EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1522767
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1522767_10-K_2024_0001522767-24-000007.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Company Overview
We are a multi-state cannabis operator in the United States, headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, dedicated to improving lives every day through our high-quality products, our actions, and our values. We develop, own, and manage seed to sale state-licensed, state-of-the-art, regulatory-compliant facilities for the cultivation, production, and dispensing of medicinal and adult-use cannabis. We have created and continue to develop our own brands of premium cannabis flower, concentrates, edibles, and other precision-dosed products utilizing our proprietary strains and formulations. We also license our proprietary brands, along with other top cannabis products, in domestic markets.
Our common stock trades on both the OTCQX and the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol MRMD.
Company History
In 2014, we entered the cannabis industry as an advisory and real estate management firm that procured state-issued cannabis licenses on behalf of our clients, developed cannabis facilities that we leased to these newly licensed companies, and provided industry-leading expertise and oversight in all aspects of their cannabis operations.
In 2018, we made the strategic decision to transition from an advisory business to a direct owner and operator of cannabis licenses in high-growth states. Key to this transition was the acquisition and consolidation of our clients for whom we had played a key role in their success, including securing their cannabis licenses, developing facilities that are models of excellence, funding their operations, and providing operational and corporate guidance. We have successfully acquired and integrated certain client businesses in several states and believe that our prior experience in managing these businesses has provided us with the skills and expertise required to manage the continuing growth of these operations.
Throughout our history, we have created our own brands of craft-quality cannabis flower, concentrates, edibles, and other precision-dosed products, which have been award winners and top sellers in multiple states. Applying proprietary cultivation and processing procedures and following the strictest quality standards, our portfolio of brands was developed to fill gaps in the marketplace and meet specific effects desired by today’s cannabis consumer. We invest in ongoing research and development and intend to continue to introduce new and innovative products in the future.
Today, we operate state-of-the-art, regulatory compliant cannabis cultivation and processing facilities that grow and manufacture our proprietary, high quality, branded cannabis consumer products. We distribute our products via the wholesale market to hundreds of dispensaries operated by other cannabis license holders. We also operate our own dispensaries, which are recognized for their excellent customer service and product selection. Revenue is generated at these dispensaries through the sales of our own products and those marketed by other cannabis license holders.
We utilize dedicated sales teams to sell our products to wholesale buyers representing the dispensaries operated by other cannabis license holders. Customers at our own dispensaries purchase cannabis for, among other reasons, the relief of pain and stress, to promote better sleep, and to address other health and wellness needs. We deploy a variety of marketing strategies to drive the sales of our products, including customer loyalty programs, digital advertising, in-store displays and public relations.
We generate additional revenue from licensing, management fees, and real estate income. This revenue accounted for approximately 3% and 6% of our total revenue in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This revenue has declined in recent years as we have acquired and consolidated the client businesses that had previously paid us licensing, management, and facility rental fees.
Our Strategic Growth Plan
We continue to focus on executing our strategic growth plan, with priority on activities that include the following:
•completing the acquisition and consolidation of the client cannabis businesses the Company developed, managed, and advised prior to becoming a seed to sale multi-state operator. There is one remaining client business that MariMed continues to manage and intends to acquire, Delaware operator First State Compassion Center
("FSCC"). Delaware's current cannabis regulations prevent such an acquisition.
•increasing revenue organically in states where we currently do business by developing additional assets and increasing our product distribution within those states;
•expanding our footprint into high-growth legal cannabis states through new license applications and/or acquisitions of existing cannabis businesses; and
•increasing product brand revenue by introducing new, innovative products that consumers want, expanding our award-winning brands to include new effects or to fill additional need-state opportunities, and by identifying qualified licensing partners that will expand our distribution into new markets.
In November 2023 we announced the closing of a $58.7 million secured credit facility with a United States chartered bank at a lower rate relative to both our previous outstanding debt with Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC (“Chicago Atlantic”) and recent transactions announced by other cannabis companies. This debt refinancing enabled us to pay off our term loan with Chicago Atlantic, pay off the mortgage on our New Bedford and Middleborough, Massachusetts facilities with Bank of New England, and reduce the principal outstanding on the note we issued to the sellers in connection with our acquisition of the operating assets of Ermont, Inc. Our new credit facility has allowed us to unencumber our operating assets in Illinois, Ohio, and Delaware, as well as our branded products, providing additional levers for future loans at attractive rates if we choose to increase our borrowings. Additionally, the credit facility bolsters our ability to continue to execute our strategic plan, particularly as it relates to growing the Company through mergers and acquisitions.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that our strengths in the following areas provide us with certain competitive advantages and the tools necessary to successfully implement our strategic plans:
Experienced Management
Our management is one of the most experienced and longest tenured in the cannabis industry. Several of our executive team members, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Operating Officer, and our Chief Revenue Officer, have each worked in the industry for a decade or more. Our leadership team has achieved considerable success creating and growing businesses in the industry by successfully applying for cannabis licenses, overseeing the development of cannabis operations and facilities, raising capital to purchase and develop facilities, and conducting operations in adherence with regulations established by individual state governments, including all environmental and social governance requirements. The strength of our executive team is further enhanced by other members who have significant senior management experience and expertise working in the beer and alcohol, retail, consumer products, and marketing industries.
Craft Cannabis at Scale
We own an expansive library of world-class genetics and utilize a hands-on “craft cultivation” approach, blended with the latest technologies, to grow high-quality cannabis flower and create premium infused cannabis products. Every one of our plants is individually cared for by our trained staff and grown in dedicated rooms featuring customized HVAC, lighting, and nutrients that are designed for growing particular flower strains consistently. At a time when price compression in many cannabis markets has become a challenge for licensed operators, our proprietary approach to cultivation, curing, and processing has enabled us to continue to sell our products at higher price points than most wholesale competitors.
Exceptional Retail Customer Service
We believe today’s cannabis consumer seeks a shopping experience that is comfortable, educational, and easy. Our dispensaries are models of excellence in this regard. We carefully curate a menu of the highest quality brands and products, and merchandise them in beautifully designed, upscale environments. We invest in budtender and retail personnel training, as well as product programming displayed on in-store monitors to help deliver exceptional customer service throughout the shopping experience. In Massachusetts and Delaware, we complement our in-store operations with a home delivery option. We intend to do the same in other markets once permitted by state regulations.
Technological and Scientific Innovation
We are diligent in identifying and reviewing the latest science and processes applicable to the cultivation, distillation, production, packaging, securing, and distribution of cannabis and cannabis-infused products. We have obtained the highest quality cannabis strains and genetics to use in both our existing products and our new product development. We utilize proven consumer products goods (“CPG”) research and development methodologies and proprietary processing techniques to create innovative products that fill gaps in the marketplace and ensure consistency from market to market.
Portfolio of Proprietary, Premium Brands
We have developed unique premium brands of precision-dosed cannabis-infused products, which are currently distributed in cannabis-legal states. Our products are available in the most popular consumption formats, including whole flower, pre-rolled flower, vape cartridges, concentrates, and edibles. We intend to continue expanding our brand portfolio to meet the effects that today’s cannabis consumers seek.
Our portfolio includes several award-winning brands that are among the top sellers in markets where they are available. They include:
•Nature’s Heritage™, a premium brand of cannabis flower and concentrates;
•Betty’s Eddies™, cannabis-, supplement-, and nutrient-infused fruit chews that deliver better sleep, pain relief, stress relief, and more. The Betty’s Eddies line also includes a limited collection of cannabis infused ice creams created in partnership with ice cream brand Emack & Bolio’s®;
•Bubby’s Baked™, soft and chewy baked goods and a hot chocolate mix;
•Vibations™, a cannabis-infused hydrating drink mix for discrete, on-the-go consumption;
•Kalm Fusion™ and K Fusion™, chewable cannabis-infused mint tablets; and
•InHouse™, a value-priced brand of flower, vapes, and edibles.
Current and Pending Operations
During the past several years, we have invested in our own operating facilities, applied for and secured new licenses, and acquired new assets to strengthen and expand our brand portfolio and our retail and wholesale networks. We currently hold a total of 23 cannabis licenses in six states. We believe our investment and expansion initiatives will enable us to capture additional market share and provide us with a stronger presence in the states where we conduct business.
We believe that operating as a fully vertical, seed to sale cannabis company provides us the greatest opportunity to maximize revenue and profits in each state where we operate. To date, we are fully vertical through businesses we either own or manage in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Delaware.
Our current and pending operations are as follows:
Massachusetts
Massachusetts operates both adult-use and medical cannabis programs. According to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (the "CCC"), the state’s cannabis market was expected to total nearly $1.8 billion in sales in 2023, a number that is expected to increase to $2.6 billion by 2025 (source: MJ Biz Factbook).
We operate three Panacea Wellness-branded dispensaries in the Boston area:
•a dispensary in Middleborough that is licensed for both medical and adult-use cannabis sales;
•an adult-use dispensary in Beverly that opened in 2023; and
•a medical dispensary in Quincy, for which we have applied to also conduct adult-use cannabis sales.
The Quincy dispensary was the result of the March 2023 acquisition of the operating assets of vertical cannabis operator Ermont, Inc. ("Ermont"). The acquisition and subsequent re-branding of the dispensary substantially completed our expansion to the maximum allowable by state regulations.
Our three retail stores are easily accessible to all cannabis consumers in eastern Massachusetts. We increased access further by introducing home delivery as the result of our April 2023 investment in Artis LLC (d/b/a Little Dog Delivery).
We also operate a 70,000 square foot cultivation and production facility in New Bedford, as well as an approximately 6,700 square foot grow facility in Quincy. We intend to expand the facility in New Bedford to increase our production capacity to meet the high demand for our products. Our Nature’s Heritage flower and concentrates brand, for example, is among the top selling brands in the state, and we regularly sell out of our available inventory.
Illinois
Illinois operates both adult-use and medical cannabis programs. According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the state reported $1.9 billion in total legal cannabis sales in 2023. With a population of nearly 13 million, Illinois is one of the largest, fastest-growing cannabis markets in the United States.
We operate five Thrive-branded dispensaries in the state, including an adult-use dispensary in Metropolis, near the Kentucky border, an adult-use dispensary in Casey, near the Indiana border, and an adult-use dispensary in Mt. Vernon. We also operate dispensaries in Anna and Harrisburg that each serve both medical and adult-use customers. These five locations provide easy access for most residents in southern Illinois and surrounding states, including Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee.
In December 2023, we completed construction of and received regulatory approval to commence operations of our processing facility in Mt. Vernon. We expect to receive final approval for cultivation in the Mt. Vernon facility in mid-2024, at which time our Illinois operations will be fully vertical. The facility is housed in a building that we acquired following the 2022 acquisition of a craft cultivation wholesale license. We began selling certain of our award-winning branded edibles products and InHouse vape products in our own dispensaries and in certain other dispensaries in the state during the final weeks of 2023. We expect to significantly increase distribution of our core products throughout the state in 2024, including our Nature’s Heritage flower and concentrates brand.
Maryland
Maryland’s successful medical cannabis program expanded to include adult-use sales on July 1, 2023. According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, the state reported $787 million in medical and adult-use cannabis sales in 2023, positioning it among the top legal cannabis markets in the United States.
Following our acquisition of our client, Kind Therapeutics USA Inc. (“Kind”) in April 2022, we became fully vertical in Maryland. We operate a 180,000-square foot cultivation and processing facility in Hagerstown which produces and distributes all of our premium branded cannabis flower, concentrates, vapes, and edibles. In 2023 we began an expansion of the facility to increase our cultivation capacity by nearly 17,000 square feet to meet the increased demand for all of our products.
We also operate a Thrive-branded medical and adult-use dispensary in Annapolis, which commenced operations in October 2022.
Delaware
Delaware’s medical cannabis program has approximately 17,000 registered patients, according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services 2023 annual report. It became the 22nd state to legalize recreational cannabis in 2023 and adult-use sales are expected to commence in late 2024.
We provide comprehensive management and real estate services to First State Compassion Center (“FSCC”), our longstanding client in Delaware. We were instrumental in helping FSCC obtain Delaware’s first-ever seed to sale medical cannabis license in 2014. Today, FSCC operates under two of only eleven cannabis licenses in the state.
