Stem Holdings, Inc. - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019

Or

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

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

Commission file number: 000-55751

STEM HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

2201 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite 205

Boca Raton, FL 33431

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone Number: (561) 948-5410

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. [  ] Yes [X] No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. [X] Yes [  ] No

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

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

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

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. $39,091,928 at $1.89 per share.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 50,754,213 shares of common stock par value $0.001 as of February 28, 2020.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: NONE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

This Form 10-K contains some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, (a) our projected sales, profitability, and cash flows, (b) our growth strategies, (c) anticipated trends in our industries, (d) our future financing plans and (e) our anticipated needs for working capital. They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. These statements may be found under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” as well as in this Form 10-K generally. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective products or product approvals, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and financial results.

Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this report may turn out to be inaccurate. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Actual future results may vary materially as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” and matters described in this Form 10-K generally. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this filing will in fact occur. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.

Corporate Structure

Stem Holdings, Inc. was organized on June 7, 2016 as a Nevada corporation under Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. The Company’s principal office is located at 2201 NW Corporate Blvd, Suite 205, Boca Raton, FL 33431. The Company has six wholly-owned subsidiaries, Stem Group Oklahoma, Inc., Opco LLC, Stem Holdings, Florida, Inc., Stem Holdings Oregon, Inc. and Stem Holdings, IP Inc. and Stem Agri, LLC.

Overview of the Business

Stem Holdings, Inc. (“Stem” or the “Company”) is a Nevada corporation incorporated on June 7, 2016. The Company is a multi-state, vertically integrated, cannabis company that purchases, improves, leases, operates and invests in properties for use in the production, distribution and sales of cannabis and cannabis-infused products licensed under the laws of the states of Oregon, Nevada, California and Oklahoma. As of September 30, 2019, Stem had ownership interests in 26 state issued cannabis licenses including six (6) licenses for cannabis cultivation, three (3) licenses for cannabis production, five (5) licenses for cannabis processing, one (1) license for cannabis wholesale distribution, one (1) license for hemp production and ten (10) cannabis dispensary licenses.

Stem’s partner consumer brands are award-winning and nationally known, and include: cultivators, TJ’s Gardens and Yerba Buena; retail brands, Stem and TJ’s; infused product manufacturers, Cannavore and Supernatural Honey; and a CBD company, Dose-ology. As of September 30, 2019, the Company had acquired three commercial properties and leased a fourth property, all in Oregon, and has entered into leases to related entities for these four properties and the buildout of these properties to support cannabis related operations was either complete or near completion.

The Company has six wholly-owned subsidiaries –Stem Holdings Oregon, Inc., Stem Holdings IP, Inc., Opco, LLC, Stem Agri, LLC., Stem Group Oklahoma, Inc. and Stem Holdings Florida, Inc. Stem, through its subsidiaries, is currently in the process of finalizing the investment in and acquisition of entities that engage directly in the production and sale of cannabis, thereby transitioning from a real estate company, with a focus on cannabis industry tenants, to a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operating company.

The Company’s stock is publicly traded and is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “STEM” and the OTCQX exchange under the symbol “STMH”.

Recent Developments

Cannabis is currently a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and is, therefore, illegal under federal law. Even in those states in which the use of cannabis has been legalized pursuant to state law, its use, possession or cultivation remains a violation of federal law. A Schedule I controlled substance is defined as one that has no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of safety for use under medical supervision and a high potential for abuse. The U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) defines Schedule I controlled substances as “the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence.” If the federal government decides to enforce the CSA, persons that are charged with distributing, possessing with intent to distribute or growing cannabis could be subject to fines and/or terms of imprisonment, the maximum being life imprisonment and a $50 million fine, even though these persons are in compliance with state law.

In light of such conflict between federal laws and state laws regarding cannabis, the previous administration had effectively stated that it was not an efficient use of resources to direct federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state-designated laws allowing the use and distribution of medical cannabis. Although they have not done so, the current administration could decide to strongly enforce the federal laws applicable to cannabis. See Justice Department Memo on Marijuana Enforcement discussed below. Any such change in the federal government’s enforcement of current federal laws could cause significant financial damage to us.  Legislation is currently pending in the U.S. Congress which would reclassify cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. If enacted into law, such change could provide a material benefit to businesses engaged in the cultivation and sale of cannabis, including eligibility for federal tax deductions, access to the banking system and generally de-criminalizing the use or sale of cannabis where it is legal under applicable state laws.

The Company and our licensed products are also subject to a number of other federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Our licensees and vendors are required to manufacture our products in accordance with the Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines and are subject to regulations relating to employee safety, working conditions, protection of the environment, and other items. The current administration has indicated that it will closely scrutinize the cannabis industry, in particular, recreational marijuana. Changes in laws, rules and regulations or the recall of any product by a regulatory authority, could have a material adverse or positive effect on our business and financial condition.

Justice Department Memo on Marijuana Enforcement

Because of the inconsistencies in federal and state law, on January 4, 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memo on federal marijuana enforcement policy announcing what it deemed to be a return to the rule of law and the rescission of previous guidance documents which would include the so called Cole Memorandum. Since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, Congress has generally prohibited the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana. In the memorandum, the Attorney General directed all U.S. Attorneys to enforce the laws enacted by Congress and to follow well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to marijuana activities. The DOJ asserts this return to the rule of law is also a return of trust and local control to federal prosecutors who know where and how to deploy Justice Department resources most effectively to reduce violent crime, stem the tide of the drug crisis, and dismantle criminal gangs.

We intend to conduct rigorous due diligence to verify the legality of all activities that we engage in and ensure that our activities do not subject us to any of the enforcement priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Industrial Hemp

Industrial hemp is now legal in the U.S., which advocates hope could eventually loosen laws around the popular marijuana extract CBD.

The 2018 farm bill which legalized hemp including a variety of cannabis that does not produce the psychoactive component of marijuana, paved the way to legitimacy for an agricultural sector that has been operating on the fringe of the law. Industrial hemp has made investors and executives swoon because of the potential multibillion-dollar market for cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive compound that has started to turn up in beverages, health products and pet snacks, among other products.

Currently, it appears that CBD will remain largely off-limits for ingestible products. The Food and Drug Administration issued a statement saying that despite the new status of hemp, CBD is still considered a drug ingredient and remains illegal to add to food or health products without the agency’s approval, disappointing many hemp advocates, who said they will continue to work to convince the FDA to loosen its CBD rules. The FDA said some hemp ingredients, such as hulled hemp seeds, hemp seed protein and hemp seed oil, are safe in food and won’t require additional approvals.

The farm bill places industrial hemp, which is defined as a cannabis plant with under 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, under the supervision of the Agriculture Department and removes CBD from the purview of the Controlled Substances Act, which covers marijuana. The law also “explicitly” preserved the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to regulate products containing cannabis, or cannabis-derived compounds.

History of the Business 

The Company was formed to purchase, lease and improve certain real estate properties (the “Properties”), initially in the State of Oregon, which are or will be utilized as either state-licensed cannabis selling retail establishments or state-licensed cannabis growing and processing facilities. The Company previously operated primarily as a real estate holding company, and now engages in direct operations with respect to its properties and activities other than the leasing of properties, funding of capital improvements and administration of its leases and provision of financing to certain lessees.

