

 

$(626,719,550)

 

 

-

 

 

 

331,594,598

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

107,516,333

 

 

 

35,837,500

 

 

 

(6,673,222)

 

$996,697,299

 

 

$(835,659,507)

 

$1

 

 

$161,037,793

 

Shares issued for RSUs vested

 

 

17

 

 

 

165,217

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Tax settlements associated with RSUs

 

 

17

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16,799)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16,799)

Share-based compensation

 

 

17

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,665,220

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,665,220

 

Shares returned to Treasury

 

 

14

 

 

 

(7,122,321)

 

 

-

 

 

 

7,122,321

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Shares issued in exchange for shares of subsidiary

 

 

14

 

 

 

18,268,094

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16,510,009)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(16,510,009)

Balance March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

118,827,323

 

 

 

35,837,500

 

 

 

449,099

 

 

$998,345,720

 

 

$(852,169,516)

 

$1

 

 

$146,176,205

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

 
F-4

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

Note

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(32,990,313)

Adjustments for items not involving cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

1,263,928

 

 

 

1,250,568

 

Non- cash Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

(36,826)

 

 

(26,932)

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

 

 

 

93,944

 

 

 

254,473

 

Allowance for accounts receivable and notes receivable

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,249,706

 

Fair value change of investments

 

 

8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(297,864)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

15

 

 

 

2,724,831

 

 

 

5,990,354

 

Share-based compensation expense, net of withholding tax settlement

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,648,421

 

 

 

2,037,275

 

Non-cash marketing expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,363,636

 

Non-cash operating lease expense

 

 

10

 

 

 

1,313,481

 

 

 

1,756,790

 

Fair value change of contingent consideration

 

 

23

 

 

 

745,201

 

 

 

(388,622)

Deferred income tax recovery

 

 

13

 

 

 

(806,826)

 

 

(775,615)

Repayment of operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,293,381)

 

 

(1,614,967)

Net changes in non-cash working capital items

 

 

18

 

 

 

(1,782,566)

 

 

(3,070,057)

Net cash used in continued operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,639,802)

 

 

(24,261,568)

Net cash used in discontinued operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,579,055)

Total operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13,639,802)

 

 

(25,840,623)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receipt of payments on notes receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

186,106

 

Payments of consideration payable

 

 

 

 

 

 

(383,333)

 

 

(383,333)

Payments of finance lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,147,681)

 

 

(1,116,504)

Total financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,531,014)

 

 

(1,313,731)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

(244,791)

 

 

(1,124,990)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment, net of selling costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

328,940

 

 

 

5,769,040

 

Advances for investments and notes receivables

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,500,001)

 

 

-

 

Acquisition of investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(150,000)

Total investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,415,852)

 

 

4,494,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash during the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,586,668)

 

 

(22,660,304)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

 

 

 

 

$93,697,529

 

 

$174,892,298

 

End of period

 

 

 

 

 

$76,110,861

 

 

$152,231,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

76,110,861

 

 

 

143,494,665

 

Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8,737,329

 

Cash, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

$76,110,861

 

 

$152,231,994

 

 

Supplemental cash-flow information (Note 18)

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

 
F-5

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

1. Nature of operations

 

TPCO Holding Corp. (“TPCO” or the “Company”) was a special purpose acquisition corporation incorporated on June 17, 2019 under the laws of the Province of British Columbia for the purpose of effecting, directly or indirectly, an acquisition of one or more businesses or assets, by way of merger, amalgamation, arrangement, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or any other similar business combinations involving the Company (a “Qualifying Transaction”). As more fully described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company completed the Qualifying Transaction on January 15, 2021 and at which time the Company changed its name to TPCO Holding Corp.

 

The Company’s registered office is located at 595 Burrard Street, Suite 2600, P.O. Box 49314, Vancouver, BC, V7X 1L3, Canada, and the Company’s head office is located at 1550 Leigh Avenue, San Jose, California, 95125, United States of America. Commencing on the date of the Qualifying Transaction, the Company became integrated as a cultivator, retailer, manufacturer and distributor of adult use cannabis products through the sale to omni-channel retail and wholesale customers under the “Medical Marijuana Programs Act” and the proposition 64 “The Adult Use of Marijuana Act”.

 

2. Basis of presentation

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company and were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for financial information.

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is also the Company’s and

its subsidiaries’ functional currency.

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and reflect adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to provide a fair statement of results for the interim periods in accordance with GAAP. The results reported in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for an entire fiscal year.

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and, accordingly, will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of operations as they come due.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the audited annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the accounting policies as described in the 2022 Form 10-K.

 

i) Basis of consolidation

 

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are entities in which the Company has a controlling voting interest or is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date control is transferred to the Company and are de-consolidated from the date control ceases. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries after eliminating intercompany balances and transactions.

 

ii) Use of estimates

 

The preparation of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 
F-6

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

2. Basis of presentation (continued)

 

iii) Emerging growth company

 

The Company is an “Emerging Growth Company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it has taken advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are not applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a Company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

 

iv) Accounting standards adopted

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

In September 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements, ASU 2019- 04, Codification Improvements, ASU 2019-05, Targeted Transition Relief, ASU 2019-10, Effective Dates, and ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements. The Company adopted this ASU effective Jan 1, 2023. The adoption did not have a material effect on its interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3. Inventory

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Packaging supplies

 

$2,195,159

 

 

$2,109,465

 

Biological assets

 

 

15,022

 

 

 

22,844

 

Raw materials

 

 

145,759

 

 

 

48,936

 

Work in progress

 

 

183,322

 

 

 

227,936

 

Finished goods

 

 

4,447,011

 

 

 

6,318,677

 

 

 

$6,986,273

 

 

$8,727,858

 

 

4. Notes and other receivables, net

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Upfront payment

 

$5,650,000

 

 

$5,650,000

 

Prepayment

 

 

1,490,000

 

 

 

1,490,000

 

Promissory note receivables (i)

 

 

3,164,630

 

 

 

627,803

 

Total notes receivable

 

 

10,304,630

 

 

 

7,767,803

 

Less allowance for credit losses

 

 

(7,140,000)

 

 

(7,140,000)

Total notes receivable

 

 

3,164,630

 

 

 

627,803

 

Note receivable – current portion

 

 

123,180

 

 

 

108,957

 

Note receivable- non-current

 

$3,041,450

 

 

$518,846

 

 

(i) During the three-months ended March 31, 2023, the Company entered into an arrangement to provide funding to Gold Flora, LLC (“Gold Flora”) with principal amounts of up to $5,000,000. During the three-months ended, the Company advanced $2,500,001 of the committed funding. The note is secured by certain assets of Gold Flora, bears interest at 10% per annum and is payable in full on maturity, which is 90 days from the termination of the business combination agreement discussed in Note 26. The balance as at March 31, 2023 related to this promissory note, including accrued interest, is $2,522,604.

 

 
F-7

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

5. Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Prepaid expenses

 

$51,456

 

 

$51,456

 

Prepaid insurance

 

 

2,473,207

 

 

 

771,752

 

Prepaid inventory

 

 

242,880

 

 

 

89,386

 

Prepaid rent

 

 

-

 

 

 

54,160

 

Other prepaid assets

 

 

1,221,409

 

 

 

1,357,586

 

Indemnification assets

 

 

6,044,156

 

 

 

6,044,155

 

 

 

$10,033,108

 

 

$8,368,495

 

 

6. Assets held for sale

 

The following table outlines the carrying amounts of major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Current assets classified as held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right-of-use assets - operating

 

$1,146,661

 

 

$1,240,211

 

Intangible assets

 

 

9,822,809

 

 

 

11,443,681

 

Total carrying value of current assets

 

 

10,969,470

 

 

 

12,683,892

 

Impairment recognized on classification as held for sale

 

 

(5,271,277)

 

 

(6,581,128)

Total assets classified as held for sale

 

$5,698,193

 

 

$6,102,764

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities classified as held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liability – current portion

 

$1,119,321

 

 

$1,309,077

 

Total liabilities classified as held for sale

 

$1,119,321

 

 

$1,309,077

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company became committed to plans to sell four licenses and transfer certain right of use asset and lease liabilities related to the licenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold an asset previously classified as held for sale and did not commit to plans to sell any additional assets.

 

7. Discontinued operations

 

On October 31, 2022, the Company sold its wholly owned subsidiary, SISU Extractions LLC (“SISU”). The disposition of the operations represented a major strategic shift in the business and met the criteria of discontinued operations. The Company has re-presented the interim condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the three-months ended March, 31, 2022.

 

Summarized results of the discontinued operations were as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

Sales, net of discounts

 

$10,790,891

 

Cost of sales

 

 

9,323,403

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,467,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

(1,705,535)

Loss from operations

 

 

(238,047)

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(308,172)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax

 

$(546,219)

 

 
F-8

Table of Contents

  

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

8. Investments

 

 

 

Marketable securities

 

 

Non-marketable securities

 

 

Available

for sale securities

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 

$860,496

 

 

$591,545

 

 

$1,048,028

 

 

$-

 

 

$2,500,069

 

Acquired

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

150,000

 

Interest income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

Change in fair value

 

 

297,864

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

297,864

 

Balance, March 31, 2022

 

$1,158,360

 

 

$591,545

 

 

$1,068,028

 

 

$150,000

 

 

$2,967,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023

 

$-

 

 

$591,545

 

 

$736,659

 

 

$150,000

 

 

$1,478,204

 

 

9.  Property and equipment

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Gross carrying amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leasehold improvements

 

$16,652,945

 

 

$16,444,132

 

Production equipment

 

 

2,270,221

 

 

 

2,261,005

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

871,689

 

 

 

871,689

 

Vehicles

 

 

333,325

 

 

 

333,325

 

Office equipment

 

 

933,634

 

 

 

933,634

 

 

 

 

21,061,814

 

 

 

20,843,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

(3,916,025)

 

 

(3,646,995)

Production equipment

 

 

(1,290,059)

 

 

(1,176,720)

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

(416,907)

 

 

(373,634)

Vehicles

 

 

(118,902)

 

 

(103,069)

Office equipment

 

 

(462,667)

 

 

(397,283)

 

 

 

(6,204,560)

 

 

(5,697,701)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

$14,857,254

 

 

$15,146,084

 

 

Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $ 511,782 (March 31, 2022 - $960,700 related to continuing operations).

 

10. Leases

 

The Company leases real estate used for dispensaries, production plants, and corporate offices. Lease terms for real estate generally range from 0.4 to 14.50 years. Most leases include options to renew for varying terms at the Company’s sole discretion. Certain leases include escalation clauses or payment of executory costs such as property taxes, utilities, or insurance and maintenance. Rent expense for leases with escalation clauses is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

 

The following table provides the components of lease cost:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

Operating lease costs

 

$1,259,314

 

 

$1,756,790

 

Short term lease expense

 

 

54,167

 

 

 

-

 

Lease expense

 

 

1,313,481

 

 

 

1,756,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance lease cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization of lease assets

 

 

391,517

 

 

 

393,534

 

Interest on lease liabilities

 

 

1,103,545

 

 

 

1,104,601

 

Finance lease cost

 

 

1,495,062

 

 

 

1,498,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total lease costs

 

$2,808,543

 

 

$3,254,925

 

 

 
F-9

Table of Contents

  

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

10. Leases (continued)

 

The maturity of the contractual undiscounted lease liabilities as of March 31, 2023:

 

 

 

Operating Lease

 

 

Finance Lease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remainder of 2023

 

$3,560,866

 

 

$3,477,474

 

2024

 

 

4,302,015

 

 

 

4,763,910

 

2025

 

 

4,417,482

 

 

 

4,906,828

 

2026

 

 

4,544,592

 

 

 

5,054,033

 

2027

 

 

4,009,473

 

 

 

5,205,654

 

Thereafter

 

 

18,295,464

 

 

 

59,679,244

 

Total undiscounted lease liabilities

 

 

39,129,892

 

 

 

83,087,143

 

Interest on lease liabilities

 

 

15,247,861

 

 

 

46,356,566

 

Total present value of minimum lease payments

 

 

23,882,031

 

 

 

36,730,577

 

Lease liability – current portion

 

 

1,904,773

 

 

 

156,184

 

Lease liability

 

$21,977,258

 

 

$36,574,393

 

 

Additional information on the right-of-use assets is as follows:

 

 

 

Operating lease

 

 

Finance lease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2022

 

$25,119,488

 

 

$26,258,698

 

Lease modification (i)

 

 

(2,709,130)

 

 

-

 

Balance, March 31, 2023

 

$22,410,358

 

 

$26,258,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2022

 

$4,430,402

 

 

$3,187,852

 

Additions

 

 

568,594

 

 

 

391,517

 

Balance, March 31, 2023

 

$4,998,996

 

 

$3,579,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount March 31, 2023

 

$17,411,362

 

 

$22,679,329

 

Carrying amount December 31, 2022

 

$20,689,086

 

 

$23,070,846

 

 

(i)

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company decreased the square footage and extended the lease term for one of its leases. As a result, the Company recognized a reduction in its right-of-use asset and the associated liability.

 

The Company capitalized $nil of amortization to inventory for the year ended March 31, 2023 (March 31, 2022 - $352,365 related to continuing operations).

 

11. Goodwill and intangible assets

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Opening gross goodwill

 

 

584,745,143

 

 

 

607,413,242

 

Measurement period adjustment

 

 

-

 

 

 

(22,633,099)

Disposals

 

 

(24,351,801)

 

 

(35,000)

 

 

 

560,393,342

 

 

 

584,745,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening accumulated impairment

 

 

(584,745,143)

 

 

(563,361,597)

Impairment

 

 

-

 

 

 

(21,418,546)

Disposals

 

 

24,351,801

 

 

 

35,000

 

 

 

 

(560,393,342)

 

 

(584,745,143)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill, net

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

 
F-10

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

11. Goodwill and intangible assets (continued)

 

 

 

March 31,

2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Intangible assets gross carrying amounts (i)

 

 

 

 

 

 

License

 

 

82,563,527

 

 

 

82,563,527

 

Brand

 

 

50,400,559

 

 

 

50,400,559

 

Customer relations

 

 

2,920,000

 

 

 

2,920,000

 

 

 

 

135,884,086

 

 

 

135,884,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets accumulated amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License

 

 

(27,759,334)

 

 

(26,654,299)

Brand

 

 

(9,854,207)

 

 

(9,218,821)

Customer relations

 

 

(713,979)

 

 

(632,868)

 

 

 

(38,327,520)

 

 

(36,505,988)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

 

$97,556,566

 

 

$99,378,098

 

 

The Company recorded amortization expense related to the three months ended March 31, 2023 of $ 1,821,531 (March 31, 2022 - $5,029,654 related to continuing operations).

