Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark one)

Commission File Number 000-55450

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

4880 Havana Street

Suite 201

Denver, Colorado 80239

(Address of principal executive offices)

(303) 371-0387

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

(Title of class)

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 Securities 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 and post such files).    Yes  ☒   No  ☐

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

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 in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ☐   No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity (common stock) held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of the close of business on June 30, 2021 was approximately $102.8 million based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on OTC Markets, Inc. on that date.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s $0.001 par value Common Stock as of the close of business on March 25, 2022 was 45,629,812.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon our good faith assumptions, expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on our business. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intends,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “approximately,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms or other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future events or future operating or financial performance, although the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. This information may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual events or our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future events, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that future events, results, performance or achievements will be in accordance with our expectations or that the effect of future events, results, performance or achievements will be those anticipated by us.

Factors and risks that may cause actual events, results, performance or achievements to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, for example:

Risks Related to Our Operations

Risks Related to Our Industry

Risks Related to our Capital Stock

 General Risk Factors

We discuss these risks and factors that could cause actual events, results, performance or achievements to differ materially from our expectations in more detail under “Item 1. Business”, “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations”.

Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements in this Report are reasonable, we cannot assure stockholders and potential investors that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

These forward-looking statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Many of those factors are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Considering these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than we have described. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning other matters addressed in this Report and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this Report.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise. Stockholders and potential investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

History

Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Nevada on March 20, 2014. On May 1, 2014, the Company entered into a non-exclusive Technology License Agreement with Futurevision, Inc., f/k/a Medicine Man Production Corp., dba Medicine Man Denver (“Medicine Man Denver”), pursuant to which Medicine Man Denver granted the Company a license to use all of the proprietary processes that it had developed, implemented and practiced at its cannabis facilities relating to the commercial growth, cultivation, marketing and distribution of medical and recreational marijuana pursuant to relevant state laws and the right to use and to license such information, including trade secrets, skills and experience (present and future) for 10 years.

In 2017, the Company acquired additional cultivation intellectual property through the acquisition of Success Nutrients™ and Pono Publications, including the rights to the book titled “Three A Light” and the proprietary cultivation techniques documented therein, which have been part of the Company’s product and service offerings since the acquisition. The Company acquired Two J’s LLC d/b/a The Big Tomato in 2018, which operates a retail location in Aurora, Colorado. It has been a leading supplier of hydroponics and indoor gardening supplies in the metro Denver area since May 2001.

On July 21, 2017, the Company issued 2,258,065 shares of its Common Stock for 100% ownership of Denver Consulting Group (“DCG”).

From June 5, 2019 through May 21, 2020, the Company completed a private placement of shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock for aggregate gross cash proceeds of approximately $18,575,000. In the private placement, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 9,287,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $2.00 per share and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 9,287,000 additional shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.50 per share.

The Company was focused on cannabis dispensary and cultivation consulting and providing equipment and nutrients to cannabis cultivators until its first plant touching acquisition in April of 2020. In 2019, due to the changes in Colorado law permitting non-Colorado resident and publicly traded investment into “plant-touching” cannabis companies, the Company made a strategic decision to move toward direct plant-touching operations. The Company developed a plan to roll up a number of direct plant-touching dispensaries, manufacturing facilities, and cannabis cultivations with a target to be one of the largest seed to sale cannabis businesses in Colorado. In April 2020, the Company acquired its first plant-touching business, Mesa Organics Ltd. d/b/a Purplebee’s (“Purplebee’s”), which consisted of four dispensaries and one manufacturing infused products facility.

On April 20, 2020, the Company rebranded and since then conducts its business under the trade name Schwazze. The corporate name of the Company continues to be Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Effective April 21, 2020, the Company commenced trading under the OTC ticker symbol “SHWZ.”

On December 16, 2020, the Company issued and sold a Convertible Promissory Note and Security Agreement in the original principal amount of $5,000,000 to Dye Capital & Company, LLC (“Dye Capital”). On February 26, 2021, Dye Capital converted all outstanding amounts under the note into 5,060 shares of Preferred Stock.

On December 17, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Starbuds Pueblo LLC, and (ii) Starbuds Alameda LLC under separate Asset Purchase Agreements. On December 18, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Starbuds Commerce City LLC, (ii) Lucky Ticket LLC, (iii) Starbuds Niwot LLC, and (iv) LM MJC LLC under separate Asset Purchase Agreements. On February 4, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Colorado Health Consultants LLC, and (ii) Mountain View 44th LLC under separate Asset Purchase Agreements. On March 2, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Starbuds Aurora LLC, (ii) SB Arapahoe LLC, (iii) Citi-Med LLC, (iv) Starbuds Louisville LLC, and (v) KEW LLC under separate Asset Purchase Agreements. The Company refers to this series of acquisitions as the “Star Buds Acquisition.”

From December 2020 through March 2021 the Company completed a private placement of Preferred Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $52.7 million dollars. In the private placement, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 52,700 shares of Preferred Stock at a price of $1,000 per share under securities purchase agreements with Dye Capital Cann Holdings II, LLC (“Dye Cann II”) and CRW Capital Cann Holdings, LLC (“CRW”) as well as subscription agreements with unaffiliated investors. Among other terms, each share of Preferred Stock (i) earns an annual dividend of 8% on the “preference amount,” which initially is equal to the $1,000 per-share purchase price and subject to increase, by having such dividends automatically accrete to, and increase, the outstanding preference amount, (ii) is entitled to a liquidation preference under certain circumstances, (iii) is convertible into shares of Common Stock by dividing the preference amount by $1.20 per share under certain circumstances, and (iv) is subject to a redemption right or obligation under certain circumstances.

On July 21, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of Southern Colorado Growers that are used in, held for use in or related to the seller’s business of growing, distributing and marketing recreational cannabis products, including its licenses, under an Asset Purchase Agreement. On the same date, the Company also acquired approximately 36 acres of real property with outdoor cultivation capacity located in Huerfano County, Colorado, together with, among other things, all structures and improvements thereon, from BWR L.L.C. pursuant to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

On December 3, 2021, the Company and all its direct and indirect subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with 31 accredited investors (the “Note Investors”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Note Investors 13% senior secured convertible notes due December 7, 2026 (the “Investor Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $95,000,000 for an aggregate purchase price of $93,100,000 (reflecting an original issue discount of $1,900,000, or 2%) in a private placement. On December 7, 2021, the Company consummated the private placement and issued and sold the Investor Notes pursuant to the Indenture entered into among the Company, Chicago Admin, LLC, as collateral agent (the “Indenture Collateral Agent”), Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as trustee (the “Indenture Trustee”), and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Indenture”). The Company received net proceeds of approximately $92 million at the closing, after deducting a commission to the placement agent and estimated offering expenses. The Investor Notes will mature five years after issuance unless earlier repurchased, redeemed, or converted. The Investor Notes bear interest at 13% per year paid quarterly commencing March 31, 2022 in cash for an amount equal to the amount payable on such date as if the Investor Notes were subject to an annual interest rate of 9%, with the remainder of the accrued interest payable as an increase to the principal amount of the Investor Notes. The proceeds from the Investor Notes are required to be used to fund previously identified acquisitions and other growth initiatives.

On December 21, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of Smoking Gun, LLC (“Smoking Gun”) and Smoking Gun Land Company, LLC (“SG Land”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement entered into on November 13, 2021 (the “Smoking Gun APA”) with Double Brow, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Double Brow”), Smoking Gun, SG Land, and Deborah Dunafon, Ralph Riggs, George Miller, Lindsey Mintz, Terry Grossman and Annette Gilman (collectively, the “SG Members”). At the closing, Double Brow purchased (i) all of Smoking Gun’s assets used or held for use in Smoking Gun’s business of distributing and marketing recreational cannabis products through Smoking Gun’s retail marijuana store located in Glendale, Colorado, and (ii) all of SG Land’s tangible and intangible assets related to certain leased property, including fixtures, furniture and equipment related thereto (the “Smoking Gun Asset Purchase”), and assumed obligations under contracts acquired as part of the Smoking Gun Asset Purchase. The aggregate closing consideration for the Smoking Gun Asset Purchase was $4 million in cash and 100,000 shares of Common Stock. The Company held back $100,000 of the cash consideration and deposited it with an escrow agent as collateral for potential claims for indemnification from Smoking Gun under the Smoking Gun APA. Any portion of the held back cash consideration not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released to Smoking Gun on December 21, 2022.

On January 26, 2022, the Company acquired the assets of BG3 Investments, LLC, dba Drift (“Drift”), and Black Box Licensing, LLC pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement entered into on June 25, 2021 with Double Brow, Drift, Black Box Licensing, LLC and Brian Searchinger, the sole equity holder of Drift and an equityholder of Black Box Licensing, LLC, as amended on October 28, 2021. The acquired assets include (i) the assets used in or related to Drift’s business of distributing, marketing and selling recreational cannabis products and (ii) the leases for two dispensary retail stores located in Boulder, Colorado. The aggregate closing consideration for the acquisition was (i) $1,915,750 in cash, and (ii) 912,666 shares of Common Stock issued to Drift. The Company may be required to issue up to 154,000 additional shares of Common Stock as consideration, which the Company is holding back as collateral for indemnification claims pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. Any portion of the held-back stock consideration not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released as follows: (i) 50% of the held-back stock consideration will be released on June 30, 2022; and (ii) 50% of the held-back stock consideration will be released on December 31, 2022.

On February 9, 2022, the Company acquired MCG, LLC (“MCG”) pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 15, 2021, with Emerald Fields Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, MCG, MCG’s owners, and Donald Douglas Burkhalter and James Gulbrandsen in their capacity as the Member Representatives, as amended on February 9, 2022 (the “MCG Merger Agreement”). Under the MCG Merger Agreement, Emerald Fields Merger Sub, LLC merged with and into MCG, with Emerald Fields Merger Sub, LLC continuing as the surviving entity. The aggregate closing consideration for the merger was $29 million, consisting of: (i) $16,008,000 in cash; (ii) 6,547,239 shares of the Common Stock issued to the members of MCG at a price of $1.63 per share; and (iii) an aggregate of $2,320,000 was held back as collateral for potential claims for indemnification under the MCG Merger Agreement as follows: (y) $1,392,000 in cash and (z) 569,325 shares of Common Stock. The escrowed portion of the purchase price will be released 50% on February 9, 2023 (with such amount being paid from the escrowed cash first) and 50% on August 9, 2023. MCG operates two retail marijuana dispensaries located in Manitou Springs, Colorado and Glendale, Colorado.

On February 8, 2022, the Company acquired its New Mexico business under the terms of a Purchase Agreement, dated November 29, 2021, with Nuevo Holding, LLC and Nuevo Elemental Holding, LLC, both of which are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the “Nuevo Purchasers”), Reynold Greenleaf & Associates, LLC (“RGA”), Elemental Kitchen and Laboratories, LLC (“Elemental”), the equity holders of RGA and Elemental, and William N. Ford, in his capacity as Representative, as amended on February 8, 2022 (the “Nuevo Purchase Agreement”). The Nuevo Purchasers acquired substantially all of the operating assets of RGA and all of the equity of Elemental and assumed specified liabilities of RGA and Elemental. Pursuant to existing laws and regulations in New Mexico, the cannabis licenses for certain facilities managed by RGA are held by two not-for-profit entities: Medzen Services, Inc. (“Medzen”) and R. Greenleaf Organics, Inc. (“R. Greenleaf” and together with Medzen, the “NFPs”). At the closing, Nuevo Holding, LLC gained control over the NFPs by becoming the sole member of each of the NFPs and replacing the directors of the two NFPs with Justin Dye, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and one of its directors, Nancy Huber, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and Dan Pabon, the Company’s General Counsel, Chief Government Affairs Officer and Corporate Secretary. The business acquired from RGA consists of serving as a branding, marketing and consulting company, licensing certain intellectual property related to the business of THC-based products to Elemental and the NFPs, providing consulting services to Elemental and the NFPs, and supporting Elemental and the NFPs to promote, support, and develop sales and distribution of products. Elemental is engaged in the business of creating and distributing cannabis-derived products to licensed cannabis producers. Elemental and the NFPs are in the business of cultivating, processing and dispensing marijuana in New Mexico, with 10 dispensaries, four cultivation facilities (three operating and one under development) and one manufacturing facility. The dispensaries are located in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, Las Cruces, Grants and Las Vegas, New Mexico. The cultivation and manufacturing facilities are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and consists of approximately 70,000 square feet of cultivation and 6,000 square feet of manufacturing. On the same date, Nuevo Holding, LLC entered into two separate Call Option Agreements containing substantially identical terms with each of the NFPs. Each Call Option Agreement gives Nuevo Holding, LLC the right to acquire 100% of the equity or 100% of the assets of the applicable NFP for a purchase price of $100 if, in the future, the New Mexico legislature adopts legislation that permits a NFP to (i) convert to a for-profit corporation and maintain its cannabis license or (ii) sell its assets (including its cannabis license) to a for-profit corporation. The aggregate closing consideration for the acquisitions was approximately (i) $27.7 million in cash, and (ii) $17.0 million in the form of an unsecured promissory note issued by Nuevo Holding, LLC to RGA, the principal amount of which is payable on February 8, 2025 with interest payable monthly at an annual interest rate of 5%. The Nuevo Purchasers may be required to make a potential “earn-out” payment of up to $4.5 million in cash to RGA and William N. Ford (as Representative) based on the EBITDA of the acquired business for calendar year 2021.