The initial business of the Company was detailed in a multiparty agreement dated as of August 4, 2016, as revised on October 24, 2016 (“Multiparty Agreement”), by and among the Company and the following entities, which are affiliates of the founders of the Company: Oregon Acquisitions, JV LLC, Gated Oregon Holdings LLC, Kind Care Holdings, LLC, and Never Again Real Estate, LLC. The Multiparty Agreement detailed the following:

The Multiparty Agreement contemplated that the initial Properties owned by the Company and identified in the Multiparty Agreement (and as further described below) would be leased by the Company to subsidiaries of OpCo Holdings, Inc. (“OpCo”). Opco is a company formed in 2016 by the Company’s founders and their affiliates for the purpose of operating multiple cannabis-related businesses initially in the State of Oregon, and the Company’s founders and their affiliated entities directly and indirectly collectively own approximately 24.06% of the outstanding stock of Opco.

The following is an overview of acquisitions completed by the Company:

In September 2016, the Company entered into a 10-year lease with respect to certain property located in Springfield, OR (the “42nd Street Property”) with the landlord that commenced in November 2016. In July 2017, the Company entered into a lease agreement for the 42^nd Street Property.

On November 1, 2016, the Company acquired certain property located in Eugene, OR (the “Willamette Property”). In July 2017, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement with a marijuana dispensary to move into the Willamette Property.

On February 6, 2017, the Company acquired certain real property located at 7827 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206 (the “Powell Property”). In July 2017, the Company entered into a lease agreement for the Powell Property.

In January 2018 the Company consummated a “Contract for Sale” whereby it purchased a Farm Property in Mulino OR (the “Mulino Property”) which will be used for the cultivation of cannabis. In July 2017, the Company entered into a lease agreement with a third party for the Mulino Property.

Investments in Subsidiaries. In April 2018, the Company acquired a 37.5% interest in NVD RE Corp. (“NVD”). NVD used its available funding to acquire an under- construction cannabis indoor grow building in Nevada and to continue the buildout of the property. NVD leases the property to an entity that the Company acquired through its newly formed Opco, LLC subsidiary (“Opco”).

In September 2018, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire 50% of the membership interest of YMY Ventures LLC (“YMY”). YMY is a startup operation located near Las Vegas, Nevada and owns a license to cultivate, produce and distribute cannabis products. The purchase was conditioned upon the receipt of approval of the transfer of ownership by the State of Nevada Department of Taxation. On February 21, 2019, YMY received the approval of the transfer of ownership by the State of Nevada Department of Taxation. Thereafter, on March 1, 2019, the Company closed its acquisition of 50% of YMY. YMY has licenses that allow it to cultivate and produce cannabis and related products, but the Company failed in its attempt to acquire a retail sales license. As of September 30, 2019, YMY had commenced operations in its first grow period, but had not generated any revenues.

On October 8, 2018, the Company and Yerba Buena Oregon, LLC”) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement which provided for the Company to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Yerba. Yerba is a wholesale producer of recreational marijuana flower, by-product and pre-roll product in the state of Oregon.

On June 28, 2019, Stem received regulatory approval from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and closed the previously-announced acquisition of Yerba. Yerba operates an award-winning state-of-the-art cultivation facility equipped with an in-house genetics program and a cannabis library consisting of a few hundred strains.

On March 22, 2019, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement with South African Ventures, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“SAV”) and its shareholders pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of SAV, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. At the closing, SAV had no operations and held approximately $5.75 million cash. In addition, the Company held an additional $2.5 million in escrow for the benefit of SAV, which it delivered to SAV at the closing. These funds were raised by SAV from various investors, who became Company shareholders at the Closing.

SAV also holds a 49% interest in an entity located in the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) (“Eswatini”). While the entity domiciled in the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland) has yet to commence operations, it has secured land and has been granted provisional licenses that allow for the production, harvest and export of cannabis and CBD industrial hemp. The owner of the remaining interest in the Eswatini company is an unrelated party.

On March 29, 2019, the Company executed a definitive agreement to acquire Western Coast Ventures, Inc. (“WCV”). WCV had a working capital surplus of approximately $2,000,000 and had negotiated a joint venture (the “JV”) with ILCA Holdings, Inc. (“ILCA”). ILCA has been issued a limited Conditional Use Permit for a Marijuana Production Facility (a “MPF”) by the City of San Diego, California, which will only be initially granting a total of 40 MPFs. Upon issuance of the final MPF permit and the completed construction, the JV will: (1) operate an advanced cannabis facility to grow and cultivate cannabis; (2) manufacture cannabis-derived products; and (3) distribute cannabis and cannabis-derived products state-wide throughout California.

The MPF encompasses 10,700 square feet and will feature state-of-the-art technology for cultivation, production and distribution. A complex, sophisticated, portable racking system will create a 10,000 square foot canopy that has the potential to produce over 6,000 pounds of product per year with the help of high efficiency LED lights. The production sector of the MPF will deliver a large variety of cannabis-derived offerings such as flowers, pre-rolls, infused edibles, and topicals.

Company purchase of Opco businesses

As long as the Company has fully satisfied all of its obligations and milestones pursuant to the Multiparty Agreement, the Company had the obligation to acquire the business operations of Opco Holdings and its subsidiaries, and Oregon Acquisitions, Gated Oregon and Kind Care (the “Operating Companies”) has the obligation to sell such operations to the Company, within a reasonable time after the Company receives a legal opinion that the operation of the Opco marijuana businesses in the State of Oregon by Stem will not violate any federal or state laws. On August 12, 2019, the parties agreed to waive this condition with the Company proceeding with the purchase of the operating companies.

Pursuant to the terms of a merger agreement between the parties, Stem will acquire Opco Holdings and its subsidiaries, and Oregon Acquisitions, Gated Oregon and Kind Care for a deemed aggregate purchase price of US$12.5million. The purchase price will be satisfied by releasing 12,500,000 shares of Stem common stock, which are currently being held, to the beneficial owners of above-mentioned entities. As previously disclosed, certain beneficial owners of these entities are also directors, officers and/or shareholders of Stem. The transaction remains subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur this calendar year.

Principal Products and Markets

The Company’s principal operations have historically related to the leasing of properties, funding of capital, tenant improvements and administration of its leases and provision of financing to certain lessees, engaged in the production and sale of cannabis. While the Company originally operated primarily as a real estate holding company, it is now engaged in direct operations, primarily the production and sale of cannabis in states where it is legal to do so, with respect to its properties and activities other than the leasing of properties, funding of capital improvements and administration of its leases and provision of financing to certain lessees. Historically, the Company’s principal market has been in the State of Oregon, but it is now engaged in expansion into other markets where sale of marijuana is legal, including California, Nevada and, Oklahoma.

Production and Sales

The Company’s business requires that it possess or be in a position to access specialized knowledge and expertise regarding the state-licensed cannabis industry and those persons and entities who are involved in the industry. The Company believes that its management has such specialized expertise and experience, and the Company retains legal counsel that has recognized expertise in the industry. The Company does not believe that any aspect of its business is either: (i) cyclical or seasonal; or (ii) dependent on any particular franchise or license or other agreement to use a patent, formula, trade secret, process or trade name. The Company has not identified any specific environmental protection issues which will affect its business. The Company does not own identifiable intangible properties.