We developed and currently lease to FSCC a number of facilities in the state, including:
•a cultivation facility, production kitchen, and dispensary in Wilmington;
•a cultivation facility in Milford; and
•a dispensary in Lewes.
FSCC licenses and distributes a selection of our top selling edibles brands in the state.
Missouri
Missouri operates a successful medical cannabis program, which expanded to include adult-use sales in February 2023 following a November 2022 ballot referendum. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, $1.3 billion worth of legal cannabis was sold in Missouri in 2023.
As the result of a management contract that we announced in September 2022, we expect to distribute our award-winning portfolio of cannabis-infused edibles in Missouri beginning in 2024. We plan to produce our branded products at a recently constructed production kitchen that we will own and operate. We have entered into an agreement to obtain all requisite approvals from the State of Missouri, which we expect to occur in 2024.
Ohio
Ohio operates a successful medical cannabis program. In November 2023, Ohio citizens approved a measure to legalize adult-use cannabis sales, which are anticipated to begin in 2024. BDSA, a leading provider of market intelligence for the cannabis industry, estimates that total cannabis sales in Ohio will reach $802 million in 2025.
We expect that our Thrive-branded medical cannabis dispensary in Tiffin, which we opened in 2023, will achieve expanded sales from the new adult-use program.
Recent Developments
We have had several recent developments since December 31, 2023 that we believe are critical to the implementation of our strategic growth plan:
•On February 26, 2024, we received our Certificate of Occupancy from the Illinois Cannabis Control Commission to commence operations in our permanent brick-and-mortar facility for our Casey, Illinois adult-use dispensary. We anticipate transition from our temporary facility at the same location and commencing operations in the new facility during the first quarter of 2024.
•On February 1, 2024, we entered into an agreement to acquire the medical cannabis retail license and certain assets of Our Community Wellness & Compassionate Care Center, Inc. ("Medleaf") in Prince George's County, Maryland in exchange for $5.25 million, adjusted for certain items. The purchase consideration is comprised of $2.0 million of cash in the aggregate, a $2.0 million note to be issued to the sellers of Medleaf (the "Medleaf Sellers") at the time of closing, and shares of our common stock with a fair value of $1.25 million based on a formulaic calculation, to be issued at the time of closing. As of the date of this report, we have made advance payments to the Medleaf Sellers totaling $0.5 million. Completion of the acquisition is dependent upon certain conditions, including regulatory approval of the acquisition. We expect this acquisition to be completed in 2024; however, there is no assurance that the required regulatory approvals will be obtained.
Competition
In the markets where we currently operate, we compete against other fully vertical multi-state operators (“MSOs”). We believe that our experience in building our business organically from the ground up is a key factor that differentiates us from the majority of other MSOs. We successfully developed and managed our clients' businesses, which we subsequently acquired and consolidated, created our own brands and branded products, and have retained our core management team since inception. While other MSOs have raised significantly more capital, they have generally acquired licensed businesses from sellers with whom they had no prior direct operating relationship. We believe our approach is
significantly more cost-efficient, carries less risks, and results in a more seamless integration of processes, personnel, operating philosophies, and culture.
In addition to MSOs, we face competition from companies of varying sizes and geographic reach. Some, called Single State Operators, are fully vertical in just one state, others focus solely on producing and selling similar products and others solely operate dispensaries and sell the goods of other businesses. Some of our competitors that create and sell their own products have offerings that are on par with those we offer. We believe that by utilizing our own best practices and operational expertise, we are able to produce premium cannabis products at one of the lowest cost structures in the industry, which enables us to remain competitive in our markets. However, our sales could decline significantly if our competitors develop and market products that are more effective, more convenient, or less expensive than our products.
As cannabis products become more mainstream and gain greater acceptance, it is likely that larger and more established companies with greater available resources, including name recognition and national distribution networks, will enter the market. However, we believe that there are many barriers to entry, and to duplicate our licenses, knowledge, and facilities would be costly and time-consuming. We have upgraded our marketing efforts to expand branding and distribution, as well as implemented home delivery, where permissible, and other business strategies developed by more conventional industries. As a result, we have successfully increased both the number of retail transactions and the average amount of sales underlying those transactions. We have also developed a loyal customer base at our retail locations and improved product visibility and sales of our proprietary portfolio of cannabis products.
Intellectual Property
We own registered trademarks for Betty’s Eddies and Nature’s Heritage and are pursuing registration of the Bubby’s Baked, InHouse, K Fusion, Kalm Fusion, and Vibations trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Our proprietary processing and manufacturing techniques and technologies, while not patented, are kept strictly confidential. We enter into and enforce confidentiality agreements with key employees and consultants to protect our intellectual property, trade secrets, and general know-how.
Our Employees
At December 31, 2023, we had a total of 721 employees, of which 643 were full-time, plus an additional 99 employees, primarily full-time, who are employed by our managed cannabis-licensed client.
Website Access to Company Reports
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Definitive Proxy Statements, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports are available free of charge on the Company’s website at www.marimedinc.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, or as filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website.
In addition, copies of our annual report will be made available, free of charge, on written request.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business faces significant risks and uncertainties. Certain important factors may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations, and they should be carefully considered. Accordingly, in evaluating our business, and a potential investment in our shares, we encourage you to consider the following discussion of risk factors in its entirety in addition to other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Other events that we do not currently anticipate or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Industry in Which We Operate
Cannabis remains illegal under United States federal law.
In the United States, cannabis is largely regulated at the state level. Each state in which we operate or that we are currently proposing to operate authorizes, as applicable, medical and/or adult use cannabis production and distribution by licensed or registered entities. More than 40 states have legalized cannabis in some form. However, under United States federal law, the possession, use, cultivation, and transfer of cannabis and any related drug paraphernalia are illegal, and any such acts are criminalized under the Controlled Substances Act, as amended, which we refer to as the “CSA.” Cannabis remains illegal under United States federal law and is considered a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA. As a result, cannabis is deemed to have a high potential for abuse and is not approved or accepted for medical use.
The concepts of “medical cannabis,” “retail cannabis” and “adult-use cannabis” do not exist under United States federal law. While we believe that our business activities are compliant with applicable state and local laws, strict compliance with state and local cannabis laws would not provide a defense to any federal proceeding that may be brought against us. The enforcement of applicable United States federal laws poses a significant risk to us.
Violations of any United States federal laws and regulations could result in significant fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, or settlements arising from civil proceedings conducted either by the United States federal government or private citizens. We may also be subject to criminal charges under the CSA and, if convicted, could face a variety of penalties including, but not limited to, disgorgement of profits, cessation of business activities, or divestiture. Any of these penalties could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and ability to conduct our business, our holding (directly or indirectly) of medical and adult-use cannabis licenses in the United States; our financial position; operating results; profitability; liquidity; or the market price of our publicly-traded shares. In addition, it is difficult for us to estimate the time or resources that would be needed for the investigation, settlement, or trial of any such proceedings or charges, and such time or resources could be substantial.
The cannabis industry is relatively new.
We are operating in a relatively new industry and in a new market. We not only are subject to general business risks, but we must also build brand awareness in this industry 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 medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, and dosing of cannabis or isolated cannabinoids (such as cannabidiol, or “CBD,” and tetrahydrocannabinol, or “THC”) remains in early stages. Few clinical trials on the benefits of cannabis or isolated cannabinoids have been conducted. Although we believe that the articles, reports and studies support our beliefs regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, and dosing of cannabis, future research and clinical trials may result in opposing conclusions to statements contained in articles, reports, and studies currently favored or could reach different or negative conclusions regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing, or other facts and perceptions related medical cannabis, which could adversely affect social acceptance of cannabis and/or the demand for our products and dispensary services.
Accordingly, there is no assurance that the cannabis industry and the market for medicinal and/or adult-use cannabis will continue to exist and grow as currently anticipated or function and evolve in a manner consistent with our expectations and assumptions. Any event or circumstance that adversely affects the cannabis industry, such as 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, financial condition, and results of operations.
We operate in a highly regulated sector and may not always succeed in complying fully with applicable regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions where we carry on business.
Our business and activities are heavily regulated in all jurisdictions where we conduct business. Our operations are subject to various laws, regulations and guidelines by state and local governmental authorities relating to the manufacture, marketing, management, transportation, storage, sale, pricing and disposal of cannabis and cannabis oil, and also including laws and regulations relating to health and safety, insurance coverage, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment. Laws and regulations, applied generally, grant government agencies and self-regulatory bodies broad administrative discretion over our activities, including the power to limit or restrict business activities as well as impose additional disclosure requirements on our products and services. Achievement of our business objectives is contingent, in part, upon compliance with regulatory requirements enacted by these governmental authorities and obtaining all necessary
regulatory approvals for the manufacture, production, storage, transportation, sale, import and export, as applicable, of our products. The commercial cannabis industry is still a new industry at the state and local level. The effect of relevant governmental authorities’ administration, application and enforcement of their respective regulatory regimes and delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain, applicable regulatory approvals which may be required may significantly delay or impact the development of markets, products and sales initiatives and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, revenue, results of operation and financial condition. Any failure to comply with the regulatory requirements applicable to our operations may lead to possible sanctions including the revocation or imposition of additional conditions on licenses to operate our business; the suspension or expulsion from a particular market or jurisdiction or of our key personnel; the imposition of additional or more stringent inspection, testing and reporting requirements; and the imposition of fines and censures. In addition, changes in regulations, more vigorous enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events could require extensive changes to our operations, increase compliance costs or give rise to material liabilities and/or revocation of our licenses and other permits, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, governmental authorities may change their administration, application or enforcement procedures at any time, which may adversely impact our ongoing costs relating to regulatory compliance. Maintaining compliance with complex and ever-changing regulations, including sometimes unclear regulations and laws, can be a difficult task, and a materially compliant business can be found in violation of one or more laws, rules or regulations while remaining materially or substantially compliant with applicable state cannabis laws.
The re-classification of cannabis or changes in United States controlled substance laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If cannabis is re-classified as a Schedule II or lower controlled substance under the CSA, the ability to conduct research on the medical benefits of cannabis would most likely be more accessible. However, if cannabis is re-categorized as a Schedule II or lower controlled substance, the resulting re-classification would result in the need for approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or “FDA,” if medical claims are made about our medical cannabis products. Moreover, any such reclassification could result in a significant degree of regulation relating to the manufacture, importation, exportation, domestic distribution, storage, sale, and use of such products by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, or the “DEA.” If so, we may be required to be registered to perform these activities and have the security, control, recordkeeping, reporting, and inventory mechanisms required by the DEA to prevent drug loss and diversion. Obtaining the necessary registrations may result in the delay in the manufacturing or distribution of our products. The DEA conducts periodic inspections of registered establishments that handle controlled substances. Failure to maintain compliance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The DEA may seek civil penalties, refuse to renew necessary registrations, or initiate proceedings to restrict, suspend, or revoke those registrations. In certain circumstances, violations could lead to criminal proceedings.
Potential regulation by the FDA could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If the United States federal government legalizes cannabis, it is possible that the FDA would seek to regulate it under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1938. Moreover, the FDA may issue rules and regulations, including good manufacturing practices related to the growth, cultivation, harvesting, and processing of medical cannabis. Clinical trials may be needed to verify efficacy and safety of our medical cannabis products. It is also possible that the FDA would require that facilities where medical-use cannabis is grown register with the agency and comply with certain federally prescribed regulations. In the event that some or all of these regulations are imposed, the impact on the cannabis industry is uncertain and could include the imposition of new costs, requirements, and prohibitions. If we are unable to comply with the regulations and/or registration as required by the FDA, it may have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
As a cannabis business, we are subject to certain tax provisions that have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Under Section 280E of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the “IRC,” “no deduction or credit shall be allowed for any amount paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business if such trade or business (or the activities that comprise such trade or business) consists of trafficking in controlled substances within the meaning of Schedule I and II of the Controlled Substances Act, which is prohibited by federal law or the law of any state in which such trade or business is conducted,” This provision has been applied by the United States Internal Revenue Service, or the “IRS,” to cannabis operations, prohibiting them from deducting expenses directly associated with cannabis businesses. Section 280E may have a lesser impact on cannabis cultivation and manufacturing operations than on sales
operations. Section 280E and related IRS enforcement activity has had a significant impact on the operations of cannabis companies. Accordingly, an otherwise profitable business may, in fact, operate at a loss, after taking into account its United States income tax expenses.