On February 15, 2022, Double Brow acquired substantially all of the operating assets of Brow 2, LLC (“Brow”) related to its indoor cannabis cultivation operations located in Denver, Colorado (other than assets expressly excluded) and assumed certain liabilities for contracts acquired pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021, among Double Brow, Brow, and Brian Welsh, as the owner of Brow (the “Brow Purchase Agreement”). The acquired assets included a 37,000 square foot building, the associated lease and equipment designed for indoor cultivation. After purchase price adjustments for pre-closing inventory, the aggregate consideration was $6.7 million, of which Double Brow paid $6.2 million at closing and held back $500,000 as collateral for potential claims for indemnification under the Purchase Agreement. Any of the purchase price held back and not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released on February 15, 2023 plus 3% simple interest.

On March 11, 2022, the Company entered into an Asset and Personal Goodwill Purchase Agreement (the “Urban Dispensary Purchase Agreement”) with Double Brow, Urban Health & Wellness, Inc. d/b/a Urban Dispensary (“Urban Dispensary”), Productive Investments, LLC (“Productive Investments”), and Patrick Johnson (together with Productive Investments, the “Urban Equityholders”), pursuant to which the Purchaser will purchase (i) all of Urban Dispensary’s assets used or held for use in Urban Dispensary’s business of owning and operating a retail marijuana store and a grow facility, each located in Denver, Colorado, and (ii) all of Equityholders’ personal goodwill arising from Equityholders’ independent, separate, individual and personal efforts relating to Urban Dispensary’s business on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement (the “Urban Dispensary Purchase”), and assume obligations under contracts acquired as part of the Urban Dispensary Purchase. The aggregate consideration for the Urban Dispensary Purchase will be up to $1,317,500 million in cash and shares of Common Stock in an amount equal to $1,900,000 divided by the price per share of the Common Stock as of market close on the first trading day immediately before the closing. The Company will deposit $30,000 of the cash portion of the purchase price as an earnest money deposit with Urban Dispensary. At the closing, (i) the Company will use the cash portion of the purchase price to pay off certain indebtedness and transaction expenses of Urban Dispensary and then pay the balance to Urban Dispensary, and (ii) the Company will issue the stock portion of the purchase price directly to the Urban Equityholders. The stock consideration is subject to post-closing reduction if any of the actual marijuana product inventory, marijuana plant inventory or cash at closing is less than certain targets stated in the Purchase Agreement. The Company will hold back $288,000 of the stock consideration at closing as collateral for potential claims for indemnification from Urban Dispensary under the Urban Dispensary Purchase Agreement. Any portion of the held back cash consideration not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released to Urban Dispensary on the 18-month anniversary of the closing date of the Urban Dispensary Purchase.

The Company is focused on growing through internal growth, acquisition, and new licenses in the Colorado and New Mexico cannabis markets. The Company is focused on building the premier vertically integrated cannabis company in Colorado and New Mexico. The Company's leadership team has deep expertise in mainstream consumer packaged goods, retail, and product development at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. The Company has a high-performance culture and a focus on analytical decision making, supported by data. Customer-centric thinking inspires the Company’s strategy and provides the foundation for the Company’s operational playbooks.

The Company’s operations are organized into three different segments as follows: (i) retail, consisting of retail locations for sale of cannabis products, (ii) wholesale, consisting of manufacturing, cultivation and sale of wholesale cannabis products, nutrients for cannabis, and hydroponics and indoor gardening supplies, and (iii) other, consisting of all other income and expenses, including those related to licensing and consulting services, facility design services, facility management services, and corporate operations. Each of our operating segments are discussed in further detail below.

CURRENT OPERATING SEGMENTS

SEGMENT 1 – Retail – This segment currently includes our Retail dispensaries.

Dispensaries

As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned and operated 18 retail cannabis dispensaries under two banner names, Star Buds and Smoking Gun Apothecary, in the greater Denver area and southeastern Colorado. As of March 14, 2022, the Company owned and operated (i) 23 retail cannabis dispensaries under four banner names, Star Buds, Smoking Gun Apothecary, Emerald Fields and Drift, in the greater Denver area and southeastern Colorado and (ii) 10 medical retail cannabis dispensaries under one banner, R. Greenleaf, in New Mexico. Our dispensaries sell a wide variety of cannabis products directly to tens of thousands of consumers. These products include loose flower, concentrates, edibles, pre-rolls, topicals, and other associated cannabis products produced by a large variety of cannabis vendors throughout Colorado and New Mexico.

SEGMENT 2 – Wholesale – This segment includes Purplebee’s, Elemental, Colorado and New Mexico Cultivation

Purplebee’s

Purplebee’s is our pure CO2 and ethanol extraction and manufacturing facility in Pueblo, Colorado. It produces cannabis products used in some of the leading edible products across the state. Purplebee’s also produces high-quality vape cartridges and syringes. The Company purchases cannabis biomass, and trim from a large variety of cultivators in Colorado.

Southern Colorado Growers

Southern Colorado Growers is our cultivation facility in Huerfano County, Colorado. It includes approximately 36 acres of land with outdoor cultivation capacity as well as indoor, greenhouse and hoop house cultivation facilities and equipment. Production of cannabis and biomass are sold internally to other Company locations and externally to third parties.

Brow

Brow is our cultivation facility in Denver, Colorado. It includes 37,000 square foot building used for indoor cultivation. Production of cannabis and biomass are sold internally to other Company locations and externally to third parties.

Elemental

Elemental is an extraction and manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It produces cannabis products, using cannabis and biomass produced by R. Greenleaf cultivation sites, such as edibles and vapes sold in R. Greenleaf dispensaries.

R. Greenleaf Cultivation

R. Greenleaf has three active indoor cultivation facilities in New Mexico with a fourth being built. The total indoor grow space is greater than 60,000 square feet with additional build-out adding almost 16,000 square feet. The current facilities produce cannabis and biomass for internal use by the New Mexico dispensaries or Elemental.

SEGMENT 3 – Other – This segment includes Success Nutrients, Big Tomato, Bioscienses and Corporate

Success Nutrients

Success Nutrients was incorporated in Colorado on May 5, 2015. Since inception it has been engaged in the manufacturing and wholesale and retail distribution of nine different plant nutrients for cannabis, each of which comes in three separate sizes. Success Nutrients’ products are primarily marketed to the cannabis industry, specifically to cultivation experts and other growers in the cannabis industry.

The Big Tomato Hydroponics Retail

Two JS LLC, dba The Big Tomato operates a retail location in Aurora, Colorado. It has been a leading supplier of hydroponics and indoor gardening supplies in the metro Denver area since May 2001. It has established a reputation as a store that is fully stocked, has great pricing, and has a very knowledgeable staff. It has continued to provide thousands of indoor gardeners and commercial growers with top quality hydroponic supplies at the best prices. The store maintains an extremely large inventory of hydroponic and gardening supplies. The Big Tomato’s website, TheBigTomato.com, was created for the discriminating indoor gardener who is looking for reliable gardening help and customer service while at the same time enjoying great savings on the products they want to purchase. The website is supported by the Company’s brick-and-mortar store located in Aurora, Colorado. Every sales staff member is an experienced grower that is trained to service customers and answer any questions. Products include indoor gardening products, grow boxes, grow lights, hydroponic systems, ballasts, bulbs, nutrients and additives, and other high-end hydroponic items.

Schwazze Bioscienses LLC

Schwazze Bioscienses LLC is a wholly-owned research and development subsidiary. It is committed to pursuing an aggressive program of basic and applied research focused on bringing consumers, as well as pets, the most beneficial properties of the cannabis plant.

Corporate and Other

In prior years, we generated revenues from our consulting activities as well as seminars we conducted for prospective clients interested in entering the cannabis industry. During 2016, we began to limit these seminars and devote our resources to what we consider to be higher upside activities, including private consultation services and related matters. We expect these services to augment our existing seminar offerings and over time replace most of our local seminar offerings.

The Company offers private consulting services, seminars on various cannabis topics, facility design and management services, and new state licensing application support. The Company reserves the right to modify, add, omit, or otherwise modify any element of its consulting and service offerings without further notice.

MARKETING

The Company markets its products and services to consumers through various online efforts, loyalty programs, word-of-mouth reports and referrals, and promotions.

We are members of various industry groups and attend cannabis-specific conferences, which we believe aid in advancing our brand and skill sets. We have also created a database of marketing collateral materials and resources. We will continue to market our licensing and related services through direct referrals from satisfied licensees or former clients, various online advertising options utilizing industry-specific websites and Google ad words, and any additional measures we may choose to deploy from time to time. We also continue to coalesce interest and a presence within the industry through participation in various events and through direct promotion.

We continue to enhance our online presence via our website, http://www.schwazze.com, which includes updates to our home page, investors page and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports included therein (through OTC Markets, Inc.) and our industry partners.

In our retail spaces, we promote products through our loyalty program and product promotions.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

Below is a discussion of the federal and state-level U.S. regulatory regimes in those jurisdictions where we are currently directly involved, through our subsidiaries, in the cannabis industry. The Company is directly engaged in the manufacture, possession, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the adult-use cannabis marketplace in the State of Colorado.

The United States federal government regulates drugs in large part through the Controlled Substances Act, or CSA. Marijuana, which is a form of cannabis, is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. As a Schedule I controlled substance, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA, considers marijuana to have a high potential for abuse; no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. According to the U.S. federal government, cannabis having a concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, greater than 0.3% is marijuana. Cannabis with a THC content below 0.3% is classified as hemp.

The scheduling  of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance is inconsistent with what we believe to be widely accepted medical and recreational uses for marijuana by physicians, researchers, patients, and consumers. Moreover, as of March 21, 2022 and despite the clear conflict with U.S. federal law, at least 37 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use. Nineteen of those states and the District of Columbia have legalized the adult-use of cannabis for recreational purposes, although South Dakota’s adult-use measure is subject to potential challenge. In November 2020, voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota voted by referendum to legalize marijuana for adult-use , and voters in Mississippi and South Dakota voted to legalize marijuana for medical use. South Dakota’s adult-use law was struck down by the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Unlike in Canada, which uniformly regulates the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana at the federal level under the Cannabis Act (Canada), marijuana is largely regulated at the state level in the United States. State laws regulating marijuana are in conflict with the CSA, which makes marijuana use and possession federally illegal. Although certain states and territories of the United States authorize medical or adult-use marijuana production and distribution by licensed or registered entities, under United States federal law, the possession, use, cultivation, and transfer of marijuana and any related drug paraphernalia is illegal. Although our activities are compliant with the applicable state and local laws in Colorado, strict compliance with state and local laws with respect to cannabis may neither absolve us of liability under United States federal law nor provide a defense to any federal criminal action that may be brought against us. In 2013, as more and more states began to legalize medical and/or adult-use marijuana, the federal government attempted to provide clarity on the incongruity between federal law and these state-legal regulatory frameworks.

Until 2018, the federal government provided guidance to federal agencies and banking institutions through a series of Department of Justice memoranda. The most notable of this guidance came in the form of a memorandum issued by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General James Cole on August 29, 2013, which we refer to as the Cole Memorandum. The Cole Memorandum offered guidance to federal agencies on how to prioritize civil enforcement, criminal investigations and prosecutions regarding marijuana in all states and quickly set a standard for marijuana-related businesses to comply with. The Cole Memorandum put forth eight prosecution priorities:

1. Preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors;

2. Preventing revenue from the sale of marijuana from going to criminal enterprises, gangs and cartels;

3. Preventing the diversion of marijuana from states where it is legal under state law in some form to other states;

4. Preventing the state-authorized marijuana activity from being used as a cover or pretext for the trafficking of other illegal drugs or other illegal activity;

5. Preventing violence and the use of firearms in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana;

6. Preventing drugged driving and the exacerbation of other adverse public health consequences associated with marijuana use;

7. Preventing the growing of marijuana on public lands and the attendant public safety and environmental dangers posed by marijuana production on public lands; and

8. Preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property.

On January 4, 2018, former U.S. Attorney General Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum by issuing a new memorandum to all United States Attorneys, which we refer to as the Sessions Memo. Rather than establishing national enforcement priorities particular to marijuana-related crimes in jurisdictions where certain marijuana activity was legal under state law, the Sessions Memo simply rescinded the Cole Memorandum and instructed that “[i]n deciding which marijuana activities to prosecute... with the [DOJ’s] finite resources, prosecutors should follow the well-established principles that govern all federal prosecutions.” Namely, these include the seriousness of the offense, history of criminal activity, deterrent effect of prosecution, the interests of victims, and other principles.”

Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that state laws legalizing and regulating the sale and use of marijuana will not be repealed or overturned, or that local governmental authorities will not limit the applicability of state laws within their respective jurisdictions. Unless and until the United States Congress amends the CSA with respect to marijuana (and as to the timing or scope of any such potential amendments there can be no assurance), there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce current U.S. federal law. Currently, in the absence of uniform federal guidance, as had been established by the Cole memorandum, enforcement priorities are determined by respective United States Attorneys.

As an industry best practice, despite the rescission of the Cole Memorandum, we abide by the following standard operating policies and procedures, which are designed to ensure compliance with the guidance provided by the Cole Memorandum:

1. Continuously monitor our operations for compliance with all licensing requirements as established by the applicable state, county, municipality, town, township, borough, and other political/administrative divisions;

2. Ensure that our cannabis related activities adhere to the scope of the licensing obtained;

3. Implement policies and procedures to prevent the distribution of our cannabis products to minors;

4. Implement policies and procedures in place to avoid the distribution of the proceeds from our operations to criminal enterprises, gangs or cartels;

5. Implement an inventory tracking system and necessary procedures to reliably track inventory and prevent the diversion of cannabis or cannabis products into those states where cannabis is not permitted by state law,

or across any state lines in general;

6. Monitor the operations at our facilities so that our state-authorized cannabis business activity is not used as a cover or pretense for trafficking of other illegal drugs or engaging in any other illegal activity; and

7. Implement quality controls so that our products comply with applicable regulations and contain necessary disclaimers about the contents of the products to avoid adverse public health consequences from cannabis use and discourage impaired driving.