The Company does not believe that its operations are dependent on any factors within the general economy. However, any material changes in either U.S. federal law enforcement priorities or the law of the State of California, Oregon, Nevada and Oklahoma or other states where the Company operates affecting the cultivation and sale of cannabis could have a material impact on the Company’s business, particularly since the growth, marketing, sale, and use of marijuana is illegal under federal law.

Company Funding

Private Placement Transactions

The Company has sold shares of its common stock in private placement transactions under the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Regulation D promulgated thereunder and certain exemptions of the laws of the jurisdictions where any offering is made. In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company raised gross proceeds of approximately $35,000 and $6,560,000, respectively.

The securities issued in the above-mentioned transactions were issued in connection with private placements exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the terms of Section 4(2) of that Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D. Investors who acquired shares of our common stock in the foregoing private placement transactions were all accredited investors and were required to complete, execute and deliver a subscription agreement and related documentation, which included customary representations and warranties, certain covenants and restrictions and indemnification provisions.

Convertible Promissory Notes and Mortgages

In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, the Company entered into mortgages on two existing properties. The mortgages have a principal amount of $864,000 with maturity dates ranging between March and April 2020. The net proceeds received by these mortgages by the Company was approximately $739,000.

In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, the Company entered into convertible promissory notes with accredited investors and received gross proceeds of $2,475,000. The Convertible notes matured between March and June 2019, but were fully converted in October 2018.

Short Term Financing

In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, the Company entered into two separate promissory notes each for $100,000 with maturity dates in March 2018. One of the notes was repaid in full at maturity, the other note had its maturity date extended to March 2019, its interest rate reduced and had added a conversion feature.

In September 2018, in the course of one of the convertible note offerings detailed above, the Company received an advance of $168,000 in contemplation of an investment into the offering. This was fully repaid in the year ended September 30, 2019.

CD Special Warrant Offering

On December 27, 2018, the Company entered into an Agency Agreement (the “Agreement”) with respect to a private offering of up to 10,000 special warrants of the Company (the “CD Special Warrants”) for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$10,000,000 (the “Offering”). On March 14, 2019, the Company closed the second and final tranche of the Offering, consisting of 962 CD Special Warrants at a price of C$1,000 per CD Special Warrant for aggregate gross proceeds of C$962,000, bringing the total aggregate proceeds for the Offering to C$4,083,000. The Offering was led by Canaccord Genuity Inc., together with a syndicate of agents (the “Agents”).

Each CD Special Warrant will be exchanged (with no further action on the part of the holder thereof and for no further consideration) for one convertible debenture unit of the Company (a “Convertible Debenture Unit”), on the earlier of: (i) the third business day after the date on which both (A) a receipt (the “Receipt”) for a (final) prospectus (the “Qualification Prospectus”) qualifying the distribution of the Convertible Debentures (as defined below) and Warrants (as defined below) issuable upon exercise of the CD Special Warrants has been issued by the applicable securities regulatory authorities in the Canadian jurisdictions in which purchasers of the CD Special Warrants are resident (the “Canadian Jurisdictions”), and (B) a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) registering the resale of the common shares underlying the Convertible Debentures and Warrants has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration”); and (ii) the date that is six months following the closing of the Offering. The Company has also provided certain registration rights to purchasers of the CD Special Warrants.

Each Convertible Debenture Unit is comprised of C$1,000 principal amount 8.0% senior unsecured convertible debenture (each, a “Convertible Debenture”) of the Company and 167 common share purchase warrants of the Company (each, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a “Warrant Share”) at an exercise price of C$3.90 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering.

The Company paid the Agents a cash commission equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds raised in the second tranche of the brokered portion of the Offering(C$157,290), and additional C$50,000 and C$30,000 of fees and expenses. As additional consideration, the Company issued the Agents such number of non-transferable broker convertible debenture special warrants (the “Broker CD Special Warrants”) as is equal to 7.0% of the number of CD Special Warrants sold under the first tranche of the brokered portion of the Offering. Each Broker CD Special Warrant shall be exchanged, on the same terms as the CD Special Warrants, into broker warrants of the Company (the “Broker Warrants”). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Convertible Debenture Unit at an exercise price of C$1,000, until the date that is 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. The distribution of the Broker Warrants issuable upon the exchange of the Broker CD Special Warrants shall also be qualified under the Qualification Prospectus and the resale of the common shares underlying the Broker Warrants will be registered under the Registration Statement. The Company failed to comply on a timely basis with the registration provisions and incurred a 5% penalty as a result.

The net proceeds of the Offering were used to for expansion initiatives and general corporate purposes.

The issuance of the securities was made in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for the offer and sale of securities not involving a public offering, Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act, Regulation S, in Canada to “accredited investors” within the meaning of National Instrument 45-106 and other exempt purchasers in each province of Canada, except Quebec, and/or outside Canada and the United States on a basis which does not require the qualification or registration.

Employees

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had fifty (50) employees, most of whom devote their full time to the Company’s operations. The Company intends to increase staff as warranted by its operations and market conditions. No employee is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Website.

The Company operates a website at www.stemholdings.com

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

In March 2018, the Company entered into a 3-year lease for the occupancy of the Company’s corporate office located in Boca Raton, Florida. The lease requires the Company to pay a base rental fee of $3,024 per month. All taxes, maintenance and utilities are billed separately. In addition, the Company also remitted $6,048 or a security deposit to the landlord. The landlord provided the Company with 2 free months.

In September 2016, the Company entered into a 10-year lease with respect to certain property located in Springfield, OR (the “42nd Street Property”) with the landlord that commenced in November 2016. The lease requires the Company to pay a base rental fee of $7,033 plus an additional estimated $315 per month in real estate taxes in which the base rental fee escalates each year by approximately 2%. All taxes (including reconciling real estate taxes), maintenance and utilities are included at the end of each year as a one-time payment. In addition, the Company also remitted $14,000 for a security deposit to the landlord. In July 2017, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease the property to a related entity. The lease agreement is for a term of ten years, after completion of the buildout by the Company of the property, and a monthly rent obligation of $64,640, subject to annual increases of 3% per year plus an amount for additional rent based on final buildout costs incurred by the Company. The lease is a double net lease with maintenance and real property taxes to be paid by the tenant and insurance costs paid by the Company. Rent payments have not yet commenced. The Company has treated tenancy for the period prior to rent commencement as a free rental period for accounting purposes.

On November 1, 2016, the Company acquired certain property located in Eugene, OR (the “Willamette Property”) for a total cash purchase price plus closing costs of approximately $918,000. In July 2017, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement with a marijuana dispensary, which is a related party to the Company, to move into the Willamette Property. The lease agreement is for a base term of ten years (see note below) and a monthly rent obligation of $13,800, subject to annual increases of 3% per year, plus an amount for additional rent based on final buildout costs incurred by the Company. The lease is a double net lease with maintenance and real property taxes to be paid by the Tenant and insurance costs paid by the Company. The Company provided the tenant with one month of free rent. Upon the expiration of the term of ten years, the Lessee has the option to renew the lease agreement for one five-year term, on the same terms as provided in the lease agreement. On February 28, 2018, the Company executed a $550,000 mortgage payable on the Willamette property to acquire additional funds. The mortgage bears interest at 15% per annum. Monthly interest only payments began March 1, 2018 and continue each month thereafter until paid. The entire unpaid balance is due on March 1, 2020, the maturity date of the mortgage, and is secured by the underlying property. The mortgage terms do not allow participations by the lender in either the appreciation in the fair value of the mortgaged real estate project or the results of operations of the mortgaged real estate project. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2019, interest expense related to this mortgage amounted to $82,500.00. The note has been cross guaranteed by the CEO and Director of the Company.