As a cannabis business, we may lack access to United States bankruptcy protections.
Many courts have denied cannabis businesses bankruptcy protections because the use of cannabis is illegal under federal law. In the event of a bankruptcy, it would be very difficult for lenders to recoup their investments in the cannabis industry. If the Company were to experience a bankruptcy, there is no guarantee that United States federal bankruptcy protections would be available to us, which would have a material adverse effect on us.
Cannabis businesses may be subject to civil asset forfeiture.
Any property owned by participants in the cannabis industry used in the course of conducting such business, or that is the proceeds of such business, could be subject to seizure by law enforcement and subsequent civil asset forfeiture because of the illegality of the cannabis industry under federal law. Even if the owner of the property is never charged with a crime, the property in question could still be seized and subject to an administrative proceeding by which, with minimal due process, it could be subject to forfeiture.
Risks Related to Our Current Operations and Our Expansion Plan
Our future growth is dependent on additional states legalizing cannabis.
Continued development of the cannabis market and our opportunities to expand into new markets is dependent upon continued legislative authorization of cannabis at the state and local level for medical and adult recreational use of cannabis. Any number of factors could slow or halt the growth of the cannabis market. Additionally, progress, while encouraging, is not assured and the process to authorize the sale of cannabis at the state and local levels normally encounters set-backs before achieving success, if at all. While there may be ample public support for legislative proposal to legalize the sale of cannabis on a state level, key support must be created in the legislative process. Any one of these factors could slow or halt the progress and adoption of cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes, which would limit the market for our products and negatively impact our ability to expand into new markets.
Our consolidation plan and growth strategy are subject to regulatory hurdles.
Our strategy to expand our footprint into additional legal cannabis states through new applications and acquisitions of existing cannabis businesses is subject, in each respective jurisdiction, to the approval of a new license application or license transfer application. Such approvals are subject to numerous delays and uncertainties based upon administrative and legislative changes in what are typically, in light of the recent cannabis legalization status in most jurisdictions, new and untested rules and regulations. There is little interpretative guidance on how states will apply their respective licensing regulations and limited control over when an application will be acted upon. As a result, there is no assurance that our expansion plan will not be frustrated by regulatory delays, and no assurance that any license application or transfer application will be approved.
We face increasing competition that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face competition from companies that may have greater capitalization, access to public equity markets, more experienced management or more maturity as a business. The vast majority of both manufacturing and retail competitors in the cannabis market consists of localized businesses (those doing business in a single state) as well as multistate operators, with which we compete directly. Aside from this direct competition, out-of-state operators that are capitalized well enough to enter markets through acquisitions are also part of the competitive landscape. As we plan to grow our business, operators in future state markets will inevitably become direct competitors. We are likely to continue to face increasing and intense competition from these companies. Moreover, acquisitions and other consolidating transactions could harm us in a number of ways, including losing customers, revenue and market share, or forcing us to expend greater resources to meet new or additional competitive threats all of which could harm our operating results. Increased competition by larger and better financed competitors could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such competition could also intensify and place downward pressure on retail prices of our products and services, which could negatively impact our profitability.
If the number of users of adult-use and medical marijuana in the United States increases, the demand for products will increase. As a result, we believe that competition could become more intense as current and future competitors begin to offer an increasing number of diversified products to respond to such increased demand. To remain competitive, we will need to continue to invest in research and development, marketing, sales, and client support. We may not have sufficient resources to maintain sufficient levels of investment in these areas to remain competitive, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to limits on our ability to own the licenses necessary to operate our business, which could adversely affect our ability to grow our business and market share in certain states.
In certain states, the cannabis laws and regulations limit both the number of cannabis licenses issued as well as the number of cannabis licenses that one person or entity may own in that state. Such limitations on the acquisition of ownership of additional licenses within certain states may limit our ability to grow organically or to increase market share in such states.
We may not be able to obtain or maintain necessary permits and authorizations.
We may not be able to maintain the necessary licenses, permits, certificates, authorizations, or accreditations to operate our businesses, or may only be able to do so at great cost. Additionally, we may not be able to comply fully with the wide variety of laws and regulations applicable to the cannabis industry. Failure to comply with or to obtain the necessary licenses, permits, certificates, authorizations, or accreditations could result in restrictions on our ability to operate in the cannabis industry, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We may have difficulty accessing the service of banks, which may make it difficult for us to operate in certain markets.
As discussed above, the use of cannabis is illegal under United States federal law. Therefore, there are banks that will not accept for deposit funds from the sale of cannabis and may choose not to do business with the us. While there is pending legislation in the United States Senate that will allow banks to transact business with state-authorized medical cannabis businesses, there can be no assurance his legislation will be successful, that banks will decide to do business with medical cannabis retailers, or that in the absence of legislation state and federal banking regulators will not create issues on banks handling funds generated from an activity that is illegal under federal law. Notwithstanding, we have been able to secure state-chartered banks that are in compliance with federal law and provide certain banking services to companies in the cannabis industry. Our inability to open accounts in our target market and otherwise use the service of banks may make it difficult for us to operate in those markets.
We may be subject to constraints on and differences in marketing our products under varying state laws.
Certain of the states in which we operate have enacted strict regulations regarding marketing and sales activities on cannabis products. There may be restrictions on sales and marketing activities imposed by government regulatory bodies that could hinder the development of our business and operating results. Restrictions may include regulations that specify what, where and to whom product information and descriptions may appear and/or be advertised. Marketing, advertising, packaging, and labeling regulations also vary from state to state, potentially limiting the consistency and scale of consumer branding communication and product education efforts. The regulatory environment in the United States limits our ability to compete for market share in a manner similar to other industries. If we are unable to effectively market our products and compete for market share, or if the costs of compliance with government legislation and regulation cannot be absorbed through increased pricing of our products, our sales and operating results could be adversely affected.
We face risks relating to our products.
We are committed and expect to continue to commit significant resources and capital to develop and market existing products and new products. These products are relatively untested in the marketplace, and we cannot assure stockholders and investors that we will achieve market acceptance for these products, or other new products that we may offer in the future will gain acceptance. These existing and new products may be subject to significant competition with offerings by new and existing competitors in the industry. The failure to successfully develop, manage, and market new products could seriously harm our business, prospects, revenue, results of operation and financial condition.
Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to cover all significant risk exposures.
We are exposed to liabilities that are unique to the products and services we provide. While we intend to maintain insurance for certain risks, the amount of our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all claims or liabilities, and we may be forced to bear substantial costs resulting from risks and uncertainties in our business. It is also not possible to obtain insurance to protect against all operational risks and liabilities. Due to the nature of our business, we may have difficulty obtaining insurance because, compared to non-cannabis industries, (i) there are only a limited number of insurers willing to insure companies involved in the cannabis industry, (ii) there are fewer insurance products available to companies involved in the cannabis industry, (iii) insurance coverage generally is more expensive for companies involved in the cannabis industry, and (iv) available insurers, insurance products, and cost of coverage fluctuates frequently. Failure to obtain adequate insurance coverage on terms favorable to us, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not maintain business interruption insurance for most of our properties and operations. Any business disruption or natural disaster could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.
It may be difficult to evaluate us based on our past performance because we are transitioning our business into that of an owner of cannabis licenses and an operator of cannabis operations.
We have been actively engaged in the cannabis industry as an MSO for a relatively short period of time and, accordingly, have only limited financial results on which it can be evaluated. In addition, the components of our revenue and costs are changing as we continue to move away from a fee-based-only business to a multi-state seed to sale operation. We are subject to, and must be successful in addressing, the risks typically encountered by companies operating in the rapidly evolving cannabis marketplace, including those risks relating to:
•the failure to develop brand name recognition and reputation;
•the failure to achieve market acceptance of our products;
•a slowdown in general consumer acceptance of legalized cannabis; and
•an inability to grow and adapt our business to evolving consumer demand.
Our medical marijuana business may be impacted by consumer perception of the cannabis industry, which we cannot control or predict.
We believe that the medical marijuana industry is highly dependent upon consumer perception regarding the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical marijuana distributed to those consumers. Consumer perception of our products may be significantly influenced by scientific research or findings, regulatory investigations, litigation, media, and other publicity regarding the consumption of medical marijuana products. There can be no assurance that future scientific research, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other research or publicity will be favorable to the medical marijuana market or any particular product, or consistent with earlier publicity. Future research reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other publicity that perceived as less favorable than, or that question, earlier research reports, findings, or publicity could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We face inherent risks of product liability claims if anyone is harmed by the use of our products.
Our products are designed to be ingested by humans and are produced for sale directly to end consumers. As a result, we face an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims, regulatory action and litigation if the products are alleged to have caused or cause any significant loss or injury. In addition, the production and sale of our products involve risk of injury to end users due to tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination. Previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from human or animal consumption of our products alone or in combination with other medications or substances could occur. We may be subject to various product liability claims, including, among others, that our products cause injury or illness, include inadequate instructions for use, or include inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects or interactions with other substances. While we have product liability insurance coverage and works with third party providers to ensure they do as well, a product liability claim or regulatory action against us, whether or not successful, could result in materially increases costs, adversely affect our reputation with our clients and consumers generally, and/or exceed our insurance coverage. Any of these scenarios could have a material adverse effect on our business and operational results.
Product recalls could result in a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Manufacturers and distributors of products are sometimes subject to the recall or return of their products for a variety of reasons, including product defects, such as contamination, unintended harmful side effects or interactions with other substances, packaging safety, and inadequate or inaccurate labelling disclosure. If any of 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 we may not be able to replace those sales at an acceptable margin or at all. Additionally, a product recall may require significant management attention. Although we comply with all state mandated requirements for the testing of 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. Moreover, if one of our top brands was subject to a recall, the image of such brand and that of our company generally could be harmed. Any recall could lead to decreased demand for our products and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Product recalls may also lead to increased scrutiny of our operations by regulatory agencies, which would then require further management attention and potential legal fees and other expenses.
We are subject to risks related to growing an agricultural product.
Our business involves the growing of cannabis, an agricultural product. Such business is subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, such as loss due to infestation by insects, plant diseases, or similar agricultural risks. While all of our cannabis plants are grown indoors, there can be no assurance that natural elements will not have a material adverse effect on our future production.
Our business is subject to compliance with environmental regulations, which can be onerous and costly.
Our operations are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation, and also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for affected companies and their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect our operations.
In the event we require additional financing and access to capital, the covenants and restrictions in our existing debt agreement may limit our options.
Our ability to raise additional capital and finance our expansion plan will be subject to contractual restrictions in instruments governing our indebtedness, including our Needham Bank credit facility. The contractual restrictions in the instrument governing such loan include restrictive covenants that limit our discretion with respect to certain business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability to create liens or other encumbrances, to pay distributions, or to make certain other payments, and to sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets. A failure to comply with such obligations could result in a default, which, if not cured or waived, could permit acceleration of the relevant indebtedness. These restrictions could impair our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, or acquisitions; and all or part of our cash flow from operations may be dedicated to the payment of the principal of, and interest on, our indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available for operations. These factors may adversely affect our cash flow. If we are unable to satisfy our debt obligations due to insufficient cash flow or if we cannot refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, then our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Anti-Money Laundering Laws in the United States may limit access to funds from banks and other financial institutions.
