10-12G 1 d114161d1012g.htm 10-12G 10-12G
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10

 

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

British Columbia   98-1488978

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor

New York, New York 10019

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(212) 634-7100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Copies to:

James Guttman

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

TD Canada Trust Tower

Brookfield Place, 161 Bay Street, Suite 4310 Toronto, Ontario

Canada, M5J 2S1

(416) 367-7376

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

None

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

Common Shares

(Title of class)

 

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

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

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

IMPLICATIONS OF BEING AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY

     3  

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3  

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

     7  

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

     113  

ITEM 2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     136  

ITEM 3. PROPERTIES

     149  

ITEM 4. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     152  

ITEM 5. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     153  

ITEM 6. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     156  

ITEM 7. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

     169  

ITEM 8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     169  

ITEM 9. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     170  

ITEM 10. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

     173  

ITEM 11. DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

     175  

ITEM 12. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     181  

ITEM 13. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     183  

ITEM 14. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH AUDITORS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     183  

ITEM 15. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     184  

EXHIBIT INDEX

     185  

 

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IMPLICATIONS OF BEING AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY

As a company with less than $1.07 billion in revenue during our most recently completed fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the “Securities Act,” as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the “JOBS Act.” As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other exemptions from requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include:

 

   

Reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements;

 

   

Exemptions from non-binding shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements; and

 

   

Exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenues as of the end of a fiscal year, if we are deemed to be a large-accelerated filer under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or if we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.     

You should rely only on the information contained in this document or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. You should assume that the information contained in this document is accurate as of the date of this registration statement on Form 10 only.

This registration statement will become effective automatically 60 days from the date of the original filing (the “Effective Date”), pursuant to Section 12(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). As of the Effective Date, we will become subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) under the Exchange Act and will be required to file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and we will be required to comply with all other obligations of the Exchange Act applicable to issuers filing registration statements pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act.

Use of Names

In this registration statement on Form 10, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company,” “Corporation” or “Columbia Care” refer to Columbia Care Inc. together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Currency

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “$” or “US$” in this registration statement refer to United States dollars, and all references to “C$” refer to Canadian dollars.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This registration statement on Form 10 includes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking information”). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this registration statement that addresses activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified

 

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by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar expressions and includes, among others, information and statements regarding:

 

   

the business, revenue, results and future activities of, and developments related to, the Company after the date of this registration statement, including as a result of the impact of COVID-19, and planned reductions of operating expenses;

 

   

future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future expansion and growth of the Company’s business and operations;

 

   

whether any proposed transactions will be completed on the current terms and contemplated timing;

 

   

expectations for the effects of any such proposed transactions, including the potential number and location of dispensaries or licenses to be acquired or disposed of;

 

   

the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives as a result of completing any proposed acquisitions;

 

   

the contemplated use of proceeds remaining from previously completed capital raising activities;

 

   

the application for additional licenses and the grant of licenses or renewals of existing licenses for which the Company has applied or expects to apply;

 

   

the rollout of new dispensaries, including as to the number of planned dispensaries to be opened in the future and the timing and location in respect of the same, and related forecasts;

 

   

the expansion into additional markets;

 

   

expectations as to the development and distribution of the Company’s brands and products;

 

   

new revenue streams;

 

   

the impact of the Company’s digital and online strategy;

 

   

the implementation or expansion of the Company’s in-store and curbside pickup services;

 

   

the ability of the Company to successfully execute its strategic plans;

 

   

any changes to the business or operations as a result of any potential future legalization of adult-use and/or medical cannabis under U.S. federal law;

 

   

the effect of unfavorable tax treatment for cannabis businesses or other legislative, regulatory or judicial changes that have the effect of increasing the tax liability of the Company;

 

   

expectations of market size and growth in the United States and the states in which the Company operates or contemplates future operations and the effect that such growth will have on the Company’s financial performance,

 

   

statements that imply or suggest that returns may be experienced by investors or the level thereof,

 

   

the ability of the Company to list its securities on a national securities exchange,

 

   

expectations for other economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the Company or the cannabis industry generally, and

 

   

other events or conditions that may occur in the future.

Readers are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are not based on historical facts but instead are based on assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, as applicable, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information and statements.

 

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Forward-looking information and statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are based upon estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made including among other things estimates and assumptions about:

 

   

the impact of epidemic diseases, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

contemplated acquisitions being completed on the current terms and current contemplated timeline;

 

   

the ability to raise sufficient capital to advance the business of the Company and to fund planned operating and capital expenditures and acquisitions;

 

   

the ability to manage anticipated and unanticipated costs;

 

   

achieving the anticipated results of the Company’s strategic plans;

 

   

increasing gross profits, including relative to increases in revenue;

 

   

the amount of savings, if any, expected from cost-cutting measures and divestitures of non-core assets;

 

   

favorable equity and debt capital markets;

 

   

the availability of future funding under the Company’s equity and debt finance facilities;

 

   

access to and stability in financial and capital markets;

 

   

the ability to sustain negative operating cash flows until profitability is achieved;

 

   

the ability to satisfy operational and financial covenants under the Company’s existing debt obligations;

 

   

favorable operating and economic conditions;

 

   

political and regulatory stability;

 

   

obtaining and maintaining all required licenses and permits;

 

   

receipt of governmental approvals and permits;

 

   

sustained labor stability;

 

   

favorable production levels and sustainable costs from the Company’s operations;

 

   

consistent or increasing pricing of various cannabis products;

 

   

the ability of the Company to negotiate favorable pricing for the cannabis products supplied to it;

 

   

the level of demand for cannabis products, including the Company’s and third-party products sold by the Company;

 

   

the continuing availability of third-party service providers, products and other inputs for the Company’s operations; and

 

   

the Company’s ability to conduct operations in a safe, efficient and effective manner.

While the Company considers these estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, the estimates and assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, public health, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual performance, achievements, actions, events, results or conditions to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements. Many estimates and assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, as applicable, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information and statements include, among others:

 

   

uncertain and changing U.S. regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks;

 

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risks and uncertainties related to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it may have on the global economy and retail sector, particularly the cannabis retail sector in the states in which the Company operates, and on regulation of the Company’s activities in the states in which it operates, particularly if there is any resurgence of the pandemic in the future;

 

   

the inability to raise necessary or desired funds;

 

   

the inability to satisfy operational and financial covenants under the Company’s existing debt obligations and other ongoing obligations as they become payable;

 

   

funds being raised on terms that are not favorable to the Company or to existing shareholders;

 

   

the inability to consummate any proposed acquisitions and the inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and third-party consents and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of any proposed acquisitions on the proposed terms and schedule;

 

   

the potential adverse impacts of the announcement or consummation of any proposed acquisitions on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors;

 

   

the diversion of management time on any proposed acquisitions;

 

   

risks related to future acquisitions or dispositions, resulting in unanticipated liabilities;

 

   

reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management of the Company;

 

   

adverse changes in public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry;

 

   

risks relating to anti-money laundering laws and regulation;

 

   

risks of new and changing governmental and environmental regulation;

 

   

risk of costly litigation (both financially and to the brand and reputation of the Company and relationships with third parties);

 

   

risks related to contracts with and the inability to satisfy obligations to third-party service providers;

 

   

risks related to the unenforceability of contracts;

 

   

risks inherent in an agricultural business, including the impact of climate and pests;

 

   

risks related to proprietary intellectual property and potential infringement by third parties;

 

   

risks relating to financing activities including leverage;

 

   

the inability to effectively manage growth;

 

   

errors in financial statements and other reports;

 

   

costs associated with the Company being a publicly-traded company;

 

   

the dilutive impact of raising additional financing through equity or convertible debt;

 

   

increasing competition in the industry;

 

   

increases in energy and other raw material costs;

 

   

risks associated with cannabis products manufactured for human consumption, including potential product recalls;

 

   

inputs, suppliers and skilled labor being unavailable or available only at uneconomic costs;

 

   

breaches of and unauthorized access to the Company’s systems and related cybersecurity risks;

 

   

constraints on marketing cannabis products;

 

   

fraudulent activity by employees, contractors and consultants;

 

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tax and insurance related risks, including any changes in cannabis or cultivation tax rates;

 

   

risks related to the economy generally;

 

   

conflicts of interest of management and directors;

 

   

failure of management and directors to meet their duties to the Company, including through fraud or breaches of their fiduciary duties;

 

   

risks relating to certain remedies being limited and the difficulty of enforcement of judgments and effect service outside of Canada;

 

   

sales by existing shareholders negatively impacting market prices;

 

   

the limited market for securities of the Company;

 

   

risks related to the Company’s inability to list its securities on a national securities exchange; and

 

   

limited research and data relating to cannabis.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive of all factors, estimates and assumptions that may apply to or impact the Company’s results. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information and statements contained in this this registration statement, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements. The forward-looking information and statements contained herein are presented to assist readers in understanding the Company’s expected financial and operating performance and the Company’s plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this registration statement represents the Company’s views and expectations as of the date of this Form 10 unless otherwise indicated. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its views and expectations to change. However, while the Company may elect to update such forward-looking information and statements at a future time, it has no current intention of and assumes no obligation for doing so, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Readers should read this registration statement and the documents that the Company references herein and has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov completely and with the understanding that the Company’s actual future results may be materially different from what it expects.

 

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

Background

Columbia Care Inc.’s common shares are listed on the Aequitas NEO Exchange (the “NEO”) under the symbol “CCHW”, on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) under the symbol “CCHW”, and are quoted on the OTCQX Best Market (the “OTCQX”) under the symbol “CCHWF” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “3LP”.

The Company’s principal business activity is the production and sale of cannabis as regulated by the regulatory bodies and authorities of the jurisdictions in which it operates.

The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns interests in several state-licensed medical and/or adult use marijuana businesses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, European Union, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

 

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The following organizational chart describes the organizational structure of the Company as of December 31, 2020. See Exhibit 21.1 to this registration statement for a list of subsidiaries of the Company. All lines represent 100% ownership of outstanding securities of the applicable subsidiary unless otherwise noted in Exhibit 21.1.

 

LOGO

Notes:

 

  1.

As a result of the Project Cannabis Transaction, Columbia Care owns 100% of PHC Facilities, Inc., Resource Referral Services, Inc., and Wellness Earth Energy Dispensary, Inc. Columbia Care also acquired 49.9% of Access Bryant SPC with an option to purchase 100% of the entity when regulatory conditions permit such.

  2.

Beacon Holdings, LLC includes the following licensed subsidiary entities: The Green Solution, LLC, Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC, and Infuzionz, LLC.

The registered office of the Company is 666 Burrard St., #1700, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8. The head office is located at 680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019.

History of the Company

The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA”) on August 13, 2018 under the name “Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp.” as a special purpose acquisition corporation for the purpose of effecting an acquisition of one or more businesses or assets, by way of a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or any other similar business combination.

On October 17, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a letter of intent with Columbia Care LLC (“Old Columbia Care”) to exclusively negotiate a business combination between the two companies. On November 21, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with Old Columbia Care pursuant to which, among other things, the Company would acquire all of the membership interests of Old Columbia Care by way of a merger between Old Columbia Care and a newly-formed Delaware subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination”). The Business Combination constituted the Company’s qualifying transaction.

The Business Combination was completed on April 26, 2019, at which point Old Columbia Care became a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company was continued out of the jurisdiction of Ontario under the OBCA and into the jurisdiction of British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (“BCBCA”).

 

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General Development of the Business

Columbia Care has grown primarily by submitting responses to state-issued requests for proposals and obtaining licenses pursuant to such processes throughout the United States, where such activity is legal at the state-level. In 2020, Columbia Care also grew significantly from acquiring other leading cannabis operations. The Company also provides management services to licensed entities. As of the date hereof, Columbia Care holds, directly or indirectly, 116 licenses with 122 discrete facilities that are operational or in development.

 

2013-2021 Growth

 
     2013      2014      2015      2016      2017      2018      2019      2020      2021(1)  

Employees

     10        19        59        219        279        418        697        1775        2,384  

Facilities

     6        10        18        21        25        54        70        107        108  

Jurisdictions

     3        4        7        10        11        15        16        16        18  

Notes:

 

  (1)

As of June 9, 2021

Columbia Care estimates that its U.S. licenses permit it to reach approximately 53% of the U.S. adult population. Excluding industrial hemp products, Columbia Care’s license portfolio allows for an aggregate of approximately 960,000 square feet of cultivation and manufacturing space within its currently leased or owned facilities and the potential to produce over 165,000 kilograms of dry flower annually, based on an assumed 65 grams per square foot of cultivation space and 5.2 harvests per year.

As a vertically-integrated company in the cannabis sector, where there may be material relationships or transactions that involve conflicts of interest, whether actual or perceived, Columbia Care will disclose any commissions, incentives, or other fees earned by Columbia Care, its pharmacists or other consultants. Columbia Care will also disclose risks associated with conflicts of interest, including but not limited to situations where Columbia Care, its clinics, pharmacists, or other consultants are paid a commission or education grant from a licensed producer or dispensary that is, or is related to, Columbia Care. Columbia Care does not currently have any material relationships or transactions that involve conflicts of interest, whether actual or perceived.

Development of Columbia Care’s Portfolio of Licenses

The following is a summary of the material developments of Columbia Care’s growing portfolio of licenses since its inception. Columbia Care, through its respective subsidiaries, primarily entered these markets after being selected by state governments through competitive processes. The disclosure set out below is presented in chronological order based on Columbia Care’s involvement in the jurisdictions listed. Further details regarding Columbia Care’s licenses and regulatory framework are set out under “United States Regulatory Environment.”

2012

Washington D.C.

Columbia Care entered the Washington, D.C. market in 2012. It operates in this market through its wholly- owned subsidiary, Columbia Care DC LLC (“Columbia Care DC”). Additionally, Columbia Care has entered into a management services arrangement with VentureForth LLC (“VentureForth”). Pursuant to this arrangement, Columbia Care has agreed to provide management services to VentureForth for a fee. VentureForth holds two licenses from the Washington D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, one (1) license to cultivate and manufacture medical cannabis and one (1) license to dispense medical cannabis. Since July 2015, Columbia Care operates a separate cultivation facility through Columbia Care DC, pursuant to a license from the Washington D.C. Department of Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration to cultivate medical cannabis.

 

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Arizona

Columbia Care entered the Arizona market in 2012. The Company operates in this market through management services arrangements with Salubrious Wellness Clinic, Inc. (“SWC”) and 203 Organix, LLC (“Organix”). Columbia Care formed Columbia Care – Arizona, Tempe, LLC, and Columbia Care Arizona, Prescott, LLC, in 2013 to provide management services to SWC and Organix, respectively. SWC was awarded its approval to operate in June 2013 and Organix was awarded its approval to operate in February 2014. Adult-use cannabis sales launched at both SWC and Organix dispensaries in January 2021.

2013

Massachusetts

Columbia Care entered the Massachusetts market in 2013 and operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary Patriot Care Corp. (“Patriot Care”). Patriot Care operates a medical and adult-use cannabis dispensary and a medical and adult-use cultivation facility and manufacturing facility in Lowell, Massachusetts. Patriot Care received final approval to sell medical cannabis products at its Lowell dispensary in February 2016 and it received approval to sell cannabis products for adult use in January 2019. Patriot Care also operates dispensaries in Boston and Greenfield, which received final approval to sell medical cannabis products in 2016 and 2018, respectively. The dispensary in Greenfield also sells adult-use cannabis under a license received in January 2019. On January 1, 2021, the dispensary in Boston received a Provisional Marijuana Retailer License for adult-use sales from the Cannabis Control Commission.

2014

California

Columbia Care entered the California market in 2014 and operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary Mission Bay, LLC (“Mission Bay”). Mission Bay received a conditional use permit in May 2015 to operate a co-located medical and adult-use dispensary in San Diego which became operational in July 2019. Additionally, Columbia Care operates in California through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Focused Health LLC (“Focused Health”). Focused Health operates a medical and adult- use cultivation, manufacturing and distribution facility and was awarded a conditional use permit in 2018 and an annual manufacturing license in July 2019. In December 2020, Columbia Care acquired Project Cannabis, a leading cannabis cultivator, wholesaler and retailer based in Los Angeles. The acquisition included: 1) a dispensary in Studio City operated by The Wellness Earth Energy Dispensary, Inc.; 2) a dispensary in North Hollywood operated by Resource Referral Services, Inc.; 3) a dispensary in San Francisco operated by Access Bryant SPC; and 4) a co-located dispensary, cultivation and distribution facility in Los Angeles operated by PHC Facilities, Inc. In January 2021, Columbia Care further expanded its footprint in California by acquiring The Healing Center San Diego, a leading adult-use dispensary in San Diego.

2015

Illinois

Columbia Care entered the Illinois market in 2015 through an initial 75% ownership interest in each of Curative Health LLC (“Curative Health”) and Curative Health Cultivation LLC (“Curative Health Cultivation”). Curative Health Cultivation received an operating permit to operate a medical cannabis cultivation facility in December 2015 and an adult use cultivation license in 2019. Curative Health Cultivation completed initial construction of its cultivation facility in Aurora in mid-2017 and began cultivation operations in the third quarter of 2017. Curative Health was awarded a Dispensing Organization Registration Authorization in February 2015 and following completion of construction in Chicago, it received a license to begin operations in August 2016 for the dispensing of medical cannabis. In August 2019, Columbia Care acquired the remaining minority ownership interests of both Curative Health and Curative Health Cultivation and both entities are now wholly owned by

 

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Columbia Care. In November 2019, Curative Health received its Early Approval Adult-Use Dispensing Organization license for the Chicago dispensary. Curative Health began selling to adult-use customers in January 2020. In 2020, Columbia Care received an Adult-Use Dispensing Organization license for a dispensary in Villa Park. The Villa Park dispensary began operations in September 2020. Also, in January of 2020, Curative Health Cultivation received an Industrial Hemp Processor License.

New York

Columbia Care entered the New York market in 2015 and operates in this market through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Columbia Care NY LLC (“Columbia Care NY”). Columbia Care NY is licensed to cultivate, process and distribute medical cannabis. Columbia Care NY operates one (1) cultivation and processing facility in Rochester and four (4) dispensary locations in Riverhead, Rochester, Brooklyn and Manhattan. In March 2017, Columbia Care NY received a Class 1 Schedule I Controlled Substance Bulk Manufacturing license from the New York Department of Health and Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement. In April 2019, the Company received Hemp Cultivator and Hemp Processor licenses and entered into a Research Partner Agreement with the State of New York to engage in CBD research in connection with industrial hemp products. In May 2019, Columbia Care NY received its Class 10 Exporter license from the Department of Health. In April 2021, the Company acquired a cultivation site in eastern Long Island, New York.

Maryland

Columbia Care entered the Maryland market in 2015 and operates in this market through its 96%-owned subsidiary Columbia Care MD LLC (“Columbia Care MD”). In December 2016, Columbia Care MD was selected for pre- approval to pursue a medical cannabis dispensary license from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Columbia Care MD received its final medical cannabis license in September 2019. In June 2021 the Company acquired Green Leaf Medical. In Maryland, Green Leaf Medical holds one cultivation license, one processing license, two dispensary licenses (one under a management agreement) with a third dispensary license in pre-approval stages.

2016

Delaware

Columbia Care entered the Delaware market in 2016 and operates in this market through a management services arrangement with Columbia Care Delaware LLC (“Columbia Care Delaware”). Columbia Care formed its 91%- owned subsidiary, Columbia Care DE Management LLC to provide management services to Columbia Care Delaware. Columbia Care Delaware operates one (1) Medical Marijuana Compassion Center in Milford where it cultivates and manufactures medical cannabis and three (3) medical marijuana dispensaries in Smyrna, Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach. The two facilities in Milford and Smyrna became fully licensed and operational in 2018, while the dispensaries in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach became fully licensed and operational in 2019.

Puerto Rico

Columbia Care entered the Puerto Rico market in 2016. It operates in this market through its 49%-owned subsidiary Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC (“Columbia Care Puerto Rico”). Columbia Care Puerto Rico owns one (1) cultivation and manufacturing facility in Cidra, which received final licensure in March 2020, in addition to one (1) dispensary in San Juan that became fully licensed and operational in 2019 and one (1) dispensary in Ponce that became fully operational in March 2020. The Company suspended operations in Puerto Rico, in May 2020 due to significant headwinds resulting from a challenging regulatory environment and unforeseen events outside of the Company’s control, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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Pennsylvania

Columbia Care entered the Pennsylvania market in 2016 and operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary Columbia Care Pennsylvania LLC (“Columbia Care Pennsylvania”). Columbia Care Pennsylvania is currently licensed to operate as a medical marijuana dispensary by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Columbia Care Pennsylvania operates three (3) dispensaries in Allentown, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. In June 2021 the Company acquired Green Leaf Medical. In Pennsylvania, Green Leaf Medical holds one grower/processor license.

2017

Ohio

Columbia Care entered the Ohio market in 2017. It operates in this market through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Columbia Care OH LLC (“Columbia Care OH”), a licensed cultivator of medical cannabis, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Corsa Verde, LLC (“Corsa Verde”), a licensed processor. Columbia Care also holds a fully-paid option with a third party to expand its operations in Ohio with the acquisition of four (4) medical cannabis dispensary licenses, subject to, among other conditions, regulatory approval. In June 2021 the Company acquired Green Leaf Medical. In Ohio, Green Leaf Medical holds one dispensary license.

2018

Florida

Columbia Care entered the Florida market in 2018 and operates in that market through its wholly-owned subsidiary Columbia Care Florida LLC (“Columbia Care Florida”), which holds a license to cultivate, manufacture and distribute medical cannabis.

Columbia Care Florida currently operates a Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP”) certified cultivation and manufacturing facility in Arcadia and has a second 40,000 square foot cultivation and manufacturing facility in Lakeland under partial development, which Columbia Care anticipates will be completed in the third quarter of 2021. In July 2019, Columbia Care Florida opened dispensaries in Gainesville, Sarasota, Jacksonville and Cape Coral. In November 2019, Columbia Care Florida opened its Orlando dispensary. In January 2020, Columbia Care Florida opened dispensaries in Melbourne and St. Augustine. In February 2020, Columbia Care Florida opened dispensaries in Bradenton, Bonita Springs, and Stuart. In September and October 2020, Columbia Care Florida opened dispensaries in Brandon, Miami, Longwood, and Delray Beach. In January 2021, Columbia Care Florida received a license to cultivate hemp from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In March 2021 Columbia Care Florida obtained an approval to operate an additional cultivation facility in Alachua. The Alachua property is a 36 acre parcel that includes a 44,800 square foot cultivation facility. The Company anticipates completing its first harvest at the Alachua facility in the second quarter of 2021.

Virginia

Columbia Care entered the Virginia market in 2018 and operates through its 96%-owned subsidiary Columbia Care Eastern Virginia LLC (“Columbia Care Eastern Virginia”). In December 2018 Columbia Care Eastern Virginia entered into a long-term lease agreement for one (1) facility in Portsmouth from which it operates its cultivation, manufacturing, home delivery and dispensary operations. The Portsmouth cultivation facility began operating in August of 2020, and the Portsmouth dispensary began operations in December 2020. In 2021, the Portsmouth facility began producing oil to dispense to registered patients. In June 2021 the Company acquired Green Leaf Medical. In Virginia, Green Leaf Medical holds one license.

 

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New Jersey

Columbia Care entered the New Jersey market in 2018 and operates through its 93%-owned subsidiary, Columbia Care New Jersey LLC (“Columbia Care New Jersey”). Columbia Care New Jersey received initial approval to cultivate, manufacture, and dispense medical cannabis products to qualified patients in December 2018. Columbia Care New Jersey received its cultivation and manufacturing Operational Permit in February 2020, at which time it opened its cultivation facility in Vineland. In June 2020, Columbia Care New Jersey opened one (1) dispensary in Vineland. Columbia Care New Jersey’s manufacturing operations at its Vineland facility are currently being developed. Columbia Care anticipates opening a second dispensary location in Deptford in the third quarter of 2021, and a third dispensary location in Mays Landing in the fourth quarter of 2021. Columbia Care also anticipates opening a second cultivation and manufacturing facility in Vineland in the second quarter of 2022 to add additional capacity in anticipation of adult-use legalization in the state.

European Union

Following review and approval process, Columbia Care received initial authorization to operate in Malta in November 2018. Columbia Care is exploring opportunities in Malta as well as other markets in the United Kingdom and European Union.

2020

Missouri

Columbia Care entered the Missouri market in 2020 and currently intends to operate through a management services arrangement with Columbia Care MO LLC (“Columbia Care MO”). Columbia Care MO is licensed to operate a medical marijuana dispensary and a medical marijuana manufacturing facility. Columbia Care has agreed to provide management services to both the medical marijuana dispensary and the medical marijuana manufacturing facility of Columbia Care MO for a fee. Columbia Care MO has secured locations for both manufacturing and dispensing facilities and plans to operationalize both facilities in the third quarter of 2021.

Utah

Columbia Care entered the Utah market in 2020 and operates through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CCUT Pharmacy LLC (“CCUT”) and Columbia Care UT LLC (“Columbia Care UT”). CCUT operates a dispensary in Springville, which opened in the second quarter of 2021. Columbia Care UT has secured a manufacturing and processing facility in Centerville. In 2020, CCUT also received an industrial hemp license from the Department of Agriculture and Food.

West Virginia

Columbia Care Hemp West Virginia LLC was awarded a Research and Marketing Cultivation of Industrial Hemp from the State of West Virginia in 2020. This allows Columbia Care to cultivate industrial hemp in the State of West Virginia as well as to perform research.

In 2020, Columbia Care WV LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Care, was awarded a medical cannabis grower license and medical cannabis processor license in West Virginia. Columbia Care has executed a lease for a co-located facility to house medical cannabis cultivation and processing activities in Falling Waters. The facility is under development. In January 2021, Columbia Care was awarded 5 dispensary permits in Williamstown, Fayetteville, Morgantown, Beckley and St. Albans.

Colorado

In September 2020, Columbia Care acquired The Green Solution (“TGS”), one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis operators in Colorado, through a transaction initially valued at approximately $140 million, excluding certain performance-based milestone payments.

 

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Founded in 2010, TGS currently operates twenty-three dispensaries, one manufacturing facility and four cultivation facilities. In Denver, TGS operates a manufacturing facility, three cultivation facilities and three dispensaries. TGS operates two dispensaries and one cultivation facility (consisting of five cultivation licenses) in Trinidad. TGS operates five dispensaries in Aurora, two dispensaries in Sheridan and dispensaries in Adams County, Aspen, Black Hawk, Edgewater, Fort Collins, Glendale, Glenwood Springs, Longmont, Northglenn, Silver Plume, and Pueblo.

Development of Columbia Care’s Other Business Elements

2018

Columbia National Credit (CNC)

Columbia Care launched the Columbia National Credit card (“CNC”) as a pilot program in the second half of 2018 in its New York locations. Columbia Care formally announced the CNC in 2019, expanding the program to several other markets. The CNC is the first-ever credit card for cannabis purchases, operating similarly to most other retailer credit cards. The CNC is available as a payment solution in select markets for in-store, home delivery, and e-commerce purchases. Columbia Care strives to offer the CNC in as many markets as possible, subject to regulatory restrictions. The Company plans to rebrand the CNC to Tetra during the third quarter of 2021.

2019

Sale-Leaseback Transaction with NewLake Capital

In December 2019, Columbia Care announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction (the “NewLake Sale-Leaseback”) with NewLake Capital valued at $35 million. The NewLake Sale-Leaseback involved five properties totaling 127,000 square feet in California, Illinois and Massachusetts and closed December 23, 2019.

Launch of E-Commerce Platform

In December 2019, Columbia Care launched its e-commerce platform through its wholly-owned subsidiary Columbia Care Industrial Hemp LLC. The initial launch included a sampling of Columbia Care’s Platinum CBD non-THC products, which offered the products to customers in states across the nation, subject to regulatory restrictions.

2020

March 2020 Private Placement of Units

In March 2020, the Company completed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement (the “March 2020 Private Placement”) of units (the “March 2020 Private Placement Units”) for gross proceeds of US$14,250,000. Each March 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 9.875% senior secured first-lien notes (the “March 2020 Private Placement Notes”); and (ii) 113 common share purchase warrants (the “March 2020 Private Placement Warrants”) of the Company. On April 23, 2020, the Company completed the second and final tranche of the March 2020 Private Placement for additional gross proceeds of US$1,000,000. In total, the gross proceeds under the March 2020 Private Placement totaled US$15,250,000.

The March 2020 Private Placement Notes were governed by the terms of a trust indenture dated March 31, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as trustee. The March 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of a warrant indenture (the “March 2020 Warrant Indenture”) dated March 31, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

 

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Launch of Virtual.Care Platform

In April 2020, the Company announced the launch of Virtual.Care (the “Platform”), an online educational and informational tool for patients, designated caregivers, and adult use purchasers, in those states where adult use cannabis is legalized. The Platform is accessed via the Company’s age-gated website and was initially launched in three states: California, Illinois and Massachusetts and has now expanded to five additional jurisdictions: Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.

Prior to launching the Platform, the Company’s compliance team and external counsel undertook a review of the applicable federal and state privacy, advertising and cannabis laws and launched the Platform in a manner to ensure compliance with those laws. The Company’s Platform is not intended to be used in advertising activities but is intended to be used solely as a virtual educational tool, allowing users to understand the products that the Company offers. There are no sales of products completed over the Platform.

A user may pre-order products but to complete an order, the user must physically visit the applicable Columbia Care dispensary. This requirement ensures compliance since no orders will be completed for residents of jurisdictions where medical and/or recreational cannabis is illegal, as applicable.

In jurisdictions where medical cannabis is legal, upon arrival of the user, the dispensary staff person will verify the user’s medical marijuana card, government-issued identification and confirm the user’s allotment to ensure the user is not exceeding the state’s allotment limits. Once all of the foregoing is verified, the user will pay for the product to complete the purchase. The Platform does not allow medical users to obtain online certifications and any such certifications must be obtained through the normal channels.

In jurisdictions where recreational use is legal, upon arrival at the Columbia Care dispensary, the dispensary staff will verify that the user is at least 21 years of age by verifying the user’s government-issued identification. Once the identification is verified, the user will pay for the product to complete the transaction. If the user does not have valid identification, the user will not be able to purchase cannabis at the Company’s dispensaries. This process also allows monitoring of sales to non-residents and only allow sales where the state regulatory schemes allow an out-of-state resident to purchase product if he or she is present in the legal jurisdiction.

May 2020 Private Placement

In May 2020, the Company completed a concurrent brokered and non-brokered private placement (the “May 2020 Private Placement”) of units (the “May 2020 Private Placement Units”) for gross proceeds of US$19,115,000. Each May 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 13.00% senior secured first-lien notes (the “May 2020 Private Placement Notes”); and (ii) 120 common share purchase warrants (the “May 2020 Private Placement Warrants”) of the Company.

The May 2020 Private Placement Notes are governed by the terms of a trust indenture (the “May 2020 Trust Indenture”) dated May 14, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as trustee. The May 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of a warrant indenture (the “May 2020 Warrant Indenture”) dated May 14, 2020, between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

The May 2020 Private Placement Units were issued pursuant to the terms of certain subscription agreements (the “May 2020 Private Placement Subscription Agreements”) entered into between the Company and the subscribers of the May 2020 Private Placement Units and pursuant to an agency agreement dated as of May 11, 2020, between the Company and Canaccord Genuity Corp., as agent for the May 2020 Private Placement.

As part of the May 2020 Private Placement, the March 2020 Private Placement Notes were cancelled and exchanged for an equivalent number of May 2020 Private Placement Notes. Subscribers of March 2020 Private Placement Units were issued an additional 8.55 May 2020 Private Placement Warrants for each March 2020 Private Placement Unit held by such subscribers.

 

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Roll-Up of Better-Gro

In June 2020, the Company acquired (the “Better-Gro Acquisition”) the remaining 30% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Better-Gro not already owned by the Company for aggregate consideration of US$15,500,000, of which US$14,500,000 was satisfied through the issuance by the Company of Common Shares.

Following closing of the Better-Gro Acquisition, the Company now indirectly owns 100% of the equity Interests of Better-Gro.

June 2020 Private Placement of Convertible Notes

In June 2020, the Company completed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement (the “June 2020 Convertible Note Private Placement”) of 5.00% senior secured convertible notes (the “June 2020 Convertible Notes”) for gross proceeds of US$12,800,000. In July 2020, the Company completed the second tranche of the June 2020 Convertible Note Private Placement for additional gross proceeds of US$3,960,000. Later in July 2020, the Company completed the third and final tranche of the June 2020 Convertible Note Private Placement for additional gross proceeds of US2,000,000. In total, the gross proceeds under the June 2020 Convertible Note Private Placement amounted to US$18,760,000.

The June 2020 Convertible Notes are governed by the terms of the May 2020 Trust Indenture, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture (the “June Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of June 19, 2020, between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as trustee.

July 2020 Private Placement of Units

In July 2020, the Company completed a brokered private placement (the “July 2020 Unit Private Placement”) of units (the “July 2020 Private Placement Units”) for gross proceeds of US$4,000,000. Each July 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of May 2020 Private Placement Notes; and (ii) 75 common share purchase warrants (the “July 2020 Private Placement Warrants”) of the Company.

The July 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of a warrant indenture (the “July 2020 Warrant Indenture”) dated July 2, 2020, between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

Sale-Leaseback Transaction with Innovative Industrial Properties

In July 2020, Columbia Care announced that it had closed a sale-leaseback with Innovative Industrial Properties (the “IIP Sale-Leaseback”) valued at approximately $14 million. The IIP Sale-Leaseback involved two properties totaling 54,000 square feet in Vineland, New Jersey.

October 2020 Private Placement of Units

In October 2020, Columbia Care completed a brokered private placement of units (the “October 2020 Private Placement Units”) for gross proceeds of approximately US$20.4 million. Each October 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 13.00% senior secured first-lien notes (the “October 2020 Private Placement Notes”); and (ii) 60 common share purchase warrants of the Company (the “October 2020 Private Placement Warrants”).

The October 2020 Private Placement Notes are governed by the terms of the May 2020 Trust Indenture, as supplemented, between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as trustee. The October 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of a warrant indenture (the “October 2020 Warrant Indenture”) dated October 29, 2020, between the company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

 

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November 2020 Private Placement of Units

In November 2020, Columbia Care completed a non-brokered private placement of October 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of approximately US$9.1 million. Also in November 2020, Columbia Care completed a non-brokered private placement of October 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of approximately US$3.3 million.

Later in November 2020, Columbia Care completed a non-brokered private placement of units (the “November 2020 Private Placement Units”) for gross proceeds of approximately US$200,000. Each November 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of October 2020 Private Placement Notes; and (ii) 125 October 2020 Private Placement Warrants.

The Green Leaf Transaction

In December 2020, Columbia Care announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement (the “Green Leaf Medical Agreement”) to acquire Green Leaf Medical (the “Green Leaf Transaction”), a privately held, multi-state operator. The Green Leaf Medical Agreement contemplates upfront consideration of approximately US$240,000,000, comprised of US$45,000,000 in cash and US$195,000,000 payable in Common Shares, in addition to potential performance-based milestone payments in 2022 and 2023.

Prior to entering into the Green Leaf Medical Agreement, Columbia Care’s management conducted extensive analysis of the business being acquired. Among other things, the Company’s analysis included consideration of Green Leaf Medical’s historical financial performance, its competitive strength, expectations for changes to the regulatory environment in which it operates, and the expertise of its management and employees.

Furthermore, Columbia Care’s Board retained independent experts to provide advice and assistance, including the preparation and delivery to the Board, an opinion as to the fairness of the Green Leaf Medical Agreement, from a financial point of view, to the Company.

In Maryland, Green Leaf Medical holds one cultivation license, one processing license, two dispensary licenses (one under a management agreement) with a third dispensary license in pre-approval stages. Green Leaf also holds one dispensary license in Ohio, one grower/processor license in Pennsylvania, and one license in Virginia, which permits Green Leaf to operate one co-located cultivation/dispensary facility and five stand-alone dispensaries in their authorized region.

The Green Leaf Transaction closed on June 11, 2021, following receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, as well as state level approvals.

2021

January 2021 Offering of Common Shares

In January 2021, Columbia Care completed a bought deal public offering of Common Shares (the “January 2021 Offering”) for gross proceeds of C$149,508,625, which included the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, before deducting the underwriters’ fees and estimated offering expenses. The January 2021 Offering was conducted in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Québec, pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company’s base shelf prospectus dated September 2, 2020, and elsewhere outside of Canada on a private placement basis.

February 2021 Private Placement of Common Shares

In February 2021, Columbia Care completed a bought deal private placement of Common Shares (the “February 2021 Offering”) for gross proceeds of C$28,980,000, which included the exercise in full of the over-allotment

 

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option granted to the underwriters, before deducting the underwriters’ fees and estimated offering expenses. The February 2021 Offering was conducted in certain provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements of Canadian securities laws. The Common Shares were also sold in the United States and in certain jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in each case in accordance with applicable laws.

April 2021 Conversion of June 2020 Convertible Notes

In April 2021, Columbia Care offered an incentive program to the holders of its June 2020 Convertible Notes, pursuant to which, the Company issued to each holder of the June 2020 Convertible Notes that surrendered such June 2020 Convertible Notes for conversion on or before May 28, 2021, 20 Common Shares for each $1,000 aggregate principal amount of June 2020 Convertible Notes surrendered for conversion. The Company issued 4,550,139 Common Shares in connection with the conversion of the June 2020 Convertible Notes.

Description of the Business

Overview of the Company

Columbia Care is a U.S.-based, vertically-integrated consumer product, health and wellness cannabis company with cultivation, product development, production, home delivery and dispensary operations. The Company has built one of the broadest and longest operational records of any licensee in publicly administered medicinal and adult-use cannabis programs in the United States. It has developed proprietary branded products with intellectual property comprised of a variety of medical and adult-use form factors, including but not limited to proprietary formulations, precision manufactured dosing and cannabis flower and flower-derived products. The Company’s mission is to improve lives through product innovation, research and development and outstanding patient and consumer experience. Columbia Care’s vision is to address the world’s health and wellness needs through plant-based medicine.

Columbia Care is one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and providers of medical cannabis products and services in the United States. With 116 state issued licenses owned or managed by the Company in 18 highly regulated jurisdictions in the United States and the European Union (“EU”), management estimates that Columbia Care’s addressable market encompasses approximately 53% of the U.S. adult population and more than $14 billion in 2021, as set out in the table below.

Table 1: Columbia Care’s Current Addressable U.S. Market Opportunity (as of March 12, 2021)

 

State

   Population (M)      Est 2021 Sales
(US$M)
     Est 2026 Sales
(US$M)
     Status   Licenses

California

     39.6      $ 4,110      $ 6,909      Both   Unlimited

Colorado

     5.7      $ 2,457      $ 2,716      Both   Unlimited

Arizona

     7.2      $ 1,494      $ 1,817      Both   Limited

Florida

     21.3      $ 1,476      $ 2,551      Medical   Limited

Illinois

     12.7      $ 1,229      $ 1,781      Both   Limited

Massachusetts

     6.9      $ 1,196      $ 1,785      Both   Limited

Pennsylvania

     12.8      $ 705      $ 1,320      Medical   Limited

Maryland

     6      $ 565      $ 1,387      Medical   Limited

Ohio(2)

     11.7      $ 369      $ 1,364      Medical   Limited

New Jersey

     8.9      $ 249      $ 3,000      Both*   Limited

New York

     19.5      $ 149      $ 5,000      Both*   Limited

Utah

     3.2      $ 76      $ 295      Medical   Limited

Missouri(2)

     6.1      $ 75      $ 863      Medical   Limited

Delaware

     1      $ 51      $ 165      Medical   Limited

 

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State

   Population (M)      Est 2021 Sales
(US$M)
     Est 2026 Sales
(US$M)
     Status   Licenses

Washington DC

     0.7      $ 40      $ 219      Medical   Limited

Virginia

     8.5      $ 21      $ 425      Both*   Limited

West Virginia

     1.8      $ 19      $ 33      Medical   Limited

TOTAL

     173.6      $ 14,282      $ 31,630     

Notes:

 

  (1)

The population figures were derived from the 2018 U.S. Census.

  (2)

Estimated Sales figures from BDSA Market Forecast as of February 2021, broker research, company estimates.

  (3)

Consultative services provided pursuant to terms of a management services arrangement.

In addition to its U.S. operations, Columbia Care has operations in the United Kingdom and Europe. In April 2021, Columbia Care launched its proprietary solid-fill cannabis powder capsule for medicinal use throughout the United Kingdom to supplement its medicinal cannabis tinctures, which have been available in the region since April 2020. For medicinal cannabis products, Columbia Care partners with IPS Pharma, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer licensed by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), who manufactures Columbia Care’s proprietary product formulations within the UK, and Grow Pharma, Columbia Care’s market access partner. Since 2019, Columbia Care’s flagship wellness brand, Columbia Care Platinum, has been available in the United Kingdom. Columbia Care submitted its Novel Foods dossier for these products in 2020 in accordance with the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency’s timeline to validate the dossier to meet the regulatory requirements of the region. Columbia Care expects to launch its eCommerce channel for the United Kingdom in June 2021 partnering with Grow by mellow who provide eCommerce resource to achieve Columbia Care’s strategic goals with products supplied from the US. Within the EU, Columbia Care has signed agreements to supply its proprietary trademarked branded medicinal cannabis products to the German market. Work is currently underway to meet regulatory requirements for the region and it is expected that Columbia Care’s products will be available in the region during the second half of 2021. Columbia Care is exploring further opportunities in the UK and Europe to leverage the supply chain established within the region and to respond to the growing demand in Europe for medicinal cannabis products. The regulatory environment will enable Columbia Care to supply other regions from the supply it has established for the UK and Germany.

Through its contractual arrangements, Columbia Care seeks to ensure that its partners have obtained the required licenses for their respective activities (including cultivation, manufacture and distribution of medical cannabis) and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. See “European Union Regulatory Environment”.

 

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Figure 1: Columbia Care Footprint

 

LOGO

Columbia Care actively operates or has under development, cultivation and/or production assets in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Columbia Care’s existing U.S. license portfolio allows for (i) an aggregate of approximately 1,037,796 square feet of indoor cultivation and production footprint (including operational, in development and optioned space) within its currently leased or owned facilities (including options to expand within such facilities), with the potential to produce more than 165,000 kg of dry flower on an annual basis and (ii) an aggregate of approximately 143.8 acres of outdoor cultivation and production footprint (including operational and optioned space). This capacity does not include the potential yield from Columbia Care’s outdoor marijuana and industrial hemp acreage, which will vary seasonally. Since Columbia Care currently has operating facilities and projects under development across multiple jurisdictions in the United States, Columbia Care is not substantially dependent on any individual cultivation facility or dispensary. This data does not include any announced acquisitions subject to definitive agreements that have not yet closed.

 

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The table below describes each jurisdiction’s indoor cultivation and/or production operations:

 

Jurisdiction

   Approximate /
Current Facility Size
(sq. ft.)
   

Status

   Approximate Expansion
Capacity (sq. ft.)
 

Arizona

    

29,800

5,000

 

 

 

Operational

Under development

     —    

California

    

45,600

36,028

 

 

 

Operational

Operational

     —    

Colorado (1)

    

20,295

29,699

58,488

12,327

29,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

     —    

Delaware

     20,000     Operational      —    

Florida

    

13,845

40,000

13,248

38,280

 

 

 

 

 

Operational

Operational

Operational

Under development

     168,000  

Illinois

     32,802     Operational       

Maryland

     42,000     Operational   

Massachusetts

     38,890     Operational       

Missouri (2)

     12,630     Under development       

New Jersey

     50,274     Operational      250,000  

New York

    

58,346

740,000

 

 

 

Operational

Under development

    

149,997

200,000

 

 

Ohio

    

62,705

55,017

 

 

 

Operational

Operational

      

Pennsylvania

    

100,000

174,000

 

 

 

Operational

Under development

  

Puerto Rico (3)

     25,486     Operations awaiting sale       

Utah

     11,371     Under Development       

Virginia

    

65,765

82,000

 

 

 

Operational

Operational

      

Washington D.C.

    

7,100

9,491

 (4) 

 

 

Operational

Operational

     —    

West Virginia

     39,293     Under development       
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     1,944,207          767,997   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Notes:

 

  (1)

Acquired in connection with the TGS acquisition.

  (2)

Subject to a management services agreement through which the Company will provide consultative services.

  (3)

Operations suspended indefinitely as of May 7, 2020.

  (4)

Leased by VentureForth LLC.

 

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The table below describes each jurisdiction’s outdoor cultivation and/or production operations:

 

Jurisdiction

   Approximate Size
(acres)
   

Status

   Approximate Expansion
Capacity
 

Colorado

    

11.5

50

 (1) 

 (2) 

 

Operational

Operational

    

32.3 

74.9

(3) 

 

  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     51.5          107.2  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Notes:

 

  (1)

Includes 13,604 sq. ft. indoor cultivation facility located on the premises.

 

  (2)

Includes four separate 3,960 sq. ft. greenhouse cultivation facilities located on the premises.

 

  (3)

Columbia Care has the potential to expand outdoor cultivation activities up to 107.2 acres under current lease terms subject to state and local regulatory approval.

Columbia Care’s refined cultivation practices have experienced several iterations since its inception. Its cultivation expertise reflects years of operating experience and specialized input from agricultural, manufacturing, scientific and security experts. The Company has implemented the best practices employed at its nationwide locations in each new facility that it develops and expects to continue to improve and optimize its methods and infrastructure to ensure competitiveness and excellence.

Columbia Care’s production platform is designed to cultivate and manufacture cannabinoid-based products that are used specifically for medical use or consumer wellness, and health products produced to assure consistency and quality. Columbia Care engages national engineering consultants to design bespoke systems that follow industry best practices in order to produce its products. Columbia Care does all of this to optimize product quality, minimize the risk of exposing patients and consumers to potentially harmful contaminants while maximizing the effectiveness and consistency of the approved products delivered.

Columbia Care believes that a clean and sanitized growing and processing environment is key to ensuring the integrity of products. These self-imposed disciplines are more resource intensive than the industry standard, but are designed to yield a safe, consistent, contaminant-free product that will lead the market in quality, safety and efficacy.

Columbia Care’s growing process is designed to maximize quality, consistency and yield, while limiting contamination by fungal and bacterial diseases, insect and vertebrate pests, non-organic pesticides and other harmful contaminants. Each step in Columbia Care’s cultivation process, including (i) germination/propagation; (ii) vegetation; (iii) bloom; and (iv) harvest is carefully executed using refined standard operating procedures and training protocols. Columbia Care has standardized nutrient protocols, growing environments, water and irrigation strategies, growing mediums, climate controls, plant tracking, and staffing programs among other components of its cultivation and manufacturing operations. Its ultimate goal is to maximize the biomass output (grams per square foot) across all Columbia Care-operated facilities at the lowest cost possible without sacrificing product quality.

Extraction

Columbia Care utilizes a number of well-established, regulatory-approved methods for cannabinoid extraction and performs extraction of the leaves, trimmings and flowers of female cannabis plants to produce an approved cannabinoid product form. Materials used for extraction adhere to the equivalent to FDA-regulated food or beverage quality. Once extracted, Columbia Care’s expert formulation staff formulates proprietary extracts into easily administered consumer products and medications for patient and consumer delivery by following protocol and state regulations.

 

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Dispensaries

Columbia Care has, manages or is developing dispensaries in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. All of Columbia Care’s dispensaries have either licensed pharmacists or trained personnel on staff to ensure that customers and patients have access to knowledgeable personnel that can advise on the responsible use of cannabis including delivery formats and dosing schedules. The table below describes each jurisdiction’s dispensary operations. This data does not include any announced acquisitions subject to definitive agreements that have not yet closed.

 

Jurisdiction

  

City

  

Status

Arizona   

Prescott

Tempe

  

Operational

Operational

California   

Los Angeles

North Hollywood

San Diego (2 locations)

San Francisco

Studio City

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Colorado   

Adams County

Aspen (1)

Aurora (5 locations)

Black Hawk

Denver (3 locations)

Edgewater

Fort Collins

Glendale

Glenwood Springs

Longmont

Northglenn

Sheridan (2 locations)

Silver Plume

Pueblo

Trinidad (2 locations)

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Delaware   

Rehoboth Beach

Smyrna

Wilmington

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Florida   

Bonita Springs

Bradenton

Brandon

Cape Coral

Delray Beach

Gainesville

Jacksonville

Longwood

Melbourne

Miami

Orlando

Sarasota

St. Augustine

Stuart

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

 

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Jurisdiction

  

City

  

Status

Illinois   

Chicago

Villa Park

  

Operational

Operational

Maryland   

Chevy Chase

Frederick

Rockville (2)

Prince George’s County

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Under Development

Massachusetts   

Boston

Greenfield

Lowell

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Missouri (3)    Hermann    Under development
New Jersey   

Vineland

Deptford

May’s Landing

  

Operational

Under development

Under development

New York   

Brooklyn

Manhattan

Riverhead

Rochester

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Ohio (2)   

Dayton

Logan

Marietta

Monroe

Warren

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

Pennsylvania   

Allentown

Scranton

Wilkes-Barre

  

Operational

Operational

Operational

Puerto Rico (4)   

Ponce

San Juan

  

Non-Operational; Operations awaiting sale

Non-Operational; Operations awaiting sale

Utah    Springville    Operational
Virginia   

Portsmouth (co-located with cultivation and manufacturing operations)

Richmond (co-located with cultivation and manufacturing operations)

  

Operational

Operational

Washington D.C.    Washington D.C. (5)    Operational
West Virginia (6)   

Beckley

Fayetteville

Morgantown

St. Albans

Williamstown

  

Under development

Under development

Under development

Under development

Under development

Notes:

 

  (1)

Temporarily closed.

 

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  (2)

Currently subject to a management services agreement until final regulatory approval is granted for the acquisition

  (3)

Subject to an option agreement

  (4)

Operations suspended indefinitely as of May 7, 2020

  (5)

Leased by VentureForth LLC

  (6)

Locations are subject to change

Performance Indicators

As Columbia Care seeks to manage its development, management currently uses key performance indicators (“KPIs”) to assess its rate of growth and performance. These KPIs include top-line revenue growth, growth in sales transactions and growth in gross and EBITDA margin. The Company’s performance with respect to its top line revenue growth and growth in sales transactions KPIs is set out below.

Table 1: Columbia Care Quarterly Revenue

 

LOGO

Note:

 

  (1)

Net revenue is calculated as gross revenue minus discounts and includes net revenue from related parties in the fiscal quarter.

Table 2: Sales Transactions By Fiscal Quarter

 

LOGO

Branding and Marketing

Columbia Care employs a diverse and knowledgeable staff of pharmacists and trained personnel for its dispensaries that reflect and embody its brand. Columbia Care has built its reputation on providing trusted, high-

 

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quality medical cannabis products to improve patients’ wellness journeys, which are also now available for adult-use consumption. The Company believes that Columbia Care has become known in the jurisdictions in which it operates as a trusted mark for health and wellness cannabis by constantly innovating to provide the best solutions for its patients and customers. As Columbia Care expands into new markets, it aims to be a leader in developing a national health and wellness cannabis brand, which in turn is expected to support its expansion into international jurisdictions.

In May 2021, Columbia Care launched its Cannabist retail ecosystem. The Cannabist retail experience is centered on making shopping for cannabis as simple and approachable as possible, accommodating the vast range of experience levels among patients and customers. Merchandising set-ups and store layouts are organized to help customers move through the space with intent and become more comfortable in the process. Additionally, retail spaces are designed to encourage employees and customers to engage in conversations that enhance the shopping experience, whether through product recommendations or general education. To fully realize this goal, Cannabist staff will undergo extensive training. Beyond the in-store experience, technology will serve as a bridge across the retail ecosystem that enables a seamless shopping experience from anywhere. Cannabist locations will continue to leverage existing solutions, such as Virtual.Care, the personal shopping platform, and a proprietary web-based application called Forage to help customers on their product discovery journey. Several dispensary locations in Utah, Arizona, Illinois and California were transformed into Cannabist locations during the second quarter of 2021 with other company locations going through a similar transformation over the next twenty-four months.

Product Selection and Offerings

Columbia Care has continually been at the forefront of developing and introducing innovative and safe products to serve patients’ unique needs. Columbia Care offers a competitive product portfolio in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Depending on the jurisdiction, Columbia Care offers a variety of product, including, without limitation, flower, concentrates, edibles and/or accessories. As shown below, the product mix varies between jurisdictions. As such, Columbia Care benefits from its diverse and expanding product portfolio.

Table 3: Columbia Care Sales Product Mix

 

LOGO

 

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LOGO

Note:

 

  (1)

Allocation of net revenue for the three-months ended December 31, 2020 by product category for each market. Discounts are allocated to product categories based on gross revenue to arrive at the net revenue by product category.

Columbia Care has begun to bring its family of branded products to all jurisdictions where it has manufacturing operations. Columbia Care’s focus is to develop proprietary formulations and delivery technologies that provide patients and adult-use customers with high quality and differentiated products.

In 2016, Columbia Care announced the launch of its line of controlled-dose, solid-fill medicinal cannabinoid capsules. Formulated using the full range of active cannabinoid ingredients from plants grown in its cultivation facilities, these proprietary capsules offer a variety of concentrations in a more accessible and convenient delivery form to patients and customers.

Columbia Care introduced proprietary, controlled-dose, hard-pressed tablets in New York State. This method of administration was designed to provide long-lasting relief across a wide range of symptom and illness categories. The tablets are manufactured by segregating and formulating precise combinations of active compounds derived from targeted strains of medicinal cannabis plants. From the formulation of these tablets, Columbia Care introduced additional products to provide a spectrum of cannabinoid profiles to address the continuum of patient conditions, symptoms and consumer needs. This precisely engineered diversity of optimized cannabinoids includes the Company’s patent pending Ceed line of medicinal cannabis products including TheraCeed tablets, EleCeed sublingual tinctures and ClaraCeed vaporization oil.

In 2020, the Company launched Seed & Strain, its first lifestyle cannabis brand. Available in a number of markets, products include flower, pre-rolls and concentrates. Other product and branded categories include but are not limited to confections, chocolate, drink mixes, condiments, kief, shatter, and wax/crumble.

Columbia Care intends to continue launching national brands across its medical and adult-use markets in order to maintain the consistency and quality of products that all patients and customers have come to expect from the Company.

 

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Product Pricing

Columbia Care’s prices vary based on market conditions and product pricing from non-cannabis suppliers. As a result of different tastes, preferences and customer demographics across its core markets, average dispensary sales differ significantly from state to state.

Table 4: Columbia Care Average Dispensary Sales in 2020 (1)

 

LOGO

Notes:

 

  (1)

Unaudited. Average dispensary sales calculated as net revenue in the fiscal quarter divided by the number of unique sale transactions in the fiscal quarter. Amounts expressed in U.S. dollars and excludes home delivery sales.

Caring for The Community We Serve

Having completed over 4 million sales transactions in multiple medicinal and adult-use cannabis markets since its inception, Columbia Care’s team has accumulated significant experience in the treatment of large consumer and specialized patient populations, addressing a wide range of unique combination of qualifying conditions, symptoms and risks. Columbia Care has dedicated funding for research collaborations and initiatives with leading academic medical centers across the country to enhance patient care, inform the policy debate and empower healthcare and wellness professionals with data on best practices and safe and efficacious cannabinoid use. Through its public policy efforts, Columbia Care is also at the forefront of ensuring that social equity is a large part of legalization efforts across the United States.

Columbia Care has launched extensive patient care initiatives including utilizing anonymized patient data to facilitate product optimization and innovation on behalf of patient needs. These initiatives allow Columbia Care to develop products with specific patient symptoms and optimal patient outcomes in mind. As Columbia Care scales this proprietary patient database, it is expected to become an increasingly important aspect of Columbia Care’s product development strategy as it invests in branded formulations and administration types that best respond to patient needs.

Columbia Care has distinguished itself by establishing research collaborations with renowned medical and research institutions globally. The collaborations are designed to improve product efficacy and assess the medical

 

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utility in its products while enhancing patient safety. Columbia Care has developed innovative and collaborative working relationships with a number of leading academic, patient advocacy, research and healthcare organizations as well as partnerships with private, academic, agricultural, policy, sustainability and economic programs at various institutions in the pursuit of expanding the body of scientific knowledge related to cannabis. This focus is one of the principal foundations of Columbia Care’s corporate culture and has materially contributed to Columbia Care’s current position as one of the most qualified and experienced operators in certain regulated markets in the U.S. Some of the collaboration partners include but are not limited to researchers affiliated with the following institutions: Mount Sinai Hospital, Columbia University, Arizona State University, Brandeis University, The Center for Discovery in New York, The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, New York University, Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center, Stanford University and King’s College London.

Banking and Processing

Columbia Care deposits funds from its dispensary operations into bank accounts established with various banking partners. The Company ensures that the banks used are fully aware of the nature of the business and industry in which the Company operates. Columbia Care currently accepts cash, cashless ATMs, and in certain locations the CNC card. The CNC card is the first store credit card in the cannabis industry, providing Columbia Care customers an alternative payment method in participating markets, increasing access to the Company’s products. Payment methods currently vary by market.

Real Estate Strategy

In each market that Columbia Care enters, it spends a significant amount of time and resources selecting real estate in highly desirable locations with convenient access to healthcare communities and health and wellness providers and public transit, close proximity to major interstates and other traffic routes, ample parking, and the potential for significant foot traffic. Columbia Care targets retail spaces with a footprint of 2,500 to 7,500 square feet and cultivation/manufacturing facilities with a footprint of 20,000 to 65,000+ square feet, depending on the market and available real estate inventory. Columbia Care’s practice is to secure leases with a base term of five to ten years with extension options for renewal terms of five years.

In-Store Pickup and Delivery

Columbia Care is currently associated with certain third-party platforms that offer pre-ordering for in-store pickup, online payment processing and home delivery services, where allowed by law. In all instances, patients are offered educational material and/or consultations regarding route of administration and dosing format.

Inventory Management

In the jurisdictions where Columbia Care is operational, it has comprehensive inventory management practices that are compliant with applicable state laws and regulations. Such practices ensure control over Columbia Care’s cannabis and cannabis product inventory using seed to sale tracking software. See “Columbia Care Compliance Program – Inventory and Security Policies”. Columbia Care’s practices are designed to preclude contamination to ensure the safety and quality of the products dispensed.

Information Technology

Columbia Care strategically invests in information technology infrastructure. In fiscal year 2021, Columbia Care has initiated an effort to consolidate its operational systems, to provide national governance over business process and intelligence across merchandise planning, inventory management, production, costing, order management, accounting, reporting and analysis. These systems will provide the flexibility to support global and multi-channel expansion. Columbia Care has invested in information technology security platforms which are designed to protect patient and customer records and personal information in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

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Research and Development

Columbia Care has been tracking consented patient outcomes since 2013, and now has a research database of more than 23 million sales transactions across all sales locations. It is working with experts to analyze this anonymized data to devise new genetics and new products tailored to individual patient conditions and wellness states.

Columbia Care has operated a product development and process development center in its Rochester, New York cultivation and manufacturing location since 2014, and now also conducts these activities in San Diego, California and Denver, Colorado. At these facilities, unit-dose formulations of proprietary cannabinoid combinations are created, and methods of extraction and separation are scaled. Additional work to add automation to these efforts and commercial manufacturing is ongoing.

Employees

As of December 31, 2020, Columbia Care had 1,775 employees across its operating jurisdictions, up from 697 employees as of December 31, 2019 as a result of the TGS acquisition. As of June 9, 2021, Columbia Care had approximately 2,384 employees.

Columbia Care is committed to:

 

   

Hiring, training and retaining an efficient, hard-working and qualified labor force that reflects the racial, cultural and ethnic composition of the communities it serves, including people of color, veterans, older workers and persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.

 

   

Providing a work environment that is free of unlawful harassment, discrimination and retaliation: in furtherance of this commitment, Columbia Care strictly prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

 

   

Complying with all laws protecting qualified individuals with disabilities, as well as employees’, independent contractors’, vendors’, unpaid interns’ and volunteers’ religious beliefs and observances.

Columbia Care is committed to all of the above without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws.

Columbia Care employees are highly talented individuals who have educational achievements ranging from doctorates to masters to undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, as well as staff who have been trained on the job to uphold the highest standards as set by Columbia Care. It is currently a requirement that all of Columbia Care’s employees pass background checks.

In addition, the safety of Columbia Care’s employees is a priority and Columbia Care is committed to the prevention of illness and injury through the provision and maintenance of a healthy workplace. Columbia Care takes all reasonable steps to ensure staff are appropriately informed and trained to ensure the safety of themselves as well as others around them.

Columbia Care strives to provide an equal opportunity for all its employees to pursue career advancement and to consistently look within its organization for potential job candidates prior to posting employment offerings externally. Importantly, it does not embrace these policies solely out of altruism or an obligation under state requirements, but because it has learned from experience that the organization thrives and becomes more productive by maintaining a culture of inclusion where everyone feels valued and their individual contributions are appreciated and rewarded.

 

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Competition

Columbia Care competes with other retail, manufacturing and cultivation license holders across the states in which it operates, as well as additional states, assuming and upon completion of pending acquisitions and receipt of licenses applied for or contemplated to be applied for in such additional states. Many of Columbia Care’s competitors are smaller, local operators, as well as an increasing number of operators with a significant presence in multiple states that compete directly with Columbia Care for regional market share. In certain markets, a number of dispensaries and cultivators operate illegally and compete directly with Columbia Care. However, Columbia Care expects that law enforcement will increasingly respond to illicit market operators. In addition to physical dispensaries, Columbia Care also competes with third-party delivery services, which provide direct-to-consumer delivery services.

Further, as more U.S. jurisdictions pass legislation allowing adult-use of cannabis, Columbia Care expects an increased level of competition in the U.S. market. A number of publicly-traded companies are expanding operations to states that have decriminalized cannabis consumption. The increasingly competitive U.S. state markets may adversely affect the financial condition and operations of Columbia Care.

See “United States Regulatory Environment” for additional details as to the regulatory environment in which Columbia Care operates. See Item 1A—“Risk Factors” with respect to competition.

Intellectual Property

Columbia Care pursues patent and trademark protection around the world directed to its product and product candidates in an effort to establish intellectual property positions regarding cannabinoid products and devices. Patent prosecution is a lengthy process, during which the scope of the claims initially submitted for examination to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or foreign equivalents is often significantly narrowed by the time they are issued, if issued at all. Columbia Care expects this may be the case with respect to its pending patent applications referenced below.

Columbia Care’s intellectual property strategy seeks to provide protection for its product and product candidates, through the prosecution of different types of patent and trademark applications in the U.S. and worldwide.

Columbia Care’s patent portfolio covers a number of its products and product candidates. As of December 31, 2020, this portfolio included 1 issued U.S. patent and at least 22 pending patent applications owned or exclusively licensed by Columbia Care, filed in one or more of six jurisdictions, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, Japan and the U.S., which have strong patent systems. The issued U.S. patent is projected to expire in 2037. The patent applications, if granted, are projected to expire between 2037 and 2041, excluding any extension of patent term that may be available in a particular country.

In addition to patents and trademarks, Columbia Care relies upon unpatented trade secrets and know-how to develop and maintain its competitive position. Columbia Care has developed numerous proprietary technologies and processes. While actively exploring the patentability of these techniques and processes, Columbia Care relies on non- disclosure/confidentiality arrangements and trade secret protection.

Columbia Care seeks to protect its proprietary information, in part, by executing confidentiality agreements with third parties, its collaborators, and scientific advisors, and as well as non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements with its employees and consultants. The confidentiality agreements it enters into are designed to protect its proprietary information and the agreements or clauses requiring assignment of inventions to the Company are designed to grant it ownership of technologies that are developed through its relationship with the respective counterparty. Columbia Care cannot guarantee, however, that these agreements will afford it adequate protection of its intellectual property and proprietary information rights.

Trade secrets and know-how can be difficult to protect. In particular, some of Columbia Care’s trade secrets and know-how for which it decides to not pursue additional patent protection may, over time, be disseminated within the industry through independent development and public presentations describing the methodology.

 

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UNITED STATES REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

Federal Regulatory Environment

Under U.S. federal law, marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug. The Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 811) (the “CSA”) classifies drugs in five different schedules. As a Schedule I drug, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) considers marijuana to have a high potential for abuse; no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. Following the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (popularly known as the “2018 Farm Bill”), cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) content below 0.3% is classified as hemp and has been removed from the CSA. Lawfully cultivated hemp and products derived from it may now be sold into commerce and transported across state lines. Cannabis having a concentration of THC greater than 0.3% is marijuana. The scheduling of marijuana as a Schedule I drug is inconsistent with what Columbia Care believes to be many valuable medical uses for marijuana accepted by physicians, researchers, patients, and others. As evidence of this, the federal Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) on June 25, 2018 approved Epidiolex (CBD) oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older. This is the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified drug substance derived from marijuana. In this case, the substance is cannabidiol, or CBD, a chemical component of marijuana that does not contain the intoxication properties of THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. Columbia Care believes the CSA categorization as a Schedule I drug is not reflective of the medicinal properties of marijuana or the public perception thereof, and numerous studies show cannabis is not able to be abused in the same way as other Schedule I drugs, has medicinal properties, and can be safely administered. Moreover, while certain published studies show that marijuana may be less harmful than alcohol, alcohol is not classified under the CSA. This disparity may reflect the comparative stigma associated with marijuana that factors into scheduling decisions by the DEA.

The federal position is also not necessarily consistent with democratic approval of marijuana at the state government level in the United States. Thirty-seven (37) states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands have passed laws broadly legalizing marijuana for medicinal use by eligible patients, although Mississippi’s medical cannabis legalization measure is under challenge. In the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and 18 of these states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington – marijuana is legal for adult-use regardless of medical condition, although not all of those jurisdictions have fully implemented their legalization programs and the voter-approved constitutional amendment legalizing adult-use marijuana in South Dakota is currently being challenged. The large increase in recent statewide referenda and legislation that liberalizes marijuana laws is consistent with public opinion. As more and more states legalized medical and/or adult-use marijuana, the federal government attempted to provide clarity on the incongruity between federal prohibition under the CSA and these state-legal regulatory frameworks. Until 2018, the federal government provided guidance to federal law enforcement agencies and banking institutions through a series of United States Department of Justice (DOJ”) memoranda. The most recent such memorandum was drafted by former Deputy Attorney General James Cole in 2013 (the “Cole Memo”).

The Cole Memo offered guidance to federal enforcement agencies as to how to prioritize civil enforcement, criminal investigations and prosecutions regarding marijuana in all states. The memo put forth eight prosecution priorities:

 

  1.

Preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors;

 

  2.

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

 

  3.

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

 

  4.

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

 

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  5.

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

 

  6.

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

 

  7.

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

 

  8.

Preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property.

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

The former Attorneys General who succeeded former Attorney General Sessions following his resignation did not provide a clear policy directive for the United States as it pertains to state-legal marijuana-related activities. President Joseph R. Biden was sworn in as the 46th United States President on January 20, 2021. President Biden nominated Merrick Garland to serve as Attorney General in his administration. It is not yet known whether the Department of Justice under President Biden and Attorney General Garland, confirmed on March 10, 2021, will re-adopt the Cole Memorandum or announce a substantive marijuana enforcement policy. Justice Garland stated at a confirmation hearing before the United States Senate that “It does not seem to me a useful use of limited resources that we have, to be pursuing prosecutions in states that have legalized and that are regulating the use of marijuana, either medically or otherwise. I don’t think that’s a useful use.”1

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

In the absence of a uniform federal policy, as had been established by the Cole Memo, numerous United States Attorneys with state-legal marijuana programs within their jurisdictions have announced enforcement priorities for their respective offices. For instance, Andrew Lelling, the former United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, stated that while his office would not immunize any businesses from federal prosecution, he anticipated focusing the office’s marijuana enforcement efforts on: (1) overproduction; (2) targeted sales to minors; and (3) organized crime and interstate transportation of drug proceeds.

Due to the CSA categorization of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, federal law also makes it illegal for financial institutions that depend on the Federal Reserve’s money transfer system to take any proceeds from marijuana sales as deposits. Banks and other financial institutions could be prosecuted and possibly convicted of money laundering for providing services to cannabis businesses under the United States Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (the “Bank Secrecy Act”). Therefore, under the Bank Secrecy Act, banks or other financial institutions that provide a cannabis business with a checking account, debit or credit card, small business loan, or any other service could be charged with money laundering or conspiracy.

 

1 

John Schroyer, (2021 February 22) Attorney general nominee Garland signals friendlier marijuana stance, available at https://mjbizdaily.com/attorney-general-nominee-merrick-garland-signals-friendlier-marijuana-stance/

 

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While there has been no change in U.S. federal banking laws to accommodate businesses in the large and increasing number of U.S. states that have legalized medical and/or adult-use marijuana, the Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), in 2014, issued guidance to prosecutors of money laundering and other financial crimes (the “FinCEN Guidance”). The FinCEN Guidance advised prosecutors not to focus their enforcement efforts on banks and other financial institutions that serve marijuana-related businesses so long as that business is legal in their state and none of the federal enforcement priorities referenced in the Cole Memo are being violated (such as keeping marijuana away from children and out of the hands of organized crime). The FinCEN Guidance also clarifies how financial institutions can provide services to marijuana-related businesses consistent with their Bank Secrecy Act obligations, including thorough customer due diligence, but makes it clear that they are doing so at their own risk. The customer due diligence steps include:

 

  1.

Verifying with the appropriate state authorities whether the business is duly licensed and registered;

 

  2.

Reviewing the license application (and related documentation) submitted by the business for obtaining a state license to operate its marijuana-related business;

 

  3.

Requesting from state licensing and enforcement authorities available information about the business and related parties;

 

  4.

Developing an understanding of the normal and expected activity for the business, including the types of products to be sold and the type of customers to be served (e.g., medical versus adult-use customers);

 

  5.

Ongoing monitoring of publicly available sources for adverse information about the business and related parties;

 

  6.

Ongoing monitoring for suspicious activity, including for any of the red flags described in this guidance; and

 

  7.

Refreshing information obtained as part of customer due diligence on a periodic basis and commensurate with the risk.

With respect to information regarding state licensure obtained in connection with such customer due diligence, a financial institution may reasonably rely on the accuracy of information provided by state licensing authorities, where states make such information available.

Because most banks and other financial institutions are unwilling to provide any banking or financial services to marijuana businesses, these businesses can be forced into becoming “cash-only” businesses. While the FinCEN Guidance decreased some risk for banks and financial institutions considering serving the industry, in practice it has not increased banks’ willingness to provide services to marijuana businesses. This is because, as described above, the current law does not guarantee banks immunity from prosecution, and it also requires banks and other financial institutions to undertake time-consuming and costly due diligence on each marijuana business they accept as a customer. In fact, some banks that had been servicing marijuana businesses have been closing the marijuana businesses’ accounts and are now refusing to open accounts for new marijuana businesses due to cost, risk, or both.

The few state-chartered banks and/or credit unions that have agreed to work with marijuana businesses are limiting those accounts to small percentages of their total deposits to avoid creating a liquidity risk. Since, theoretically, the federal government could change the banking laws as it relates to marijuana businesses at any time and without notice, these credit unions must keep sufficient cash on hand to be able to return the full value of all deposits from marijuana businesses in a single day, while also keeping sufficient liquid capital on hand to serve their other customers. Those state-chartered banks and credit unions that do have customers in the marijuana industry charge marijuana businesses high fees to pass on the added cost of ensuring compliance with the FinCEN Guidance.

 

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Unlike the Cole Memo, however, the FinCEN Guidance from 2014 has not been rescinded. The former Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Stephen Mnuchin, publicly stated that the Department was not informed of any plans to rescind the Cole Memo.

Despite the rescission of the Cole Memo in 2018, Columbia Care continues to do the following towards ensuring compliance with the guidance provided by the Cole Memo, the FinCEN Guidance, and other best industry practices:

Columbia Care and its subsidiaries operate in compliance with licensing requirements that are set forth with regards to cannabis operation by the applicable state, county, municipality, town, township, borough, and other political/administrative divisions.

Columbia Care’s cannabis-related activities adhere to the scope of the licensing obtained – for example, in the states where only medical cannabis is permitted, products are sold only to patients who hold the necessary documentation to permit the possession of the cannabis.

Columbia Care performs due diligence on contractors or anyone provided access to secure areas of its facilities to prevent products from being distributed to minors.

Columbia Care works to ensure that the licensed operators have an adequate inventory tracking system and adequate procedures in place so that their compliance system can track inventory effectively. This is done so that there is no diversion of cannabis or cannabis products into states where cannabis is not permitted by state law, or across state lines in general.

Columbia Care conducts background checks as required by applicable state law.

Columbia Care conducts reviews of activities of the cannabis businesses, the premises on which they operate, and the policies and procedures that are related to possession of cannabis or cannabis products outside of its licensed premises (including the cases where such possession is permitted by regulation – e.g., transfer of products between licensed premises). These reviews are completed to ensure that licensed operators do not possess or use cannabis on federal property or engage in manufacturing or cultivation of cannabis on federal lands.

Columbia Care’s product packaging complies with applicable regulations and contains necessary disclaimers about the contents of the products to prevent adverse public health consequences from cannabis use and prevent impaired driving.

Moreover, in recent years, certain temporary federal legislative enactments that protect the medical marijuana and hemp industries have also been in effect. For instance, certain marijuana businesses receive a measure of protection from federal prosecution by operation of temporary appropriations measures that have been enacted into law as amendments (or “riders”) to federal spending bills passed by Congress and signed by both Presidents Obama and Trump. For instance, in the Appropriations Act of 2015, Congress included a budget “rider” that prohibits DOJ from expending any funds to enforce any law that interferes with a state’s implementation of its own medical marijuana laws. The rider is known as the “Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment” after its original lead sponsors.

Originally, a Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate passed the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment. The bill was a bipartisan appropriations measure that looks to prohibit the DEA from spending funds to arrest state-licensed medical marijuana patients and providers. Subsequently, the amendment has been included in multiple budgets passed by a Republican-controlled Congress. While the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment has been included in successive appropriations legislation or resolutions since 2015, its inclusion or non-inclusion is subject to political change.

 

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The Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment was extended most recently in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2021, which funds the agencies of the federal government through September 30, 2021. Notably, Rohrabacher-Farr has applied only to medical marijuana programs and has not provided the same protections to enforcement against adult-use activities.

There is a growing consensus among marijuana businesses and numerous congressmen and congresswomen that guidance is not law and temporary legislation is an inappropriate way to protect lawful medical marijuana businesses. Numerous bills have been introduced in Congress in recent years to decriminalize aspects of state-legal marijuana trades. This has led to a bipartisan Congressional Marijuana Working Group in Congress.

Additionally, in 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (the “SAFE Banking Act”), which had more than 200 cosponsors and would prevent federal banking regulators from taking adverse actions against financial institutions solely due to an institution’s provision of financial services to state-legal marijuana businesses. The Act ultimately stalled and was not taken up for a vote by the United States Senate in the 2020 legislative session. On March 18, 2021, the SAFE Banking Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives. On March 23, 2021, the bill was reintroduced in the Senate as well. On April 19, 2021 the House passed the SAFE Banking Act by a vote of 321-101. The bill now moves to the Senate.

An additional challenge to marijuana-related businesses is that the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 280E, are being applied by the IRS to businesses operating in the medical and adult-use marijuana industry. Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits marijuana businesses from deducting their ordinary and necessary business expenses, forcing them to pay higher effective federal tax rates than similar companies in other industries. The effective tax rate on a marijuana business depends on how large its ratio of non-deductible expenses is to its total revenues. Therefore, businesses in the legal cannabis industry may be less profitable than they would otherwise be.

On December 4, 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019 (the “MORE Act”). The MORE Act would provide for the removal of marijuana from the list of controlled substances in the CSA and other federal legislation. It would also end the applicability of Section 280E to marijuana businesses, but would impose a 5% federal excise tax. The MORE Act was not passed by the Senate prior to the end of the 116th Congress and would need to be reintroduced and passed by the House of Representatives and Senate and then signed into law by the president.

Following the federal elections of 2020, the Democratic Party won control of both U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, which has led some observers to predict that Congress will pass legislation that legalizes or decriminalizes marijuana or removes certain restrictions on financial services in the industry. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there is no guarantee that either the SAFE Banking Act or the MORE Act will become law in their current form, if at all. There also can be no assurance that the Biden administration will not change the stated policies or practices of the Department of Justice or individual United States Attorneys regarding the low-priority enforcement of U.S. federal laws that conflict with state laws. The Biden administration and the Congress could decide to enforce U.S. federal laws vigorously.

State Regulatory Environment

The following sections describe the legal and regulatory landscape in the states in which Columbia Care operates. While Columbia Care works to ensure that its operations comply with applicable state laws, regulations, and licensing requirements, for the reasons described above and the risks further described under the heading “Risk Factors”, there are significant risks associated with the business of Columbia Care. Readers are strongly encouraged to carefully read and consider all of the risk factors contained under the heading “Risk Factors” below.

 

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Except as described above and elsewhere in this registration statement, Columbia Care is in compliance with applicable law and has not received any citations or notices of violation which may have an impact on Columbia Care’s licenses, business activities or operations.

ARIZONA

Arizona Regulatory Landscape

In 2010, Arizona passed Ballot Proposition 203, which amended Title 36 to the Arizona Revised Statutes. This amendment added Chapter 28.1, titled the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (the “AMMA”). The AMMA is codified in Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2801 et. seq. The AMMA also appointed the Arizona Department of Health Services (“ADHS”) as the regulator for the program and authorized ADHS to promulgate, adopt and enforce regulations for the AMMA. These ADHS regulations are embodied in the Arizona Administrative Code Title 9 Chapter 17 (the “Medical Rules”). ARS § 36-2801(11) defines a “‘nonprofit medical cannabis dispensary’” as a not-for-profit entity that acquires, possesses, cultivates, manufactures, delivers, transfers, transports, supplies, sells or dispenses cannabis or related supplies and educational materials to cardholders.