On February 6, 2017, the Company acquired certain real property located at 7827 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206 (the “Powell Property”) for a total purchase price plus closing costs of approximately $656,498. In July 2017, the Company entered into a lease agreement for the Powell Property, with a related party as tenant. The lease agreement is for a term of ten years and a monthly rent obligation of $6,523, subject to annual increases of 3% per year. Maintenance and real property taxes shall be paid by the Tenant and insurance paid by the Company. Additional rents will be added to pay landlord back for tenant improvements by the end of the first term of the lease, payments will include annual interest at 12% compounded monthly. Rent payments have not yet commenced. The Company has treated tenancy for the period prior to rent commencement as a free rental period for accounting purposes. Upon the expiration of the term of ten years, the Lessee has the option to renew the lease agreement for five-year term, on the same terms as provided in the lease agreement. On April 4, 2018, the Company executed a $314,000 mortgage payable on the Powell property to acquire additional funds. The mortgage bears interest at 15% per annum. Monthly interest only payments began May 1, 2018 and continue each month thereafter until paid. The entire unpaid balance is due on April 1, 2020, the maturity date of the mortgage, and is secured by the underlying property. The mortgage terms do not allow participations by the lender in either the appreciation in the fair value of the mortgaged real estate project or the results of operations of the mortgaged real estate project. The note has been cross guaranteed by the CEO and Director of the Company.

In January 2018 the Company consummated a “Contract for Sale” for a Farm Property in Mulino OR (the “Mulino Property”). The purchase price was $1,700,000 which was reduced by a rental credit of approximately $135,000 which is equivalent to nine months’ rent at $15,000 a month and an additional credit of $9,500 for additional work done on the property. In connection with the purchase of the property, the Company made a cash payment as down payment plus payment of closing costs in the amount of $370,637 and issued a promissory note in the amount of $1,200,000 with a maturity of January 2020. The note is currently being extended through mutual negotiations with its management including the same terms and conditions as previously adhered to. The Company will pay monthly installments of principal and interest (at a rate of 2% per annum) in the amount of $13,500, commencing in July 2018 through the maturity date (January 2020), at which time the entire unpaid principal balance and any remaining accrued interest shall be due and payable in full. The note is secured by a deed of trust on the property.

On July 10, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with an Oregon limited liability company which owns title to Real property (buildings and improvements) located at 399 and 451 Wallis Street, Eugene, OR 97402 for a total purchase price tendered in kind for approximately 6,322,058 shares of the Company’s common stock, which included the grant of 457,191 shares as the Company determined certain milestones were met within the Mutli-Party Agreement.

On July 10, 2019, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with a Oregon limited liability company which owns title to Real property (land) located at 12590 Highway 238, Jacksonville, OR 97503 for a total purchase price tendered in kind for 1,233,665 shares of the Company’s common stock.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject from time to time to litigation, claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this Annual Report, we were not a party to any material litigation, claim or suit whose outcome could have a material effect on our financial statements.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

MARKET INFORMATION

The Company’s common stock commenced trading on the OTCQB on May 23, 2018 under the symbol “STMH” and the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) on July 13, 2018 under the symbol “STEM”. On October 3, 2019, the Company commenced trading on the OTCQX.

The following table shows the high and low prices of our common shares on the OTCQB for each quarter for quarter from May 23, 2018 through September 30, 2019. The following quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions:

The market price of our common stock, like that of other early stage medical device companies, is highly volatile and is subject to fluctuations in response to variations in operating results, announcements of technological innovations or new products, or other events or factors. Our stock price may also be affected by broader market trends unrelated to our performance.

Holders

As of February 28, 2020, there were 50,754,213 shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 252 shareholders of record.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Our transfer agent is Corporate Stock Transfer, which subsequently was purchased by Equinity and is located at 3200 Cherry Creek Dr. South Suite 430 Denver, CO 80209; telephone (303) 282-4800.

Dividend Policy

We have never paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings to fund ongoing operations and future capital requirements of our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

Below is a list of securities sold by us from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019 which were not registered under the Securities Act

Share Issuances to Consultants, Employees and Directors for Compensation and Severance

During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company issued 18,900 shares of its common stock related to an employee separation agreement with a fair value of approximately $18,000 or $0.97 per share.

During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company issued 7,060,754 shares of its common stock and recorded compensation expense of $10.182 million, which included the issuance of 2,757,002 shares which were the result of the board of directors granting the modification to holders of options that reduced the exercise price of those options.

During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company granted options to acquire 210,000 shares of its common stock at an exercise prices ranging from $.08 to $2.40 per share. During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company granted warrants to acquire 1,350,000 shares of its common stock at exercise prices ranging from $1.70 to $2.40 per share.

In the year ended September 30, 2018, the Company issued 1,055,416 shares of its common stock to consultants, employees and directors as compensation for services. In the year ended September 30, 2018, the Company issued warrants to acquire 20,000 shares of its common stock to a consultant with an exercise price of $2.40 per share for services. In the year ended September 30, 2018, the Company issued options to acquire 2,105,000 shares of its common stock with exercise prices ranging from $2.23 to $4 per share to consultants, employees and directors for services. In the year ended September 30, 2018, options to acquire 160,000 shares of stock were exercised on a cashless basis and the Company issued 65,558 shares of its common stock in satisfaction of the cash exercises.

The securities issued in the above-mentioned transactions were issued in connection with private placements exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the terms of Section 4(2) of that Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D.

CD Special Warrants Offering

On December 27, 2018, the Company closed the first tranche of the Offering consisting of 3,121 CD Special Warrants at a price of C$1,000 per CD Special Warrant for aggregate gross proceeds of C$3,121,000 (see CD Special Warrant Offering, above).

On March 14, 2019, the Company closed the second tranche of the Offering consisting of 962 CD Special Warrants at a price of C$1,000 per CD Special Warrant for aggregate gross proceeds of C$962,000 (see CD Special Warrant Offering, above).

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Pursuant to permissive authority under Regulation S-K, Rule 301, we have omitted Selected Financial Data.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results

This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This annual report on Form 10-K and other written and oral statements that we make from time to time contain such forward-looking statements that set out anticipated results based on management’s plans and assumptions regarding future events or performance. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance or results of current and anticipated sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Factors that could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to differ materially are set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of this annual report on Form 10-K 

We caution that these factors could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following comparative analysis on results of operations was based primarily on the comparative consolidated financial statements, footnotes and related information for the periods identified below and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, which are included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. The results discussed below are for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands).

Revenues

In 2019, the Company now engages directly in the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis and related products. Prior to 2019, the Company was engaged in renting properties used in the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis. Therefore, comparison of revenue between the two periods is comparing disparate business models. 100% of the revenue in 2019 is from the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis, and related. 100% of the revenue from 2018 is from rental of real estate. Going forward, the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis related products will constitute most of the Company’s revenues.