In February 2014, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or “FinCEN,” bureau of the United States Treasury Department issued guidance, which is not law, with respect to financial institutions providing banking services to cannabis businesses, including burdensome due diligence expectations and reporting requirements. While the guidance advised prosecutors not to focus their enforcement efforts on banks or other financial institutions that serve marijuana-related businesses, so long as they meet certain conditions, this guidance does not provide any safe harbors or legal defenses from
examination or regulatory or criminal enforcement actions by the United States Department of Justice, or the “DOJ,” FinCEN, or other federal regulators. As a result of this guidance and the fact that such guidance may be amended or revoked at any time, most banks and other financial institutions have not been willing to provide banking services to cannabis-related businesses. Additionally, banks may refuse to process debit card payments and credit card companies generally refuse to process credit card payments for cannabis-related businesses. Accordingly, we may have only limited access to banking or other financial services in the United States and may have to rely solely upon state-chartered banks. If we are unable or limited in our ability to open or maintain bank accounts, obtain other banking services, or accept credit card and debit card payments, it may be difficult for us to operate and conduct our business as planned. While we are actively pursuing alternatives that ensure our operations will continue to be compliant with the FinCEN guidance, including requirements related to disclosures about cash management and United States federal tax reporting, we may not be able to meet all applicable requirements.
We are highly dependent upon certain key personnel.
The success of the Company’s business is currently dependent, in large part, on key managerial personnel, including Messrs. Jon R. Levine and Timothy Shaw, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief operating officer, respectively. Moreover, our anticipated growth may require additional expertise and the addition of new qualified personnel. Qualified individuals within the cannabis industry are in high demand and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain qualified managerial personnel, or be unable to attract or retain personnel necessary to operate or expand our business. The loss of the services of existing personnel or our failure to recruit additional key managerial personnel in a timely manner, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to manage day-to-day operations, attract collaboration partners, attract and retain other employees, and generate revenue. Any inability to attract and retain qualified management and other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to grow its business and operations.
Our business is subject to potential risks related to, and arising from, acquiring companies or technologies.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to grow our business in response to the demands of consumers and other constituents within the cannabis industry as well as competitive pressures. In some circumstances, we may determine to do so through the acquisition of complementary businesses rather than through internal development. The identification of suitable acquisition candidates can be difficult, time-consuming, and costly, and we may not be able to successfully complete identified acquisitions. In addition, we may not realize the expected benefits from completed acquisitions.
The risks we face in connection with acquisitions include:
•diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to addressing acquisition integration challenges;
•coordination of research and development and sales and marketing functions;
•retention of employees from the acquired company;
•cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into our organization;
•integration of the acquired company’s accounting, management information, human resources, and other administrative systems;
•the need to implement or improve controls, procedures, and policies at a business that prior to the acquisition may have lacked effective controls, procedures, and policies;
•potential write-offs of intangible assets or other assets acquired in transactions that may have an adverse effect on our operating results in a given period;
•liability for activities of the acquired company before the acquisition, including patent and trademark infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities, and other known and unknown liabilities; and
•litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company, including claims from terminated employees, consumers, former stockholders, or other third parties.
Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with any future acquisitions or investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions or investments, cause us to incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business generally. Future acquisitions could also result in the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, amortization expenses, or the impairment of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition.
Cybersecurity Risks
We employ information including operational technology systems to support our business and to collect, store, and/or use proprietary and confidential information. Security and data breaches, cyberattacks, and other cybersecurity incidents involving our information technology systems, networks and infrastructure could disrupt or interfere with our operations; result in the compromise and misappropriation of proprietary and confidential information belonging to us, our customers, suppliers, or employees; and expose us to numerous expenses, liabilities, and other negative consequences, any or all of which could adversely impact our business, reputation, and results of operations.
In the ordinary course of business, we rely on centralized and local information technology networks and systems, some of which are provided, hosted, or managed by vendors and other third parties, to process, transmit, and store electronic information, and to manage or support various aspects of our business. Additionally, we collect and store certain data, including proprietary business information, and has access to confidential or personal information in certain of our businesses that is subject to privacy and cybersecurity laws, regulations, and other controls. Third parties and threat actors, including organized criminals, nation-state entities, and/or nation-state supported actors, regularly attempt to gain unauthorized access to information and operational technology networks and infrastructure, data, and other information, and many such attempts are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Despite our cybersecurity counter measures (including employee and third-party training, monitoring of networks and systems, patching, maintenance, and backup of systems and data), our information and operational technology systems, networks and infrastructure are still potentially susceptible to cyber-attack, insider threat, compromise, damage, disruption, or shutdown, including as a result of the exploitation of known or unknown hardware or software vulnerabilities, or zero day attacks, in our systems or the systems of our vendors and third-party service providers, the introduction of computer viruses, malware or ransomware, service or cloud provider disruptions or security breaches, phishing attempts, employee error or malfeasance, power outages, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, natural disasters, or other catastrophic events. Despite our cybersecurity counter measures, it is possible for security vulnerabilities or a cyberattack to remain undetected for an extended time period, up to and including several months, and the prioritization of decisions with respect to security measures and remediation of known vulnerabilities that we and the vendors and other third parties upon which we rely make may prove inadequate to protect against these attacks. Any cybersecurity incident or information or operational technology network disruption could result in numerous negative consequences, including the risk of legal claims or proceedings, investigations or enforcement actions by regulators; liabilities or penalties under applicable laws and regulations, including privacy laws and regulations in the United States interference with the our operations; the incurrence of remediation costs; loss of intellectual property protection; the loss of customer, supplier, or employee relationships; and damage to our reputation, any of which could adversely affect the our business.
The occurrence of cybersecurity incidents, or a deficiency in our cybersecurity or in those of any of our third-party service providers, could negatively impact our business by causing a financial loss, significant disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information or damage to our business relationships or reputation, all of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In September 2023, we experienced a cybersecurity incident resulting from a fraudulent email sent to our finance department which resulted in our initiating a $0.7 million electronic payment to a fraudulent bank account. As a result of this incident, we immediately launched an internal investigation, and engaged a cybersecurity consultant to fully assess the incident and recommend remediation measures, which have been implemented.
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities. While we have implemented the remediation measures recommended by our cybersecurity consultant, such measures may not prevent all such events in the future. We will continually assess cybersecurity threats and make investments to increase internal protection, detection, and response capabilities to address this risk. To date, we have not experienced any material impact to the business or operations resulting from cybersecurity attacks, including the incident mentioned above. However, because of the frequently changing attack techniques, along with the increasing volume and sophistication of the attacks, there is the potential for us to be adversely impacted. This impact could result in reputational, competitive, operational or other business harm as well as financial losses and costs, all of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Although we maintain insurance coverage for certain cybersecurity risks, there can be no guarantee that all costs, damages, expenses or losses incurred will be fully insured.
While we maintain insurance policies that may cover certain liabilities in connection with a cybersecurity incident, we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will be adequate for cyber security related liabilities actually incurred, that insurance will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or that any insurer will not deny coverage as to any present or future cyber claim. The incurrence of material damages as a result of a cyber incident or the successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our financial condition, results of operations and reputation.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The market for our common stock may be limited for holders of our securities who live in the United States.
Given the heightened risk profile associated with cannabis in the United States, capital market participants may be unwilling to assist with the settlement of trades for United States resident securityholders of companies with operations in the United States cannabis industry, which may prohibit or significantly impair the ability of securityholders in the United States to trade our securities. In the event residents of the United States are unable to settle trades of our securities, this may affect the pricing of such securities in the market, the transparency and availability of trading prices and the liquidity of these securities.
Possible issuances of our capital stock would cause dilution to our existing stockholders.
At December 31, 2023 we had 375.1 million shares of common stock outstanding and are authorized to issue up to 700 million shares. Therefore, we are still authorized to issue a substantial number of additional shares of common stock without obtaining shareholder approval. In addition, we currently have outstanding 4,908,333 shares of Series B preferred stock (which convert on a one-for-one basis into shares of our common stock) and 1,155,274 shares of Series C preferred stock (which convert on a five-for-one basis into shares of our common stock). Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to a total of 50 million shares of preferred stock (including the previously issued shares) with terms it designates without any further shareholder approval. In the event we elect to issue additional shares of common stock in connection with any financing, acquisition or otherwise or issue additional shares of preferred stock, current stockholders could find their holdings substantially diluted, which means they would own a smaller percentage of our company.
The exercise or conversion of outstanding warrants and options into common stock will dilute the percentage ownership of our other stockholders. Additionally, the sale of such common stock or other common stock in the open market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2023, there were potentially dilutive securities convertible into shares of common stock comprised of stock options convertible into 35,599,421 shares of common stock; warrants convertible into 42,189,476 shares of common stock; shares of Series B preferred stock convertible into 4,908,333 shares of common stock; shares of Series C preferred stock convertible into 1,155,274 shares of common stock; and restricted stock units convertible into 5,825,538 shares of common stock. Additional convertible securities will likely be granted to our officers, directors, employees, or consultants as part of their compensation and such convertible securities will likely be issued in connection with financings. The exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants and the conversion of our notes and debentures will dilute the percentage ownership of our other stockholders. Sales, or the expectation of sales, of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the private or public markets could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock.
The market price of our common stock has been historically volatile and could continue to be volatile.
The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations. Some of the factors that may cause the market price of the common stock to fluctuate include:
•the public’s reaction to our press releases, announcements and filings with regulatory authorities and those of our competitors;
•fluctuations in broader stock market prices and volumes;
•changes in market valuations of similar companies;
•investor perception of us, our prospects or the cannabis industry in general;
•additions or departures of key personnel;
•commencement of, or involvement, in litigation;
•changes in the regulatory landscape applicable to us, any dietary supplements, and/or the cannabis and hemp industries;
•media reports, publications or public statements relating to, or public perceptions of, the regulatory landscape applicable to us, the cannabis and/or the hemp industries, whether accurate or not;
•announcements by us or our competitors of strategic alliances, significant contracts, new technologies, acquisitions, commercial relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
•variations in our quarterly results of operations or cash flows or those of other comparable companies;
•revenue and operating results failing to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in a particular period;
•changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors;
•future issuances and sales of our common stock;
•sales of our common stock by members of our Board of Directors or members of our management team;
•third party disclosure of significant short positions;
•demand for and trading volume of our common stock;
•changes in securities analysts’ recommendations and their estimates of our financial performance;
•short-term fluctuation in stock price caused by changes in general conditions in the domestic and worldwide economies or financial markets; and
•the other risk factors described in this section or other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The realization of any of these risks and other factors beyond our control could cause the market price of our common stock to decline significantly.
In addition, broad market and industry factors may harm the market price of our common stock. Accordingly, the price of the common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with us, and these fluctuations could materially reduce the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following a significant decline in the market price of a company’s securities, there have been instances of securities class action litigation having been instituted against that company. If we were involved in any similar litigation, it could incur substantial costs and significant efforts of our management could be diverted, which in turn could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
We are an “emerging growth company” and will be able to take advantage of reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, which could make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies, but not to emerging growth companies, including but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) December 31, 2026, (b) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenue is $1.235 billion or more; (c) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or (d) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding fiscal year period. We expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions described above until we are no longer an emerging growth company. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find that our common stock is less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosures, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and the price of our stock may be more volatile.
Our internal controls over financial reporting may not be effective, and our independent auditors may not be able to certify as to their effectiveness, which could have a significant and adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to various SEC reporting and other regulatory requirements. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, expenses and, to a lesser extent, diversion of management of our management’s time in our effects to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding internal control over financial reporting. Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm when required, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retrospective changes to our consolidated financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
As of December 31, 2023, the Company maintained the following principal facilities:
Massachusetts
Beverly
The Company operates a dispensary in Beverly in a retail space under a lease that expires in 2026, with options to extend the term for three additional five-year periods through 2041.
New Bedford
The Company owns an industrial property, of which the Company has developed approximately half into a cannabis cultivation and processing facility in which it conducts wholesale operations. The remaining portion of the property was rented to a non-cannabis manufacturing company through November 2023. The Company intends to expand its cannabis wholesale operations to include the entire property. The mortgage on this property and the Middleborough, Massachusetts property described below was previously held by Bank of New England; however, in November 2023, the Company repaid this mortgage and refinanced both properties in connection with a new Construction to Permanent Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Loan with Needham Bank (the "CREM Loan"). As a result, the mortgage on the New Bedford and Middleborough properties is now held by Needham Bank, which mortgage matures in 2033.
Norwood
The Company leases its corporate headquarters under a lease that expires in 2028 and which includes a five-year extension option.