The ADHS has established the medical marijuana program, which includes a vertically integrated license, meaning if allocated a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Certificate (a “Certificate”), entities are authorized to dispense and cultivate medical cannabis. Each Certificate allows the holding entity to operate one on-site cultivation facility, and one off-site cultivation facility which can be located anywhere within the State of Arizona. An entity holding a Certificate is required to file an application to renew with the ADHS on an annual basis, which must also include audited annual financial statements. While a Certificate may not be sold, transferred or otherwise conveyed, Certificate holders typically contract with third parties to provide various services related to the ongoing operation, maintenance, and governance of its dispensary and/or cultivation facility so long as such contracts do not violate the requirements of the AMMA or the medical marijuana program.

The ADHS had until April 2012 to establish a registration application system for patients and nonprofit marijuana dispensaries, as well as a web-based verification platform for use by law officials and dispensaries to verify a patient’s status as such. It also specified patients’ rights, qualifying medical conditions, and allowed out-of-state medical marijuana patients to maintain their patient status (though not to purchase cannabis). On December 6, 2012, Arizona’s first licensed medical marijuana dispensary opened in Glendale. Arizona recently enacted SB 1494, which, among other things will require testing of medical marijuana and require biannual renewal of agent licensure.

To qualify to use medical marijuana under the AMMA, a patient is required to have a debilitating medical condition. Valid medical conditions include HIV, cancer, glaucoma, immune deficiency syndrome, Hepatitis C, crohn’s disease, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, cachexia/wasting syndrome, muscle spasms, nausea, seizures, severe and chronic pain or another chronic or debilitating condition.

Arizona S.B. 1494 went into effect in August 2019. The bill authorized the ADHS to adopt rules for inspecting medical marijuana dispensaries and created an independent testing regime for marijuana cultivated by a medical marijuana dispensary. Beginning in November 2020, before marijuana is sold, it must be tested for unsafe levels of microbial contamination, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators and residual solvents.

S.B. 1494 also authorized civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation (not to exceed $5,000 in a 30-day period) on medical marijuana dispensaries. The bill makes patient ID cards and medical marijuana dispensary registration certificates expire every two years rather than every year. Regulations implementing S.B. 1494 went into effect on August 27, 2019. In February 2020, the Department began an additional round of rulemaking designed to improve the regulations regarding independent testing.

 

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In 2020, Arizona passed Ballot Proposition 207, which amended Title 36 to the Arizona Revised Statutes. This amendment added Chapter 28.2, titled the Smart and Safe Arizona Act (the “SSAA”). The SSAA is codified in Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-2850 et. seq. The SSAA appointed ADHS as the regulator for the program and required ADHS to promulgate, adopt, and enforce regulations for the SSAA. ADHS has published draft rules to administer the Adult- use Marijuana Program to be embodied in the Arizona Administrative Code Title 9 Chapter 18 (the “Adult-use Rules;” together with the Medical Rules, the “Rules”). These Adult-use Rules became effective on January 15, 2021. ARS § 36-2850 defines “marijuana establishment” as an entity licensed by the department to operate all of the following: a single retail location at which the licensee may sell marijuana and marijuana products to consumers, cultivate marijuana and manufacture marijuana products; a single off-site cultivation location at which the licensee may cultivate marijuana, process marijuana and manufacture marijuana products, but from which marijuana and marijuana products may not be transferred or sold to consumers; or a single off-site cultivation location at which the licensee may cultivate marijuana, process marijuana and manufacture marijuana products, but from which marijuana and marijuana products may not be transferred or sold to consumers.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiaries in the State of Arizona) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Arizona.

Arizona Medical Marijuana Licensing Requirements

In order for an applicant to receive a Certificate, it must: (i) fill out an application on the form prescribed by ADHS, (ii) submit the applicant’s articles of incorporation and by-laws, (iii) submit fingerprints for each principal officer or board member of the applicant for a background check to exclude felonies, (iv) submit a business plan and policies and procedures for inventory control, security, patient education, and patient recordkeeping that are consistent with the AMMA and the Medical Rules to ensure that the dispensary will operate in compliance, and (v) designate an Arizona licensed physician as the Medical Director for the dispensary. Certificates are renewed annually so long as the dispensary is in good standing with ADHS, pays the renewal fee, and submits an independent third-party financial audit.

Once an applicant has been issued a Certificate, they are allowed to establish one physical retail dispensary location, one cultivation location which is co-located at the dispensary’s retail site (if allowed by local zoning) and one additional off-site cultivation location. None of these sites can be operational, however, until the dispensary receives an approval to operate from ADHS for the applicable site. This approval to operate requires: (i) an application on the ADHS form, (ii) demonstration of compliance with local zoning regulations, (iii) a site plan and floor plan for the applicable property, and (iv) an in-person inspection by ADHS of the applicable location to ensure compliance with the Medical Rules and consistency with the dispensary’s applicable policies and procedures.

Arizona Adult-use Marijuana Licensing Requirements

In order for an applicant to receive a marijuana facility agent license, it must submit to ADHS (i) the personal identification information prescribed by ADHS including a background check and fingerprints and (ii) the applicable fee as prescribed in the Adult-use Rules. The license must be rented every two years. A licensee may seek renewal by submitting to ADHS, at least thirty calendar days before the license expiration, (a) information on the license, (b) updated personal information including a criminal records check, and (c) the applicable fee as prescribed in the Adult- use Rules.

ADHS may issue one marijuana establishment license for every 10 pharmacies registered under § 32-1929 and no more than two licenses per county that contains no registered medical marijuana dispensaries, or one license per county that contains one registered medical marijuana dispensary. In the event that more complete and compliant applications are received than ADHS may issue, ADHS will issue the licenses according to criteria prescribed in the Adult-use Rules. This round of license applications are due March 9, 2021.

 

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In order for an application to be considered complete and compliant such that an applicant may be considered for a marijuana establishment license, the applicant must (i) pay the appropriate non-refundable fee prescribed by ADHS,

(ii) submit the ADHS-prescribed application, (iii) documentation of: facility agent licenses for principal officers and board members, good standing with the Arizona Corporation Commission, zoning compliance, ownership of or permission to use the physical address, and sufficient funds.

Applicants that have a Certificate issued under the Medical Rules, the applicant may apply for a marijuana establishment license by submitting (i) an attestation from each principal officer and board member approving the application, (ii) the license number on the applicant’s dispensary registration certificate, (iii) whether the applicant wants to transfer the cultivation site under the registration certificate to the marijuana license, and (iv) the applicable fee.

A holder of a marijuana establishment license may apply for approval to operate a marijuana establishment by submitting, within 18 months after the marijuana establishment license was issued, the following: (i) an application on the form prescribed by ADHS, (ii) documentation of local permission to use the property as a marijuana establishment (such as a certificate of occupancy, special use permit, or a conditional use permit), (iii) a list of activities the establishment is requesting, including cultivation, manufacturing, or preparation of edible products, (iv) a license of the location as a food establishment if preparing edible products, (v) a site plan, and (vi) a floor plan.

Marijuana establishments that received their license through the process for applicants with Certificates may begin operating without submitting the above if the entity holding the license (i) received approval to operate under the Medical Rules and (ii) is operating and available to dispense medical marijuana in accordance with the Medical Rules.

Marijuana establishment licenses must be renewed every two years.

 

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Arizona Licenses

The table below describes the Certificates and approvals held by Salubrious Wellness Clinic, Inc. and 203 Organix, LLC.

 

Holding Entity

 

Permit/License

 

Registration Number

 

City

  Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)
 

Description

Salubrious Wellness Clinic, Inc.   Medical Dispensary Registration Certificate   00000097DCGK00454998   Tempe, AZ   08/07/2022   The certificate allows the holder to cultivate, dispense, produce, process, extract, distribute and sell at retail and wholesale medical marijuana from the dispensary and one offsite cultivation facility.
Salubrious Wellness Clinic, Inc.   Approval to Operate cultivation at offsite location   00000097DCGK00454998   Chino Valley, AZ   08/07/22   Approval to operate cultivation offsite location
Salubrious Wellness Clinic, Inc.   Adult-Use Dispensary Registration Certificate   00000071ESFP14031510   Tempe, AZ   01/21/23   Approval to dispense adult-use cannabis
203 Organix, LLC   Medical Dispensary Registration Certificate   00000074DCGW00540313   Prescott, AZ   08/7/2022   The certificate allows the holder to cultivate, dispense, produce, process, extract, distribute and sell at retail and wholesale medical marijuana from the dispensary and one offsite cultivation facility.
203 Organix, LLC   Adult-Use Dispensary Registration Certificate   00000070ESCO78837103   Prescott, AZ   01/21/23   Approval to dispense adult-use cannabis

With the passage of S.B. 1494, certificates are renewed biennially. Before expiry, licensees are required to submit a renewal application. While renewals are granted annually, there is no ultimate expiry after which no renewals are permitted. Additionally, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable Certificate,

 

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Columbia Care would expect Salubrious Wellness Clinic, Inc. and 203 Organix, LLC to receive the applicable renewed Certificate in the ordinary course of business. 203 Organix’s Approval to Operate a cultivation facility in Wickenburg is not in use and is therefore not considered a material contract of Columbia Care.

Arizona Security Requirements for Dispensary Facilities

Any dispensary facility (both retail and cultivation) or marijuana establishment must abide by the following security requirements: (i) ensure that access to the facilities is limited to authorized agents of the dispensary who are in possession of a dispensary agent identification card, and (ii) equip the facility with: (a) intrusion alarms and surveillance equipment, (b) exterior and interior lighting to facilitate surveillance, (c) at least one 19-inch monitor for surveillance and a video capable of printing a high resolution still image, (d) high resolution video cameras at all points of sale, entrances, exits, and limited access areas, both in and around the building, (e) 30 days’ video storage, (f) failure notifications and battery backups for the security system, and (g) panic buttons inside each building.

Arizona Storage Requirements

Any dispensary facility (both retail and cultivation) or marijuana establishment must abide by the following requirements for the storage of product: (i) product must be stored in an area that is separate from areas used to store toxic and flammable materials, (ii) product must be stored in a manner that is clean and sanitary, (iii) product must be protected from flies, dust, dirt, and any other contamination, and (iv) surfaces and objects used in the handling and storage of product must be cleaned daily. Additionally, the Rules establish strict inventory protocols for tracking product from “seed to sale,” which requires product to be traceable to the original plants used to grow the cannabis used in the product.

Arizona Transportation Requirements

Dispensaries may transport medical cannabis and marijuana establishments may transport adult-use cannabis between their own sites or between their sites and another dispensary’s site and must comply with the following Rules: (i) prior to transportation, the dispensary agent must complete a trip plan showing: (a) the name of the dispensary agent in charge of transporting the cannabis, (b) the date and start time of the trip, (c) a description of the cannabis, cannabis plants, or cannabis paraphernalia being transported; and (d) the anticipated route of transportation, (ii) during transport the dispensary agent shall: (a) carry a copy of the trip plan at all times, (b) use a vehicle with no medical cannabis identification, (c) carry a cell phone, and (d) ensure that no cannabis is visible, and (iii) dispensaries must maintain trip plan records.

Arizona Adult-use Operating Requirements

Marijuana establishments must (i) ensure that the retail location is operating and available at least 30 hours a week within 18 months after receiving the marijuana establishment license, (ii) develop and implement and regularly update policies related to job descriptions and employment contracts and inventory control, (iii) ensure all principal officers, board members, employees, and volunteers maintain valid marijuana facility agent licenses and keep them in their possession when working with marijuana, (iv) inform ADHS when a marijuana facility agent is no longer employed or volunteering with the marijuana establishment, (v) document loss or theft and (vi) post the marijuana establishment’s approval to operate, the license, hours of operation, and the applicable ADHS-prescribed warning signs.

Marijuana products to be sold at a marijuana establishment’s retail location must (i) comply with the packaging and labeling requirements in the SSAA, (ii) be labeled with the appropriate product information and warnings as prescribed by ADHS, and (iii) be placed in child-resistant packaging.

 

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Prior to selling or transferring any marijuana product to a consumer, the marijuana facility agent must (i) verify the consumer’s age, (ii) make available the results of testing of the marijuana if requested, and (iii) ensure that the amount to be sold or transferred does not exceed one ounce.

A marijuana establishment that prepares, sells, or transfers marijuana-infused edible food products shall (i) obtain a license or permit as a food establishment under 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, (ii) ensure that the products are prepared according to the applicable requirements in 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, whether prepared on-site or by another marijuana establishment, and (iii) ensure that any sold products (a) are sold in accordance with 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, (b) contain no more total THC than 10 mg per serving or 100 mg per package, and (c) if packaged as more than one serving, are scored or delineated into standard serving size and consistent in THC disbursement.

ADHS Inspections and Enforcement

ADHS may inspect a medical facility at any time upon five (5) days’ notice to the dispensary. However, if someone has alleged that the dispensary is not in compliance with the AMMA or the Medical Rules, ADHS may conduct an unannounced inspection. ADHS will provide written notice to the dispensary of any violations found during any inspection and the dispensary then has 20 working days to take corrective action and notify ADHS.

ADHS must revoke a Certificate if a dispensary: (i) operates before obtaining approval to operate a dispensary from ADHS, or (ii) dispenses, delivers, or otherwise transfers cannabis to an entity other than another licensed dispensary, a qualifying patient with a valid registry identification card, or a designated caregiver with a valid registry identification card, (iii) acquires usable cannabis or mature cannabis plants from any entity other than another licensed dispensary, a qualifying patient with a valid registry identification card, or a designated caregiver with a valid registry identification card, or (iv) if a principal officer or board member has been convicted of an excluded felony offense.

Furthermore, ADHS may revoke a Certificate if a dispensary does not: (i) comply with the requirements of AMMA or the Medical Rules, (ii) implement the policies and procedures or comply with the statements provided to ADHS with the dispensary’s application.

ADHS may inspect an adult-use facility at any time during regular hours of operation. ADHS must make at least one unannounced visit annually to each licensed facility.

ADHS may suspend or revoke a marijuana establishment license if (i) the marijuana establishment (a) provides false or misleading information to ADHS, (b) operates before obtaining approval to operate from ADHS, (c) diverts marijuana to an individual or entity not allowed to possess marijuana, or (d) acquires marijuana from an individual or entity not allowed to possess marijuana, (ii) a principal officer or board member has been convicted of an excluded felony offense, or (iii) the marijuana establishment does not (i) comply with the requirements in the SSAA or (ii) implement the policies or procedures or comply with the statements provided to ADHS in the marijuana establishment’s application.

CALIFORNIA

California Regulatory Landscape

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

In 2003, Senate Bill 420 was signed into law establishing an optional identification card system for medical marijuana patients.

 

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In September 2015, the California legislature passed three bills collectively known as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (“MCRSA”). The MCRSA established a licensing and regulatory framework for medical marijuana businesses in California. The system created multiple license types for dispensaries, infused products manufacturers, cultivation facilities, testing laboratories, transportation companies, and distributors. Edible infused product manufacturers would require either volatile solvent or non-volatile solvent manufacturing licenses depending on their specific extraction methodology. Multiple agencies would oversee different aspects of the program and businesses would require a state license and local approval to operate. However, in November 2016, voters in California overwhelmingly passed Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (“AUMA”) creating an adult-use marijuana program for adults 21 years of age or older. AUMA had some conflicting provisions with MCRSA, so in June 2017, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill No. 94, known as Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (“MAUCRSA”), which amalgamates MCRSA and AUMA to provide a set of regulations to govern a medical and adult-use licensing regime for cannabis businesses in the State of California. The four agencies that regulate marijuana at the state level are the Bureau of Cannabis Control (“BCC”), California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Public Health (“DPH”), and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. MAUCRSA went into effect on January 1, 2018.

On July 1, 2019, California enacted A.B. 97. In relevant part, the bill authorizes licensing authorities to issue citations and fines to a licensee or an unlicensed person who violates MAUCRSA. The maximum fine is $5,000 per violation for licensees and $30,000 per violation for unlicensed persons. Each day of a violation constitutes a separate violation.

A.B. 97 also repeals a prior requirement that an applicant for a provisional license first hold a temporary license. The bill also requires applicants for provisional licenses to submit evidence of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, limits the validity of a provisional license to 12 months with subsequent renewals as approved by the relevant licensing authority, and allows licensing authorities to revoke provisional licenses for failing to diligently pursue final licensure. Finally, the bill requires the DPH to establish a certification program for manufactured cannabis products comparable to the National Organic Program and the California Organic Food and Farming Act.

On October 12, 2019, California enacted A.B. 1529. The bill mandates that all cannabis vaping cartridges and cannabis vaporizers must include a universal symbol identifying the product as a vaping product.

To legally operate a medical or adult-use cannabis business in California, the operator must have both a local and state license. This requires license holders to operate in cities with marijuana licensing programs. Therefore, cities in California are allowed to determine the number of licenses they will issue to marijuana operators or can choose to outright ban marijuana.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiaries in the State of California) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of California.

California Licenses

The table below describes the licenses held by Columbia Care subsidiaries in California. The granting of a temporary license does not guarantee that an annual license will subsequently be granted.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Mission Bay, LLC   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

- # C10-0000472- LIC

   San Diego    07/18/21   

Adult-Use and Medicinal Provisional

 

Distributor License

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Focused Health LLC   

California Department of Public Health Manufactured Cannabis Safety

 

Branch – CDPH- 10003760

   San Diego    07/29/21    Annual Manufacturing License – Type 6: Non-Volatile Solvent Extraction
Focused Health LLC    California Department of Food and Agriculture –CCL19-003852    San Diego    12/26/21   

Provisional Cannabis Cultivation License

 

Adult-Use Specialty Indoor -

Focused Health LLC   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

- C10-0001210-LIC

   San Diego    06/09/22   

Adult-Use and Medicinal Provisional

 

Distributor License

The Healing Center of San Diego, LLC   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

- C10-0000213-LIC

   San Diego    06/13/22    Adult-Use and Medicinal Provisional Retailer License
PHC Facilities, Inc.    California Department of Food and Agriculture – CCL18-0003760    Los Angeles    04/26/22   

Provisional Cannabis Cultivation License

 

Adult-Use Medium Indoor

PHC Facilities, Inc.   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

- C10-0000072-LIC

   Los Angeles    05/09/22   

Adult-Use and Medicinal

 

Provisional Distributor License

PHC Facilities, Inc.   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

- C10-0000050-LIC

   Los Angeles    05/09/22   

Adult-Use and Medicinal Provisional Retailer License

 

Resource Referral Services, Inc.   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

- C10-0000130-LIC

   North Hollywood    06/04/22   

Adult-Use and Medicinal Provisional Retailer

 

License

Access Bryant SPC   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

- C10-0000527-LIC

   San Francisco    07/28/21   

Adult-Use and Medicinal

 

Provisional Retailer License

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

The Wellness Earth Energy Dispensary, Inc.   

California Bureau of Cannabis Control

 

– C10-0000288-LIC

   Studio City    06/24/21   

Adult-Use and Medicinal Provisional Retailer

 

License

California Licensing Requirements

A medicinal retailer license permits the sale of medicinal cannabis and cannabis products to a medicinal cannabis patient in California who possesses a physician’s recommendation. Only certified physicians may provide medicinal marijuana recommendations. An adult-use retailer license permits the sale of cannabis and cannabis products to any individual age 21 years of age or older who does not possess a physician’s recommendation.

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

An adult-use or medical manufacturing license permits the manufacturing of cannabis products. Manufacturing includes the compounding, blending, extracting, infusion, packaging or repackaging, labeling or relabeling, or other preparation of a cannabis product.

In the state of California, only cannabis that is grown in the state can be sold in the state. Although California is not a vertically-integrated system, the state allows licensees to make wholesale purchase of cannabis from, or a distribution of cannabis and cannabis product to, another licensed entity within the state.

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

California Dispensary Requirements

Cannabis retailers may only sell cannabis products that were received by the retail licensee from a licensed distributor or licensed microbusiness authorized to engage in distribution, and the licensed retailer must verify that the cannabis goods have not exceeded their best-by, sell-by, or expiration date if one is provided. The goods must have undergone appropriate laboratory testing, and the batch number labeled on the package of cannabis goods must match the batch number on the corresponding certificate of analysis for regulatory compliance testing. The packaging and goods must comply with all applicable laws in order for the goods to be sold at the retail location. In addition to cannabis goods, a licensed retailer may sell only cannabis accessories and licensee’s branded merchandise. A licensed retailer may not provide free cannabis goods except for in certain limited circumstances.

Cannabis retailers may only display cannabis goods for inspection and sale in the retail area. Such goods may be removed from their packaging and placed in containers to allow for customer inspection, so long as the containers are not readily accessible to customers without assistance of retailer personnel. A container must be provided to the customer by the licensed retailer or its employees, who must remain with the customer at all times that the container is being inspected by the customer. Cannabis goods removed from their packaging in this way may not be sold or consumed. They must be destroyed appropriately when they are no longer being used for display.

 

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California Reporting Requirements

The state of California uses METRC as the state’s track-and-trace (“T&T”) system used to track commercial cannabis activity and movement across the distribution chain for all state-issued annual licensees. The system allows for other third-party system integration via application programming interface. Only licensees have access to METRC.

California Storage, Transportation, and Security Requirements

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

 

   

maintain a fully operational security alarm system;

 

   

contract for security guard services;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

store all cannabis and cannabis products in a secured, locked room or a vault;

 

   

report to local law enforcement within 24 hours after being notified or becoming aware of the theft, diversion, or loss of cannabis; and

 

   

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

BCC Inspections

The BCC, and its authorized representatives, shall have full and immediate access to inspect and enter onto any premises licensed by the BCC. The BCC may also test any vehicle or equipment possessed by, in control of, or used by a licensee or their agents and employees for the purpose of conducting commercial cannabis activity. Moreover, it may test any cannabis goods or cannabis-related materials, or products possessed by, in control of, or used by a licensee or their agents and employees for the purpose of conducting commercial cannabis activity. The BCC may also copy any materials, books, or records of any licensee or their agents and employees. Failure to cooperate with and participate in any BCC investigation pending against the licensee may result in a licensing violation subject to discipline.

COLORADO

Colorado Regulatory Landscape

On November 7, 2000, Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, which amended the state constitution to allow the use of marijuana in the state by approved patients with written medical consent. On November 6, 2012, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, which amended the state constitution to establish an adult use cannabis program in Colorado and permit the commercial cultivation, manufacture and sale of marijuana to adults 21 years of age or older. The commercial sale of marijuana for adult use to the general public began on January 1, 2014 at cannabis businesses licensed under the regulatory framework. As of January 1, 2020, medical and adult use marijuana are regulated together under a single statute – the Colorado Marijuana Code.

 

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Under the Colorado Marijuana Code, the Colorado Department of Revenue is empowered to grant licenses to both adult use and medical marijuana businesses, including cultivation facilities, products manufacturers, testing facilities, transporters, researchers and developers, and (in the adult use context) accelerator cultivators, accelerator stores, and hospitality businesses.

Cannabis businesses must also comply with local licensing requirements. Colorado localities are allowed to limit or prohibit the operation of marijuana businesses.

Columbia Care in Colorado is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Colorado.

Colorado License Requirements

An application for a marijuana business in Colorado requires submission of (1) a copy of any local license required for the marijuana business, (2) a certificate of good standing from the jurisdiction in which the business was formed, (3) the identity and address of the registered agent in Colorado, (4) organizational documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of organization, and similar documents, (5) corporate governance documents, (6) a deed, lease, or similar document establishing the applicant’s ability to use the proposed premises, (7) a facility diagram, (8) findings of suitability with respect to the business’ owners, (8) information regarding securities listings (if the business is publicly traded), (9) financial statements, and documents related to payments of taxes. A business is required to obtain permission from its locality as part of the licensing process.

Colorado Licenses

Columbia Care operates marijuana establishments as detailed below.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration or Renewal
Date (if applicable)

  

Description

The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00780    Aspen, Colorado    9/25/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00300    Aurora, Colorado (Peoria Court)    10/1/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00302    Aurora, Colorado (E. Montview Boulevard)    10/1/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00297    Aurora, Colorado (S. Potomac)    10/1/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00303    Aurora, Colorado (E. Colfax)    10/1/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00666    Aurora, Colorado (Quincy Avenue)    5/1/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00474    Denver, Colorado (Federal Boulevard)    6/24/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration or Renewal
Date (if applicable)

  

Description

The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00374    Black Hawk, Colorado    12/15/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00015    Denver (Grape Street)    1/1/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00016    Denver, Colorado (Alameda Avenue)    1/1/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00700    Denver, Colorado (Wewatta Street)    5/20/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-00018   

Denver, Colorado

Grape (REC) Grow

   1/1/2022    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis cultivation license (medical) 403-00208    Denver, Colorado Grape Grow    3/5/2022    Authorizes cultivation of medical cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00298    Edgewater, Colorado    10/1/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00501    Fort Collins, Colorado    9/23/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration or Renewal
Date (if applicable)

  

Description

The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license (medical) 402-00839    Fort Collins, Colorado    6/26/2022    Authorizes retail of medical cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00654    Glendale, Colorado    3/13/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00742    Glenwood Springs, Colorado    3/29/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00718    Longmont, Colorado    1/18/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00014    Northglenn, Colorado    1/1/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00737    Sheridan, Colorado (3926 S. Federal Boulevard)    3/26/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00743    Sheridan, Colorado (3318 S. Federal Boulevard)    3/29/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00299    Silver Plume, Colorado    10/1/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00670    Pueblo, Colorado    5/12/2022    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00582    Trinidad, Colorado (Santa Fe Trail)    7/11/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
The Green Solution LLC    Cannabis retail license 402R-00583    Trinidad, Colorado (N. Commercial Street)    7/11/2021    Authorizes retail of cannabis.
Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-01151    Trinidad, Colorado (36900 El Moro Road)    5/28/2021    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis.
Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-00892    Trinidad, Colorado (1200 Republic Drive)    2/15/2022    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis.

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration or Renewal
Date (if applicable)

  

Description

Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-00893    Trinidad, Colorado (1201 Republic Drive)    2/15/2022    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis.
Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-00894    Trinidad, Colorado (1202 Republic Drive)    2/15/2022    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis.
Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-00895    Trinidad, Colorado (1203 Republic Drive)    2/15/2022    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis.
Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-00020    Denver, Colorado (Steele Street)    1/1/2022    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.
Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC    Cannabis cultivation license 403R-00836    Denver, Colorado (Barberry Place)    1/25/2022    Authorizes cultivation of cannabis.
Infuzionz, LLC    Cannabis processing license 404R-00003    Denver, Colorado (Washington Street)    1/1/2022    Authorizes manufacturing of cannabis products. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.
Infuzionz, LLC    Cannabis processing license (Medical) 404-00329    Denver, Colorado (Washington Street)    1/28/2022    Authorizes manufacturing of medical cannabis products. The regulator has provided a letter confirming renewal receipt and continuing validity of license.

With respect to the renewal process, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, Columbia Care would expect to receive the applicable renewed licenses in the ordinary course of business.

Regulatory Requirements

The regulations establish requirements applicable to all marijuana businesses, along with specific requirements for each type of business.

 

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All marijuana businesses in Colorado are required to (1) create and enforce limited access areas for the protection of marijuana and marijuana products, (2) maintain security alarm systems installed and maintained by a licensed alarm installation company, as well as approved locks and surveillance equipment, (3) follow all applicable laws regarding waste disposal (including cannabis-containing wastes), (4) implement an inventory tracking system used for inventory tracking and recordkeeping, (5) comply with both state and local requirements as to hours of operation, (6) comply with sanitary requirements applicable to employees and production spaces, including sanitation audits, (7) comply with recordkeeping requirements, and (8) maintain and provide procedures for dealing with product recalls.

Cultivation facilities are additionally required to (1) provide and maintain copies of standard operating procedures for cultivation, harvesting, drying, curing, trimming, packaging, storing, and sampling, (2) comply with requirements related to pesticides, and (3) comply with additional sanitary and product safety requirements. Marijuana products manufacturers are required to (1) comply with labeling and dosing requirements related to standardized doses of marijuana, (2) comply with specific prohibitions regarding the shapes, colors, and similar characteristics of edible products, refrain from use of prohibited additives and ingredients, (3) maintain and provide standard operating procedures related to manufacturing of each category of products. Marijuana dispensaries are subject to additional requirements regarding (1) methods of accepting orders, (2) payments by customers, and (3) identification of customers.

DELAWARE

Delaware Regulatory Landscape

Delaware’s medical marijuana program is governed by the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act, 16 Del. C.

§ 4901A et seq., and the Department of Health and Social Services’ (the “Department”) implementing regulations, CDR 16-4000-4470. The program authorizes registered qualified patients with a debilitating medical condition to use marijuana. “Debilitating medical condition” includes: (a) terminal illness, cancer, HIV, AIDS, decompensated cirrhosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, intractable epilepsy, seizure disorder, glaucoma, chronic debilitating migraines; (b) a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe, debilitating pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than 3 months or for which other treatment options produced serious side effects; intractable nausea; seizures; severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis; or (c) other medical conditions or treatments that may be added by the Department. Citizens may petition the Department to add conditions or treatments to the list of debilitating medical conditions.

The medical marijuana program creates a licensing regime for medical marijuana compassion centers (“Compassion Centers”). Compassion Centers must be operated on a non-profit basis. Once registered, a Compassion Center may acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense marijuana strictly for the purpose of assisting registered patients or their designated caregivers with the medical use of marijuana. Compassion Centers are required to grow an amount of marijuana sufficient to meet demand but may not possess more than 2,000 ounces of usable marijuana. Delaware prohibits Compassion Centers from purchasing marijuana from any person other than another Compassion Center.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of Delaware) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Delaware.

Delaware License Requirements

Applicants for a license to operate a Compassion Center must include a US$5,000 application fee along with identifying documentation about the proposed Compassion Center, such as the proposed legal name, bylaws, articles of incorporation, and proposed address. An application must include information about the proposed

 

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facility, including: a description of the enclosed, locked facility, meeting all Department requirements for use in the cultivation of marijuana; and a description of proposed security and safety measures which demonstrate compliance with the Department’s regulations. The Department also requires applicants to disclose financial and organizational information. Such information must include evidence of the Compassion Center’s non-profit status; identifying information for each principal officer and board member; a draft operations manual which demonstrates compliance with the Department’s regulations; a list of persons or business entities having direct or indirect authority over the management or policies of the Compassion Center; a list of persons or business entities having 5.0% or more ownership in the Compassion Center, including owners of any business entity which owns all or part of the land or building; and the identities of creditors holding a security interest in the premises, if any. Applications must also include an example of the design and security features of medical marijuana containers which demonstrates compliance with the regulations.

When the Department notifies an applicant that its application to operate a Compassion Center has been approved, it must submit a number of additional items before the registration certificate authorizing operation of a Compassion Center will be issued: a certification fee of US$40,000; the legal name, articles of incorporation, and bylaws of the Compassion Center; the physical address of the Compassion Center and any other address used for cultivation; evidence of compliance with zoning laws, other location restrictions, and the State Fire Code; and updates to previously submitted information.

Delaware Dispensary Requirements

Registered Compassion Centers are required to keep detailed financial reports of proceeds and expenses; maintain inventory, sales, and financial records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and provide Department or Department-contracted audit firms with access to its books and records.

Compassion Centers must comply with a detailed process for disposing of unusable marijuana. A Compassion Center must immediately update its inventory system to reflect a disposal of marijuana, and the marijuana waste must be stored, secured, and managed in a manner that renders the waste unusable. Delaware also prohibits the use of pesticides on marijuana.

The Department has promulgated regulations specific to the dispensing of marijuana. Marijuana must be dispensed in sealed, tamperproof containers clearly identified as having been issued by the Compassion Center and that include certain disclosures. The containers should be accompanied by written instruction that the marijuana shall remain in this container when it is not being prepared for ingestion or being ingested. Compassion Centers must verify the patient’s or caregiver’s identification card as valid before dispensing marijuana, and marijuana must not be dispensed to a person other than a qualifying patient or primary caregiver. The maximum amount a Compassion Center can dispense to a single patient is 3 ounces during a 14-day period.

Delaware Licenses

Columbia Care operates through a management services arrangement with Columbia Care Delaware LLC, a non- profit affiliate that holds a Compassion Center license and operates a dispensary and a manufacturing center, as noted in the table below.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

   Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)
  

Description

Columbia Care Delaware LLC   

Registration Certificate and Operation Permit for Medical Marijuana Compassion Center

1809-CC01

   Milford, DE    09/15/22    Manufacturing Center

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

   Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)
  

Description

Columbia Care Delaware LLC   

Registration Certificate and Operation Permit for Medical Marijuana Compassion Center

1809-CC02

   Smyrna, DE    09/15/22    Dispensary
Columbia Care Delaware LLC   

Registration Certificate and

Operation Permit for Medical Marijuana Compassion Center

1908-CC06

   Wilmington, DE    09/15/22    Dispensary
Columbia Care Delaware LLC   

Registration Certificate and Operation Permit for Medical Marijuana

Compassion Center 1910-CC07

   Rehoboth Beach, DE    09/15/22    Dispensary

Compassion Centers’ registrations expire every two years. A renewal application must be submitted between 90 and 30 days prior to the expiration of the current registration certificate. With respect to the renewal process, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable license, Columbia Care Delaware LLC would expect to receive the applicable renewed licenses in the ordinary course of business.

Delaware Security, Storage, and Transportation Requirements

Compassion Centers must store marijuana in a locked area with adequate security. The adequacy of security is to be determined based on the quantity of usable marijuana on hand, the Compassion Center’s inventory system, the number of people with access to the marijuana, the location of the Compassion Center, the scope and sustainability of the alarm system, and the root cause analysis of any prior breaches. Compassion Centers are also subject to detailed security and inventory-management requirements. A Compassion Center must implement appropriate security and safety measures to deter and prevent the unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and the theft of marijuana. This includes access and entry limitations; maintaining a fully operational alarm system with immediate automatic notification to alert local authorities of a security breach; maintaining a log of security inspections and tests, alarm activations, and security breaches; and instituting a 24/7 video surveillance system covering areas in which marijuana is handled. The Department has also instituted a number of inventory controls. Compassion Centers must utilize a bar-coding inventory control system to track sales and inventory data; store marijuana in a locked area with adequate security; and conduct and document monthly inventory reviews and bi-annual comprehensive inventory reviews.

A registered Compassion Center agent must have documentation when transporting marijuana on behalf of the registered Compassion Center that specifies the amount of marijuana being transported, the date the marijuana is being transported, the registry ID certificate number of the registered Compassion Center or registered safety compliance facility, and a contact number to verify that the marijuana is being transported on behalf of the registered Compassion Center or registered safety compliance facility.

 

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Department Inspections

Compassion Centers are also subject to inspections by the Department’s Office of Medical Marijuana. These inspections may include: a review of the Compassion Center’s financial and dispensing records; a review of the physical facility; an inspection for pesticides, fungus, or mold; and random sampling of marijuana plants. Moreover, the Department or an independent auditor with which it contracts shall at all times have access to all books and records kept by any Compassion Center.

FLORIDA

Florida Regulatory Landscape

In 2014, the Florida Legislature passed the Compassionate Use Act which was the first legal medical cannabis program in the state’s history. The original Compassionate Use Act only allowed for low-THC cannabis to be dispensed and purchased by patients suffering from cancer and epilepsy. In 2016, the Legislature passed the Right To Try Act which allowed for full potency cannabis to be dispensed to patients suffering from a diagnosed terminal condition. Also in 2016, the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative was introduced by citizen referendum and passed with a 71.3% majority on November 8. This language amended the state constitution and mandated an expansion of the state’s medical cannabis program.

The Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Amendment 2 (“Amendment 2”), and the expanded qualifying medical conditions, became effective on January 3, 2017. The Florida Department of Health, physicians, dispensing organizations, and patients are also subject to Article X Section 29 of the Florida Constitution and § 381.986 of the Florida Statutes. On June 9, 2017, the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate passed respective legislation to implement the expanded program by replacing large portions of the existing Compassionate Use Act, which officially became law on June 23, 2017. The law regulating Amendment 2 provides for another four licenses to be issued for every 100,000 patients added to the state’s medical marijuana registry and allows growers to open 25 dispensaries, plus an additional five dispensaries for every 100,000 patients. The 2017 legislation’s cap on dispensing facilities expired on April 1, 2020. The Department of Health most recently updated its regulations regarding inspection procedures, background screening, and fines, suspensions, and revocations of licenses in June 2020.

On July 1, 2019, a Florida appeals court held that the legislative measures imposing license caps and a vertical integration requirement are unconstitutional because they violate Amendment 2. The Department of Health has appealed the decision to the Florida Supreme Court.

Additionally, in 2017, the Florida legislature passed an act developing an industrial hemp pilot project, which created the framework for legalized industrial hemp in Florida. The pilot project allowed for the research of industrial hemp. In 2019, the State Hemp Program (the “FL Act”) became effective and expanded the hemp program in Florida. The FL Act permitted the development of a state hemp plan by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (“FDACS”). In 2020, FDACS submitted a state plan for regulation of industrial hemp to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval pursuant to the 2018 Farm Bill. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Florida’s plan.

The Florida Hemp Program includes several regulatory requirements. FDACS requires any individual or entity processing, manufacturing, distributing, retailing, or growing hemp to obtain a permit with FDACS. Other requirements include testing to ensure the hemp has a permissible THC level of under 0.3%; inventory of land used for cultivation of hemp; disposal procedure plans; submission to inspection by and information sharing with FDACS; and state certification. Intentional violations of the Act and FDACS’s rules may result in criminal penalties and a loss of license. Repeated negligent violation may result in a suspension of license.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of Florida) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Florida.

 

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Florida Licenses

Subsection 381.986(8)(a) of the State of Florida Statutes provides a regulatory framework that requires licensed producers, which are statutorily defined as “Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers” (“MMTC”), to cultivate, process and dispense medical cannabis in a vertically integrated marketplace. Licenses issued by the Department may be renewed biennially so long as the license meets the requirements of the law and the license holder pays a renewal fee. License holders can only own one license.

The license permits the sale of derivative products produced from extracted cannabis plant oil as medical cannabis to qualified patients to treat certain medical conditions. The license also permits the sale of up to a 35-day supply of whole flower for smoking, per patient. By law, a 35-day supply is 2.5 ounces of whole flower.

Under the terms of its MMTC license, Columbia Care’s 100%-owned subsidiary, Columbia Care Florida, is permitted to sell medical cannabis only to qualified medical patients that are registered with the state. Only certified physicians who have successfully completed a medical cannabis educational program can register patients and their medical cannabis orders on the Florida Office of Compassionate Use Registry. Under the license, Columbia Care Florida can operate up to 50 dispensaries statewide. Pursuant to subsection 386.981(8)(a)(5)(b) of the State of Florida Statutes, MMTCs may not establish more than the maximum number of dispensing facilities allowed in each region of the state, as determined by the Department of Health based on a population-centric formula. Dispensaries may otherwise be in any geographic location within the state as long as the local municipality’s zoning regulations authorize such a use and the proposed site is zoned for a pharmacy and not within 500 feet of a church or school. In the State of Florida, only cannabis that is grown in the state can be sold in the state. As Florida is a vertically integrated system, Columbia Care Florida is able to cultivate, harvest, process and sell/dispense/deliver its own medical cannabis products. The State of Florida also allows Columbia Care Florida to make a wholesale purchase of medical cannabis from, or a distribution of medical cannabis to, another licensed dispensing organization within the state under certain circumstances such as crop failure.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)

(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care Florida LLC    Medical Marijuana Treatment Center – MMTC- 2017-0011    Multiple Locations    05/29/2022    Authorizes Columbia Care Florida to cultivate, process, transport and dispense cannabis for medical use
Columbia Care Florida LLC    Letter authorizing dispensing via delivery    Arcadia, FL    Not applicable.    Letter from Office of Medical Marijuana Use dated June 27, 2018
Columbia Care Florida LLC    License to Cultivate Hemp    Arcadia, FL    01/22/2022    License to cultivate industrial hemp.

Florida Reporting Requirements

The Florida Department of Health requires that any licensee establish, maintain, and control a computer software tracking system that traces cannabis from seed to sale and allows real-time, 24-hour access by the Florida

 

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Department of Health to such data. The tracking system must allow for integration of other seed-to-sale systems and, at a minimum, include notification of when marijuana seeds are planted, when marijuana plants are harvested and destroyed, and when cannabis is transported, sold, stolen, diverted, or lost. Additionally, the Florida Department of Health also maintains a patient and physician registry and Columbia Care must comply with requirements and regulations relative to providing required data or proof of key events to said system.

Florida Licensing Requirements

Licenses issued by the Department may be renewed biennially so long as the licensee meets requirements of the law and pays a renewal fee. Provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable license, Columbia Care Florida would expect to receive the applicable renewed license in the ordinary course of business. While Columbia Care’s compliance controls have been developed to mitigate the risk of any material violations of a license arising, there is no assurance that the licenses will be renewed in the future in a timely manner. Any unexpected delays or costs associated with the licensing renewal process could impede the ongoing or planned operations of Columbia Care and have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects.

MMTC license holders can only own one license. An MMTC applicant must demonstrate that: (i) they have been registered to do business in the State of Florida for the previous five years, (ii) they possess a valid certificate of registration issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture, (iii) they have the technical and technological ability to cultivate and produce cannabis, including, but not limited to, low-THC cannabis, (iv) they have the ability to secure the premises, resources, and personnel necessary to operate as an MMTC, (v) they have the ability to maintain accountability of raw materials, finished products, and by-products to prevent diversion or unlawful access to or possession of these substances, (vi) they have an infrastructure reasonably required to dispense cannabis to registered qualified patients statewide or regionally as determined by the Department, (vii) they have the financial ability to maintain operations for the duration of the two-year approval cycle, including the provision of certified financial statements to the Department, (viii) its owners, officers, board members and managers have passed a Level II background screening, inclusive of fingerprinting, and ensure that a medical director is employed to supervise the activities of the MMTC, and (ix) they have a diversity plan and veterans plan accompanied by a contractual process for establishing business relationships with veterans and minority contractors and/or employees. Upon approval of the application by the Department, the applicant must post a performance bond of up to US$5 million, which may be reduced by meeting certain criteria such as a minimum patient count.

Florida Dispensary Requirements

An MMTC may not dispense more than a 70-day supply of cannabis. The MMTC employee who dispenses the cannabis must enter into the registry his or her name or unique employee identifier. The MMTC must verify that: (i) the qualified patient and the caregiver, if applicable, each has an active registration in the registry and active and valid medical cannabis use registry identification card, (ii) the amount and type of cannabis dispensed matches the physician certification in the registry for the qualified patient, and (iii) the physician certification has not already been filled. An MMTC may not dispense to a qualified patient younger than 18 years of age, only to such patient’s caregiver. An MMTC may not dispense or sell any other type of cannabis, alcohol, or illicit drug-related product, except a cannabis delivery device as specified in the physician certification. An MMTC must, upon dispensing, record in the registry:

(i) the date, time, quantity and form of cannabis dispensed, (ii) the type of cannabis delivery device dispensed, and

(iii) the name and registry identification number of the qualified patient or caregiver to whom the cannabis delivery device was dispensed. An MMTC must ensure that patient records are not visible to anyone other than the patient, caregiver, and MMTC employees.

 

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Florida Security, Transportation, and Storage Requirements

Each MMTC must maintain a video surveillance system with specified features. MMTCs must retain video surveillance recordings for at least 45 days, or longer upon the request of law enforcement.

An MMTC’s outdoor premises must have sufficient lighting from dusk until dawn. An MMTC’s dispensing facilities must include a waiting area with sufficient space and seating to accommodate qualified patients and caregivers and at least one private consultation area and such facilities may not display products or dispense cannabis or cannabis delivery devices in the waiting area and may not dispense cannabis from its premises between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. but may perform all other operations and deliver cannabis to qualified patients 24-hours a day.

Cannabis must be stored in a secured, locked room or a vault. An MMTC must have at least two employees, or two employees of a security agency, on the premises at all times where cultivation, processing, or storing of cannabis occurs. MMTC employees must wear an identification badge and visitors must wear a visitor pass at all times on the premises. An MMTC must report to law enforcement within 24 hours after the MMTC is notified of or becomes aware of the theft, diversion or loss of cannabis. A cannabis transportation manifest must be maintained in any vehicle transporting cannabis or a cannabis delivery device. The manifest must be generated from the MMTC’s seed-to-sale tracking system and must include the: (i) departure date and time, (ii) name, address, and license number of the originating MMTC, (iii) name and address of the recipient, (iv) quantity and form of any cannabis or cannabis delivery device being transported, (v) arrival date and time, (vi) delivery vehicle make and model and license plate number; and (vii) name and signature of the MMTC employees delivering the product. Further, a copy of the transportation manifest must be provided to each individual, MMTC that receives a delivery. MMTCs must retain copies of all cannabis transportation manifests for at least three years. Cannabis and cannabis delivery devices must be locked in a separate compartment or container within the vehicle and employees transporting cannabis or cannabis delivery devices must have their employee identification on them at all times. Lastly, at least two people must be in a vehicle transporting cannabis or cannabis delivery devices, and at least one person must remain in the vehicle while the cannabis or cannabis delivery device is being delivered.

Florida Inspections

The Department conducts announced and unannounced inspections of MMTCs to determine compliance with the laws and rules. The Department shall inspect an MMTC upon receiving a complaint or notice that the MMTC has dispensed cannabis containing mold, bacteria, or other contaminants that may cause an adverse effect to humans or the environment. The Department shall conduct at least a biennial inspection of each MMTC to evaluate the MMTC’s records, personnel, equipment, security, sanitation practices, and quality assurance practices.

ILLINOIS

Illinois Regulatory Landscape

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, which allows individuals diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition access to medical marijuana, became effective January 1, 2014 and is extended through July 1, 2020. There are over 35 qualifying conditions as part of the medical program, including epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In January 2019, the Illinois Department of Health launched the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program, which provides access to medical marijuana for individuals who have or could receive a prescription for opioids.

Illinois’ retail market size for medical cannabis in 2018 was over US$136 million, representing an over 160% year- over-year increase. Total retail sales since November 2015 are over US$260 million in aggregate.

 

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In March 2018, Cook County voters (Cook County is the most populous county in the state, encompassing all of Chicagoland metro area) responded positively for state-wide adult-use legalization with a 63% majority in a non- binding vote. In November 2018, Illinois elected J.B. Pritzker as governor. Pritzker supported legalizing marijuana during his campaign.

Illinois enacted the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act in June 2019 (the “IL Act”). The IL Act legalized the adult use of marijuana effective January 1, 2020. Under the IL Act, Illinois residents age 21 and older are allowed to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana and non-residents can possess up to 15 grams. The IL Act authorizes the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) to issue up to 75 Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization licenses before May 1, 2020 and an additional 110 conditional licenses during 2021. Existing medical dispensaries were able to apply for an “Early Approval Adult Use Dispensing Organization License” to serve adult users at an existing medical dispensary or at a secondary site. The IDFPR has granted approximately 48 Early Approval Adult Use Dispensing Organization licenses to date. The IDFPR also held an application period for Conditional Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses from December 10, 2019 through January 2, 2020. Licenses from this round of applications have not yet been awarded. No person can hold a financial interest in more than 10 dispensing organizations.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is authorized to make up to 30 cultivation center licenses available between the state’s medical and adult-use programs. As with existing medical dispensaries, existing cultivation centers were able to apply for an “Early Approval Adult Use Cultivation Center License.” The Department has issued approximately 21 Early Approval Adult Use Cultivation Centers to date. No person can hold a financial interest in more than three cultivation centers, and the centers are limited to 210,000 square feet of canopy space. Cultivation center are also prohibited from discriminating in price when selling to dispensaries, craft growers, or infuser organizations. The Department is also permitted to license up to 40 craft growers and 40 infuser organizations by July 1, 2020 and another 60 of each license type by the end of 2021. The Department accepted applications for craft growers, infusers, and cannabis transporters through March 16, 2020.

The IL Act imposes several operational requirements on adult-use licensees and requires prospective licensees to demonstrate their plans for complying with the requirements. Applicants for dispensary licenses must, for example, include an employee training plan, a security plan, recordkeeping and inventory plans, a quality control plan, and an operating plan. Applicants for craft growers must similarly submit a facility plan, an employee training plan, a security a record keeping plan, a cultivation plan, a product safety and labeling plan, a business plan, an environmental plan, and more.

Licensees must establish methods for identifying, recording, and reporting diversion, theft, or loss, correcting inventory errors, and complying with product recalls. Licensees also must comply with detailed inventory, storage, and security requirements. Cultivation licenses are subject to similar operational requirements, such as complying with detailed security and storage requirements, and must also establish plans to address energy, water, and waste- management needs. Dispensary licenses will be renewed bi-annually, and cultivation licenses, craft grower licenses, infuser organization licenses, and transporter licenses will be renewed annually.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is authorized to promulgate regulations for cultivators, craft growers, infuser organizations, and transporting organizations, and the IDFPR is authorized to regulate dispensaries. The Department of Agriculture has promulgated emergency regulations, while the IDFPR has not yet issued regulations for the adult- use program.

Additionally, in 2015, the Illinois Industrial Hemp Pilot Program became effective pursuant to the 2014 Farm Bill. This statute enabled researchers and higher education institutions to grow hemp for educational and research purposes. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (“IDOA”) administered the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. In 2018, the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act (the “IL Hemp Act”) became effective. The IL Hemp Act allowed for the growing and processing to expand beyond researchers and higher education institutions and allowed planting and processing by farmers and others. IDOA was given authority to develop and oversee rules for the state hemp program.

 

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IDOA promulgated rules for the state’s hemp program in 2019. An individual or entity cultivating, processing, or handling hemp must obtain a license from IDOA. The IL Hemp Act subjects licensees to several regulatory requirements. These include filing a report on the harvest and planting; submission to inspection and sampling at the discretion of IDOA; testing to ensure the hemp has a permissible THC level of under 0.3%; and certain restrictions on the sale and transport of hemp. Intentional violations of the IL Hemp Act and IODA’s rules may result in criminal penalties and a loss of license. Repeated negligent violation may result in a suspension of license.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the Illinois hemp production plan.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiaries in the State of Illinois) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Illinois.

Illinois Licenses

The Table below lists the licenses issued to Columbia Care with respect to its operations in Illinois. Under applicable laws, the licenses permit Columbia Care to, collectively, cultivate and dispense marijuana pursuant to the terms of the licenses, which are issued by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the provisions of Illinois Revised Statutes 410 ILCS 130 and 410 ILCS 705. All licenses are, as of the date hereof, active with the State of Illinois.

There are two categories of medical cannabis licenses in Illinois: (1) cultivation/processing and (2) dispensary. The licenses are independently issued for each approved activity. All cultivation/processing establishments must register with Illinois Department of Agriculture. All dispensaries must register with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. If applications contain all required information, and after vetting by officers, establishments are issued a medical marijuana establishment registration certificate. Registration certificates are valid for a period of one year and are subject to annual renewals after required fees are paid and the business remains in good standing. Renewal requests are typically communicated through email from the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and include a renewal form. Adult-use dispensary licenses must be renewed with the IDFPR prior to March 31 of every even-numbered year, while adult-use cultivation center licenses must be renewed annually.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Curative Health LLC    IL Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation Certificate #DISP.000044    Chicago, IL    08/29/21    Registered Medical Cannabis Dispensing Organization Certificate
Curative Health LLC    Il. Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation AUTDO.000024    Chicago, IL    03/31/22    Registered Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensing Organization Certificate
Curative Health LLC    Il. Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation AUTDO.000065    Villa Park    03/31/22    Registered Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensing Organization Certificate

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Curative Health Cultivation, LLC    IL Dept. of Agriculture Early Approval Adult Use Cultivation Center License #1512040751-EA    Aurora, IL    03/31/22    Early Approval Adult-Use Cultivation Center License
Curative Health Cultivation, LLC    IL Dept. of Agriculture Operating Permit #1512040751    Aurora, IL    12/04/21    Medical Cannabis Cultivation Center Operating Permit
Curative Health Cultivation LLC    IL Dept. of Agriculture Registered Industrial Hemp Processor License – 1204- 332    Aurora, IL    12/31/22    Registered Industrial Hemp Processor License

Illinois License and Regulations

The medical marijuana retail dispensary license permits Columbia Care to purchase marijuana and marijuana products from cultivation/processing facilities and allows the sale of marijuana and marijuana products to registered patients. The adult-use dispensing organization license permits Columbia Care to acquire cannabis from a cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, or another dispensary for the purpose of selling or dispensing cannabis, cannabis-infused products, cannabis seeds, paraphernalia, or related supplies to adult use purchasers and to qualified registered medical cannabis patients and caregivers.

The medical cultivation license permits Columbia Care to acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture/process into edible medical marijuana products and/or medical marijuana-infused products, deliver, transfer, have tested, transport, supply or sell marijuana and related supplies to medical marijuana dispensaries. The adult-use cultivation center license permits Columbia Care to cultivate, process, and perform other necessary activities to provide cannabis and cannabis-infused products to cannabis business establishments.

Illinois Dispensary Requirements

Curative Health LLC must operate in accordance with the representations made in its application and registration packet. It must include its name on the packaging of any cannabis product it sells. All medical products must be obtained from an Illinois registered medical cultivation center, while all adult-use products must be obtained from a licensed adult-use cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, or another dispensary. Curative Health LLC must inspect and count product it receives before dispensing it. It may only accept cannabis products which come properly packaged and labeled from such cultivation center suppliers. The dispensary must also stay in compliance with all applicable building, fire, and zoning requirements or regulations. The dispensary may not operate a drive through window, nor may it offer delivery services. Curative Health LLC may only operate between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time for medical sales and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for adult-use sales, and two or more employees must be present at all times.

Each dispensary must submit a list of all third-party vendors to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Division of Professional Regulation and the name of all service professionals that will work at the dispensary. The list must include a description of the type of business or service provided, and changes to the service professional list must be promptly provided. No service professional may work in the dispensary until his

 

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or her name is provided to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Division of Professional Regulation on the service professional list.

Curative Health LLC may not produce or manufacture cannabis at its dispensary, nor may it allow the consumption of cannabis there. It is prohibited to sell cannabis or cannabis-infused products to a consumer unless the individual presents an active registered identification card issued by the Department of Public Health or presents valid government identification verified using an electronic scanning device and showing that the consumer is at least 21 years of age.

Curative Health LLC may not enter into an exclusive agreement with any supplier, and it must deal with all suppliers on the same terms. It may not contract with, pay, or have a profit-sharing arrangement with third party groups that assist individuals with finding a physician or completing the patient or participant application; nor may it pay a referral fee to a third-party group for sending it patients or participants. No more than 40% of its adult-use inventory may originate from a single supplier.

Illinois Reporting Requirements

The state of Illinois uses BioTrack as the state’s computerized T&T system for seed-to-sale. Individual licensees, whether directly or through third-party integration systems, are required to push data to the state to meet all reporting requirements. Columbia Care integrates its in-house tracking system with the state’s BioTrack program to capture the data points required by the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act and the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

Illinois Storage and Security Requirements

As to its cultivation facility, the adult-use and medical-use laws and regulations require Columbia Care to store marijuana and marijuana infused products in a safe, vault, or secured room in such a manner to prevent diversion, theft, or loss. Marijuana that is not a finished product must likewise be maintained in a secured area within the facility only accessible to authorized personnel. Locks and security equipment safeguarding the marijuana must be kept in good working order, and the storage areas must be locked and protected from unauthorized access.

The cultivation facility must also have an operational 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, closed circuit television surveillance system on the premises that complies with certain regulatory minimum standards. Access to the surveillance area is restricted to those people who are essential to surveillance operations, law enforcement agencies, security system service personnel, and the regulator. In addition, video surveillance recordings must be retained for 90 days at the facility and an additional 90 days off site.

Columbia Care must also maintain an alarm system at its cultivation facility. The cultivation facility must maintain and use a professionally monitored robbery and burglary alarm system that meets certain regulatory minimum standards. A qualified alarm system vendor must test the system annually.

With respect to its Illinois dispensary, Columbia Care must store inventory on site in a secured and restricted access area consistent with the security regulations and track its inventory in accordance with the inventory tracking regulations. Containers storing medical marijuana that have been tampered with or opened must be stored separately until disposed; such materials can only be stored at the dispensary for one week.

The dispensary must also implement security measures to deter and prevent entry into and theft from restricted access areas that contain marijuana and/or currency. This includes having a commercial grade alarm and surveillance system installed by an Illinois licensed private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency. The facility must also have security measures to protect the premises, customers and dispensing organization agents.

 

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Illinois Transportation Requirements

Cultivation centers may transport cannabis in accordance with certain guidelines; however, cultivation centers will be prohibited from transporting adult-use cannabis without obtaining a separate transporting organization license beginning on July 1, 2020.

For medical marijuana, prior to transportation, a cultivation center must complete a shipping manifest using a form prescribed by the Department of Agriculture. The cultivation center must transmit a copy of the manifest to the dispensary facility that will receive the products and to the Department of Agriculture before the close of business the day prior to transport. Such shipping manifests must be maintained, and they must be provided to the Department of Agriculture at its request. Cannabis may only be transported in a locked storage compartment or container, and it must not be visible from outside the vehicle. Motor vehicles may not make detours while transporting cannabis except to dispensary facilities or laboratories, refueling stops, or emergencies. Emergencies must be immediately reported to 911 and the cultivation center, and the cultivation center must immediately notify the Department of Agriculture. Deliveries must be randomized, and there must be a minimum of two employees on each transport team. At least one team member must remain with the vehicle whenever the vehicle contains cannabis. Every delivery team member must have a secure means of contacting personnel at the cultivation center, as well as the ability to contact emergency personnel. Each team member must also have his or her department-issue identification card at all times when transporting cannabis and must produce it upon request by the Department of Agriculture or law enforcement.

The requirements for adult-use cannabis transported by a licensed transporting organization are similar. Cannabis must be pre-packaged in a sealed cannabis container by the business shipping the cannabis. The transporting organization cannot open the container. The transporting organization must maintain a daily inventory of all cannabis that it transports, containing names of the agents and businesses shipping and receiving the cannabis and a notation of the traceable information located on the cannabis container, such as the type of cannabis and the weight. In addition to other safety and security requirements, all transportation vehicles must be equipped with a GPS tracking system that stores historic data for no less than 12 months. The Department is permitted to search all historic and real-time GPS data upon request.

Dispensaries may not accept deliveries through public areas or areas where patrons may be. Deliveries must be accepted through a secure area unless otherwise approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation– Division of Professional Regulation.

Illinois Inspections

Dispensaries and cultivation centers are subject to random and unannounced inspections and cannabis testing. They must also make all records, logs, and reports immediately available for inspection upon request by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Division of Professional Regulation or the Department of Agriculture, as applicable.

MARYLAND

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (the “Maryland MCC”) grants medical cannabis grower, processor, dispensary and transportation licenses. A licensee may hold a license in each category to obtain vertical integration. The applicant must first seek pre-approval from the Maryland MCC to be granted a license. As part of the pre-approval application, the applicant must submit information related to its operations; safety and security; medical cannabis professionalism; retail management factors; business and economic factors; and other additional factors that may apply. Columbia Care’s 96%-owned subsidiary, Columbia Care MD LLC, received its final license in September 2019 to operate a dispensary.

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care MD LLC    Medical Cannabis Establishment License #D-19- 00012    Chevy Chase, MD    09/26/2025    Dispensary
Green Leaf Medical, LLC    Medical Cannabis Establishment License #G-17-00008    Frederick, MD    8/14/2023    Cultivation
Green Leaf Extracts, LLC    Medical Cannabis Establishment License #P-17-00001    Bishopville, MD    8/14/2023    Processor
Wellness Institute of Maryland, LLC    Medical Cannabis Establishment License #D-17-00001    Frederick, MD    7/5/2023    Dispensary
Sugarloaf Enterprises, LLC    Medical Cannabis Establishment License #D-20-00007(1)    Rockville, MD    3/25/2026    Dispensary
Time for Healing LLC    Pre-Approval Stage    Prince George’s County    Pre-Approval Stage    Dispensary

Notes:

 

  (1)

Columbia Care is operating the license under the terms of a management services agreement

Dispensary licenses in Maryland are renewed every two years. Before expiry, licensees are required to submit a renewal application. While renewals are granted every two years, there is no ultimate expiry after which no renewals are permitted. Additionally, in respect of the renewal process, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable license, Columbia Care MD LLC would expect to have its future anticipated license renewed in the ordinary course of business. While Columbia Care’s compliance controls have been developed to mitigate the risk of any material violations of a license arising, there is no assurance that licenses will be renewed in the future in a timely manner.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of Maryland) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Maryland.

Maryland Licensing Requirements

To become a licensed medical cannabis dispensary, each applicant must submit an application detailing the location of the proposed dispensary, the personal details of each principal officer or director, and operating procedures the dispensary will use. Owners, members, shareholders, officers, and directors of dispensary holding a 5% or greater interest in the company must undergo a criminal and financial background checks. Employees, volunteers and personnel who will be working in the dispensary with access to the non-public areas are required to undergo background checks and register as a dispensary agent with the Maryland MCC.

 

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Maryland Reporting Requirements

Once licensed, the medical cannabis dispensary is required to submit to the Maryland MCC quarterly reports including the following information: (i) the number of patients served; (ii) the county of residence of each patient served; (iii) the medical condition for which medical cannabis was recommended; (iv) the type and amount of medical cannabis dispensed; and (v) if available, a summary of clinical outcomes, including adverse events and any cases of suspected diversion. The medical cannabis dispensary must not include any patient personal information in the quarterly report.

Maryland Inspections

Licensees must be inspected by the Maryland MCC prior to receiving approval from the Maryland MCC to be authorized to begin cultivation, processing, and dispensing. Licensees are eligible to apply to renew their license every two years during which time a full inspection of the facility is performed. Spot-inspections may be performed at the dispensary at any time and without advance notice.

Maryland Safety and Security Requirements

As part of the medical cannabis dispensary application, the applicant must provide information about the dispensary’s operating procedures consistent with the oversight regulations established by the Maryland MCC, including the following: (i) storage of cannabis and products containing cannabis only in enclosed and locked facilities; (ii) security features and procedures; (iii) how the dispensary will prevent diversion; and (iv) safety procedures. As part of the safety and security requirements, the applicant must detail how the premises will be constructed to prevent unauthorized entry, including a designation of a secured room meeting high-security requirements. The applicant must describe how it would train all registered dispensary agents on safety procedures, including responding to: (i) a medical emergency; (ii) a fire; (iii) a chemical spill; and (iv) a threatening event including: (a) an armed robbery, (b) an invasion, (c) a burglary, or (d) any other criminal incident.

The applicant must describe its security and surveillance plan with information including the following: (i) an alarm system that covers perimeter entry points, windows, and portals at the premises that: (a) will be continuously monitored; (b) detects smoke and fire capabilities; (c) detects power loss capabilities; (d) includes panic alarm devices mounted at convenient, readily-accessible locations through the licensed premises; (e) inclusion of a second, independent alarm system to protect where records are stored on- and off-site and where any secure room holds medical cannabis; (f) equipped with auxiliary power to continue operation for at least 48 hours; (ii) a video surveillance system that: (a) records continuously for 24 hours per day for 365 days a year without interruption, (b) has cameras in fixed places that allow for the clear facial identification and of activities in the controlled areas of the premises, including where medical cannabis is packaged, tested, processed, stored, or dispensed, (c) has the capability of recording clear images and displays the time and date of the recording, and (d) demonstrates a plan for retention of recordings for at least 30 days.

Following issuance of a license, no major renovation or modification may be undertaken without notification to the Maryland MCC. Other than while the dispensary is open for business and one hour before and one hour after, the medical cannabis inventory must be stored in the secure room.

Medical cannabis products are subject to testing for contaminants by an independent testing laboratory. In November 2019, the Maryland MCC mandated enhanced testing requirements for vape cartridges and disposable vape pens. Such products must be screened for vitamin E acetate, and any product found to contain vitamin E acetate is prohibited from being sold to patients.

Maryland Operating Requirements

As part of the dispensary application, the applicant must provide information about the dispensary’s operations, including the following: (i) communication systems; (ii) facility odor mitigation; and (iii) back-up systems for

 

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cultivation and processing systems. The applicant must establish a standard operating procedure of the receipt, storage, packaging, labelling, handling, tracking, and dispensing of products containing medical cannabis and medical cannabis waste.

In addition, the applicant must provide information about the dispensary’s medical cannabis professionalism, including the following information: (i) experience, knowledge, and training in training dispensary agents in the science and use of medical cannabis; and (ii) use of a clinical director (optional).

The applicant must also provide information about the dispensary’s retail management operations, including the following: (i) a detailed plan to preserve the quality of the medical cannabis; (ii) a plan to minimize any negative impact on the surrounding community and businesses; (iii) a detailed inventory control plan; and (iv) a detailed medical cannabis waste disposal plan.

The business and economic factors of the dispensary business must also be detailed, including the following information: (i) a business plan demonstrating a likelihood of success, demonstrating sufficient business ability and experience on the part of the applicant, and providing for appropriate employee working conditions, benefits, and training; (ii) demonstration of adequate capitalization; and (iii) a detailed plan evidencing how the dispensary will enforce the alcohol and drug free workplace policy.

Additional information the applicant must also provide includes the following: (i) demonstration of Maryland residency among the owners and investors; (ii) evidence that the applicant is not in arrears regarding any tax obligation in Maryland or other jurisdictions; and (iii) the medical cannabis extracts and medical cannabis-infused products proposed to be dispensed with proposed cannabinoid profiles, including varieties with high CBD content, and the varieties of routes of administration.

Maryland Record Keeping and Inventory Tracking

Maryland requires use of a seed-to-sale tracking system software operated by Metrc LLC (“MERTC”). Licensees must create and use a perpetual inventory control system that identifies and tracks the stock of medical cannabis from the time it is delivered or produced to the time it is delivered to a patient or qualified caregiver. The applicant must describe how it will assure the integrity of the electronic manifest and inventory control system and that a cannabis transportation agent will continue the chain of custody to a dispensary agent. In May 2020, Maryland amended the medical marijuana statutes to authorize a parent or legal guardian of a medical cannabis patient under 18 to designate up to two additional adults to be caregiver and authorizing the patient to obtain medical cannabis from certain school personnel.

The applicant must retain attendance records and ensure dispensary agents are trained on the record retention and standard operating procedure. Maryland MCC regulators have the authority to audit the records of licensees to ensure they comport with the reporting in METRC.

Maryland Transportation

Only licensed medical cannabis growers, processors, or authorized secure transportation companies may transport business-to-business packages containing medical cannabis. Dispensaries are not authorized to pick up medical cannabis products from licensed growers or processors. Owners and employees of secure transportation companies must register as transportation agents with the Maryland MCC by undergoing criminal and financial background checks, and they must carry identification cards evidencing they hold current registration at all times while in possession of medical cannabis. Transportation agents must possess a current, valid driver’s license and may not wear any clothing or symbols that indicate ownership or possession of medical cannabis while on duty. Medical cannabis transport vehicles must be approved by the Maryland MCC and shall display current registration from the state, be insured, and may not display any sign or illustration related to medical cannabis or a licensee.

 

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Electronic manifests must accompany shipments to record the chain of custody and includes (i) the name and address of the shipping licensee; (ii) the shipping licensees shipment identification number; (iii) the weight and description of each individual package that is part of the shipment, and the total number of individual packages; (iv) the name of the licensee agent that prepared the shipment; (v) the name and address of the receiving licensee; (vi) any special handling or storage instructions; (vii) the date and time the shipment was prepared; (viii) the date and time the package was placed in the secure transport vehicle; and (ix) a listing of any other people who had custody or control over the shipment, and the person’s identity, circumstances, duration and disposition.

Dispensary licensees in Maryland are authorized to perform home delivery directly to patients. To do so, the dispensary must (i) independently verify the patient’s identification and registration status, (ii) enter the transaction in METRC prior to delivery; (iii) perform the delivery through a registered dispensary agent; and (iv) confirm the transaction otherwise complies with other requirements regarding sale of medical cannabis under applicable regulations. All home deliveries must be performed using a properly registered and insured secure medical cannabis transport vehicle. The vehicle may not bear any markings related to medical cannabis.

MASSACHUSETTS (MEDICAL)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has authorized the cultivation, possession and distribution of marijuana for medical purposes by certain licensed Massachusetts marijuana businesses. The Medical Use of Marijuana Program (the “MUMP”) registers qualifying patients, personal caregivers, Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (“MMTCs”), and MMTC agents. The MUMP was established by Chapter 369 of the Acts of 2012, “An Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana”, following the passage of the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative, Ballot Question 3, in the 2012 general election. Additional statutory requirements governing the MUMP were enacted by the Legislature in 2017 and codified at G.L. c. 94I, et. seq. (the “Massachusetts Medical Act”). MMTC Certificates of Registration are vertically integrated licenses in that each MMTC Certificate of Registration entitles a license holder to one cultivation facility, one processing facility and one dispensary locations. There is a limit of three (3) MMTC licenses per person/entity.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (“CCC”) regulations, 935 CMR 501.000 et seq. (“Massachusetts Medical Regulations”), provide a regulatory framework that requires MMTCs to cultivate, process, transport and dispense medical cannabis in a vertically integrated marketplace. Patients with debilitating medical conditions qualify to participate in the program, including conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency virus (AIDS), hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS) when such diseases are debilitating, and other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s healthcare provider. The CCC assumed control of the MUMP from the Department of Public Health on December 23, 2018.

Effective January 8, 2021, the CCC repealed certain regulations applicable to co-located medical and adult use facilities and incorporated them into the adult use regulations at 935 CMR 500.00 and the medical regulations at 935 CMR 501.000, as part of an overall update of both sets of regulations.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Licensing Requirements (Medical)

The Massachusetts Medical Regulations delineate the licensing requirements for MMTCs in Massachusetts. Licensed entities must demonstrate the following: (i) they are licensed and in good standing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of Unemployment Assistance; (ii) no executive, member or any entity owned or controlled by such executive or member directly or indirectly controls more than three MMTC licenses and no person or entity can maintain more than 100,000

 

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square feet of canopy; (iii) no person with an interest in an independent testing laboratory may have an interest in an MMTC; (iv) an MMTC may not cultivate, prepare or dispense medical cannabis from more than two locations statewide under a single license;

(v) dispensary agents must be registered with the CCC; (vi) an MMTC must have a program to provide reduced cost or free marijuana to patients with documented verifiable financial hardships; (vii) one executive of an MMTC must register with the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services on behalf of the entity as an organization user of the Criminal Offender Record Information (iCORI) system; (viii) the MMTC applicant has at least US$500,000 in its control as evidenced by bank statements, lines of credit or equivalent; (ix) payment of the required application fee; and (x) activities authorized by the MMTC license must only be conducted at the address(es) specified for that license.

An application for an MMTC license must include an Application of Intent, a Background Check, and a Management and Operations Profile. The Application of Intent consists of several requirements, including: (i) documentation that the MTC is registered to do business in Massachusetts and disclosures regarding all persons with direct or indirect control of the business; (ii) documentation regarding the amount and sources of capital available to the MMTC; (iii) the proposed address of the MMTC and documentation regarding the MMTC’s property interest in the proposed address; (iv) an executed host community agreement with a locality; (v) documentation that the MMTC has held a community outreach meeting; (vi) plans to ensure compliance with local codes, ordinances, and bylaws; (vii) a plan to positively impact Area of Disproportionate Impact; and (vii) the application fee. The Background Check section must include: (i) a list of all individuals and entities having direct or indirect control; (ii) identifying information for each listed individual, as well as a CORI Acknowledgment form; and (iii) background information on certain criminal, civil, or administrative actions as to each listed person. The Management and Operational Profile must include, among other requirements: (i) certain business registration information and a certificates from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of Unemployment Assistance; (ii) a timeline for achieving operation of the MMTC and evidence of the MMTC’s ability to timely operationalize; (iii) a plan to obtain liability insurance (or to utilize an escrow account in lieu of insurance); (iv) a detailed summary of the MMTC’s business plan; (v) a detailed summary of the MMTCs operating policies, including security, diversion prevention, cannabis storage, transportation, inventory, quality control, personnel, dispensing procedures, record-keeping, financial records, and diversity plans; (vi) qualifications and trainings for MMTC agents; (vii) proposed hours of operation and disclosure of emergency contacts; (viii) a home delivery plan (if applicable); (ix) a cultivation plan; (x) a list of products the MMTC intends to produce; and (xi) a summary of the MMTC’s plan to provide reduced-cost or free cannabis to patients with financial hardship.

Upon the determination by the CCC that an MMTC applicant has met the above requirements in a satisfactory fashion, the MMTC applicant is required to pay the applicable registration fee and shall be issued a provisional license. Thereafter, the CCC shall review architectural plans for the building of the MMTC’s cultivation facility and/or dispensing facilities, and shall either approve, modify or deny the same. Once approved, the MMTC provisional license holder shall construct its facilities in conformance with the requirements of the Massachusetts Regulations. Once the CCC completes its inspections and issues approval for an MMTC of its facilities, the CCC shall issue a final license to the MMTC applicant. MMTC final licenses are valid for one year and shall be renewed by filing the required renewal application no later than sixty days prior to the expiration of the certificate of registration.

 

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Massachusetts Licenses (Medical)

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Patriot Care Corp.    Cannabis Control Commission “Certificate of Registration” #165    Lowell, MA    06/27/22    Medical Dispensary, Cultivation and Product Manufacturing
Patriot Care Corp.    Cannabis Control Commission “Certificate of Registration” #727    Greenfield, MA    11/07/21    Medical Dispensary, Cultivation and Product Manufacturing
Patriot Care Corp.    Cannabis Control Commission “Certificate of Registration” #265    Boston, MA    11/07/21    Medical Dispensary, Cultivation and Product Manufacturing

The licenses in Massachusetts are renewed annually. Before expiry, licensees are required to submit a renewal application. While renewals are granted annually, there is no ultimate expiry after which no renewals are permitted. Additionally, in respect of the renewal process, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable license, Patriot Care Corp. would expect to receive the applicable renewed license in the ordinary course of business.

Massachusetts MMTC Requirements (Medical)

An MMTC shall follow its written and approved operation procedures in the operation of its MMTC facilities. Operating procedures shall include (i) security measures in compliance with the Massachusetts Regulations; (ii) employee security policies including personal safety and crime prevention techniques; (iii) hours of operation and after-hours contact information; (iv) storage and waste disposal protocols in compliance with state law; (v) a description of the various strains of marijuana that will be cultivated and dispensed, and the forms that will be dispensed; (vi) procedures to ensure accurate recordkeeping including inventory protocols; (vii) plans for quality control; (viii) a staffing plan and staffing records; (ix) emergency procedures; (x) alcohol, smoke, and drug-free workplace policies; (xi) a plan describing how confidential information will be maintained; (xii) a policy for the immediately dismissal of MMTC agents engaged in diversion or unsafe practices, or who has been the subject of certain criminal proceedings; (xiii) disclosure of a list of all directors, members, and executives upon request; (xiv) policies and procedures for the handling of cash on MMTC premises including storage, collection frequency and transport to financial institutions; (xv) standards and procedures related to pricing, price changes, and financial hardship; (xvi) policies for energy efficiency and conservation; policies and procedures for workplace safety; and (xvi) a description of the MMTC”s patient education activities. For MMTC cultivation operations, there are 11 tiers of cultivator licenses ranging from a maximum of 5,000 square feet (Tier 1) to between 90,001 to 100,000 square feet of canopy (Tier 11). MMTCs can apply to change their tier classification to expand or reduce production.

The siting of MMTC locations is expressly subject to local/municipal approvals pursuant to state law, and municipalities control the permitting application process that an MMTC must comply with. More specifically, an MMTC shall comply with all local requirements regarding siting and unless a locality adopts a less restrictive requirement, an MMTC shall not be sited within a radius of five hundred feet of a school, daycare center, or any facility in which children commonly congregate. The 500-foot distance under this section is measured in a straight line from the nearest point of the facility in question to the nearest point of the proposed MMTC. The Massachusetts Regulations require that MMTCs limit their inventory of seeds, plants, and useable marijuana to

 

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reflect the projected needs of registered qualifying patients. An MMTC shall only dispense to a registered qualifying patient or caregiver who has a current valid certification.

Massachusetts Security and Storage Requirements (Medical)

An MMTC shall implement sufficient security measures to deter and prevent unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and theft of marijuana at the MMTC. These measures must include: (i) allowing only registered qualifying patients, caregivers, dispensary agents, authorized persons, or approved outside contractors access to the MMTC facility; (ii) preventing individuals from remaining on the premises of an MMTC if they are not engaging in activities that are permitted; (iii) disposing of marijuana or byproducts in compliance with law; (iv) establishing limited access areas accessible only to authorized personnel; (v) storing finished marijuana in a secure locked safe or vault; (vi) keeping equipment, safes, vaults or secured areas securely locked; (vii) ensuring that the outside perimeter of the MMTC is sufficiently lit to facilitate surveillance; and (viii) ensuring that landscaping or foliage outside of the MMTC does not allow a person to conceal themselves. An MMTC shall also utilize a security/alarm system that: (i) monitors entry and exit points and windows and doors, (ii) includes a panic/duress alarm, (iii) includes system failure notifications, (iv) includes 24-hour video surveillance of safes, vaults, sales areas, areas where marijuana is cultivated, processed or dispensed, and (v) includes date and time stamping of all records and the ability to produce a clear, color still photo. The video surveillance system shall have the capacity to remain operational during a power outage. The MMTC shall also maintain a backup alarm system with the capabilities of the primary system, and both systems shall be maintained in good working order and shall be inspected and tested on regular intervals.