In 2019, all of the Company’s revenue originates in the state of Oregon. Going forward the Company expects to begin realizing revenue from the states of Nevada and California in the near future. The Company has also targeted Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts and it has also begun working towards its investments obtaining licenses in Eswatini.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues for the year ended September 30, 2019 totaled approximately $1.9 million and consisted of contracted labor, growing and trimming expenses, and product testing. No cost of revenues was recognized during the year ended September 30, 2018. The Company expects its cost of revenues to grow in line with its future revenue growth.

Operating Expenses

Consulting Fees

Consulting fees for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 totaled approximately $2.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The increase of $1.9 million is primarily related to stock-based compensation expenses recognized during the year ended September 30, 2019 for restricted stock awards and warrants to acquire the Company’s common stock issued to consultants.

Professional Fees

Professional fees for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 totaled approximately $1.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The increase of $0.7 million is primarily related to legal, accounting and other professional fees incurred during the year ended September 30, 2019. We expect our professional fees to increase as we continue to grow our business.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 totaled approximately $14.9 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The increase of $7.0 million is primarily related to increases in salaries and wages and stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards and options and an increase of general and administrative costs of $1.0 million (insurance, rent, etc.).

Impairment of Property and Equipment and Intangibles

Impairment expenses related to property and equipment totaled approximately $1.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2019. We recorded an expense of $1.0 million related to our property and equipment acquired with our acquisition of Never Again Real Estate and Never Again 2 Real Estate and $0.7 million in other related properties.

Impairment expenses related to intangible assets totaled approximately $0.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2019 and were incurred in connection with our investment in YMY. This impairment is with respect to the granting of an option to effectuate the balance of one hundred percent of an acquisition that never took place.

Loss on Extinguishment of Rent

Loss on extinguishment of rent expense for the year ended September 30, 2019, was approximately $1.1 million and was related to deferred rent.

Other Income (Expense)

Other expenses for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, totaled approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Interest expense increased by $2.2 million in fiscal 2019 compared to fiscal 2018. That increase was primarily the result of our new borrowings from Canaccord convertible notes and the discounts associated with the notes. This increase in interest expense was offset by $2.2 million in gains from the reduction of liabilities that resulted from the bifurcation of certain embedded features in the Canaccord convertible notes and warrants that the Company treated as liabilities.

Loss from Equity Method Investees

In 2019, we incurred losses from equity method investees of approx. $6.5 million. This loss was primarily the result of fully impairing the investment of $5.7 million in Stempro International acquired from our acquisition of South African Ventures and fully impairing the investment of $0.5 million in SOK Management and related investees.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At September 30, 2019, we had negative working capital of approximately $2.6 million, which included cash and cash equivalents of $3.3 million. We reported a net loss of approximately $29 million and our net cash used in operating expenses totaled $6.5 million, our cash provided by investing activities was $6.3 million and cash flows from financing activities totaled $2.8 million. We are currently negotiating with certain mortgage lenders to extend the maturity of their notes.

Subsequent to September 30, 2019, we received gross proceeds from the sale of promissory notes of $1.0 million. In addition, we believe we will closing in the near future on a $10 million investment for the issuance of a new class of preferred shares by the Company.

Going Concern

At September 30, 2019, the Company had approximate balances of cash and cash equivalents of $3.3 million, negative working capital of $2.6 million, total stockholders’ equity of $23.6 million and an accumulated deficit of $37.1 million.

These audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

While the recreational use of cannabis is legal under the laws of certain States, where the Company has and is working towards further finalizing the acquisition of entities or investment in entities that directly produce or sell cannabis, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under United States Federal law for any purpose, by way of Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, otherwise known as the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (the “ACT”). Cannabis is currently included under Schedule 1 of the Act, making it illegal to cultivate, sell or otherwise possess in the United States.

On January 4, 2018 the office of the Attorney General published a memo regarding cannabis enforcement that rescinds directives promulgated under former President Obama that eased federal enforcement. In a January 8, 2018 memo, Jefferson B. Sessions, then Attorney General of the United States, indicated enforcement decisions will be left up to the U.S. Attorney’s in their respective states clearly indicating that the burden is with “federal prosecutors deciding which cases to prosecute by weighing all relevant considerations, including federal law enforcement priorities set by the Attorney General, the seriousness of the crime, the deterrent effect of federal prosecution, and the cumulative impact of particular crimes on the community.” Subsequently, in April 2018, President Trump promised to support congressional efforts to protect states that have legalized the cultivation, sale and possession of cannabis, however, a bill has not yet been finalized in order to implement legislation that would, in effect, make clear the federal government cannot interfere with states that have voted to legalize cannabis. Further in December 2018, the US Congress passed legislation, which the President signed on December 20, 2018, removing hemp from being included with Cannabis in Schedule I of the Act.

These conditions raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern should it complete its acquisitions and investments, which it considers likely as of the date of these consolidated financial statements. Should the United States Federal Government choose to begin enforcement of the provisions under the Act, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiaries could be prosecuted under the Act and the Company may have to immediately cease operations and/or be liquidated upon their closing of the acquisition or investment in entities that engage directly in the production and or sale of cannabis.

Management believes that the Company has access to capital resources through potential public or private issuances of debt or equity securities. However, if the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to curtail operations and take additional measures to reduce costs, including reducing its workforce, eliminating outside consultants and reducing legal fees to conserve its cash in amounts sufficient to sustain operations and meet its obligations. These matters raise 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 become necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates associated with revenue recognition, investments, intangible assets, stock-based compensation and business combinations.

The Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows are impacted by the accounting policies the Company has adopted. In order to get a full understanding of the Company’s financial statements, one must have a clear understanding of the accounting policies employed. A summary of the Company’s critical accounting policies follows:

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) the sales price is fixed or determinable, (3) collectability is reasonably assured, and (4) products have been shipped and the customer has taken ownership and assumed risk of loss.

Cannabis Dispensary, Cultivation and Production 

The Company recognizes revenue as earned when the following four criteria have been met: (i) when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the product has been delivered to a customer, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collection is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized net of sales incentives and returns, after discounts for the assurance program, veterans coverage program and compassionate programs.

Leasing Operations

The Company recognizes rental revenue from tenants, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases when collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company makes estimates of the collectability of its tenant receivables related to base rents, straight-line rent and other revenues. In the current fiscal year, the Company began significant rental operations. The Company considers such things as historical bad debts, tenant creditworthiness, current economic trends, facility operating performance, lease structure, developments relevant to a tenant’s business, and changes in tenants’ payment patterns in its analysis of accounts receivable and its evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Specifically, for straight-line rent receivables, the Company’s assessment includes an estimation of a tenant’s ability to fulfill its rental obligations over the remaining lease term.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based payment awards exchanged for services at the estimated grant date fair value of the award.  Stock options issued under the Company’s long-term incentive plans are granted with an exercise price equal to no less than the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant and expire up to ten years from the date of grant.  These options generally vest on the grant date or over a one- year period.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.

Expected Term - The expected term of options represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding based on the simplified method, which is the half-life from vesting to the end of its contractual term.

Expected Volatility - The Company computes stock price volatility over expected terms based on its historical common stock trading prices.

