GROWLIFE, INC. - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
☒ ANNUAL
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 (FEE REQUIRED)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
☐ TRANSACTION
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
For the transaction period from ________ to ________
Commission file number 000-50385
GrowLife, Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
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90-0821083
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
5400 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
(Address
of principal executive offices and zip code)
(866) 781-5559
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act: Common Stock, par value
$0.0001
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned
issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
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,
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
Large
accelerated filer
|
☐
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Accelerated
filer
|
☐
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Non-accelerated
filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
|
☐
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Smaller
reporting company
|
☒
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Emerging
growth company
|
☐
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|
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 has filed a report on
and attestation to its management’s assessment of the
effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting
under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b))
by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued
its audit report. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined
by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
☒
As of June 30, 2020 (the last business day of our most recently
completed second fiscal quarter), based upon the last reported
trade on that date, the aggregate market value of the voting and
non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates (for this purpose,
all outstanding and issued common stock $6,459,194.
As of
April 15, 2021, there were
69,682,239 shares of the issuer’s common stock, $0.0001 par
value per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following discussion, in addition to the other information
contained in this report, should be considered carefully in
evaluating us and our prospects. This report (including without
limitation the following factors that may affect operating results)
contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act")
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
("Exchange Act") regarding us and our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks,"
"estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are
intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the
exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this
report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters such as
revenue projections, projected profitability, growth strategies,
development of new products, enhancements or technologies, possible
changes in legislation and other statements regarding matters that
are not historical are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this report reflect the good faith
judgment of our management and the statements are based on facts
and factors as we currently know them. Forward-looking statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and
outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes
include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" as well as those discussed elsewhere in this
report. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this
report. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any
forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or
circumstance that may arise after the date of this
report.
2
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3
PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF
BUSINESS
THE COMPANY AND OUR BUSINESS
GrowLife,
Inc. (“GrowLife” or the “Company”) is
incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. We were founded in 2012 with
the Closing of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with SGT Merger
Corporation.
GrowLife persevered through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in
2020 as the Cannabis industry was classified an essential business
by 36 States where it is medicinally legal and 16 States where it
is completely legal. Our GrowLife team worked remotely where it
could reach out to customers and channels to facilitate sales.
Overall market studies reported 35% industry growth in 2020 in
spite of COVID-19. However, our revenue declined 15%; the first
declining year since 2016. Our revenue reduction of approximately
$1.2 million was the result of a $2.9 million reduction in our
hydroponics segments partially offset by a $1.7 million increase at
EZ-CLONE Enterprises. Like the prior year’s 78% revenue
growth, we had expected another revenue growth year in 2020,
despite winding down our hydroponics segment. Unfortunately, we
experienced continuing supply chain problems with our manufacturing
subsidiary wherein they could not keep up with the GrowLife sales
orders, resulting in limitation of our fourth quarter EZ-CLONE
revenue to $2 million as a result of the backlog. On the positive
side, annual gross margins rose from 31.0% to 42.5% year over year
and general and administrative expenses were significantly reduced
from $7 million to $4.9 million. These aggregated expenses were in
spite of our expansion plans and spending into the clone market,
which our cloning manufacturer was part of, and we had announced in
2019.
Also previously reported, we did not close the purchase of the
remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE that was due on July 15, 2020
and the founders of EZ-CLONE entered into litigation against the
Company. Each of our 2020 10-Q filings revealed increasing quarter
over quarter backlogs of EZ-CLONE product delivery in response to
sales pointing to the manufacturer’s inability to keep up
with GrowLife’s increasing sales and customer demand. In the
first quarter it was $400,000 of sales backlog that was deferred
into the second quarter;in the second quarter we could not
recognize $1 million of GrowLife sales because EZ-CLONE supply
chain and backlog issues; and finally in the third quarter, only
$1.4 million of revenue was recognized and another $2 million of
GrowLife sales was backlogged into the 4th
quarter because of supply chain and
shipment problems. Based on the backlogged orders, we estimate we
were unable to recognize the approximately $2 million in
revenue.
As we pointed out in the third quarter 10-Q, we recognized the
saturation issue in the Hemp CBD market and postponed our entry
into the clone/starter business until 2021 which has not subsided.
However, as we look at the Cannabis industry, we can make three
observations from early 2021: First, the MORE Act passed the U.S.
House of Representatives on December 4, 2020, a landmark step
toward the federal legalization of Cannabis that can permit
interstate commerce and true US companies to touch the plant and
trade on the stock exchange; Second, Senate Majority Leader Schumer
announced in early April that he will move the legalization bill
forward in the US Senate and seek support with the White House to
obtain federal legalization; Finally, GrowLife retains its 51%
assets in EZ-CLONE, investors are aligned and financially support
GrowLife to settle with EZ-CLONE as well as expand in new markets,
and our management depth remains in place to grow as opportunities
are identified.
Therefore, we see a growing market, intend to service our customers
and will continue to seek opportunities in the legal Cannabis
industry. We believe this is a great opportunity for our customers,
shareholders and one where GrowLife is uniquely positioned to
capitalize on. The Company’s goal is to become the
nation’s largest cultivation facility service provider
focused on propagation systems serving more cultivators with
products of high quality, exceptional value and competitive
price.
4
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Net
revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by
$1,217,000 to $7,001,000 from $8,218,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2019. The decrease resulted from our decision to wind
down the hydroponics segment in 2020. The elimination of the
hydroponics sales personnel and the impact of the pandemic on the
hydroponics segment during the year ended December 31, 2020,
resulted in hydroponics revenue declining to $1,568,000 in 2020 as
compared to $4,487,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The
EZ-CLONE revenue from its line of products for the year ended
December 31, 2020 was $5,433,00 as compared to $3,731,000 for the
year ended December 31, 2019.
Employees
As of
December 31, 2020, we had 10 full-time and part-time employees.
Marco Hegyi, our Chief Executive Officer, is based in Kirkland,
Washington. Mark E. Scott, our former Chief Financial Officer, was
based primarily in Seattle, Washington. He resigned effective
December 31, 2020. Michael E. Fasci was appointed Chief financial
Officer on January 1, 2021. We have approximately 9 of our full and
part time employees located throughout the United States who
operate our businesses. In addition, we employ 13 full-time and
part-time employees at EZ-CLONE in Sacramento, CA. None of our
employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement or
represented by a trade or labor union.
Key Partners
Our key
customers have become the cultivation buyers of cloning systems
though out various states and these products are sold through
direct, retailers and distributors. Therefore, our key
suppliers include distributors and manufacturers including
EZ-CLONE. All the products purchased and resold are applicable to
indoor growing for organics, greens, and plant-based medicines.
Competition
Covering
two countries across all cultivator segments creates competitors
that also serve as partners. Large commercial cultivators
have found themselves willing to assume their own equipment support
by buying large volume purchased directly from certain suppliers
and distributors such as Hawthorne and HydroFarm. Other key
competitors on the retail side consist of local and regional
hydroponic resellers of indoor growing equipment. On the
e-commerce business, GrowersHouse.com, Hydrobuilder.com and smaller
online resellers using Amazon and eBay e-commerce market systems.
Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights
Our intellectual property consists of brands and their related
trademarks and websites, customer lists and affiliations, product
know-how and technology, and marketing intangibles. Our other
intellectual property is primarily in the form of trademarks and
domain names. We also hold rights to several website addresses
related to our business including websites that are actively used
in our day-to-day business such as www.shopgrowlife.com
and www.growlifeinc.com.
We have a policy of entering into confidentiality and
non-disclosure agreements with our employees, some of our vendors
and customers as necessary.
Acquisition of EZ-CLONE
On October 15, 2018, we closed the Purchase and Sale Agreement with
EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation (the
“Agreement”). On November 5, 2019, we amended the
Agreement with one 24.5% shareholder of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc.
(“EZ-CLONE”), to extend the date to purchase the
remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE in exchange for a 20% extension
fee (a total of $171,000 for the 49% or $85,500 for each 24.5%
shareholder) of the $855,000 cash payable at the earlier of the
closing of $2,000,000 in funding or nine months (July 2020). The
Company did not close the purchase of the remaining 49% of stock of
EZ-CLONE by the extended deadline.
On September 15, 2020, we received notice that William Blackburn
and Brad Mickelsen (“Plaintiffs”), minority
shareholders of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a majority owned
subsidiary of the Company, filed a complaint against the Company
and its officers Marco Hegyi and Mark Scott
(“Officers”), in the Superior Court of California,
County of Sacramento (“Complaint”) for claims related
to breach under the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15,
2018 between the Company and Plaintiffs. The Complaint also alleges
that the Company and its Officers made certain false
representations and other claims to consummate the Transaction and
as a result has failed to complete the second closing as required
under Purchase and Sale Agreement. As of December 4, 2020, the
Company’s officers were dismissed from the case. The
Plaintiffs are seeking rescission of the Purchase and Sale
Agreement, unspecified damages in excess of ten thousand dollars,
and other equitable relief.
5
On
September 15, 2020, we filed a notice of removal with the
California Superior Court, County of Sacramento and the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of California.
The case was removed to Federal District Court for the Eastern
District of California and Plaintiffs filed an Ex Parte Application
for TRO and an Order for Preliminary Injunction with the Federal
Court. The TRO was granted on September 16, 2020 and a
preliminary injunction hearing was scheduled for September 29,
2020. After reviewing all pleadings and oral arguments at the
hearing, the Court issued a ruling granting Plaintiffs’
request for a preliminary injunction. Presently the parties
are providing legal briefs to the Federal court to determine if
rescission should be granted.
As of
December 31, 2020, we have recorded a liability of $2,131,000 for
acquisition payable of which a $1,105,000 is payable in stock and
$1,026,000 is payable in cash.
Government Regulation
Currently,
there are thirty six states plus the District of Columbia that have
laws and/or regulation that recognize in one form or another
legitimate medical uses for cannabis and consumer use of cannabis
in connection with medical treatment. There are currently sixteen
states and the District of Columbia that allow recreational use of
cannabis. As of December 31, 2020, the policy and regulations of
the Federal government and its agencies is that cannabis has no
medical benefit and a range of activities including cultivation and
use of cannabis for personal use is prohibited on the basis of
federal law and may or may not be permitted on the basis of state
law. Active enforcement of the current federal regulatory position
on cannabis on a regional or national basis may directly and
adversely affect the willingness of customers of GrowLife to invest
in or buy products from GrowLife. Active enforcement of the current
federal regulatory position on cannabis may thus indirectly and
adversely affect revenues and profits of the GrowLife
companies.
All
this being said, many reports show that the majority of the
American public is in favor of making medical cannabis available as
a controlled substance to those patients who need it. The need and
consumption will then require cultivators to continue to provide
safe and compliant crops to consumers. The cultivators will then
need to build facilities and use consumable products, which
GrowLife provides.
OUR COMMON STOCK
As of March 4, 2019, we began to trade
on the Pink Sheet stocks
system. Our bid price had
closed below $0.01 for more than 30 consecutive calendar
days. As of March 17, 2020, we commenced trading on the
OTCQB Market ("OTCQB") after successfully up-listing from the OTC
Pink Market.
PRIMARY RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
We are
exposed to various risks related to legal proceedings, our need for
additional financing, the sale of significant numbers of our
shares, the potential adjustment in the exercise price of our
convertible debentures, including warrants, and a volatile market
price for our common stock. These risks and uncertainties are
discussed in more detail below in Part II, Item
1A.
WEBSITE ACCESS TO UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
REPORTS
We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
public reference room. The SEC maintains a website at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information concerning filers. We also
maintain a web site at http://www.growlifeinc.com that provides
additional information about our Company and links to documents we
file with the SEC. The Company's charters for the Audit Committee,
the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating Committee; and the
Code of Conduct & Ethics are also available on our website. The
information on our website is not part of this Form
10-K.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There are certain inherent risks which will have an effect on our
development in the future and the most significant risks and
uncertainties known and identified by our management are described
below.
From time to time, we may become subject to various legal
proceedings that are incidental to the ordinary conduct of its
business. Although we cannot accurately predict the amount of any
liability that may ultimately arise with respect to any of these
matters, it makes provision for potential liabilities when it deems
them probable and reasonably estimable. These provisions are based
on current information and may be adjusted from time to time
according to developments.
6
In 2020 we made the decision to no longer invest in our hydroponics
business and during the last two quarters of 2020 we had limited
revenue and we expect no revenue in 2021. The decision to exit the
hydroponics business did not result in any significant expenses or
write off of assets.
As of
September 30, 2019, we closed retail stores in Portland, Maine,
Encino, California and Calgary, Canada. We have recorded
restructuring reserves related to the store closures. We cannot
determine the outcome of these proceedings but we continue to work
through resolving any lease related obligation and we do not
believe it will have a material impact on our future
operations.
On October 15, 2018, we closed the Purchase and Sale Agreement with
EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation (the
“Agreement”). On November 5, 2019, the Company
amended the Agreement with one 24.5% shareholder of EZ-CLONE
Enterprises, Inc. (“EZ-CLONE”), to extend the date to
purchase the remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE in exchange for a
20% extension fee (a total of $171,000 for the 49% or $85,500 for
each 24.5% shareholder) of the $855,000 cash payable at the earlier
of the closing of $2,000,000 in funding or nine months (July 2020).
We did not close the purchase of the remaining 49% of stock of
EZ-CLONE by the extended deadline.
On September 15, 2020, we received notice that William Blackburn
and Brad Mickelsen, minority shareholders of EZ-CLONE Enterprises,
Inc. (“Plaintiffs”), a majority owned subsidiary of the
Company, filed a complaint against the Company and its officers
Marco Hegyi and Mark Scott (“Officers”), in the
Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento
(“Complaint”) for claims related to breach under the
Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15, 2018 between the
Company and Plaintiffs. On September 15, 2020, the Company
filed a notice of removal with the California Superior Court,
County of Sacramento and the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of California. The case was removed to
Federal District Court for the Eastern District of California and
Plaintiffs filed an Ex Parte Application for TRO and an Order for
Preliminary Injunction with the Federal Court. The TRO was
granted on September 16, 2020 and a preliminary injunction hearing
was scheduled for September 29, 2020. After reviewing all
pleadings and oral arguments at the hearing, the Court issued a
ruling granting Plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary
injunction. Subsequent to September 29, 2020, the parties are
providing legal briefs to the Federal court to determine if
rescission should be granted. We cannot determine the outcome
of these proceedings.
The Complaint also alleges that the Company and its Officers made
certain false representations and other claims to consummate the
Transaction and as a result has failed to complete the second
closing as required under Purchase and Sale Agreement. As of
December 4, 2020, the Company’s
officers were dismissed from the case. The Plaintiffs are seeking
rescission of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, unspecified damages
in excess of ten thousand dollars, and other equitable
relief.
As of
December 31, 2020, we recorded a liability of $2,131,000 for
acquisition payable of which a $1,105,000 is payable in stock and
$1,026,000 is payable in cash.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There are certain inherent risks which will have an effect on our
development in the future and the most significant risks and
uncertainties known and identified by our management are described
below.
Risks
Related to Pandemics
The effects of the recent COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic are not
immediately known, but may adversely affect our business, results
of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash
flow.
Presently,
the impact of COVID-19 has not shown any imminent adverse effects
on our business. This notwithstanding, it is still unknown and
difficult to predict what adverse effects, if any, COVID-19 can
have on our business, or against the various aspects of same, or
how COVID-19 will continue to effect the world as the virus case
numbers rise and fall and further as vaccination plans and rules
develop.
COVID-19
coronavirus was declared a pandemic by the World Health
Organization, and on March 13, 2020 was declared a National
Emergency by the United States Government and has resulted in
several states being designated disaster zones. On February 24,
2021, President Biden issued a letter on the continuation of the
National Emergency. COVID-19 coronavirus caused significant
volatility in global markets. The spread of COVID-19 coronavirus
has caused public health officials to recommend precautions to
mitigate the spread of the virus, especially as to travel and
congregating in large numbers. In addition, certain states and
municipalities have implemented quarantining and
“shelter-in-place” regulations which severely limited
the ability of people to move and travel and require non-essential
businesses and organizations to close. While some states have
lifted their “shelter-in-place” restrictions and travel
bans, there is no certainty that an outbreak will not occur and
additional restrictions may be imposed again in
response.
7
It is
unclear how such restrictions, which will contribute to a general
slowdown in the global economy, will affect our business, results
of operations, financial condition and our future strategic
plans.
Further
shelter-in-place and essential-only travel regulations could
negatively impact our customers. In addition, while our products
are manufactured in the United States, we still could experience
significant supply chain disruptions due to interruptions in
operations at any or all of our suppliers’ facilities or
downline suppliers. If we experience significant delays in
receiving our products we will experience delays in fulfilling
orders and ultimately receiving payment, which could result in loss
of sales and a loss of customers, and adversely impact our
financial condition and results of operations. The current status
of COVID-19 coronavirus closures and restrictions could also
negatively impact our ability to receive funding from our existing
capital sources as each business is and has been affected
uniquely.
If any of our employees, consultant, customers, or visitors were to
become infected we could be forced to close our operations
temporarily as a preventative measure to prevent the risk of spread
which could also negatively impact our ability to receive funding
from our existing capital sources as each business is and has been
affected uniquely
In addition, our headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington
and EZ-Clone is located in Sacramento, California, each of which
have experienced restrictions on individuals and business shutdowns
as the result of COVID-19. It is unclear at this time how these
restrictions will be continued and/or amended as the pandemic
evolves. We are hopeful that COVID-19 closures will have only a
limited effect on our operations and revenues. We believe that with
the introduction in early 2021 of the COVID-19 vaccinations that
business restrictions will start to ease.
General securities market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19
pandemic.
Since
the outset of the pandemic the United States and worldwide national
securities markets have undergone unprecedented stress due to the
uncertainties of the pandemic and the resulting reactions and
outcomes of government, business and the general population. These
uncertainties have resulted in declines in all market sectors,
increases in volumes due to flight to safety and governmental
actions to support the markets. As a result, until the pandemic has
stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for
purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able
to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to
execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically
feasible we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to
pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future
growth and/or scope of our operations.
Risks Related to Our Business
Risks Associated with EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc.
On October 15, 2018, we closed the Purchase and Sale Agreement with
EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation (the
“Agreement”). On November 5, 2019, the Company
amended the Agreement with one 24.5% shareholder of EZ-CLONE
Enterprises, Inc. (“EZ-CLONE”), to extend the date to
purchase the remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE in exchange for a
20% extension fee (a total of $171,000 for the 49% or $85,500 for
each 24.5% shareholder) of the $855,000 cash payable at the earlier
of the closing of $2,000,000 in funding or nine months (July 2020).
We did not close the purchase of the remaining 49% of stock of
EZ-CLONE by the extended deadline.
On September 15, 2020, we received notice that William Blackburn
and Brad Mickelsen (“Plaintiffs”), minority
shareholders of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a majority owned
subsidiary of the Company, filed a complaint against the Company
and its officers Marco Hegyi and Mark Scott
(“Officers”), in the Superior Court of California,
County of Sacramento (“Complaint”) for claims related
to breach under the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15,
2018 between the Company and Plaintiffs. The Complaint also alleges
that the Company and its Officers made certain false
representations and other claims to consummate the Transaction and
as a result has failed to complete the second closing as required
under Purchase and Sale Agreement. The Plaintiffs are seeking
rescission of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, unspecified damages
in excess of ten thousand dollars, and other equitable
relief.
On
September 15, 2020, the Company filed a notice of removal with the
California Superior Court, County of Sacramento and the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of California.
The case was removed to Federal District Court for the Eastern
District of California and Plaintiffs filed an Ex Parte Application
for TRO and an Order for Preliminary Injunction with the Federal
Court. The TRO was granted on September 16, 2020 and a
preliminary injunction hearing was scheduled for September 29,
2020. After reviewing all pleadings and oral arguments at the
hearing, the Court issued a ruling granting Plaintiffs’
request for a preliminary injunction.
8
The
parties have provided legal briefs to the Federal court to
determine if rescission should be granted. On January 22, 2021, the
Company filed a motion to amend the preliminary injunction and the
motion was taken under submission on February 25, 2021; the Company
is waiting on the judge's decision regarding that motion. If
we are unsuccessful and the court grants Plaintiffs’ request
for rescission the resulting actions are speculative at this time
but could include the return of the consideration exchanged as part
of the acquisition subject to certain adjustments as the result of
several variables which the court will consider. If the court
denies Plaintiffs request for rescission the litigation will
continue regarding the breach of contract claims and contractual
remedies for breach and the Court may or may not dissolve the
preliminary injunction as a result.
A decision to grant rescission could materially harm our business
as EZ-Clone represents a significant
portion of our operations and our only current revenue stream for
product sales.
As of
December 31, 2020, we have a liability to the two EZ-Clone founders
of $2,131,000 for acquisition payable of which a $1,105,000 is
payable in stock and $1,026,000 is payable in cash.
Our acquisition of EZ-CLONE thus far has been positive for our
overall results of operations. Additionally, we have spent a
significant amount of time and effort modifying our business plans
and focuses toward the clone industry. If we fail to close on the
remaining 49% of EZ-CLONE or settle the above legal action, we may
experience direct consequences including, but not limited to,
claims for breach of contract for failure to close on a contractual
obligation, possible rescission of the EZ-CLONE acquisition,
damages, and other equitable relief.
Risks Associated with Securities Purchase Agreements with
Chicago Venture
Partners, L.P. (“Chicago Venture”), Iliad Research and Trading, L.P.
(“Iliad”) and Odyssey Research and Trading, LLC,
(“Odyssey”) and
Silverback Capital Corporation.
The
Securities Purchase Agreements with Chicago Venture, Iliad and
Odyssey will terminate if we file protection from our creditors, a
Registration Statement on Form S-1 is not effective, and our market
capitalization or the trading volume of our common stock does not
reach certain levels. If terminated, we will be unable to draw down
all or substantially all of Notes. These agreements have provided
the Company substantial sources of capital in the
past.
Our
ability to require Chicago Venture, Iliad, Odyssey and all
affiliated entities, to fund the Notes is at mutual discretion,
subject to certain limitations. Chicago Venture, Iliad and Odyssey
are obligated to fund if each of the following conditions are met;
(i) the average and median daily dollar volumes of our common stock
for the twenty (20) and sixty (60) trading days immediately
preceding the funding date are greater than $100,000; (ii) our
market capitalization on the funding date is greater than
$17,000,000; (iii) we are not in default with respect to share
delivery obligations under the note as of the funding date; and
(iv) we are current in our reporting obligations.
On
September 1, 2020, Iliad sold $500,000 of their 8/7/18 note with
GrowLife to Silverback Capital Corporation. On October 13, 2020,
Iliad sold $243,854 of their 10/15/18 note with GrowLife to
Silverback Capital Corporation. On November 18, 2020, Iliad sold
$250,000 of their 8/7/18 note with GrowLife to Silverback Capital
Corporation. Silverback is stepping into the same terms and
conditions.
There
is no guarantee that we will be able to meet the foregoing
conditions or any other conditions under the Securities Purchase
Agreements and/or Notes or that we will be able to draw down any
portion of the amounts available under the Securities Purchase
Agreements and/or Notes.
If we
are not able to draw down all amounts possible under the Securities
Purchase Agreements or if the Securities Purchase Agreements are
terminated, we may be forced to curtail the scope of our operations
or alter our business plan if other financing is not available to
us.
Our common stock.
As of March 4, 2019, we began to trade on the OTC
Pink
Sheet stocks system because our bid price had closed below $0.01 for
more than 30 consecutive calendar days. As of March 17, 2020,
we commenced trading on the
OTCQB Market ("OTCQB") after successfully up-listing from the OTC
Pink Market.
9
We have been involved in Legal Proceedings.
We have
been involved in certain disputes and legal proceedings as
discussed in the section title “Legal Proceedings”.
Defending such litigation may be lengthy and costly, strain our
resources and divert management’s attention from their core
responsibilities, which would have a negative impact on our
business. In addition, as a public company, we are also potentially
susceptible to litigation, such as claims asserting violations of
securities laws. Any such claims, with or without merit, if not
resolved, could be time-consuming and result in costly litigation.
There can be no assurance that an adverse result in any future
proceeding would not have a potentially material adverse on our
business, results of operations or financial
condition.
We may engage in acquisitions, mergers, strategic alliances, joint
ventures and divestures that could result in final results that are
different than expected.
In the normal course of business, we engage in discussions relating
to possible acquisitions, equity investments, mergers, strategic
alliances, joint ventures and divestitures. Such transactions are
accompanied by a number of risks, including the use of significant
amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity
securities, incurrence of
debt on potentially unfavorable terms as well as impairment
expenses related to goodwill and amortization expenses related to
other intangible assets, the possibility that we may pay too much
cash or issue too many of our shares as the purchase price for an
acquisition relative to the economic benefits that we ultimately
derive from such acquisition, and various potential difficulties
involved in integrating acquired businesses into our
operations.
From time to time, we have also engaged in discussions with
candidates regarding the potential acquisitions of our product
lines, technologies and businesses. If a divestiture such as this
does occur, we cannot be certain that our business, operating
results and financial condition will not be materially and
adversely affected. A successful divestiture depends on various
factors, including our ability to effectively transfer liabilities,
contracts, facilities and employees to any purchaser; identify and
separate the intellectual property to be divested from the
intellectual property that we wish to retain; reduce fixed costs
previously associated with the divested assets or business; and
collect the proceeds from any divestitures.
If we do not realize the expected benefits of any acquisition or
divestiture transaction, our financial position, results of
operations, cash flows and stock price could be negatively
impacted.
Our proposed business is dependent on laws pertaining to the
marijuana industry.
Continued development of the marijuana industry is dependent upon
continued legislative authorization of the use and cultivation of
marijuana at the state level. Any number of factors
could slow or halt progress in this area. Further,
progress, while encouraging, is not assured. While there
may be ample public support for legislative action, numerous
factors impact the legislative process. Any one of these
factors could slow or halt use of marijuana, which would negatively
impact our proposed business.
As of April 15, 2021, thirty six states and the District of
Columbia allow its citizens to use medical
cannabis. Additionally, sixteen states and the District
of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult use. The
state laws are in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances
Act, which makes marijuana use and possession illegal on a national
level. The Obama administration previously effectively stated that
it is not an efficient use of resources to direct law federal law
enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by
state-designated laws allowing the use and distribution of medical
marijuana. The Biden Administration position is
unknown. However, there is no guarantee that the Biden
Administration will not change current policy regarding the
low-priority enforcement of federal laws. Additionally,
any new administration that follows could change this policy and
decide to enforce the federal laws strongly. Any such
change in the federal government’s enforcement of current
federal laws could cause significant financial damage to us and our
shareholders.
Further, while we do not harvest, distribute or sell marijuana, by
supplying products to growers of marijuana, we could be deemed to
be participating in marijuana cultivation, which remains illegal
under federal law, and exposes us to potential criminal liability,
with the additional risk that our business could be subject to
civil forfeiture proceedings.