Middleborough
The Company owns and operates a retail and warehouse building located in a high-traffic area. A portion of the building houses the Company's flagship Massachusetts retail dispensary, with the remaining square footage used as a warehouse. The mortgage on this property and the New Bedford, Massachusetts property described above was previously held by Bank of New England; however, in November 2023, the Company repaid this mortgage and refinanced both properties in connection with the CREM Loan. As a result, the mortgage on the New Bedford and Middleborough properties is now held by Needham Bank, which mortgage matures in 2033.
Quincy
The Company leases a building that houses both a dispensary and a cultivation facility under a lease that expires in 2038.
Delaware
Lewes
The Company leases retail space located in a multi-use building under a lease that expires in 2027 that it subleases to its Delaware cannabis-licensed client. The client uses this retail space to operate a dispensary.
Milford
The Company leases a warehouse, 60% of which it developed into a cultivation facility, with plans to develop the remaining square footage into a processing facility. The lease term expires in March 2030, with an option to extend the term for three additional five-year periods. The entire premises is subleased under a coterminous sublease to the Company’s Delaware cannabis-licensed client.
Wilmington
The Company owns a cannabis cultivation, processing, and dispensary facility located in a business park. The property is secured under a mortgage with the Bank of New England that matures in 2031. The facility is leased to the Company’s Delaware cannabis-licensed client under a 20-year lease expiring in 2035.
The Company also leases a cannabis production facility with offices which is subleased to its Delaware cannabis-licensed client. The sublease expires in January 2026 and contains an option to negotiate an extension.
Illinois
Anna
The Company owns and operates a free-standing cannabis dispensary that is secured under a mortgage with DuQuoin State Bank maturing in May 2024 (the "DSQ Mortgage"). Since initiating the DSQ Mortgage in May 2016, the bank has renewed the mortgage for an additional one-year term on an annual basis.
Harrisburg
The Company owns and operates a free-standing cannabis dispensary, also secured under the DSQ Mortgage with Anna.
Metropolis
The Company owns and operates a free-standing cannabis dispensary, secured under a mortgage with DuQuoin State Bank that matures in 2041.
Mt. Vernon
The Company owns and operates a grow and production facility. The premises are secured under a mortgage with DuQuoin State Bank that matures in 2042.
The Company also owns and operates a free-standing cannabis dispensary. The Company repaid and retired the mortgage on this facility in 2023.
Maryland
Annapolis
The Company owns a free standing industrial building in which it operates a cannabis dispensary.
Hagerstown
The Company owns a manufacturing facility that it has developed into and in which it operates a cannabis cultivation and production facility.
Ohio
The Company operates a dispensary in Tiffin under a lease that expires in 2033.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Bankruptcy Claim
During 2019, the Company’s subsidiary, MariMed Hemp, Inc. ("MHI") sold and delivered hemp seed inventory to GenCanna Global Inc., a Kentucky-based cultivator, producer, and distributor of hemp (“GenCanna”). At the time of sale, the Company owned a 33.5% ownership interest in GenCanna. The Company recorded a related party receivable of approximately $29 million from the sale, which was fully reserved at December 31, 2019.
On January 24, 2020, an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding under Chapter 11 was filed against GenCanna and its wholly-owned subsidiary, OGGUSA Inc. (f/k/a GenCanna Global US, Inc.) ("OGGUSA" and together with GenCanna, the "OGGUSA Debtors") in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Kentucky (the "Bankruptcy Court"). In February 2020, the OGGUSA Debtors, agreed to convert the involuntary bankruptcy proceeding into a voluntary Chapter 11 proceeding. The OGGUSA Debtors' subsidiary, Hemp Kentucky LLC, also filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court.
In May 2020, after an abbreviated solicitation/bid/sale process, the Bankruptcy Court, over numerous objections by creditors and shareholders of the OGGUSA Debtors, which included the Company, entered an order authorizing the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the OGGUSA Debtors to MGG Investment Group LP ("MGG"), a creditor of the OGGUSA Debtors. After the consummation of the sale of all or substantially all of their assets and business, the OGGUSA Debtors filed their liquidating plan of reorganization (the “Liquidating Plan”) to collect various prepetition payments and commercial claims against third parties, liquidate the remaining assets of the OGGUSA Debtors, and make payments to creditors. The Liquidating Plan was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on November 12, 2020.
Since the approval of the Liquidating Plan, the OGGUSA Debtors have been in the process of liquidating the remaining assets, negotiating and prosecuting objections to other creditors’ claims, and pursuing the collection of accounts receivable and Chapter 5 bankruptcy avoidance claims.
In April 2022, the Plan Administrator filed a Complaint against MHI (the "Complaint") alleging certain preferential transfers of assets, which were valued by the Plan Administrator at $250,000, relating to payments on a $600,000 loan made to MHI by the Company prior to the filing of the OGGUSA Debtors Chapter 11 proceeding (the "Preferential Claim"). The Complaint sought to recover an amount no less than $200,000 and to disallow MHI’s unsecured general claim in the bankruptcy proceeding until such time as such preferential transfer had been repaid to the OGGUSA Debtors.
In July 2023, MHI entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with the Plan Administrator pursuant to which it agreed to reduce its Bankruptcy Court approved unsecured general claim to $15.5 million, or by 50%, in consideration for the settlement of the Preferential Claim and a general release of MHI and the Company.
As of the date of this filing, there is insufficient information to determine how much MHI may receive upon the completion of the liquidation of the remaining assets of the OGGUSA Debtors on account of its general unsecured claim, if anything.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock currently trades on both the OTCQX market and on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the MRMD ticker symbol. Any over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Stockholders
At March 1, 2024, we had approximately 735 stockholders of record.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid a dividend on its common stock, and we do not anticipate paying cash or other dividends in the foreseeable future.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, we issued the following unregistered securities:
•4,394 shares of restricted common stock with an aggregate fair value of approximately $2,000 issued under a royalty agreement.
The issuance of the shares of common stock described above were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon Sections 4(a)(2) and/or 4(a)(5) of the Securities Act. A legend restricting the sale, transfer, or other disposition of these securities other than in compliance with the Securities Act was placed on the securities issued in the foregoing transactions.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Reserved
[Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward Looking Statements
When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in future filings by the Company with the SEC, words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward looking statements, each of which speak only as of the date made. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. The Company has no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes that may occur to general economic and business conditions; changes in current pricing levels that the Company can charge for its services and products or which it pays to its suppliers and business partners; changes in political, social and economic conditions in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; changes to regulations that pertain to its operations; changes in technology that render the Company’s technology relatively inferior, obsolete or more expensive compared to others; changes in the business prospects of the Company’s business partners and customers; increased competition, including from the Company’s business partners; and enforcement of United States federal cannabis-related laws.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 8.
The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements or risk factors to reflect future events or circumstances, unless required by law.
Overview
We are a multi-state operator in the United States cannabis industry. We develop, operate, manage, and optimize state-of-the-art, regulatory-compliant facilities for the cultivation, production, and dispensing of medicinal and adult-use cannabis. We also license our proprietary brands of cannabis products, along with other top brands, in several domestic markets.
Our common stock trades on both the OCTQX and on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol MRMD.
On March 9, 2023 (the "Ermont Acquisition Date"), we acquired the operating assets of Ermont, Inc. ("Ermont"), a medical-licensed vertical cannabis operator located in Quincy, Massachusetts (the "Ermont Acquisition"). The financial results of Ermont are included in our consolidated financial statements for the period subsequent to the Ermont Acquisition Date.
On April 27, 2022 (the “Kind Acquisition Date”), we acquired Kind Therapeutics USA (“Kind”), our former client in Maryland that holds licenses for the cultivation, production, and dispensing of medical cannabis (the “Kind Acquisition”). The financial results of Kind are included in our consolidated financial statements for the periods subsequent to the Kind Acquisition Date.
On May 5, 2022, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity ownership of Green Growth Group Inc. (“Green Growth”), an entity that holds a craft cultivation and production cannabis license in the State of Illinois (the “Green Growth Acquisition”).
On December 30, 2022, we completed an asset purchase under which we acquired from Greenhouse Naturals LLC the cannabis license and assumed the property lease associated with a cannabis dispensary in Beverly, Massachusetts that had never been operational.
During 2023, we were focused on continuing to execute our strategic growth plan, and intend to continue this focus in 2024, with priority on the activities described below:
•Increasing revenue organically in states where we currently do business by growing our product offerings, bolstering awareness via marketing campaigns, and developing additional assets within those states.
•Expanding our footprint into high-growth legal cannabis states through new license applications and/or acquisitions of existing cannabis businesses.
•Increasing revenue by producing and distributing our award-winning brands to qualified strategic partners or by acquiring production and distribution licenses.
•Continuing to consolidate the cannabis businesses that we have developed and managed.
•In Massachusetts, we opened two additional dispensaries and intend to significantly expand the capacity and capability of our manufacturing facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
•In Maryland, we opened a dispensary in Annapolis in October 2022, and we intend to expand our manufacturing facility by 40,000 square feet. We recently received Good Manufacturing Practices ("GMP") certification of our production kitchen, as well as approval to produce and sell high-dose edibles, which we have commenced. We also commenced adult-use wholesale and retail sales in Maryland. Under current Maryland cannabis laws, we have the potential to add three additional medical dispensaries, for a total of four.
•In Illinois, in May 2022, we closed on the acquisition of a craft cannabis license, which enables us to be vertically integrated and add cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution to our four existing retail cannabis operations in Illinois. Additionally, in October 2023, we announced the opening of a Thrive Dispensary in Casey. In response to the state's request to open as soon as possible, we are currently operating the Thrive Dispensary from a temporary mobile facility while construction on a permanent building is completed on the same site. Under
Illinois cannabis laws, we have the potential to add five additional dispensaries, for a total of ten.
•In November 2023, we were granted a certificate of occupancy for our processing kitchen in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and we have begun manufacturing our branded products for sale through retail and wholesale channels. Additionally, we continue construction of the cultivation facility in Mt. Vernon, and expect this facility to be completed in early 2024.
•In Ohio, in June 2023, we opened our first medical dispensary in the state, and we intend to explore additional opportunities to grow our operations in Ohio to the maximum allowable by state regulations.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, knowledge of current conditions and beliefs of what could occur in the future given available information. If actual results differ significantly from management’s estimates and projections, there could be a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. We consider the following accounting policies to be both those most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and those that require the most subjective judgment: accounts receivable; valuation of inventory; estimated useful lives and depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangible assets; accounting for acquisitions and business combinations; loss contingencies and reserves; stock-based compensation; and accounting for income taxes.
Accounts Receivable
We provide credit to our clients in the form of payment terms. We limit our credit risk by performing credit evaluations of our clients and maintaining a reserve, as applicable, for potential credit losses. Such evaluations are judgmental in nature and include a review of the client’s outstanding balances with consideration toward such client’s historical collection experience, as well as prevailing economic and market conditions and other factors. Accordingly, the actual amounts collected could differ from expected amounts and require that we record additional reserves.
Inventory
Our inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market, including consideration of factors such as shrinkage, the aging of and future demand for inventory, expected future selling price, what we expect to realize by selling the inventory and the contractual arrangements with customers. Reserves for excess and obsolete inventory are based upon quantities on hand, projected volumes from demand forecasts, and net realizable value. These estimates are judgmental in nature and are made at a point in time, using available information, expected business plans and expected market conditions. As a result, the actual amount received on sale could differ from the estimated value of inventory. Periodic reviews are performed on the inventory balance. The impact of any changes in inventory reserves is reflected in cost of goods sold.
Estimated Useful Lives and Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Equipment, and Intangible Assets
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, and intangible assets are dependent upon estimates of useful lives, which are determined through the exercise of judgment. The assessment of any impairment of these assets is dependent upon estimates of recoverable amounts that take into account factors such as economic and market conditions and the useful lives of assets.
Business Combinations and Asset Purchases
Classification of an acquisition as a business combination or an asset acquisition depends on whether the assets acquired constitute a business, which can be a complex judgment. Whether an acquisition is classified as a business combination or asset acquisition can have a significant impact on how we record the transaction.