In order to participate in either the medical or recreational sides of the marijuana industry in Colorado, New Mexico and elsewhere, all businesses and employees must obtain badges and licenses from the state or the Company and, for businesses, local jurisdictions. Colorado issues six types of business licenses including cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, transport, research license and testing. New Mexico also issues six types of business licenses but for production, manufacturing, retail, micro-production, consumption lounges and couriers. All applicants for licenses undergo a background investigation, including a criminal record check for all owners and employees.

Colorado and New Mexico have also enacted stringent regulations governing the facilities and operations of marijuana businesses. All facilities are required to be licensed by the state and local authorities and are subject to comprehensive security and surveillance requirements. In addition, each facility is subject to extensive regulations that govern its businesses practices, which includes mandatory seed-to-sale tracking and reporting, health and sanitary standards, packaging and labeling requirements and product testing for potency and contaminants.

Laws and regulations affecting the adult-use marijuana industry are constantly changing, which could detrimentally affect our proposed operations. Local, state, and federal adult-use marijuana laws and regulations are broad in scope and subject to evolving interpretations, which could require us to incur substantial costs associated with compliance or alter our business plan. In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our operations. It is also possible that regulations may be enacted in the future that will be directly applicable to our business. These ever-changing regulations could even affect federal tax policies that may make it difficult to claim tax deductions on our returns. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations, or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our business.

EMPLOYEES

As of March 25, 2022, we employ 389 full time and 29 part time employees. We also employ several specialty contractors to provide support for various roles, including retail sales in our dispensaries, wholesale sale and distribution of our cannabis and non-cannabis products, manufacturing, cultivation, and general corporate.

None of our employees are represented by a labor union or a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

We use performance metrics to assess and reward employee performance, such as EBITDA targets, foot traffic, basket size and revenue per labor hour.

COMPETITION

As the Company expanded its business and operations to include cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and retail activities, the universe of competitors also increased. We face substantial competition in each of our operating segments in the states in which we operate and throughout the United States. We currently operate in Colorado and New Mexico. As of March 4, 2022, there were 653 retail dispensaries and 420 licensed medical marijuana stores in Colorado. In New Mexico there are 508 licensed premises of which 228 are licensed retail locations.

The Company and its subsidiaries compete with a variety of different operators across the states in which they operate. In the majority of such states, there are specific license caps that create high barriers to entry. However, in some markets, such as Colorado, there are few caps on licenses creating a more open marketplace. Our most direct competitors within Colorado include a number of operators, such as The Green Solution ("TGS"), Native Roots, Green Dragon and LivWell. Our most direct competitors within New Mexico as of March 21, 2022, include Ultra Health, PurLife and Urban Wellness. The Company also views operators that have vertical operations outside of Colorado and New Mexico as potential strategic competitors due to our growth strategy, including Green Thumb Industries, Inc., iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc., Acreage Holdings, Inc., and Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. Like the Company, these companies can realize centralized synergies to produce higher margins. In addition to operators, we also have a number of manufacturing competitors, including Columbia Care Inc., Craft Concentrates, WHT LBL Cannabis, Colorado Cannabis Company, and Spherex Inc. When New Mexico legalizes adult-use cannabis on April 1, 2022, we anticipate additional competitors to come into the market.

Additionally, the Company competes with the unregulated black and grey markets. As the regulatory environment continues to develop, management believes there will be a major reduction of these unregulated participants.

TRADEMARKS - TRADENAMES

We rely upon our various trademarks, trade names and intellectual property, and we will, in the future and as appropriate, develop such intellectual property as we may determine valuable to our business. We also acknowledge that certain protections normally available to us related to design or other utility patents in the cannabis industry are not currently enforceable under federal law. We attempt to protect our intellectual property via the deployment of robust non-disclosure agreements with both prospects and licensees. There are no assurances that these non-disclosure agreements will prevent a third party from infringing upon our rights.

The Company utilizes a combination of copyright, trade secret laws and confidentiality agreements to protect its proprietary intellectual property. We intend to aggressively register for patent protection if and when the federal government eliminates the cannabis prohibition. Intellectual property counsel has advised that any effort to register a patent relating to the cultivation of marijuana would currently be unsuccessful. (See Item 3).

INDUSTRY ANALYSIS

Nationally, the marijuana industry has continued to expand through the passage of legislation in many states permitting medical and/or recreational use of cannabis under state law. While there certainly appears to be a trend towards acceptance of cannabis, there are no assurances offered that this business will be able to sustain itself over time if the Federal Government changes its current position related to state legalized operations.

As of March 21, 2022 at least 37 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use. Nineteen of those states and the District of Columbia have legalized the adult-use of cannabis for recreational purposes, although South Dakota’s adult-use measure has been struck down by the South Dakota Supreme Court. In November 2020, voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota voted by referendum to legalize marijuana for adult-use, and voters in Mississippi and South Dakota voted to legalize marijuana for medical use.

While there have been many observations and prognostications relative to the recent elections, no specific laws have been passed by the federal government to change the federal prohibition of marijuana.

Colorado has continued to set new sales growth-related records, generating about $2.25 billion in gross sales in 2021; up from the $2.21 billion recorded in 2020 noting many of those sales were related to adult use and the robust tourist industry. It is noteworthy that 2021 grew over 2020 in Colorado despite cycling of high 2020 sales due to COVID-19. New Mexico has continued to grow as well, generating about $264 million of sales in 2021; up from the $201 million in 2020. The Company anticipates an increase in sales in 2022 compared to prior years in New Mexico when adult-use is legalized on April 1, 2022.

Our Website

Our principal executive offices are located at 4880 Havana St. Suite 201, Denver, CO 80239 and the Company’s telephone number is 303-371-0387. Our website address is www.schwazze.com. Information found on our website or any other website referenced in this Report is not incorporated into this Report and does not constitute a part of this Report. Website addresses referenced in this Report are intended to be inactive textual references only and not active hyperlinks to the referenced websites. We make available, free of charge through our website, our SEC filings furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. 

There are a number of risk factors affecting the Company, its business and holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock. The risks and uncertainties described herein are not the only ones the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business. If any of the following risks actually occur, the Company’s business may be harmed and its financial condition and results of operations may suffer significantly.

Risks Related to our Operations 

We have a relatively short operating history.

We have a relatively short operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business and future prospects. We have encountered, and will continue to encounter, risks and difficulties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly changing industries, including those related to:

If we do not manage these risks successfully, our business and financial performance will be adversely affected. Our long-term results of operations are difficult to predict and depend on the commercial success of our products, services and clients, the continued growth of the cannabis industry generally (including public acceptance of cannabis-related products) and the regulatory environment in which the cannabis industry operates. If the legalized cannabis marketplace does not continue to grow because the public does not increasingly accept cannabis-related products, or if government regulators adopt laws, rules or regulations that terminate or diminish the ability for commercial businesses to develop, market and sell cannabis-related products, our business and financial performance would be materially adversely affected. Additionally, even if the cannabis marketplace continues to grow rapidly and government regulation allows for the free-market development of this industry, there can be no assurance that our products and services will be preferable to or competitive with those offered by our competitors. The legalized cannabis industry may not continue to grow and the regulatory environment may not remain favorable to participants in the industry. More generally, our products and services may not experience growing market acceptance, which would adversely impact our ability to grow revenue.

We have incurred significant losses in prior periods and while 2021 resulted in a profit, there is no assurance we can generate profits; future losses could cause the quoted price of our Common Stock to decline or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, our ability to pay our debts as they become due and on our cash flow.

We have incurred significant losses in prior periods. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we incurred a net gain of approximately $0.5 million, but had an approximate accumulated deficit of $52 million. There can be no assurance that we will generate profits in any particular year or at all in the future. Our ability to generate profits will depend on a number of factors and is subject to risks, many of which are beyond our control. Any losses in the future could cause the quoted price of our Common Stock to decline or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, our ability to pay our debts as they become due, and on our cash flow.

We are dependent on enforcement of proprietary rights.

When entering into confidentially agreements with our employees, consultants, and corporate clients, we take what we believe are commercially reasonable steps to control access to and distribution of our technologies, documentation, and other proprietary information. Despite efforts to protect our proprietary rights from unauthorized use or disclosure, parties may attempt to disclose, obtain, or use our products, solutions, or technologies. We cannot be certain that the steps we take will prevent misappropriation of our proprietary solutions or technologies. Further, this is particularly difficult in foreign countries where the laws or law enforcement may not provide as robust protection of the Company’s proprietary rights as compared to United States laws and law enforcement. As of the date of this report, we are shipping nutrients outside of the United States, but we do not currently conduct any operations outside of the United States or any territory thereof. The Company does not have current plans to expand its operations to foreign jurisdictions other than potential licensing and consulting service offerings in Canada.

There can be no assurance that third parties will not assert claims of infringement against us.

Others may claim rights to the same technology or trade secrets we currently utilize or may utilize in the future.

From time to time, we may be subject to claims in the ordinary course of our business, including claims of alleged infringement of the trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties by us or our clients. Any such claims, or any resultant litigation, should it occur, could subject us to significant liability for damages and could result in the invalidation of our contractual proprietary rights. In addition, even if we were to win any such litigation, such litigation could be time-consuming and expensive to defend and could result in the diversion of time and attention, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. Any claims or litigation may also result in limitations on our ability to use such trademarks, patents and other intellectual property unless we enter into arrangement with such third parties, which may be unavailable on commercially reasonable terms.

Competition in our industry is intense.

The cannabis industry is highly fragmented, and we have many competitors, including many who offer similar products and services as those offered by us. There can be no guarantees that other companies will not enter the market and develop products and services that are in direct competition with us in the future. We anticipate continued competition from current participants, as well as entry of other companies, in the cannabis market, and we may not be able to establish or maintain a competitive advantage. Some of these companies may have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical, sales and marketing resources. This may allow them to respond more quickly than us to market opportunities. It may also allow them to devote greater resources to the marketing, promotion and sale of their products and services. These competitors may also adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive offers to existing and potential customers, employees, strategic partners, distribution channels and advertisers. Increased competition is likely to result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and potential loss of market share.

We have limited capitalization and limited funds available for operations, and we will require additional financing to successfully implement our business strategy.

Expansion of our business will require capital expenditures. Our capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the size and success of our marketing and sales network and the demand for our products and services. If funds generated from our operations are insufficient to allow us to grow in accordance with our strategic plans, we will need to raise additional funds through public or private financing. No assurance can be given that additional financing will be available or that, if available, it will be obtained on terms favorable to us. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing, we may have to reduce or eliminate expenditures and curtail or delay our growth strategy, including the expansion of our sales and marketing capabilities and future acquisitions, which likely would have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, if we raise additional capital in the future by issuing equity securities or securities exercisable for or convertible into equity securities, existing holders of our Common Stock could suffer significant dilution, and any new securities issued could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to our existing stockholders. Furthermore, if we raise additional capital in the future by incurring debt or issuing debt securities, such debt may impose covenants restricting our ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make dividends and other payments, issue securities and buy and sell assets, or otherwise restrict financial or operational activities, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions.

If we are unable to service or repay our indebtedness when due, the applicable lender may execute on the collateral.

We have outstanding indebtedness that is secured by a security interest in all of our assets. If we fail to comply with the covenants set forth in the applicable debt instruments or if we fail to make certain payments under the debt instruments when due, the holders of such indebtedness could declare the debt instruments in default. If we default under any such debt instruments, the holders have the right to seize our assets that secure the debt instruments, which would have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

Several of our wholly-owned subsidiaries are borrowers under a Loan Agreement with SHWZ Altmore, LLC, as lender (“SHWZ Altmore”), and GGG Partners LLC, as collateral agent. The loan is secured by a security interest in substantially all current and future assets of the borrowers. We guaranty the payment and performance by the borrowers when due. If the borrowers and we are unable to pay the debt service or repay the term loan when due, the lender may, among other remedies, sell the collateral and use the proceeds to satisfy amounts owed under term loan.

The seller notes associated with the purchase of the Star Buds assets by SBUD LLC are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the current and future assets of SBUD LLC. If SBUD LLC is unable to pay the debt service or repay the seller notes when due, the sellers may, among other remedies, sell the collateral and use the proceeds to satisfy amounts owed under the seller notes.

Our Investor Notes are secured by a first priority security interest in all of the current and future assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors not otherwise pledged as collateral, which are held by the Indenture Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Note Investors, and payment under the Investor Notes and Indenture are guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Investor Notes provide that on December 7, 2025, the Note Investors will have the right to require the Company to repurchase some or all of the Investor Notes for cash in an amount equal to the principal amount of such Investor Note being repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the date of repurchase. If the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors are unable to pay the debt service or repay the Investor Notes when due, the Indenture Collateral Agent may, among other remedies, sell the collateral and use the proceeds to satisfy the amounts owed under the Investor Notes.

Our officers or directors may have conflicts of interest.

Some of our executive officers or directors are employed on a full-time basis by or have financial interests in other businesses. Consequently, there are potential inherent conflicts of interest when acting in their capacity as officers or directors of the Company. For example, Brian Ruden, one of our directors, is the owner Star Buds outside the state of Colorado. Where a conflict of interest may arise, our Audit Committee and/or the full Board of Directors, with advice from outside counsel, reviews such conflict of interest. Although we believe that our related party transaction policy is currently adequate in guarding against material conflicts of interests, we cannot give any assurance that we are able to identify all material conflicts of interest or that conflicts of interest will be resolved in a manner beneficial to the Company.

We plan to expand our business and operations into jurisdictions outside of the current jurisdictions where we conduct business and doing so will expose us to new risks.