 

The following table outlines the estimated future annual amortization expense as of March 31, 2023:

 

 

 

Estimated Amortization

 

Remainder of 2023

 

$(5,436,351)

2024

 

 

(7,191,983)

2025

 

 

(7,191,983)

2026

 

 

(7,191,983)

2027

 

 

(7,174,094)

Thereafter

 

 

(63,370,172)

 

 

$(97,556,566)

 

12. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Trade payables

 

$2,538,810

 

 

$4,249,794

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

2,378,811

 

 

 

4,872,988

 

Accrued payroll expenses

 

 

1,005,907

 

 

 

2,666,974

 

Accrued severance expenses

 

 

375,962

 

 

 

692,220

 

Accrued income and other taxes

 

 

13,076,617

 

 

 

9,974,817

 

Goods received but not yet invoiced

 

 

3,081,807

 

 

 

2,103,566

 

 

 

$22,457,914

 

 

$24,560,359

 

 

13. Income taxes

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s income tax expense and effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

$(15,795,601)

 

$(32,703,613)

Income tax (expense) recovery

 

$(714,408)

 

$(286,700)

Effective tax rate

 

 

4.52%

 

 

0.88%

 

 
F-11

Table of Contents

  

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

13. Income taxes (continued)

 

The Company has computed its provision for income taxes under the discrete method which treats the year-to-date period as if it were the annual period and determines the income tax expense or benefit on that basis. The discrete method is applied when application of the estimated annual effective tax rate is impractical because it is not possible to reliably estimate the annual effective tax rate. The Company believes that, at this time, the use of this discrete method is more appropriate than the annual effective tax rate method as the estimated annual effective tax rate method is not reliable due to the high degree of uncertainty in estimating annual pre-tax income due to the industry within which the Company operates.

 

Due to its cannabis operations, the Company is subject to the limitations of Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 280E under which the Company is only allowed to deduct expenses directly related to sales of product. This results in permanent differences between ordinary and necessary business expenses deemed non-allowable under IRC Section 280E.

 

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 varies from the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to the reduction in non-deductible expenses as a proportion of total expenses in the current year. The Company incurs expenses that are not deductible due to IRC Section 280E limitations which results in significant income tax expense.

 

The Company operates in a number of tax jurisdictions and are subject to examination of its income tax returns by tax authorities in those jurisdictions who may challenge any item on those returns. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain tax positions and determining the provision for income taxes.

 

The Company’s unrecognized tax assets were approximately $67,718,372 and $66,459,411 as at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

 

The federal statute of limitation remains open for the 2019 tax year to the present. The state income tax returns generally remain open for the 2018 tax year through the present. Net operating losses arising prior to these years are also open to examination if and when utilized.

 

14. Shareholders’ equity

 

Common shares

 

a) Authorized

 

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares with no par value.

 

b) Common shares issued

 

 

 

Number of common shares

 

Balance December 31, 2022

 

 

107,516,333

 

Shares issued for Coast L exchange (i)

 

 

18,268,094

 

Shares issued for vested RSUs and PSUs

 

 

165,217

 

Shares returned to Treasury (ii)

 

 

(7,122,321)

Balance, March 31, 2023

 

 

118,827,323

 

 

(i)

On November 14, 2022, Coast L Acquisition Corp (“Coast L”) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company issued 24,796,902 common shares of Coast L as part of the legal closing of the Company’s acquisition of Coastal Holding Company, LLC. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, an additional 106,290 shares of Coast L were issued. Each Coast L share is exchangeable at any time on a one-for-one basis into common shares of the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, 18,268,094 Coast L shares were exchanged for 18,268,094 common shares of the Company. As at March 31, 2023, 6,635,098 exchangeable shares of Coast L are outstanding.

 

 

(ii)

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, 7,122,321 number of shares were returned to treasury that were sitting in “to be returned” at December 31, 2022. Of those shares, 7,121,239 related to the modification agreements that were entered into between the Company and the third-party and Shawn C. Carter p/k/a JAY-Z.

 

 
F-12

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

15. Operating expenses

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

General and administrative

 

$7,953,943

 

 

$13,086,142

 

Allowance for accounts receivable and notes receivable

 

 

41,870

 

 

 

2,412,631

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

1,371,301

 

 

 

3,406,358

 

Salaries and benefits

 

 

7,030,898

 

 

 

10,015,556

 

Share-based compensation (Note 17)

 

 

1,665,220

 

 

 

2,242,077

 

Lease expense (Note 10)

 

 

1,313,481

 

 

 

1,756,790

 

Depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of right-of-use assets under finance leases

 

 

903,300

 

 

 

960,700

 

Amortization of intangible assets (Note 11)

 

 

1,821,531

 

 

 

5,029,654

 

 

 

$22,101,544

 

 

$38,909,908

 

 

16. Loss per share

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

Loss from continuing operations available to common shareholders

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(33,145,658)

Loss from discontinued operations available to common    shareholders

 

 

-

 

 

 

(546,219)

Loss available to common shareholders

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(33,691,877)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted

 

 

104,208,756

 

 

 

98,820,648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations

 

$(0.16)

 

$(0.33)

Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.01)

Basic and diluted loss per share

 

$(0.16)

 

$(0.34)

 

Approximately 64,633,280 of potentially dilutive securities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were excluded in the calculation of diluted loss per share as their impact would have been anti-dilutive.

 

17. Share-based compensation

 

Effective January 2021, the Company established the Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which provides for the granting of incentive share options, nonqualified share options, share appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted share units (“RSUs”), deferred share units (“DSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”), herein collectively referred to as “Awards”.

 

(a) Share options

 

The Company’s options outstanding relate to replacement options issued in a business combination that occurred in 2021.

 

 

 

Three months ended

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

Number of

options

 

 

Weighted average exercise price $

 

 

Weighted average remaining contractual term

 

 

Aggregate intrinsic value

 

Outstanding, beginning of period

 

 

376,385

 

 

 

7.67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

(85,946)

 

 

7.67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(722)

 

 

7.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding, end of period

 

 

289,717

 

 

 

7.69

 

 

 

3.94

 

 

 

-

 

Vested and expected to vest in the future

 

 

289,717

 

 

 

7.69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

Exercisable

 

 

257,125

 

 

 

7.71

 

 

 

3.94

 

 

 

-

 

 

As at March 31, 2023, there was $nil of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested replacement options. 

 

 
F-13

Table of Contents

  

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

17. Share-based compensation (continued)

 

(b) Equity-settled RSUs and PSUs

 

The following table reflects the continuity of RSUs and PSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

Number of RSUs

 

 

Weighted average grant date fair value $

 

 

Number of PSUs

 

 

Weighted average grant date fair value $

 

Outstanding, beginning of period

 

 

3,093,992

 

 

 

2.71

 

 

 

2,325,000

 

 

 

1.16

 

Vested

 

 

(349,403)

 

 

3.48

 

 

 

(11,250)

 

 

1.06

 

Forfeited

 

 

(179,255)

 

 

2.20

 

 

 

(300,000)

 

 

1.04

 

Outstanding, end of period

 

 

2,565,334

 

 

 

2.65

 

 

 

2,013,750

 

 

 

1.15

 

 

As at March 31, 2023, there was $2,513,137 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs and $1,263,218 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested PSUs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.82 years and 0.81 years respectively. The total fair value of RSUs and PSUs vested during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $71,906 and $2,712, respectively.

 

Of the 360,653 RSUs and PSUs that vested, 261,078 were issued, 131,152 were settled in shares, 129,926 were settled in cash to cover withholding taxes on behalf of the employees, 99,575 were not yet settled. In addition, the Company issued 34,065 shares related to RSUs that had vested at December 31, 2022.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized the following total compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures:

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

Replacement options

 

$-

 

 

$231,494

 

Equity-settled RSUs and PSUs

 

 

1,665,220

 

 

 

2,010,583

 

 

 

$1,665,220

 

 

$2,242,077

 

 

18. Supplemental cash flow information

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Change in working capital

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$277,078

 

 

$151,057

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,698,115

 

Inventory

 

 

1,741,585

 

 

 

(1,471,063)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(1,695,397)

 

 

991,791

 

Security deposits

 

 

(20,574)

 

 

(133,875)

Other long term assets

 

 

145,833

 

 

 

(43,485)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

(2,231,091)

 

 

(4,262,597)

 

 

$(1,782,566)

 

$(3,070,057)

 

19. Warrants

 

The following table reflects the continuity of warrants:

 

 

 

Number of Warrants

 

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price

 

Balance, December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023

 

 

35,837,500

 

 

$11.50

 

 

The warrants expire on January 14, 2026. The Company has the right to accelerate expiry of the warrants (excluding the warrants held by the Subversive Capital Sponsor LLC in certain circumstances), if for any 20 trading days in a 30-day trading period the closing price of the share is $18.00 or greater.

 

 
F-14

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

20. Related party transactions and balances

 

The Company made lease payments including interest and principal to a related party of $1,387,983 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 (March 31, 202 - $1,345,997).

 

A director of the Company is a close family member to an owner of R&C Brown Associates, LP (“R&C”). The Company has 2 operating leases and 1 finance lease with R&C. Included in lease liabilities and right-of-use assets as at March 31, 2023 is $40,421,345 (December 31, 2022 - $40,594,490) and $23,869,944 (December 31, 2022 - $24,324,186), respectively, with respect to leases with R&C.

 

21. Segment information

 

The Company’s operations comprise a single operating segment engaged in the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and sale of cannabis within the State of California. All revenues were generated in the State of California for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 and all property and equipment, right-of-use assets and intangible assets were located in the State of California.

 

22. Commitments and contingencies

 

a) California operating licenses

 

The Company's primary activity is engaging in state-legal commercial cannabis business, including the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis products pursuant to California law. However, this activity is not in compliance with the United States Controlled Substances Act (the “CSA”). The Company's assets are potentially subject to seizure or confiscation by Federal governmental agencies, and the Company could face criminal and civil penalties for noncompliance with the CSA, although such events would be without relevant precedent. Management of the Company believes the Company is in compliance with all California and local jurisdiction laws and monitor the regulatory environment on an ongoing basis along with counsel to ensure the continued compliance with all applicable laws and licensing agreements.

 

The Company's operation is sanctioned by the State of California and local jurisdictions. There have been no instances of federal interference with those who adhere to those guidelines. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the Company's noncompliance with the CSA, the potential liability from any noncompliance cannot be reasonably estimated and the Company may be subject to regulatory fines, penalties or restrictions in the future.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the State of California allowed for adult use cannabis sales. Beginning on January 1, 2018, the State began issuing temporary licenses that expired 120 days after issuance for retail, distribution, manufacturing and cultivation permits. Temporary licenses could be extended in 90-day increments by the State upon submission of an annual license application. All temporary licenses had been granted extensions by the State during 2018.

 

In September 2019, Senate Bill 1459 (SB 1459) was enacted which enabled state licensing authorities to issue provisional licenses through 2021. A provisional license could be issued if an applicant submitted a completed annual license application to the Bureau of Cannabis Control. A completed application for purposes of obtaining a provisional license is not the same as a sufficient application to obtain an annual license. The provisional cannabis license, which is valid for 12 months from the date issued, is said to be in between a temporary license and an annual license and allows a cannabis business to operate as they would under local and state regulations.

 

Licensees issued a provisional license are expected to be diligently working toward completing all annual license requirements in order to maintain a provisional license. The Company obtained its provisional licenses in 2019 and continues to work with the State to obtain annual licensing.

 

The Company's prior licenses obtained from the local jurisdictions it operated in have been continued by such jurisdictions and are necessary to obtain State licensing.

 

The Company has received annual licenses from each local jurisdiction in which it actively operates. Although the Company believes it will continue to receive the necessary licenses from the State and applicable local jurisdictions to conduct its business in a timely fashion, there is no guarantee its clients will be able to do so and any failure to do so may have a negative effect on its business and results of operations.

 

 
F-15

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

22. Commitments and contingencies (continued)

 

b) Other legal matters

 

From time to time in the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to legal matters such as threatened or pending claims or proceedings. The Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceedings or claims, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation or claims that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition should such litigation or claim be resolved unfavorably.

 

c) Social equity fund

 

The Company formed Social Equity Ventures LLC (“SEV”) in 2021 as its social equity investment vehicle with a planned $10,000,000 investment and a planned annual contribution of at least 2% of its net income from the Company. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, SEV made social equity investments totalling $nil (year ended December 31, 2022 - SEV made social equity investments totalling $350,000).

 

23. Financial instruments

 

a) Contingent consideration

 

Financial instruments recorded at fair value in the interim condensed consolidated balance sheet are classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the observability of significant inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market inputs whenever such inputs exist. A financial instrument is classified based on the lowest level of the hierarchy for which a significant input has been considered in measuring fair value.

 

All contingent consideration is classified as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as volatility is a key input into the valuation models and volatility is an unobservable input.

 

The following provides a breakdown of contingent consideration as at March 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

 

 

Contingent consideration

 

 

 

 

 

Trading price consideration (i)

 

 

Other (ii)

 

 

Total

 

Balance December 31, 2021

 

$574,687

 

 

 

368,444

 

 

 

943,131

 

Change in fair value

 

 

(319,192)

 

 

(69,430)

 

 

(388,622)

Transferred to equity

 

 

-

 

 

 

(299,014)

 

 

(299,014)

Balance March 31, 2022

 

$255,495

 

 

$-

 

 

$255,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2022

 

 

1,611,843

 

 

$-

 

 

 

1,611,843

 

Change in fair value

 

 

745,201

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

745,201

 

Balance, March 31, 2023

 

$2,357,044

 

 

$-

 

 

$2,357,044

 

 

(i) Trading price consideration – As part of the acquisition of Caliva and OGE and LCV in 2021, the former shareholders received a contingent right for up to 18,356,299 and 3,856,955 additional common shares, respectively, in the event the 20-day volume weighted average trading price (“VWAP”) of the common shares reaches $13.00, $17.00 and $21.00 within three years of closing, with one-third issuable upon the achievement of each price threshold, respectively. In addition, the contingent consideration becomes issuable upon a change in control event.

 

The fair value of the trading price consideration was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation methodology that included simulating the share price using a risk-neutral Geometric Brownian Motion-based pricing model over 500,000 iterations.

 

 
F-16

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

23. Financial instruments (continued)

 

a) Contingent consideration (continued)

 

The methodology recorded the likelihood of the share price achieving the price hurdle associated with the payout and calculated the discounted value of the payout based on the share price on the date the price hurdle was met and the corresponding 20-day volume-weighted average price.