Risk-Free Interest Rate - The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield available on U. S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term.

Expected Dividend - The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common shares and does not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future, and, therefore, uses an expected dividend yield of zero in its valuation models.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company elected to account for forfeited awards as they occur, as permitted by Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09. Ultimately, the actual expenses recognized over the vesting period will be for those shares that vested. Prior to making this election, the Company estimated a forfeiture rate for awards at 0%, as the Company did not have a significant history of forfeitures.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, which include property and equipment, for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The Company considers the following to be some examples of important indicators that may trigger an impairment review: (i) significant under-performance or losses of assets relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (ii) significant changes in the manner or use of assets or in the Company’s overall strategy with respect to the manner or use of the acquired assets or changes in the Company’s overall business strategy; (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends; (iv) increased competitive pressures; (v) a significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time; and (vi) regulatory changes. The Company evaluates assets for potential impairment indicators at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of such events. The Company does not test for impairment in the year of acquisition of properties so long as those properties are acquired from unrelated third parties.

The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets over their remaining estimated useful lives against their respective carrying amounts. In cases where estimated future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. Fair value is generally determined using the assets expected future discounted cash flows or market value, if readily determinable. If long- lived assets are determined to be recoverable, but the newly determined remaining estimated useful lives are shorter than originally estimated, the net book values of the long-lived assets are depreciated and amortized prospectively over the newly determined remaining estimated useful lives.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess acquisition cost over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to annual impairment testing on or between annual tests if an event or change in circumstance occurs that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. In testing for goodwill impairment, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, the Company concludes that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is not required. If the Company concludes otherwise, the Company is required to perform the two-step impairment test. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective carrying value. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not impaired. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, further analysis is necessary to determine the amount of impairment, if any, by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.

Intangible Assets. Intangible assets deemed to have finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, where the useful life is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly, or indirectly, to our future cash flows. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist. For amortizable intangible assets, impairment exists when the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value. At least annually, the remaining useful life is evaluated.

An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. In testing for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, a quantitative impairment test is not necessary. If the Company concludes otherwise, it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset that is amortized over the remaining useful life of that asset, if any. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.

Principals of Consolidation

The Company’s policy is to consolidate all entities that it controls by ownership of a majority of the outstanding voting stock. In addition, the Company consolidates entities that meet the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party who has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has an obligation to absorb losses of the entity or a right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. For consolidated entities that are less than wholly owned, the third party’s holding of equity interest is presented as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. The portion of net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests is presented as net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stem Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Stem Holdings Oregon, Inc., Stem Holdings IP, Inc., Opco, LLC, Stem Agri, LLC., Stem Group Oklahoma, Inc. and Stem Holdings Florida, Inc. All material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. Our wholly owned subsidiaries had no operations, assets or liabilities as of September 30, 2019.

Equity Method Investments

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, as appropriate. The Company accounts for investments in limited partnerships or limited liability corporations, whereby the Company owns a minimum of 5.0% of the investee’s outstanding voting stock, under the equity method of accounting. These investments are recorded at the amount of the Company’s investment and adjusted each period for the Company’s share of the investee’s income or loss, and dividends paid.

During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized losses of approximately $6.5 million. The losses related to its investment in South African Ventures, Inc. (“SAV”) of approximately $5.8 million, East Coast Packers LLC (“ECP”) of approximately $0.3 million, SOK Management LLC (“SOK”) of approximately $0.5 million and Tilstar Medical, LLC (“TIL”) of approximately $0.25 million.

Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements

The Company continually assesses any new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company’s financial reporting, the Company undertakes a review to determine the consequences of the change to its financial statements and believes that there are proper controls in place to ascertain that the Company’s financial statements properly reflect the change.

We have considered recently issued accounting pronouncements and do not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

See Note 2 to our financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus for a description of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to our financial statements.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K, the Company is not required to provide this information.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The financial information required by Item 8 begins on the following page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors

of Stem Holdings, Inc.

OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Stem Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

EXPLANATORY PARAGRAPH – GOING CONCERN

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully explained in Note 1, the Company and its affiliates, net losses of $28.985 million and $8.698 million, negative working capital of $2.635 million and $2.273 million and accumulated deficits of $37.082 million and $11.533 million as of and for the year ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, the Company has commenced operations in the production and sale of cannabis and related products, an activity that is illegal under United States Federal law for any purpose, by way of Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, otherwise known as the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (the “ACT”). These facts raises substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

EXPLANATORY PARAGRAPH – CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has elected to change its methodology of accounting for stock based compensation such that for awards issued for compensation for services to be rendered to the Company over time in connection with employment and consulting agreements that fully vest at date of grant, that the Company will immediately expense in full those grants at grant.

BASIS FOR OPINION

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ LJ Soldinger Associates, LLC

Deer Park, IL

March 1, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

STEM HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands except for share and per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

STEM HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

(in thousands except for share and per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

STEM HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

 (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

STEM HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

(in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

1. Incorporation and Operations and Going Concern

Stem Holdings, Inc. (“Stem” or the “Company”) is a Nevada corporation incorporated on June 7, 2016. The Company is a multi-state, vertically integrated, cannabis company that purchases, improves, leases, operates and invests in properties for use in the production, distribution and sales of cannabis and cannabis-infused products licensed under the laws of the states of Oregon, Nevada, California and Oklahoma. As of September 30, 2019, Stem had ownership interests in 26 state issued cannabis licenses including six (6) licenses for cannabis cultivation, three (3) licenses for cannabis production, five (5) licenses for cannabis processing, one (1) license for cannabis wholesale distribution, one (1) license for hemp production and ten (10) cannabis dispensary licenses.

Stem’s partner consumer brands are award-winning and nationally known, and include: cultivators, TJ’s Gardens, Travis X James, and Yerba Buena; retail brands, Stem and TJ’s; infused product manufacturers, Cannavore and Supernatural Honey; and a CBD company, Dose-ology. As of September 30, 2019, the Company has acquired three commercial properties and leased a fourth property, all in Oregon, and has entered into leases to related entities for these four properties (see Note 13). As of September 30, 2019, the buildout of these properties to support cannabis related operations was either complete or near completion.

The Company has recently incorporated six wholly-owned subsidiaries –Stem Holdings Oregon, Inc., Stem Holdings IP, Inc., Opco, LLC, Stem Agri, LLC., Stem Group Oklahoma, Inc. and Stem Holdings Florida, Inc. Stem, through its subsidiaries, is currently in the process of finalizing the investment in and acquisition of entities that engage directly in the production and sale of cannabis, thereby transitioning from a real estate company, with a focus on cannabis industry tenants, to a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operating company.

The Company’s stock is publicly traded and is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “STEM” and the OTCQX exchange under the symbol “STMH”.

Going Concern

At September 30, 2019, the Company had approximate balances of cash and cash equivalents of $3.3 million, negative working capital of $2.6 million, total stockholders’ equity of $23.6 million and an accumulated deficit of $37.1 million.

These audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

While the recreational use of cannabis is legal under the laws of certain States, where the Company has and is working towards further finalizing the acquisition of entities or investment in entities that directly produce or sell cannabis, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under United States Federal law for any purpose, by way of Title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, otherwise known as the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (the “ACT”). Cannabis is currently included under Schedule 1 of the Act, making it illegal to cultivate, sell or otherwise possess in the United States.

