10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark one)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Commission file number 001-38783
VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
4700-80th Street
Delta, British ColumbiaCanada
V4K 3N3
(Address of principal executive offices)
(604) 940-6012
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class TradingSymbol(s) Name of each exchangeon which registered
Common Shares, without par value VFF The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes☐No☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes☐No☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☒No☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes☒No☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the other registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b 2 of the Act). Yes☐No☒
The aggregate market value of the voting stock and nonvoting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked prices of such common equity, as of June 30, 2022 was $200,095,838.
As of March 8, 2023, the registrant had 110,238,929 Common Shares outstanding.
PCAOB: 271Auditor Name: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPAuditor Location:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. 1
Item 1. Business 1
Item 1A. Risk Factors 16
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Risk Factors 39
Item 2. Properties 39
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 40
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 40
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 43
Item 7A. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk 65
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 66
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 66
Item 9B. Other Information 67
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 67
PART III 68
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 68
Item 11. Executive Compensation 68
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 68
PART IV. 69
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 69
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As used in this report, the terms “Village Farms,” “Village Farms International,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar references refer to Village Farms International, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, and the term “Common Shares” refers to our Common Shares, no par value. Our financial information is presented in U.S. dollars and all references in this prospectus to “$” means U.S. dollars and all references to “C$” means Canadian dollars.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain trademarks, trade names and service marks of ours, as described in Item 1, "Business—Intellectual Property. This report also contains trademarks, trade names and service marks that are owned by other persons or entities.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This Annual Report on Form 10-K also contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. We refer to such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information collectively as “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements may relate to the Company’s future outlook or financial position and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, budgets, expansion plans, litigation, projected production, projected costs, capital expenditures, financial results, taxes, plans and objectives of or involving the Company. In particular, forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include statements regarding future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities for the Company, the greenhouse vegetable industry and the cannabis industry and market are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by such terms as “outlook”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “occur”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “try”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue”, “likely”, “schedule”, “objectives”, or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are subject to risks that may include, but are not limited to: our operating history, including that of Rose LifeScience Inc. (“Rose”), Balanced Health Botanicals, LLC (“Balanced Health”), Pure Sunfarms, Inc. (“Pure Sunfarms”) and our start-up operations of growing hemp in the United States; the legal status of Pure Sunfarms, Rose and Balanced Health cannabis business; risks relating to the integration of Balanced Health and Rose into our business; risks relating to obtaining additional financing on acceptable terms, including our dependence upon credit facilities and dilutive transactions; potential difficulties in achieving and/or maintaining profitability; variability of product pricing; risks inherent in the cannabis, hemp, CBD, cannabinoids, and agricultural businesses; our market position and competitive position; our ability to leverage current business relationships for future business involving hemp and cannabinoids, the ability of Pure Sunfarms and Rose to cultivate and distribute cannabis in Canada; existing and new governmental regulations, including risks related to regulatory compliance and regarding obtaining and maintaining licenses required under the Cannabis Act (Canada), the Criminal Code and other Acts, S.C. 2018, c. 16 (Canada) for its Canadian operational facilities), and changes in our regulatory requirements; legal and operational risks relating to expected conversion of our greenhouses to cannabis production in Canada and in the United States; risks related to rules and regulations at the U.S. Federal (Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture), state and municipal levels with respect to produce and hemp, cannabidiol-based products commercialization; retail consolidation, technological advances and other forms of competition; transportation disruptions; product liability and other potential litigation; retention of key executives; labor issues; uninsured and underinsured losses; vulnerability to rising energy costs; environmental, health and safety risks, foreign exchange exposure, risks associated with cross-border trade; difficulties in managing our growth; restrictive covenants under our credit facilities; natural catastrophes; macroeconomic factors, such as inflation and rising interest rates, supply shortages, potential recessionary conditions and the impact of the ongoing and developing COVID-19 pandemic; and tax risks.
The Company has based these forward-looking statements on factors and assumptions about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this report are based upon assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause the Company’s or the industry’s actual results, performance, achievements, prospects and opportunities in future periods to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the factors contained in the Company’s filings with securities regulators, including this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future results, performance, achievements, prospects and opportunities. The forward-looking statements made in this report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this report. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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PART I.
ITEM 1.BUSINESS
Our Mission and Brands
Our mission is simple—to improve life’s journey for the wellbeing of humankind, and the earth on which we live. This is no empty promise. It’s the mantra that we live by every day as we build upon over three decades of agricultural and marketing experience to build a great company. The human touch is evident in everything we do and that will never change.
We are building a family of brands across different products that encompass that mission. We are united by our shared core values: integrity, fairness, quality, inclusion, sustainability and hard work along with an unwavering desire to do what’s right.
Village Farms Fresh, our produce brand, has pioneered Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) in North America and helped feed a hungry planet with sustainable greenhouse growing for over three decades. We produce and distribute fresh, premium-quality produce with consistency 365 days a year from more than eight million square feet of CEA greenhouses in British Columbia (“B.C.”) and Texas, as well as from our partner greenhouses in B.C., Ontario, and Mexico.
We have leveraged this expertise as a pioneer in the development of the global legal cannabis industry. Pure Sunfarms Corp. (“Pure Sunfarms” or “PSF”) and Rose LifeScience Inc. (“Rose LifeScience or Rose”) comprise our Canadian cannabis businesses. Pure Sunfarms is one of the largest and most respected cannabis growers in the world and the best-selling flower brand in Canada. Rose is a leading vertically integrated, branded cannabis producer, supplier and commercialization expert in the Province of Quebec.
Balanced Health Botanicals, LLC (“Balanced Health” or “BHB”) is our U.S. cannabis business. Balanced Health owns and operates one of the leading brands in the hemp-derived cannabidiol (“CBD”) and other cannabinoids markets, produces high quality health and wellness products and distributes primarily through its top-ranked e-commerce platform, CBDistilleryTM.
Village Farms Clean Energy (“VFCE”), our clean energy business is preparing for its transition to a Renewable Natural Gas ("RNG") operation in conjunction with Mas Energy, LLC (the "Delta RNG Project") which is expected to provide food-grade CO2 to our greenhouse growing operations in Delta, British Columbia (“B.C.”). VFCE decommissioned its previous co-generation facility, which used local landfill gas to generate electricity for sale to a third-party.
Our Commitment and Values
Our core operating principle is to deliver fairness and satisfaction in our customer promise. We strive to operate the business for optimal success by endeavoring to be:
- a responsible producer of high-quality products
- a reliable, trusted partner to customers
- a provider of excellence in customer service and logistics
- a business with a solid balance sheet
- a company which enhances shareholder value
- a trusted steward of the environment
- a workplace where all employees can grow and prosper
- an employer for people who want to make a difference in the world
For over thirty years, we have pioneered Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) in North America and to feed an increasing population through sustainable greenhouse growing. In 2017, we expanded from produce, leveraging our considerable knowledge, to the emerging legal cannabis and health and wellness market. We envisioned and created Pure Sunfarms to artfully blend our decades of CEA expertise with hands-on knowledge of legacy growing practices in cannabis. We invest in, and partner with companies, that share our values and respect for people and the environment. We believe a focus on innovation is a key driver of growth in our markets.
We are extremely proud of many things that we achieved over the past three-plus decades, but none more than our highly responsible approach to the environment. From our sustainably sourced inputs and sustainable growing methods, to our use of clean energy and other innovative technologies, we are proud to bring sustenance and wellbeing to our consumers in a way that is ethical and responsible to the planet.
Our state-of-the-art, technology-based CEA facilities use less water, land and chemicals than outdoor farming and we aim to introduce new technologies to be greener in the future. The earth's finite water supply is one of its most precious resources and our hydroponic growing method sterilizes and recirculates the same water multiple times, so that 100% of the water reaches the plants.
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Our proficient growing methods deliver vastly more yield per acre compared to outdoor growing, without depleting the soil. We use beneficial insects to control pests and promote healthy plant growth, and administer organic pesticides, so our GMO-free crops grow in a nourishing environment free of harmful chemicals. In one of our Delta greenhouses, we collect, filter and utilize rainwater for our plants. Our Delta greenhouses use renewable hydroelectricity as the main power source, provide innovative energy screens to help capture the sun’s warmth and prevent heat loss, and employ blackout curtains to reduce light pollution, all in an effort to minimize our impact to the local community and ecosystem.
Business Overview
Village Farms International, Inc. (“VFF”), (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”, “Village Farms”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) converted from an income trust to a publicly-traded company on December 31, 2009. Our subsidiaries operated vegetable producing greenhouses since 1989 and began production in Texas in 1996. On October 18, 2006, the merger between Village Farms and Hot House Growers resulted in one of the largest producers, marketers and distributors of greenhouse grown products in North America. VFF pioneered CEA in North America, and over the years transformed the organization, adapting to meet industry changes and customer preferences, in order to persevere and remain one of the largest and longest-operating vertically integrated greenhouse growers in North America.
We produce and distribute fresh, premium-quality produce with consistency 365 days a year from more than eight million square feet of CEA greenhouses in B.C. and Texas, as well as from our partner greenhouses in B.C., Ontario, and Mexico. We primarily market and distribute produce under our Village Farms® brand name and proprietary produce trademarks to retail supermarkets and dedicated fresh food distribution companies throughout the United States and Canada.
Our Canadian cannabis operations consist of wholly-owned, British Columbia-based Pure Sunfarms and 70% ownership interest in Quebec-based Rose LifeScience. Pure Sunfarms is one of the single largest cannabis cultivation operations in the world, one of the lowest-cost greenhouse producers and one of the best-selling brands in Canada. Pure Sunfarms leverages our 30-plus years of experience as a vertically integrated greenhouse grower for the legal cannabis industry in Canada with commercial distribution in 10 Canadian provinces and territories. Our primary objective for Pure Sunfarms is to be the leading low-cost, high-quality cannabis producer in Canada and in selected international markets. Rose is a leading vertically integrated, branded cannabis producer, supplier and commercialization expert in the Province of Quebec and is the Quebec operational unit of our Canadian cannabis segment.
Our U.S. cannabis operations consist of wholly-owned, Colorado-based Balanced Health. Balanced Health owns and operates one of the leading brands in the hemp-derived CBD/cannabinoid market in the United States, providing us with access to the U.S. Cannabinoid market in a consumer products category adjacent to the high-tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) cannabis market, as well as the broader consumer packaged goods wellness arena. Balanced Health has established a diverse portfolio of CBD and other cannabinoid products, including ingestible, edible and topical applications that are distributed through its top-ranked e-commerce platform, CBDistilleryTM (www.theCBDistillery.com), as well as through brick-and-mortar retail channels.
We have begun transitioning our VFCE operation to a renewable natural gas facility in conjunction with Mas Energy, which we expect will enhance our financial return, as well as in the future provide food-grade CO2 that can be used in both our cannabis and produce growing operations in Delta, B.C.
Internationally, we evaluate, and target select, nascent, legal cannabis opportunities with significant long-term potential. This has resulted in a minority investment in Australia-based Altum International Pty Ltd (“Altum”), and an 85% ownership interest in Netherlands-based Leli Holland B.V. ("Leli").
Our Canadian Cannabis Segment
Village Farms’ Canadian cannabis segment consists of Pure Sunfarms and Rose LifeScience.
Pure Sunfarms
In June 2017, we formed a Canadian joint venture, Pure Sunfarms, with Emerald Health Therapeutics, Inc. (“Emerald”) to commence Canadian cannabis operations in anticipation of the adult use cannabis market becoming legal in October 2017. We contributed one of our Delta, B.C. greenhouses (“Delta 3”) to the joint venture in exchange for a 50% ownership interest in the joint venture. Emerald contributed C$20 million, which was paid in installments, in exchange for the other 50% ownership interest in the joint venture. We also contributed our experienced grower management and Delta 3 workforce to the joint venture and Emerald contributed its existing cultivation license and cannabis expertise.
On November 2, 2020, we acquired 36,958,500 Common Shares in the capital of Pure Sunfarms owned by Emerald, which increased our ownership of Pure Sunfarms to 100%. The shares, representing 42.6% of the ownership at the time, were acquired for a total purchase price of C$79.9 million (US$60.0 million), satisfied through a C$60.0 million (US$45.0 million) cash payment and a C$19.9 million (US$15.0 million) secured promissory note, which was paid in full to Emerald on February 8, 2021.
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Business of Pure Sunfarms
During 2017, the joint venture between us and Emerald applied for a cultivation license for the Delta 3 facility. In March 2018, the joint venture received its initial cultivation license for a portion of the Delta 3 facility and expanded its cultivation space via amendments to its cultivation license throughout 2018, culminating with the complete cultivation license for the entire 25-acre facility (1.1 million square feet) in March 2019. During 2018, the joint venture also hired a chief executive officer and adopted a name for the joint venture, Pure Sunfarms Corp. Pure Sunfarms commenced cultivation in the spring of 2018, after receiving its initial cultivation license.