 

Key Inputs

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

Key unobservable inputs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected volatility

 

 

115%

 

 

100%

 

 

65%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key observable inputs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share price

 

$0.15

 

 

$0.15

 

 

$1.24

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

4.70%

 

 

4.66%

 

 

2.15%

Dividend yield

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

Number of shares

 

 

22,082,511

 

 

 

22,080,037

 

 

 

21,932,223

 

 

A 15% change in the volatility assumption will have the following impact on the fair value of the contingent consideration:

 

Change in volatility

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

+15%

 

$216

 

 

$595

 

 

$853,795

 

 

-15%

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$(240,116)

 

(ii) Other – As part of the acquisition of LCV that occurred on January 15, 2021, the Company could be required to issue shares to former shareholders based on certain liabilities, the final settlement of which is contingent on the outcome of certain events. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the remaining contingency was resolved and as a result, the number of shares to be issued related to that portion became fixed. The contingent consideration was remeasured to $299,014 based on the fixed number of shares to be issued to the former LCV shareholders and reclassified as equity. The remeasurement is included in the change in fair value of contingent consideration in the interim condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

b) Credit risk

 

Credit risk arises from deposits with banks, security deposits, trade receivables, notes receivable and other receivables. As at March 31, 2023, the balances was as follows:

 

 

 

 Gross

 

 

 Allowance

 

 

Net

 

Cash

 

$76,110,861

 

 

$-

 

 

$76,110,861

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,229,058

 

 

 

(1,300,436)

 

 

928,622

 

Security deposits

 

 

1,201,652

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,201,652

 

Notes receivables

 

 

10,304,630

 

 

 

(7,140,000)

 

 

3,164,630

 

 

 

$89,846,201

 

 

$(8,440,436)

 

$81,405,765

 

 

The Company’s aging of receivables was as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

0 - 30 days

 

$442,787

 

31 - 60 days

 

 

94,910

 

61 - 90 days

 

 

386,869

 

91 – 120 days

 

 

27,082

 

Over 120 days

 

 

1,277,410

 

Gross receivables

 

 

2,229,058

 

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(1,300,436)

 

 

$928,622

 

 

 
F-17

Table of Contents

 

TPCO Holding Corp.

Notes to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

24. Fair value measurement

 

Recurring fair value measurements

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as at March 31, 2023:

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Fair value change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities and total investments

 

$736,659

 

 

$736,659

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total contingent consideration – trading price consideration (Note 23)

 

$2,357,044

 

 

$2,357,044

 

 

$745,201

 

 

25. COVID-19

 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic. COVID‑19 continues to impact the U.S. and other countries across the world, and the duration and severity of its effects remain unknown. The Company continues to implement and evaluate actions to maintain its financial position and support the continuity of its business and operations in the face of this pandemic and other events.

 

The Company’s priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be protecting the health and safety of its employees and its customers, following the recommended actions of government and health authorities. In the future, the pandemic may cause reduced demand for the Company’s products and services if, for example, the pandemic results in a recessionary economic environment or potential new restrictions on business operations or the movement of individuals.

 

The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has caused business disruption both to the Company and throughout its customer base and supply chain through mandated and voluntary closings of many businesses. While this disruption is expected to negatively impact The Company’s operating results, the related financial impact and duration cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The Company has taken and continues to take, important steps to protect its employees, customers and business operations since the beginning of the pandemic.

 

The Company has incurred incremental costs to implement proactive measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the Company closely monitors its supply chain and third-party product availability in light of the pandemic. To date, the business has not experienced negative consequences due to interruptions in its supply chain. However, the Company continues to undertake preemptive measures to ensure alternate supply sources as needed.

 

26. Subsequent events

 

Shares issued

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the Company issued 613,240 shares for RSUs and PSUs that were vested, and issued 452,989 shares in exchange for shares of a subsidiary.

 

Promissory notes advanced

  

Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the Company advanced  $1,666,666 to Gold Flora under the existing facility described in Note 4.  

 

 
F-18

Table of Contents

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Introduction

 

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read together with other information, including our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes to those statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report (the “Interim Financial Statements”). Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report contains certain information that may constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and under Canadian securities laws (collectively, “Forward-Looking Statements”) which are based upon the Company’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expect,” “likely,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “proposed,” “estimate” and other similar words, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-Looking Statements include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance, or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-Looking Statements in this Quarterly Report include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

 

·

the performance of the Company’s business and operations;

·

the Company’s ability to complete its proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) with Gold Flora, LLC (“Gold Flora”), involving TPCO, Gold Flora, Stately Capital Corporation (“Stately”), Gold Flora Corporation (“Newco”) and Golden Grizzly Bear LLC (“US Merger Sub”) in accordance with the terms and conditions of a business combination agreement entered into among TPCO, Gold Flora, Stately, Newco and US Merger Sub dated February 21, 2023 (the “Business Combination Agreement”) and an agreement and plan of merger entered into by Newco, US Merger Sub and Gold Flora dated February 21, 2023 (the “Agreement and Plan of Merger”);

·

the Company’s ability to grow revenue and reach long- term profitability; ;

·

Expected future sources of financing;

·

the implementation and effectiveness of the Company’s cost-cutting initiatives;

·

expectations with respect to future production costs;

·

the expected methods to be used by the Company to distribute cannabis;

·

the competitive conditions of the industry;

·

laws and regulations and any amendments thereto applicable to the business and the impact thereof;

·

the competitive advantages and business strategies of the Company;

·

the application for additional licenses and the grant of licenses or renewals of existing licenses that have been applied for;

·

the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis;

·

the Company’s future product offerings;

·

the anticipated future gross margins of the Company’s operations;

·

expectations of market size and growth in the United States and the states in which the Company operates or contemplates future operations;

·

expectations for regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the cannabis industry generally; and

·

general economic trends.

 

Certain of the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein concerning the cannabis industry and the general expectations of the Company concerning the cannabis industry are based on estimates prepared by the Company using data from publicly available governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of the cannabis industry which the Company believes to be reasonable. However, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics, such data is inherently imprecise. While the Company is not aware of any misstatement regarding any industry or government data presented herein or information presented herein which is based on such data, the cannabis industry involves risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors, which factors are described further below.

 

 
5

Table of Contents

 

Forward-Looking Statements contained in this Quarterly Report reflect management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are based on information currently available to management, management’s historical experience, perception of trends and current business conditions, expected future developments and other factors which management considers appropriate. With respect to the Forward-Looking Statements contained in this Quarterly Report, the Company has made assumptions regarding, among other things: (i) its ability to generate cash flows from operations and obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms; (ii) general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates; (iii) the output from the Company’s operations; (iv) consumer interest in the Company’s products; (v) competition; (vi) anticipated and unanticipated costs; (vii) government regulation of the Company’s activities and products and in the areas of taxation and environmental protection; (viii) the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; (ix) the Company’s ability to obtain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; (x) the Company’s ability to conduct operations in a safe, efficient and effective manner; (xi) the Company’s ability to meet its future objectives and priorities; (xii) the Company’s access to adequate capital to fund its future projects and plans; (xiii) the Company’s ability to execute on its future projects and plans as anticipated; (xiv) industry growth rates; and (xv) currency exchange and interest rates.

 

Readers are cautioned that the above list of cautionary statements is not exhaustive. Known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, could cause actual results to differ materially from the Forward-Looking Statements in this Quarterly Report. Such lists include, without limitation, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 3, 2023 (our “2022 Form 10‑K”) and in the Company’s periodic reports subsequently filed with the SEC and in the Company’s filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The purpose of Forward-Looking Statements is to provide the reader with a description of management’s expectations, and such Forward-Looking Statements may not be appropriate for any other purpose. You should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements contained in this Quarterly Report. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-Looking Statements contained herein are made as of the date of this Quarterly Report and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such Forward-Looking Statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any Forward-Looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such Forward-Looking Statements, except as required by applicable law. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this Quarterly Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

 

Part 1—Business Overview

 

We are a consumer-focused cannabis company based in the United States focused on the recreational and wellness markets. Our operations in California are focused on building winning brands supported by our omni-channel ecosystem. Our platform was designed to create the most socially responsible and culturally impactful cannabis company in the United States, producing consistent, well-priced products and culturally relevant brands that are distributed to third-party retailers as well as direct-to-consumer via our delivery service and strategically located storefront retail locations across California. A full portfolio of products and brands that appeal to a broad range of user groups, need-states and occasions, offered at many price points, and with various brand value propositions, are produced at a high caliber of quality. We believe our delivery and storefront retail outlets will allow us to achieve high gross-margins on many of our products, forge one-on-one relationships between our brands and consumers and collect proprietary consumer data and insights.

 

As part of our cost reduction initiatives, we took the following actions in the second half of 2022 and Q1 2023:

 

 

·

Pause of In-House Cultivation Activities. In mid-September 2022, we paused our in-house cultivation activities in response to the availability of lower cost flower that meets our quality specifications for our first party brands.

 

·

Sale of Bulk Wholesale Business. On October 31, 2022, we finalized the sale of our bulk wholesale business (SISU Extraction LLC) for $317,000 cash. In addition, the purchaser of our bulk wholesale business entered into a multi-strategic supply agreement providing us with the right, but not the obligation, to purchase cannabis oil and flower brokerage services from the business at preferred terms through October 2024.

 

·

Outsourcing of Manufacturing. During October 2022, product manufacturing was outsourced to third-party processors, which the Company expects will achieve an average of 27% cost savings on these products. In addition to margin improvement, we expect to benefit from strong R&D capabilities of its third-party processors to produce innovative products for our future.

  

 
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·

Supply Chain. On November 18, 2022, we began our transformation of the supply chain team, moving from an internal distribution model to an external drop ship model to all TPCO stores and wholesale account stores. These changes began with the reduction of our labelling and serialization team, as all first party product began moving through NABIS, a leading cannabis wholesale platform in California, in mid-December 2022.

 

·

Optimization of Delivery Footprint. In response to changes to California’s cannabis delivery regulations to increase the allowed delivery “case pack value” limit that took effect in November 2022, we have acted to optimize our delivery footprint. Under prior regulations, delivery drivers were allowed to carry a maximum of $5,000 worth of product in a vehicle, of which a maximum of $3,000 of which was permitted to be product that was not part of an order made before the driver left the delivery depot. The new regulations have doubled the “case pack value” limit to $10,000, all of which can be product not part of a previously made order. In response to these new regulations, we have elected to dispose of select redundant delivery depot locations, including Culver City, Chula Vista and Sacramento operations, as many geographic regions can now be more efficiently managed. We continue to have a dedicated delivery depot in Brisbane. These dispositions resulted in $500,000 in gross sale proceeds and annual cost savings of $1.8 million.

 

·

Workforce Reduction. We continue to make operational improvements, which we expect to lead to further payroll cost reductions in 2023.  Including an estimated $4 million in annual payroll savings expected to be achieved by pausing cultivation in mid-September 2022. As of March 31, 2023, we had reduced our workforce by 40-50% from the beginning of 2022 and have realized annualized payroll savings of approximately $21 million.

 

Our operational footprint spans production and manufacturing, brands, retail and delivery. Our management team and directors bring deep expertise in cannabis, consumer packaged goods, investing and finance, from start-ups to publicly traded companies. We aim to leverage the collective industry experience of our management and directors.

 

Following our exit from the bulk wholesale business, we view our business as having one sales channel: omni-channel retail, comprised of brick and mortar retail, e-commerce pick up & delivery, as well as the sale of various branded wholesale products. As of March 31, 2023, we operated twelve omni-channel retail locations and one stand-alone delivery depot. We operate four store brands, Caliva, Deli by Caliva, Coastal and Calma.

 

Our continuing operations revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $18,054,212, as compared to $22,440,300 in the three months ended March 31, 2022, representing a decrease of 19.5%. The decrease is due to the change in strategy and broader restructuring efforts to focus on higher margin sustainable business. The Company’s realized gross margin was 43.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 30% in the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

As we continue to scale and integrate our business, we are incurring operating losses. Our operating losses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 totaled $14,320,494, compared to a loss of $32,193,014 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. We continue to actively evaluate additional cost reductions and business optimization to reduce our cash burn in the near term, accelerate market share growth, improve our gross margin profile and work toward generating sustained free cash flow.

 

Through a combination of (i) professional leadership, (ii) omni-channel operations, (iii) technology and data driven practices, (iv) brand and product expertise, and (v) social justice and equity advocacy, we intend to set the example globally as a best-in-class cannabis operation.

 

Growth Strategy

 

Below is a summary of the key components of the Company’s growth strategy:

 

 

·

Branded Product: We believe there are additional opportunities to expand the Company’s brand portfolio through innovation and acquisitions.

 

·

Omni-channel Access: We believe that the Company’s omni-channel platform is a scalable way to directly reach cannabis consumers throughout California rather than brick-and-mortar retail expansion alone. We also believe that an omnichannel platform, when coupled with an integrated supply chain such as the Company’s, allows for greater product margins due to the full capture of the price to consumer as well as low input and production costs.

 

 
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First Quarter Highlights

 

Revised Strategic Agreement with Roc Nation, SC Branding and Affiliates

 

On December 29, 2022, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (Caliva, TPCO-US and NC3, each as defined under clause (c) below) entered into a Modification Agreement (the “Roc Modification Agreement”), by and between the Company and ROC Nation LLC (“ROC”). In addition, on December 29, 2022 the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a series of agreements with SC Branding, LLC (“SC Branding”) and certain of SC Brandings’ affiliates, including (a) a Termination Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”), by and between the Company and SC Branding, (b) a Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”), by and between the Company and SC Branding, (c) a Brand Transfer Agreement (the “Brand Transfer Agreement”), by and among the Company, CMG Partners, Inc. (“Caliva”), TPCO US Holding, LLC (“TPCO-US”), and NC3 Systems, Inc. (“NC3”), on the one hand, and SC Branding and Mother Room, LLC (“Mother Room”), on the other hand, and (d) a License Agreement, by and between Mother Room and TPCO-US (the “License Agreement” and together with the Termination Agreement, the Services Agreement, and the Brand Transfer Agreement, the “SC Branding Agreements”).

 

The Roc Modification Agreement superseded the previous Binding Heads of Terms Agreement, dated November 24, 2020, between ROC and the Company (the “Prior Roc Agreement”). The Roc Modification Agreement, among other things, terminated various ongoing ROC service obligations and eliminated future Company equity contributions to ROC pursuant to the Prior Roc Agreement. Furthermore, in connection with the Roc Modification Agreement (i) ROC agreed to surrender to the Company 4,865,939 common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) , (ii) ROC and the Company agreed to a three-year plan of collaboration with respect to resolving issues of social equity associated with harms created by the prohibition of cannabis and (iii) ROC undertook to introduce various ROC partners and artists to the Company over a three-year period.