On January 4, 2018 the office of the Attorney General published a memo regarding cannabis enforcement that rescinds directives promulgated under former President Obama that eased federal enforcement. In a January 8, 2018 memo, Jefferson B. Sessions, then Attorney General of the United States, indicated enforcement decisions will be left up to the U.S. Attorney’s in their respective states clearly indicating that the burden is with “federal prosecutors deciding which cases to prosecute by weighing all relevant considerations, including federal law enforcement priorities set by the Attorney General, the seriousness of the crime, the deterrent effect of federal prosecution, and the cumulative impact of particular crimes on the community.” Subsequently, in April 2018, President Trump promised to support congressional efforts to protect states that have legalized the cultivation, sale and possession of cannabis, however, a bill has not yet been finalized in order to implement legislation that would, in effect, make clear the federal government cannot interfere with states that have voted to legalize cannabis. Further in December 2018, the US Congress passed legislation, which the President signed on December 20, 2018, removing hemp from being included with Cannabis in Schedule I of the Act.

These conditions raise substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern should it complete its acquisitions and investments, which it considers likely as of the date of these consolidated financial statements. Should the United States Federal Government choose to begin enforcement of the provisions under the Act, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiaries could be prosecuted under the Act and the Company may have to immediately cease operations and/or be liquidated upon their closing of the acquisition or investment in entities that engage directly in the production and or sale of cannabis.

Management believes that the Company has access to capital resources through potential public or private issuances of debt or equity securities. However, if the Company is unable to raise additional capital, it may be required to curtail operations and take additional measures to reduce costs, including reducing its workforce, eliminating outside consultants and reducing legal fees to conserve its cash in amounts sufficient to sustain operations and meet its obligations. These matters raise 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 become necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated during the consolidation process. The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The most significant estimates included in these consolidated financial statements are those associated with the assumptions used to value equity instruments, valuation of its long live assets for impairment testing and the deferral of rents. These estimates and assumptions are based on current facts, historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable given the circumstances that exist at the time the financial statements are prepared. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from these estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and actual results, the Company’s future results of operations will be affected.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have not changed the results of operations of prior periods.

Principals of Consolidation

The Company’s policy is to consolidate all entities that it controls by ownership of a majority of the outstanding voting stock. In addition, the Company consolidates entities that meet the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party who has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has an obligation to absorb losses of the entity or a right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. For consolidated entities that are less than wholly owned, the third party’s holding of equity interest is presented as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity. The portion of net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests is presented as net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stem Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Stem Holdings Oregon, Inc., Stem Holdings IP, Inc., Opco, LLC, Stem Agri, LLC., Stem Group Oklahoma, Inc. and Stem Holdings Florida, Inc. All material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. Our wholly owned subsidiaries had no operations, assets or liabilities as of September 30, 2019.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s cash is primarily maintained in checking accounts. These balances may, at times, exceed the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. As of September 30, 2019, and 2018, the Company had no cash equivalents or short-term investments. The Company has not experienced any losses on deposits of cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are shown on the face of the consolidated balance sheets, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company analyzes the aging of accounts receivable, historical bad debts, customer creditworthiness and current economic trends, in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company does not accrue interest receivable on past due accounts receivable. There is no reserve for doubtful accounts of as of September 30, 2019 and 2018.

Inventory

Inventory is comprised of raw materials, finished goods and work-in-progress such as pre-harvested cannabis plants and by-products to be extracted. The costs of growing cannabis including but not limited to labor, utilities, nutrition and irrigation, are capitalized into inventory until the time of harvest.

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, determined using weighted average cost. Cost includes expenditures directly related to manufacturing and distribution of the products. Primary costs include raw materials, packaging, direct labor, overhead, shipping and the depreciation of manufacturing equipment and production facilities determined at normal capacity. Manufacturing overhead and related expenses include salaries, wages, employee benefits, utilities, maintenance and property taxes.

Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. At the end of each reporting period, the Company performs an assessment of inventory obsolescence to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Factors considered in the determination of obsolescence include slow-moving or non-marketable items.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses consist of various payments that the Company has made in advance for goods or services to be received in the future. These prepaid expenses include consulting, advertising, insurance, and service or other contracts requiring up-front payments.

Property and Equipment

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Repairs and maintenance expenditures that do not extend the useful lives of related assets are expensed as incurred.

Expenditures for major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while minor replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not extend the asset lives, are charged to operations as incurred. Upon sale or disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in operations. The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying balances of its property, equipment and leasehold improvements may not be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” When such events or changes in circumstances are present, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the total of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. See “Note 3 – Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements”.

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company estimates useful lives as follows:

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, which include property and equipment, for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The Company considers the following to be some examples of important indicators that may trigger an impairment review: (i) significant under-performance or losses of assets relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (ii) significant changes in the manner or use of assets or in the Company’s overall strategy with respect to the manner or use of the acquired assets or changes in the Company’s overall business strategy; (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends; (iv) increased competitive pressures; (v) a significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time; and (vi) regulatory changes. The Company evaluates assets for potential impairment indicators at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of such events. The Company does not test for impairment in the year of acquisition of properties, so long as those properties are acquired from unrelated third parties.

The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related long-lived asset or group of long-lived assets over their remaining estimated useful lives against their respective carrying amounts. In cases where estimated future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. Fair value is generally determined using the assets expected future discounted cash flows or market value, if readily determinable. If long- lived assets are determined to be recoverable, but the newly determined remaining estimated useful lives are shorter than originally estimated, the net book values of the long-lived assets are depreciated and amortized prospectively over the newly determined remaining estimated useful lives.

During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company determined that certain of its property and equipment had been impaired and recorded approximately $0.7 million of impairment charges. An impairment expense of $0.8 million was recorded in the year ended September 30, 2018.

Capitalization of Project Costs

The Company’s policy is to capitalize all costs that are directly identifiable with a specific property, would be capitalized if the Company had already acquired the property, and when the property, or an option to acquire the property, is being actively sought after, and either funds are available or will likely become available in order to exercise their option. All amounts shown capitalized prior to acquisition of a property are included under the caption of Project Costs within the “Deposits and other assets” line item in the consolidated balance sheet.

Equity Method Investments

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, as appropriate. The Company accounts for investments in limited partnerships or limited liability corporations, whereby the Company owns a minimum of 5.0% of the investee’s outstanding voting stock, under the equity method of accounting. These investments are recorded at the amount of the Company’s investment and adjusted each period for the Company’s share of the investee’s income or loss, and dividends paid.

During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized losses of approximately $6.5 million. The losses related to its investment in Stempro International, Inc. (acquired in its acquisition of South African Ventures, LLC (“SAV”) of approximately $5.775 million, East Coast Packers LLC (“ECP”) of approximately $0.03 million, SOK Management LLC (“SOK”) of approximately $0.5 million and Tilstar Medical, LLC (“TIL”) of approximately $0.25 million.