In the future, we plan to expand our operations and business into jurisdictions outside of the jurisdictions where we currently operate. There can be no assurance that any market for our products and services will develop in any such jurisdictions. We may face new or unexpected risks or significantly increase our exposure to one or more existing risk factors if we expand into new jurisdictions, including, without limitation, economic instability, new competition, and additional, new or changes in laws and regulations (including, without limitation, the possibility that we could be in violation of these laws and regulations as a result of such changes). These factors may limit our ability to successfully expand our operations in, export our products to, or provide our services in, those other jurisdictions.

We may not be able to successfully identify and execute future acquisitions or dispositions or to successfully manage the impacts of such transactions on our operations.

A key element of our growth strategy involves identifying and acquiring interests in, or the businesses of, suitable entities involved in the cannabis industry. Our ability to identify such potential acquisition opportunities and successfully acquire them is not guaranteed. Further, achieving the benefits of future acquisitions will depend, in part, on successfully identifying and capturing such opportunities in a timely and efficient manner with the appropriate structure to ensure a stable and growing stream of revenues.

Material acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions involve a number of risks, including: (i) the potential disruption of our ongoing business; (ii) the distraction of management away from the ongoing oversight of our existing business activities; (iii) incurring indebtedness; (iv) the anticipated benefits and cost savings of those transactions not being realized fully, or at all, or taking longer to realize than anticipated; (v) an increase in the scope and complexity of our operations; (vi) the loss or reduction of control over certain of our assets; (vi) the integration of new operations, services and personnel; (vii) unforeseen or hidden liabilities; (viii) the diversion of resources from our existing interests and business; (ix) potential inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset new costs; or (x) the expenses of such transactions.

Further, there is no guarantee that future acquisitions will be accretive. The existence of one or more material liabilities of an acquired company or business that are unknown to us at the time of acquisition could result in our incurring those liabilities. A strategic transaction may result in a significant change in the nature of our business, operations and strategy, and we may encounter unforeseen obstacles or costs in implementing a strategic transaction or integrating any acquired business into our operations.

Resources spent researching acquisitions that are not consummated could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire other businesses.

It is anticipated that the investigation of each specific acquisition target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant transaction agreements and other ancillary documents, disclosure documents, and other instruments, will require substantial management time and attention, as well as costs related to fees payable to counsel, accountants, and other third parties. If an identified transaction is not consummated, such event may result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred therein, which could impact subsequent attempts to locate and acquire other businesses.

We rely on key utility services.

Our business is dependent on a number of key inputs and their related costs, including raw materials and supplies related to our growing operations, as well as electricity, water and other local utilities. Our cannabis growing operations consume and will continue to consume considerable energy, which makes us vulnerable to rising energy costs. Accordingly, rising or volatile energy costs may adversely impact our business and our ability to operate profitably in the future. Additionally, any significant interruption or negative change in the availability or economics of the supply chain for our key inputs could materially impact our business, financial condition and operating results. If we are unable to secure required supplies and services on satisfactory terms, it could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Changes in consumer spending may harm our business.

Consumer spending patterns, particularly discretionary expenditures for cannabis products, are particularly susceptible to factors beyond our control that may reduce demand for our products and our client’s products. These factors include:

Reduced consumer spending could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our success is dependent on consumer acceptance of cannabis products generally, and specifically our products.

Our ability to generate revenue and be successful in the implementation of our business plan is significantly dependent on consumer acceptance of and demand for cannabis products generally, and, specifically, our products. Consumer acceptance will depend on several factors, including federal regulation of cannabis as well as availability, cost, ease of use, familiarity of use, convenience, effectiveness, safety, and reliability of cannabis products. If consumers do not accept cannabis products generally, or, specifically, our products, or if we fail to meet customers’ needs and expectations, our ability to continue generating revenues could be reduced.

We are subject to risks from products liability claims.

We face an inherent risk of product liability claims. For example, we could be sued if any product we sell allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts.

If we cannot successfully defend against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit sales of our products. Even a successful defense of these hypothetical future cases would require significant financial and management resources. If we are unable to successfully defend these hypothetical future cases, we could face at least the following potential consequences:

Our business is dependent on regulatory licensing.

Our business is dependent on us and our clients obtaining various licenses from various municipalities and state licensing agencies. There can be no assurance that any or all licenses necessary for us or our clients to operate a cannabis businesses will be obtained, retained or renewed. If a licensing body were to determine that we or one of our clients violated applicable rules and regulations, there is a risk the license granted to us or such client could be revoked, which could adversely affect our operations and profitability. Further, in Colorado, licenses for cannabis operations are tied to a specific location, and we operate substantially all our operations through leases. If we are unable to renew any of our leases in Colorado, we could potentially lose the license for such location. License are not specific to locations in New Mexico and, therefore, we are not subject to a similar risk related to our leases in New Mexico. There can be no assurance that we or our existing clients will be able to retain their licenses going forward, or that new licenses will be granted us, our clients, or to existing and new market entrants.

We may be subject to risks related to our information technology systems, including the risk that we may be the subject of a cyber-attack and the risk that we may be in non-compliance with applicable privacy laws.

We have entered into agreements with third parties for hardware, software, telecommunications and other information technology (“IT”), services in connection with our operations. Our operations depend, in part, on how well we and our vendors protect our networks, equipment, IT systems and software against damage from several threats, including, but not limited to, cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, intentional damage and destruction, fire, power loss, hacking, computer viruses, vandalism, theft, malware, ransomware and phishing attacks. Any of these and other events could result in IT system failures, delays or increases in capital expenses. Our operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, IT systems and software, as well as preemptive expenses to mitigate the risk of failures. The failure of IT systems or a component of IT systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We collect and store personal information about our consumers and are responsible for protecting that information from privacy breaches. Some of our consumers purchase our product for medical use. There are several laws protecting the confidentiality of certain patient health information and other personal information, including patient records, and restricting the use and disclosure of that protected information. In particular, in the U.S., the Privacy Act of 1974 (the “Privacy Act”), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the “GLBA”), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA” and together with the Privacy Act, the GLBA, HIPAA, and COPPA the “U.S. Privacy Regulations”), the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), the privacy rules under Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronics Documents Act (the “PIPEDA”), and similar laws in other jurisdictions, protect medical records and other personal health information by limiting their use and disclosure to the minimum level reasonably necessary to accomplish the intended purpose. A privacy breach may occur through an internal procedural or process failure, an IT malfunction or deliberate unauthorized intrusions. Theft of data for competitive purposes, particularly patient lists and preferences, is an ongoing risk whether perpetrated through employee collusion, negligence, or deliberate cyber-attack. Moreover, if we are found to be in violation of the U.S. Privacy Regulations, the GDPR, the PIPEDA, or other laws, including as a result of data theft and privacy breaches, we could be subject to sanctions and civil or criminal penalties, which could increase our liabilities and harm our reputation.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. While we have implemented security resources to protect our data security and information technology systems, such measures may not prevent such events. Significant disruption to our information technology system or breaches of data security could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to cover all significant risk exposures.

We are exposed to liabilities that are unique to the products and services we provide. While we intend to maintain insurance for certain risks, the amount of our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all claims or liabilities, and we may be forced to bear substantial costs resulting from risks and uncertainties of our business. It is also not possible to obtain insurance to protect against all operational risks and liabilities. Due to the nature of our business, we may have difficulty obtaining insurance because, compared to non-cannabis industries, (i) there are only a limited number of insurers willing to insure companies involved in the cannabis industry, (ii) there are fewer insurance products available to companies involved in the cannabis industry, (iii) insurance coverage generally is more expensive for companies involved in the cannabis industry, and (iv) available insurers, insurance products, and cost of coverage fluctuates frequently. Failure to obtain adequate insurance coverage on terms favorable to us, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not have any business interruption insurance. Any business disruption or natural disaster could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The global outbreak of the novel strain of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 has resulted in governments worldwide enacting emergency measures to combat the spread of the virus. These measures, which include the implementation of travel bans, self-imposed quarantine periods and social distancing, have caused material disruption to businesses globally, resulting in an economic slowdown. Global equity markets have experienced significant volatility and weakness. Governments and central banks have reacted with significant monetary and fiscal interventions designed to stabilize economic conditions. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown at this time, as is the efficacy of the government and central bank interventions. It is not possible to reliably estimate the length and severity of these developments or their impact on our financial results and condition. Thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Nonetheless, our business could be materially and adversely affected by the risks, or the public perception of the risks, related to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of a pandemic, or public perception of such a risk, could cause customers to avoid public places, including our retail properties, and could cause temporary or long-term disruptions in our supply chains and/or delays in the delivery of our products. These risks could also adversely affect our customers' financial condition, resulting in reduced spending for the products we sell. Moreover, any epidemic, pandemic, outbreak or other public health crisis, including COVID-19, could cause our employees to avoid public spaces, which could adversely affect our ability to adequately staff and manage our businesses. “Shelter-in-place” or other such orders by governmental entities could also disrupt our operations if employees who cannot work remotely are not able to report to work. Risks related to an epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis, such as COVID-19, could also lead to the complete or partial closure of one or more of our stores or other facilities. Although our dispensaries have been considered essential services and therefore have been allowed to remain operational, there can be no guarantee that our adult-use operations will be allowed to remain open at any point during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic or that our retail dispensary operations will continue to be deemed essential.

The ultimate extent of the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis on our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity of such epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis and actions taken to contain or prevent its further spread, among others. These and other potential impacts of an epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis, such as COVID-19, could therefore materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, growth strategies and results of operations.

Failure to execute our strategies could result in impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, which may negatively impact profitability.

As of December 31, 2021, we have goodwill of approximately $43,316,267 and other intangible assets of approximately $97,582,330, which represents approximately 49% of our total assets as of that date. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if impairment indicators are present based upon the fair value of each reporting unit. We assess the impairment of other intangible assets on an annual basis, or more frequently if impairment indicators are present, based upon the expected future cash flows of the respective assets. These valuations include management’s estimates of sales, profitability, cash flow generation, capital structure, cost of debt, interest rates, capital expenditures, and other assumptions. Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our business, inability to achieve sales projections or cost savings, inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of the assets or in entity structure, and divestitures may adversely impact the assumptions used in the valuations. If the estimated fair value of our reporting units changes in future periods, we may be required to record an impairment charge related to goodwill or other intangible assets, which would reduce earnings in such period.

Risks Related to Our Industry

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Despite the successful development of a cannabis industry legal under state laws in a number of states, state laws legalizing medicinal and recreational adult cannabis use are in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act, which classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance and makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes, and thus federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis preempts state laws legalizing its use.

A prior U.S. administration attempted to address the inconsistent treatment of cannabis under state and federal law in the Cole Memorandum, which Deputy Attorney General James Cole sent to all U.S. Attorneys in August 2013 that outlined certain priorities for the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) relating to the prosecution of cannabis offenses. The Cole Memorandum provided that enforcing federal cannabis laws and regulations in jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing cannabis in some form and that have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations was not a priority for the DOJ. The DOJ did not provide (and has not provided since) specific guidelines for what regulatory and enforcement systems would be deemed sufficient under the Cole Memorandum. On January 4, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions formally issued the Sessions Memorandum, which rescinded the Cole Memorandum effective upon its issuance. The Sessions Memorandum stated, in part, that current law reflects “Congress’ determination that cannabis is a dangerous drug and cannabis activity is a serious crime,” and Mr. Sessions directed all U.S. Attorneys to enforce the laws enacted by Congress and to follow well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to cannabis activities. There can be no assurance that the federal government will not enforce federal laws relating to cannabis in the future. The Biden administration has not expressed a cannabis policy as of the date of this Report. The uncertainty of federal enforcement practices going forward and the inconsistency between federal and state laws and regulations presents major risks for our business and operations. Any such change in the federal government’s enforcement of federal laws could cause significant financial damage to us and our stockholders.

Under federal law, and more specifically the federal Controlled Substances Act, the possession, use, cultivation and transfer of cannabis is illegal. It is also federally illegal to advertise the sale of cannabis, or to sell paraphernalia designed or intended primarily for use with cannabis, unless the paraphernalia is authorized by federal, state, or local law. Our business involves the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis and cannabis products, and, therefore, violates federal law. Further, we provide services to customers that are engaged in the business of possession, use, cultivation and/or transfer of cannabis. As a result, law enforcement authorities, in their attempt to regulate the illegal use of cannabis, may seek to bring an action or actions against us, including, but not limited to, a claim of aiding and abetting another’s criminal activities. The federal aiding and abetting statute provides that anyone who “commits an offense against the United States or aides, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal. 18 U.S.C. §2(a).

If the Federal Government were to change its enforcement practices, or were to expend its resources enforcing existing federal laws on those involved in the cannabis industry, such action could have a materially adverse effect on our business and operations, our customers or the sales of our products up to and including a complete cessation of our business, and our investors could lose their entire investment

It is possible that additional federal or state legislation could be enacted in the future that would prohibit us or our clients from selling cannabis, and if such legislation were enacted, the demand for our products and services, and those of our clients, would likely decrease, causing revenues to decline. Further, additional government disruption in the cannabis industry could cause potential customers and users to be reluctant to use our products and services, which would be detrimental to us. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our business.

Our business is dependent on state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry.

The federal Controlled Substances Act classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance and makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes, and thus federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis preempts state laws legalizing its use. While there appears to be ample public support for legislative action to legalize cannabis use and possession, numerous factors may impact or negatively affect the legislative process(s) within the various states we have business interests in. Any one of these factors could slow or halt use of cannabis, which would negatively impact our business up to possibly causing us to discontinue operations as a whole.