On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act came into effect, regulating both the medical and recreational cannabis markets in Canada and providing provincial, territorial, and municipal governments the authority to regulate the distribution and sale of recreational cannabis. For the first nine months of 2019, Pure Sunfarms was a wholesale (non-branded) supplier to other licensed producers. In September 2019, Pure Sunfarms received its provincial sales license and commenced sales in Ontario and British Columbia.
In October 2019, Health Canada approved the second phase of recreational cannabis products including ingestible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals, referred to as Cannabis 2.0 products.
In May 2020, Pure Sunfarms received its cannabis cultivation license from Health Canada for the Delta 2 facility, providing an additional 1.1 million square feet of production capacity, enhancing its ability to grow, package and sell cannabis and cannabis extracts. Pure Sunfarms also received amended licensing from Health Canada in the fall of 2020, permitting in-house extraction operations and the sale of cannabis derivative products directly to provincial boards and authorized retailers. On June 30, 2021, Health Canada amended the Delta 2 facility license received in May 2020, permitting Pure Sunfarms to cultivate cannabis in the completed west half of the facility. In the west half of the facility, Pure Sunfarms has planted seven flower rooms and began harvesting in November 2021. Management intends to time the expansion and completion of the east half of the facility when market demand is sufficient to absorb supply profitability.
In September 2021, the Canadian cannabis business completed its first export shipment of cannabis, supplying a variety of high-quality, high-THC dried flower products to Village Farms' minority interest investee, Australia-based Altum International Pty Ltd., for the Australian medicinal cannabis market to be sold under the Kind Medical brand.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, Pure Sunfarms, with our subsidiary Rose LifeScience, began generating sales in Quebec. Together, Pure Sunfarms and Rose execute a Canadian cannabis strategy for Village Farms, providing a means to distribute Pure Sunfarms’ flower to Quebec’s consumers.
In the third quarter of 2022, Pure Sunfarms commenced sales to three additional provinces, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and two territories, Yukon and Northwest Territories. At the end of 2022, our Canadian cannabis business was selling products in 10 of the 13 Canadian provincial/territorial jurisdictions, while it continues to advance discussions with additional provincial distributors to further expand its Canadian presence.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, we believe our Canadian cannabis business had the second largest market share (by dollars) in Canada across all product categories (8.6% share, and increase of 160bps over fourth quarter of 2021) and the largest market share in the dried flower product category (16.2% share, an increase of 630bps over the fourth quarter of 2021). 2022 sales for our Canadian cannabis business by product category were composed of 76% dried flower, 16% pre-rolls and 8% other products.
During 2022, Pure Sunfarms received European Union Good Manufacturing Practice ("EU GMP") certification for its 1.1 million square foot Delta 3 cannabis facility located in Delta, British Columbia ("B.C.") which permits Pure Sunfarms to export EU GMP-certified medical cannabis to importers and distributors in international markets that require EU GMP certification. We began exporting to Israel at the end of 2022 and continued to export to Australia throughout 2022. We expect international expansion should enhance our profitability while expanding our brand and experience into emerging new legal cannabis markets. We continue to evaluate and pursue profitable international expansion opportunities in such markets.
We believe that Pure Sunfarms is the leading low-cost high-quality producer in the Canadian market and its low-cost structure, primarily driven by economies of scale and large-scale greenhouse experience, is sustainable and provides a competitive industry advantage. Pure Sunfarms’ cost structure, together with investment in branding and commercialization activities, is intended to support a continued incremental expansion of market share.
Due to the Health Canada limitations on marketing, and stringent branding and packaging rules, it is difficult for consumers to distinguish between different products, which places more emphasis on the management of price, potency and quality. We believe the deep agricultural expertise of growers and excellence in brand management sets Pure Sunfarms products apart from competitors, by providing high quality cannabis to consumers at attractive prices
Retail channels remain competitive across the country, with an oversupply of product in excess of current demand creating a downward pressure on pricing, largely led by federally-licensed cannabis producers ("License Holder" or "LPs"). In response, many LPs have chosen to either curtail or halt cannabis production to right size their supply to meet consumer demand. We believe
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challenging regulatory and taxation frameworks, combined with continued margin compression, high operating costs and limited access to capital has contributed to industry attrition as LPs face these challenges head-on.
We believe our Canadian cannabis business is well-positioned to manage these challenges as one of the best-selling LPs in Canada (with some of the best-selling brands), with a low-cost large-scale structure and continued pursuit of future opportunities to expand sales, products and footprint in Canada and internationally.
Rose LifeScience
We acquired 70% ownership of privately-held Rose on November 15, 2021, with the 30% balance held by founders who have remained as senior operating management. Rose is the Quebec-based operational unit of our Canadian cannabis business, with its headquarters in Huntingdon, Quebec.
Rose cultivates and processes cannabis at their Huntingdon-based 55,000 square-foot CEA facility. The indoor controlled growing facility was commissioned in 2020 and is licensed for use by Health Canada. Rose has been granted environmental rebates from the government of Quebec for its energy efficient design. The CEA is outfitted with special filtration on the facility exhausts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lessen odors and minimize the impact on the local community. In addition, Rose has a team of experienced cannabis growers developing innovative products and distinctive strains.
Rose sells its own cannabis products under six brands: nationally distributed Homage and Tam Tams and Promenade, DLYS, Pure Laine and Six Lunes which are available exclusively in the Province of Quebec. Promenade is a collaboration with Pure Sunfarms. For the fourth quarter of 2022, Rose held the number two position in Quebec in terms of market share, an improvement from number 10 in the first quarter of 2021.
Rose is also a leading third-party cannabis products commercialization expert in the Province of Quebec, acting as the exclusive, direct-to-retail sales, marketing and distribution entity for some of the best-known brands in Canada as well as Quebec-based micro and craft growers. With decades of regulated-market experience, Rose partners with cannabis companies to assist in commercializing their products, distributing the products throughout Quebec and ensuring a strong presence in the marketplace. Rose champions Quebec producers by working directly with micro-producers to advance homegrown, craft products in the province and easing the burden of commercial complexities facing smaller, local businesses. Rose also works with CAREY 3PL, their preferred carrier, to provide full-scale direct-to-store logistics and distribution services to meet the ever-changing needs of their customers.
Rose LifeScience has added a highly experienced, successful, Quebec-based leadership team to the Company, which we believe is reinforced by the industry knowledge, financial backing and human capital of Village Farms and Pure Sunfarms to allow it to grow and expand its footprint throughout Quebec as well as other provinces.
Canadian Cannabis Industry Overview
Legal History of Medical Cannabis in Canada
Prior to October 17, 2018, the production, distribution, and use of cannabis for medical use was and has been legal in Canada since 2001, first under the federal Medical Marihuana Access Regulations, which established a legal regime for the licensing of cannabis producers and the sale of dried cannabis to registered patients pursuant to a medical document provided by a health care practitioner. The Medical Marihuana Access Regulations were later replaced with the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (“MMPR”), and then the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (“ACMPR”) as a result of a decision by the Federal Court of Canada (the “Federal Court”) in Allard v. Canada. The Federal Court held that requiring individuals to obtain cannabis only from federally licensed cannabis producers violated liberty and security rights protected by section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Federal Court found that individuals who require cannabis for medical purposes did not have “reasonable access” under the MMPR regime. Accordingly, the ACMPR contemplated both access to medical cannabis through a License Holder or through personal production exemptions, thereby giving patients reasonable access to, and choice of, cannabis product. The ACMPR provided three possible alternatives for individuals to access cannabis for medical purposes: (i) they can continue to access quality-controlled cannabis by registering with federal License Holders; (ii) they can register with Health Canada to produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes (starting materials must be obtained from a License Holder); or (iii) they can designate someone else who is registered with Health Canada to produce cannabis on their behalf (starting materials must be obtained from a License Holder).
Current Applicable Regulatory Regime
On October 17, 2018, the federal Cannabis Act and accompanying Regulations, including the Cannabis Regulations, the new Industrial Hemp Regulations (“IHR”) (together with the Cannabis Regulations, collectively, the “Regulations”), came into force, legalizing the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis for adult non-medicinal (i.e. recreational) purposes, as well as incorporating the existing medical cannabis regulatory scheme under one complete framework.
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On October 17, 2019, the Cannabis Regulations were amended to expand the legally permitted categories of cannabis products and support the production and sale of edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals. The amendments, among other things, outline the rules relating to packaging, labelling, and advertising, shelf-stability, cannabinoid concentration levels, restrictions on ingredients, and production and sanitation standards for edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topical products. December 16, 2019 was the earliest date that the new classes of cannabis products could be available for sale. Edible cannabis, as well as extracts and topicals, are all now available for sale in the legalized recreational market in Canada.
Pursuant to the federal regulatory framework in Canada, each province and territory may adopt its own laws governing the distribution, sale and consumption of cannabis and cannabis accessories within the province or territory. All Canadian provinces and territories have implemented mechanisms for the distribution and sale of cannabis for recreational purposes within those jurisdictions, and retail models vary between jurisdictions.
The Cannabis Act maintains separate access to cannabis for medical purposes, including providing that import and export licenses and permits will only be issued in respect of cannabis for medical or scientific purposes or in respect of industrial hemp. Part 14 of the Cannabis Regulations sets out the regime for medical cannabis following legalization, which is substantively the same as the ACMPR with adjustments to create consistency with rules for non-medical use, improve patient access, and reduce the risk of abuse within the medical access system. Patients who have the authorization of their healthcare provider continue to have access to cannabis, either purchased directly from a federal License Holder authorized to sell for medical purposes, or by registering to produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes or designating someone to produce cannabis for them.
Adult Use Cannabis
We participate in the Canadian adult use market for cannabis in compliance with all applicable federal and provincial laws and regulations concerning the Canadian adult use cannabis market. The Cannabis Act and the Cannabis Regulations provide a licensing scheme for the production, importation, exportation, testing, packaging, labelling, sending, delivery, transportation, sale, possession, and disposal of cannabis for non-medicinal use (i.e., adult recreational use). Transitional provisions of the Cannabis Act provide that every license issued under the ACMPR that is in force immediately before the day on which the Cannabis Act comes into force is deemed to be a license issued under the Cannabis Act, and that such license will continue in force until it is revoked or expires.
Below are additional highlights of the Cannabis Act:
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Places restrictions on the amount of cannabis that individuals can possess and distribute, and on public consumption and use, and prohibits the sale of cannabis unless authorized by the Cannabis Act.
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Permits individuals who are 18 years of age or older to cultivate, propagate, and harvest up to and including four cannabis plants in their dwelling-house, propagated from a seed or plant material authorized by the Cannabis Act.
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Restricts (but does not strictly prohibit) the promotion and display of cannabis, cannabis accessories and services related to cannabinoids to consumers, including restrictions on branding and a prohibition on false or misleading promotion and on sponsorships.
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Permits the informational promotion of cannabis by entities licensed to produce, sell, or distribute cannabis in specified circumstances to individuals 18 years and older.
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Introduces packaging and labelling requirements for cannabis and cannabis accessories and prohibits the sale of cannabis or cannabis accessories that could be appealing to young persons.
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Provides the designated minister with the power to recall any cannabis or class of cannabis on reasonable grounds that such a recall is necessary to protect public health or public safety.
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Establishes a national cannabis tracking system to monitor the movement of cannabis from where it is grown, to where it is processed, to where it is sold.
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Provides powers to inspectors for the purpose of administering and enforcing the Cannabis Act and a system for administrative monetary penalties.
Licenses, Permits and Authorizations
The Cannabis Regulations establish the following classes of licenses:
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license for cultivation;
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license for processing;
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license for analytical testing;
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license for sale;
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license for research; and
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a cannabis drug license.
The Cannabis Regulations also create subclasses for cultivation licenses (standard cultivation, micro-cultivation and nursery) and processing licenses (standard processing and micro-processing). Different licenses and each sub-class therein, carry differing rules and requirements that are intended to be proportional to the public health and safety risks posed by each license category and each sub-class. Licenses that were issued under the ACMPR are deemed to be licenses issued under the Cannabis Act. Licenses issued under the Cannabis Act have associated expiry dates and are subject to renewal requirements.