Massachusetts Transportation Requirements (Medical)

An MMTC, as an element of its License, is licensed to transport its marijuana to other licensed establishments. Marijuana may only be transported between licensed MMTCs by registered MMTC Agents. Licensed Marijuana Transporters may also transfer marijuana to or from an MMTC. The originating and receiving licensed MMTCs shall ensure that all transported Marijuana Products are linked to the Seed-to-sale tracking program. Any Marijuana Product that is undeliverable or is refused by the destination MMTC shall be transported back to the originating establishment. All vehicles transporting marijuana must be staffed with a minimum of two MMTC Agents. Prior to leaving an MMTC for the purpose of transporting marijuana, the originating MMTC must weigh, inventory, and account for, on video, all marijuana to be transported. Within eight hours after arrival at the destination MMTC, the destination MMTC must re-weigh, re-inventory, and account for, on video, the marijuana. The marijuana must be packaged in sealed, labeled, and tamper or child-resistant packaging prior to and during transportation. Transportation times and routes are randomized and all transport routes remain within the Commonwealth. If the transported product required temperature control, all vehicles and transportation equipment must provide adequate temperature control. Vehicles must also be equipped with a video system.

A vehicle used for transporting Marijuana Products must be: (i) owned or leased by the MMTC or otherwise licensed by the Commission as a third-party transporter; (ii) properly registered, inspected, and insured in the; (iii) equipped with an alarm system approved by the Commission; and (iv) equipped with functioning heating and air conditioning systems appropriate for maintaining correct temperatures for storage of marijuana. Marijuana must not be visible from outside the vehicle and a transport vehicle cannot bear any markings indicating that the vehicle is being used to transport marijuana. Once on board the vehicle, marijuana must be transported in a secure, locked storage compartment that is a part of the vehicle and cannot be easily removed. Vehicles must be equipped with a GPS meeting certain regulatory requirements, and agents must always have access to secure communication devices.

The transporting MMTC Agents must contact the originating location when stopping at and leaving any scheduled location, and regularly throughout the trip, at least every 30 minutes. The originating location must have an MMTC Agent assigned to monitoring the GPS unit and secure form of communication, who must log all official communications with MMTC Agents transporting marijuana. Unexpected stops or incidents, along with

 

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discrepancies in inventory, must be reported to the Commission and to law enforcement. A manifest must accompany all deliveries. The manifest must include certain information specified by regulation to identify the shipping, transporting, and receiving persons; the products being transported; and more. Prior to transport, the manifest shall be securely transmitted to the destination MMTC by facsimile or email. On arrival at the destination MMTC, an MMTC Agent must compare the manifest produced by the agents who transported the marijuana to the copy transmitted by facsimile or email. Manifests must be retained for at least a year and made available to the CCC upon request.

Massachusetts Department Inspections (Medical)

The CCC or its agents may inspect an MMTC and affiliated vehicles at any time without prior notice. An MMTC shall immediately upon request make available to the CCC information that may be relevant to a CCC inspection, and the CCC may direct an MMTC to test marijuana for contaminants. Any violations found will be noted in a deficiency statement that will be provided to the MMTC, and the MMTC shall thereafter submit a Plan of Correction to the CCC outlining with particularity each deficiency and the timetable and steps to remediate the same. The CCC has the authority to suspend or revoke an MMTC license and to take other disciplinary actions against MMTC license holders.

MASSACHUSETTS (ADULT-USE)

Adult-use (recreational) marijuana has been legal in Massachusetts since December 15, 2016, following a ballot initiative in November of that year. The Cannabis Control Commission (the “CCC”), a regulatory body created in 2018, licenses adult use cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities (collectively, “Marijuana Establishments”) pursuant to 935 CMR 500.000 et seq. The first adult-use marijuana facilities in Massachusetts began operating in November 2018.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Licensing Requirements (Adult-Use)

Exiting MMTCs are given priority status over other applicants (except Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants) in applying for licensure as a Marijuana Establishment. However, the CCC has limited the scope of the priority applicant status to the functions and locations that the MTC currently operates. The same material application requirements exist for a Marijuana Establishment license as an MTC application; namely an application for an MTC license must include an Application of Intent, a Background Check, and a Management and Operations Profile including the content specified in the Massachusetts (Medical) section above.

The adult-use license application process commenced on April 1, 2018 for existing MMTC license holders, and on July 1, 2018 for all non-MMTC license holders. Existing MMTC license holders that timely applied for an adult-use license on or before April 1, 2018 are eligible to receive three adult-use licenses per medical MMTC license. Namely, one integrated MMTC medical license is eligible, if awarded by the CCC, to receive three adult-use licenses as follows: one for cultivation, one for processing, and one for dispensary. Additionally, there are 11 tiers of cultivator licenses ranging from a maximum of 5,000 square feet (Tier 1) to between 90,001 to 100,000 square feet of canopy (Tier 11).

Patriot Care Corp. applied for adult-use licenses for facilities in Lowell, Massachusetts and Greenfield, Massachusetts in May and June 2018. On September 6, 2018, the CCC approved provisional licenses for retail, manufacturing, and cultivation in Lowell, Massachusetts, and retail in Greenfield, Massachusetts. On January 25, 2019, the CCC approved and thereafter issued final marijuana establishment licenses for retail, manufacturing and cultivation of adult-use marijuana in Lowell and retail of adult-use marijuana in Greenfield.

 

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The final licenses allow Patriot Care Corp. to operate the Marijuana Establishments. The licenses are listed in the table below.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal

Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Patriot Care Corp.   

Final Marijuana Establishment License

#MRN281283

   Lowell, MA    9/15/21    Retail
Patriot Care Corp.    Final Marijuana Establishment License #MPN281308    Lowell, MA    9/15/21    Manufacturing
Patriot Care Corp.   

Final Marijuana Establishment License

#MCN281265

   Lowell, MA    9/15/21    Cultivation
Patriot Care Corp.    Final Marijuana Establishment License #MRN281282    Greenfield, MA    9/15/21    Retail
Patriot Care Corp.   

Provisional Marijuana Retail License

#MRN281284

   Boston, MA    Provisional license    Retail

After receiving the Final Licenses in Lowell and Greenfield, in order to commence operations, Patriot Care Corp. was required to ensure that the following occurred:

 

  1.

Agent registration applications have been approved for all executives, board members, managers, and a sufficient number of employees to operate the Marijuana Establishment;

 

  2.

The establishment’s Metrc administrator has successfully completed all Metrc training and has been allowed assess into the Metrc system;

 

  3.

All necessary agents have successfully logged into Metrc;

 

  4.

Beginning inventory has been entered into Metrc;

 

  5.

All plants are tagged properly;

 

  6.

All labeling and packaging requirements for finished marijuana and marijuana products are compliant with 935 CMR 500 and are ready for inspection;

 

  7.

All marijuana products that are packaged for sale to consumers have traceable lab results and such results were completed by an Independent Testing Laboratory approved by the CCC for licensure (if applicable);

 

  8.

The licensee shall demonstrate that it is in compliance with or has obtained applicable waivers or approvals from the Department of Public Health, as necessary, and provide documents as the Commission may request prior to commencing operations. The licensee may certify compliance on the Post-Final License Request Form;

 

  9.

Documentation from the Department of Revenue stating that the licensee is registered with DOR for sales tax purposes (for retail applications);

 

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  10.

All registered agents have personnel files containing background check reports and all applicable information within those background reports were provided within the agent registration applications;

 

  11.

The background check report in each personnel file must have been obtained within 30 days prior to the submission of the agent application, unless the agent application was approved with a submitted background check waiver; and

 

  12.

Ensure that all conditions of the final license have been fully satisfied and are ready for inspection.

Massachusetts Dispensary Requirements (Adult-Use)

Marijuana retailers are subject to certain operational requirements in addition to those imposed on marijuana establishments generally. Dispensaries must immediately inspect patrons’ identification to ensure that everyone who enters is at least twenty-one years of age. Dispensaries may not dispense more than one ounce of marijuana or five grams of marijuana concentrate per retail customer per day. Point-of-sale systems must be approved by the CCC, and retailers must record sales data. Records must be retained and available for auditing by the CCC and Department of Revenue.

Dispensaries must also make patient education materials available to patrons. Such materials must include:

 

   

A warning that marijuana has not been analyzed or approved by the FDA, that there is limited information on side effects, that there may be health risks associated with using marijuana, and that it should be kept away from children;

 

   

A warning that when under the influence of marijuana, driving is prohibited by M.G.L. c. 90, § 24, and machinery should not be operated;

 

   

Information to assist in the selection of marijuana, describing the potential differing effects of various strains of marijuana, as well as various forms and routes of administration;

 

   

Materials offered to consumers to enable them to track the strains used and their associated effects;

 

   

Information describing proper dosage and titration for different routes of administration, with an emphasis on using the smallest amount possible to achieve the desired effect;

 

   

A discussion of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal;

 

   

Facts regarding substance abuse signs and symptoms, as well as referral information for substance abuse treatment programs;

 

   

A statement that consumers may not sell marijuana to any other individual;

 

   

Information regarding penalties for possession or distribution of marijuana in violation of Massachusetts law; and

 

   

Any other information required by the CCC.

Transportation requirements for Marijuana Establishments are materially the same as is described above for MMTCs.

Massachusetts Security and Storage Requirements (Adult-Use)

Each marijuana establishment must implement sufficient safety measures to deter and prevent unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and theft of marijuana at the establishment. Security measures taken by the establishments to protect the premises, employees, consumers and general public shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

 

   

Positively identifying individuals seeking access to the premises of the Marijuana Establishment or to whom marijuana products are being transported pursuant to 935 CMR 500.105(14) to limit access solely to individuals 21 years of age or older;

 

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Adopting procedures to prevent loitering and ensure that only individuals engaging in activity expressly or by necessary implication permitted by these regulations and its enabling statute are allowed to remain on the premises;

 

   

Disposing of marijuana in accordance with 935 CMR 500.105(12) in excess of the quantity required for normal, efficient operation as established within 935 CMR 500.105;

 

   

Securing all entrances to the Marijuana Establishment to prevent unauthorized access;

 

   

Establishing limited access areas pursuant to 935 CMR 500.110(4), which shall be accessible only to specifically authorized personnel limited to include only the minimum number of employees essential for efficient operation;

 

   

Storing all finished marijuana products in a secure, locked safe or vault in such a manner as to prevent diversion, theft and loss;

 

   

Keeping all safes, vaults, and any other equipment or areas used for the production, cultivation, harvesting, processing or storage of marijuana products securely locked and protected from entry, except for the actual time required to remove or replace marijuana;

 

   

Keeping all locks and security equipment in good working order;

 

   

Prohibiting keys, if any, from being left in the locks or stored or placed in a location accessible to persons other than specifically authorized personnel;

 

   

Prohibiting accessibility of security measures, such as combination numbers, passwords or electronic or biometric security systems, to persons other than specifically authorized personnel;

 

   

Ensuring that the outside perimeter of the marijuana establishment is sufficiently lit to facilitate surveillance, where applicable;

 

   

Ensuring that all marijuana products are kept out of plain sight and are not visible from a public place without the use of binoculars, optical aids or aircraft;

 

   

Developing emergency policies and procedures for securing all product following any instance of diversion, theft or loss of marijuana, and conduct an assessment to determine whether additional safeguards are necessary;

 

   

Developing sufficient additional safeguards as required by the CCC for marijuana establishments that present special security concerns;

 

   

At Marijuana Establishments where transactions are conducted in cash, establishing procedures for safe cash handling and cash transportation to financial institutions to prevent theft, loss and associated risks to the safety of employees, customers and the general public;

 

   

Sharing the Marijuana Establishment’s floor plan or layout of the facility with law enforcement authorities, and in a manner and scope as required by the municipality and identifying when the use of flammable or combustible solvents, chemicals or other materials are in use at the Marijuana Establishment; and

 

   

Sharing the Marijuana Establishment’s security plan and procedures with law enforcement authorities and fire services and periodically updating law enforcement authorities and fire services if the plans or procedures are modified in a material way.

Marijuana must be stored in special limited access areas, and alarm systems must meet certain technical requirements, including the ability to record footage to be retained for at least 90 days.

CCC Inspections

The CCC or its agents may inspect a Marijuana Establishment and affiliated vehicles at any time without prior notice in order to determine compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. All areas of a Marijuana

 

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Establishment, all Marijuana Establishment agents and activities, and all records are subject to such inspection. Marijuana Establishments must immediately upon request make available to the Commission all information that may be relevant to a CCC inspection, or an investigation of any incident or complaint. A Marijuana Establishment must make all reasonable efforts to facilitate the CCC’s inspection, or investigation of any incident or complaint, including the taking of samples, photographs, video or other recordings by the CCC or its agents, and to facilitate the CCC’s interviews of Marijuana Establishment agents. During an inspection, the CCC may direct a Marijuana Establishment to test marijuana for contaminants as specified by the CCC, including but not limited to mold, mildew, heavy metals, plant- growth regulators, and the presence of pesticides not approved for use on marijuana by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

Moreover, the CCC is authorized to conduct a secret shopper program to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

MISSOURI

Missouri Regulatory Landscape

Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution (“Article XIV”) provides that state-licensed physicians may recommend marijuana to patients for medical purposes and allows for the limited, regulated production, distribution, sale and purchase of marijuana for medical use. At a high level, Article XIV authorizes the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (“DHSS”) to promulgate rules for the proper regulation and control of the cultivation, manufacture, dispensing, and sale of marijuana for medical uses, including the licensure of entities authorized to undertake those activities, operational standards for those activities, taxation of retail sales of marijuana for medical use, and the registration of qualified patients. In Missouri, a qualified patient is one that suffers from cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, intractable migraines, a condition that causes severe and persistent pain, a debilitating psychiatric disorder, HIV/AIDs, a terminal illness, a chronic condition that normally requires a prescription medication that could be physically or psychologically addictive, or another chronic or debilitating condition as certified by a physician.

Pursuant to Article XIV, DHSS promulgated final rules governing the medical marijuana program in May 2019. Following promulgation of the rules, DHSS also undertook a process competitively to license entities in the areas of laboratory testing, cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, and transportation in summer 2019. DHSS reported that it received approximately 2,270 applications for the various facility licenses, including 582 cultivation facility applications, 430 manufacturing facility applications, and 1,219 dispensary facility applications. Among these, DHSS issued 60 cultivation licenses, 86 manufacturing licenses, 192 dispensary licenses, and 10 laboratory testing licenses. These are the maximum number of licenses currently available under DHSS’s regulations, though the regulations state that DHSS may in the future determine that additional licenses should be issued to meet the demand for medical marijuana of qualifying patients.

Missouri Licenses

Columbia Care MO LLC holds the following licenses in Missouri:

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal

Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care MO LLC    #: MAN00036    Columbia, Missouri    8/15/21    Manufacturing
Columbia Care MO LLC    #: DIS000184    Hermann, Missouri    9/15/21    Dispensary

Missouri Regulations

DHSS’s regulations establish both general requirements applicable to all licensed facilities, as well as specific requirements for various types of licenses, including manufacturing and dispensary licenses.

 

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All medical marijuana facilities are required to implement inventory control systems that utilize a DHSS-approved seed-to-sale tracking system for the tracking of marijuana products through the seed or immature plant stage through to sale to a qualified patient (or compliant disposal). Medical marijuana facilities are required to install and maintain security equipment designed to prevent unauthorized entrance, and include components of intrusion detection, electronic video monitoring, access limitation and control, and training of security personnel. Medical marijuana facilities are also required to maintain policies and procedures for addressing recalls, and proper labelling and packaging of products. In general, medical marijuana facilities are not permitted to be operated within 1,000 feet of schools or religious facilities. Wastes from medical marijuana facilities, such as solid wastes and wastewater, must be disposed of in accordance with otherwise-applicable Missouri law regarding waste disposal. Medical marijuana wastes are also required to be rendered unusable by mixture with non-marijuana wastes.

Manufacturing facilities, in addition to complying with all otherwise-applicable requirements, are required to develop and maintain an odor mitigation plan, develop a protocol to ensure independent testing of products, plans for minimizing the risk of explosions and fires, and plans to transport medical marijuana to dispensaries in a manner that complies with applicable regulations. Manufacturing facilities that produce ingestible products are required to comply with all otherwise-applicable food safety standards under Missouri law.

Dispensary facilities, in addition to complying with all otherwise-applicable requirements, are required to maintain information accessible to qualified patients regarding such topics as addiction, different strains of medical marijuana and their effects, the risks of medical marijuana use, and prohibitions on consumption of medical marijuana in public places. Dispensary facilities are required to utilize point-of-sale systems that verify a qualified patient’s purchases through the statewide track and trace system, and that require verification of the qualified patient’s government-issued identification. A dispensary may not dispense medical marijuana in excess of what the qualified patient is permitted to purchase under the patient’s physician authorization. Dispensary facilities are required to limit access to qualifying patients and primary caregivers, and to enforce limited access areas throughout the dispensary facility.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Regulatory Landscape

New Jersey’s medical marijuana program is governed by the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, N.J. Stat. § 24:6l-1 et seq., and the implementing regulations of the Department of Health (the “Department”), N.J.A.C. 8:64 et seq. Pursuant to the NJ Act, qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions may become registered to use medical marijuana. Debilitating medical conditions include: seizure disorders such as epilepsy; intractable skeletal muscular spasticity; post-traumatic stress disorder; glaucoma; ALS; multiple sclerosis; terminal cancer; muscular dystrophy; inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease; terminal illness; anxiety; certain types of chronic pain; migraine headaches; Tourette syndrome; Opioid Use Disorder; and, in some instances, HIV, AIDS, or cancer.

The NJ Act creates a permitting regime for “alternative treatment centers” (“ATCs”), which are vertically-integrated medical marijuana businesses. In addition, the Department’s regulations allow applicants for ATC permits to seek cultivation-, manufacturing-, or dispensing-specific licensure. Holders of an ATC license with a cultivation endorsement can possess, cultivate, plant, grow, harvest, and package usable marijuana; and can display, transfer, transport, distribute, supply, or sell marijuana to other ATCs, but not directly to registered qualifying patients. Holders of an ATC license with a manufacturing endorsement can possess and process usable marijuana; purchase usable marijuana from other ATCs possessing a cultivating endorsement; manufacture products containing marijuana approved by the Department; conduct research and develop products containing marijuana for approval by the Department; and can display, transfer, transport, distribute, supply, or sell marijuana and products containing marijuana to other ATCs, but not directly to registered qualifying patients. Finally, holders of an ATC license with a dispensary endorsement can purchase usable marijuana and products containing marijuana from other ATCs authorized to cultivate or manufacture usable marijuana or products

 

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containing marijuana; and can possess, display, supply, sell, and dispense, usable marijuana and/or products containing marijuana, to registered qualifying patients.

On July 2, 2019, New Jersey enacted the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act that made several changes to the state’s medical marijuana program. Amongst other changes, the NJ Act: (i) creates a new regulatory body, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission; (ii) increases the monthly purchasing limit from two to three ounces of dry flower, and after 18 months allows the maximum to be adjusted by regulation; (iii) removes the purchasing limit for terminally ill and hospice patients; (iv) permits the sale of edible products; (v) phases out sales taxes on medical marijuana; (vi) provides reciprocity for patients registered with other state medical marijuana programs; (vii) authorizes home delivery to patients. Regulations in response to the NJ Act have not yet been promulgated; and (viii) permitted ATCs to apply for up two additional satellite dispensing facilities, a right which expired as of January 2, 2021.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of New Jersey) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of New Jersey for the medical marijuana program.

On February 22, 2021, the Governor of New Jersey signed into law an adult-use legalization bill entitled the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act,” which legalized personal use cannabis for certain adults, subject to State regulations (the “CREAMM Act”). The CREAMM Act provides ATCs specific expanded cultivation rights as well as the right to open up sales to the adult-use marketplace, subject to limited and specified conditions. As it relates to sales into the adult-use marketplace, the only conditions imposed on ATCs are: (1) written approval to operate as an adult-use cannabis establishment from the municipality in which the ATC is located and compliance with said municipality’s local zoning restrictions; and (2) the ATC’s certification that it has sufficient quantities of medical cannabis and, if applicable, medical cannabis products, available to meet the reasonably anticipated needs of registered qualifying conditions. The CREAMM Act also permits ATCs to cultivate from up to two physical locations, provided that the ATC’s combined mature cannabis plant grow canopy between both locations does not exceed 150,000 square feet of bloom space, or the square footage of canopy permitted under the largest tier in the tiered system adopted by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (“CRC”), the successor agency taking over regulatory oversight for both the medical and adult use marketplaces.

Adult-use sales may not formally commence until the CRC adopts its interim rules and regulations governing the adult-use marketplace, which must be passed within 6 months of February 22, 2021. Adult-use sales may thereafter commence at any point following that 6-month time frame but must commence within 1 year of February 22, 2021.

New Jersey Regulations

ATC permits are awarded by a selection committee that evaluates applicants on the following general criteria: (1) submittal of mandatory organizational information; (2) ability to meet the overall health needs of qualified patients and safety of the public; (3) history of compliance with regulations and policies governing government-regulated marijuana programs; (4) ability and experience of applicant in ensuring an adequate supply of marijuana; (5) community support and participation; (6) ability to provide appropriate research data; (7) experience in cultivating, manufacturing, or dispensing marijuana in compliance with government-regulated marijuana programs; and (8) workforce and job creation plan. Information required to be submitted is wide-ranging, and includes identification information and background checks of principals, employees, directors, and other stakeholders, and evidence of compliance with certain state and local laws and ordinances. Columbia Care was selected from an applicant pool of more than 200 to develop an ATC. The Department may license up to 24 new ATCs pursuant to a Request for Application period that closed on August 22, 2019.

 

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New Jersey Licenses

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

   Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)
 

Description

Columbia Care New Jersey LLC    Operational Permit #02042020    Vineland, NJ    12/31/21  

Cultivation,

 

Dispensing, and Processing

Permits are renewed annually and require the submittal of a renewal application 60-days prior to the expiration of an ATC permit. Provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the permit, Columbia Care New Jersey would expect to receive a renewed permit in the ordinary course of business.

New Jersey Dispensary Requirements

ATCs are subject to a number of regulations regarding their policies, procedures, records, and reporting. For example, ATCs must develop oversight procedures; procedures to ensure safe growing and dispensing operations; security policies; inventory protocols; disaster plans; pricing standards; and crime prevention plans and must maintain careful records, including organizational charts; facility documents; supply-and-demand projections; general business records; detailed sales records; and detailed personnel and training records. ATCs must provide substantial training for their employees and must maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace.

Holders of an ATC permit are subject to a detailed regulatory scheme encompassing: security, staffing, point-of-sale systems, manufacturing standards, hours of operation, delivery, advertising and marketing, product labeling, records and reporting, and more. As with all jurisdictions, the full regulations (N.J.A.C. 8:64 et seq.) should be consulted for further information about any particular operational area.

New Jersey Storage, Security, and Transportation Requirements

Each ATC is required to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against theft and diversion of marijuana including, when appropriate, systems to protect against electronic records tampering. With respect to security and inventory protocols, ATCs are required to maintain robust security and alarm systems in good working order; test and inspect such security systems; employ policies to limit unauthorized access to areas containing marijuana; adopt security protocols to protect personnel; minimize exterior access and ensure the exterior of the facility has adequate lighting; and notify the proper authorities of reportable losses, security breaches, alarm activations, and electrical failures. ATCs are required to conduct detailed monthly inventories and an annual comprehensive inventory.

Each ATC must install, maintain in good working order and operate a safety and security alarm system at its authorized physical address(es) that will provide suitable protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week against theft and diversion and that provides, at a minimum: (i) immediate automatic or electronic notification to alert state or local police agencies to an unauthorized breach of security at the alternative treatment center; and (ii) a backup system that activates immediately and automatically upon a loss of electrical support and that immediately issues either automatically or electronic notification to state or local police agencies of the loss of electrical support. ATCs must also implement appropriate security and safety measures to deter and prevent the unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and the theft of marijuana and security measures that protect the premises, registered qualifying patients, registered primary caregivers and principal officers, directors, board members and employees of the alternative treatment center. Each ATC must stablish a protocol for testing and maintenance of the security alarm system and conduct maintenance inspections and tests of the security alarm system at the ATC’s authorized location at intervals not to exceed 30 days from the previous inspection and test, and it must promptly implement all necessary repairs to ensure the proper operation of the

 

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alarm system. In the event of a failure of the security alarm system due to a loss of electrical support or mechanical malfunction that is expected to last longer than eight hours, an ATC must notify the Department and either provide alternative security measures or close the affected facilities until service is restored. Finally, each ATC must equip its interior and exterior premises with electronic monitoring, video cameras, and panic buttons.

Department Inspections

ATCs are subject to inspection by the Department at any time, with or without notice. ATCs must provide immediate access to all facilities, materials, and information requested by the Department. Failure to cooperate with an onsite assessment and or to provide the Department access to the premises or information may be grounds to revoke the permit of the ATC and to refer the matter to state law enforcement agencies. If a problem is discovered, the ATC must notify the Department in writing, with a postmark date that is within 20 business days of the date of the notice of violations, of the corrective actions the ATC has taken to correct the violations and the date of implementation of the corrective actions.

NEW YORK

New York Regulatory Landscape

In July 2014, the New York Legislature and Governor enacted the Compassionate Care Act (A06357E, S07923) (the “CCA”) to provide a comprehensive, safe and effective medical marijuana program to meet the needs of New Yorkers. The program allows ten (10) registered organizations (“Registered Organizations”) to hold vertically integrated licenses and service qualified patients and caregivers. Limited product types are allowed in the state and smoking of cannabis flower is prohibited. The New York State Department of Health (“NYSDOH”) is the regulatory agency overseeing the medical marijuana program. Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of New York) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of New York.

On March 31, 2021, New York became the 16th state to legalize the adult-use of marijuana with the enactment of Senate Bill S854A, also known as The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (the “MRTA”). Under MRTA, the current medical marijuana program is set to undergo several changes. A new Office of Cannabis Management—an independent agency operating as part of the New York State Liquor Authority—will be responsible for regulating the adult-use marijuana market as well as the existing medical marijuana and hemp programs, and will be overseen by a new five-member Cannabis Control Board. The list of medical conditions covered under the CCA will be widened to include additional qualifying conditions, medical patients will no longer be restricted from smoking medical marijuana, and the current limit on marijuana supply for medical patients will be doubled. Medical marijuana license holders may also be allowed to double their existing number of dispensaries for up to a total of eight dispensaries, but no more than three of the dispensary locations will be permitted to serve as adult-use marijuana retail stores. The legislation takes effect immediately, though full implementation will not occur until the Cannabis Control Board is appointed and develops regulations for the adult-use marijuana program. It is currently expected that full implementation could take between 18 months to two years.

New York Licenses

Columbia Care NY LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Care, holds certificates of registration for manufacturing in Rochester, New York, and for dispensing in Riverhead, Brooklyn, New York (City), and Rochester, New York (collectively, the “New York Licenses”). Pursuant to the CCA and Medical Use of Marihuana Regulations (Title 10, Chapter XIII, Part 1004) by the NYSDOH, the New York Licenses collectively permit Columbia Care NY LLC to acquire, possess, manufacture, sell, transport, distribute, and dispense medical cannabis in the State of New York. The table lists the licenses issued to Columbia Care NY LLC in respect of its operations in New York.

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal

Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care NY LLC    MM0301M    Rochester, NY    07/31/21    Manufacturing
Columbia Care NY LLC    MM0302D    New York, NY    07/31/21    Dispensary
Columbia Care NY LLC    MM0303D    Riverhead, NY    07/31/21    Dispensary
Columbia Care NY LLC    MM0306D    Brooklyn, NY    07/31/21    Dispensary
Columbia Care NY LLC    MM0305D    Rochester, NY    07/31/21    Dispensary
Columbia Care NY, LLC   

New York Department of Health - Controlled Substances License

No. 0100220

   Rochester, NY    03/05/23   

Class 1 Manufacturer

– Controlled Substances

Columbia Care NY, LLC   

New York Department of Health - Controlled Substances License

No. 10000105

   Rochester, NY    05/16/22    Class 10 Exporter
Columbia Care Industrial Hemp LLC    HEMP-P-000069    Rochester, NY    04/30/22    Industrial Hemp Processor

Columbia Care Industrial Hemp

LLC

   HRMP-G-000318    Rochester, NY    04/30/22    Industrial Hemp Grower

The New York Licenses are renewed every two years. Before the two-year period ends, licensees are required to submit a renewal application per guidelines published by the NYSDOH. While renewals are granted every two years, there is no ultimate expiry after which no renewals are permitted. Additionally, in respect of the renewal process, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable license, Columbia Care NY LLC would expect to receive the applicable renewed license in the ordinary course of business.

New York Regulations

The New York Licenses permit the sale of medical cannabis products to any qualified patient who possess a physician’s recommendation. Under the terms of the New York Licenses, Columbia Care NY LLC is permitted to sell NYSDOH approved medical marijuana manufactured products to any qualified patient, provided that the patient presents a valid government-issued photo identification and NYSDOH-issued registry identification card proving the patient or designated caregiver meets the statutory conditions to be a qualified patient or designated caregiver. Registry identification cards are valid for one year after the date the certification is signed. The card contains the recommendation from the physician and the limitation on form or dosage of medical marijuana.

For a physician to recommend medical marijuana, the physician must pay for and pass a four-hour NYSDOH approved physician certification training program. The content of the course includes: “pharmacology of marijuana; contraindications; side effects; adverse reactions; overdose prevention; drug interactions; dosing;

 

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routes of administration; risks and benefits; warnings and precautions; abuse and dependence; and such other components as determined by the commissioner.”

In order for a patient or registered caregiver to receive dispensed marijuana, they must be logged into the Prescription Monitoring Program (“PMP”) registry. The PMP registry is monitored by the NYSDOH and contains controlled substance prescription dispensing history and medical marijuana dispensing history to ensure that patients only receive a maximum of 30-days-worth of dispensed product from one Registered Organization. Only registered pharmacists can dispense medical marijuana to approved patients and caregivers.

Allowable forms of medical marijuana in New York State are the following: metered liquid or oil preparations, solid and semisolid preparations (e.g. capsules, chewable and effervescent tablets, lozenges), metered ground plant preparations and topical forms and transdermal patches.

Medical marijuana may not be incorporated into food products by the Registered Organization, unless approved by the Commissioner of Health. Smoking is not an approved route of administration.

Qualifying conditions in the state of New York are the following: cancer, HIV infection or AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury with spasticity, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathy, Huntington’s disease, certain types of severe debilitating pain, pain that degrades health and functional capability where medical marijuana is used as an opioid alternative, substance use disorder, or post- traumatic stress disorder. The severe debilitating or life-threatening condition must also be accompanied by one or more of the following associated or complicating conditions: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain resulting in substantial limitation of function, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, post- traumatic stress disorder, or opioid use disorder.

In the state of New York, only cannabis that is grown and manufactured in the state can be sold in the state. New York is a vertically integrated system; however, it does allow Registered Organizations to wholesale manufactured product to one another. As such, Columbia Care NY LLC is vertically integrated and has the capabilities to cultivate, harvest, process, transport, sell, and dispense cannabis products. Delivery is allowed from dispensaries to patients, however the delivery plan must be pre-approved by the NYSDOH. Columbia Care NY LLC obtained approval for its delivery plan in February 2017 and utilizes its 70% owned subsidiary, CC Logistics Services LLC, to provide home delivery services throughout the state.

New York Dispensary Requirements

A qualified pharmacist must be present at a dispensary whenever medical marijuana products are being dispensed or handled. Dispensing facilities can only sell approved medical marijuana products, related products necessary for the approved forms of administration of medical marijuana, and items that promote health and well-being subject to disapproval of the department and only in such a manner as does not increase risks of diversion, theft or loss of approved medical marijuana products or risk physical, chemical or microbial contamination or deterioration of approved medical marijuana products.

No medical marijuana products may be consumed at a dispensary. Dispensaries must maintain patient confidentiality, including by keeping security footage secure. Dispensaries must affix a label to each medical marijuana product which (1) identifies the patient and caregiver (if any); (2) contains the name of the certifying practitioner, (3) identifies the dispensary name, address, and phone number; (4) provides the dosing and administration instructions; (5) gives the quantity and date dispensed; (6) lists any recommendation or limitation by the practitioner as to the use of medical marijuana; and (7) includes the expiration date of the product once opened. Each package must also include a safety insert approved by NYSDOH.

New York Reporting Requirements

The state of New York has selected BioTrackTHC’s solution as the state’s T&T system used to track commercial cannabis activity and seed-to-sale. The BioTrackTHC system is required to serve as all Registered Organizations’

 

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patient verification system but is optional as the Registered Organization facing tracking system. Columbia Care NY LLC currently uses ADILAS Cannabis software as its inventory control system, and also uses BioTrackTHC on a limited basis. ADILAS is a robust system that enables users to track and generate inventory reports on demand with almost unlimited parameters and filters. While certain features of the system are available on the open market, Columbia Care’s proprietary modifications have optimized its functionality to respond to the unique requirements of a highly regulated medical marijuana program, such as New York’s.

Every month the NYSDOH requests a dispensing report in Excel format, via email, showing the products dispensed for the month. This is the only report Columbia Care NY LLC is required to submit to the NYSDOH. All other data is pulled by the NYSDOH directly from Columbia Care NY LLC’s seed-to-sale tracking system.

New York Storage, Transportation and Security Requirements

Registered Organizations must comply with a range of storage and security measures designed to ensure the safety and security of the cannabis business premises and to maintain adequate controls against the diversion, theft, and loss of cannabis or cannabis products. Among other obligations, Registered Organizations are required to maintain a security operations plan that includes: an alarm system; motion detectors; video cameras in areas that may contain marijuana; exportable video recordings that Columbia Care must retain for 90 days and make available to the NYSDOH; measures to ensure adequate lighting; and other security measures. Registered Organizations must work to ensure that manufacturing and dispensing facilities maintain all security system equipment and recordings in a secure location with access limited to surveillance personnel, law enforcement, security system service employees, the NYSDOH or its authorized representative, and others when approved by the NYSDOH. Security equipment must be kept in working order and periodically tested.

Marijuana must be stored in a secure area accessible to a minimum number of employees to prevent diversion, theft, loss, and contamination or deterioration of the product. Approved safes, vaults or any other approved equipment or areas used for the manufacturing or storage of marijuana and approved medical marijuana products must be securely locked or protected from entry, except for the actual time required to remove or replace marijuana or approved medical marijuana products.

Prior to transporting medical marijuana, Registered Organizations must complete a shipping manifest using a form determined by the NYSDOH. A copy of the shipping manifest must be transmitted to the destination that will receive the products and to the NYSDOH at least two Business Days prior to transport unless otherwise expressly approved by the NYSDOH. In this regard, the Registered Organization must maintain shipping manifests and make them available to the NYSDOH for inspection upon request, for a period of 5 years. Approved medical marijuana products must be transported in a locked storage compartment that is part of the vehicle transporting the marijuana and in a storage compartment that is not visible from outside the vehicle. Employees, when transporting approved medical marijuana products, travel directly to their destination(s) and may not make unnecessary stops in between. Delivery times must be randomized, transportation vehicles must be staffed by at least two employees, and a copy of the shipping manifest must be on hand while transporting or delivering approved medical marijuana products.

NYSDOH Inspections

All registered organizations must make their books, records, and facilities available to NYSDOH for monitoring, on- site inspection, and audit purposes, including but not limited to periodic inspections and evaluations. If a problem is found by NYSDOH, the registered organization must submit a plan of correction within 15 days.

New York Hemp

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets has regulatory authority over New York’s industrial hemp program. That program creates a licensing regime for growers and processors of industry hemp, and

 

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subjects such licensees to recordkeeping, product-quality testing, transportation, disposal, and security requirements. The Department has authority to inspect a registered premises as often and to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with hemp laws and regulations.

OHIO

Ohio Regulatory Landscape

House Bill 523, effective on September 8, 2016, legalized medical marijuana in Ohio. The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (“MMCP”) allows people with certain medical conditions, upon the recommendation of an Ohio- licensed physician certified by the State Medical Board, to purchase and use medical marijuana. House Bill 523 required that the framework for the MMCP would be in place no later than September 2018. This timeframe allowed for a deliberate process to ensure the safety of the public and to promote access to a safe product. Sales of medical marijuana in Ohio began in January 2019.

The following three state government agencies are responsible for the operation of the MMCP: (i) the Ohio Department of Commerce is responsible for overseeing medical marijuana cultivators, processors and testing laboratories; (ii) the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy is responsible for overseeing medical marijuana retail dispensaries, the registration of medical marijuana patients and caregivers, the approval of new forms of medical marijuana and coordinating the Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee; and (iii) the State Medical Board of Ohio is responsible for certifying physicians to recommend medical marijuana and may add to the list of qualifying conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended. Qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana include: HIV/AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Cancer, Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), pain (either chronic, severe, or intractable), Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis. In order for a patient to be eligible to obtain medical marijuana, a physician must make the diagnosis of one of these conditions. The Board of Pharmacy is in the process of revising its regulations for dispensaries, for the forms and methods for administering medical marijuana, and for patients and caregivers.

Several forms of medical marijuana are legal in Ohio, these include: inhalation of marijuana through a vaporizer (not direct smoking), oils, Tinctures, plant material, edibles, patches and any other forms approved by the State Board of Pharmacy.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of Ohio) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Ohio.

Licenses in the State of Ohio

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care OH LLC    MMCPC00024    Mount Orab, OH    07/01/21    Cultivation
Cannascend Alternative LLC dba Strawberry Fields    MMD.0700041    Dayton, OH    07/01/21    Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certificate of Operation
Cannascend Alternative Logan, LLC dba Strawberry Fields    MMD.0700038    Logan, OH    07/1/21    Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certificate of Operation

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Cannascend Alternative LLC dba Strawberry Fields    MMD.0700039    Monroe, OH    07/01/21    Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certificate of Operation
Cannascend Alternative LLC dba Strawberry Fields    MMD.0700040    Marietta, OH    07/01/21    Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certificate of Operation
Corsa Verde LLC    MMCPPP00039    Columbus, OH    12/12/2021    Processor Certificate of Operation
Green Leaf Medical of Ohio II, LLC    MMD.0700014    Warren, OH    07/1/21    Medical Marijuana Dispensary Certificate of Operation

Ohio Operating Requirements

Cultivators must establish, maintain, and comply with the policies and procedures contained in the operations plans submitted as part of their applications. Operations plans must include policies and procedures for the production, storage, inventory, and transportation of medical marijuana. At a minimum, such plans must: (1) designate areas in the facility that are compartmentalized based on function, such as the marijuana cultivation area, with restricted access between the different areas of the facility; (2) implement policies and procedures that provide best practices for secure and proper cultivation of medical marijuana, which includes restricted movement between the different production areas by personnel based on access credentials assigned by the facility; (3) document the chain for all medical marijuana in the inventory tracking system; (4) establish a standard for the facility to be maintained in a clean and orderly condition, which includes free from infestation by rodents, insects, birds, and other animals of any kind; and (5) maintain a facility with adequate lighting, ventilation, temperature, sanitation, equipment and security for the safe and consistent cultivation of medical marijuana. Cultivators must also submit and maintain a quality control plan, and they are limited to the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemical approved by the Department of Commerce. Moreover, cultivators are subject to recordkeeping and reporting requirements regarding their use of such chemicals.

Cultivators must maintain their facilities according to certain standards. All floors and benches must be free of debris, dust, and any other potential contaminants. Cultivators must remove dead and unusable plant parts from the marijuana cultivation area, and control rodents and other non-plant related pests. In maintaining their facilities, cultivators may only use chemicals, cleaning solutions, and other sanitizing agents approved for use around vegetables, fruit, or medicinal plants and must store them in a manner that protects against contamination. Cultivators must keep their equipment in a clean, professional environment and maintain cleaning and equipment maintenance logs at their facilities. Scales, balances, or other weight and/or mass measuring devices must be routinely calibrated using “National Institute of Standards and Technology” (NIST)-traceable reference weights, at least once each calendar year, by an independent third party approved by the Department of Commerce. The water supply for each cultivation center must be derived from a source that is a regulated water system or a private water supply and must meet the needs of the cultivator. Each cultivator must implement policies and procedures related to receiving, inspecting, transporting, segregating, preparing, packaging, and storing medical marijuana in accordance with adequate sanitation principles. The disposal of undesired, excess, unauthorized, obsolete, adulterated, misbranded or deteriorated medical marijuana waste is subject to a specific set of procedures set forth in OAC 3796:2-2-03.

 

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Cultivators may not sell marijuana to patients or caregivers, nor may they permit the consumption of marijuana on their premises. A cultivator may not grow a prohibited form of marijuana that is not registered and approved by the state of Ohio Board of Pharmacy pursuant to section 3796.061 of the Revised Code. A cultivator must not produce or maintain medical marijuana in excess of the quantity required for normal, efficient operation based on patient population and consumption reported in the inventory tracking system. A cultivator may not amend or otherwise change its approved operations plan, quality assurance plan, or cultivation or production techniques, unless written approval is obtained from the Department of Commerce, and a cultivator may not change the use or occupancy of the facility unless the Department of Commerce is notified of and provides prior written approval of such changes. A cultivator shall not sell plant material that exceeds thirty-five per cent THC content as defined in OAC 3796:1-1-01. Finally, a licensed cultivator may not directly or indirectly discriminate in price between different processor or dispensary facilities that are purchasing a like grade, strain, brand, quality, and quantity of medical marijuana.

Ohio Reporting Requirements

Ohio uses the METRC system as its seed-to-sale tracking system. Licensees are required to use METRC to push data to the state to meet all of the reporting requirements. When Columbia Care Ohio LLC is operational, it intends to implement its tracking system to comply with the state’s tracking and reporting requirements.

Ohio Storage, Transportation, and Security Requirements

The regulations permit Columbia Care OH LLC to store medical marijuana inventory at its cultivation facility in a designated, enclosed, locked facility identified in its plans and specifications that it submitted to the Ohio Department of Commerce. This storage area can only be accessible by authorized individuals. On an annual basis and as a condition to renewal of its cultivator license, Columbia Care OH LLC must perform a physical, manual inventory, of the medical marijuana on hand and compare it to the annual report generated by the inventory tracking system. The cultivation facility must install a commercial grade security alarm system to prevent and detect diversion, theft, or loss. The facility also must maintain surveillance equipment to capture the entire facility and provide direct access to the regulator on a real-time basis. This equipment must be kept in good working order and inspected and tested on an annual basis by a third party.

Prior to transporting any medical marijuana, regardless of form, a medical marijuana entity must maintain a transportation log, in writing, that contains the following information: (1) the names and addresses of the medical marijuana entities sending and receiving the shipment; (2) the names and registration numbers of the registered employees transporting the medical marijuana or the products containing medical marijuana; (3) the license plate number and vehicle type that will transport the shipment; (4) the time of departure and estimated time of arrival; (5) the specific delivery route, which includes street names and distances; and (6) the total weight of the shipment and a description of each individual package that is part of the shipment, and the total number of individual packages. A copy of this log must be sent to the receiving entity before the close of business on the business day prior to transport. A copy of the log must also be in the vehicle at all times while it is transporting medical marijuana products. All such logs must be maintained and provided to law enforcement upon request.

Vehicles used to transport marijuana must be insured as required by law and staffed with a minimum of two registered employees, with at least one employee remaining with the vehicle at all times that the vehicle contains medical marijuana. The marijuana must be kept in a locked container or compartment, and it must not be visible from outside the vehicle. The vehicle must be unmarked. Any vehicle transporting medical marijuana or any product containing medical marijuana must travel directly from the sending medical marijuana entity to the receiving medical marijuana entity and shall not make any stops in between except to other medical marijuana entities listed on the transportation log, to refuel the vehicle, or to notify the medical marijuana entities, the department and law enforcement in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, the employees must report the emergency immediately to law enforcement through the 911 emergency system and to the medical marijuana entities, which will immediately notify the appropriate regulatory authorities, unless the

 

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notification is impractical under the circumstances. The employees must notify the sending medical marijuana entity when the delivery has been completed.

Department of Commerce Inspections

The Ohio Department of Commerce may, at any time it determines an inspection is needed, with or without notice, conduct an inspection of a cultivator to ensure compliance with the facility’s application and state laws and regulations. An inspection of a cultivator may include, without limitation, investigation of standards for safety from fire on behalf of the department by the local fire protection agency. If a local fire protection agency is not available, the division of state fire marshal may conduct the inspection after the cultivator pays the appropriate fee to the division of state fire marshal for such inspection. If a problem is detected during an inspection, the cultivator must produce a plan of correction within ten business days.

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Regulatory Landscape

The Pennsylvania medical marijuana program was signed into law on April 17, 2016 under Act 16 and provided access to state residents with one of 17 qualifying conditions, including epilepsy, chronic pain, and PTSD. The state, which consists of over 12 million U.S. citizens and qualifies as the fifth largest population in the US, operates as a high- barrier market with very limited market participation. The state originally awarded only 12 licenses to cultivate/process and 27 licenses to operate retail dispensaries (which entitled holders to up to three medical dispensary locations).

On March 22, 2018, it was announced that the final phase of the Pennsylvania medical marijuana program would be initiated, which would include the issuance of 13 additional cultivation/processing licenses and 23 additional dispensary licenses. This application period ran from April 2018 through May 17, 2018. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the results of the application period, granting 23 new dispensary permits and 13 grower/processor permits across six regions of the state, on December 18, 2018.

In the introductory months of the program, Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana dispensaries experienced supply shortages that rendered the market unable to keep up with demand. It was announced on April 17, 2018 that dry flower would be included in the regulations as an approved product form for sale and consumption (in addition to the already approved forms of concentrates, pills, and tinctures). Simultaneously, it was announced that the list of qualifying conditions would expand from 17 to 21, including additions of cancer remission therapy and opioid-addiction therapy.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture administers an Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program, as permitted by the federal Industrial Hemp Research Act of 2016 (P.L. 822, No. 92). As it is allowed to do under the 2018 Farm Bill, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will submit a regulatory plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture program to administer a larger Industrial Hemp Program, including licensing the cultivation of hemp, as defined by federal law, for interstate commercial purposes. In January of 2019, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture lifted its 100-acre acreage cap on permitted hemp cultivators to grow unlimited acreage on locations approved under pre-existing permits.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of Pennsylvania) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Licenses

Under applicable laws, the license permits Columbia Care to purchase marijuana and marijuana products from cultivation/processing facilities, and to sell marijuana and marijuana products to registered patients pursuant to

 

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the terms of the license. The license is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (the “Department”) under the provisions of the Medical Marijuana Act (35 P.S. §§ 10231.101—10231.2110) and Chapters 1141, 1151 and 1161 of the Pennsylvania regulations. The license is, as of the date hereof, active with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

All dispensaries must register with the Department. Registration certificates are valid for a period of one year and are subject to annual renewals after required fees are paid and the business remains in good standing. Renewal requests are typically communicated through email and include a renewal form. Provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable license, Columbia Care would expect to receive the applicable renewed license in the ordinary course of business.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

   Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)
  

Description

Columbia Care Pennsylvania LLC    Permit D-2009- 17    Allentown, PA Scranton, PA Wilkes-Barre, PA    06/29/21    Dispensary
Green Leaf Medicals, LLC    Permit GP-18-3005    Saxton, PA    7/31/21    Grower Processor

Pennsylvania Dispensary Requirements

In order to maintain its permit, a dispensary must continue to meet all of the qualifications for obtaining such permit. Dispensaries must purchase marijuana only from authorized growers and processors. They may sell devices related to the use of medical marijuana, but only with the Department’s prior written approval. Dispensaries must require a valid identification card from each patient or caregiver and verify it via electronic tracking system before dispensing any product. A dispensary may not dispense (1) a quantity of marijuana greater than the amount indicated on a patient’s certification, (2) a form or dosage of product that is listed as a restriction or limitation on the patient certification, (3) or a form of medical marijuana product which is not permitted by law or regulation. Dispensaries cannot dispense more than a 30-day supply at one time, and they must wait until the patient has exhausted all but a 7-day supply before providing a refill. Moreover, dispensaries are subject to certain advertising and promotional restrictions.

Dispensaries must maintain their facilities in sanitary condition. Generally, employees working in direct contact with medical marijuana products must comply with the food-handling regulations of Pennsylvania. Employees and visitors must have access to adequate hand-washing facilities and sanitary lavatories.

Dispensaries may not employ individuals under the age of eighteen. A dispensary may not permit a patient to self- administer medical marijuana products at the facility unless the patient is also an employee of the dispensary, and the dispensary permits self-administration of medical marijuana products at the facility by the employees.

Pennsylvania Reporting Requirements

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania uses MJ Freeway as the state’s computerized T&T system for seed-to-sale. Individual licensees are required to use MJ Freeway to push data to the state to meet all reporting requirements. Columbia Care Pennsylvania LLC integrates its in-house software with the state’s MJ Freeway program to capture the data points required by the Pennsylvania medical marijuana laws and regulations.

Pennsylvania Storage, Transportation, and Security Requirements

The regulations require a dispensary to have a locked limited access area for the storage of medical marijuana that is expired, damaged, deteriorated, mislabeled, contaminated, recalled or whose containers or packages have been opened or breached until such product is returned to the grower/processor.

 

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Columbia Care Pennsylvania LLC must have a security system with professional monitoring, 24-hours a day and seven days a week, and fixed cameras on the interior and exterior of the facilities. The surveillance system must store data for a period of four years in a readily available format for investigative purposes.

Unless otherwise approved by the Department, a dispensary may deliver medical marijuana products to a medical marijuana organization only between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. for the purposes of transporting medical marijuana products among the permittee’s dispensary locations and returning medical marijuana products to a grower/processor. Dispensaries may not transport medical marijuana products outside of Pennsylvania, and they must use a global positioning system to ensure safe, efficient delivery of the medical marijuana products to a medical marijuana organization. Dispensaries may not offer delivery of medical marijuana. Dispensaries must have an enclosed, secure area out of public sight for the loading and unloading of medical marijuana products into and from a transport vehicle.

All vehicles used in the transport of marijuana must be unmarked and equipped with a secure lockbox or locking cargo area. Products must be appropriately packaged and labeled. If transporting perishable medical marijuana products, they must be temperature controlled. They must display current inspection stickers and be insured for a commercially reasonable amount. Each vehicle must be staffed with at least two people while transporting marijuana, with at least one team member remaining in the vehicle at all times. Each team member must have access to a secure form of communication with the dispensary and have a valid driver’s license. Team members must not wear clothing or symbols related to marijuana, and they must carry an identification badge or card at all times and produce it to law enforcement upon request. The team must also carry a transportation manifest and provide a copy to the recipient of the medical marijuana products.

Department Inspections

The Department may conduct announced or unannounced inspections or investigations to determine the medical marijuana organization’s compliance with its permit and all relevant laws and regulations. Such inspection or investigation may include (1) inspection of a medical marijuana organization’s site, facility, vehicles, books, records, papers, documents, data, and other physical or electronic information; (2) questioning of employees, principals, operators, financial backers, authorized agents of, and any other person or entity providing services to the medical marijuana organization; and (3) inspection of a grower/processor facility’s equipment, instruments, tools and machinery that are used to grow, process and package medical marijuana, including containers and labels. Failure to provide immediate access to any of the materials, information, or individuals listed above may result in the imposition of a civil monetary penalty, suspension or revocation of the medical marijuana organization’s permit, or an immediate cessation of its operations pursuant to a cease-and-desist order issued by the Department.

PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico Regulatory Landscape

Puerto Rico’s medical marijuana program is governed by the Medical Cannabis Act, 24 L.P.R.A. § 2621 et seq. (the “PR Act”), and by regulations promulgated by the Medical Cannabis Regulatory Board (the “MCR Board”), Regulation No. 9038, July 2, 2018. The program allows for the medical administration of cannabis in private locations when the use is recommended by an authorized physician. Smoking medical marijuana, which does not include vaporizing, remains prohibited. The MCR Board has authorized physicians to prescribe medical cannabis for a “bona fide” medical condition not otherwise prohibited by the regulations or the PR Act, as determined by a physician, provided that patients who are prescribed medical marijuana must register with the MCR Board and provide a MCR Board-issued identification to obtain medical marijuana.

The Medical Cannabis Act authorizes the MCR Board to create licensing regimes for – among other entities – cultivation centers, dispensaries, and manufacturing facilities. Licensees of separate types of licenses are only permitted to engage in the specific licensing activity for which they are granted a license.

 

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Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in Puerto Rico) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico License Requirements

Applicants for manufacturing, cultivation, and dispensing licenses are subject to stringent measures designed to guarantee the safety of patients, the community, and persons participating in the medical cannabis industry. Specifically, applicants must demonstrate, among other things, the following:

 

   

Those seeking a license for dispensaries must fulfill 17 different licensing requirements, including forms and supplementary materials required by the MCR Board; evidence that the applicant is at least 21 years old; a copy of identification for each owner with at least 5% interest; evidence that at least 51% of the ownership capital originates in Puerto Rico; background check information concerning each owner with at least 5% interest; evidence that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony relating to the possession, distribution, manufacture, cultivation or use of a controlled substance; evidence that the applicant has the financial capacity to operate each establishment for which it applies for a period of twelve months; certified copy of a criminal record submitted by the Puerto Rico police; certified copy of “no debt” from the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury; certification of “no debt” from the Municipal Revenue Collection Center; a partnership agreement; a zoning map demonstrating the dispensary will not be within a 100 meter radius of a school; evidence of ownership; submit a request to do business as a registered merchant; a detailed plan of the establishment; financial projections and a break even analysis; and payment of the requisite fees.

 

   

In addition to the licensing requirements listed above, those seeking a cultivation license must fulfill the following requirements: a certificate of compliance with good agricultural practice or its equivalent approved by the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture; evidence of having taken a course of good agricultural practices. In addition, establishments must follow good cultivation practices and maintain standard operational procedures to protect and guarantee quality; structures that cultivate indoors should be in a closed space with rigid walls without windows to avoid visibility indoors; access must be limited; they must be available for inspection; and must be surrounded by a double fence.

 

   

In addition to the licensing requirements listed above, those seeking a manufacturing license must fulfill the following requirements: they must follow best manufacturing practices provided for in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations; have a current certificate for food hygiene from the Assistant Secretary of Environmental Health; evidence of having taken a course on food security; limitations on access to the areas of manufacture, inventory, and loading; and the establishment of processes and standards detailed for each product manufactured.

As described in the “License” section below, Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC, holds letters of prequalification from the MCR Board, but does not yet hold licenses to operate the prequalified facilities. Provided that the requisite application fees are paid, the applications are submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material deviations from the MCR Board’s application requirements, Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC would expect to receive the applicable licenses in the ordinary course of business. While Columbia Care’s compliance controls have been developed to mitigate the risk of any material deviations from an application requirement, there is no assurance that the Puerto Rico licenses will ultimately be granted.

Puerto Rico Licenses

 

Holding Entity

 

Permit/License

 

City

 

Expiration/Renewal Date (if
applicable) (MM/DD/YY)

 

Description

Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC   Cannabis Establishment License   San Juan, PR   07/30/21   Dispensary
Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC   Cannabis Establishment License CM-2020-212   Ponce, PR   02/25/21 (renewal is pending)   Dispensary

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

 

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC    Prequalification Letter (dispensary)    Arecibo, PR   Not applicable.    Dispensary
Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC    CM- 2020-217    Cidra, PR   03/03/21 (renewal is pending)    Cultivation
Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC    CM-2020-218    Cidra, PR   03/03/21 (renewal is pending)    Manufacturing

Licenses expire within one year. A renewal application must be submitted 30 days prior to the expiration of the current registration certificate. With respect to the renewal process, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable license, Columbia Care Puerto Rico LLC would expect its future anticipated licenses to be renewed in the ordinary course of business.

Puerto Rico Dispensary Operational Requirements

Only authorized patients may purchase marijuana and may only use such products in the privacy of their homes and in authorized locations. Marijuana may not be used in a commercial facility. Marijuana may not be sold to someone without a valid license to purchase. No more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a product may be sold during a transaction.

A dispensary may not purchase more than 30% of its supply from another licensed dispensary, nor may a licensed dispensary sell more than 30% of its supply to another licensed dispensary.

License holders must maintain a “Seed to Sale Tracking System,” which must include a complete and precise registry of the materials used in the production of marijuana products. An administrator must be appointed to maintain the system. Use of the system must be limited to those with a valid occupational license. There must be an alert system to track completion, and the license holder must resolve outstanding questions.

Puerto Rico Security, Transportation, and Storage Requirements

Puerto Rican regulations mandate various security requirements, including the following:

 

   

A dispensary must be a building with two places of access, one in the front and one in the side or the back. There must be an administrative system with strict controls over lists of qualified patients. This area must be separate from where inventory is located, and these areas must be separate from where product is sold. There must also be a separate waiting area at the front of the building near the street. The loading area must also be separate and inaccessible to the public.

 

   

Dispensaries must have security and alarm systems to track unauthorized entrance outside of working hours. There must also be an electronic surveillance system to account for theft and similar conduct, with multiple different kinds of alarms.

 

   

There must be no fewer than one security guard at a dispensary, 24 hours per day. The security guard permits access to the facility.

 

 

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Those in limited access areas must be able to provide evidence of the appropriate license provided by the licensing board at any time, as well as their own individual identification card. The license provided by the board may not be tampered with or altered in any way.

 

   

Visitors to a facility with limited access must obtain a visitor identification card and display it in a manner visible to others. Such visitors must be escorted at all times in a limited access area, and the license holder must maintain a registry of visitors.

 

   

Specific and detailed requirements on the marking of exits and entrances to and from a limited access area.

With regard to transportation, all transportation of marijuana must be accompanied by a manifest approved by the Department of Health with specific information, including the name of the registered distributing entity, the name of the registered establishment receiving the product, a description of the route taken, and the name of the vehicle driver. Each manifest must be maintained for two years. Only those licensed by the division may be authorized to transport product. Vehicles used for transportation must be duly licensed under Puerto Rican motor vehicle law.

With regard to storage, marijuana may only be stored by a licensee in a licensed establishment, or in an otherwise approved location (and such approved location may only be used for the storage of marijuana). A license holder may only store marijuana that belongs to the license holder’s inventory.

Puerto Rico Department Inspections

All facilities subject to license are subject to inspection, as are all required documents. Inspectors have the right pursuant to an order of an inspection to inspect facilities and documents upon announcement and provision of proper identification to the license holder, under the limitations of an inspection order and using reasonable means. Inspectors are permitted to take chemical samples and inventory lists. Inspectors are not permitted to inspect financial or price information.

UTAH

Utah Regulatory Landscape

On December 3, 2018, Utah lawmakers passed House Bill 3001: Utah Medical Cannabis Act (the “UT Act”). The Utah Act directs the Utah Department of Health (the “Utah Department”) to issue medical cannabis cards to patients, register medical providers who wish to recommend medical cannabis treatment for their patients, and license medical cannabis pharmacies. Covered medical conditions include HIV/AIDS, ALS, cancer, cachexia, persistent nausea, Chron’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, PTSD that is being treated and monitored by a licensed therapist, autism, certain terminal illnesses, and certain other rare conditions and diseases. The Act and subsequent amendments thereto authorized the Department to license and regulate up to 14 private entities to dispense medical cannabis products through medical cannabis pharmacies. The Utah Department has issued regulations governing medical cannabis pharmacies’ operations. The UT Act also grants the Department of Agriculture and Food regulatory authority over medical marijuana cultivators and processors.

On January 3, 2020, the Department announced its intent to award 14 medical cannabis pharmacy licenses to companies selected from over 130 applicants. Columbia Care was selected to open a medical cannabis pharmacy in Springville, Utah, which is located just south of Provo. Columbia Care (through its subsidiary in the State of Utah) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Utah.

Additionally, in 2014, the Utah legislature passed the Hemp and Cannabinoid Act (the “UT Hemp Act”) pursuant to the 2014 Farm Bill, which created the framework for legalized industrial hemp in Utah. The UT

 

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Hemp Act created a pilot program for hemp. Utah’s 2019 amendments to the UT Hemp Act expanded the scope of the state’s hemp program. In 2020, Utah amended the UT Hemp Act once again and directed the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (“UDAF”) to develop a state industrial hemp production plan. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the Utah Industrial Hemp Production Plan.

Under the UT Hemp Act, an individual or entity cultivating or processing industrial hemp must obtain an industrial hemp producer license. The industrial hemp production plan subjects licensees to several regulatory requirements. These include grower area requirements and reporting requirements; submission to inspection, sampling, and testing by UDAF to ensure the hemp has a permissible THC level of under 0.3%; storage requirements; and destruction processes. Intentional violations of the UT Hemp Act or UDAF’s rules, as well as repeated negligent violations, may result in loss of license.

Utah License Requirements

The Department announced its plans to award the 14 medical cannabis pharmacy licenses across four regions of the state. Columbia Care applied for a license in Region 3, which encompasses Utah County, where Springville is situated. The application process required Columbia Care to pay an application fee and to submit information regarding its ownership and directors, its finances, and a description of any past disciplinary actions for cannabis-related operations in any jurisdiction. Columbia Care was also required to submit highly detailed information regarding its experience, operating plan, strategic plan, local connections, and ability to keep the cost of medical cannabis low for patients. Such information included, for example: a list of all states in which Columbia Care operates; details of Columbia Care’s proposed facility; a floor plan depicting the facility’s security features; information about principles and key employees’ credentials, including a Utah licensed pharmacist; training and customer service information; storage protocols; a description of all medical cannabis products Columbia Care intends to offer; a financial plan; and Columbia Care’s local connections to Utah.

License applications were then evaluated and scored by a committee based on several criteria, including: experience in the medical cannabis or other highly regulated industries, disciplinary action or investigation in other jurisdictions, an operating plan that will best ensure the safety and security of cardholders and the community, the extent to which an applicant can reduce the cost of medical cannabis, connections to the local community, and a strategic plan that has a high likelihood of success. Of the 14 licenses awarded by the Department, an initial group of eight pharmacies were given the option to open as soon as March 1, 2020, while the remaining six are allowed to open as early as July 1, 2020. Successful applicants were required to obtain a land-use permit for their medical cannabis pharmacy within 120 days of the license award if required by their county or locality. Final licensure is also subject to applicants’ owners passing criminal background checks and the Department approval of the applicants’ operating plans. Columbia Care expects to satisfy these requirements.

Utah Operating Requirements

Medical cannabis pharmacies in Utah are subject to several highly detailed operational requirements. The requirements impose restrictions on who may enter a pharmacy, who may be employed by a pharmacy, and on consuming cannabis on site. They require pharmacies to maintain sophisticated security infrastructure and policies designed to minimize the risk of diversion and to minimize access to cannabis products. These include, for example, maintenance of a physical surveillance system with video cameras located throughout the facility, a fail-safe backup system to support the system in the event of a power-outage; installation of an alarm system; and maintenance of safes and vaults for storing medical cannabis.

The operational requirements also govern the dispensing procedure. All cannabis sold must meet certain labeling requirements and transactions are subject to a number of verification, inventory, and record-keeping requirements. Unusable cannabis products must be properly disposed. The UT Act imposes limitations on the amount of cannabis a pharmacy can dispense to a single patient in a 28-day period. That amount is capped at the lesser of (a) a 30-day supply for treatment; (b) 113 grams of unprocessed cannabis; or (c) 20 grams of total

 

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composite THC. Utah law does allow pharmacies to dispense medical cannabis via home delivery; however, the Department has not yet authorized any pharmacies to provide a home delivery service and has indicated its intent to not grant such approval until after July 1, 2020.

Medical cannabis pharmacies are required to employ a pharmacist-in-charge (“PIC”). The duties of the PIC generally include ensuring: the safe, informed, and appropriate distribution of medical cannabis and cannabis devices; protection, recording, and maintenance of patient records; education and training of pharmacy personnel; procurement of cannabis products and educational materials; appropriate disposal and storage of cannabis; controls against theft or diversion; compliance with applicable laws and regulations; quality assurance; maintenance of the point-of-sale system and integration with the state’s inventory systems; and safe operation of the facility. Pharmacies must also be supervised by at least one licensed medical cannabis pharmacy medical provider (“PMP”) who must be present during all hours of operation.

Utah Licenses

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

CCUT Pharmacy LLC    Provisional Medical Cannabis Pharmacy License 0010-270    Springville, UT    06/07/22    Dispensary
Columbia Care UT LLC    Cannabis Processor Licensing Agreement    Centerville, UT    04/19/22    Manufacturing & Processing
CCUT Pharmacy LLC    Industrial Hemp Retail License 8003-206090    Springville, UT    12/31/21    Industrial Hemp

On January 3, 2020, the Department announced its intent to award 14 medical cannabis pharmacy licenses to companies selected from over 130 applicants. Columbia Care was selected to open a medical cannabis pharmacy in Springville, Utah and was issued an Intent to Award Medical Cannabis Pharmacy License. Licenses must be renewed annually. Columbia Care expects to receive a final license in the ordinary course of business; however, while Columbia Care’s compliance controls have been developed to mitigate the risk of any material deviations from an application requirement, there is no assurance that the license will ultimately be granted and annually renewed thereafter.

Utah Inspections

Columbia Care’s Utah facility and records are subject to inspection from the Department at any time during business hours.

2020 Amendments to the UT Act

On February 28, 2020, the Governor signed legislation comprehensively amending the UT Act. Among the changes were the allowance of dosages in liquid suspension, allowance of medical cannabis pharmacies to sell certain CBD products, creation of partial-year limited licenses for cannabis processing licensing facilities and operation of an independent testing laboratory by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (“UDAF”), expansion of the authority of the state’s Cannabinoid Product Board to review scientific research on the efficacy of products, and the state’s Compassionate Use Board to hear petitions for use, relaxation of certain patient limits

 

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on use and validity of medical cannabis cards and restrictions on medical providers, direction to the Department of Health to authorize out-of-state residents to purchase medical cannabis, and permission to the UDAF to conduct random sampling of medical cannabis in medical cannabis pharmacies.

VIRGINIA

Virginia Regulatory Landscape

In 2017, Virginia commenced a program to allow registered patients to use CBD oil or THC-A oil. The program is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-3442.5 et seq., and by emergency regulations enacted by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy (the “Virginia Board”) at 18 VAC 110-60-10 et seq. “Registered patients” means any Virginia resident who has received a written certification for the use of CBD oil or THC-A oil from a practitioner (which includes nurse practitioners and physician assistants) to alleviate the symptoms of any diagnosed condition or disease, and who has been issued a registration by the Virginia Board. Virginia’s program allows the Virginia Board to license “pharmaceutical processors,” which are vertically integrated operations that can cultivate, process, and dispense CBD oil and THC-A oil in concentrations to be established by the Virginia Board that cannot exceed 10 mg of THC per dose. The oils can be processed into other formulations, such as capsules or lozenges. The state has limited licensure to one pharmaceutical process per “health service area,” as defined by the State Board of Health. There are currently five health service areas. Following an initial cultivation period, pharmaceutical processors cannot maintain more than 12 cannabis plants per patient and cannot maintain CBD oil or THC-A oil in excess of what is required for normal operations.

In 2020, Virginia passed an act amending and reenacting Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-408.3 and 54.1-3442.5 et. seq (the “Amendment”). The Amendment allows for cannabis dispensing facilities, allows patients who are temporary residents to register, permits access to cultivation areas of the processor without a pharmacist on site, permits the Board to establish standards for testing laboratories to obtain controlled substance registration, permits the sale of devices and inert sample products, allows wholesale distribution between processors and dispensing facilities, changes every reference of “cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil” to “cannabis oil,” deletes the requirement for an in-person examination by the prescriber certifying a patient to receive cannabis oil and allow the use of telemedicine in compliance with federal law, allows the pharmacist-in-charge to authorize certain employees to access secured areas when a pharmacist is not on site, and allows a ratio of six pharmacy technicians per one pharmacist working in the processor.

In 2020, the Virginia Board amended Title 18 of the Virginia Administrative Code 110-60, et. seq. and in February 2021, the Virginia Board adopted emergency rules amending Title 18 of the Virginia Administrative Code 110-60, et. seq. effective February 8, 2021 through August 7, 2022. These rules and emergency rules implement the changes as laid out in the Amendment. “Cannabis dispensing facility” means a facility that (i) has obtained a permit from the Board pursuant to § 54.1-3442.6; (ii) is owned, at least in part, by a pharmaceutical processor; and (iii) dispenses cannabis oil produced by a pharmaceutical processor to a registered patient, his registered agent, or, if such patient is a minor or an incapacitated adult as defined in § 18.2-369, such patient’s parent or legal guardian. “Temporarily resides” means a person that does not maintain a principal place of residence within Virginia but resides in Virginia on a temporary basis as evidenced by documentation substantiating such temporary residence.

On April 7, 2021, a majority of both houses of the Virginia legislature voted to legalize adult-use marijuana. Virginia Senate Bill 1406/House Bill 2312 legalizes the retail sale of marijuana products to adults over the age of 21 and establishes the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority to oversee the cultivation, manufacture, wholesale, and retail sale of marijuana and marijuana products. Under the new law, home cultivation and personal possession of marijuana will become legal July 1, 2021, but retail sales will not begin until January 1, 2024.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiaries in the Commonwealth of Virginia) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

 

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Virginia License Requirements

The pharmaceutical processor permit application process includes three stages: initial application, awarding of conditional approval, and granting of a permit. In the first stage, the applicant must submit an application fee and an application that includes: identifying information regarding the applicant and its owners; the location within the health service area that is to be operated under such permit; financial information to demonstrate its capacity to build and operate a facility; a detailed security plan; documents establishing the applicant’s ability to conduct business in Virginia and its compliance with applicable ordinances and codes; information necessary for the Virginia Board to conduct criminal background checks; information about any previous or current involvement in the medical CBD oil or THC-A oil industry; information about any prior applications for medical CBD oil or THC-A oil licensure in any state; business or marketing plans; text and graphic materials showing the exterior appearance of the proposed facility; building documents including a detailed blueprint; documents related to any compassionate need program the pharmaceutical processor intends to offer; information about the applicant’s expertise in agriculture and other production techniques required to produce CBD oil or THC-A oil and to safely dispense such products; and other documents required by the Virginia Board. As part of the initial application process, the Virginia Board conducts criminal background checks on applicants.

Following the deadline for receipt of applications, the Virginia Board evaluates each complete and timely submitted application and may grant conditional approval based on the following criteria: the results of the criminal background checks or any history of disciplinary action imposed by a state or federal regulatory agency; the location for the proposed pharmaceutical processor, which shall not be within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare; the applicant’s ability to maintain adequate control against the diversion, theft, and loss of cannabis; the applicant’s ability to maintain the knowledge, understanding, judgment, procedures, security controls, and ethics to ensure optimal safety and accuracy in the dispensing and sale of CBD oil or THC-A oil; the extent to which the applicant or any of its the applicant’s pharmaceutical processor owners have a financial interest in another license, permit, registrant, or applicant; and any other reason provided by state or federal statute or regulation that is not inconsistent with the law and regulations regarding pharmaceutical processors. The Virginia Board may disqualify any applicant who submits an incomplete, false, inaccurate, or misleading application; fails to submit an application by the published deadline; fails to pay all applicable fees; or fails to comply with all requirements for a pharmaceutical processor.

Following review, the Virginia Board notifies applicants of denial or conditional approval. If granted conditional approval, an applicant has one year to complete all requirements for issuance of a permit to include employment of a Pharmacist-in-Charge (“PIC”) and other personnel necessary for operation of a pharmaceutical processor, the construction or remodeling of a facility, installation of equipment, and securing local zoning approval.

When the Virginia Board’s requirements have been met – including designation of a PIC, completion of background checks, employment of an electronic tracking system, and an inspection of the facility – the Virginia Board may grant a pharmaceutical processor permit. If an inspection reveals any deficiencies, they must be corrected, and a reinspection may be performed before the permit is issued. The applicant must also attest to compliance with state and local laws and ordinances.

If an applicant has been awarded a pharmaceutical processor permit and has not commenced operation of such facility within 180 days of being notified of the issuance of a pharmaceutical processor permit, the Virginia Board may rescind the permit, unless such delay was caused by circumstances beyond the control of the permit holder. If a permit is so rescinded, the Virginia Board may award a pharmaceutical processor permit to another qualified applicant. Once the permit is issued, cannabis may not be grown or held in the pharmaceutical processor earlier than two weeks prior to the opening date designated on the application. Once cannabis has been placed in the pharmaceutical processor, a pharmacist shall be present during hours of operation to ensure the safety, security, and integrity of the cannabis. If there is a change in the designated opening date, the pharmaceutical processor shall notify the Virginia Board, and a pharmacist shall continue to be on site on a daily basis.

 

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The Virginia Board may issue up to five cannabis dispensing facility permits in each health service area. A permit may be issued to a facility that is owned, at least in part, by the pharmaceutical processor located in that health service area for dispensing cannabis oil that has been cultivated and produced on the premises of the processor. Each dispensing facility shall be located within the same health service area as the pharmaceutical processor.

Applicants must submit an application and fee for each cannabis dispensing facility. The submission must also include (i) the name and address of the facility, (ii) the name and address of the facility’s owners with 5% or greater ownership, (iii) the name and signature of pharmacist-in-charge, (iv) details regarding the security plan and plan to prevent diversion, (v) information for the Virginia Board to conduct a background check, and (vi) the requisite fee.

The Virginia Board will conduct an inspection of the facility prior to issuing a permit. The permit shall not be awarded until any deficiency with the facility has been corrected and the facility has been satisfactorily inspected. The cannabis dispensing facility must be operational within 90 days of the date the permit is issued or the Virginia Board will either rescind or extend the permit.

Virginia Operating Requirements

Pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities are required to designate a PIC to manage its operation, and to have a supervising pharmacist on duty during its hours of operation. The PIC of a pharmaceutical processor may authorize certain employees’ access to secured areas designated for cultivation even when the pharmacist is not on the premises. Numerous tasks involving the handling of CBD oil or THC-A oil must be performed by a pharmacist or a pharmacy technician acting under a pharmacist’s supervision. Those tasks include, for example, labeling oils, removing oils from inventory, measuring oils for dispensing, and selling oils. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must have current licenses, and the ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians cannot exceed 4-to-1. The Virginia Board has also imposed certain educational requirements for the cultivation of cannabis plants and the extraction of oils. And, the Virginia Board requires significant employee training, both upon initial employment and continuously thereafter.

A pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility must operate for a minimum of 35 hours per week. Access to a pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility is limited to employees performing their job duties (who must display ID badges) and patients (and their parents or guardians). It must sell oils in a child-resistant container (with some exceptions). Pharmacists must counsel registered patients, parents, and legal guardians regarding the use of CBD oil or THC-A oil, including information related proper use and storage.

Pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities are subject to advertising restrictions; cannot sell products aside from CBD oil or THC-A oil; cannot cultivate, produce, or dispense oils anywhere except its designated facility; and cannot provide samples. Pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities may wholesale products to other pharmaceutical processors and may transport wholesale products to other pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities. A pharmaceutical processor wholesale distributing products must create a record of the transaction and provide the receiver of the products with a copy of the lab results for the product. They may also deliver CBD or THC-A oil to a registered patient in accordance with certain regulatory requirements.

The cultivation and dispensing processes are subject to numerous Virginia Board requirements. For cultivation: pesticides are prohibited (with some exception); oil extraction methods must meet industry standards; products must be branded, tested, and registered with the Virginia Board before they are dispensed; products must be labeled to disclose certain product identifying information; and samples from batches must be made available to independent laboratories for testing prior to sale. For dispensing: the pharmacist or pharmacy technician must view the patient’s ID before filling any portion of the patient’s prescription; the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility must maintain detailed dispensing records for three years; and the processor or

 

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dispensing must implement and comply with a quality assurance program, meeting several requirements, to prevent dispensing errors. Finally, unused cannabis and its oils must be disposed of in a manner that makes the cannabis and its oils unrecoverable.

Virginia Licenses

On September 25, 2018, the Virginia Board announced the conditional approval of pharmaceutical processor permits for each of Virginia’s five health service areas. Columbia Care was awarded conditional approval for Health Services Area V and is accordingly in the process of seeking a final permit to operate a facility in that area. Columbia Care Eastern Virginia LLC expects to receive the permit in the ordinary course of business; however, while Columbia Care’s compliance controls have been developed to mitigate the risk of any material deviations from an application requirement, there is no assurance that the permit will ultimately be granted.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care Eastern Virginia LLC    Pharmaceutical Processor Permit #240000002    Portsmouth, VA    04/31/22    Cultivation, Processing and Dispensary
Green Leaf Medical of Virginia, LLC    Pharmaceutical Processor Permit #240000003    Richmond, VA    5/31/22    Cultivation, Processing and Dispensary

Virginia Security, Transportation, and Storage Requirements

Pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities are subject to a number of inventory and security requirements. They must conduct an initial comprehensive inventory; establish ongoing inventory controls and procedures; conduct the requisite inventory reviewed (weekly inventory reviews for pharmaceutical processors and perpetual inventory for cannabis dispensing facilities); and prepare an annual inventory report. Inventory records must be made available to the Virginia Board and its agents. All parts of the cannabis plant and its oils must be stored in a locked and secured vault or safe with appropriate access limitations, and the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility must maintain a sophisticated security system meeting certain Virginia Board criteria. Storage of cannabis and its oils must generally be clean, sanitary, safe, and subject to a number of conditions. The pharmaceutical processor’s or cannabis dispensing facility’s video system must cover areas where cannabis or its oils are handled. Recordings must be stored for 30 days and made available for the Virginia Board’s immediate review upon request. Security events must be reported to the Virginia Board. Pharmaceutical processors and cannabis dispensing facilities may not transport cannabis or its oils to any other facility, except for the wholesale purposes specified above.

Virginia Board Inspections

At all times, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at the pharmaceutical processor or cannabis dispensing facility must have their current license or registration available for inspection by the Virginia Board or its agents.

WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington D.C. Regulatory Landscape

Washington D.C.’s medical marijuana program is governed by D.C. Code § 7-1671.01 et seq. and the Department of Health’s implementing regulations, CDCR 22-C100 et seq. The program authorizes patients with a qualifying medical or dental condition to use marijuana via inhalation, ingestion, or other means. Qualifying medical conditions include chemotherapy, the use of azidothymidine or protease inhibitors, radiotherapy, or any other treatment, as determined by rulemaking, whose side effects require treatment through the administration of

 

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medical marijuana in the same manner as a qualifying medical or dental condition. The program also authorizes patients from other states to purchase medical marijuana in Washington D.C. An emergency rulemaking action from the Mayor’s Office expanded the number of states whose medical cards the program will accept to include any state or U.S. territory that has an active medical marijuana program and issues either a card or state-issued document evidencing the patient’s participation in the program.

The medical marijuana program creates licensing regimes for dispensaries and cultivation centers. A dispensary registered to operate in the District of Columbia may (a) possess and sell medical marijuana to registered qualified patients and caregivers; and (b) manufacture, purchase, possess, and distribute paraphernalia and cigarette rolling papers to registered qualified patients and caregivers. A cultivation center registered to operate in the District of Columbia may: (a) possess, manufacture, grow, cultivate, and distribute medical marijuana for sale to registered dispensaries; and (b) manufacture, purchase, possess, and distribute paraphernalia and cigarette rolling papers to registered dispensaries. The number of dispensaries in the District of Columbia is capped at 7, with discretion for the mayor to increase the number to 8, while the number of cultivation centers is capped at 10. Currently, there are seven dispensaries and eight cultivation centers. There are also pending application processes for an additional dispensary license and two additional cultivation centers.

Columbia Care (through its subsidiaries in Washington D.C.) is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. License Requirements

Before issuing or renewing a registration or permit for either a business applicant or an individual applicant, the Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (“ABRA”) shall determine that the applicant meets all of the following criteria: the applicant is of good character and generally fit for the responsibilities of registration; the applicant is at least twenty-one (21) years of age; the applicant has not been convicted of any felony before filing the application; the applicant has not been convicted of a misdemeanor for a drug-related offense before filing the application; the applicant has paid the annual fee; the applicant is not a licensed physician making patient recommendations; the applicant is not a person whose authority to be a caregiver or qualified patient has been revoked by the ABRA; and the applicant has complied with the relevant laws and regulations. The application process is extensive and requires dispensaries to submit information about the proposed facility; a security plan; an inventory plan; a product safety and labeling plan; a business and marketing plan; comments from a neighborhood commission; and an educational materials plan. Cultivation centers must similarly submit information about the proposed facility; a security plan; a cultivation plan; a product safety and labeling plan; a business plan; comments from a neighborhood commission; and an environmental plan.

Applicants’ leadership team and personnel are also subject to scrutiny during the application process. Applicants must identify all of its directors, officers, members, or incorporators on its application. Those individuals and other agents of the applicant must submit to a registration process which includes (a) written statements or evidence establishing to the satisfaction of the ABRA that the applicant meets all of the registration qualifications; (b) a copy of the applicant’s medical marijuana training and education certificate, and (c) a criminal background check. An applicant’s managers and employees are subject to a similar registration process that involves a criminal background check.

Washington D.C. Security, Storage, and Transportation Requirements

Dispensaries and cultivation centers must comply with a number of security measures. Medical marijuana located on the premises must be stored in a separate storage area which is securely closed and locked when the establishment is prohibited from operating or is closed. The storage area shall have a volumetric intrusion detection device(s) installed and connected to the facility intrusion detection system. A cultivation center or dispensary must also install and use a highly secured safe for overnight storage of any processed marijuana, transaction records, and cash on the registered premises.

 

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A dispensary or cultivation center must operate and maintain in good working order a 24/7 closed-circuit television surveillance system on the premises that complies with several minimum standards, including: (1) the system must visually record and monitor the entire facility including entrances and exits, parking lots, limited access areas, and areas where medical marijuana is cultivated, stored, dispensed, or destroyed; (2) cameras must be adequate for the lighting, produce digital, time stamped video, and capable of producing a DVD; (3) the system must be in good working order, and malfunctions must be reported; (4) footage must be stored for 30 days. Upon request, recordings must be turned over to police or the Department. A dispensary or cultivation center must also install, maintain, and use a professionally monitored robbery and burglary alarm system meeting certain requirements.

Unused surplus marijuana must be weighed, documented, and submitted to the police for destruction. Stolen or lost marijuana must be reported to the police within 24 hours of becoming aware of the theft or loss.

In order to transport marijuana within the district, a cultivation center must obtain a transport permit from the ABRA. Each vehicle used for the transportation of marijuana must have its own original permit. Only cultivation center employees, directors, officers, members, incorporators, agents, or contracted agents may transport marijuana.

Washington D.C. Operational Requirements

Applicants for a cultivation center or dispensary must submit a proposed staffing plan; a proposed security plan meeting a number of criteria specified in CDCR 22-C5406.2 or C5405.2, respectively; a cultivation plan that covers where medical marijuana will be cultivated and stored (for cultivators); a product safety and labeling plan that satisfies several criteria specified in CDCR 22-C 5607; a written statement regarding the suitability of the proposed facility for the medical marijuana operation; and a notarized written statement from the applicant that they have read the District of Columbia’s medical marijuana law and have knowledge of the District of Columbia and federal laws relating to marijuana. Two or more cultivation centers may operate in the same building, provided that they maintain separate books and records and their own secure premises. And, a cultivation center and a dispensary may operate in the same building so long as they have the same ownership, maintain separate books and records, maintain separate secure space, and provided that patients and caregivers are prohibited from entering the cultivation area.

Department Inspections

The ABRA may conduct announced and unannounced investigations and inspections of cultivation centers and dispensaries. During such inspections and investigations, the ABRA may review the cultivation center’s confidential records, and failure by a dispensary or cultivation center to provide the ABRA with immediate access to requested information may result in a civil fine and further sanctions.

Washington D.C. Licenses

Columbia Care operates in Washington D.C., through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Columbia Care DC, and through a management services arrangement with VentureForth LLC. The table below describes the Cultivation Center Registration held by Columbia Care DC and the Dispensary Registration and Cultivation Center Registration held by VentureForth LLC.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care DC    Cultivation Center Registration #MMP00231    Washington D.C.    12/31/21    Cultivation

 

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Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

VentureForth LLC    Dispensary Registration #MMP00067    Washington D.C.    12/31/21    Dispensary
VentureForth LLC    Cultivation Center Registration #MMP00049    Washington D.C.    12/31/21    Cultivation

Registration renewals in Washington D.C. are granted annually. Prior to the third renewal, an advisory neighborhood commission is entitled to a comment period during which they can submit an objection to the renewal. Provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, and there are no material violations noted against the applicable registrations, Columbia Care DC and VentureForth LLC entities would expect to receive the applicable renewed registrations in the ordinary course of business.

WEST VIRGINIA (HEMP)

In 2002, the West Virginia Legislature passed the Industrial Hemp Development Act (the “WV Hemp Act”), which created the framework for legalized industrial hemp in West Virginia. Following passage of the 2014 Farm Bill, which authorized states to establish pilot programs for industrial hemp research, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture implemented a pilot program based on the authority already granted by the WV Hemp Act. From 2017 to 2019, the number of license-holders under the pilot program increased from 46 to 165. West Virginia’s 2019 amendments to the WV Hemp Act authorized the Commissioner of Agriculture to submit a state plan for regulation of industrial hemp to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval pursuant to the 2018 Farm Bill. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture submitted such a plan on January 23, 2020, with a proposed effective date of October 31, 2020. The plan proposed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture is consistent with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s existing industrial hemp program.

The industry hemp program subjects licensees to several regulatory requirements. These include crop-testing requirements to determine whether the hemp has a permissible THC level of under 0.3%; recordkeeping and reporting requirements; and submission to any inspection and sampling that the West Virginia Department of Agriculture deems necessary. Intentional violations of the WV Hemp Act and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s rules, as well as repeated negligent violations, may result in a loss of license.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

  

City

  

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

  

Description

Columbia Care WV Industrial Hemp LLC    Industrial Hemp License #0283    Morgantown, WV    12/31/21    Industrial Hemp

Columbia Care’s subsidiary, Columbia Care WV Industrial Hemp LLC, applied for and was granted a license to develop an industrial hemp farm in West Virginia. The license authorizes Columbia Care to grow, process, cultivate, store, and handle raw industrial hemp.

WEST VIRGINIA

Regulatory Landscape

Senate Bill 386, signed into law on April 19, 2017, by Governor Jim Justice, created the Medical Cannabis Act that allows for cannabis to be used for certified medical use by a West Virginia resident with a serious medical condition and is limited to the following forms: pill; oil; topical forms including gels, creams or ointments; a form medically appropriate for administration by vaporization or nebulization, dry leaf or plant form; tincture;

 

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liquid; or dermal patch. Medical cannabis may only be dispensed to a patient who receives a certification from a practitioner and is in possession of a valid identification card issued by the Bureau for Public Health (the “WV Bureau”); and a caregiver who is in possession of a valid identification card issued by the Bureau. Products packaged by a grower/processor or sold by a dispensary shall only be identified by the name of the grower/processor, the name of the dispensary, the form and species of medical cannabis, the percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol contained in the product.

A dispensary that has been issued a permit may lawfully dispense medical cannabis to a patient or caregiver upon presentation to the dispensary of a valid identification card for that patient or caregiver. The dispensary shall provide to the patient or caregiver a receipt, as appropriate. The receipt shall include all of the following: the name, address, and any identification number assigned to the dispensary by the WV Bureau; the name and address of the patient and caregiver; the date the medical cannabis was dispensed; any requirement or limitation by the practitioner as to the form of medical cannabis for the patient; and the form and the quantity of medical cannabis dispensed.

The WV Bureau and the Department of Revenue must monitor the price of medical cannabis sold by growers, processors and by dispensaries, including a per-dose price. If the WV Bureau and the Department of Revenue determine that the prices are unreasonable or excessive, the WV Bureau may implement a cap on the price of medical cannabis being sold for a period of six months.

The WV Bureau’s Office of Medical Cannabis (the “WV Office”) received applications for medical cannabis growers, processors, dispensaries, and laboratories in Spring 2020. The Office of Medical Cannabis issued 10 grower permits on October 3, 2020. It issued 10 processor permits on November 13, 2020. It issued 100 dispensary permits on January 29, 2021, and announced that, beginning February 3, 2021, West Virginia residents with serious medical conditions would be able to begin to submit applications to become registered patients.

Permits issued by the Office of Medical Cannabis are effective for one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed by applicants in good standing with the terms of a currently-effective permit. Permits may be suspended or revoked on the basis of failure to prevent diversion of medical cannabis, or violation of laws and rules applicable to medical cannabis businesses.

Successful Applications in West Virginia

On October 2, 2020, the Office announced the successful applicants for medical cannabis grower permits and Columbia Care WV, LLC was selected for a site in Falling Water, Berkley County, WV. On November 13, 2020, the WV Office announced the successful applicants for medical cannabis processor permits Columbia Care WV, LLC was selected for a site in Falling Water, Berkley County, WV.

On January 29, 2021, Columbia Care WV, LLC was awarded dispensary permits with respect to dispensary locations in Fayetteville, St. Albans, Morgantown, Beckley, and Williamstown.

Permit Requirements

In awarding a cannabis permit, the WV Bureau must make a determination: that the applicant will maintain effective control of and prevent diversion of medical cannabis; the applicant will comply with all applicable laws of West Virginia; if the applicant is a business entity, majority ownership in the business entity must be held by a state resident or residents; whether the applicant possesses the ability to obtain in an expeditious manner sufficient land, buildings, and equipment to properly grow, process, or dispense medical cannabis; and whether the applicant is able to implement and maintain security, tracking, recordkeeping, and surveillance systems

 

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relating to the acquisition, possession, growth, manufacture, sale, delivery, transportation, distribution, or the dispensing of medical cannabis as required by the WV Bureau. A permit is nontransferable. The fee for a permit as a grower/processor is $50,000.

 

Holding Entity

  

Permit/License

 

City

 

Expiration/Renewal
Date (if applicable)
(MM/DD/YY)

 

Description

Columbia Care WV LLC    GO2003   Falling Waters, WV   10/01/21   Cultivation
Columbia Care WV LLC    PO20004   Falling Waters, WV   11/13/21   Processor
Columbia Care WV LLC    D540058   Williamstown, WV   01/28/22   Dispensary
Columbia Care WV LLC    D100059   Fayetteville, WV   01/28/22   Dispensary
Columbia Care WV LLC    D310060   Morgantown, WV   01/28/22   Dispensary
Columbia Care WV LLC    D410061   Beckley, WV   01/28/22   Dispensary
Columbia Care WV LLC    D200062   St. Albans, WV   01/28/22   Dispensary

Reporting Requirements

A medical cannabis organization must implement an electronic inventory tracking system which shall be directly accessible to the WV Bureau through its electronic database that electronically tracks all medical cannabis on a daily basis. The system shall include tracking of all of the following: for a grower or processor, a seed-to-sale tracking system that tracks the medical cannabis from seed to plant until the medical cannabis is sold to a dispensary; for a dispensary, medical cannabis from purchase from the grower/processor to sale to a patient or caregiver and that includes information that verifies the validity of an identification card presented by the patient or caregiver; for a medical cannabis organization, a daily log of each day’s beginning inventory, acquisitions, amounts purchased and sold, disbursements, disposals and ending inventory.

Security, Transportation, and Storage Requirements

The WV Office is required to promulgate regulations that provide requirements relating to: shipping containers and packaging; the manner in which trucks, vans, trailers or other carriers will be secured; security systems that include a numbered seal on the trailer; obtaining copies of drivers’ licenses and registrations and other information related to security and tracking; use of GPS systems; number of drivers or other security required to ensure against storage or in-transit losses; recordkeeping for delivery and receipt of medical cannabis products; requirements to utilize any electronic tracking system required by the bureau; and transporting medical cannabis to a grower/processor, approved laboratory or dispensary. These regulations have not yet been promulgated.

EUROPEAN UNION REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

The following sections describe the legal and regulatory landscape in the European Union (“EU”) and the EU member states in which Columbia Care operates or is exploring business opportunities.

 

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While Columbia Care works to ensure that its operations comply with applicable EU and member state laws, regulations, and licensing requirements, for the reasons described above and the risks further described under the heading “Risk Factors”, there are significant risks associated with the business of Columbia Care. Readers are strongly encouraged to carefully read and consider all of the risk factors contained under the heading “Risk Factors” below.

Except as described above and elsewhere in this registration statement, Columbia Care is in compliance with applicable law and has not received any citations or notices of violation which may have an impact on the Columbia Care’s licenses, business activities or operations.

Medical Cannabis

In the absence of a clear EU definition of “medical cannabis”, from a legal and regulatory perspective, a distinction should be made between:

 

   

Cannabis-derived medicinal products: these are products which have obtained a marketing authorization from a regulatory authority (the European Medicines Agency at EU level or national competent authorities at EU member state level), after going through extensive clinical trials to test the products’ safety and effectiveness. These products are regulated as (cannabis-derived) “medicinal products” in accordance with the harmonized EU regulatory system set forth by EU Directive 2001/83/EC. To date, several cannabinoid-containing medicinal products have been authorized for marketing in the EU and certain EU member states; some are plant-based, i.e., Sativex® (nabiximols) and Epidyolex® (CBD); others are synthetic, i.e., Marinol® (dronabinol) and Cesamet® (nabilone).

 

   

Cannabis preparations for medical use: these are products which have not obtained a marketing authorization but are authorized through national distribution and use authorizations/licenses in certain EU member states. This may include raw cannabis, such as the flowering tops, compressed resin or hash, oils extracted from the plant, etc. Alternatively, raw cannabis can be transformed by a pharmacist into a magistral preparation in accordance with a medical prescription, or the raw cannabis may already have been transformed by the manufacturer into standardized cannabis preparations. These cannabis preparations can vary greatly in composition, depending for example on the strain of cannabis, the growing conditions and how the preparations are stored.

This section of the registration statement focuses only on such cannabis preparations for medical use, referred to as “medical cannabis”. Medical cannabis can be described as whole-plant cannabis-derived products (generally cannabis flower or oils) that are licensed by member state health systems for prescription by a doctor. As recognized by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (the “EMCDDA”), medical cannabis refers to a wide variety of preparations and products that may contain different active ingredients and use different routes of administration.

EU Regulatory Landscape

As the EU is not a party to the international conventions related to the control of drugs, the obligation to implement the provisions of said conventions sits with the individual EU member states. However, the EU has observer status in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (“CND”).

Also, from an EU perspective, the regulation of medical cannabis falls largely within the competence of the EU member states, which may decide to permit the medical use of cannabis preparations (without requiring a marketing authorization in accordance with EU Directive 2001/83/EC) under specific conditions. In this respect, Article 5(1) of Directive 2001/83/EC (which relates to so-called “named patient use” of medicinal products) states:

“a member state may, in accordance with legislation in force and to fulfil special needs, exclude from the provisions of this Directive medicinal products supplied in response to a bona fide unsolicited order,

 

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formulated in accordance with the specifications of an authorized healthcare professional and for use by an individual patient under his direct personal responsibility.”2

The use of medical cannabis can therefore only be authorized by member states upon medical prescription and when there is a medical need for the patient.

As a consequence of the above, the regulations with respect to medical cannabis vary greatly amongst member states. While some EU member states have adopted specific legal provisions and frameworks governing the distribution and use of medical cannabis, including Germany and the United Kingdom (“UK”), the status of medical cannabis in other member states remains unclear.

On February 13, 2019, the European Parliament adopted a motion for a resolution on use of cannabis for medicinal purposes recognizing that:

“UN conventions and international law do not prevent the medicinal use of cannabis or cannabis-based products for the treatment of specific medical conditions;” and

“EU Member States differ widely in their approach to cannabis legislation, including their legislation on cannabis for medical purposes, such as on the maximum allowed levels of THC and CBD concentrations, which can lead to difficulties for countries applying a more prudent approach”.3

In this respect, the European Parliament specifically called on the European Commission and member state authorities to (amongst other things):

“work together to provide a legal definition of medical cannabis, and to draw a clear distinction between cannabis-based medicines approved by the EMA or other regulatory agencies, medical cannabis not supported by clinical trials, and other applications of cannabis (e.g. recreational or industrial).”

At the reconvened 63rd session of the UN CND, which took place on December 2, 2020, the twelve (12) EU member states who are also members of the CND acted upon the World Health Organization (“WHO”) recommendations to adjust the classification of cannabis and cannabis-related substances under the international

drug conventions, while ensuring that they remain subject to the most relevant international control. The vote was in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2021/3 of November 23, 2020, which had stipulated the position to be taken by the relevant member states on behalf of the EU. In particular, the EU supported the deletion of cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as recommended by the WHO, considering that it would allow more research, in line with evidence-based drugs policy, on the medical use of cannabis and cannabis resin.

GERMANY

Germany Regulatory Landscape

The importation and distribution of medical cannabis in Germany is mainly covered by the German Narcotics Law (“Betäubungsmittelgesetz” – “BtMG”), the German Pharmaceutical Act (“Arzneimittelgesetz” – “AMG”), and the German Narcotics Foreign Trade Ordinance (“Betäubungsmittelaußenhandelsverordnung” – “BtMAHV”). The relevant competent authority is the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (“Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte” – “BfArM”), the Federal Cannabis Authority, a sub-unit of the BfArM (“Bundesopiumstelle”) and the German Federal authorities.

 

2 

Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use.

3 

European Parliament, Motion for a resolution on use of cannabis for medicinal purposes (2018/2775(RSP)).

 

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Cannabis is a narcotic drug according to sec. 1 (1) BtMG, as it is listed in Annexes I to III of the BtMG (exceptions include seeds, cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content not exceeding 0.2 %, etc. – these are not classified as narcotic drugs). Therefore, it is a criminal offence to illicitly cultivate, produce and trade in cannabis or, without engaging in its trade, to import, export, sell, supply, otherwise place it on the market or acquire or procure it in any other way (sec. 29 (1) sent. 1 no. 1 BtMG).

The Act on the Amendment of Narcotic Drugs and Other Regulations (Gesetz zur Änderung betäubungsmittelrechtlicher und anderer Vorschriften– “BtMRÄndG”), which came into force on March 10, 2017, amended the national narcotic laws and other related provisions thus legalizing the cultivation, distribution and consumption of cannabis for medical purposes. Prior to this legislative change, the import of cannabis was not permitted, and only in exceptional circumstances (upon medical prescription), pharmacies could request such medical cannabis (abroad) for specific patients, provided a special case-by-case approval issued by BfArM had been obtained. Since then, medical cannabis (cultivated for medical purposes in other countries in accordance with Articles 23 and 28 of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs) can be imported and marketed in Germany by private companies provided they have obtained the relevant licenses.

Prescribing and Dispensing Regime

These provisions enable doctors to prescribe medical cannabis for certain indications.

Medical cannabis is – in general – either distributed as a so-called magistral medicinal preparation (“Rezepturarzneimittel”) in the form of medicinal cannabis flowers, as a cannabis extract or as a specific composition of the active substance dronabinol (“THC”).

According to sec. 13 (2) sent. 1 BtMG, the supply of cannabis to patients is only permitted through pharmacies upon a special prescription for this purpose. The exact recipe instructions for such magistral preparations are laid down in the New Prescription Form, which is the standard work for drug production in pharmacies and is part of the German Drug Codex (“DAC”).

Reimbursement Regime

Health insurance is statutorily mandated in Germany, and residents are covered by either statutory health insurance plans (covering approximately 88% of the population) or private health insurance.

Until 2017, only cannabis-derived products authorized as finished medicinal products could be prescribed and marketed in Germany and basically only cannabis intended for the manufacture of finished medicinal products containing cannabis could be imported. Since March 10, 2017, it has become possible for medical cannabis to be prescribed at the expense of the Statutory Health Insurance companies in Germany upon their prior approval. The conditions are set out in sec. 31 (6) German Social Code Book V (“Fünftes Sozialgesetzbuch” – “SGB V”).

According to sec. 31 (6) SGB V insured persons with a serious disease are entitled to be supplied with cannabis in the form of dried flowers or extracts in standardized quality (and to be supplied with pharmaceuticals containing the active substances dronabinol or nabilone) if (i) a generally recognized treatment in accordance with medical standards is not available or – in the opinion of the treating physician – cannot be used in the individual case and (ii) there is a prospect of positive effect on the course of the disease or of serious symptoms.

The new Law for More Safety in the Supply of Pharmaceuticals in Germany (“Gesetz für mehr Sicherheit in der Arzneimittelversorgung” – “GSAV”) even facilitates access to medical cannabis for those patients who already have a prescription or who have been hospitalized and further enables patients to switch smoothly between cannabis products without having to wait for a respective approval.

As the costs of medical cannabis are now covered by the German health insurance, the demand for medical cannabis tripled from 27,000 prescriptions and 44,000 units of cannabis-containing preparations and unprocessed flowers in 2017 to 95,000 prescriptions and 145,000 units in 2019.

 

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Germany Licensing Requirements

In accordance with the current German regulatory regime, for private companies to import and distribute medical cannabis in Germany, a License for the Trade in Narcotic Drugs, an Import Authorization, and likely a Wholesale Trading Authorization, are required. The import license can only be obtained by a company with business activity in Germany.

 

  (a)

License for the Trade in Narcotics Drugs – Sec. 3 (1) BtMG

Sec 3 (1) BtMG stipulates that a license is required for all operations relating to the trading of narcotic drugs:

“A license issued by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices shall be required by any person who seeks to cultivate, produce or trade in narcotic drugs, or without engaging in their trade import, export, supply, sell, otherwise place them on the market or acquire them […].”

This license is issued for the relevant company, institution etc., for the respective site, and for the required scope of the trade in narcotic drugs. It is issued by the Federal Cannabis Agency (Cannabisagentur), a sub-unit of BfArM, upon application in accordance with sec. 1 German Narcotics Foreign Trade Ordinance (“BtMAHV”). BfArM shall decide on the issue of a license within three months of receipt of the application. Further details and requirements are regulated in sec. 3 – 10 BtMG and the BtMAHV.

 

  (b)

Import Authorization (for Narcotic Drugs) – Sec. 11 BtMG

For each import of narcotics, an import authorization issued by BfArM is required according to sec. 11 (1) sent. 1 BtMG. The procedure for issuing import authorizations is more specifically governed by the BtMAHV:

“Any person who seeks to import or export narcotic drugs in an individual case shall require an authorization from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in addition to the license required pursuant to sec. 3.”

BfArM may inter alia refuse the import license or restrict the quantity of the narcotics according to the estimate of cannabis as notified with the International Narcotics Control Board or if the safety or control of narcotics traffic cannot be guaranteed.

The import license is issued in triplicate on official forms. Two copies shall be sent to the importer and one copy to the authority responsible for narcotics control in the exporting country. Most countries make exports dependent on the existence of an import permit. The approval cannot be transferred to third parties (sec. 3 (2) sent. 1 BtMAHV). It shall be limited to a maximum of three months (six months for imports by sea) ((sec. 3 (2) sent. 2 BtMAHV). If the narcotics are not imported within this time frame, the import authorization must be returned to BfArM (Sec. 6 (3) BtMAHV).

Key requirements for the aforementioned licenses according to sec. 3 through 11 BtMG are:

 

  (i)

It must be ensured that one person is appointed at the company who is responsible for compliance with the regulations governing narcotics and the orders of the supervisory authorities for every place of business. Such responsible person must have the necessary expertise. According to sec. 6 BtMG, the expertise must be proven, depending on the type of business of the company. For import and distribution of narcotics, the expertise of the responsible person is proven by a certificate of completed vocational training as a merchant in wholesale and foreign trade in the fields of chemistry or pharmacy and by documentation confirming a period of practical work in the trade in narcotic drugs of at least one year. The applicant and the responsible person must be reliable. Concerns about reliability may arise, for example, from physical or mental handicaps, like addiction to alcohol or narcotics, as well as previous convictions, especially for narcotic drug offences.

 

  (ii)

Suitable premises, installations and security measures must be available (sec. 5 (1) no. 4 BtMG).

 

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  (iii)

The holder of a license according to sec. 3 BtMG has certain obligations after the license is issued, which include keeping records for each increase and decrease in stock according to sec. 17 BtMG as well as the submission of half-yearly notifications for each site of the quantity of the products to BfArM according to sec. 18 BtMG.

 

  (iv)

The holder of the license shall also inform BfArM of any changes of relevant information specified in sec. 7 BtMG (i.e., the information that shall be provided with the application).

 

  (v)

An application for a new license shall be required in the event of changes in the scope of trading with narcotic drugs, changes in respect of the person holding the license or the location of the sites.

 

  (c)

Wholesale Trading Authorization – Sec. 52 a AMG

Medical cannabis also falls under the definition of a medicinal product (sec. 2 (1) AMG), and in this respect:

“Any person, who engages in the wholesale trading of medicinal products […], requires an authorization to do so.” (Sec. 52a (1) sent. 1 AMG).

If private companies trade medical cannabis as wholesalers, a Wholesale Trading Authorization is required according to sec. 52a AMG. Wholesale trade is defined in sec. 4 (22) AMG:

“Wholesale trade in medicinal products is any professional or commercial activity for the purpose of doing business which consists of the procuring, storing, supplying or exporting of medicinal products, with the exception of the dispensing of medicinal products to consumers other than physicians, dentists, veterinarians or hospitals.”

Usually, the company which applies for the import license regarding the import of medical cannabis also has a German authorization on wholesale trading of medicinal products (“Großhandelserlaubnis”) in accordance with sec 52a AMG.

 

  (d)

Import Authorization – Sec. 72 AMG

If medical cannabis is imported from non-EU/EEA countries, an import authorization for medicinal products according to sec. 72 AMG is also required:

“A party wishing to bring: 1. medicinal products within the meaning of sec. 2 (1) or (2) no. 1 […] on a commercial or professional basis, into the purview of the present Act from countries which are not Member States of the European Communities or other States party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area shall require an authorization by the competent authority” (Sec. 72 (1) AMG).

 

  (e)

Further Possible Licensing Requirements

For medical cannabis treated with ionizing radiation, according to sec. 1 (3) (“Verordnung über radioaktive oder mit ionisierenden Strahlen behandelte Arzneimittel” – “AMRadV”), a marketing authorization may be required. This applies to cannabis, in the manufacture of which electron, gamma or x-ray radiation has been used to reduce the bacterial count.

For the sake of completeness, we note that several other licenses might also be required, i.e., a marketing authorization for cannabis-based medicinal products or, in case the medical cannabis is processed, packed, labeled etc. in Germany, a manufacturing authorization.

THE UNITED KINGDOM

The UK Regulatory Landscape

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001

(a) The legalization of medical cannabis

In June 2018, the Home Secretary announced a two-part review of the scheduling of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3998) (“2001 Regulations”). At that time, cannabis and many of its derivatives were Class B controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (“MDA”) and listed in Schedule 1 to the 2001 Regulations.

 

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The Class (A, B and C) of a controlled drug under the MDA broadly relates to the particular drug’s potential for harm and dictates the penalties for committing related offences (such as unlawful possession). The scheduling (1 – 5) of a controlled drug under the 2001 Regulations relates to the particular drug’s medical benefits and the conditions under which such drugs can be accessed for legitimate purposes (i.e., Schedule 1 controlled drugs are considered to have little or no known therapeutic value and are subject to the strictest restrictions).

The first part of the review, conducted by the Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Advisor to the UK Government, found that there was conclusive evidence of the therapeutic value of cannabis-based products for certain medical conditions and reasonable evidence of therapeutic benefit for several other medical conditions. On this basis, the review recommended that cannabis-based medicinal products be removed from Schedule 1 under the 2001 Regulations.

In light of this recommendation, the UK Government asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (“ACMD”) to provide short-term advice. Amongst other things, the ACMD recommended that cannabis-derived medicinal products of the appropriate medicinal standard be moved from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 of the 2001 Regulations. The ACMD also recommended that synthetic cannabinoids remain in Schedule 1 to the 2001 Regulations pending further consideration of their potential rescheduling.

Accepting these recommendations, the UK Government introduced the Misuse of Drugs (Amendments) (Cannabis and License Fees) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/1055), which came into force on November 1, 2018 and apply to England, Wales and Scotland. These Regulations amended the 2001 Regulations to reschedule “cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans” as Schedule 2 drugs, thereby allowing such products to be available by prescription, subject to certain controls and restrictions. Parallel changes were made to the relevant legislation applicable in Northern Ireland.

A “cannabis-based product for medicinal use” (“CBPM”) is defined as a preparation or other product which:

 

  i)

is or contains cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol or a cannabinol derivative (not being dronabinol or its stereoisomers); and

 

  ii)

is produced for medical use in humans; and

 

  iii)

is a medicinal product or a substance or preparation for use as an ingredient of, or in the production of an ingredient of, a medicinal product.

All other cannabis-based products not falling within this definition remain Schedule 1 drugs under the 2001 Regulations and are accessible only by Home Office license. However, products falling within the definition of “exempt product” under the 2001 Regulations are not subject to the restrictions on possession, production, supply, import or export. An “exempt product” is:

“a preparation or other product consisting of one or more component parts, any of which contains a controlled drug, where—

 

  (a)

the preparation or other product is not designed for administration of the controlled drug to a human being or animal;

 

  (b)

the controlled drug in any component part is packaged in such a form, or in combination with other active or inert substances in such a manner, that it cannot be recovered by readily applicable means or in a yield which constitutes a risk to health; and

 

  (c)

no one component part of the product or preparation contains more than one milligram of the controlled drug or one microgram in the case of lysergide or any other N -alkyl derivative of lysergamide;”

 

 

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Cannabis, cannabis resin, cannabinol and cannabinol derivatives (including cannabis-based medicinal products) remain Class B controlled drugs under the MDA.

The UK Government asked the ACMD to carry out a longer-term review of CBPMs, which (amongst other things) will:

 

   

Assess the impact of the change in legislation on CBPMs;

 

   

Provide advice on whether the scheduling of products falling within the definition of CBPM is appropriate;

 

   

Consider whether any further legislative amendments are required regarding CBPMs; and

 

   

Advise on the classification and rescheduling of synthetic cannabinoids under the MDA and 2001 Regulations.

The ACMD provided its report and recommendations on November 27, 2020. In summary, the ACMD recommended that:

 

   

The rescheduling of CBPMs remains appropriate and no further legislative amendments are required at this time. However, in the event that there is a marked increase in the number of CBPMs achieving marketing authorization and being individually considered as candidates for rescheduling, the ACMD will again review the scheduling of CBPMs as a whole;

 

   

The ACMD should be commissioned to conduct a further assessment of the impact of the rescheduling of CBPMs in the two years following the publication of the report as there is not yet sufficient evidence available to fully assess any and all consequences of the legislative change;

 

   

The availability of a patient registry for CBPMs should be recognized as crucial for future assessments of the impact of the rescheduling of such products and the UK government should continue to support the development of an official patient registry;

 

   

Research should be commissioned to assess the impacts of the rescheduling of CBPMs on public knowledge and attitudes towards cannabis, unlicensed CBPMs, licensed CBPMs and licensed cannabis-based medicines and to explore the safety, quality and efficacy of unlicensed CBPMs, licensed CBPMs and licensed cannabis- based medicines; and

 

   

Government departments should conduct a full review of international approaches to legislation facilitating the medicinal usage of cannabis-based medicines.

 

  (b)

General requirements and restrictions

The existing requirements for Schedule 2 controlled drugs apply to CBPMs. These include requirements in relation to safe custody, prescriptions, marked bottles and other containers, record keeping and preservation of documents, and destruction. For example:

 

   

A Schedule 2 controlled drug must be stored in a locked receptacle, usually in an appropriate controlled drugs cabinet or approved safe, which can only be opened by the person in lawful possession of the product or a person authorized by that person;

 

   

A person supplying a Schedule 2 controlled drug, otherwise than on prescription, to, for example, a practitioner, hospital, care home or laboratory, must ensure that the requisition for such drug was made in writing and (unless the supplier is a wholesale dealer) send the requisition to the relevant National Health Service (“NHS”) agency;

 

   

A person supplying a Schedule 2 controlled drug (e.g. a pharmacist) must (amongst other things) take certain steps to confirm that the prescription is compliant, the address of the person issuing the prescription is within the UK, and the signature on the prescription is genuine;

 

 

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The package and container of a Schedule 2 controlled drug must be plainly marked with the amount of the drug, including the amount in each dosage unit, and the percentage of each component which is a controlled drug;

 

   

Registers must be kept, for at least two years, in respect of each class of Scheduled 2 controlled drug in accordance with specific requirements; and

 

   

Schedule 2 controlled drugs must only be destroyed in the presence of a person authorized by the Home Office.

 

  (c)

Access restrictions

Schedule 2 drugs can generally be prescribed by a medical practitioner. However, additional restrictions for medical cannabis (i.e., cannabis-based products without a marketing authorization) apply. Such products can only be prescribed by a doctor on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council (“GMC”) or be supplied in the context of a clinical trial (provided the legislation regulating clinical trials is fully complied with). This restriction is removed for medicinal cannabis products with a marketing authorization, which can be prescribed by a general practitioner for patient use as with other Schedule 2 drugs. The rescheduling of CBPMs therefore brings medical cannabis (i.e., those products without a marketing authorization) into the existing UK “Specials” medicines framework, outlined below.

The Human Medicines Regulations 2012

 

  (a)

Special medicines framework

The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1916) (“HM Regulations”) implement Directive 2001/83/EC into UK domestic law. In the case of cannabis-based medicinal products, a marketing authorization means that the product can be prescribed by a general practitioner in the UK. However, as indicated above, there are a number of exemptions to the requirement to obtain a marketing authorization, which recognize the need to allow unauthorized products to be supplied to meet the special needs of a particular patient (among other exemptions). This exemption is known as the “Specials regime” and is based on the aforementioned Article 5(1) of EU Directive 2001/83/EC.

Under the Specials regime, an unauthorized medicinal product should not be supplied where an equivalent authorized medical product can meet the special clinical needs of the particular patient. Guidance published by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (“MHRA”) provides that anyone supplying an unlicensed CBPM must be satisfied as to the existence of a special need, and that the MHRA expects that documentary evidence of this special need should be obtained by manufacturers, importers or distributors.

NHS England has also confirmed that it expects that rigorous and auditable safeguards around the prescribing of medical cannabis will be followed, and that such products will only be prescribed for indications where there is clear published evidence of benefit and where established treatment options have been exhausted.30

Concern has been expressed that patients in the UK who meet the special needs test are not readily able to access prescriptions for medical cannabis and that the current prescribing guidelines for the specialist doctors are overly restrictive. In light of this, further measures are anticipated noting, in particular, that:

NHS England has been asked to carry out a “process evaluation” as soon as possible to assess barriers to prescribing medical cannabis;

The National Institute for Health Research (“NIHR”) and the relevant drug companies have been asked to produce evidence around medical cannabis to improve the evidence base. The NIHR has since issued two calls for research proposals;

 

 

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NHS England and Health Education England have produced an online training program for doctors to support them in prescribing medical cannabis;

In November 2019, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (“NICE”) published guidelines for prescribing medical cannabis in the UK; and

The results of a Parliamentary inquiry by the Health and Social Care Select Committee (“HSCSC”) into the usage of medical cannabis in the UK were published on 3 July 2019. The HSCSC made a number of recommendations, including calling on NIHR and the Department of Health and Social Care to encourage and focus research into those specific conditions where the Chief Medical Officer’s report found good evidence for the use of cannabis based medicinal products.

 

  (b)

General requirements and restrictions

The HM Regulations, along with MHRA guidance on the supply of Specials, impose a number of requirements on manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and other suppliers of medicinal products containing narcotics, including cannabis, including in relation to packaging and labeling, advertising, pharmacovigilance and record keeping. For example:

 

   

Medical cannabis should be labeled in accordance with best practice and, at a minimum, should include the name of the product, a statement of the content/ratio of THC/CBD, the route of administration, the dosage, and special warnings. Separately, when the product is dispensed, the pharmacist should ensure that the usual dispensing label provisions are applied;

 

   

Medical cannabis must not be advertised. There are some limited exemptions, including where trade catalogue or circular is sent to an authorized healthcare professional in order to respond to an unsolicited request for information on the range of products supplied, provided no product claim is made;

 

   

All persons selling or supplying medical cannabis (including manufacturers, importers, distributers, and specialist doctors) must report any suspected adverse drug reactions and failures of efficacy. Wholesalers are under an obligation to keep records and report any serious adverse reactions to the MHRA; and

 

   

Persons selling or supplying medical cannabis in the UK must maintain records for at least five years containing prescribed information, including the names of each product and the brand/supplier, the source of each product, to whom and when each supply was made, and a record of any suspected adverse reactions. Each person must make the records available for inspection by the MHRA on request.

UK Licensing Requirements

The MDA, 2001 Regulations and/or HM Regulations impose restrictions on, and/or require licenses be held by persons manufacturing/producing, importing, distributing, supplying, possessing and exporting medical cannabis. For example:

 

   

A manufacturer or producer of medical cannabis in the UK must hold a manufacturer’s (specials) license under the HM Regulations and a Home Office license under the MDA and 2001 Regulations, unless an exemption applies;

 

   

An importer of medical cannabis into the UK must hold a Home Office license under the MDA, in addition to either a (i) wholesale dealer’s license (if the product is to be imported from an EEA member state), or (ii) manufacturer’s (specials) license (if the product is to be imported from a third country) under the HM Regulations. In addition, following the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union

 

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on January 31, 2020 and the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020, a wholesale dealer in Great Britain must employ a Responsible Person (import) (RPi) resident in the UK in relation to products imported from the EEA and may only import Qualified Person (QP) certified medicines from the EEA if certain checks are made by the RPi;

 

   

Distribution by wholesale dealing (i.e. excluding supply of the products to the public) must be through licensed wholesale dealers under the HM Regulations. Home Office licenses for possession and supply will also be required for activities associated with distribution (such as possession and supply), unless an exemption applies;

 

   

Medical cannabis without a marketing authorization can only be prescribed to a patient by a doctor on the Specialist Register of the GMC under the 2001 Regulations. Patients are able to lawfully possess the product for medical use in accordance with a valid prescription; and

 

   

Medical cannabis that is lawfully manufactured in, or imported into, the UK pursuant to a manufacturer’s (specials) license or a wholesale dealer’s license may be exported to other EU/EEA countries, provided it is lawful in the receiving country and the exporter complies with the relevant national requirements of the receiving country. Medical cannabis exported to non-EU/EEA countries are not “Specials” and so must be manufactured by the holder of an ordinary manufacturer’s license, batch released and certified by a qualified person. A Home Office license will also be required for export under the MDA.

 

   

For certain groups, for example, pharmacists and persons carrying out a retail pharmacy business, the 2001 Regulations allow the possession, supply and production of controlled drugs without the need for a Home Office license.

CBD based consumer products

EU Regulatory Landscape

Cannabidiol (“CBD”) in its own right is not considered a controlled substance at international or national level. It is not included in the Schedules to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 or the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. This position has been confirmed by the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (“ECDD”) in its comprehensive Critical Review Report of CBD of June 2018, which further states that “there is no evidence of […] any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” The ECDD accordingly recommended that “preparations considered to be pure CBD should not be scheduled within the international drug conventions” as CBD does not have psychoactive properties and presents no potential for abuse or dependence.” Consequently, the WHO has confirmed that its legal status in countries is something for national regulators to decide.

In its Kanavape judgment dated November 19, 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) unequivocally confirmed that CBD is not a narcotic drug, including CBD extracted from the Cannabis sativa L. plant in its entirety (and thus not only its seeds and/or fiber), and that member states may not prohibit its marketing as such. By means of this landmark judgment, the CJEU ended the on-going debate in Europe whether CBD extracted from the hemp plant should be considered as a narcotic drug because it constitutes a “cannabis extract” within the meaning of Schedule I of the Single Convention. The Court ruled that:

“since CBD does not contain a psychoactive ingredient in the current state of scientific knowledge […], it would be contrary to the purpose and general spirit of the Single Convention to include it under the definition of ‘drugs’ within the meaning of that convention as a cannabis extract.”

The CJEU’s judgment has important implications for the use of CBD in food in particular. The General Food Law Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 establishes that only safe food can be placed on the EU market and establishes basic criteria for establishing whether a food is safe. It aims to ensure free movement of food

 

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manufactured and marketed in the EU and establishes a principle of risk analysis based on scientific and technical evaluations undertaken by the European Food Safety Authority (“EFSA”). Article 2 of the EU General Food Law Regulation specifies that food shall not include […]

“narcotic or psychotropic substances within the meaning of the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.”

Consequently, through its ruling that CBD is not a narcotic drug under the Single Convention, the Court thereby also confirmed that CBD may generally be used in food and beverages in the European Union.

CBD is currently considered a so-called “novel food” in accordance with the EU Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 given that the European Commission takes the view that CBD was not used as a food or food ingredient before 15 May 1997 and a history of consumption has not been demonstrated.42 The (non-binding) EU Novel Food Catalogue confirms this through its entry for cannabinoids in general:

“The hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.) contains a number of cannabinoids and the most common ones are as follows: […] cannabidiol (CBD) […]. Without prejudice to the information provided in the novel food catalogue for the entry relating to Cannabis sativa L., extracts of Cannabis sativa L. and derived products containing cannabinoids are considered novel foods as a history of consumption has not been demonstrated. This applies to both the extracts themselves and any products to which they are added as an ingredient (such as hemp seed oil). This also applies to extracts of other plants containing cannabinoids. Synthetically obtained cannabinoids are considered as novel.” 43

CBD extracts and food products (including beverages) containing CBD may therefore only be placed on the market as a food or food ingredient in the EU following a safety assessment and authorization in accordance with the EU Novel Food Regulation, which results in the European Commission adopting an implementing act authorizing the placing on the market of a novel food and updating the so-called Union list. If the novel food is liable to have an effect on human health, the Commission will request EFSA to carry out a risk assessment. Following the aforementioned Kanavape judgment, the European Commission confirmed in a public statement that the currently pending novel food applications for CBD are being evaluated and processed.

In the United Kingdom, which is no longer a member state of the European Union, the UK Food Standards Agency (“FSA”) has taken the position that CBD containing food products which were on sale in the UK on February 13, 202044 and are linked to an application which is submitted to the FSA by March 31, 202145 can remain on sale in England and Wales pending the assessment of these applications, i.e., until they have been considered by independent scientific committees and a decision on authorization has been made.

Available Information

Our website address is https://col-care.com/. Through this website, our filings with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, will be accessible (free of charge) as soon as reasonably practicable after materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information provided on our website is not part of this registration statement.

You also may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

 

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ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to Our Business

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and enforcement of cannabis laws could change.

Columbia Care both directly and indirectly engages in the cannabis industry in the United States where local and state laws permit such activities. Investors are cautioned that in the United States, cannabis is largely regulated at the state level. To Columbia Care’s knowledge, 37 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands have passed laws broadly legalizing marijuana for medicinal use by eligible patients, although Mississippi’s medical cannabis legalization measure is under challenge. In the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and 18 of these states, marijuana has been legalized for adult use, although not all of those jurisdictions have fully implemented their legalization programs and the voter-approved constitutional amendment legalizing adult-use marijuana in South Dakota is currently being challenged. These include the states and territories in which Columbia Care operates. Notwithstanding the permissive regulatory environment of cannabis at the state level, cannabis continues to be categorized as a controlled substance under the CSA and as such, cultivation, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis violates federal law in the United States. The inconsistency between federal and state laws and regulations is a major risk factor.

Federal prosecutors are free to utilize their prosecutorial discretion to decide whether to prosecute cannabis activities despite the existence of state-level laws that may be inconsistent with federal prohibitions. No direction was given to federal prosecutors under the previous U.S. presidential administration as to the priority they should ascribe to such cannabis activities, and resultantly it is uncertain how active federal prosecutors will be in relation to such activities It is not yet known whether the Department of Justice under President Biden and Attorney General Garland will re- adopt the Cole Memorandum or announce a substantive marijuana enforcement policy. Justice Garland stated at a confirmation hearing before the United States Senate that “It does not seem to me a useful use of limited resources that we have, to be pursuing prosecutions in states that have legalized and that are regulating the use of marijuana, either medically or otherwise. I don’t think that’s a useful use.”1 Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the federal government will not seek to prosecute cases involving cannabis businesses that are otherwise compliant with state law. Federal law is separate from state law in these circumstances; therefore, the federal government can assert criminal violations of federal law despite state law. If the current administration was to aggressively pursue financiers or equity owners of cannabis-related businesses, and United States Attorneys followed such Department of Justice policies through pursuing prosecutions, then Columbia Care could face (i) seizure of its cash and other assets used to support or derived from its cannabis subsidiaries; and (ii) the arrest of its employees, directors, officers, managers and investors, who could face charges of ancillary criminal violations of the CSA for aiding and abetting and conspiring to violate the CSA by virtue of providing financial support to state-licensed or permitted cultivators, processors, distributors, and/or retailers of cannabis.

The Department of Justice under the current administration or an aggressive federal prosecutor could allege that Columbia Care and the Board and, potentially its shareholders, “aided and abetted” violations of federal law by providing finances and services to its operating subsidiaries. Under these circumstances, it is possible that the federal prosecutor would seek to seize the assets of Columbia Care, and to recover the “illicit profits” previously distributed to shareholders resulting from any of the foregoing financing or services. In these circumstances, Columbia Care’s operations would cease, Columbia Care securityholders may lose their entire investment and directors, officers and/or Columbia Care Shareholders may be left to defend any criminal charges against them at their own expense and, if convicted, be sent to federal prison. Violations of any federal laws could result in

 

1 

John Schroyer, (2021 February 22) Attorney general nominee Garland signals friendlier marijuana stance, available at https://mjbizdaily.com/attorney-general-nominee-merrick-garland-signals-friendlier-marijuana-stance/.

 

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significant fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, convictions or settlements arising from civil proceedings conducted by either the federal government or private citizens, or criminal charges, including, but not limited to, disgorgement of profits, cessation of business activities or divestiture. This could have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care, including its reputation and ability to conduct business, its holding (directly or indirectly) of cannabis licenses in the United States, the listing of its securities on the Exchanges or other applicable exchanges, its financial position, operating results, profitability or liquidity or the market price of its listed securities.

Overall, an investor’s contribution to and involvement in Columbia Care’s activities may result in federal civil and/or criminal prosecution, including forfeiture of his, her or its entire investment.

There is no guarantee that the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment will be renewed.

The Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment has been adopted by U.S. Congress in successive budgets since 2015. The Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment prohibits the Department of Justice from spending funds appropriated by Congress to enforce the tenets of the CSA against the medical cannabis industry in states which have legalized such activity. This amendment has historically been passed as an amendment to omnibus appropriations bills, which by their nature expire at the end of a fiscal year or other defined term. The Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment was extended most recently in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2021, which funds the agencies of the federal government through September 30, 2021. Notably, Rohrabacher-Farr has applied only to medical marijuana programs and has not provided the same protections to enforcement against adult-use activities. There is no guarantee that the Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment will be included in future legislation.

There is a risk of civil asset forfeiture of the Company’s assets.

Since the cannabis industry remains illegal under U.S. federal law, any property owned by participants in the cannabis industry which are either used in the course of conducting such business, or are the proceeds of such business, could be subject to seizure by law enforcement and subsequent civil asset forfeiture. Even if the owner of the property was never charged with a crime, the property in question could still be seized and subject to an administrative proceeding by which, with minimal due process, it could be subject to forfeiture.

The Company is subject to anti-money laundering laws and regulations.

Columbia Care is subject to a variety of laws and regulations domestically and in the United States that involve money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crime, including the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), Sections 1956 and 1957 of U.S.C. Title 18 (the Money Laundering Control Act), the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, the Criminal Code (Canada) and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by governmental authorities in the United States and Canada. Banks often refuse to provide banking services to businesses involved in the U.S. cannabis industry due to the present state of the laws and regulations governing financial institutions in the United States. The lack of banking and financial services presents unique and significant challenges to businesses in the medical cannabis industry. The potential lack of a secure place in which to deposit and store cash, the inability to pay creditors through the issuance of checks and the inability to secure traditional forms of operational financing, such as lines of credit, are some of the many challenges presented by the unavailability of traditional banking and financial services.

In February 2014, FinCEN, a division of the U.S. Department of Treasury, issued the FinCEN Guidance, providing instructions to banks seeking to provide services to cannabis-related businesses. The FinCEN Guidance states that in some circumstances, it is permissible for banks to provide services to cannabis-related businesses without risking prosecution for violation of federal money laundering laws. It refers to supplementary

 

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guidance that former Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole issued to federal prosecutors relating to the prosecution of money laundering offenses predicated on cannabis-related violations of the CSA. While the FinCEN Guidance has not been rescinded by the Department of Justice at this time, it remains unclear whether the current administration will follow its guidelines. Overall, the Department of Justice continues to have the right and power to prosecute crimes committed by banks and financial institutions, such as money laundering and violations of the Bank Secrecy Act that occur in any state, including in states that have legalized the applicable conduct, and the Department of Justice’s current enforcement priorities could change for any number of reasons, including a change in the opinions of the President of the United States or the United States Attorney General. A change in the Department of Justice’s enforcement priorities could result in the Department of Justice prosecuting banks and financial institutions for crimes that previously were not prosecuted.

On March 18, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives reintroduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act (commonly known as the “SAFE Banking Act”) which had previously passed in the House in 2019 and which aims to provide safe harbor and guidance to financial institutions that work with legal U.S. cannabis businesses. On March 23, 2021, the bill was reintroduced in the Senate as well. On April 19, 2021 the House passed the SAFE Banking Act by a vote of 321-101. The bill now moves to the Senate. There is no guarantee the SAFE Banking Act will become law in its current form, if at all.

In the event that any of Columbia Care’s operations, or any proceeds thereof, any dividends or distributions therefrom, or any profits or revenues accruing from such operations in the United States were found to be in violation of money laundering legislation or otherwise, such transactions may be viewed as proceeds of crime under one or more of the statutes noted above or any other applicable legislation. This could restrict or otherwise jeopardize the ability of Columbia Care to declare or pay dividends, effect other distributions or subsequently repatriate such funds back to Canada. Furthermore, while there are no current intentions to declare or pay dividends on the Common Shares in the foreseeable future, in the event that a determination was made that Columbia Care’s proceeds from operations (or any future operations or investments in the United States) could reasonably be shown to constitute proceeds of crime, Columbia Care may decide or be required to suspend declaring or paying dividends without advance notice and for an indefinite period of time.

U.S. border officials could deny entry into the U.S. to employees of, or investors in companies with cannabis operations in the United States.

Since cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law, those employed at or investing in legal and licensed cannabis companies could face detention, denial of entry or lifetime bans from the U.S. for their business associations with U.S. cannabis businesses. Entry happens at the sole discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on duty, and these officers have wide latitude to ask questions to determine the admissibility of a foreign national. The Government of Canada has warned travelers on its website that previous use of cannabis, or any substance prohibited by U.S. federal laws, could mean denial of entry to the U.S. In addition, business or financial involvement in the legal cannabis industry in the United States could also be reason enough for U.S. border guards to deny entry. On September 21, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a statement outlining its current position with respect to enforcement of the laws of the United States. It stated that U.S. Customs and Border Protection enforcement of United States laws regarding controlled substances has not changed and because cannabis continues to be a controlled substance under United States law, working in or facilitating the proliferation of the legal cannabis industry in U.S. states where it is deemed legal may affect admissibility to the U.S. As a result, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has affirmed that, a Canadian citizen working in or facilitating the proliferation of the legal cannabis industry in Canada, coming to the U.S. for reasons unrelated to the cannabis industry, will generally be admissible to the U.S.; however, if a traveler is found to be coming to the U.S. for reasons related to the cannabis industry, they may be deemed inadmissible.

The Company may lack of access to U.S. bankruptcy protections.

Since the use of cannabis is illegal under federal law, many courts have denied cannabis businesses bankruptcy protections, thus making it very difficult for lenders to recoup their investments in the cannabis industry in the

 

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event of a bankruptcy. If Columbia Care were to experience a bankruptcy, there is no guarantee that U.S. federal bankruptcy protections would be available to Columbia Care’s United States subsidiaries and operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and prospects of Columbia Care and on the rights of lenders to and securityholders of Columbia Care.

The Company may face heightened scrutiny by regulatory authorities.

For the reasons set forth above, Columbia Care’s existing operations in the United States, and any future operations or investments, may become the subject of heightened scrutiny by regulators, stock exchanges and other authorities in Canada and the U.S. As a result, Columbia Care may be subject to significant direct and indirect interaction with public officials. There can be no assurance that this heightened scrutiny will not in turn lead to the imposition of certain restrictions on Columbia Care’s ability to operate or invest in the United States or any other jurisdiction, in addition to those restrictions described herein. It had been reported in Canada that the Canadian Depository for Securities Limited was considering a policy shift that would see its subsidiary, CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (“CDS”), refuse to settle trades for cannabis issuers that have activities in the United States. CDS is Canada’s central securities depository, clearing and settling trades in the Canadian equity, fixed income and money markets. The TMX Group, the owner and operator of CDS, subsequently issued a statement on August 17, 2017 reaffirming that there is no CDS ban on the clearing of securities of issuers with cannabis related activities in the United States, despite media reports to the contrary and that the TMX Group was working with regulators to arrive at a solution that will clarify this matter, which would be communicated at a later time.

On February 8, 2018, following discussions with the Canadian Securities Administrators and recognized Canadian securities exchanges, the TMX Group announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the NEO Exchange, the CSE, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and the TSX Venture Exchange. The MOU outlines the parties’ understanding of Canada’s regulatory framework applicable to the rules, procedures, and regulatory oversight of the exchanges and CDS as it relates to issuers with cannabis-related activities in the United States. The MOU confirms, with respect to the clearing of listed securities, that CDS relies on the exchanges to review the conduct of listed issuers.

As a result, there is no CDS ban on the clearing of securities of issuers with cannabis-related activities in the United States. However, there can be no guarantee that this approach to regulation will continue in the future. If such a ban were to be implemented at a time when the Common Shares or other securities of Columbia Care are listed on a stock exchange, it would have a material adverse effect on the ability of holders of Common Shares or such other securities to make and settle trades. In particular, the Common Shares or such other securities would become highly illiquid as until an alternative was implemented, investors would have no ability to effect a trade of the Common Shares or such other securities through the facilities of the applicable stock exchange.

Residents of the United States may be unable to settle trades of Columbia Care securities.

Given the heightened risk profile associated with cannabis in the United States, capital markets participants may be unwilling to assist with the settlement of trades for U.S. resident securityholders of companies with operations in the United States cannabis industry which may prohibit or significantly impair the ability of securityholders in the United States to trade the securities of Columbia Care. In the event residents of the United States are unable to settle trades of Columbia Care securities, this may affect the pricing of such securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices and the liquidity of these securities.

The cannabis industry may experience legal, regulatory or political change.

The success of the business strategy of Columbia Care depends on the legality of the cannabis industry. The political environment surrounding the cannabis industry in general can be volatile and the regulatory framework remains in flux. To Columbia Care’s knowledge, there are to date a total of 47 states, and the District of

 

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Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam that have legalized cannabis in some form; however, the risk remains that a shift in the regulatory or political realm could occur and have a drastic impact on the industry as a whole, adversely impacting Columbia Care’s business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects. Delays in enactment of new state or federal regulations could restrict the ability of Columbia Care to reach strategic growth targets and lower return on investor capital. The strategic growth strategy of Columbia Care is reliant upon certain federal and state regulations being enacted to facilitate the legalization of medical cannabis. If such regulations are not enacted, or enacted but subsequently repealed or amended, or enacted with prolonged phase-in periods, the growth targets of Columbia Care, and thus, the effect on the return of investor capital, could be detrimental. Columbia Care is unable to predict with certainty when and how the outcome of these complex regulatory and legislative proceedings will affect its business and growth.

Further, there is no guarantee that state laws legalizing and regulating the sale and use of cannabis will not be repealed or overturned, or that local governmental authorities will not limit the applicability of state laws within their respective jurisdictions. If the federal government begins to enforce federal laws relating to cannabis in states where the sale and use of cannabis is currently legal, or if existing applicable state laws are repealed or curtailed, Columbia Care’s business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects would be materially adversely affected. It is also important to note that local and city ordinances may strictly limit and/or restrict the sale of cannabis in a manner that will make it extremely difficult or impossible to transact business that is necessary for the continued operation of the cannabis industry. Federal actions against individuals or entities engaged in the cannabis industry or a repeal of applicable cannabis related legislation could adversely affect Columbia Care and its business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

Columbia Care is aware that multiple states are considering special taxes or fees on businesses in the cannabis industry. It is a potential yet unknown risk at this time that other states are in the process of reviewing such additional fees and taxation. This could have a material adverse effect upon Columbia Care’s business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

Overall, the cannabis industry is subject to significant regulatory change at the local, state and federal levels. The inability of Columbia Care to respond to the changing regulatory landscape may cause it to be unsuccessful in capturing significant market share and could otherwise harm its business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

Columbia Care may have difficulty accessing the services of banks, which may make it difficult to operate its business.

Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by cannabis-related conduct can form the basis for prosecution under the federal money laundering statutes, unlicensed money transmitter statute and the Bank Secrecy Act. Previous guidance issued by the FinCEN clarifies how financial institutions can provide services to cannabis-related businesses consistent with their obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. Prior to the DOJ’s announcement in January 2018 of the rescission of the Cole Memo and related memoranda, supplemental guidance from the DOJ directed federal prosecutors to consider the federal enforcement priorities enumerated in the Cole Memo when determining whether to charge institutions or individuals with any of the financial crimes described above based upon cannabis-related activity. It is unclear what impact the rescission of the Cole Memo will have, but federal prosecutors may increase enforcement activities against institutions or individuals that are conducting financial transactions related to cannabis activities. The increased uncertainty surrounding financial transactions related to cannabis activities may also result in financial institutions discontinuing services to the cannabis industry.

Consequently, those businesses involved in the regulated cannabis industry continue to encounter difficulty establishing banking relationships, which may increase over time. Columbia Care’s inability to maintain its current bank accounts would make it difficult for Columbia Care to operate its business, increase its operating costs, and pose additional operational, logistical and security challenges and could result in its inability to implement its business plan.

 

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Columbia Care may have difficulty accessing public and private capital.

Columbia Care has historically and will continue to have access to equity financing from the public capital markets by virtue of its status as a reporting issuer in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (other than Quebec).

Columbia Care has historically, and continues to have, access to equity and debt financing from the prospectus exempt (private placement) markets in Canada and the U.S. Columbia Care also has relationships with sources of private capital (such as funds and high net worth individuals) that could provide financing at a higher cost of capital.

While Columbia Care is not able to obtain bank financing in the U.S. or financing from other U.S. federally regulated entities, it currently has access to equity financing through the private markets in Canada and the U.S. Since the use of cannabis is illegal under U.S. federal law, and in light of concerns in the banking industry regarding money laundering and other federal financial crime related to cannabis, U.S. banks have been reluctant to accept deposit funds from businesses involved with the cannabis industry. Consequently, businesses involved in the cannabis industry often have difficulty finding a bank willing to accept their business. Likewise, cannabis businesses have limited access, if any, to credit card processing services. As a result, cannabis businesses in the U.S. are to a significant degree cash based. This complicates the implementation of financial controls and increases security issues.

Commercial banks, private equity firms and venture capital firms have approached the cannabis industry cautiously to date. However, there are increasing numbers of high-net-worth individuals and family offices that have made meaningful investments in companies and businesses similar to Columbia Care. Although there has been an increase in the amount of private financing available over the last several years, there is neither a broad nor deep pool of institutional capital that is available to cannabis license holders and license applicants. There can be no assurance that additional financing, if raised privately, will be available to Columbia Care when needed or on terms which are acceptable to Columbia Care. Columbia Care’s inability to raise financing to fund capital expenditures or acquisitions could limit its growth and may have a material adverse effect upon future profitability.

The Company may face unfavorable publicity or consumer perception.

Columbia Care believes the cannabis industry is highly dependent upon consumer perception regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of the cannabis produced. Consumer perception of Columbia Care’s products can be significantly influenced by scientific research or findings, regulatory investigations, litigation, media attention and other publicity regarding the consumption of medical cannabis products. There can be no assurance that future scientific research, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other research findings or publicity will be favorable to the medical cannabis market or any particular product, or consistent with earlier publicity. Columbia Care’s dependence upon consumer perceptions means that adverse scientific research reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other publicity, whether or not accurate or with merit, could have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care, the demand for products, and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of Columbia Care. Further, adverse publicity reports or other media attention regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of medical cannabis in general, or Columbia Care’s products specifically, or associating the consumption of medical cannabis with illness or other negative effects or events, could have such a material adverse effect. Such adverse publicity reports or other media attention could arise even if the adverse effects associated with such products resulted from consumers’ failure to consume such products legally, appropriately or as directed.

The results of future clinical research may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Research regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis or isolated cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC) remains in early stages. There have been relatively few clinical

 

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trials on the benefits of cannabis or isolated cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC). Future research studies and clinical trials may reach negative conclusions regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing, social acceptance or other facts and perceptions related to medical cannabis, which could have a material adverse effect on the demand for Columbia Care’s products with the potential to lead to a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Expansion into the adult-use cannabis market may subject the Company to additional regulation.

Columbia Care has obtained and may continue in the future to pursue licenses to permit the sale of adult-use cannabis where local state law permits such activities. Any change in Columbia Care’s strategy would involve the adoption of new local state regulations which are evolving rapidly. Sometimes new risks emerge and management may not be able to predict all of them or be able to predict how they may cause actual results to be different from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Failure to comply with the requirements of local state law or any failure to maintain its licenses would have a material adverse impact on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, with each new market that Columbia Care enters, it will incur ongoing costs and obligations related to regulatory compliance. Failure to comply with regulations may result in additional costs for corrective measures, penalties or restrictions imposed on its operations. In addition, changes in regulations, more vigorous enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events could require extensive changes to Columbia Care’s operations, increased compliance costs or give rise to material liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, adult use cannabis businesses are not protected by the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, meaning the risk of federal prosecution are higher for adult use businesses.

The Company’s business is subject to a variety of laws, regulations and guidelines.

Columbia Care’s business is subject to a variety of laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the cultivation, manufacture, management, transportation, processing, storage and disposal of cannabis, including laws and regulations relating to health and safety, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment. Achievement of Columbia Care’s business objectives are contingent, in part, upon compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals. Changes to such laws, regulations and guidelines due to matters beyond the control of Columbia Care may cause material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

Columbia Care is required to obtain or renew government permits and licenses for its current and contemplated operations. Obtaining, amending or renewing the necessary governmental permits and licenses can be a time- consuming process potentially involving numerous regulatory agencies, involving public hearings and costly undertakings on Columbia Care’s part. The duration and success of Columbia Care’s efforts to obtain, amend and renew permits and licenses are contingent upon many variables not within its control, including the interpretation of applicable requirements implemented by the relevant permitting or licensing authority. Columbia Care may not be able to obtain, amend or renew permits or licenses that are necessary to its operations. Any unexpected delays or costs associated with the permitting and licensing process could impede the ongoing or proposed operations of Columbia Care. To the extent necessary permits or licenses are not obtained, amended or renewed, or are subsequently suspended or revoked, Columbia Care may be curtailed or prohibited from proceeding with its ongoing operations or planned development and commercialization activities. Such curtailment or prohibition may result in a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

While Columbia Care’s compliance controls have been developed to mitigate the risk of any material violations of any license or certificate it holds arising, there is no assurance that Columbia Care’s licenses or certificates will be renewed by each applicable regulatory authority in the future in a timely manner. Any unexpected delays or costs associated with the licensing renewal process for any of the licenses or certificates held by Columbia Care could impede the ongoing or planned operations of Columbia Care and have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

 

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Columbia Care may become involved in a number of government or agency proceedings, investigations and audits. The outcome of any regulatory or agency proceedings, investigations, audits, and other contingencies could harm Columbia Care’s reputation, require Columbia Care to take, or refrain from taking, actions that could harm its operations or require Columbia Care to pay substantial amounts of funds, harming its financial condition. There can be no assurance that any pending or future regulatory or agency proceedings, investigations and audits will not result in substantial costs or a diversion of management’s attention and resources or have a material adverse impact on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

Since Section 280E of the Code, as amended, prohibits businesses from deducting certain expenses associated with trafficking controlled substances, the Company will be precluded from claiming certain deductions otherwise available to non-cannabis businesses and, as a result, an otherwise profitable business may in fact operate at a loss after taking into account its income tax expenses.

Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code generally prohibits businesses from deducting or claiming tax credits with respect to expenses paid or incurred in carrying on any trade or business if such trade or business (or the activities which comprise such trade or business) consists of trafficking in controlled substances (within the meaning of Schedule I and II of the CSA) which is prohibited by U.S. federal law or the law of any state in which such trade or business is conducted. Section 280E currently applies to businesses operating in the cannabis industry, irrespective of whether such businesses that are licensed and operating in accordance with applicable state laws. The application the Internal Revenue Code Section 280E generally causes such businesses to pay higher effective U.S. federal tax rates than similar businesses in other industries. The impact of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E on the effective tax rate of a cannabis business generally depends on how large the ratio of non-deductible expenses is to the business’s total revenues. Columbia Care expects to be subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 280E. The application of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E to Columbia Care may adversely affect Columbia Care’s profitability and, in fact, may cause Columbia Care to operate at a loss. While recent legislative proposals, if enacted into law, could eliminate or diminish the application of Internal Revenue Code Section 280E to cannabis businesses, the enactment of any such law is uncertain. Accordingly, Internal Revenue Code Section 280E may to apply to Columbia Care indefinitely.

The Company’s service providers may suspend or withdraw their services.

As a result of any adverse change to the approach in enforcement of United States cannabis laws, adverse regulatory or political change, additional scrutiny by regulatory authorities, adverse change in public perception in respect of the consumption of cannabis or otherwise, third party service providers to Columbia Care could suspend or withdraw their services, which may have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, revenues, operating results, financial condition or prospects.

The Company may be unable to enforce its contracts.

It is a fundamental principle of law that a contract will not be enforced if it involves a violation of law or public policy. Since cannabis remains illegal in the United States at a federal level, judges in multiple U.S. states have on a number of occasions refused to enforce contracts for the repayment of money when the loan was used in connection with activities that violate federal law, even if there is no violation of state law. There remains doubt and uncertainty that Columbia Care will be able to legally enforce contracts it enters into if necessary. Columbia Care cannot be assured that it will have a remedy for breach of contract, which would have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, revenues, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

Ability to grow Columbia Care’s business depends on state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry.

Continued development of the cannabis industry depends upon continued legislative authorization of cannabis at the state level. The status quo of, or progress in, the regulated cannabis industry is not assured and any number of factors could slow or halt further progress in this area. While there may be ample public support for legislative

 

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action permitting the manufacture and use of cannabis, numerous factors impact the legislative process. For example, many states that voted to legalize medical and/or adult-use cannabis have seen significant delays in the drafting and implementation of industry regulations and issuance of licenses. In addition, burdensome regulation at the state level could slow or stop further development of the medical cannabis industry, such as limiting the medical conditions for which medical cannabis can be recommended by physicians for treatment, restricting the form in which cannabis can be consumed, imposing significant registration requirements on physicians and patients or imposing significant taxes on the growth, processing and/or retail sales of cannabis, which could have the impact of dampening growth of the cannabis industry and making it difficult for cannabis businesses to operate profitably in those states. Any one of these factors could slow or halt additional legislative authorization of cannabis, which could harm Columbia Care’s business, revenues, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

Reliable data on the cannabis industry is not available.

As a result of recent and ongoing regulatory and policy changes in the medical cannabis industry, the market data available is limited and unreliable. Federal and state laws prevent widespread participation and hinder market research. Therefore, market research and projections by Columbia Care of estimated total retail sales, demographics, demand, and similar consumer research, are based on assumptions from limited and unreliable market data, and generally represent the personal opinions of Columbia Care’s management team as of the applicable date of such research and projections.

Conversions and potential future sales of shares could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the common shares.

Subject to the restrictions set forth in the articles of Columbia Care (the “Articles”), Common Shares may at any time, at the option of the holder, be converted into Proportionate Voting Shares on the basis of 100 Common Shares for one Proportionate Voting Share. Subject to the restrictions set forth in Columbia Care’s Articles, each issued and outstanding Proportionate Voting Share may at any time, at the option of the holder, be converted into 100 Common Shares.

Further, Columbia Care cannot predict the size of future issuances of Common Shares or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of Common Shares will have on the market price of the Common Shares. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Shares, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for the Common Shares. The market price of the Common Shares could be adversely affected upon the expiration of lock up periods applicable to certain Columbia Care shareholders.

The Company may grow low quality cannabis.

Columbia Care currently operates in an early-stage market which has a small representation of medical or adult-use cannabis consumers. Should Columbia Care be unable to grow a quality product demanded by the consumers, this could have a material impact on Columbia Care’s revenues and average price per gram.

The Company faces risks inherent in the agricultural business.

Columbia Care’s business involves the growing of cannabis, which is an agricultural product. As such, the business is subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, including but not limited to, pests, plant diseases, crop failure and similar agricultural risks. Although Columbia Care grows some of its products indoors under climate-controlled conditions and carefully monitors the growing conditions of its products with trained personnel, there can be no assurance that natural elements will not have a material adverse effect on the volume, quality and consistency of its products and consequently on Columbia Care’s sales, profitability and financial condition.

 

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Climate change could exacerbate certain of the risks inherent in Columbia Care’s agricultural operations.

Climate change could result in increasing frequency and severity of weather-related events, resource shortages, changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities, water shortages and changing temperatures, and of which can damage or destroy crops, resulting in Columbia Care having no or limited cannabis flower to process. If Columbia Care is unable to harvest cannabis flower through its proprietary operations, its ability to meet customer demand, generate sales, and maintain operations will be impacted. Furthermore, severe weather-related events may result in substantial costs to Columbia Care, including costs to respond during the event, to recover from the event, and to possibly modify existing or future infrastructure requirements to prevent recurrence. Climate changes could also disrupt Columbia Care’s operations by impacting the availability and costs of materials needed for production and could increase insurance and other operating costs.

Columbia Care may be directly or indirectly exposed to climate change risk from natural disasters, changes in weather patterns and severe weather, which may result in physical damage to Columbia Care’s cultivation and processing facilities. Such damage may result in disrupted operations, and it may be difficult for Columbia Care to continue its business for a substantial period of time, which could materially adversely impact Columbia Care’s business, financial condition or operating results and could cause the market value of its Common Shares to decline. In addition, climate change has continued to attract the focus of governments, the scientific community and the general public as an important threat, given the emission of greenhouse gases and other activities continue to negatively impact the planet. Columbia Care faces the risk that its operations will be subject to government initiatives aimed at countering climate change, which could impose constraints on its operational flexibility.

The Company is exposed to product liability claims.

As a distributor of products designed to be ingested by humans, Columbia Care faces an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims, regulatory action and litigation if its products are alleged to have caused significant loss or injury. In addition, the sale of Columbia Care’s products involves the risk of injury to consumers due to tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination. Previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from human consumption of Columbia Care’s products alone or in combination with other medications or substances could occur. Columbia Care may be subject to various product liability claims, including, among others, that Columbia Care’s products caused injury or illness, include inadequate instructions for use or include inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects or interactions with other substances. A product liability claim or regulatory action against Columbia Care could result in increased costs, could adversely affect Columbia Care’s reputation with its clients and consumers generally, and could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition of Columbia Care.

The Company’s products may be subject to product recalls.

Manufacturers and distributors of products are sometimes subject to the recall or return of their products for a variety of reasons, including product defects, such as contamination, unintended harmful side effects or interactions with other substances, packaging safety and inadequate or inaccurate labelling disclosure. If any of Columbia Care’s products are recalled due to an alleged product defect or for any other reason, Columbia Care could be required to incur the unexpected expense of the recall and any legal proceedings that might arise in connection with the recall. Columbia Care may lose a significant amount of sales and may not be able to replace those sales at an acceptable margin or at all.

Significant failure or deterioration of Columbia Care’s quality control systems could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The quality and safety of Columbia Care’s products are critical to the success of its business and operations. As such, it is imperative that Columbia Care’s quality control systems operate effectively and successfully. Quality

 

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control systems can be negatively impacted by the design of the quality control systems, the quality training program, and adherence by employees to quality control guidelines. Although Columbia Care strives to ensure that it and any of its service providers have implemented and adhere to high caliber quality control systems, any significant failure or deterioration of such quality control systems could have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

The Company is subject to environmental risk and regulation.

Columbia Care’s operations are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors (or the equivalent thereof) and employees. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect Columbia Care’s operations.

Government approvals and permits are currently, and may in the future, be required in connection with Columbia Care’s operations. To the extent such approvals are required and not obtained, Columbia Care may be curtailed or prohibited from its current or proposed production, manufacturing or sale of cannabis or from proceeding with the development of its operations as currently proposed.

Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Columbia Care may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of its operations and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.

Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing the production or manufacturing of cannabis, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact on Columbia Care and cause increases in expenses, capital expenditures or production or manufacturing costs or reduction in levels of production or manufacturing or require abandonment or delays in development.

New tax legislation may have an adverse impact on the Company.

There have been several recent legislative, judicial and administrative changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws, including changes pursuant to the enactment of P.L. 115-97, which is informally titled the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” in December, 2017. In many respects, the individual and collective impact of these changes in law on the U.S. federal income taxation of corporations and their shareholders is uncertain and may not become evident for some time. Moreover, additional changes to U.S. federal income tax laws are likely to continue in the future, and any such changes could adversely impact Columbia Care or its shareholders.

The Company has limited operating history.

As a high growth enterprise, Columbia Care has a limited history of profitability. Columbia Care is therefore subject to many of the risks common to early-stage enterprises, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial, and other resources and lack of earnings. There is no assurance that Columbia Care will be successful in achieving a return on shareholders’ investment and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the early stage of operations.

 

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The Company had negative cash flow from operations during fiscal 2020.

During Fiscal 2020, Columbia Care sustained net losses from operations and had negative cash flow from operating activities. Columbia Care’s cash as at December 31, 2020 was approximately US$61.1 million. Columbia Care’s cash as at March 1, 2021 was approximately US $175.6 million. Although Columbia Care anticipates it will eventually have positive cash flow from operating activities, to the extent that Columbia Care has negative cash flow in any future period, certain of the proceeds from any offering of securities of Columbia Care may be used to fund such negative cash flow from operating activities.

The Company faces intense competition from other companies.

There is potential that Columbia Care will face intense competition from other companies, some of which can be expected to have longer operating histories and more financial resources and experience than Columbia Care. Increased competition by larger and better financed competitors could materially and adversely affect the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of Columbia Care. As a result of the early stage of the industry in which Columbia Care operates, Columbia Care expects to face additional competition from new entrants. To become and remain competitive, Columbia Care will require research and development, marketing, sales and support. Columbia Care may not have sufficient resources to maintain research and development, marketing, sales and support efforts on a competitive basis which could materially and adversely affect the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of Columbia Care.

The cannabis industry is undergoing rapid growth and substantial change, which has resulted in an increase in competitors, consolidation and formation of strategic relationships. Acquisitions or other consolidating transactions could harm the Company in a number of ways, including losing customers, revenue and market share, or forcing the Company to expend greater resources to meet new or additional competitive threats, all of which could harm the Company’s operating results. As competitors enter the market and become increasingly sophisticated, competition in the Company’s industry may intensify and place downward pressure on retail prices for its products and services, which could negatively impact its profitability.

New well-capitalized entrants into the medical cannabis industry may develop large-scale operations.

Currently, the cannabis industry generally is comprised of individuals and small to medium-sized entities; however, the risk exists that large conglomerates and companies who also recognize the potential for financial success through investment in this industry could strategically purchase or assume control of larger or a larger number of dispensaries and cultivation and production facilities, which such trend is now being observed by Columbia Care. In doing so, these larger competitors could establish price setting and cost controls which would effectively “price out” many of the individuals and small to medium-sized entities who currently make up the bulk of the participants in the varied businesses operating within and in support of the cannabis industry. While the approach in most state laws and regulations seemingly deters this type of takeover, this industry remains nascent and as indicated above, the future landscape remains largely unknown, especially as relates to the potential for interstate commerce in the cannabis industry in the United States, which might potentially be more advantageous to large conglomerates and companies as compared to Columbia Care.