The voters or legislatures of states in which cannabis has already been legalized could potentially repeal applicable laws that permit the operation of both medical and retail cannabis businesses. These actions might force businesses, including our own and those of our clients, to cease operations in one or more states entirely.

We are required to comply concurrently with federal, state and local laws in each jurisdiction where we operate or to which we export our products.

Various federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines govern our business in the jurisdictions in which we operate or propose to operate, or to which we export or propose to export our products, including laws and regulations relating to health and safety, conduct of operations and the production, management, transportation, storage and disposal of our products and of certain material used in our operations. Compliance with each set of these laws, regulations and guidelines requires concurrent compliance with other complex federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines. These laws, regulations and guidelines change frequently and may be difficult to interpret and apply. Compliance with these laws, regulations and guidelines requires the investment of significant financial and managerial resources, and a determination that we are not in compliance with these laws, regulations and guidelines could harm our reputation and brand image and have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, it is impossible for us to predict the cost or effect of such laws, regulations or guidelines upon our future operations. Changes to these laws, regulations and guidelines could negatively affect our competitive position within our industry and the markets in which we operate, and there is no assurance that various levels of government in the jurisdictions in which we operate will not pass legislation or regulation or issue guidelines that adversely impacts our business.

Our business is subject to a variety of U.S. laws, many of which are unsettled and still developing, and which could subject us to claims or otherwise harm our business.

We are subject to a variety of state and federal laws in the United States. In the United States, despite cannabis having been legalized for medical use in many states, and for adult recreational use in a number of states, cannabis meeting the definition of “marijuana” continues to be categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Following the passage of HB19-1090 in Colorado, we have elected to move into plant-touching operations in addition to non-plant-touching operations by acquiring several plant-touching businesses in Colorado and New Mexico. As a public company involved in direct plant-touching activities, we may face additional scrutiny from the U.S. federal government or other regulatory agencies. Such scrutiny, and any investigation of our operations related to plant-touching activities, could have a material adverse impact on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to risks related to unsafe concentration of heavy metals and other contaminants in our cannabis and nutrient products, and associated inconsistent treatment under state law.

Cannabis plants may absorb heavy metals and other contaminants from the soil that they grow in. Nutrient products are made from ingredients that may contain heavy metals and other contaminants. Heavy metals and contaminants are naturally found in the earth’s crust but may also be present as a result of, for example, pesticide use. Some contaminants, like heavy metals, are toxic to humans at even low concentrations. If our raw materials contain contaminants, they may transfer to our products. If the level of contaminants in our products exceeds permissible or safe levels, it may result in loss of inventory and possible harm to consumers of the products, which may expose us, among other things, to monetary losses, product liability claims and reputational risk.

In addition, state regulation of testing for, and permissible levels of, contaminants in cannabis products varies, making compliance difficult and costly.

We are subject to risks inherent in an agricultural business, including the risk of crop failure.

We work in the cannabis industry, which is an agricultural process. As such, our business is subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, including risks of crop failure presented by weather, insects, plant diseases and similar agricultural risks that might affect us or our clients.

If we are unable to source raw materials in sufficient quantities, on a timely basis, and at acceptable costs, our ability to manufacture and sell our products may be harmed.

We rely on a limited number of suppliers of our raw materials used in manufacturing our products and they are all located in Colorado. We experience recurring cycles of oversupply and undersupply, to some extent due to seasonality, and, as a result, the price and availability of raw materials fluctuate. If we are unable to maintain a reliable supply of raw materials at competitive prices, we could experience disruptions in production or an increased cost of production. Market conditions may limit our ability to raise selling prices to offset increases in our raw material costs. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse impact on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

There is uncertainty related to the regulation of vaporization products and certain other consumption accessories. Increased regulatory compliance burdens could have a material adverse impact on our business development efforts and our operations.

There is uncertainty regarding whether and in what circumstances federal, state, or local regulatory authorities will seek to develop and enforce regulations relative to vaporizer hardware and accessories that can be used to vaporize cannabis and/or tobacco. Further, it remains to be seen whether current or future regulations relating to tobacco vaporization products would also apply to cannabis vaporization products and related consumption accessories.

There has been increasing activity on the federal, state, and local levels with respect to scrutiny of vaporizer products. Federal, state, and local governmental bodies across the United States have indicated that vaporization products and certain other consumption accessories may become subject to new laws and regulations at the state and local levels. For example, in September 2019, the Trump Administration announced a plan to ban the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes nationwide. At the state level, over 25 states have implemented statewide regulations that prohibit vaping in public places. In January 2015, the California Department of Health declared electronic cigarettes and certain other vaporizer products a health threat that should be strictly regulated like tobacco products, and in September 2019, California’s governor issued an executive order on vaping, focused on enforcement and disclosure. Many states, provinces, and some cities have passed laws restricting the sale of electronic cigarettes and certain other tobacco vaporizer products. Some cities have also implemented more restrictive measures than their state counterparts, such as San Francisco, which in June 2018, approved a new ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including vaping liquids and menthol cigarettes.

The application of any new laws or regulations that may be adopted in the future, at a federal, state, or local level, directly or indirectly implicating cannabis vaporization products or consumption accessories could limit our ability to sell such products, result in additional compliance expenses, and require us to change our labeling and methods of distribution, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The scientific community has not yet extensively studied the long-term health effects of the use of vaporizer products.

Cannabis vaporizers and related products were recently developed and therefore the scientific community has not had a sufficient period of time to study the long-term health effects of their use. If the scientific community were to determine conclusively that use of any or all of these products poses long-term health risks, market demand for these products and their use could materially decline. Such a determination could also lead to litigation and significant regulation. Loss of demand for our product, product liability claims, and increased regulation stemming from unfavorable scientific studies on these products could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The cannabis industry and market are relatively new in the United States, and this industry and market may not continue to exist or develop as anticipated or we may ultimately be unable to succeed in this industry and market.

We are operating our current business in the relatively new cannabis industry and market, and our success depends on our ability to operate our business successfully and attract and retain clients. In addition to being subject to general business risks applicable to a business involving an agricultural product and a regulated consumer product, we need to continue to build brand awareness of our brand in the cannabis industry and make significant investments in our business strategy and production capacity. These investments include introducing new products and services into the markets in which we operate, adopting quality assurance protocols and procedures and undertaking regulatory compliance efforts. These activities may not promote our business as effectively as intended, or at all, and we expect that our competitors will undertake similar investments to compete with us for market share. Competitive conditions, consumer preferences and spending patterns in this industry and market are relatively unknown and may have unique characteristics that differ from other existing industries and markets and that may cause our efforts to further our business to be unsuccessful or to have undesired consequences. As a result, we may not be successful in our efforts to operate our business or attract and retain clients or to develop new products and services and produce and distribute these products and services to the markets in which we operate or to which we export in time to be effectively commercialized, or these activities may require significantly more resources than we currently anticipate in order to be successful.

We, or the cannabis industry more generally, may receive unfavorable publicity or become subject to negative consumer or investor perception.

We believe that the cannabis industry is highly dependent upon positive consumer and investor perception regarding the benefits, safety, efficacy and quality of the cannabis distributed to consumers. The perception of the cannabis industry and cannabis products, currently and in the future, may be significantly influenced by scientific research or findings, regulatory investigations, litigation, political statements, media attention and other publicity (whether or not accurate or with merit) both in the United States and in other countries relating to the consumption of cannabis products, including unexpected safety or efficacy concerns arising with respect to cannabis products or the activities of industry participants. There can be no assurance that future scientific research, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other research findings or publicity will be favorable to the cannabis market or any particular cannabis product or will be consistent with earlier publicity. Adverse future scientific research reports, findings and regulatory proceedings that are, or litigation, media attention or other publicity that is, perceived as less favorable than, or that questions, earlier research reports, findings or publicity (whether or not accurate or with merit) could result in a significant reduction in the demand for our cannabis products or those of our clients, which would affect our business. Further, adverse publicity reports or other media attention regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of cannabis or our products specifically, or associating the consumption of cannabis with illness or other negative effects or events, could adversely affect us. This adverse publicity could arise even if the adverse effects associated with cannabis products resulted from consumers’ failure to use such products legally, appropriately or as directed.

Certain events or developments in the cannabis industry more generally may impact our reputation.

Damage to our reputation can result from the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including any negative publicity, whether true or not. As we and our clients are producers and distributors of cannabis, which is a controlled substance in the United States that has previously been commonly associated with various other narcotics, violence and criminal activities, there is a risk that our business might attract negative publicity. There is also a risk that the actions of other companies and service providers in the cannabis industry may negatively affect the reputation of the industry as a whole and thereby negatively impact our reputation. The increased usage of social media and other web-based tools used to generate, publish and discuss user generated content and to connect with other users has made it increasingly easier for individuals and groups to communicate and share negative opinions and views in regards to our activities and the cannabis industry in general, whether true or not. We do not ultimately have direct control over how we or the cannabis industry is perceived by others. Reputational issues may result in decreased investor confidence, increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations and present an impediment to our overall ability to advance our business strategy and realize on our growth prospects.

We are unable to deduct all of our business expenses.

Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits cannabis businesses from deducting their ordinary and necessary business expenses, forcing us to pay higher effective federal tax rates than similar companies in other industries. The effective tax rate on a cannabis business depends on how large its ratio of nondeductible expenses is to its total revenues. Therefore, our cannabis business may be less profitable than it could otherwise be.

The cannabis industry could face strong opposition from other industries.

We believe that established businesses in other industries may have a strong economic interest in opposing the development of the cannabis industry. Cannabis may be seen by companies in other industries as an attractive alternative to their products, including recreational cannabis as an alternative to alcohol and medical cannabis as an alternative to various commercial pharmaceuticals. Many industries that could view the emerging cannabis industry as an economic threat are well established, with vast economic and federal and state lobbying resources. It is possible that companies within these industries could use their resources to attempt to slow or reverse legislation legalizing cannabis. Any inroads these companies make in halting or impeding legislative initiatives that would not be beneficial to the cannabis industry could have a detrimental impact on our business or our clients’ business and, in turn, on our operations.

Businesses involved in the cannabis industry, and investments in such businesses, are subject to a variety of laws and regulations related to money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crimes.

Investments in the U.S. cannabis industry are subject to a variety of laws and regulations that involve money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crime, including the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the USA Patriot Act, other anti-money laundering laws, and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by governmental authorities in the United States. In February 2014, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Treasury Department issued a memorandum (the “FinCEN Memo”) providing guidance to banks seeking to provide services to cannabis-related businesses. The FinCEN Memo outlines circumstances under which banks may provide services to cannabis-related businesses without risking prosecution for violation of U.S. federal money laundering laws. It refers to supplementary guidance that Deputy Attorney General Cole issued to U.S. federal prosecutors relating to the prosecution of U.S. money laundering offenses predicated on cannabis-related violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and outlines extensive due diligence and reporting requirements, which most banks have viewed as onerous. The FinCEN Memo currently remains in place, but it is unclear at this time whether the current administration will continue to follow the guidelines of the FinCEN Memo. Such requirements could negatively affect our ability and the ability of our clients to establish and maintain banking connections.

We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights.

Because the manufacture (cultivation), sale, possession and use of cannabis is illegal under federal law, cannabis-related businesses may have restricted intellectual property rights particularly with respect to obtaining trademarks and enforcing patents. If we are unable to register, or maintain, our trademarks or file for or enforce patents on any of our inventions, such an inability could materially affect our ability to protect our name and proprietary technologies. In addition, cannabis businesses may face court action by third parties under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”). Our intellectual property rights could be impaired as a result of our cannabis-related business, and we could be named as a defendant in an action asserting a RICO violation.

We may be unable to seek the protection of the bankruptcy courts.

There is an argument that the federal bankruptcy courts cannot provide relief for parties who engage in cannabis or cannabis-related businesses. Recent bankruptcy rulings have denied bankruptcies for cannabis dispensaries upon the justification that businesses cannot violate federal law and then claim the benefits of federal bankruptcy for the same activity and upon the justification that courts cannot ask a bankruptcy trustee to take possession of and distribute cannabis assets as such action would violate the federal Controlled Substances Act. Therefore, due to our cannabis-related business, we may not be able to seek the protection of the bankruptcy courts, and this could materially affect our financial performance and/or our ability to obtain or maintain credit.

State regulatory agencies may require us to post bonds or significant fees.

There is a risk that a greater number of state regulatory agencies will begin requiring entities engaged in certain aspects of the cannabis industry to post a bond or significant fees when applying, for example, for a dispensary license or renewal as a guarantee of payment of sales and franchise taxes. We are not able to quantify at this time the potential scope of such bonds or fees in the states in which it currently operates or may in the future operate. Any bonds or fees of material amounts could have a negative impact on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to our Common Stock and Preferred Stock

We may seek to raise additional funds, finance acquisitions or develop strategic relationships by issuing securities that would dilute your ownership.

We may raise additional capital in the future. Such capital raising transactions may take the form of equity issuances, debt raising, issuance of derivative securities, or a combination thereof. If we issue any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Common Stock in connection with any capital raising transaction, our existing stockholders will experience immediate dilution upon such issuance or upon the future conversion or exercise of such securities. Further, derivative securities, such as convertible debt, convertible preferred stock, options and warrants, currently outstanding or issued in the future may contain anti-dilution protection provisions, which, if triggered, could require us to issue a larger number of the security underlying such derivative security than the face amount. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales or issuance of shares of our Common Stock into the market, or the availability of shares of our Common Stock for future sale, will have on the market price of our Common Stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock (including shares issued upon exercise of options and warrants or conversion of convertible securities), or the perception that such sales could occur, may materially affect prevailing market prices for our Common Stock.

