Millennium Sustainable Ventures Corp. - Quarter Report: 2022 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
811-22156
(Commission File Number)
MILLENNIUM SUSTAINABLE VENTURES CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 20-4531310 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
301 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY | 11804 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(212) 750-0371
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
common shares, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of November 14, 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
MILLENNIUM SUSTAINABLE VENTURES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 12,141 | $ | 1,130,609 | ||||
Accounts receivable | 5,781 | |||||||
Inventory - Millennium Cannabis | 114,991 | 1,123,010 | ||||||
Other current assets | 50,887 | 23,519 | ||||||
Current assets - held for sale | 4,097 | 530,630 | ||||||
Current assets - discontinued operations | 12,475 | 996,550 | ||||||
Total current assets | 194,591 | 3,810,099 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 449,463 | 423,243 | ||||||
Other assets: | ||||||||
Security deposits | 785,650 | 1,062,550 | ||||||
Right of use assets - Millennium Cannabis | 32,217,224 | 34,057,265 | ||||||
Right of use assets - finance leases | 14,919 | |||||||
Other assets - held for sale | 1,320,084 | 1,358,880 | ||||||
Other assets - discontinued operations | 3,907,853 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 34,967,012 | $ | 44,634,809 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 212,085 | 134,137 | ||||||
Accounts payable - related party | 40,277 | |||||||
Line of credit - related party, net of unamortized discount | 1,914,714 | |||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 737,814 | |||||||
Lease liability - Millennium Cannabis | 2,482,649 | |||||||
Lease liability - finance leases | 3,264 | |||||||
Current liabilities - held for sale | 406,175 | 271,349 | ||||||
Current liabilities - discontinued operations | 1,042,304 | 543 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 4,353,369 | 2,891,942 | ||||||
Long-term liabilities | ||||||||
Lease liability - Millennium Cannabis | 37,763,830 | 33,319,590 | ||||||
Lease liability - finance leases | 11,676 | |||||||
Long-term debt | 1,761,036 | |||||||
Long-term liabilities - held for sale | 2,636,101 | 2,535,050 | ||||||
Long-term liabilities - discontinued operations | 3,959,322 | |||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 42,160,967 | 39,825,638 | ||||||
Total Liabilities | 46,514,336 | 42,717,580 | ||||||
Preferred Stock; par value $ | per share, shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding||||||||
Common Stock; par value $ | per share, shares authorized,||||||||
shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and as of December 31, 2021 | 1,100 | 1,096 | ||||||
Paid-in capital | 53,033,117 | 52,400,025 | ||||||
Accumulated Deficit | (64,581,541 | ) | (50,483,892 | ) | ||||
Total Equity (Deficit) | (11,547,324 | ) | 1,917,229 | |||||
Total Liabilities and Equity (Deficit) | $ | 34,967,012 | $ | 44,634,809 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3 |
MILLENNIUM SUSTAINABLE VENTURES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | $ | $ | 128,000 | $ | |||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 904,726 | |||||||||||||||
Gross Loss | (776,726 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
General & administrative expenses | 456,613 | 580,347 | 1,229,417 | 968,683 | ||||||||||||
Provision for tax receivable | 633,311 | |||||||||||||||
Professional fees | 44,018 | 42,095 | 129,286 | 106,248 | ||||||||||||
Bad debt expense - related party | 1,505,898 | |||||||||||||||
Lease expense - Millennium Cannabis | 1,279,986 | 539,521 | 4,117,546 | 600,273 | ||||||||||||
Lease expense - Millennium HI Carbon | 47,675 | 47,675 | 143,026 | 143,026 | ||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 1,828,292 | 1,209,638 | 7,125,173 | 2,451,541 | ||||||||||||
Operating Loss | $ | (1,828,292 | ) | $ | (1,209,638 | ) | $ | (7,901,899 | ) | $ | (2,451,541 | ) | ||||
Other Income (Expense) | ||||||||||||||||
Dividend income | $ | $ | $ | $ | 67,383 | |||||||||||
Interest income | 4 | 78 | 31 | 305 | ||||||||||||
Other income | 8,296 | 146,179 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (22,052 | ) | (33,104 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total Other Income (Expense) | (22,048 | ) | 78 | (24,777 | ) | 213,867 | ||||||||||
Net Loss from Continuing Operations | $ | (1,850,340 | ) | $ | (1,209,560 | ) | $ | (7,926,676 | ) | $ | (2,237,674 | ) | ||||
Loss from Discontinued Operations | $ | (4,533,941 | ) | $ | (191,820 | ) | $ | (6,170,973 | ) | $ | (274,358 | ) | ||||
Net Loss | $ | (6,384,281 | ) | $ | (1,401,380 | ) | $ | (14,097,649 | ) | $ | (2,512,032 | ) | ||||
Net loss per share from continuing operations - basic and diluted | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (0.20 | ) | ||||
Net loss per share from discontinued operations - basic and diluted | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.56 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | ||||
Weighted average share outstanding - basic and diluted | 10,993,292 | 10,959,814 | 10,970,973 | 10,959,814 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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MILLENNIUM SUSTAINABLE VENTURES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(Unaudited)
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | 10,959,814 | $ | 1,096 | $ | 52,400,025 | $ | (50,483,892 | ) | $ | 1,917,229 | ||||||||||
Net Loss | - | (3,096,275 | ) | (3,096,275 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2022 | 10,959,814 | 1,096 | 52,400,025 | (53,580,167 | ) | (1,179,046 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net Loss | - | (4,617,093 | ) | (4,617,093 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2022 | 10,959,814 | $ | 1,096 | $ | 52,400,025 | $ | (58,197,260 | ) | $ | (5,796,139 | ) | |||||||||
Net Loss - continuing operations | - | (1,850,340 | ) | (1,850,340 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net Loss - discontinued operations | - | (4,533,941 | ) | (4,533,941 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Gain on forgiveness of related party debt | - | 623,565 | 623,565 | |||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 40,000 | 4 | 9,527 | 9,531 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2022 | 10,999,814 | $ | 1,100 | $ | 53,033,117 | $ | (64,581,541 | ) | $ | (11,547,324 | ) |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Paid-in | Accumulated | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | 10,959,814 | $ | 1,096 | $ | 52,400,025 | $ | (43,268,708 | ) | $ | 9,132,413 | ||||||||||
Net Loss | - | (51,032 | ) | (51,032 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2021 | 10,959,814 | 1,096 | 52,400,025 | (43,319,740 | ) | 9,081,381 | ||||||||||||||
Net Loss | - | (1,059,620 | ) | (977,082 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | 10,959,814 | $ | 1,096 | $ | 52,400,025 | $ | (44,379,360 | ) | $ | 8,021,761 | ||||||||||
Net Loss - continuing operations | - | $ | $ | (1,209,560 | ) | (1,209,560 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net Loss - discontinued operations | - | (191,820 | ) | (191,820 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2021 | 10,959,814 | $ | 1,096 | $ | 52,400,025 | $ | (45,780,740 | ) | $ | 6,620,381 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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MILLENNIUM SUSTAINABLE VENTURES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||
Net loss - continuing operations | $ | (7,926,676 | ) | $ | (2,237,674 | ) | ||
Net loss - discontinued operations | (6,170,973 | ) | (274,358 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
Gain on PPP loan forgiveness | (137,700 | ) | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | 9,527 | |||||||
Noncash operating lease expense - Millennium Cannabis | (4,215,400 | ) | 447,063 | |||||
Noncash finance lease expense | (58,371 | ) | ||||||
Bad Debt Expense | 1,505,898 | |||||||
Depreciation expense - Millennium Cannabis | 21,489 | 1,956 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 5,771 | |||||||
Inventory - Millennium Cannabis | 90,486 | (317,012 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 79,309 | 6,566 | ||||||
Accounts payable - related party | 40,277 | |||||||
Lease liability - Millennium HI Carbon | ||||||||
Lease liability - Millennium Cannabis | 8,217,107 | 153,210 | ||||||
Security deposits | (942,550 | ) | ||||||
Prepaids and other current and non current assets | (27,368 | ) | (228,135 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities - continuing operations | (8,428,924 | ) | (3,528,634 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided in operating activities - held for sale | 318,377 | 222,554 | ||||||
Net cash provided (used) in operating activities - discontinued operations | 1,932,248 | (422,699 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (6,178,299 | ) | (3,728,779 | ) | ||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Disposal of property, plant and equipment | (208,340 | ) | (354,849 | ) | ||||
Advances to prior related party | (347,369 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from disposal of SMC Global Securities | 5,662,706 | |||||||
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities - continuing operations | (555,709 | ) | 5,307,857 | |||||
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities - discontinued operations | 59,857 | (26,707 | ) | |||||
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities | (495,852 | ) | 5,281,150 | |||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Proceeds from loan from affiliate | 1,914,714 | |||||||
Proceeds from current and non-current loan payable | 2,498,850 | |||||||
Lease liability - finance leases | 58,460 | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities - continuing operations | 4,472,024 | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities - discontinued operations | 603,637 | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 5,075,661 | |||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash | (1,598,490 | ) | 1,552,371 | |||||
Cash, beginning of period - continuing operations | 1,130,609 | 1,895,597 | ||||||
Cash, beginning of period - discontinued operations | 9,668 | |||||||
Cash, beginning of period - held for sale | 483,014 | |||||||
Total cash, beginning of period | 1,623,291 | 1,895,597 | ||||||
Cash, end of period - continuing operations | 12,141 | 3,447,968 | ||||||
Cash, end of period - discontinued operations | 12,475 | |||||||
Cash, end of period - held for sale | 185 | |||||||
Cash, end of period | $ | 24,801 | $ | 3,447,968 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest | $ | 18,476 | $ | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of noncash flow information: | ||||||||
Initial recognition of right of use asset and lease liability | $ | $ | 38,172,218 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements
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MILLENNIUM SUSTAINABLE VENTURES CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 – GENERAL INFORMATION
Nature of Operations
Millennium Sustainable Ventures Corp., formerly known as Millennium Investment & Acquisition Co. Inc., formerly known as Millennium India Acquisition Company, Inc. (“MILC”, “we”, “our”, the “Company”) is currently focused on the “Triple Bottom Line” and a commitment to Profit, Planet and People and is currently focused on two business segments:
- | Sustainable cultivation of cannabis in greenhouses (currently not operational) | |
- | Sustainable production of Activated Carbon |
Greenhouse Cultivation of Cannabis
Millennium Cannabis LLC (“MillCann”), our wholly owned subsidiary, is focused on a sustainable approach to cannabis cultivation through Controlled Environmental Agriculture (“CEA”) in the form of greenhouses. MillCann is currently focused on securing cannabis licensing for a 550,000 square foot greenhouse facility in Michigan that is leased from a subsidiary of Power REIT (NYSE AMEX: PW and PW.PRA). David Lesser is Chairman and CEO of Power REIT and also Chairman and CEO of MILC. MILC’s affiliation with Power REIT can provide efficient access to capital allowing MillCann to become a sustainable high-quality, low-cost producer of cannabis.