We allocate the purchase price of acquired assets and companies to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net amount of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed and represents the
expected future economic benefits from other assets acquired in the acquisition or business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Significant judgments and assumptions are required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, particularly acquired intangible assets, which are principally based upon estimates of the future performance and cash flows expected from the acquired asset or business and applied discount rates. While we use our best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, our estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. If different assumptions are used, it could materially impact the purchase price allocation and our financial position and results of operations. Any adjustments to assets acquired or liabilities assumed subsequent to the purchase price allocation period are included in operating results in the period in which the adjustments are determined. Intangible assets typically are comprised of trademarks and trade names, licenses and customer relationships, and non-compete agreements.
Loss Contingencies and Reserves
We are subject to ongoing business risks arising in the ordinary course of business that affect the estimation process of the carrying value of assets, the recording liabilities, and the possibility of various loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to determine whether such amounts should be adjusted and record changes in estimates in the period they become known. We are subject to legal claims from time to time. We reserve for legal contingencies and legal fees when the amounts are probable and estimable.
Stock-Based Compensation
Our stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. We use the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of stock options as of the date of grant. Determining the fair value of stock option awards at the grant date requires judgment regarding certain valuation assumptions, including the volatility of our stock price, expected term of the stock option, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Changes in such assumptions and estimates could result in different fair values and could therefore impact our earnings. Such changes, however, would not impact our cash flows.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities, measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent our management concludes that it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. To assess the recoverability of any tax assets recorded on the balance sheet, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, the existence of cumulative income in the most recent years, changes in the business in which we operate and our forecast of future taxable income. In determining future taxable income, we make assumptions, including the amount of state and federal pre-tax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage our businesses.
Results of Operations
Years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
Revenue
Our main sources of revenue are comprised of the following:
•Product sales (retail and wholesale) - direct sales of cannabis and cannabis-infused products primarily by our retail dispensaries and wholesale operations in multiple states. We recognize this revenue when products are delivered or at retail points-of-sale.
•Real estate rental income - rental income generated from the leasing of our state-of-the-art, regulatory compliant cannabis facilities to our cannabis-licensed clients. Rental income is generally a fixed amount per month that escalates over the respective lease terms. Prior to the third quarter of 2022, we charged additional rental fees based on a percentage of tenant revenue that exceeded specified amounts; these incremental rental fees were eliminated in connection with new contract negotiations with our client.
•Supply procurement - resale of cultivation and production resources, supplies and equipment that we have acquired from top national vendors at discounted prices to our clients and third parties within the cannabis industry. We recognize this revenue after the delivery and acceptance of goods by the purchaser.
•Management fees - fees for providing our cannabis-licensed clients with comprehensive oversight of their cannabis cultivation, production and dispensary operations. Prior to the third quarter of 2022, these fees were based on a percentage of such clients' revenue and were recognized after services were performed; these fees were eliminated in connection with new contract negotiations with our client.
•Licensing fees - revenue from the licensing of our branded products, including Betty's Eddies, Bubby's Baked, Vibations and Kalm Fusion, to wholesalers and regulated dispensaries throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. We recognize this revenue when the products are sold to the end customer.
Our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was comprised of the following (in thousands, except percentages):
Year ended December 31, Increase (decrease) from prior year
2023 2022 $ %
Product revenue:
Product sales - retail $ 95,517 $ 92,836 $ 2,681 2.9 %
Product sales - wholesale 48,788 32,865 15,923 48.4 %
Total product revenue 144,305 125,701 18,604 14.8 %
Other revenue:
Real estate rentals 1,787 3,526 (1,739) (49.3) %
Supply procurement 1,534 3,353 (1,819) (54.2) %
Management fees 711 848 (137) (16.2) %
Licensing fees 261 582 (321) (55.2) %
Total other revenue 4,293 8,309 (4,016) (48.3) %
Total revenue $ 148,598 $ 134,010 $ 14,588 10.9 %
Our total revenue increased $14.6 million, or 10.9%, in the year ended December 31, 2023 ("2023") compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 ("2022"), the result of higher product revenue, partially offset by lower other revenue (real estate rentals, supply procurement, management fees and licensing fees).
Our total product revenue in 2023 increased $18.6 million, or 14.8%, primarily attributable to higher wholesale revenue, coupled with net increases in retail revenue. Our wholesale and retail revenue increased in both Maryland and Massachusetts in 2023. The increase in Maryland revenue is attributable to both the inclusion of a full year of revenue in 2023 compared to revenue in 2022 only for the period subsequent to the Kind Acquisition Date, and organic growth in the current year. The increase in Massachusetts revenue in 2023 was primarily attributable to higher retail revenue arising from our recent acquisitions there and, to a lesser extent, to higher wholesale revenue. These increases were partially offset by decreases in revenue from certain of our other dispensaries.
The decrease in our other revenue was primarily attributable to rent, supply procurement and management fee reductions in connection with one of our cannabis-licensed clients. These decreases were partially offset by higher supply procurement revenue primarily attributable to revenue generated from our cannabis-licensed client in Delaware.
Cost of Revenue, Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Our cost of revenue represents the direct costs associated with the generation of our revenue, including licensing, packaging, supply procurement, manufacturing, supplies, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and other product-related costs.
Our cost of revenue, gross profit and gross margin for 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
Year ended December 31, Increase from prior year
2023 2022 $ %
Cost of revenue $ 82,679 $ 70,053 $ 12,626 18.0 %
Gross profit $ 65,919 $ 63,957 $ 1,962 3.1 %
Gross margin 44.4 % 47.7 %
Our cost of revenue increased in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily attributable to higher materials and employee-related costs. These increases aggregated approximately $16 million, and were primarily due to our increased headcount in connection with our recent acquisitions and expanded footprint. These increases were partially offset by lower supply procurement and certain manufacturing-related expenses.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses are comprised of personnel, marketing and promotion, general and administrative, acquisition-related and other, and bad debt expenses. Our operating expenses for 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
Year ended December 31, Increase (decrease) from prior year
2023 2022 $ %
Personnel $ 22,612 $ 14,404 $ 8,208 57.0 %
Marketing and promotion 5,977 3,736 2,241 60.0 %
General and administrative 22,132 20,735 1,397 6.7 %
Acquisition-related and other 695 961 (266) (27.7) %
Bad debt 118 3,752 (3,634) (96.9 %)
Total operating expenses $ 51,534 $ 43,588 $ 7,946 18.2 %
The increase in our personnel expenses in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to the hiring of additional staff to support higher levels of projected revenue from existing and expanded operations, as well as increased headcount arising from the Kind Acquisition and, to a lesser extent, our other recent acquisitions. Personnel costs increased to approximately 15% of revenue in 2023 compared to approximately 11% of revenue in 2022.
The increase in our marketing and promotion expenses in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily attributable to our focused efforts to upgrade our marketing initiatives in order to expand branding and distribution of our licensed products. Marketing and promotion costs increased to approximately 4% of revenue in 2023, compared to approximately 3% of revenue in 2021.
The increase in our general and administrative expenses in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily attributable to higher facility-related, travel and entertainment, and insurance-related expenses, partially offset by lower costs in connection with our equity programs and lower bad debt expense. These decreases were partially offset by higher facilities-related and depreciation expenses.
Acquisition-related and other expenses include those expenses related to acquisitions and other significant transactions that we would otherwise not have incurred, and include professional and services fees, such as legal, audit, consulting, paying agent and other fees. We incurred $0.7 million of acquisition-related and other expense in 2023, primarily related to our acquisitive activities. We incurred $1.0 million of acquisition-related and other expenses in 2022, primarily related to the Kind Acquisition in April 2022 and the July 2022 listing of our common stock on the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Overall, the increase in our operating expenses in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily attributable to our higher personnel, marketing and general and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower bad debt and acquisition-related and other expenses.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense primarily relates to interest on mortgages and notes payable and, effective in 2023, the CA Credit Agreement (as described below) and, to a lesser extent, the CREM Loan (as described below). Interest income primarily relates to our notes receivable. Other expense, net, includes gains (losses) on changes in the fair value of our investments and other investment-related income (expense).
Our net interest expense increased by $8.2 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to interest or the CA Credit Agreement and expense related to the fair value adjustment to notes payable in connection with our early repayment of the notes payable for the Kind Acquisition.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
On November 16, 2023, we repaid and retired the term loan outstanding under the CA Credit Agreement (the "CA Term Loan Payoff") using proceeds from the CREM Loan entered into on the same day. The Term Loan payoff amount totaled $32.7 million, comprised of $28.5 million for the outstanding principal, $3.7 million for the make-whole payment, $0.2 million for accrued unpaid interest and $0.3 million for transaction-related fees. We also repaid the mortgage with Bank of New England related to our Massachusetts facilities in New Bedford and Middleborough (the "BNE Payoff") and concurrently, we refinanced these properties under the CREM Loan. In connection with these early repayments, we recognized losses aggregating $10.4 million, comprised of $10.2 million in connection with the CA Term Loan Payoff and $0.2 million in connection with the BNE Payoff.
Other Expense, Net
We reported net other expense of $1.6 million and $0.1 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The 2023 expense is primarily comprised of $0.9 million for the write-off of assets in the first quarter of 2023 in connection with our decision to cancel our plans to expand into Nevada and a $0.7 million term loan payment that we initiated in error to an account provided in a fraudulent email we received. We were initially advised by JPM Chase, the recipient's bank ("Chase") that we had identified the problem before the payment was delivered to the account identified by the email, and that the funds were being held by Chase pending its completion of an internal investigation. Chase has subsequently advised us that the funds were delivered to the fraudulent recipient's account. We continue to pursue all channels through our bank to recover these funds. In addition, we initiated, and are pursuing, a claim under our insurance coverage to recover this amount. There is no assurance that we will successfully recover all or any portion of this amount, including under our insurance claim. We reduced our cash balance and included this amount as a component of Other expense, net, in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023. If these funds, or any portion of these funds, are recovered, we will reverse the expense accordingly. We have implemented additional safeguards to protect ourselves from future fraudulent activity; please see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 1C. Cybersecurity for further information. We recorded nominal net other expense for 2022, comprised of $1.0 million of non-cash income from the sale of an investment, virtually offset by a $1.1 million loss from the change in fair value of other investments.
Income Tax Provision
We recorded income tax provisions of $9.4 million and $5.9 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The provision recorded for both 2023 and 2022 was due in part to the impact of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which prohibits the deduction of certain ordinary business expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We had cash and cash equivalents of $14.6 million and $9.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In addition to the discussions below of our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities, please also see our discussion of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA in the section “Non-GAAP Measurement” below, which discusses an additional financial measure not defined by GAAP, which our management also uses to measure our liquidity.
CA Credit Agreement
On January 24, 2023, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, by and among the Company, subsidiaries of the Company from time-to-time party thereto (collectively with the Company, the “CA Borrowers”), lenders from time-to-time party thereto (the “CA Lenders”), and Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC (“Chicago Atlantic”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (the "CA Credit Agreement").
Proceeds from the CA Credit Agreement were designated to complete the build-out of a new cultivation and processing facility in Illinois, complete the build-out of a new processing kitchen in Missouri, expand existing cultivation and processing facilities in Massachusetts and Maryland, fund certain capital expenditures, and repay in full the Kind Therapeutics seller notes incurred in connection with the Kind Acquisition, which repayment occurred on January 24, 2023. The remaining balance, if any, was expected to be used to fund acquisitions.
The CA Credit Agreement provided for $35.0 million in principal borrowings at our option in the aggregate and further provided the CA Borrowers with the right, subject to customary conditions, to request an additional incremental term loan in the aggregate principal amount of up to $30.0 million; provided that the CA Lenders elect to fund such incremental term loan. $30.0 million of loan principal was funded at the initial closing (the "Term Loan") and we had the option, during the six-month period following the initial closing, to draw down an additional $5.0 million, which we did not elect to do. The loans required scheduled amortization payments of 1.0% of the principal amount outstanding under the CA Credit Agreement per month commencing in May 2023, and the remaining principal balance was due in full on January 24, 2026, subject to extension to January 24, 2028 under certain circumstances.
The CA Credit Agreement provided the CA Borrowers with the right, subject to specified limitations, to incur (a) seller provided debt in connection with future acquisitions, (b) additional mortgage financing from third-party lenders secured by real estate currently owned and acquired after the closing date, and (c) additional debt in connection with equipment leasing transactions.
The obligations under the CA Credit Agreement were secured by substantially all of the assets of the CA Borrowers, excluding specified parcels of real estate and other customary exclusions.
The CA Credit Agreement provided for a floating annual interest rate equal to the prime rate then in effect plus 5.75%, which rate could be increased by 3.00% upon an event of default or 7.50% upon a material event of default as provided in the Credit Agreement.
At any time, we could voluntarily prepay amounts due under the facility in $5.0 million increments, subject to a three-percent prepayment premium and, during the first 20-months of the term, a “make-whole” payment.
The CA Credit Agreement included customary representations and warranties and customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to material indebtedness, and events of bankruptcy and insolvency.
The CA Credit Agreement also included customary negative covenants limiting our ability to incur additional indebtedness and grant liens that are otherwise not permitted, among others. Additionally, the CA Credit Agreement required us to meet certain financial tests. We were in compliance with the CA Credit Agreement covenants at all times while the Term Loan was outstanding.
The CA Credit Agreement provided for 30% warrant coverage against amounts funded under the facility, priced at a 20% premium to the trailing 20-day average price on the closing date of each such funding. At the initial closing, upon funding of the initial $30.0 million under the facility, we issued to the CA Lenders warrants to purchase an aggregate of 19,148,936 shares of our common stock at $0.47 per share, exercisable for a five-year period following issuance.
On November 16, 2023 (the "Payoff Date"), we repaid and retired the Term Loan (the "Term Loan Payoff") using proceeds from a new $58.7 million loan entered into on the same day (described below). The Term Loan Payoff amount totaled $32.7 million, comprised of $28.5 million for the outstanding principal, $3.7 million for the make-whole payment, $0.2 million for accrued unpaid interest and $0.3 million for transaction-related fees. We recognized a loss of $10.2 million in connection with the Term Loan Payoff.
CREM Loan
On November 16, 2023, Mari Holdings MD LLC, Hartwell Realty Holdings LLC, Kind Therapeutics USA, LLC, ARL Healthcare Inc., and MariMed Advisors, Inc., each a wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the "CREM Borrowers") entered into a Loan Agreement (the "CREM Loan Agreement"), by and among the CREM Borrowers, and Needham Bank, a Massachusetts co-operative bank (the "CREM Lender") pursuant to which the CREM Lender loaned to the CREM Borrowers an aggregate principal amount of $58.7 million (the "CREM Loan Transaction"). The Company has fully guaranteed the obligations of the CREM Borrowers under the CREM Loan Transaction and pledged to the CREM Lender its equity ownership in each CREM Borrower. The CREM Lender has a first priority security interest in all of the CREM Borrowers' operating assets in Maryland and Massachusetts and first priority mortgages on the CREM Borrowers' properties owned in Maryland and Massachusetts.
The CREM Loan Transaction matures in ten years and has an interest rate for the initial five years of 8.43% per annum. The interest rate will reset after five years to the FHLB Rate (the Classic Advance Rate for Fixed Rate advances for a period of five years for an amount greater than or equal to the loan amount, as such rate is defined and published by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston), plus 3.50%. We will make interest-only payments for the first twelve months of the term of the loan, with payments thereafter based upon a twenty-year amortization schedule.
The CREM Lender initially released $52.8 million to the CREM Borrowers (the "Initial CREM Distribution"). The remaining proceeds of $5.9 million will be held in escrow to complete the expansion of our Hagerstown, Maryland cultivation facility (the "Hagerstown Facility"). Any unused proceeds will be released to us after completion of the Hagerstown Facility expansion. We used $46.8 million of the Initial CREM Distribution to fully repay certain of our outstanding debt. These payments were comprised of $32.7 million to repay the Term Loan, $11.9 million to repay the mortgage with Bank of New England for our New Bedford, MA and Middleborough, MA properties (the "BNE Mortgage"), and $2.2 million to reduce the outstanding balance of the note we issued in connection with the Ermont Acquisition. Concurrent with the repayment of the BNE Mortgage, we refinanced these properties through the CREM Loan and accordingly, effective November 16, 2023, the mortgage on these properties is held by Needham Bank, which mortgage matures in 2033 and which outstanding amount is included as a component of the CREM Loan amount in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023.
The CREM Loan Agreement includes customary representations and warranties and customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to material indebtedness, and events of bankruptcy and insolvency. The CREM Loan Agreement also includes customary negative covenants limiting the CREM Borrowers' (but not the Company's) ability to incur additional indebtedness and grant liens that are otherwise not permitted, among others. The CREM Loan Agreement also requires the CREM Borrowers to meet certain periodic financial tests.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Our primary sources of cash from operating activities are from sales to customers in our dispensaries and to our wholesale customers. We expect cash flows from operating activities to be affected by increases and decreases in sales volumes and timing of collections, and by purchases of inventory and shipment of our products. Our primary uses of cash for operating activities are for personnel costs, purchases of packaging and other materials required for the production and sale of our products, and income taxes.
Our operating activities provided $7.9 million and $7.3 million of cash in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in cash from operating activities in 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily attributable to $6.4 million of cash used to pay income taxes in the current year period, compared to $14.6 million in the same prior year period, coupled with higher expenses arising from expanding our sales activities, facilities and geographic footprint, both in the states where we currently operate and to expand into other states.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Our investing activities used $26.0 million and $26.2 million of cash in 2023 and 2022, respectively. We used $20.1 million of cash for purchases of property and equipment in 2023, compared to $12.1 million in 2022. This increase is primarily due to our expansion activities, resulting in the buildout of certain facilities to add cultivation and processing functionality and capacity. We used $3.0 million of cash for purchase consideration in connection with the Ermont
Acquisition in March 2023, and an aggregate of $12.8 million for cash consideration in connection with the Kind Acquisition and Green Growth Acquisition in April 2022 and May 2022, respectively.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our financing activities provided $23.0 million of cash in 2023 and used $1.0 million of cash in 2022.
In 2023, we received proceeds of $29.1 million from the CA Credit Agreement, of which we used $5.5 million to repay in full the notes previously issued to the sellers of Kind as part of the purchase consideration for the Kind Acquisition. We received $53.6 million from the CREM Loan, of which we used $46.8 million in the aggregate to repay and retire the CA Credit Agreement and our mortgage with Bank of New England for our Massachusetts facilities in New Bedford and Middleborough, including prepayment penalties, and reduce the balance on our notes payable in connection with the Ermont Acquisition. Concurrent with the repayment to Bank of New England, we refinanced these properties through the CREM Loan.
In 2022, we paid $2.0 million of cash to redeem the outstanding minority interests in one of our majority-owned real estate subsidiaries, made $1.5 million of aggregate principal payments on our outstanding mortgages and notes payable, and made distribution payments and finance lease principal payments aggregating $0.5 million. These amounts were partially offset by $3.0 million of proceeds from a new mortgage on one of our facilities in Illinois.
Based on our current expectations, we believe our current cash and future funding opportunities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. The rate at which we consume cash is dependent on the cash needs of our future operations, including our contractual obligations at December 31, 2023, and our ability to raise additional cash through financing activities. Our contractual obligations at December 31, 2023 were primarily comprised of our outstanding CREM Loan, mortgages and promissory notes, as well as our operating leases. Our CREM Loan, mortgage and promissory note obligations totaled approximately $66 million at December 31, 2023.
Non-GAAP Measurement
In addition to the financial information reflected in this report, which is prepared in accordance with GAAP, we are providing a non-GAAP financial measurement of profitability - Adjusted EBITDA - as a supplement to the preceding discussion of our financial results.
Our management defines Adjusted EBITDA as income from operations, determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the following:
•depreciation and amortization of property and equipment;
•amortization of acquired intangible assets;
•impairments or write-downs of acquired intangible assets;
•stock-based compensation;
•acquisition-related and other;
•legal settlements; and
•acquisition-related and other.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure to assess our performance and liquidity, as it provides meaningful operating results by excluding the effects of expenses that are not reflective of our operating business performance. In addition, our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, and for financial and operational decision-making. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Management believes that investors and analysts benefit from considering Adjusted EBITDA in assessing our financial results and our ongoing business, as it allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in the business. Adjusted EBITDA is used by many investors and analysts themselves, along with other metrics, to compare financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies.
As there are no standardized methods of calculating non-GAAP measurements, our calculations may differ from those used by analysts, investors, and other companies, even those within the cannabis industry, and therefore may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures used by others.
Reconciliation of Income from Operations to Adjusted EBITDA (a Non-GAAP Measurement)
The table below reconciles Income from operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
GAAP Income from operations $ 14,385 $ 20,369
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 5,549 3,432
Amortization of acquired intangible assets 3,025 1,282
Stock-based compensation 1,020 6,338
Acquisition-related and other 695 961
Adjusted EBITDA $ 24,674 $ 32,382
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue, or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Inflation
In the opinion of management, inflation has impacted the Company through increased costs of ingredients, nutrients and packaging. The Company recently negotiated with certain of our suppliers to reduce our costs for future purchases of ingredients, nutrients and packaging, all of which have increased significantly as a result of current economic conditions.
Seasonality
In the opinion of management, the Company’s financial condition and results of its operations are not materially impacted by seasonal sales.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has reviewed all other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, and does not believe the future adoption of any such pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial condition or the results of its operations.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company is a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Regulation S-K and, as such, is not required to provide the information contained in this item pursuant to Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
CONTENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 2738)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of MariMed Inc.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MariMed Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Inventory
As discussed in the notes to the financial statements, the Company allocates a certain percentage of overhead cost to its manufactured inventory.
Auditing management’s allocation of overhead involves significant judgements and estimates to determine the proper allocation.
To evaluate the appropriateness of the allocation of overhead to inventory, we evaluated management’s significant judgments and estimates in what parts of overhead should be included and the allocation of these costs.