●
Arizona,
Montana, South Dakota, New Jersey passed adult use
legislation
●
Mississippi
passed medicinal use legislation set to go into effect in
2021.
●
The
total count is 36 + DC for Medicinal. 16 + DC for adult
use.
●
Additionally,
Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Iowa, Texas, and Indiana allow very
low level THC based oil for medicinal purposes, but are generally
not included in the count. Language is updated
above.
10
The marijuana industry faces strong opposition.
It is
believed by many that large, well-funded businesses may have a
strong economic opposition to the marijuana industry. We
believe that the pharmaceutical industry clearly does not want to
cede control of any product that could generate significant
revenue. For example, medical marijuana will likely
adversely impact the existing market for the current
“marijuana pill” sold by mainstream pharmaceutical
companies. Further, the medical marijuana industry could
face a material threat from the pharmaceutical industry, should
marijuana displace other drugs or encroach upon the pharmaceutical
industry’s products. The pharmaceutical industry
is well funded with a strong and experienced lobby that eclipses
the funding of the medical marijuana movement. Any
inroads the pharmaceutical industry could make in halting or
impeding the marijuana industry harm our business, prospects,
results of operation and financial condition.
Marijuana remains illegal under Federal
law.
Marijuana
is a Schedule-I controlled substance and is illegal under federal
law. Even in those states in which the use of marijuana
has been legalized, its use remains a violation of federal
law. Since federal law criminalizing the use of
marijuana preempts state laws that legalize its use, strict
enforcement of federal law regarding marijuana would harm our
business, prospects, results of operation and financial
condition.
Raising additional capital to implement our business plan and pay
our debts will cause dilution to our existing stockholders. Our
inability to raise additional capital may require us to restructure
our operations and divest all or a portion of our
business.
We need
additional financing to implement our business plan and to service
our ongoing operations and pay our current debts. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to secure any needed funding, or
that if such funding is available, the terms or conditions would be
acceptable to us.
If we
raise additional capital through borrowing or other debt financing,
we may incur substantial interest expense. Sales of additional
equity securities will dilute on a pro rata basis the percentage
ownership of all holders of common stock. When we raise more equity
capital in the future, it will result in substantial dilution to
our current stockholders.
If we
are unable to obtain additional financing when it is needed, we
will need to restructure our operations, and divest all or a
portion of our business.
Closing of bank and merchant processing accounts could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or
results of operations.
As a
result of the regulatory environment, we have experienced the
closing of several of our bank and merchant processing accounts. We
have been able to open other bank accounts. However, we may have
other banking accounts closed. These factors impact management and
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and/or results of operations.
Federal regulation and enforcement may adversely affect the
implementation of medical marijuana laws and regulations may
negatively impact our revenues and profits.
As of April 15, 2021, thirty six states and the District of
Columbia allow its citizens to use medical
cannabis. Additionally, sixteen states and the District
of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult
use. Many other states are considering
legislation to similar effect. As of the date of this writing, the
policy and regulations of the Federal government and its agencies
is that cannabis has no medical benefit and a range of activities
including cultivation and use of cannabis for personal use is
prohibited on the basis of federal law and may or may not be
permitted on the basis of state law. Active enforcement of the
current federal regulatory position on cannabis on a regional or
national basis may directly and adversely affect the willingness of
customers of GrowLife to invest in or buy products from GrowLife
that may be used in connection with cannabis. Active enforcement of
the current federal regulatory position on cannabis may thus
indirectly and adversely affect revenues and profits of the
GrowLife companies.
Our history of net losses has raised substantial doubt regarding
our ability to continue as a going concern. If we do not continue
as a going concern, investors could lose their entire
investment.
Our
history of net losses has raised substantial doubt about our
ability to continue as a going concern, and as a result, our
independent registered public accounting firm included an
explanatory paragraph in its report on our financial statements as
of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 with
respect to this uncertainty. Accordingly, our ability to continue
as a going concern will require us to seek alternative financing to
fund our operations. This going concern opinion could materially
limit our ability to raise additional funds through the issuance of
new debt or equity securities or otherwise. Future audit reports on
our financial statements may include an explanatory paragraph with
respect to our ability to continue as a going concern.
11
We have a history of operating losses and there can be no assurance
that we can again achieve or maintain profitability.
We have
experienced net losses since inception. As of December 31, 2020, we
had an accumulated deficit of $154.8 million. There can be no assurance
that we will achieve or maintain profitability.
We are subject to corporate governance and internal control
reporting requirements, and our costs related to compliance with,
or our failure to comply with existing and future requirements,
could adversely affect our business.
We must
comply with corporate governance requirements under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd–Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as additional
rules and regulations currently in place and that may be
subsequently adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board. These laws, rules, and regulations continue to
evolve and may become increasingly stringent in the future. We are
required to include management’s report on internal controls
as part of our annual report pursuant to Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We strive to continuously evaluate and improve
our control structure to help ensure that we comply with Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The financial cost of compliance
with these laws, rules, and regulations is expected to remain
substantial.
We
cannot assure you that we will be able to fully comply with these
laws, rules, and regulations that address corporate governance,
internal control reporting, and similar matters. Failure to comply
with these laws, rules and regulations could materially adversely
affect our reputation, financial condition, and the value of our
securities.
Our inability or failure to effectively manage our growth could
harm our business and materially and adversely affect our operating
results and financial condition.
Our
strategy envisions growing our business. We plan to expand our
product, sales, administrative and marketing organizations. Any
growth in or expansion of our business is likely to continue to
place a strain on our management and administrative resources,
infrastructure and systems. As with other growing businesses, we
expect that we will need to further refine and expand our business
development capabilities, our systems and processes and our access
to financing sources. We also will need to hire, train, supervise
and manage new and retain contributing employees. These processes
are time consuming and expensive, will increase management
responsibilities and will divert management attention. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to:
●
expand
our products effectively or efficiently or in a timely
manner;
●
allocate
our human resources optimally;
●
meet
our capital needs;
●
identify
and hire qualified employees or retain valued employees;
or
●
incorporate
effectively the components of any business or product line that we
may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.
Our
operating results may fluctuate significantly based on customer
acceptance of our products. As a result, period-to-period
comparisons of our results of operations are unlikely to provide a
good indication of our future performance. Management expects that
we will experience substantial variations in our net sales and
operating results from quarter to quarter due to customer
acceptance of our products. If customers do not accept our
products, our sales and revenues will decline, resulting in a
reduction in our operating income.
Customer
interest for our products could also be impacted by the timing of
our introduction of new products. If our competitors introduce new
products around the same time that we issue new products, and if
such competing products are superior to our own, customers’
desire for our products could decrease, resulting in a decrease in
our sales and revenues. To the extent that we introduce new
products and customers decide not to migrate to our new products
from our older products, our revenues could be negatively impacted
due to the loss of revenue from those customers. In the event that
our newer products do not sell as well as our older products, we
could also experience a reduction in our revenues and operating
income.
If we do not successfully generate additional products and
services, or if such products and services are developed but not
successfully commercialized, we could lose revenue
opportunities.
Our
future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand our
product and service offerings. To that end we have engaged in the
process of identifying new product opportunities to provide
additional products and related services to our customers. The
process of identifying and commercializing new products is complex
and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict
customers’ changing needs and emerging technological trends
our business could be harmed. We may have to commit significant
resources to commercializing new products before knowing whether
our investments will result in products the market will accept.
Furthermore, we may not execute successfully on commercializing
those products because of errors in product planning or timing,
technical hurdles that we fail to overcome in a timely fashion, or
a lack of appropriate resources. This could result in competitors
providing those solutions before we do and a reduction in net sales
and earnings.
12
The
success of new products depends on several factors, including
proper new product definition, timely completion and introduction
of these products, differentiation of new products from those of
our competitors, and market acceptance of these products. There can
be no assurance that we will successfully identify new product
opportunities, develop and bring new products to market in a timely
manner, or achieve market acceptance of our products or that
products and technologies developed by others will not render our
products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive.
Our future success depends on our ability to grow and expand our
customer base. Our failure to achieve such growth or
expansion could materially harm our business.
To
date, our revenue growth has been derived primarily from the sale
of our products and through the purchase of existing businesses.
Our success and the planned growth and expansion of our business
depend on us achieving greater and broader acceptance of our
products and expanding our customer base. There can be no assurance
that customers will purchase our products or that we will continue
to expand our customer base. If we are unable to effectively market
or expand our product offerings, we will be unable to grow and
expand our business or implement our business strategy. This could
materially impair our ability to increase sales and revenue and
materially and adversely affect our margins, which could harm our
business and cause our stock price to decline.
If we
incur substantial liability from litigation, complaints, or
enforcement actions resulting from misconduct by our distributors,
our financial condition could suffer. We will require that our
distributors comply with applicable law and with our policies and
procedures. Although we will use various means to address
misconduct by our distributors, including maintaining these
policies and procedures to govern the conduct of our distributors
and conducting training seminars, it will still be difficult to
detect and correct all instances of misconduct. Violations of
applicable law or our policies and procedures by our distributors
could lead to litigation, formal or informal complaints,
enforcement actions, and inquiries by various federal, state, or
foreign regulatory authorities against us and/or our distributors
and could consume considerable amounts of financial and other
corporate resources, which could have a negative impact on our
sales, revenue, profitability and growth prospects. As we are
currently in the process of implementing our direct sales
distributor program, we have not been, and are not currently,
subject to any material litigation, complaint or enforcement action
regarding distributor misconduct by any federal, state or foreign
regulatory authority.
Our
future manufacturers could fail to fulfill our orders for products,
which would disrupt our business, increase our costs, harm our
reputation and potentially cause us to lose our
market.
We may
depend on contract manufacturers in the future to produce our
products. These manufacturers could fail to produce products to our
specifications or in a workmanlike manner and may not deliver the
units on a timely basis. Our manufacturers may also have to obtain
inventories of the necessary parts and tools for production. Any
change in manufacturers to resolve production issues could disrupt
our ability to fulfill orders. Any change in manufacturers to
resolve production issues could also disrupt our business due to
delays in finding new manufacturers, providing specifications and
testing initial production. Such disruptions in our business and/or
delays in fulfilling orders would harm our reputation and would
potentially cause us to lose our market.
Our inability to effectively protect our intellectual property
would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively, our
revenue, our financial condition and our results of
operations.
We may
be unable to obtain intellectual property rights to effectively
protect our business. Our ability to compete effectively may be
affected by the nature and breadth of our intellectual property
rights. While we intend to defend against any threats to our
intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that any
such actions will adequately protect our interests. If we are
unable to secure intellectual property rights to effectively
protect our technology, our revenue and earnings, financial
condition, and/or results of operations would be adversely
affected.
We may
also rely on nondisclosure and non-competition agreements to
protect portions of our technology. There can be no assurance that
these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate
remedies for any breach, that third parties will not otherwise gain
access to our trade secrets or proprietary knowledge, or that third
parties will not independently develop the technology.
We do
not warrant any opinion as to non-infringement of any patent,
trademark, or copyright by us or any of our affiliates, providers,
or distributors. Nor do we warrant any opinion as to invalidity of
any third-party patent or unpatentability of any third-party
pending patent application.
13
Our industry is highly competitive and we have less capital and
resources than many of our competitors, which may give them an
advantage in developing and marketing products similar to ours or
make our products obsolete.
We are
involved in a highly competitive industry where we may compete with
numerous other companies who offer alternative methods or
approaches, may have far greater resources, more experience, and
personnel perhaps more qualified than we do. Such resources may
give our competitors an advantage in developing and marketing
products similar to ours or products that make our products
obsolete. There can be no assurance that we will be able to
successfully compete against these other entities.
Transfers of our securities may be restricted by virtue of state
securities “blue sky” laws, which prohibit trading
absent compliance with individual state laws. These restrictions
may make it difficult or impossible to sell shares in those
states.
Transfers
of our common stock may be restricted under the securities or
securities regulations laws promulgated by various states and
foreign jurisdictions, commonly referred to as "blue sky" laws.
Absent compliance with such individual state laws, our common stock
may not be traded in such jurisdictions. Because the securities
held by many of our stockholders have not been registered for
resale under the blue sky laws of any state, the holders of such
shares and persons who desire to purchase them should be aware that
there may be significant state blue sky law restrictions upon the
ability of investors to sell the securities and of purchasers to
purchase the securities. These restrictions may prohibit the
secondary trading of our common stock. Investors should consider
the secondary market for our securities to be a limited
one.
We are dependent on key personnel.
Our
success depends to a significant degree upon the continued
contributions of key management and other personnel, some of whom
could be difficult to replace. We do not maintain key man life
insurance covering our officers. Our success will depend on the
performance of our officers and key management and other personnel,
our ability to retain and motivate our officers, our ability to
integrate new officers and key management and other personnel into
our operations, and the ability of all personnel to work together
effectively as a team. Our failure to retain and recruit
officers and other key personnel could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We have no insurance.
We
currently have no directors’ and officers’ liability
insurance and limited commercial liability insurance policies. Any
significant claims would have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Chicago Venture, Iliad, Odyssey, St. George, and Bucktown could
have significant influence over matters submitted to stockholders
for approval.
As a
result of funding from Chicago Venture, Iliad, Odyssey, St. George,
and Bucktown as previously detailed, they exercise significant
control over us.
While
there are limits on the ownership by each party, if these companies
were to choose to act together, they would be able to significantly
influence all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval,
as well as our officers, directors, management and affairs. For
example, these companies, if they choose to act together, could
significantly influence the election of directors and approval of
any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of
our assets. This concentration of voting power could delay or
prevent an acquisition of us on terms that other stockholders may
desire.
Trading in our stock is limited by the SEC’s penny stock
regulations.
Our
stock is categorized as a penny stock. The SEC has adopted Rule
15g-9 which generally defines "penny stock" to be any equity
security that has a market price (as defined) less than US$ 5.00
per share or an exercise price of less than US $5.00 per share,
subject to certain exclusions (e.g., net tangible assets in excess
of $2,000,000 or average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the
last three years). The penny stock rules impose additional sales
practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other
than established customers and accredited investors. The penny
stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a
penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a
standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the
SEC, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature
and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer
also must provide the customer with current bid and offer
quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the
broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly
account statements showing the market value of each penny stock
held in the customer's account. The bid and offer quotations, and
the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be
given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the
transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or
with the customer's confirmation. In addition, the penny stock
rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not
otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a
special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable
investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written
agreement to the transaction. Finally, broker-dealers may not
handle penny stocks under $0.10 per share.
14
These
disclosure requirements reduce the level of trading activity in the
secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock
rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules would affect the
ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities if we become
subject to them in the future. The penny stock rules also could
discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our
common stock to future investors, resulting in limited ability for
investors to sell their shares.
FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a
shareholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In
addition to the “penny stock” rules described above,
FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an
investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable
grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that
customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities
to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make
reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s
financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other
information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes
that there is a high probability that speculative low priced
securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The
FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to
recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may
limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse
effect on the market for our shares.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile.
The
market price of our common stock has been and is likely in the
future to be volatile. Our common stock price may fluctuate in
response to factors such as:
●
Halting of trading
by the SEC or FINRA.
●
Announcements
by us regarding liquidity, legal proceedings, significant
acquisitions, equity investments and divestitures, strategic
relationships, addition or loss of significant customers and
contracts, capital expenditure commitments, loan, note payable and
agreement defaults, loss of our subsidiaries and impairment of
assets,
●
Issuance
of convertible or equity securities for general or merger and
acquisition purposes,
●
Issuance
or repayment of debt, accounts payable or convertible debt for
general or merger and acquisition purposes,
●
Sale of
a significant number of shares of our common stock by
shareholders,
●
General
market and economic conditions,
●
Quarterly
variations in our operating results,
●
Investor
relation activities,
●
Announcements
of technological innovations,
●
New
product introductions by us or our competitors,
●
Competitive
activities, and
●
Additions
or departures of key personnel.
These
broad market and industry factors may have a material adverse
effect on the market price of our common stock, regardless of our
actual operating performance. These factors could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and/or results
of operations.
15
The sale of a significant number of our shares of common stock
could depress the price of our common stock.
Sales
or issuances of a large number of shares of common stock in the
public market or the perception that sales may occur could cause
the market price of our common stock to decline. As of December 31,
2020, there are also (i) stock option grants outstanding for the
purchase of 506,667 common shares at a $1.496 average exercise
price; and (ii) warrants for the purchase of 3,451,737 shares of common shares at a
$2.464 average exercise price. In
addition, we have an unknown number of common shares to be issued
under the Crossover, 12% convertible promissory note financing and
Labrys agreements in the case of default. In addition, we have an
unknown number of common shares to be issued under the Chicago
Venture, Iliad and St. George financing agreements and warrants
because the number of shares ultimately issued to Chicago Venture
depends on the price at which Chicago Venture converts its debt to
shares and exercises its warrants. These debt and warrant
agreements include price protection features for the holders and
can result in significant dilution to the Company. The lower the
conversion or exercise prices, the more shares that will be issued
to Chicago Venture upon the conversion of debt to shares. We will
not know the exact number of shares of stock issued to Chicago
Venture until the debt is actually converted to equity. On April 5,
2021, we entered into a Warrant Settlement Agreement dated March
31, 2021 with St. George to resolve a matter related to a prior
financing transaction whereby we agreed to issue 11,750,000 shares
of our common stock to cancel a warrant related to a
February 9, 2018 subscription agreement. On April 5, 2021, we entered into a Warrant
Settlement Agreement dated March 31, 2021, with Iliad to resolve a
matter related to a prior financing transaction whereby we agreed
to issue 2,500,000 shares of our common stock to cancel a warrant
related to a October 15, 2018 securities Purchase agreement.
We recorded a loss on debt settlement of $2,422,500 as of December
31, 2020.
These
stock option grant, warrant and contingent shares could result in
further dilution to common stockholders and may affect the market
price of the common stock.
Significant
shares of common stock are held by our principal shareholders,
other Company insiders and other large shareholders. As affiliates
as defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act or Rule 144 of the
Company, our principal shareholders, other Company insiders and
other large shareholders may only sell their shares of common stock
in the public market pursuant to an effective registration
statement or in compliance with Rule 144.
These
stock option grant, warrant and contingent shares could result in
further dilution to common stockholders and may affect the market
price of the common stock.
Some of our convertible debentures and warrants may require
adjustment in the conversion price.
Our
Convertible Notes Payable may require an adjustment in the current
conversion price of $0.070 per share as calculated pursuant to
terms of the notes if we issue common stock, warrants or equity
below the price that is reflected in the convertible notes payable.
Our warrant with St. George may require an adjustment in the
exercise price. As discussed above, On April 5, 2021, we entered
into a joint warrant settlement agreement with St. George and Iliad
dated March 31, 2021 to resolve a dispute regarding prior
financings and agreed to issue 14.25 million shares of stock valued
at approximately $2.4 million dollars. The conversion price of the
convertible notes and warrants will have an impact on the market
price of our common stock. Specifically, if under the terms of the
convertible notes the conversion price goes down, then the market
price, and ultimately the trading price, of our common stock will
go down. If under the terms of the convertible notes the conversion
price goes up, then the market price, and ultimately the trading
price, of our common stock will likely go up. In other words, as
the conversion price goes down, so does the market price of our
stock. As the conversion price goes up, so presumably does the
market price of our stock. The more the conversion price goes down,
the more shares are issued upon conversion of the debt which
ultimately means the more stock that might flood into the market,
potentially causing a further depression of our stock.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock
in the foreseeable future.
We have
never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We
currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to
finance the growth and development of our business, and we do not
anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the
foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of any future debt
agreements may preclude us from paying dividends. As a result,
capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole
source of gain for the foreseeable future.
Anti-takeover provisions may limit the ability of another party to
acquire our company, which could cause our stock price to
decline.
Our
certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws and Delaware
law contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a
third party from acquiring our company, even if doing so may be
beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, these provisions could
limit the price investors would be willing to pay in the future for
shares of our common stock.
16
We may issue preferred stock that could have rights that are
preferential to the rights of common stock that could discourage
potentially beneficially transactions to our common
shareholders.
An
issuance of additional shares of preferred stock could result in a
class of outstanding securities that would have preferences with
respect to voting rights and dividends and in liquidation over our
common stock and could, upon conversion or otherwise, have all of
the rights of our common stock. Our Board of Directors'
authority to issue preferred stock could discourage potential
takeover attempts or could delay or prevent a change in control
through merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making
these attempts more difficult or costly to achieve. The
issuance of preferred stock could impair the voting, dividend and
liquidation rights of common stockholders without their
approval.
If the company were to dissolve or wind-up, holders of our common
stock may not receive a liquidation preference.
If we
were too wind-up or dissolve the Company and liquidate and
distribute our assets, our shareholders would share ratably in our
assets only after we satisfy any amounts we owe to our
creditors. If our liquidation or dissolution were
attributable to our inability to profitably operate our business,
then it is likely that we would have material liabilities at the
time of liquidation or dissolution. Accordingly, we
cannot give you any assurance that sufficient assets will remain
available after the payment of our creditors to enable you to
receive any liquidation distribution with respect to any shares you
may hold.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
Operating Leases
The Company is obligated under the following leases for its various
facilities.
On May
31, 2020, the Company rented space at 5400 Carillon Point, Kirkland, Washington 98033
for $623 per month for the Company’s corporate office
and use of space in the Regus network, including California. The
Company’s agreement expires May 31, 2021 and was extended to
May 31, 2022.
On December 14, 2018, GrowLife, Inc. entered into a lease agreement
with Pensco Trust Company for a 28,000 square feet industrial space
at 10170 Croydon Way, Sacramento, California 95827 used for the
assembly and sales of plastic parts by EZ-CLONE. The monthly lease
payment is $17,500 and increases approximately 3% per year. The
lease expires on December 31, 2023.
ITEM 3. LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may become subject to various legal
proceedings that are incidental to the ordinary conduct of its
business. Although we cannot accurately predict the amount of any
liability that may ultimately arise with respect to any of these
matters, it makes provision for potential liabilities when it deems
them probable and reasonably estimable. These provisions are based
on current information and may be adjusted from time to time
according to developments.
As of
September 30, 2019, we closed retail stores in Portland, Maine,
Encino, California and Calgary, Canada. We have recorded
restructuring reserves related to the store closures. We cannot
determine the outcome of these proceedings but we do not believe
they will have a material impact on our future
operations.
On October 15, 2018, we closed the Purchase and Sale Agreement with
EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation (the
“Agreement”). On November 5, 2019, the Company
amended the Agreement with one 24.5% shareholder of EZ-CLONE
Enterprises, Inc. (“EZ-CLONE”), to extend the date to
purchase the remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE in exchange for a
20% extension fee (a total of $171,000 for the 49% or $85,500 for
each 24.5% shareholder) of the $855,000 cash payable at the earlier
of the closing of $2,000,000 in funding or nine months (July 2020).
We did not close the purchase of the remaining 49% of stock of
EZ-CLONE by the extended deadline.
17
On September 15, 2020, we received notice that William Blackburn
and Brad Mickelsen, minority shareholders of EZ-CLONE Enterprises,
Inc. (“Plaintiffs”), a majority owned subsidiary of the
Company, filed a complaint against the Company and its officers
Marco Hegyi and Mark Scott (“Officers”), in the
Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento
(“Complaint”) for claims related to breach under the
Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15, 2018 between the
Company and Plaintiffs. On September 15, 2020, the Company
filed a notice of removal with the California Superior Court,
County of Sacramento and the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of California. The case was removed to
Federal District Court for the Eastern District of California and
Plaintiffs filed an Ex Parte Application for TRO and an Order for
Preliminary Injunction with the Federal Court. The TRO was
granted on September 16, 2020 and a preliminary injunction hearing
was scheduled for September 29, 2020. After reviewing all
pleadings and oral arguments at the hearing, the Court issued a
ruling granting Plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary
injunction. Subsequent to September 29, 2020, the parties are
providing legal briefs to the Federal court to determine if
rescission should be granted. We cannot determine the outcome
of these proceedings.
The Complaint also alleges that the Company and its Officers made
certain false representations and other claims to consummate the
Transaction and as a result has failed to complete the second
closing as required under Purchase and Sale Agreement. As of
December 4, 2020, our officers were dismissed from the case. The
Plaintiffs are seeking rescission of the Purchase and Sale
Agreement, unspecified damages in excess of ten thousand dollars,
and other equitable relief.
As of
December 31, 2020, we recorded a liability of $2,131,000 for
acquisition payable of which a $1,105,000 is payable in stock and
$1,026,000 is payable in cash.
18
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET
FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
General
The
following description of our capital stock and provisions of our
articles of incorporation and bylaws are summaries and are
qualified by reference to our articles of incorporation and the
bylaws. We have filed copies of these documents with the SEC as
exhibits to our Form 10-K.
Authorized Capital Stock
On
October 9, 2019, we approved the reduction of authorized capital
stock, whereby the total number of our authorized common stock
decreased from 6,000,000,000 by a ratio of 1 for 50, to 120,000,000
shares. On November 20, 2019, we filed
a Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. As a result of
the reduction, we have an aggregate 130,000,000 authorized shares
consisting of: (i) 120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $0.0001 per share.
The 1 for 150 reverse stock split was effective at the
open of business on November 27, 2019 whereupon the shares of
common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis under the new
CUSIP, 39985X203.
Capital Stock Issued and Outstanding
As
of December 31, 2020, we have issued and outstanding
securities on a fully diluted basis, consisting of:
●
51,843,221 shares
of common stock;
●
Stock option grants
for the purchase of 506,667 shares of common stock at average
exercise price of $1.496 per share; ● Warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 3,451,737 shares of common stock with expiration dates
between November 2021 and October 2028 at an average
exercise price of $2.464 per share; and
●
An unknown number of common shares to be issued under
the Chicago Venture, Iliad and St. George financing
and
warrant agreements. In addition, we
have an unknown number of common shares to be issued under the
Chicago Venture, Iliad and St. George financing agreements and
warrants because the number of shares ultimately issued to Chicago
Venture depends on the price at which Chicago Venture converts its
debt to shares and exercises its warrants. The lower the conversion
or exercise prices, the more shares that will be issued to Chicago
Venture upon the conversion of debt to shares. We will not know the
exact number of shares of stock issued to Chicago Venture until the
debt is actually converted to equity. On April 5, 2021, we entered
into a Warrant Settlement Agreement dated March 31, 2021, with St.
George to resolve a matter related to a prior financing transaction
whereby we agreed to issue 11,750,000 shares of our common stock to
cancel a warrant related to a February 9, 2018 subscription
agreement. On April 5, 2021, we
entered into a Warrant Settlement Agreement dated March 31, 2021,
with Iliad to resolve a matter related to a prior financing
transaction whereby we agreed to issue 2,500,000 shares of our
common stock to cancel a warrant related to a October 15,
2018 securities Purchase agreement.