Asset Acquisitions

The Company has adopted ASU 2017-01, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as businesses acquisitions. As a result of adopting ASU 2017-01, acquisitions of real estate and cannabis licenses do not meet the definition of a business combination and were deemed asset acquisitions, and the Company therefore capitalized these acquisitions, including its costs associated with these acquisitions.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess acquisition cost over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to annual impairment testing on or between annual tests if an event or change in circumstance occurs that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. In testing for goodwill impairment, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, the Company concludes that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is not required. If the Company concludes otherwise, the Company is required to perform the two-step impairment test. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective carrying value. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not impaired. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, further analysis is necessary to determine the amount of impairment, if any, by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.

Intangible Assets. Intangible assets deemed to have finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, where the useful life is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly, or indirectly, to our future cash flows. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist. For amortizable intangible assets, impairment exists when the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value. At least annually, the remaining useful life is evaluated.

An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. In testing for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, a quantitative impairment test is not necessary. If the Company concludes otherwise, it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset that is amortized over the remaining useful life of that asset, if any. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.

During the year ended September 30, 2019, the Company determined that certain intangible assets were impaired and recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $0.5 million. The impairment charges included its intangible asset acquired with its investment in YMY Ventures, Inc. of approximately $0.5 million.

Business Combinations

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 805 in the accounting for acquisitions. ASC 805 requires the Company to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately apply preliminary value to assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, these estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments in the current period, rather than a revision to a prior period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date, including estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed, restructuring liabilities, pre-acquisition contingencies, and contingent consideration, where applicable. Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates made have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates, or actual results.

Contingent Consideration

The Company accounts for “contingent consideration” according to FASB ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (“FASB ASC 805”). Contingent consideration typically represents the acquirer’s obligation to transfer additional assets or equity interests to the former owners of the acquiree if specified future events occur or conditions are met. FASB ASC 805 requires that contingent consideration be recognized at the acquisition-date fair value as part of the consideration transferred in the transaction. FASB ASC 805 uses the fair value definition in Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As defined in FASB ASC 805, contingent consideration is (i) an obligation of the acquirer to transfer additional assets or equity interests to the former owners of an acquiree as part of the exchange for control of the acquiree, if specified future events occur or conditions are met or (ii) the right of the acquirer to the return of previously transferred consideration, if specified conditions are met.

Warrant Liability

The Company accounts for certain common stock warrants outstanding as a liability at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the warrants issued by the Company has been estimated using Monte Carlo simulation model and the Black-Scholes pricing model.

Embedded Conversion Features

The Company evaluates embedded conversion features within convertible debt to determine whether the embedded conversion feature(s) should be bifurcated from the host instrument and accounted for as a derivative at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the statement of operations.  If the conversion feature does not require recognition of a bifurcated derivative, the convertible debt instrument is evaluated for consideration of any beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) requiring separate recognition. When the Company records a BCF, the intrinsic value of the BCF is recorded as a debt discount against the face amount of the respective debt instrument (offset to additional paid-in capital) and amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. The Company files a consolidated United States federal income tax return. The Company provides for income taxes based on enacted tax law and statutory tax rates at which items of income and expense are expected to be settled in our income tax return. Certain items of revenue and expense are reported for Federal income tax purposes in different periods than for financial reporting purposes, thereby resulting in deferred income taxes. Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses that are available to offset future taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Company has incurred net operating losses for financial-reporting and tax-reporting purposes. At September 30, 2019 and 2018, such net operating losses were offset entirely by a valuation allowance.

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions based on a benefit recognition model. Provided that the tax position is deemed more likely than not of being sustained, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50.0% likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement. The tax position is derecognized when it is no longer more likely than not of being sustained. The Company classifies income tax related interest and penalties as interest expense and selling, general and administrative expense, respectively, on the consolidated statements of operations.

In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TJCA or the Act) was enacted, which significantly changes U.S. tax law. In accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, the Company is required to account for the new requirements in the period that includes the date of enactment. The Act reduced the overall corporate income tax rate to 21.0%, created a territorial tax system (with a one-time mandatory transition tax on previously deferred foreign earnings), broadened the tax base and allowed for the immediate capital expensing of certain qualified property.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) the sales price is fixed or determinable, (3) collectability is reasonably assured, and (4) products have been shipped and the customer has taken ownership and assumed risk of loss.

Cannabis Dispensary, Cultivation and Production 

The Company recognizes revenue as earned when the following four criteria have been met: (i) when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the product has been delivered to a customer, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collection is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized net of sales incentives and returns, after discounts for the assurance program, veterans coverage program and compassionate programs.

Leasing Operations

The Company recognizes rental revenue from tenants, including rental abatements, lease incentives and contractual fixed increases attributable to operating leases, on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases when collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company makes estimates of the collectability of its tenant receivables related to base rents, straight-line rent and other revenues. In the current fiscal year, the Company began significant rental operations. The Company considers such things as historical bad debts, tenant creditworthiness, current economic trends, facility operating performance, lease structure, developments relevant to a tenant’s business, and changes in tenants’ payment patterns in its analysis of accounts receivable and its evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Specifically, for straight-line rent receivables, the Company’s assessment includes an estimation of a tenant’s ability to fulfill its rental obligations over the remaining lease term.

Geographical Concentrations

As of September 30, 2019, the Company is primarily engaged in the production and sale of cannabis, which is only legal for recreational use in 11 states and DC, with lesser legalization, such as for medical use in an additional 22 states and DC, as of the time of these consolidated financial statements. In addition, the United States Congress has passed legislation, specifically the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the “Farm Bill”) that has removed production and consumption of hemp and associated products from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of sales represents costs directly related to manufacturing and distribution of the Company’s products. Primary costs include raw materials, packaging, direct labor, overhead, shipping and handling and the depreciation of manufacturing equipment and production facilities. Manufacturing overhead and related expenses include salaries, wages, employee benefits, utilities, maintenance and property taxes. The Company recognizes the cost of sales as the associated revenues are recognized.

Fair value of Financial Instruments

As defined in the authoritative guidance, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

To estimate fair value, the Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable.

The authoritative guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (“Level 1” measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (“Level 3” measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 — Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Other inputs that are observable, directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which the Company makes its own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets and liabilities.

In instances in which multiple levels of inputs are used to measure fair value, hierarchy classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Stock-based compensation

The Company accounts for share-based payment awards exchanged for services at the estimated grant date fair value of the award.  Stock options issued under the Company’s long-term incentive plans are granted with an exercise price equal to no less than the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant and expire up to ten years from the date of grant.  These options generally vest on the grant date or over a one- year period.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s best estimates and involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.

Expected Term - The expected term of options represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding based on the simplified method, which is the half-life from vesting to the end of its contractual term.

Expected Volatility - The Company computes stock price volatility over expected terms based on its historical common stock trading prices.

Risk-Free Interest Rate - The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield available on U. S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term.

Expected Dividend - The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common shares and does not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future, and, therefore, uses an expected dividend yield of zero in its valuation models.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company elected to account for forfeited awards as they occur, as permitted by Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09. Ultimately, the actual expenses recognized over the vesting period will be for those shares that vested. Prior to making this election, the Company estimated a forfeiture rate for awards at 0%, as the Company did not have a significant history of forfeitures.

Loss per Share

ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) with a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation. Basic EPS excludes dilution. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.

Basic net loss per share of common stock excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted net loss per share of common stock reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity unless inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.  Since the Company has only incurred losses, basic and diluted net loss per share is the same.  Securities that could potentially dilute loss per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share at September 30, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: