Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the Operating Partnership, as well as the Operating Partnership’s wholly owned properties, each of which is held in a single member LLC, presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

This interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 18, 2022. In our opinion, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been made. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 has been derived from audited financial statements.

Under consolidation guidance, we have determined that our Operating Partnership is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) because the holders of limited partnership interests do not have substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. Furthermore, we are the primary beneficiary of the Operating Partnership because we have the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the Operating Partnership and the exclusive power to direct the activities of the Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the assets and liabilities of the Company and the Operating Partnership are substantially the same, as the Company does not have any significant assets other than its investment in the Operating Partnership.

The Company funded a $30 million nine-month mortgage loan to Hero Diversified Associates, Inc. (“HDAI”) on October 29, 2021. We have determined that HDAI is a VIE because the equity investors do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The Company consolidates a VIE in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation, when it is the primary beneficiary of such VIE. Based on a number of factors, including that the Company does not have the power to direct the VIE’s activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, the Company determined that, as of March 31, 2022, the Company does not have a controlling financial interest and is not the primary beneficiary of this VIE. The Company is required to reconsider its evaluation of whether to consolidate a VIE each reporting period, based upon changes in the facts and circumstances pertaining to the VIE. Our maximum exposure to a loss on the HDAI loan is $30 million.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management will adjust such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, useful lives for depreciation of property, the fair value of property and in-place lease intangibles acquired, and the fair value of stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Organization, Offering and Transaction Costs

Offering costs incurred prior to receipt of any offering proceeds are recorded as an asset. Offering costs are recorded as an offset to additional paid-in capital when proceeds from the offering are received. Organization costs are recorded as an expense. Transaction costs related to portfolio investments not ultimately made are expensed as incurred. All costs related to executed asset acquisitions are capitalized in the initial cost of the investment.

Reportable Segment

We are engaged in the business of providing real estate/financing for the regulated cannabis industry. We have aggregated the properties into one reportable segment as our properties are similar in that they are leased to state-licensed operators on long-term triple-net basis, consist of improvements that are reusable and have similar economic characteristics. The financial information disclosed herein represents all of the financial information related to our one reportable segment.

Income Taxes

We have made an election to be taxed as a REIT, under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with 2019, our initial taxable year. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to currently distribute at least 90% of the REIT’s ordinary taxable income to stockholders. As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will then be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, we believe that we will continue to be organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT and intend to operate in the foreseeable future in such a manner that we will remain qualified as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local taxes on our income and property, and federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

Acquisition of Real Estate Properties

Our investment in real estate is recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Upon acquisition of a property, the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are initially measured based upon their relative fair values. We estimate the fair value of land by reviewing comparable sales within the same submarket and/or region, the fair value of buildings on an as-if vacant basis and may engage third-party valuation specialists. Acquisition costs for asset acquisitions are capitalized as incurred. All of our real estate investments, including the Merger, to date were recorded as asset acquisitions.

Depreciation

We are required to make subjective assessments as to the estimated useful lives of our depreciable assets. We consider the period of future benefit of the assets to determine the appropriate estimated useful lives. Depreciation of our assets are charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. We depreciate each of our buildings and improvements over its estimated remaining useful life, not to exceed 35 years. We depreciate tenant improvements at our buildings, if any, over the estimated useful lives, not to exceed 35 years.

Intangible Assets and Related Amortization

Intangibles related to the Company’s investments in real estate consist of the value of in-place leases. In-place leases are amortized over the remaining term of the in-place lease.

Construction in Progress

Reimbursements paid to tenants or incurred by the Company for property improvements, generally consisting of building additions or significant upgrades to existing facilities, are considered construction in progress until placed in service. Such improvements are considered placed in service when ready and available for its intended use. Construction in progress was $7.8 million and $13.1 million on March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, and is included in Buildings and Improvements on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Provision for Impairment

We review current activities and changes in the business condition of all of our properties to determine the existence of any triggering events or impairment indicators. If triggering events or impairment indicators are identified, we analyze the carrying value of our real estate for any impairment. A provision is made for impairment if estimated future operating cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) plus estimated disposition proceeds (undiscounted) are less than the current book value of the property. Key inputs that we utilize in this analysis include projected rental rates, estimated holding periods, capital expenditures, and property sales capitalization rates. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 no impairment losses were recognized.

Revenue Recognition

As lessor, for each of our real estate transactions involving the leaseback of the related property to the seller or affiliates of the seller, we recorded such transactions as sale and leaseback transactions. Our leases and future tenant leases are expected to be triple-net leases, an arrangement under which the tenant maintains the property while paying us rent. We account for our current leases as operating leases. Under this method, leases that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, unless the collectability of minimum lease payments is not reasonably predictable. Rental increases based upon changes in the consumer price index are recognized only after the changes in the indexes have occurred and are then applied according to the lease agreements. Contractually obligated reimbursements from tenants for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses are included in rental revenue in the period when such costs are incurred. Contractually obligated real estate taxes that are paid directly by the tenant to the tax authorities are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. We record revenue for each of our properties on a cash basis due to the uncertainty of collectability of lease payments from each tenant due to its limited operating history and the uncertain regulatory environment in the United States relating to the cannabis industry. Any rental payments received in advance of contractual due dates are recorded as Rent Received in Advance on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation for equity awards is based on the grant date fair value of the equity awards and is recognized over the requisite service or performance period. If awards are forfeited prior to vesting, we reverse any previously recognized expense related to such awards in the period during which the forfeiture occurs and reclassify any non-forfeitable dividends and dividend equivalents previously paid on these awards from retained earnings to compensation expense. Forfeitures are recognized as incurred. Certain equity awards are subject to vesting based upon the satisfaction of various market conditions.