Security Clearances
Certain individuals associated with cannabis licensees, including individuals occupying “key positions”, directors, officers, individuals who exercise, or are in a position to exercise, direct control over the corporate licensee, and other individuals identified by the Minister of Health (the “Minister”), must hold a valid security clearance issued by the Minister. Under the Cannabis Regulations, the Minister may refuse to grant security clearances to individuals with associations to organized crime or with past convictions for, or an association with, drug trafficking, corruption, or violent offences. This was largely the approach in place under the ACMPR and other related regulations governing the licensed production of cannabis for medical purposes. Individuals having a history of nonviolent, lower-risk criminal activity (for example, simple possession of cannabis, or small-scale cultivation of cannabis plants) are not precluded from participating in the legal cannabis industry, however, grant of security clearance to such individuals is at the discretion of the Minister and such applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Cannabis Tracking System
Under the Cannabis Act, the Minister is authorized to establish and maintain a national cannabis tracking system. The purpose of this system is to track cannabis throughout the supply chain, to help prevent cannabis from being diverted to an illicit market or activity and to help prevent illicit cannabis from being a source of supply of cannabis in the legal market. Pursuant to the Ministry of Health’s Cannabis Tracking System Order (the “Order”), a holder of a federal license for cultivation, a license for processing or a license for sale for medical purposes that authorizes the possession of cannabis must report monthly to the Minister with specific information about their authorized activities with cannabis (e.g. cannabis inventory quantities), in the form and manner specified by the Minister. The Order also provides for monthly reporting by provincial bodies and provincially authorized private retailers of certain information in the form and manner specified by the Minister.
Cannabis Products
The Cannabis Regulations set out the requirements for cannabis products that are permitted for sale at the retail level, including the limit on THC content, permitted ingredients, limit on pest control product residues, as well as microbial and chemical contaminants. As of October 17, 2019, the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations permit the sale of the following classes of products: dried cannabis, cannabis oil, fresh cannabis, cannabis plants, cannabis plant seeds, as well as cannabis edibles, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals.
Packaging and Labeling
The Cannabis Regulations set out strict requirements pertaining to the packaging and labeling of cannabis products. These requirements are intended to promote informed consumer choice and safe consumption and allow for the safe handling and transportation of cannabis, while also reducing the appeal of cannabis to youth.
The Cannabis Regulations require all cannabis products to be packaged in a manner that is tamper-proof and child resistant. Strict limitations are also imposed on the use of colors, graphics, and other special characteristics of packaging. For example, all-over package coverings must be clear, and the interior surface and exterior surface of any container in which a cannabis product is packaged must be one uniform color. Cannabis package labels must include specific information, such as (i) product source information, including brand name, the class of cannabis and the name, phone number and email of the licensed processor or cultivator, (ii) mandatory warnings, including rotating health warning messages on Health Canada’s list of standard health warnings; (iii) the Health Canada standardized cannabis symbol; and (iv) information specifying THC and CBD content.
A cannabis product’s brand name may only be displayed once on the principal display panel or, if there are separate principal display panels for English and French, only once on each principal display panel. It can be in any font style and any size, so long as it is equal to or smaller than the health warning message. The font must not be in metallic or fluorescent color. In addition to the brand name, only one other brand element can be displayed. Such brand element must meet the same requirements noted above as the brand name, and if an image, it must be in a size equal to or smaller than the surface area of the standardized cannabis symbol.
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Health Products Containing Cannabis
Health Canada is taking a scientific, evidenced-based approach for the oversight of health products with cannabis that may be approved with health claims, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, veterinary drugs, and medical devices. Under the current regulatory framework, health products are subject to the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) and its regulations and may be additionally regulated by the Cannabis Act and the Cannabis Regulations. For many of these products, pre-market approval from Health Canada is required.
Possible Changes to the Federal Regulatory Framework
In December 2020 and January 2021, Health Canada issued a notice of intent and engaged in consultations with stakeholders on the expansion of non-medicinal cannabis research involving human participants. Health Canada proposed to amend the Cannabis Act, the Cannabis Regulations and the Food and Drug Regulations so that non-medicinal cannabis research involving human participants is regulated exclusively under the cannabis legislation. Further, Health Canada also sought feedback on a host of other regulatory issues, including public possession, product labeling, micro-class and nursery licensing, and COVID-19 measures.
The Cannabis Act requires that the Minister of Health cause a review of the Act and its administration and operation three years after its coming into force. The Minister will table a report in both Houses of Parliament no later than 18 months after the start of the review. To fulfill these requirements, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions have announced that an independent Expert Panel will lead the legislative review. The Panel will provide independent, expert advice to both Ministers on progress made towards achieving the Act's objectives, and will help identify priority areas for improving the functioning of the legislation. From September to November 2022, Health Canada sought feedback from the public on their views about the impacts of the Cannabis Act, and sought the public's perspective on the engagement paper regarding the legalization of cannabis in Canada. The feedback received by Health Canada will be summarized in a report and provided to the Expert Panel in order to help inform the Expert Panel's assessment of the Cannabis Act and its findings and recommendations resulting from the review.
Pending results of the aforementioned consultations and review, it is possible that Health Canada may introduce legislative updates in the future.
Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Framework for Recreational Cannabis
While the Cannabis Act provides for the regulation of the commercial production of cannabis and related matters by the federal government, the Cannabis Act provides the provinces and territories of Canada with authority to adopt their own laws governing the distribution, sale and consumption of cannabis and cannabis accessory products within the province or territory, permitting for example, provincial and territorial governments to set lower possession limits for individuals and higher age requirements. Currently, each of the Canadian provincial and territorial jurisdictions has established the minimum age for cannabis use to be 19 years old, except for Québec and Alberta, where the minimum age is 21 and 18, respectively.
The provinces and territories are responsible for the establishment of a retail distribution system for adult use cannabis in their respective jurisdictions. All Canadian provinces and territories have implemented mechanisms for the distribution and sale of cannabis for recreational purposes within those jurisdictions, and retail models vary between jurisdictions. Provincial/territorial bodies act as intermediaries between entities licensed federally under the Cannabis Act and consumers, such bodies acting in some jurisdictions as exclusive cannabis wholesalers and distributors, and in some instances such bodies acting as exclusive retailers. The laws continue to evolve, and differences in provincial and territorial regulatory frameworks could result in, among other things, increased compliance costs, and increased supply costs.
Municipal and regional governments may choose to impose additional requirements and regulations on the sale of recreational cannabis, adding further uncertainty and risk to our business. Municipal by-laws may restrict the number of recreational cannabis retail outlets that are permitted in a certain geographical area or restrict the geographical locations wherein such retail outlets may be opened.
There is no assurance that the provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal regulatory frameworks and distribution models will remain unchanged, or that we will be able to navigate such changes in the regulatory frameworks and distribution models or conduct its intended business thereunder. See: “Risk Factors”.
Ontario: Pursuant to the Cannabis Control Act, 2017 (Ontario), the distribution and retail sale of recreational cannabis is currently conducted through the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (“OCRC”), a subsidiary of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Recreational cannabis has been sold on-line through the OCRC-operated Ontario Cannabis Store (“OCS”) platform, as of October 17, 2018.
On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis License Act, 2018 (Ontario) became law and other legislation, including the Cannabis Control Act, 2017, the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation Act, 2017 and the Liquor Control Act were amended to create a private
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retail framework for the sale of recreational cannabis in Ontario. As of April 1, 2019, recreational cannabis has been available for sale by private retailers that operate brick-and-mortar stores licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“AGCO”).
The recreational cannabis retail regulatory regime in Ontario has the following requirements and features:
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Private retailers are required to obtain both a retail operator license and a retail store authorization. Retail store authorizations are only to be issued to persons holding a retail operator license. Separate retail store authorizations are to be required for each cannabis retail store, but a licensed retail operator may hold more than one retail store authorization and operate multiple stores. Private retailers are not permitted to sell cannabis online but may only sell cannabis in person at an authorized retail store.
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The AGCO is the government entity responsible for issuing retail store authorizations for privately run recreational cannabis stores. Until December 13, 2019, a temporary cap of 25 retail store authorizations was imposed while cannabis supply stabilizes. On July 3, 2019, the Government of Ontario announced its plans for a second allocation of 50 additional cannabis retail store authorizations. The AGCO held a lottery draw for the allocation of 42 retail store authorizations. A separate process governed the allocation of eight retail store authorizations for those who wish to operate a store on a First Nations reserve. On March 2, 2020, the restrictions on the total number of store authorizations permitted in Ontario, and their regional distribution, was revoked. The AGCO now accepts applications for retail store authorizations from all interested applicants.
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Retail store operators are only permitted to purchase cannabis from the OCRC, which may set a minimum price for cannabis or classes of cannabis.
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Every authorized cannabis retail store in Ontario must have a licensed retail manager. An individual who supervises employees, oversees cannabis sales, manages compliance or has signing authority to purchase cannabis, enters into contracts or hires employees is required to have a cannabis retail manager license.
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Federal License Holders (and their affiliates) are limited to operating one retail cannabis store in the province, which must be located at the site listed on such producer’s federal license. A broad definition of affiliate is included in the regulations. An affiliate relationship exists if a corporation beneficially owns or controls voting shares, or securities that may be converted to voting shares, constituting more than 25% of voting rights. If a person, or group acting together, holds 50% voting control for the election of directors or market share of the corporation, they are considered affiliates. Additionally, an affiliate relationship may be established through involvement in a trust, partnership, or joint venture, among others. The definition of affiliate may have the effect of restricting the ability of federal License Holders from effectively entering into the consumer retail market in Ontario.
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Federal License Holders are prohibited from providing any material inducement to cannabis retailers for the purpose of increasing the sale of a particular type of cannabis.
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Municipalities and reserve band councils were permitted to opt out of the retail cannabis market by resolution. Municipalities had until January 22, 2019 to pass such by-laws, and several municipalities have formally opted-out of the retail market. Municipalities that opted out can later lift the prohibition on retail cannabis stores by subsequent resolution, which cannot be reversed at a later date. Municipalities may not pass bylaws providing for a further system of licensing over the retail sale of cannabis.
Manitoba: The Government of Manitoba has implemented a ‘‘hybrid model’’ for cannabis distribution, whereby supply is secured and tracked by the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corp. (“MLLC”); however, licensed private retail stores are also permitted to sell recreational cannabis.
Alberta: The Government of Alberta has implemented a cannabis framework providing for the purchase of cannabis products from private retailers that receive their products from a government-regulated distributor, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (“AGLC”), similar to the distribution system currently in place for alcohol in the province. Authorized cannabis retailers can sell cannabis in licensed retail outlets online.
New Brunswick: All recreational cannabis is managed and sold through a network of tightly controlled, stand-alone “Cannabis NB” stores managed by the Cannabis Management Corporation, a subsidiary of New Brunswick Liquor Corporation and is available for sale online through the Cannabis NB platform.
Quebec: All recreational cannabis is managed and sold by Société Québécoise du cannabis (the “SQDC”) outlets and is available for sale online. The entire process controlled by the SQDC.
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Newfoundland and Labrador: Recreational cannabis is sold through private stores, with the crown-owned liquor corporation, the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corp. (the “NLC”), issuing private retailer licenses and overseeing the distribution to private sellers who may sell to consumers. The NLC also controls the possession, sale, and delivery of cannabis, and sets prices. The NLC is also the online retailer, although licenses may later be issued to private interests.
Yukon: Yukon had initially limited the distribution and sale of recreational cannabis to government outlets and government-run online stores but has since opened up its retail market to permit licensed private retailers in the territory. Cannabis retail licenses are issued by the Cannabis Licensing Board. Authorized retailers must purchase cannabis from the Yukon Liquor Corporation, acting as the wholesaler and distributor in the territory.
Northwest Territories: The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (the “NTLCC”) controls the importation and distribution of cannabis, whether through NTLCC-approved retail outlets or online retail run by the NTLCC. Communities in the Northwest Territories are able to hold a plebiscite to prohibit cannabis, similar to the options currently available to restrict alcohol.
British Columbia: Recreational cannabis is sold through both public and licensed privately operated stores, with the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch handling licensing of private stores and the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (“BCLDB”) handling wholesale distribution.
Saskatchewan: The Government of Saskatchewan implemented a framework in which both wholesale and retail recreational cannabis are conducted by the private sector and regulated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (“SLGA”). A number of retail permits have been issued to private stores. Permitted wholesalers can sell to permitted retailers and other permitted wholesalers but not to the general public. Wholesale operations must be physically located within Saskatchewan and product can only be sold and distributed within Saskatchewan. Further, only federally licensed producers registered with SLGA will be allowed to sell into the Saskatchewan market.
Nova Scotia: The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation is responsible for the regulation of cannabis in the province, and recreational cannabis is only sold publicly through government-operated storefronts and online sales.
Prince Edward Island: Similar to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island requires cannabis to be sold publicly, through government stores and online, overseen by the Prince Edward Island Cannabis Management Corporation.
Nunavut: Nunavut allows for the sale of cannabis through both public and private retail and online. In Nunavut, a person can submit an application with the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission for a license to operate a cannabis store, remote sales store, or cannabis lounge.