The Company is vulnerable to rising energy costs.

Cannabis growing operations consume considerable energy, making Columbia Care potentially vulnerable to rising energy costs. Rising or volatile energy costs may adversely impact the business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of Columbia Care.

The Company is reliant is on key inputs.

The cannabis business is dependent on a number of key inputs and their related costs including raw materials and supplies related to growing operations, as well as electricity, water and other local utilities. Any significant

 

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interruption or negative change in the availability or economics of the supply chain for key inputs could materially impact the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of Columbia Care. Some of these inputs may only be available from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. If a sole source supplier was to go out of business, Columbia Care might be unable to find a replacement for such source in a timely manner or at all. If a sole source supplier were to be acquired by a competitor, that competitor may elect not to sell to Columbia Care in the future. Any inability to secure a replacement for such source in a timely manner or at all could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of Columbia Care.

The Company is reliant on suppliers and skilled labor.

The ability of Columbia Care to compete and grow will be dependent on it having access, at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner, to skilled labor, equipment, parts and components. No assurances can be given that Columbia Care will be successful in maintaining its required supply of skilled labor, equipment, parts and components. It is also possible that the final costs of the major equipment contemplated by Columbia Care’s capital expenditure plans may be significantly greater than anticipated by Columbia Care’s management and may be greater than the funds available to Columbia Care, in which circumstance Columbia Care may curtail, or extend the timeframes for completing, its capital expenditure plans. This could have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of Columbia Care.

The Company’s sales are difficult to forecast.

Columbia Care must rely largely on its own market research to forecast sales as detailed forecasts are not generally obtainable from other sources at this early stage of the cannabis industry. A failure in the demand for its products to materialize as a result of competition, technological change or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects of Columbia Care.

The Company faces intellectual property risks.

Columbia Care may have certain proprietary intellectual property, including but not limited to patents and proprietary processes, and plans for trademarks that are not yet public. Columbia Care will rely on this intellectual property, know- how and other proprietary information, and require employees, consultants and suppliers to sign confidentiality agreements. However, these confidentiality agreements may be breached, and Columbia Care may not have adequate remedies for such breaches. Third parties may independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information without infringing upon any proprietary technology. Third parties may otherwise gain access to Columbia Care’s proprietary information and adopt it in a competitive manner. Any loss of intellectual property protection may have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

As long as cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law as a Schedule I controlled substance pursuant to the CSA, the benefit of certain federal laws and protections which may be available to most businesses, such as federal trademark and patent protection regarding the intellectual property of a business, may not be available to Columbia Care. As a result, Columbia Care’s intellectual property may never be adequately or sufficiently protected against the use or misappropriation by third parties. In addition, since the regulatory framework of the cannabis industry is in a constant state of flux, Columbia Care can provide no assurance that it will ever obtain any protection of its intellectual property, whether on a federal, provincial, state or local level. While many states do offer the ability to protect trademarks independent of the federal government, patent protection is wholly unavailable on a state level, and state-registered trademarks provide a lower degree of protection than would federally-registered marks.

The Company may not be able to protect its patents.

If some or all of Columbia Care’s patents expire or are invalidated or are found to be unenforceable, or if some or all of its patent applications do not contain patentable subject matter because the claims are determined to lack

 

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utility, novelty, or non-obviousness, or do not result in issued patents or result in patents with narrow, overbroad, or unenforceable claims, or claims that are not supported in regard to written description or enablement by the specification, Columbia Care may be subject to competition from third parties with products in the same class as its own products or devices, including in those jurisdictions in which Columbia Care has no patent protection.

Even if Columbia Care’s products, devices, and/or the processes, or methods for treating patients for prescribed indications using these products and/or devices are covered by valid and enforceable patents and have claims with sufficient scope, disclosure and support in the specification, the patents will provide protection only for a limited amount of time. Columbia Care’s ability to obtain patents can be highly uncertain and involve complex and in some cases unsettled legal issues and factual questions. Furthermore, different countries have different procedures for obtaining patents, and patents issued in different countries provide different degrees of protection against the use of a patented invention by others. Therefore, the scope and enforceability of Columbia Care’s patents may differ across those countries in which Columbia Care is seeking patent protection, and Columbia Care’s ability to protect its intellectual property in some countries may be limited accordingly. Changes in either patent laws or in interpretations of patent laws in the United States and other countries may materially diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow the scope of our patent protection.

Columbia Care may be subject to competition from third parties with products or devices in the same class as its products or devices in those jurisdictions in which it has no patent protection. Even if patents are issued to Columbia Care regarding its products, devices, and/or methods of using them, those patents can be challenged by its competitors who can argue such patents are invalid or unenforceable, lack utility, lack sufficient written description or enablement, or should be limited or narrowly construed. Patents also will not protect Columbia Care’s product candidates if competitors devise ways of making or using these product candidates without legally infringing Columbia Care’s patents.

Columbia Care also relies on trade secrets to protect its technology, especially where it does not believe that patent protection is appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. Columbia Care’s employees, consultants, contractors, outside scientific collaborators and other advisors may unintentionally or willfully disclose its confidential information to competitors, and confidentiality agreements may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Enforcing a claim that a third party illegally obtained and is using Columbia Care’s trade secrets is expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Moreover, Columbia Care’s competitors may independently develop equivalent knowledge, methods and know-how. Failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection could adversely affect Columbia Care’s competitive business position.

The Company may not be able to protect its trademarks.

Apart from the federal illegality issues discussed above, Columbia Care’s trademark applications may encounter other obstacles, including refusals or oppositions based on third party rights or issues such as the “mere descriptiveness” of a proposed trademark. In that event, Columbia Care has opportunities to respond, but may not be able to overcome the refusals or challenges. Once a trademark is registered, third parties can also bring cancellation proceedings, which may be successful in cancelling Columbia Care’s registrations. Unregistered trademarks can be more challenging to protect and enforce, and an adverse decision with respect to registration, based on third party rights, can increase the risk of an infringement action.

The Company may infringe on intellectual property rights of third parties.

There is a risk that Columbia Care is infringing the proprietary rights of third parties because numerous United States and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields that are the focus of Columbia Care’s development and manufacturing efforts. Others might have been the first to make the inventions covered by one or more of its pending patent applications and/or might have been the first to file patent applications for these inventions. Furthermore, because of historical policies and laws

 

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disfavoring the patenting and publication of cannabis-related technologies, prior art relevant to Columbia Care’s or its competitors’ patents and patent applications may not be readily identified during normal patent examination processes, resulting in the issuance of claims that might not have issued in a better documented field. In addition, because patent applications take many months to publish and patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending applications, unknown to Columbia Care, which may later result in issued patents that cover the production, manufacture, synthesis, commercialization, formulation or use of Columbia Care’s products. In addition, the production, manufacture, synthesis, commercialization, formulation or use of Columbia Care’s products may infringe existing patents of which Columbia Care is not aware. Similarly, a third party could take the position that Columbia Care is infringing its trademark rights, based on other registered or unregistered trademarks. Even if Columbia Care ultimately defeats a third party’s claims, defending itself against third-party claims, including litigation in particular, would be costly and time consuming and would divert management’s attention from its business, which could lead to delays in Columbia Care’s development or commercialization efforts. If third parties are successful in their claims, Columbia Care may have to pay substantial damages, including the potential for treble damages if willful infringement is found, or take other actions that are adverse to Columbia Care’s business.

The Company faces competition from synthetic production and technological advances.

The pharmaceutical industry may attempt to dominate the cannabis industry through the development and distribution of synthetic products which emulate the effects and treatment of organic cannabis. If they are successful, the widespread popularity of such synthetic products could change the demand, volume and profitability of the cannabis industry. This could adversely affect the ability of Columbia Care to secure long-term profitability and success through the sustainable and profitable operation of its business. There may be unknown additional regulatory fees and taxes that may be assessed in the future.

The Company may face constraints on marketing products.

The development of Columbia Care’s business and operating results may be hindered by applicable restrictions on sales and marketing activities imposed by government regulatory bodies. The regulatory environment in the United States limits companies’ abilities to compete for market share in a manner similar to other industries. If Columbia Care is unable to effectively market its products and compete for market share, or if the costs of compliance with government legislation and regulation cannot be absorbed through increased selling prices for its products, Columbia Care’s sales and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The Company may be exposed to risk of fraudulent or illegal activity by employees, contractors and consultants.

Columbia Care is exposed to the risk that its employees, independent contractors and consultants may engage in fraudulent or other illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless and/or negligent unauthorized conduct that violates: (i) government regulations; (ii) manufacturing standards; (iii) federal, state and provincial healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations; (iv) laws that require the true, complete and accurate reporting of financial information or data; or (v) contractual arrangements, including confidentiality requirements. It may not always be possible for Columbia Care to identify and deter misconduct by its employees and other third parties, and the precautions taken by Columbia Care to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting Columbia Care from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with applicable laws or regulations or contractual requirements. If any such actions are instituted against Columbia Care, and it is not successful in defending itself or asserting its rights, those actions could have a significant impact on Columbia Care’s business, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future

 

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earnings, and curtailment of Columbia Care’s operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

Certain jurisdictions currently prohibit public company ownership of cannabis businesses.

Certain jurisdictions in the United States prohibit persons that are declared unqualified to hold a cannabis establishment license, which can include any publicly-traded company. In such circumstances, the prohibition against the issuance of a cannabis establishment business license may not be limited to the direct licensee but extend to owners of such licensees including parent-companies. As such, a publicly-traded company may be denied the issuance of a cannabis establishment business license in such jurisdictions which could limit Columbia Care’s ability to expand.

The Company depends on information technology systems and may experience cyber-attacks.

Columbia Care’s operations depend, in part, on how well it and its suppliers protect networks, equipment, information technology systems and software against damage from a number of threats, including, but not limited to, cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, intentional damage and destruction, fire, power loss, hacking, computer viruses, vandalism and theft. Columbia Care’s operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, information technology systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or increase in capital expenses. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact Columbia Care’s reputation and results of operations. Columbia Care has not experienced any material losses to date relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, but there can be no assurance that Columbia Care will not incur such losses in the future. Columbia Care’s risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access is a priority. As cyber threats continue to evolve, Columbia Care may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.

A security breach may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Given the nature of Columbia Care’s products and its lack of legal availability outside of channels approved by the United States federal government, as well as the concentration of inventory in its facilities, despite meeting or exceeding all legislative security requirements, there remains a risk of shrinkage as well as theft. A security breach at one of Columbia Care’s facilities could expose Columbia Care to additional liability and to potentially costly litigation, increase expenses relating to the resolution and future prevention of these breaches and may deter potential customers from choosing Columbia Care’s products. In addition, Columbia Care collects and stores personal information about its customers and is responsible for protecting that information from privacy breaches. A privacy breach may occur through procedural or process failure, information technology malfunction, or deliberate unauthorized intrusions. Theft of data for competitive purposes, particularly customer lists and preferences, is an ongoing risk whether perpetrated via employee collusion or negligence or through deliberate cyber-attack. Any such theft or privacy breach would have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

The Company is subject to high bonding and may face difficulty obtaining insurance coverage.

There is a risk that a greater number of state regulatory agencies will begin requiring entities engaged in certain aspects of the business or industry of cannabis to post a bond or significant fees when, for example, applying for a dispensary license or renewal as a guarantee of payment of sales and franchise tax. Columbia Care is not able to quantify at this time the potential scope for such bonds or fees in the states in which it currently or may in the

 

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future operate. Any bonds or fees of material amounts could have a negative impact on the ultimate success of Columbia Care’s business.

Columbia Care’s business is subject to a number of risks and hazards generally, including adverse environmental conditions, accidents, labor disputes and changes in the regulatory environment. Such occurrences could result in damage to assets, personal injury or death, environmental damage, delays in operations, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Although Columbia Care maintains insurance to protect against certain risks in such amounts as it considers to be reasonable, its insurance does not cover all the potential risks associated with its operations. Columbia Care may also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Moreover, insurance against risks such as environmental pollution or other hazards encountered in the operations of Columbia Care is not generally available on acceptable terms. Columbia Care might also become subject to liability for pollution, fire, explosion or other hazards which it may not be insured against or which Columbia Care may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from these events may cause Columbia Care to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon its business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.

Due to the Company’s involvement in the cannabis industry, it may have a difficult time obtaining the various insurances that are desired to operate its business, which may expose Columbia Care to additional risk and financial liability. Insurance that is otherwise readily available, such as general liability, and directors and officer’s insurance, may be more difficult to find, and more expensive, because of the regulatory regime applicable to the industry. There are no guarantees that Columbia Care will be able to find such insurance coverage in the future, or that the cost will be affordable. If the Company is forced to go without such insurance coverage, it may prevent it from entering into certain business sectors, may inhibit growth, and may expose Columbia Care to additional risk and financial liabilities.

Columbia Care may not pay dividends.

The declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by Columbia Care will be at the discretion of the Board subject to restrictions under applicable laws, and may be affected by numerous factors, including Columbia Care’s revenues, financial condition, acquisitions, capital investment requirements and legal, regulatory or contractual restrictions. A failure to pay dividends or a reduction or cessation of the payment of dividends could materially adversely affect the trading price of Common Shares.

The Company may be subject to international regulations.

Columbia Care intends to expand internationally and, as a result, it is and will become further subject to the laws and regulations of (as well as international treaties among) the foreign jurisdictions in which it operates or imports or exports products or materials. In addition, Columbia Care may avail itself of proposed legislative changes in certain jurisdictions to expand its product portfolio, which expansion may include business and regulatory compliance risks as yet undetermined. Failure by Columbia Care to comply with the current or evolving regulatory framework in any jurisdiction could have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition and results of operations. There is the possibility that any such international jurisdiction could determine that Columbia Care was not or is not compliant with applicable local regulations. If Columbia Care’s sales or operations were found to be in violation of such international regulations Columbia Care may be subject to enforcement actions in such jurisdictions including, but not limited to civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of Columbia Care’s operations or asset seizures and the denial of regulatory applications.

The Company’s use of customer information and other personal and confidential information may have an adverse impact.

Columbia Care collects, processes, maintains and uses data, including sensitive information on individuals (with consent when applicable) available to Columbia Care through online activities and other customer interactions

 

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with its business. Columbia Care’s current and future programs may depend on its ability to collect, maintain and use this information, and its ability to do so is subject to evolving international, U.S. and Canadian laws and enforcement trends. Columbia Care strives to comply with all applicable laws and other legal obligations relating to privacy, data protection and customer protection. It is possible, however, that these requirements may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another, conflict with other rules, conflict with Columbia Care’s practices or fail to be observed by its employees or business partners. If so, Columbia Care may suffer damage to its reputation and be subject to proceedings or actions against it by governmental entities or others. Any such proceeding or action could hurt Columbia Care’s reputation, force it to spend significant amounts to defend its practices, distract its management or otherwise have an adverse effect on its business.

The Company is treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Columbia Care is treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, Columbia Care is subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide taxable income. Since Columbia Care is a resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act, Columbia Care is also subject to Canadian income tax. Consequently, Columbia Care is liable for both U.S. and Canadian income tax, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations, and could inhibit efficient use of its capital.

The Company may be subject to net operating loss and certain other tax attribute limitations.

Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code contains rules that limit for U.S. federal income tax purposes the ability of a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” to utilize its net operating losses (and certain other tax attributes) existing as of the date of such ownership change. Under these rules, a corporation is treated as having had an “ownership change”’ if there is a cumulative change of more than a 50 percentage points in stock ownership by one or more “five percent shareholders,” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, during a rolling three-year period. If finalized, Treasury Regulations currently proposed under Section 382 of the Code may further limit Columbia Care’s ability to utilize its pre-change net operating losses or other tax attributes if Columbia Care were to undergo a future ownership change. Columbia Care may have experienced ownership changes in the past, and it may experience ownership changes in the future and/or subsequent shifts in its stock ownership (some of which may be outside the control of Columbia Care). Thus, Columbia Care’s ability to utilize carryforwards of its net operating losses and other tax attributes to reduce future tax liabilities may be substantially restricted. At this time, Columbia Care has not completed a study to assess the impact, if any, of ownership changes on its net operating losses and certain other tax attributes under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Dividends may be subject to Canadian and/or United States withholding tax.

Dividends received on the Common Shares by a Non-U.S. Holder (including a Canadian Resident Holder) of Common Shares will be subject to U.S. withholding tax. A foreign tax credit under the Tax Act in respect of such U.S. withholding taxes may not be available to such holder. Any such dividends may not qualify for a reduced rate of withholding tax under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980) as amended, or, the Treaty.

Dividends received on the Common Shares by Non-Canadian Resident Holders who are U.S. Holders will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax but will be subject to Canadian withholding tax. Any such dividends may not qualify for a reduced rate of withholding tax under the Treaty. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder may elect for any taxable year to receive either a credit or a deduction for all foreign income taxes paid by the holder during the year. Dividends paid in respect of the Common Shares will be characterized as U.S. source income for purposes of the foreign tax credit rules under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, U.S. Holders generally will not be able to claim a credit for any Canadian tax withheld unless, depending on the

 

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circumstances, they have an excess foreign tax credit limitation due to other foreign source income that is subject to a low or zero rate of foreign tax. Subject to certain limitations, a U.S. Holder should be able to take a deduction for the U.S. Holder’s Canadian tax paid, provided that the U.S. Holder has not elected to credit other foreign taxes during the same taxable year.

A holder that is both a Non-Canadian Resident Holder and a Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to (a) Canadian withholding tax, and (b) U.S. withholding tax on dividends received on the Common Shares. These dividends may not qualify for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under any income tax treaty otherwise applicable to a holder, subject to examination of the relevant treaty. These dividends may, however, qualify for a reduced rate of Canadian withholding tax under any income tax treaty otherwise applicable to a holder, subject to examination of the relevant treaty. Non-Canadian Resident Holders and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the availability of any foreign tax credits or deductions in respect of any Canadian or U.S. withholding tax applicable to dividends on the Common Shares.

Transfers of Common Shares may be subject to United States gift, estate and transfer taxes.

Because the Common Shares will be treated as shares of a U.S. domestic corporation, the U.S. gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer tax rules generally will apply to a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Shares.

Changes in tax laws may affect the Company and its shareholders.

There can be no assurance that that the Canadian and U.S. federal income tax treatment of Columbia Care or an investment in Columbia Care will not be modified, prospectively or retroactively, by legislative, judicial or administrative action, in a manner adverse to Columbia Care or its shareholders.

If enacted, the proposed “Made in America Tax Plan” would increase the Company’s U.S. federal corporate tax rate requiring the Company to pay more in U.S. federal income taxes, thus reducing the Company’s net revenue.

On March 31, 2021, the current U.S. presidential administration proposed the “American Jobs Plan” to create domestic jobs, rebuild national infrastructure and increase American competitiveness. To fund its expected $2 trillion cost, the administration also proposed the “Made in America Tax Plan,” which is intended to raise that amount or more over 15 years through several methods including higher income tax rates on corporations. If enacted, Columbia Care’s U.S. federal corporate income tax rate would increase from 21% to 28%. Any increase in Columbia Care’s federal corporate tax rate would require Columbia Care to pay more in federal taxes, thus reducing Columbia Care’s net revenue.

The Company may be classified as a USRPHC.

Columbia Care is treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, the taxation of Columbia Care’s Non-U.S. Holders upon a disposition of Common Shares generally depends on whether Columbia Care is classified as a United States real property holding corporation (a “USRPHC”) under the Internal Revenue Code. Columbia Care does not believe that it is or has been and does not anticipate becoming a USRPHC. However, Columbia Care is not expected to seek formal confirmation of its status as a non-USRPHC from the IRS. If Columbia Care were to be considered a USRPHC, Non-U.S. Holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain associated with the disposition of Common Shares.

Market price of the common shares may be highly volatile.

Market prices for cannabis companies have at times been volatile and subject to substantial fluctuations. The stock market, from time-to-time, experiences significant price and volume fluctuations unrelated to the operating

 

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performance of particular companies. Future announcements concerning Columbia Care or its competitors, including those pertaining to financing arrangements, government regulations, developments concerning regulatory actions affecting Columbia Care, litigation, additions or departures of key personnel, cash flow, and economic conditions and political factors in the United States may have a significant impact on the market price of the Common Shares. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Common Shares will continue to be listed on the Exchanges.

The market price of the Common Shares could fluctuate significantly for many other reasons, including for reasons unrelated to Columbia Care’s specific performance, such as reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions, or negative announcements by its subscribers, competitors or suppliers regarding their own performance, as well as general economic and industry conditions. For example, to the extent that other large companies within its industry experience declines in their stock price, the share price of the Common Shares may decline as well. In addition, when the market price of a company’s shares drops significantly, shareholders often institute securities class action lawsuits against the company. A lawsuit against Columbia Care could cause it to incur substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of its management and other resources.

Further equity financing may dilute the interests of Columbia Care shareholders and depress the price of the common shares.

If Columbia Care raises additional financing through the issuance of equity securities (including securities convertible or exchangeable into equity securities) or completes an acquisition or merger by issuing additional equity securities, such issuance may substantially dilute the interests of shareholders of Columbia Care and reduce the value of their investment. Columbia Care’s Articles permit the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares, and Columbia Care Shareholders will have no pre-emptive rights in connection with a future issuance. The Board has the discretion to determine the price and the terms of issue of future issuances. Moreover, additional Common Shares may be issued by Columbia Care on the exercise of awards under Columbia Care’s Omnibus Plan and upon the exercise of certain outstanding CGGC Warrants (as defined herein). The market price of the Common Shares could decline as a result of issuances of new shares or sales by shareholders of Common Shares in the market or the perception that such sales could occur. Sales by shareholders of Columbia Care might also make it more difficult for Columbia Care itself to sell equity securities at a time and price that it deems appropriate.

Columbia Care may lose foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses

The Proportionate Voting Shares are issued and outstanding in order to meet the definition of “foreign private issuer,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 of Regulation C under the U.S. Securities Act. Columbia Care will be a “foreign private issuer,” and is not subject to the same requirements that are imposed upon U.S. domestic issuers by the SEC. Columbia Care may in the future lose its foreign private issuer status if a majority of its Common Shares are held in the U.S. and satisfies at least one of the additional requirements: (1) a majority of its directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents; (2) a majority of its assets are located in the U.S.; or (3) its business is administered principally in the U.S.

If Columbia Care loses its foreign private issuer status and becomes a U.S. domestic issuer, its ability to rely on certain exemptions from U.S. federal securities laws for the offering and sale of securities outside of the United States may be limited or impaired and increase the restrictions and burdens on any purchaser of Columbia Care’s securities at such time as it is a domestic issuer.

Conflicts of interest may exist between the Company and its directors or officers.

Certain of Columbia Care’s directors and officers are, and may continue to be, or may become, involved in other business ventures through their direct and indirect participation in, among other things, corporations, partnerships

 

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and joint ventures, that are or may become competitors of the products and services Columbia Care provides or intends to provide. Situations may arise in connection with potential acquisitions or opportunities where the other interests of these directors and officers conflict with or diverge from Columbia Care’s interests. In accordance with applicable corporate law, directors who have a material interest in a contract or transaction or a proposed contract or transaction with Columbia Care that is material to Columbia Care are required, subject to certain exceptions, to disclose that interest and generally abstain from voting on any resolution to approve the transaction. In addition, the directors and officers are required to act honestly and in good faith with a view to Columbia Care’s best interests.

However, in conflict-of-interest situations, Columbia Care’s directors and officers may owe the same duty to another company and will need to balance their competing interests with their duties to Columbia Care. Circumstances (including with respect to future corporate opportunities) may arise that may be resolved in a manner that is unfavorable to Columbia Care.

Certain remedies may be limited.

Columbia Care’s governing documents may provide that the liability of its members of the Board and its officers is eliminated to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Thus, Columbia Care and its Shareholders may be prevented from recovering damages for certain alleged errors or omissions made by the members of the Board and its officers. Columbia Care’s governing documents may also provide that Columbia Care will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify members of its Board and its officers for certain liabilities incurred by them by virtue of their acts on behalf of Columbia Care.

The anticipated benefits of the Green Leaf Medical Acquisition may not occur.

Columbia Care may fail to realize growth opportunities and synergies currently anticipated due to, among other things, challenges associated with integrating the operations and personnel of Columbia Care and Green Leaf Medical and the ability of Columbia Care to attract capital.

General Risk Factors

The Company is reliant on management.

The success of Columbia Care is dependent upon the ability, expertise, judgment, discretion and good faith of its senior management. While employment agreements or management agreements are customarily used as a primary method of retaining the services of key employees, these agreements cannot assure the continued services of such employees. Any loss of the services of such individuals could have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, operating results, financial condition or prospects.

The Company may become party to litigation from time to time.

Columbia Care is, may become, a party to litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business which could adversely affect its business. Should any litigation in which Columbia Care is or becomes involved be determined against Columbia Care, such a decision could adversely affect Columbia Care’s ability to continue operating and the market price for the Common Shares and other listed securities of Columbia Care. Even if Columbia Care is involved in litigation and wins, litigation can redirect significant company resources. Litigation may also create a negative perception of Columbia Care’s brand.

The Company may be unable to manage its growth effectively.

Columbia Care may be subject to growth-related risks including capacity constraints and pressure on its internal systems and controls. The ability of Columbia Care to manage growth effectively will require it to continue to

 

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implement and improve its operational and financial systems and to expand, train and manage its employee base. The inability of Columbia Care to deal with this growth may have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

The Company is subject to significant costs of being a public company.

As a public issuer, Columbia Care is subject to the reporting requirements and rules and regulations under applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws and the rules of any stock exchange on which Columbia Care’s securities may be listed from time to time. Additional or new regulatory requirements may be adopted in the future. The requirements of existing and potential future rules and regulations may increase Columbia Care’s legal, accounting and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and may also place undue strain on its personnel, systems and resources, which could adversely affect its business and financial condition. In particular, Columbia Care is subject to reporting and other obligations under applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws. These reporting and other obligations place significant demands on Columbia Care as well as on Columbia Care’s management, administrative, operational and accounting resources. Effective internal controls, including financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, are necessary for Columbia Care to provide reliable financial reports, to effectively reduce the risk of fraud and to operate successfully as a public company. Failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm Columbia Care’s results of operations or cause it to fail to meet its reporting obligations. If Columbia Care or its auditors discover a material weakness, the disclosure of that fact, even if quickly remedied, could reduce the market’s confidence in Columbia Care’s consolidated financial statements and materially adversely affect the trading price of the Common Shares and of other listed securities of Columbia Care.

The trading market for common shares influenced by securities industry analyst research reports.

The trading market for Common Shares is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about Columbia Care. If covered, a decision by an analyst to cease coverage of Columbia Care or fail to regularly publish reports on Columbia Care could cause Columbia Care to lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if an analyst who covers Columbia Care downgrades its stock, or if operating results do not meet analysts’ expectations, the stock price could decline.

Past performance may not indicative of future results.

The prior operational performance of Columbia Care is not indicative of any potential future operating results of Columbia Care. There can be no assurance that the historical operating results achieved by Columbia Care or its affiliates will be achieved by Columbia Care, and Columbia Care’s future performance may be materially different.

Financial projections may prove materially inaccurate or incorrect.

Any of Columbia Care’s financial estimates, projections and other forward-looking information or statements included herein were prepared by Columbia Care without the benefit of reliable historical industry information or other information customarily used in preparing such estimates, projections and other forward-looking information or statements. Such forward-looking information or statements are based on assumptions of future events that may or may not occur, which assumptions may not be disclosed herein. Investors should inquire of Columbia Care and become familiar with the assumptions underlying any estimates, projections or other forward-looking information or statements. Projections are inherently subject to varying degrees of uncertainty and their achievability depends on the timing and probability of a complex series of future events. There is no assurance that the assumptions upon which these projections are based will be realized. Actual results may differ materially from projected results for a number of reasons including increases in operation expenses, changes or

 

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shifts in regulatory rules, undiscovered and unanticipated adverse industry and economic conditions, and unanticipated competition. Accordingly, investors should not rely on any projections to indicate the actual results Columbia Care might achieve.

Global financial conditions may have an adverse impact on the Company.

Following the onset of the global credit crisis in 2008, global financial conditions were characterized by extreme volatility and several major financial institutions either went into bankruptcy or were rescued by governmental authorities. While global financial conditions subsequently stabilized, there remains considerable risk in the system given the extraordinary measures adopted by government authorities to achieve that stability. Global financial conditions could suddenly and rapidly destabilize in response to future economic shocks, as government authorities may have limited resources to respond to future crises.

Future economic shocks may be precipitated by a number of causes, including a rise in the price of oil, geopolitical instability and natural disasters. Any sudden or rapid destabilization of global economic conditions could impact Columbia Care’s ability to obtain equity or debt financing in the future on terms favorable to Columbia Care. Additionally, any such occurrence could cause decreases in asset values that are deemed to be other than temporary, which may result in impairment losses. In such an event, Columbia Care’s operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.

Furthermore, general market, political and economic conditions, including, for example, unemployment levels, inflation, interest and currency exchange rates, structural changes in the cannabis industry, supply and demand for commodities, political developments, legislative or regulatory changes, social or labor unrest and stock market trends will affect Columbia Care’s operating environment and its operating costs and profit margins and the price of its securities. Any negative events in the global economy could have a material adverse effect on Columbia Care’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

Disease outbreaks may negatively impact the Company.

A local, regional, national or international outbreak of a contagious disease, including the novel coronavirus COVID-19, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, H1N1 influenza virus, avian flu or any other similar illness, could decrease the willingness of the general population to travel, cause staff shortages, reduced customer traffic, supply shortages, and increased government regulation all of which may negatively impact the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Specifically, at the time this registration statement is prepared, the Company cautions that Columbia Care’s business could be materially and adversely affected by the risks, or the public perception of the risks, related to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. The risk of a pandemic, or public perception of the risk, could cause customers to avoid public places, including retail properties, and could cause temporary or long-term disruptions in our supply chains and/or delays in the delivery of our inventory. Further, such risks could also adversely affect Columbia Care’s customers’ financial condition, resulting in reduced spending for the merchandise we sell. Moreover, an epidemic, pandemic, outbreak or other public health crisis, such as COVID-19, could cause employees to avoid Company properties, which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to adequately staff and manage its businesses. “Shelter-in-place” or other such orders by governmental entities could also disrupt our operations, if employees who cannot perform their responsibilities from home, are not able to report to work. Risks related to an epidemic, pandemic or other health crisis, such as COVID-19, could also lead to the complete or partial closure of one or more of our stores, facilities or operations of the Company’s sourcing partners. Although Columbia Care’s medical dispensaries may be considered essential services and therefore be allowed to remain operational, our adult-use operations may not be allowed to remain open during the COVID-19 crisis. For example, Massachusetts Governor, Charlie Baker on March 23, 2020 issued an order declaring adult-use dispensaries non-essential, and thereby requiring all adult-use dispensaries to stop sales. The Company’s operations in certain markets, particularly Illinois and California, have been affected by rules related to social

 

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distancing and limiting our retail operations to curb-side pick- up. Institution of such rules in any of the Company’s markets may have a material impact on our sales, financial position and cash reserves.

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

 

ITEM 2.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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

This management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of the financial condition and results of operations of Columbia Care Inc. (“Columbia Care”, the “Company”, “us”, “our” or “we”) is supplemental to, and should be read in conjunction with, Columbia Care’s audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018. Except for historical information, the discussion in this section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those discussed below for many reasons, including the risks described in “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” Item 1A-Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this registration statement.

Columbia Care’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Financial information presented in this MD&A is presented in thousands of United States dollars (“$” or “US$”), unless otherwise indicated.

OVERVIEW OF COLUMBIA CARE

Our principal business activity is the production and sale of cannabis. We strive to be the premier provider of cannabis-related products in each of the markets in which we operate. Our mission is to improve lives by providing cannabis-based health and wellness solutions through community partnerships, research, education and the responsible use of our products as a natural means to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of our patients and customers.

COLUMBIA CARE OBJECTIVES AND FACTORS AFFECTING OUR PERFORMANCE

As one of the largest fully integrated operators in the global medical cannabis industry, our strategy to grow our business is comprised of the following key components:

 

   

Expansion and development within and outside our current markets

 

   

Patient-centric, provider-based model to leverage health and wellness focus

 

   

Consistency of proprietary product portfolio, comprised of branded consumer products and pharmaceutical quality proprietary products

 

   

Intellectual property and data-driven innovation

Our performance and future success are dependent on several factors. These factors are also subject to inherent risks and challenges, some of which are discussed below.

Branding

We have established a national branding strategy across each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Maintaining and growing our brand appeal domestically and internationally is critical to our continued success.

 

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Regulation

We are subject to the local and federal laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Outside of the United States, our products may be subject to tariffs, treaties and various trade agreements as well as laws affecting the importation of consumer goods. We hold all required licenses for the production and distribution of our products in the jurisdictions in which we operate and continuously monitor changes in laws, regulations, treaties and agreements.

Product Innovation and Consumer Trends

Our business is subject to changing consumer trends and preferences, which is dependent, in part, on continued consumer interest in new products. The success of new product offerings, depends upon a number of factors, including our ability to (i) accurately anticipate customer needs; (ii) develop new products that meet these needs; (iii) successfully commercialize new products; (iv) price products competitively; (v) produce and deliver products in sufficient volumes and on a timely basis; and (vi) differentiate product offerings from those of competitors.

Growth Strategies

We have a successful history of growing revenue and we believe we have a strong domestic and international strategy aimed at continuing our history of expansion in both current and new markets. Our future depends, in part, on our ability to implement our growth strategy including (i) product innovations; (ii) penetration of new markets; (iii) growth of wholesale revenue through third party retailers and distributors; (iv) future development of e-commerce and home delivery distribution capabilities; and (v) expansion of our cultivation and manufacturing capacity. Our ability to implement this growth strategy depends, among other things, on our ability to develop new products that appeal to consumers, maintain and expand brand loyalty, maintain and improve product quality and brand recognition, maintain and improve competitive position in the markets, and identify and successfully enter and market products in new geographic areas and segments.

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial information derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, the consolidated financial statements, and the respective accompanying notes prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

During the periods discussed herein, our accounting policies have remained consistent. The selected and summarized consolidated financial information below may not be indicative of our future performance.

 

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Statement of operations:

 

    For the Year Ended     2020 vs. 2019     2019 vs. 2018  
    December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    December 29,
2018
   

$

Change

    %
Change
   

$

Change

    %
Change
 

Revenues, net

  $ 179,503     $ 77,459     $ 39,328     $ 102,044       132   $ 38,131       97

Cost of sales related to inventory production

    (114,249     (57,777     (22,874     (56,472     98     (34,903     153

Cost of sales related to business combination fair value adjustments to inventories

    (3,111     —         —         (3,111     —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

    62,143       19,682       16,454       42,461       216     3,228       20

Operating expenses

    (142,355     (123,586     (58,495     (18,769     15     (65,091     111

Other expense (income), net

    (55,634     4,233       (3,291     (59,867     -1414     7,524       -229

Income tax benefit (expense)

    16,197       (1,503     (2,943     17,700       -1178     1,440       -49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

    (119,649     (101,174     (48,275     (18,475     18     (52,899     110

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

    (23,862     (4,909     (1,255     (18,953     386     (3,654     291
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Columbia Care Inc.

  $ (95,787   $ (96,265   $ (47,020   $ 478       0   $ (49,245     105
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss per share attributable to Columbia Care Inc. - based and diluted

  $ (0.41   $ (0.46   $ (0.28   $ 0.05       -10   $ (0.18     63
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic and diluted

    232,576,117       209,992,187       167,599,871          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Summary of balance sheet items:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2020      2019  

Total Assets

   $ 727,527      $ 336,223  

Total Liabilities

   $ 440,578      $ 118,640  

Total Long-Term Liabilities

   $ 291,697      $ 83,256  

Total Equity

   $ 286,949      $ 217,583  

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018

The following tables summarize our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018:

 

     For the Year Ended     2020 vs. 2019     2019 vs. 2018  
     December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    December 29,
2018
    $
Change
    %
Change
    $
Change
    %
Change
 

Revenues, net

   $ 179,503     $ 77,459     $ 39,328     $ 102,044       132   $ 38,131       97

Cost of sales related to inventory production

     (114,249     (57,777     (22,874     (56,472     98     (34,903     153

Cost of sales related to business combination fair value adjustments to inventories

     (3,111     —         —         (3,111     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     62,143       19,682       16,454       42,461       216     3,228       20

Operating expenses

     (142,355     (123,586     (58,495     (18,769     15     (65,091     111
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (80,212     (103,904     (42,041     23,692       -23     (61,863     147

Other expense (income), net

     (55,634     4,233       (3,291     (59,867     -1414     7,524       -229

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (135,846     (99,671     (45,332     (36,175     36     (54,339     120

Income tax benefit (expense)

     16,197       (1,503     (2,943     17,700       -1178     1,440       -49
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (119,649     (101,174     (48,275     (18,475     18     (52,899     110

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

     (23,862     (4,909     (1,255     (18,953     386     (3,654     291
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Columbia Care Inc.

   $ (95,787   $ (96,265   $ (47,020   $ 478       0   $ (49,245     105
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2019

Revenue

The increase in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the prior year period was primarily driven by expansion of our dispensary network, additional sales through our existing dispensaries and our recent acquisitions. Our revenue is predominantly generated by retail sales.

Operating Expenses

The increase of $18,769 in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily attributable to an increase in salary and benefits of $7,587, operating facility costs of $6,321, depreciation and amortization of $6,101, operating office and general expenses of $2,449, loss on disposal group of $1,969 and other fees and expenses of $2,304 as we expanded our operations and increased the size and scope of our administrative functions. These higher expenses were partially offset by $6,284 of lower professional fees in the current year.

 

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Other Expense (Income), Net

The increase in other expense (income), net for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the prior year, was primarily due to an increase in the earnout liability for TGS of $21,757, an indemnification expense of $14,195, an increase in interest expense of $7,577 and an increase in the fair value of a derivative liability of $11,745.

Income Tax Benefit and Provisions

The benefit for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $16,197 compared to a provision for income taxes of $1,503 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA

The increase in Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily driven by improved gross margins offset by increases in facility costs, salary and benefits costs.

Our future financial results are subject to significant potential fluctuations caused by, among other things, growth of sales volume in new and existing markets and our ability to control operating expenses. In addition, our financial results may be impacted significantly by changes to the regulatory environment in which we operate, both on a local, state and federal level.

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Year Ended December 29, 2018

Revenue

The increase in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the prior year period was primarily driven by expansion of our dispensary network and by additional sales through our existing dispensaries. Our revenue is predominantly generated by retail sales.

Operating Expenses

The increase of $65,091 in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily attributable to an increase in salary and benefits of $29,685, professional fees of $14,439, operating facility costs of $8,531, advertising and promotion expenses of $4,931 and operating office and general expenses of $5,745 as we expanded our operations and increased the size and scope of our administrative functions.

Other Expense (Income), Net

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we had interest expense, net of $7,824 as a result of outstanding debt during 2018. As this debt was paid off in 2019, we had an interest income, net of $1,241 during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Income Tax Provisions

The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $1,503 compared to a provision for income taxes of $2,943 for the year ended December 29, 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA

The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily driven by increases in facility costs, salary and benefits costs and professional fees.

Non-GAAP Measures

We use certain non-GAAP measures, referenced in this MD&A. These measures are not recognized measures under GAAP and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore may not be comparable

 

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to similar measures presented by other companies. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation from nor as a substitute for our financial information reported under GAAP. We use non-GAAP measures including “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA” which may be calculated differently by other companies. These non-GAAP measures and metrics are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and liquidity and thus highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP measures. These supplemental non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented. We also recognize that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-GAAP measures in the evaluation of companies within our industry. Finally, we use non-GAAP measures and metrics in order to facilitate evaluation of operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of executive compensation.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss for the period to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018:

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
     December 29,
2018
 

Net loss

   $ (119,649    $ (101,174    $ (48,275

Income tax

     (16,197      1,503        2,943  

Depreciation and amortization

     19,651        8,690        4,678  

Interest expense, net and debt amortization

     6,336        (1,241      7,824  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ (109,859    $ (92,222    $ (32,830
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustments:

        

Share-based compensation

     29,805        38,405        21,762  

Adjustments for acquisition and other non-core costs*

     7,117        839         

Fair-value changes on derivative liabilities

     11,745                

Impairment on disposal group

     1,969                

Indemnification costs (income)

     14,195               (5,000

Earnout liability accrual

     21,757                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ (23,271    $ (52,978    $ (16,068
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
*

Acquisition and other non-core costs include costs associated with acquisitions, litigation expenses and COVID-19 expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our business, capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes. Historically, we have relied on external financing as our primary source of liquidity. Our ability to fund our operations and to make capital expenditures depends on our ability to successfully secure financing through issuance of debt or equity, as well as our ability to improve our future operating performance and cash flows, which are subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.

We are currently meeting our obligations as they become due and are earning revenues from our operations. However, we have sustained losses since inception, we may require additional capital in the future. We estimate that based on our current business operations and working capital, we will continue to meet our obligations as they become due in the short term. As we continue to seek growth through expansion or acquisition, our cash

 

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flows requirements and obligations could materially change. As of December 31, 2020, we did not have any significant external capital requirements.

Recent Financing Transactions

Sale-Leasebacks

During the fourth quarter of 2019, we sold five properties located in Massachusetts, California and Illinois for $25,323, which was approximately the cost to us. In connection with these sales, we entered into lease agreements with the purchasers of the properties. Included in the agreements, we are expected to complete tenant improvements related to certain properties, for which the landlords have agreed to provide tenant improvement allowances (“TI Allowances”).

During the third quarter of 2020, we sold two properties located in New Jersey for $12,385, which was approximately the cost to us. In connection with these sales, we entered into lease agreements with the purchasers of the properties. Included in the agreements, we are expected to complete tenant improvements related to these properties, for which the landlord has agreed to provide a TI Allowance.

Equity Offerings

In January 2021, we closed a public offering of 18,572,000 common shares at a price of $8.05 (Canadian Dollars) per common share for aggregate proceeds of $111,789, which included the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, before deducting the underwriters’ fees and estimated offering expenses. The offering was conducted in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Québec, pursuant to a prospectus supplement to our base shelf prospectus dated September 2, 2020 and elsewhere outside of Canada on a private placement basis.

In February 2021, we sold, on a bought deal private placement basis, 3,220,000 common shares at a price of $9.00 (Canadian Dollars) per share for net proceeds of $21,770.

Term Debt

On March 31, 2020 and April 23, 2020, we completed the first and second tranches of a private offering of notes (“Private Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $14,250 and $1,000, respectively. The Private Notes required interest-only payments through March 30, 2024, at a rate of 9.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 31 and September 30 commencing on September 30, 2020. The Private Notes were due in full on March 30, 2024. In connection with the first and second tranche offerings of the Private Notes, we issued 1,723,250 common share purchase warrants with an exercise price of $3.10 (Canadian Dollars).

On May 14, 2020, we completed a private offering of an aggregate of 19,115 senior secured first-lien note units (the “Units”) for aggregate gross proceeds of $19,115, each Unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 principal amount of 13.00% senior secured first-lien notes (“Notes”) and (ii) 120 common share purchase warrants with an exercise price of $2.95 (Canadian Dollars) per underlying common share (the “May Private Offering”). Concurrent with the closing of the May Private Offering, the Private Notes were exchanged for Notes. In addition, holders of Private Notes were issued additional 130,388 warrants with an exercise price of $2.95 (Canadian Dollars) per underlying common share.

On July 2, 2020, we completed a second private offering of an aggregate of 4,000 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $4,000, each Unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 Notes and (ii) 75 common share purchase warrants with an exercise price of $4.53 (Canadian Dollars) per underlying common share.

On October 29, 2020, November 10, 2020 and November 27, 2020, we completed private offerings of an aggregate of 20,000, 8,400 and 3,000 units, respectively, for aggregate gross proceeds of $32,054, each unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 Notes and (ii) 60 common share purchase warrants with an exercise price of $5.84 (Canadian Dollars) per underlying common share (“Fall Warrants”).

 

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On November 30, 2020, we completed another private offering of an aggregate of 200 units, respectively for aggregate gross proceeds of $200, each unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 Notes and (ii) 125 Fall Warrants.

At the option of the holder, each common share purchase warrant can be exchanged for one common share. The common share purchase warrants expire on May 14, 2023.

The Notes require interest-only payments through May 14, 2023, at a rate of 13.0% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 31 and November 30 which commenced on November 30, 2020. The Notes are due in full on May 15, 2023. We incurred financing costs of $3,373. The Notes contain customary terms and conditions, representations and warranties, and events of default.

Convertible Debt

On June 19, 2020, we completed the first tranche of an offering of senior secured convertible notes (“Convertible Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $12,800. During July 2020, we completed subsequent tranches for an aggregate principal amount of $5,960. As of December 31, 2020, total outstanding on the Convertible Notes was $18,760.

The Convertible Notes can be exchanged into common shares with a conversion price of $3.79 (Canadian Dollars). For the purposes of determining the number of common shares issuable upon conversion, the principal amount of the Convertible Notes surrendered for conversion shall be deemed converted from U.S. Dollars into Canadian Dollars, using the end-of-day exchange rate published by the Bank of Canada on the date immediately preceding the date that the Convertible Note is surrendered for conversion. The Convertible Notes require interest-only payments until December 19, 2023, at a rate of 5.0% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 commencing on December 31, 2020. The Convertible Notes are due in full on December 19, 2023. We incurred financing costs of $175.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided in operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018, were as follows:

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
     December 29,
2018
 

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (49,650    $ (67,047    $ (24,767

Net cash used in investing activities

     (27,322      (90,134      (14,646

Net cash provided by financing activities

     89,994        158,861        83,383  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,022      $ 1,680      $ 43,970  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2020, operating activities used $49,650 of cash, primarily resulting from net loss of $119,649, partially offset by equity-based compensation expense of $29,805, depreciation and amortization of $19,651, debt amortization expense of $2,189 and impairment on disposal group of $1,969.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, operating activities used $67,047 of cash, primarily resulting from net loss of $101,174 and net cash used in changes in operating assets and liabilities of $12,100, partially offset by equity-based compensation expense of $32,896, depreciation and amortization of $8,690 and deferred compensation expense of $5,509. Cash used due to changes in operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to increase in inventory of $12,667.

 

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During the year ended December 29, 2018, operating activities used $24,767 of cash, primarily resulting from net loss of $48,275 and net cash used in changes in operating assets and liabilities of $9,262, partially offset by equity-based compensation expense of $13,112, depreciation and amortization of $4,678, debt amortization expense of $515, and warrant amortization expense of $5,347.

Investing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2020, investing activities used $27,322 of cash, consisting of purchases of property and equipment of $42,885 and cash paid for deposits of $5,688, partially offset by cash received from sale leasebacks of $11,927, acquisitions of $3,821 and deposits of $6,676.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investing activities used $90,134 of cash, consisting of purchases of property and equipment of $77,445, the issuance of a note receivables of $17,420, cash for loans under the CannAscend and Corsa Verde agreements of $11,511 and cash paid for deposits of $6,623, partially offset by cash received from sale leasebacks of $19,614 and deposits of $3,697.

During the year ended December 29, 2018, investing activities used $14,646 of cash, consisting of purchases of property and equipment of $14,529, cash paid for deposits of $2,058, cash for loans under the CannAscend and Corsa Verde agreements of $1,002, cash paid in escrow and option deposit under Corsa Verde agreement of $3,124, partially offset by cash received from sale leasebacks of $131 and deposits of $5,936.

Financing Activities

During the year ended December 31, 2020, financing activities provided $89,994 of cash, consisting of $89,379 in gross proceeds received from issuance of debt as reduced by issuance costs of $3,548 and the sale of membership interest of a subsidiary of $5,509, partially offset by lease liability payments of $734.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, financing activities provided $158,861 of cash, consisting of $157,359 in proceeds received from the issuance of equity and proceeds from sale leasebacks of $5,709, repurchases of common shares of $2,414 and debt repayment of $1,795.

During the year ended December 29, 2018, financing activities provided $83,383 of cash, consisting of $101,922 in proceeds received from the issuance of equity and $9,440 in proceeds received from issuance of debt offset by $25,779 in repayment of debt.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020 and the effects that such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      2021      2022      2023      2024      2025      2026 and
beyond
 

Lease commitments

   $ 358,135      $ 24,296      $ 24,629      $ 23,901      $ 22,849      $ 20,640      $ 241,820  

Sale leaseback commitments

     5,825        585        600        615        630        646        2,749  

Term debt (principal)

     69,965        —          —          69,965        —          —          —    

Interest on term debt

     21,602        9,095        9,095        3,411        —          —          —    

Convertible debt (principal)

     18,760        —          —          18,760        —          —          —    

Interest on convertible debt

     2,783        938        938        907        —          —          —    

Closing promissory note (principal and interest)

     15,796        10,238        2,288        1,695        1,575        —          —    

Business acquisition—Green Leaf Medical

     45,000        45,000        —          —          —          —          —    

Exercise of real estate option

     11,500        11,500        —          —          —          —          —    

Acquisition of real estate property in New York

     15,687        15,687        —          —          —          —          —    

SunBulb indemnification

     15,195        15,195        —          —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 580,248      $ 132,534      $ 37,550      $ 119,254      $ 25,054      $ 21,286      $ 244,569  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts in the table reflect minimum payments due for our leased facilities under various lease agreements that expire through December 2034. The above table excludes purchase orders for inventory in the normal course of business.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of the date of this filing, we do not have any off-balance-sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the results of our operations or financial condition, including, and without limitation, such considerations as liquidity and capital resources.

Changes In or Adoption of Accounting Practices

The following U.S. GAAP standards have been recently issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. We have adopted these new standards on future consolidated financial statements. Pronouncements that are not applicable or where it has been determined do not have a significant impact to Columbia Care have been excluded herein.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that created new accounting and reporting for leasing arrangements under ASC 842, Leases. The guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. The guidance also requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The standard will be effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018, with earlier application permitted for all entities. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard resulted in almost all current leases being recognized on the statement of financial position, except for short-term and low-value leases. On January 1, 2019, we recognized right-of-use assets of $35,070, a corresponding lease liability of $35,737, and derecognized deferred rent of $713 and prepaid expenses of $46.

 

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In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Auditing Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The update removes, modifies and makes additions to the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The update was adopted as of January 1, 2018, and its adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that reporting period. The update was adopted as of January 1, 2020, and its adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the future that affect reported of assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the review affects both current and future periods.

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and revenue and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the review affects both current and future periods.

Judgements estimates and assumptions with the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements are described below.

Business Combinations

We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting, which requires us to recognize separately from goodwill, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, our 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, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recognized in our 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, pre-acquisition contingencies, and contingent consideration, where applicable. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based, in part, on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Critical estimates in valuing certain acquired intangible assets under the income approach include growth in future expected cash flows from product sales, customer contracts, revenue growth rate, customer ramp-up period and discount rates. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that may affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.

 

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Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In the valuation of goodwill, we make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows to be derived from our business. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment for these assets.

We have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. However, we may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment tests. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its net book value, including goodwill. If the net book value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we would perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of the impairment loss. We perform an annual assessment of our goodwill as of first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently, to determine if any events or circumstances exist, such as an adverse change in business climate or a decline in overall industry demand, that would indicate that it would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, including goodwill. If events or circumstances do not indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required, if otherwise, we compare the fair value of our reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the amount by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss. We monitor the indicators for goodwill impairment testing between annual tests.

Recoverability of Long-lived Assets

We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived tangible and intangible assets with finite useful lives for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Such trigger events or changes in circumstances may include: a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset is being used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, including those resulting from technology advancements in the industry, the impact of competition or other factors that could affect the value of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse deterioration in the amount of revenue or cash flows we expect to generate from an asset group, an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or development of a long-lived asset, current or future operating or cash flow losses that demonstrate continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset, or a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. We perform impairment testing at the asset group level that represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable and the expected undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset group are less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Fair value is determined based upon estimated discounted future cash flows. We did not recognize any impairment loss for long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Assets to be disposed of or held for sale would be separately presented on the balance sheets and reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and would no longer be depreciated or amortized.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, deposits and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, current taxes payable and other current liabilities like interest payable and payroll liabilities, derivative liability, debt and lease liabilities. The fair values of cash and restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, deposits, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities like interest payable and payroll liabilities, short-term debt and lease liabilities approximate their carrying values due to the relatively short-term to maturity or because of the market rate of interest used on initial recognition. Columbia Care classifies its derivative liability as fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL).

Financial instruments recorded at fair value are classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs to fair value measurements. The three levels of contained within the hierarchy are:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3 – Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.

Our assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include investments, assets and liabilities held for sale, long-lived assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets. We review the carrying amounts of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable or at least annually, for indefinite-lived intangible assets. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair value. The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered Level 3 measurements.

Financial Risk Management

We are exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks. Our risk exposures and the impact on our financial instruments is summarized below:

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of a potential loss to us if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The maximum credit exposure at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018, is the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, subscription receivable, accounts receivable and notes receivable. We do not have significant credit risk with respect to our customers. All cash deposits with regulated U.S. financial institutions.

We provide credit to our customers in the normal course of business and has established credit evaluation and monitoring processes to mitigate credit risk but has limited risk as the majority of our sales are transacted with cash. Through our recently introduced Columbia Care National Credit program, we provide credit to customers in certain markets in which we operate.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations associated with financial liabilities. We manage liquidity risk through the management of our capital structure. Our approach to managing liquidity is to estimate cash requirements from operations, capital expenditures and investments and ensure that we have sufficient liquidity funds our ongoing operations and to settle obligations and liabilities when due.

We expect to incur increased expenditures related to our operations, including marketing and selling expenses and capital expenditures as we expand our presence in current markets and expand into new markets.

 

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To date, we have incurred significant cumulative net losses and we have not generated positive cash flows from our operations. We have therefore depended on financing from sale of our equity and from debt financing to fund our operations. Overall, we do not expect the net cash contribution from our operations and investments to be positive in the near term, and we therefore expect to rely on financing from equity or debt.

Market Risk

In addition to business opportunities and challenges applicable to any business operating in a fast-growing environment, our business operates in a highly regulated and multi-jurisdictional industry, which is subject to potentially significant changes outside of our control as individual states as well as the U.S. federal government may impose restrictions on our ability to grow our business profitably or enact new laws and regulations that open up new markets.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of our financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. Our cash deposits bear interest at market rates.

Currency Risk

Our operating results and financial position are reported in thousands of U.S. dollars. We may enter into financial transactions denominated in other currencies, which would result in Columbia Care’s operations and financial position to be subject to currency transaction and translation risks.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018, we had no hedging agreements in place with respect to foreign exchange rates. We have not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge possible currency risks at this time.

Price Risk

Price risk is the risk of variability in fair value due to movements in equity or market prices. We are subject to risk of prices of our products due to competitive or regulatory pressures.

 

ITEM 3.

PROPERTIES

The following tables set forth the Company’s principal physical properties.

 

Corporate Properties

Type

  

Location

  

Lease / Own

Headquarters

Shared Service Center

TGS Headquarters

  

New York, NY

Chelmsford, MA

Denver, CO

  

Lease

Lease

Lease

 

Production Properties

Type

  

Location

  

Lease / Own

Chino Cultivation Facility

San Diego Cultivation Facility

Los Angeles Cultivation Facility

Denver Cultivation Facility 1

Denver Cultivation Facility 2

Denver Cultivation Facility 3

Denver Manufacture Facility

Denver Warehouse

Trinidad Cultivation Facility 1

  

Chino, AZ

San Diego, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

Trinidad, CO

  

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

 

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Production Properties

Type

  

Location

  

Lease / Own

Trinidad Cultivation Facility 2

Alachua Cultivation Facility

Arcadia Cultivation Facility

Lakeland Cultivation Facility

Aurora Cultivation Facility

Lowell Cultivation Facility

Frederick Cultivation Facility

Bishopville Extraction Facility

Milford Cultivation Facility

Rockville Cultivation Facility

Vineland Cultivation Facility

Rochester Cultivation Facility

Riverside Cultivation Facility*

Mount Orab Cultivation Facility

Columbus Manufacturing Facility

Pennsylvania Cultivation Facility

Portsmouth Cultivation Facility

Richmond Cultivation Facility

Capital City Cultivation Facility

Centerville Cultivation Facility*

Falling Waters Cultivation Facility*

  

Trinidad, CO

Alachua, FL

Arcadia, FL

Lakeland, FL

Aurora, IL

Lowell, MA

Frederick, MD

Bishopville, MD

Milford, DE

Rockville, MD

Vineland, NJ

Rochester, NY

Riverside, NY

Mount Orab, OH

Columbus, OH

Saxton, PA

Portsmouth, VA

Richmond, VA

Washington, D.C.

Centerville, UT

Falling Waters, WV

  

Lease

Lease

Own

Lease

Lease

Lease

Own

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Own

Lease

Own

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

 

Retail Properties

Type

  

Location

  

Lease / Own

SWC Prescott

Cannabist Tempe

Project Cannabis North Hollywood

Project Cannabis Downtown Los Angeles

Columbia Care San Diego

The Healing Center San Diego

Wellness Earth Energy Dispensary

Project Cannabis San Francisco

The Green Solution Ft. Collins

The Green Solution Southeast Aurora

The Green Solution East Aurora

The Green Solution Central Aurora

The Green Solution W Aurora

The Green Solution South Aurora

The Green Solution Northglenn

The Green Solution Longmont

The Green Solution Glendale

The Green Solution North Denver

The Green Solution Union Station

The Green Solution Westminster

The Green Solution West Denver

The Green Solution Sheridan

The Green Solution Edgewater

The Green Solution Pueblo

The Green Solution Black Hawk

The Green Solution Trinidad

  

Prescott, AZ

Tempe, AZ

North Hollywood, CA

Los Angeles, CA

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA

Studio City, CA

San Francisco, CA

Ft. Collins, CO

Aurora, CO

Aurora, CO

Aurora, CO

Aurora, CO

Aurora, CO

Northglenn, CO

Longmont, CO

Glendale, CO

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

Sheridan, CO

Edgewater, CO

Pueblo, CO

Black Hawk, CO

Trinidad, CO

  

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

 

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Retail Properties

Type

  

Location

  

Lease / Own

Clearance Cannabis Trinidad

The Green Solution Silver Plume

The Green Solution Aspen

The Green Solution Glenwood Springs

Columbia Care Rehoboth Beach

Columbia Care Smyrna

Columbia Care Wilmington

Columbia Care Bonita Springs

Columbia Care Bradenton

Columbia Care Brandon

Columbia Care Cape Coral

Columbia Care Delray Beach

Columbia Care Gainesville

Columbia Care Jacksonville

Columbia Care Longwood

Columbia Care Melbourne

Columbia Care Miami

Columbia Care Orlando

Columbia Care Sarasota

Columbia Care St. Augustine

Columbia Care Stuart

Columbia Care Chicago

Cannabist Villa Park

Columbia Care Chevy Chase

Wellness Institute of Maryland

Patriot Care Boston

Patriot Care Greenfield

Patriot Care Lowell

Columbia Care Missouri*

Columbia Care Vineland

Columbia Care Deptford*

Columbia Care Brooklyn

Columbia Care Manhattan

Columbia Care Riverhead

Columbia Care Rochester

gLeaf Warren

Columbia Care Allentown

Columbia Care Scranton

Columbia Care Wilkes-Barre

Columbia Care Portsmouth

gLeaf Richmond

Capital City Care Washington D.C.

Cannabist Springville

Columbia Care Williamstown*

Columbia Care Fayetteville*

Columbia Care Morgantown*

Columbia Care Beckley*

Columbia Care St. Albans*

  

Trinidad, CO

Silver Plume, CO

Aspen, CO

Glenwood Springs, CO

Rehoboth Beach, DE

Smyrna, DE

Wilmington, DE

Bonita Springs, FL

Bradenton, FL

Brandon, FL

Cape Coral, FL

Delray Beach, FL

Gainesville, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Longwood, FL

Melbourne, FL

Miami, FL

Orlando, FL

Sarasota, FL

St. Augustine, FL

Stuart, FL

Chicago, IL

Villa Park, IL

Chevy Chase, MD

Frederick, MD

Boston, MA

Greenfield, MA

Lowell, MA

Hermann, MO

Vineland, NJ

Deptford, NJ

Brooklyn, NY

Manhattan, NY

Riverhead, NY

Rochester, NY

Warren, OH

Allentown, PA

Scranton, PA

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Portsmouth, VA

Richmond, VA

Washington, D.C.

Springville, UT

Williamstown, WV

Fayetteville, WV

Morgantown, WV

Beckley, WV

St. Albans, WV

  

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

Lease

 

*

Under development, not yet operational

 

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ITEM 4.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the expected beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities as of the Effective Date for (i) each member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), (ii) each named executive officer (as defined below), (iii) each person known to the Company and expected to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s securities and (iv) the members of the Board and the named executive officers of the Company as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC. Generally, a person has beneficial ownership of a security if the person possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security, including any securities that a person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Information with respect to beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company’s securities is based on completed questionnaires and related information provided by such beneficial owners as of June 10, 2021. Except as indicated, all shares of the Company’s securities will be owned directly, and the person or entity listed as the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power. The address for each director and executive officer is c/o Columbia Care Inc., 680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019. The following table does not include take into account share issuances as a result of the Green Leaf Transaction.

 

     Common Shares     Proportionate
Voting Shares
    Total  

Name, Position and Address of
Beneficial Owner

   Number
Beneficially
Owned
     % of
Total
Common
Shares
    Number
Beneficially
Owned
     % of
Total
Proportionate
Voting
Shares
    Total
Number of
Capital
Stock
Beneficially
Owned
     % of
Total
Capital
Stock
 

Nicholas Vita,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

     36,899,860        12.18     —          —       36,899,860        11.61

Michael Abbott,

Executive Chairman and Director

     36,443,872        12.03     —          —       36,443,872        11.46

Frank Savage,

Director

     106,987        0.04     —          —       106,987        0.03

James A.C. Kennedy,

Director

     86,310        0.03     20,740        13.74     2,160,310        0.68

Jonathan P. May,

Director

     83,234        0.03     29,468        19.52     3,030,034        0.95

Jeff Clarke,

Director

     512,273        0.17     47        0.03     516,973        0.16

Alison Worthington,

Director

     43,257        0.01     —          —       43,257        0.01

Julie Hill,

Director

     —          —       —          —       —          —  

David Hart,

Chief Operating Officer

     825,055        0.27     747        0.49     899,755        0.28

Lars Boesgaard,

Chief Financial Officer

     136,417        0.05     250        0.17     161,417        0.05

Dr. Rosemary Mazanet,

Chief Scientific Officer

     1,171,305        0.39     187        0.12     1,190,005        0.37

Bryan Olson,

Chief People and Administrative Officer

     352,512        0.12     764        0.51     428,912        0.13

Guy Hussussian,

Chief Data Officer

     50,129        0.02     62        0.04     56,329        0.02

Jesse Channon,

Chief Growth Officer

     159,206        0.05     —          —       159,206        0.05

David Sirolly,

Chief Legal Officer and

General Counsel

     —          —       —          —       —          —  

All Board directors and named executive officers as a group

     76,870,417        25.38     52,265        34.62     82,096,917        25.82

 

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ITEM 5.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Company’s Board currently consists of eight directors, of whom six are considered to be independent persons. See Item 7—“Director Independence” for details on the independence of the Company’s directors.

The following table sets forth the individuals that we anticipate will be the directors and executive officers of the Company as of the Effective Date and their respective positions.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Nicholas Vita

     49      Chief Executive Officer and Director

Michael Abbott

     57      Executive Chairman and Director

Frank Savage

     82      Director

James A.C. Kennedy

     67      Director

Jonathan P. May

     55      Director

Jeff Clarke

     59      Director

Alison Worthington

     57      Director

Julie Hill

     74      Director

David Hart

     44      Chief Operating Officer

Lars Boesgaard

     51      Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Rosemary Mazanet

     65      Chief Scientific Officer

Bryan Olson

     47      Chief People and Administrative Officer

Guy Hussussian

     55      Chief Data Officer

Jesse Channon

     36      Chief Growth Officer

David Sirolly

     46      Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Director and Executive Officer Biographies

Nicholas Vita, Director and Chief Executive Officer

Nicholas Vita co-founded Columbia Care in 2012. Mr. Vita began his career as a strategic advisor at S.G. Warburg and then as a member of the Healthcare Investment Banking Department at Goldman Sachs. Mr. Vita has more than 20 years’ experience as an executive and an entrepreneur in finance and healthcare.

Michael Abbott, Director and Executive Chairman

Michael Abbott co-founded Columbia Care in 2012. Mr. Abbott started his financial career at Swiss Bank Corporation/SBC O’Connor and later worked at Goldman Sachs. Mr. Abbott has since launched and run several companies. Prior to his career in finance, Mr. Abbott served on the London Police Force.

Frank Savage, Director

Frank Savage is currently the Managing Partner of Savage Holdings, LLC, a global financial services company and has previously held senior positions at Citibank, Equitable Life Assurance Corp. (now AXA Inc.) and Alliance Capital Management International as its Chairman. He currently serves on the board of directors of Bloomberg L.P., and has served on the boards of a number of corporations and non-profit organizations, including Lockheed Martin, Inc. and Qualcomm Inc. Mr. Savage earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University, a Master of Arts degree from the Johns Hopkins Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, and was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University and an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Howard University. He serves as Chair Emeritus of Howard University and Trustee Emeritus of The Johns Hopkins University.

 

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James A.C. Kennedy, Director

In December 2015, James A.C. Kennedy resigned from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of T. Rowe Price Group, a global investment management organization, serving institutions and individuals around the world and retired from T. Rowe Price in March 2016. Mr. Kennedy spent 38 years with T. Rowe Price, including nine years as CEO, during which time the firm’s assets more than doubled to $763 billion. Previously Mr. Kennedy served as an investment analyst, as Director of Research, and as Head of Equities at the firm. Mr. Kennedy also served on the Board of T. Rowe Price for 20 years. Prior to earning his MBA at Stanford University, Mr. Kennedy participated in the Financial Management training program at General Electric. Mr. Kennedy currently serves on the board of United Continental.

Jonathan P. May, Director

Jonathan May is currently Co-Founder and Managing Director of Floresta Ventures, LLC. Floresta invests, owns and operates restaurant and retail concepts. He is also a co-founder and managing director of Floresta Partners, LLC, a consulting firm focusing on growing multi-unit restaurant and retail concepts. Prior to forming Floresta, Mr. May was Executive Director of Natural Capital Partners Holdings LLC. NCPH works with corporations to measure their environmental impact and deliver solutions for positive impact on carbon, renewable energy, water, biodiversity and communities.

Previously Mr. May was a founder and Managing Director of Catalytic Capital LLC, a private equity firm focused on growing retail and consumer branded companies. Before co-founding Catalytic Capital, Mr. May was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for Triarc Companies, Inc. where he was responsible for merger identification and execution, corporate finance, and strategic planning. Mr. May also served as Chief Executive Officer of Arby’s, Inc., where he managed the growth of 3,400 restaurants comprising $2.5 billion of global system-wide sales. Mr. May held a variety of strategic and operating roles at Arby’s before becoming CEO. Mr. May also sits on the Board of Trustees of Griffin Industrial Realty, a publicly traded real estate company. Mr. May formerly was a board member of Sneaker Villa and Marketwatch.com.

Jeff Clarke, Director

Mr. Clarke currently serves as Co-CEO of E.Merge Technology Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: ETACU), a special purpose acquisition corporation. Mr. Clarke also serves as Chairman of FTD, LLC, leading the restructure of the company following its acquisition by Nexus Capital Management in August 2019. Prior to this, Mr. Clarke spent five years as chief executive officer of Eastman Kodak Company, where he led the restructuring and divestiture of its high multiple packaging print division, substantially reducing Kodak’s debt. Mr. Clarke has also held numerous prominent roles within the technology industry, including chief executive officer, chairman and executive chair positions at Travelport Limited, a leading technology and distribution company in the travel industry. He has also served as chief operating officer for CA Software, executive vice president of global operations at Hewlett-Packard and chief financial officer at Compaq Computer. Mr. Clarke is currently a director at Generate Life Sciences and is a former director at Docker, Autodesk, Red Hat, Compuware and UTStarcom. He earned his MBA from Northeastern University and now serves as a Northeastern University Trustee.

Alison Worthington, Director

Alison Worthington is an innovative marketing leader with nearly three decades of experience transforming brands, product portfolios and P&Ls to deliver growth and ROI. Ms. Worthington held multiple senior level operating roles for The Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks and Microsoft as well as serving as the global Chief Marketing Officer for Method Home Products and a senior consultant at L.E.K. Consulting. She currently leads a marketing consulting practice, where she engages as an interim Chief Marketing Officer and on demand advisor to high growth tech, consumer, life science, retail and e-commerce companies looking to reposition and scale their brands and products with new customer experiences and channels. She leverages her background in building experiential lifestyle brands through compelling communication, disruptive product innovation, digital

 

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transformation and omnichannel marketing to put businesses on a path of purposeful growth and competitive differentiation. She has been fortunate to work with great companies like GoPro, Ancestry, Bragg Live Foods and multiple startups. Ms. Worthington also serves on the board of directors for Generate, a privately held life sciences company helping to grow and protect families through newborn stem cell, reproductive and healthcare technology services. Ms. Worthington earned an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and an AB in Economics from Smith College.

Julie Hill, Director

Julie Hill has spent more than two decades serving on a range of private and public corporate boards of directors. Most recently, Ms. Hill was a member of the board of directors of Anthem, a Fortune 50 company and the largest U.S. health insurance company by member. She is currently a member of the board of trustees of Lord Abbett, a $225 billion New Jersey-based mutual fund management firm. She was also previously on the board of Lend Lease, based in Sydney, Australia, a $9 billion international construction, development, investment and management firm, publicly traded on the Australian exchange, and Holcim (U.S.), the U.S. operation of a Swiss company, as well as several other public corporate boards. Prior to her last 20 years serving on boards of directors, she founded and ran multiple companies, mostly in the real estate investment and development industry, and was a senior executive at numerous publicly traded companies, including Mobil Land, a division of Mobil Oil, and UK-based Costain Group. Ms. Hill is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of California at Irvine (UCI), and is a board member of Leaders’ Quest, and the Alliance for SoCal Innovation. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum and Los Angeles Trusteeship, and is a prior member of the Women’s Leadership Board of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from UCLA, and a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Georgia.

David Hart, Chief Operating Officer

David Hart joined Columbia Care in 2016 and became Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Prior to joining Columbia Care, Mr. Hart served as COO of Abyrx, a venture capital backed medical device company. Prior to his time at Abyrx, Mr. Hart was CFO and CIO at Alpine Capital, a family investment office for the Ranawat Orthopedic Group at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Mr. Hart started his career in financial services at Thomas Weisel Partners and Duff & Phelps.

Lars Boesgaard, Chief Financial Officer

Lars Boesgaard joined Columbia Care as Chief Financial Officer in 2018. Prior to joining Columbia Care, Mr. Boesgaard served as the CFO of Roka Bioscience which he helped take public through an initial public offering. Prior to Roka, Mr. Boesgaard was an executive with Insulet Corporation and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Boesgaard began his career at Novo Nordisk A/S. Mr. Boesgaard has more than 20 years of finance leadership experience with public companies.

Dr. Rosemary Mazanet, Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Rosemary Mazanet joined Columbia Care as Chief Scientific Officer in 2015 as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board and became the Chief Scientific Officer in 2017. Prior to joining Columbia Care, Dr. Mazanet was an Oncologist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute before starting her industry career at Amgen. Dr. Mazanet has more than 25 years of experience as an expert in all areas of Biotechnology and is a Trustee at the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Bryan Olson, Chief People & Administrative Officer

Bryan Olson joined Columbia Care as Chief Human Capital Officer in 2017. Prior to joining Columbia Care, Mr. Olson was CHRO for global law firm K&L Gates and previously held senior HR executive positions at Aetna and United Technologies Corporation. Mr. Olson is a former practicing employee benefits and executive compensation attorney at Skadden Arps and started his career at Fidelity Investments.

 

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Guy Hussussian, Chief Data Officer

Guy Hussussian joined Columbia Care as Chief Data Officer in 2018. Mr. Hussussian has more than 20 years of Engineering, IT, and Operations leadership experience. Mr. Hussussian started the Infrastructure Engineering and Cloud Operations Group responsible for IBM-Aspera High Speed Transfer Service. Prior to IBM he was a Director of Research and Development at VMware. Mr. Hussussian started his career as an engineer in healthcare and worked his way up to running Global IT for Workshare.

Jesse Channon, Chief Growth Officer

Jesse Channon joined Columbia Care in December 2019 as Chief Growth Officer. Mr. Channon is an accomplished leader with over a decade of experience in digital marketing, consumer targeting, grassroots campaigns and social media, having advised and worked with some of the largest brands and agencies in the world, including Microsoft, AT&T, Honda, Starbucks, NBC, Red Bull and more. A member of the founding team at PageLever, a Y Combinator-backed company, Mr. Channon oversaw all revenue and partnerships, working with companies such as YouTube, Intel and Toyota to build one of the first real-time applications on Facebook’s API and earning certification in the first wave of Preferred Marketing Developers. In 2013, PageLever sold to Unified, a New York City-based Ad Tech company, where Mr. Channon spent six years on the senior management team. After Unified, Mr. Channon served as chief revenue officer for Social Native, a custom content marketplace. He serves on the Entrepreneurship Advisory Board for the Harbert School of Business at Auburn University, the Marketing Board for UJA in New York City and mentors first-time founders of early stage start-ups.

David Sirolly, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

David Sirolly joined Columbia Care in 2021 as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel. Prior to joining Columbia Care, Mr. Sirolly served as General Counsel, Corporate and Chief Compliance Officer of Integra LifeSciences Corporation, a publicly-traded global medical technology company. Over his 11-year career at Integra, he held a variety of legal and compliance leadership roles which included accountability for corporate governance, securities laws, finance initiatives, healthcare compliance, employment law, litigation as well as legal support for a commercial division and information technology. Prior to Integra, Mr. Sirolly was Assistant General Counsel of ValueClick, Inc. (now Conversant, Inc.), a publicly-traded digital media company. David began his legal career at the international law firm of Hogan & Hartson LLP (now Hogan Lovells) based in Washington DC. At Hogan, he focused on supporting medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers on complex legal and regulatory matters. Mr. Sirolly also spent several years at a leading regional law firm in Pennsylvania working on civil and administrative litigation. Mr. Sirolly has a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and a degree in economics from Duke University.

 

ITEM 6.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview of Executive Compensation

The Board is authorized to review and approve annually all compensation decisions relating to the executive officers of the Company. In accordance with reduced disclosure rules applicable to emerging growth companies as set forth in Item 402 of Regulation S-K, this section explains how the Company’s compensation program is structured for its Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (the “named executive officers”).

Compensation Governance

The Company’s Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s compensation policies, processes and practices. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for evaluating performance in determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chairman, and seeks input from

 

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the Board to ensure feedback is thorough and robust. The Compensation Committee also ensures that compensation policies and practices provide an appropriate balance of risk and reward consistent with the Company’s risk profile. The Board has established a written charter for the Compensation Committee setting out its responsibilities for administering the Company’s compensation programs and reviewing and making recommendations to the Board concerning the level and nature of the compensation payable to the Company’s directors and executive officers.

The members of the Compensation Committee are James A.C. Kennedy, Jonathan P. May and Frank Savage. The Compensation Committee is chaired by Mr. Kennedy, former President and Chief Executive Officer of global investment management firm T. Rowe Price Group. Mr. Kennedy brings valuable knowledge and expertise to the Compensation Committee, and his experience includes serving as the Compensation Committee chair of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. All of the members of the Compensation Committee are independent directors in that they do not have a direct or indirect material relationship with the Company which could, in the view of the Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of the director’s independent judgment. The independence of the compensation consultant is assessed by the Compensation Committee on an annual basis to ensure continued independence. In the coming year, the Compensation Committee also intends to begin evaluating its own performance on an annual basis.

The Compensation Committee is tasked with establishing an executive compensation program, which includes any share-based awards, option-based awards or the establishment of any non-equity incentive plans. The terms of any proposed compensation for the directors of the Company who are not also officers of the Company (including any share-based awards or options to be granted) are determined by the Compensation Committee.

To assist in reviewing and determining executive compensation, beginning in October 2018 and throughout 2020, the Compensation Committee retained ClearBridge Compensation Group, LLC (“ClearBridge”) to provide services to the Compensation Committee in connection with executive officer and director compensation matters, including, among other things, the following:

 

   

assist in reviewing the Compensation Committee Charter and processes;

 

   

assist in reviewing the Company’s compensation philosophy;

 

   

assist in updating/developing the comparator groups;

 

   

assist in reviewing the competitiveness of the Company’s recommended 2020 cash and equity-based compensation arrangements for NEOs and other key executives;

 

   

assist in designing the 2020 LTI program; and

 

   

assist in reviewing the director compensation program.

The following table sets out the aggregate fees billed by ClearBridge for its services related to determining compensation for the Company’s executive officers for the most recently completed financial year of the Company:

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2020  

Executive Compensation-Related Fees

   C$ 512,253  

All Other Fees

     —    

All services provided by ClearBridge to the Company are pre-approved by the Compensation Committee.