On September 9, 2021, a wholly owned subsidiary of MillCann, Marengo Cannabis LLC (“MC”) entered into a 20-year lease (the “MarCann Lease) with a subsidiary of Power REIT for approximately 12 acres that includes a 556,416 square foot state-of-the-art greenhouse cultivation facility which is located in Marengo County, Michigan (the “MC Property”). As part of the MarCann Lease, the lessor has agreed to fund the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing improvements.
We believe that once operational, this would be the largest cannabis cultivation facility in Michigan and one of the largest greenhouse cannabis cultivation facilities in the United States. We believe that given the scale of the project combined with the fact that it is a greenhouse will position MC, to compete very as a low-cost producer of high-quality cannabis. This is especially important as prices for cannabis in most markets have significantly compressed recently.
As previously disclosed, cannabis licensing is delayed based on a lack of cooperation from Marengo Township where the property is located. As part of securing cannabis licenses from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (“CRA”), a Certificate of Occupancy (“CO”) must be submitted where applicable. Pursuant to the Marengo Township zoning map, the Property is zoned Agricultural and was given a Marijuana Overlay, which according to the Marengo Township Ordinance does not change the underlying zoning. As such, the Property does not require a CO and the CRA agreed in writing to accept a simple two sentence letter (the “CO Letter”) as an alternative to providing a CO. PW Marengo pursued the agreed upon CO Letter from Marengo Township which was initially unwilling to cooperate which ultimately led to the initiation of two litigations against Marengo Township.
After commencement of the litigation process, we ultimately secured the CO Letter from the Marengo Township Supervisor confirming that the property does not need a CO. The CO Letter is in the form that the CRA previously agreed to accept. Based on the receipt of the CO Letter, the CRA licensing process moved forward and on August 9, 2022, CRA performed a pre-licensure inspection and identified that no deficiencies existed. In addition to the CRA approval we received, we are required to secure the approval of the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services (“BFS”). Unfortunately, after receiving the CRA pre-approval for the property, the attorney for the Township sent an email to the CRA indicating the facility was not in compliance with the Township requirements. We continue to try to work with the Township to establish a path forward but will continue to pursue a parallel track in litigation including a court ordered mediation process. Despite having to withdraw the application to the CRA, we have been able to continue the process with the BFS. The process was fairly involved and required justifying the level of the hazards as reasonable for operation. On November 4, 2022, we received an approval of our plans from BFS which is subject to a final physical inspection which will take place once we are finalizing the license.
7 |
On October 24, 2022, PW Marengo submitted an application to the Marengo Township Construction Board of Appeals (“CBA”) as another potential path towards the resolution of the dispute. The CBA is currently scheduled for November 21, 2022.
In May 2021, MillCann made a loan to Walsenburg Cannabis, LLC (“WC”) including a Framework Agreement whereby upon certain conditions, the loan would convert into a majority ownership position in WC under certain circumstances. During 2021 and 2022, WC harvested and sold crops but, unfortunately, the project was delayed and overbudget which caused financial strains. In addition, pricing in the Colorado cannabis market compressed dramatically in 2021 and has not recovered. Based on poor performance and in an effort to conserve resources, MillCann determined to stop funding additional operating losses at the Colorado cultivation facility in June, 2022 and the facility ceased operations. MILC is currently evaluating alternatives for capital recovery and also might consider resuming operations in the future based on the market environment. MILC has written off $1,505,898 as a bad debt expense based on uncertainty around recovery of its investment.
In June, 2021, MillCann committed to invest in a 9.35-acre property in Vinita, OK which has 40,000 square feet of greenhouse and related space and approximately 100,000 square foot outdoor growing area. During 2021, VC harvested and processed its first crops and sales began in the first quarter of 2022. MillCann invested in VC through a preferred equity interest that is structured to receive a full return of invested capital plus a 12.5% preferred return after which MillCann has an 82.0% ownership stake. The remaining subordinated ownership is held by former members of the management team of VC. The price for wholesale cannabis in the Oklahoma market has compressed dramatically from historical prices which has had a negative impact on project performance. At the end of September, 2022, in an effort to conserve resources, MillCann determined to stop funding additional operating losses at the Vinita cultivation facility and the facility ceased operations. MILC has taken a write off of its investment as a bad debt expense based on uncertainty around recovery of its investment during Q3 2022.
Activated Carbon
Millennium HI Carbon, LLC (“MHC”) is a wholly owned subsidiary that acquired an activated carbon plant in Hawaii (the “Hawaii Plant”) that was intended to produce a very high-grade form of Activated Carbon for the production of ultracapacitors which are an advanced electrical storage device. During the first half of 2019, MHC concluded that the Hawaii Plant was not capable of producing consistent results and has made efforts to minimize overhead and cash drain while it seeks a strategic alternative for the Hawaii Plant. Effective December 31, 2021, MILC determined to write off $2,765,000, the remaining value of the HI asset for accounting purposes given that the plant is dormant and there is uncertainty around a business plan for this asset. MILC considers this asset held for sale. We have entered into a Purchase Agreement that was scheduled to close by September 30, 2022 with a sales price of $3 million. The scheduled closing has been extended and the purchase price was increased to $3.2 million. There can be no assurance as to when or if this transaction will close.
MillCarbon is a wholly owned subsidiary that has developed a novel method for the sustainable production of biochar and activated carbon and has constructed a proof-of-concept pilot-scale plant in Kentucky. This project has proven that it can produce either biochar and/or activated carbon from a waste stream generated by bourbon distilleries (“Stillage”). The bourbon industry in Kentucky generates in excess of 1 Billion gallons of Stillage annually which represents a significant disposal and environmental problem. We believe our technology represents a sustainable approach to relative to traditional methods which include mining coal for the production of Activated Carbon which has a very high carbon footprint. The plant has now completed over 230 batches that have produced Activated Carbon, Biochar, and Horticultural Vinegar. MillCarbon believes it has proven itself at the pilot scale level and is evaluating scaling up the plant to process approximately 10 million gallons per year by making incremental investments. The experience with the expanded plant would allow us to evaluate the construction of a large-scale plant based on the technology it has developed. We also believe this process can be replicated to address disposal issues from other carbon dense waste streams.
8 |
On October 1, 2021, MILC filed an application with FINRA for approval to change its name to Millennium Sustainable Ventures Corp and received approval for the name change as disclosed in a Form 8-K and Press Release issued on February 16, 2022. We believe the name change better reflects our focus on sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) cultivation in greenhouses and the sustainable production of activated carbon. MILC, with a focus on the “Triple Bottom Line” and a commitment to Profit, Planet and People is focused on sustainable business practices.
During 2020, MILC announced that it was seeking to de-register as an Investment Company that is regulated under Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). As previously announced, MILC has completed the liquidation of its sole investment in securities - its investment in SMC and plans to invest the proceeds in operating businesses. On October 14, 2020, shareholders approved a proposal to change the nature of the Company’s business from a registered investment company under the 1940 Act to a holding company that focuses primarily on owning and operating businesses (collectively, the “Deregistration Proposal”). On March 1, 2021, as amended on May 11, 2021, December 9, 2021 and January 21, 2022, the Company filed an application pursuant Section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for an Order Declaring that MILC has Ceased to be an Investment Company (the “Deregistration Order”). On February 2, 2022, the SEC issued a notice that it was commencing the 25-day public review period in response to MILC’s application. On February 28, 2022, MILC received the Deregistration Order declaring that is has ceased to be an Investment Company. Consequently, the financial statements presented herein are presented in accordance with the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not contain all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements.
In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all the adjustments necessary (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) to present the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2022, and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K file with the SEC on March 15, 2022.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of MILC include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries as follows:
● | Millennium Carbon LLC | |
● | Millennium HI Carbon LLC | |
● | Millennium Cannabis, LLC | |
● | Millennium HR LLC | |
● | Marengo Cannabis LLC (wholly-owned subsidiary of Millennium Cannabis, LLC) |
All intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Walsenburg Cannabis LLC (“WC”) WC was previously accounted for as consolidated in the financial statements of MILC as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). MillCann had issued capital to WC in the form of a convertible loan for its business operations as MILC was in the process of obtaining regulatory approvals for holding cannabis licenses in Colorado. Upon receiving regulatory approval, it was contemplated that the loan would convert into a majority preferred equity interest in WC that would receive a full return of invested capital plus a 12.5% preferred return, after which MillCann would have an 83.5% ownership stake. Given the poor performance at the cultivation facility and MILC’s withdrawal of its application for approval for cannabis licensing in Colorado, WC is no longer considered a VIE as of June 30, 2022, and was deconsolidated. As previously disclosed, MillCann has not received its return of capital and preferred return, has stopped funding additional funds to WC and has taken a bad debt expense of $1,505,898 in Q2 2022, in order to write off the loan.
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Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. In periods where the Company has a net loss, such as below, the computation of diluted net loss per share does not include dilutive common stock equivalents in the weighted average shares outstanding as their effect would be anti-dilutive.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Net Loss from Continuing Operations | $ | (1,850,340 | ) | $ | (1,209,560 | ) | $ | (7,926,676 | ) | $ | (2,237,674 | ) | ||||
Loss from Discontinued Operations | $ | (4,533,941 | ) | $ | (191,820 | ) | $ | (6,170,973 | ) | $ | (274,358 | ) | ||||
Net Loss | $ | (6,384,281 | ) | $ | (1,401,380 | ) | $ | (14,097,649 | ) | $ | (2,512,032 | ) | ||||
Weighted average shares - basic | 10,993,292 | 10,959,814 | 10,970,973 | 10,959,814 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive effect of options | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted weighted average shares - diluted | 10,993,292 | 10,959,814 | 10,970,973 | 10,959,814 | ||||||||||||
Net loss per share from continuing operations - basic and diluted | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (0.20 | ) | ||||
Net loss per share from discontinued operations - basic and diluted | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.56 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) |
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. The costs of additions and betterments are capitalized and expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed in the period incurred. When items of property, plant and equipment are sold or retired, the related costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in income. The Company capitalizes property and leased equipment where the terms of the lease result in the transfer to the Company of substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership of the equipment.
Depreciation of property and equipment is provided utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
Machinery and equipment | 5 years |
Furniture and fixtures | 5 years |
Office equipment | 5 years |
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the lease or the useful life of the improvement utilizing the straight-line method.
Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021 was $21,489 and $1,956, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 202 and 2021 for discontinued operations is $0 and $363, respectively.
10 |
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Recoverability of long-lived assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the undiscounted cash flows that the asset or asset group is expected to generate. If the undiscounted cash flows of such assets are less than the carrying amount, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount, if any, exceeds its fair value. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, MILC incurred an impairment charge in VinCann LLC of $53,556 and Millennium Produce of $202,087 related to the write off of property, plant and equipment for discontinued operations.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contract with Customers, as amended by subsequently issued Accounting Standards Updates. This revenue standard requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The recognition of revenue is determined by performing the following consecutive steps:
● | Identify the contract(s) with a customer; | |
● | Identify the performance obligations in the contract(s); | |
● | Determine the transaction price; | |
● | Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s); and | |
● | Recognize revenue as the performance obligation is satisfied. |
Revenue from the direct sale of cannabis to customers for a fixed price is recognized when the Company transfers control of the good to the customer.
Liquidity and Going Concern
The Company’s objectives when managing its capital are to ensure that there are adequate capital resources to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue operating and maintain adequate levels of funding to support its ongoing operations and development such that it can continue to provide returns to shareholders.
ASU 205-40 – Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern requires management to evaluate an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are available for issuance. Specifically, management is required to evaluate whether the presence of adverse conditions or events, when considered individually and in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Substantial doubt exists when it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date the financial statements are available for issuance.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $64,581,541 and negative working capital of $4,158,778. Additionally, the Company had recurring losses and negative cashflow from operations. These adverse conditions raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. In order to support the Company’s ongoing operations, the Company entered into a credit facility with an affiliate of David H. Lesser, our Chairman and CEO which is payable in full on December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, the Company has borrowed $1,925,060 pursuant to this facility.
Although the Company believes its cash available as of September 30, 2022, potential tax refunds from withholding taxes in India related to the sales of securities, and the potential for the sale of its Hawaii asset may be sufficient to fund operations and commitments for twelve months from the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, however, management has concluded the uncertainty raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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Fair Value
Fair value represents 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. The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.
○ | Level 1 – valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, or interest in open-end mutual funds that allow a company to sell its ownership interest back at net asset value on a daily basis. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets, liabilities or funds. | |
○ | Level 2 – valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer, or broker markets, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 includes U.S. Treasury, U.S. government and agency debt securities, and certain corporate obligations. Valuations are usually obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities. | |
○ | Level 3 – valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, such as option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. |
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considering counterparty credit risk.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, deposits, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their relatively short-term maturities.
Indemnification
Under MILC’s organizational structure and per the Company’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to MILC. In addition, in the normal course of business, MILC enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. MILC’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against MILC. However, based on experience, MILC expects that risk of loss to be remote.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Inventory
Costs incurred during the growing and cultivation process are capitalized as incurred to the extent that cost is less than net realizable value. These costs include materials, labor and overhead used in the growing and cultivation processes. The Company capitalizes pre-harvest costs.
Finished goods inventory is initially valued at cost and subsequently at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion, disposal and transportation for inventories in process. The Company periodically reviews its inventory and identifies that which is excess, slow moving or poor product quality by considering factors such as inventory levels and forecasted sales demand. Any identified excess, slow moving and poor-quality inventory is written down to its net realizable value through a charge to cost of goods sold. During Q2 2022, we wrote off all inventory at WC and during Q3 2022 we wrote off all inventory at VC and Millennium Produce. As of September 30, 2022, MILC has $114,991 of raw materials inventory at MC. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, $534,958 and $0, respectively were expensed through cost of goods sold related to impairment of inventory for discontinued operations.
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Leases
The Company accounts for leases as required by ASC Topic 842. The guidance requires companies to recognize leased assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose key information regarding leasing arrangements. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. As of Q3 2022, the company has eliminated the accounting treatment for the leases for VC and Millennium Produce which are in default.
Accounting for Discontinued Operations
We regularly review underperforming assets to determine if a sale or disposal might be a better way to monetize the assets. When an asset group is considered for sale or disposal, we review the transaction to determine if or when the entity qualifies as a discontinued operation in accordance with the criteria of FASB ASC Topic 205-20 “Discontinued Operations.” The FASB has issued authoritative guidance that raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations. Under this guidance, a discontinued operation is (1) a component of an entity or group of components that have been disposed of or are classified as held for sale and represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, or (2) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the acquisition date.
As of September 30, 2022, the following are considered discontinued operations and will be reported separately for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
● | Millennium Produce of Nebraska LLC | |
● | VinCann LLC |
On April 1, 2022, MILC announced that it was expanding its sustainable greenhouse cultivation activities by establishing its first food related operations. Capitalization of Millennium Produce was established from a $3 million non-recourse loan with a fixed interest rate of 1.5% and a term from the firm that was retained to handle the sale and distribution of the tomato crop. The loan is secured by Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment, which was purchased by Millennium Produce with an indicated value of $150,000, as well as crops. The environment for tomato cultivation has been challenging with supply chain problems and costs increasing but tomato prices staying relatively low. Millennium Produce successfully grew a significant crop of tomatoes and generated revenue during Q3 2022 but does not anticipate any further revenues during Q4 2022. In September 2022 the crop was terminated, the loan was placed into default and Millennium Produce ceased operations.
VinCann LLC (“VC”) was previously accounted for as consolidated in the financial statements of MILC. MillCann invested in VC in the form of a preferred equity interest that would receive a full return of invested capital plus a 12.5% preferred return, after which MillCann would have an 82.0% ownership stake. As of September 30, 2022, MillCann has stopped funding VC and has taken a charge of $57,625 during Q3 2022 to write-off of its investment and is accounting for VC as a discontinued operation.
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Our Company classifies long-lived assets or disposal groups to be sold as held for sale in the period in which all of the following criteria are met: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset or disposal group; (2) the asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets or disposal groups; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset or disposal group have been initiated; (4) the sale of the asset or disposal group is probable, and transfer of the asset or disposal group is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, except if events or circumstances beyond our control extend the period of time required to sell the asset or disposal group beyond one year; (5) the asset or disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
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We initially measure a long-lived asset or disposal group that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held-for-sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a long-lived asset or disposal group until the date of sale. We assess the fair value of a long-lived asset or disposal group less any costs to sell each reporting period it remains classified as held for sale and report any subsequent changes as an adjustment to the carrying value of the asset or disposal group, as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the asset at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.