Depending on the terms available to us, if these activities result in significant dilution, it may negatively impact the trading price of our shares of Common Stock. Any additional financing that we secure may require the granting of rights, preferences or privileges senior to, or pari passu with, those of our Common Stock or our other outstanding securities. Any issuances by us of securities may be at or below the prevailing market price of our Common Stock and in any event may have a dilutive impact on your ownership interest, which could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. We may also raise additional funds through the incurrence of debt or the issuance or sale of other derivative securities or instruments senior to our shares of Common Stock. We cannot be certain how the repayment of any debt obligations will be funded, and we may issue further equity or debt in order to raise funds to repay such obligations, including funding that may be highly dilutive. The holders of any securities or instruments we may issue may have rights superior to the rights of holders of our Common Stock. If we experience dilution from the issuance of additional securities and we grant superior rights to new securities over holders of our Common Stock, it may negatively impact the trading price of our shares of Common Stock, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

There is no assurance that there will continue to be an active trading market for our Common Stock.

Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQX operated by the OTC Markets Group. There is no assurance that a market for our Common Stock will continue. In the absence of a public trading market, or sufficient trading volume in the public market, an investor may be unable to liquidate its investment in our Company.

Any adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock could make it difficult for us to raise additional capital through sales of equity securities at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.

Sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock, or in anticipation that such sales could occur, may materially and adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Common Stock, if and when such market develops in the future.

The market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly in the future.

We expect that the market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate in response to one or more of the following factors, many of which are beyond our control:

The price at which you purchase shares of our Common Stock may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the trading market. You may be unable to sell your shares of Common Stock at or above your purchase price, which may result in substantial losses to you and which could include the complete loss of your investment. In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following periods of stock price volatility. We may be the target of similar litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and our resources away from our business. Any of the risks described above could adversely affect our sales and profitability and also the price of our Common Stock.

The market price for our Common Stock will be particularly volatile given our status as a relatively unknown company with a limited operating history and lack of profits, which could lead to wide fluctuations in our share price. You may be unable to sell your Common Stock at or above your purchase price, which may result in substantial losses to you.

While there is a market for our Common Stock, our stock price in the future may be particularly volatile when compared to the shares of larger, more established companies with large public floats that trade on a national securities exchange. The volatility in our share price will be attributable to a number of factors. First, our Common Stock is, compared to the shares of such larger, more established companies, sporadically and thinly traded. As a consequence of this limited liquidity, the trading of relatively small quantities of shares by our stockholders may disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. The price for our shares could decline precipitously in the event that a large number of shares of our Common Stock are sold on the market without commensurate demand. Secondly, we are a speculative or “risky” investment due to our limited operating history, lack of profitability, and uncertainty surrounding future market acceptance for our products. As a consequence of this enhanced risk, more risk-adverse investors may, under the fear of losing all or most of their investment in the event of negative news or lack of progress, be more inclined to sell their shares on the market more quickly and at greater discounts than would be the case with the stock of a larger, more established company with a large public float trading on a national securities exchange. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of our Common Stock, regardless of our operating performance. We cannot make any predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for our Common Stock will be at any time.

FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our Common Stock, which could depress the price of our Common Stock.

FINRA has adopted rules that require a broker-dealer to have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer before recommending an investment to a customer. Before 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. Thus, 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 shares of Common Stock, have an adverse effect on the market for our shares of Common Stock, and thereby depress the price per share of Common Stock.

Because we hold a license to operate a cannabis business in Colorado and New Mexico, our stockholders may be required to make filings with the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division or the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division and we may be forced to redeem shares of our capital stock held by stockholders who are deemed “unsuitable” to be owners of our Company.

We hold various licenses from the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and the New Mexico Cannabis Control Division to operate a cannabis business in Colorado and New Mexico. As a result, beneficial owners with a 10% or greater interest are require to make filings with, and to be found suitable to be equity owners of a cannabis business in Colorado, by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division. Our Bylaws provide that for as long as we hold (directly or indirectly) a license for a governmental agency to conduct our business, which license is conditioned upon some or all of our stockholders possessing certain qualifications, we may redeem any and all of our shares of capital stock to the extent necessary to prevent loss of such license or to reinstate such license. If we at any time determine, in our sole discretion, that one of our stockholders or an affiliate of a stockholder is unsuitable to be a direct or indirect equity owner of a cannabis business in Colorado or any other jurisdiction we may operate in where we are subject to other similar licensing or suitability requirements, we have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem such stockholder’s shares of capital stock at a redemption price described in Exhibit 4.1 to this Report. After redemption, a stockholder would only be allowed to own up to 9.99% of the Company. Company funds used to redeem an unsuitable stockholder will reduce funds available for operations and distributions. This redemption right may negatively impact potential investors’ willingness to invest in our Common Stock, which could negatively impact the trading price of our Common Stock. In addition, the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation related to the Preferred Stock and the Indenture provide for a similar redemption right in favor of the Company that is specific to the Preferred Stock and the Investor Notes if a holder of such securities or one of its affiliates is determined by an applicable state governmental authority to be unsuitable or disqualified from owning a direct or indirect interest in the Company.

Our future results of operations may vary significantly, which could adversely affect the price of our Common Stock.

It is possible that our quarterly and annual revenues and operating results may vary significantly in the future and that period-to-period comparisons of our revenues and operating results may not necessarily serve as meaningful indicators of or benchmarks for future performance. You should not rely on the results of any one quarter or year as an indication of our future performance. It is also possible that in some future quarters or years, our revenues and operating results will fall below our expectations or the expectations of market analysts and investors. If we do not meet these expectations, the price of our Common Stock may decline significantly.

Our Preferred Stock, our right to issue additional preferred stock, our classified Board of Directors and provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may delay or prevent a take-over that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our Preferred Stock and provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) may be deemed to have anti-takeover effects, which include when and by whom special meetings of our stockholders may be called, and may delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt.

The existence and terms of our Preferred Stock and our Investor Notes, such as the ability of a majority of the holders of the Preferred Stock to require payment of a liquidation preference upon a change of control, the right of Note Holders to require the Company to repurchase for cash the Investor Notes in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), or the ability to convert shares of Preferred Stock and Investor Notes into Common Stock and the resulting changes in ownership interests of the Company, may prevent or impede a change of control transaction for the Company that could otherwise be in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders. Further, holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock held are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on any matter presented to the Company’s stockholders for their action or consideration at any meeting (or by written consent in lieu of meeting), voting together with the holder of Common Stock as a single class. As of March 25, 2022 executive officers and directors control approximately 42%, holders of our Preferred Stock control approximately 22% and together they control approximately 63% of the voting power of our capital stock, based on the number of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date [or convertible into Common Stock within 60 days of such date]. Therefore, holders of Preferred Stock have the ability to significantly influence the outcome on all matters requiring approval of our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of a change of control transaction for the Company.

Further, our authorized capital consists of 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Our Board of Directors, without further vote by the stockholders, has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences, price and restrictions, including but not limited to voting and dividend rights, of any such shares of preferred stock. The rights of the holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be affected by the rights of holders of preferred stock that our Board of Directors may issue in the future.

In addition, we have a “classified” Board of Directors, which means that one-half of our directors are eligible for election each year. Therefore, if stockholders desire to change the composition of the Board of Directors, it may take at least two years to remove a majority of the existing directors or to change all directors. Having a classified Board of Directors may also, among other things, delay mergers, tender offers or other possible transactions that may be favored by some or a majority of stockholders, and may delay or frustrate stockholder action to change the then-current Board of Directors and management.

Our management and principal stockholders could significantly influence or control matters requiring a stockholder vote, and other stockholders may not have the ability to influence corporate transactions.

Currently, management and our principal stockholders beneficially own a significant amount of our outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock. As a result, management and such principal stockholders have the ability to significantly influence the outcome of all matters requiring approval of our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. As of March 25, 2022 executive officers and directors control approximately 42% of the voting power of our capital stock, based on the number of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date [or convertible into Common Stock within 60 days of such date]. Therefore, management and our principal stockholders have the ability to significantly influence the outcome of all matters requiring approval of our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, such as a change of control transaction for the Company.

We are classified as a “smaller reporting company” and an “emerging growth company,” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our Common Stock and other securities less attractive to investors.

As a reporting company under the Exchange Act, we are classified as a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K and an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act. As such, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock and other securities less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Common Stock or other securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our stock price may be more volatile. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a “smaller reporting company” and/or an “emerging growth company” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.

We have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future. Any return on investment may be limited to potential future appreciation in the value of our Common Stock.

Our ability to pay dividends is restricted by the terms and provisions of our financing agreements, including but not limited to our Loan Agreement with SHWZ Altmore, the Indenture, and the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation related to our Preferred Stock. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to support the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our shares of Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Our payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including without limitation, our financial condition, operating results, cash needs, growth plans and the terms of any contractual provisions related to the payment of dividends that we may be a party to at the time. To the extent we do not pay dividends, our shares of Common Stock may be less valuable because a return on investment will only occur if and to the extent our stock price appreciates, for which there can be no guarantee. In addition, investors must rely on sales of their Common Stock after price appreciation as the only way to realize a return on their investment; if the price of our Common Stock does not appreciate, then there will be no return on investment. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our Common Stock.

Our Preferred Stock ranks senior to our Common Stock but junior to all of our existing and future liabilities in the event of a liquidation, winding up or dissolution of our business.

In the event of our liquidation, winding up or dissolution, our assets would be available to make payments to holders of our Preferred Stock only after all of our liabilities have been paid, and to holders of our Common Stock only after all of our liabilities have been paid and holder of our Preferred Stock have been paid. Our Preferred Stock ranks structurally senior to our Common Stock, but junior to all of our existing and future liabilities and those of our subsidiaries, such as our term loan with SHWZ Altmore and the Investor Notes, as well as the capital stock of our subsidiaries held by third parties and employees, whether now existing or created in the future, that issues shares or other equity interests to third parties or employees. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or winding up of the Company, there may not be sufficient assets remaining, after paying our and our subsidiaries’ liabilities, to pay any amounts to the holders of the Preferred Stock then outstanding, or, thereafter, to pay any amounts to the holders of the Common Stock then outstanding. Any liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or of any of our wholly or partially-owned subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on holders of the Preferred Stock or holders of the Common Stock.

General Risk Factors

Some of our current officers have other interests outside of our business.

While we have employment agreements for full-time employment with our executive officers, the employment agreements do not forbid our executive officers from allocating their personal time to other ventures and commitments. If the other business affairs of our executive officers require them to devote substantial amounts of time to such affairs, it could limit their ability to devote time to our affairs and could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are dependent upon our management to continue our growth.

There are no assurances we will be able to continue or sustain our growth. However, if we are able to continue and sustain our growth in a sustainable fashion, we will need to significantly expand our administrative facilities, which we believe is and will remain necessary to address potential market opportunities. Rapid growth will place a significant strain on our management and operational and financial resources. Our success is principally dependent on our current management personnel for the operation of our business.

We may not be able to hire or retain qualified staff. If qualified and skilled staff are not attracted and retained, growth of our business may be limited. The ability to provide high quality service will depend on attracting and retaining qualified staff, as well as professionals with experience relevant to our market, including marketing, technology, and general experience in the cannabis industry. There will be competition for personnel with these skill sets. Some technical job categories may experience severe shortages in the United States due to general economic conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of experience, and other similar constraints on the U.S. labor market.

Our ability to deliver quality services depends on our ability to manage and expand our marketing, operational and distribution systems, recruit additional qualified employees, and train, manage, and motivate both current and new employees. Failure to effectively manage our employees and labor resources would have a material adverse effect on our business.

The general market conditions in the United States may have a significant impact on our business.

The success of our business is affected by general economic and market conditions. We will remain susceptible to future economic recessions or downturns, and any significant adverse shift in general economic conditions, whether local, regional or national, could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. During such periods of adverse economic conditions, we may experience reduced demand for our products and services, which will result in, among other things, decreased revenues and financial losses. In addition, during periods of adverse economic conditions, we may have difficulty accessing financial markets or face increased funding costs, which could make it more difficult or impossible for us to obtain additional financing if needed.

We cannot ensure that we will always be able to maintain adequate internal controls.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and to help prevent fraud. Although we will undertake several procedures and will implement a number of safeguards, in each case, in order to help ensure the reliability of our financial reports, including those imposed under U.S. securities law, we cannot be certain that such measures will ensure that we will always be able to maintain adequate internal controls over financial processes and disclosure. Failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our results of operations or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we or our auditors discover a material weakness, the disclosure of that fact, even if quickly remedied, could reduce the market’s confidence in our consolidated financial statements and materially adversely affect the value or trading price of our securities, which could in turn impact our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The estimates and judgments we make, or the assumptions on which we rely, in preparing our consolidated financial statements could prove inaccurate.

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, the amounts of charges accrued by us and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We cannot assure, however, that our estimates, or the assumptions underlying them, will not change over time or otherwise prove inaccurate. Any potential litigation related to the estimates and judgments we make, or the assumptions on which we rely, in preparing our consolidated financial statements could have a material adverse effect on our financial results, harm our business, and cause our share price to decline.

We may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic events.

The occurrence of unforeseen or catastrophic events such as terrorist attacks, social unrest, extreme terrestrial or solar weather events or other natural disasters, emergence or continuation of a pandemic (such as COVID-19), or other widespread health emergencies (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), could create economic and financial disruptions, which could lead to operational difficulties that could impair our ability to manage our business. We operate in a new and novel industry for which there is no precedent or historical data to indicate how the industry, or the Company, would be impacted by such an event.

Tax and accounting requirements may change in ways that are unforeseen to us and we may face difficulty or be unable to implement or comply with any such changes.