Industrial Hemp
The new Industrial Hemp Regulations under the Cannabis Act replaced the previous IHR under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (“CDSA”) as of October 17, 2018. The regulatory scheme for industrial hemp production largely remains the same, however the IHR permits the sale of hemp plants to licensed cannabis producers, and licensing requirements under the new IHR are softened in accordance with the lower risk posed by industrial hemp. The IHR defines industrial hemp as a cannabis plant, or any part of that plant, in which the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) is 0.3 % or less in the flowering heads and leaves.
Our U.S. Cannabis Segment
Our U.S. cannabis segment is Balanced Health Botanicals, LLC ("BHB").
Balanced Health
On August 16, 2021, we acquired 100% interest in privately held Colorado-based BHB. BHB is one of the leading CBD and other cannabinoid brands and e-commerce platforms in the United States. Balanced Health develops and sells high-quality cannabinoid-based health and wellness products, distributing their diverse portfolio of consumer products through retail storefronts and its top-ranked e-commerce platform, CBDistilleryTM and independent retail stores. Through its strong, long-term partnerships, we believe that Balanced Health is uniquely positioned to ensure seamless sourcing, manufacture and sale of their affordable, high-quality family of cannabinoid brands to target the diverse health and wellness needs and preferences of their consumers. We believe the strong management team of Balanced Health has added a wealth of leadership and industry experience across healthcare, technology, consumer packaged goods and cannabis.
BHB is focused on high quality standards and sources non-GMO and pesticide free hemp directly from U.S. Hemp Licensed farms through partnerships and contractual relationships. BHB collaborates with hemp extraction partners using advanced proprietary
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methods and rigorous testing to ensure product quality and concentration guidelines. In its 8,000 square foot facility, BHB provides on-site bottling, labeling and packaging that follow the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (“cGMP”) guidelines, and is NSF GMP certified. BHB was awarded U.S. Hemp Authority Certification for its commitment to quality and safety of its products and also achieved Generally Recognized as Safe designation, an evaluation its products are recognized as safe for consumption for CBD Isolate (“ISO”), Full-Spectrum CBD (“FSO”) and Broad-Spectrum CBD (“BSO”). In the event that the FDA regulates CBD, and the overall Food, Drug and Mass Merchandise (“FDM”) channel accepts ingestible CBD products, we believe that BHB is uniquely positioned to immediately capitalize on the opportunity.
BHB’s CBD and other cannabinoid product portfolio primarily includes oils, ingestibles and topicals to meet any consumer’s needs and consumption preferences. The majority of sales are within the United States. Balanced Health operates an industry-leading e-commerce platform with an extensive customer base and has a presence in over 4,000 retail locations across health and wellness, independent pharmacies, convenience stores and lifestyle shops. Distribution in larger-footprint food, drug and mass retail chains is currently limited due to the lack of definitive regulatory oversight for CBD products throughout the United States.
United States Cannabis Industry and Regulatory Overview
We do not maintain any direct or indirect investment in cannabis or cannabis-related products in our U.S. operations, excluding BHB's CBD and other cannabinoid business. We participate in federal and state permissible activities in the U.S. and do not engage nor intend to engage in direct or indirect business with any business that derives revenue, directly or indirectly, from the sale of cannabis or cannabis-related products in any jurisdiction where the production and sale of cannabis is unlawful under current applicable laws.
We own and operate four greenhouse facilities in west Texas consisting of nearly six million square feet of produce production area in which we grow and distribute produce (primarily tomatoes). We have proven experience converting its produce greenhouses to low-cost, highly efficient cannabis greenhouses, as evidenced by its Pure Sunfarms’ Delta 3 and Delta 2 greenhouses located in British Columbia. We are strategically positioned, utilizing decades of agricultural experience coupled with its Pure Sunfarms’ operational and product expertise, to convert all or a part of our existing greenhouses when legally permitted to do so.
At the time of this filing, we believe that 37 states plus Washington, D.C. legally permit cannabis (in some form) for medicinal use and 21 states plus Washington, D.C. legally permit cannabis for recreational use (with one state scheduled to permit cannabis for recreational use on July 1, 2023). Public support for the adult-use legalization of cannabis has increased significantly across the country. Several hundred thousand Americans now work full-time in the cannabis industry and tax revenues associated with the production and sale of cannabis are providing economic benefits in states that have passed legislation.
Unlike in Canada, which has uniform federal legislation governing the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis under the Cannabis Act, in the United States, cannabis is regulated at both the federal and state levels. Notwithstanding the permissive regulatory environment of cannabis in some states, cannabis with a delta-9 THC level of more than 0.3% by dry weight (“marijuana”) continues to be categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act ("CSA"), making it illegal under federal law in the United States to cultivate, distribute, or possess cannabis. This means that while state law in certain U.S. states may take a permissive approach to medical and/or recreational use of cannabis, the CSA may still be enforced by U.S. federal law enforcement officials against citizens and businesses of those states for activity that is legal under state law. As a result of the conflicting views between state legislatures and the U.S. federal government regarding cannabis, investments in cannabis businesses in the United States are subject to inconsistent legislation and regulation.
Until 2018, the federal government provided guidance to federal agencies and banking institutions through a series of United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) memoranda. The most notable of this guidance came in the form of a memorandum issued by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General James Cole on August 29, 2013 (the “Cole Memorandum”). The Cole Memorandum offered guidance to federal agencies on how to prioritize civil enforcement, criminal investigations, and prosecutions regarding marijuana in all states and quickly set a compliance standard for marijuana related businesses. The Cole Memorandum concluded that the Department of Justice should be focused on addressing only the most significant threats related to cannabis. States where medical cannabis had been legalized were not characterized as a high priority. The Cole Memorandum was rescinded by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in January 2018 and instructed that "[i]n deciding which marijuana activities to prosecute with the [DOJ's] finite resources, prosecuters 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 prosecutions, the interests of victims, and other principles. Despite the Cole Memorandum's recission, the DOJ guidance on how to prioritize civil enforcement, criminal investigations, and prosecutions regarding marijuana related business appeared to be relatively unchanged.
On January 21, 2021, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. was sworn in as President of the United States. President Biden’s Attorney General, Merrick Garland, was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 10, 2021. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated during his congressional testimony in February 2021, that the DOJ would not pursue cases against Americans complying with laws of the states that have legalized and are regulating marijuana. Such statements are not official declarations or policies of the DOJ and are not binding on the DOJ, any United States Attorney, or the United States federal courts. However, in October of 2022, the Biden
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Administration announced a mass pardon of persons who had been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law and also its intention to review the regulation of marijuana under the CSA by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process to expeditiously review marijuana’s Schedule I status. In December 2022, President Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act into law, which provides for significantly broader opportunities to study cannabis. Recently in March 2023, Attorney General Merrick Garland stated during a senate hearing that “I think that it’s fair to expect what I said at my confirmation hearing with respect to marijuana and policy, that it will be very close to what was done in the Cole Memorandum”. To date, there have been no new federal marijuana memorandums issued by the DOJ or any published change in federal enforcement policy and substantial uncertainty regarding United States federal enforcement remains.
In recent years, certain temporary federal legislative enactments that provide safeguards for the medical cannabis industry have been appended to the federal budget bill. For each year since 2015, Congress has adopted a so-called “rider” provision to the Consolidated Appropriations Acts (formerly referred to as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment and currently referred to as the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment) to prevent the federal government from using congressionally appropriated funds to enforce federal law against regulated medical cannabis actors operating in compliance with state and local law. On December 29, 2022, the amendment was renewed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2023, H.R. 2617, which is effective through September 30, 2023. While the amendment has been included in successive appropriations legislation or resolutions since 2015, its inclusion or non-inclusion is subject to political change.
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. Until the United States Congress amends the CSA with respect to marijuana, there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce current U.S. federal law.
On December 20, 2018, the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law in the United States. The 2018 Farm Bill, among other things, defines industrial hemp, removes industrial hemp and cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp so long as the delta-9 THC concentration is less than 0.3% by dry weight, from the CSA and allows for industrial hemp production and sale in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has retained authority over the addition of CBD and other cannabinoids to products that fall within the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (''FDCA"). To date, the FDA deems that it is currently illegal to add CBD to a food or beverage, and the FDA does not deem CBD a dietary supplement as the agency cannot conclude that CBD is "generally recognized as safe" among qualified experts for its use in human or animal food. In January 2023, the FDA publicly announced it had concluded that "a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed that balances individuals' desire for access to CBD products with the regulatory oversight needed to manage risks" and that it was "prepared to work with Congress on this matter." There can be no assurance that the FDA will approve CBD as an additive to products under the FDCA.
Under current federal law, it may be a violation of federal anti-money laundering statutes to take any proceeds from the sale of any Schedule I controlled substance. Financial institutions could potentially be prosecuted and convicted of money laundering under the Bank Secrecy Act for providing services to cannabis businesses. In 2014, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") issued guidance not to focus enforcement on financial institutions that serve cannabis-related business, as long as the business activities are legal in their state. The guidance also included burdensome due diligence expectations and reporting requirements for financial institutions to bank state-sanctioned cannabis businesses. The FinCEN guidance also does not provide any safe harbors or legal defenses from examination or regulatory or criminal enforcement actions by the DOJ, FinCEN or other federal regulators for banks and other financial institutions and can be amended or revoked at any time and therefore most financial institutions in the United States do not appear comfortable relying on this guidance to provide banking services to the cannabis industry. Thus, most legitimate cannabis-related companies have established relationships with state banks and financial institutions. Also, since these legitimate cannabis firms do not have access to traditional bank financing, they primarily rely on private capital to address their financing needs.
The SAFE Banking Act passed the House of Representatives in September 2019 but did not pass the Senate. In September 2021, the House of Representatives included the SAFE Banking Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2022, but the SAFE Banking Act was removed from the Defense Spending Bill by a Senate conference committee in December of 2021. The House of Representatives also passed the SAFE Banking Act most recently on February 4, 2022, as an amendment to the America COMPETES Act, but failed to pass in the Senate. The SAFE Banking Act is designed to prohibit federal banking regulators from punishing financial institutions from providing services to legitimate cannabis companies, their owners, and employees. In particular, a federal banking regulator cannot terminate or limit deposit insurance, prohibit or penalize a financial institution from providing services to legitimate cannabis-related business or take any adverse or corrective action on a loan made to a legitimate cannabis-related business.
Since we do not conduct any cannabis-related business in the United States aside from our Balanced Health cannabinoid products, the SAFE Banking Act would not alter the current financial services for Village Farms. However, the ability to access public capital for all legitimate cannabis-related companies could provide the industry with additional financing avenues not available today as well as reducing the overall cost of capital.
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Texas Cannabis Industry and Regulatory Overview
The Texas Legislature meets every two years beginning on the second Tuesday in January and commencing for 140 calendar days. The 2023 session began on January 10, 2023 and will end on May 29, 2023. Texas advocates, lobbyists and some legislators are attempting to build upon the current momentum behind marijuana policy reform in the U.S. and are filing and seeking to pass bills for the 2023 session. The bills reflect similar policy reform presented at the national level, including criminal justice reform and decriminalization of marijuana possession, expanding compassionate use programs and repealing marijuana prohibition entirely by legalizing responsible adult use.
The 2021 legislative session was largely focused on addressing the catastrophic freeze and failures of the Texas energy supply, a modest expansion to the medical cannabis program, the Texas Compassionate Use Program (“TCUP”), did pass. TCUP provides low-THC cannabis to registered patients who have a prescription from their physician. This legislation added post-traumatic stress disorder, any form of cancer, and any condition that is part of a medical cannabis research program to the list of conditions which qualify patients for TCUP. The legislation also raised the overall THC by weight cap from 0.5% to 1.0%. Since the law went into effect on September 1, 2021 through the period ending January 31, 2023, the patient count has risen by more than 450% from approximately 8,200 to just over 45,400 patients and the participating physician count has risen by 67% to just over 680.
On January 17, 2023, Texas announced it will open TCUP for more applications with the expectation that it will issue new medicinal licenses in 2023. The Company or one of its subsidiaries will apply for one of the TCUP licenses prior to the filing date of April 28, 2023.
Our Fresh Produce Segment
We commenced produce operations in 1989 and maintains produce operations under both our U.S. subsidiary, Village Farms L.P., and our Canadian subsidiary, Village Farms Canada Limited Partnership. We own and operate four greenhouse facilities in west Texas totaling 130 acres and one produce greenhouse in Delta, B.C. totaling 60 acres. All of our facilities grew tomatoes in 2022. We also represent third party growers (based in Canada and Mexico) on a sales commission basis, which represents approximately 55% of our 2022 gross produce revenues.