Voting Common Stock
Holders
of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have
cumulative voting rights. An election of directors by our
stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast
by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election. On all other
matters, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to
vote is required for approval, unless otherwise provided in our
articles of incorporation, bylaws or applicable law. Holders of
common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends
as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any
preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred
stock.
In the
event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of common
stock are entitled to receive proportionately all assets available
for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and
other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any
outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no
preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The
rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are
subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the
holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may
designate and issue in the future.
Non-Voting Preferred Stock
Under
the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors
is authorized to issue shares of non-voting preferred stock in one
or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors
has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges
and restrictions, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption
privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of
non-voting preferred stock.
19
The
purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue non-voting
preferred stock and determine our rights and preferences is to
eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific
issuances. The issuance of non-voting preferred stock, while
providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions,
future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the
effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire or
could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority
of our outstanding voting stock. Other than the Series B and C
Preferred Stock discussed below, there are no shares of non-voting
preferred stock presently outstanding and we have no present plans
to issue any shares of preferred stock.
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
As of
December 31, 2020, we had warrants to purchase an aggregate of
3,451,737 shares of common stock with expiration dates
between November 2021 and October 2028 at an average
exercise price of $2.464 per share, subject to adjustment.
In addition, we have an unknown number
of common shares to be issued under the Chicago Venture, Iliad and
St. George financing agreements and warrants because the number of
shares ultimately issued to Chicago Venture depends on the price at
which Chicago Venture converts its debt to shares and exercises its
warrants. The lower the conversion or exercise prices, the more
shares that will be issued to Chicago Venture upon the conversion
of debt to shares. We will not know the exact number of shares of
stock issued to Chicago Venture until the debt is actually
converted to equity. On April 5, 2021, we entered into a Warrant
Settlement Agreement dated March 31, 2021 with St. George whereby
we agreed to issue 11,750,000 shares of our common stock to cancel
a warrant related to a February 9, 2018 subscription agreement. On
April 5, 2021, we entered into a Warrant Settlement Agreement dated
March 31, 2021 with Iliad whereby we agreed to issue 2,500,000
shares of our common stock to cancel a warrant related to a October
15, 2018 securities Purchase agreement.
Options to Purchase Common Stock
We have
1,333,333 shares available for issuance under the First Amended and
Restated 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. We have outstanding unexercised
stock option grants totaling 506,667 shares at an average exercise
price of $1.496 per share as of December 31, 2020. The Company
filed registration statements on Form S-8 to register 1,333,333
shares of our common stock related to the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan
and First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock Incentive
Plan.
Dividend Policy
We have
not previously paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do
not anticipate or contemplate paying dividends on our common stock
in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to use all of our
available funds to develop our business. We can give no assurances
that we will ever have excess funds available to pay
dividends.
Change in Control Provisions
Our articles of incorporation and by-laws provide for a maximum of
nine directors, and the size of the Board cannot be increased by
more than three directors in any calendar year. There is
no provision for classification or staggered terms for the members
of the Board of Directors.
Our articles of incorporation also provide that except to the
extent the provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law require a
greater voting requirement, any action, including the amendment of
the Company’s articles or bylaws, the approval of a plan of
merger or share exchange, the sale, lease, exchange or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s
property other than in the usual and regular course of business,
shall be authorized if approved by a simple majority of
stockholders, and if a separate voting group is required or
entitled to vote thereon, by a simple majority of all the votes
entitled to be cast by that voting group.
Our bylaws provide that only the Chief Executive Officer or a
majority of the Board of Directors may call a special
meeting. The bylaws do not permit the stockholders of the
Company to call a special meeting of the stockholders for any
purpose.
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Provisions
Our
articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws contain
provisions that could have the effect of discouraging potential
acquisition proposals or tender offers or delaying or preventing a
change in control, including changes a stockholder might consider
favorable. In particular, our articles of incorporation and bylaws
among other things:
●
permit
our board of directors to alter our bylaws without stockholder
approval; and
●
provide
that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled by a
majority of directors in office, although less than a
quorum.
20
Such
provisions may have the effect of discouraging a third party from
acquiring us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our
stockholders. These provisions are intended to enhance the
likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our
board of directors and in the policies formulated by them, and to
discourage some types of transactions that may involve an actual or
threatened change in control of our company. These provisions are
designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition
proposal and to discourage some tactics that may be used in proxy
fights. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our
potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly
or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure our company
outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because,
among other things, negotiation of such proposals could result in
an improvement of their terms.
However,
these provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from
making tender offers for our shares that could result from actual
or rumored takeover attempts. These provisions also may have the
effect of preventing changes in our management.
Market Price of and Dividends on Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters
As of March 4, 2019, we began to trade on the OTC
Pink
Sheet stocks system because our bid price had closed below $0.01 for
more than 30 consecutive calendar days. As of March 17, 2020,
we commenced trading on the
OTCQB Market ("OTCQB") after successfully up-listing from the OTC
Pink Market.
The
quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup,
markdown or commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
Consequently, the information provided below may not be indicative
of our common stock price under different conditions.
Period Ended
|
High
|
Low
|
Year Ending December 31, 2021
|
|
|
Through
April 13, 2021
|
$0.179
|
$0.155
|
March
31, 2021
|
$0.570
|
$0.106
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, 2020
|
|
|
December
31, 2020
|
$0.490
|
$0.140
|
September
30, 2020
|
$0.269
|
$0.107
|
June
30, 2020
|
$0.280
|
$0.152
|
March
31, 2020
|
$0.490
|
$0.150
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, 2019
|
|
|
December
31, 2019
|
$1.229
|
$0.315
|
September
30, 2019
|
$1.110
|
$0.495
|
June
30, 2019
|
$1.260
|
$0.825
|
March
31, 2019
|
$1.710
|
$1.050
|
As of
April 13, 2021, the closing price of our common stock was $0.158
per share. As of April 13, 2021, there were 67,182,239 shares of
common stock issued and outstanding. We have 145 stockholders
of record. This number does not include over 101,000 beneficial
owners whose shares are held in the names of various security
brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies.
Transfer Agent
The
transfer agent for our common stock is Direct Transfer, LLC,
One Glenwood Avenue, Suite 1001, Raleigh, NC, 27603. Their
telephone number is 919.744.2722.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the following sales or issuances
of Company securities were conducted under the exemption from
registration as provided under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities
Act of 1933. All of the shares issued were issued in transactions
not involving a public offering, are considered to be restricted
stock as defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act
of 1933 and stock certificates issued with respect thereto bear
legends to that effect.
We have compensated consultants and service providers with
restricted common stock during the development of our business and
when our capital resources were not adequate to provide payment in
cash.
21
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we had the
following sales of unregistered sales of equity
securities.
Lenders
converted principal and accrued interest of $851,299 into
11,047,231 shares of our common stock at a per share conversion
price of $0.077.
Lenders
were issued commitment shares of 1,890,000 related to financing
agreements.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2020
related to the equity compensation plan in effect at that
time.
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Plan Category
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and rights
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants
and rights
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under
equity compensation plan (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
|
Equity
compensation plan
|
|
|
|
approved
by shareholders
|
506,667
|
$1.496
|
745,441
|
Equity
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
not
approved by shareholders
|
|
|
|
Total
|
506,667
|
$1.496
|
745,441
|
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL
DATA
In the following table, we provide you with our selected
consolidated historical financial and other data. We have prepared
the consolidated selected financial information using our
consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019. When you read this selected consolidated historical
financial and other data, it is important that you read along with
it the historical financial statements and related notes in our
consolidated financial statements included in this report, as well
as Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
||||
|
2020
|
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenue
|
$7,001
|
$8,218
|
$4,573
|
$2,452
|
$1,231
|
Cost of goods
sold
|
4,021
|
5,669
|
4,105
|
2,181
|
1,276
|
Gross
profit
|
2,980
|
2,549
|
468
|
271
|
(45)
|
General and
administrative expenses
|
4,870
|
7,566
|
5,017
|
2,320
|
2,764
|
Operating
(loss)
|
(1,890)
|
(5,017)
|
(4,549)
|
(2,049)
|
(2,809)
|
Other
expense
|
(4,258)
|
(2,475)
|
(6,924)
|
(3,272)
|
(4,886)
|
Net loss before
taxes
|
$(6,148)
|
$(7,492)
|
$(11,473)
|
$(5,321)
|
$(7,695)
|
Net
loss
|
$(6,380)
|
$(7,374)
|
$(11,473)
|
$(5,321)
|
$(7,695)
|
Net loss per
share
|
$(0.18)
|
$(0.29)
|
$(0.58)
|
$(0.39)
|
$(0.96)
|
Weighted average
number of shares
|
35,286,804
|
25,145,036
|
19,858,753
|
13,630,143
|
7,983,773
|
22
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
GrowLife persevered through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in
2020 as the Cannabis industry was classified an essential business
by 36 States where it is medicinally legal and 16 States where it
is completely legal. Our GrowLife team worked remotely where it
could reach out to customers and channels to facilitate sales.
Overall market studies reported 35% industry growth in 2020 in
spite of COVID-19. However, our revenue declined 15%; the first
declining year since 2016. Our revenue reduction of approximately
$1.2 million was the result of a $2.9 million reduction in our
hydroponics segments partially offset by a $1.7 million increase at
EZ-CLONE Enterprises. Like the prior year’s 78% revenue
growth, we had expected another revenue growth year in 2020,
despite winding down our hydroponics segment. Unfortunately, we
experienced continuing supply chain problems with our manufacturing
subsidiary wherein they could not keep up with the GrowLife sales
orders, resulting in limitation of our fourth quarter EZ-CLONE
revenue to $2 million as a result of the backlog. On the positive
side, annual gross margins rose from 31.0% to 42.5% year over year
and general and administrative expenses were significantly reduced
from $7 million to $4.9 million. These aggregated expenses were in
spite of our expansion plans and spending into the clone market,
which our cloning manufacturer was part of, and we had announced in
2019.
Also previously reported, we did not close the purchase of the
remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE that was due on July 15, 2020
and the founders of EZ-CLONE entered into litigation against the
Company. Each of our 2020 10-Q filings revealed increasing quarter
over quarter backlogs of EZ-CLONE product delivery in response to
sales pointing to the manufacturer’s inability to keep up
with GrowLife’s increasing sales and customer demand. In the
first quarter it was $400,000 of sales backlog that was deferred
into the second quarter; in the second quarter we could not
recognize $1 million of GrowLife sales because EZ-CLONE supply
chain and backlog issues; and finally in the third quarter, only
$1.4 million of revenue was recognized and another $2 million of
GrowLife sales was backlogged into the 4th
quarter because of supply chain and
shipment problems. Based on the backlogged orders, we estimate we
were unable to recognize the approximately $2 million in
revenue.
As we pointed out in the third quarter 10-Q, we recognized the
saturation issue in the Hemp CBD market and postponed our entry
into the clone/starter business until 2021 which has not subsided.
However, as we look at the Cannabis industry, we can make three
observations from early 2021: First, the MORE Act passed the U.S.
House of Representatives on December 4, 2020, a landmark step
toward the federal legalization of Cannabis that can permit
interstate commerce and true US companies to touch the plant and
trade on the stock exchange; Second, Senate Majority Leader Schumer
announced in early April that he will move the legalization bill
forward in the US Senate and seek support with the White House to
obtain federal legalization; Finally, GrowLife retains its 51%
assets in EZ-CLONE, investors are aligned and financially support
GrowLife to settle with EZ-CLONE as well as expand in new markets,
and our management depth remains in place to grow as opportunities
are identified.
Therefore, we see a growing market, intend to service our customers
and will continue to seek opportunities in the legal Cannabis
industry. We believe this is a great opportunity for our customers,
shareholders and one where GrowLife is uniquely positioned to
capitalize on. The Company’s goal is to become the
nation’s largest cultivation facility service provider
focused on propagation systems serving more cultivators with
products of high quality, exceptional value and competitive
price.
23
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents certain consolidated statement of
operations information and presentation of that data as a
percentage of change from year-to-year.
(dollars in thousands)
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|||
|
2020
|
2019
|
$
Variance
|
%
Variance
|
Net
revenue
|
$7,001
|
$8,218
|
$(1,217)
|
-14.8%
|
Cost of goods
sold
|
4,021
|
5,669
|
1,648
|
29.1%
|
Gross
profit
|
2,980
|
2,549
|
431
|
16.9%
|
General and
administrative expenses
|
4,870
|
7,010
|
(2,140)
|
30.5%
|
Restructuring
expense- flooring division
|
-
|
306
|
(306)
|
100.0%
|
Restructuring
expense- retail stores and online sales
|
-
|
250
|
(250)
|
100.0%
|
Operating
loss
|
(1,890)
|
(5,017)
|
3,127
|
62.3%
|
Other income
(expense):
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair
value of derivative
|
199
|
496
|
(297)
|
-59.9%
|
Interest expense,
net
|
(1,090)
|
(1,204)
|
114
|
9.5%
|
Loss on debt
conversions
|
(984)
|
(1,767)
|
783
|
44.3%
|
Gain on
extinguishment of debt
|
39
|
-
|
39
|
100.0%
|
Loss on debt
settlement
|
(2,422)
|
-
|
(2,422)
|
-100.0%
|
Total other
expense, net
|
(4,258)
|
(2,475)
|
(1,783)
|
-72.0%
|
Loss before income
taxes
|
(6,148)
|
(7,492)
|
1,344
|
17.9%
|
Income taxes -
current (provision) benefit
|
(232)
|
118
|
(350)
|
-100.0%
|
Net
loss
|
$(6,380)
|
$(7,374)
|
$994
|
13.5%
|
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 2019
Net
revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by
$1,217,000 to $7,001,000 from $8,218,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2019. The decrease resulted from lower hydroponic
sales from the decision during 2020 to exit the hydroponics
business and the elimination of the hydroponics sales personnel and
the impact of the pandemic on the hydroponics segment during the
year ended December 31, 2020. The hydroponics revenue for the year
ended December 31, 2020 was $1,568,000 as compared to $4,487,000
for the year ended December 31, 2019. The EZ-CLONE revenue from its
line of products for the year ended December 31, 2020 was
$5,433,000 as compared to $3,731,000 for the year ended December
31, 2019. The increased performance of EZ-CLONE revenue is a direct
result of the substantial money and resources Growlife provides to
its EZ-Clone subsidiary.
24
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of
sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $1,648,000
to $4,021,000 from $5,669,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The decrease resulted from lower sales in the hydroponics segment,
offset by increased EZ-CLONE sales. as
discussed above.
Gross profit was $2,980,000 for the
year ended December 31, 2020 as
compared to a gross profit of $2,549,000 for the year ended December 31,
2019. The gross profit percentage was
42.6% for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 31.0% for the year ended
December 31, 2019. The increase
was due to lower sales in the hydroponics segment, offset by
increased EZ-CLONE sales. as discussed
above. EZ-CLONE reported a gross profit percentage of
49.1%.
General and Administrative Expenses
General
and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020
were $4,870,000 as compared to $7,010,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2019. The variances were as follows: (i) an increase
in EZ-CLONE expenses (primarily payroll and rent) of $120,000; and
offset by (ii) a decrease in corporate salaries and payroll taxes
of $458,000; (iii) a decrease in sales and marketing expenses of
$96,000; (iv) a decrease in rent of $228,000; (v) a decrease in
insurance of $181,000; (vi) a decrease in stock based compensation
of $238,000; and (vi) a decrease in non-cash expenses of
$1,108,000, offset by an increase in other expenses of $49,000. As
part of the general and administrative expenses for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded public relation, investor
relation or business development expenses of $2,000 and $90,000,
respectively. he overall decrease in general and administrative
expenses resulted from reduced expenses in the hydroponics
segment.
Non-cash
general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31,
2020 of $846,000 including (i) depreciation of $37,000; (ii)
amortization of intangible assets of $672,000; (iii) stock based
compensation of $125,000 related to stock option grants and
warrants; and (iv) common stock issued for services of
$12,000.
Non-cash
general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31,
2019 of $1,398,000 including (i) depreciation of $89,000; (ii)
amortization of intangible assets of $838,000; (iii) stock based
compensation of $158,000 related to stock option grants and
warrants; and (iv) common stock issued for services of
$312,000.
Restructuring Expense
We
closed retail stores in Portland, Maine, Encino, California and
Calgary, Canada and online sales as of September 30, 2019. Also, we
closed the sale of the flooring division located in Grand Prairie,
Texas. We reduced our losses and cash costs by up to $100,000 per
month starting October 1, 2019. During the year ended December 31,
2019, we recorded restructuring expense of $306,000 for the sale of
the flooring division and $250,000 for the closure of the retail
stores and online sales. The winding down of our hydroponics
business in 2020 resulted in no material expenses or write off of
assets.
Other Expense
Other
expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $4,258,000 as
compared to $2,475,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The
other expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 included (i)
benefit from the reduction in derivative liability of $199,000;
(ii) gain on extinguishment of debt of $39,000 related to prior
shutdown of retail operations; and offset by (iii) interest expense
of $1,090,000; (iv) loss on debt conversions of $984,000; and (v)
loss on debt settlement of $2,423,000. The change in derivative
liability is the non-cash change in the fair value and relates to
our derivative instruments. The increase in non-cash interest
related to accrued interest expense on our notes payable. The loss
on debt conversions related to the conversion of our notes payable
at prices below the market price.
On April 5, 2021, we entered into a Warrant Settlement Agreement
dated March 31, 2021 with St. George to resolve a dispute from
prior financings whereby we agreed to issue 11,750,000 shares of
our common stock to cancel a warrant related to a February
9, 2018 subscription agreement. On
April 5, 2021, we entered into a Warrant Settlement Agreement dated
March 31, 2021 with Iliad to resolve a dispute from prior
financings whereby we agreed to issue 2,500,000 shares of our
common stock to cancel a warrant related to a October 15,
2018 securities Purchase agreement. We recorded a loss on debt
settlement of $2,423,000 as of December 31, 2020.
The
other expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 included (i)
benefit from the reduction in derivative liability of $496,000;
offset by (ii) interest expense of $1,204,000; and (iii) loss on
debt conversions of $1,776,000. The change in derivative liability
is the non-cash change in the fair value and relates to our
derivative instruments. The non-cash interest related to accrued
interest expense on our notes payable. The loss on debt conversions
related to the conversion of our notes payable at prices below the
market price.
25
Net Loss
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $6.380.000 as
compared to $7,374,000 for the for the year ended December 31, 2019
for the reasons discussed above. The Company’s shares of the
2020 and 2019 net loss was $6,380,000 and $7,285,000 after
allocating a portion of 2019 loss to non-controlling
interest.
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 included non-cash
expenses of $5,076,000 including (i) depreciation of $37,000; (ii)
amortization of intangible assets of $672,000; (vi) stock based
compensation of $125,000 related to stock option grants and
warrants; (iii) common stock issued for services of $12,000; (iv)
accrued interest and amortization of issuance costs on convertible
notes payable of $1,061,000; (v) loss on debt conversions of
$945,000; (vi) loss on debt settlement of $2,423,000; and offset by
(vii) change in derivative liability of $199,000.
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 included non-cash
expenses of $4,160,000 including (iii) depreciation of $89,000;
(iv) restructuring reserve- retail stores, on line sales and
flooring division of $556,000; (v) amortization of intangible
assets of $838,000; (vi) stock based compensation of $158,000
related to stock option grants and warrants; (vii) common stock
issued for services of $313,000; (viii) non cash interest and
amortization of debt discount of $,933,000; (ix) loss on debt
conversions of $1,767,000; and offset by (xi) benefit from the
reduction in derivative liability of $(494,000).
We
expect losses to continue as we implement our business
plan.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financial
Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting
Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-40,
Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern,
requires that management evaluate whether there are relevant
conditions and events that, in the aggregate, raise substantial
doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going
concern and to meet its obligations as they become due within one
year after the date that the financial statements are
issued.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that
we will continue as a going concern. However, since inception, we
have sustained significant operating losses and such losses are
expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As of December 31,
2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $154.8 million, cash and cash equivalents
of $383,000 and a working capital deficit of $5.974 million
excluding derivative liability, convertible debt, right of use
liability and deferred revenue). Additionally, we used cash in
operating activities of $1,951,000 and $2,910,000
for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. We will require additional cash funding to
fund operations beyond May 31, 2021. Accordingly, management has
concluded that we do not have sufficient funds to support
operations within one year after the date the financial statements
are issued and, therefore, we concluded there was substantial doubt
about the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern.
To fund
further operations, we will need to raise additional capital. We
may obtain additional financing in the future through the issuance
of its common stock, or through other equity or debt financings.
Our ability to continue as a going concern or meet the minimum
liquidity requirements in the future is dependent on its ability to
raise significant additional capital, of which there can be no
assurance. If the necessary financing is not obtained or achieved,
we will likely be required to reduce its planned expenditures,
which could have an adverse impact on the results of operations,
financial condition and our ability to achieve its strategic
objective. There can be no assurance that financing will be
available on acceptable terms, or at all. The financial statements
contain no adjustments for the outcome of these uncertainties.
These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue
as a going concern and have a material adverse effect on our future
financial results, financial position and cash flows.
Amendment No. 3 Securities Purchase Agreement and Self-Amortization
Promissory Note with Labrys Fund, L.P, a Delaware limited
partnership (“Labrys”)
On December 31, 2020, we entered into Amendment No. 3 to the
Self-Amortization Promissory Note (“Amendment No. 3”)
as originally issued by the Company to Labrys on August 31, 2020
(the “Note”), as described in Form 8-K filed October
15, 2020, and as amended by Amendment No. 2, as described in Form
8-K filed December 8, 2020, incorporated herein by reference.
Pursuant to Amendment No. 3 the Company issued 340,000 restricted
shares of our common stock (the “Amendment Shares”) to
the Holder on or before December 31, 2020 and issued a common stock
purchase warrant for the purchase of 1,033,057 shares of our common
stock (the “Warrant”) to the Holder on December 31,
2020. In exchange for the Warrant and Amendment Shares, the
outstanding payment of $125,000 owed on or before December 31, 2020
(as described in Amendment No. 2) (“Outstanding
Payment”), was amended as follows: In lieu of our payment of
the Outstanding Payment to the Holder, the payment schedule in
Section 4.17 of the Note shall be amended as follows: (i) all
references to “$51,042” in Section 4.17 of the Note
shall be replaced with “$61,458” and (ii) the reference
to “$51,042” in Section 4.17 of the Note shall be
replaced with “$61,458.” This loan was paid off in
March 2021 from proceeds received from Bucktown Capital LLC as
described below.
26
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes and
Security Agreement with Bucktown Capital, LLC
On February 26, 2021, we executed the following agreements with
Bucktown: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii) Secured
Convertible Promissory Note; and (iii) Security Agreement
(collectively the “Bucktown Agreements”). We entered
into the Bucktown Agreements with the intent to acquire working
capital to grow the Company’s businesses and to repay all
outstanding obligations owed to: (i) Labrys Fund, L.P.
(“Labrys”) in the amount of $615,333; and (ii) PowerUp
Lending Group Ltd. (“PowerUp”) in the amount of
$128,858.
The total amount of funding under the Bucktown Agreements is
$3,088,000 as represented in the Secured Convertible Promissory
Note (“Note”). The total purchase price for this Note
is $2,850,000; the Note carries an aggregate original issue
discount of $228,000 and a transaction expense amount of $10,000.
The Note is comprised of two (2) tranches (each, a
“Tranche”), consisting of (i) an initial Tranche in an
amount equal to $928,000 and any interest, costs, fees or charges
accrued thereon or added thereto under the terms of the Note and
the Bucktown Agreements (the “Initial Tranche”), and
(ii) an additional Tranche, which is exclusively dedicated for the
purchase of the remaining equity interest in EZ-CLONE, in the
amount of $2,160,000.00, plus any interest, costs, fees or charges
accrued thereon or added thereto under the terms of the Note and
the Bucktown Agreements (the “Subsequent Tranche”). The
Initial Tranche shall correspond to $68,000 of the OID and the
Transaction Expense Amount, and may be converted into shares of
Common Stock at any time subsequent to the Purchase Price Date. The
Subsequent Tranche corresponds to the Investor Note and $160,000 of
the aggregate OID.
The Company agreed to reserve three times the number of shares
based on the redemption value with a minimum of 23,340,000 shares
of its common stock for issuance upon conversion of the Note, if
that occurs in the future. If not converted sooner, the Note is due
on or before February 26, 2022. The Note has an interest rate of
eight percent (8%). The Note is convertible, at Bucktown’s
option, into the Company’s common stock at $0.30 per share
(“Lender Conversion Price”), subject to adjustment as
provided for in the Note. However, in the event the Market
Capitalization (as defined in the Note) falls below the Minimum
Market Capitalization the Lender Conversion Price shall equal the
lower of the Lender Conversion Price and the Market Price as of any
applicable date of Conversion.
Our obligation to pay the Note, or any portion thereof, is secured
by all of the Company’s assets as described in Schedule A to
the Security Agreement attached hereto and incorporated herein by
this reference.
Securities Purchase Agreement and Self-Amortization Promissory Note
with EMA Financial LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
(“EMA”)
On
October 2, 2020, we executed the following agreements with EMA: (i)
Securities Purchase Agreement; and (ii) Self-Amortization
Promissory Note (“Note”); (collectively the “EMA
Agreements”). The Company entered into the EMA Agreements
with the intent to acquire working capital to grow the
Company’s businesses and complete the EZ-CLONE Enterprises,
Inc. acquisition.
The
total amount of funding under the EMA Agreements is $183,455. The
Notes carry an original issue discount of $21,100, a transaction
expense amount of $6,500, and a fee to J. H. Darbie & Co. of
$21,150, for total debt of $221,000 (“Debt”). The Note
has an amortization schedule of $19,550 on January 2, 2021 and
monthly from February 2021 through January 2022. We issued
commitment shares of 550,000 shares related to the EMA Agreements.
We agreed to reserve 1,486,258 shares of its common stock for
issuance if any Debt is converted. The Debt is due on or before
January 2, 2022. The Debt carries an interest rate of twelve
percent (12%). In the case of default, the debt is convertible into
our common stock at the closing price the day before the
conversion, subject to adjustment as provided for in the
Note.
Securities Purchase Agreement and Self-Amortization Promissory Note
with FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (“FF”)
On
October 2, 2020, we executed the following agreements with FF: (i)
Securities Purchase Agreement; and (ii) Self-Amortization
Promissory Note (“Note”); (collectively the “FF
Agreements”). The Company entered into the FF Agreements with
the intent to acquire reduce debt.
The
total amount of funding under the FF Agreements is $130,000. The
Notes carry an original issue discount of $14,952, a transaction
expense amount of $4,600, and a fee to J. H. Darbie & Co. of
$7,050, for total debt of $156,602 (“Debt”). The Note
has an amortization schedule of $13,853 on January 11, 2021 and
monthly from February 2021 through January 2022. We issued
commitment shares of 450,000 shares related to the FF Agreements.