We are subject to numerous tax and accounting requirements, and changes in existing accounting or taxation rules or practices, or varying interpretations of current rules or practices could have a significant adverse effect on our financial results, the manner in which we conduct our business or the marketability of any of our products. Our operations, and any expansion thereto, will require us to comply with the tax laws and regulations of multiple jurisdictions, which may vary substantially. Complying with the tax laws of these jurisdictions can be time consuming and expensive and could potentially subject us to penalties and fees in the future if we were to fail to comply.

Due to our limited financial resources, litigation could negatively impact our financial condition even if we have not caused damages to any potential claimant.

Litigation is used as a competitive tactic by both established companies seeking to protect their existing position in a given market and emerging companies attempting to gain access to a market. In such litigation, complaints may be filed on a variety of grounds, including but not limited to antitrust violations, breach of contract, trade secret, patent or copyright infringement, patent or copyright invalidity and unfair business practices. If we are forced to defend ourselves against such claims, whether or not meritorious, we are likely to incur substantial expense and diversion of management attention, which could result in market confusion and the reluctance of licensees and distributors to commit resources to our operations.

The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention, and affect our ability to attract and retain executive management and qualified board members.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations is costly, makes some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly, and requires us to maintain and have available specialized systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current periodic reports with respect to our business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may need to hire more employees in the future or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our operating costs and expenses.

In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.

Being a public company, rules and regulations may make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers. Also, our business and financial condition are visible to the public, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be adversely affected. Even if potential future claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, the time and resources necessary to resolve such claims could divert the attention and resources of management and adversely affect our business and operating results.

Not applicable.

It is anticipated that our current leases will be sufficient for our needs for the foreseeable future based on our current plans.

On June 7, 2019, the Company filed a complaint against ACC Industries Inc. and Building Management Company B, L.L.C., in state district court located in Clark County, Nevada, alleging, amongst other causes of action, breach of contract, conversion, and unjust enrichment and seeking general, special and punitive damages. On July 17, 2019, the parties stipulated to stay the case in favor of arbitration. On February 25, 2020 ACC Industries Inc. filed a counterclaim against the Company alleging breach of contract. The Company discovered new facts that lead it to believe that a related entity not previously named as a party to the arbitration, ACC Enterprises, LLC (“ACC”), should be brought in as a party to the arbitration. Based upon the new facts, the Company filed a motion to amend the complaint to add new claims and ACC as a party. On September 1, 2020, the arbitrator granted the Company’s motion and permitted the Company to amend the complaint to add ACC as a party. On September 1, 2020, the Company filed an amended complaint and added intentional misrepresentation, fraudulent inducement, civil conspiracy, aiding and abetting, successor liability and fraudulent concealment claims. The Company began arbitration proceedings on November 2, 2020. The Company completed arbitration in February 2021. On May 14, 2021, the Arbitrator entered an award in favor of the Company in the aggregate amount of $1,935,273, subject to an offset equal to $150,000, for a total net award of $1,785,273. After the arbitration award was entered, a receiver was appointed over ACC and its affiliates due to the death of the only owner who had a valid cannabis establishment registration agent card. An automatic litigation stay was entered upon the appointment of the receiver. During the receivership, ACC's owners have had internal ownership disputes and ACC has had financial difficulties. The receiver has taken the position that ACC should be liquidated. The receiver has not yet formally proposed a plan of liquidation but is expected to in the near future. The Company is actively participating in the receivership case.

On July 6, 2018, the Company filed a complaint in the Eight Judicial Court, Clark County, Nevada against Vegas Valley Growers (“VVG”). In the complaint, the Company alleges breach by VVG of the Technologies License Agreement dated April 27, 2017 between the parties and seeks general, special and punitive damages in the amount of $3,876,850. On August 28, 2018, VVG filed an Answer and Counterclaim against the Company. On August 2, 2019, a jury found in favor of the Company and awarded the Company damages totaling $2,773,321 plus pre- and post-judgment interest and attorneys’ fees. In March 2020, VVG filed its opening appeal brief with the Nevada Supreme Court. The Company’s response brief was due on May 15, 2020. After VVG filed its opening brief in March 2020, the Company filed a Motion to Strike portions of the brief and record. On August 27, 2020, the court ordered VVG to supplement its brief and the record. On October 27, 2020, the Company, in a joint request with VVG, filed a motion to extend its time to file its answering brief. The Company filed its answering brief in January 2021. VVG’s reply brief was filed in March 2021. On July 23, 2021, the Nevada Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s damage award but remanded the case to the trial court to properly calculate post-judgment interest. After the affirmance, VVG filed a petition for rehearing with the Nevada Supreme Court arguing it overlooked or misapprehended material facts in the record.  The Company answered the rehearing petition arguing that it did not. On December 22, 2021, the Company received $3,577,200 for most of the outstanding receivable plus interest and legal fees. There remains an unpaid balance of $12,438 in long term accounts receivable as of December 31, 2021. A second disbursement was made in January 2022 in the amount of $362,698 which constituted accrued interest. The remaining long term accounts receivable balance will continue to accrue interest until paid.

On March 6, 2020, the Company’s former Chief Operating Officer, Joe Puglise, issued an arbitration demand against the Company claiming breach of contract and seeking equity compensation and cash damages. The Company counterclaimed with breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims for unspecified damages. The parties commenced arbitration on January 25, 2021, which concluded in March 2021. On May 12, 2021, the arbitration panel entered an award in favor of Mr. Puglise finding that Mr. Puglise is entitled to $189,920 as a performance bonus plus interest, and 2,000,000 vested options to purchase shares of common stock for $1.49 per share. Mr. Puglise was also awarded attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $391,768.

Not Applicable.

PART II

Market Information

We have one class of publicly traded stock, which is our Common Stock. Quotation of our Common Stock commenced on the OTCQB on or about January 25, 2016. On or about October 5, 2018, our Common Stock commenced quotation on the OTCQX. On April 20, 2020, the Company rebranded and since then conducts its business under the trade name Schwazze. The corporate name of the Company continues to be Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Effective April 21, 2020, the Company commenced trading under the OTC ticker symbol “SHWZ.”

As of March 25, 2022, the closing bid price of our Common Stock was $2.13. Any over-the-counter market quotations for our Common Stock reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Trading volume in our Common Stock varies from day to day. We believe we will continue to experience expansion over time as our revenues and profitability grow to sustainable levels. As a result, the trading price of our Common Stock is subject to significant fluctuations in both volume and pricing.

Holders

As of March 25, 2022, we had 117 holders of record of our Common Stock. The number of beneficial owners is substantially greater than the number of record holders because a portion of our common shares is held of record through brokerage firms in “street name.”

Stock Transfer Agent

The stock transfer agent for our securities is Globex Transfer, LLC, 780 Deltona Boulevard, Suite 202, Deltona, Florida 32725, telephone number, including area code: (813) 344-4490.

Dividends

The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock, and the Company does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The Company’s ability to pay dividends is restricted by the terms and provisions of its financing agreements, including but not limited to its Loan Agreement with SHWZ Altmore, the Indenture, and the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation related to the Preferred Stock. The Company currently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to operate its business and support its growth strategies. Any future determination to pay dividends on the Common Stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law, capital requirements and other factors that the Company’s Board of Directors deems relevant. Dividends on the Preferred Stock are payable in kind in the form of an annual increase of the Preference Amount (as defined in the Articles of Incorporation), not cash. 

Reports

We are subject to certain reporting requirements and furnish annual financial reports to our stockholders, certified by our independent accountants, and furnish unaudited quarterly financial reports in our quarterly reports filed electronically with the SEC. All reports and information filed by us can be found at the SEC website, www.sec.gov, as well as on our website, www.schwazze.com.

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and plan of operations together with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Report.

Overview of the Company

Established in 2014 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., a cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer. The Company’s focus is on building the premier, vertically integrated cannabis company by taking operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated leadership position. The Company is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes.

Results of Operations – Consolidated

The following table sets forth the Company’s selected consolidated financial results for the periods, and as of the dates, indicated. The (i) consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and (ii) consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes presented in Item 8 of this report.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and on a going-concern basis that contemplates continuity of operations and realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in ordinary course of business.

Revenue segments

The Company has consolidated financial statements across its operating businesses with operating segments of retail, wholesale and other.

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, totaled $108,420,239 including (i) retail sales of $73,723,654 (ii) wholesale sales of $34,471,447 and (iii) other operating revenues of $225,138, compared to revenues of $24,000,852 including (i) retail sales of $3,858,613, (ii) wholesale of $18,647,780, and (iii) other operating revenues of $1,494,459 during the year ended December 31, 2020 representing an increase of $84,419,387 or 352%. This increase was due to increased sale of our products as well as growth through acquisition. In 2021, we acquired eight new retail dispensaries and one cultivation facility. Also, 2021 was the first full year of retail revenue from the six retail locations acquired in December 2020, which contributed to the revenue growth in our retail and wholesale segments. The decrease in other operating revenue in 2021 was largely due to decreased service offerings and consulting revenue and increased investment in our retail and wholesale segments.

Cost of Goods and Services

Cost of services for the year ended December 31, 2021, totaled $59,066,545 compared to cost of services of $17,226,486 during the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $41,840,059 or 243%. This increase was due to increased sales of our products as well as growth through acquisition. As the Company was able to realize operating leverage and synergies, the increase in cost of goods and services did not increase consistently with the revenue increase.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021, totaled $38,944,528, compared to operating expenses of $29,677,305 during the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $9,267,223 or 31%. This increase was due to increased selling, general and administrative expenses, professional service fees, salaries, benefits and related employment costs and non-cash, stock-based compensation.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2021, totaled $8,506,128, compared to other income, net of $2,587,069 during the year ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of $5,919,059 or 229%. The increase in other expense, net was due to increase in interest payments due to various loans offset by the gain on derivative liability.

Net Income (Loss)

As a result of the factors discussed above, we generated net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $14,519,130, compared to net loss of $19,416,761 during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Results of Operation by Segment

Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2020

Revenues for retail were $73,723,654 for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $69,865,041 or 1,811% compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in retail revenues was primarily driven by acquisitions of dispensaries in Colorado.

Revenues for wholesale were $34,471,447 for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $15,823,667 or 85% compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in wholesale revenue was primarily driven by acquisition of cultivation facilities and increase in sales of products to the market.

Revenues for other were $225,138 for the year ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $1,233,907 or 85% compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in other revenue was primarily driven by the focus from consulting to retail and wholesale.

Drivers of Results of Operations

Revenue

The Company derives its revenue from three revenue streams: Retail which sells finished goods sourced internally and externally to the end consumer in retail stores; Wholesale which is the cultivation of flower and biomass sold internally and externally and the manufacturing of biomass into distillate for integration into externally developed products, such as edibles and internally developed products such as vapes and cartridges under the Purplebee’s brand; Other which includes other income and expenses, such as, licensing and consulting services, facility design services, facility management services, the Company’s Three A Light™ publication, and corporate operations.

Gross Profit

Gross profit is revenue less cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold includes costs directly attributable to product sales and includes amounts paid for finished goods such as flower, edibles, and concentrates, as well as manufacturing and cultivation labor, packaging, supplies and overhead such as rent, utilities and other related costs. Cannabis costs are affected by market supply. Gross margin measures our gross profit as a percentage of revenue.

Total Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses other than the costs of goods sold consists of selling costs to support customer relations, marketing and branding activities. It also includes an investment in the corporate infrastructure required to support the Company’s ongoing business.

Non-GAAP Measures

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and do not have standardized definitions under GAAP. The following information provides reconciliations for the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures, presented herein to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company has provided the non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as supplemental information and in addition to the financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures are presented because the Company believes it better explains the results of its core business. Management has evaluated the financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items and believe that the supplemental non-GAAP financial measures presented provide additional perspective and insight when analyzing the core operating performance of the business. These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with the GAAP financial measures presented.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had total current liabilities of $45,263,179 and $12,360,386, respectively. The increase in current liabilities is driven by the derivative liability associated with the Investor Notes as well as from general growth of the Company. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $106,400,216 and $1,231,235, respectively to meet its current obligations. The Company had working capital of $78,649,076 as of December 31, 2021, an increase of $85,012,097 as compared to December 31, 2020. The increase in working capital is primarily driven by increase in cash from the Investor Notes issued on December 7, 2021.

The Company is an early-stage growth company, generating cash from revenues and capital raise. Cash is being reserved primarily for capital expenditures, facility improvements and strategic investment opportunities. The Company anticipates overall revenue to increase in 2022 due to acquisitions and adult-use becoming legalized in New Mexico on April 1, 2022. It is possible the Company will seek additional external financing to meet capital needs.

Cash Flows

Cashed used in Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

Net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

The Company’s cash provided by operating activities is driven by increase in sales from acquisitions. Our use of cash from investing activities is driven by acquisition of businesses and property, plant and equipment for existing entities. Our cash provided by financing activities is mainly from proceeds from our credit facility, the Investor Notes and the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock.

CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The following table quantifies the Company’s future contractual obligation as of December 31, 2021:

(a) – This amount excludes $48,477,789 of unamortized debt discount and $8,289,743 of unamortized debt issuance costs. See Note 11 Debt

The Company anticipates using funds from operating activities and if needed, future capital raise to support contractual cash obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we were not party to any off-balance sheet arrangement that had or was reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, cash requirements or capital resources.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies (see Note 2 to Financial Statements), the ones that may involve a higher degree of uncertainty, judgment and complexity are revenue recognition, stock based compensation, derivative instruments, income taxes, goodwill and commitments and contingencies are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition and Related Allowances

Our revenue recognition policy is significant because the amount and timing of revenue is a key component of our results of operations. Certain criteria are required to be met in order to recognize revenue. If these criteria are not met, then the associated revenue is deferred until is the criteria are met. A contract liability is recorded when consideration is received in advance of the delivery of goods or services. We identify revenue contracts upon acceptance from the customer when such contract represents a single performance obligation to sell our products.