Approximately 82% of our total 2022 produce sales were tomatoes, 11% were peppers, 5% were cucumbers and 2% were mini-cukes, as compared to total 2021 produce sales which was comprised of 84% tomatoes, 10% peppers, 4% cucumbers and 2% mini-cukes. We sell produce predominantly to retailers in the United States and Canada.
In 2022, 2021 and 2020, approximately 82%, 84% and 84% of our produce sales were in the United States, respectively, with the top two customers comprising 21% of produce sales in 2022, 22% of produce sales in 2021 and 27% in 2020. Retail direct sales were approximately 70%, 69% and 76% of total produce sales for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, with the balance to wholesale customers who service small retailers or other markets such as food service.
There is seasonality in produce revenues. Production is lower in the winter months, compared to the summer months, due to lower light levels in the winter months and our Delta, B.C. greenhouse due to its northern latitude does not produce tomatoes in the winter months. Historically, we have higher sales in our second and third quarters and lower sales, due to lower volumes, in the first and fourth quarters.
The produce business is very competitive, and our primary competition consists of large commercial producers. There is an abundance of growers as discussed in the Greenhouse Vegetable Industry Overview, which has resulted in an oversupplied market where retail customers have the upper hand in price negotiations. In addition, due to the perishable nature of produce, pricing is very sensitive to the daily demand versus supply in each produce category, including our primary category, tomatoes. We try to combat the commoditization of the tomato category by offering unique tomatoes such as the Heavenly Villagio Marzano® and Sinfully Sweet Campari® as a means of distinguishing Village Farms to our retail customers but the large tomato varieties such as tomatoes on the vine (“TOVs”) and beefsteak are still a predominant part of our produce business and industry sales. Our produce business has limited trademark or brand loyalty.
Greenhouse Vegetable Industry Overview
(A) The North American Industry
The greenhouse vegetable industry in North America has experienced expanded development over the past 20 years, particularly in the western regions of the United States, southwest British Columbia and southern Ontario in Canada, and concentrated areas in Mexico. Mexico is the largest producer of greenhouse tomatoes followed by Canada and the United States.
(B) Greenhouse Industry — United States
The majority of greenhouse vegetable producers in the United States are located in the southwestern and western states, where the growing conditions are more ideal for winter growing operations and the possibility of year-round production. New
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greenhouse facilities have recently been completed and planned in the northern U.S. to be closer to major population centers. These facilities have lights to allow for production in the winter months. Producing in the winter months is advantageous as produce prices are generally higher, although with increasing Mexican production (which produce in the winter months), seasonal pricing fluctuations are gradually decreasing. The majority of greenhouse tomatoes produced in the United States are used for domestic consumption, and producers in the United States benefit from high yields, consistent product quality, year-round supply, and closer proximity to their customers. In order to meet domestic demand, the United States imports a significant portion of its supply of greenhouse tomatoes from Canada and Mexico.
In addition, many U.S. growers of labor-intensive crops rely on immigrant workers from countries such as Mexico. The demand for farm labor in the U.S. continues to grow while the labor supply remains constant or slightly decreasing, leading to rising wages and benefits. U.S. employers may utilize H-2A workers to assist in fulfilling their labor needs. Section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the lawful admission into the United States of temporary, nonimmigrant workers (H-2A workers) to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature for up to ten months over a twelve month period. The H-2A worker adds additional costs to the greenhouse grower as the H-2A program set a Texas state-level minimum prevailing wage of $13.88 in 2022. Additionally, growers must pay for worker expenses, such as transportation costs and housing.
(C) Greenhouse Industry — Canada
Among the North American greenhouse vegetable producers, Canada is the largest supplier from April to October. Several factors, including climatic advantages (cooler summer temperatures) and the proximity of greenhouse producers to consumer markets, contribute to Canada’s favorable positioning relative to the United States during that time period. The primary markets for greenhouse produce grown in British Columbia include the west and northwest regions of the United States, as well as western Canada, while the primary markets for Ontario produce include the east and central regions of the United States, as well as eastern Canada.
The strengths of the Canadian greenhouse vegetable industry include its high yields and consistent product quality. The main weakness of the Canadian greenhouse industry relates to its lack of production during the historically higher priced winter months. However, because of the high volume of tomatoes produced in Canada during the April to October growing season, profits generated during this time period generally are sufficient to sustain producers through the full year.
(D) Greenhouse Industry — Mexico
Although Mexico was the last country to enter the greenhouse tomato industry in North America, it has more greenhouse tomato acreage than the United States and Canada combined. It should be noted there is no formal definition of a “greenhouse” and a significant portion of the greenhouse acreage in Mexico is very low-tech, shade field structures. The product from the shade facilities is in some instances marketed as greenhouse-grown, which until the recent update on the Suspension Agreement between the United States and Mexico, was not in violation of any regulations, but for the State of California, which has a strict definition of greenhouse-grown for produce sold within the state. Average yields and product quality in Mexico are comparatively low, as compared to U.S. and Canadian greenhouse operations. Currently, Mexican producers tend to grow a majority of their production during the fall, winter, and spring seasons as they have sufficient light levels to grow and cooler temperatures during these months, although the trend towards more sophisticated greenhouses is permitting a longer growing season as well as increased yields.
Over the last several years, the greenhouse industry in Mexico has continued to make significant advances with respect to its growing expertise and ability to extend its growing season, which continues to put pressure on produce pricing. Mexican growers are continuing to invest in greenhouses and other technology to improve production and yields. As the greenhouse industry is a labor-intensive business, the labor costs are a significant portion of overhead. Mexico has a considerable wage advantage versus the U.S. due primarily to the lower cost of living in Mexico. The U.S. Federal minimum wage has remained constant since 2019 at US$7.25 per hour; the Texas prevailing hourly wage for H2-A workers was $13.88 in 2022. Mexico’s minimum wage for 2022 was $172.87 Mexican pesos a day or approximately US$9.12 per day and increased to $207.44 Mexican pesos a day or approximately US$10.95 per day on January 1, 2023.
Pricing
Prices for vegetables fluctuate depending upon availability of supply and consumer demand. Greenhouse vegetable producers typically command a higher price for their products compared to field producers, as a result of the vegetables’ consistent quality, taste, appearance, and year-round availability. This higher price, combined with higher production yields for greenhouse produce, typically offset the higher costs associated with greenhouse production relative to field production. Production costs for greenhouse-grown produce are generally higher due to greater energy, labor, infrastructure, technological requirements, and more intense crop yields per acre. As the fresh produce market share of big box retailers increases, pricing is moving towards more contract pricing for six, nine or even twelve-month periods reducing some of the fluctuations with traditional seasonal pricing. However, contract pricing does not provide volume guarantees.
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Intellectual Property
We have registered many trademarks and service marks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The following is a list of the key trademarks and service marks Village Farms has registered for our produce: Village Farms Logo®, BC Grown Logo®, Texas Grown Logo®, A Revolution in Flavor®, Baby Beefs®, Blissfully Bright®, Cabernet Estate Reserve®, Cheeky Sweets®, Cherry No.9®, Cherry No.9 Fall in Love Again®, Delectable TOV®, Exquisite Heirloom®, Fall in Love Again®, From Our House To Your Home®, Garden Fresh Flavor®, Good for the Earth®, Heavenly Villagio Marzano®, Home Choice®, Hydroperfect®, Hydroperfect Campari®, It Takes a Village®, Juicy Beefsteak®, Lip Smackin’ Grapes®, Lorabella Blossom®, Maverick Mix®, Mini Sensations®, No.9®, Savory Roma®, Scrumptious Mini®, Sensational Sara®, Sinfully Sweet®, Sinfully Sweet Campari®, Sweet Bells®, Ture Rebel Mix®, Village Farms® , Village Fields®, Villagio Chef’s Pack® , Villagio Magic Mix® , Villagio Marzano® and Where Freshness is Always in Season®.
We also have the following trademarks registered for Pure Sunfarms in Canada: Pure SunfarmsTM, Pure Sunfarms BC GrownTM, Everyday PremiumTM, Farm to FlowerTM, Hit The GasTM, No Sun No FlowerTM, Plants and People FirstTM, Pure ProvisionsTM, Rise with the SunTM, SoarTM, Soar CannabisTM , The BakeryTM, Purple Sun GodTM, The Original Fraser Valley Weed Co.TM and NowadaysTM.
We have the following trademarks registered and service marks in the United States, Canada, Europe and Costa Rica for Balanced Health: Balanced Health Botanicals®, BOTA®, BOTA Hemp®, CBDefine®, CBDistilleryTM, CBDistileryRX®, CBDOL®, Gimmick-free CBD®, Pick A Phyte®, Terpsolate®.
We also have the following trademarks registered for Rose LifeScience in Canada: RoseTM, Rose LifeScienceTM, Rose LifeScienceVieTM, DLYSTM, ElektTM,PromenadeTM, Pure LaineTM, Tam TamsTM.
Employees
We have approximately 1,800 employees and contract workers throughout all of our brands: Village Farms Fresh, Pure Sunfarms, Rose LifeScience, Balanced Health Botanicals and VF Clean Energy. The majority of our employees and contract workers are employed in our produce and cannabis greenhouse operations. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that we enjoy a good working relationship with our employees.
Human Capital
We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Our management team is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment. We are proud to bring together individuals from a wide breadth of industries, backgrounds, and experiences, and promotes a culture of belonging. Additionally, we respect the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation if those religious beliefs or practices conflict with an employee’s job unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.
Paid vacation time is available for all employees in accordance with our Paid Time Off (“PTO”) Policy. In addition to good working conditions and competitive pay, it is our policy to provide a combination of supplemental benefits to all eligible employees. In keeping with this goal, each benefit program has been carefully devised. We provide all full-time employees with life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (“AD&D”) insurance. Eligible full-time U.S. employees may participate in the Company’s 401(k) savings plan beginning ninety days after the date of hire. Currently, we match a portion of eligible employee contributions.
In Texas, we opted out of the state-run workers’ compensation insurance program. We are self-insured and utilize private insurance to provide benefits to employees in the event of a work-related injury or occupational disease in lieu of workers’ compensation insurance. All employees outside of Texas are covered under our Workers’ Compensation policy, which also covers accidental injuries or illness which occur during working hours or conditions caused by work activities. Both our private insurance and workers’ compensation are paid by us. The private insurer provides for the payment of medical expenses and weekly compensation payments during the period of an employee's work-related injury or illness and we reimburse the private insurer in whole. In addition, we maintain stop gap coverage with their private insurance carrier to prevent the liability of a significant claim. We have a long-standing philosophy of taking pride in our practices to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of our employees. To ensure a safe and healthful workplace environment, we have established a program that serves to outline our commitment to this philosophy and we provide guidance to all employees on the standards for compliance.
In Canada, Village Farms, Pure Sunfarms and Rose Life Sciences offer competitive extended health care and dental benefits which include an additional health spending account, a sponsored group retirement savings plan and wellness days.
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In response to COVID-19, we implemented, and continue to improve, appropriate safety programs and protocols to help ensure the safety and well-being of our employees. We took proactive actions early on to protect the health of our employees and their families, including curtailing business travel and encouraging video conferencing when possible. While we believe we have responded appropriately to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the situation evolves, we will continue to analyze additional mitigation measures that may be needed to preserve the health and safety of our workforce, our customers and the ongoing continuity of our business operations. Those measures might include modifying workspaces, continuing social distancing policies, implementing new personal protective equipment or health screening policies at our facilities, or such other industry best practices needed to continue to maintain a healthy and safe environment for our employees amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social Responsibility
We have stood by our core "Good for the Earth" principles since our inception over 30 years ago. Since our inception, we are guided by a Sustainable Agriculture Policy, which integrates three main goals, environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equality. Greenhouse growing is the most environmentally sustainable method of farming due to its ability to preserve natural resources, such as reduced water usage while growing more on less land. In Controlled Environment Agriculture, soil erosion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions are largely neutralized. In addition, our investments in the latest technological advancements, and our ability to produce higher yields per square meter, mean there is more GMO-free products grown with little impact to the environment.
Our greenhouses rely on, and have successfully employed, non-chemical methods for pest control known as Integrated Pest Management, whereas beneficial insects largely alleviate the need for pesticides. Our greenhouses utilize biodegradable coconut fiber or rockwool, not soil, to support the plants in a hydroponic solution, so there is no soil erosion or loss of precious nutrients. Pure Sunfarms’ greenhouses installed blackout curtains to reduce energy consumption, mitigate light pollution and protect ecosystems to minimize the impact to the greater Vancouver area. At all greenhouse facilities, we sterilize and recirculate water numerous times. In Texas, discharged water is used to irrigate an adjacent track of land where a local rancher is then able to graze cattle year-round. In Delta, B.C., Pure Sunfarms collects rainwater throughout the year to minimize the use of external water sources at one of its greenhouses. All the Company's Delta, B.C. greenhouses utilize renewable hydroelectricity as their main power source.