 

Under the SC Branding Agreements, among other things, (A) the parties terminated the existing Brand Strategy Agreement, dated November 24, 2020, between the Company and SC Branding, (B) the parties cancelled the Company’s obligation to make all future annual payments pursuant to such Brand Strategy Agreement, (C) the parties created a three-year plan of collaboration with respect to resolving issues of social equity associated with harms created by the prohibition of cannabis, (D) the Company and certain of its subsidiaries transferred all rights to the Monogram brand to Mother Room, and (E) Mother Room granted to TPCO-US a license to use the Monogram brand in connection with the legal cannabis businesses in California for an eight-year term, subject to termination under certain conditions. In addition, pursuant to the Brand Transfer Agreement, SC Branding and certain of its affiliates agreed to surrender to the Company 2,255,300 Common Shares.

 

The foregoing description of the Modification Agreement, the Termination Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Brand Transfer Agreement, and the License Agreement, and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Modification Agreement, the Termination Agreement, the Services Agreement, the Brand Transfer Agreement, and the License Agreement.

 

Proposed Business Combination with Gold Flora, LLC

 

On February 21, 2023, the Company entered the Business Combination Agreement to combine with Gold Flora, a leading vertically integrated California cannabis company, in an all-stock merger. Under the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, the Company’s shareholders are expected to own approximately 49%, and Gold Flora security holders are expected to own approximately 51%, of the outstanding common equity of the combined company on a pro forma basis upon consummation of the Business Combination.

 

Upon completion of the transaction, Troy Datcher will be named Chairman of the Board and Laurie Holcomb, the Chief Executive Officer of Gold Flora, will be named Chief Executive Officer of the combined company.

 

Key Transaction Benefits & Strategic Rationale

 

 

·

Increased size and scale to become a leading operator in the world's largest cannabis market. The combined company is expected to operate a footprint of 20 retail stores, 12 house brands, three distribution centers, one manufacturing facility and six cultivation facilities, providing the size and scale to position the combined company as a leader in the California cannabis market.

 

·

Establishing a strongly positioned vertically-integrated platform to achieve financial and operational efficiency, as one of the largest indoor cultivators and retail operators in California. The combined company will have an indoor cultivation canopy of approximately 72,000 square feet, with the opportunity to expand to a further approximately 420,000 square feet, critical to controlling its supply chain and inventory levels while providing consistent high-quality flower, as well as flower-driven products that leverage an exceptional proprietary genetics library to deliver exclusive offerings that align with consumer demands.

 

 
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·

Significant synergies expected to drive margin improvement and enhance profitability across all verticals. Through the streamlining of retail operations, utilizing scale to access bulk purchasing power, and eliminating third-party contracts, the combined company is expected to achieve annualized cost savings of between $20 million and $25 million, to further improve gross margin and profitability while delivering value for shareholders.

 

·

Reduction in third-party costs through supply-chain optimization. The combined company will reduce third-party contracts when strategically and cost effectively appropriate by utilizing the capabilities of Gold Flora and controlling its value chain.

 

·

Combined company is expected to be well-positioned as a top 10 brand portfolio by revenue. As two of the premier operators in the state, the Business Combination is expected to result in a diversified and highly complementary customer product offering, with a variety of form factors and brands for differentiated consumer profiles. Additionally, with only 13% overlap in current company retail store footprints, there is a significant opportunity for cross-selling brands into diverse customer bases to drive organic growth.

 

·

Enhanced financial profile with strong balance sheet. The combined company would have pro forma revenue of approximately $149.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Providing a robust foundation to accelerate growth, the combined company will be well-positioned to capitalize on the market opportunities ahead as a leading public cannabis company in California.

 

Proposed Transaction Summary

 

The Business Combination will be completed, subject to the Merger Agreement, by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement (the “Plan of Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), whereby a newly formed British Columbia corporation (the "Resulting Issuer"), created to manage and hold the combined business of the Company and Gold Flora, will, directly and indirectly, acquire all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and all of the issued and outstanding membership units in the capital of Gold Flora ("Gold Flora Units"). The Resulting Issuer.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement and the Agreement and Plan of Merger, holders of Common Shares will receive one share of common stock of the Resulting Issuer (such shares, the “Resulting Issuer Shares”) for each Common Share held and holders of Gold Flora Units will receive 1.5233 Resulting Issuer Shares for each Gold Flora Unit held, resulting in the issuance of an aggregate of approximately 312,138,271 Resulting Issuer Shares. The Business Combination values Gold Flora at $1.50 per Gold Flora Unit and the Company at $0.9847 per Common Share.

 

Following completion of the Business Combination, current holders of Common Shares will hold approximately 49% of the Resulting Issuer Shares and former Gold Flora securityholders will hold approximately 51% of Resulting Issuer Shares.

 

In connection with the Business Combination, the Resulting Issuer will redomicile to the United States as a Delaware corporation pursuant to Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and will operate as the Gold Flora Corporation. The Resulting Issuer will remain a reporting issuer in Canada and the United States and, subject to receipt of all requisite stock exchange approvals, it is expected that the Resulting Issuer’s shares hares will be listed on the NEO Exchange Inc. and on the OTCQX Best Market tier of the electronic over-the-counter marketplace operated by OTC Markets Group Inc.

 

The Company has entered into voting and support agreements with each of its directors and officers and certain shareholders holding an aggregate of approximately 11% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, pursuant to which these parties have agreed, subject to certain rights of withdrawal, to vote in favor of the Business Combination and not to dispose of their Common Shares.

 

Gold Flora has entered into voting and support agreements with each manager and the majority holder of its membership interests holding an aggregate of 75.9% of the issued and outstanding Gold Flora Units, pursuant to which these parties have agreed, subject to certain rights of withdrawal, to vote in favor of the Business Combination and not to dispose of their Gold Flora Units.

 

The Business Combination Agreement contains certain customary provisions, including covenants in respect of non-solicitation of alternative business combination proposals for the Company and Gold Flora and a reciprocal termination fee of $4,000,000, payable to either the Company or Gold Flora in certain circumstances.

 

 
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In connection with the Business Combination, the Company filed a preliminary proxy statement and management information circular (the "Circular") in connection with an annual general and special meeting of holders of Common Shares (the "Meeting") expected to be held in the second quarter of this year (unless the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission elects to review the preliminary Circular, in which case the Meeting is likely to be held in early in the third quarter of this year) to approve the Business Combination.

 

Approvals

 

The Business Combination is expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2023, following the satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions including, among others, approval by two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders of the Company at the Meeting, the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the approval of the NEO Exchange.

 

Working Capital Facility Agreement with Gold Flora

 

In connection with the Business Combination, TPCO-US, a direct and wholly-owned subsidiary of TPCO, and Gold Flora entered into a working capital facility agreement, pursuant to which the TPCO-US has agreed to advance to Gold Flora in a principal amount of up to $5,000,000, which shall bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum, and shall be secured by certain assets of Gold Flora. The outstanding balance of the loan will become due and payable if the Business Combination Agreement is terminated, subject to certain conditions. During March 2023,$2,500,001 of the facility was advanced, with an additional $1,666,666 advanced to the date of this Form 10-Q.

 

Q1 Operational Update

 

After significant restructuring in operations at the end of 2022, the focus for Q1 2023 was on operational process improvement and efficiencies in our new outsourcing reality and margin pick-ups in our 1st party product assortments.

 

 

·

Executed on demand fulfillment for first party brands through strategic outsourcing partners in all product categories, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes, and edibles.

 

·

Capitalized on new cost savings per unit in each category through these outsourcing relationships, improving margins by an average of 15 points in first party products.

 

·

Consolidated two overlapping product brands into one, while reducing packaging costs per unit and rationalizing SKUs to best performers.

 

·

Exited third party brand sales to focus on margin positive first-party-brands-only in the wholesale consumer packaged goods business.

Our merchandising team continues to strengthen our partnerships with premium cannabis companies that possess a loyal following. These strategic brand partnerships give access to limited availability SKUs and have begun to drive traffic and sales in our retail channel. Since launching this brand partnership concept with 710 Labs, for instance, revenue for this brand has doubled on our shelves week over week.

 

The Company will continue to focus on the following opportunities:

 

 

·

Reducing cash burn

 

·

Accelerating market share growth

 

·

Improving gross margin profile

 

·

Generating sustained free cash flow

  

 
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Product Updates

 

tpco_10qimg9.jpg

 

The Company launched Cruisers, a new all-FUN, no-frills brand that puts consumers first and offers everyday value on premium cannabis products. Cruisers combines the Company’s existing brands, Fun Uncle and DELI, streamlining these top-performing products into a single consumer-centric destination. By skipping the doldrums of the daily grind, Cruisers transports consumers to that carefree place where the bowl is always full.

 

tpco_10qimg10.jpg

 

The Company extended the Company's license agreement with Mirayo by Santana, a line of premium cannabis products curated by ten-time GRAMMY award-winning guitarist and longtime cannabis advocate Carlos Santana. In May 2023, Mirayo is expected to introduce its new line of solventless 10mg hash rosin gummies made with all-natural ingredients, which will be available in flavors like Guava, Prickly Pear and Raspberry at the Company's retail locations across California.

 

Management Changes

 

Ms. Rozlyn Lipsey was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer effective March 31, 2023.

 

Sale of Culver City

 

On February 22, 2023, the Company finalized the sale of Culver City for $350,000 cash.

 

Social Equity Venture’s Brand Success Program

 

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company launched a “Brand Success Program” designed to provide minority-owned brands with guaranteed shelf space and individualized mentorship from the Company's sales, marketing, retail, and operational teams. Brands learn best practices, operational procedures, and tips that can be applied to any retail outlet nationwide. The first round of entrants to the Brand Success Program include:

 

 
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tpco_10qimg13.jpg

 

CRONJA: CRONJA is a Los Angeles-based, black- and veteran-owned cannabis lifestyle company and social equity brand known for its connoisseur-focused strain selection and hand-crafted cannabis accessories. With roots in the Midwest, the lifestyle brand specializes in crafting premium leather rolling trays and cases designed and handmade in Chicago, Illinois. CRONJA offers exceptional quality packaged indoor flower, premium packaging, fair pricing, and outstanding retail support. CRONJA launched in select The Parent Company stores on January 19, 2023.

 

 

tpco_10qimg11.jpg

tpco_10qimg12.jpg

 

Substance & Skewville: Plaid America is the Venice, CA-based team behind the art-centric Substance and Skewville brands, which are best known for their tiny 12 packs of premium pre-rolls that each have a unique donation model designed to propel racial equity. For each pack of Substance sold, $8.46 is donated to help end mass incarceration. An important number in American history, $8.46 pays homage to the last 8 minutes and 46 seconds of George Floyd's life. Skewville's $2 per pack donation supports prison art programs, which are known to reduce recidivism. Substance and Skewville launched products at select stores on January 30, 2023.

 

 

tpco_10qimg14.jpg

 

 

Peakz: Founded in 2018 after winning a distribution license via Oakland's Social Equity Program, The Peakz Company aims to bring culture to the legal cannabis industry. The company's products feature top-shelf luxury flower while providing an authentic connection to cannabis culture. Peakz is known for its curated strains; unique in-house designs; and high-level partnerships and creative collaborations with premium retailers, cultivators and other brands in the space. Peakz  launched during  February 2023at select stores.

 

tpco_10qimg15.jpg

 

Disco Jays by MAKR House: MAKR House was founded in Oakland, CA, by Amber Senter, a medical cannabis patient who utilized the plant to cope with symptoms of a health condition. Amber is also the co-founder and Executive Director of Supernova Women, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides spaces and resources to people of color in the cannabis industry. A house of brands creating accessible, high-quality cannabis products, MAKR House, works to build inclusive supply chains. MAKR House launched products in during February 2023 at select stores.

 

 
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Results of Operations

 

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales, net of discounts

 

$18,054,212

 

 

$22,440,300

 

Cost of sales

 

 

10,273,162

 

 

 

15,723,406

 

Gross profit

 

 

7,781,050

 

 

 

6,716,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

22,101,544

 

 

 

38,909,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(14,320,494)

 

 

(32,193,014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

622,796

 

 

 

-

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,263,928)

 

 

(1,250,568)

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

(93,944)

 

 

(254,473)

Change in fair value of investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

297,864

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

(745,201)

 

 

388,622

 

Other income

 

 

5,170

 

 

 

307,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(15,795,601)

 

 

(32,703,613)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax recovery (expense)

 

 

(714,408)

 

 

(286,700)

Loss and comprehensive loss from continuing operations

 

 

(16,510,009)

 

 

(32,990,313)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax

 

 

-

 

 

 

(546,219)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of the company

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(33,691,877)

Loss and comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest

 

 

-

 

 

 

155,345

 

Net loss

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(33,536,532)

 

Discontinued Operations—Bulk Wholesale Business

 

During the third quarter of 2022, the Company made the strategic decision to exit its low margin bulk wholesale business (SISU) to reduce complexity, prioritize higher-margin activities and conserve cash. Ultimately, the Company was successful in disposing of its bulk wholesale business on October 31, 2022. The bulk wholesale business generated revenue from the sale of bulk flower and oil produced in-house. As such, the bulk wholesale business has been presented as discontinued operations commencing in the third quarter of 2022 in our financial statements.

 

Sales Revenue

 

The Company’s continuing operations revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $18,054,212 compared to $22,440,300 in the comparative three months ended March 31, 2022 representing a decrease of 19.5%. The decrease is due to the change in strategy and broader restructuring efforts to focus on higher margin sustainable business.  This included the winding-down of certain third party wholesale brand relationships and the closure and / or sale of lower volume delivery depots.

 

The Company considers itself post the exit of the bulk wholesale business to have one sales channel: omni-channel retail (brick and mortar retail, e-commerce pick up & delivery, as well as the sale of various branded wholesale products). The Company directly sells first party and selected third party products into dispensaries across California, leveraging in-house sales teams, as well as the two wholesale distribution centers in San Jose and Costa Mesa, respectively. As previously announced, the Company has transitioned its wholesale distribution activities to Nabis.

 

 
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As of March 31, 2023, the Company operated twelve retail locations and one stand-alone delivery depot. We operate four store brands, Caliva, Deli by Caliva, Coastal and Calma.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross Profit reflects our revenue less our cost of sales, which consist of costs primarily consisting of labor, materials, consumable supplies, overhead, amortization of production equipment, shipping, packaging and other expenses.

 

The Company’s continuing operations gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $7,781,050 (43.1%) compared with $6,716,894 (30%) in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The improved gross margins represent the results of the various margin enhancing initiatives the Company implemented during 2022 as described in the highlights section of this MD&A.