We agreed to reserve 1,486,258 shares of its common stock for
issuance if any Debt is converted. The Debt is due on or before
January 12, 2022. The Debt carries an interest rate of twelve
percent (12%). In the case of default, the debt is convertible into
our common stock at the closing price the day before the
conversion, subject to adjustment as provided for in the
Note.
27
Operating Activities
Net
cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31,
2020 was $1,951,000. This amount was primarily related to a (i) net
loss of $6,380,000, and (ii) net working capital increase of
$647,000; offset by (iii) non-cash expenses of $5,076,000 including
(iv) depreciation of $37,000; (v) amortization of intangible assets
of $672,000; (vi) stock based compensation of $125,000 related to
stock option grants and warrants; (vii) common stock issued for
services of $12,000; (viii) accrued interest and amortization of
issuance costs on convertible notes payable of $1,061,000; (ix)
loss on debt conversions of $945,000; (x) loss on debt settlement
of $2,423,000; and offset by (xi) change in derivative liability of
$199,000.
Financing Activities
Net
cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December
31, 2020 was $2,293,000. The amount related to proceeds from note
payable of $2,724,000, offset by repayment of convertible notes
payable of $431,000.
Our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2020 are
summarized in the table below:
|
|
Less
Than
|
|
|
Contractual Cash
Obligations
|
Total
|
1
Year
|
1-3
Years
|
4-5
Years
|
Operating lease
cash payments
|
$635,244
|
$213,115
|
$422,129
|
$-
|
Convertible notes
payable and accrued interest
|
2,495,153
|
2,495,153
|
-
|
-
|
Notes
payable
|
924,858
|
439,179
|
485,679
|
-
|
Acquisition of 49%
of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc.
|
1,026,000
|
1,026,000
|
-
|
-
|
|
$5,081,254
|
$4,173,446
|
$907,808
|
$-
|
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do
not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is
defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely
to have a current or future material effect on our financial
condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity,
capital expenditures or capital resources.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The
application of GAAP involves the exercise of varying degrees of
judgment. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and
judgments based on historical experience and various other factors
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual
results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions
or conditions. We believe that of our significant accounting
policies (see summary of significant accounting policies more fully
described in Note 3 to Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2020), the following policies involve a higher degree of
judgment and/or complexity:
Accounts Receivable and Revenue – We recognize revenue
in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers, which requires the application of the
five-step-principles-based-accounting-model for revenue
recognition. These steps include (1) a legally enforceable
contract, written or unwritten is identified; (2) performance
obligations in the contracts are identified; (3) the transaction
price reflecting variable consideration, if any, is identified; (4)
the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligations;
and (5) revenue is recognized when the control of goods is
transferred to the customer at a particular time or over time. Our
hydroponic sales were cash or credit card. Our EZ-CLONE sales
include credit cash, payments in advance, 3% discount upon receipt
and, we extend thirty day terms to select customers. Accounts
receivable are reviewed periodically for
collectability. As of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has an allowance for
doubtful accounts totaling $5,690.
Inventories - Inventories are recorded on a first in first
out basis Inventory consists of raw materials, work in process and
finished goods and components sold by EZ-CLONE to it distribution
customers. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. The
reserve for inventory was approximately $51,000 and $0 as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
28
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
– ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,
defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for
an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the
principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in
an orderly transaction between market participants on the
measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair
value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable
and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The
fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on
market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own
assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy
consists of three levels:
Level 1
– Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and
liabilities;
Level 2
– Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly
or indirectly observable; and.
Level 3
- Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and
significant to the fair value measurement.
The
recorded value of other financial assets and liabilities, which
consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, other current assets, and accounts payable and accrued
expenses approximate the fair value of the respective assets and
liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are based upon the
short-term nature of the assets and liabilities.
Derivative financial instruments -We evaluate all of its
financial instruments to determine if such instruments are
derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded
derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are
accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is
initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each
reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the
consolidated statements of operations. For stock-based derivative
financial instruments, the Company uses a Black-Scholes-Merton
option pricing model to value the derivative instruments at
inception and on subsequent valuation dates. The classification of
derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should
be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of
each reporting period. Derivative instrument liabilities are
classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on
whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument
could be required within twelve months of the balance sheet
date.
Stock Based Compensation – We have share-based compensation plans
under which employees, consultants, suppliers and directors may be
granted restricted stock, as well as options to purchase shares of
our common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant.
Stock-based compensation cost is measured by us at the grant date,
based on the fair value of the award, over the requisite service
period using an estimated forfeiture rate. For options issued to
employees, we recognize stock compensation costs utilizing the fair
value methodology over the related period of
benefit. Grants of stock options and stock to
non-employees and other parties are accounted for in accordance
with the ASC 718.
Convertible Securities – Based upon ASC 815-15, we have
adopted a sequencing approach regarding the application of ASC
815-40 to convertible securities issued subsequent to December 31,
2015. We will evaluate our contracts based upon the earliest
issuance date.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the
information required by this Item. Nevertheless, we have no
investments in any market risk sensitive instruments either held
for trading purposes or entered into for other than trading
purposes.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Reference is made to our consolidated financial statements
beginning on page F-1 of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND
DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
29
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We
conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, of the effectiveness of the design
and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. The term
“disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), means controls
and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports
it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure
controls and procedures also include, without limitation, controls
and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits
under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the
company's management, including its principal executive and
principal financial officers, or persons performing similar
functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal
executive and principal financial officers concluded as of December
31, 2020, that our disclosure controls and procedures were not
effective at the reasonable assurance level due to the material
weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting
discussed immediately below.
Identified Material Weaknesses
A
material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting
is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies,
that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material
misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or
detected.
Management
identified the following material weakness during its assessment of
internal controls over financial reporting:
Audit Committee:
The current Audit Committee has two independent directors, but the
Chairman is an interim Named Executive Officer. In early January
2021 and additional independent director resigned from the board
and audit committee. We expect to expand this committee during
2021.
Contractual Terms and Obligations
In prior years, the Company entered into various financing
agreements involving stock purchase agreements, notes and warrants.
The terms of these legal instruments contain complex legal terms,
conditions and calculations. The Company recently resolved a
dispute over the terms and conditions of two warrant agreements and
entered into a settlement agreement resulting in the recording of a
material expense. Managements understanding of certain terms and
conditions of the warrant agreements was not adequate to insure
proper accounting and disclosure of the warrant terms.
b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial
Reporting
During
the quarter ended December 31,
2020, our CFO Mark Scott resigned and Michael Fasci was
appointed CFO. Mr. Scott may provide consulting services to the
Company to help with the CFO transition. The Company has a small
accounting and finance team and the consulting services of Mr.
Scott will be an important element of internal control during this
transition. There were no other changes which were identified in
connection with our management’s evaluation required by
paragraph (d) of rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act,
that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to have a
materially affect, on our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
There were no disclosures of any information required to be filed
on Form 8-K during the year ended December 31, 2020 that were not
filed.
30
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors and Executive Officers
The
following table sets forth certain information about our current
directors and executive officers as of March 31, 2021:
Name
|
Age
|
Positions and Offices Held
|
Since
|
Management
Directors
|
|
|
|
Marco
Hegyi
|
63
|
Director
|
December
9, 2013
|
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
April
1, 2016- October 23, 2017 and December 6, 2018
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
April
1, 2016
|
|
|
President
|
December
4, 2013
|
|
|
Nominations
and Governance Committee Chairman
|
June 3,
2014- October 23, 2017
|
|
|
Interim
Audit Committee Chairman
|
December
6, 2018
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
62
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
January
1, 2021
|
|
|
Secretary
|
January
12, 2021
|
|
|
Director
|
January
5, 2021
|
Independent
Directors
|
|
|
|
Thom
Kozik
|
60
|
Director
|
October
5, 2017
|
Other
Named Executives
|
|
|
|
Joseph
Barnes
|
48
|
Executive
Vice President of GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc.
|
August
16, 2017
|
|
|
Senior
Vice President of Business Development
|
October
10, 2014
|
All
directors hold office until their successors are duly appointed or
until their earlier resignation or removal.
Business Experience Descriptions
Set forth below is certain biographical information regarding each
of our executive officers and directors.
Marco Hegyi – Mr. Hegyi joined GrowLife as its President and a
Member of its Board of Directors on December 9, 2013 and was
appointed as Chairman of the Nominations and Governance Committee
and a member of the Compensation Committee on June 3, 2014.
Mr. Hegyi was appointed as CEO and Chairman of GrowLife
effective on April 1, 2016. On October 23, 2017, Mr. Hegyi was
appointed as Chairman of GrowLife, Chairman of the Nominations and
Governance Committee or a member of the Compensation Committee.
Effective December 6, 2018, Mr. Hegyi serves as Chairman of the
Board, a Member of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer,
President, Interim Audit Committee Chairman and as a Member of the
Compensation and Nominations and Governance
Committees.
Mr. Hegyi served as an independent director of Know Labs, Inc., fka
Visualant, Inc. from February 14, 2008 and as Chairman of the Board
from May 2011 and served at the Chairman of the Audit and
Compensation committees until his departure on February 2015. Mr.
Hegyi was a principal with the Chasm Group from 2006 to January
2014, where he provided business consulting services. As a
management consultant, Mr. Hegyi applied his extensive technology
industry experience to help early-stage companies and has been
issued 10 US patents.
31
Prior to working as a consultant in 2006, Mr. Hegyi served as
Senior Director of Global Product Management at Yahoo! Prior to
Yahoo!, Mr. Hegyi was at Microsoft from 2001 to 2006 leading
program management for Microsoft Windows and Office beta releases
aimed at software developers. While at Microsoft, he formed
new software-as-a-service concepts and created operating programs
to extend the depth and breadth of the company’s unparalleled
developer eco-system, including managing offshore, outsource teams
in China and India, and being the named inventor of a filed
Microsoft patent for a business process in service
delivery.
During Mr. Hegyi’s career, he has served as President and CEO
of private and public companies, Chairman and director of boards,
finance, compensation and audit committee chair, chief operating
officer, vice-president of sales and marketing, senior director of
product management, and he began his career as a systems software
engineer.
Mr. Hegyi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information and
Computer Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and
has completed advanced studies in innovation marketing, advanced
management, and strategy at Harvard Business School, Stanford
University, UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management, and MIT
Sloan School of Management.
Mr. Hegyi’s prior experience as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of public companies, combined with his advanced studies in
business management and strategy, were the primary factors in the
decision to add Mr. Hegyi to the Company’s Board of
Directors.
Michael E. Fasci – Mr. Fasci joined GrowLife as a
Member of its Board of Directors on October 27, 2015 and was
appointed Audit Committee Chairman on November 11, 2015. On April
1, 2016, Mr. Fasci was appointed as the Secretary of the Company,
but resigned on February 14, 2017. On October 23, 2017, Mr. Fasci
was appointed Chairman of the Board. In December 2018, Mr. Fasci
resigned from the Board of Directors. Mr. Fasci was appointed Chief
Financial Officer on January 1, 2021. On January 5, 2021 Mr. Fasci
was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors as well as
to the Company’s Compensation Committee. On January 12, 2021
Mr. Fasci was appointed Secretary of the Company.
Mr.
Fasci is a 30-year veteran in the finance sector having served as
an officer and director of many public and private companies.
From 2013 to 2017, Mr. Fasci owns and
operated Process Engineering Services, Inc., an engineering
consulting company as well as worked as a financial consultant for
TCA Global Fund, a Mutual Fund located in Aventura, Florida.
Mr. Fasci is a seasoned operator across various industries and has
served in both CEO and CFO capacities for both growth and
turnaround situations. Mr. Fasci began his career as a field
engineer and then manager of various remediation filtration and
environmental monitoring projects globally before focusing his
efforts on the daily operations, accounting and financial reporting
and SEC compliance of the numerous companies he has served.
Mr. Fasci resides in East Taunton, Massachusetts and studied
Electrical Engineering at Northeastern
University.
Mr.
Fasci was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
financial, SEC and governance skills.
Thom Kozik- Thom
Kozik joined GrowLife as a Member of its Board of Directors on
October 5, 2017 and was appointed a member of the Audit Committee
on October 23, 2017. Mr. Kozik was appointed to the Nominations
& Governance and Compensation Committees and serves on the
Audit Committee as of December 6, 2018. From 2013 through 2014, Mr.
Kozik served as Chief Operating Office of Omnia Media in Los
Angeles, a leading YouTube Multichannel Network delivering over 1
billion monthly video views, and almost 70 million global
Millennial subscribers. Thom assisted the company’s
CEO/founder in building the team, refining product strategy, and
securing additional funding. In December 2014, Mr. Kozik took on
the role of VP, Global Marketing/Loyalty for Marriott
International, having been recruited to fundamentally transform the
hospitality industry’s longest-running loyalty program. Thom
also led the merging of two of the industry’s most powerful
programs with Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood Hotels &
Resorts in 2016. From March 1, 2018 to January 2020, Mr. Kozik
served as Chief Commercial Officer of Loyyal Corporation, a
technology firm providing services to enterprise clients in the
Travel & Hospitality sector. In his decades of experience with
corporations such as Marriott International, Microsoft, Yahoo, and
Atari, along with several startups, he has held executive roles in
marketing, business development, and product development. Over the
past decade Kozik’s core focus has been the behavioral
economics of online consumers and communities, and methods to
maximize their lifetime value, and leveraging technology to reduce
acquisition costs while increasing retention.
Mr. Kozik was appointed to the Board of Directors based on his
marketing and product brand skills.
Joseph Barnes- Mr. Barnes was appointed President of
GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. on August 16, 2017 and was appointed
Senior Vice President of Business Development for GrowLife, Inc. on
October 10, 2014. Mr. Barnes joined GrowLife in 2010 and is
responsible for all GrowLife Hydroponics operations.
Mr.
Barnes made the progressive and entrepreneurial decision to work
with GrowLife after seeing the agricultural benefits of indoor
growing. He is deeply passionate about clean and sustainable grows
and has deep relationships with many trusted cultivators. He holds
extensive knowledge of indoor growing methods with
concentrating on maximizing the yields for clean and
healthy crops.
32
Certain Significant Employees
There are no significant employees required to be disclosed under
Item 401(c) of Regulation S-K.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive
officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of
our current directors or executive officers has, to the best of our
knowledge, during the past ten years:
●
Had any
petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency
law filed by or against, or had a receiver, fiscal agent, or
similar officer appointed by a court for the business or property
of such person, or any partnership in which he was a general
partner at or within two years before the time hereof, or any
corporation or business association of which he was an executive
officer at or within two years before the time hereof;
●
Been convicted in a
criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses);
●
Been the subject of
any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended, or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction,
permanently or temporarily enjoining him from, or otherwise
limiting, the following activities:
●
Acting as a futures
commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor,
commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction
merchant, any other person regulated by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission, or an associated person of any of the
foregoing, or as an investment adviser, underwriter, broker or
dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person, director or
employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan
association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any
conduct or practice in connection with such activity;
●
Engaging in any
type of business practice; or
●
Engaging in any
activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or
commodity or in connection with any violation of federal or state
securities laws or federal commodities laws;
●
Been the subject of
any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended, or vacated, of any federal or state authority barring,
suspending, or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the
right of such person to engage in any activity described in
(i) above, or to be associated with persons engaged in any
such activity;
●
Been found by a
court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC to
have violated any federal or state securities law, where the
judgment in such civil action or finding by the SEC has not been
subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated; or
●
Been found by a
court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal
commodities law, where the judgment in such civil action or finding
by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has not been
subsequently reversed, suspended, or vacated.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board has three standing committees to facilitate and assist
the Board in the execution of its responsibilities. The committees
are currently the Audit Committee, the Nominations and Governance
Committee, and the Compensation Committee. The Committees were
formed on June 3, 2014 by the current board of directors. The Audit
Committee, Compensation and Nominations and Governance Committees
each have one management directors and two independent directors.
The table below shows current membership for each of the
standing Board committees.
Audit
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Nominations and Governance
|
Marco
Hegyi (Interim Chairman)
|
|
Thom
Kozik (Chairman)
|
|
Marco
Hegyi (Chairman)
|
Thom
Kozik
|
|
Marco
Hegyi
|
|
Thom
Kozik
|
|
|
Michael
E. Fasci
|
|
|
33
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
None of
our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors
or compensation committee, or other committee serving an equivalent
function, of any other entity that has one or more of its executive
officers serving as a member of our board of directors or our
compensation committee.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
We have
adopted conduct and ethics standards titled the code of ethics,
which is available at www.growlifeinc.com. These standards were
adopted by our board of directors to promote transparency and
integrity. The standards apply to our board of directors,
executives and employees. Waivers of the requirements of our code
of ethics or associated polices with respect to members of our
board of directors or executive officers are subject to approval of
the full board.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Our executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders are required
under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Copies of these
reports must also be furnished to us.
Based solely on a review of copies of reports furnished to us, as
of December 31, 2020 our executive officers, directors and 10%
holders complied with all filing requirements except for the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Required
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
|
|
Transaction
|
|
File
|
|
File
|
Person
|
|
Filing Type
|
|
Date
|
|
Date
|
|
Date
|
Thom Kozik
|
|
Form 4
|
|
8/26/2020
|
|
8/28/2020
|
|
3/24/2021
|
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Program
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material
elements of compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of
our executive officers named in the Compensation Table on
page __ under
“Remuneration of Executive Officers” (the “Named
Executive Officers”) who served during the year ended
December 31, 2020. This compensation discussion primarily focuses
on the information contained in the following tables and related
footnotes and narrative for the last completed fiscal year. We also
describe compensation actions taken after the last completed fiscal
year to the extent that it enhances the understanding of our
executive compensation disclosure. The principles and guidelines
discussed herein would also apply to any additional executive
officers that the Company may hire in the
future.
The Compensation Committee of the Board has responsibility for
overseeing, reviewing and approving executive compensation and
benefit programs in accordance with the Compensation
Committee’s charter. The members of the Compensation
Committee are Marco Hegyi and Thom Kozik.. We expect to appoint one
independent Directors to serve on the Compensation
Committee during 2021.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The major compensation objectives for the Company’s executive
officers are as follows:
●
to
attract and retain highly qualified individuals capable of making
significant contributions to our long-term success;
●
to
motivate and reward named executive officers whose knowledge,
skills, and performance are critical to our success;
●
to
closely align the interests of our named executive officers and
other key employees with those of its shareholders;
and
●
to
utilize incentive-based compensation to reinforce performance
objectives and reward superior performance.
34
Role of Chief Executive Officer in Compensation
Decisions
The Board approves all compensation for the chief executive
officer. The Compensation Committee makes recommendations on the
compensation for the chief executive officer and approves all
compensation decisions, including equity awards, for our executive
officers. Our chief executive officer makes recommendations
regarding the base salary and non-equity compensation of other
executive officers that are approved by the Compensation Committee
in its discretion.
Setting Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes that compensation for the
Company’s executive officers must be managed to what we can
afford and in a way that allows for us to meet our goals for
overall performance. During 2020 and 2019, the Compensation
Committee and the Board compensated its Chief Executive Officers,
President and Chief Financial Officer at the salaries indicated in
the compensation table. This compensation reflected our financial
condition. The Compensation Committee does not use a peer group of
publicly traded and privately held companies in structuring the
compensation packages.
Executive Compensation Components for the Year Ended December 31,
2020
The Compensation Committee did not use a formula for allocating
compensation among the elements of total compensation during the
year that ended December 31, 2020. The Compensation Committee
believes that in order to attract and retain highly effective
people it must maintain a flexible compensation structure. For the
year that ended December 31, 2020, the principal components of
compensation for named executive officers were base
salary.
Base Salary
Base salary is intended to ensure that our employees are fairly and
equitably compensated. Generally, base salary is used to
appropriately recognize and reward the experience and skills that
employees bring to the Company and provides motivation for career
development and enhancement. Base salary ensures that all employees
continue to receive a basic level of compensation that reflects any
acquired skills which are competently demonstrated and are
consistently used at work.
Base salaries for the Company’s named executive officers are
initially established based on their prior experience, the scope of
their responsibilities and the applicable competitive market
compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. Our
officers were compensated as described above based on the financial
condition of the Company.
Performance-Based Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes incentive compensation
reinforces performance objectives, rewards superior performance and
is consistent with the enhancement of stockholder value. All of the
Company’s Named Executive Officers are eligible to receive
performance-based incentive compensation. The Compensation
Committee did not recommend or approve payment of any
performance-based incentive compensation to the Named Executive
Officers during the year ended December 31, 2020 based on our
financial condition.
Ownership Guidelines
The Compensation Committee does not require our executive officers
to hold a minimum number of our shares. However, to directly align
the interests of executive officers with the interests of the
stockholders, the Compensation Committee encourages each executive
officer to maintain an ownership interest in the
Company.
Stock Option Program
Stock options are an integral part of our executive compensation
program. They are intended to encourage ownership and retention of
the Company’s common stock by named executive officers and
employees, as well as non-employee members of the Board. Through
stock options, the objective of aligning employees’ long-term
interest with those of stockholders may be met by providing
employees with the opportunity to build a meaningful stake in the
Company.
35
The Stock Option Program assists us by:
-
enhancing
the link between the creation of stockholder value and long-term
executive incentive compensation;
-
providing
an opportunity for increased equity ownership by executive
officers; and
-
maintaining
competitive levels of total compensation.
Stock option award levels are determined by the Compensation
Committee and vary among participants’ positions within the
Company. Newly hired executive officers or promoted executive
officers are generally awarded stock options, at the discretion of
the Compensation Committee, at the next regularly scheduled
Compensation Committee meeting on or following their hire or
promotion date. In addition, such executives are eligible to
receive additional stock options on a discretionary basis after
performance criteria are achieved.
Options are awarded at the closing price of our common stock on the
date of the grant or last trading day prior to the date of the
grant. The Compensation Committee’s policy is not to grant
options with an exercise price that is less than the closing price
of our common stock on the grant date.
Generally, the majority of the options granted by the Compensation
Committee vest quarterly over two to three years of the 5-10-year
option term. Vesting and exercise rights cease upon termination of
employment and/or service, except in the case of death (subject to
a one-year limitation), disability or retirement. Stock options
vest immediately upon termination of employment without cause or an
involuntary termination following a change of control. Prior to the
exercise of an option, the holder has no rights as a stockholder
with respect to the shares subject to such option, including voting
rights and the right to receive dividends or dividend
equivalents.
The Named Executive Officers received stock option grants and
warrants during the year ended December 31, 2020 as outlined
below.
Retirement and Other Benefits
We have no other retirement, savings, long-term stock award or
other type of plans for the Named Executive Officers.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we provided the Named
Executive Officers with medical insurance and nominal health club
benefits. The Company paid $10,273 in life insurance for Mr. Hegyi
and $27,688 in insurance for Mr. Scott. No other perquisites or
other personal benefits were provided to Named Executive Officers.
The committee expects to review the levels of perquisites and other
personal benefits provided to Named Executive Officers
annually.
Employment and consulting agreements are discussed
below.
Tax and Accounting Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") generally denies a
deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to
its chief executive officer and its three other highest paid
executive officers (other than the principal financial officer) to
the extent that any such individual's compensation exceeds $1
million. “Performance-based compensation” (as defined
for purposes of Section 162(m)) is not taken into account for
purposes of calculating the $1 million compensation limit, provided
certain disclosure, shareholder approval and other requirements are
met. We periodically review the potential consequences of Section
162(m) and may structure the performance-based portion of our
executive compensation to comply with certain exceptions to Section
162(m). However, we may authorize compensation payments that do not
comply with the exceptions to Section 162(m) when we believe that
such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of the
stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business
conditions or the officer's performance.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based payments including its Stock Option
Program in accordance with the requirements of ASC 718,
“Compensation-Stock Compensation.”
36
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee, sets and administers policies that
govern the Company's executive compensation programs, and incentive
and stock programs. The Compensation Committee of the Company has
reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and based
on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee
recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for year
ended December 31, 2020.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Thom Kozik (Chairman)
Marco Hegyi
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table provides information concerning remuneration of
the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and
another named executive officer for the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019:
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
Plan
|
Option
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
Bonus
|
Awards
|
Compensation
|
Awards
|
Compensation
|
Total
|
Principal
Position
|
|
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
(1)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
Marco Hegyi, Chief Excutive
Officer,
|
|
12/31/2020
|
$275,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$88,273
|
$363,273
|
Chairman of the Board and Director
(2)
|
|
12/31/2019
|
$275,000
|
$20,227
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$106,273
|
$401,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Scott, Chief Financial
Officer
|
|
12/31/2020
|
$165,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$27,668
|
$192,668
|
and
Director (3)
|
|
12/31/2019
|
$165,000
|
$20,227
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$27,357
|
$212,584
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph Barnes,
|
|
12/31/2020
|
$165,000
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$165,000
|
President of GrowLife Hydroponics,
Inc. (4)
|
|
12/31/2019
|
$165,000
|
$20,227
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$185,227
|
(1)
These amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by
Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC
Topic 718.
(2) Mr.
Hegyi was paid a salary of $275,000 during the years ended December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Mr. Hegyi received a discretionary
bonus of $20,227 during the year ended December 31, 2019. We paid
life insurance of $10,273 for Mr. Hegyi during the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. On October 15, 2018, Mr.
Hegyi received Warrants to purchase up to 320,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $1.80 per share and which vest
on October 15, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Warrants are exercisable
for 5 years. The warrants were valued at $192,000. The Company
recorded compensation expense of $78,000 and $96,000 for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(3) Mr.
Scott resigned from the Board of Directors effective December 15,
2020 and as Chief Financial Officer as of December 31, 2020. Mr.
Scott was paid a salary of $165,000 during the years ended December
31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Mr. Scott received a discretionary
bonus of $20,227 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Mr. Scott
was reimbursed $27,668 and $27,357 for insurance expenses during
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively.
(4) Mr.
Barnes was paid a salary of $165,000 during the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Mr. Barnes received a
discretionary bonus of $20,227 during the year ended December 31,
2019.
37
Grants of Stock Based Awards during the year ended December 31,
2020
The Compensation Committee did not grant any stock-based awards or
performance-based incentive compensation to the Named Executive
Officers for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Outstanding Equity Awards as of December 31, 2020
The Named Executive Officers had the following outstanding equity
awards as of December 31, 2020 :
|
Option
Awards
|
Stock
Awards
|
|||||||
Name
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexerciseable
(#)
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
(1)
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
Number
of
Shares or
Units
of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)
|
Market
Value
of Shares
or
Units
of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
($)
|
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
|
Market
or
Payout Value
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units, or
Other
Rights That
Have
Not
Vested
($)
|
Marco Hegyi
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark E. Scott
(2)
|
26,667
|
-
|
-
|
$1.500
|
7/1/2022
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
80,000
|
-
|
-
|
$0.900
|
10/15/2022
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
88,889
|
44,444
|
-
|
$1.800
|
10/23/2023
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph Barnes
(3)
|
53,333
|
-
|
-
|
$1.500
|
10/10/2022
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
66,667
|
-
|
-
|
$1.050
|
10/25/2022
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
|
80,000
|
40,000
|
-
|
$1.800
|
10/23/2023
|
-
|
$-
|
-
|
$-
|
(1) These amounts
reflect the grant date market value as required by Regulation S-K
Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic
718.
(2) On
October 15, 2018, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an
option to purchase 133,333 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $1.80 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly
over three years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option
grants were valued at $40,000.
|
|
|
|
(3) On
October 15, 2018, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
120,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.80 per
share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three years and
is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option grant was valued at
$36,000.
Option Exercises for the year ended December 31, 2020
Mr.
Hegyi, Scott and Barnes did not have any option exercised during
the year ended December 31, 2020.
Pension Benefits
We do not provide any pension benefits.
38
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We do not have a nonqualified deferral program.
Employment Agreements
Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi
On
October 15, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an Employment
Agreement with Marco Hegyi pursuant to which we engaged Mr. Hegyi
as its Chief Executive Officer through October 15,
2021.
Mr.
Hegyi’s annual compensation is $275,000. Mr. Hegyi is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to four percent (4%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
Mr.
Hegyi received 320,000 warrants in October 2018 as follows: (i)
Warrant to purchase up to 106,667 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $1.80 per share which vested immediately: and
(ii) two Warrants to purchase up to 106,667 shares of our common
stock at an exercise price of $1.80 per share. One warrant for
106,667 shares of our common stock vested on October 15, 2019.
Additional warrants for 106,667 shares of our common stock vest on
October 15, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The Warrants are
exercisable for 5 years.
Mr.
Hegyi is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to its senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, we will purchase and maintain during the Term an
insurance policy on Mr. Hegyi’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Hegyi’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary.
If we terminate Mr. Hegyi’s employment at any time prior to
the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in the
Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment at
any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount through the end of the Term; and (ii) his
Annual Bonus amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
Employment Agreement with Mark E. Scott
On
October 15, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved an Employment
Agreement with Mark E. Scott pursuant to which we engaged Mr. Scott
as its Chief Financial Officer through October 15, 2021. Mr.
Scott’s previous Agreement was cancelled.
Mr.
Scott’s annual compensation is $165,000. Mr. Scott is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to two percent (2%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
On
October 15, 2018, our Board of Directors granted Mr. Scott an
option to purchase 133,333 shares of our Common Stock under our
2017 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price
of $1.80 per share. The Shares vest quarterly over three years. All
options will have a five-year life and allow for a cashless
exercise. The stock option grant is subject to the terms and
conditions of our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan,
including vesting requirements. In the event that Mr. Scott’s
continuous status as employee to us is terminated by us without
Cause or Mr. Scott terminates his employment with us for Good
Reason as defined in the Scott Agreement, in either case upon or
within twelve months after a Change in Control as defined in our
amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, then 100% of the total
number of Shares shall immediately become vested.
Mr.
Scott is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, the Company is required purchase and maintain an
insurance policy on Mr. Scott’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Scott’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary. Finally, Mr. Scott is entitled to twenty days of
vacation annually and also has certain insurance and travel
employment benefits.
If we terminate Mr. Scott’s employment at any time prior to
the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in the
Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Scott terminates his employment at
any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Scott will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount for ninety days; and (ii) his Annual Bonus
amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
Mr.
Scott resigned from the Board of Directors effective December 15,
2020 and as Chief Financial Officer as of December 31,
2020.
39
Employment Agreement with Joseph Barnes
On
October 15, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved an Employment
Agreement with Joseph Barnes pursuant to which we engaged Mr.
Barnes as President of the GrowLife Hydroponics Company through
October 15, 2021. Mr. Barnes’s previous Agreement was
cancelled.
Mr.
Barnes’s annual compensation is $165,000. Mr. Barnes is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to two percent (2%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
The
Board of Directors granted Mr. Barnes an option to purchase 120,000
shares of our Common Stock under the Company’s 2017 Amended
and Restated Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $1.80 per
share. The Shares vest quarterly over three years. All options will
have a five-year life and allow for a cashless exercise. The stock
option grant is subject to the terms and conditions of our Amended
and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting requirements.
In the event that Mr. Barnes’s continuous status as
employee to us is terminated by us without Cause or Mr. Barnes
terminates his employment with us for Good Reason as defined in the
Barnes Agreement, in either case upon or within twelve months after
a Change in Control as defined in our Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive, then 100% of the total number of Shares shall
immediately become vested.
Mr.
Barnes is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, the Company is required purchase and maintain an
insurance policy on Mr. Barnes’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Barnes’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary. Finally, Mr. Barnes is entitled to twenty days of
vacation annually and also has certain insurance and travel
employment benefits.
If we terminate Mr. Barnes’s employment at any time prior to
the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in the
Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Barnes terminates his employment at
any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Barnes will be entitled to receive
(i) his Base Salary amount for ninety days; and (ii) his Annual
Bonus amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in
Control
The Company’s Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi has
provisions providing for severance payments as detailed
below.
|
|
Early
|
Not For
Good
|
Change
in
|
|
Executive
|
For
Cause
|
or
Normal
|
Cause
|
Control
|
Disability
|
Payments
Upon
|
Termination
|
Retirement
|
Termination
|
Termination
|
or
Death
|
Separation
|
12/31/2020
|
||||
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base salary
(1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$455,208
|
$455,208
|
$-
|
Performance-based
incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Stock
options
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits and
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and welfare
benefits
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Accrued vacation
pay
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$-
|
$455,208
|
$455,208
|
$-
|
(1)
Reflects
amounts to be paid upon termination without cause and upon
termination in a change of control, less any months worked. All
outstanding warrants fully vest under certain
conditions.
40
The Company’s Employment Agreement with Mark E. Scott has
provisions providing for severance payments as detailed
below.
|
|
Early
|
Not For
Good
|
Change
in
|
|
Executive
|
For
Cause
|
or
Normal
|
Cause
|
Control
|
Disability
|
Payments
Upon
|
Termination
|
Retirement
|
Termination
|
Termination
|
or
Death
|
Separation
|
12/31/2020
|
||||
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base salary
(1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$41,250
|
$41,250
|
$-
|
Performance-based
incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Stock
options
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits and
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and welfare
benefits
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Accrued vacation
pay
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$-
|
$41,250
|
$41,250
|
$-
|
(1)
Reflects amounts to be paid upon termination
without cause and upon termination in a change of control. All
outstanding stock options vests fully vest under certain
conditions. Mr. Scott resigned from the Board of Directors
effective December 15, 2020 and as Chief Financial Officer as of
December 31, 2020.
The Company’s Employment Agreement with Joe Barnes has
provisions providing for severance payments as detailed
below.
|
|
Early
|
Not For
Good
|
Change
in
|
|
Executive
|
For
Cause
|
or
Normal
|
Cause
|
Control
|
Disability
|
Payments
Upon
|
Termination
|
Retirement
|
Termination
|
Termination
|
or
Death
|
Separation
|
12/31/2020
|
||||
Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base salary
(1)
|
$-
|
$-
|
$41,250
|
$41,250
|
$-
|
Performance-based
incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Stock
options
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits and
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health and welfare
benefits
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
Accrued vacation
pay
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$-
|
$41,250
|
$41,250
|
$-
|
(1)
Reflects
amounts to be paid upon termination without cause and upon
termination in a change of control. There outstanding stock options
vests fully vest under certain conditions.
41
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We primarily use stock grants to incentive compensation to attract
and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. This
compensation reflected the financial condition of the Company. In
setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount
of time that Directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the
Company as well as the skill-level required by our members of the
Board. On February 1, 2018, a director compensation program was
implemented. The directors are compensated at up to $60,000
annually and the annual share award is based on the close price on
January 31 of that year.
During year ended December 31, 2020, Marco Hegyi and Mr. Scott did
not receive any compensation for their service as directors. The
compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 37
represents the total compensation.
Director Summary Compensation
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
Non-Qualified
|
|
|
|
Fees
Earned
|
|
|
Incentive
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
or Paid
in
|
|
|
Plan
|
Compensation
|
Other
|
|
|
Cash
|
Stock
|
Option
|
Compensation
|
Earnings
|
Compensation
|
|
Name
|
$
|
Awards
(1)
|
Awards
|
($)
|
$
|
($)
|
Total
|
Katherine McLean
(2)
|
-
|
$5,900
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
$5,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thom Kozik
(3)
|
-
|
5,900
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$-
|
$11,800
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$-
|
$11,800
|
(1)
These amounts reflect the grant date market value as
required by Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2)
Ms.
McLain resigned from the Board of Directors on January 5, 2021. On
April 16, 2020, we issued 20,000 shares of our common stock to
Katherine McLain that was valued at $0.295 per share or
$5,900.
(3)
On
April 16, 2020, we issued 20,000 shares of our common stock to Thom
Kozik that was valued at $0.295 per share or $5,900.
Compensation Paid to Board Members
Our independent non-employee directors are not compensated in
cash. The only compensation has been in the form of
stock awards. There is a stock compensation plan for independent
non-employee directors.
42
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2021 by:
●
each
director and nominee for director;
●
each
person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our common
stock;
●
each
officer named in the summary compensation table elsewhere in this
report; and
●
all
directors and executive officers as a group.
The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are
reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the
determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the
rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial
owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting
power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the
voting of such security, or “investment power,” which
includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of
such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of
any securities of which that person has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules more than
one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities
and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities
as to which such person has no economic interest.
Unless otherwise indicated below, each beneficial owner named in
the table has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to
all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws
where applicable. The address of each beneficial owner is 5400
Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033 and the address of more than 5%
of common stock is detailed below.
|
Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
|
Name of
Beneficial Owner
|
Number
|
Percentage
(1)
|
Directors and Named
Executive Officers-
|
|
|
Marco Hegyi
(2)
|
520,000
|
0.8%
|
Michael E. Fasci
(3)
|
365,260
|
*
|
Thom Kozik
(4)
|
20,000
|
*
|
Joseph Barnes
(5)
|
212,000
|
*
|
Total Directors and
Officers (4 in total)
|
1,117,260
|
1.7%
|
* Less than 1%.
(1)
Based on 67,182,327
shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31,
2021.
(2)
Reflects the
shares beneficially owned by Marco Hegyi, including warrants
to purchase 503,333 shares of our common stock.
(3)
Reflects
the shares beneficially owned by Michael E. Fasci.
(4)
Reflects the
shares beneficially owned by Thom Kozik.
(5)
Reflects the
shares beneficially owned by Joseph Barnes, including stock option
grants totaling 210,000 shares that Mr. Barnes has the right to
acquire.
There were no persons known by us who owns beneficially 5% or more
of our common stock as of March 31, 2021.
43
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
We have
operated under a Code of Conduct for many years. Our Code of
Conduct requires all employees, officers and directors, without
exception, to avoid the engagement in activities or relationships
that conflict, or would be perceived to conflict, with the
Company’s interests or adversely affect its reputation. It is
understood, however, that certain relationships or transactions may
arise that would be deemed acceptable and appropriate upon full
disclosure of the transaction, following review and approval to
ensure there is a legitimate business reason for the transaction
and that the terms of the transaction are no less favorable to the
Company than could be obtained from an unrelated
person.
The
Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all
transactions with related persons. The Company reviews all
relationships and transactions in which the Company and our
directors and executive officers or their immediate family members
are participants to determine whether such persons have a direct or
indirect material interest. As required under SEC rules,
transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly
material to the Company or a related person are
disclosed.
Since
January 1, 2019, the Company engaged in the following reportable
transactions with our directors, executive officers, holders of
more than 5% of our voting securities, and affiliates or
immediately family members of our directors, executive officers and
holders of more than 5% of our voting securities.
Certain Relationships
Please
see the transactions with Chicago Venture Partner, Iliad, Odyssey,
St. George, and Bucktown discussed in Notes 11, 13 and
14.
Related Party Transactions
Transactions with Marco Hegyi
On
October 21, 2018, a 5-year Warrant for Mr. Hegyi to purchase up to
66,666 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per
share vested. The warrant was valued at $390,000 and we recorded
$178,750 as compensation expense for the year ended December 31,
2018. On October 15, 2018, Mr. Hegyi received Warrants to purchase
up to 320,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of
$1.80 per share and which vest on October 15, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years. The warrants that vested
on October 15, 2019 and 2018 were valued at $192,000 and we
recorded compensation expense of $78,000 and $96,000 for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
On
October 15, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an Employment
Agreement with Marco Hegyi pursuant to which we engaged Mr. Hegyi
as its Chief Executive Officer through October 15, 2021. See Note
16 for additional details.
Transactions with an Entity Controlled by Mark E.
Scott
On
October 15, 2018, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an
option to purchase 133,333 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $1.80 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly
over three years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option
grant was valued at $40,000. We recorded $13,333 as a compensation
expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
Transaction with Joseph Barnes
On
October 15, 2018, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
120,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.80 per
share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three years and
is exercisable for 5 years. We recorded $12,000 as a compensation
expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
Transactions with Katherine McLain
Ms.
Katherine McLain was appointed as a director on February 14, 2017.
Ms. McLain resigned from the Board of Directors on January 5, 2021.
On February 22, 2019, we issued 54,054 shares of our common stock
to Katherine McLain valued at $1.11 per share or $60,000. On April
16, 2020, we issued 20,000 shares of our common stock to Katherine
McLain valued at $0.295 per share or $5,900. This issuance was an
award for independent director services.
44
Transaction with Thom Kozik
Mr.
Kozik was appointed as a director on October 5, 2017. On February
22, 2019, we issued 54,054 shares of our common stock to Mr. Kozik
valued at $1.11 per share or $60,000. On April 16, 2020, we issued
20,000 shares of our common stock to Mr. Kozik valued at $0.295 per
share or $5,900. This issuance was an award for independent
director services.
Notes Payable to Related Parties
EZ-CLONE
has $49,144 and $104,144 due to relatives of the EZ lone founders
and shareholders as of December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively.
Director Independence
The
Board has affirmatively determined that Katherine McLain, and Thom
Kozik are independent as of December 31, 2020. Ms. McLain resigned
from the Board of Directors on January 5, 2021. For purposes
of making that determination, the Board used NASDAQ’s Listing
Rules even though the Company is not currently listed on NASDAQ.
Katherine McLain resigned from the board on January 8,
2021.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND
SERVICES
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The
Audit Committee has established a pre-approval policy and
procedures for audit, audit-related and tax services that can be
performed by the independent auditors without specific
authorization from the Audit Committee subject to certain
restrictions. The policy sets out the specific services
pre-approved by the Audit Committee and the applicable limitations,
while ensuring the independence of the independent auditors to
audit the Company's financial statements is not impaired. The
pre-approval policy does not include a delegation to management of
the Audit Committee’s responsibilities under the Exchange
Act. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Audit Committee
pre-approved all audit and permissible non-audit services provided
by our independent auditors.
Service Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
The
Audit Committee engaged BPM LLP to perform an annual audit of the
Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. BPM also performed a
review of the Company’s financial statements for the three
months ended September 30, 2019. BPM did not perform any services
prior to September 30, 2019. Previously the Audit Committee engaged
SD Mayer and Associates, LLP to perform a review of the
Company’s financial statements for the three months ended
June 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019. The following is the breakdown of
aggregate fees billed for and during the last two fiscal years. The
following is the breakdown of aggregate fees paid for the last two
fiscal years:
|
Year
Ended
|
Year
Ended
|
|
December 31,
2020
|
December 31,
2019
|
Audit
fees
|
$87,626
|
$87,450
|
Audit related
fees
|
49,220
|
39,795
|
Tax
fees
|
18,890
|
13,150
|
All other
fees
|
-
|
35,971
|
|
$155,736
|
$176,366
|
-
“Audit
Fees” are fees paid for professional services for the audit
of our financial statements.
-
“Audit-Related
fees” are fees paid for professional services not included in
the first two categories, specifically, PCAOB interim reviews for
quarterly filings, and accounting consultations on matters
addressed during the audit.
-
“Tax
Fees” are fees primarily for tax compliance paid to S.D.
Mayer in connection with filing US income tax returns.
-
“All
other fees” related to the reviews of Registration Statements
on Form S-1.
45
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT
SCHEDULES
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
The Company’s financial statements, as indicated by the Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth below, begin on page
F-1 of this Form 10-K, and are hereby incorporated by reference.
Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are
not applicable or the required information is included in the
financial statements or notes thereto.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Title of Document
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Page
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
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F-1
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Consolidated Balance Sheets
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F-2
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As of December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
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Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
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F-3
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For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’
Deficit
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F-4
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For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
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F-5
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For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
|
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Notes to the Financial Statements
|
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F-6
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(b)
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Exhibits
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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101.INS*
|
|
XBRL
Instance Document
|
101.SCH*
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
|
101.CAL*
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
|
101.LAB*
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
|
101.PRE*
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
|
101.DEF*
|
|
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
|
*Filed Herewith. Pursuant to Regulation S-T, this interactive data
file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or
prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities
Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject
to liability under these sections.
48
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
GrowLife, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GrowLife,
Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and
2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the two
years in the period ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes
(collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our
opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31,
2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
Going Concern Uncertainty
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared
assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements,
the Company has sustained recurring losses from operations and has
an accumulated deficit since inception. These factors raise
substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as
a going concern. Management’s plans in this regard are
also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from
the outcome of this uncertainty.
Emphasis of a Matter-Uncertainty of Litigation
As
described in notes 1 and 17 to the consolidated financial
statements, the Company is in litigation with the Founders of its
EZ-CLONE Enterprises subsidiary for the Company’s failure to
pay the remaining 49% of the balance owed under the Purchase and
Sale agreement with EZ-CLONE Enterprises. The Founders are seeking
rescission of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, unspecified damages
in excess of ten thousand dollars, and other equitable relief. Our
audit opinion is not modified for this matter.
Basis for Opinion
These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our
audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are
required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated
financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due
to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we
engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial
reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of
material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements,
whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that
respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a
test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation
of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our
audits provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The
critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from
the current period audit of the financial statements that were
communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee
and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material
to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially
challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication
of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our
opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are
not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing
separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts
or disclosures to which they relate.
49
Warrant Settlement
As
described in Notes, 10, 14 and 19 to the consolidated financial
statements, on March 31, 2021, the Company entered into a joint
Warrant Settlement Agreement with St. George and Iliad to settle a
dispute regarding prior financings. The Company agreed to issue St.
George 11,750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to
cancel a warrant related to a February 9, 2018 subscription
agreement. The Company agreed to issue Iliad 2,500,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock to cancel a warrant related to an
October 15, 2018 securities Purchase agreement. The Company
recorded a loss on debt settlement of $2,423,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2020.
We
identified management conclusion that the Company’s warrant
settlement was an expense in 2020 as a critical audit matter
because of management judgment necessary to determine whether the
Warrant Settlement represents a charge to the statement of
operations including what is the proper period such settlement
expense should be recorded. Due to the complexity and nature of
financing transactions, auditing the Company’s conclusion
that warrant settlement was an expense in 2020 required a high
degree of auditor judgment.
The
primary audit procedures related to the determination of whether
the joint Warrant Settlement represented a charge to the statement
of operations and 2020 was the correct period of expense, included
among others:
●
We read and
analyzed the original warrant agreements and warrant settlement
agreement to evaluate the accounting treatment for the
settlement.
●
We discussed with
management and reviewed correspondence indicating there was a
dispute with certain elements of the 2018 financings and concluded
that the settlement entered into after December 31, 2020 provided
evidence of the liability that existed at December 31,
2020.
●
We performed
technical research and relied on authoritative accounting guidance
to evaluate the treatment for the warrant settlement and
management’s conclusion.
●
We recalculated the
settlement expense based upon the shares to be issued multiplied by
the fair value of the Company’s stock on March 31,
2021.
/s/ BPM
LLP
BPM
LLP
Walnut
Creek, California
April
15, 2021
We have
served as the Company’s auditor since October
2019
50
GROWLIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
December
31,
2020
|
December
31,
2019
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$383,144
|
$40,834
|
Accounts receivable
- trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,690 as of
12/31/2020 and 12/31/2019
|
960,522
|
101,806
|
Inventory,
net
|
570,524
|
600,674
|
Deposits
|
18,995
|
18,995
|
Total current
assets
|
1,933,185
|
762,309
|
|
|
|
PROPERTY AND
EQUIPMENT, NET
|
129,330
|
166,482
|
INTANGIBLE ASSETS,
NET
|
1,130,718
|
1,802,434
|
GOODWILL
|
781,749
|
781,749
|
OPERATING LEASE
RIGHT OF USE ASSET
|
380,247
|
537,522
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
$4,355,229
|
$4,050,496
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
Accounts payable -
trade
|
$1,146,195
|
$1,157,090
|
Accrued
expenses
|
2,592,251
|
259,093
|
Accrued expenses -
related parties
|
37,394
|
31,485
|
Notes payable-
PPP/EIDL loans, current
|
390,035
|
-
|
Derivative
liability
|
1,101,436
|
1,300,915
|
Convertible notes
payable
|
2,495,153
|
2,884,279
|
Notes payable-
related party
|
49,144
|
104,144
|
Acquisition
of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc. payable in cash
|
1,026,000
|
1,026,000
|
Acquisition
of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc. payable in common stock
|
1,105,000
|
-
|
Current portion of
operating lease right of use liability
|
140,772
|
140,772
|
Federal and state
income taxes payable
|
343,125
|
-
|
Total current
liabilities
|
10,426,505
|
6,903,778
|
|
|
|
LONG TERM
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
Deferred tax
liability
|
352,649
|
470,200
|
Notes payable-
PPP/EIDL, less current portion
|
485,679
|
-
|
Long
term acquisition of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc. payable in common
stock
|
-
|
900,000
|
Non-current portion
of operating lease right of use liability
|
264,868
|
410,734
|
Total long term
liabilities
|
1,103,196
|
1,780,934
|
|
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND
CONTINGENCIES (Note 15)
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS'
DEFICIT
|
|
|
Preferred stock -
$0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no
shares
|
|
|
issued and
outstanding at 12/31/2020 and 12/31/2019, respectively
|
-
|
-
|
Common stock -
$0.0001 par value, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 51,843,221 and
28,677,147
|
|
|
shares issued and
outstanding at 12/31/2020 and 12/31/2019, respectively
|
388,587
|
386,269
|
Additional paid in
capital
|
147,278,311
|
143,441,047
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
(154,841,370)
|
(148,461,532)
|
Total stockholders'
deficit
|
(7,174,472)
|
(4,634,216)
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
|
$4,355,229
|
$4,050,496
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
51
GROWLIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
Years
Ended,
|
|
|
December 31,
2020
|
December 31,
2019
|
|
|
|
NET
REVENUE
|
$7,000,812
|
$8,217,562
|
COST OF GOODS
SOLD
|
4,020,570
|
5,668,435
|
GROSS
PROFIT
|
2,980,242
|
2,549,127
|
GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
|
4,870,204
|
7,010,059
|
RESTRUCTURING
EXPENSE- FLOORING DIVISION
|
-
|
305,895
|
RESTRUCTURING
EXPENSE- RETAIL STORES AND ONLINE SALES
|
-
|
250,000
|
OPERATING
LOSS
|
(1,889,962)
|
(5,016,827)
|
|
|
|
OTHER INCOME
(EXPENSE):
|
|
|
Change in fair
value of derivative
|
199,479
|
496,338
|
Interest expense,
net
|
(1,089,734)
|
(1,204,119)
|
Loss on debt
conversions
|
(945,169)
|
(1,767,325)
|
Loss on debt
settlement
|
(2,422,500)
|
-
|
Total other expense,
net
|
(4,257,924)
|
(2,475,106)
|
|
|
|
LOSS BEFORE INCOME
TAXES
|
(6,147,886)
|
(7,491,933)
|
|
|
|
Income taxes -
current (expense) benefit
|
(231,952)
|
117,550
|
|
|
|
NET
LOSS
|
(6,379,838)
|
(7,374,383)
|
|
|
|
Net loss
attrituable to noncontrolling interest in EZ-CLONE Enterprises,
Inc.
|
-
|
88,938
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO GROWLIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
$(6,379,838)
|
$(7,285,445)
|
COMMON
SHAREHOLDERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
loss per share
|
$(0.18)
|
$(0.29)
|
|
|
|
Weighted average
shares of common stock outstanding- basic and diluted
|
35,286,804
|
25,145,036
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
52
GROWLIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS'
DEFICIT
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Common Stock
|
Additional Paid
|
Accumulated
|
Stockholders'
|
|
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
in
Capital
|
Deficit
|
(Deficit)
|
Balance as of December 31,
2018
|
22,917,327
|
343,749
|
139,331,067
|
(141,176,087)
|
(1,501,271)
|
Stock based compensation for stock
options
|
-
|
$-
|
$62,042
|
$-
|
62,042
|
Stock based compensation for
warrants
|
-
|
-
|
96,000
|
-
|
96,000
|
Shares issued for services
rendered
|
147,890
|
2,219
|
172,216
|
-
|
174,435
|
Shares issued for convertible note
and interest conversion
|
4,495,806
|
26,721
|
2,655,302
|
-
|
2,682,023
|
Shares issued for settlement of
warrant
|
833,333
|
12,500
|
987,500
|
-
|
1,000,000
|
Shares issued for convertible note
commitment fee
|
33,333
|
500
|
24,500
|
-
|
25,000
|
Warrant
exercise-cashless
|
26,111
|
392
|
(392)
|
-
|
-
|
Share issuance for correction
related to funding services
|
188,335
|
188
|
112,812
|
-
|
113,000
|
Fractional shares issued related to
reverse stock split
|
35,011
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Net Loss attributable to
noncontrolling interest in EZ-Clone
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
88,938
|
88,938
|
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 2019
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(7,374,383)
|
(7,374,383)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31,
2019
|
28,677,147
|
386,269
|
143,441,047
|
(148,461,532)
|
(4,634,216)
|
Stock based compensation for stock
options
|
-
|
-
|
47,169
|
-
|
47,169
|
Stock based compensation for
warrants
|
-
|
-
|
78,000
|
-
|
78,000
|
Shares issued for services
rendered
|
40,000
|
4
|
11,796
|
-
|
11,800
|
Shares issued for convertible note
and interest conversion
|
19,573,920
|
1,959
|
3,113,249
|
-
|
3,115,208
|
Shares issued for convertible note
commitment fee
|
3,552,000
|
355
|
586,565
|
-
|
586,920
|
Warrant
exercise
|
154
|
-
|
485
|
-
|
485
|
Net loss for the year ended
December 31, 2020
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,379,838)
|
(6,379,838)
|
Balance as of December 31,
2020
|
51,843,221
|
388,586
|
147,278,311
|
(154,841,370)
|
(7,174,472)
|
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s
share of the net loss totaled $6.379,838 and
$7,285,445.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
53
GROWLIFE, INC. AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
Years
Ended,
|
|
|
December
31,
2020
|
December
31,
2019
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
$(6,379,838)
|
$(7,285,445)
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net loss to net cash (used in)
|
|
|
operating
activities
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
37,152
|
89,322
|
Restructuring
Expense - stores & flooring
|
-
|
555,895
|
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
671,716
|
838,262
|
Stock
based compensation
|
125,169
|
158,042
|
Common
stock issued for services
|
11,800
|
312,435
|
Non
cash interest and amortization of debt discount
|
1,061,852
|
933,265
|
Change
in fair value of derivative liability
|
(199,479)
|
(494,558)
|
Loss on debt
conversions
|
945,169
|
1,767,325
|
Loss on debt
settlement
|
2,422,500
|
-
|
Changes in
operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
(858,716)
|
(59,552)
|
Inventory
|
30,150
|
191,990
|
Prepaids
costs
|
-
|
3,418
|
Deposits
|
-
|
32,921
|
Right of use,
net
|
11,409
|
13,984
|
Accounts
payable
|
28,105
|
371,270
|
Accrued
expenses
|
(83,433)
|
(131,331)
|
Deferred
revenue
|
-
|
(89,504)
|
Change in deferred
taxes
|
(117,551)
|
(117,550)
|
Change in federal
and state taxes payable
|
343,125
|
-
|
CASH (USED
IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(1,950,870)
|
(2,909,811)
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Investment in
purchased assets
|
-
|
(12,463)
|
NET CASH (USED IN)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
-
|
(12,463)
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
Repayment of
convertible notes payable
|
(431,151)
|
(778,872)
|
Proceeds from notes
payable
|
2,723,846
|
1,416,137
|
Repayment on
capital lease
|
-
|
(8,534)
|
Proceeds from the
issuance of common stock
|
485
|
-
|
NET CASH PROVIDED
BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
2,293,180
|
628,731
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE
(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
342,310
|
(2,293,543)
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
|
40,834
|
2,334,377
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS, end of period
|
$383,144
|
$40,834
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash investing
and financing activities:
|
|
|
Shares issued for
convertible note and interest conversion
|
$1,947,819
|
$1,834,246
|
Issuance of stock
for debt issuance costs
|
$586,565
|
$-
|
Loss of debt
conversions- issuance of stock
|
$984,169
|
$2,035,876
|
Gain on debt
conversions- reduction of accounts payable
|
$39,000
|
$268,551
|
Conversion of
Noncontrolling interest to acquisition payable
|
$-
|
$1,343,895
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
54
GROWLIFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND
ORGANIZATION
GrowLife,
Inc. (“GrowLife” or the “Company”) is
incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is
headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. The Company was founded in
2012 with the Closing of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with SGT
Merger Corporation.