Rose LifeScience’s indoor controlled growing facility in Quebec was granted environmental rebates from the local government for its energy efficient design. The facility is digitally responsive as the growing rooms are equipped with technology that interprets and responds to the needs of the growers and the plants. The energy-conscious building design helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the facility is outfitted with special filtration to reduce odors and minimize any impact to the local community.
Balanced Health is focused on product quality and conducts internal and third-party quality testing across the supply chain and at all stages of the cannabinoid creation process to confirm the purity and concentration of its products. All hemp utilized by BHB is required to be non-GMO, pesticide free and is tested for compliance. Balanced Health is one of thirteen companies awarded U.S. Hemp Authority Certification for its commitment to quality and safety of its products and has also achieved Generally Recognized as Safe designation, an evaluation that its products are recognized as safe for consumption for full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate CBD.
We have memberships in core industry associations such as the United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association, where leaders explore strategies and provide solutions to expand fresh produce consumption and strive to feed a growing world population. Pure Sunfarms is the founder of Cannabis Cultivators of B.C. dedicated to advocating for the growth of a responsible cannabis industry and advancing a favorable social, economic and business environment for cannabis cultivation in B.C. We continue to contribute and distribute fresh produce to help feed those in need, as well as champion volunteer efforts in national food banks, such as Feeding America and Conscious Alliance. Donation efforts to food banks and food pantries are also localized in all the regions where company offices and facilities are located. On a community level, local involvement in organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Wounded Warrior Fund, NAACP education fund, Rotary clubs, hospitals, and community art outreach activities, are just some of the diverse charitable contributions we support.
Corporate Information
Village Farms is a publicly traded company in the United States on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), under the symbol “VFF”. VFF is a corporation existing under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). Our headquarters are located at 4700-80th Street Delta, British Columbia, Canada V4K 3N3 (telephone: 604-940-6012).
VFF’s principal operating subsidiaries as of December 31, 2022 are Village Farms Canada Limited Partnership (“VFCLP”), Village Farms, L.P. (“VFLP”), VF Clean Energy, Inc., Pure Sunfarms Corp., Balanced Health Botanicals, LLC and Rose LifeScience Inc. VFF also owns an 85% ownership in Leli, and a minority interest in Altum International Pty Ltd.
We file annual, quarterly, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC maintains an internet site that contains our public filings with the SEC and other information regarding Village Farms, at www.sec.gov. We make available free of charge at our website, www.villagefarms.com, all of our reports
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filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the reference to our website in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is an inactive textual reference only.
We are also a reporting issuer under the securities laws of each of the provinces and territories of Canada and accordingly our public filings with Canadian securities regulators are available under our issuer profile at www.sedar.com.
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
Any of the risks and uncertainties described below could significantly and negatively affect our business, prospects, financial condition, operating results, or credit ratings, which could cause the trading price of our Common Shares to decline. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or risks that we currently consider immaterial, could also impair our business operations or financial condition.
We are providing the following summary of risk factors contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K to enhance the readability and accessibility of our risk factor disclosures. We encourage you to review the full risk factors in their entirety for additional information regarding the material risks that could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, operating results, or credit ratings, which could cause the trading price of our Common Shares to decline. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Business and Operational Risk Factors
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We may be unable to regain profitability.
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We will need additional financing to maintain and further develop our business.
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We are dependent on the success of Pure Sunfarms, which has a limited operating history in the cannabis industry.
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We are subject to restrictive covenants under our Credit Facilities (as defined in Liquidity and Capital Resources below).
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Rising interest rates will increase our debt service costs and negatively impact our cash flows, as well as add additional burden on our ability to meet our bank covenants.
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We expect to incur ongoing costs and obligations related to infrastructure, growth, regulatory compliance, and operations for Pure Sunfarms.
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There can be no assurance that our current acquisitions, investments or expansions of scope of existing relationships will have a beneficial impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Our potential international expansion may heighten our operational risks.
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There can be no assurance that future mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, alliances, joint ventures, investments or other strategic transactions will be consummated or have a positive impact on our business, prospects, financial condition, or results of operations.
Industry Risk Factors
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We face risks inherent in an agricultural business.
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The legal cannabis and hemp-derived CBD industries are relatively new, and we cannot predict whether they will continue to grow as anticipated.
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Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain customers.
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Pure Sunfarms and Rose LifeScience may be affected by cannabis supply and demand fluctuations.
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We may be negatively affected by unfavorable publicity, adverse scientific findings and/or negative consumer perception of cannabis.
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We face significant competition in the cannabis industry.
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Increasing legalization of cannabis and rapid growth and consolidation in the cannabis and CBD industries may further intensify competition.
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Third parties with whom we contract may be concerned about their reputational risks in respect of cannabis.
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Pure Sunfarms and Rose LifeScience are subject to cannabis-related security breaches, which could result in significant losses.
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We face risks associated with cross-border trade.
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Retail consolidation in the markets in which we participate may negatively affect our operations and profitability.
Legal and Regulatory Risks Factors
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Our cannabis operations in Canada require licenses to grow, store and sell cannabis.
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Our cannabis operations in Canada are subject to laws, regulations and guidelines related to the cannabis industry including marketing restrictions under the Cannabis Act.
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Our cannabis operations in Canada are subject to Canadian supplier standards.
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The ability of our Canadian cannabis companies to sell cannabis may be restricted by the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
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Government regulation of the Internet and e-commerce is evolving, and unfavorable changes or failure by us to comply with these regulations could substantially harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Restricted access to banking, including anti-money laundering laws and regulations may adversely impact our business.
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Changes in the laws, regulations and guidelines governing cannabis, hemp or cannabis/hemp derived products may adversely impact our business in the jurisdictions where we operate.
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We may be subject to product liability claims.
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Our greenhouse produce business is subject to certain regulations at both the federal and provincial/state level.
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We are subject to environmental, health and safety, and other governmental regulations and we may incur material expenses in order to comply with these regulations.
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Our Balanced Health business is subject to FDA and USDA regulation.
Labor and Employment Risks Factors
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Our operations are dependent on labor availability which includes accessing government sponsored foreign labor programs in both the United States and Canada.
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We may be negatively affected by the use of third-party transportation services for our products.
Tax Risk Factors
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If we are classified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain generally adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to U.S. investors.
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VF Canada GP and VF Canada LP may be deemed to maintain a U.S. permanent establishment for tax purposes.
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Changes in tax treatment of companies engaged in e-commerce may adversely affect the commercial use of our website and our financial results.
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The IRS may assert that the Advances by VF Opco to U.S. Holdings was equity in the U.S. borrower for income tax purposes.
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The IRS and Canada Revenue Agency may challenge our transfer pricing.
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U.S. Holdings may be considered a U.S. real property holding corporation, which may result in income and withholding taxes with respect to a distribution by U.S. Holdings to VF Opco.
Common Shares Risk Factors
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The market price of our Common Shares has been and is likely to continue to be volatile and an investment in our Common Shares could suffer a decline in value.
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Future issuances or sales of our Common Shares by us or by our shareholders could cause our share price to fall.
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There is no assurance that we will continue to meet the listing standards of the Nasdaq.
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The exercise of all or any number of outstanding stock options, the award of any additional options, restricted stock units or other stock-based awards or any issuance of shares to raise funds or acquire a business may dilute your Common Shares.
General Risk Factors
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Inflation may continue to rise and increase our operating costs.
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It may be difficult for non-Canadian investors to obtain and enforce judgments against us because of our Canadian incorporation and presence.
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL RISK FACTORS
We may be unable to regain profitability.
Our ability to generate net earnings and return to profitability is based, in part, on our ability to manage our cannabis profit margins and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as well as maintaining tomato production at a low-cost structure to increase our produce margins. These margins are dependent upon our ability to sell our products profitably and to be the supplier of choice to our customers. The failure to execute on our low-cost structure in our produce business at favorable margins or an increase in cost of goods or operating costs will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, and cash available.
One of our principal objectives is to pursue operational efficiencies. Profitability depends in significant measure on our ability to, among other things, successfully manage, identify, and implement operational efficiencies. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in managing our cost control and productivity improvement measures. In addition, a failure to achieve a low-cost structure through economies of scale or continue to improve our cultivation and manufacturing processes could have a material adverse effect on our commercialization plans and our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
We may need additional financing to further develop our business.
The continued operations and development of our business may require additional financing, which may be in the form of future equity securities offerings or any form of debt financing. For example, on January 26, 2023, we completed a registered direct offering for the purchase and sale of an aggregate 18,350,000 Common Shares at a public offering price of US$1.35 per Common Share for gross proceeds of approximately US$25 million coupled with 18,350,000 warrants with an exercise price of US$1.65 (the “2023 Equity Offering”). Additionally, in 2022, we implemented an at-the-market (“ATM”) program through which we have sold 3,175,000 shares for proceeds of US$6.9 million as of March 8, 2023. We will require additional equity financing which may have a dilutive effect and may not be achievable due to market conditions or other reasons. The failure to raise such capital could result in the delay or indefinite postponement of our current business objectives or may require us to cease to carry on business. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available if needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favorable to us.
We are dependent on the availability of financing under our Credit Facilities. Under the terms of our Credit Facilities, we are subject to a number of covenants, including debt service covenants. These covenants could reduce our flexibility in conducting our operations by limiting our ability to borrow money and expand into new business lines. For more information, see “We are subject to restrictive covenants under our Credit Facilities” below.
We have also provided full recourse guarantees and have granted security interests in respect of the FCC Term Loan with Farm Credit Canada (“FCC”), which matures in April 2025. We are also subject to fluctuations in our working capital on a month-to-month basis, and as a result, we have access to financing under our produce operating loan (“Operating Loan”), which matures in May 2024. Consistent with our past practice, we may draw down on revolving credit facilities available under our Operating Loan. An inability to draw down upon our Operating Loan, or to amend or replace the Operating Loan on favorable terms (or at all), could have an adverse effect on our businesses and our financial condition.
Pure Sunfarms has term loans and a revolver loan with a bank syndicate that mature in February 2024 (the “Pure Sunfarms Term Loans”). The bank syndicate loans have quarterly financial covenants; an inability to adhere to these financial covenants could accelerate one or more of the bank syndicate loans which could have a material adverse effect on our cannabis business and our financial condition.
There is no assurance that sufficient financing will be available when needed to allow us to continue as a going concern. The perception that we may not be able to continue as a going concern may also make it more difficult to operate our business due to concerns about our ability to meet our contractual obligations.
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We are dependent on the success of our Canadian Cannabis business which has a limited operating history in the cannabis industry.
Our Canadian Cannabis business has a limited operating history. Our Canadian Cannabis business is therefore subject to many of the risks common to early-stage enterprises, including limitations with respect to personnel, financial, and other resources. In addition, we have incurred and anticipate that we will continue to incur substantial expenses relating to the development and ongoing operations of our Canadian Cannabis business. The payment and amount of any future dividend and shareholder loan repayments to the Company from Canadian Cannabis business will depend upon, among other things, its available cash flows, after taking into account its operating and capital requirements. There is no assurance that we will be successful in achieving a return on our Canadian Cannabis business and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the early stage of its operations and heavy tax burden on all Canadian cannabis companies.
Our Canadian Cannabis business may incur losses in the future for a number of reasons, including as a result of unforeseen expenses, regulatory impediments, unforeseen difficulties, complications and delays, the other risks described in these “Risk Factors” and other unknown events. The amount of any future net losses will depend, in part, on the growth of our future expenses and our ability to generate revenue. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with producing and selling cannabis and cannabis-derived products, we are unable to accurately forecast operating results to predict when, or if, we will be able to sustain our profitability. If our Canadian Cannabis business is unable to sustain profitability, the market price of our Common Shares may significantly decrease and our ability to raise capital, expand our business or continue our operations may be impaired.
The ability of our Canadian Cannabis business to grow will depend on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the number of licensed retail cannabis stores, a reduction in excise tax burden, the availability of sufficient debtor capital on suitable terms, changes in laws and regulations respecting the production and sale of cannabis products, competition from other entities licensed under the Cannabis Act, its ability to recruit and retain sufficient experienced personnel and its ability to expand into international operations and sales. In addition, our Canadian Cannabis business is subject to a variety of business risks generally associated with developing companies. Future development and expansion could place significant strain on our management personnel and likely will require us to recruit additional management personnel, and there is no assurance that we will be able to do so. As the operations of our Canadian Cannabis business grow in size, scope, and complexity and as it identifies and pursues new opportunities, our Canadian Cannabis business may need to increase in scale its infrastructure (financial, management, informational, personnel and otherwise).