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

General and administrative

 

$7,953,943

 

 

$13,086,142

 

Allowance for accounts receivable and notes receivable

 

 

41,870

 

 

 

2,412,631

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

1,371,301

 

 

 

3,406,358

 

Salaries and benefits

 

 

7,030,898

 

 

 

10,015,556

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

1,665,220

 

 

 

2,242,077

 

Lease expense

 

 

1,313,481

 

 

 

1,756,790

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

903,300

 

 

 

960,700

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

1,821,531

 

 

 

5,029,654

 

 

 

$22,101,544

 

 

$38,909,908

 

 

Operating expenses primarily include salaries and benefits, professional fees, rent and facilities expenses, travel-related expenses, advertising and promotion expenses, licenses, fees and taxes, office supplies and pursuit expenses related to outside services, stock-based compensation and other general and administrative expenses.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded operating expenses of $22,101,544, as compared to $38,909,908 in the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

General and administrative costs were $7,953,943 in the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to $13,086,142 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The $5,132,199, or 39%, decrease in general administrative expenses achieved during the first quarter of 2023 due mainly to lower professional fees and savings from cost reduction initiatives implemented during the year.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts was $41,870 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $2,412,631 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease allowance reflects management’s estimates for credit losses on various trade receivables. The comparative period included an allowance on the Mosaic.Ag matter as described below in this MD&A.

 

Salaries and benefits totaled $7,030,898 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $10,015,556 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease of $2,984,658 (29.8%) in the three months ended March 31, 2023 is the result of the significant restructuring undertaken with the pause in cultivation, outsourcing of wholesale activities and general staff retrenchments to reduce cost and reposition the business to be sustainable longer term. As of March 31, 2023, we had reduced our workforce by 40-50% from the beginning of 2022 and have realized annualized payroll savings of approximately $21 million.

 

Share-based compensation totaled $1,665,220 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $2,242,077 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Share based compensation is a non-cash expense and fluctuates with the number of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted in a period and the stock price. The decrease in stock-based compensation expense was primarily attributable to the fact that the market price of our Common Shares was lower in the first quarter of 2023 than it was in the first quarter of 2022.

 

Lease expense totaled $1,313,481 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $1,756,790 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease is primarily the result of the divesture of the Culver City location and the closure of the Cosa Mesa location.

 

 
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Depreciation of property, plant & equipment totaled $903,300 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $960,700 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Depreciation is a non-cash expense and the slight expense decrease in the periods represents the lower property, plant & equipment asset base owned by the Company as of March 31, 2023 compared to March 31, 2022 due to the restructuring efforts implemented in 2022. 

 

Amortization of intangible assets totaled $1,821,531 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $5,029,654 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. Amortization is a non-cash expense. The decrease in amortization expense is due to the $98,024,797 impairment on various right of use, license and brand intangible assets during the 2022 financial year which reduced the amortization base of the associated intangible assets.  

 

Other Items

 

Interest income

 

Interest income totaled $622,796 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with $Nil in the three months ended March 31, 2022.   During three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company generated interest income on its excess cash balances given higher interest rates and interest on its note receivable from Gold Flora.

 

Interest (expense)

 

Interest expense totaled $1,263,928 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $1,250,568 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The interest expense is primarily incurred on lease accounting for the Company’s right-of-use assets.

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

Loss on disposal of assets totaled $93,944 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $254,864 in the three months ended March 31, 2022, which was primarily the recognized loss on the sale and lease back off the Pullman property.

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

Change in fair value on contingent consideration was a loss of $745,201 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to a gain of $388,622 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company recognized a loss in the three months ended March 31, 2023 on contingent consideration as it increased the probability of a change in control occurring given the pending Business Combination with Gold Flora.

 

Net loss and Comprehensive Loss

 

The Company recorded net losses of $16,510,009 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $33,536,532 in the three month period ended March 31, 2022. The reduction in net losses is due to higher realized margins and lower operating expenses.

 

Management’s Use of Non-GAAP Measures

 

This MD&A contains certain financial performance measures, including “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA,” that are not recognized under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. As a result, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable financial information presented in the Interim Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, see the section entitled “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” below in this MD&A.

 

We believe EBITDA is a useful measure to assess the performance of the Company as it provides more meaningful operating results by excluding the effects of expenses that are not reflective of our underlying business performance and other one-time or non-recurring expenses. We define “EBITDA” as net income (loss) before (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) income taxes; and (iii) interest expense and debt amortization.

 

 
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Adjusted EBITDA

 

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure to assess the performance of the Company as it provides more meaningful operating results by excluding the effects of expenses that are not reflective of our underlying business performance and other one-time or non-recurring expenses. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as EBITDA adjusted to exclude extraordinary items, non-recurring items and, other non-cash items, including, but not limited to (i) share-based compensation expense, (ii) fair value change in contingent consideration and investments measured at Fair Value Through Profit and Loss (“FVPL”), (iii) non-recurring legal and professional fees, human-resources, inventory and collections-related expenses, (iv) intangible and goodwill impairments and loss on disposal of assets, and (v) transaction costs related to merger and acquisition activities.

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 

A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable measure determined under GAAP is set out below.

 

 

 

Three-months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss from continuing

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(32,990,313)

Income taxes from continuing operations

 

 

714,408

 

 

 

286,700

 

Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations

 

 

2,724,831

 

 

 

5,990,354

 

Interest expense from continuing operations

 

 

1,263,928

 

 

 

1,250,568

 

EBITDA

 

 

(11,806,842)

 

 

(25,462,691)
Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

1,665,220

 

 

 

2,242,077

 

Other non-recurring items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value change of contingent consideration

 

 

745,201

 

 

 

(388,622)
Change in fair value of investments at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

(297,864)
Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

93,944

 

 

 

-

 

De-SPAC costs

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,178,536

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$(9,302,477)

 

$(21,728,564)

 

The Company’s EBITDA loss was $11,806,842 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $25,462,691 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The lower EBITDA losses are due to higher realized gross margins, lower operating losses in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

The Company’s Adjusted EBITDA loss was $9,302,477 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $21,728,564 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decreased Adjusted EBITDA losses are due to higher realized gross margins, lower operating losses in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company is focused on improving its margins and reducing operating costs.

 

The Company’s management views Adjusted EBITDA as the best measure of its underlying operating performance.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We manage liquidity risk by reviewing, on an ongoing basis, our sources of liquidity and capital requirements. As at March 31, 2023, The Parent Company had cash and cash equivalents of $76,110,861 compared with cash and cash equivalents of $93,697,529 as at December 31, 2022. Cash and cash equivalents are predominately invested in liquid securities issued by the United States government.

 

In evaluating our capital requirements and our ability to fund the execution of our strategy, we believe we have adequate available liquidity to enable us to meet our working capital and other operating requirements, fund growth initiatives and capital expenditures, settle our liabilities and repay scheduled principal and interest payments on debt for at least the next twelve months.

 

 
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Our objective is to generate sufficient cash to fund our operating requirements and expansion plans. Since the closing of the acquisitions of each of Caliva and Left Coast Ventures, Inc. (“LCV”) (such transactions collectively, the “Qualifying Transaction”). We also expect to have access to public capital markets through our listing on the NEO Exchange if the trading price of our Common Shares improves, and continue to review and pursue selected external financing sources to ensure adequate financial resources. These potential sources include, but are not limited to (i) obtaining financing from traditional or non-traditional investment capital organizations; (ii) obtaining funding from the sale of our Common Shares or other equity or debt instruments; and (iii) obtaining debt financing with lending terms that more closely match our business model and capital needs. There can be no assurance that we will gain adequate market acceptance for our products or be able to generate sufficient positive cash flow to achieve our business plans, that additional capital or other types of financing will be available when needed, or that these financings will be on terms favorable to the Company or at all. In addition, due to the decline in the price of our Common Shares, raising equity capital currently may not be feasible.

 

We expect to continue funding operating losses as we ramp up our operations with our available cash. Therefore, we are subject to risks including, but not limited to, our inability to raise additional funds through debt and/or equity financing to support our continued development, including capital expenditure requirements, operating requirements and to meet our liabilities and commitments as they come due.

 

The Company made the strategic decision to exit its low margin bulk wholesale business during the third quarter of 2022 to reduce complexity, prioritize higher-margin activities and conserve cash. As such, this bulk wholesale business has been presented as discontinued operations commencing in the third quarter of 2022 in our financial statements including in the statement of cash flow. The Company expects this divestment will reduce its operating cash burn rate going forward.

 

The Company announced its proposed Business Combination with Gold Flora during the first quarter of 2023.   The Company believes that the efficient vertical-integration and scale that the transaction is expected to provide further gross margin expansion and a path to longer-term profitability. 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of the date hereof, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and has not guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities or entered into any options on non-financial assets.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The Company leases real estate used for dispensaries, production plants, and corporate offices. Lease terms for real estate generally range from 1 to 16.5 years. Most leases include options to renew for varying terms at the Company’s sole discretion. Certain leases include escalation clauses or payment of executory costs such as property taxes, utilities, or insurance and maintenance. Rent expense for leases with escalation clauses is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

 

The maturity of the contractual undiscounted lease liabilities as of March 31, 2023:

 

 

 

Operating Lease

 

 

Finance Lease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remainder of 2023

 

$3,560,866

 

 

$3,477,474

 

2024

 

 

4,302,015

 

 

 

4,763,910

 

2025

 

 

4,417,482

 

 

 

4,906,828

 

2026

 

 

4,544,592

 

 

 

5,054,033

 

2027

 

 

4,009,473

 

 

 

5,205,654

 

Thereafter

 

 

18,295,464

 

 

 

59,679,244

 

Total undiscounted lease liabilities

 

 

39,129,892

 

 

 

83,087,143

 

Interest on lease liabilities

 

 

15,247,861

 

 

 

46,356,566

 

Total present value of minimum lease payments

 

 

23,882,031

 

 

 

36,730,577

 

Lease liability –— current portion

 

 

1,904,773

 

 

 

156,184

 

Lease liability

 

$21,977,258

 

 

$36,574,393

 

 

 
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Other Legal Matters

 

From time to time in the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to legal matters such as threatened or pending claims or proceedings. We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings or claims, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation or claims that could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition should such litigation or claim be resolved unfavorably.

 

Mosaic.Ag

 

On May 16, 2021, we entered into a membership interest purchase agreement (the “Membership Interest Purchase Agreement”) to obtain leasehold interests of approximately 10 years duration in each of four one-acre parcels of land that are licensed for outdoor cannabis grow (collectively, the “Outdoor Grow Properties”). On May 21, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into a series of cultivation and supply agreements with each of the leaseholders of the Outdoor Grow Properties and Mosaic. AG, Inc. (“Mosaic.Ag”), pursuant to which Mosaic.Ag agreed to cultivate cannabis on each of the Outdoor Grow Properties on our behalf for a period commencing on the Effective Date of and ending at least three years from the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, with options to extend for up to five years (the “Cultivation and Supply Agreements”). Under the terms of the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, as of the Effective Date, we and Mosaic.Ag obtained access to the Outdoor Grow Properties and began to commence cannabis cultivation activities under the Cultivation and Supply Agreements. The purchase price under the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement is $6,000,000 in cash, $2,500,000 in our Common Shares payable on the closing date (with the number of shares issued based on the volume-weighted average price per Common Share for the ten consecutive trading days prior to the closing date) and up to 1,309,263 of our Common Shares subject to an earnout based on the production value of cannabis grown on the Outdoor Grow Properties over the twenty-four months following the Effective Date. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement are dependent on the satisfaction of various closing conditions, multiple of which were not met by the end of the second quarter of 2022 as required by the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement. Further, Mosaic.Ag was unable to produce sufficient quantities of biomass according to Company quality standards and pursuant to the Cultivation Supply Agreements. For the foregoing reasons, we delivered to Mosaic on June 30, 2022, notice of our exercise of our contractual rights to terminate each of the Cultivation and Supply Agreements and the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement effective on such date and requested that Mosaic.Ag present an acceptable restructure to the arrangements and/or a payback plan for the owed refund and for the upfront payment under the promissory note. Pursuant to the terms of the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, on the Effective Date, we advanced to the seller $5,650,000 secured by a promissory note, which note is now past its maturity date. Pursuant to the terms of the Cultivation and Supply Agreements, we made payments for cannabis product in advance based on a projected aggregate yield, with Mosaic owing a refund for any overpayment in the event of the actual yield (as measured at the conclusion of the growing season) being less than the projected yield, which event did transpire, triggering a refund owed us of approximately $1,500,000. Mosaic.Ag has contested certain of the Company’s positions and has claimed an inability to pay the owed cash amounts. For the foregoing reasons, the Company filed a lawsuit against Mosaic.Ag and related individuals on December 16, 2022, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, alleging breach of contract and asking for declaratory relief. On March 21, 2023, the defendants removed the case to the United States District Court in the Northern District of California on the pled basis that the litigation involves a “federal question” due to cannabis being controlled under the Controlled Substances Act, a federal law, and thus is entitled to federal question jurisdiction. We will contest the removal and file a motion to remand the case to its proper jurisdiction in the Superior Court of California.  Defendants have not filed any responsive pleadings to the complaint other than the removal to federal court.  We filed a motion to remand the case to Superior Court, which motion is now in front of the court.

 

Inflation

 

The Company is not immune to the widespread cost inflation experienced in the United States and many parts of the world. The Company intends to continue to work to improve its gross margins despite cost inflation through market pricing, greater cost efficiencies, advantageous vendor partnerships, and other measures.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

For a description of our critical accounting policies and estimates, refer to Part II, Item 7. “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our 2022 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting estimates from the information provided in our 2022 Form 10-K.

 

 
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Cash Flow

 

The table below highlights our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

(Unaudited, in United States dollars)

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

$(16,510,009)

 

$(32,990,313)

Adjustments for items not involving cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

1,263,928

 

 

 

1,250,568

 

Non-cash Interest income

 

 

(36,826)

 

 

(26,932)

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

93,944

 

 

 

254,473

 

Allowance for accounts receivable and notes receivable

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,249,706

 

Fair value change of investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

(297,864)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

2,724,831

 

 

 

5,990,354

 

Share-based compensation expense, net of withholding tax settlement

 

 

1,648,421

 

 

 

2,037,275

 

Non-cash marketing expense

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,363,636

 

Non-cash operating lease expense

 

 

1,313,481

 

 

 

1,756,790

 

Fair value change of contingent consideration

 

 

745,201

 

 

 

(388,622)

Deferred income tax recovery

 

 

(806,826)

 

 

(775,615)

Repayment of operating lease liabilities

 

 

(2,293,381)

 

 

(1,614,967)

Net changes in non-cash working capital items

 

 

(1,782,566)

 

 

(3,070,057)

Net cash used in continued operating activities

 

 

(13,639,802)

 

 

(24,261,568)

Net cash used in discontinued operating activities

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,579,055)

Total operating activities

 

 

(13,639,802)

 

 

(25,840,623)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receipt of payments on notes receivables

 

 

-

 

 

 

186,106

 

Payment of consideration payable

 

 

(383,333)

 

 

(383,333)

Payment of finance lease liabilities

 

 

(1,147,681)

 

 

(1,116,504)

Total financing activities

 

 

(1,531,014)

 

 

(1,313,731)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(244,791)

 

 

(1,124,990)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment, net of selling costs

 

 

328,940

 

 

 

5,769,040

 

Advances for investments and notes receivables

 

 

(2,500,001)

 

 

-

 

Acquisition of investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

(150,000)

Total investing activities

 

 

(2,415,852)

 

 

4,494,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash during the period

 

 

(17,586,668)

 

 

(22,660,304)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

$93,697,529

 

 

$174,892,298

 

End of period

 

$76,110,861

 

 

$152,231,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

76,110,861

 

 

 

143,494,665

 

Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents

 

 

-

 

 

 

8,737,329

 

Cash, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents

 

$76,110,861

 

 

$152,231,994

 

 

 
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Operating Activities

 

Cash used in continued operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2023 totaled $13,639,802, as compared to cash used in continued operating activities of $24,261,568 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the cash used in operating activities represents an average operating cash burn rate of $4,546,601 per month, as compared to $8,087,189 per month in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company is evaluating a number of options to improve operating results including: gross margin expansion, subleasing excess real estate, and general and administrative cost reductions.