2020 Performance Highlights

In 2020, in spite of the headwinds created by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Company was able to achieve record operational performance, while also continuing to pursue and execute on strategic initiatives, specifically:

 

  i.

delivered combined revenue of $197.9 million, an increase of 151% from the prior year; combined gross profit of $76.1 million (excludes changes in fair value of biological assets and inventory sold), an

 

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  increase of 260% over the prior year; and became adjusted EBITDA positive starting in Q3 of 2020 (excludes changes in fair value of biological assets sold, share based compensation expense, and other non-recurring items deemed unrelated to current operations);

 

  ii.

ended the year with $61M cash;

 

  iii.

added 39 dispensaries to the Company’s footprint;

 

  iv.

made significant progress on many key M&A initiatives, including but not limited to completing the acquisition of The Green Leaf Solutions and Project Cannabis, entering into agreements to acquire Green Leaf Medical and The Healing Center San Diego (acquisition has since been completed in 2021), and continuing to identify and pursue other M&A opportunities that align with the Company’s business strategy; and

 

  v.

successfully transitioned certain jobs to remote-work with limited disruptions to the Company’s customers and business, as well as successfully implemented safety measures at all facilities, allowing the Company to continue operations during the global pandemic, while also providing a safe environment for the Company’s employees and customers.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Company operates in a dynamic and rapidly evolving market. To succeed in this environment and to achieve business and financial objectives, the Company needs to attract, retain and motivate a highly talented team of executive officers. The Company expects the team of executive officers to possess and demonstrate strong leadership and management capabilities, as well as foster the Company’s entrepreneurial, patient-centric, and results-driven culture, which is at the foundation of the Company’s success and remains a pivotal part of the Company’s everyday operations.

The Company’s executive officer compensation program is designed to achieve the following objectives:

 

   

provide market competitive compensation opportunities in order to attract and retain talented, high performing and experienced executive officers, whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to the Company’s success;

 

   

incentivize the Company’s executive officers to achieve the Company’s business and financial objectives;

 

   

align the interests of the Company’s executive officers with those of the Company’s shareholders; and

 

   

balance achieving short-term results and creating long-term sustainable value to shareholders by providing incentives that encourage the Company’s executive officers to take appropriate levels of risk and that enforce a strong pay for performance relationship.

Benchmarking

As previously noted, a key component of the Company’s compensation philosophy is to provide market competitive compensation opportunities in order to attract and retain talented, high performing and experienced executive officers, whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to the Company’s success. The Company’s comparator group consists of a combination of companies in the Cannabis industry and high-growth companies in the broad market that are around a relevant size to Columbia Care. For 2020 compensation benchmarking purposes, in consultation with ClearBridge Compensation Group, LLC (“ClearBridge”), an independent compensation consulting group, the decision was made to split the comparator group into two separate groups, specifically:

 

  i.

Cannabis Comparator Group: Consists of 15 North American cannabis companies that met certain size criteria to provide insight into how competitors set and design compensation, and

 

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  ii.

Broad Market Competitor Group: Consists of 18 North American high-growth companies (as defined by revenue growth), intended to supplement the Cannabis Comparator Group, to provide insight into how similarly-sized companies in other non-cannabis, high-growth industries set and design compensation.

 

2020 Cannabis Comparator Group

Aurora Cannabis Inc.    Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.    iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.    TerrAscend Corp.
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc.    Green Thumb Industries Inc.    MedMen Enterprises Inc.    Tilray, Inc.
Cresco Labs Inc.    Harvest Health & Recreation Inc.    Organigram Holdings Inc.    Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
Cronos Group Inc.    HEXO Corp.    Sundial Growers Inc.   

2020 Broad Market Comparator Group

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc.    Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.    OptiNose, Inc.    Theravance Biopharma, Inc.
Cardlytics, Inc.    Invitae Corporation    Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.    Twist Bioscience Corporation
CareDx, Inc    Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.    Radius Health, Inc.    Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
Casa Systems, Inc.    iRhythm Technologies, Inc.    REGENXBIO Inc.   
Coherus BioSciences, Inc.    NewAge, Inc.    The Joint Corp.   

Note: As part of the 2020 comparator group review, Alteryx Inc., AppFolio Inc., Everbridge Inc., Glaukos Corporation, New Relic Inc., Penumbra Inc., Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc., Teladoc Health Inc., and Yext Inc. were removed from the comparator group given they no longer meet the required size criteria.

When setting target pay levels, the Compensation Committee uses compensation data from the comparator groups as one of many considerations. The Compensation Committee does not target any specific market positioning but rather references the 50th percentile, recognizing that the specific positioning for each NEO varies based on multiple factors such as individual performance, job responsibilities, and historical compensation levels.

Elements of Compensation

The compensation of executives of the Company includes three main elements: (i) base salary; (ii) an annual bonus; and (iii) long-term equity incentives. Perquisites and personal benefits are not a significant element of compensation for the Company’s executive officers.

Base Salaries

Base salary is provided as a fixed source of compensation for the Company’s executive officers. Adjustments to base salaries are reviewed annually and as warranted throughout the year to reflect promotions or other changes in the scope of an executive officer’s role or responsibilities, as well as to maintain market competitiveness.

Annual Bonuses

Annual bonuses are designed to motivate the Company’s executive officers to meet annual business and financial objectives. The annual bonus plan supports the Company’s strategic and financial goals and considers

 

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performance versus key performance indicators as a factor in determining bonus payments to the Company’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee, after considering all relevant Company and individual performance factors, determines annual bonus payouts for the CEO and Executive Chairperson in their discretion. The Compensation Committee oversees the bonus determination process for the other NEOs.

Specifically, in 2020, the Compensation Committee considered and assessed the Company’s financial performance (e.g., revenue, margin, cash flow, and balance sheet achievement versus budget), operational performance (e.g., operating results improvement, licenses awarded, build out of operations facilities, quality control, and regulatory compliance), and individual performance versus pre-established KPIs. Given the Company’s record performance in 2020 as noted under the heading “2020 Performance Highlights” above, especially considering the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the bonuses were made with an average payout of 162% of target for the NEOs.

Long-Term Incentives

Long-term incentive (“LTI”) compensation awards provide continual motivation for the Company’s officers, employees and consultants to achieve business and financial objectives and align their interests with the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. The purpose of the LTI program is to promote alignment of interests between employees and shareholders, and to support the achievement of the Company’s longer-term performance objectives, while also promoting long-term retention.

As a result, the annual LTI program consists of 35% PSUs and 65% time-vested RSUs for the NEOs in order to incentivize performance, provide alignment with shareholders and meet the Company’s retention needs. The RSU grant is earned based on employee service, vesting 25% per year over a four-year period.

The 2020 PSU grant was tied to fiscal year 2020 financial and strategic performance goals, with two years of additional vesting, resulting in a three-year cliff vesting grant. Goals were set based on one year of performance (fiscal year 2020) recognizing the Company’s business stage and the challenges with setting multi-year goals given the quickly evolving nature of the cannabis industry. Specifically, the PSUs were tied to Company revenue, gross profit margin (excludes changes in fair value of biological assets and inventory sold), and adjusted EBITDA (excludes changes in fair value of biological assets sold, share based compensation expense, and other non-recurring items deemed unrelated to current operations). PSU payouts can range from 0% of target to 150% of target for achieving maximum performance, with a payout of 50% of target for achieving the threshold performance level. There are no payouts for below threshold performance. On an as needed basis, in their discretion, the Compensation Committee has a discretionary modifier of up to +/- 20 percentage points when determining performance-based vesting, capped at the maximum payout of 150% of target.

Based on the Company’s achievement against the 2020 operational metrics, the PSUs were calculated to pay out at 135.75% of target. Given the Company’s record performance in 2020 as noted under the heading “2020 Performance Highlights” above, especially considering the challenges created by the COVID-19 global pandemic in achieving that performance, the Compensation Committee applied its discretionary modifier per the plan design to approve a payout of 150% of target for the PSUs. Earned PSUs will be vested and settled in 2023.

 

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2020 Annual Total Target Compensation

As of fiscal year end 2020, the Company’s NEO’s annual target compensation levels were as follows:

 

Name and
Principal Position

   Base Salary
($)
     Target
Bonus
(% of Base)
    Total Cash
Compensation
($)
     Long-term
Incentives
($)
     Target Total Direct
Compensation
($)
 
Nicholas Vita
CEO and Director
   $ 420,000        75   $ 735,000      $ 2,450,000      $ 3,185,000  
Michael Abbott
Executive Chairman and Director
   $ 400,000        50   $ 600,000      $ 1,750,000      $ 2,350,000  
Lars Boesgaard
CFO
   $ 283,000        40   $ 396,200      $ 600,000      $ 996,200  
David Hart
COO
   $ 310,000        40   $ 434,000      $ 1,200,000      $ 1,634,000  
Jesse Channon
Chief Growth Officer
   $ 300,000        40   $ 420,000      $ 600,000      $ 1,020,000  

2020 Sign-on Equity Grant to Jesse Channon

Effective November 26, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Jesse Channon to serve as the Company’s Chief Growth Officer. In March 2020, in connection with Mr. Channon’s employment agreement, the Company granted him a sign-on grant of $1,000,000 in RSUs that vests 25% per year over a four-year period (i.e., same vesting as annual RSU grants made to NEOs as part of the annual LTI program) and $500,000 in PSUs (at target) with 50% of the performance criteria tied to Company revenue goals for fiscal year 2020 and 50% tied to Company revenue goals for fiscal year 2021.

50% of the PSUs earned in each respective year vest at certification of performance, and the other 50% of earned PSUs in each respective year cliff vest at the end of fiscal year 2022. PSU payouts can range from 50% of target for achieving threshold performance to 200% of target for achieving maximum performance. There are no payouts for below threshold performance.

Given the Company’s revenue performance in 2020, the payout for the portion of Mr. Channon’s PSUs that are earned based on 2020 revenue performance was calculated at 135.19% of target PSUs. 50% of these earned PSUs vested at certification of performance and the other 50% will vest at the end of 2022.

 

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth all compensation paid to or earned by the named executive officers of the Company in the last three fiscal years.

 

Name and Principal
Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Share-Based
Awards(1)(2) (3)
($)
    Option-
Based
Awards
($)
    Non-equity Incentive
Plan Compensation
($)
    All Other
Compensation(4)
($)
    Total
Compensation
($)
 
  Annual
Incentive
Plans
    Long-
term
Incentive
Plans
 

Nicholas Vita
CEO and Director

    2020     $ 416,339     $ 2,722,138     $ 0     $ 550,000     $ 0     $ 19,979     $ 3,708,456  
    2019     $ 400,000     $ 19,008,876     $ 0     $ 225,000     $ 0     $ 27,959     $ 19,661,835  

Michael Abbott
Executive Chairman and Director

    2020     $ 400,000     $ 1,944,386     $ 0     $ 350,000     $ 0     $ 43,229     $ 2,737,614  
    2019     $ 400,000     $ 18,683,588     $ 0     $ 120,000     $ 0     $ 21,428     $ 19,225,016  

Lars Boesgaard
CFO

    2020     $ 281,536     $ 666,649     $ 0     $ 180,000     $ 0     $ 1,072     $ 1,129,256  
    2019     $ 273,940     $ 2,936,950     $ 0     $ 142,500     $ 0     $ 1,072     $ 3,354,463  

David Hart
COO

    2020     $ 308,169     $ 1,333,295     $ 0     $ 190,000     $ 0     $ 1,072     $ 1,832,537  
    2019     $ 297,476     $ 6,859,594     $ 0     $ 90,000     $ 0     $ 1,162     $ 7,248,232  

Jesse Channon(5)
Chief Growth Officer

    2020     $ 295,423     $ 2,324,358     $ 0     $ 180,000     $ 0     $ 1,072     $ 2,800,854  
    2019     $ 7,404     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 89     $ 7,493  

Notes:

 

(1)

2020 share-based award values converted to USD based on an exchange rate of 1 CAD: 0.784808 USD; 2019 share-based award values converted to USD based on an exchange rate of 1 CAD: 0.768233.

(2)

For 2020, reflects (i) annual share-based awards, specifically 894,663 RSUs and 481,742 PSUs granted to Mr. Vita, 639,045 RSUs and 344,102 PSUs granted to Mr. Abbott, 219,102 RSUs and 117,978 PSUs granted to Mr. Boesgaard, 438,203 RSUs and 235,956 PSUs granted to Mr. Hart, and 219,102 RSUs and 117,978 PSUs granted to Mr. Channon, and (ii) sign-on award of 680,273 RSUs and 340,137 PSUs to Mr. Channon. PSU amounts are disclosed at target.

(3)

For 2019, reflects (i) annual share-based awards, specifically 263,514 RSUs and 141,892 PSUs granted to Mr. Vita, 204,955 RSUs and 110,361 PSUs granted to Mr. Abbott, 70,271 RSUs and 37,838 PSUs granted to Mr. Boesgaard, and 117,118 RSUs and 63,064 PSUs granted to Mr. Hart, and (ii) Post-Closing RSU Grants, specifically 870,691 time-vested RSUs and 1,741,382 performance-vested RSUs granted to Messrs. Vita and Abbott, 174,139 time-vested RSUs and 174,139 performance-vested RSUs granted to Mr. Boesgaard, and 435,346 time-vested RSUs and 435,346 performance-vested RSUs granted to Mr. Hart, and (iii) special one-time RSU award of 12,423 time-vested RSUs to Mr. Boesgaard. PSU amounts are disclosed at target.

(4)

Reflects (i) reimbursements for the cost of life insurance, specifically $1,346 for Mr. Vita, $13,482 for Mr. Abbott, and $1,072 each for Messrs. Boesgaard, Hart, and Channon, and (ii) reimbursements for tax planning services, specifically $18,633 for Mr. Vita and $29,746 for Mr. Abbott.

(5)

Mr. Channon was appointed Chief Growth Officer effective November 26, 2019.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the option-based and share-based awards granted to the Company’s Named Executive Officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2020.

 

     Option-based Awards      Share-based Awards  

Name and
Principal Position

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
     Option
Exercise
Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
     Value of
Unexercised
In-the-Money
Options
($)
     Number
of Shares
or Units
of Shares
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
     Market or
Payout
Value of
Share-Based
Awards
That Have
Not Vested
($)(1)(2)
     Market Or
Payout
Value of
Vested
Share-
Based
Awards
Not Paid
Out or
Distributed
($)(1)(3)
 

Nicholas Vita
CEO and Director

     —        $ 0        —        $ 0        4,071,526      $ 24,732,134      $ 0  

Michael Abbott
Executive Chairman and Director

     —        $ 0        —        $ 0        3,547,777      $ 21,550,666      $ 0  

Lars Boesgaard
CFO

     —        $ 0        —        $ 0        812,215      $ 4,933,730      $ 340,349  

David Hart
COO

     —        $ 0        —        $ 0        2,054,063      $ 12,477,229      $ 2,590,088  

Jesse Channon
Chief Growth Officer

     —        $ 0        —        $ 0        1,476,326      $ 8,967,816      $ 0  

Notes:

 

(1)

Market value of unvested share-based awards and vested but undistributed share-based awards calculated based on the closing share price on December 31, 2020 (converted to USD based on an exchange rate of 1 CAD: 0.784808 USD).

(2)

For outstanding PSUs whose performance has been certified, reflects number of shares eligible to vest; for outstanding PSUs whose performance has not yet been certified, reflects target number of shares.

(3)

Reflects market value of vested deferred compensation granted under the Legacy Management Incentive Plan and converted into deferred RSUs in connection with the completion of the qualifying transaction between the Company, under the name “Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp.,” and Columbia Care LLC in 2019 (the “Business Combination”); Columbia Care Inc.’s Board of Directors approved termination of the Income Incentive Plan (i.e., the deferred compensation plan under the Legacy Management Incentive Plan), effective April 1, 2020, and all outstanding deferred compensation will subsequently be paid out between 12 and 24 months following plan termination per 409A of the IRS code.

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company’s Board of Directors approved termination of the Income Incentive Plan (i.e., the deferred compensation plan under the Legacy Management Incentive Plan), effective April 1, 2020, and all outstanding deferred compensation will subsequently be paid out in shares of the Company between 12 and 24 months following plan termination per 409A of the IRS code. The Company has no other deferred compensation plans.

 

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Termination and Change of Control Benefits

Other than as described herein, the Company does not have any contract, agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for payments to a NEO at, following, or in connection with a termination (whether voluntary, involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change of control of the Company or a change in a NEO’s responsibilities. Note that the dollar value of potential accelerated equity in connection with a qualifying termination reflects an exchange rate of 1 CAD: 0.784808 USD.

Nicholas Vita

On April 26, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Vita (the “Vita Agreement”). In the event of termination without cause of Mr. Vita’s employment or if Mr. Vita resigns for good reason in connection with a change of control, Mr. Vita shall receive (i) an amount equal to thirty-six (36) months of the sum of Mr. Vita’s then base salary and target bonus paid over such 36-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; (ii) the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Vita’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Vita’s health insurance coverage for thirty-six (36) months beyond the termination date; and (iii) Mr. Vita shall receive outplacement services for a period of one (1) year following the termination date. The change of control payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Vita are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Vita signing and not rescinding the Vita Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favour of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon a qualifying termination in connection with a change of control, Mr. Vita’s outstanding time-vested RSUs, including the time-vested portion of his outstanding Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest in full and his outstanding performance-vested RSUs/PSUs, including his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the consummation of the change of control. The total estimated incremental payments, payables and benefits to Mr. Vita in the event his employment is terminated in connection with a change of control, as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $16,405,860, with Mr. Vita’s health insurance coverage continuing for thirty-six (36) months from the termination date.

In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Vita’s employment without cause or Mr. Vita resigns for good reason, Mr. Vita shall receive (i) an amount equal to twenty-four (24) months of the sum of Mr. Vita’s then base salary and target bonus paid over such 24-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; (ii) the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Vita’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Vita’s health insurance coverage for twenty-four (24) months beyond the termination date; and (iii) Mr. Vita shall receive outplacement services for a period of one (1) year following the termination date. The payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Vita are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Vita signing and not rescinding the Vita Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favour of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon an involuntary termination without cause or a termination for good reason, Mr. Vita’s outstanding time-vested RSUs and performance-vested RSUs/PSUs will be forfeited. As an exception, Mr. Vita’s outstanding time-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant will vest in full and his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the full performance period, pro-rated for months served. The total estimated incremental payments and payables to Mr. Vita in the event of termination of his employment without cause (other than due to a change of control), as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $4,145,539, with Mr. Vita’s health insurance coverage continuing for twenty-four (24) months from the termination date.

Michael Abbott

On April 26, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Abbott (the “Abbott Agreement”). In the event of termination without cause of Mr. Abbott’s employment or if Mr. Abbott resigns for good reason in connection with a change of control, Mr. Abbott shall receive (i) an amount equal to thirty-six

 

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(36) months of the sum of Mr. Abbott’s then base salary and target bonus paid over such 36-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; (ii) the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Abbott’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Abbott’s health insurance coverage for thirty-six (36) months beyond the termination date; and (iii) Mr. Abbott shall receive outplacement services for a period of one (1) year following the termination date. The change of control payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Abbott are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Abbott signing and not rescinding the Abbott Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favour of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon a qualifying termination in connection with a change of control, Mr. Abbott’s outstanding time-vested RSUs, including the time-vested portion of his outstanding Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest in full and his outstanding performance-vested RSUs/PSUs, including his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the consummation of the change of control. The total estimated incremental payments, payables and benefits to Mr. Abbott in the event his employment is terminated in connection with a change of control, as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $12,819,391, with Mr. Abbott’s health insurance coverage continuing for thirty-six (36) months from the termination date.

In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Abbott’s employment without cause or Mr. Abbott resigns for good reason, Mr. Abbott shall receive (i) an amount equal to twenty-four (24) months of the sum of Mr. Abbott’s then base salary and target bonus paid over such 24-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; (ii) the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Abbott’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Abbott’s health insurance coverage for twenty-four (24) months beyond the termination date; and (iii) Mr. Abbott shall receive outplacement services for a period of one (1) year following the termination date. The severance payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Abbott are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Abbott signing and not rescinding the Abbott Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favor of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon an involuntary termination without cause or a termination for good reason, Mr. Abbott’s outstanding time-vested RSUs and performance-vested RSUs/PSUs will be forfeited. As an exception, Mr. Abbott’s outstanding time-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant will vest in full and his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the full performance period, pro-rated for months served. The total estimated incremental payments and payables to Mr. Abbott in the event of termination of his employment without cause (other than due to a change of control), as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $3,875,539, with Mr. Abbott’s health insurance coverage continuing for twenty-four (24) months from the termination date.

Lars Boesgaard

On April 26, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Boesgaard (the “Boesgaard Agreement”). The Boesgaard Agreement may be terminated at any time by Mr. Boesgaard or the Company. In the event of termination without cause of Mr. Boesgaard’s employment in connection with a change of control, Mr. Boesgaard shall receive (i) an amount equal to eighteen (18) months of Mr. Boesgaard’s then base salary paid over such 18-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; and (ii) the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Boesgaard’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Boesgaard’s health insurance coverage for eighteen (18) months beyond the termination date. The change of control payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Boesgaard are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Boesgaard signing and not rescinding the Boesgaard Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favor of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon a qualifying termination in connection with a change of control, Mr. Boesgaard’s outstanding time-vested RSUs, including the time-vested portion of his outstanding Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest in full and his outstanding performance-vested RSUs/PSUs, including his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance

 

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through the consummation of the change of control. Under the Legacy Management Incentive Plan, upon a change of control, outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock units that were converted from Capital Accumulation Incentive Plan Units and Income Incentive Plan Units, respectively, will fully vest (though administrator of plan may determine to require the earlier of a period of up to one year of continued employment post change of control or termination of employment). The total estimated incremental payments, payables and benefits to Mr. Boesgaard in the event his employment is terminated in connection with a change of control, as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $4,493,500, with Mr. Boesgaard’s health insurance coverage continuing for eighteen (18) months from the termination date.

In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Boesgaard’s employment without cause, Mr. Boesgaard shall receive (i) an amount equal to twelve (12) months of Mr. Boesgaard’s then base salary paid over such 12-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; and the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Boesgaard’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Boesgaard’s health insurance coverage for twelve (12) months beyond the termination date. The severance payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Boesgaard are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Boesgaard signing and not rescinding the Boesgaard Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favor of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon an involuntary termination without cause, Mr. Boesgaard’s outstanding time-vested RSUs and performance-vested RSUs will be forfeited. As an exception, the portion of Mr. Boesgaard’s outstanding time-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant that is scheduled to vest within the following twelve months will vest and his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the full performance period, pro-rated for months served. Under the Legacy Management Incentive Plan, upon an involuntary termination without cause, outstanding restricted stock and RSUs that were converted from Capital Accumulation Incentive Plan Units and Income Incentive Plan Units, respectively, will be forfeited. The total estimated incremental payments and payables to Mr. Boesgaard in the event of termination of his employment without cause (other than due to a change of control), as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $676,158, with Mr. Boesgaard’s health insurance coverage continuing for twelve (12) months from the termination date.

David Hart

On April 26, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hart (the “Hart Agreement”). The Hart Agreement may be terminated at any time by Mr. Hart or the Company. In the event of termination without cause of Mr. Hart’s employment in connection with a change of control, Mr. Hart shall receive (i) an amount equal to twenty-four (24) months of Mr. Hart’s then base salary paid over such 24-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; and (ii) the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Hart’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Hart’s health insurance coverage for twenty-four (24) months beyond the termination date. The change of control payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Hart are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Hart signing and not rescinding the Hart Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favor of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon a qualifying termination in connection with a change of control, Mr. Hart’s outstanding time-vested RSUs, including the time-vested portion of his outstanding Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest in full and his outstanding performance-vested RSUs/PSUs, including his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant, will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the consummation of the change of control. Under the Legacy Management Incentive Plan, upon a change of control, outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock units that were converted from Capital Accumulation Incentive Plan Units and Income Incentive Plan Units, respectively, will fully vest (though administrator of plan may determine to require the earlier of a period of up to one year of continued employment post change of control or termination of employment). The total estimated incremental payments, payables and benefits to Mr. Hart in the event his employment is terminated in connection with a

 

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change of control, as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $10,731,657, with Mr. Hart’s health insurance coverage continuing for twenty-four (24) months from the termination date.

In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Hart’s employment without cause, Mr. Hart shall receive (i) an amount equal to eighteen (18) months of Mr. Hart’s then base salary paid over such 18-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; and the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Hart’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Hart’s health insurance coverage for eighteen (18) months beyond the termination date. The severance payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Hart are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Hart signing and not rescinding the Hart Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favor of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon an involuntary termination without cause, Mr. Hart’s outstanding time-vested RSUs and performance-vested RSUs will be forfeited. As an exception, the portion of Mr. Hart’s outstanding time-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant that is scheduled to vest within the following twelve months will vest and his performance-vested portion of his Post-Closing RSU Grant will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the full performance period, pro-rated for months served. Under the Legacy Management Incentive Plan, upon an involuntary termination without cause, outstanding restricted stock and RSUs that were converted from Capital Accumulation Incentive Plan Units and Income Incentive Plan Units, respectively, will be forfeited. The total estimated incremental payments and payables to Mr. Hart in the event of termination of his employment without cause (other than due to a change of control), as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $1,335,296, with Mr. Hart’s health insurance coverage continuing for eighteen (18) months from the termination date.

Jesse Channon

On November 26, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Channon (the “Channon Agreement”). The Channon Agreement may be terminated at any time by Mr. Channon or the Company. In the event of termination without cause of Mr. Channon’s employment in connection with a change of control, Mr. Channon shall receive (i) an amount equal to eighteen (18) months of Mr. Channon’s then base salary paid over such 18-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; and (ii) the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Channon’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Channon’s health insurance coverage for eighteen (18) months beyond the termination date. The change of control payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Channon are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Channon signing and not rescinding the Channon Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favour of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon a qualifying termination in connection with a change of control, Mr. Channon’s outstanding time-vested RSUs, will vest in full and his outstanding performance-vested RSUs/PSUs will vest, with the number of shares earned to be based on actual performance through the consummation of the change of control. The total estimated incremental payments, payables and benefits to Mr. Channon in the event his employment is terminated in connection with a change of control, as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $9,621,116, with Mr. Channon’s health insurance coverage continuing for eighteen (18) months from the termination date.

In the event that the Company terminates Mr. Channon’s employment without cause, Mr. Channon shall receive (i) an amount equal to twelve (12) months of Mr. Channon’s then base salary paid over such 12-month period in installments on the Company’s regular payroll schedule following the termination date; and the Company shall pay its share of Mr. Channon’s health insurance premiums to continue Mr. Channon’s health insurance coverage for twelve (12) months beyond the termination date. The severance payments and benefits that would be made to Mr. Channon are conditioned on and subject to Mr. Channon signing and not rescinding the Channon Agreement, a non-disclosure agreement and an effective, general release of all claims in favour of the Company within no greater than 60 days following the termination date. Upon an involuntary termination without cause, Mr. Channon’s outstanding time-vested RSUs and performance-vested RSUs will be forfeited. The total

 

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estimated incremental payments and payables to Mr. Channon in the event of termination of his employment without cause (other than due to a change of control), as if such event occurred on the last business day of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, is $435,534, with Mr. Channon’s health insurance coverage continuing for twelve (12) months from the termination date.

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth all compensation paid to or earned by each non-employee director of the Company during fiscal year 2020.

 

Name(1)

   Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash(2)
($)
     Share-
Based
Awards(3)
(4)

($)
     Option-
Based
Awards
($)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
     Total
Compensation
($)
 

Jeff Clarke

   $ 40,500      $ 273,418      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 313,918  

James A.C. Kennedy

   $ 59,500      $ 178,976      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 238,476  

Jonathan P. May

   $ 72,000      $ 178,976      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 250,976  

Frank Savage

   $ 44,375      $ 273,418      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 317,793  

Alison Worthington

   $ 5,000      $ 174,834      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 179,834  

Igor Gimelshtein

   $ 27,500      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 27,500  

John Howard

   $ 13,375      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 13,375  

David Solomon

   $ 10,750      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 10,750  

Notes:

 

(1)

Effective January 31, 2020, Frank Savage and Jeff Clarke were named to the Board of Directors of Columbia Care Inc.; effective November 2, 2020, Alison Worthington was named to the Board of Directors of Columbia Care Inc.; effective January 31, 2020, John Howard and David Solomon transitioned from the Board of Directors to the Strategic Advisory Board; effective June 8, 2020, Igor Gimelshtein did not stand for re-election at the 2020 annual shareholder meeting and transitioned to the role of Board Observer.

(2)

Reflects annual cash retainer for Board service and, as applicable, additional cash retainer for Lead Director and additional cash retainer for Committee chairs and members.

(3)

Share-based award values converted to USD based on an exchange rate of 1 CAD: 0.784808 USD.

(4)

Reflects (i) annual RSU awards, specifically 59,234 RSUs granted to each of Messrs. Clarke, Kennedy, May, and Savage, and (ii) pro-rated initial RSU awards, specifically 47,753 RSUs granted to each of Messrs. Clarke and Savage and 43,257 RSUs granted to Ms. Worthington.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During fiscal 2020, Frank Savage, James A.C. Kennedy and Jonathan P. May served as members of the Compensation Committee.

None of the Company’s executive officers served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company or on the Compensation Committee, during fiscal 2020. None of the Company’s executive officers served as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee, during fiscal 2020.

 

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ITEM 7. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Related Party Transaction Policy

The Company has not adopted a related party transaction policy.

Transactions with Related Persons

Since the beginning of the last fiscal year there have been none and there are no currently proposed transactions, in which the Company was or is to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Promoters

No person or company has been at any time during the past five fiscal years a promoter of the Company.

Director Independence

For purposes of this registration statement, the independence of our directors is determined under the corporate governance rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). The independence rules of Nasdaq include a series of objective tests, including that an “independent” person will not be employed by us and will not be engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, the Board is required to make a subjective determination as to each person that no material relationship exists with the Company either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company. It has been determined that six of our directors that we expect to be on the Board as of the Effective Date are independent persons under the independence rules of Nasdaq: Frank Savage, James A.C. Kennedy, Jonathan P. May, Jeff Clarke, Alison Worthington and Julie Hill.

 

ITEM 8.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Legal Proceedings

A subsidiary of the Company, and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, are respondent parties in a confidential arbitration before the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration was initiated on October 24, 2019, by an investor (the “Claimant”) in a non-Company entity, which, in turn, is an investor in an additional non-Company entity for which the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman are managers and to which the Company provides operating services pursuant to a written agreement. Claimant asserted direct, derivative and double derivative claims relating to alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and contractual obligations, along with certain tort claims. The arbitration follows from a prior case filed by the Claimant on November 30, 2018, in the New York Supreme Court, Commercial Division (the “New York Proceeding”) asserting similar claims as are at issue in the arbitration. In the New York Proceeding, the Claimant sought, among other remedies, preliminary injunctive relief to enjoin the Business Combination. On April 15, 2019, the New York Supreme Court, Commercial Division, finally denied Claimant’s requests for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctive relief, as well as compelled the dispute to arbitration. The Appellate Division, First department affirmed those orders. The Company’s subsidiary and its Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman have asserted defenses in respect of the allegations in the arbitration. However, there can be no assurance that they will be successful in pursuing such defenses and if they are not successful in establishing such defenses that the damages awarded will not be material.

A former minority owner of the Company’s Florida-licensed business was sued by a former purported joint venture partner, alleging various statutory and common law claims related to the terminated joint venture. The Company had agreed to indemnify the former minority owner for litigation costs and any judgment rendered in the matter, in excess of $750,000. On January 20, 2021, following an arbitration hearing, the arbitration panel

 

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issued a partial final award in the former joint venture partner’s favor on three of the 11 claims asserted and awarded the former joint venture partner $10,553,214.30 plus prejudgment interest from July 26, 2017 through the present, as well as reasonable attorneys’ fees. On March 2, 2021, the Panel issued a Final Award, awarding the former joint venture partner a total of $15,195,230.85, inclusive of prejudgment interest and attorneys’ fees. The former minority owner is challenging the Final Award in the Florida state court system. The Company expects a demand for indemnification to be made by the former minority owner, pursuant to the indemnification agreement, should a judgment be entered against the former minority owner in the Florida state court system.

ITEM 9. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Trading Price and Volume

The Company’s common shares are listed on the NEO under the symbol “CCHW”, on the CSE under the symbol “CCHW”, on the OTCQX under the symbol “CCHWF” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “3LP”.

Shareholders

As of June 10, 2021, there are 193 holders of record of our common shares.

Dividends

The Company has not declared cash dividends on the common shares in the past. The Company currently intends to reinvest all future earnings to finance the development and growth of its business. As a result, the Company does not intend to pay dividends on the common shares in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay distributions will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend on the financial condition, business environment, operating results, capital requirements, any contractual restrictions on the payment of distributions and any other factors that the Board deems relevant. The Company is not bound or limited in any way to pay dividends in the event that the Board determines that a dividend is in the best interest of its shareholders.

Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth the number of Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding convertible securities, the weighted-average exercise price of such outstanding convertible securities and the number of Common Shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans as at December 31, 2020.

 

Plan Category

   Number of Common
Shares to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
securities(1)
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
securities(2)
     Number of Common Shares remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in the first column)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by Shareholders

     13,790,439      C$ 10.90        12,982,359  (3) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by Shareholders

     Nil.        Nil.        Nil.  

Total

     13,790,439      C$ 10.90        12,982,359  (3) 

Notes:

 

(1)

The 13,790,439 Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding securities, warrants and rights consists of (i) 3,263,012 Common Shares that may be issued upon the vesting of PSUs, (ii) 10,472,043 Common Shares that may be issued upon the vesting of RSUs and (iii) 55,384 Common Shares that may be

 

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  issued upon the exercise of Options. For outstanding PSUs whose performance has been certified, reflects number of shares eligible to vest; for outstanding PSUs whose performance has not yet been certified, reflects target number of shares.
(2)

Represents the weighted-average exercise price of Options to purchase 55,384 Common Shares. This weighted average does not take into account Common Shares that may be issued upon the vesting of PSUs or RSUs.

(3)

Convertible securities remaining as of December 31, 2020, based on a maximum of 10% of the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance (assuming the conversion of all Proportionate Voting Shares to Common Shares) (i.e., 276,511,831 shares).

Exchange Controls

There are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations in Canada that restrict the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls, or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to nonresident holders of the securities of the Company, other than Canadian withholding tax. See “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-Residents of Canada,” below.

Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-Residents of Canada

The following is, as of the date hereof, a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable under the Income Tax Act(Canada) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Tax Act”) to a holder who acquires, as beneficial owner, our Common Shares, and who, for purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times: (i) holds the Common Shares as capital property; (ii) deals at arm’s length with, and is not affiliated with, us; (iii) is not, and is not deemed to be resident in Canada; and (iv) does not use or hold and will not be deemed to use or hold, our Common Shares in a business carried on in Canada (a “Non-Resident Holder”). Generally, our Common Shares will be considered to be capital property to a Non-Resident Holder provided the Non-Resident Holder does not hold our Common Shares in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities and has not acquired them in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade. Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Resident Holder that is an insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere or is an authorized foreign bank (as defined in the Tax Act). Such Non-Resident Holders should seek advice from their own tax advisors.

This summary is based upon the provisions of the Tax Act in force as of the date hereof, all specific proposals, or the Proposed Amendments, to amend the Tax Act that have been publicly and officially announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and management’s understanding of the current administrative policies and practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) published in writing by it prior to the date hereof. This summary assumes the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurance can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in their current form, or at all. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and, except for the Proposed Amendments, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in the law or any changes in the CRA’s administrative policies or practices, whether by legislative, governmental, or judicial action or decision, nor does it take into account or anticipate any other federal or any provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed herein.

 

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Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to an investment in our Common Shares. This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any prospective purchaser or holder of our Common Shares, and no representations with respect to the income tax consequences to any prospective purchaser or holder are made. Consequently, prospective purchasers or holders of our Common Shares should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.

Currency Conversion

Generally, for purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding, or disposition of our Common Shares must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rates as determined in accordance with the Tax Act. The amounts subject to withholding tax and any capital gains or capital losses realized by a Non-Resident Holder may be affected by fluctuations in the Canadian-U.S. dollar exchange rate.

Disposition of Common Shares

A Non-Resident Holder will not generally be subject to tax under the Tax Act on a disposition of a Common Share, unless the Common Share constitutes “taxable Canadian property” (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Non-Resident Holder at the time of disposition and the Non-Resident Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax treaty or convention.

Provided the Common Shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange,” as defined in the Tax Act at the time of disposition, the Common Shares will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-Resident Holder at that time, unless at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition the following two conditions are satisfied concurrently: (i) (a) the Non-Resident Holder; (b) persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length; (c) partnerships in which the Non-Resident Holder or a person described in (b) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships; or (d) any combination of the persons and partnerships described in (a) through (c), owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of our shares; and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of our shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of: real or immovable property situated in Canada, “Canadian resource properties”, “timber resource properties” (each as defined in the Tax Act), and options in respect of, or interests in or for civil law rights in, such properties (whether or not such property exists). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain circumstances set out in the Tax Act, the Common Shares could be deemed to be taxable Canadian property. Even if the Common Shares are taxable Canadian property to a Non-Resident Holder, such Non-Resident Holder may be exempt from tax under the Tax Act on the disposition of such Common Shares by virtue of an applicable income tax treaty or convention. A Non-Resident Holder contemplating a disposition of Common Shares that may constitute taxable Canadian property should consult a tax advisor prior to such disposition.

Receipt of Dividends

Dividends received or deemed to be received by a Non-Resident Holder on our Common Shares will be subject to Canadian withholding tax under the Tax Act. The general rate of withholding tax is 25%, although such rate may be reduced under the provisions of an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the Non-Resident Holder’s country of residence. For example, under the Treaty, the rate is generally reduced to 15% where the Non-Resident Holder beneficially owns such dividends and is a resident of the United States for the purposes of, and is fully entitled to the benefits of, the Treaty.

 

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ITEM 10.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

The following information represents securities sold by the Company within the past three years, which were not registered under the Securities Act. Included are new issues, securities issued in exchange for property, services or other securities, securities issued upon conversion from other Company share classes and new securities resulting from the modification of outstanding securities. The Company sold all of the securities listed below pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) or Rule 701 of the Securities Act, or Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder.

March 2020 Private Placement of Units

On March 31, 2020, the Company completed the March 2020 Private Placement for gross proceeds of US$14,250,000. Each March 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 9.875% senior secured first-lien notes; and (ii) 113 common share purchase warrants of the Company. On April 23, 2020, the Company completed the second and final tranche of the March 2020 Private Placement for additional gross proceeds of US$1,000,000. In total, the gross proceeds under the March 2020 Private Placement totaled US$15,250,000.

The March 2020 Private Placement Notes were governed by the terms of a trust indenture dated March 31, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as trustee. The March 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of the March 2020 Warrant Indenture dated March 31, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

May 2020 Private Placement

On May 14, 2020, the Company completed the May 2020 Private Placement of the May 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of US$19,115,000. Each May 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 13.00% senior secured first-lien notes; and (ii) 120 common share purchase warrants of the Company.

The May 2020 Private Placement Notes are governed by the terms of the May 2020 Trust Indenture dated May 14, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as trustee. The May 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of the May 2020 Warrant Indenture dated May 14, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

The May 2020 Private Placement Units were issued pursuant to the terms of the May 2020 Private Placement Subscription Agreements entered into between the Company and the subscribers of the May 2020 Private Placement Units and pursuant to an agency agreement dated as of May 11, 2020 between the Company and Canaccord Genuity Corp., as agent for the May 2020 Private Placement.

As part of the May 2020 Private Placement, the March 2020 Private Placement Notes were cancelled and exchanged for an equivalent number of May 2020 Private Placement Notes. Subscribers of March 2020 Private Placement Units were issued an additional 8.55 May 2020 Private Placement Warrants for each March 2020 Private Placement Unit held by such subscribers.

July 2020 Private Placement of Units

On July 2, 2020, the Company completed the July 2020 Unit Private Placement of the July 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of US$4,000,000. Each July 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of July 2020 Private Placement Notes; and (ii) 75 common share purchase warrants the July 2020 Private Placement Warrants of the Company.

The July 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of the July 2020 Warrant Indenture dated July 2, 2020 between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

 

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October 2020 Private Placement of Units

On October 29, 2020, Columbia Care completed the October 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of approximately US$20,000,000 million. Each October 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of 13.00% senior secured first-lien notes; and (ii) 60 common share purchase warrants of the Company.

The October 2020 Private Placement Notes are governed by the terms of the May 2020 Trust Indenture, as supplemented, between the Company and Odyssey Trust Company, as trustee. The October 2020 Private Placement Warrants are governed by the terms of the October 2020 Warrant Indenture dated October 29, 2020 between the company and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent.

November 2020 Private Placement of Units

On November 10, 2020, Columbia Care completed a non-brokered private placement of October 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of approximately US$9.1 million. On November 27, 2020, Columbia Care completed a non-brokered private placement of October 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of approximately US$3,000,000 million.

On November 30, 2020, Columbia Care completed the November 2020 Private Placement Units for gross proceeds of approximately US$200,000. Each November 2020 Private Placement Unit was comprised of: (i) US$1,000 principal amount of October 2020 Private Placement Notes; and (ii) 125 October 2020 Private Placement Warrants.

January 2021 Offering of Common Shares

On January 13, 2021, Columbia Care completed January 2021 Offering for gross proceeds of C$149,508,625, which included the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, before deducting the underwriters’ fees and estimated offering expenses. The January 2021 Offering was conducted in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Québec, pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company’s base shelf prospectus dated September 2, 2020 and elsewhere outside of Canada on a private placement basis.

February 2021 Private Placement of Common Shares

On February 25, 2021, Columbia Care completed the February 2021 Offering for gross proceeds of C$28,980,000, which included the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, before deducting the underwriters’ fees and estimated offering expenses. The February 2021 Offering was conducted in certain provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements of Canadian securities laws. The Common Shares were also sold in the United States and in certain jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in each case in accordance with applicable laws.

Convertible Debt

On July 7, 2020, Columbia Care closed an offering of convertible debt with a conversion price of C$3.79 per share in a principal amount of $3,960,000. On June 19, 2020, Columbia Care closed an offering of convertible debt with a conversion price of C$3.79 per share in a principal amount of $12,800,000. On July 31, 2020, Columbia Care closed an offering of convertible debt with a conversion price of C$3.79 per share in a principal amount of $2,000,000.

Acquisitions

During the year ended December 31, 2019, Columbia Care issued 683,363 Common Shares in connection with acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Columbia Care issued 55,975,602 Common Shares in connection with acquisitions. In 2021, Columbia Care issued 971,541 Common Shares in connection with an acquisition.

 

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Long Term Incentive Plan

During the year ended December 31, 2019, Columbia Care issued 224,499 restricted shares pursuant to its LTIP. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Columbia Care issued 1,852,064 restricted shares pursuant to its LTIP. In 2021, Columbia Care issued 3,097,511 restricted shares pursuant to its LTIP.

 

ITEM 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

Description of the Company’s Securities

The authorized share capital of Columbia Care consists of (i) an unlimited number of Common Shares of which 282,438,046 Common Shares are issued and outstanding as of March 26, 2021; (ii) an unlimited number of Proportionate Voting Shares, of which 172,631.04 are issued and outstanding as of March 26, 2021; and (iii) an unlimited number of preferred shares (the “Preferred Shares”), issuable in series, none of which are issued and outstanding. All Proportionate Voting Shares are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the former Old Columbia Care members. The Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares are collectively referred to as the “Shares”.

Generally, except as described below, the Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares have the same rights, are equal in all respects and are treated by Columbia Care as if they were shares of one class only.

Conversion Rights and Transfers

Issued and outstanding Proportionate Voting Shares, including fractions thereof, may at any time, subject to the FPI Condition (as defined below), at the option of the holder, be converted into Common Shares at a ratio of 100 Common Shares per Proportionate Voting Share with fractional Proportionate Voting Shares convertible into Common Shares at the same ratio. Further, the Board may determine in the future that it is no longer advisable to maintain the Proportionate Voting Shares as a separate class of shares and may cause all of the issued and outstanding Proportionate Voting Shares to be converted into Common Shares at a ratio of 100 Common Shares per Proportionate Voting Share with fractional Proportionate Voting Shares convertible into Common Shares at the same ratio and the Board shall not be entitled to issue any more Proportionate Voting Shares under the Articles thereafter.

The Proportionate Voting Shares are not transferrable without Board approval, except to Permitted Holders (as defined below) and in compliance with U.S. securities laws.

Conversion Conditions

The right of the Proportionate Voting Shares to convert into Common Shares is subject to certain conditions in order to maintain Columbia Care’s status as a “foreign private issuer” under U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise waived by Columbia Care, the right to convert the Proportionate Voting Shares is subject to the condition that the aggregate number of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares (calculated as a single class) held of record, directly or indirectly, by residents of the United States (as determined in accordance with Rules 3b-4 and 12g3-2(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate number of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares issued and outstanding after giving effect to such conversions (calculated as a single class) (the “FPI Condition”).

A holder of Common Shares may at any time, at the option of the holder and with the approval of the Board of Columbia Care, convert such Common Shares into Proportionate Voting Shares on the basis of 100 Common Shares for one Proportionate Voting Share.

No fractional Common Shares will be issued on any conversion of any Proportionate Voting Shares and any fractional Common Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

 

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For the purposes of the foregoing:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such specified Person.

Permitted Holders” means (i) the initial holders of Proportionate Voting Shares; and (ii) any Affiliate or Person controlled, directly or indirectly, by one or more of the Persons referred to in clause (i) above.

Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture or limited liability company.

A Person is “controlled” by another Person or other Persons if: (i) in the case of a company or other body corporate wherever or however incorporated: (A) securities entitled to vote in the election of directors carrying in the aggregate at least a majority of the votes for the election of directors and representing in the aggregate at least a majority of the participating (equity) securities are held, other than by way of security only, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and (B) the votes carried in the aggregate by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the board of directors of such company or other body corporate; or (ii) in the case of a Person that is not a company or other body corporate, at least a majority of the participating (equity) and voting interests of such Person are held, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and “controls”, “controlling” and “under common control with” shall be interpreted accordingly.

Voting Rights

All holders of Shares are entitled to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders of Columbia Care, and to attend nd vote at such meetings, except those meetings at which only holders of a specific class or series of shares are entitled to vote. A quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is present if shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 25% of the voting rights attached to the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy.

On all matters upon which holders of Shares are entitled to vote:

 

   

each Common Share is entitled to one vote per Common Share; and

 

   

each Proportionate Voting Share is entitled to 100 votes per Proportionate Voting Share, and each fraction of a Proportionate Voting Share is entitled to the number of votes calculated by multiplying the fraction by 100.

The number of votes represented by fractional Proportionate Voting Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Unless a different majority is required by law or the Articles, resolutions to be approved by holders of Shares require approval by a simple majority of the total number of votes of all Shares cast at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present based on the voting entitlements of each class of Shares described above.

Dividend Rights

Holders of Shares are entitled to receive dividends out of the assets available for the payment or distribution of dividends at such times and in such amount and form as the Board may from time to time determine, subject to any preferential rights of the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares, on the following basis, and otherwise without preference or distinction among or between the Shares: each Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to 100 times the amount paid or distributed per Common Share (including by way of share dividends, which holders of Proportionate Voting Shares will receive in Proportionate Voting Shares, unless otherwise determined by the Board) and each fraction of a Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to the applicable fraction thereof. See “Conversion Rights and Transfers” above.

 

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Liquidation Rights

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Columbia Care, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of its assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of Shares will be entitled to receive all of Columbia Care’s assets remaining after payment of all debts and other liabilities, subject to any preferential rights of the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares, on the basis that each Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to 100 times the amount distributed per Common Share (and each fraction of a Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to the amount calculated by multiplying the fraction by the amount otherwise payable in respect of a whole Proportionate Voting Share), and otherwise without preference or distinction among or between the Shares. See “Conversion Rights and Transfers” above.

Pre-emptive and Redemption Rights

Holders of Shares will not have any pre-emptive or redemption rights.

Subdivision or Consolidation

No subdivision or consolidation of any class of Shares may be carried out unless, at the same time, the Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares, as the case may be, are subdivided or consolidated in the same manner and on the same basis, so as to preserve the relative rights of the holders of each class of Shares.

Certain Amendments

In addition to any other voting right or power to which the holders of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares shall be entitled by law or regulation or other provisions of the Articles from time to time in effect, but subject to the provisions of the Articles, holders of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares shall each be entitled to vote separately as a class, in addition to any other vote of shareholders that may be required, in respect of any alteration, repeal or amendment of the Company’s Articles which would prejudice or interfere with the rights or special rights attached to the Common Shares or Proportionate Voting Shares, or which would affect the rights or special rights of the holders of the Common Shares and the holders of Proportionate Voting Shares differently, on a per share basis.

Issuance of Additional Proportionate Voting Shares

Columbia Care may issue additional Proportionate Voting Shares upon the approval of the Board. Shareholder approval is not required in connection with a subdivision or consolidation on a pro rata basis as between the Common Shares and the Proportionate Voting Shares.

Take-Over Bid Protection

If an offer is being made for Proportionate Voting Shares (a “PVS Offer”) where: (i) by reason of applicable securities legislation or stock exchange requirements, the offer must be made to all holders of the class of Proportionate Voting Shares; and (ii) no equivalent offer is made for the Common Shares, the holders of Common Shares have the right, pursuant to the Articles, at their option, to convert their Common Shares into Proportionate Voting Shares for the purpose of allowing the holders of the Common Shares to tender to such PVS Offer, provided that such conversion into Proportionate Voting Shares will be solely for the purpose of tendering the Proportionate Voting Shares to the PVS Offer in question and that any Proportionate Voting Shares that are tendered to the PVS Offer but that are not, for any reason, taken up and paid for by the offeror will automatically be reconverted into the Common Shares that existed prior to such conversion.

Compliance Provisions

Columbia Care’s Articles contain certain provisions (the “Compliance Provisions”), including a combination of certain remedies such as a suspension of voting and/or dividend rights, a discretionary right to force a share

 

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transfer to a third party and/or a discretionary redemption right in favour of Columbia Care, in each case to seek to ensure that Columbia Care and its subsidiaries are able to comply with applicable regulatory and licensing regulations. The purpose of the Compliance Provisions is to provide Columbia Care with a means of protecting itself from having a shareholder, or as determined by the Board, a group of shareholders acting jointly or in concert, with an ownership interest of, whether of record or beneficially (or having the power to exercise control or direction over) (“Owning or Controlling”), five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of Columbia Care, or such other number as is determined by the Board from time to time, and: (i) who a governmental authority granting licenses to, or otherwise governing the operations of, Columbia Care or its subsidiaries has determined to be unsuitable to own Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable; (ii) whose ownership of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, may result in the loss, suspension or revocation (or similar action) with respect to any licenses or permits relating to Columbia Care’s or its subsidiaries’ conduct of business (being the conduct of any activities relating to the cultivation, manufacturing and dispensing of cannabis and cannabis-derived products in the United States, which include the owning and operating of cannabis licenses) or in Columbia Care or any of its affiliates being unable to obtain any new licenses or permits in the normal course, all as determined by the Board; or (iii) who have not been determined by the applicable regulatory authority to be an acceptable person or otherwise have not received the requisite consent of such regulatory authority to own the Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, in each case within a reasonable time period acceptable to the Board or prior to acquiring any Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable (in each case, an “Unsuitable Person”). The ownership restrictions in Columbia Care’s notice of articles and articles are also subject to an exemption for applicable depositaries and clearing houses as well as underwriters (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) in the course of a distribution of securities of Columbia Care.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compliance Provisions provide that any shareholder (or group of shareholders acting jointly or in concert) proposing to Own or Control five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of Columbia Care (or such other number as is determined by the Board from time to time) will be required to provide not less than 30 days’ advance written notice to Columbia Care by mail sent to Columbia Care’s head office to the attention of the Corporate Secretary and to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals. Upon any such shareholder(s) Owning or Controlling five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of Columbia Care (or such other number as is determined by the Board from time to time), and having not received the requisite approval of any applicable regulatory authority to own the Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, the Compliance Provisions provide: (i) that such shareholder(s) may, in the discretion of the Board, be prohibited from exercising any voting rights and/or receiving any dividends from Columbia Care, unless and until all requisite regulatory approvals are obtained; and (ii) Columbia Care with a right, but not the obligation, at its option, upon notice to the Unsuitable Person, to: (A) redeem any or all Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, directly or indirectly held by an Unsuitable Person; and/or (B) forcibly transfer any or all Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, directly or indirectly held by an Unsuitable Person to a third party. Such rights are required in order for Columbia Care to comply with regulations in various jurisdictions where Columbia Care or its subsidiaries conduct business or are expected to conduct business. The foregoing restrictions will not apply to the ownership, acquisition or disposition of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, as a result of: (i) transfer of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, occurring by operation of law including, inter alia, the transfer of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, to a trustee in bankruptcy, (ii) an acquisition or proposed acquisition by one or more underwriters who hold Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, for the purposes of distribution to the public or for the benefit of a third party provided that such third party is in compliance with the foregoing restriction, or (iii) conversion, exchange or exercise of securities issued by Columbia Care or a subsidiary into or for Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, in accordance with their respective terms. If the Board reasonably believes that any such holder of the Common Shares may have failed to comply with the foregoing restrictions, Columbia Care may apply to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, or any other court of

 

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competent jurisdiction, for an order directing that such shareholder disclose the number of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, directly or indirectly held.

Upon receipt by the holder of a notice to redeem or to transfer any or all of its Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, the holder will be entitled to receive, as consideration therefor, no less than 95% of the lesser of: (i) the closing price of the Common Shares on the NEO Exchange Inc. (the “NEO Exchange”) (or the then principal exchange on which Columbia Care’s securities are listed or quoted for trading) on the trading day immediately prior to the closing of the redemption or transfer (or the average of the last bid and last asking prices if there was no trading on the specified date); and (ii) the five-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the NEO Exchange (or the then principal exchange on which Columbia Care’s securities are listed or quoted for trading) for the five trading days immediately prior to the closing of the redemption or transfer (or the average of the last bid and last asking prices if there was no trading on the specified dates).

Notwithstanding the adoption of the proposed Compliance Provisions, Columbia Care may not be able to exercise such rights in full or at all, including its redemption rights. Under the BCBCA, a corporation may not make any payment to redeem shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business or if making the payment of the redemption price or providing the consideration would cause the company to be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business. Furthermore, Columbia Care may become subject to contractual restrictions on its ability to redeem its Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, by, for example, entering into a secured credit facility subject to such restrictions. In the event that restrictions prohibit Columbia Care from exercising its redemption rights in part or in full, Columbia Care will not be able to exercise its redemption rights absent a waiver of such restrictions, which Columbia Care may not be able to obtain on acceptable terms or at all.

Preferred Shares

The Preferred Shares may at any time and from time to time be issued in one or more series. Subject to the provisions of the BCBCA and the Articles, the Board may, by resolution, from time to time before the issue thereof determine the maximum number of shares of each series, create an identifying name for each series, attach special rights or restrictions to the Preferred Shares of each series including, without limitation, any right to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative and variable or fixed) or the means of determining such dividends, the dates of payment thereof, any terms or conditions of redemption or purchase, any conversion rights, any retraction rights, any rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and any sinking fund or other provisions, the whole to be subject to filing a Notice of Alteration to the Notice of Articles to create the series and altering the Articles to include the special rights or restrictions attached to the Preferred Shares of the series.

Preferred Shares of each series, if and when issued, will, with respect to the payment of dividends, rank pari passu with the Preferred Shares of every other series and be entitled to preference over the Common Shares, the Proportionate Voting Shares and any other shares of Columbia Care ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends.

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Columbia Care, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to preference with respect to distribution of the property or assets of Columbia Care over the Common Shares, the Proportionate Voting Shares and any other shares of Columbia Care ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to the repayment of capital paid up on and the payment of unpaid dividends accrued on the Preferred Shares.

Advance Notice Provisions

Columbia Care’s Articles includes certain advance notice provisions with respect to the election of its directors (the “Advance Notice Provisions”). The Advance Notice Provisions are intended to: (i) facilitate orderly and

 

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efficient annual general meetings or, where the need arises, special meetings; (ii) ensure that all shareholders receive adequate notice of director nominations to the Board and sufficient information with respect to all nominees; and (iii) allow shareholders to register an informed vote. Only persons who are nominated by shareholders in accordance with the Advance Notice Provisions will be eligible for election as directors at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called was the election of directors.

Under the Advance Notice Provisions, a shareholder wishing to nominate a director would be required to provide Columbia Care notice, in the prescribed form, within the prescribed time periods. These time periods include, (i) in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders (including an annual and special meeting), not fewer than 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, that if the first public announcement of the date (the “Notice Date”) of the annual meeting of shareholders is less than 50 days before the meeting date, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the Notice Date; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for any purpose which includes electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the Notice Date, provided that, in either instance, if notice-and-access (as defined in National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer) is used for delivery of proxy related materials in respect of a meeting described above, and the Notice Date in respect of the meeting is not fewer than 50 days prior to the date of the applicable meeting, the notice must be received not later than the close of business on the 40th day before the applicable meeting.

Forum Selection

Columbia Care’s Articles includes a forum selection provision that provides that, unless Columbia Care consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada and the appellate courts therefrom, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on Columbia Care’s behalf; (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of Columbia Care’s directors, officers or other employees to Columbia Care; (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the BCBCA or the Articles; or (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim otherwise related to the relationships among Columbia Care, its Affiliates and their respective shareholders, directors and/or officers, but excluding claims related to Columbia Care’s business or the business carried on by such Affiliates. The forum selection provision also provides that Columbia Care’s securityholders are deemed to have consented to the personal jurisdiction of the courts in the Province of British Columbia and to service of process on their counsel in any foreign action initiated in violation of the foregoing provisions.

CGGC Warrants

As of the date hereof, 5,394,945 warrants (the “CGGC Warrants”) issued pursuant to the warrant agency agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) between CGGC and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent, dated September 20, 2018 are outstanding. The CGGC Warrants were issued as part of the initial public offering of the Company. The CGGC Warrants are governed by the terms of the Warrant Agreement. Three CGGC Warrants are exercisable for one Common Share at an exercise price of $10.35.

 

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Columbia Care Warrants

The chart below sets out the issued and outstanding common share purchase warrants (“Columbia Care Warrants”) of Columbia Care.

 

Expiration

   Number of Shares
Issued and Exercisable
     Exercise Price
(Canadian Dollars)
 

October 1, 2025

     648,783      $ 8.12  

April 26, 2024

     5,394,945        10.35  

May 14, 2023

     1,998,788        2.95  

May 14, 2023

     1,723,250        3.10  

May 14, 2023

     300,000        4.53  

May 14, 2023

     1,897,000        5.84  
  

 

 

    
     11,962,766     
  

 

 

    

Options

Columbia Care has 55,384 outstanding common share purchase options (the “Options”), of which 27,692 are vested. All Options have an exercise price of $10.90. Each of the Options is exercisable at any time prior to its expiry. The Options expire on the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of issuance, or (ii) the consummation of a sale of Columbia Care, subject to a 12-month extension option in favor of Columbia Care.

 

ITEM 12.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The Company is subject to the provisions of Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA.

Under Section 160 of the BCBCA, we may, subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA:

 

  (a)

indemnify an individual who:

 

  (i)

is or was a director or officer of our company,

 

  (ii)

is or was a director or officer of another corporation (A) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of our company; or (B) at our request, or

 

  (iii)

at our request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity,

including, subject to certain limited exceptions, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an “eligible party”), against all eligible penalties, defined below, to which the eligible party is or may be liable; and

 

  (b)

after final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding, where:

 

  (i)

“eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding,

 

  (ii)

“eligible proceeding” means a proceeding in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation (A) is or may be joined as a party, or (B) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding,

 

  (iii)

“expenses” includes costs, charges and expenses, including legal and other fees, but does not include judgments, penalties, fines or amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding, and

 

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  (iv)

“proceeding” includes any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed.

Under Section 161 of the BCBCA, and subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA, we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

Under Section 162 of the BCBCA, and subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA, we may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of the proceeding, provided that we must not make such payments unless we first receive from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited under Section 163 of the BCBCA, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.

Under Section 163 of the BCBCA, we must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the BCBCA, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:

(a) if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, we were prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our Articles;

(b) if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, we are prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our Articles;

(c) if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or

(d) in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of our company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, we must not either indemnify the eligible party under Section 160(a) of the BCBCA against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable, or pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160(b), 161 or 162 of the BCBCA, as the case may be, in respect of the proceeding.

Under Section 164 of the BCBCA, and despite any other provision of Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA and whether or not payment of expenses or indemnification has been sought, authorized or declined under Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA, on application of our company or an eligible party, the court may do one or more of the following:

(a) order us to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

(b) order us to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

(c) order the enforcement of, or any payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by us;

 

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(d) order us to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under Section 164 of the BCBCA; or

(e) make any other order the court considers appropriate.

Section 165 of the BCBCA provides that we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation.

Under Article 20.2 of our Articles, and subject to the BCBCA, we must indemnify an eligible party and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the BCBCA. Each of our directors and officers is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in Article 20.2 of our Articles.

Under Article 20.4 of our Articles, and subject to any restrictions in the BCBCA, we may indemnify any person.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these indemnification agreements, each director and executive officer is entitled, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, to the right of indemnification and contribution for certain expenses to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. We believe that these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and executive officers.

Pursuant to Article 20.5 of our Articles, the failure of a director or officer of the Company to comply with the BCBCA or our Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under our Articles.

Under Article 20.6 of our Articles, we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who: (1) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company; (2) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company; (3) at the request of the Company, is or was a director, , officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; or (4) at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity, against any liability incurred by him or her by reason of having been a director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

We have an insurance policy covering our directors and officers, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policy, with respect to certain liabilities arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

ITEM 13. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements required to be included in this registration statement appear immediately following the signature page to this registration statement beginning on page F-1.

ITEM 14. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH AUDITORS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

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ITEM 15. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

  (a)

Columbia Care Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

     F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the three years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29 2018

     F-6  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-8  

 

  (b)

TGS Global Combined Financial Statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

Independent Auditor’s Report

     F-65  

Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018

     F-66  

Combined Statements of Operations for the years ended December  31, 2019 and 2018

     F-67  

Combined Statements of Changes in Members’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

     F-68  

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2019 and 2018

     F-69  

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

     F-71  

 

  (c)

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

 

Introduction to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

     F-89  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020

     F-90  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019

     F-91  

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

     F-92  

 

  (d)

TGS Global Unaudited Combined Financial Statements as of June 30, 2020 and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020

 

Independent Accountant’s Review Report

     F-95  

Combined Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020

     F-96  

Combined Statements of Operations for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020

     F-97  

Combined Statement of Changes in Members’ Deficit for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020

     F-98  

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020

     F-99  

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

     F-100  

 

 

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  (e)

Exhibits: The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index below are filed as part of this registration statement.

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.
 

Description of Exhibit

2.1   Transaction Agreement dated November 21, 2018 between Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp. and Columbia Care Inc.
2.2*   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 21, 2020 among Columbia Care Inc., Columbia Care LLC, Vici Acquisition LLC, Vici Acquisition II LLC, Green Leaf Medical, LLC and Shareholder Representative Services LLC
3.1   Articles of Columbia Care Inc.
4.1   Warrant Agency Agreement dated September 20, 2018 between Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp. and Odyssey Trust Company
4.2   Warrant Agreement dated April 26, 2019 between Columbia Care Inc. and Canaccord Genuity Corp.
4.3   Trust Indenture made as of March 31, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company
4.4   Warrant Indenture dated March 31, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company
4.5   Trust Indenture made as of May 14, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company
4.6   Warrant Indenture dated May 14, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company
4.7   First Supplemental Indentures dated as of June 19, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc and Odyssey Trust Company
4.8   Warrant Indenture dated July 2, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company
4.9   Warrant Indenture dated October 29, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company
10.1   Lease Agreement dated December 1, 2013 between Pagson, LLC and Patriot Care Corporation
10.2   Lease Agreement dated April 30, 2015 between Eastman Kodak Company and Columbia Care NY, LLC
10.3   Lease Agreement dated April 10, 2019 between MM Downtown Facility, LLC and PHC Facilities, Inc.
10.4   Lease Agreement dated December 23, 2019 between NLCP 156 Lincoln MA, LLC and Patriot Care Corp.
10.5   First Amendment to Lease dated December 2, 2020 between PHC Facilities, Inc. and MM Downtown Facility, LLC

 

*

To be filed by amendment.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

/s/ Nicholas Vita

By: Nicholas Vita
Title: Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 15, 2021

 

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LOGO

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Directors of

Columbia Care Inc.

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Columbia Care Inc. (the “Company”), as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, and December 29, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Columbia Care Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, and December 29, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

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

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

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

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.

/s/ DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP

 

Vancouver, Canada    Chartered Professional Accountants

June 15, 2021

 

LOGO

1200 - 609 Granville Street, P.O. Box 10372, Pacific Centre, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V7Y 1G6

Telephone (604) 687-0947 Davidson-co.com

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)

 

 

 

    As of  
    December 31, 2020     December 31, 2019  

Assets

   

Current assets:

   

Cash

  $ 61,111     $ 47,464  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,053 and $54, respectively

    7,415       1,039  

Inventory

    54,804       26,075  

Prepaid expenses

    6,797       8,484  

Assets held for sale

    3,483       —    

Other current assets

    4,633       1,957  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

    138,243       85,019  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

    114,400       104,034  

Right of use assets - operating leases, net

    143,050       82,438  

Right of use assets - finance leases, net

    50,105       —    

Restricted cash

    10,858       11,483  

Long-term deposits

    9,271       6,458  

Goodwill

    137,759       —    

Intangible assets, net

    100,342       15,695  

Notes receivable

    15,832       29,717  

Other non-current assets

    7,667       1,379  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 727,527     $ 336,223  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

   

Current liabilities:

   

Accounts payable

  $ 18,466     $ 20,082  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    45,246       9,117  

Contingent consideration

    48,202       —    

Current portion of lease liability - operating leases

    7,913       6,185  

Current portion of lease liability - finance leases

    2,023       —    

Current portion of long-term debt, net

    8,439       —    

Derivative liability

    17,109       —    

Liabilities held for sale

    1,483       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    148,881       35,384  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net

    76,090       —    

Deferred taxes

    2,347       —    

Long-term lease liability - operating leases

    138,256       77,458  

Long-term lease liability - finance leases

    62,486       —    

Other long-term liabilities

    12,518       5,798  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    440,578       118,640  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

   

Common Stock, no par value, unlimited shares authorized as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, 276,511,831 and 216,529,181 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively

    —         —    

Preferred Stock, no par value, unlimited shares authorized as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019

    —         —    

Common Stock Warrants, 13,147,919 and 20,055,424 warrants outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively

    —         —    

Proportionate Voting Shares, no par value, unlimited Proportionate Voting Shares authorized as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, 99,352,980 and 26,507,914 Proportionate Voting Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively

    —         —    

Additional paid-in-capital

    632,062       429,475  

Accumulated deficit

    (325,238     (209,389
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to Columbia Care Inc.

    306,824       220,086  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

    (19,875     (2,503
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

    286,949       217,583  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 727,527     $ 336,223  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    December 29,
2018
 

Revenues, net of discounts

   $ 179,503     $ 77,459       39,328  

Cost of sales related to inventory production

     (114,249     (57,777     (22,874

Cost of sales related to business combination fair value adjustments to inventories

     (3,111     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     62,143       19,682       16,454  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Selling, general and administrative

     142,355       123,586       58,495  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (142,355     (123,586     (58,495
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (80,212     (103,904     (42,041

Other expense:

      

Change in fair value of derivative liability

     (11,745     —         —    

Interest (expense) income, net

     (6,336     1,241       (7,824

Other (expense) income, net

     (37,553     2,992       4,533  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense (income)

     (55,634     4,233       (3,291
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (135,846     (99,671     (45,332

Income tax benefit (expense)

     16,197       (1,503     (2,943
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

     (119,649     (101,174     (48,275

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     (23,862     (4,909     (1,255
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to shareholders

   $ (95,787   $ (96,265   $ (47,020
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares used in earnings per share - basic and diluted

     232,576,117       209,992,187       167,599,871  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings attributable to shares (basic and diluted)

   $ (0.41   $ (0.46   $ (0.28

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

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for number of units, shares and warrants)

 

 

 

    Units     Shares     Common
Stock
Warrants
    Additional
Paid-in Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total Columbia
Care Inc.
Shareholders’
Equity
    Non-
Controlling
Interest
    Total
Equity
 

Balance as of December 30, 2017

    12,232,152       —         —         85,879     $ (61,883   $ 23,996     $ (3,431   $ 20,565  

Debt conversion and settlement

    227,338       —         —         16,986       —         16,986       —         16,986  

Issuance of shares and warrants in connection with private placement

    1,848,320       —         —         148,731       —         148,731       —         148,731  

Offering fee in connection with private placement

    7,596       —         —         (4,045     —         (4,045     —         (4,045

Warrants issued

    121,917       —         —         4,370       —         4,370       —         4,370  

Equity-based compensation

    —         —         —         13,112       —         13,112       —         13,112  

Florida license acquisition

    12,413       —         —         1,000       —         1,000       4,871       5,871  

Beneficial conversion feature

    —         —         —         515       —         515       —         515  

Minority buyouts

    —         —         —         —         (2,361     (2,361     361       (2,000

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         (47,020     (47,020     (1,255     (48,275
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 29, 2018

    14,449,736       —         —         266,548     $ (111,264   $ 155,284     $ 546     $ 155,830  

Debt conversion and settlement

    27,561       —         —         2,537       —         2,537       —         2,537  

Issuance of shares and warrants in connection with reverse takeover transaction

    —         19,077,096       5,394,945       120,193       —         120,193       —         120,193  

Share issuance costs

    —         —         —         (5,598     —         (5,598     —         (5,598

Repurchase of shares

    —         (424,047     —         (2,414     —         (2,414     —         (2,414

Conversion of units and profit interests

    (14,639,112     196,901,118       14,660,479       —         —         —         —         —    

Unit issuance costs

    2,490       —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Warrants exercised

    159,325       —         —         2       —         2       —         2  

Cancellation of restricted stock awards

    —         (119,995     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Equity-based compensation

    —         473,770       —         32,896       —         32,896       —         32,896  

Reclass of deferred compensation to equity

    —         —         —         15,311       —         15,311       —         15,311  

Minority buyouts

    —         621,239       —         —         (1,860     (1,860     1,860       —    

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         (96,265     (96,265     (4,909     (101,174
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

    —         216,529,181       20,055,424       429,475     $ (209,389   $ 220,086     $ (2,503   $ 217,583  

Issuance of shares in connection with acquisitions

    —         48,936,767       —         147,795       —         147,795       —         147,795  

Warrants issued with debt

    —         —         6,356,438       6,298       —         6,298       —         6,298  

Warrants exercised

    —         2,192,298       (4,019,023     388       —         388       —         388  

Warrants expired

    —         —         (9,244,920     —         —         —         —         —    

Cancellation of restricted stock awards

    —         (37,314     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Equity-based compensation

      1,852,064       —         29,805       —         29,805       —         29,805  

Sale of membership interests in subsidiary

    —         —         —         —         —         —         5,509       5,509  

Deconsolidation of subsidiary

    —         —         —         —         —         —         220       220  

Minority buyouts

    —         7,038,835       —         18,301       (20,062     (1,761     761       (1,000

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         (95,787     (95,787     (23,862     (119,649
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

    —         276,511,831       13,147,919       632,062     $ (325,238   $ 306,824     $ (19,875   $ 286,949  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    December 29,
2018
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net loss

   $ (119,649   $ (101,174   $ (48,275

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     19,651       8,690       4,678  

Equity-based compensation

     29,805       32,896       13,112  

Impairment on disposal group

     1,969       —         —    

Deferred compensation

     —         5,509       8,650  

Debt amortization expense

     2,189       18       515  

Warrant amortization expense

     —         —         5,347  

Change in fair value of derivative liability

     11,745       —         26  

Deferred taxes

     (20,998     28       350  

Earnout adjustment

     21,757       —         —    

Other

     3,858       (914     92  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

      

Accounts receivable

     (4,574     (177     (832

Inventory

     (17,258     (12,667     (6,609

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (2,747     (5,147     (40

Other assets

     13,490       5,853       (1,792

Accounts payable

     5,381       3,241       (240

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     18,332       (2,530     (43

Other long-term liabilities

     (12,601     (673     294  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (49,650     (67,047     (24,767
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Proceeds from sale of property

     11,927       19,614       131  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (42,885     (77,445     (14,529

Purchase of investments

     —         (446     —    

Issuance of note receivable

     —         (17,420     —    

Cash paid for deposits

     (5,688     (6,623     (2,058

Cash received from deposits

     6,676       3,697       5,936  

Cash received from acquisitions

     3,821       —         —    

Cash for loan under CannAscend and Corsa Verde agreements

     (1,173     (11,511     (1,002

Cash paid in escrow and option deposit under Corsa Verde agreement

     —         —         (3,124
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (27,322     (90,134     (14,646
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

    Year Ended  
    December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
    December 31,
2018
 

Cash flows from financing activities:

     

Proceeds from issuance of debt and warrants

    89,379       —         9,440  

Payment of debt issuance costs

    (3,548     —         —    

Repayment of debt

    —         (1,795     (25,779

Proceeds from sale leaseback

    —         5,709       —    

Payment of lease liabilities

    (734     —         —    

Issuance of common shares in connection with reverse takeover

    —         114,595       —    

Proceeds from issuance of common units and warrants

    —         42,764       105,967  

Issuance of common shares and warrants costs

    —         —         (4,045

Repurchase of common shares

    —         (2,414     —    

Exercise of warrants

    388       2       —    

Sale of membership interests of subsidiary

    5,509       —         —    

Purchase of minority interest

    (1,000     —         (2,200
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    89,994       158,861       83,383  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

    13,022       1,680       43,970  

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of the year

    58,947       57,267       13,297  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and restricted cash at end of year

  $ 71,969     $ 58,947     $ 57,267  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

     

Cash paid for interest on lease obligations

  $ 1,466     $ —       $ —    

Cash paid for interest on other obligations

  $ 5,356     $ 147     $ 1,857  

Cash paid for income taxes

  $ 7,694     $ 2,534     $ 5,267  

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 61,111     $ 47,464     $ 46,241  

Restricted cash

    10,858       11,483       11,026  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

  $ 71,969     $ 58,947     $ 57,267  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

     

Non-cash fixed asset additions within accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $ 13,084     $ 14,797     $ 2,391  

Issuance of warrants

  $ 6,298     $ —       $ 4,370  

Derivative liability on convertible debt

  $ 5,364     $ —       $ —    

Shares issued in connection with acquisition

  $ 147,795     $ —       $ —    

Shares issued in connection with license acquisition

  $ —       $ —       $ 5,871  

Shares issued in connection with private placement

  $ —       $ —       $ 42,764  

Note payable, net of discount, issued in connection with acquisition

  $ 8,170     $ —       $ —    

Contingent consideration incurred in connection with acquisition

  $ 26,445     $ —       $ —    

Intercompany note receivable with TGS assumed in connection with acquisition

  $ 16,855     $ —       $ —    

Investment in intangible asset

  $ —       $ —       $ 16,236  

Deconsolidation of subsidiary

  $ 220     $ —       $ —    

Reclass of deferred compensation to equity

  $ —       $ 15,311     $ —    

Conversion of convertible debt and accrued interest to equity

  $ —       $ 2,537     $ 16,986  

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

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

1.

OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY

Columbia Care Inc. (“the Company” or “the Parent”), formerly known as Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp. (“CGGC”), was incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario on August 13, 2018. The Company’s principal mission is to improve lives by providing cannabis-based health and wellness solutions and derivative products to qualified patients and consumers. The Company’s head office and principal address is 680 Fifth Ave. 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019. The Company’s registered and records office address is 666 Burrard St #1700, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2X8.

On April 26, 2019, the Company completed a reverse takeover (“RTO”) transaction and private placement further described in Note 3. Following the RTO, the Company’s common shares were listed on the Aequitas NEO exchange, trading under the symbol “CCHW”. As of the time of this report, the Company’s common shares are also listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “CCHW”, the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol “CCHWF” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “3LP”.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. The outbreak of this contagious disease, along with the related adverse public health developments, have negatively affected workforces, economies and financial markets on a global scale. The Company incurred lower revenues, and additional expenditures related to COVID-19 during the first half of 2020. During the first half of 2020, the Company’s operations in Massachusetts were affected by a temporary shutdown of adult-use operations and in Illinois and California by rules related to social distancing and limiting the Company’s retail operations to curb-side pick-up. The Company’s operating results were not materially impacted during the second half of 2020. Currently, the Company is closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on all aspects of its business, and it is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its effects on the Company’s business or results of operations.

The Company is subject to risks common in the life sciences and consumer products industries including, but not limited to, compliance with government regulations, regulatory approvals, competitive markets, new technological innovations, protection of proprietary technology, dependence on key personnel, uncertainty of market acceptance and the need to obtain additional financing.

While cannabis and CBD-infused products are legal under the laws of several U.S. states (with varying restrictions applicable), the United States Federal Controlled Substances Act classifies all “marijuana” as a Schedule I drug, whether for medical or recreational use. Under U.S. federal law, a Schedule I drug or substance has a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of safety for use under medical supervision.

In recent years, a temporary federal legislative enactment that prohibits the Department of Justice from expending appropriated funds to enforce federal laws that interfere with a state’s implementation of its own medical marijuana laws has been included in multiple Appropriations laws passed by Congress. This so-called budget rider is known as the Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment after its original sponsors. The Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment has been included in successive appropriations legislation or resolutions since 2015. The Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment was extended most recently in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2021, which funds the agencies of the federal government through September 30, 2021. Notably, the Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment has applied only to medical marijuana programs and has not provided the same protections to enforcement against adult-use activities.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, and December 29, 2018.

Beginning with its 2019 fiscal year, the Company changed its financial reporting cycle from a 4-4-5 week reporting cycle that ends on the Saturday nearest to December 31 to a calendar reporting cycle. Accordingly, the Company’s 2019 fiscal year began on December 29, 2018 and ended on December 31, 2019.

Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and revenue and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, its partially-owned subsidiaries, and those controlled by the Company by virtue of agreements, on a consolidated basis after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances. Control exists when the Company has power over an investee, when the Company is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from the investee, and when the Company has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. The financial statements of entities controlled by the Company by virtue of agreements are fully consolidated from the date that control commences and deconsolidated from the date control ceases.

Investment in affiliates

Affiliates are entities over which the Company has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in affiliates are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost. Unrealized gains on transactions between the Company and its affiliates are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in the affiliates. Accounting policies of affiliates have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Company. Dilution gains and losses arising in investments in affiliates are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Investments in affiliates are recorded in non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s investment in Leafy Greens is accounted for as an equity method investment in an affiliate after the Company lost control during the year ended December 31, 2020. Income from affiliates is immaterial for the period presented.

The Company assesses annually whether there is any objective evidence that its interest in associates is impaired. If impaired, the carrying value of the Company’s share of the underlying assets of associates is

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

written down to its estimated recoverable amount (being the higher of fair value less costs of disposal, or value in use) and charged to the consolidated statement of operations. If the financial statements of an associate are prepared on a date different from that used by the Company, adjustments are made for the effects of significant transactions or events that occur between that date and the date of these consolidated financial statements.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests (“NCI”) represent equity interests owned by outside parties. NCI may be initially measured at fair value or at the NCI’s proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement is made on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The Company elected to measure each NCI at its proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The share of net assets attributable to NCI are presented as a component of equity. Their share of net income or loss and comprehensive income or loss is recognized directly in equity. Total comprehensive income or loss of subsidiaries is attributed to the shareholders of the Company and to the NCI, even if this results in the NCI having a deficit balance. The non-controlling interest balance for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $19,875 and $2,503 respectively.

Other assets

Other assets consist of the following:

 

     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Interest Receivable

   $ 1,000      $ 922  

Investment in affiliates

     1,446        446  

Indemnification receivable

     5,221        —    

Deferred tax

     —          11  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other non-current assets

   $ 7,667      $ 1,379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segment information

The Company has determined that it operates in a single operating and reportable segment, the production and sale of cannabis. This is consistent with how the chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses performance.

Functional currency

The Canadian dollar serves as the functional currency of the Parent. All of the Company’s subsidiaries have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars. The translation adjustment that arises as a result of the functional currency of the Parent being different than the subsidiaries is de minimis. Also, transaction gains and losses are not material.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of its business, that cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, product and environmental liability. The Company records accruals for those loss contingencies when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not recognize gain contingencies until realized.

Basis of measurement

These consolidated financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis, at historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments, which are measured at fair value as explained in the accounting principles below. Other measurement bases are described in the applicable notes. In addition, these consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting.

Business combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting, which requires it to recognize separately from goodwill, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at fair value as of the acquisition date. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, 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 may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Accounting for business combinations requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date including estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed, pre-acquisition contingencies, and contingent consideration, where applicable. Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates it has made in the past have been reasonable and appropriate, they are based, in part, on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Critical estimates in valuing certain acquired intangible assets under the income approach include growth in future expected cash flows from product sales, customer contracts, revenue growth rate, customer ramp-up period and discount rates. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not have any cash equivalents.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash primarily consists of escrow deposits related to our acquisition activity.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

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, with cost determined using weighted average cost. Cost includes costs 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 determined as the estimated average selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. At the end of each reporting period, the Company performs an assessment of inventory obsolescence and 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.

Assets and liabilities held for sale

The Company classifies its long-lived assets and related liabilities to be sold as held for sale in the period (i) it has approved and committed to a plan to sell the asset, (ii) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition, (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to sell the asset have been initiated, (iv) the sale of the asset is probable, (v) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and (vi) it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. The Company initially measures a long-lived asset that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a long-lived asset until the date of sale. Upon designation as an asset held for sale, the Company no longer records depreciation expense on the asset. The Company assesses the fair value of a long-lived asset less any costs to sell at each reporting period and until the asset is no longer classified as held for sale.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, if any. Depreciation of property and equipment is dependent upon estimates of useful lives which are determined through the exercise of judgment. The assessment of any impairment of these assets is dependent upon estimates of recoverable amounts, considering factors such as economic and market conditions and the useful lives of assets.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset using the following terms and methods:

 

    

Estimated Useful life

Buildings

   40 years

Furniture and fixtures

   5 years

Equipment

   5 years

Computers and software

   3 years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of the life of the lease, or 15 years

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted prospectively if appropriate. Construction in progress is measured at cost and reflects amounts incurred for property or equipment construction or improvements that have not been placed in service. Upon completion, construction in progress will be reclassified as building or leasehold improvements depending on the nature of the assets and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset.

An item of equipment is de-recognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use. Any gain or loss arising from derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying value of the asset) is included in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the year the asset is de-recognized.

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the terms of the leases when placed in service.

Intangibles

Intangible assets are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are measured at fair value at the acquisition date. Intangible assets are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any. Amortization of definite life intangible assets is recognized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which do not exceed the contractual period, if any, as follows:

 

    

Estimated Useful life

Licenses and Permits

   10-15 years

Trademarks and Tradenames

   5-10 years

Customer relationships

   5 years

The estimated useful lives, residual values and amortization methods are reviewed at each year-end, and any changes in estimates are accounted for prospectively. Intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has determined that no impairment exists.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In the valuation of goodwill, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows to be derived from its business. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment for these assets.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. However, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment tests. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its net book value, including goodwill. If the net book value exceeds its fair value, the Company would perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of the impairment loss. The Company performs an annual assessment of our goodwill as of first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently, to determine if any events or circumstances exist, such as an adverse change in business climate or a decline in overall industry demand, that would indicate that it would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, including goodwill. If events or circumstances do not indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required, if otherwise, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the amount by which the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss. The Company monitors the indicators for goodwill impairment testing between annual tests.

As of October 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill and determined that no adjustments to the carrying value of goodwill were required.

Recoverability of Long-lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived tangible and intangible assets with finite useful lives for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Such trigger events or changes in circumstances may include: a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset is being used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, including those resulting from technology advancements in the industry, the impact of competition or other factors that could affect the value of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse deterioration in the amount of revenue or cash flows expected to be generated from an asset group, an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or development of a long-lived asset, current or future operating or cash flow losses that demonstrate continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset, or a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. The Company performs impairment testing at the asset group level that represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable and the expected undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset group are less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Fair value is determined based upon estimated discounted future cash flows. No impairment loss was recognized for long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Assets to be disposed of or held for sale would be separately presented on the balance sheets and reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and would no longer be depreciated or amortized.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, the Company determines deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company routinely evaluates the likelihood of realizing the benefit of its deferred tax assets and may record a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, it determines that some portion of the tax benefit will not be realized.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it estimates these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company would recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no uncertain tax positions recorded and no accrued interest or penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheets.

In evaluating the ability to recover deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of operations. In projecting future taxable income, the Company considers historical results and incorporates assumptions about the amount of future state, federal and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The Company’s assumptions regarding future taxable income are consistent with the plans and estimates that are used to manage its underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, the Company considers three years of cumulative operating income/ (loss). The income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect the Company’s best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. Deferred tax asset valuation allowances and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits require significant judgment regarding applicable statutes and their related interpretation, the status of various income tax audits and the Company’s particular facts and circumstances. Although the Company believes that the judgments and estimates discussed herein are reasonable, actual results, including forecasted COVID-19 business recovery, could differ, and the Company may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability has been established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the established liability, the effective income tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Advertising and promotion costs

Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018, the Company incurred $6,083, $5,792 and $861, respectively in advertising and promotion costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Right of use assets and lease liability

In February 2016, the FASB issued 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”), which amends the existing accounting standards for leases. The guidance requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities related to long-term leases on the balance sheet and expands disclosure requirements regarding leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued additional guidance, which offers a transition option to entities adopting the new lease standard. Under the transition option, entities can elect to apply the new guidance using a modified retrospective approach at the beginning of the year in which the new lease standard is adopted, rather than to the earliest comparative period presented in their financial statement and provides for certain practical expedients. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 for public companies with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2019. The Company adopted ASC 842 retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application. Accordingly, the Company did not restate comparative information and instead recognized the cumulative effect of applying ASC 842 as an adjustment to the opening balance sheet at the date of initial application. The Company applies the standard only to leases which were previously identified as leases in accordance with the practical expedient allowed under the standard. The Company’s lease arrangements are comprised primarily of building and office leases. The adoption of this standard resulted in almost all current leases being recognized on the consolidated balance sheet, except for short-term and low-value leases. On January 1, 2019, the Company recognized right-of-use assets of $35,070 a corresponding lease liability of $35,737, and derecognized deferred rent of $713 and prepaid expenses of $46.

At inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period in exchange for consideration, in which case it is classified as a lease. The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset (lease asset) and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to restore the underlying asset, less any lease incentives received. The lease asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset, considered to be indicated by the lease term. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of outstanding lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method and is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate or if the Company changes its assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option. A corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset with any excess over the carrying amount of the asset being recognized in profit or loss. The Company has elected not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases (leases with a term of 12 months or less) and leases of low-value assets. The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Revenue recognition

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on accounting for revenue recognition, under ASC 606 (through Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 and subsequent pronouncements), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company adopted ASC 606 as of January 1, 2017 using the full retrospective approach where the Company applied the standard to all comparative periods presented and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The adoption of ASC 606 represents a change in accounting principle that will more closely align revenue recognition with the delivery of goods and services. Revenue will be recognized at a point in time or over time, the assessment of which requires judgment.

In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of revenue reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods or services. The Company applies the following five-step analysis to determine whether, how much and when revenue is recognized: (1) Identify the contract with the customer; (2) Identify the performance obligation in the contract; (3) Determine the transaction price; (4) Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation in the contract; and (5) Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation.

Under ASC 606, revenue from the sale of medicinal cannabis and derivative products is generally recognized at a point in time when control over the goods has been transferred to the customer. Payment is generally due prior to transfer of the goods and is recognized as revenue upon the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company satisfies its performance obligation and transfers control upon delivery and acceptance by the customer, the timing of which is consistent with the Company’s previous revenue recognition policy.

Accounts receivable, net

Accounts receivable consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses. In determining the allowance, consideration includes the probability of recoverability based on historical collection experience, aging of receivables and other economic and industry factors. Certain accounts receivable may be fully reserved when the Company becomes aware of any specific collection issues.

Credit losses

The allowance for credit losses is based upon a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the specific customer’s ability to pay its obligation and any other forward-looking data regarding customers’ ability to pay which may be available.

Sales taxes

Sales taxes collected from customers are excluded from revenues.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Equity-based payment arrangements

The Company measures all equity-based payment arrangements to employees and directors in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation–Stock Compensation. The Company’s stock-based compensation cost is measured based on the fair value at the grant date of the stock-based award. It is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally represents the vesting period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The Company estimates the fair value of each stock-based award on its measurement date using either the current market price of the stock, the Black-Scholes option valuation model or the Monte Carlo Simulation valuation model, whichever is most appropriate. The Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo Simulation valuation models incorporate assumptions such as expected term of the instrument, volatility of the Company’s future share price, risk free rates, future dividend yields and estimated forfeitures at the initial grant date, by reference to the underlying terms of the instrument, and the Company’s experience with similar instruments. Changes in assumptions used to estimate fair value could result in materially different results.

Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk-free interest rates are based on quoted U.S. Treasury rates for securities with maturities approximating the awards’ expected lives. Expected lives are principally based on the Company’s historical exercise experience with previously issued awards. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company has never paid dividends and does not currently anticipate paying any in the foreseeable future.

Expense for performance restricted stock awards is recognized based upon the fair value of the awards on the date of grant and the number of shares expected to vest based on the terms of the underlying award agreement and the requisite service period(s).

Equity classified common stock warrants

The Company classifies certain warrants for the purchase of shares of its common stock as equity on its consolidated balance sheets as these warrants are considered indexed to the Company’s shares of Common Stock. For warrants that do not meet the criteria of a liability warrant and are classified on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as equity instruments, the Company uses the Black-Scholes model to measure the value of the warrants at issuance.

Convertible debt

The identification of convertible debt components is based on interpretations of the substance of the contractual arrangement and therefore requires judgement. The separation of the components affects the initial recognition of the convertible debt at issuance and the subsequent recognition of interest on the liability component. The determination of the fair value of the liability is also based on several assumptions, including contractual future cash flows, discount rates and the presence of any derivative financial instruments.

Related party transactions

Parties are considered related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Parties are also considered related if they are subject to common control. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities. A transaction is considered a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

When determining the appropriate basis of accounting for the Company’s interests in affiliates, the Company makes judgments about the degree of influence that it exerts directly or through an arrangement over the investees’ relevant activities.

Financial instruments

The Company follows the guidance in FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC 820, which defines fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques 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 described below:

Level 1 – Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

In estimating fair value, the Company uses market-observable data to the extent it is available. In certain cases where Level 1 inputs are not available the Company may engage third party qualified valuers to perform the valuation. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. In estimating fair value, the Company uses market-observable data to the extent it is available. In certain cases where Level 1 inputs are not available the Company may engage third-party qualified valuers to perform the valuation. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 2 to Level 3.

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument to another entity. Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at the time the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.

Initial measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities are recognized at fair value upon initial recognition plus any directly attributable transaction costs when not subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement

Measurement in subsequent periods is dependent on the classification of the financial instrument. The Company classifies its financial instruments in the following categories: at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, held to maturity, available for sale, and other financial liabilities.

The Company’s Level 3 financial instruments include the derivative liability associated with the convertible note payable issued to stockholders (see Note 5).

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of –

 

     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Accrued Expenses

   $ 28,152      $ 4,994  

Payroll Liabilities

     8,758        3,431  

Other Current Liabilities

     5,949        692  

Income tax payable

     2,387        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

   $ 45,246      $ 9,117  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Auditing Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The update removes, modifies and makes additions to the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The update was adopted as of January 1, 2018, and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that reporting period. The update was adopted as of January 1, 2020, and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”), which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees, with the result of aligning the guidance on share-based payments to nonemployees with that for share-based payments to employees, with certain exceptions, and eliminating the need to re-value awards to nonemployees at each balance sheet date. ASU 2018-07 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted for companies who have previously adopted ASU 2017-09. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-07 effective January 1, 2018 for accounting for our liability-classified non-employee awards that had not vested as of that date. No adjustment to additional paid in capital was required as a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-07.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, which was subsequently amended by ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“ASU 2018-19”), in November 2018. Subsequently, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, ASU No. 2019-05, ASU No. 2019-10, ASU No. 2019-11 and ASU No. 2020-02 to provide additional guidance on the credit losses standard. ASU 2016-13 and the related updates are intended to improve financial reporting requiring more timely recognition of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value through net income, including loans held for investment, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investment in leases and other such commitments. ASU 2016-13 requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 require the Company to measure all expected credit losses based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the financial assets and eliminates the “incurred loss” methodology under current GAAP. ASU 2018-19 clarified that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”). ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and the related updated during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. The Company did not have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures as a result of this adoption.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception. ASU 2017-11 simplifies the accounting for freestanding financial instruments or equity-linked embedded features with down round features by no longer requiring entities to consider down round features when determining whether these instruments or embedded features are considered indexed to the entity’s own stock. It also requires entities that present Earning Per Share (EPS) pursuant to ASC 260 to recognize the effect of a down round feature in a freestanding equity-classified financial instrument only when it is triggered. For public business entities the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-11 in the year 2018 in relation to the assessment of freestanding warrants and presentation of EPS.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The update contains a number of provisions intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The update among other things clarifies that a company should consider observable transactions that require a company to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting under Topic 323, Investments—Equity Method and Joint

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Ventures, for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06 Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The update is to address issues identified as a result of the complexity associated with applying generally accepted accounting principles for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years and with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by FASB that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements upon adoption.

 

3.

REVERSE TAKEOVER TRANSACTION

On November 21, 2018, CGGC entered into a merger agreement with Columbia Care LLC (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger (the “Merger”) of Columbia Care LLC with a newly-formed subsidiary of CGGC. On April 26, 2019, (the “Acquisition Date”) the Company completed the merger. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, CGGC acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding ownership interests of Columbia Care LLC in exchange for the issuance of common shares and proportionate voting shares in the capital of CGGC. Prior to the Merger, CGGC consolidated its common shares on a one for three basis and changed its name to Columbia Care Inc. Following the Merger, Columbia Care LLC became a single-member partnership, wholly owned by the Company.

While CGGC was the legal acquirer of Columbia Care LLC, the RTO has been treated as a reverse asset acquisition and consequently Columbia Care LLC was identified as the acquirer for accounting purposes. The RTO was measured at the fair value of the shares deemed to have been issued by Columbia Care LLC in order for the ownership interest in the combined entity to be the same as if the transaction had taken the legal form of Columbia Care LLC acquiring 100% of CGGC. Any difference between the fair value of the shares deemed to have been issued by Columbia Care LLC and the fair value of CGGC’s identifiable net assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents the value of the public listing received by Columbia Care LLC and was debited to equity. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities of CGGC assumed by Columbia Care LLC were based on their respective fair values at the Acquisition Date and were paid as follows:

 

Net assets acquired

  

Cash

   $ 120,193  

Consideration paid

  

19,077,096 common shares held by CGGC shareholders

   $ 111,339  

5,394,945 warrants held by CGGC shareholders

     19,925  
  

 

 

 
   $ 131,264  

Value attributable to obtaining a listing status

   $ 11,071  

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company expensed $3,961 in listing costs. The fair value of the common shares and warrants included in the consideration paid of $131,264 was determined based on an independent valuation of the Company’s shares and the percentage ownership of CGGC shareholders, on a diluted basis, on the Acquisition Date. The fair value of the warrants included in the consideration paid of $19,925 was calculated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

 

Expected volatility

     70

Expected term (years)

     5.00  

Expected dividends

     0.00

Risk-free interest rate

     1.52

Volatility was estimated by using the average historical volatility of comparable companies from a representative peer group of publicly traded cannabis companies.

The Company evaluated the warrants issued as a part of the purchase consideration under ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity. These warrants do not have a redemption feature and are traded separately from our common shares on the NEO exchange. They can be converted into shares, on a one-for-one conversion ratio prior to their expiry on April 26, 2024, upon payment of a fixed exercise price of $10.35(Canadian Dollars) per warrant by the warrant holder. The settlement amount is subject to change in case of certain situations like future stock split, consolidation, stock dividend etc. These variables that could affect the settlement amount would be inputs to the fair value of a fixed-for-fixed forward or option on equity shares. As the Company early adopted the provisions of ASU 2017-11 in 2018, the value of the down round provision associated with a future rights issue would be recognized only when it is activated and there is an actual reduction of the strike price or conversion feature. The Company determined that these warrants are freestanding financial instruments that qualify for the scope exemption for being accounted as derivatives. Further, the warrant agreement does not prohibit settlement in unregistered shares and it does not contain any cash-settled top-off or make-whole provisions or provisions for cash payment by the Company in case it fails to file with the SEC. The Company has an unlimited number of authorized shares and it is not required to post a collateral at any point with respect to the warrant agreement. The rights of the warrant holders do not rank higher than the rights of the shareholders. The Company therefore concluded that the warrants meet the criteria to be classified in stockholders’ equity and should be measured at fair value on the date of RTO. No changes would be required to the measurement amount or the classification unless an event that requires a reclassification of the warrants out of the equity occurs. The Company reassessed the contract classification as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, noting no changes to the classification and / or measurement.

 

4.

INVENTORY

Details of the Company’s inventory are shown in the table below:

 

     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Work-in-process - cannabis in cures and final vault

   $ 35,368      $ 19,593  

Finished goods, accessories and supplies

     19,436        6,482  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventory

   $ 54,804      $ 26,075  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

5.

CURRENT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Current and long-term obligations, net, are shown in the table below:

 

     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Term debt

   $ 69,965      $ —    

Convertible debt

     18,760        —    

Closing Promissory Notes (see Note 6)

     8,776        —    

Unamortized debt discount

     (10,500      —    

Unamortized debt premium

     607     

Unamortized deferred financing costs

     (3,079      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     84,529        —    

Less current portion

     (8,439      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term portion

   $ 76,090      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the scheduled principal payments on the Company’s outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2020:

 

Year ending

   Term
debt
     Convertible
debt
     Closing
Promissory
Note
     Total  

2021

   $ —        $ —        $ 8,776      $ 8,776  

2023

     69,965        18,760        —          88,725  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total future debt maturities

   $ 69,965      $ 18,760      $ 8,776      $ 97,501  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and was not in default of any provisions under any of its debt arrangements as of December 31, 2020. All of the Company’s debt is unsecured and no assets have been pledged as security.

Term debt

On March 31, 2020 and April 23, 2020, the Company completed the first and second tranches of a private placement of notes (“Private Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $14,250 and $1,000, respectively. The Private Notes required interest-only payments through March 30, 2024, at a rate of 9.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 31 and September 30 commencing on September 30, 2020. The Private Notes were due in full on March 30, 2024. In connection with the first and second tranche offerings of the Private Notes, the Company issued 1,723,250 common share purchase warrants at an exercise price of $3.10 (Canadian Dollars).

On May 14, 2020, the Company completed a private placement of an aggregate of 19,115 senior secured first-lien note units (the “May Units”) for aggregate gross proceeds of $19,115, each May Unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 principal amount of 13.00% senior secured first-lien notes (“Notes”) and (ii) 120 Common Share purchase warrants (the “May Warrants”) with an exercise price of $2.95 (Canadian Dollars) per underlying Common Share (the “May Private Placement”). Concurrent with the closing of the May Private Placement, the Private Notes were exchanged for Notes. In addition, holders of Private Notes were issued additional 130,388 May Warrants with an exercise price of $2.95 (Canadian Dollars).

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

On July 2, 2020, the Company completed a second private placement of an aggregate of 4,000 units (the “July Units”) for aggregate gross proceeds of $4,000, each July Unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 Notes and (ii) 75 Common Share purchase warrants (the “July Warrants”) with an exercise price of $4.53 (Canadian Dollars) per underlying Common Share.

On October 29, 2020, November 10, 2020 and November 27, 2020, the Company completed private placements of an aggregate of 20,000, 8,400 and 3,000 units (the “Early November Units”), respectively, for aggregate gross proceeds of $32,054, each unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 Notes and (ii) 60 Common Share purchase warrants (the “Fall Warrants” and together with the May Warrants and July Warrants, the “Warrants”) with an exercise price of $5.84 (Canadian Dollars) per underlying Common Share.

On November 30, 2020, the Company completed another private placement of an aggregate of 200 units the “Late November Units” and together with the May Units, the July Units and the Early November Units, the “Units”), respectively for aggregate gross proceeds of $200, each unit being comprised of (i) $1,000 Notes and (ii) 125 Fall Warrants.

As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Notes was $69,965.

At the option of the holder, each Warrant can be exchanged for one Common Share. The Warrants expire on May 14, 2023.

The Notes require interest-only payments through May 14, 2023, at a rate of 13.0% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 31 and November 30, which commenced on November 30, 2020. The Notes are due in full on May 15, 2023. The Company incurred financing costs of $3,373 in connection with the issuance of these Notes. The Notes contain customary terms and conditions, representations and warranties, and events of default.

Upon initial recognition, the Company recorded $6,298 to equity reserves, reflecting the fair value of the warrants issued, with a corresponding reduction to the carrying value of the Notes. The debt discount will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes using the effective interest method. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized amortization expense of $731 related to the discount on the Notes.

The fair value of the warrants included in the private placement were calculated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:

 

Expected volatility

     80.00

Expected term (years)

     3.00  

Expected dividends

     0.00

Risk-free interest rate

     0.50

Volatility was estimated by using the average historical volatility of comparable companies from a representative peer group of publicly traded cannabis companies.

Convertible Debt

On June 19, 2020, the Company completed the first tranche of an offering of senior secured convertible notes (“Convertible Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $12,800. During July 2020, the Company completed subsequent tranches for an aggregate principal amount of $5,960. As of December 31, 2020, total outstanding on the Convertible Notes was $18,760.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The Convertible Notes can be exchanged into Common Shares at a conversion price of $3.79 (Canadian Dollars). For the purposes of determining the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, the principal amount of the Convertible Notes surrendered for conversion shall be deemed converted from U.S. Dollars into Canadian Dollars, using the end-of-day exchange rate published by the Bank of Canada on the date immediately preceding the date that the Convertible Note is surrendered for conversion. The Convertible Notes require interest-only payments until December 19, 2023, at a rate of 5.0% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 31 commencing on December 31, 2020. The Convertible Notes are due in full on December 19, 2023. The Company incurred financing costs of $175 in connection with issuance of the Convertible Notes.

The Company determined that the Convertible Notes represent an obligation to issue a variable number of shares for a variable amount of liability, as the amount of the liability to be settled depends on the applicable foreign exchange rate at the date of settlement. In accordance with ASC 480 – Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, a conversion feature within a financial instrument to issue a variable number of equity units fails to meet the definition of equity. Accordingly, such a conversion feature must be accounted for as an embedded derivative liability and measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Upon initial recognition, the Company recorded a derivative liability of $5,364 within other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and a corresponding debt discount, reflected as a reduction to the carrying value of the Convertible Notes. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the fair value of the derivative increased by $11,745 and is recorded in other expense in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of the derivative liability included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet was $17,109. Refer to Note 16 for details regarding fair value measurement.

The debt discount is amortized over the term of the Convertible Notes. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized amortization expense of $766, related to the Convertible Notes.

Term debt - Real Estate

In January 2016, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Agreement”) with various individuals for loans in the aggregate amount of $10,000. The Agreement had a stated interest rate of 7% with a maturity date of January 25, 2019. The aggregate principal amount of the loans per an amendment dated March 31, 2017 was increased from $10,000 to $12,000.

The loans could be prepaid prior to the second anniversary of the closing date with the consent of such lenders. At any time on and following the second anniversary of the closing date, the loans could be prepaid in whole or in part not less than three business days’ prior written notice to the lenders. The loans were collateralized by various real estate holdings of the Company.

Interest expense and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and December 29, 2018 was nil and $18 and $781, respectively.

In January 2019, principal in the amount of $2,500 and accrued interest in the amount of $37 was converted into 27,561 common units and the remaining outstanding principal of $1,295 was repaid.

Private Lender Loan

In March 2016, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with a private lender in the amount of $4,000 at a stated interest rate of 7%, and a March 2019 maturity date. Interest on the loan accrued from

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

the closing date and was paid in arrears on a quarterly basis. Under the terms of the loan, the lender also received warrants to purchase 14,552 common units for $0.01 per unit. Prior to the first anniversary of the closing date, the loan could only be prepaid with the consent of the lender. At any time following the first anniversary of the loan’s closing date, the Company could prepay the loan, in whole or in part, with proper notice. The loan was secured by the general assets of the Company, including subsidiaries, with the exclusion of any real estate assets. The loan was repaid in full in October 2018. Interest expense for the year ended December 29, 2018 was $222.

Florida Construction Loan

In August 2017, the Company obtained a construction loan from private lenders in the amount of $7,000 at a stated interest rate of 5%. Interest was payable at maturity and the loan had a maturity date of February 9, 2019. Under the terms of the loan, the lenders also received warrants to purchase 6,973 common units for $0.01 per unit. During the year ended December 29, 2018, the Company and certain lenders agreed to convert $6,000 of the loan principal into 79,234 common units, and the Company repaid the remaining $1,000 principal. Interest expense for the loan for the year ended December 29, 2018 was $285.

Membership Loans

Effective May 2018, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with two founders of the Company. The agreement formalized loans extended to the Company beginning in March 2016. Per the agreement, the lenders agreed to extend the loans with an aggregate principal amount of not more than $8,000 and a maturity date of January 1, 2019. The loans under the agreement had 7% interest rate due in cash on a quarterly basis on each quarterly anniversary of the closing date, with any unpaid interest added to the outstanding principal balance. In September 2018, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with the same two founders of the Company for terms materially identical to the above membership loan agreement. The loan had a maturity date of May 18, 2019.

The Company issued 31,802 and 18,190 warrants during the year ended December 29, 2018, in connection with the membership loans. The loans were repaid in full in October 2018 and consequently the Company accelerated the amortization of debt discount resulting from warrants issued during the agreement. Amortization expense for the year ended December 29, 2018 was $4,369. Interest expense for the year ended December 29, 2018 was $484.

Working Capital Loan

In July 2016, the Company obtained a working capital loan of $950 from various lenders (the “Working Capital Loan”). The Working Capital Loan had a stated interest rate of 10% and a maturity date of July 11, 2019. The Working Capital Loan was unsecured. Interest was paid in cash arrears commencing on July 31, 2018 and on each quarterly anniversary thereafter. The Company was permitted to prepay the loans, in whole or in part, upon not less than three business days prior with written notice.

The Company repaid $650 to various lenders in December 2018. The remaining $300 was paid in January 2019.

Interest expense for the year ended December 29, 2018, was $92.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

2021 Activity

In April 2021, the Company offered an incentive program to the holders of the Convertible Notes, pursuant to which, the Company would issue to each noteholder that surrendered its Convertible Notes for conversion on or before May 28, 2021, 20 Common Shares of the Company on a private placement basis for each US$1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered for conversion. Pursuant to this incentive program, 4,550,139 shares were issued as a result of conversion of $13,160 of Convertible Notes.

 

6.

ACQUISITIONS

Project Cannabis

On December 1, 2020, the Company acquired (the “Project Cannabis Transaction”) a 100% ownership interest in Resource Referral Services Inc., PHC Facilities Inc. and Wellness Earth Energy Dispensary, Inc., and acquired a 49.9% ownership interest in Access Bryant SPC (collectively, “Project Cannabis”).

Project Cannabis was formed in August 2014 for the purpose of selling medicinal and recreational cannabis products in the state of California, on both a wholesale and retail basis. Project Cannabis owns and operates vertically integrated cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and retail dispensaries in the state of California. The Company executed the Project Cannabis Transaction in order to continue to grow revenues; expand its cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and dispensaries; and penetrate the California market.

As a part of the Project Cannabis Transaction, the Company was also granted a real estate purchase option of $16,500. The amount is anticipated to be paid to the sellers in the form of cash and assumption of debt on or prior to June 30, 2021.

The aggregate purchase price for the Project Cannabis Transaction, being $39,029 (the “Transaction Price”) consisted of $35,273 in equity purchase consideration (“Closing Shares”), $3,400 of deferred stock payments (“Deferred Stock Consideration”), and a working capital adjustment of $356. Purchase consideration comprised 15,713,867 common shares, of which, 1,528,881 of the subject securities are subject to a lock-up period of eighteen months following the date of issuance, for the purpose of funding any potential indemnification obligations of the seller.

The following table summarizes the Company’s preliminary determination of fair value of total consideration transferred and the fair value of each major class of consideration for Project Cannabis:

 

Consideration transferred

  

Closing Shares

   $ 35,273  

Deferred stock payments

     3,400  
  

 

 

 

Total unadjusted purchase price

     38,673  

Working capital adjustment

     356  
  

 

 

 

Total adjusted purchase price

     39,029  
  

 

 

 

Less: Cash acquired

     (877
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price

   $ 38,152  
  

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, less cash assumed:

 

Purchase price allocation

  

Assets acquired:

  

Accounts receivable

   $ 1,568  

Inventory

     2,795  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     699  

Property and equipment

     632  

Right of use assets

     1,587  

Long-term deposits

     38  

Goodwill

     23,292  

Intangible assets

     18,020  

Other non-current assets

     5,221  

Accounts payable

     (121

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (3,431

Lease liabilities

     (1,587

Deferred tax liability

     (5,340

Other long-term liabilities

     (5,221
  

 

 

 

Consideration transferred

   $ 38,152  
  

 

 

 

The preliminary purchase price allocations for the Project Cannabis Transaction reflects various fair value estimates and analyses relating to the determination of fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and residual goodwill. The Company determined the estimated fair value of the acquired working capital, and identifiable intangible assets and goodwill after review and consideration of relevant information including discounted cash flow analyses, market data and management’s estimates, prepared by an independent valuation firm. The estimated fair value of acquired working capital was determined to approximate carrying value.

For leases acquired, the Company measured the lease liability at the present value of the remaining lease payments, as if the acquired lease were a new lease at the acquisition date. The Company measured the right-of-use asset at the same amount as the lease liability, adjusted to reflect favorable or unfavorable terms of the lease when compared with market terms.

The goodwill arising from the Project Cannabis Transaction consists of expected synergies from combining operations of the Company and Project Cannabis, and intangible assets not qualifying for separate recognition such as formulations, proprietary technologies and acquired know-how. None of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

Project Cannabis’ state licenses, trade name and wholesale customers represented identifiable intangible assets acquired in the amounts of $10,356, $4,411 and $3,253, respectively, which were determined to have definite useful lives of 10, 5 and 5 years, each respectively.

In conjunction with the Project Cannabis Transaction, the Company expensed $584 of acquisition-related costs, which have been included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Since the closing date of the Project Cannabis Transaction, $2,714 of revenue and $2,176 of net income of Project Cannabis have been included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2020. The purchase price allocation is expected to be completed in 2021.

The Green Solution

On September 1, 2020, the Company acquired (the “TGS Transaction”) a 100% ownership interest in TGS Global, LLC (“TGS Global”), TGS Colorado Management, LLC, The Green Solution LLC, Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC, and Infuzionz, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC (collectively, “TGS”).

TGS Global was formed in October 2010 for the purpose of selling medicinal and recreational cannabis products in the state of Colorado. TGS Global owns and operates vertically integrated cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and retail dispensaries in the state of Colorado. The Company executed the TGS Transaction in order to continue to grow revenues; expand its cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and dispensaries; and enter the Colorado market.

The aggregate purchase price for the TGS Transaction, being $143,581 consisted of $200 in cash consideration, $8,170 in promissory notes (“TGS Closing Promissory Notes”), $108,766 in equity purchase consideration (“Closing Shares”), and contingent consideration (“Milestone Shares”) of $26,445. Equity purchase consideration comprised 33,222,900 Common Shares of which 32,955,987 were issued on September 1, 2020 and the remaining 266,913 Common Shares were issued during the fourth quarter of 2020. The TGS Closing Promissory Notes were issued with a debt discount of $606 and require monthly interest payments at a rate of 9.0% per annum. The TGS Closing Promissory Notes require principal payments of $3,750, $3,750 and $1,276 and are due on January 1, 2021, April 1, 2021 and July 1, 2021, respectively. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, the Company has paid down $7,500 on the TGS Closing Promissory Notes.

The following table summarizes the fair value of total consideration transferred and the fair value of each major class of consideration for TGS:

 

Consideration transferred

  

Cash consideration

   $ 200  

Closing promissory notes

     8,170  

Closing Shares

     108,766  

Milestone Shares after closing (contingent consideration)

     26,445  
  

 

 

 

Total unadjusted purchase price

     143,581  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents acquired

     (3,203
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired

   $ 140,378  
  

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, less cash assumed:

 

Purchase price allocation

      

Assets acquired:

  

Accounts receivable

   $ 367  

Inventory

     10,700  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     796  

Property and equipment

     11,838  

Right of use assets

     81,206  

Long-term deposits

     2,174  

Goodwill

     114,467  

Intangible assets

     70,267  

Accounts payable

     (5,204

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (15,408

Note payable

     (16,855

Lease liabilities

     (95,954

Deferred tax liabilities

     (18,016
  

 

 

 

Consideration transferred

   $ 140,378  
  

 

 

 

The purchase price allocations for the TGS Transaction reflects various fair value estimates and analyses relating to the determination of fair values of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and residual goodwill. The contingent consideration, payable in Common Shares (the “Milestone Shares”) of the Company, was estimated considering certain metrics for the year ended December 31, 2020, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”) entered into by the Company in connection with the TGS Transaction. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated by an independent valuation firm, based upon management’s projections of revenue and EBITDA margin, by applying a probability weighted expected return method (“PWERM”) analysis. This fair value measurement was based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and represent a level 3 fair value measurement, including those relating to discount factors and probabilities of achievement of the related milestones. A 15% discount was applied, to derive a discounted probability-adjusted earnout of $28,133. The Company then applied a discount for lack of marketability rate of 6% for a net fair value of contingent consideration of $26,445. An estimated range of outcomes has been deemed indeterminable by the Company.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company remeasured the contingent consideration at its fair value. This resulted in an additional accrual of $21,757 of contingent consideration, with a corresponding debit to the other (expense) income, net.

In April 2021, the Company issued 7,234,266 Milestone Shares to the Sellers in full settlement of the contingent consideration.

The Company determined the estimated fair value of the acquired working capital, and identifiable intangible assets and goodwill after review and consideration of relevant information including discounted cash flow analyses, market data and management’s estimates, prepared by an independent valuation firm. The estimated fair value of acquired working capital was determined to approximate carrying value.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

For leases acquired, the Company measured the lease liability at the present value of the remaining lease payments, as if the acquired lease were a new lease at the acquisition date. The Company measured the right-of-use asset at the same amount as the lease liability, adjusted to reflect favorable or unfavorable terms of the lease when compared with market terms.

The goodwill arising from the TGS Transaction consists of expected synergies from combining operations of the Company and TGS, and intangible assets not qualifying for separate recognition such as formulations, proprietary technologies and acquired know-how. None of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

The TGS’ state licenses, trade name and wholesale customers represented identifiable intangible assets acquired in the amounts of $41,602, $28,632 and $33, respectively, which were determined to have definite useful lives of 10, 10 and 5 years, each respectively.

In conjunction with the TGS Transaction, the Company expensed $916 of acquisition-related costs, which have been included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

Since the closing date of the TGS Transaction, $38,166 of revenue and $11,937 of net income of TGS have been included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2020, each respectively.

CannAscend

On October 25, 2018, the Company, CannAscend Alternative, LLC (“CAA”), and CannAscend Alternative Logan, LLC (“CAA Logan”) entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Option Agreement (the “CannAscend Option Agreement”). CAA and CAA Logan are both Ohio-based limited liability companies that operate dispensaries (collectively the “Target Companies”). Under the terms of the CannAscend Option Agreement, the Company purchased an exclusive option to acquire all outstanding membership interests (the “CannAscend Option”) of the Target Companies during the period commencing on the first anniversary of the date upon which all four of the dispensaries operated by the Target Companies have been issued certificates of operation under Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program and all necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained (the “Commencement Date”). The CannAscend Option expires on the 30th day following said Commencement Date (“CannAscend Option Period”). All four of the dispensaries operated by the Target Companies were issued certificates of operation under Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the Company is currently in the process of obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

The price for the CannAscend Option Agreement was approximately $4,124 (“CannAscend Option Deposit”). The Company has recorded the $4,124 of CannAscend Option Deposit paid as long-term deposits on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The CannAscend Option Deposit made by the Company is non-refundable. If the Company exercises the CannAscend Option, the Company will pay a purchase price of $14,150, subject to reduction as provided in the CannAscend Option Agreement.

As part of the CannAscend Option Agreement, the Company entered into an escrow agreement with the Target Companies and deposited money into an escrow account. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the escrow deposit account had a balance of $10,026 which is recorded as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The Company issued a revolving loan to the Target Companies (the “CannAscend Revolving Loan”), with a principal amount to not exceed $13,000 (the “CannAscend Loan Amount”). The CannAscend Revolving Loan is evidenced by a secured promissory note of the Target Companies (the “CannAscend Note Receivable”), which bears interest at the rate of 7% per annum and matures upon the occurrence of any of the following: a) providing notice to the borrower of an event of default; b) 36 months after the last advance made by the lender to borrower as provided in the CannAscend Revolving Loan Agreement, or c) 90 days after the termination of the CannAscend Option Agreement. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company recorded a balance of $11,025 and $10,895, respectively, in notes receivable on the consolidated balance sheets related to the balance outstanding from the Target Companies related to the CannAscend Revolving Loan. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, outstanding interest on the CannAscend Revolving Loan is $645 and $545, respectively, which is recorded as other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

To secure the obligations of the Target Companies to the Company under the CannAscend Revolving Loan Agreement and the CannAscend Note Receivable, the Company entered into a Security Agreement dated as of October 25, 2018 (the “CannAscend Security Agreement”), pursuant to which the Target Companies granted to the Company a first-priority lien on and security interest in all personal property of the Target Companies.

If the Company does not exercise the CannAscend Option on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the end of the CannAscend Option Period, the CannAscend Loan Amount will be payable to the Company in 90 days.

Corsa Verde Agreement

On April 2, 2019, the Company and Corsa Verde, LLC (“Corsa Verde”) entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Corsa Verde Purchase Agreement”). Corsa Verde is an Ohio-based limited liability company that processes medical marijuana. Under the terms of the Corsa Verde Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to acquire all outstanding membership interests of Corsa Verde within ten days following the receipt of regulatory approval. The Company received regulatory approval of the change of ownership on April 22, 2021 and closed the acquisition of Corsa Verde on May 4, 2021.

The price for the Corsa Verde Purchase Agreement was approximately $2,747 (“Corsa Verde Purchase Price”) consisting of cash consideration of $1,247 and a convertible promissory note (the “Convertible Note”) in the amount of $1,500, subject to reduction as provided in the Corsa Verde Purchase Agreement. The Convertible Note is convertible into the number of shares of Company common stock calculated by dividing the principal amount of the Convertible Note by the volume weighted average trading price of the Company common stock on the NEO Exchange for the 5 days preceding the closing date of the transactions contemplated by the Corsa Verde Purchase Agreement. As part of the Corsa Verde Purchase Agreement, the Company deposited funds into the escrow account. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the escrow deposit account had a balance of $498 and $1,123, respectively, and is recorded within restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The Company provided a revolving loan to Corsa Verde (the “Revolving Loan”), with the principal amount to not exceed $3,000 (the “Loan Amount”). The Revolving Loan is evidenced by a secured promissory note of Corsa Verde (the “Corsa Verde Note Receivable”), which bears interest at the rate of 7% per annum and matures upon the occurrence of any of the following: a) providing notice to the borrower of an event of default; b) 36 months after the last advance made by the lender to borrower as provided in the Revolving

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Loan Agreement, or c) 90 days after the termination of the Corsa Verde Purchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a balance of $2,536 and $1,493, respectively, in notes receivable on the consolidated balance sheets related to the balance outstanding on the Revolving Loan. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, outstanding interest on the Revolving Loan is $149 and $27, respectively, which is included in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

To secure the obligations of Corsa Verde to the Company under the Corsa Verde Revolving Loan Agreement and the Corsa Verde Note Receivable, the Company entered into a Security Agreement dated as of April 2, 2019 (the “Corsa Verde Security Agreement”), pursuant to which Corsa Verde granted to the Company a first-priority lien on and security interest in all personal property of Corsa Verde.

2021 Activity

The Healing Center San Diego (THCSD)

On January 6, 2021, the Company acquired (the “THCSD Transaction”) a 100% ownership interest in The Healing Center of San Diego, Inc. (“THCSD”).

THCSD was formed in 2016 for the purpose of selling recreational and related cannabis products in San Diego, California, where it owns and operates a dispensary. The Company executed the THCSD Transaction in order to continue to grow revenues; expand its dispensaries; and penetrate the San Diego market.

The aggregate purchase price for the THCSD Transaction, being $14,115 consisted of; $3,425 in cash consideration, $5,718 in promissory notes (“Closing Promissory Notes”) and $4,972 in equity purchase consideration (“Closing Shares”). Equity purchase consideration comprised 971,541 Common Shares which were issued on January 6, 2021. The Closing Promissory Notes were issued with a debt discount of $282 and require sixteen quarterly payments of $375 of principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon at a rate of 8.0% per annum, beginning on April 6, 2021, through maturity on December 16, 2024.

The following table summarizes the fair value of total consideration transferred and the fair value of each major class of consideration for the THCSD Transaction:

 

Consideration transferred

      

Cash consideration

   $ 3,425  

Closing promissory notes

     5,718  

Closing Shares

     4,972  
  

 

 

 

Total unadjusted purchase price

     14,115  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents acquired

     (698
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired

   $ 13,417  
  

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, less cash assumed:

 

Purchase price allocation

      

Assets acquired:

  

Inventory

   $ 597  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     91  

Property and equipment

     619  

Right of use assets

     635  

Goodwill

     4,988  

Intangible assets

     10,068  

Other long term assets

     466  

Accounts payable

     (133

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (260

Lease liabilities

     (635

Deferred tax liabilities

     (3,019
  

 

 

 

Consideration transferred

   $ 13,417  
  

 

 

 

The purchase price allocations for the THCSD Transaction reflects various fair value estimates and analyses, which are subject to change within the respective measurement periods. The primary areas of the purchase price allocations that are subject to change relate to the fair values of certain tangible assets, the valuation of intangible assets acquired and residual goodwill. The Company expects to continue to obtain information to assist in determining the fair value of the net assets acquired at each acquisition date during the measurement periods. Measurement period adjustments that the Company determines to be material will be applied retrospectively to the period of acquisition in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and, depending on the nature of the adjustments, other periods subsequent to the period of acquisition could also be affected. The Company expects to finalize the accounting for the THCSD Transaction in 2021.

The Company determined the estimated fair value of the acquired working capital, and identifiable intangible assets and goodwill after review and consideration of relevant information including discounted cash flow analyses, market data and management’s estimates, prepared by an independent valuation firm. The estimated fair value of acquired working capital was determined to approximate carrying value.

For leases acquired, the Company measured the lease liability at the present value of the remaining lease payments, as if the acquired lease were a new lease at the acquisition date. The Company measured the right-of-use asset at the same amount as the lease liability, adjusted to reflect favorable or unfavorable terms of the lease when compared with market terms.

The goodwill arising from the THCSD Transaction consists of expected synergies from combining operations of the Company and Acquiree, and intangible assets not qualifying for separate recognition such as formulations, proprietary technologies and acquired know-how. None of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

THCSD’s state licenses and trade name represented identifiable intangible assets acquired in the amounts of $8,330 and $1,738, respectively, which were each determined to have a definite useful life of 10 years.

In conjunction with the THCSD Transaction, the Company expensed $85 of acquisition-related costs, which have been included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company’s statement of comprehensive income. THCSD’s acquisition-related costs in the amount of $198 were expensed in THCSD’s pre-acquisition consolidated financial statements.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Since the closing date of the THCSD Transaction, $2,641 of revenue and $259 of net income of THCSD have been included in the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Green Leaf Medical

On June 11, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Green Leaf Medical, LLC, a privately held, vertically-integrated cannabis multi-state operator for an upfront consideration of $240,000 comprised of $45,000 in cash and $195,000 in Common Shares with the potential for additional consideration contingent on achievement of certain performance-based milestones in 2022 and 2023.

 

7.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment and related depreciation are summarized in the table below:

 

     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Land and buildings

   $ 3,757      $ 4,055  

Furniture and fixtures

     6,970        3,121  

Equipment

     22,955        13,596  

Computers and software

     1,986        1,273  

Leasehold improvements

     98,380        56,900  

Construction in process

     11,338        41,740  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, gross

     145,386        120,685  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (30,986      (16,651
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

   $ 114,400      $ 104,034  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
     December 29,
2018
 

Total depreciation expense for the year ended

   $ 14,891      $ 8,148      $ 4,678  

Included in:

        

Costs of sales related to inventory production

     8,840        4,738        2,705  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     6,051        3,410        1,973  

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of property and equipment are summarized in the tables below:

 

     Land
and

buildings
    Furniture
and fixtures
    Equipment     Computers
and software
    Leasehold
improvements
    Construction
in process
    Total  

Cost

              

Balance, December 31, 2019

   $ 4,055     $ 3,121     $ 13,596     $ 1,273     $ 56,900     $ 41,740     $ 120,685  

Additions

     2,766       1,087       2,517       556       12,297       10,577       29,800  

Business acquisitions

     23       1,466       1,923       219       8,191       648       12,470  

Disposals

     (3,093     —         (429     —         (1,714     (7,935     (13,171

Included in assets held for sale

     —         (55     (376     (132     (3,835     —         (4,398

Transfers

     6       1,351       5,724       70       26,541       (33,692     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

   $ 3,757     $ 6,970     $ 22,955     $ 1,986     $ 98,380     $ 11,338     $ 145,386  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Land
and

buildings
    Furniture
and fixtures
    Equipment     Computers
and software
    Leasehold
improvements
    Construction
in process
     Total  

Accumulated depreciation

               

Balance, December 31, 2019

   $ (154   $ (721   $ (3,410   $ (321   $ (12,045   $ —        $ (16,651

Depreciation

     (48     (913     (3,941     (359     (9,630     —          (14,891

Disposals

     —         —         132       —         9       —          141  

Included in assets held for sale

     —         8       25       16       366       —          415  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

   $ (202   $ (1,626   $ (7,194   $ (664   $ (21,300   $ —        $ (30,986
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Land
and

buildings
    Furniture
and fixtures
    Equipment      Computers
and software
    Leasehold
improvements
    Construction
in process
    Total  

Cost

               

Balance, December 29, 2018

   $ 8,000     $ 995     $ 5,292      $ 435     $ 23,371     $ 12,650     $ 50,743  

Additions

     1,097       427       1,812        318       3,709       82,488       89,851  

Disposals

     (5,042     (129     —          (6     (12,333     (2,399     (19,909

Transfers

     —         1,828       6,492        526       42,153       (50,999     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

   $ 4,055     $ 3,121     $ 13,596      $ 1,273     $ 56,900     $ 41,740     $ 120,685  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     Land and
buildings
    Furniture
and fixtures
    Equipment     Computers
and software
    Leasehold
improvements
    Construction
in process
     Total  

Accumulated depreciation

               

Balance, December 29, 2018

   $ (427   $ (521   $ (1,798   $ (164   $ (8,039   $ —        $ (10,949

Depreciation

     (144     (263     (1,612     (159     (5,970     —          (8,148

Disposals

     417       63       —         2       1,964       —          2,446  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

   $ (154   $ (721   $ (3,410   $ (321   $ (12,045   $ —        $ (16,651
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sale-Leasebacks

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company sold five properties located in Massachusetts, California and Illinois for $25,323, which was approximately the properties’ cost to the Company. Included in the agreements, the Company is expected to complete tenant improvements related to certain properties, for which the landlords have agreed to provide tenant improvement allowance.

In connection with these sales, the Company entered into lease agreements for all properties. Three properties met the requirements of sale-leaseback treatment whereas the remaining two properties did not meet the requirements, and consequently are accounted for as financing transactions. The right-of-use lease assets related to the three properties that met the requirements of sale-leaseback treatment were reduced by $2,258 which represents the unretained portion of the assets carrying amounts. The remaining gain associated with these sale-leasebacks was immaterial. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total financial liability associated with property sale transactions that did not meet the criteria for sale-leaseback accounting is $5,709.

During the third quarter of 2020, the Company closed on a sale leaseback transaction in which two properties located in New Jersey sold for $12,385, which was approximately the cost of the properties. Included in the agreement, the Company is expected to complete tenant improvements related to these properties, for which the landlord has agreed to provide a tenant improvement allowance. The right-of-use assets related to these properties were reduced by $360 which represents the unretained portion of the assets carrying amount. The remaining gain associated with this sale-leaseback was immaterial.

2021 Activity

In April 2021, the Company purchased real estate property in New York for cash consideration of $15,687 and 2,545,857 Common Shares in the Company.

 

8.

PROMISSORY NOTES RECEIVABLES

During the year ended December 31, 2019, Focused Health LLC (“Focused Health”), a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, entered into a lease agreement with 9244 Balboa Blvd., LLC (“Balboa”) and simultaneously issued a secured promissory note (“Balboa Note”) with a principal amount of $2,420. The Balboa Note is secured by the land and building of the leased premises and bears interest at a rate of 4.5%. The Company’s principal and interest repayments are offset by the Company’s rent payment obligations

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

under the lease agreement with Balboa. The Balboa Note matures in April 2029. The balance outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, is $2,329 and $2,384, respectively, of which $58 and $55, respectively, is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and $2,271 and $2,329, respectively, is recorded in notes receivable-long-term on the consolidated balance sheets.

Refer to Note 6 for other notes receivables.

 

9.

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Pre-RTO

Common Units

Prior to the Acquisition Date, Columbia Care LLC was authorized to issue an unlimited number of common units without par value and profit interests. On the Acquisition Date, Columbia Care LLC had 14,639,112 issued and outstanding common units and profit interests (15,482,850 on a fully-diluted basis). On the Acquisition Date, common units and profit interests were converted into common shares and proportionate voting shares.

From December 29, 2018 through the Acquisition Date, the Company had the following equity activity:

 

   

Issued 27,561 common units upon the conversion of principal and accrued interest on convertible debt of $2,537.

 

   

Issued 2,490 common units as unit issuance costs; and

 

   

Warrants were exercised for 159,325 common units at an average per unit price of $0.01 for $2.

Post-RTO

From the Acquisition Date through December 31, 2019, the Company had the following equity activity:

 

   

In connection with the RTO, the Company converted 14,639,112 outstanding common units and profit interests into 34,563,850 common shares and 1,623,372.68 proportionate voting shares. The Company issued 19,077,096 common shares and 5,394,945 warrants with an exercise price of $10.35 (Canadian Dollars) exercisable for five years from the date of issuance to existing shareholders of CGGC with a total fair value of $131,264 (Note 3). The RTO resulted in a listing expense of $11,071. The Company incurred share issuance costs of $5,598 related to the RTO which is recognized as a reduction of share capital.

 

   

On August 6, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of the remaining minority interest in its Illinois operation. Total consideration consisted of $4,400 of which $2,950 was satisfied by the issuance of 621,239 common shares and the remaining $1,450 is expected to be satisfied during 2021 with the issuance of additional common shares.

 

   

Repurchased and cancelled 236,900 common shares with the use of $1,015 proceeds under the Company’s share repurchase program.

 

   

In connection with the RTO and the issuance of Shares to employees, the Company withheld Shares that were previously issued to satisfy certain shareholders’ U.S. federal income tax requirements and made a payment on their behalf in the amount of $1,398. As a result, the Company retired 187,147 Shares.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had the following equity activity:

 

   

On June 18, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of the remaining minority interest in its Florida operation. Total consideration consisted of $19,301 of which $18,301 was satisfied by the issuance of 7,038,835 common shares and $1,000 in cash.

 

   

On August 12, 2020, 3,845,023 common share warrants were converted to 2,018,298 common shares in a cashless exercise with an exercise price of $2.22. 1,826,723 shares were withheld on the exercise and immediately cancelled.

 

   

On September 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of TGS and issued 32,955,987 common shares on September 1, 2020 and 266,913 common shares on December 21, 2020. See Note 6.

 

   

On September 28, 2020, 174,000 common share warrants were exercised for proceeds of $388.

 

   

On December 2, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of Project Cannabis and issued 15,713,867 common shares. See Note 6.

 

   

The Company issued 1,852,064 common shares on the vesting of RSU’s, including 450,730 which vested in the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company withheld shares to satisfy certain tax withholdings in connection with the vesting of RSUs.

In January 2021, the Company closed a public offering that consisted of 18,572,500 common shares at a price of $8.05 (Canadian Dollars) per common share for net proceeds to the Company of $111,966.

In February 2021, the Company completed a bought deal private placement in which it issued for resale, on a bought deal private placement basis, 3,220,000 common shares at a price of $9.00 (Canadian Dollars) per common share for net proceeds to the Company of 21,770.

Authorized Capital

Authorized share capital of the Company consists of (i) an unlimited number of common shares without par (ii) an unlimited number of proportionate voting shares without par, and (iii) an unlimited number of preferred shares.

The Company’s common shares and proportionate voting shares (together, the “Shares”) have the same rights and are equal in all respects. The Company treats the Shares as if they were a single class.

Conversion Rights and Transfers

Issued and outstanding proportionate voting shares, including fractions thereof, may at any time, subject to certain conditions, at the option of the holder, be converted into common shares at a ratio of 100 common shares per proportionate voting share with fractional proportionate voting shares convertible into common shares at the same ratio. Further, the Company’s board of directors may determine in the future that it is no longer advisable to maintain the proportionate voting shares as a separate class of shares and may cause all of the issued and outstanding proportionate voting shares to be converted into common shares at a ratio of 100 common shares per proportionate voting share with fractional proportionate voting shares convertible into common shares at the same ratio and the Company shall not be entitled to issue any additional proportionate voting shares thereafter.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The ability to convert proportionate voting shares into common shares is subject to certain conditions in order to maintain the Company’s status as a foreign private issuer under U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise waived by the Company, the right to convert the proportionate voting shares is subject to the condition that the aggregate number of Shares held of record, directly or indirectly, by residents of the United States (as determined in accordance with Rules 3b-4 and 12g3-2(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate number of Shares issued and outstanding after giving effect to such conversions.

Rights

Holders of Shares are entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders. Holders of Shares are entitled to receive dividends, as may be declared by the Company’s board of directors. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, no cash dividends had been declared or paid.

The table below details the changes in Shares outstanding by class:

 

     Common
Shares
     Proportionate
Voting Shares
(as converted)
     Preferred
Shares
 

Balance, December 29, 2018

     —          —          —    

Existing unitholders transfer

     34,563,850        162,337,268        —    

Private placement

     19,077,096        —          —    

Issuance of shares

     473,770        —          —    

Minority buyouts

     621,239        —          —    

Share conversion

     62,864,293        (62,864,293      —    

Cancellation of restricted stock awards

     —          (119,995      —    

Repurchase of shares

     (424,047      —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

     117,176,201        99,352,980        —    

Issuance of shares in connection with acquisitions

     48,936,767        —          —    

Equity-based awards issued

     1,852,064        —          —    

Share conversion (1)

     72,807,752        (72,807,752      —    

Warrants exercised

     2,192,298        —          —    

Minority buyouts

     7,038,835        —          —    

Cancellation of restricted stock awards

     —          (37,314      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

     250,003,917        26,507,914        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes 3,657,048 time-based restricted Shares (“RSAs”) converted to common shares.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

10.

WARRANTS

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, outstanding equity-classified warrants to purchase common shares consisted of the following:

 

            December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Date Exercisable

   Expiration      Number of
Shares
Issued and
Exercisable
     Exercise Price
(Canadian Dollars)
     Number of
Shares
Issued and
Exercisable
     Exercise Price
(Canadian Dollars)
 

December 6, 2016

     June 6, 2020        —        $ —          3,845,023      $ 2.22  

July 1, 2017

     July 1, 2020        —          —          1,152,191        5.71  

May 8, 2018

     May 8, 2021        921,753        5.71        921,753        5.71  

October 1, 2018

     October 1, 2025        648,783        8.12        648,783        8.12  

October 1, 2018

     October 1, 2020        —          —          4,855,639        8.12  

October 17, 2018

     October 17, 2020        —          —          809,272        8.12  

November 7, 2018

     November 7, 2020        —          —          2,427,818        8.12  

June 30, 2019

     April 26, 2024        5,394,945        10.35        5,394,945        10.35  

March 31, 2020

     May 14, 2023        1,610,250        3.10        —          —    

April 23, 2020

     May 14, 2023        113,000        3.10        —          —    

May 14, 2020

     May 14, 2023        2,250,188        2.95        —          —    

July 2, 2020

     May 14, 2023        300,000        4.53        —          —    

October 29, 2020

     May 14, 2023        1,200,000        5.84        —          —    

November 10, 2020

     May 14, 2023        504,000        5.84        —          —    

November 27, 2020

     May 14, 2023        180,000        5.84        —          —    

November 30, 2020

     May 14, 2023        25,000        5.84        —          —    
     

 

 

       

 

 

    
        13,147,919      $ 6.91        20,055,424      $ 7.34  
     

 

 

       

 

 

    

Warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018 are summarized in the table below:

 

     Shares      Units  
     Number of
Warrants
    Weighted average
exercise price
(Canadian Dollars)
     Number of
Warrants
    Weighted average
exercise price
(U.S. Dollars)
 

Balance as of December 30, 2017

     —       $ —          664,644     $ 24.43  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issued

     —         —          796,485       72.91  

Exercised

     —         —          (122,416     0.01  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 29, 2018

     —         —          1,338,713     $ 55.50  

Issued

     5,394,945       10.35        —         —    

Exercised

     —         —          (210,858     22.46  

Conversion from warrant units to warrant shares

     14,660,479       6.23        (1,127,855     61.63  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

     20,055,424       7.34        —         —    

Issued

     6,356,438       3.93        —         —    

Exercised

     (4,019,023     2.25        —         —    

Expired

     (9,244,920     7.82        —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2020

     13,147,919     $ 6.91        —       $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

11.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (equity settled)

On April 26, 2019, the Company adopted a long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) to allow for a variety of equity-based awards that provide different types of incentives to be granted to the Company’s executive officers, directors, employees and consultants (options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), performance share units (“PSUs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and deferred share units (“DSUs”)). Options, SARs, PSUs, RSUs and DSUs are collectively referred to herein as “Awards”. Each Award represents the right to receive common shares and in the case of SARs, PSUs, RSUs and DSUs, common shares or cash, in each case in accordance with the terms of the LTIP.

Under the terms of the LTIP, the Company’s board of directors may grant Awards to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Company and will review and approve the grant of Awards recommended by the Chief Executive Officer to other eligible participants. Participation in the LTIP is voluntary and if an eligible participant agrees to participate, the grant of Awards will be evidenced by a grant agreement with each such participant. The interest of any participant in any Award is not assignable or transferable, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The plan has a stated term of ten years and provides that the exercise of stock options granted will not be less than the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The plan does not specify grant dates or vesting schedules of awards as those determinations have been delegated to the delegated committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Each grant agreement reflects the vesting schedule for that particular grant as determined by the Committee. RSU awards currently outstanding generally cliff-vest after a five-year period, vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period or cliff after a three-year period in each case, from the grant date. All outstanding stock options vest over a four-year period with a one-year cliff.

The maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance, in the aggregate, under the LTIP is 10% of the aggregate number of common shares (assuming the conversion of all proportionate voting shares to common shares) issued and outstanding from time to time.

Restricted stock units

Each RSU grant is subject to service-based vesting, where a specific period of continued employment must pass before an award vests. For RSU grants, the expense is measured at the grant date as the fair value of the Company’s common stock and expensed as stock-based compensation over the vesting term.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

A summary of RSU activity is presented below:

 

     Shares      Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 

Unvested, December 29, 2018

     —        $ —    

Granted

     5,185,357        6.79  

Vested

     (822,622      8.22  

Forfeited

     (18,750      4.32  

Deferred compensation units converted to RSUs

     3,488,244        4.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2019

     7,832,229        5.40  

Granted

     6,285,973        2.71  

Vested

     (1,413,863      8.47  

Forfeited

     (708,588      5.21  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2020

     11,995,751      $ 3.64  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s RSUs for the period presented:

 

     Year ended  

(Dollars in thousands)

   December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Share-based compensation

   $ 16,279      $ 16,542  

Common shares issued in connection with RSUs

     —          371,892  

The following table presents information about the Company’s RSUs as of the date presented:

 

     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Unrecognized compensation costs

   $ 15,934      $ 21,992  

Weighted average period over which compensation cost will be recognized (in years)

     2.5        1.8  

Maximum term relating to outstanding RSUs (in years)

     3.9        4.0  

Obligation to issue shares for RSUs vested during the year (in shares)

     —          450,730  

Performance share units

On April 29, 2019, the Company granted total stockholder return awards (“TSR Awards”) that include three-year and five-year market conditions, with corresponding performance measurement periods of three and five years. Vesting of the TSR Awards is based on the Company’s level of attainment of specified TSR targets relative to the appreciation of the Company’s common shares for the respective three-year and five-year periods and is also subject to the continued employment of the grantees.

Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk-free interest rates are based on quoted U.S. Treasury rates for securities with maturities approximating the awards’ expected lives. Expected lives are principally based on the Company’s historical exercise experience with previously issued awards. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company has never paid dividends and does not currently anticipate paying any in the foreseeable future.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The fair value of the TSR Awards was determined using a Monte Carlo Simulation valuation model with the following weighted average inputs:

 

Expected volatility

     70.00

Expected life (in years)

     4.15  

Expected dividends

     0.00

Risk-free interest rate

     1.55

During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company also granted PSUs that will vest on the achievement of internal performance targets. The Company monitors the probability of achieving the performance targets on a quarterly basis and may adjust periodic compensation expense accordingly.

A summary of PSU and TSR activity is presented below:

 

     Shares      Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 

Unvested, December 29, 2018

     —         $ —    

Granted

     5,489,524        5.57  

Forfeited

     (230,116      3.54  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2019

     5,259,408        5.66  

Granted

     2,980,751        2.43  

Forfeited

     (188,341      7.44  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2020

     8,051,818      $ 4.42  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s PSUs and TSR activity:

 

     Year ended  
     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Share-based compensation

   $ 8,944      $ 5,320  

The following table presents information about the Company’s PSUs and TSR as of the date presented:

 

     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Unrecognized compensation costs

   $ 19,954      $ 24,888  

Weighted average period over which compensation cost will be recognized (in years)

     2.5        3.3  

Maximum term relating to outstanding PSUs and TSRs (in years)

     3.3        4.3  

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average of inputs used in the measurement of the grant date fair value of the stock options for the year ended December 31, 2020, are summarized in the table below:

 

Fair value at grant date (Canadian Dollars)

   $ 10.90  

Strike price at grant date (Canadian Dollars)

   $ 10.90  

Expected volatility

     70.00

Expected life (in years)

     6.25  

Expected dividends

     0.00

Risk-free interest rate

     1.59

Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk-free interest rates are based on quoted U.S. Treasury rates for securities with maturities approximating the awards’ expected lives. Expected lives are principally based on the Company’s historical exercise experience with previously issued awards. The expected dividend yield is zero as the Company has never paid dividends and does not currently anticipate paying any in the foreseeable future.

Stock option awards under the LTIP are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. All option awards have a ten-year contractual term and vest over four years.

A summary of option activity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below:

 

     Stock
Options
     Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
(Canadian Dollars)
     Weighted-Average
Remaining Contractual
Term (Years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding, December 29, 2018

     —          —          —        $ —    

Granted

     55,384        10.90        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2019

     55,384        10.90        3.3        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2020

     55,384        10.90        2.3      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020

     13,846        10.90        2.3        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the equity-based compensation expense related to stock options issued was $98 and $107, respectively. No options are exercisable as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Common Shares

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company granted 101,878 common shares to employees and consultants. These common shares vested in the year ended December 31, 2019. Equity-based compensation related to common shares issued was $453 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Unit programs (equity settled)

In May 2016, the Company adopted the Capital Accumulation Plan (“the CAP Plan”), which provided employees and operating partners with a mechanism to participate in increases in value of the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Grants of CAP units contained a unit of equity which participates in proceeds from liquidation or sale of the Company beyond a “threshold amount”, which is similar to a strike price for a stock option. The Company utilized a third-party expert to determine the equity value of the Company. The threshold amount stated in grants of CAP units was determined by estimating the liquidation value of the Company at the grant date. As a result, holders of vested CAP units could receive value equal to the difference between: (i) the future value of the Company; and (ii) the threshold amount. The fair value of each CAP Unit is estimated on the day of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The range of inputs used in the measurement of the grant date fair value of the CAP Units were as follows:

 

Fair value at grant date (Canadian Dollars)

   $ 82.24 - 87.61  

Strike price at grant date (Canadian Dollars)

   $ 38.37 - 80.31  

Expected volatility

     70.00

Expected life (in years)

     6.25  

Expected dividends

     0.00

Risk-free interest rate

     2.7 - 3.0

As the Company was a private company, there was no active market for trading in its common units. Therefore, Company-specific historical and implied volatility information was not available. The expected volatility of the Company’s equity instruments was estimated based on the historical volatility of a set of publicly traded peer companies. The expected term was estimated as the mid-point between the requisite service period and the end of the contractual term of the option. The risk-free interest rate was determined by reference to the US treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield was based on the fact the Company had never paid cash dividends and did not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

The Company did not grant any CAP units during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

As of the Acquisition Date, holders of CAP units received replacement stock-based awards. The CAP units were converted into RSAs based on the intrinsic value of the Company if it was liquidated at the close of business. The value of the replacement stock-based awards was designed to generally preserve the intrinsic value of the replaced awards immediately prior to the merger. Such RSAs remain subject to the same continuing restrictions applicable to the original CAP units. The Company did not recognize any incremental expense in connection with the conversion of CAP units to RSAs.

The number of units outstanding under the CAP Plan were as follows:

 

     Units      Weighted-Average
Threshold Amount
 

Unvested, December 30, 2017

     143,641      $ 34.01  

Units granted

     582,886        52.19  

Units forfeited

     (84,979      37.63  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 29, 2018

     641,548        51.05  

Units forfeited

     (3,336      67.49  

Units converted to RSAs

     (638,212      50.96  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2019

     —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2020

     —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

A summary of RSA activity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below:

 

     Shares      Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 

Unvested, December 29, 2018

     —        $ —    

CAP units converted to RSAs

     4,541,835        7.63  

Forfeited

     (119,995      11.11  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2019

     4,421,840        7.54  

Forfeited

     (37,314      13.87  

Converted to common shares

     (3,657,048      7.54  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2020

     727,478      $ 7.19  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s CAP and RSA activity as of the date presented:

 

     Year ended  
     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019      December 29, 2018  

Share-based compensation

   $ 4,484      $ 10,481      $ 13,112  

The following table presents information about the Company’s CAP and RSA as of the date presented:

 

     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  

Unrecognized compensation costs

   $ 1,845      $ 6,317  

Weighted average period over which compensation cost will be recognized (in years)

     1.1        1.5  

Maximum term relating to outstanding CAP and RSAs (in years)

     1.8        2.8  

Unit programs (liability settled)

In May 2016, the Company adopted the Income Incentive Plan (“the IIP Plan”), which provides deferred compensation to designated employees and operating partners (the “IIP units”).

IIP units represented a right to receive a payment, subject to dilutive effect of equity issuances, in the future equal to the lesser of the Company’s liquidation value based on the lower of: (i) value on the date of a qualifying sale of the Company or (ii) value on the date that the IIP unit is granted (the “IIP Grant Date”).

The initial recognition and measurement of the IIP units were based on the Company’s liquidation value per outstanding common unit as of the IIP Grant Date. Until payment of the IIP units, adjustments would be made each reporting period for any changes in the Company’s liquidation value, only if the Company’s liquidation value was less than its liquidation value on the IIP Grant Date.

The Company generally relied on the analyses performed by third-party experts to determine the value of the Company, in order to determine the Company’s liquidation values.

In September 2019, holders of IIP units received replacement stock-based units (“RSU”). In September 2019, The IIP units were converted into RSUs based on the intrinsic value of the Company, as if it was

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

liquidated at the Acquisition Date. The value of the RSUs was designed to generally preserve the intrinsic value of the replaced awards immediately prior to the conversion. Such RSUs remain subject to the same continuing restrictions applicable to the original IIP units. The Company did not recognize any incremental expense in connection with the conversion of IIP units to RSUs. Upon the conversion the Company reclassified deferred compensation of $15,308 into shareholders’ equity.

Each RSU grant is subject to service-based vesting, where a specific period of continued employment must pass before an award vests.

The number of units outstanding under the IIP Plan are summarized in the table below:

 

     Units      Weighted-Average
Liquidation Value
 

Unvested, December 30, 2017

     143,641      $ 34.01  

Units granted

     570,615        52.66  

Units forfeited

     (84,979      37.63  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 29, 2018

     629,277        51.29  

Units forfeited

     (23,612      61.98  

Units converted to RSUs

     (605,665      50.87  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2019

     —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested, December 31, 2020

     —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred compensation expense related to the Company’s IIP units was $5,502 and $5,503 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

12.

INCOME TAXES

The tax provision amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss summarized in the table below:

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019      December 29, 2018  

Current tax expense

        

Federal

   $ 3,979      $ 1,078      $ 1,987  

State

     822        397        606  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current tax expense

     4,801        1,475        2,593  

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

        

Foreign

     (2,289      (595      246  

Federal

     (8,897      (6,463      104  

State

     (1,400      (3,746      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax expense (benefit)

     (12,586      (10,804      350  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in Valuation Allowance - US

     (10,701      10,237        —    

Change in Valuation Allowance - Foreign

     2,289        595        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

   $ (16,197    $ 1,503      $ 2,943  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The Company’s provision for income taxes differs from applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to income before taxes primarily due to state income taxes, certain stock compensation, warrants accretion, tax credits and miscellaneous permanent differences.

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is provided in the table below:

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31, 2020     December 31, 2019     December 29, 2018  

Loss before provision for income taxes

   $ (135,846     $ (99,671     $ (45,332  
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Tax using the company’s domestic tax rate

     (28,540     21.0     (23,195     23.3     (9,520     21.0

Tax effect of:

            

State taxes, net of federal benefits

     (273     0.2     (2,639     2.6     748       (1.7 )% 

Non-deductible partnership income

     2,601       (1.9 )%      6,088       (6.1 )%      8,451       (18.6 )% 

Non-deductible expenses

     19,346       (14.2 )%      9,646       (9.7 )%      3,064       (6.8 )% 

Share-based compensation

     2,125       (1.6 )%      1,221       (9.0 )%      —         —    

Change in tax status

     291       (0.2 )%      (173     (8.0 )%      —         —    

Other

     (1,035     0.8     242       (0.2 )%      454       (1.0 )% 

Recognition of previously unrecognized
(derecognition of previously recognized)
deductible temporary differences

     (10,712     7.9     10,313       (10.3 )%      (254     0.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ (16,197     11.9   $ 1,503       (1.5 )%    $ 2,943       (6.5 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) prohibits businesses engaged in the trafficking of Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substances from deducting normal business expenses, such as payroll and rent, from gross income (revenue less cost of goods sold). Section 280E was originally intended to penalize criminal market operators, but because cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance for Federal purposes, the IRS has subsequently applied Section 280E to state-legal cannabis businesses. Cannabis businesses operating in states that align their tax codes with the IRC are also unable to deduct normal business expenses from their state taxes. The non-deductible expenses shown in the effective rate reconciliation above is comprised primarily of the impact of applying IRC Sec. 280E to the Company’s businesses that are involved in selling cannabis, along with other typical non-deductible expenses such as lobbying expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Changes in the Company’s deferred taxes for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized in the table below:

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31, 2020      December 31, 2019      December 29, 2018  

Deferred Tax Assets

        

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

   $ 3,244      $ 710      $ 626  

Stock Based Compensation

     12,695        10,460        —    

Capitalized Expenses

     2,381        1,567        —    

Reserves

     3,217        —          38  

Right of Use Assets

     25,995        13,910        —    

Sale Leaseback

     1,448        1,648        —    

Other Assets

     2,137        249        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

     51,117        28,544        664  

Valuation Allowance

     (3,046      (11,458      (626
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Assets, net

     48,071        17,086        38  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred Tax Liabilities

        

Property, Plant and Equipment

     (1,664      (2,222      —    

Intangibles

     (21,742      —          —    

Accruals

     —          (816      —    

Right of Use Liabilities

     (25,644      (13,801      —    

Other Liabilities

     (1,368      (236      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities

   $ (50,418    $ (17,075    $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Deferred Tax Liabilities

   $ 2,347      $ —        $ —    

Net Deferred Tax Assets

   $ —        $ 11      $ 38  

Future realization of the tax benefits of existing temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. The Company evaluates the realization of deferred tax assets separately by jurisdiction. The Company has recognized a valuation allowance in its foreign jurisdictions as it is more likely than not that these assets primarily consisting of net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2020, based on expected future taxable income, the Company released the valuation allowance recorded against its net deferred tax assets within the United States.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has $21,492 of gross state net operating loss carryforwards which expire at various dates through 2040. Additionally, the Company has $11,457 in foreign net operating loss carryforwards of which $10,648 expire at various dates through 2040 and $809 do not expire.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. The Company has not completed a study to assess whether an “ownership change” has occurred or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since the Company became a “loss corporation” as defined in Section 382. Future changes in ownership of our common units, which may be outside of the Company’s control, may trigger an “ownership change.” In addition, future equity offerings or acquisitions that have equity as a component of the purchase price could result in an “ownership change.” If an “ownership change” has occurred or does occur in the future, utilization of the NOL carryforwards or other tax attributes may be limited, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations for both federal, state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

The Company files tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by federal, state and foreign jurisdictions, where applicable. The Company’s tax years are still open under statute from December 31, 2017, to the present. The summary below presents the expected the effect of unrecognized tax benefits that the resolution of tax matters will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The current year increase is the result of historical positions taken from one of the businesses acquired during the year ended December 31, 2020. The reserve was recorded to goodwill as of the acquisition date.

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

   $ —    

Increases (Decreases) for current year

     —    

Increases (Decreases) for prior years

     —    

Settlements

     —    

Reductions for Expiration of Statute of Limitations

     —    
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

     —    

Increases (Decreases) for current year

     —    

Increases (Decreases) for prior years

     5,221  

Settlements

     —    

Reductions for Expiration of Statute of Limitations

     —    
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2020

   $ 5,221  
  

 

 

 

 

13.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to the Company was calculated as follows:

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
     December 29,
2018
 

Numerator:

        

Net loss

   $ (119,649    $ (101,174    $ (48,275

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

     (23,862      (4,909      (1,255
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to shareholders

   $ (95,787    $ (96,265    $ (47,020
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

        

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

     232,576,117        209,992,187        167,599,871  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss per share - basic and diluted

   $ (0.41    $ (0.46    $ (0.28
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Certain share based equity awards were excluded from the computation of dilutive loss per share because inclusion of these awards would have had an anti-dilutive effect. The following table reflects the awards excluded.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
     December 29,
2018
 

Warrants

     13,147,919        20,055,424        17,401,261  

Options

     55,384        55,384        —    

Convertible Debt

     6,670,449        —          —    

RSUs

     11,995,751        5,259,408        —    

PSUs and TSRs

     8,051,818        7,832,229        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     39,921,321        33,202,445        17,401,261  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Prior periods have been converted into post-merger Shares for comparability.