Mortgage Loan Receivable

Mortgage loan receivables we originate are recorded at face value on our consolidated balance sheet. Interest income on mortgage loan receivables are accrued based on the outstanding principal balances and applicable interest rates.

Loan Payable

We record loans payable net of discounts on our consolidated balance sheet. The discount is amortized as a non-cash interest expense using the effective interest method, or other method that is not materially different, over the life of the loan payable.

Earnings Per Share

We calculate earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, – Earnings Per Share. Under ASC 260, non-vested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings.

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.

Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing the net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding determined for the basic EPS computation plus the effect of any dilutive securities. We include OP Units, stock options, warrants, vested shares of restricted stock and unvested shares of restricted stock in the computation of diluted EPS by using the more dilutive of the two-class method or treasury stock method. We include unvested performance units as contingently issuable shares in the computation of diluted EPS once the market criteria are met, assuming that the end of the reporting period is the end of the contingency period. Any anti-dilutive securities are excluded from the diluted EPS calculation.

Lease Accounting

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases; in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, and ASU 2018-11, Leases — Targeted Improvements; and in December 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-20, Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors. This group of ASUs is collectively referred to as Topic 842 and became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2022. Topic 842 supersedes the existing standards for lease accounting (Topic 840, Leases).

Topic 842 requires lessees to record most leases on their balance sheet through a right-of-use ("ROU") model, in which a lessee records a ROU asset and a lease liability on their balance sheet. Leases that are less than 12 months do not need to be accounted for under the ROU model. As of March 31, 2022, the Company is the lessee under one office lease and one furniture lease that are for less than 12 months.

We adopted Topic 842 effective as of January 1, 2022 using the effective date method and elected the package of practical expedients that allows an entity not to reassess upon adoption (i) whether an expired or existing contract contains a lease, (ii) whether a lease classification related to expired or existing lease arrangements, and (iii) whether costs incurred on expired or existing leases qualify as initial direct costs, and as a lessor, the practical expedient not to separate certain non-lease components, such as common area maintenance, from the lease component if the timing and pattern of transfer are the same for the non-lease component and associated lease component, and  the lease component would be classified as an operating lease if accounted for separately.

As lessor, for each of our real estate transactions involving the leaseback of the related property to the seller or affiliates of the seller, we determine whether these transactions qualify as sale and leaseback transactions under the accounting guidance. For these transactions, we consider various inputs and assumptions including, but not necessarily limited to, lease terms, renewal options, discount rates, and other rights and provisions in the purchase and sale agreement, lease and other documentation to determine whether control has been transferred to the Company or remains with the lessee. A transaction involving a sale leaseback will be treated as a purchase of a real estate property if it is considered to transfer control of the underlying asset from the lessee. A lease will be classified as direct-financing if risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control and will be classified as a sales-type lease if control of the underlying asset is transferred to the lessee. Otherwise, the lease is treated as an operating lease. These criteria also include estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the leased facilities, minimum lease payments, the economic useful life of the facilities, the existence of a purchase option, and certain other terms in the lease agreements. The lease accounting guidance requires accounting for a transaction as a financing in a sale leaseback when the seller-lessee is provided an option to purchase the property from the landlord at the tenant’s option.

Our leases continue to be classified as operating leases under Topic 842 and we continue to record revenue for each of our properties on a cash basis. Upon adoption of Topic 842, the Company continues to combine tenant reimbursements with rental revenues on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company has historically not capitalized allocated payroll cost incurred as part of the leasing process, which was allowable under ASC 840 but, no longer qualifies for classification as initial direct costs under Topic 842. Also, the Narrow- Scope Improvements for Lessors under ASU 2018-20 allows the Company to continue to exclude from revenue, costs paid by our tenants on our behalf directly to third parties, such as property taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, companies will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses, which among other updates, clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of this guidance and should be evaluated in accordance with Topic 842. We do not expect these standards to be effective for the Company until January 1, 2023. Since we expect our leases to be operating leases and do not expect our mortgage loan receivable to be outstanding upon adoption, we do not anticipate these standards will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Concentration of Credit Risk

As of March 31, 2022, we owned 27 properties located in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The ability of any of our tenants to honor the terms of its lease is dependent upon the economic, regulatory, competition, natural and social factors affecting the community in which that tenant operates.

The following table sets forth the tenants in our portfolio that represented the largest percentage of our total rental income for each of the periods presented:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022					2021
	Number of Leases		Percentage of Rental Income			Number of Leases		Percentage of Rental Income
Curaleaf		11		26	%		11		42	%
Cresco Labs		1		17	%		1		35	%
Revolutionary Clinics		1		14	%		0		-	%
Trulieve		1		14	%		1		3	%
Columbia Care		5		11	%		5		4	%
Acreage		3		8	%		3		16	%

We have deposited cash with three financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000 per financial institution. As of March 31, 2022, we had cash accounts in excess of FDIC insured limits.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests include interests issued by the Operating Partnership and vested Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) representing a 2.4% and 2.7% ownership interest in the Company, at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.