 

Cash used in discontinued operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2023 totaled $ nil, as compared to $1,579,055 cash used in discontinued operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

Financing Activities

 

Cash used in financing activities totaled $1,531,014 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to cash used of $1,313,731 in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The cash used in the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily for repayment of notes associated with our acquisition of Coastal Holding Company, LLC and the settlement of lease liabilities. The same items were also cash outflows in the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash used in investing activities totaled $2,415,852 in the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $4,494,050 cash provided by investing activities in the three month period ended March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company advanced Gold Flora $2,500,001 as part of a $5,000,000 facility arrangement and acquired property, plant and equipment for $244,791. It also received proceeds from excess property, plant and equipment of $328,940. In the comparative three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company received proceeds of $5,769,040 from the disposal of property, plant and equipment primarily related to its Pullman property sale and lease back transaction. The Company also purchased property, plant and equipment for its operations and made a $150,000 social equity investment in Digistrains.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

California Operating Licenses

 

The Company’s primary activity is the cultivation, manufacturing and sale of adult use cannabis pursuant to California law. However, this activity is not in compliance with the United States Controlled Substances Act (the “CSA”). The Company’s assets are potentially subject to seizure or confiscation by governmental agencies. and the Company could face criminal and civil penalties for noncompliance with the CSA. Management of the Company believes the Company is in compliance with all California and local jurisdiction laws and monitors the regulatory environment on an ongoing basis along with counsel to ensure the continued compliance with all applicable laws and licensing agreements.

 

The Company’s operation is sanctioned by the State of California and local jurisdictions. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the Company’s noncompliance with the CSA, the potential liability from any non-compliance cannot be reasonably estimated, and the Company may be subject to regulatory fines, penalties or restrictions in the future.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, the State of California allowed adult use cannabis sales. Beginning on January 1, 2018, the State began issuing temporary licenses that expired 120 days after issuance for retail, distribution, manufacturing and cultivation permits. Temporary licenses could be extended in 90-day increments by the State upon submission of an annual license application. All temporary licenses had been granted extensions by the State during 2018.

 

In September 2019, Senate Bill 1459 (SB 1459) was enacted which enabled state licensing authorities to issue provisional licenses through 2021. A provisional license could be issued if an applicant submitted a completed annual license application to the California Bureau of Cannabis Control. A completed application for purposes of obtaining a provisional license is not the same as a sufficient application to obtain an annual license. The provisional cannabis license, which is valid for 12 months from the date issued, is said to be in between a temporary license and an annual license and allows a cannabis business to operate as they would under local and state regulations. Licensees issued a provisional license are expected to be diligently working toward completing all annual license requirements in order to maintain a provisional license. The Company obtained its provisional licenses in 2019 and continues to work with the State to obtain annual licensing.

 

The Company’s prior licenses obtained from the local jurisdictions it operated in have been continued by such jurisdictions and are necessary to obtain state licensing.

 

 
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The Company has received annual licenses from its local jurisdiction in which it actively operates. Although the Company believes it will continue to receive the necessary licenses from the State of California to conduct its business in a timely fashion, there is no guarantee the Company or its clients will be able to do so and any failure to do so may have a negative effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

 

Social Equity Fund

 

The Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary to serve as its social equity fund during the during 2021 with a planned $10,000,000 investment and a planned annual contribution of at least 2% of net income from the Company. Through March 31, 2023, the Company has invested approximately $1,350,000 in three investments being Stanton Brands (d/b/a Josephine & Billie’s), Peakz LLC and Digistrains.

 

During the first quarter of 2023, SEV launched its “brand success program” (“BSP”). The BSP is a twelve week program implemented to provide minority owned brands with guaranteed shelf space and individualized mentorship by the Company’s sales, marketing, retails and operational leaders. Brands will learn best practices, operational procedures and tips that can be applied to any retail outlet nationwide. The goal of the program is to empower each Brand with the knowledge and opportunity to scale their business, market efficiently, increase brand awareness while building customer loyalty, and boosting sales; thus, creating a solid, sustainable, and scalable business. 

 

The BSP launched on January 19, 2023 with CRONJA, a social equity and veteran founded brand under the leadership of Co-Founder and CEO, Bryant Bowens. CRONJA’s launch was followed by Plaid America’s Substance and Skewville. 

 

Share Capital and Capital Management

 

 As of March 31, 2023, the Company had 118,827,323 Common Shares and 35,837,500 Common Share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) issued and outstanding. The Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $11.50 and will expire on January 15, 2026. The Company may accelerate the expiry date of the outstanding Warrants (excluding the Warrants held by Subversive Capital Sponsor LLC in certain circumstances) by providing 30 days’ notice, if and only if, the closing price of the Common Shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per Common Share (as adjusted for stock splits or combinations, stock dividends, extraordinary dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period.

 

The Company has an equity incentive plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) that permits the grant of stock options, RSUs, deferred share units, performance share units (“PSUs”) and stock appreciation rights to non-employee directors and any employee, officer, consultant, independent contractor or advisor providing services to the Company or any affiliate. As of March 31, 2023, a total of 2,565,334 RSUs and 2,013,750 PSUs were outstanding under the Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Prior to closing of the Qualifying Transaction, Caliva maintained the CMG Partners, Inc. 2019 Stock Option and Grant Plan (the “Caliva EIP”), which permitted awards of common stock in Caliva. In connection with the Qualifying Transaction, Caliva and the Company agreed that the Company would maintain the Caliva EIP and that outstanding awards thereunder will entitle the holder to receive Common Shares. As of March 31, 2023, there were 367,179 options to purchase up to 367,179 Common Shares under the Caliva EIP outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $7.20 per share. No further awards will be granted under the Caliva EIP.

 

Prior to closing of the Qualifying Transaction, LCV maintained the Amended and Restated 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “LCV Equity Plan”) which authorized LCV to grant to its employees, directors and consultants stock options and other equity-based awards. In connection with the Qualifying Transaction, LCV and the Company agreed that the Company would maintain the LCV Equity Plan and that outstanding awards thereunder will entitle the holder to receive Common Shares. At March 31, 2023, there were 9,206 options to purchase up to 9,206 Common Shares under the LCV Equity Plan outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $26.74 per share. No further awards will be granted under the LCV Equity Plan.

 

The Company manages its capital with the following objectives:

 

 

·

To ensure sufficient financial flexibility to achieve the ongoing business objectives including of future growth opportunities, and pursuit of accretive acquisitions; and

 

·

To maximize shareholder return through enhancing the value of the Common Shares.

 

 
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[The Company considers its capital to be total equity. The Company manages capital through its financial and operational forecasting processes. The Company reviews its working capital and forecasts its future cash flows based on operating expenditures, and other investing and financing activities. Selected information is provided to the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company’s capital management objectives, policies and processes have remained unchanged during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021. The Company is not subject to any external capital requirements.

 

UNITED STATES REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

 

Cannabis Industry Regulation

 

On February 8, 2018, the Canadian Securities Administrators revised their previously released Staff Notice 51-352 (Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities) (“Staff Notice 51-352”), which provides specific disclosure expectations for issuers that currently have, or are in the process of developing, cannabis-related activities in the United States as permitted within a particular state’s regulatory framework. All issuers with U.S. cannabis-related activities are expected to clearly and prominently disclose certain prescribed information in prospectus filings and other required disclosure documents. As a result of our existing operations in California, we are providing the following disclosure pursuant to Staff Notice 51-352.

 

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from state legalized: (i) cannabis, and products containing cannabis, used by someone 21 or older that is not a medical cannabis patient (where use may include inhalation, consumption, or application) (“Adult-Use Cannabis”) and (ii) to a lesser extent, cannabis and products containing cannabis used by medical cannabis patients in accordance with applicable state law, but for which no drug approval has been granted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (where use may include inhalation, consumption, or application) (“Medical-Use Cannabis”) ((i) and (ii) collectively “Regulated Cannabis”). The Regulated Cannabis industry is illegal under U.S. federal law. We are directly involved (through our licensed subsidiaries) in both the Adult-Use Cannabis and Medical-Use Cannabis industry in the State of California, which has legalized and regulated such industries.

 

The United States federal government regulates certain drugs through the CSA and through the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 301–392) (the “FDCA”). The CSA schedules controlled substances, including “marihuana” (defined as all parts of the plant cannabis sativa L. containing more than 0.3 percent THC), based on their approved medical use and potential for abuse. Marihuana (also referred to as cannabis) and THC (“except for tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp”) are each classified as Schedule I controlled substances (21 U.S.C. § 812(c)). The Drug Enforcement Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) defines Schedule I drugs, substances or chemicals as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” The United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), which implements and enforces the FDCA, regulates, among other things, drugs used for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases. The FDA has not approved cannabis as a safe and effective treatment for any medical condition, and regularly issues cease-and-desist letters to manufacturers of CBD products making health claims to consumers in contravention of the FDCA. The FDA has approved drugs containing THC and CBD, individual cannabinoids in the plant cannabis sativa L., for a narrow segment of medical conditions.

 

State laws that permit and regulate the cultivation, production, distribution, sale and use of Medical-Use Cannabis or Adult-Use Cannabis are in direct conflict with the CSA, which makes cannabis and THC distribution and possession federally illegal. Although certain states and territories of the U.S. authorize Medical-Use Cannabis or Adult-Use Cannabis production and distribution by licensed or registered entities, under U.S. federal law, the possession, cultivation, and/or transfer of cannabis and THC is illegal and any such acts are criminal acts under any and all circumstances under the CSA. Additionally, any cultivation, manufacture, possession, distribution and/or sale of cannabis accessories, in states without laws expressly permitting such activity, are also federally illegal activity under the CSA. Although our activities are believed to be compliant with applicable California state and local law, strict compliance with state and local laws with respect to cannabis does not absolve us of liability under United States federal law, nor does it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against us.

 

However, in October 2022, President Biden directed the Department of Justice and Department of Health & Human Services to conduct a review of the scheduling status of cannabis. Without any guarantee, it is anticipated that cannabis may be rescheduled or descheduled entirely within the next 12–24 months.

 

As of March 31, 2023, 38 U.S. states, and the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands have legalized the cultivation and sale of Medical-Use Cannabis, with at least four of the remaining states expected to pass such legalization measures within the next 12 months. In 22 U.S. states, the sale and possession of both Medical-Use Cannabis and Adult-Use Cannabis has been legalized, though due to the time period between a state’s legalization of commercial cannabis activities and the completion of its regulatory framework and marketplace launch, the purchase of Adult-Use Cannabis is currently possible in 19 states, with the remainder of the currently-legal states to commence sales activities later in 2023 or in 2024. The District of Columbia has legalized Adult-Use Cannabis but has not yet permitted the commercial sale of Adult Use Cannabis, however, Adult-Use sales are likely to commence in 2024.

 

 
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10 states have also enacted low-THC / high-CBD only laws for medical cannabis patients. The sale and possession of both Medical-Use Cannabis and Adult-Use Cannabis is legal in the State of California, subject to applicable licensing requirements and compliance with applicable conditions.

 

Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. administration attempted to address the inconsistencies between federal and state regulation of cannabis in a memorandum which then-Deputy Attorney General James Cole sent to all United States Attorneys on August 29, 2013 (the “2013 Cole Memorandum”) outlining certain priorities for the DOJ relating to the prosecution of cannabis offenses. The 2013 Cole Memorandum noted that in jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing or decriminalizing Regulated Cannabis in some form and that have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and possession of Regulated Cannabis, conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations is less likely to be a priority at the federal level. The DOJ did not provide (and has not provided since) specific guidelines for what regulatory and enforcement systems would be deemed sufficient under the 2013 Cole Memorandum. In light of limited investigative and prosecutorial resources, the 2013 Cole Memorandum concluded that the DOJ should be focused on addressing only the most significant threats related to cannabis, a non-exhaustive list of which was enumerated therein.

 

On January 4, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions formally issued a new memorandum (the “Sessions Memorandum”), which rescinded all “previous nationwide guidance specific to marijuana enforcement,” including the 2013 Cole Memorandum. The Sessions Memorandum stated, in part, that current law reflects “Congress’ determination that Cannabis is a dangerous drug and Cannabis activity is a serious crime,” and Mr. Sessions directed all U.S. Attorneys to enforce the laws enacted by Congress by following well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to cannabis activities. There can be no assurance that the federal government will not enforce federal laws relating to cannabis in the future. As a result of the Sessions Memorandum, federal prosecutors are now free to utilize their prosecutorial discretion to decide whether to prosecute cannabis activities despite the existence of State-level laws that may be inconsistent with federal prohibitions. No direction was given to federal prosecutors in the Sessions Memorandum as to the priority they should ascribe to such cannabis activities, and resultantly it is uncertain how active U.S. federal prosecutors will be in relation to such activities.

 

We believe it is still unclear what prosecutorial effects will be created by the rescission of the 2013 Cole Memorandum. We believe that the sheer size of the Regulated Cannabis industry, in addition to participation by state and local governments and investors, suggests that a large-scale enforcement operation would more than likely create unwanted political backlash for the DOJ and the Biden administration in certain states that heavily favor decriminalization and/or legalization. Regardless, cannabis and THC remain Schedule I controlled substances at the federal level, and neither the 2013 Cole Memorandum nor its rescission has altered that fact. The federal government of the United States has always reserved the right to enforce federal law in regard to the manufacture, distribution, sale and disbursement of Medical-Use Cannabis or Adult-Use Cannabis, even if state law permits such cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale and disbursement. We believe, from a purely legal perspective, that the criminal risk today remains similar to the risk on January 3, 2018. It remains unclear whether the risk of enforcement has been altered. Additionally, under United States federal law, it is a violation of federal money laundering statutes for financial institutions to take any proceeds from the sale of Regulated Cannabis or any other Schedule I controlled substance. Canadian banks are likewise hesitant to deal with cannabis companies, due to the uncertain legal and regulatory framework of the industry. Banks and other financial institutions, particularly those that are federally chartered in the United States, could be prosecuted and possibly convicted of money laundering for providing services to Regulated Cannabis businesses. While Congress is considering legislation that may address these issues, there can be no assurance that such legislation passes.