On June
7, 2013, GrowLife Hydroponics completed the purchase of Rocky
Mountain Hydroponics, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
(“RMC”), and Evergreen Garden Center, LLC, a Maine
limited liability company (“EGC”). The effective date
of the purchase was June 7, 2013. This is our commercial
business.
The
Company primarily sells its products through its wholly owned
subsidiary, GrowLife Hydroponics, Inc. GrowLife companies
distribute and sell over products through its e-commerce
distribution channels, www.shopgrowlife.com,
www.growlifeinc.com,
and www.greners.com,
and through its direct sales force. GrowLife and its business units
are organized and directed to operate strictly in accordance with
all applicable state and federal laws.
On October 15, 2018, the Company closed the Purchase and Sale
Agreement with EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation
(the “Agreement”). On November 5, 2019, the
Company amended the Agreement with one 24.5% shareholder of
EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc. (“EZ-CLONE”), to extend the
date to purchase the remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE in exchange
for a 20% extension fee (a total of $171,000 for the 49% or $85,500
for each 24.5% shareholder) of the $855,000 cash payable at the
earlier of the closing of $2,000,000 in funding or nine months
(July 2020). The Company did not close the purchase of the
remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE by the extended
deadline.
On September 15, 2020, the Company received notice that William
Blackburn and Brad Mickelsen (“Plaintiffs”), minority
shareholders of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a majority owned
subsidiary of the Company, filed a complaint against the Company
and its officers Marco Hegyi and Mark Scott
(“Officers”), in the Superior Court of California,
County of Sacramento (“Complaint”) for claims related
to breach under the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15,
2018 between the Company and Plaintiffs. The Complaint also alleges
that the Company and its Officers made certain false
representations and other claims to consummate the Transaction and
as a result has failed to complete the second closing as required
under Purchase and Sale Agreement. The Plaintiffs are seeking
rescission of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, unspecified damages
in excess of ten thousand dollars, and other equitable
relief. As of December 4, 2020,
the Company’s officers were dismissed from the case. The
Plaintiffs are seeking rescission of the Purchase and Sale
Agreement, unspecified damages in excess of ten thousand dollars,
and other equitable relief. See Note 17 for description of Legal
Proceedings.
On
September 15, 2020, the Company filed a notice of removal with the
California Superior Court, County of Sacramento and the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of California.
The case was removed to Federal District Court for the Eastern
District of California and Plaintiffs filed an Ex Parte Application
for TRO and an Order for Preliminary Injunction with the Federal
Court. The TRO was granted on September 16, 2020 and a
preliminary injunction hearing was scheduled for September 29,
2020. After reviewing all pleadings and oral arguments at the
hearing, the Court issued a ruling granting Plaintiffs’
request for a preliminary injunction.
Presently
the parties are providing legal briefs to the Federal court to
determine if rescission should be granted. If we are unsuccessful and the court grants
Plaintiffs’ request for rescission the resulting actions are
speculative at this time but could include the return of the
consideration exchanged as part of the acquisition subject to
certain adjustments as the result of several variables which the
court will consider. If the court denies Plaintiffs request for
rescission the litigation will continue regarding the breach
of contract claims and contractual remedies for breach and the
Court may or may not dissolve the preliminary injunction as a
result.
A decision to grant rescission could materially harm our business
as EZ-Clone represents a significant
portion of our operations.
As of
December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a liability of $2,131,000
for acquisition payable of which a $1,105,000 is payable in stock
and $1,026,000 is payable in cash.
As of March 4, 2019, the Company began to trade on the
Pink
Sheet stocks system. Our
bid price had closed below $0.01 for more than 30 consecutive
calendar days. As of March 17, 2020, the Company
commenced trading on the
OTCQB Market ("OTCQB") after successfully up-listing from the OTC
Pink Market.
On
October 9, 2019, the Company approved the reduction of authorized
capital stock, whereby the total number of the Company’s
authorized common stock decreased from 6,000,000,000 by a ratio of
1 for 50, to 120,000,000 shares. On
November 20, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware. As a result of the reduction, the Company
an aggregate 130,000,000 authorized shares consisting of: (i)
120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share,
and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001
per share.
55
The reverse stock split of 1 for 150 was effective at the open of
business on November 27, 2019 whereupon the shares of common stock
began trading on a split-adjusted basis. The Company’s CUSIP
number for the Company’s common stock changed to
39985X203. All warrant, option, share and per share
information in this Form 10-Q gives retroactive effect to the
1-for-150 reverse split with all numbers rounded up to the nearest
whole share.
NOTE 2 –
GOING CONCERN
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the
satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The
Company incurred net losses of $6,379,838 and $7,374,383 for the
years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net cash used
in operating activities was $1,950,870 and $2,909,811 for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The
Company anticipates that it will record losses from operations for
the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2020, the
Company’s accumulated deficit was
$154,841,370. The Company has limited capital resources,
and operations to date have been funded with the proceeds from
private equity and debt financings. These conditions raise
substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going
concern.
The
Company believes that its cash on hand will be sufficient to fund
our operations only until May 31, 2021. The Company needs additional financing to
implement our business plan and to service our ongoing operations
and pay our current debts. There can be no assurance that we will
be able to secure any needed funding, or that if such funding is
available, the terms or conditions would be acceptable to us. If we
are unable to obtain additional financing when it is needed, we
will need to restructure our operations, and divest all or a
portion of our business. We may seek additional
capital through a combination of private and public equity
offerings, debt financings and strategic collaborations. Debt
financing, if obtained, may involve agreements that include
covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific
actions, such as incurring additional debt, and could increase our
expenses and require that our assets secure such debt. Equity
financing, if obtained, could result in dilution to the
Company’s then-existing stockholders and/or require such
stockholders to waive certain rights and preferences. If such
financing is not available on satisfactory terms, or is not
available at all, the Company may be required to delay, scale back,
eliminate the development of business opportunities and our
operations and financial condition may be materially adversely
affected.
NOTE 3 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES: ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Basis of Presentation - The accompanying consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of the Company.
Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The
preparation of these consolidated financial statements in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
(“GAAP”).
Principles of Consolidation -
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries.
Inter-Company items and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation. Non-controlling interest represents the portion of
ownership which the Company does not own.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - We
classify highly liquid temporary investments with an original
maturity of three months or less when purchased as cash
equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at various
financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company
has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is
not exposed to any significant risk for cash on
deposit. At December 31, 2020, the Company had uninsured
deposits in the amount of $133,144.
Accounts Receivable and Revenue – The company
recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from
Contracts with Customers, which requires the application of the
five-step-principles-based-accounting-model for revenue
recognition. These steps include (1) a legally enforceable
contract, written or unwritten is identified; (2) performance
obligations in the contracts are identified; (3) the transaction
price reflecting variable consideration, if any, is identified; (4)
the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligations;
and (5) revenue is recognized when the control of goods is
transferred to the customer at a particular time or over time. Our
hydroponic sales are cash or credit card. Our EZ-CLONE sales
include credit cash, payments in advance, 3% discount upon receipt
and, we extend thirty day terms to select customers. We have not
incurred any costs to acquire contracts that would require
capitalization as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. Accounts
receivable are reviewed periodically for
collectability. As of
December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has an
allowance for doubtful accounts totaling $5,690.
Sales Returns - We allow customers to return defective
products when they meet certain established criteria as outlined in
our sales terms and conditions. It is our practice to regularly
review and revise, when deemed necessary, our estimates of sales
returns, which are based primarily on actual historical return
rates. We record estimated sales returns as reductions to sales,
cost of goods sold, and accounts receivable and an increase to
inventory. Returned products which are recorded as inventory are
valued based upon the amount we expect to realize upon its
subsequent disposition. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was
a reserve for sales returns of $20,000, respectively, which is
minimal based upon our historical experience.
56
Concentration of Credit and Sales Risk -
The
Company had the following concentrations of credit and sales
risk-
Customers
with over 10% of sales- the Company had two customers of EZ-CLONE
that represented approximately 36% and 13% of consolidated revenue
for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Customers
with over 10% of outstanding accounts receivable- one customer
totaling 88.8% and 77.7% as of December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively.
Inventories -
Inventories are recorded on a first in first out basis Inventory
consists of raw materials, work in process and finished goods and
components sold by EZ-CLONE to it distribution customers. The
Company reviews its inventory on a periodic basis to identify
products that are slow moving and/or obsolete, and if such products
are identified, the Company records the appropriate inventory
impairment charge at such time.
Property and Equipment –
Equipment consists of machinery, equipment, tooling, computer
equipment and leasehold improvements, which are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed
by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or
lease period of the relevant asset, generally 3-10 years, except
for leasehold improvements which are depreciated over the lesser of
the life of the lease or 10 years.
Long Lived Assets – The
Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or
when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets under certain
circumstances are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair
value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide
any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the
lower of carrying amount or fair value (less the projected cost
associated with selling the asset). To the extent carrying values
exceed fair values, an impairment loss is recognized in operating
results.
Intangible Assets – Intangible assets are capitalized
and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful
life, if the life is determinable. If the life is not determinable,
amortization is not recorded. We regularly perform reviews to
determine if facts and circumstances exist which indicate that the
useful lives of our intangible assets are shorter than originally
estimated or the carrying amount of these assets may not be
recoverable. When an indication exists that the carrying amount of
intangible assets may not be recoverable, we assess the
recoverability of our assets by comparing the projected
undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or
group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective
carrying amounts. Such impairment test is based on the lowest level
for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the
cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Impairment,
if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the
estimated fair value of those assets.
Goodwill-The Company reviews
its acquired goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount may not be recoverable. In reviewing its goodwill, the
Company performs a qualitative analysis to determine if it is
more-likely-than-not that the goodwill is impaired. If the
qualitative analysis indicates that goodwill is likely impaired,
the Company calculates the fair value of its goodwill by allocating
the fair value of the business unit containing the goodwill to all
its tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, with the
residual fair value allocated to goodwill. The excess, if any, of
the goodwill carrying value in excess of its fair value would be
recognized as an impairment loss. Management has concluded that,
based on a qualitative analysis, it is more-likely-than-not that
goodwill has not been impaired as of December 31, 2020 and
2019.
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments
– ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,
defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for
an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the
principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in
an orderly transaction between market participants on the
measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair
value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable
and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The
fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on
market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own
assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy
consists of three levels:
Level 1
– Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and
liabilities;
Level 2
– Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly
or indirectly observable; and.
Level 3
- Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and
significant to the fair value measurement.
The
recorded value of other financial assets and liabilities, which
consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, other current assets, and accounts payable and accrued
expenses approximate the fair value of the respective assets and
liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are based upon the
short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. The
Company’s derivative financial instruments are considered
Level 3 instruments. See Note 12.
57
Derivative Financial Instruments –Pursuant to ASC 815
“Derivatives and Hedging”, the Company evaluates all of
its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are
derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded
derivatives. The Company then determines if embedded derivative
must bifurcated and separately accounted for. For derivative
financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the
derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and
is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair
value reported in the consolidated statements of operations. For
stock-based derivative financial instruments, the Company uses a
Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to value the derivative
instruments at inception and on subsequent valuation dates. The
classification of derivative instruments, including whether such
instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is
evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative
instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as
current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement
of the derivative instrument could be required within twelve months
of the balance sheet date.
Stock Based Compensation – We have share-based compensation plans
under which employees, consultants, suppliers and directors may be
granted restricted stock, as well as options to purchase shares of
our common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant.
Stock-based compensation cost is measured by us at the grant date,
based on the fair value of the award, over the requisite service
period using an estimated forfeiture rate. For options issued to
employees, we recognize stock compensation costs utilizing the fair
value methodology over the related period of
benefit. Grants of stock options and stock to
non-employees and other parties are accounted for in accordance
with the ASC 718.
Convertible Securities – Based upon ASC 815-15, we have
adopted a sequencing approach regarding the application of ASC
815-40 to convertible securities issued subsequent to September 30,
2015. We will evaluate our contracts based upon the earliest
issuance date.
Net Loss Per Share - Under the
provisions of ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share,”
basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss
available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding for the periods presented.
Diluted net loss per share reflects the potential dilution that
could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock
were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the
issuance of common stock that would then share in the income of the
Company, subject to anti-dilution limitations. The common stock
equivalents have not been included as they are
anti-dilutive.
As of
December 31, 2020, there are also (i) stock option grants
outstanding for the purchase of 506,667 common shares at a $1.496
average exercise price; and (ii) warrants for the purchase of
3,451,737 shares of common
shares at a $2.428 average exercise price. In addition, we have an unknown number of common
shares to be issued under the Crossover, 12% convertible promissory
note financing and Labrys agreements in the case of default. In
addition, the Company has an unknown number of common shares to be
issued under the convertible notes with Chicago Venture, Iliad and
St. George, and Silverback Capital financing agreements and
warrants because the number of shares ultimately issued depends on
the price at which the holder converts its debt to shares and
exercises its warrants. The lower the conversion or exercise
prices, the more shares that will be issued to the holder upon the
conversion of debt to shares. The Company will not know the exact
number of shares of stock issued to the holder until the debt is
actually converted to equity.
As of
December 31, 2019, there are also (i) stock option grants
outstanding for the purchase of 550,000 common shares at an $1.491 average
exercise price; and (ii) warrants for the purchase of 2,418,834 shares of common shares at a
$3.465 average exercise price. In
addition, the Company had have an unknown number of common shares
to be issued under the Crossover financing agreements in the case
of default. In addition, the Company had an unknown number of
common shares to be issued under the Chicago Venture, Iliad and St.
George financing agreements because the number of shares ultimately
issued to Chicago Venture depends on the price at which Chicago
Venture converts its debt to shares and exercises its warrants. The
lower the conversion or exercise prices, the more shares that will
be issued to Chicago Venture upon the conversion of debt to shares.
The company will not know the exact number of shares of stock
issued to Chicago Venture until the debt is actually converted to
Equity.
Dividend Policy - The Company
has never paid any cash dividends and intends, for the foreseeable
future, to retain any future earnings for the development of our
business. Our future dividend policy will be determined by the
board of directors on the basis of various factors, including our
results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements
and investment opportunities.
Use of Estimates - In preparing these consolidated financial
statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make
estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements
and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the
reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in our
consolidated financial statements relate to the valuation of
long-lived assets, estimates of sales returns, inventory reserves
and accruals for potential liabilities, and valuation assumptions
related to derivative liability, equity instruments and share based
compensation.
58
Advertising – Advertising
costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses
as incurred. Advertising and marketing costs for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $144,964 and $309,541,
respectively.
Comprehensive loss – Comprehensive loss is defined as
the change in equity of a business during a period from non-owner
sources. There were no differences between net loss for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and comprehensive loss for those
periods.
Research and Development Expenses – There are no
research and development expenses for
the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Right
of Use Assets and Liabilities- ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic
842), which requires
lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and disclose key
information about leasing arrangements. The standard establishes a
right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to
recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for
all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases are now
classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting
the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the
statement of operations.
In
August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other
Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging –
Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40).
The amendment is meant to simplify the accounting for convertible
instruments by removing certain separation models in subtopic
470-20 for convertible instruments. The amendment also
changed the method used to calculate dilutes EPS for convertible
instruments and for instruments that may be settled in cash. The
amendment is effective
for years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption
for years beginning after December 15, 2020 including interim
periods for those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the
impact of adoption this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements
and related disclosures.
Based
on the Company’s review of accounting standard updates issued
, there have been no other newly issued or newly applicable
accounting pronouncements that have had, or are expected to have, a
significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
NOTE 4 –BUSINESS COMBINATIONS, ACQUISITION PAYABLE AND OTHER
TRANSACTION
Acquisition of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc.
On October 15, 2018, the Company closed the Purchase and Sale
Agreement with EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc. (“EZ-CLONE”),
a California corporation (the
“Agreement”). The total purchase price was $4 million
of which $1,500,000 is payable in cash and $2.5 million payable in
stock. At closing, we paid 51% of this amount totaling
$2,040,000 via a (i) a cash payment of $645,000; and (ii) the
issuance of 715,385 restricted shares of our common stock valued
$1,395,000. The Agreement called for the Company, upon delivery of
the remaining 49% of EZ-Clone stock, to acquire such stock within
one year for $1,960,000, payable as follows: (i) a cash payment of
$855,000; and (ii) the issuance of Company’s common stock at
a value of $1,105,000.
On November 5, 2019, the Company amended the Agreement with one
24.5% shareholder of EZ-CLONE to extend the date to purchase the
remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE in exchange for a 20% extension
fee (a total of $171,000 for the 49% or $85,500 for each 24.5%
shareholder) of the $855,000 cash payable at the earlier of the
closing of $2,000,000 in funding or nine months (July 2020). The
Company did not close the purchase of the remaining 49% of stock of
EZ-CLONE by the extended deadline.
On September 15, 2020, the Company received notice that William
Blackburn and Brad Mickelsen (“Plaintiffs”), minority
shareholders of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a majority owned
subsidiary of the Company, filed a complaint against the Company
and its officers Marco Hegyi and Mark Scott
(“Officers”), in the Superior Court of California,
County of Sacramento (“Complaint”) for claims related
to breach under the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15,
2018 between the Company and Plaintiffs. As of December 4, 2020, the Company’s
officers were dismissed from the case. The Plaintiffs are seeking
rescission of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, unspecified damages
in excess of ten thousand dollars, and other equitable
relief. See Note 17 for description of Legal
Proceedings.
As of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has recorded a liability of
$2,131,000 for acquisition payable of which a $1,105,000 is payable
in stock and $1,026,000 is payable in cash.
This acquisition accelerated the Company’s revenue growth,
increased the Company gross margins and added additional
personnel.
59
The
Company accounted for the acquisition in accordance with ASC 805,
“Business Combinations”. ASC 805 defines the acquirer
in a business combination as the entity that obtains control of one
or more businesses in a business combination and establishes the
acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control.
ASC 805 requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the
liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the
acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as
of that date.
For
accounting purposes, from the October 15, 2018 acquisition date and
through November 4, 2019, the Company consolidated EZ-Clone given
their control and treated its ability to acquire the remaining 49%
interest in EZ-Clone as a de facto option to buy and has thus
categorized it as a non-controlling interest until November 5, 2019
when the amended purchase agreement obligates the Company to
purchase the remaining 49%. Effective in the quarter beginning
October 1, 2019, the Company for accounting purposes, considers
EZ-Clone to be 100% owned and thus eliminated the non-controlling
interest and recorded an acquisition payable related to the balance
owed. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has an acquisition
payable totaling $1,926,000, of which $1,026,000 is currently due
in cash and $900,000 is due in stock. The total liability consists
of the discounted value of the future payments of $1,960,000 and
the $171,000 extension fee payable. The Company accreted the
difference between the carrying value of the acquisition payable
and the contractual obligations as interest expense through July
2020 when payment was due. The Company recorded the $171,000 as a
financing fee and expensed it as interest expense in 2019. During
the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a noncash
financing charge as interest expense totaling approximately
$410,000 to recognize the acquisition payable and to eliminate the
non-controlling interest. During the year ended December 31, 2020
the Company recognized an additional $205,000 of interest expense
to accrete the acquisition payable in stock to
$1,105,000.
As of
the acquisition date in October 2018, the Company recognized
approximately $3.4 million of intangible assets and began
amortizing them over 3 years. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the
Company completed its evaluation of assets acquired and finalized
its asset valuation. The finalized valuation resulted in lower
intangible assets from the original assessment, allocating some of
the intangible to Goodwill and determined that the life of definite
life intangibles to be 3.5 years (See Note 7). The Company adjusted
the cost basis and accumulated amortization, reducing both, but did
not change 2019 amortization expense that had been recorded through
September 30, 2019 which was in excess of $800,000.The change in
the purchase accounting also resulted in the recording of a
deferred tax liability and the lowering of non-controlling interest
by $587,750 and such reclassification was made to the December 31,
2018 balance sheet..
The
summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based upon
the Company final evaluation done in the fourth quarter of 2019 and
is detailed below.
Intangible
assets
|
$2,351,000
|
Goodwill
|
781,749
|
Net working
capital
|
551,000
|
Propety and
equipment
|
318,000
|
Deferred tax
liability
|
(587,750)
|
|
$3,413,999
|
The fair value of the intangible assets associated with the assets
acquired was $2,351,000 estimated by using a discounted cash flow
approach based on future economic benefits. In summary, the
estimate was based on a projected income approach and related
discounted cash flows over five years, with applicable risk factors
assigned to assumptions in the forecasted results.
NOTE 5 – INVENTORY
Inventory
as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the
following:
|
December 31,
|
December 31,
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
|
|
|
Raw
materials
|
$456,723
|
$329,482
|
Work
in process
|
83,792
|
49,253
|
Finished
goods
|
26,557
|
92,703
|
Inventory
deposits
|
3,452
|
129,236
|
Total
|
$570,524
|
$600,674
|
Raw
materials consist of supplies for product lines at
EZ-CLONE.
Finished
goods inventory relates to product lines EZ- CLONE.
60
NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment as of December 31, 2020 and 2018 consists of the
following
|
December 31,
|
December 31,
|
|
2020
|
2019
|
|
|
|
Machinery,
equipment and tooling
|
$356,867
|
$356,867
|
Computer
equipment
|
16,675
|
16,675
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
14,702
|
14,702
|
Total
property and equipment
|
388,244
|
388,244
|
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(258,914)
|
(221,763)
|
Net
property and equipment
|
$129,330
|
$166,482
|
Total depreciation expense was $37,152 and $89,232 for the years ended December 31, 2020
and 2019, respectively. All equipment is used for manufacturing,
selling, general and administrative purposes and accordingly all
depreciation is classified in cost of goods sold, selling, general
and administrative expenses.
NOTE 7 – INTANGIBLE
ASSETS
Intangible assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the
following:
|
Estimated Useful
Lives
|
December
31,
2020
|
December
31,
2019
|
|
|
|
|
Customer
Lists
|
5
Years
|
$1,297,000
|
$1,297,000
|
Intellectual
Property
|
5
Years
|
1,054,000
|
1,054,000
|
less accumulated
amortization
|
|
(1,220,282)
|
(548,566)
|
Net Intangible
assets-definitive life
|
|
1,130,718
|
1,802,434
|
xc
|
|
|
|
Goodwill-indefinite
life
|
N/A
|
781,749
|
781,749
|
xc
|
|
|
|
Total intangible
assets and goodwill
|
|
$1,912,467
|
$2,584,183
|
As of
the EZ-CLONE acquisition date in October 2018, the Company
originally recognized approximately $3.4 million of intangible
assets and began amortizing them over 3 years. In the fourth
quarter of 2019, the Company completed its evaluation of assets
acquired and finalized its asset valuation. The finalized valuation
resulted in lower intangible assets from the original assessment,
allocated some of the intangible to Goodwill and determined that
the life of definite life intangibles to be 3.5 years. In the
4th
quarter of 2019, The Company adjusted the cost basis and
accumulated amortization, reducing both, but did not change 2019
amortization expense that had been recorded through September 30,
2019 which was in excess of $800,000.
Total amortization expense was $671,716 and $838,262 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively.
NOTE 8- LEASES
The
Company previously entered into operating leases for retail and
corporate facilities. These leases have terms which range from two
to five years, and often include options to renew. These operating
leases are listed as separate line items on the Company's December
31, 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet and represent the
Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease
term. The Company’s obligation to make lease payments are
also listed as separate line items on the Company's December 31,
2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Based on the present value of the
lease payments for the remaining lease term of the Company's
existing leases, the Company recognized right-of-use assets and
lease liabilities for operating leases of approximately $1,378,000
on January 1, 2019. Operating lease right-of-use assets and
liabilities commencing after January 1, 2019 are recognized at
commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over
the lease term. During the three months ended September 30, 2019
the Company cancelled all but one lease and has recognized the rent
and termination fees related to the cancelled leases as an expense
in the quarter ended September 30, 2019. As of December 31, 2020,
total right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities for
remaining long-term lease was $380,247 and $537,522, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company
recognized approximately $222,984 in total lease costs for the
lease.