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain customers.
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain customers. There are many factors which could impact our ability to attract and retain customers, including but not limited to the ability to continually grow and distribute desirable produce and cannabis.
For our Canadian and U.S. Cannabis businesses, the successful implementation of a customer acquisition plan and the continued growth in the aggregate number of potential customers are critical to the ability to attract and retain customers. Even if the products of our Canadian and U.S. Cannabis businesses achieve initial retail success, our long-term success is significantly dependent upon the ability to develop new and improved product lines. In addition, we can provide no assurance that campaigns to promote the products of our Canadian and U.S. Cannabis businesses will be successful in attracting customers, and any such campaigns are heavily regulated and can entail significant expense. Our failure to acquire and retain customers and the imposition of further restrictions on sales and marketing or further restrictions on sales in certain areas and markets, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We are subject to restrictive covenants under our Credit Facilities (as defined in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below).
Under the terms of our Credit Facilities, we are subject to a number of covenants, including debt service covenants. These covenants could reduce our flexibility in conducting our operations by limiting our ability to borrow money and expand into new business lines. On December 31, 2022, we were not in compliance with one financial covenant under our Term Loan and accordingly we obtained a waiver from FCC for the annual test on December 31, 2022 for the one financial covenant. FCC measures our financial covenants once a year on the last calendar day of the year. We were also not in compliance with some of the financial covenants of our FCC Term Loan on December 31, 2021 (the annual testing date) but likewise had obtained a waiver from FCC for our annual 2021 financial covenants. There can be no assurance that we will be in compliance with the future financial covenants and that we would be able to obtain a future waiver from our creditors for any non-compliance in connection with the next testing date.
Generally, non-compliance with our covenants may increase a risk of default on our debt (including by a cross-default to other credit agreements. If we are unable to comply with our debt covenants in the future, we may seek a waiver and/or an amendment(s) from the applicable lenders in respect of any such covenant in order to avoid any breach or default that might otherwise result therefrom. If we default under any of the Credit Facilities and the default is not waived by the applicable lenders, the debt extended pursuant to all of our debt instruments could become due and payable prior to their stated due dates. In addition, a default on all or some portion of the Credit Facilities may result in foreclosure on our collateral, which includes promissory notes, a first mortgage on the owned controlled environment agriculture (high tech greenhouse) properties, and general security agreements over
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our assets. We cannot give any assurance that (i) our lenders will agree to any covenant amendments or continue to waive any covenant breaches or defaults that may occur under the applicable debt instruments, or (ii) we could pay this debt if any of it became due prior to its stated due date. Accordingly, any default by us under our existing debt that is not waived by the applicable lenders could materially adversely impact our results of operations and financial results and may have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our Common Shares.
We expect that the cost of our debt will increase as a result of higher interest rates.
We expect that higher interest rates will increase our cost of debt compared to prior years. Currently, we forecast that the incremental interest burden will be more than interest expense in 2022. This will negatively impact our operational cash flows and increase our debt service costs, which will result in needing a higher EBITDA to cover our existing bank covenants. We have no visibility into the timing or extent of interest rate decreases in the future and accordingly, we may continue to experience increased cost of debt in future periods.
We expect to incur ongoing costs and obligations related to infrastructure, growth, regulatory compliance, and operations for our Canadian Cannabis business.
Our Canadian Cannabis business expects to incur significant ongoing costs and obligations related to its investment in infrastructure and growth and for regulatory compliance, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. In addition, future changes in regulations, more vigorous enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events could require extensive changes to our operations, increased compliance costs or give rise to material liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our efforts to grow our business may be costlier than expected, and we may not be able to increase our revenue enough to offset our higher operating expenses. We may incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including the other risks described in these “Risk Factors”, and unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications and delays, and other unknown events.
Our operations require certain key inputs, including raw materials and energy, and we are subject to their costs and potential supply disruptions.
Our business is dependent on a number of key inputs and their related costs including raw materials, packaging materials and supplies related to our growing operations, as well as electricity, water, and other local utilities. Any significant interruption or negative change in the availability or economics of the supply chain for key inputs could materially impact our business, financial condition, and operating results. Any inability to secure required supplies and services or to do so on appropriate terms could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and operating results. Our controlled environment agriculture operations consume considerable energy for heat and carbon dioxide production and are vulnerable to rising energy costs. Energy costs have shown volatility, which has and may continue to adversely impact our cost structure. Should the cost of energy rise, and should we face difficulties in sustaining price increases to offset the impact of increasing fuel costs, gross profit margins could be adversely impacted.
In addition, our Canadian cannabis cultivation operations consume considerable energy, making it vulnerable to rising energy costs and power outages. Rising or volatile energy costs may adversely impact our business, and our Canadian cannabis operations could be significantly affected by a prolonged power outage.
We may be unable to manage our growth successfully.
We may not be able to successfully manage our growth. Our growth strategy will place significant demands on our financial, operational and management resources. In order to continue our growth, we will need to add administrative, management and other personnel, and make additional investments in operations and systems. We may not be able to locate and train qualified personnel, or do so on a timely basis, or expand our operations and systems to the extent, and in the time, required.
In particular, we may not have the capacity to meet customer demand or to meet future demand when it arises in respect of our Canadian and U.S. Cannabis businesses. In addition, delays in obtaining, or conditions imposed by, regulatory approvals and quality control and health concerns in respect of these businesses could have a negative effect on our growth strategy. If we cannot manage growth in these markets effectively, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, we will need to effectively execute on business opportunities and continue to build on and deploy corporate development and marketing assets as well as access sufficient new capital, as may be required. The ability to successfully complete acquisitions and to capitalize on other growth opportunities may redirect our limited resources. This may require us to commit substantial financial, operational, and technical resources in advance of an increase in the volume of business, with no assurance that the volume of business will increase. There can be no assurance we will be able to respond adequately or quickly enough to the changing demands that material expansion of our business will impose on management, team members and existing operations and systems, and changes to our operating structure may result in increased costs or inefficiencies that we cannot anticipate. Changes as we grow may have a negative impact on our operations, and cost increases resulting from our inability to effectively manage our
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growth could adversely impact our profitability. In addition, continued growth could also strain our ability to maintain reliable service levels for our clients, develop and approve our operational, financial and management controls, enhance our reporting systems and procedures and recruit, train and retain highly skilled personnel.
Failure to effectively manage our growth could result in difficulty or delays in servicing clients, declines in quality or client satisfaction, increases in costs, difficulties in introducing new products or applications or other operational difficulties, and any of these difficulties could adversely impact our business performance and results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will effectively be able to manage our expanding operations, including any acquisitions, that our growth will result in profit, that we will be able to attract and retain sufficient management personnel necessary for growth or that we will be able to successfully make strategic investments or acquisitions.
In addition, acquisitions of additional businesses that we may pursue in the future may be financed wholly or partially with debt, which may temporarily increase our debt levels above industry standards. Any debt financing secured in the future could involve additional restrictive covenants relating to capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including other future potential acquisitions.
Our operations are subject to natural catastrophes.
Our operations may be adversely affected by severe weather including wind, snow, hail, and rain, which may result in our operations having reduced harvest yields due to lower light levels, or a more catastrophic event as occurred at our Marfa, Texas facilities on May 31, 2012, when we lost three of our operating greenhouses to a short but powerful hailstorm. Although we anticipate and factor in certain periods of lower than optimal light levels, extended periods of severe or unusual light levels may adversely impact our financial results due to higher costs and missed sales opportunities arising from reduced production yields.
From February 13-17, 2021, a major winter and ice storm with extremely cold temperatures impacted parts of the United States and Canada and in particular Texas. The unprecedented winter storm caused electricity demand in Texas to increase dramatically as Texas facilities were not built for such climate conditions. The storm caused major problems with sources of electricity, due to frozen wind turbines, natural gas production losses, and power generator outages, leading to a short-term situation in which demand vastly exceeded supply within the Texas power grid, which is not connected to the larger U.S. power grid. The loss of fuel supply and power generating capacity forced the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”), the nonprofit grid operator, to declare an Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 and begin rotating power outages. Throughout the 5-day emergency period, the real-time price for electricity elevated to the maximum allowable price of $9,000 per MWh, which is more than 100 times higher than the prices observed in early February 2021 and historical February pricing. In order to mitigate future price instability, in winter months, we have initiated fixed contracts for a significant portion of its anticipated electricity requirements at all our Texas facilities. In addition, we reassessed our back-up systems to ensure that the greenhouses have enough capacity to produce the required electrical output if an outage occurs again in the future. While we maintain fixed contracts for a portion of our anticipated electricity requirements and have improved back-up systems, the impact of a future similar event may adversely impact our business operations and financial condition.
Our business operations, some of which are located on the British Columbia coast, are located in an area that is geologically active and considered to be at risk from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Our earthquake and volcanic eruption deductible are 10% of our loss caused by the earthquake or volcanic eruption, subject to a maximum deductible of C$5,000,000. In addition, climate change over time is predicted to lead to changes in the frequency of storm events as well as their severity. We are unable to predict the impact of climate change on our business. Our Texas facilities, due to our claim in respect of the May 31, 2012 hailstorm, are also subject to high deductibles as well as a total claim limit that if all four facilities were simultaneously impacted by the same storm or catastrophic event may result is less than adequate coverage. While we maintain insurance coverage, we cannot predict that all potential insurable risks have been foreseen or that adequate coverage is maintained against known risks.
We may suffer from uninsured and underinsured losses.
We maintain insurance coverage in respect of our potential liabilities and the accidental loss of value of our assets from risks, in those amounts, with those insurers, and on those terms as we consider appropriate to purchase and which is readily available, taking into account all relevant factors including the practices of owners of similar assets and operations, as well as costs. However, not all risks are covered by insurance or the insurance may have high deductibles, and no assurance can be given that insurance will be consistently available or will be consistently available on an economically feasible basis, or that the amounts of insurance will at all times be sufficient to cover each and every loss or claim that may occur involving the assets or our operations and loss payments may not be as timely and responsive as our working capital needs require.
In particular, because our Canadian Cannabis business is engaged in and operate within the cannabis industry, there are exclusions and additional difficulties and complexities associated with obtaining insurance coverage that could cause us to suffer uninsured losses, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and profitability. Further, our insurance coverage is subject to coverage limits and exclusions and may not be available for the risks inherit in the business. If we were to incur substantial liability and such damages were not covered by insurance or were in excess of policy limits, we may be exposed to material uninsured liabilities that could impede liquidity, profitability, or solvency.
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In addition, damage caused by an accidental or natural disaster to any or all of our key production facilities may result in significant replacement costs and loss of business that may not be fully recoverable or is subject to a high deductible (such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption in British Columbia) under any insurance policy. Furthermore, we do not carry crop loss insurance, and accordingly, we would have to bear the cost of any significant losses related to crop losses in the future.
There can be no assurance that our previous, current or potential future acquisitions, investments or expansions of scope of existing relationships will have a beneficial impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have made, and may in the future make, acquisitions in and investments with third parties that we believe will complement or augment our existing business. Our ability to complete acquisitions is dependent upon, and may be limited by, the availability of suitable candidates and capital. In addition, acquisitions could present unforeseen integration obstacles or costs, may not enhance our business, and/or may involve risks that could adversely affect us, including significant amounts of management time that may be diverted from operations in order to pursue and complete such transactions. Acquisitions, investments or expansion of scope of existing relationships could result in the incurrence of additional debt, costs and contingent liabilities, and there can be no assurance that our acquisitions, investments or expansion of scope of existing relationships will achieve the expected benefits to our business. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that future mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, alliances, joint ventures, investments or other strategic transactions will be consummated or have a positive impact on our business, prospects, financial condition, or results of operations.
Historically, our senior management and board have been engaged in discussions surrounding the strategic direction of the Company in light of, among other things, the rapid growth and substantial changes in the cannabis industry and the other businesses in which we operate. As part of these discussions, our senior management and board from time to time have considered, and may consider in the future, various transactions in the context of our long-term business plan, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, alliances, joint ventures, investments or other strategic transactions. We have also been approached from time to time by parties wishing to discuss potential commercial or acquisition opportunities. In certain cases, we have entered into confidentiality agreements with third parties under which we have provided certain non-public information to those parties.
We can provide no assurance that any such discussions will result in a transaction or that any such transaction ultimately will have a positive impact on our business, prospects, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our business and operating results rely on effective quality control.
The quality and safety of our products are critical to the success of our business and operations. As such, it is imperative that our (and our service providers’) quality control systems operate effectively and successfully. Quality control systems can be negatively impacted by potential design flaws, the quality training program, and adherence by employees to quality control guidelines. Although we strive to ensure that all of our service providers have implemented and adhered to high caliber quality control systems, any significant failure or deterioration of such quality control systems could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
Our products may be subject to recalls.