 

Despite these laws, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued a memorandum on February 14, 2014 (the “FinCEN Memorandum”) outlining the pathways for financial institutions to bank state-sanctioned Regulated Cannabis businesses in compliance with federal enforcement priorities. The FinCEN Memorandum echoed the enforcement priorities of the 2013 Cole Memorandum and stated that in some circumstances, it is possible for banks to provide services to cannabis-related businesses without risking prosecution for violation of federal money laundering laws. Under these guidelines, financial institutions must submit a Suspicious Activity Report (“SAR”) in connection with all cannabis-related banking activities by any client of such financial institution, in accordance with federal money laundering laws. These cannabis-related SARs are divided into three categories-cannabis limited, cannabis priority, and cannabis terminated-based on the financial institution’s belief that the business in question follows state law, is operating outside of compliance with state law, or where the banking relationship has been terminated, respectively. On the same day that the FinCEN Memorandum was published, the DOJ issued a memorandum (the “2014 Cole Memorandum”) directing prosecutors to apply the enforcement priorities of the 2013 Cole Memorandum in determining whether to charge individuals or institutions with crimes related to financial transactions involving the proceeds of cannabis-related conduct. The 2014 Cole Memorandum has been rescinded as of January 4, 2018, along with the 2013 Cole Memorandum, removing guidance that enforcement of applicable financial crimes against state-compliant actors was not a DOJ priority.

 

 
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However, former Attorney General Sessions’ rescission of the 2013 Cole Memorandum and the 2014 Cole Memorandum has not affected the status of the FinCEN Memorandum, nor has the Department of the Treasury given any indication that it intends to rescind the FinCEN Memorandum itself. Though it was originally intended for the 2014 Cole Memorandum and the FinCEN Memorandum to work in tandem, the FinCEN Memorandum is a standalone document which explicitly lists the eight enforcement priorities originally cited in the 2013 Cole Memorandum. As such, the FinCEN Memorandum remains intact, indicating that the Department of the Treasury and FinCEN intend to continue abiding by its guidance. However, FinCEN issued further guidance on December 3, 2019, in which it acknowledged that the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the “Farm Bill”) removed hemp as a Schedule I controlled substance and authorized the United States Department of Agriculture  to issue regulations governing, among other things, domestic hemp production. The guidance states that because hemp is no longer a controlled substance under federal law, banks are not required to file SARs on these businesses solely because they are engaged in the growth or cultivation of hemp in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The guidance further notes that for hemp-related customers, banks are expected to follow standard SAR procedures, and file a SAR if indicia of suspicious activity warrants. FinCEN noted in its December 2019 guidance that the 2014 SAR reporting structure for cannabis remains in place even with the passage of the Farm Bill and this additional guidance related to hemp. FinCEN confirmed this point in guidance issued on June 29, 2020, and clarified that, if proceeds from cannabis-related activities are kept separate, a SAR filing is only required for the cannabis-related part of a business that engages in both cannabis and hemp activity.

 

Although the 2013 Cole Memorandum has been rescinded, one legislative safeguard for the Medical-Use Cannabis industry has historically remained in place: Congress adopted a so-called “rider” provision to the fiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Consolidated Appropriations Acts (currently referred to as the “Joyce-Blumenauer Amendment”) to prevent the federal government from using congressionally appropriated funds to enforce federal cannabis laws against regulated Medical-Use Cannabis actors operating in compliance with state and local law. The Joyce-Blumenauer Amendment was renewed through the signing of the fiscal year 2022 omnibus bill, which extended the protections of the Amendment through December 16, 2022. The fiscal year 2023 spending package included the Joyce-Blumenauer rider, which extended the rider until fiscal year 2024.

 

However, should the Joyce-Blumenauer Amendment not be renewed upon expiration in subsequent spending bills, there can be no assurance that the federal government will not seek to prosecute cases involving medical cannabis businesses that are otherwise compliant with State law. Such potential proceedings could involve significant restrictions being imposed upon us.

 

The United States Congress has passed appropriations bills each of the last four years that have not appropriated funds for prosecution of cannabis offenses of individuals who are in compliance with state medical cannabis laws. American courts have construed these appropriations bills to prevent the U.S. federal government from prosecuting individuals when those individuals comply with state law relating to approved medical uses. However, because this conduct continues to violate U.S. federal law, American courts have observed that should Congress at any time choose to appropriate funds to fully prosecute the CSA, any individual or business—even those that have fully complied with state law—could be prosecuted for violations of U.S. federal law. And if Congress restores funding, the government will have the authority to prosecute individuals for violations of the law that took place before received funding under the CSA’s five-year statute of limitations.

 

In recent years, certain temporary federal legislative enactments that protect the Medical-Use Cannabis and industry have also been in effect. For instance, cannabis businesses that are in strict compliance with state law receive a measure of protection from federal prosecution by operation of a temporary appropriations measures that has been enacted into law as an amendment (or “rider”) to federal spending bills passed by Congress and signed by Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden. First adopted in the Appropriations Act of 2015, Congress has included in successive budgets since a “rider” that prohibits the DOJ from expending any funds to enforce any law that interferes with a state’s implementation of its own medical cannabis laws. The rider, discussed above, is known as the “Joyce-Blumenauer” Amendment, and now known colloquially as the “Joyce Amendment” after its most recent sponsor. The rider was renewed on March 15, 2022 through the signing of the FY 2022 omnibus spending bill, which extended the protections of the Amendment through September 30, 2022.

 

 
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Despite the legal, regulatory, and political obstacles the Regulated Cannabis industry currently faces, the industry has continued to grow. Under certain circumstances, the federal government may repeal the federal prohibition on cannabis and thereby leave the states to decide for themselves whether to permit Regulated Cannabis cultivation, production and sale, just as states are free today to decide policies governing the distribution of alcohol or tobacco. Until that happens, we face the risk of federal enforcement and other risks associated with our business.

 

However, as noted previously, President Biden directed the Department of Justice and Department of Health & Human Services to conduct a review of the scheduling status of cannabis in October of 2022. It is anticipated that cannabis may be rescheduled or descheduled entirely within the next 12–24 months.

 

To the knowledge of our management, there have not been any statements or guidance made by federal authorities or prosecutors regarding the risk of enforcement action in California.

 

Our objective is to capitalize on the opportunities presented as a result of the changing regulatory environment governing the cannabis industry in the United States. Accordingly, there are a number of significant risks associated with our business. Unless and until the United States Congress amends the CSA with respect to Medical-Use Cannabis or Adult-Use Cannabis, there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce current federal law, and our business may be deemed to be producing, cultivating, extracting, or dispensing “marihuana” or aiding or abetting or otherwise engaging in a conspiracy to commit such acts in violation of U.S. federal law.

 

We have received and continue to receive legal input, in verbal and written form (including opinions when required), regarding (a) compliance with applicable state and local regulatory frameworks and (b) potential exposure and implications arising from U.S. federal law in certain respects.

 

The 2013 Cole Memorandum and the Joyce-Blumenauer Amendment gave Medical-Use Cannabis operators and investors in states with legal regimes greater certainty regarding federal enforcement as to establish Regulated Cannabis businesses in those states. While the Sessions Memorandum has introduced some uncertainty regarding federal enforcement, the Regulated Cannabis industry continues to experience growth in legal Medical-Use Cannabis and Adult-Use Cannabis markets across the United States. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned on November 7, 2018. It is anticipated that the current Attorney General, Merrick Garland, will issue a memorandum resembling the Cole Memorandum in late 2023. Still, this is not guaranteed. More generally, there is no guarantee that state laws legalizing and regulating the sale and use of cannabis will not be repealed or overturned, even under a Biden Administration’s DOJ or that local governmental authorities will not limit the applicability of state laws within their respective jurisdictions. Unless and until the United States Congress amends the CSA with respect to cannabis and THC (and as to the timing or scope of any such potential amendments there can be no assurance), there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce current U.S. federal law.

 

Despite the expanding market for Regulated Cannabis, traditional sources of financing, including bank lending or private equity capital, are lacking which can be attributable to the fact that cannabis remains a Schedule I substance under the CSA. These traditional sources of financing are expected to remain scarce unless and until the federal government legalizes cannabis cultivation and sales.

 

Below is a discussion of U.S. state-level regulatory regimes in those jurisdictions where we are, and will be, directly or indirectly involved through our subsidiaries. A discussion of the U.S. federal regulatory regime can be found above under the heading “—United States Regulatory EnvironmentCannabis Industry Regulation.” We are directly engaged in the manufacture, possession, use, sale or distribution of cannabis and/or hold licenses in the Adult-Use Cannabis and/or Medical-Use Cannabis marketplace in the State of California. We will evaluate, monitor and reassess this disclosure, and any related risks, on an ongoing basis and the same will be supplemented and amended to investors in public filings, including in the event of government policy changes or the introduction of new or amended guidance, laws or regulations regarding cannabis regulation. We intend to cause our businesses to promptly remedy any known occurrences of non-compliance with applicable State and local cannabis rules and regulations, and intends to publicly disclose any non-compliance, citations or notices of violation which may have an impact on our licenses, business activities or operations.

 

Exposure to U.S. Marijuana Related Activities

 

We operate in the United States through various subsidiaries and other entities pursuant to arrangements with third-parties on arm’s length terms as more specifically described herein. As of the date of this registration statement, a majority of our business was directly derived from U.S. cannabis-related activities. As such, a majority of our balance sheet and operating statement for periods following closing of the Qualifying Transaction reflects exposure to U.S. cannabis related activities.

 

 
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California

 

California Regulatory Landscape

 

In 1996, California was the first state to legalize Medical-Use Cannabis through Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. This legislation legalized the use, possession and cultivation of cannabis by patients with a physician recommendation for treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which cannabis provides relief.

 

In 2003, Senate Bill 420 was signed into law establishing not-for-profit medical cannabis collectives and dispensaries, and an optional identification card system for Medical-Use Cannabis patients.

 

In September 2015, the California legislature passed three bills collectively known as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (“MCRSA”). The MCRSA established a licensing and regulatory framework for Medical-Use Cannabis businesses in California. The system created multiple license types for dispensaries, infused products manufacturers, cultivation facilities, testing laboratories, transportation companies, and distributors. Edible infused product manufacturers would require either volatile solvent or non-volatile solvent manufacturing licenses depending on their specific extraction methodology. Multiple agencies would oversee different aspects of the program and businesses would require a state license and local approval to operate. However, in November 2016, voters in California passed Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (“AUMA”), creating an Adult-Use Cannabis program for adults 21 years of age or older. In June 2017, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill No. 94, known as Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (“MAUCRSA”), which amalgamated MCRSA and AUMA and provided for a set of regulations to govern a medical and adult-use licensing regime for cannabis businesses in the State of California. The four agencies that regulate cannabis at the state level are the Bureau of Cannabis Control (“BCC”), CalCannabis at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CalCannabis”), and the Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch California Department of Public Health (“MCSB”), and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. MAUCRSA went into effect on January 1, 2018. MAUCRSA was then amended and restated in July 2021 through the annual budget trailer bill process to, among other things, consolidate the three state licensing agencies-BCC, CalCannabis and MCSB-into a single licensing authority known as the Department of Cannabis Control (“DCC”). Subsequent to the agency consolidation, the newly formed DCC consolidated the three separate sets of BCC, CalCannabis, and MCSB regulations into a single set of state regulations, which regulations went into effect as of September 27, 2021.

 

To legally operate a Medical-Use Cannabis or Adult-Use Cannabis business in California, the operator must generally have both a local and state license. This requires license holders to operate in cities with cannabis licensing programs. Therefore, counties and cities in California are allowed to determine the number of licenses they will issue to cannabis operators, or can choose to outright ban the siting of cannabis operations in their jurisdictions.

 

California Licensing Requirements

 

A storefront retailer license with an “M-designation” permits (i) the purchase of cannabis goods that are “For Medical Use Only” from licensed distributors (ii) the sale of such medicinal cannabis goods to medicinal cannabis patients age 18 years of age or older in California who possesses a physician’s recommendation. Only certified physicians may provide medicinal cannabis recommendations. A storefront retailer license with an “A-designation” permits the sale of cannabis and cannabis products to any individual age 21 years of age or older regardless of whether they possess a physician’s recommendation. A storefront retailer license with both the M- and A-designations is permitted to do all of the above described in this paragraph. Where the local jurisdiction permits, a state storefront retailer license allows the retailer to engage in delivery of cannabis goods to retail customers. A non-storefront license permits the same delivery activity, but does not permit the licensee to operate a retail storefront.

 

A distribution license permits the license holder to engage in the procurement, storage, required regulatory and compliance testing, sale to certain licensed entities within the State of California, and transport of cannabis and cannabis products between licensees.

 

 
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An adult-use or medicinal cultivation license permits cannabis cultivation, which means any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, grading or trimming of cannabis. Such licenses further permit the production of a limited number of “non-manufactured cannabis products” and the sales of cannabis to certain licensed entities within the State of California for resale or manufacturing purposes.

 

An adult-use or medical manufacturing license permits the manufacturing of “manufactured cannabis products.” Manufacturing includes the compounding, blending, extracting, post-processing refinement, infusion, packaging or repackaging, labeling or relabeling, remediation or other preparation of a cannabis product in the State of California, only cannabis that is grown in the state by a licensed operator can be sold in the state. California neither mandates nor prohibits integration, and the state allows licensees to make wholesale purchase of cannabis from, or a distribution of cannabis and cannabis product to, another licensed entity within the state.

 

Holders of cannabis licenses in California are subject to a detailed regulatory scheme encompassing security, staffing, transport, sales, manufacturing standards, testing, inspections, inventory, advertising and marketing, product packaging and labeling, white labeling, records and reporting, and more. As with all jurisdictions, the full regulations, as promulgated by each applicable state agency, should be consulted for further information about any particular operational area.

 

California Reporting Requirements

 

The State of California uses METRC as the state’s track-and-trace system used to track commercial cannabis activity and movement across the distribution chain for all state-issued licensees. The system allows for other third-party system integration via application programming interface. Only licensees have access to METRC.

 

California Storage and Security

 

To ensure the safety and security of cannabis business premises and to maintain adequate controls against the diversion, theft, and loss of cannabis or cannabis products, California’s retail cannabis businesses are generally required to do the following:

 

·

limit access to storefront retail premises to medical cannabis patients at least 18 years and older, and adults 21 and over maintain a fully operational security alarm system;

 

 

·

contract for professionally-certified security guard services;

 

 

·

maintain a video surveillance system that records continuously 24 hours a day;

 

 

·

ensure that the facility’s outdoor premises have sufficient lighting;

 

 

·

not dispense from its premises outside of permissible hours of operation;

 

·

limit the daily amount of cannabis goods dispensed to individual customers to prevent diversion;

 

 

·

store cannabis and cannabis product only in areas per the premises diagram submitted to and approved by the State of California during the licensing process;

 

 

·

store all cannabis and cannabis products in a secured, locked room or a vault; report to local law enforcement and the DCC within 24 hours after discovering the theft, diversion, or loss of cannabis; and

 

 

·

ensure the safe transport of cannabis and cannabis products between licensed facilities, maintain a delivery manifest and QR-code scannable State license in any vehicle transporting cannabis and cannabis products. Only vehicles registered with the DCC that meet DCC distribution requirements are to be used to transport cannabis and cannabis products.

 

California Home Delivery Requirements

 

California law allows certain licensed retailers to deliver cannabis to adult customers at any private address within the state, including within those jurisdictions that have land use and zoning ordinances prohibiting the establishment of commercial cannabis businesses. At least 25 local jurisdictions where cannabis sales are banned sued the state, seeking to overturn the rule allowing home deliveries statewide. As of the date hereof, the suit was dismissed on procedural grounds, and the state regulation stands. To the knowledge of management, there have been no significant enforcement efforts mounted by local governments.

 

 
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The State of California requires the satisfaction of various regulatory compliance obligations in order to operate a cannabis delivery service. The cannabis license that permits the operation of a storefront dispensary in the State of California (also referred to as a retail license) currently permits that entity to also establish a delivery operation. If an entity does not wish to set up and operate a storefront dispensary location at which it can sell products to customers in person, California has established a separate license which allows for a retail delivery operation (also referred to as a non-storefront retail license). California regulations regarding the delivery of cannabis products include the following requirements:

 

·

All deliveries of cannabis goods must be performed by a delivery employee (at least 21 years of age) who is directly employed by a licensed retailer.

 

 

·

All deliveries of cannabis goods must be made in person to a physical address that is not on publicly-owned land or to a building leased by a public agency.

 

 

·

Prior to providing cannabis goods to a delivery customer, a delivery employee must confirm the identity and age of the delivery customer (as is required if such customer was purchasing the product in the physical retail store) and ensure that all cannabis goods sold comply with the regulatory requirements.

 

 

·

A licensed cannabis entity is permitted to contract with a service that provides a technology platform to facilitate the sale and delivery of cannabis goods, in accordance with all of the following: (1) the licensed cannabis entity does not allow for delivery of cannabis goods by the technology platform service provider; (2) the licensed entity does not share in the profits of the sale of cannabis goods with the technology platform service provider, or otherwise provide for a percentage or portion of the cannabis goods sales to the technology platform service provider; (3) the licensed cannabis entity does not advertise or market cannabis goods in conjunction with the technology platform service provider, outside of the technology platform, and ensures that the technology platform service provider does not use the licensed cannabis entity’s license number or legal business name on any advertisement or marketing that primarily promotes the services of the technology platform; and (4) provides various disclosures to customers about the source of the delivered cannabis goods.

 

In March 2022, the state of California issued notable new regulations pertaining to cannabis delivery. First, the state increased the total value of cannabis goods delivery employees can carry in their vehicle from $5,000 to $10,000. Second, for purposes of this limit, the state removed any distinction between “ordered” and “unordered” product. These changes will afford cannabis delivery operators considerably more flexibility, allowing them to carry a broader array of products and serve a larger geographic area. These regulations took effect in November 2022.

 

California Cannabis Cultivation Tax

 

As of July 1, 2022, California has eliminated its cannabis cultivation tax. Prior to this, cannabis cultivated in California was subject to a $161/pound tax. In practice, this tax amounted to 30% or more of the wholesale price of cannabis. The elimination of the cannabis cultivation tax may make legal cannabis more competitive with California’s robust illicit cannabis market.

 

Laws Applicable to Financial Services for Regulated Cannabis Industry

 

All banks are subject to federal law, whether the bank is a national bank or state-chartered bank. At a minimum, most banks maintain federal deposit insurance which requires adherence to federal law. Violation of federal law could subject a bank to loss of its charter. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by cannabis-related conduct can form the basis for prosecution under the federal money laundering statutes, unlicensed money transmitter statutes and the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311 et seq.) (commonly known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”). For example, under the Bank Secrecy Act, banks must report to the federal government any suspected illegal activity, which would include any transaction associated with a Regulated Cannabis-related business. These reports must be filed even though the business is operating in compliance with applicable state and local laws. Therefore, financial institutions that conduct transactions with money generated by Regulated Cannabis-related conduct could face criminal liability under the Bank Secrecy Act for, among other things, failing to identify or report financial transactions that involve the proceeds of cannabis-related violations of the CSA.

 

 
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FinCEN issued guidance in February 2014 which clarifies how financial institutions can provide services to cannabis-related businesses consistent with their obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. Concurrently with the FinCEN guidance, the DOJ issued supplemental guidance directing federal prosecutors to consider the federal enforcement priorities enumerated in the 2013 Cole Memorandum with respect to federal money laundering, unlicensed money transmitter and Bank Secrecy Act offenses based on cannabis-related violations of the CSA. The FinCEN guidance sets forth extensive requirements for financial institutions to meet if they want to offer bank accounts to cannabis-related businesses, including close monitoring of businesses to determine that they meet all of the requirements established by the DOJ, including those enumerated in the 2013 Cole Memorandum. This is a level of scrutiny that is far beyond what is expected of any normal banking relationship. Under the 2019 FinCEN guidance discussed above, banks are not required to file SARs on businesses solely because they are engaged in the growth or cultivation of hemp in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. However, the 2014 guidance remains in place with respect to Regulated Cannabis businesses. FinCEN confirmed this point in guidance issued on June 29, 2020, and clarified that, if proceeds from cannabis-related activities are kept separate, a SAR filing is only required for the cannabis-related part of a business that engages in both cannabis and hemp activity.

 

As a result, many banks are hesitant to offer any banking services to Regulated Cannabis-related businesses, including opening bank accounts. While we currently have bank accounts, our inability to maintain these accounts or the lack of access to bank accounts or other banking services in the future, would make it difficult for us to operate our business, increase our operating costs, and pose additional operational, logistical and security challenges. Furthermore, it remains unclear what impact the rescission of the 2013 Cole Memorandum and 2014 Cole Memorandum will have, but federal prosecutors may increase enforcement activities against institutions or individuals that are conducting financial transactions related to cannabis activities.

 

The increased uncertainty surrounding financial transactions related to cannabis activities may also result in financial institutions discontinuing services to the cannabis industry.

 

Ongoing Compliance

 

Overview

 

We are subject to the general licensing and regulatory framework in California set out under the heading “United States Regulatory Environment—California.” We have developed a compliance program designed to achieve our strategic business goals while protecting the organization and operations. Our compliance program integrates external regulations with internal rules and procedures to effectively lay out expectations for employee duties and behaviors; this aligns the goals of our employees with our own and helps our operations run smoothly. We focus on upholding policies and procedures that ensure the organization and our employees comply with applicable laws and regulations.

 

Employee Training

 

We provide ongoing training employees, and have completed development of and instituted a robust online training center for employees, in connection with our compliance program’s objectives, regulatory and statutory requirements, relevant policies and procedures, and the basic components of the compliance program. All of the training modules available to employees in the online training center were created by our in-house Compliance Team. Such training includes additional specialized training for various policies and procedures that are applicable to specific job functions and/or departments where needed to properly perform their jobs. Training is tracked, attested to, and documented. Further, all employees and management are encouraged to request new or refresher compliance training as often as necessary to compliantly fulfill their job duties.

 

Inventory and Security Policies

 

Maintaining security and inventory control is important to us and we have adopted a number of policies, procedures, and practices in these areas:

 

·

Security. We have taken extensive security measures including implementing professionally vetted policies, procedures, and systems to provide comprehensive protection, not only for our physical facilities and inventory, but also for our employees, customers, and the surrounding public. Every licensed facility has strict and limited access controls, thorough video surveillance coverage, and burglar alarms linked to our remote security monitoring service, as well as newly implemented loss prevention policy and procedure. These controls are supported by professionally certified on-site security personnel in certain instances.

 

 

·

Inventory. We maintain inventory control and reporting systems that document the present location, amount, and a description of all cannabis and cannabis products at all facilities. The traceability of cannabis goods is maintained using the California’s “Track-and-Trace” system, METRC, our point-of-sales system, TREEZ, which provides application programming interface with METRC, and our integrated enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”), Odoo. We conduct regular continuous cycle counts in addition to both quarterly and annual manual inventory reconciliations, in accordance with regulations and best practices.

 

 
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Operational Compliance

 

Internal audits are conducted monthly in the normal course across all active licenses. These audits allow us to identify and monitor our strengths and weaknesses, highlighting continuous opportunities for improvement. These internal audits also provide us with an opportunity to reinforce best practices and to institute changes in areas that are identified as opportunities for improvement. The information discovered and obtained during these internal audits is used to improve the compliance programs, when necessary, by revising practices, strengthening training, and establishing better issue-spotting and reporting processes. The focus of our internal compliance audit is to ensure we are compliant with both state and local laws and regulations and internal policies and procedures.

 

Big Data Analysis

 

We have invested in a highly scalable data architecture and platform built using leading technologies and tools. By extracting data from our ERP software, point-of-sales software, and the California METRC track and trace system and subsequently organizing it in our data warehouse, we have enabled critical data and insights for our compliance efforts. Our data warehouse secures and stores all data and transactions at frequent intervals, allowing extensive access and analysis to information that is current. We have the ability to understand precise movement of inventory or dollars, past or present, required for review or due diligence as related to compliance requirements or inquiries. We are using this data infrastructure proactively to track, monitor and reconcile inventory levels and for ongoing reconciliation with METRC.

 

Ongoing Compliance

 

We pride ourselves on a robust internal compliance program encompassing both the compliance measures described above as well as monitoring compliance with U.S. state law on an ongoing basis. Key to those compliance efforts is the employment of individuals dedicated to monitoring California law for changes and updates to statutes and regulations, both at the state level and the local level, that impact business operations. Currently, we employ five individuals whose job function includes some aspect of compliance. Further, we employ a government relations employee whose primary job function is to monitor the changing landscape of state and local law while employing an external consultant and two external law firms that assist in the monitoring, notification, and interpretation of any changes. Additionally, we currently implement and maintain standard operating procedures (“SOPs”) that are designed for monitoring compliance with California law on an ongoing basis. These SOPs include regular review of current and anticipated statutes, regulations, and ordinances and the training of employees to maintain compliance with California law.

 

In addition to the internal compliance team and the consultants and law firms described above, we also engage local regulatory compliance counsel and consultants in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Such counsel regularly provides legal advice to us regarding compliance with state and local laws and regulation and our legal and compliance exposures under United States federal law.

 

 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Based on an evaluation as of March 31, 2023, our management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were not effective to provide reasonable assurance because of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described below.

 

Material Weakness

 

As reported in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified control deficiencies in the design and operation of our internal control over financial reporting that constituted a material weakness.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected in a timely manner.

 

We did not design or maintain an effective control environment commensurate with financial reporting requirements. Specifically, we lack a sufficient number of adequately skilled professionals to appropriately analyze, record and disclose accounting matters timely and accurately while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties.

 

The above material weakness did not result in a material misstatement of our previously issued financial statements, however, it could result in a misstatement of our account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

 

Remediation Activities

 

We continue to work fully remediate the material weakness and are taking steps to strengthen our internal control over financial reporting through the continued hiring of additional appropriately skilled finance and accounting personnel with the requisite technical knowledge and skills. With the additional skilled personnel, we are taking appropriate and reasonable steps to remediate this material weakness through the implementation of appropriate segregation of duties, formalization of accounting policies and controls and retention of appropriate expertise for complex accounting transactions. During the first quarter of 2023, we focused on scoping information technology deficiencies that require remediation as part of a larger information technology upgrade project. We believe that these changes will over time improve our internal control over financial reporting.  

 

Management expects to continue to review and make necessary changes to the overall design of our internal control environment, as well as policies and procedures to improve the overall effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The material weakness will not be considered remediated, however, until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

To the knowledge of the Company, the Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings nor, to the Company’s knowledge, are any such proceedings contemplated by or against the Company.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

 
32

Table of Contents

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference From

Exhibit No.

 

Title of Document

 

Form

Date Filed

Exhibit Number

Filed Herewith

2.1*

 

Definitive Transaction Agreement, dated November 24, 2020 by and among Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp., Caliva, TPCO CMG Merger Sub, Inc. and GRHP Management, LLC, as shareholders’ representative for Caliva’s shareholders

 

10-12G

9/30/2021

2.1

 

2.2*

 

Definitive Agreement, dated November 24, 2020 by and among Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp., Left Coast Ventures, Inc., TPCO LCV Merger Sub Inc. and Shareholder Representative Services LLC as shareholders’ representative for LCV’s shareholders

 

10-12G

9/30/2021

2.2

 

2.3*

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 24, 2020 by and among Left Coast Ventures, Inc., LCV Holdings 710, LLC, SISU Extraction, LLC and John Figueiredo

 

10-12G

9/30/2021

2.3

 

2.4*

 

Acquisition Agreement, dated November 24, 2020 among Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp., Caliva., OG Enterprises, SC Branding, LLC and SC Vessel 1, LLC

 

10-12G

9/30/2021

2.4

 

2.8†

 

Business Combination Agreement, dated February 21, 2023, by and among TPCO Holding Corp., Gold Flora, LLC, Stately Capital Corporation, Gold Flora Corporation and Golden Grizzly Bear LLC

 

8-K

2/27/2023

2.1

 

3.1

 

Notice of Articles of Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp., dated July 15, 2019

 

10-12G

9/30/2021

3.1

 

3.2

 

Articles of Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp., dated July 15, 2019

 

10-12G/A

10/01/2021

3.2

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Change of Name, dated January 15, 2021 by Subversive Capital Acquisition Corp.

 

10-12G

9/30/2021

3.3

 

31.1

 

Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

-

-

-

X

31.2

 

Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

-

-

-

X

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

-

-

-

X

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

-

-

-

X

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

-

-

-

X

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

-

-

-

X

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

-

-

-

X

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

-

-

-

X

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

X

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

 

X

 

*

Schedules and exhibits to this Exhibit omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.

 

 

Certain identified portions of this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

††

Certain identified portions of this Exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.

 

 

+

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

 
33

Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

TPCO HOLDING CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 15, 2023

By:

s/ Troy Datcher

 

 

 

Troy Datcher

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 15, 2023

By:

/s/ Mike Batesole

 

 

 

 Mike Batesole Chief

 

 

 

Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 
34