 

14.

LEASING ACTIVITIES

The Company leases its facilities under operating leases that provide for the payment of real estate taxes and other operating costs in addition to normal rent. The Company’s real estate leases typically have terms of 1 to 15 years. Certain leases include extension options exercisable from one to five years before the end of the cancellable lease term. The Company typically leases equipment and vehicles with standard lease terms of 3 to 5 years. Expenses recognized relating to short-term leases and leases of low value during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were immaterial.

The following summarizes the weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate as of December 31:

 

     December 31,
2020
    December 31,
2019
 

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term

    

Operating leases

     14.4 years       12.7 years  

Finance leases

     16.5 years       —    

Weighted Average Discount Rate

    

Operating leases

     7.02%       7.03%  

Finance leases

     7.05%       —    

The maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

     Operating      Finance  

Year Ending December 31:

     

2021

   $ 17,791      $ 6,505  

2022

     18,252        6,377  

2023

     17,557        6,344  

2024

     16,548        6,301  

2025

     14,572        6,068  

Thereafter

     159,303        82,517  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease payments

     244,023        114,112  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: interest

     (97,854      (49,603
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Present value of lease liabilities

   $ 146,169      $ 64,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The following summarizes the line items in the income statements which include the components of lease expense for the years ended:

 

     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Operating lease expense

   $ 16,225      $ 8,282  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in

     

Cost of sales

     8,839        3,908  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     7,386        4,374  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Finance lease costs:

   $ 2,785      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization of lease assets included in cost of sales

     759        —    

Amortization of lease assets included in selling, general and administrative costs

     537        —    

Interest on lease liabilities included in interest (expense) income, net

     1,489        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease costs

   $ 19,010      $ 8,282  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following summarizes cash flow information related to leases for the year ended December 31:

 

     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

     

Operating cash flows from operating leases

   $ 14,630      $ 7,655  

Operating cash flows from finance leases

   $ 1,475      $ —    

Financing cash flows from finance leases

   $ 734      $ —    

Lease assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

     

Operating leases

   $ 38,008      $ 89,196  

Finance leases

   $ 2,924      $ —    

Lease assets obtained in business acquisitions

     

Operating leases

   $ 34,057      $ —    

Finance leases

   $ 48,736      $ —    

 

15.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Defined contribution plan

In 2020, the Company instituted a qualified 401(k) plan (the “401(k) Plan”) for its U.S. employees. The 401(k) Plan covers U.S. employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. Under the terms of the 401(k) Plan, the employees may elect to make contributions through payroll deductions within statutory and plan limits, and the Company may elect to make non-elective discretionary contributions. The Company may also make optional contributions to the 401(k) Plan for any plan year at its discretion.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Expense recognized by the Company for matching contributions made to the 401(k) Plan was $191 for year ended December 31, 2020.

Indemnification agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to vendors, lessors, business partners, and other parties with respect to certain matters including, but not limited to, losses arising out of breach of such agreements or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with members of its board of directors and senior management that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is, in many cases, unlimited. Other than the accrual mentioned in the following paragraph, the Company has not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnifications. Other than the accrual mentioned in the following paragraph, the Company does not believe that the outcome of any claims under indemnification arrangements will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and it has not accrued any liabilities related to such obligations in its consolidated financial statements.

Legal

A former minority owner of the Company’s Florida-licensed business, Sun Bulb Company, Inc. (“Sun Bulb”), was sued by a former purported joint venture partner, alleging various statutory and common law claims related to the terminated joint venture. The Company had agreed to indemnify Sun Bulb for litigation costs and any judgment rendered in the matter, in excess of $750. On January 20, 2021, following an arbitration hearing, the arbitration panel issued a partial final award in the former joint venture partner’s favor on three of the 11 claims asserted and awarded the former joint venture partner $10,553 plus prejudgment interest from July 26, 2017 through the present, as well as reasonable attorneys’ fees. On March 2, 2021, the Panel issued a Final Award, awarding the former joint venture partner a total of $15,195, inclusive of prejudgment interest and attorneys’ fees. The Company expects a demand for indemnification to be made by Sun Bulb, pursuant to the indemnification agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an additional indemnification expense of $14,195, and as of December 31, 2020, the Company had a total accrual of $15,195 in the respect of this matter.

Additionally, the Company may be contingently liable with respect to other claims incidental to the ordinary course of its operations. Based on its consultation with legal counsel, The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of such other matters will have a materially adverse effect on the Company. Accordingly, no provision has been made in these condensed interim consolidated financial statements for losses, if any, which might result from the ultimate disposition of these matters should they arise.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

16.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the fair value of those liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

December 31, 2020

           

Derivative liability

   $ —        $ —        $ (17,109    $ (17,109
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ —        $ —        $ (17,109    $ (17,109
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the period included in these financial statements, there were no transfer of amounts between levels. For fair value measurements of assets and liabilities that are done on a non-recurring basis, refer to Note 18.

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques and key inputs used in the fair value measurement of level 3 financial instruments:

 

Financial asset/financial

liability

  

Valuation techniques

  

Significant unobservable

inputs

  

Relationship of unobservable

inputs to fair value

Derivative liability

   Market approach    Conversion Period    Increase or decrease in conversion period will result in an increase or decrease in fair value

The carrying amounts of cash and restricted cash, accounts receivable, deposits and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities like interest payable and payroll liabilities and short-term debt as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these items and are not included in the table above.

In addition to the disclosures for assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, companies are required to disclose the estimated fair values of all financial instruments, even if they are not presented at their fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair values of financial instruments are estimates based upon market conditions and perceived risks as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. These estimates require management’s judgment and may not be indicative of the future fair values of the assets and liabilities.

Financial assets and liabilities for which the carrying values approximate their fair values include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable included within prepaid expenses and other assets, dividends payable and accrued liabilities and other payables. Generally, these assets and liabilities are short term in duration and their carrying value approximates fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

17.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and intangible assets consist of the following:

 

     Goodwill      Licenses      Trademarks      Customer
Relationships
     Total  

Cost

              

As of December 31, 2019

   $ —        $ 16,235      $ —        $ —        $ 16,235  

Business acquisitions

     137,759        51,958        33,043        3,286        226,046  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance of December 31, 2020

   $ 137,759      $ 68,193      $ 33,043      $ 3,286      $ 242,281  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Goodwill      Licenses     Trademarks     Customer
Relationships
    Total  

Accumulated Amortization

           

As of December 31, 2019

   $ —        $ (540   $ —       $ —       $ (540

Amortization

     —          (2,556     (1,028     (56     (3,640
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance of December 31, 2020

   $ —        $ (3,096   $ (1,028   $ (56   $ (4,180
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Goodwill      Licenses      Trademarks      Customer
Relationships
     Total  

Cost

              

As of December 31, 2018

   $ —        $ 16,235      $ —        $ —        $ 16,235  

Business acquisitions

     —          —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance of December 31, 2019

   $ —        $ 16,235      $ —        $ —        $ 16,235  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Goodwill      Licenses     Trademarks      Customer
Relationships
     Total  

Accumulated Amortization

             

As of December 31, 2018

   $ —        $ —       $ —        $ —        $ —    

Amortization

     —          (540     —          —          (540
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance of December 31, 2019

   $ —        $ (540   $ —        $ —        $ (540
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

Licenses

  

Trademarks

  

Customer
Relationships

Amortization Method

   Straight-Line    Straight-Line    Straight-Line

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The below table summarizes the estimated aggregate amortization expense expected to be recognized on the above intangibles:

 

     Amount  

Future estimated amortization expense:

  

2021

   $ 10,680  

2022

     10,680  

2023

     10,680  

2024

     10,680  

2025

     10,624  

2026 and thereafter

     45,912  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 99,256  
  

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company changed the estimated useful life of a license to operate a dispensary in the state of Florida from an indefinite life to 15 years. The change in estimate was determined in connection with a review of the regulatory environment in Florida and industry peers. The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $3,640 and $540, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Refer to Note 6 for details of purchase price allocations to intangible assets as a result of the acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

18.

ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company committed to a plan to sell its Puerto Rico operations. Accordingly, certain of the assets and liabilities held by the Company’s Puerto Rico subsidiary are presented as a disposal group held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020. Efforts to sell the disposal group have started and a sale is expected in 2021. This planned disposal did not represent a strategic shift of the Company that had or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. Accordingly, Puerto Rico operations were not segregated and were presented as continuing operations in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and December 29, 2018. Impairment losses of $1,969 for write-downs of the disposal group to the lower of its carrying amount and its fair value less costs to sell have been included in other (expense) income, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The impairment losses have been applied to reduce the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment within the disposal group. As of December 31, 2020, the disposal group was stated at fair value less costs to sell and comprised the following assets and liabilities:

 

Property, plant and equipment

   $ 2,014  

Right-of-use assets

     1,435  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     34  
  

 

 

 

Assets held for sale

   $ 3,483  

Lease liabilities

   $ (1,483
  

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale

   $ (1,483

The non-recurring fair value measurement for the disposal group of $2,000 has been categorized as a Level 3 fair value utilizing Level 3 inputs and using a market approach, based on available data for transactions in the region and discussions with potential acquirers.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

19.

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and December 29, 2018, other (expense) income, net is summarized in the table below:

 

     December 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
     December 29,
2018
 

Indemnification expense (Note 15)

   $ (14,195    $ —        $ —    

TGS earnout adjustment (Note 6)

     (21,757      —          —    

Loss on disposal group (Note 18)

     (1,969      —          (442

Settlement income

     —          —          5,000  

Gain on deconsolidation of investment (Note 2)

     720        —          —    

(Loss) gain on disposal of assets, net

     (787      2,152        —    

Gain on lease termination

     301        —          —    

Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net

     (11      835        —    

Other

     145        5        (25
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other (expense) income, net

   $ (37,553    $ 2,992      $ 4,533  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

20.

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The non-controlling interests of the Company for each affiliate before intercompany elimination are summarized in the tables below:

 

    Venture
Forth
    Columbia
Care
Arizona-
Tempe
    Columbia
Care
Delaware
    Columbia
Care
Puerto
Rico
    Columbia
Care
Maryland
    Columbia
Care
Florida
    Columbia
Care
Eastern
Virginia
    Columbia
Care
International
HoldCo
    Columbia
Care
New
Jersey
    Access
Bryant
    Leafy
Greens
    Columbia
Care
Ohio
    Columbia
Care
Missouri
    Total  

Summarized balance sheet

  December 31, 2020  

Current assets

  $ 1,231     $ 2,709     $ 4,158     $ 3,648     $ 464     $ 8,204     $ 259       384       2,318       364     $ 11     $ 2,597     $ 259     $ 26,606  

Current liabilities

    (1,166     (50     (433     (1,573     (186     (5,017     (404     (505     (390     (235     (44     (368     (404     (10,775
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current net assets (liabilities)

    65       2,659       3,725       2,075       278       3,187       (145     (121     1,928       129       (33     2,229       (145     15,831  

Non-current assets

    1,956       696       11,005       —         1,247       62,994       17,102       5,707       26,304       613       906       14,368       17,102       160,000  

Non-current liabilities

    (17,114     (1,634     (17,396     (9,146     (2,932     (80,629     (19,674     (1,590     (31,877     (482     (948     (20,478     (19,674     (223,574
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current net assets (liabilities)

    (15,158     (938     (6,391     (9,146     (1,685     (17,635     (2,572     4,117       (5,573     131       (42     (6,110     (2,572     (63,574
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated NCI

  $ (17,688   $ 273     $ —       $ (3,606   $ (56   $ —       $ (134   $ 5,472     $ (177   $ (2   $ —       $ (3,880   $ (77   $ (19,875
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Venture
Forth
    Columbia
Care
Arizona-
Tempe
    Columbia
Care
Delaware
    Columbia
Care
Puerto
Rico
    Columbia
Care
Maryland
    Columbia
Care
Florida
    Columbia
Care
Eastern
Virginia
    Columbia
Care
International
HoldCo
    Columbia
Care
New
Jersey
    Access
Bryant
    Leafy
Greens
    Total  

Summarized balance sheet

  December 31, 2019  

Current assets

  $ 1,031     $ 5,840     $ 3,332     $ 402     $ 207     $ 6,678     $ 47     $ —       $ —         —       $ 315     $ 17,852  

Current liabilities

    (960     (183     (1,728     (358     (150     (4,446     (5,176     —         —         —         (13     (13,014
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current net assets (liabilities)

    71       5,657       1,604       44       57       2,232       (5,129     —         —         —         302       4,838  

Non-current assets

    2,472       596       13,524       5,802       1,628       58,171       12,445       —         —         —         —         94,638  

Non-current liabilities

    (11,437     (1,628     (16,079     (8,801     (2,357     (52,227     (8,136     —         —         —         —         (100,665
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current net assets (liabilities)

    (8,965     (1,032     (2,555     (2,999     (729     5,944       4,309       —         —         —         —         (6,027
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated NCI

  $ (2,659   $ 563     $ (221   $ (1,507   $ (27   $ 1,479     $ (32   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ (99   $ (2,503
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The net change in the non-controlling interests is summarized in the table below:

 

    Venture
Forth
    Curative
Health
    Curative
Health
Cult.
    Columbia
Care
Arizona-
Tempe
    Columbia
Care
Delaware
    Columbia
Care
Puerto
Rico
    Columbia
Care
Maryland
    Columbia
Care
Florida
    Columbia
Care
East

Virginia
    Columbia
Care
International
HoldCo
    Columbia
Care
New
Jersey
    Access
Bryant
    Leafy
Greens
    Columbia
Care
Ohio
    Columbia
Care
Missouri
    Total  
Balance, December 29, 2018   $ (2,551   $ (709   $ (832   $ 500     $ (138   $ (49   $ (6   $ 4,331     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 546  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to NCI

    (108     (111     (208     63       (83     (1,458     (21     (2,852     (32     —         —         —         (99     —         —         (4,909

Other adjustments

    —         820       1,040       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         1,860  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance, December 31, 2019   $ (2,659   $ —       $ —       $ 563     $ (221   $ (1,507   $ (27   $ 1,479     $ (32   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ (99   $ —       $ —       $ (2,503
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to NCI

    (15,029     —         —         (290     221       (2,099     (29     (2,240   $ (102     (37     (177     (2     (121     (3,880     (77     (23,862

Other adjustments

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         761       —         5,509       —         —         220       —         —         6,490  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance, December 31, 2020   $ (17,688   $ —       $ —       $ 273     $ —       $ (3,606   $ (56   $ —       $ (134   $ 5,472     $ (177   $ (2   $ —       $ (3,880   $ (77   $ (19,875
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, Columbia Care International Holdco LLC, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, issued membership interests of five percent to an unrelated party in consideration for $5,509. In April 2021, the Company issued 783,805 common shares to the unrelated party in full settlement of their consideration for $5,509.

Leafy Greens Inc, a subsidiary that was consolidated by the Company as of December 31, 2019, issued membership interests to an unrelated party for a consideration of $1,000, resulting in loss of control by the Company. Refer to Note 2 for details of the transaction.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019 AND DECEMBER 29, 2018

(expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for gram, share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

21.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

     Balance at
Beginning
of Year
     Charged
to
income
     Acquired
through
business
combinations
     Deductions
from reserve
     Other
adjustments
     Balance at
Beginning of
Year
 

Allowance for doubtful accounts, including credit card reserves

                 

Year ended December 31, 2020

   $ 53      $ 134      $ 1,865      $ —        $ —        $ 2,052  

Year ended December 31, 2019

   $ 9        44      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 53  

 

22.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all events and transactions that occurred after December 31, 2020 through the filing of these audited annual financial statements. With the exception of the subsequent acquisition related activity described in Note 6, real estate purchase as described in Note 7, subsequent issuance of equity as described in Note 5, Note 9 and Note 20, and the resolution of a legal matter as described in Note 15, no events have occurred that would require adjustment to the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-62


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

TGS GLOBAL

COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

     Page  

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

     F-65  

COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

  

Combined Balance Sheets

     F-66  

Combined Statements of Operations

     F-67  

Combined Statements of Changes in Members’ Deficit

     F-68  

Combined Statements of Cash Flows

     F-69  

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

     F-71 - F-88  


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the Members of TGS Global

Denver, Colorado

We have audited the accompanying combined financial statements of TGS Global (the “Company”), which comprise the combined balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related combined statements of operations, changes in members’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the combined financial statements.

Management’s Responsibility for the Combined Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these combined financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of combined financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the combined financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the combined financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the combined financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the combined financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of TGS Global as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its combined operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Los Angeles, California

June 1, 2020

 

F-65


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Balance Sheets

December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

     2019     2018  
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 1,856,899     $ 1,940,767  

Accounts Receivables - Net

     135,573       52,725  

Due From Related Parties

     —         481,199  

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

     1,602,286       1,783,330  

Inventories - Net

     10,487,737       6,632,374  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     14,082,495       10,890,395  

Property and Equipment - Net

     12,292,128       36,959,690  

Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Net

     28,762,990       —    

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Net

     18,210,211       —    

Intangible Assets

     3,192,835       2,212,835  

Deposits and Other Assets

     2,654,489       3,911,939  

Deferred Tax Assets

     1,568,286       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 80,763,434     $ 53,974,859  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ DEFICIT     

LIABILITIES

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

   $ 10,774,807     $ 8,235,874  

Loyalty Program Liabilities

     2,111,064       2,201,066  

Finance Lease Liabilities - Current

     717,027       418,989  

Operating Lease Liabilities - Current

     865,573       —    

Deferred Gains - Current

     356,725       405,040  

Notes Payable - Current

     25,817,701       740,331  

Income Taxes Payable

     10,747,425       6,127,863  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     51,390,322       18,129,163  

Long-term Liabilities:

    

Finance Lease Liabilities - Net of Current Portion

     30,817,710       25,541,284  

Operating Lease Liabilities - Net of Current Portion

     18,171,118       —    

Deferred Gains - Net of Current Portion

     3,063,641       4,064,443  

Notes Payable - Net of Current Portion

     —         9,741,220  

Deferred Tax Liabilities

     —         476,769  

Deferred Rent

     —         429,131  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     103,442,791       58,382,010  

TOTAL MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

     (22,679,357     (4,407,151
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

   $ 80,763,434     $ 53,974,859  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-66


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Statements of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

     2019     2018  

Revenues, Net of Discounts

   $ 75,720,924     $ 67,345,370  

Cost of Goods Sold, Net

     44,797,262       33,166,793  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Profit

     30,923,662       34,178,577  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

    

General and Administrative

     27,818,344       28,097,681  

Selling and Marketing

     1,603,627       2,760,957  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,676,076       2,678,411  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     32,098,047       33,537,049  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) Income from Operations

     (1,174,385     641,528  

Other Income (Expense)

    

Interest Expense - Net

     (8,651,800     (7,698,906

Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment

     (132,878     (2,799,059

Forfeiture of Construction Deposits

     (1,074,250     —    

Other Expense

     (1,092,629     —    

Other Income

     84,754       954,467  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Other Expenses - Net

     (10,866,803     (9,543,498
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes

     (12,041,188     (8,901,970

Provision for Income Taxes

     4,399,287       6,604,632  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Loss

   $ (16,440,475   $ (15,506,602
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-67


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Statements of Changes in Members’ Deficit

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

BEGINNING BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2018

   $ 17,493,771  

Net Loss

     (15,506,602

Members Distributions

     (6,394,320
  

 

 

 

ENDING BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2018

   $ (4,407,151
  

 

 

 

Adoption of ASC 842, Leases

     715,161  

Net Loss

     (16,440,475

Members Distributions

     (2,546,892
  

 

 

 

ENDING BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2019

   $ (22,679,357
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-68


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

     2019     2018  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net Loss

   $ (16,440,475   $ (15,506,602

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities:

    

Deferred Rent

     —         260,075  

Depreciation and Amortization

     5,445,664       5,162,885  

Amortization of Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets

     1,664,570       —    

Deferred Income Taxes

     (476,769     476,769  

Deferred Tax Assets

     (1,568,286     —    

Loss on Disposal of Property and Equipment

     132,878       2,799,059  

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

    

Accounts Receivable

     (82,848     176,425  

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

     12,972       (885,016

Inventories

     (3,855,363     (1,627,494

Deposits and Other Assets

     1,257,450       (1,080,553

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

     2,084,081       982,792  

Loyalty Program Liabilities

     (90,002     (159,764

Deferred Gains

     (333,956     (237,821

Operating Lease Liabilities

     (1,099,149     —    

Income Taxes Payable

     4,619,562       6,127,863  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     (8,729,671     (3,511,382
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of Property and Equipment

     (4,712,595     (5,910,650

Purchase of Intangible Asset

     (980,000     —    

Proceeds from the Sale of Property and Equipment

     —         20,296,099  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (5,692,595     14,385,449  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Principal Repayments of Notes Payable

     (5,878,850     (6,472,104

Proceeds from Issuance of Notes Payable

     22,915,000       3,442,083  

Payments of Finance Lease Liabilities

     (632,059     —    

Distribution to Members

     (2,546,892     (6,394,320

Proceeds from Related Parties

     481,199       —    

Repayments to Related Parties

     —         (95,459
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     14,338,398       (9,519,800
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (83,868     1,354,267  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     1,940,767       586,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

   $ 1,856,899     $ 1,940,767  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-69


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

     2019      2018  

CASH PAID DURING YEAR FOR:

     

Interest

   $ 8,489,163      $ 7,671,818  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Taxes

   $ 1,824,779      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

OTHER NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     

Acquisition of Assets from Capital Leases under ASC 840, Leases

   $ —        $ 24,086,578  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Acquisition of Right-of-Use Assets from Finance Leases under ASC 842, Leases

   $ 6,206,523      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Proceeds from Sale-leaseback Transactions Used to Pay Off Other Notes Payable

   $ 1,700,000      $ 15,908,901  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Proceeds from Issuance of Notes Payable Used to Pay Off Other Notes Payable

   $ —        $ 9,025,841  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Lease Liabilities Recorded Upon Adoption of ASC 842, Leases

   $ 20,135,840      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets Recorded Upon Adoption of ASC 842, Leases

   $ 19,874,781      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued Capital Expenditures

   $ 454,852      $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-70


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

1.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY

 

 

(a) Business Description

TGS Global is comprised of the following companies: TGS Management, LLC, Beacon Holdings, LLC, and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC (dissolved in 2019) (collectively known as “TGS Global” or the “Company”, and dba “The Green Solution”).

TGS Global was formed in October 2010 for the purpose of selling recreational and related cannabis products in the state of Colorado. In that regard, TGS Global owns and operates vertically integrated cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and retail dispensaries in the State of Colorado.

TGS’s dispensary model is driven by innovation and consumer relationships. Additionally, TGS Global works with regulators to help develop policies encouraging safe and responsible legislative progress. TGS Global’s mission is to maximize accessibility, education, responsibility, and market share in the cannabis sector.

(b) Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has incurred significant operating losses since year 2018 and expects to continue to incur losses and negative cash flows from operations for at least 12 months following the issuance of the combined financial statements. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had total cash and cash equivalents of $1,856,899, negative working capital of $37,307,827 and an accumulated members’ deficit of $22,679,357.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had a total debt, net of issuance costs of $25,817,701. During the year ended December 31, 2019 and through the date of the auditor’s report, the Company raised approximately $22.9 million through debt financing of which $15 million was from Columbia Care, Inc. The $15 million note from Columbia Care, Inc. will be converted into equity and all other notes payable will be paid off upon formal closing of the acquisition, see Note 13 – Subsequent Events for more information. The Company’s debt agreements contain various covenants, including certain restrictions on the Company’s business that could cause the Company to be at risk of defaults, such as restrictions on additional indebtedness, material adverse effect and cross default provisions. A failure to comply with covenants and other provisions of the Company’s debt instruments, including any failure to make a payment when required, would generally result in events of default under such instruments, which could permit acceleration of a substantial portion of such indebtedness. If such indebtedness is accelerated, it would generally also constitute an event of default under the Company’s other outstanding indebtedness, permitting acceleration of a substantial portion of such other outstanding indebtedness. At December 31, 2019, all the notes payables are classified as current due to the impending acquisition of the Company by Columbia Care, Inc. which is highly probable expected to be closed in 2020.

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

(a) Basis of Preparation

The accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and reflect the accounts and operations of the Company.

 

F-71


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

(b) Basis of Combination

Affiliates are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly and indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity and be exposed to the variable returns from its activities. The financial statements of affiliates are included in the combined financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

The combined financial statements include the accounts of TGS Management, LLC, Beacon Holdings, LLC, and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC (dissolved in 2019). These companies are controlled by common owners and management. On January 2, 2019, the owners and management restructured the Company where Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC was dissolved and all its interest was transferred to TGS Management, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805 has provided specific guidance on common control transactions. When the parties involved were commonly controlled, the “pooling of interests” or “predecessor value” method of accounting must be used, where by the acquired assets and liabilities are recorded at their existing carrying values rather than at fair value and no goodwill is recorded in connection with the common control transaction. The transfer of entities interest from Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC to TGS Management, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC followed the predecessor value method.

The following are the Company’s subsidiaries that are included in these combined financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

Entities

  

State of Operations

TGS Management, LLC

  

Colorado

Beacon Holdings, LLC

  

Colorado

Beyong Worx Holdings, LLC*

  

Colorado

TGS Global, LLC

  

Colorado

S-Type Armored, LLC*

  

Colorado

Dellock Digital, LLC

  

Colorado

High Rise Media, LLC

  

Colorado

Future Vision Brain Bank, LLC

  

Colorado

Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC

  

Colorado

The Green Solution, LLC

  

Colorado

Infuzionz, LLC

  

Colorado

Speidell Real Estate Group, LLC

  

Colorado

22-Twenty Five Construction, LLC

  

Colorado

* Includes entities dissolved in 2019 and all interests were transferred to TGS Management, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC, respectively

 

F-72


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

(a) Basis of Combination (Continued)

 

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in combination.

(b) Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the Company’s combined financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and revenue and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the review affects both current and future periods.

(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents include cash deposits in financial institutions and other deposits that are readily convertible to cash. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had balances in excess of insured limits totaling approximately $990,613 and $979,061, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

(d) Accounts Receivables and Expected Credit Loss

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Expected credit loss reflects the Company’s estimate of amounts in its existing accounts receivable that may not be collected due to customer claims or customer inability or unwillingness to pay. Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The expected credit loss is determined based on a combination of factors, including the Company’s risk assessment regarding the credit worthiness of its customers, historical collection experience and length of time the receivables are past due. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company believes it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded an allowance of doubtful accounts of $ and $ , respectively.

(e) Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods, and are initially valued at cost and subsequently at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost basis. The Company reviews its inventories for obsolete, redundant and slow-moving goods and any such inventories are written down to net realizable value. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded inventory reserves of $     and $    , respectively.

 

F-73


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

(f) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, if any. Expenditures that materially increase the life of the assets are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset using the following terms and methods:

 

Land

   Not Depreciated

Buildings

   40 Years

Equipment

   5 Years

Furniture and Fixtures

   5 Years

Leasehold Improvements

   Remaining Life of Lease or Useful Life, Whichever Shorter

Vehicles

   5 Years

Software

   5 Years

Construction in Progress

   Not Depreciated

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation are reviewed at each financial statement year-end and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate. An item of equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use. Any gain or loss arising on de-recognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying value of the asset) is included in operations in the year the asset is derecognized.

(g) Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of purchased state marijuana licenses in the State of Colorado and are classified as indefinite lived assets. These assets are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not recognize any impairment losses relatively to these assets. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, intangible assets totaled $3,192,835 and $2,212,835, respectively.    

(h) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company accounts for its long-lived assets such as property and equipment and intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic No. 360, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets” (“ASC 360”).

Management reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever changes in events or circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired, but no less frequently than annually. Pursuant to ASC 360, an impairment loss is to be recorded when the net book value of an asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the asset. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the asset is written down to its realizable value, and the loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and changes in member’s deficit in the period when the determination is made. No impairment charges for long-lived assets have been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

(i) Leased Assets

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASC 842”), which requires lessees to put most leases on the balance sheet but recognize expense on the income statement in a manner similar to current accounting. On January 1, 2019, the Company early adopted the standard and all related amendments, using the optional transition method (modified retrospective approach) applied to leases at the adoption date. Under the modified retrospective approach, comparative periods have not been restated and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Additionally, an adjustment was recorded to equity to account for the initial adoption of the standard. These liabilities were measured at present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019. The Company have finance leases which had been previously classified as “finance lease” under ASU No. 13 (Topic 840). Accounting for finance leases is substantially unchanged under ASC 842.

In the initial application of ASC 842, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance allowing the Company to carry forward historical assessment:

 

   

Whether the contracts are, or contain leases

 

   

Lease classifications for any expired or existing leases

 

   

Indirect costs for any existing leases

The Company did not elect the practical expedient allowing the use-of-hindsight which would require the Company to reassess the lease term of its leases based on all facts and circumstances through the effective date and did not elect the practical expedient pertaining to land easement as this is not applicable to the Company’s current contracts. The Company elected the post-transition practical expedient to not separate lease components from non-lease components for all leases. The Company also elected a policy of not recording lease on its combined balance sheets when the lease have a term of 12 months of less and the Company is not reasonably certain to elect an option to purchase the leased assets.

Upon adoption of ASC 842, right-of-use assets were adjusted for deferred rent and prepaid as of January 1, 2019. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is used in determining the present value of future payments at the commencement date of the lease, or for the adoption of ASC 842, at January 1, 2019. Balances related to operating leases are included in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the combined balance sheet.

All real estate leases are recorded on the combined balance sheet. Equipment and other non-real estate leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Lease agreements for some locations provide for rent escalations and renewal options. Many leases include one or more options to renew the lease at the end of the initial term. The Company considered renewals in its right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Certain real estate leases require payment for taxes, insurance and maintenance which are considered non-lease components. The Company accounts for real estate leases and the related fixed non-lease components together as a single component.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

(i) Leased Assets (Continued)

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company must consider whether the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset. Certain arrangements require significant judgment to determine if an asset is specified in the contract and if the Company directs how and for what purpose the asset is used during the term of the contract.

(j) Income Taxes

TGS Management, LLC is a limited liability company that has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Under federal law, the taxable income or loss of a limited liability company is allocated to its members. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes.

Beacon Holdings, LLC, prior to January 1, 2018, was not subject to federal and state income taxes since it was operating as a Limited Liability Company and had elected to be taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2018, the Beacon Holdings, LLC elected to be taxed as a C corporation and, as a result, became subject to corporate federal and state income taxes.

(k) Revenue Recognition

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and all the related amendments, which are also codified into ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”.

Through application of this standard, the Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

In order to recognize revenue under ASC 606, the Company applies the following five (5) steps:

 

   

Identify a customer along with a corresponding contract;

 

   

Identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract to transfer goods or provide distinct services to a customer;

 

   

Determine the transaction price the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer;

 

   

Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract;

 

   

Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies the performance obligation(s).

Revenues consist of consumer packaged goods and retail sales of cannabis, which are generally recognized at a point in time when control over goods have been transferred to the customer and is recorded net of sales discounts. Payment is typically due upon transferring the goods to the customer or within a specified time period permitted under the Company’s policy. Sales discounts were not material during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Revenue is recognized upon the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company satisfies its performance obligation and transfers control upon acceptance by the customer.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

(k) Revenue Recognition (Continued)

 

The Company offers its customers loyalty points rewards program that allows its customers to earn discounts on future purchases. Any unused discounts are recorded as a liability and recorded as a reduction of revenue at the time a qualifying purchase is made. Revenue is recognized when points are redeemed. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, loyalty program liabilities were $     and $     , respectively.

Based on the Company’s assessment, the adoption of this new standard had no impact on the amounts recognized in its combined financial statements.

(l) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company applies fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the combined financial statements on a recurring basis. The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which the Company would transact and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as risks inherent in valuation techniques, transfer restrictions and credit risk. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

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

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

(m) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

  (i)

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”), which will replace ASC 840, “Leases”. This standard introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than twelve months unless the underlying asset is of low value. A lessee is required to recognize a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. For private companies, the standard will be effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15 2020, with earlier application permitted. The standard requires a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. The Company has early adopted this standard as of

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

(m) Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

 

  January 1, 2019. Upon early adoption of ASC 842, the Company recorded right-of-use assets of $19,874,781 and corresponding lease liabilities of $20,135,840. See Note 5 for further detail information.

 

  (ii)

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). ASU 2018-13 adds, modifies, and removes certain fair value measurement disclosure requirements. For private companies, ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU on the Company’s combined financial statements.

 

  (iii)

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASC 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for most financial assets held at the reporting date based on an expected loss model which includes historical experience, current conditions, an reasonable and supportable forecasts. Companies will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgements used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of a company’s portfolio. For private companies, ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company does not believe that the impact of the new standard on its combined financial statements will be material.

 

  (iv)

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. For private companies, ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual periods beginning and after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU on the Company’s combined financial statements

 

3.

INVENTORIES

 

 

The Company’s inventories include the following at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

     2019      2018  

Raw Materials

   $ 1,447,634      $ 696,781  

Work-in-Process

     4,877,889        2,821,098  

Finished Goods

     4,162,214        3,114,495  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Inventories

   $ 10,487,737      $ 6,632,374  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

4.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, property and equipment consisted of:

 

     2019      2018  

Land

   $ —        $ 277,311  

Buildings

     23,850        1,345,998  

Equipment

     9,672,627        9,178,947  

Furniture and Fixtures

     1,463,770        761,464  

Leasehold Improvements

     10,317,841        7,225,502  

Vehicles

     271,782        190,490  

Software

     514,333        514,333  

Capital Lease Assets

     —          26,710,379  

Construction in Progress

     1,060,550        654,014  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Property and Equipment, Gross

     23,324,753        46,858,438  

Less: Accumulated Depreciation

     (11,032,625      (9,898,748
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and Equipment, Net

   $ 12,292,128      $ 36,959,690  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $2,895,495 and $5,162,885, respectively, of which $1,549,182 and $2,484,475, respectively, is included in cost of goods sold.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company closed two sale and leaseback transactions to sell its dispensaries at Santa Fe Trail and South Federal Boulevard to TRE PAS, LLC. Under the long-term agreement, the Company will lease back the dispensaries and continue to operate and manage it. As a result of the sale, the Company disposed of $277,311 of land, $1,322,148 of buildings and $320,293 construction in progress. See Note 6 – Deferred Gains for further information regarding these two transactions.

Upon early adoption of ASC 842, $26,710,379 capital lease assets with accumulated depreciation of $1,603,743 were reclassified under finance lease right-of-use assets, net in the combined balance sheet.

 

5.

LEASES

 

 

Prior to the modified retrospective adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company leased certain real estate in the State of Colorado and personal properties recorded under both operating and finance leases. The Company recognized rent expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the noncancelable lease term and recorded the difference between cash rent payments and recognition of rent expense as a deferred rent liability. Whenever any of the leases contained rent abatements and landlord or tenant incentives or allowances, the Company applied them as a straight-line rent expense over the lease term.

Upon early adoption of ASC 842, the Company applied the below accounting treatments to both its operating and finance leases.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

5.

LEASES (Continued)

 

 

 

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets and Liabilities

Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities commencing after January 1, 2019 are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term.

Information related to the Company’s operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets:

  

Recognized upon early adoption of ASC 842 as of January 1, 2019

   $ 19,874,781  

Amortization expense

     (1,664,570
  

 

 

 

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Net

   $ 18,210,211  
  

 

 

 

Operating Lease Liabilities:

  

Recognized upon early adoption of ASC 842 as of January 1, 2019

   $ 20,135,840  

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities

     (1,099,149
  

 

 

 
     19,036,691  

Operating lease liabilities - Current

     (865,573
  

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities - Net of Current Portion

   $ 18,171,118  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental Operating Lease Information:

  

Operating lease costs*

   $ 4,487,564  

Weighted-average remaining lease term in years

     4.89  

Weighted-average discount rate

     15

*Amortization expense included in operating lease costs was $1,664,570, of which $1,325,572 was included in cost of goods sold.

Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets and Liabilities

Finance lease right-of-use assets and liabilities commencing after January 1, 2019 are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

5.

LEASES (Continued)

 

 

 

Information related to the Company’s finance lease right-of-use assets and liabilities as of and for the

year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets:

  

Reclassification of right-of-use assets upon early adption of ASC 842 as of January 1, 2019

   $ 25,106,636  

Right-of-Use assets obtained in exchanged for new finance lease liabilities

     6,206,523  

Amortization expense

     (2,550,169
  

 

 

 

Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Net

   $ 28,762,990  
  

 

 

 

Finance Lease Liabilities:

  

Reclassification of finance lease liabilities upon early adoption of ASC 842

   $ 25,960,273  

New finance lease liabilities commenced

     6,206,523  

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of finance lease liabilities

     (632,059
  

 

 

 
     31,534,737  

Finance lease liabilities - Current

     (717,027
  

 

 

 

Finance lease liabilities - Net of Current Portion

   $ 30,817,710  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental Finance Lease Information:

  

Amortization expense included in operating expenses

   $ 1,329,763  

Amortization expense included in cost of revenues

   $ 1,220,406  

Interest on lease liabilities

   $ 4,658,432  

Weighted-average remaining lease term in years

     13.07  

Weighted-average discount rate

     15

Maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 are expected to be as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Operating leases      Finance leases      Total  

2020

   $ 3,621,939      $ 6,094,439      $ 9,716,378  

2021

     3,591,390        5,821,683        9,413,073  

2022

     3,440,905        5,553,459        8,994,364  

2023

     3,389,866        5,720,248        9,110,114  

2024

     3,273,080        5,891,857        9,164,937  

Thereafter

     23,417,934        49,290,526        72,708,460  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease payments

     40,735,114        78,372,212        119,107,326  

Less: imputed interest

     (21,698,423      (46,837,475      (68,535,898
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

     19,036,691        31,534,737        50,571,428  

Less: curent portion

     (865,573      (717,027      (1,582,600
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term portion

   $ 18,171,118      $ 30,817,710      $ 48,988,828  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

6.

DEFERRED GAINS

 

 

Transactions Prior to January 1, 2019

Under ASC 840, any resulting gains or losses from sale and leaseback transactions that are classified to be operating leases will generally be recognized immediately. However, in certain circumstances, the gain may be deferred. For sale and leaseback transactions that are classified to be capital leases, any resulting gains are recognized over the lease term or in the case of losses recognized immediately. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company entered into several sale and leaseback transactions and determined that certain transactions should be classified as capital leases as defined under ASC 840. All other sale and leaseback transactions were recorded as operating leases. The combined total proceeds for all operating and capital sale and leaseback transactions were $36,205,000. At December 31, 2018, the Company recognized deferred gain and losses of $4,469,483 and $1,908,348, respectively.

As of December 31, 2018, the total deferred gains recorded for the sale and leaseback transactions were as follows:

 

Net gain from sale and leaseback transactions

   $ 2,798,957  

Add losses immediately recognized

     1,908,348  
  

 

 

 

Deferred gains from sale and leaseback transactions

     4,707,305  

Deferred gains amortized and recognized during the year

     (237,822
  

 

 

 

Net deferred gains at the end of year

     4,469,483  

Less current portion of deferred gains

     (405,040
  

 

 

 

Deferred Gains, Net of Current Portion

   $ 4,064,443  
  

 

 

 

Transactions After January 1, 2019

Upon transition to ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company recorded an adjustment of $715,161 to equity. The adjustment to equity was driven by unamortized deferred gains from the Company’s operating sale and leaseback transactions under ASC 840. Gains on sale previously recorded under ASC 840 as capital sale and leaseback continued to be amortized over the remaining term of the lease.

Under ASC 842, related gains and losses for leases qualified for sale and leaseback transactions are recognized immediately. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company entered into two sale and leaseback transactions. Net losses recognized were $ , and are included in the combined statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019. Finance lease right-of-use assets of $1,789,734 and finance lease liabilities of $1,789,734 were recognized upon execution of the transactions, respectively.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

6.

DEFERRED GAINS (Continued)

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, the total deferred gain recorded for historical sale and leaseback transactions was as follows:

 

Deferred gain from sale and leaseback under ASC 840

   $ 4,469,483  

Adjustment upon early adoption of ASC 842

     (715,161
  

 

 

 

Deferred gains at initial adoption

     3,754,322  

Deferred gains amortized and recognized during the Year

     (333,956
  

 

 

 

Net deferred gains at the end of year

     3,420,366  

Less current portion of deferred gains

     (356,725
  

 

 

 

Deferred Gains, Net of Current Portion

   $ 3,063,641  
  

 

 

 

Deferred gains are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Total  

2020

   $ 356,725  

2021

     356,725  

2022

     356,725  

2023

     356,725  

2024

     356,725  

Thereafter

     1,636,741  
  

 

 

 
   $ 3,420,366  
  

 

 

 

 

7.

NOTES PAYABLE

 

 

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, notes payable consisted of the following:

 

     2019      2018  

Secured promissory notes dated February 13, 2018, issued to refinance property acquisition loans, which originally mature on February 13, 2020 and extended to January 29, 2021, bearing interest at rates of 15% - 18% per annum

   $ 9,413,434    $ 9,256,099  

Unsecured promissory note dated October 28, 2016, issued to obtain a working capital loan, which originally matured on October 28, 2019 and extended to February 2020, bearing a fixed interest charge and requires minimum monthly payments

     398,017        406,415  

 

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Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

7.

NOTES PAYABLE (Continued)

 

 

 

     2019     2018  

Secured promissory notes dated between January 1, 2016 to February 14, 2018, issued to obtain working capital loans, all of which mature through July 7, 2020, bearing interest at rates of 15% - 22% per annum

   $ 30,000     $ 819,037  

Promissory notes dated August 1, 2019, issued to obtain a working capital loan, which mature on August 1, 2021, bearing a fixed interest rate at 15% per annum

     976,250       —    

Secured promissory note dated November 5, 2019, issued to obtain working capital and meet repayment obligations during pending closing of acquisition period, which matures on May 5, 2021, bearing a fixed interest rate at 15% per annum

     15,000,000       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Notes Payable

     25,817,701 **      10,481,551  

Less Current Portion of Notes Payable

     (25,817,701     (740,331
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Notes Payable, Net of Current Portion

   $ —       $ 9,741,220  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

*On January 29, 2020, $9.4 million promissory note is assumed by a third party through a membership interest acquisition of a related entity, TGS Illinois, LLC which majority-owned by the principal members of the Company. Please see further detail in Note 13 – Subsequent Events.

**In November 2019, Columbia Care, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase 100% of the Company’s interest in 2020. All notes payables are expected to be paid off in 2020 upon formal closing of the purchases.

8. MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

Beacon Holdings, LLC, TGS Management, LLC and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC were formed as Colorado limited liability companies on April 18, 2014, October 31, 2011, and November 12, 2009, respectively. Allocations of profits and losses of Beacon Holdings, LLC, TGS Management, LLC and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC for each fiscal year have been allocated among unitholders in proportion to their member units. No member has the right to transfer any or part of their membership interest without express written permission of a vote of members. As of December 31, 2019 and 208, total members distributions amounted to $2,546,892 and $6,394,320, respectively.

On January 2, 2019, Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC was dissolved and its interest was transferred to TGS Management, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC, respectively.

 

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Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

9.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

  (a)

Due from Related Parties

On occasion, the Company advances funds to some of its related entities. At December 31, 2018, the Company had amounts due from TGS Illinois, LLC and TGS Nationals Holdings, LLC of $481,199. The amounts due are non-interest bearing and due on demand. There is no amount due from related parties at December 31, 2019.

 

  (b)

Related party transactions

Total compensation for the four principal owners of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $715,276 and $1,456,943, respectively, which were included in general and administrative expenses in the combined statements of operations.

 

10.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, general and administrative expenses were comprised of the following:

 

     2019      2018  

Salaries and Wages

   $ 16,499,970      $ 18,049,725  

Rent

     3,255,554        2,388,904  

Professional Fees

     2,893,998        2,604,660  

Utilities

     1,018,657        749,745  

Bank Charges

     226,928        1,049,124  

Contract Labor

     88,441        928,504  

Supplies

     760,532        636,650  

Insurance

     489,043        474,316  

Repairs and Maintenance

     265,136        336,300  

Other

     2,320,085        879,753  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 27,818,344      $ 28,097,681  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

11.

INCOME TAXES

 

 

The provision from income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

     2019      2018  

Current:

     

Federal

   $ 6,134,833      $ 6,110,382  

State

     309,509        17,481  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Tax Expense

     6,444,342        6,127,863  

Deferred:

     

Federal

     (1,622,685      334,653  

State

     (422,370      142,116  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Expense

     (2,045,055      476,769  

Total Tax Provision

   $ 4,399,287      $ 6,604,632  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

11.

INCOME TAXES (Continued)

 

 

 

The types of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are set forth below:

 

     2019      2018  

Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities):

     

Right-of-Use Assets and Lease Liabilities

   $ 89,924      $ —    

Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets

     154,252        (603,504

Reserves and Allowances

     378,698        50,896  

Deferred Revenue

     872,192        —    

Accrued Bonus

     21,514        —    

Other

     51,706        75,839  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)

   $ 1,568,286      $ (476,769
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As the Company operates in the cannabis industry, it is subject to the limits of U.S. IRC Section 280E under which the Company is only allowed to deduct expenses directly related to sales of product. This results in permanent differences between ordinary and necessary business expenses deemed non-allowable under U.S. IRC Section 280E.

Federal tax laws impose significant restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in the event of a change in ownership of the Company, as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (Section 382). The Company does not believe a change in ownership, as defined by Section 382, has occurred but a formal study has not been completed. The Company has no net operating loss carryforwards for federal and Colorado income tax purposes.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 199 (“FIN48”) as of January 1, 2018, which now codified primarily under ASC Topic No. 740. FIN48 requires companies to determine whether it is “most likely than not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any tax benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on the recognition, measurement, classification and interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

Additionally, ASC 740-10 specifies that tax positions for which the timing of the ultimate resolution is uncertain should be recognized as long-term liabilities. The Company made no reclassifications between current taxes payable and long-term tax payable upon adoption of ASC 740-10. Our policy is to record interest related to uncertain tax positions as interest and any penalties as part of the income tax expense. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no unrecognized tax benefits recorded.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance on its deferred tax asset balances in the current year, as it believes it is more likely than not that the full deferred tax asset balance will be realized.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

12.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

The Company is subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims related to employment, commercial and other matters that arise out of operations in the normal course of business. Periodically, the Company reviews the status of each significant matter and assesses the potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable, and the amount can be reliably estimated, such amount is recognized in other liabilities.

Contingent liabilities are measured at management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the end of the reporting period and are discounted to present value where the effect is material. The Company performs evaluations to identify onerous contracts and, where applicable, records contingent liabilities for such contracts.

 

  (a)

Contingencies

The Company’s operations are subject to a variety of local and state regulation. Failure to comply with one or more of those regulations could result in fines, restrictions on its operations, or losses of permits that could result in the Company ceasing operations. While management of the Company believes that the Company is in compliance with applicable local and state regulation as of December 31, 2019, medical marijuana regulations continue to evolve and are subject to differing interpretations. As a result, the Company may be subject to regulatory fines, penalties or restrictions in the future.

 

  (b)

Claims and Litigation

From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of operations in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2019, there were no pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Company’s combined results of operations. There are also no proceedings in which any of the Company’s directors, officers or affiliates is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to the Company’s interest.

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Management has evaluated significant events or transactions that have occurred since the combined balance sheet date and through June 1, 2020, the date the combined financial statements were available to be issued. The subsequent events noted are as follows:

(a) Acquisition by Columbia Care, Inc.

On November 5, 2019, Columbia Care, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of TGS Global. As consideration for the acquisition, Columbia Care, Inc. will deliver approximately $140 million through 33,222,900 shares in the form of common stocks and $15 million in the form of a promissory note which will be converted into equity. In addition, Columbia Care, Inc. will be required to increase purchase consideration if certain financial targets are met. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020.

 

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Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

 

 

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

 

 

 

(b) Assumption of Note Payable

On January 29, 2020, the principal members of the Company closed a membership interest acquisition with a third party, Jushi, Inc. for TGS Illinois, LLC, a related entity which majority-owned by the principal members. As part of the transaction, Jushi Inc. received membership interest of TGS Illinois, LLC from the principal members and assumed $9.4 million promissory note plus any unpaid accrued interest on behalf of the Company. The principal members immediately contributed the assumption of the note payable to the Company.

(c) COVID – 19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely workforces, customers, economies, and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. It has also disrupted the normal operations of many businesses, including those of the Company. This outbreak could decrease spending, adversely affect demand for the Company’s product and harm the Company’s business and results of operations. It is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its effects on the Company’s business or results of operations at this time.

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC. AND TGS GLOBAL

INTRODUCTION TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based on our historical consolidated financial statements and TGS Global historical combined financial statements as adjusted to give effect to the September 1, 2020 acquisition of TGS Global. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019 for TGS Global give effect to the acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019.

The pro forma condensed combined financial statements do not necessarily reflect what the combined company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the acquisition occurred on the date indicated. They also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.

 

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COLUMBIA CARE INC. AND TGS GLOBAL

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the six months ended June 30, 2020  
     Columbia
Care Inc
    TGS Global     Pro-forma
Adjustments
    Notes     Total  

Revenues, net of discounts

   $ 54,736     $ 42,051         $ 96,787  

Cost of sales

     (37,912     (20,740         (58,652
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross profit

     16,824       21,311       —           38,135  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

             —    

Selling, general and administrative

     62,315       19,896       3,515       (a     85,726  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total operating expenses

     (62,315     (19,896     (3,515       (85,726
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (45,491     1,415       (3,515       (47,591

Other expense:

          

Interest (expense) income, net

     (2,133     (2,715         (4,848

Other (expense) income, net

     471       (253         218  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (1,662     (2,968     —           (4,630
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (47,153     (1,553     (3,515       (52,221

Income tax benefit (expense)

     (1,100     (3,789     4,207       (b     (682
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

     (48,253     (5,342     692         (52,903

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     (3,741     —             (3,741
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to shareholders

   $ (44,512   $ (5,342   $ 692       $ (49,162
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
          

Weighted-average number of shares used in earnings per share - basic and diluted

     217,283,357         33,222,900         250,506,257  
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Earnings attributable to shares (basic and diluted)

   $ (0.20         $ (0.20

 

F-90


Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC. AND TGS GLOBAL

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the year ended December 31, 2019  
     Columbia
Care Inc
    TGS Global     Pro-forma
Adjustments
    Notes     Total  

Revenues, net of discounts

   $ 77,459     $ 75,721         $ 153,180  

Cost of sales

     (57,777     (44,797         (102,574
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross profit

     19,682       30,924       —           50,606  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

             —    

Selling, general and administrative

     123,586       32,098       7,030       (a     162,714  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total operating expenses

     (123,586     (32,098     (7,030       (162,714
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (103,904     (1,174     (7,030       (112,108

Other expense:

          

Interest (expense) income, net

     1,241       (8,652         (7,411

Other (expense) income, net

     2,992       (2,215         777  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total other expense

     4,233       (10,867     —           (6,634
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (99,671     (12,041     (7,030       (118,742

Income tax benefit (expense)

     (1,503     (4,399     12,029       (b     6,127  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

     (101,174     (16,440     4,999         (112,615

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     (4,909     —             (4,909
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to shareholders

   $ (96,265   $ (16,440   $ 4,999       $ (107,706
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
          

Weighted-average number of shares used in earnings per share - basic and diluted

     209,992,187         33,222,900         243,215,087  
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Earnings attributable to shares (basic and diluted)

   $ (0.46         $ (0.44

 

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Table of Contents

COLUMBIA CARE INC. AND TGS GLOBAL

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Basis of presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based on Registrant’s and TGS Global’s historical consolidated and combined financial statements as adjusted to give effect to the acquisition of TGS Global. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 for TGS Global give effect to each acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2019.

Note 2 — Preliminary purchase price allocation

On September 1, 2020, Registrant acquired TGS Global for total consideration of approximately $140,378. The purchase agreement also included additional consideration based upon future performance targets.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information includes various assumptions, including those related to the preliminary purchase price allocation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of TGS Global based on management’s best estimates of fair value. The final purchase price allocation may vary based on final appraisals, valuations and analyses of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. Accordingly, the pro forma adjustments are preliminary and have been made solely for illustrative purposes.

The following table shows the preliminary allocation of the purchase price for TGS Global to the acquired identifiable assets, assumed liabilities and pro forma goodwill:

 

Purchase price allocation

  

Assets acquired:

  

Accounts receivable

   $ 367  

Inventory

     10,700  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     796  

Property and equipment

     11,838  

Right of use assets

     81,206  

Long-term deposits

     2,174  

Goodwill

     114,467  

Intangible assets

     70,267  

Accounts payable

     (5,204

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (15,408

Note payable

     (16,855

Lease liabilities

     (95,954

Deferred tax liabilities

     (18,016
  

 

 

 

Consideration transferred

   $ 140,378  
  

 

 

 

Note 3 — Pro forma adjustments

The pro forma adjustments are based on our preliminary estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. The following adjustments have been reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information:

Adjustments to the pro forma condensed statements of operations

 

(a)

Reflects the estimated amortization expense related to the acquired intangible assets.

 

(b)

Reflects the income tax effect of pro forma adjustments based on the estimated combined tax rate of 21%.

 

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Table of Contents

 

LOGO

TGS GLOBAL

UNAUDITED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2020 AND

FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2020


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

     Page  

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT’S REVIEW REPORT

     F-95  

COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

  

Combined Balance Sheet

     F-96  

Combined Statement of Operations

     F-97  

Combined Statement of Changes in Members’ Deficit

     F-98  

Combined Statement of Cash Flows

     F-99  

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

     F-100 - F-112  


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT’S REVIEW REPORT

To the Members of TGS Global

Denver, Colorado

We have reviewed the accompanying combined financial statements of TGS Global (the “Company”), which comprise the combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020, and the related combined statements of operations, changes in members’ deficit, and cash flows for the six-month period then ended, and the related notes to the combined financial statements. A review includes primarily applying analytical procedures to management’s financial data and making inquiries of company management. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Management’s Responsibility for the Combined Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these combined financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement whether due to fraud or error.

Accountant’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to conduct the review engagement in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services promulgated by the Accounting and Review Services Committee of the AICPA. Those standards require us to perform procedures to obtain limited assurance as a basis for reporting whether we are aware of any material modifications that should be made to the combined financial statements for them to be in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We believe that the results of our procedures provide a reasonable basis for our conclusion.

We are required to be independent of TGS Global and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements related to our review.

Accountant’s Conclusion

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying combined financial statements in order for them to be in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Los Angeles, California

May 18, 2021

 

F-95


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Balance Sheet

June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

CURRENT ASSETS

  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 3,132,888  

Accounts Receivables

     355,230  

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

     1,306,191  

Inventories - Net

     9,133,930  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     13,928,239  

Property and Equipment - Net

     12,254,302  

Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Net

     26,909,292  

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets - Net

     18,090,790  

Intangible Assets

     3,192,835  

Deposits and Other Assets

     2,193,699  

Deferred Tax Assets

     1,568,286  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 78,137,443  
  

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

 

LIABILITIES

  

Current Liabilities:

  

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

   $ 10,702,516  

Loyalty Program Liabilities

     2,384,825  

Finance Lease Liabilities - Current

     1,036,985  

Operating Lease Liabilities - Current

     989,846  

Deferred Gains - Current

     405,040  

Notes Payable - Current

     17,525,344  

Income Taxes Payable

     12,451,706  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     45,496,262  

Finance Lease Liabilities - Net of Current Portion

     30,402,141  

Operating Lease Liabilities - Net of Current Portion

     18,039,176  

Deferred Gains - Net of Current Portion

     2,841,152  
  

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     96,778,731  

TOTAL MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

     (18,641,288
  

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

   $ 78,137,443  
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-96


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Statement of Operations

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Revenues, Net of Discounts

   $ 42,050,812  

Cost of Goods Sold

     20,740,266  
  

 

 

 

Gross Profit

     21,310,546  
  

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

  

General and Administrative

     17,173,623  

Selling and Marketing

     855,096  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,867,140  
  

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     19,895,859  
  

 

 

 

Income from Operations

     1,414,687  

Other Income (Expense)

  

Interest Expense - Net

     (2,694,532

Loan Fee Amortization

     (20,850

Other Expense

     (253,006
  

 

 

 

Total Other Income (Expenses)

     (2,968,388
  

 

 

 

Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes

     (1,553,701

Provision for Income Taxes

     3,789,281  
  

 

 

 

Net Loss

   $ (5,342,982
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-97


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Statement of Changes in Members’ Deficit

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

BEGINNING BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2020

   $ (22,679,357

Net Loss

     (5,342,982

Contributions by Members

     9,438,464  

Distributions to Members

     (57,413
  

 

 

 

ENDING BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2020

   $ (18,641,288
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-98


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Combined Statement of Cash Flows

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

Net Loss

   $ (5,342,982

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

  

Depreciation of Property and Equipment

     1,517,852  

Amortization of Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets

     557,418  

Amortization of Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets

     1,853,698  

Amortization of Deferred Gains

     (174,174

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

  

Accounts Receivable

     (219,657

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

     296,095  

Inventories

     1,353,807  

Deposits and Other Assets

     460,790  

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

     (72,291

Loyalty Program Liabilities

     273,761  

Income Taxes Payable

     1,704,281  
  

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     2,208,598  
  

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

  

Purchases of Property and Equipment

     (1,480,026

Purchase of Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets

     (437,997
  

 

 

 

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (1,918,023
  

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

Principal Repayments of Notes Payable

     (396,736

Proceeds from Issuance of Notes Payable

     1,535,174  

Payments of Finance Lease Liabilities

     (95,611

Distributions to Members

     (57,413
  

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     985,414  
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     1,275,989  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, DECEMBER 31, 2019

     1,856,899  
  

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, JUNE 30, 2020

   $ 3,132,888  
  

 

 

 

CASH PAID DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD FOR:

  

Interest

   $ 75,000  
  

 

 

 

Taxes

   $ 2,085,000  
  

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

Members Contributions of a Related Party Note Payable to the Company

   $ 9,438,464  
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements

 

F-99


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

1.

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

 

Business Description

TGS Global is comprised of the following companies: TGS Management, LLC, Beacon Holdings, LLC, and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC (dissolved in 2019) (collectively known as “TGS Global” or the “Company”, and dba “The Green Solution”).

TGS Global was formed in October 2010 for the purpose of selling recreational and related cannabis products in the state of Colorado. In that regard, TGS Global owns and operates vertically integrated cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities and retail dispensaries in the State of Colorado.

TGS’s dispensary model is driven by innovation and consumer relationships. Additionally, TGS Global works with regulators to help develop policies encouraging safe and responsible legislative progress. TGS Global’s mission is to maximize accessibility, education, responsibility, and market share in the cannabis sector.

COVID – 19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak, which has continued to spread, and any related adverse public health developments, has adversely workforces, customers, economies, and financial markets globally, potentially leading to an economic downturn. It has also disrupted the normal operations of many businesses, including those of the Company. This outbreak could decrease spending, adversely affect demand for the Company’s product and harm the Company’s business and results of operations. It is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its effects on the Company’s combined business or results of operations at this time.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At June 30, 2020, the Company has a working capital deficiency of $31,568,023 and a members’ deficit of $18,641,288. Furthermore, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the Company has a net loss from operations of $5,342,982. The Company’s management continues to finance its cash needs through contributions from its members and/or related parties. If management is unsuccessful in its efforts to generate profitable operations and/or continue to receive financial support, the Company may not be able to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern and to meet its obligations will be dependent upon successful operations and cash flows. The accompanying combined financial statements do not reflect any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

 

 

Basis of Preparation

The accompanying combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and reflect the combined accounts and operations of the Company.

 

F-100


Table of Contents

TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Basis of Combination

 

Affiliates are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly and indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity and be exposed to the variable returns from its activities. The financial statements of affiliates are included in the combined financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

The combined financial statements include the accounts of TGS Management, LLC, Beacon Holdings, LLC, and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC (dissolved in 2019). These companies are controlled by common owners and management. On January 2, 2019, the owners and management restructured the Company where Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC was dissolved and all its interest was transferred to TGS Management, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805 has provided specific guidance on common control transactions. When the parties involved were commonly controlled, the “pooling of interests” or “predecessor value” method of accounting must be used, where by the acquired assets and liabilities are recorded at their existing carrying values rather than at fair value and no goodwill is recorded in connection with the common control transaction. The transfer of entities interest from Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC to TGS Management, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC followed the predecessor value method.

The following are the Company’s subsidiaries that are included in these combined financial statements as of June 30, 2020:

 

Entities

   State of Operations

TGS Management, LLC

   Colorado

Beacon Holdings, LLC

   Colorado

TGS Global, LLC

   Colorado

Dellock Digital, LLC

   Colorado

High Rise Media, LLC

   Colorado

Future Vision Brain Bank, LLC

   Colorado

Rocky Mountain Tillage, LLC

   Colorado

The Green Solution, LLC

   Colorado

Infuzionz, LLC

   Colorado

Speidell Real Estate Group, LLC

   Colorado

22-Twenty Five Construction, LLC

   Colorado

420 On the Block, LLC

   Colorado

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in combination.

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of the Company’s combined financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and revenue and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Significant Accounting Judgements, Estimates and Assumptions (Continued)

 

assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the review affects both current and future periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents include cash deposits in financial institutions and other deposits that are readily convertible to cash. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. At June 30, 2020, the Company had balances in excess of insured limits totaling approximately $2,586,404. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Accounts Receivables and Expected Credit Loss

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Expected credit loss reflects the Company’s estimate of amounts in its existing accounts receivable that may not be collected due to customer claims or customer inability or unwillingness to pay. Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The expected credit loss is determined based on a combination of factors, including the Company’s risk assessment regarding the credit worthiness of its customers, historical collection experience and length of time the receivables are past due. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company believes it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. At June 30, 2020, the Company did not record an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods, and are initially valued at cost and subsequently at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost basis. The Company reviews its inventories for obsolete, redundant and slow-moving goods and any such inventories are written down to net realizable value. At June 30, 2020, the Company recorded inventory reserves of $671,507.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, if any. Expenditures that materially increase the life of the assets are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset using the following terms and methods:

 

Land    Not Depreciated
Buildings    40 Years
Equipment    5 Years
Furniture and Fixtures    5 Years

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Property and Equipment (Continued)

 

Leasehold Improvements    Remaining Life of Lease
     or Useful Life, Whichever Shorter
Vehicles    5 Years
Software    5 Years
Construction in Progress    Not Depreciated

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation are reviewed at each financial statement year-end and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate. An item of equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use. Any gain or loss arising on de-recognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying value of the asset) is included in operations in the year the asset is derecognized.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of purchased state marijuana licenses in the State of Colorado and are classified as indefinite lived assets. These assets are not subject to amortization and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the Company did not recognize any impairment losses relatively to these assets. As of June, 30, 2020, intangible assets totaled $3,192,835.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company accounts for its long-lived assets such as property and equipment and intangible assets in accordance with FASB ASC Topic No. 360, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets” (“ASC 360”).

Management reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever changes in events or circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired, but no less frequently than annually. Pursuant to ASC 360, an impairment loss is to be recorded when the net book value of an asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the asset. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the asset is written down to its realizable value, and the loss is recognized in the combined statement of operations and changes in member’s deficit in the period when the determination is made. No impairment charges for long-lived assets have been recorded for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

Leased Assets

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASC 842”), which requires lessees to put most leases on the balance sheet but recognize expense on the income statement in a manner similar to current accounting. On January 1, 2019, the Company early adopted the standard and all related amendments, using the optional transition method (modified retrospective approach) applied to leases at the adoption date. The Company have finance leases which had been previously classified as “finance lease” under ASU No. 13 (Topic 840). Accounting for finance leases is substantially unchanged under ASC 842.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Leased Assets (Continued)

 

In the initial application of ASC 842, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance allowing the Company to carry forward historical assessment:

 

   

Whether the contracts are, or contain leases

 

   

Lease classifications for any expired or existing leases

 

   

Indirect costs for any existing leases

The Company also elected a policy of not recording a lease on its combined balance sheets when the lease has a term of 12 months of less and the Company is not reasonably certain to elect an option to purchase the leased assets.

Upon adoption of ASC 842, right-of-use assets were adjusted for deferred rent and prepaid as of January 1, 2019. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is used in determining the present value of future payments at the commencement date of the lease, or for the adoption of ASC 842, at January 1, 2019. Balances related to operating leases are included in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the combined balance sheet.

Upon adoption of ASC 842, right-of-use assets were adjusted for deferred rent and prepaid as of January 1, 2019. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is used in determining the present value of future payments at the commencement date of the lease, or for the adoption of ASC 842, at January 1, 2019. Balances related to operating leases are included in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the combined balance sheet.

All real estate leases are recorded on the combined balance sheet. Equipment and other non-real estate leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Lease agreements for some locations provide for rent escalations and renewal options. Many leases include one or more options to renew the lease at the end of the initial term. The Company considered renewals in its right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Certain real estate leases require payment for taxes, insurance and maintenance which are considered non-lease components. The Company accounts for real estate leases and the related fixed non-lease components together as a single component.

Revenue Recognition

The Company has adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and all the related amendments in 2019, which are also codified into ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”.

Through application of this standard, the Company recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.

In order to recognize revenue under ASC 606, the Company applies the following five (5) steps:

 

   

Identify a customer along with a corresponding contract;

 

   

Identify the performance obligation(s) in the contract to transfer goods or provide distinct services to a customer;

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Revenue Recognition (Continued)

 

   

Determine the transaction price the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer;

 

   

Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation(s) in the contract;

 

   

Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies the performance obligation(s).

Revenues consist of consumer packaged goods and retail sales of cannabis, which are generally recognized at a point in time when control over goods have been transferred to the customer and is recorded net of sales discounts. Payment is typically due upon transferring the goods to the customer or within a specified

time period permitted under the Company’s policy. Wholesales discounts were not material during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

Revenue is recognized upon the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company satisfies its performance obligation and transfers control upon acceptance by the customer.

The Company offers its customers loyalty points rewards program that allows its customers to earn discounts on future purchases. Loyalty points are earned when a qualifying purchase is made. Earned loyalty points are recorded as a reduction of revenue. Revenue is recognized when points are redeemed. At June 30, 2020, loyalty program liabilities were $2,384,825. The reward points can be used in future purchases. When a customer attains each 100 points which worth $5 credit, the customer can redeem the credits on his/her next in-store purchase. In addition, loyalty points not redeemed will expire automatically after six months from the date which were earned.

Income Taxes

TGS Management, LLC is a limited liability company that has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Under federal law, the taxable income or loss of a limited liability company is allocated to its members. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes.

As the Company operates in the cannabis industry, it is subject to the limits of U.S. IRC Section 280E under which the Company is only allowed to deduct expenses directly related to sales of product. This results in permanent differences between ordinary and necessary business expenses deemed non-allowable under U.S. IRC Section 280E.

Federal tax laws impose significant restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in the event of a change in ownership of the Company, as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (Section 382). The Company does not believe a change in ownership, as defined by Section 382, has occurred but a formal study has not been completed. The Company has no net operating loss carryforwards for federal and Colorado income tax purposes.

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 199 (“FIN48”) as of January 1, 2018, which now codified primarily under ASC Topic No. 740. FIN48 requires companies to determine whether it is “most likely than not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any tax benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on the recognition, measurement, classification and interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Income Taxes (Continued)

 

Additionally, ASC 740-10 specifies that tax positions for which the timing of the ultimate resolution is uncertain should be recognized as long-term liabilities. The Company made no reclassifications between current taxes payable and long-term tax payable upon adoption of ASC 740-10. Our policy is to record interest related to uncertain tax positions as interest and any penalties as part of the income tax expense. As of June 30, 2020, there were no unrecognized tax benefits recorded.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance on its deferred tax asset balances in the current year, as it believes it is more likely than not that the full deferred tax asset balance will be realized.

Beacon Holdings, LLC, prior to January 1, 2018, was not subject to federal and state income taxes since it was operating as a Limited Liability Company and had elected to be taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code. Effective January 1, 2018, the Beacon Holdings, LLC elected to be taxed as a C corporation and, as a result, became subject to corporate federal and state income taxes.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company applies fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the combined financial statements on a recurring basis. The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which the Company would transact and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as risks inherent in valuation techniques, transfer restrictions and credit risk. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

 

Level 1 –      Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 –      Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable markets data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 –      Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

There were no transfers between levels during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASC 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for most financial assets held at the reporting date based on an expected loss model which includes historical experience, current conditions, an reasonable and supportable forecasts. Companies will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgements used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of a company’s portfolio. For private companies, ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company does not believe that the impact of the new standard on its combined financial statements will be material.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. For private companies, ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual periods beginning and after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this ASU on its combined financial statements.

 

3.

INVENTORIES

 

 

The Company’s inventories include the following at June 30, 2020:

 

Raw Materials

   $ 1,127,464  

Work-in-Process

     4,098,552  

Finished Goods

     3,907,914  
  

 

 

 

Total Inventories

   $ 9,133,930  
  

 

 

 

 

4.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

At June 30, 2020, property and equipment consisted of:

 

Buildings

   $ 23,850  

Equipment

     10,202,006  

Furniture and Fixtures

     1,675,310  

Leasehold Improvements

     11,019,155  

Vehicles

     286,283  

Software

     514,332  

Construction in Progress

     1,155,994  
  

 

 

 

Total Property and Equipment

     24,876,930  

Less: Accumulated Depreciation

     (12,622,628
  

 

 

 

Property and Equipment, Net

   $ 12,254,302  
  

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

4.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Continued)

 

 

 

Depreciation expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, totaled $1,517,852 of which $719,827 is included in cost of goods sold.

 

5.

LEASES

 

 

Information related to the Company’s operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities as of and for the six- month period ended June 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets:

  

Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2020

   $ 18,210,211  

Additions

     437,997  

Amortization expense

     (557,418
  

 

 

 

Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Net

   $ 18,090,790  
  

 

 

 

Operating Lease Liabilities:

  

Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2020

   $ 19,036,691  

Additions

     431,177  

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities

     (438,846
  

 

 

 
     19,029,022  

Operating lease liabilities - Current

     (989,846
  

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities - Net of Current Portion

   $ 18,039,176  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental Operating Lease Information:

  

Operating lease costs

   $ 2,043,118  

Weighted-average remaining lease term in years

     4.39  

Weighted-average discount rate

     15

Information related to the Company’s finance lease right-of-use assets and liabilities as of and for the six- month period ended June 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets:

  

Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2020

   $ 28,762,990  

Amortization expense

     (1,853,698
  

 

 

 

Finance Lease Right-of-Use Assets, Net

   $ 26,909,292  
  

 

 

 

Finance Lease Liabilities:

  

Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2020

   $ 31,534,737  

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of finance lease liabilities

     (95,611
  

 

 

 
     31,439,126  

Finance lease liabilities - Current

     (1,036,985
  

 

 

 

Finance lease liabilities - Net of Current Portion

   $ 30,402,141  
  

 

 

 

 

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TGS GLOBAL

Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

5.

LEASES (Continued)

 

 

 

Supplemental Finance Lease Information:

  

Amortization expense included in operating expenses

   $ 1,018,100  

Amortization expense included in cost of revenues

   $ 790,543  

Interest on finance lease liabilities

   $ 2,495,886  

Weighted-average remaining lease term in years

     12.57  

Weighted-average discount rate

     15

Maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities as of June 30, 2020, are expected to be as follows:

 

Period Ending June 30,

   Operating leases      Finance leases      Total  

2021

   $ 3,701,981      $ 5,723,278      $ 9,425,259  

2022

     3,618,250        5,696,377        9,314,627  

2023

     3,536,086        5,860,719        9,396,805  

2024

     3,488,427        5,805,306        9,293,733  

2025

     3,342,264        5,979,465        9,321,729  

Thereafter

     21,646,817        46,570,646        68,217,463  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease payments

     39,333,825        75,635,791        114,969,616  

Less: imputed interest

     (20,304,803      (44,196,665      (64,501,468
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease liabilities

     19,029,022        31,439,126        50,468,148  

Less: curent portion

     (989,846      (1,036,985      (2,026,831
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term portion

   $ 18,039,176      $ 30,402,141      $ 48,441,317  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6.

DEFERRED GAINS

 

 

During 2019, the Company closed two sale and leaseback transactions to sell its dispensaries at Santa Fe Trail and South Federal Boulevard to The PAS, LLC. Under the Long-term agreement, the Company continues to operate and manage the dispensaries.

As of June 30, 2020, the total deferred gains are as follows:

 

Deferred gains from sale and leaseback transactions as of January 1, 2020

   $ 3,420,366  

Deferred gains amortized and recognized during the six-month period ended June 30, 2020

     (174,174
  

 

 

 

Net deferred gains as of June 30, 2020

     3,246,192  

Less current portion of deferred gains

     (405,040
  

 

 

 

Deferred Gains, Net of Current Portion

   $ 2,841,152  
  

 

 

 

 

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Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

6.

DEFERRED GAINS (Continued)

 

 

 

Deferred gains are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease as follows:

 

Period Ending June 30,

   Total  

2021

   $ 356,725  

2022

     356,725  

2023

     356,725  

2024

     356,725  

2025

     356,725  

Thereafter

     1,462,567  
  

 

 

 
   $ 3,246,192  
  

 

 

 

 

7.

NOTES PAYABLE

 

 

At June 30, 2020, notes payable consisted of the following:

 

Promissory notes dated August 1, 2019, issued to obtain a working capital loan. Note matures on August 1, 2021, and bears a fixed interest rate at 15% per annum.

   $ 982,500  

Secured promissory note dated November 5, 2019, issued to obtain working capital and meet repayment obligations. Note matures on M ay 5, 2021, and bears a fixed interest rate at 15% per annum.

     16,542,844  
  

 

 

 

Total Notes Payable

     17,525,344  

Less Current Portion of Notes Payable

     (17,525,344
  

 

 

 

Notes Payable, Net of Current Portion

   $ —    
  

 

 

 

In November 2019, Columbia Care, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to purchase 100% of the Company’s interest in 2020. All notes payables were subsequently paid off in 2020 as part of the purchase consideration for acquisition by Columbia Care, Inc. See Note 13.

 

8.

MEMBERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

Beacon Holdings, LLC, TGS Management, LLC and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC were formed as Colorado limited liability companies on April 18, 2014, October 31, 2011, and November 12, 2009, respectively. Allocations of profits and losses of Beacon Holdings, LLC, TGS Management, LLC and Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC for each fiscal year have been allocated among unitholders in proportion to their member units. No member has the right to transfer any or part of their membership interest without express written permission of a vote of members.

On January 2, 2019, Beyond Worx Holdings, LLC was dissolved and its interest was transferred to TGS Management, LLC and Beacon Holdings, LLC, respectively.

 

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Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

8.

MEMBERS’ DEFICIT (Continued)

 

 

 

On January 29, 2020, the principal members of the Company closed a membership interest acquisition with a third party, Jushi, Inc. for TGS Illinois, LLC, a related entity which is majority-owned by the principal members. As part of the transaction, Jushi Inc. received a membership interest in of TGS Illinois, LLC from the principal members and assumed a $9.4 million promissory note plus any unpaid accrued interest on behalf of the Company. The principal members immediately contributed the assumption of the note payable to the Company.

 

9.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Total compensation for the four principal owners of the Company for the six-month ended June 30, 2020, were $1,457,271. These amounts are included in general and administrative expenses in the combined statement of operations.

 

10.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, general and administrative expenses were comprised of the following:

 

Salaries and Wages

   $ 12,853,292  

Rent

     2,463,207  

Professional Fees

     521,289  

Utilities

     585,710  

Bank Charges

     75,845  

Contract Labor

     93,546  

Supplies

     408,494  

Insurance

     165,813  

Repairs and Maintenance

     207,110  

Other

     (200,683
  

 

 

 
     $17,173,623  
  

 

 

 

 

11.

CONTINGENCIES

 

 

The Company’s operations are subject to a variety of local and state regulation. Failure to comply with one or more of those regulations could result in fines, restrictions on its operations, or losses of permits that could result in the Company ceasing operations. While management of the Company believes that the Company is in compliance with applicable local and state regulation as of June 30, 2020, medical marijuana regulations continue to evolve and are subject to differing interpretations. As a result, the Company may be subject to regulatory fines, penalties or restrictions in the future.

From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of operations in the normal course of business. As of June 30, 2020, there were no pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Company’s combined results of operations. There are also no proceedings in which any of the Company’s directors, officers or affiliates is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to the Company’s interest.

 

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Notes to the Combined Financial Statements

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

12.

INCOME TAXES

 

 

 

The provision from income taxes for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, were as follows:

 

Current:

  

Federal

   $ 3,692,157  

State

     97,123  
  

 

 

 

Total Current Tax Expense

     3,789,281  

Deferred:

  

Federal

     —    

State

     —    
  

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Expense

     —    
  

 

 

 

Total Tax Provision

   $ 3,789,281  
  

 

 

 

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

 

Management has evaluated significant events or transactions that have occurred since the combined balance sheet date and through May 18, 2021, the date the combined financial statements were available to be issued. The subsequent event noted is as follows:

Acquisition by Columbia Care, Inc.

On November 5, 2019, Columbia Care, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of TGS Global for an aggregate purchase price of $143,581,000 consisting of; $200,000 in cash consideration, $8,170,000 in promissory notes, $108,766,000 in equity purchase consideration, and contingent consideration of $26,445. The equity purchase consideration consisted of 33,222,900 common shares, of which 32,955,987 were issued on September 1, 2020 and the remaining 266,913 issued during the fourth quarter of 2020. The promissory notes were issued with a debt discount of $606,000, monthly interest payments at a rate of 9.0% per annum, principal payments of $3,750,000, $3,750,000 and $1,276,000 that are due on January 1, 2021, April 1, 2021 and July 1, 2021, respectively.

 

F-112