Upon determining that a long-lived asset or disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company ceases depreciation and reports long-lived assets and/or the assets and liabilities of the disposal group, if material, in the line items assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet. Refer to Note 7.
Reclassification
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation in order to reflect the discontinued operations of VC and Millennium Produce. None of these reclassifications had an impact on reported financial position or cash flows for any of the periods presented.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company consolidates all variable interest entities in which it holds a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary of the entity. Generally, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) is a legal entity with one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the total at risk equity investment is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties; (b) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk lack any one of the following characteristics: (i) the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; or (c) some equity investors have voting rights that are not proportional to their economic interests, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve, or are conducted on behalf of, an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE and is the entity that has (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company considers qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to: which activities most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and which party has the power to direct such activities; the amount and characteristics of Company’s interests and other involvements in the VIE; the obligation or likelihood for the Company or other investors to provide financial support to the VIE; and the similarity with and significance to the business activities of Company and the other investors. Significant judgments related to these determinations include estimates about the current and future fair values and performance of these VIEs and general market conditions.
As of September 30, 2022, MILC does not have any entities that are considered a VIE.
Impact of New Accounting Standards
The Company has evaluated all recent accounting pronouncements and believes either they are not applicable or that none of them will have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements
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3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment and is comprised of the following:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Machinery and Equipment | $ | 472,814 | $ | 393,314 | ||||
Furniture and Fixtures | 2,693 | 32,141 | ||||||
Office Equipment | 916 | 6,773 | ||||||
476,423 | 432,228 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | (26,960 | ) | (8,985 | ) | ||||
Property and equipment, net of depreciation | $ | 449,463 | $ | 423,243 |
As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s Property, Plant and Equipment consisted of Activated Carbon production machinery and equipment at the MillCarbon pilot plant in Kentucky and machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures and office equipment at MC. Property, plant and equipment as of September 30, 2022 included the HI asset that was never commercially operational and therefore did not incur a depreciation expense. Effective December 31, 2021, MILC determined to write off $2,765,000, the remaining value of the HI asset for accounting purposes given that the plant is dormant and there is uncertainty around a business plan for this asset. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021 was $21,489 and $1,956, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 for discontinued operations is $0 and $363, respectively. VinCann LLC wrote off $53,556 and Millennium Produce wrote off $202,087 in PPE related to discontinued operations.
4. INVENTORY
The Company’s inventories include the following:
Millennium Cannabis
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2022 | 2021 | |||||||
Raw Material: Grow Supplies | $ | 114,991 | $ | 246,310 | ||||
Work in Progress: Plants | 388,879 | |||||||
Finished Goods: Trim | 257,981 | |||||||
Finished Goods: Flower | 229,840 | |||||||
$ | 114,991 | $ | 1,123,010 |
During Q2 2022, we wrote off all inventory at WC and during Q3 2022 we wrote off all inventory at VC and Millennium Produce. As of September 30, 2022, MILC has $114,991 of raw materials inventory at MC. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, $534,958 and $0, respectively were expensed through cost of goods sold related to impairment of inventory for discontinued operations.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property (an identified asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company, through subsidiaries, has entered into four operating leases:
● | A ground lease located in Hawaii for the purpose of acquiring an activated carbon plant with 12.67 years remaining and three options to renew for an additional 10 years. A right-of-use asset and lease liability of $1,462,062 was recognized on January 1, 2020. As of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the right-of-use asset is $1,315,084 and $1,353,880 and the corresponding lease liability is $2,667,775 and $2,564,445, respectively, which includes rent payable and is considered as held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. |
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● | An operating lease entered into on June 11, 2021, for land, greenhouses and auxiliary/processing facilities approved for cannabis cultivation located in Oklahoma with a 20-year term. Due to a cash flow issues, rent payments were not made during the Q2 and Q3 of 2022 and the lease is in default. The security deposit of $176,000 previously paid to the landlord was used as rent and the lease has been eliminated for accounting purposes. | |
● | An operating lease entered into on September 3, 2021, with a lease amendment on November 2, 2021 for land, greenhouse and auxiliary/processing facilities approved for cannabis cultivation located in Michigan with a 20-year term and two options to renew for an additional 5 years. On June 24, 2022, the lease and amendment were once again amended to restructure the monthly rent payments over the course of the lease whereby lease payments will begin on January 1, 2023. The lease has 18.92 years remaining with a discount rate of 14% and the Company recognized a right-of-use asset and lease liability of $29,114,595 during the third quarter of 2021, but as of June 30, 2022, has been adjusted to reflect the new combined lease amendment. As of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the right-of-use asset is 32,217,224 and $34,057,265 and the corresponding lease liability is $37,763,830 and $33,319,590, respectively. | |
● | An operating lease entered into on April 1, 2022, for land, greenhouses and auxiliary/processing facilities focused on the cultivation of food crops located in Nebraska with a 10-year term. Due to a cash flow issues, rent payments will not be made and the lease is in default. The security deposit of $193,000 previously paid to the landlord was used as rent and the lease has been eliminated for accounting purposes. |
The exercise of the lease renewal options is generally at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company is certain that there is no transfer of ownership at the end of the lease terms and considers these leases to be classified as operating leases and the costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease terms.
Operating lease right-of-use assets are amortized over the length of the leases. The renewal options are not included in the calculation of its right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, as the Company does not believe that it is reasonably certain at this time that these renewal options will be exercised. Periodically, the Company assesses its lease to determine whether it is reasonably certain that these options and any renewal options could be reasonably expected to be exercised.
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In general, the individual lease contracts do not provide information about the rate implicit in the lease. Because the Company is not able to determine the rate implicit in its lease, it instead generally uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of lease liability.
As of September 30, 2022, MillCann no longer has any finance leases for equipment which was used within the operations of cultivating cannabis at WC and VC which have been eliminated from our accounting.
As of September 30, 2022, the scheduled lease payments are as follows:
Operating Leases | ||||
2022 (Three Months Remaining) | $ | |||
2023 | 6,401,984 | |||
2024 | 8,535,979 | |||
2025 | 10,669,974 | |||
2026 | 3,910,411 | |||
Thereafter | 72,880,512 | |||
Total Lease Payments | 102,398,860 | |||
Less: Imputed Interest | 64,635,030 | |||
$ | 37,763,830 |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, the operating lease costs were as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
Total Operating Lease Expense | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
Operating Lease Expense (HI) | ||||||||
Amortization of ROU assets - (HI) | ||||||||
Operating Lease Expense - Millennium Cannabis | 3,948,734 | 190,449 | ||||||
Amortization of ROU assets - Millennium Cannabis | 168,812 | 409,824 | ||||||
Total Operating Lease Expense | $ | 4,117,546 | $ | 600,273 |
Other Contingencies
MHC is currently subject to a lawsuit which involves ownership of a piece of equipment that MHC believes it acquired as part of its original acquisition of the property through the bankruptcy trustee. MHC prevailed in this lawsuit with the court ruling in MHC’s favor and awarding a portion of MHC’s legal fees to MHC. The plaintiff has filed an appeal which is pending. MHC currently does not believe it is likely that the appeal will overturn the ruling of the lower court. MHC also does not believe it has material exposure in the event the ruling at the lower court is not affirmed. MHC could, from time to time, be involved in additional litigation proceedings arising out of its normal course of business.
Millennium
Produce is currently subject to a lawsuit related to a $3
million non-recourse loan as well as from a company
which provided contract labor. Millennium Produce also has other accounts payable that it currently cannot satisfy. These obligations
are the responsibility of Millenniem Produce and are non-recourse to the Company.
The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has caused business disruptions through mandated and voluntary closings. Although temporary disruptions can be expected, significant uncertainty exists concerning the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Company’s customers, labor sources, supply chains, and demand for the Company’s services. The potential financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
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6. DISCONTINUED OPERATONS
VinCann LLC
In June, 2021, MillCann committed to invest in a 9.35-acre property in Vinita, OK which has 40,000 square feet of greenhouse and related space and approximately 100,000 square foot outdoor growing area. The price for wholesale cannabis in the Oklahoma market has compressed dramatically from historical prices which has had a negative impact on project performance. At the end of September, 2022, MillCann determined to stop funding additional operating losses at the Vinita cultivation facility and the facility ceased operations. MILC has taken a write off of its investment as a bad debt expense based on uncertainty around recovery of its investment during Q3 2022.
Millennium Produce of Nebraska LLC
On April 1, 2022, MILC announced that it was seeking to expand its sustainable greenhouse cultivation activities by establishing its first food related operations. Capitalization of Millennium Produce was established from a $3 million non-recourse loan with a fixed interest rate of 1.5% and a -year term from the firm that was retained to handle the sale and distribution of the tomato crop. The loan is secured by Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment, which was purchased by Millennium Produce with an indicated value of $150,000, as well as crops. The environment for tomato cultivation was challenging with supply chain problems and costs increasing but tomato prices staying relatively low. Millennium Produce successfully grew a significant crop of tomatoes and generated revenue during Q3 2022 but does not anticipate any further revenues during Q4 2022. In September 2022 the crop was terminated, the loan was placed into default and Millennium Produce ceased operations.
A breakdown of the discontinued operations is presented as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Vincann LLC | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 110,803 | $ | $ | 397,387 | $ | ||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 996,842 | 2,489,464 | ||||||||||||||
Gross Loss | (886,039 | ) | (2,092,077 | ) | ||||||||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
General & administrative expenses | 31,488 | 66,180 | 104,977 | 106,838 | ||||||||||||
Lease expense - Millennium Cannabis (OK) | 125,640 | 167,520 | ||||||||||||||
Net Operating Loss | $ | (917,527 | ) | $ | (191,820 | ) | $ | (2,197,054 | ) | $ | (274,358 | ) | ||||
Millennium Produce LLC | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 741,342 | $ | $ | 741,342 | $ | ||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 3,577,987 | 3,577,987 | ||||||||||||||
Gross Loss | (2,836,645 | ) | (2,836,645 | ) | ||||||||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
General & administrative expenses | 213,354 | 288,587 | ||||||||||||||
Lease expense - Millennium Produce (NE) | 274,848 | 549,696 | ||||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 488,202 | 838,283 | ||||||||||||||
Other Expense | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 7,120 | 14,544 | ||||||||||||||
Total Other Income | 7,120 | 14,544 | ||||||||||||||
Net Operating Loss | $ | (3,331,967 | ) | $ | $ | (3,689,472 | ) | $ | ||||||||
Aggregate net loss from discontinued operations | (4,249,494 | ) | (191,820 | ) | (5,886,526 | ) | (274,358 | ) | ||||||||
Aggregate loss from discontinued operations | (284,447 | ) | (284,447 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net Loss from Discontinued Operations | $ | (4,533,941 | ) | $ | (191,820 | ) | $ | (6,170,973 | ) | $ | (274,358 | ) |
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Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations included the following:
September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 12,475 | $ | 9,668 | ||||
Inventory - Millennium Cannabis | 985,274 | |||||||
Other current assets | 1,608 | |||||||
Total current assets- discontinued operations | 12,475 | 996,550 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 59,857 | |||||||
Security deposits | 181,855 | |||||||
Right of use assets - Millennium Cannabis | 3,651,231 | |||||||
Right of use assets - finance leases | 14,910 | |||||||
Total other assets- discontinued operations | 3,907,853 | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses -discontinued operations | 1,042,304 | 543 | ||||||
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses -discontinued operations | 1,042,304 | 543 | ||||||
Lease liability - Millennium Cannabis | 3,944,391 | |||||||
Lease liability - finance leases | 14,931 | |||||||
Total long-term liabilities - discontinued operations | 3,959,322 |
7. ASSET HELD FOR SALE
We entered into an agreement in August, 2022 to sell our activated carbon plant in Hawaii. The Company has aggregated and classified the assets and liabilities of this business as held for sale in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The assets and liabilities of businesses held for sale were as follows:
September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 185 | $ | 483,014 | ||||
Prepaid Insurance | 3,912 | 47,616 | ||||||
Total current assets- held for sale | 4,097 | 530,630 | ||||||
Security deposits | 5,000 | 5,000 | ||||||
Right of use assets - Millennium HI Carbon | 1,315,084 | 1,353,880 | ||||||
Total other assets- held for sale | 1,320,084 | 1,358,880 | ||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 374,501 | 241,954 | ||||||
Lease liability - Millennium HI Carbon | 31,674 | 29,395 | ||||||
Total current liabilities - held for sale | 406,175 | 271,349 | ||||||
Long-term liabilities | ||||||||
Lease liability - Millennium HI Carbon | 2,636,101 | 2,535,050 | ||||||
Total long-term liabilities - held for sale | 2,636,101 | 2,535,050 |
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8. LINE OF CREDIT – AFFILIATE
The Company has entered into a credit facility with an affiliate of David H. Lesser, our Chairman and CEO on March 16, 2022, which provides cash to fund the capital needs of the company with a quarterly variable interest rate as determined by the Special Committee – Related Party Transactions of 0% for 1Q2022, 5% for 2Q2022, 7% for 3Q2022 and 9% for 4Q2022. The credit facility carries a default rate of 16% if not paid in full by maturity date. The Company has the right to prepay amounts outstanding at any time prior to maturity of the Credit Facility without any prepayment penalty and the credit facility matures on December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the amount drawn on the credit facility is $1,914,714 (total drawn is $1,925,060 net of $10,346 of capitalized debt costs which are being amortized over the life of the financing) and $0, respectively, with accrued interest related to the loan of $33,104 and $0, respectively
9. DEBT
On March 31, 2022, Millennium Produce secured a $3 million non-recourse loan with a fixed interest rate of 1.5% and a -year term and fully amortizes over the life of the loan with monthly payments. The loan received a security interest in Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment, as well as crops of Millennium Produce. As of September 30, 2022, Millennium Produce wound down operations and the balance of the loan was $2,498,849 (not including default interest and other costs). In October, 2022, the lender completely removed certain collateral based on its security interest. The Company does not believe it has exposure to this loan since it is non-recourse to the Company.
10. COMMON STOCK
The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes the issuance of shares of common stock and shares of preferred stock, each with a par value of $ per share. The total shares outstanding as of September 30, 2022, is .
In November 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a buyback of up to shares of its common stock. Buybacks will be made from time to time based on the view of the Company of its trading price relative to its underlying value and subject to compliance with applicable legal requirements. buybacks were made during the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
MILC’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) was adopted by the Board on October 10, 2021 and approved by the shareholders on December 8, 2021. It provides for the grant of the following awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) SARs; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) RSU Awards; (vi) Performance Awards; and (vii) Other Awards. The Plan’s purpose is to secure and retain the services of Employees, Directors and Consultants, to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and to provide a means by which such persons may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the common stock through the granting of awards.
Summary of Stock Based Compensation Activity – Options
On July 15, 2022, the Company granted non-qualified stock options (“options”) to acquire 10 years. The options vest over three years as follows: in a series of thirty-six (36) equal monthly installments measured from the Vesting Commencement Date on the same date of the month as the Vesting Commencement date. shares of common stock at a price of $ to its CEO, independent Directors and a consultant. The term of each option is
The Company accounts for share-based payments using the fair value method. We recognize all share-based payments in our financial statements based on their grant date fair values and market closing price, calculated using the binomial option pricing model.
Expected Volatility | % | |
Expected Dividend Yield | % | |
Expected Term (in years) | ||
Risk Free Rate | % | |
Estimate of Forfeiture Rate | % |
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The Company uses historical data to estimate dividend yield and volatility and the “simplified method” as described in the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin #110 to determine the expected term of the option grants. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the options is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve on the grant date. The Company does not have historical data of forfeiture, and as a policy, has used an appropriate estimate of the forfeiture rate in calculating unrecognized share-based compensation expense. Compensation expenses may be adjusted if the actual forfeiture rate differs from this assumption.
The summary of stock-based compensation activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, with respect to the Trust’s stock options, is as follows:
Summary of Activity - Options
Weighted | ||||||||||||
Number of | Average | Aggregate | ||||||||||
Options | Exercise Price | Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Plan Awards | 247,500 | $ | 0.50 | 102,555 | ||||||||
Options Exercised | - | |||||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2022 | 247,500 | 0.50 | 102,555 | |||||||||
Options expected to vest September 30, 2022 | 13,750 | 0.50 | 5,697 | |||||||||
Options exercisable as of September 30, 2022 | 13,750 | 0.50 | 5,697 |
The weighted average remaining term of the options is years.
Summary of Stock Based Compensation Activity – Restricted Stock
On July 15, 2022, the Company granted shares of restricted stock to its Independent Directors at $ a share The restricted stock vests over four quarters beginning in 3Q22 and is valued based on the market price of the common stock on the grant date.
Summary of Activity - Restricted Stock
Number of | Weighted | |||||||
Shares of | Average | |||||||
Restricted | Grant Date | |||||||
Stock | Fair Value | |||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Plan Awards | 40,000 | |||||||
Restricted Stock Vested | (10,000 | ) | 0.22 | |||||
Balance as of September 30, 2022 | 30,000 | 0.50 |
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Stock-based Compensation
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded approximately $ of non-cash expense related to restricted stock and options granted compared to $ for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2022, there was approximately $ of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense, which expense will be recognized through the third quarter of 2025. The Company does not currently have a policy regarding the repurchase of shares on the open market related to equity awards and does not currently intend to acquire shares on the open market.
12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Commencing September 2016, the Board approved payment to an entity affiliated with the CEO of the Company, Mr. Lesser, to reimburse such entity for accounting and administrative functions at a rate of $750 per month for each of Millennium Sustainable Ventures Corp. and Millennium HI Carbon LLC. On October 1, 2021, the Board of Directors approved an increase to $5,000 ($750 from MHC, $1,250 from MILC and $3,000 from MillCann) a month due to the increase in administrative and accounting support needed for the new focus of cannabis cultivation. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the total amount expensed to such affiliate was $15,000 and $45,000, and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the total amount expensed to such affiliate was $19,500 (a one-time charge of $15,000 was incurred for accounting work related to the conversion into a 1940 Act Company) and $28,500, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, $20,750 is included in accounts payable related to this expense.
The Company has hired Morrison Cohen, LLP (“MoCo”) as its legal counsel with respect to general corporate matters. The spouse of the Company’s CEO is a partner at MoCo. During the nine months ended September 2022 and 2021, the Company paid $0 to MoCo. There is no outstanding balance as of September 30, 2022.
As of September 30, 2022, MC has a long-term lease for a greenhouse cultivation property that is owned by a subsidiary of Power REIT (Ticker: PW and PW.PRA). David Lesser is the Chairman and CEO of both MILC and Power REIT.
WC, previously consolidated into MILC financial reports as a VIE based on the investment structured as a loan which was, under certain circumstances, convertible into a majority ownership position by Millennium Cannabis, as of September 30, 2022, is not included in the condensed consolidated financial reports and a bad debt expense of $1,505,898 was incurred in the second quarter, 2022 and is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company has entered into a credit facility with an affiliate of David H. Lesser, our Chairman and CEO on March 16, 2022, which provides cash to fund the capital needs of the company with a quarterly variable interest rate as determined by the Special Committee – Related Party Transactions of 0% for 1Q2022, 5% for 2Q2022, 7% for 3Q2022 and 9% for 4Q2022. The credit facility carries a default rate of 16% if not paid in full by maturity date. The Company is recording interest using an average interest rate on a straight-line basis. The credit facility matures on December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the amount drawn on the credit facility is $1,925,060 and $0, respectively.
Given that a number of recent significant transactions are considered to be Related Party Transactions, the Board of Directors has established the Special Committee – Related Party Transactions. The purpose of this Special Committee is to approve all future transactions that can be considered Related Party Transactions. All such transactions will be presented to the Special Committee – Related Party Transactions which will then meet in an executive session to discuss the proposed transaction and ultimately vote on such transactions. The composition of the Special Committee will only include Independent Directors. The vote of a majority of the members of the Special Committee – Related Party Transactions will serve to approve transactions that are brought before the Special Committee – Related Party Transactions on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
MILC may enter into transactions in which directors, officers or employees have a financial interest, provided however, that in the case of a material financial interest, the transaction is disclosed to the Board of Directors to determine if the transaction is fair and reasonable. After consideration of the terms and conditions described herein, the independent directors approved such arrangements having determined such arrangements are fair and reasonable and in the interest of the Company.
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13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
According to ASC 280, segment reporting establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of a business about which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer.
As of September 30, 2022, MILC businesses are organized, managed and internally reported as two reportable segments. The reportable segments are determined based on the difference in the product produced. The cannabis cultivation segment, MillCann, is focused on a sustainable approach to cannabis cultivation through Controlled Environmental Agriculture (“CEA”) in the form of greenhouses and is seeking to finalize licensing for a 550,000 square foot greenhouse located in Michigan. The carbon segment, MillCarbon, has developed a novel method for the sustainable production of activated carbon and has constructed a proof-of-concept pilot-scale plant in Kentucky to produce activated carbon from a waste stream generated by Bourbon distilleries.
The following information as of September 30, 2022 is presented net of discontinued operations. For more information see Note 6:
Segment Reporting - Continuing Operations
Cultivation | ||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 | Cannabis | Carbon | Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenue | 128,000 | 128,000 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation | (21,489 | ) | (21,489 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss of continuing operations | (6,729,649 | ) | (675,485 | ) | (521,540 | ) | (7,926,674 | ) | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | 59,787 | 119,090 | 178,877 | |||||||||||||
Identifiable assets | 33,250,133 | 1,660,205 | 56,674 | 34,967,012 |
Cultivation | ||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 | Cannabis | Carbon | Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | (1,956 | ) | (1,956 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss of continuing operations | (960,219 | ) | (600,877 | ) | (676,578 | ) | (2,237,674 | ) | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | 34,025 | 242,062 | 276,087 | |||||||||||||
Identifiable assets | 39,847,611 | 4,607,634 | 3,476,954 | 47,932,199 |
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On November 4, 2022, MILC received notification of a tax refund from India for taxes withheld related to prior sales of securities and is currently working to finalize receipt of the proceeds. The amount is approximately $500,000. This represents one of two potential refunds that MILC has been pursuing. The other refund is approximately $750,000. There can be no assurance as to the amount of the timing of the second tax refund.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are those that predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements as statements containing the words “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “assume” or other similar expressions, or negatives of those expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements contained in this Report regarding our future strategy, future operations, projected financial position, estimated future revenues, projected costs, future prospects, the future of our industries and results that might be obtained by pursuing management’s current or future plans and objectives are forward-looking statements.
Our forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date of the filing of this Report. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these matters or how they may affect us. Over time, our actual results, performance, financial condition or achievements may differ from the anticipated results, performance, financial condition or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such differences may be significant and materially adverse to our security holders. Our forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date hereof, and we make no commitment to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements in order to reflect new information or subsequent events, circumstances or changes in expectations.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
Millennium Sustainable Ventures Corp., formerly known as Millennium Investment & Acquisition Co. Inc., formerly known as Millennium India Acquisition Company, Inc. (“MILC”, “we”, “our”, the “Company”) is focused on the “Triple Bottom Line” and a commitment to Profit, Planet and People and is currently operations in two segments: sustainable cultivation of cannabis in greenhouses and sustainable production of activated carbon.
As of September 30, 2022, MILC has two areas of focus and conducts business in two operating segments as follows:
1. | Sustainable cultivation of cannabis in greenhouses | |
2. | Sustainable production of Activated Carbon |
Greenhouse Cultivation of Cannabis
Millennium Cannabis LLC (“MillCann”), our wholly owned subsidiary, is focused on a sustainable approach to cannabis cultivation through Controlled Environmental Agriculture (“CEA”) in the form of greenhouses. MillCann is currently focused securing cannabis licensing for a 550,000 square foot greenhouse facility in Michigan that is leased from a subsidiary of Power REIT (NYSE AMEX: PW and PW.PRA). David Lesser is Chairman and CEO of Power REIT and also Chairman and CEO of MILC. MILC’s affiliation with Power REIT can provide efficient access to capital allowing MillCann to become a sustainable high-quality, low-cost producer of cannabis.
On September 9, 2021, a wholly owned subsidiary of MillCann, Marengo Cannabis LLC (“MC”) entered into a 20-year lease (the “MarCann Lease) with a subsidiary of Power REIT for approximately 12 acres that includes a 556,416 square foot state-of-the-art greenhouse cultivation facility which is located in Marengo County, Michigan (the “MC Property”). As part of the MarCann Lease, the lessor has agreed to fund the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing improvements.
We believe that once operational, this would be the largest cannabis cultivation facility in Michigan and one of the largest greenhouse cannabis cultivation facilities in the United States. We believe that given the scale of the project combined with the fact that it is a greenhouse will position MC, to compete very as a low-cost producer of high-quality cannabis. This is especially important as prices for cannabis in most markets have significantly compressed recently.
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As previously disclosed, cannabis licensing is delayed based on a lack of cooperation from Marengo Township where the property is located. As part of securing cannabis licenses from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (“CRA”), a Certificate of Occupancy (“CO”) must be submitted where applicable. Pursuant to the Marengo Township zoning map, the Property is zoned Agricultural and was given a Marijuana Overlay, which according to the Marengo Township Ordinance does not change the underlying zoning. As such, the Property does not require a CO and the CRA agreed in writing to accept a simple two sentence letter (the “CO Letter”) as an alternative to providing a CO. PW Marengo pursued the agreed upon CO Letter from Marengo Township which was initially unwilling to cooperate which ultimately led to the initiation of two litigations against Marengo Township.
After commencement of the litigation process, we ultimately secured the CO Letter from the Marengo Township Supervisor confirming that the property does not need a CO. The CO Letter is in the form that the CRA previously agreed to accept. Based on the receipt of the CO Letter, the CRA licensing process moved forward and on August 9, 2022, CRA performed a pre-licensure inspection and identified that no deficiencies existed. In addition to the CRA approval we received, we are required to secure the approval of the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services (“BFS”). Unfortunately, after receiving the CRA pre-approval for the property, the attorney for the Township sent an email to the CRA indicating the facility was not in compliance with the Township requirements which resulted in a withdrawal of the application to CRA which can be re-submitted once the issues with Marengo Township are resolved. Despite having to withdraw the application to the CRA, we have been able to continue the process with the BFS. The process was fairly involved and required justifying the level of the hazards as reasonable for operation. On November 4, 2022, we received an approval of our plans from BFS which is subject to a final physical inspection which will take place once we are finalizing the license.
We continue to try to work with the Township to establish a path forward but will continue to pursue a parallel track in litigation including a court ordered mediation process.
In May 2021, MillCann made a loan to Walsenburg Cannabis, LLC (“WC”) including a Framework Agreement whereby upon certain conditions, the loan would convert into a majority ownership position in WC under certain circumstances. During 2021 and 2022, WC harvested and sold crops but, unfortunately, the project was delayed and overbudget which caused financial strains. In addition, pricing in the Colorado cannabis market compressed dramatically in 2021 and has not recovered. Based on poor performance and in an effort to conserve resources, MillCann determined to stop funding additional operating losses at the Colorado cultivation facility in June, 2022 and the facility ceased operations. MILC is currently evaluating alternatives for capital recovery and also might consider resuming operations in the future based on the market environment. MILC has written off $1,505,898 as a bad debt expense based on uncertainty around recovery of its investment.
In June, 2021, MillCann committed to invest in a 9.35-acre property in Vinita, OK which has 40,000 square feet of greenhouse and related space and approximately 100,000 square foot outdoor growing area. During 2021, VC harvested and processed its first crops and sales began in the first quarter of 2022. MillCann invested in VC through a preferred equity interest that is structured to receive a full return of invested capital plus a 12.5% preferred return after which MillCann has an 82.0% ownership stake. The remaining subordinated ownership is held by former members of the management team of VC. The price for wholesale cannabis in the Oklahoma market has compressed dramatically from historical prices which has had a negative impact on project performance. At the end of September, 2022, MillCann determined to stop funding additional operating losses at the Vinita cultivation facility and the facility ceased operations. MILC has will take a write off of its investment as a bad debt expense based on uncertainty around recovery of its investment during Q3 2022.
Activated Carbon
Millennium HI Carbon, LLC (“MHC”) is a wholly owned subsidiary that acquired an activated carbon plant in Hawaii (the “Hawaii Plant”) that was intended to produce a very high-grade form of Activated Carbon for the production of ultracapacitors which are an advanced electrical storage device. During the first half of 2019, MHC concluded that the Hawaii Plant was not capable of producing consistent results and has made efforts to minimize overhead and cash drain while it seeks a strategic alternative for the Hawaii Plant. Effective December 31, 2021, MILC determined to write off $2,765,000, the remaining value of the HI asset for accounting purposes given that the plant is dormant and there is uncertainty around a business plan for this asset. We have entered into a Purchase Agreement that was scheduled to close by September 30, 2022 with a sales price of $3 million. The scheduled closing has been extended and the purchase price was increased to $3.2 million. There can be no assurance as to when or if this transaction will close.
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MillCarbon is a wholly owned subsidiary that has developed a novel method for the sustainable production of biochar and activated carbon and has constructed a proof-of-concept pilot-scale plant in Kentucky. This project has proven that it can produce either biochar and/or activated carbon from a waste stream generated by bourbon distilleries (“Stillage”). The bourbon industry in Kentucky generates in excess of 1 Billion gallons of Stillage annually which represents a significant disposal and environmental problem. We believe our technology represents a sustainable approach to relative to traditional methods which include mining coal for the production of Activated Carbon which has a very high carbon footprint. The plant has now completed over 230 batches that have produced Activated Carbon, Biochar, and Horticultural Vinegar. MillCarbon believes it has proven itself at the pilot scale level and is evaluating scaling up the plant to process approximately 10 million gallons per year by making incremental investments. The experience with the expanded plant would allow us to evaluate the construction of a large-scale plant based on the technology it has developed. We also believe this process can be replicated to address disposal issues from other carbon dense waste streams.
On October 1, 2021, MILC filed an application with FINRA for approval to change its name to Millennium Sustainable Ventures Corp and received approval for the name change as disclosed in a Form 8-K and Press Release issued on February 16, 2022. We believe the name change better reflects our focus on sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) cultivation in greenhouses and the sustainable production of activated carbon. MILC, with a focus on the “Triple Bottom Line” and a commitment to Profit, Planet and People is focused on sustainable business practices.
During 2020, MILC announced that it was seeking to de-register as an Investment Company that is regulated under Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). As previously announced, MILC has completed the liquidation of its sole investment in securities - its investment in SMC and plans to invest the proceeds in operating businesses. On October 14, 2020, shareholders approved a proposal to change the nature of the Company’s business from a registered investment company under the 1940 Act to a holding company that focuses primarily on owning and operating businesses (collectively, the “Deregistration Proposal”). On March 1, 2021, as amended on May 11, 2021, December 9, 2021, and January 21, 2022, the Company filed an application pursuant Section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for an Order Declaring that MILC has Ceased to be an Investment Company (the “Deregistration Order”). On February 2, 2022, the SEC issued a notice that it was commencing the 25-day public review period in response to MILC’s application. On February 28, 2022, MILC received the Deregistration Order declaring that is has ceased to be an Investment Company. Consequently, the financial statements presented in this Report on Form 10-Q are presented in accordance with the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Critical Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in the periods presented. We believe that the accounting estimates employed are appropriate and resulting balances are reasonable; however, due to inherent uncertainties in making estimates, actual results may differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to these balances in future periods.
The Company has identified its reportable segments and, for each period for which a statement of operations is presented, discloses certain information, separately by reportable segment, relative to the segment industries. As of September 30, 2022, MILC businesses are organized, managed and internally reported as two reportable segments. The reportable segments are determined based on the difference in the product produced. The cannabis cultivation segment, MillCann, is focused on a sustainable approach to cannabis cultivation through Controlled Environmental Agriculture (“CEA”) in the form of greenhouses and is seeking to finalize licensing for a 550,000 square foot greenhouse located in Michigan. The carbon segment, MillCarbon, has developed a novel method for the sustainable production of activated carbon and has constructed a proof-of-concept pilot-scale plant in Kentucky to produce activated carbon from a waste stream generated by Bourbon distilleries.
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We regularly review underperforming assets to determine if a sale or disposal might be a better way to monetize the assets. When an asset group is considered for sale or disposal, we review the transaction to determine if or when the entity qualifies as a discontinued operation in accordance with the criteria of FASB ASC Topic 205-20 “Discontinued Operations.” The FASB has issued authoritative guidance that raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations. Under this guidance, a discontinued operation is (1) a component of an entity or group of components that have been disposed of or are classified as held for sale and represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results, or (2) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the acquisition date. As of September 30, 2022, VC and Millennium Produce discontinued operations and will be reported separately for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s Property, Plant and Equipment consisted of Activated Carbon production machinery and equipment at the MillCarbon pilot plant in Kentucky, machinery and office equipment at MC. Property, plant and equipment is carried at historical cost, net of depreciation and adjustments for impairment. The Company assesses the carrying value of its property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Property, plant and equipment was never commercially operational and is now dormant for MHC and therefore has not incurred a depreciation expense on this asset and has since written off the asset. MILC recognized depreciation on its property, plant and equipment at its MC location on a straight-line basis over the useful life of five years.
Finished goods inventory is initially valued at cost and subsequently at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion, disposal and transportation for inventories in process. The Company periodically reviews its inventory and identifies that which is excess, slow moving or poor product quality by considering factors such as inventory levels and forecasted sales demand. Any identified excess, slow moving and poor-quality inventory is written down to its net realizable value through a charge to cost of goods sold. During Q2 2022, we wrote off all inventory at WC and during Q3 2022 we wrote off all inventory at VC and Millennium Produce.
Results of Operations – Continuing Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Revenue
During the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the cultivation segment had $0 revenue with $0 cost of goods sold resulting from MILC ceasing cannabis operations in Oklahoma as well as its tomato cultivation operations in Nebraska and working towards securing licensing to commence operations in MI. There was no revenue or cost of goods sold for the carbon segment for the three-month periods ending 2022 and 2021.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the cultivation segment’s revenue increased by $128,000 and cost of goods sold increased by $904,726 resulting in a gross loss of $776,726 compared to no revenue an no cost of goods sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. This was a result of MILC shifting its focus to cannabis cultivation and the expenses incurred to continue operations in the first half of 2022. There was no revenue or cost of goods sold for the carbon segment for the nine-month periods ending 2022 and 2021. The gross loss in 2022 is attributable, in part, to the compressed prices for cannabis and supply chain issues resulting in construction delays which, ultimately caused problems with the initial harvests.
Operating Expenses
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, MILC’s total operating expenses were $1,828,292 compared to $1,209,638 during the three months ended September 30, 2021. The increase of $618,654 was primarily related to an increase in lease expense of $740,465 for the cannabis cultivation segment, a decrease in general & administrative expense of $123,734 and an increase in professional fees of $1,923 related to the cannabis and activated carbon segments.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, MILC’s total operating expenses were $7,125,173 compared to $2,451,541 during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increase of $4,673,632 was primarily related to an increase in lease expense of $3,517,273 for the cannabis cultivation segment, an increase of $1,505,898 resulting from the bad debt expense for the WC loan write off, and an increase in general & administrative expense of $260,734 and professional fees of $23,038 related to the cannabis and activated carbon segments. The increased expenses above are offset by a decrease of $633,311 for a provision of tax receivable that was incurred in 2021.
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Other Income/Expense and Net Loss
Other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $22,048 compared to other income of $78 during the three months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease of $22,126 was due to an increase in interest expense of $22,052 for the cannabis segment. As a result, consolidated net loss for MILC for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $1,850,340 compared to $1,209,638, respectively.
Other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $24,777 compared to other income of $213,867 during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease of $238,644 was primarily due to a decrease in dividend income of $67,383 and an increase in interest expense of $33,104. For the activated carbon segment, there was a decrease in the PPP loan of $137,700 forgiveness, a decrease in other income of $183, and a decrease in interest income of $274. As a result, consolidated net loss for MILC for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $7,926,676 compared to $2,237,674, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our cash totaled $24,801 as of September 30, 2022, compared to $1,623,291 as of December 31, 2021. The decrease of $1,598,490 is primarily from an increase in expenses in operating and investing activities due to the cannabis cultivation operations offset by loan proceeds related to the Company’s credit facility with an affiliate (Note 6) and the Company’s non-recourse loan (Note 8).