Because
the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the
Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the
present value of the lease payments.
Information
related to the Company's operating right-of-use assets and related
lease liabilities as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020
were as follows:
61
Cash
paid for ROU operating lease liability $211,575
Weighted-average
remaining lease term 3 years
Weighted-average
discount rate 10%
Minimum
future lease payments as of December 31, 2020
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
December 31, 2020
|
$
|
2021
|
$216,300
|
2022
|
222,792
|
2023
|
62,238
|
|
|
|
501,330
|
Imputed
interest
|
(95,690)
|
Total lease
liability
|
$405,640
|
NOTE 9- ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Accounts payable were $1,146,195 and $1,157,090 as of December 31,2020 and 2019, respectively. Such
liabilities consisted of amounts due to vendors for inventory
purchases, audit, legal and other expenses incurred by the
Company.
NOTE 10- ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses were $2,592,251 and $259,093 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. Such liabilities consisted of amounts due to
sales tax, payroll and restructuring
expense liabilities. On April 5, 2021, the Company entered into a
Warrant Settlement Agreement dated March 31, 2021 with St. George
and Iliad to resolve a dispute regarding prior financings. The
Company agreed to issue St. George 11,750,000 shares of our common
stock to cancel a warrant related to a February 9, 2018
subscription agreement. The Company
agreed to issue Iliad 2,500,000 shares of our common stock to
cancel a warrant related to a October 15, 2018 securities
Purchase agreement. The Company record a loss on debt settlement of
$2,422,500 and accrued a settlement liability for its obligation to
issue future shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020. As of
September 30, 2019, the Company closed retail stores in Portland,
Maine, Encino, California and Calgary, Canada. The Company has
restructuring reserves to settle primarily real estate lease issues
and such reserves totaled $209,577 as of December 31, 2020 and
December 31, 2019, respectively.
NOTE 11 – CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE, NET
Convertible notes payable as of December 31, 2020 consisted of the
following:
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
Accrued
|
Debt
|
As
of
|
|
Principal
|
Interest
|
Discount
|
December 31,
2020
|
10% OID Convertible
Promissory Notes
|
$1,453,163
|
$432,144
|
$-
|
$1,885,307
|
12% Convertible
Promissory Notes
|
253,000
|
5,888
|
(13,912)
|
244,976
|
12% Self-Amortizing
Promissory Notes
|
969,746
|
10,981
|
(615,857)
|
364,870
|
|
$2,675,909
|
$449,013
|
$(629,769)
|
$2,495,153
|
Convertible notes payable as of December 31, 2019 consisted of the
following:
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
Accrued
|
Debt
|
As of
|
|
Principal
|
Interest
|
Discount
|
December 31, 2019
|
10% OID Convertible
Promissory Notes
|
$2,195,007
|
$220,980
|
$-
|
$2,415,987
|
Secured
Advance Note
|
205,228
|
-
|
-
|
205,228
|
12%
Convertible Promissory Notes
|
281,600
|
3,055
|
(21,591)
|
263,064
|
|
$2,681,835
|
$224,035
|
$(21,591)
|
$2,884,279
|
62
10% OID Convertible Promissory Notes at December 31,
2020
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
Accrued
|
Debt
|
As
of
|
10% OID Convertible Promissory
Notes-
|
Principal
|
Interest
|
Discount
|
December 31,
2020
|
Illiad
8-7-18
|
$250,637
|
$319,982
|
$-
|
$570,620
|
Odyssey
7-22-19
|
390,000
|
59,595
|
-
|
449,595
|
CVP
1-29-20
|
555,000
|
50,088
|
-
|
605,088
|
Silverback 9-1-20
(1) - From Illiad 8-7-18
|
140,146
|
585
|
|
140,731
|
Silverback 11-18-20
(3) - From Illiad 8-7-18
|
117,380
|
1,894
|
|
119,274
|
|
$1,453,163
|
$432,144
|
$-
|
$1,885,307
|
Funding from Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. (“Chicago
Venture” or “CVP”), Iliad Research and
Trading, L.P. (“Iliad”) and Odyssey Research and
Trading, LLC, (“Odyssey”). The Company typically issues
original issuance discount notes with these parties that has a
stated interest rate of typically 10%. Accrued interest represents
the interest to be accreted over the remaining term of the notes.
These notes contain terms and conditions that are deemed beneficial
conversion features and the Company recognizes a derivative
liability related to these terms until the notes are converted.
Upon the conversion of these notes, the Company records a loss on
debt conversion and reduces their derivative liability. The notes
may be converted to common stock after six months until they are
converted.
As
of December 31, 2020, the
outstanding principal balance due to Chicago Venture, Iliad and
Odyssey was $1,195,637 and accrued interest was $429,665 which
results in a total amount of $1,625,302.
During
the year ended December 31, 2020, Chicago Venture and Iliad
converted principal and accrued interest of $600,000 into 4,882,919
shares of our common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.123 with a fair value of $1,006,518. The Company recognized
$287,466 loss on debt conversions during the year ended December
31, 2020.
As
of December 31, 2019, the
outstanding principal balance due to Chicago Venture, Iliad and
Odyssey, entities controlled by the same person, was $2,195,007 and
accrued interest was $220,980, which results in a total amount of
$2,415,987.
Silverback Capital Corporation
During
2020 Silverback Capital Corporation purchased from Iliad Research
and Trading L.P. $993,855 of Iliad’s outstanding note balance
with the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2020,
Silverback Capital Corporation converted principal and accrued
interest of $746,632 into 9,510,000 shares of our common stock at
an average per share conversion price of $0.0757 with a fair value
of $1,084,870. The Company recognized $447,324 loss on Silverback
debt conversions during the year ended December 31, 2020. As of
December 31, 2020 the principal balance owed Silverback totals
$247,740.
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes and
Security Agreement Odyssey Research and Trading, LLC,
(“Odyssey”)
On July
23, 2019, the Company executed the following agreements with
Odyssey: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii) Secured Promissory
Notes; and (iii) Security Agreement (collectively the
“Odyssey Agreements”). The Company entered into the
Odyssey Agreements with the intent to acquire working capital to
grow the Company’s businesses.
The
total amount of funding under the Odyssey Agreements is $1,105,000.
The Convertible Promissory Note carries an original issue discount
of $100,000 and a transaction expense amount of $5,000, for total
debt of $1,105,000. As of December 31, 2020 the principal balance
owed Odyssey is $390,000. The Company agreed to reserve three times
the number of shares based on the redemption value with a minimum
of 3,333,334 shares of its common stock for issuance upon
conversion of the Debt, if that occurs in the future. The Debt
carries an interest rate of ten percent (10%). The Debt is
convertible, at Odyssey’s option, into the Company’s
common stock at $1.50 per share subject to adjustment as provided
for in the Secured Promissory Notes.
The
Company’s obligation to pay the Debt, or any portion thereof,
is secured by all of the Company’s assets.
The
Company has approximately $645,000 available under the Notes as of
December 31, 2020. As of April 15, 2021, the Company has borrowed
the remaining balance of $645,000 and the outstanding balance is
convertible into our common stock.
63
The 10%
Notes are convertible at the holder’s option into the
Company’s common stock at 65% of the lower of $1.35 or the
current fair market value of the stock. Based upon the closing
price of the stock at December 31, 2020, the notes would convert to
approximately 17,139,155 shares.
12% Convertible Promissory Notes at December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
Accrued
|
Debt
|
As
of
|
|
Principal
|
Interest
|
Discount
|
December 31,
2020
|
12% Convertible
Promissory Notes
|
|
|
|
|
Power Up Lending
Group Ltd 7/13/20 Convertible Promissory Note
|
$80,300
|
$4,435
|
$(475)
|
$84,260
|
Power Up Lending
Group Ltd 11/30/20 Convertible Promissory Note
|
113,850
|
1,124
|
(8,587)
|
106,387
|
Power Up Lending
Group Ltd 12/8/20 Convertible Promissory Note
|
58,850
|
329
|
(4,850)
|
54,329
|
|
$253,000
|
$5,888
|
$(13,912)
|
$244,976
|
As of
the beginning of 2020, the Company owed Power Up Lending Group Ltd
(Power Up) $281,600. During 2020 the Company entered an additional
$199,100 of convertible notes which were settled by year end. These
$480,700 of notes were settled when $395,700 of notes were
converted to common stock and a cash payment of $85,000 was made.
As of December 31, 2020 the following Power Up convertible notes
that the Company also entered into with Power Up Lon July 13, 2020,
November 30, 2020, and December 8, 2020 for $253,000 to fund
short-term working capital were still outstanding The Notes accrues
interest at a rate of 12% per annum and became due in one year and
are convertible into common stock at 75% of market value after six
months. On December 31, 2020, the notes are convertible into X
shares of common stock. The Company received cash of
$220,000 under these three notes after deducting original issue
discount and fees.
12% Self-Amortizing Promissory Notes at December 31,
2020
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
Accrued
|
Debt
|
As
of
|
|
Principal
|
Interest
|
Discount
|
December 31,
2020
|
12% Self-Amortizing
Promissory Notes
|
|
|
|
|
Labrys
8-31-20
|
$592,144
|
$986
|
$(454,431)
|
$138,700
|
EMA
10-2-20
|
221,000
|
6,031
|
(87,535)
|
139,496
|
FirstFire
10-12-20
|
156,602
|
3,964
|
(73,891)
|
86,675
|
|
$969,746
|
$10,981
|
$(615,857)
|
$364,870
|
Labrys Fund L.P.
On August 31, 2020, the Company executed the following agreements
with Labrys: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; and (ii)
Self-Amortization Promissory Note for $750,000
(“Note”); (collectively the “Labrys
Agreements”). The Company entered into the Labrys Agreements
with the intent to acquire working capital to grow the
Company’s businesses and complete the EZ-CLONE Enterprises,
Inc. acquisition.
The total amount of funding received under the Labrys Agreements,
after deducting the $75,000 original issue discount and $42,250 of
fees was $632,750. The Note requires a payment of $250,000 on
November 30, 2020 and $51,042 at each month end from December 2020
through November 30, 2021. The Company issued commitment shares of
1,662,000 shares related to the Labrys Agreement and the value of
such shares are being treated as a discount and being amortized
over the term of the note. The Debt is due on or before November
30, 2021. The Debt carries an interest rate of twelve percent
(12%). Upon an event of default as defined in the agreement, the
Debt is convertible into the Company’s common stock at the
closing price the day before the conversion, subject to adjustment
as provided for in the Note. The Company agreed to reserve
5,043,859 shares of its common stock for issuance if any Debt is
converted.
64
Labrys Fund Amendment #2
On November 30, 2020, GrowLife, Inc. (“the Company”)
entered into Amendment No. 2 of the Self-Amortization Promissory
Note (“Amendment No. 2”) amendment that certain
Self-Amortization Promissory Note originally issued by the Company
to Labrys on August 31, 2020 (the “Note”). Amendment
No. 2 included the following amendments to the Note:
1. The Company issued 550,000 restricted shares of the
Company’s common stock (the “Amendment Shares”)
to the Holder on or before December 2, 2020 and the value of such
shares are being amortized as a debt discount through the remaining
term of the note.
2. The first Amortization Payment (as defined in the
Note) of $250,000 originally due on November 30, 2020, shall
instead be due as follows: $125,000 was paid by December 3, 2020
and $125,000 is due on or before December 31, 2020.
3. The Company shall no longer have the right to
exercise the extension options as defined in the
agreement.
Labrys Fund Amendment #3
On December 31, 2020, GrowLife, Inc. (“the Company”)
entered into Amendment No. 3. Pursuant to Amendment No. 3 the
Company issued 340,000 restricted shares of the Company’s
common stock (the “Amendment Shares”) and issued a
common stock purchase warrant for the purchase of 1,033,057 shares
of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrant”).
The value of the Amendment shares, and the Warrant are being
amortized as a debt discount through the remaining term of the
note. In exchange for the Warrant and Amendment Shares, the
outstanding payment of $125,000 owed on or before December 31, 2020
(as described in Amendment No. 2) (“Outstanding
Payment”), was amended so that no payment was required and
that the future monthly payments beginning in January 2021 through
November 30, 2022 have been increased to $61,458 from
$51,042.
EMA Financial LLC
On October 2, 2020, the Company executed the following agreements
with EMA: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; and (ii)
Self-Amortization Promissory Note for $221,000
(“Note”); (collectively the “EMA
Agreements”). The Company entered into the EMA Agreements
with the intent to acquire working capital to grow the
Company’s businesses and complete the EZ-CLONE Enterprises,
Inc. acquisition.
FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC
On October 2, 2020, the Company executed the following agreements
with FF: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; and (ii)
Self-Amortization Promissory Note (“Note”);
(collectively the “FF Agreements”). The Company entered
into the FF Agreements with the intent to acquire reduce
debt.
Notes Payable
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
Accrued
|
Debt
|
As
of
|
|
Principal
|
Interest
|
Discount
|
December 31,
2020
|
1% Note Payble
under Paycheck Protection Program (GLI) 4-14-20
|
$362,500
|
$2,638
|
$-
|
$365,138
|
1% Note Payble
under Paycheck Protection Program (EZ) 5-3-20
|
203,329
|
1,371
|
-
|
204,700
|
3.75% Economic
Injury Disaster Loan (GLI) 6-19-20
|
149,900
|
3,001
|
-
|
152,901
|
3.75% Economic
Injury Disaster Loan (EZ) 6-19-20
|
149,900
|
3,075
|
-
|
152,975
|
Parties related to
shareholders of EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc.
|
49,144
|
-
|
-
|
49,144
|
Total notes
payable
|
914,773
|
10,085
|
-
|
924,857
|
Less long term
notes payable
|
(485,679)
|
-
|
-
|
(485,679)
|
Short term notes
payable
|
$429,094
|
$10,085
|
$-
|
$439,179
|
On April 17, 2020, the Company received $362,500 under the
Paycheck Protection Program of the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) 7(a) Loan Program pursuant to the
Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES
Act), Pub. Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020). At December 31, 2020,
the Company recorded interest expense of $2,638 at 1%. The loan is
due April 2022 and requires 12 monthly equal principal payments
beginning May 2021 unless forgiven. The Company is utilizing the
funds in accordance with the legal requirements and expects this
loan to be forgiven during 2021.
65
On May 7, 2020, EZ-CLONE received $203,329 under the
Paycheck Protection Program of the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s 7(a) Loan Program pursuant to the
Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES
Act), Pub. Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020). At December 31, 2020,
the Company recorded interest expense of $1,371 at 1%. The loan is
due April 2022 and requires 12 monthly equal principal payments
beginning May 2021 unless forgiven. The Company is utilizing the
funds in accordance with the legal requirements and expects this
loan to be forgiven during 2021.
On June
19, 2020, the Company, including its EZ-CLONE subsidiary, received
two loans totaling $299,800 under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Program of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 7(a) Loan
Program pursuant to the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic
Security Act (CARES Act), Pub. Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020).
Repayment terms on the loans are monthly principal and interest
totaling approximately $1,392 over a 30-year term at 3.75%. In
addition, the loan contains a 12-month payment deferral beginning
on the loan date. There is no prepayment penalty on the EIDL loan.
For the year ended December 31, 2020 the company recorded interest
expense of $6,152.
On
December 31, 2020, our EZ-CLONE subsidiary had a $49,144 balance of
“founder’s loans” with no interest rate of
payment terms defined. During 2020, $55,000 of these loans were
repaid.
Secured Advance Note with Crossover Capital Fund I LLC
(“Crossover”)
On
September 20, 2019, the Company closed a Secured Advance Note with
Crossover Capital Fund I LLC (the “Crossover Note”).
The total amount of funding under the Crossover Note is $250,000.
The Crossover Note was due in nine months and is repayable weekly
at $9,205. The Crossover Note was convertible into the
Company’s common stock at the market value share price
subject to adjustment as provided for in the Crossover Note in the
case of default. As of December 31,
2020, the outstanding principal balance due Crossover was
$0. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Crossover converted
principal and accrued interest of $171,234 into 1,121,560 shares of
our common stock
The following is a schedule of notes payable maturities as of
December 31, 2020:
2021
|
$439,179
|
2022
|
194,226
|
2023
|
5,813
|
2024
|
6,035
|
2025
|
6,265
|
thereafter
|
273,340
|
|
$924,858
|
NOTE 12 – DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
The
Convertible Notes payable include a conversion feature that
pursuant ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, has been
identified as an embedded derivative financial instrument and which
the Company accounts for under the fair value method of accounting.
If the
conversion features of conventional convertible debt provide for a
rate of conversion that is below market value, this feature is
characterized as a beneficial conversion feature (BCF). A BCF is
recorded by the Company as a debt discount pursuant to ASC Topic
470-20. Debt with Conversion and Other Options. In those
circumstances, the convertible debt is recorded net of the discount
related to the BCF and the Company amortizes the discount to
interest expense over the life of the debt using the effective
interest method. The debt is convertible at the lesser of 65% of
the fair value of the Company’s common stock or $1.35
requiring the conversion feature to be bifurcated from the host
debt contract and accounting for separately as a derivative,
resulting in periodic revaluations. The notes underlying the
derivatives are short term in nature and generally converted to
stock in less than one year. The derivative is valued at period end
with the key inputs being current stock price and the conversion
feature.
There
was a derivative liability of $1,101,436 and $1,300,915 as of
December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. For the twelve months ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, the Company recorded non-cash expense $28,173 and
non-cash income of $361,179 related to the “change in fair
value of derivative” expense related to the Chicago Venture,
Iliad, and PowerUp financing. These were the only changes in level
3 fair value instruments during such periods.
66
Derivative
liability as of December 31,
2020 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs
|
Amount at
|
||
Financial Instruments
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative
Instruments
|
$-
|
$-
|
$1,101,436
|
$1,101,436
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$-
|
$1,101,436
|
$1,101,436
|
There
were no transfers among Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 categories in
the periods presented.
Derivative
liability as of December 31,
2019 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs
|
Amount at
|
||
Financial Instruments
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative
Instruments
|
$-
|
$-
|
$1,300,915
|
$1,300,915
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$-
|
$-
|
$1,300,915
|
$1,300,915
|
The
change in the value of the derivative during 2020 and 2019 resulted
in a benefit totaling $199,479 and $496,338 and these were the only
changes in level 3 fair value instruments during such years. There
were no transfers among Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 categories in
the periods presented.
NOTE 13 – RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS AND CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
Since
January 1, 2019, the Company engaged in the following reportable
transactions with our directors, executive officers, holders of
more than 5% of our voting securities, and affiliates or
immediately family members of our directors, executive officers and
holders of more than 5% of our voting securities.
Certain Relationships
Please
see the transactions with Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. discussed
in Notes 11, 13 and 14.
Transactions with Marco Hegyi
On
October 21, 2018, a 5-year Warrant for Mr. Hegyi to purchase up to
66,666 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per
share vested. The warrant was valued at $390,000 and we recorded
$178,750 as compensation expense for the year ended December 31,
2018. On October 15, 2018, Mr. Hegyi received Warrants to purchase
up to 320,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an
exercise price of $1.80 per share and which vest on October 15,
2018, 2019 and 2020. The Warrants are exercisable for 5 years. The
warrants that vested on October 15, 2019 and 2018 were valued at
$192,000 and the Company recorded compensation expense of $78,000
and $96,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
On
October 15, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an Employment
Agreement with Marco Hegyi pursuant to which the Company engaged
Mr. Hegyi as its Chief Executive Officer through October 15, 2021.
See Note 16 for additional details.
Transactions with an Entity Controlled by Mark E.
Scott
On
October 15, 2018, an entity controlled by Mr. Scott was granted an
option to purchase 133,333 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $1.80 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly
over three years and is exercisable for 5 years. The stock option
grant was valued at $40,000. The Company recorded $13,333 as a
compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
67
Transaction with Joseph Barnes
On
October 15, 2018, Mr. Barnes was granted an option to purchase
120,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.80 per
share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over three years and
is exercisable for 5 years. The Company recorded $12,000 as a
compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
Transactions with Katherine McLain
Ms.
Katherine McLain was appointed as a director on February 14, 2017.
Ms. McLain resigned from the Board of Directors on January 5, 2021.
On February 22, 2019, the Company issued 54,054 shares of the
Company’s common stock to Katherine McLain valued at $1.11
per share or $60,000. On April 16, 2020, the Company issued 20,000
shares of the Company’s common stock to Katherine McLain
valued at $0.295 per share or $5,900. This issuance was an award
for independent director services.
Transaction with Thom Kozik
Mr.
Kozik was appointed as a director on October 5, 2017. On February
22, 2019, the Company issued 54,054 shares of the Company’s
common stock to Mr. Kozik valued at $1.11 per share or $60,000. On
April 16, 2020, the Company issued 20,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock to Mr. Kozik valued at $0.295 per
share or $5,900. This issuance was an award for independent
director services.
Notes Payable to Related Parties
EZ-CLONE
has $49,144 and $104,144 due to relatives of the shareholders as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
NOTE 14 – EQUITY
Authorized Capital Stock
On
October 9, 2019, the Company approved the reduction of authorized
capital stock, whereby the total number of the Company’s
authorized common stock decreased from 6,000,000,000 by a ratio of
1 for 50, to 120,000,000 shares. On
November 20, 2019, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware. As a result of the reduction, we have an
aggregate 130,000,000 authorized shares consisting of: (i)
120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share,
and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001
per share.
The reverse stock split of 1 for 150 was effective at the open of
business on November 27, 2019 whereupon the shares of the
Company’s common stock began trading on a split-adjusted
basis. Our CUSIP number will change to 39985X203.
Non-Voting Preferred Stock
Under
the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors
is authorized to issue shares of non-voting preferred stock in one
or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors
has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges
and restrictions, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption
privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of
non-voting preferred stock.
The
purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue non-voting
preferred stock and determine our rights and preferences is to
eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific
issuances. The issuance of non-voting preferred stock, while
providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions,
future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the
effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire or
could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority
of our outstanding voting stock. Other than the Series B and C
Preferred Stock discussed below, there are no shares of non-voting
preferred stock presently outstanding and we have no present plans
to issue any shares of preferred stock.
Capital Stock Issued and Outstanding
As
of December 31, 2020, the Company had issued and outstanding
securities of 51,843,221 shares of common stock.
Voting Common Stock
Holders
of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for
each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders
and do not have cumulative voting rights. An election of directors
by our stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes
cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election. On all
other matters, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to
vote is required for approval, unless otherwise provided in our
articles of incorporation, bylaws or applicable law. Holders of
common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends
as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any
preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred
stock.
68
In the
event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of common
stock are entitled to receive proportionately all assets available
for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and
other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any
outstanding preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no
preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The
rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are
subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the
holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may
designate and issue in the future.
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the following sales or issuances
of Company securities were conducted under the exemption from
registration as provided under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
of 1933 (and also qualified for exemption under 4(5), formerly 4(6)
of the Securities Act of 1933, except as noted below). All of the
shares issued were issued in transactions not involving a public
offering, are considered to be restricted stock as defined in Rule
144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 and stock
certificates issued with respect thereto bear legends to that
effect.
The Company has compensated consultants and service providers with
restricted common stock during the development of our business and
when our capital resources were not adequate to provide payment in
cash.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had the
following issuances of unregistered equity securities to accredited
investors unless otherwise indicated:
Debt
and accrued interest of $1,947,819 was converted into 19,573,905
shares of our common stock at an average per share conversion price
of $0.099.
The
Company issued 15 shares related to a previous reverse stock
split.
The
Company issued 154 shares of common stock related to the exercise
of warrants for $485, or $3.151 per share.
On
April 16, 2020, the Company issued 20,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock each to Katherine McLain and Thom
Kozik, directors valued at $0.295 per share or $5,900. This
issuance was an annual award for independent director
services.
On
August 31, 2020, the Company issued commitment shares of 3,552,000
shares related to financing agreements at $0.165 or
$586,920.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had the
following issuances of unregistered equity securities to accredited
investors unless otherwise indicated:
During
the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 147,890 shares
to suppliers for services provided. The Company valued the shares
at $174,435 per share or $1.179.
During
the year ended December 31, 2019, Chicago Venture and Iliad
converted principal and accrued interest of $1,357,872 into
3,120,521 shares of our common stock at a per share conversion
price of $0.766 with a fair value of $2,284,081. The Company
recognized $926,208 loss on debt conversions during the year ended
December 31, 2019.
On
February 15, 2019, the Company entered into a Termination of
Existing Agreements and Release with CANX USA, LLC, a Nevada
limited liability company. In exchange for the Agreement and
cancellation of the CANX Agreements and Warrants, the Company
agreed to issue $1,000,000 of restricted common stock priced at the
February 7, 2019 closing price of $1.20, or 833,333 restricted
common stock shares. The Company recorded a loss on debt conversion
of $1,000,000 during the year ended December 31. 2019. Pursuant to
the Agreement, the Parties agreed to terminate, release and
discharge all existing and further rights and obligations between
the Parties under, arising out of, or in any way related to that
certain Waiver and Modification Agreement and Amended and Restated
Joint Venture Agreement made as of July 10, 2014, and any ancillary
agreements or instruments thereto, including, but not limited to,
the Warrants issued to CANX entitling CANX to purchase 3,600,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$4.95.
On May
2, 2019, the Company issued 26,111 shares valued at $1.90 to a
former employee related to a cashless stock option
exercise.
On
September 21, 2019, The Company issued 33,333 shares of common
stock to Crossover as a commitment fee that was valued at fair
market value at $25,000 or $0.75 per share and was expensed during
the year ended December 31, 2019.
On November 27, 2019, the Company issued 35,011 fractional shares
as a result of the reverse stock split that was effective at the
open of business on November 27, 2019.
The
Company issued 188,335 shares in conjunction with resolving a
business matter. The Company valued the shares at $0.60 per share
of $113,000 and this amount was recorded as a loss on debt
conversions during the twelve months ended December 31,
2019.
69
On
December 17, 2019, Forglen LLC converted principal and accrued
interest of $305,075 into 1,375,285 shares of the Company’s
common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.222.
Warrants
The
Company had the following warrant activity during the year ended
December 31, 2020:
On December 31, 2020, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to
the Self-Amortization Promissory Note (“Amendment No.
3”) as originally issued by the Company to Labrys on August
31, 2020 (the “Note”), Pursuant to Amendment No. 3 the
Company issued a common stock purchase warrant for the purchase of
1,033,057 shares of the Company’s common stock (the
“Warrant”) to the Holder on December 31, 2020. The
exercise price is $$0.121 or $125,000. The three year warrant
expires on December 31, 2023.
The
Company issued 154 shares of common stock related to the exercise
of warrants for $485, or $3.151 per share.