We have three main revenue streams: (i) retail sales, (ii) wholesale sales, and (iii) other revenues from revenues from consulting, licensing, and other miscellaneous sources.

The Company’s retail and wholesale sales are recorded at the time that control of the products is transferred to customers. In evaluating the timing of the transfer of control of products to customers, we consider several indicators, including significant risks and rewards of products, our right to payment, and the legal title of the products. Based on the assessment of control indicators, our sales are generally recognized when products are delivered to customers.

The Company’s other revenue, typically from licensing and consulting services, is recognized when our obligations to our client are fulfilled which is determined when milestones in the contract are achieved. The Company’s revenue from seminar fees is related to one-day seminars and is recognized as earned upon the completion of the seminar. We also recognize expense reimbursement from clients as revenue for expenses incurred during certain jobs.

Stock Based Compensation

We account for share-based payments pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Stock Compensation and, accordingly, we record compensation expense for share-based awards based upon an assessment of the grant date fair value for stock and restricted stock awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Our stock compensation expense for stock options is recognized over the vesting period of the award or expensed immediately under ASC 718 when stock or options are awarded for previous or current service without further recourse.

Income Taxes

ASC 740, Income Taxes requires the use of the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method of ASC 740, the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill arising from our acquisitions is attributable to the value of the potential expanded market opportunity with new customers. Intangible assets have either an identifiable or indefinite useful life. Intangible assets with identifiable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their economic or legal life, whichever is shorter. We amortizable intangible assets consist of licensing agreements, product licenses and registrations, and intellectual property or trade secrets. Their estimated useful lives range from 3 to 15 years.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment testing unless circumstances dictate more frequent assessments. We perform an annual impairment assessment for goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year and more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than the carrying amount. Goodwill impairment testing is a two-step process performed at the reporting unit level. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined by considering both the income approach and market approaches. The fair values calculated under the income approach and market approaches are weighted based on circumstances surrounding the reporting unit. Under the income approach, we determine fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting unit, which are discounted to the present value using discount factors that consider the timing and risk of cash flows. For the discount rate, we rely on the capital asset pricing model approach, which includes an assessment of the risk-free interest rate, the rate of return from publicly traded stocks, our risk relative to the overall market, our size and industry and other risks specific to us. Other significant assumptions used in the income approach include the terminal value, growth rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. The market approaches use key multiples from guideline businesses that are comparable and are traded on a public market. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, there is no impairment. If the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step must be completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. Step two calculates the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit as calculated in step one. In this step, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a hypothetical purchase price allocation as if the reporting unit had been acquired on that date. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates, strategic plans, and future market conditions, among others. There can be no assurance that our estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the goodwill impairment testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. Changes in assumptions and estimates could cause us to perform an impairment test prior to scheduled annual impairment tests.

We performed our annual fair value assessment on our subsidiaries with material goodwill and intangible asset amounts on their respective balance sheets at December 31, 2021, , and determined that no impairment exists.

Not applicable.

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the shareholders and the board of directors of Medicine Man Technologies, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended, 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, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Basis for Opinion

These 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 audit. 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 audit 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 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 audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/S/ BF Borgers CPA PC

BF Borgers CPA PC

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2016

Lakewood, CO

March 30, 2022

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) AND INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

Expressed in U.S. Dollars

See accompanying notes to the financial statements

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Organization and Nature of Operations

Business Description – Business Activity

We were incorporated in Nevada on March 20, 2014. On May 1, 2014, the Company entered into an exclusive Technology License Agreement with Medicine Man Denver whereby Medicine Man Denver granted us a license to use all of their proprietary processes they have developed, implemented and practiced at their cannabis facilities relating to the commercial growth, cultivation, marketing and distribution of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana pursuant to relevant state laws and the right to use and to license such information, including trade secrets, skills and experience (present and future). The Company’s operations are organized into three different segments as follows: (i) retail, consisting of retail locations for sale of cannabis products, (ii) wholesale, consisting of manufacturing, cultivation and sale of wholesale cannabis products, nutrients for cannabis, and hydroponics and indoor gardening supplies, and (iii) other, consisting of all other income and expenses, including those related to licensing and consulting services, facility design services, facility management services, and corporate operations.

In 2017, the Company acquired additional cultivation intellectual property through the acquisition of Success Nutrients™ and Pono Publications, including the rights to the book titled “Three A Light” and its associated cultivation techniques, which have been part of the Company’s products and services offerings since the acquisition. The Company acquired The Big Tomato in 2018, which operates a retail location in Aurora, Colorado. It has been a leading supplier of hydroponics and indoor gardening supplies in the metro Denver area since May 2001. The Company was focused on cannabis dispensary and cultivation consulting and providing equipment and nutrients to cannabis cultivators until its first plant touching acquisition in April of 2020. In 2019, due to the changes in Colorado law permitting non-Colorado resident and publicly traded investment into “plant-touching” cannabis companies, the Company made a strategic decision to move toward direct plant-touching operations. The Company developed a plan to roll up several direct plant-touching dispensaries, manufacturing facilities, and cannabis cultivations with a target to be one of the largest seed to sale cannabis businesses in Colorado. In April 2020 the Company acquired its first plant-touching business, Mesa Organics, which consists of four dispensaries and one MIP, d/b/a Purplebee’s.

On April 20, 2020, the Company rebranded and conducts its business under the trade name, Schwazze. The corporate name of the Company continues to be Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Effective April 21, 2020, the Company commenced trading under the OTC ticker symbol SHWZ.

On December 17, 2020, the Company closed on the acquisition of (i) Starbuds Pueblo LLC; and (ii) Starbuds Alameda LLC. On December 18, 2020, the Company closed on the acquisition of (i) Starbuds Commerce City LLC; (ii) Lucky Ticket LLC; (iii) Starbuds Niwot LLC; and (iv) LM MJC LLC under the applicable APAs.

In addition, on December 16, 2020, the Company issued and sold a Convertible Promissory Note and Security Agreement in the original principal amount of $5,000,000 to Dye Capital & Company, LLC. On February 26, 2021, Dye Capital & Company, LLC converted all outstanding amounts under the note into 5,060 shares of Preferred Stock.

On March 2, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Starbuds Aurora LLC, (ii) SB Arapahoe LLC, (iii) Citi-Med LLC, (iv) Starbuds Louisville LLC and (v) KEW LLC under the applicable APAs.

On July 21, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of Southern Colorado Growers under the applicable APAs.

On December 3, 2021, the Company and all the Subsidiary Guarantors entered into the Note Purchase Agreement with 31 Note Investors, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Note Investors 13% senior secured convertible notes due December 7, 2026 (the “Investor Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $95,000,000 for an aggregate purchase price of $93,100,000 (reflecting an original issue discount of $1,900,000, or 2%) in a private placement. On December 7, 2021, the Company consummated the private placement and issued and sold the Investor Notes pursuant to the Indenture entered into among the Company, Chicago Admin, LLC, as collateral agent (the “Indenture Collateral Agent”), Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as Indenture Trustee, and the Indenture. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $92 million at the closing, after deducting a commission to the placement agent and estimated offering expenses. The Investor Notes will mature five years after issuance unless earlier repurchased, redeemed, or converted. The Investor Notes bear interest at 13% per year paid quarterly commencing March 31, 2022 in cash for an amount equal to the amount payable on such date as if the Investor Notes were subject to an annual interest rate of 9%, with the remainder of the accrued interest payable as an increase to the principal amount of the Investor Notes. The proceeds from the Investor Notes are required to be used to fund previously identified acquisitions and other growth initiatives.

On December 21, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of Smoking Gun under the applicable APAs.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company primarily used revenues from its operations supplemented by cash from capital raises and debt to fund its operations.

Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost or amortized cost and represent cash on hand, deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date. The Company had $106,400,216 and $1,231,235 classified as cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.

The Company maintains its cash balances with high-credit-quality financial institutions. At times, such cash may be more than the insured limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and management believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents. Management believes that the Company has resources to fund its operations for at least twelve months past the date of this Report.

Basis of Presentation

These accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial statements. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be based upon amounts that differ from these estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net earnings and financial position.

Accounting for Business Combinations and Acquisitions

The Company accounts for acquisitions in which it obtains control of one or more businesses as a business combination. The purchase price of the acquired businesses is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recognized as goodwill. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments, in the period in which they are determined, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. If the assets acquired are not a business, the Company accounts for the transaction or other event as an asset acquisition. Under both methods, the Company recognizes the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquired entity. In addition, for transactions that are business combinations, the Company evaluates the existence of goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined 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. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s financial instruments include cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable and tenant deposits. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying amount of the Company’s debt approximates fair value because the interest rates on these instruments approximate the interest rate on debt with similar terms available to us. The Company’s derivative liability was adjusted to fair market value at the end of each reporting period, using Level 3 inputs.

The following is the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), significant other observable inputs (Level 2), and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

Marketable Securities at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Level 1 position consists of an investment in equity securities of Canada House Wellness Group, Inc., a publicly traded company whose securities are actively quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash and current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these items. These fair value estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at current market value as of the date of this report.

Derivative Liabilities

The Company uses the fair-value method of accounting for derivative liabilities and such liabilities are remeasured at each reporting date with changes in fair value recorded in the period incurred. The fair value is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

Accounts Receivable

The Company extends unsecured credit to its customers in the ordinary course of business. These accounts receivable relates to the Company’s wholesale and other revenue segments. Accounts receivable are recorded when a milestone is reached at a point in time resulting in funds being due for delivered goods or services, and where payment is reasonably assured. Wholesale revenues are generally collected within 14 to 30 days after invoice is sent. Consulting revenues are generally collected from 30 to 60 days after the invoice is sent.

The following table depicts the composition of our accounts receivable as of December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020:

The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the collectability of trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the amount of the allowance. The Company makes judgments about the creditworthiness of each customer based on ongoing credit evaluations and monitors current economic trends that might impact the level of credit losses in the future. If the financial condition of the customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, a specific allowance will be required.

Notes Receivable

On March 12, 2021, the Company sold equipment to Colorado Cannabis Company. The terms of sale included a zero interest note receivable, payable $11,944 on the first of each month for 24 months. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance, including penalties for late payments, on the notes receivable with Colorado Cannabis Company totaled $143,333.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Current and Non-Current)

Prepaid expenses and other assets as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $3,038,176 and $666,079, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, this balance included $2,523,215 in prepaid expenses and $514,962 in security deposits. As of December 31, 2020, other assets included $345,777 in prepaid expenses, $268,423 in tax receivable, and $51,879 in security deposits. Prepaid expenses were primarily comprised of insurance premiums, membership dues, conferences and seminars, and other general and administrative costs.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill arising from the Company’s acquisitions is attributable to the value of the potential expanded market opportunity with new customers. Intangible assets have either an identifiable or indefinite useful life. Intangible assets with identifiable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their economic or legal life, whichever is shorter. The Company’s amortizable intangible assets consist of licensing agreements, product licenses and registrations, and intellectual property or trade secrets. Their estimated useful lives range from 3 to 15 years.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment testing unless circumstances dictate more frequent assessments. The Company performs an annual impairment assessment for goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year and more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset may be less than the carrying amount. Goodwill impairment testing is a two-step process performed at the reporting unit level. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined by considering both the income approach and market approaches. The fair values calculated under the income approach and market approaches are weighted based on circumstances surrounding the reporting unit. Under the income approach, the Company determines fair value based on estimated future cash flows of the reporting unit, which are discounted to the present value using discount factors that consider the timing and risk of cash flows. For the discount rate, the Company relies on the capital asset pricing model approach, which includes an assessment of the risk-free interest rate, the rate of return from publicly traded stocks, the Company’s risk relative to the overall market, the Company’s size and industry and other Company-specific risks. Other significant assumptions used in the income approach include the terminal value, growth rates, future capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. The market approaches use key multiples from guideline businesses that are comparable and are traded on a public market. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, there is no impairment. If the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step must be completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. Step two calculates the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit as calculated in step one. In this step, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in a hypothetical purchase price allocation as if the reporting unit had been acquired on that date. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates, strategic plans, and future market conditions, among others. There can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the goodwill impairment testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. Changes in assumptions and estimates could cause the Company to perform an impairment test prior to scheduled annual impairment tests.

The Company performed its annual fair value assessment as of December 31, 2021, on its subsidiaries with material goodwill and intangible asset amounts on their respective balance sheets and determined that no impairment exists.  

Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that an asset may not be recoverable. The long-lived asset is grouped with other assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. If the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the assets, the assets are written down to the estimated fair value.

The Company evaluated the recoverability of its long-lived assets on December 31, 2021 on its subsidiaries with material amounts on their respective balance sheets and determined that no impairment exists.

Accounts Payable

Accounts payable as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $2,585,705   and $3,557,460, respectively, and were comprised of trade payables for various purchases and services rendered during the ordinary course of business.

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $5,592,222 and $2,705,445, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, this was comprised of accrued payroll of $301,312 and operating expenses of $5,290,910. As of December 31, 2020, accrued expenses and other liabilities was comprised of customer deposits of $26,826, accrued payroll of $1,154,887, and operating expenses of $1,523,732.

Revenue Recognition and Related Allowances

The Company’s revenue recognition policy is significant because the amount and timing of revenue is a key component of our results of operations. Certain criteria are required to be met in order to recognize revenue. If these criteria are not met, then the associated revenue is deferred until the criteria are met. When consideration is received in advance of the delivery of goods or services, a contract liability is recorded. Revenue contracts are identified when accepted from customers and represent a single performance obligation to sell the Company’s products to a customer.