With the cash available as of September 30, 2022, the potential sales tax refunds, and the potential sale of its assets in Hawaii may be sufficient to fund our commitments, however, the Company may seek to raise funds through the sale of its securities or other capital sources as necessary.
Results of Operations – Discontinued Operations
VinCann, LLC
Net operating losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 are $917,527 and $2,197,054, respectively compared to $191,820 and $274,358 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, with the increased expenses related to cost of goods sold in cultivating cannabis. A loss from discontinued operations was incurred on September 30, 2022 in the amount of $57,625 resulting in net operating loss from discontinued operations of $975,152 and $2,254,679 for the three and nine months ending on September 30, 2022, respectively.
Millennium Produce LLC
Net operating losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 are $3,331,967 and $3,689,472, respectively compared to $0 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. A loss from discontinued operations was incurred on September 30, 2022 in the amount of $226,822 resulting in net operating loss from discontinued operations of $3,558,789 and $3,916,294 for the three and nine months ending on September 30, 2022, respectively.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures (as defined Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) and (to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. The design and operation of a control system must also reflect that there are resource constraints and management is necessarily required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls. Our management assessed the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2022, our Chief Executive Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
Previously Reported Material Weakness
As disclosed in Item 9A. on the Annual Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2022, we previously identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting with respect to its current complement of people resources, processes and systems which do not provide for necessary, timely reconciliation of certain accounts and sufficient consideration regarding recoverability of certain assets. The main material weakness was specifically related to inventory and management is taking the necessary steps to correct the deficiencies and improve upon current procedures and processes, as the weaknesses were due to starting up the cannabis cultivation as a new operating business segment.
Remediation Plan
Management has developed and is executing a remediation plan to address the previously disclosed material weaknesses. We are actively engaged in the remediation of the outstanding material weaknesses, including the implementation of better processes to improve tracing and valuation methods for inventory. To remediate the existing material weakness, additional time is required to demonstrate the effectiveness of the remediation efforts. The material weakness cannot be considered remediated until the applicable remedial procedures operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these procedures are operating effectively.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are, from time to time, the subject of claims and suits arising out of matters related to our business. In general, litigation claims can be expensive, and time consuming to bring or defend against and could result in settlements or damages that could significantly affect financial results. It is not possible to predict the final resolution of the current litigation to which we are party to, and the impact of certain of these matters on our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be material. Regardless of the outcome, litigation has adversely impacted our business because of defense costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
MHC is currently subject to a lawsuit which involves ownership of a piece of equipment that MHC believes it acquired as part of its original acquisition of the property through the bankruptcy trustee. MHC prevailed in this lawsuit with the court ruling in MHC’s favor and awarding a portion of MHC’s legal fees to MHC. The plaintiff has filed an appeal which is pending. MHC currently does not believe it is likely that the appeal will overturn the ruling of the lower court. MHC also does not believe it has material exposure in the event the ruling at the lower court is not affirmed.
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On April 1, 2022, Power REIT’s wholly owned subsidiary, PW CanRe Marengo LLC (“PW Marengo”), filed a Complaint, Petition for Writ of Mandamus and Jury Demand against the Township of Marengo, Michigan (the “Complaint”). The Complaint was filed in the United States District Court – Western District of Michigan – Southern Division and the Case Number is: 1:22-cv-00321. The Complaint is an action for equitable, declaratory and injunctive relief arising out of Township’s false promises, constitutional violations by the Township’s deprivation of Plaintiffs’ civil rights through its refusal and failure to comply with its own ordinances and state law as well as a common dispute resolution mechanism. On April 7, 2022, the Trust filed a Motion for expedited trial and on April 21, 2022, the Township of Marengo, Michigan filed a reply brief related thereto. On June 6, 2022, the Township of Marengo, Michigan filed its answer to the Complaint. On July 5, 2022, the court held a status conference which required the parties to participate in a mediation to occur within 30 days. On August 1, 2022, PW Marengo filed a Stipulation dismiss the Complaint, but the parties have agreed to continue the court ordered mediation and extend the deadline for mediation while working to finalize an agreed upon mediator.
On June 30, 2022, PW Marengo, filed a Verified Complaint in the Court of Appeals/Circuit Court of Calhoun County Michigan, (the “Calhoun Complaint”) and the Case Number is 22-1760-AW. The Complaint is an action to compel the Township to allow PW Marengo to appear before the Marengo Township Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”). On June 10, 2022, PW Marengo filed an application to the ZBA to secure an affirmation that, because the greenhouse property is zoned as Agricultural, it is exempt from requirements of seeking building permits and a Certificate of Occupancy. To date, the Township has refused to schedule such a meeting and on June 24, 2022, two representatives of the Township indicated that they were rejecting the application to the ZBA because the property is zoned agricultural and exempt from requiring a Certificate of Occupancy and therefore there is no reason to hold the meeting. Unfortunately, when pressed, the representatives were unwilling to put this in writing which we believe would have been sufficient to resolve the requirements for the State of Michigan cannabis licensing. PW Marengo was seeking documentation that is necessary to secure cannabis licenses from the State of Michigan which has agreed to accept in the form of a simple two sentence statement from Marengo Township that because the property is zoned Agricultural it is exempt from requiring a Certificate of Occupancy.
After commencement of the litigation process, we ultimately secured the CO Letter from the Marengo Township Supervisor confirming that the property does not need a CO. The CO Letter is in the form that the CRA previously agreed to accept. Based on the receipt of the CO Letter, the CRA licensing process moved forward and on August 9, 2022, CRA performed a pre-licensure inspection and identified that no deficiencies existed. In addition to the CRA approval we received, we are required to secure the approval of the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services (“BFS”). The BFS process is currently underway but there is no certainty as to the timing to complete this process. Unfortunately, after receiving the CRA pre-approval for the property, the attorney for the Township sent an email to the CRA indicating the facility was not in compliance with the Township requirements. Based on this, we once again sought to convene the ZBA which occurred on September 7, 2022. Unfortunately, the ZBA did not vote on what was requested in the application but rather “denied a change of zoning” which was not sought. Accordingly, on September 27, 2022, PW Marengo filed an appeal of the outcome of the ZBA in the Court of Appeals/Circuit Court for the County of Calhoun in the State of Michigan (Case Number 20222609AA).
On October 14, 2022, the Calhoun Complaint was amended in its entirety with a focus on securing the necessary cooperation from Marengo Township as well as seeking damages.
We continue to try to work with the Township to establish a path forward but will continue to pursue a parallel track in litigation including a court ordered mediation process.
On September 19, 2022, LLC, Six L’s LLC filed a Complaint/Petition against Millennium Produce of Nebraska, LLC for payment of past due amounts related to a $3 million loan. (the “Six L’s Complaint”). The Six L’s Complaint was filed in the District Court of Holt County Nebraska (Case Number: D36CI220000103).
On October 26, 2022, C&G AG, LLC filed a Complaint/Petition against Millennium Produce of Nebraska, LLC for payment of past due amounts related to providing contract labor. (the “C&G Complaint”). The C&G Complaint was filed in the District Court of Holt County Nebraska (Case Number: D36CI220000117).
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties as described in the 2021 Form 10-K, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. The following information updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the information disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” contained in the 2021 Form 10-K. You should carefully consider the risks set forth in the 2021 Form 10-K and the following risks, together with all the other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. If any of the risks actually materialize, our operating results, financial condition and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. Except as disclosed below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the 2021 Form 10-K.
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The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and its continued mutations, governmental authorities in the United States, and internationally have introduced various measures to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures, quarantines, self-isolations, shelter-in-place orders and social distancing protocols. The COVID-19 outbreak and the response of governmental authorities to try to limit it are having a significant impact on the private sector and individuals. The continued spread of COVID-19 globally could continue to have an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. Shelter-in-place orders and social distancing practices designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 may affect our retail business. Due to the speed with which the COVID-19 situation is developing and the uncertainty of its magnitude, outcome and duration, it is not possible to estimate its impact on our business, operations or financial results; however, the impact could be material.
Our business could be adversely affected by the risks, or the public perception of the risks, related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of a pandemic, or public perception of such a risk, could cause customers to avoid public places and are causing 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 on the products we produce. We are also experiencing negative impacts with respect to reliability and consistency of our labor force and the lost of labor as a result of COVID-19. The ultimate extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic highly uncertain. These and other potential impacts could therefore adversely affect our business, growth, and financial condition in ways we may have not yet considered.
Millennium Produce of Nebraska, LLC
Millennium Produce of Nebraska, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, shut down operations as of September 30, 2022. Millennium Produce is currently subject to a lawsuit related to a $3 million non-recourse loan as well as from a company which provided contract labor. Millennium Produce also has other accounts payable that it currently cannot satisfy.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not Applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits.
(1) | Filed herewith. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MILLENNIUM SUSTAINABLE VENTURES CORP. | |
/s/ David H. Lesser | |
David H. Lesser | |
Chairman of the Board & | |
Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Treasurer | |
Date: November 14, 2022 |
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