On April 5, 2021, the Company entered into a joint Warrant
Settlement Agreement dated March 31, 2021 with St. George and Iliad
to settle a dispute regarding prior financings. The Company agreed
to issue St. George 11,750,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock to cancel a warrant related to a February 9, 2018
subscription agreement. The Company
agreed to issue Iliad 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock to cancel a warrant related to a October 15,
2018 securities Purchase agreement. We recorded a loss on debt
settlement of $2,423,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and
accrued the liability as of December 31, 2020.
The
Company had the following warrant activity during the year ended
December 31, 2019:
On
February 15, 2019, the Company entered into a Termination of
Existing Agreements and Release with CANX USA, LLC, a Nevada
limited liability company. In exchange for the Agreement and
cancellation of the CANX Agreements and Warrants, the Company
agreed to issue $1,000,000 of restricted common stock priced at the
February 7, 2019 closing price of $1.20, or 833,333 restricted
common stock shares. The Company recorded a loss on debt conversion
of $1,000,000 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Pursuant to
the Agreement, the Parties agreed to terminate, release and
discharge all existing and further rights and obligations between
the Parties under, arising out of, or in any way related to that
certain Waiver and Modification Agreement and Amended and Restated
Joint Venture Agreement made as of July 10, 2014, and any ancillary
agreements or instruments thereto, including, but not limited to,
the Warrants issued to CANX entitling CANX to purchase 3,600,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$4.95.
A
summary of the warrants issued as of December 31, 2020 is as
follows:
|
December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Shares
|
Price
|
Outstanding
at January 1, 2020
|
2,418,834
|
$3.465
|
Issued
|
1,033,057
|
0.121
|
Exercised
|
(154)
|
(3.151)
|
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
Expired
|
-
|
-
|
Outstanding
at Decemebr 31, 2020
|
3,451,737
|
$2.464
|
Exerciseable
at December 31, 2020
|
3,451,737
|
|
70
A
summary of the status of the warrants outstanding as of December
31, 2020 is presented below:
|
December 31, 2020
|
|||
|
Weighted
|
Weighted
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Average
|
Average
|
|
Average
|
Number of
|
Remaining
|
Exercise
|
Shares
|
Exercise
|
Warrants
|
Life
|
Price
|
Exerciseable
|
Price
|
1,033,057
|
3.00
|
$0.121
|
1,033,057
|
$0.121
|
366,667
|
5.66
|
1.500
|
366,667
|
1.500
|
320,000
|
3.88
|
1.800
|
320,000
|
1.800
|
1,407,428
|
0.83
|
3.150
|
1,407,428
|
3.150
|
324,586
|
2.00
|
7.500
|
324,586
|
7.500
|
3,451,737
|
1.898
|
$2.464
|
3,451,737
|
$2.464
|
Warrants
had no intrinsic value as of December 31, 2020.
The
warrants were valued using the following assumptions:
Dividend yield
|
0%
|
Expected life
|
1-5 Years
|
Expected volatility
|
70-200%
|
Risk free interest rate
|
0.78-2.6%
|
NOTE 15– STOCK OPTIONS
Description of Stock Option Plan
The
Company has 1,333,333 shares available for issuance under the First
Amended and Restated 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company has
outstanding unexercised stock option grants totaling 506.667 shares
at an average exercise price of $1.496 per share as of December 31,
2020. The Company filed registration statements on Form S-8 to
register 1,333,333 shares of our common stock related to the 2017
Stock Incentive Plan and First Amended and Restated 2017 Stock
Incentive Plan.
Determining Fair Value under ASC 718
The Company records compensation expense associated with stock
options and other equity-based compensation using the
Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for estimating fair
value of stock options granted under our plan. The Company
amortizes the fair value of stock options on a ratable basis over
the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting
periods. The expected life of awards granted represents the period
of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The
Company estimates the volatility of our common stock based on the
historical volatility of its own common stock over the most recent
period corresponding with the estimated expected life of the award.
The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black
Scholes-Merton option valuation model on the implied yield
currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an
equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and
does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield
of zero in the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model and
adjusts share-based compensation for changes to the estimate of
expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture
experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate is
recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is
changed.
Stock Option Activity
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had the
following stock option activity:
Stock option grants for 43,333 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $1.431 per share expired.
As of December 31, 2020, there are 506,667 options to purchase common stock at an average
exercise price of $1.496 per share outstanding under the 2017
Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan. The Company recorded
$47,170 and $62,132
of compensation expense, net of
related tax effects, relative to stock options for the year ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019 in accordance with ASC Topic 718. As of
December 31, 2020, there is $21,468 of total unrecognized costs related to employee
granted stock options that are not vested. These costs are expected
to be recognized over a period of approximately 2.73
years.
71
Stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 19
are as follows:
|
Options
|
Weighted Average
|
Option
|
|
Shares
|
Exercise Price
|
$
|
Outstanding
as of January 1, 2019
|
666,667
|
$1.410
|
$940,000
|
Granted
|
23,333
|
1.457
|
34,000
|
Exercised
|
(26,111)
|
(0.900)
|
(23,500)
|
Forfeitures
|
(113,889)
|
(1.146)
|
(130,500)
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2019
|
550,000
|
1.491
|
820,000
|
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Forfeitures
|
(43,333)
|
(1.431)
|
(62,000)
|
Outstanding
as of December 31, 2020
|
506,667
|
$1.496
|
$758,000
|
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding and exercisable at December 31,
2020:
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Average
|
Weighted
|
|
Average
|
Range of
|
Number
|
Remaining Life
|
Average
|
Number
|
Exercise Price
|
Exercise Prices
|
Outstanding
|
In Years
|
Exercise Price
|
Exerciseable
|
Exerciseable
|
$0.90
|
80,000
|
2.25
|
$0.90
|
80,000
|
$0.90
|
1.05
|
66,667
|
2.25
|
1.05
|
66,667
|
1.05
|
1.50
|
106,665
|
2.16
|
1.50
|
103,110
|
1.50
|
1.80
|
253,335
|
3.25
|
1.80
|
168,889
|
1.80
|
|
506,667
|
2.73
|
$1.496
|
418,667
|
$1.43
|
Stock
option grants totaling 506,667 shares of common stock no intrinsic
value as of December 31, 2020.
The
stock option grants were valued using the following
assumptions:
Dividend yield
|
0%
|
Expected life
|
1-5 Years
|
Expected volatility
|
70-200%
|
Risk free interest rate
|
0.78-2.6%
|
NOTE 16 - SEGMENT REPORTING
The
management of the Company considers the business to have two
operating segments (i) the distribution of GrowLife products
and GrowLife, Inc. and (ii)
EZ-CLONE, a manufacturer of cloning
products. EZ-CLONE has provided the majority of the Company’s
gross margins during 2020 and 2019. The financial results from
GrowLife products has been diminishing with the Company’s
focus on EZ-CLONE.
72
The
reporting for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
Segment
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
Operating
|
Segment
|
Segment
|
Revenue
|
Margin
|
Profit (Loss)
|
Assets
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
GrowLife
distribution products and GrowLife, Inc.
|
$1,568
|
$314
|
$(2,465)
|
$108
|
EZ-CLONE
cloning manufacturing (1)
|
5,433
|
2,666
|
575
|
4,247
|
Total
segments
|
$7,001
|
$2,980
|
$(1,890)
|
$4,355
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
GrowLife
distribution products and GrowLife, Inc.
|
$4,487
|
$663
|
$(4,857)
|
$(228)
|
EZ-CLONE
cloning manufacturing (2)
|
3,731
|
1,886
|
(160)
|
4,278
|
Total
segments
|
$8,218
|
$2,549
|
$(5,017)
|
$4,050
|
(1)
Includes $240,000
per quarter for EZ-CLONE expenses recorded at GrowLife for 2020.
This also includes all acquisition balances discussed in Note
4.
(2)
Includes $300,000
for EZ-CLONE expenses recorded at GrowLife for 2019. This also
includes all acquisition balances discussed in Note 4.
NOTE 17 – COMMITMENTS,
CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may become subject to various legal
proceedings that are incidental to the ordinary conduct of the
Company’s business. Although we cannot accurately predict the
amount of any liability that may ultimately arise with respect to
any of these matters, it makes provision for potential liabilities
when it deems them probable and reasonably estimable. These
provisions are based on current information and may be adjusted
from time to time according to developments.
As of
September 30, 2019, the Company closed retail stores in Portland,
Maine, Encino, California and Calgary, Canada. The Company has
recorded restructuring reserves related to the store closures. The
Company cannot determine the outcome of these
proceedings.
On October 15, 2018, the Company closed the Purchase and Sale
Agreement with EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation
(the “Agreement”). On November 5, 2019, the
Company amended the Agreement with one 24.5% shareholder of
EZ-CLONE Enterprises, Inc. (“EZ-CLONE”), to extend the
date to purchase the remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE in exchange
for a 20% extension fee (a total of $171,000 for the 49% or $85,500
for each 24.5% shareholder) of the $855,000 cash payable at the
earlier of the closing of $2,000,000 in funding or nine months
(July 2020). The Company did not close the purchase of the
remaining 49% of stock of EZ-CLONE by the extended
deadline.
On September 15, 2020, the Company received notice that William
Blackburn and Brad Mickelsen, minority shareholders of EZ-CLONE
Enterprises, Inc. (“Plaintiffs”), a majority owned
subsidiary of the Company, filed a complaint against the Company
and its officers Marco Hegyi and Mark Scott
(“Officers”), in the Superior Court of California,
County of Sacramento (“Complaint”) for claims related
to breach under the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 15,
2018 between the Company and Plaintiffs. On September 15,
2020, the Company filed a notice of removal with the California
Superior Court, County of Sacramento and the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of California. The case was
removed to Federal District Court for the Eastern District of
California and Plaintiffs filed an Ex Parte Application for TRO and
an Order for Preliminary Injunction with the Federal Court.
The TRO was granted on September 16, 2020 and a preliminary
injunction hearing was scheduled for September 29, 2020.
After reviewing all pleadings and oral arguments at the hearing,
the Court issued a ruling granting Plaintiffs’ request for a
preliminary injunction. Subsequent to September 29, 2020, the
parties are providing legal briefs to the Federal court to
determine if rescission should be granted. We cannot determine
the outcome of these proceedings.
73
The Complaint also alleges that the Company and its Officers made
certain false representations and other claims to consummate the
Transaction and as a result has failed to complete the second
closing as required under Purchase and Sale Agreement. As of
December 4, 2020, the company’s officers were dismissed from
the case. The Plaintiffs are seeking rescission of the Purchase and
Sale Agreement, unspecified damages in excess of ten thousand
dollars, and other equitable relief.
As of
December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a liability of $2,131,000
for acquisition payable of which a $1,105,000 is payable in stock
and $1,026,000 is payable in cash.
Operating Leases
The Company is obligated under the following leases for its various
facilities.
On May
31, 2020, the Company rented space at 5400 Carillon Point, Kirkland, Washington 98033
for $623 per month for the Company’s corporate office
and use of space in the Regus network, including California. The
Company’s agreement expires May 31, 2021 and was extended to
May 31, 2022.
On December 14, 2018, GrowLife, Inc. entered into a lease agreement
with Pensco Trust Company for a 28,000 square feet industrial space
at 10170 Croydon Way, Sacramento, California 95827 used for the
assembly and sales of plastic parts by EZ-CLONE. The monthly lease
payment is $17,500 and increases approximately 3% per year. The
lease expires on December 31, 2023.
Employment Agreements
Employment Agreement with Marco Hegyi
On
October 15, 2018, the Board of Directors approved an Employment
Agreement with Marco Hegyi pursuant to which we engaged Mr. Hegyi
as its Chief Executive Officer through October 15,
2021.
Mr.
Hegyi’s annual compensation is $275,000. Mr. Hegyi is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to four percent (4%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
Mr.
Hegyi received 320,000 warrants in October 2018 as follows: (i)
Warrant to purchase up to 106,667 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $1.80 per share which vested immediately; and
(ii) two Warrants to purchase up to 106,667 shares of common stock
of the Company at an exercise price of $1.80 per share. One warrant
for 106,667 shares of our common stock vested on October 15, 2019.
Additional warrants for 106,667 shares of the Company’s
common stock vest on October 15, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The
Warrants are exercisable for 5 years.
Mr.
Hegyi is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by the Company to its senior executives and
management employees from time to time, subject to the terms and
conditions of such benefit plans, including any eligibility
requirements. In addition, the Company will purchase and maintain
during the Term an insurance policy on Mr. Hegyi’s life in
the amount of $2,000,000 payable to Mr. Hegyi’s named heirs
or estate as the beneficiary.
If the Company terminates Mr. Hegyi’s employment at any time
prior to the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in
the Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Hegyi terminates his employment
at any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Hegyi will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount through the end of the Term; and (ii) his
Annual Bonus amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
Employment Agreement with Mark E. Scott
On
October 15, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved an Employment
Agreement with Mark E. Scott pursuant to which the Company engaged
Mr. Scott as its Chief Financial Officer through October 15, 2021.
Mr. Scott’s previous Agreement was cancelled.
Mr.
Scott’s annual compensation is $165,000. Mr. Scott is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to two percent (2%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
Our
Board of Directors granted Mr. Scott an option to purchase 133,333
shares of the Company’s Common Stock under our 2017 Amended
and Restated Stock Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $1.80 per
share. The Shares vest quarterly over three years. All options will
have a five-year life and allow for a cashless exercise. The stock
option grant is subject to the terms and conditions of our Amended
and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, including vesting requirements.
In the event that Mr. Scott’s continuous status as employee
to us is terminated by us without Cause or Mr. Scott terminates his
employment with us for Good Reason as defined in the Scott
Agreement, in either case upon or within twelve months after a
Change in Control as defined in our amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan, then 100% of the total number of Shares shall
immediately become vested.
74
Mr.
Scott is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, the Company is required purchase and maintain an
insurance policy on Mr. Scott’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Scott’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary. Finally, Mr. Scott is entitled to twenty days of
vacation annually and also has certain insurance and travel
employment benefits.
If the Company terminates Mr. Scott’s employment at any time
prior to the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in
the Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Scott terminates his employment
at any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Scott will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount for ninety days; and (ii) his Annual Bonus
amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
Mr.
Scott resigned from the Board of Directors effective December 15,
2020 and as Chief Financial Officer as of December 31,
2020.
Employment Agreement with Joseph Barnes
On
October 15, 2018, the Compensation Committee approved an Employment
Agreement with Joseph Barnes pursuant to which we engaged Mr.
Barnes as President of the GrowLife Hydroponics Company through
October 15, 2021. Mr. Barnes’s previous Agreement was
cancelled.
Mr.
Barnes’s annual compensation is $165,000. Mr. Barnes is also
entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to two percent (2%) of
the Company’s EBITDA for that year. The annual bonus shall be
paid no later than 31 days following the end of each calendar
year.
The
Board of Directors granted Mr. Barnes an option to purchase 120,000
shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the
Company’s 2017 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan at
an exercise price of $1.80 per share. The Shares vest quarterly
over three years. All options will have a five-year life and allow
for a cashless exercise. The stock option grant is subject to the
terms and conditions of our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive
Plan, including vesting requirements. In the event that Mr.
Barnes’s continuous status as employee to us is terminated by
us without Cause or Mr. Barnes terminates his employment with us
for Good Reason as defined in the Barnes Agreement, in either case
upon or within twelve months after a Change in Control as defined
in our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive, then 100% of the total
number of Shares shall immediately become vested.
Mr.
Barnes is entitled to participate in all group employment benefits
that are offered by us to our senior executives and management
employees from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of
such benefit plans, including any eligibility requirements. In
addition, the Company is required purchase and maintain an
insurance policy on Mr. Barnes’s life in the amount of
$2,000,000 payable to Mr. Barnes’s named heirs or estate as
the beneficiary. Finally, Mr. Barnes is entitled to twenty days of
vacation annually and also has certain insurance and travel
employment benefits.
If the Company terminates Mr. Barnes’s employment at any time
prior to the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in
the Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Barnes terminates his
employment at any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Barnes will be entitled to receive
(i) his Base Salary amount for ninety days; and (ii) his Annual
Bonus amount for each year during the remainder of the
Term.
NOTE 18 – INCOME TAXES
The
Company has incurred losses since inception, which have generated
net operating loss carryforwards. The net operating loss
carryforwards arise solely from United States
sources. EZ-CLONE currently files its own separate tax
return as it does not meet the qualifications for being included in
the Company’s consolidated tax returns. Taxable losses and
the future benefit of EZ-CLONE losses since our transaction with
them in October 2018 have not been material through 2019. During
2020 EZ-CLONE generated taxable income and our 2020 current tax
expense below relates to estimated taxes owed by
EZ-CLONE.
The
Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $24.9
million which expire in 2022-2038. Because it is not more likely
than not that sufficient tax earnings will be generated to utilize
the net operating loss carryforwards, the deferred tax asset
related to the net operating loss carryforwards has a corresponding
100% valuation allowance. Additionally, under the Tax Reform Act of
1986, the amounts of, and benefits from, net operating losses may
be limited in certain circumstances, including a change in
control.
Section 382
of the Internal Revenue Code generally imposes an annual limitation
on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that may be used
to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone
significant changes in its stock ownership. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to utilize any net
operating loss carryforwards in the future. The Company is subject
to possible tax examination for the years 2014 through
2020.
75
For the year ended December 31, 2020 the Company’s effective
tax rate was 4% which is higher than expected because the
Company’s subsidiary EZ-CLONE files its own tax return and
generated taxable income for the year. For the year ended December
31, 2019, the Company’s effective tax rate was a benefit of
2%, this was solely the result of the reduction of the deferred tax
liability originally recorded in 2018 in connection with the
acquisition of EZ-CLONE. In accordance with the ASC 740,
“Accounting for income taxes”, and in connection with
the acquisition of EZ-CLONE the Company recorded a deferred tax
liability of $587,750 related to the inside basis difference
between book and tax basis of intangible assets acquired. Beginning
in 2019, the deferred tax liability is reduced annually by $117,550
as the difference in book and tax basis becomes less. The reduction
of the deferred tax liability resulted in a tax benefit of $117,550
in 2020 and 2019. As of December 31, 2020 and 2020 the deferred tax
liability totals $352,649 and $472,200.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, income tax
(expense) benefit consisted of the following:
|
2020
|
2019
|
Current
tax (expense) :
|
|
|
Federal
|
$(263,983)
|
$-
|
State
|
(85,520)
|
-
|
Total
current tax (expense)
|
(349,503)
|
-
|
Deferred
tax benefit:
|
|
|
Federal
|
117,550
|
117,750
|
State
|
-
|
-
|
Total
deferred benefit
|
117,550
|
117,750
|
|
|
|
Total
income tax (expense) benefit, net
|
$(231,953)
|
$117,750
|
The principal components of the Company’s deferred tax assets
and liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as
follows:
|
2020
|
2019
|
Net
operating loss carryforwards
|
$5,232,524
|
$4,685,324
|
Less
valuation allowance
|
(5,232,524)
|
(4,685,324)
|
Net
deferred tax assets
|
-
|
-
|
Deferred
tax liability-intangible basis difference
|
(352,649)
|
(470,200)
|
Net
deferred tax liability
|
$(352,649)
|
$(470,200)
|
A reconciliation of the United States Federal Statutory rate to the
Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019 is as follows:
|
2020
|
2019
|
Federal
statutory rate
|
-21.0%
|
-21.0%
|
State
statuatory rate
|
-6.0%
|
-6.0%
|
Change
in valuation allowance
|
27.0%
|
27.0%
|
Separate
tax for subsidiary
|
-6.0%
|
0.0%
|
Reduction
in deferred tax liability
|
2%
|
2%
|
Effective
tax (expense) benefit rate
|
-4%
|
2%
|
NOTE 19– SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluates subsequent events, for the purpose of
adjustment or disclosure, up through the date the financial
statements are available.
These were the material events subsequent to December 31,
2020:
On February 26, 2021, GrowLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”), closed the transactions described below
with Bucktown Capital, LLC, a Utah limited liability company
(“Bucktown”).
76
Securities Purchase Agreement, Secured Promissory Notes and
Security Agreement
On February 26, 2021, the Company executed the following agreements
with Bucktown: (i) Securities Purchase Agreement; (ii) Secured
Convertible Promissory Note; and (iii) Security Agreement
(collectively the “Bucktown Agreements”). The Company
entered into the Bucktown Agreements with the intent to acquire
working capital to grow the Company’s businesses and to repay
all outstanding obligations owed to: (i) Labrys Fund, L.P.
(“Labrys”) in the amount of $615,333.34; and (ii)
PowerUp Lending Group Ltd. (“PowerUp”) in the amount of
$128,858.24.
The total amount of funding under the Bucktown Agreements is
$3,088,000 as represented in the Secured Convertible Promissory
Note (“Note”). The total purchase price for this Note
is $2,850,000; the Note carries an aggregate original issue
discount of $228,000 and a transaction expense amount of $10,000.
The Note is comprised of two (2) tranches (each, a
“Tranche”), consisting of (i) an initial Tranche in an
amount equal to $928,000 and any interest, costs, fees or charges
accrued thereon or added thereto under the terms of the Note and
the Bucktown Agreements (the “Initial Tranche”), and
(ii) an additional Tranche, which is exclusively dedicated for the
purchase of the remaining equity interest in EZ-CLONE, in the
amount of $2,160,000.00, plus any interest, costs, fees or charges
accrued thereon or added thereto under the terms of the Note and
the Bucktown Agreements (the “Subsequent Tranche”). The
Initial Tranche shall correspond to $68,000 of the OID and the
Transaction Expense Amount and may be converted into shares of
Common Stock at any time subsequent to the Purchase Price Date. The
Subsequent Tranche corresponds to the Investor Note and $160,000 of
the aggregate OID.
The Company agreed to reserve three times the number of shares
based on the redemption value with a minimum of 23,340,000 shares
of its common stock for issuance upon conversion of the Note, if
that occurs in the future. If not converted sooner, the Note is due
on or before February 26, 2022. The Note has an interest rate of
eight percent (8%). The Note is convertible, at Bucktown’s
option, into the Company’s common stock at $0.30 per share
(“Lender Conversion Price”), subject to adjustment as
provided for in the Note. However, in the event the Market
Capitalization (as defined in the Note) falls below the Minimum
Market Capitalization the Lender Conversion Price shall equal the
lower of the Lender Conversion Price and the Market Price as of any
applicable date of Conversion.
The Company’s obligation to pay the Note, or any portion
thereof, is secured by all of the Company’s assets as
described in Schedule A to the Security Agreement attached hereto
and incorporated herein by this reference.
Employment Agreement with Michael E. Fasci
On January 1, 2021, the Compensation Committee of the Company
entered into an Employment Agreement with Michael E. Fasci to serve
as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer through December 31,
2023. Mr. Fasci formerly served as Chairman of the
Board.
Mr. Fasci’s shall receive an annual salary of $165,000 and
may earn an annual bonus equal to two percent (2%) of the
Company’s EBITDA for that year. Mr. Fasci was also granted an
option to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company’s Common
Stock under the Company’s 2018 Stock Incentive Plan at an
exercise price of $0.12 per share (“Option”). The
Option vests quarterly over three years, has a five-year life and
allows for a cashless exercise. The stock option grant is subject
to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Stock Incentive
Plan, including vesting requirements.
In the event that Mr. Fasci’s continuous status as employee
to the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or Mr.
Fasci terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason as
defined in the Fasci Agreement, in either case upon or within
twelve months after a Change in Control as defined in the
Company’s Stock Incentive Plan, then 100% of the total number
of Shares shall immediately become vested.
Mr. Fasci is entitled to participate in all group employment
benefits that are offered by the Company to the Company’s
senior executives and management employees from time to time,
subject to the terms and conditions of such benefit plans,
including any eligibility requirements.
If the Company terminates Mr. Fasci’s employment at any time
prior to the expiration of the Term without Cause, as defined in
the Employment Agreement, or if Mr. Fasci terminates his employment
at any time for “Good Reason” or due to a
“Disability”, Mr. Fasci will be entitled to receive (i)
his Base Salary amount for ninety days; and (ii) his Annual Bonus
amount for each year during the remainder of the Term.
On
January 5, 2021 Mr. Fasci was appointed to the Company’s
Board of Directors as well as to the Company’s Compensation
Committee. On January 12, 2021 Mr. Fasci was appointed Secretary of
the Company.
77
Resignation of Ms. Katherine McLain
On January 5, 2021, Katherine McLain resigned as a Director of
GrowLife, Inc. (“the Company”). The resignation was not
the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter
relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or
practices.
As the result of Ms. McLain’s resignation, Mr. Thom Kozik,
current board member and member of the Compensation Committee was
appointed to serve as Chairman of the Compensation
Committee.
Warrant Settlement Agreement with St. George and Iliad
On
April 5, 2021, GrowLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”), entered into a joint Warrant Settlement
Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated March
31, 2021, with St. George and Iliad to resolve a dispute related to
prior financings. The Company agreed to issue to St. George
11,750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to cancel a
warrant related to a February 9, 2018 subscription
agreement. The Company agreed to issue
Iliad 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to
cancel a warrant related to a October 15, 2018 Securities
Purchase Agreement. We recorded a loss on debt settlement of
$2,423,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. On April 5, 2021,
the Company issued Iliad 2,500,000 shares to settle its
obligation.
Debt Conversions
On January 8, 2021, Silverback Capital Corporation converted
principal and accrued interest of $115,220 into 1,600,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.1108.
On January 19, 2021, PowerUp Funding converted principal and
accrued interest of $50,000 into 613,497 shares of the
Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0815.
On January 20, 2021, PowerUp Funding converted principal and
accrued interest of $34,680 into 425,521 shares of the
Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0815.
On January 25, 2021, Silverback Capital Corporation converted
principal and accrued interest of $187,200 into 2,600,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0720.
On February 8, 2021, Silverback Capital Corporation converted
principal and accrued interest of $230,720 into 2,800,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.0824.
On February 17, 2021, Silverback Capital Corporation converted
principal and accrued interest of $192,280 into 1,900,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.1012.
On March 4, 2021, Silverback Capital Corporation converted
principal and accrued interest of $294,750 into 2,500,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.1179.
On March 19, 2021, Silverback Capital Corporation converted
principal and accrued interest of $202,177 into 2,900,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at a per share conversion price of
$0.1117.
78
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, GrowLife, Inc. (the "Registrant")
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
GROWLIFE, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
Date: April 15, 2021
|
By:
|
/s/ Marco Hegyi
|
|
|
Marco Hegyi
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Michael E. Fasci
|
|
|
Michael E. Fasci
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
SIGNATURES
|
|
TITLE
|
|
DATE
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Marco Hegyi
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
April 15, 2021
|
Marco Hegyi
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael E. Fasci
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, Director and Secretary
|
|
April 15, 2021
|
Michael E. Fasci
|
|
(Principal Financial/Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
/s/ Thom Kozik
|
|
Director
|
|
April 15, 2021
|
Thom
Kozik
|
|
|
|
|
79