Manufacturers 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 our products are recalled due to an alleged product defect or for any other reason, we could be required to incur the unexpected expense of the recall and any legal proceedings that might arise in connection with the recall. We may lose a significant number of sales and may not be able to replace those sales at an acceptable margin or at all. In addition, a product recall may require significant management attention. Although we have put in place detailed procedures for testing our products, there can be no assurance that any quality, potency, or contamination problems will be detected in time to avoid unforeseen product recalls, regulatory action, or lawsuits. A recall for any of the foregoing reasons could lead to decreased demand for products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, product recalls may lead to increased scrutiny of our operations by Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and other regulatory agencies, requiring further management attention and potential legal fees and other expenses.
Any product recall affecting the cannabis industry more broadly, whether or not involving us, could also lead consumers to lose confidence in the safety and security of the products sold by entities licensed under the Cannabis Act generally, including the cannabis products sold by our Canadian Cannabis business.
We face risks related to cyber security attacks and other incidents.
Cyber security has become an increasingly problematic issue for issuers and businesses around the world, including us. Cyber security attacks against organizations of all sizes are increasing in sophistication and are often focused on financial fraud, compromising sensitive data for inappropriate use or disrupting business operations. A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse
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event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of our information resources. More specifically, a cyber incident is an intentional attack or an unintentional event that can include gaining unauthorized access to information systems to disrupt operations, corrupt data or steal confidential information. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems. Our primary risk that could directly result from the occurrence of a cyber incident include operational interruption, damage to our reputation, damage to our business relationships, disclosure of confidential information regarding our employees and third parties with whom we interact, and may result in negative consequences, including remediation costs, loss of revenue, additional regulatory scrutiny, and litigation. We are also at risk of theft of propriety data for the purposes of extracting payment for its return (ransomware attack). We maintain cyber security insurance and have implemented processes, procedures, and controls to help mitigate these risks, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of a risk of a cyber incident, do not guarantee that our financial results will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.
Our potential international expansion may increase our operational risks.
Any expansion by us into jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States is subject to additional risks, including political, economic, legal, and other risks and uncertainties associated with operating in or exporting to these jurisdictions. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in the laws, regulations and policies governing the production, sale and use of cannabis, cannabis-derived products, hemp, or CBD, political instability, currency controls, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and rates of inflation, labor unrest, changes in taxation laws, regulations and policies, restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation and changing political conditions and governmental regulations relating to foreign investment and the cannabis, hemp and CBD businesses more generally.
Changes, if any, in the laws, regulations and policies relating to the advertising, production, sale and use of cannabis and cannabis-based products or in the general economic policies in these international jurisdictions, or shifts in political attitude related thereto, may adversely affect the operations or profitability related to international operations in these countries. Specifically, operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to, but not limited to, restrictions on advertising, production, price controls, export controls, controls on currency remittance, increased income taxes, restrictions on foreign investment, land and water use restrictions and government policies rewarding contracts to local competitors or requiring domestic producers or vendors to purchase supplies from a particular jurisdiction. Failure to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices could result in additional taxes, costs, civil or criminal fines or penalties or other expenses being levied, as well as other potential adverse consequences such as the loss of necessary permits or governmental approvals.
Our competitive position may be affected by technological advances.
Rapidly changing markets, technology, emerging industry standards and frequent introduction of new products characterize our business, particularly in the cannabis market. The introduction of new products embodying new technologies, including new manufacturing processes, and the emergence of new industry standards may render our cannabis products obsolete, less competitive, or less marketable. The process of developing our cannabis products is complex and requires significant continuing costs, development efforts and third-party commitments. If we fail to develop new technologies and products and address the obsolescence of existing technologies, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected. In addition, it is possible that more economical or efficient greenhouse production technology than what we currently use will be developed, thereby potentially adversely affecting our competitive position.
We may be unable to anticipate changes in our customer requirements for our cannabis that could make our existing technology obsolete. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to enhance our existing technologies, develop new technology that addresses the increasing sophistication and varied needs of the market, and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a timely and cost-effective basis. Although we are committed to researching and developing new markets and products and improving existing products, there can be no assurances that such research and market development activities will prove profitable or that the resulting markets and/or products, if any, will be commercially viable or successfully produced and marketed. The development of our proprietary technology entails significant technical and business risks, and may require significant continuing costs, development efforts and third-party commitments. We may not be successful in using new technologies or exploiting niche markets effectively or adapting our cannabis business to evolving customer or medical requirements or preferences or emerging industry standards. This may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We face risks related to intellectual property.
The ownership, licensing and protection of trademarks and other intellectual property rights are significant aspects of our future success. It is possible that we will not be able to register, maintain registration for or enforce all of our intellectual property, including trademarks, in all key jurisdictions. The intellectual property registration process can be expensive and time-consuming, and we may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable intellectual property applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner or may obtain intellectual property registrations which are invalid. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of inventions made in the course of their development and commercialization activities before it is too late to obtain patent protection for them. Further, changes in either intellectual property laws or interpretation of intellectual property laws in the U.S,
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Canada and other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property rights or narrow the scope of our intellectual property protection. As a result, our current or future intellectual property portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to protect our business, including our products, processes, and brands.
Termination or limitation of the scope of any intellectual property license may restrict or delay or eliminate our ability to develop and commercialize our products, which could adversely affect our business. We cannot guarantee that any third-party technology we license will not be unenforceable or licensed to our competitors or used by others. In the future, we may need to obtain licenses, renew existing license agreements in place at such time or otherwise replace existing technology. We are unable to predict whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed, or the technology can be replaced on acceptable terms, or at all.
Unauthorized parties may attempt to replicate or otherwise obtain and use our products, brands, and technology. Policing the unauthorized use of our current or future trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights could be difficult, expensive, time consuming and unpredictable, as may be enforcing these rights against unauthorized use by others. Identifying the unauthorized use of intellectual property rights is difficult as we may be unable to effectively monitor and evaluate the products being distributed by our competitors, including parties such as unlicensed dispensaries and black-market participants, and the processes used to produce such products. In addition, in any infringement proceeding, some or all of our trademarks or other intellectual property rights or other proprietary know-how, or those we license from others, or arrangements or agreements seeking to protect the same for our benefit, may be found invalid, unenforceable, anti-competitive or not infringed; may be interpreted narrowly; or could put existing intellectual property applications at risk of not being issued.
In addition, other parties may claim that our products, or those it licenses from others, infringe on their intellectual property, including their proprietary or patent protected rights. Such claims, whether meritorious or not, may result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources and legal fees, result in injunctions or temporary restraining orders, or require the payment of damages. As well, we may need to obtain licenses from third parties who allege that we have infringed on their lawful rights. Such licenses may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, we may not be able to obtain or utilize on terms that are favorable to us, or at all, licenses, or other rights with respect to intellectual property that we do not own.
We also rely on certain trade secrets, technical know-how and proprietary information that are not protected by patents to maintain our competitive position. Our trade secrets, technical know-how and proprietary information, which are not protected by patents, may become known to, or be independently developed by competitors, which could adversely affect us.
INDUSTRY RISK FACTORS
We face risks inherent in an agricultural business.
Our revenues are derived from the growing of agricultural products, including cannabis and produce. As such, we are subject to the risks inherent in an agricultural business, such as weather, insects, plant and seed diseases, shortage of qualified labor and similar agricultural risks, which may include crop losses, for which we are not insured. There can be no assurance that natural elements or labor issues will not have a material adverse effect on any such future production. Although our vegetables and Canadian cannabis products are grown in climate-controlled greenhouses, and we carefully monitor the growing conditions within our greenhouses and retain experienced production personnel, there can be no assurance that natural elements will not have a material adverse effect on the production of these products. Any such agricultural risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and our cash flows.
In particular, cannabis plants can be vulnerable to various pathogens including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other miscellaneous pathogens. Such instances often lead to reduced crop quality, reduced potency, stunted growth and/or death of the plant. Moreover, cannabis is phytoremediative, meaning that it may extract toxins or other undesirable chemicals or compounds from the ground in which it is planted. Various regulatory agencies have established maximum limits for pathogens, toxins, chemicals, and other compounds that may be present in agricultural materials. If the cannabis of Pure Sunfarms or Rose LifeScience is found to have levels of pathogens, toxins, chemicals or other undesirable compounds that exceed established limits, the Canadian cannabis product may not be suitable for commercialization and Pure Sunfarms or Rose LifeScience may have to destroy the applicable portions of our crops. Crops lost due to pathogens, toxins, chemicals, or other undesirable compounds may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Our tomato plants are vulnerable to the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (“ToBRFV”). All of our tomato facilities have been negatively impacted by ToBRFV over the past several years. ToBRFV is an identified virus affecting tomatoes, peppers and possibly other plants. ToBRFV can be transmitted mechanically and spread between plants or on contaminated tools, clothes or hands and may not be able to be eradicated even with a complete facility clean out, including multiple sanitations with disinfectants known to be effective on the ToBRFV. ToBRFV leads reduced crop quantity, ending a crop cycle early or result in the loss of an entire crop in one of our greenhouse facilities. In addition, delivery of tomato crops across the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders encounters additional inspections due to ToBRFV and those crops may be denied entry. Crops lost to ToBRFV may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Produce seed companies are in the process of developing tomato varieties that are resistant to ToBRFV; however, they are in the early stages of the development process and we can provide no assurance as to the
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timing or effectiveness of such varieties. ToBRFV-resistant varieties will also need to be commercially viable with respect to yields and taste. It is expected that it will be several years before the negative impact of ToBRFV on the tomato industry is resolved and accordingly, our produce business may suffer in the meantime, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The legal cannabis and hemp-derived CBD industries are relatively new, and we cannot predict whether they will continue to grow as anticipated.
As federal License Holders under the Cannabis Act, our Canadian Cannabis business (specifically, Pure Sunfarms and Rose LifeScience) is operating in the relatively new cannabis industry and market in Canada, and our U.S. Cannabis business is operating in the relatively new hemp-derived CBD industry and market. In addition to being subject to general business risks, we must continue to build brand awareness in these industries and market share through significant investments in our strategy, production capacity, quality assurance and compliance with regulations. Research in Canada, the United States and internationally regarding the health benefits, viability, safety, efficacy and dosing of cannabis or isolated cannabinoids remains in relatively early stages. Few clinical trials on the benefits of cannabis or isolated cannabinoids have been conducted. Future research and clinical trials may draw opposing conclusions to statements contained in the articles, reports and studies currently favored, or could reach different or negative conclusions regarding the health benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing or other facts and perceptions related to cannabis, which could adversely affect social acceptance of cannabis and the demand for our cannabis and cannabinoid products.
Accordingly, there is no assurance that the cannabis and hemp-derived CBD industries and markets will continue to exist and grow as currently estimated or anticipated or function and evolve in the manner consistent with management’s expectations and assumptions. Furthermore, we can provide no assurance that high-THC cannabis will ever become federally legal in the United States. Any event or circumstance that adversely affects the cannabis and hemp-derived CBD industries could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our Canadian Cannabis business may be affected by cannabis supply and demand fluctuations.
Entities licensed under the Cannabis Act have most recently and may continue to produce more cannabis than the current adult-use demand. In order to meet the initial adult-use demand, Pure Sunfarms, Rose LifeScience and other entities licensed under the Cannabis Act built special purpose cultivation facilities with additional production capacity to be licensed. Recently, due to oversupply within the industry, some Licensed Producers are reducing capacity by shuttering cultivation facilities and others are filing under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act of Canada. Adult use demand for cannabis products is dependent on a number of social, political, and economic factors that are beyond our control including the pace of new retail cannabis stores, which could be slowed by the impact of COVID-19. In addition, the initial demand that has been experienced following legalization in Canada may not continue at comparable levels or may not be sustainable as a portion of such demand may have been a result of the novelty of legalization.
Currently, Pure Sunfarms, Rose LifeScience and other entities licensed under the Cannabis Act are producing more cannabis than is needed to satisfy the collective demand of the Canadian adult-use markets. As a result, the available supply of cannabis exceeds demand, resulting in a significant decline in the market price for cannabis. If this continues, there is no assurance that Pure Sunfarms or Rose LifeScience would be able to generate sufficient revenue from the sale of adult-use cannabis to be profitable. Ultimately, Canadian adult-use market demand may not be sufficient to support our current or future products or business.
In addition, our Canadian Cannabis business competes against illicit cannabis producers who are not subject to the same tax regime, regulations and costs. Supply, often at lower prices, from non-licensed producers also impact market pricing and overall supply-demand dynamics.
We may be negatively affected by unfavorable publicity, adverse scientific findings and/or negative consumer perception of cannabis.