/s/ M&K CPAS, PLLC
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
The Woodlands, TX
March 7, 2024
MariMed Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
December 31,
2023 2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 14,645 $ 9,737
Accounts receivable, net 7,199 4,157
Inventory 25,306 19,477
Deferred rents receivable 630 704
Notes receivable, current portion 52 2,637
Investments, current portion 88 123
Due from related parties 105 29
Other current assets 3,407 7,282
Total current assets 51,432 44,146
Property and equipment, net 89,103 71,641
Intangible assets, net 17,012 14,201
Goodwill 11,993 8,079
Investments, net of current portion 221 -
Notes receivable, net of current portion 814 7,467
Operating lease right-of-use assets 9,716 4,931
Finance lease right-of-use assets 3,295 713
Other assets 12,537 1,024
Total assets $ 196,123 $ 152,202
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Mortgages and notes payable, current portion $ 723 $ 3,774
Accounts payable 9,001 6,626
Accrued expenses and other 3,549 3,091
Income taxes payable 14,434 11,489
Operating lease liabilities, current portion 1,945 1,273
Finance lease liabilities, current portion 1,210 237
Total current liabilities 30,862 26,490
Mortgages and notes payable, net of current portion 65,652 25,943
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 8,455 4,173
Finance lease liabilities, net of current portion 2,140 461
Other liabilities 100 100
Total liabilities 107,209 57,167
Commitments and contingencies
December 31,
2023 2022
Mezzanine equity:
Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 4,908,333 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022
14,725 14,725
Series C convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 12,432,432 shares authorized; 1,155,274 and 6,216,216 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
4,275 23,000
Total mezzanine equity 19,000 37,725
Stockholders’ equity:
Undesignated preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 32,659,235 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022
- -
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 700,000,000 shares authorized; 375,126,352 and 341,474,728 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
375 341
Common stock subscribed but not issued; zero and 70,000 shares at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively
- 39
Additional paid-in capital 171,144 142,365
Accumulated deficit (99,955) (83,924)
Noncontrolling interests (1,650) (1,511)
Total stockholders’ equity 69,914 57,310
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity, and stockholders’ equity $ 196,123 $ 152,202
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
MariMed Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022
Revenue $ 148,598 $ 134,010
Cost of revenue 82,679 70,053
Gross profit 65,919 63,957
Operating expenses:
Personnel 22,612 14,404
Marketing and promotion 5,977 3,736
General and administrative 22,132 20,735
Acquisition-related and other 695 961
Bad debt 118 3,752
Total operating expenses 51,534 43,588
Income from operations 14,385 20,369
Interest and other (expense) income:
Interest expense (9,185) (1,693)
Interest income 270 959
Loss on extinguishment of debt (10,431) -
Other expense, net (1,635) (127)
Total interest and other expense, net (20,981) (861)
(Loss) income before income taxes (6,596) 19,508
Provision for income taxes 9,411 5,894
Net (loss) income (16,007) 13,614
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 24 146
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (16,031) $ 13,468
Net (loss) income per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic $ (0.04) $ 0.04
Diluted $ (0.04) $ 0.04
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic 363,403 337,697
Diluted 363,403 380,289
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
MariMed Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except share amounts)
Common stock Common stock subscribed but not issued Additional paid-in capital Accumulated deficit Non-controlling interests Total stockholders' equity
Shares Par Value Shares Amount
Balances at January 1, 2022 334,030,348 $ 334 - $ - $ 134,920 $ (97,392) $ (1,563) $ 36,299
Release of shares under stock grants 402,203 - - - - - - -
Exercise of stock options 55,000 - - - 10 - - 10
Cashless exercise of stock options 200,000 - - - - - - -
Cashless exercise of warrants 317,298 - - - - - - -
Forfeiture of restricted shares (32,609) - - - - - - -
Conversion of promissory notes to common stock 1,142,858 1 - - 399 - - 400
Common stock issued to settle obligations 375,000 - - - 275 - - 275
Common stock issued under licensing agreement 218,345 - - - 121 - - 121
Common stock issued to purchase property and equipment 422,535 1 - - 299 - - 300
Common stock issued as purchase consideration - Green Growth Group Inc. 2,343,750 3 - - 1,497 - - 1,500
Common stock issued as purchase consideration - Greenhouse Naturals LLC 2,000,000 2 - - 710 - - 712
Purchase of minority interests in certain of the Company's subsidiaries - - - - (2,165) - 165 (2,000)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - - - - - - (259) (259)
Stock-based compensation - - 70,000 39 6,299 - - 6,338
Net income - - - - - 13,468 146 13,614
Balances at December 31, 2022 341,474,728 $ 341 70,000 $ 39 $ 142,365 $ (83,924) $ (1,511) $ 57,310
Common stock subscribed but not issued - - 5,025 2 - - - 2
Issuance of subscribed shares 75,025 - (75,025) (41) 41 - - -
Release of shares under stock grants 599,999 1 - - (1) - - -
Exercise of stock options 487,752 - - - 109 - - 109
Warrants issued in connection with debt - - - - 5,454 - - 5,454
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock 25,304,710 25 - - 18,700 - - 18,725
Common stock issued to settle obligations 400,000 - - - 160 - - 160
Common stock issued under licensing agreement 13,007 - - - 5 - - 5
Common stock issued to purchase property and equipment 740,741 1 - - 299 - - 300
Common stock issued as purchase consideration - Ermont Inc. 6,580,390 7 - - 2,987 - - 2,994
Purchase of minority interest in a subsidiary of the Company 450,000 1 - - 4 - (5) -
Common stock returned to the Company in connection with a cancelled transaction (1,000,000) (1) - - 1 - - -
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - - - - - - (158) (158)
Stock-based compensation - - - - 1,020 - - 1,020
Net income - - - - - (16,031) 24 (16,007)
Balances at December 31, 2023 375,126,352 $ 375 - $ - $ 171,144 $ (99,955) $ (1,650) $ 69,914
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
MariMed Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (16,031) $ 13,468
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 24 146
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 5,549 3,432
Amortization of intangible assets 3,025 1,282
Stock-based compensation 1,020 6,338
Amortization of original debt issuance discount 232 -
Amortization of debt discount 2,851 -
Payment-in-kind interest 366 -
Present value adjustment of notes payable - -
Bad debt expense 118 3,752
Obligations settled with common stock 465 696
Write-off of disposed assets 906 -
Gain on finance lease adjustment (31) -
Write-down of prepaid purchase consideration 200 -
Loss on extinguishment of debt 10,431 -
Loss on changes in fair value of investments 76 1,082
Other investment income - (954)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net (3,160) (6,902)
Inventory (5,829) (5,383)
Deferred rents receivable 74 132
Other current assets 4,500 (5,219)
Other assets (356) (126)
Accounts payable 2,375 1,027
Accrued expenses and other (1,840) (482)
Income taxes payable 2,945 (4,978)
Net cash provided by operating activities 7,910 7,311
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (20,130) (12,140)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (2,987) (12,847)
Advances toward future business acquisitions (1,125) (800)
Purchases of investments (261) -
Purchases of cannabis licenses (626) (601)
Issuance of notes receivable (879) -
Proceeds from notes receivable 99 173
Due from related parties (76) (29)
Net cash used in investing activities (25,985) (26,244)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from term loan 29,100 -
Proceeds from Construction to Permanent Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Loan 53,618 -
Proceeds from mortgages - 3,000
Payment of third-party debt issuance costs in connection with debt (3,339) -
Principal payments of term loan (1,800) -
Repayment and retirement of term loan, including paid-in-kind interest (28,541) -
Payment of penalties on early retirement of debt (4,251) -
Principal payments of mortgages (585) (945)
Repayment and retirement of mortgages (12,595) -
Principal payments of promissory notes (2,370) (592)
Repayment and retirement of promissory notes (5,503) -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 109 10
Principal payments of finance leases (702) (227)
Redemption of minority interests - (2,000)
Distributions (158) (259)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 22,983 (1,013)
Net increase (decrease) to cash and cash equivalents 4,908 (19,946)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 9,737 29,683
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 14,645 $ 9,737
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 5,654 $ 1,744
Cash paid for income taxes $ 6,419 $ 14,567
Non-cash activities:
Trade receivables converted to notes receivable $ - $ 750
Common stock issued to purchase property and equipment $ 300 $ 300
Conversion of promissory notes to equity $ - $ 400
Present value of promissory notes issued as purchase consideration $ 4,569 $ 4,348
Entry into new operating leases $ 5,604 $ 661
Entry into new finance leases $ 3,235 $ 794
Common stock issued as purchase consideration $ 2,994 $ 2,212
Common stock issued to purchase minority interest in a subsidiary of the Company $ 5 $ -
Warrants to issue common stock issued with debt $ 5,454 $ -
Notes payable issued to purchase motor vehicles $ 158 $ -
Common stock issued to settle obligations $ 160 $ 275
Common stock issued under licensing agreement $ 5 $ 121
Issuance of common stock associated with subscriptions $ 41 $ -
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock $ 18,725 $ -
Conversion of notes receivable to omnibus long-lived asset $ 10,233 $ -
Liability recorded for building improvements $ 1,997 $ -
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
MariMed Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(1) NATURE OF THE BUSINESS
MariMed Inc. (the “Company” or "MariMed") is a multi-state operator in the United States cannabis industry. MariMed develops, operates, manages and optimizes state-of-the-art, regulatory-compliant facilities for the cultivation, production and dispensing of medical and adult-use cannabis. MariMed also licenses its proprietary brands of cannabis products along with other top brands in domestic markets.
(2) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
On March 9, 2023 (the "Ermont Acquisition Date"), the Company acquired the operating assets of Ermont, Inc. ("Ermont"), a medical-licensed vertical cannabis operator located in Quincy, Massachusetts (the "Ermont Acquisition"). The financial results of Ermont are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the Ermont Acquisition Date.
On April 27, 2022 (the “Kind Acquisition Date”), the Company acquired Kind Therapeutics USA (“Kind”), the Company's former client in Maryland that holds licenses for the cultivation, production, and dispensing of medical cannabis (the “Kind Acquisition”). The financial results of Kind are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements for the periods subsequent to the Kind Acquisition Date.
The Company completed two acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2022 that it recorded as asset purchases. On May 5, 2022 (the "Green Growth Acquisition Date"), the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity ownership of Green Growth Group Inc. (“Green Growth”), an entity that holds a craft cultivation and production cannabis license in the state of Illinois (the “Green Growth Acquisition”). On December 30, 2022 (the "Greenhouse Naturals Acquisition Date"), the Company completed an asset purchase under which it acquired the cannabis license and assumed a property lease for a dispensary in Beverly, Massachusetts that had never been operational (the "Greenhouse Naturals Acquisition").
Certain reclassifications, not affecting previously reported net income or cash flows, have been made to the previously issued financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.
Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MariMed Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Subsidiary Percentage
Owned
MariMed Advisors Inc. 100.0 %
Mia Development LLC 94.3 %
Mari Holdings IL LLC 100.0 %
Mari Holdings MD LLC 100.0 %
Mari Holdings NJ LLC 100.0 %
Mari Holdings Metropolis LLC 70.0 %
Mari Holdings Mt. Vernon LLC 100.0 %
Hartwell Realty Holdings LLC 100.0 %
Kind Therapeutics USA LLC 100.0 %
ARL Healthcare Inc. 100.0 %
KPG of Anna LLC 100.0 %
KPG of Harrisburg LLC 100.0 %
MariMed OH LLC 100.0 %
MariMed Hemp Inc. 100.0 %
MediTaurus LLC 100.0 %
MMMO LLC 100.0 %
Green Growth Group Inc. 100.0 %
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests represent third-party minority ownership of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is shown in the consolidated statements of operations and the value of net assets owned by noncontrolling interests are presented as a component of equity within the balance sheets.
Use of Estimates and Judgments
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reporting amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and judgments relied upon in preparing these consolidated financial statements include accounting for business combinations, inventory valuations, assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock-based compensation, and intangible assets and goodwill. The Company regularly assesses these estimates and records change in estimates in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates or assumptions.
Business Combinations
The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value on the date of acquisition. Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed and represents the expected future economic benefits arising from other assets acquire in the business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, its estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill to the extent that it identifies adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations.
Asset Purchases
The Company accounts for an acquisitive transaction determined to be an asset purchase based on the cost accumulation and allocation method, under which the costs to purchase the asset or set of assets are allocated to the assets acquired. No goodwill is recorded in connection with an asset purchase.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The fair values of these investments approximate their carrying values.
At each of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $0.1 million of cash held in escrow.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are maintained with recognized financial institutions located in the United States. In the normal course of business, the Company may carry balances with certain financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced losses on balances in excess of such limits and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks in that regard.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments approximate their fair values and include cash equivalents, accounts receivable, deferred rents receivable, notes receivable, investments, term loan, mortgages and notes payable, and accounts payable.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participant would use in pricing an asset or a liability. The three-tier fair value hierarchy is based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
•Level 1. Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•Level 2. Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace, such as quoted price for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted price for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets).
•Level 3. Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of trade receivables, and are carried at their estimated collectible amounts.
The Company provides credit to its clients in the form of payment terms. The Company limits its credit risk by performing credit evaluations of its clients and maintaining a reserve, if deemed necessary, for potential credit losses. Such evaluations include the review of a client’s outstanding balances with consideration towards such client’s historical collection experience, as well as prevailing economic and market conditions and other factors. Based on such evaluations, the Company maintained reserves of $0.8 million and $4.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Inventory
Inventory is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with the cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company allocates a certain percentage of overhead cost to its manufactured inventory; such allocation is based on square footage and other industry-standard criteria. The Company reviews physical inventory for obsolescence and/or excess and will record a reserve if necessary. As of the date of this report, no reserve was deemed necessary.
Investments
Investments are comprised of equity holdings of public companies. These investments are recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, with changes to fair value included in income. Investments are evaluated for permanent impairment and are written down if such impairments are deemed to have occurred.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contract with Customers ("ASC 606"), as amended by subsequently issued Accounting Standards Updates. ASC 606 requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The recognition of revenue is determined by performing the following consecutive steps:
•identify the contract(s) with a customer;
•identify the performance obligations in the contract(s);
•determine the transaction price;
•allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s); and
•recognize revenue as the performance obligation is satisfied.
Additionally, when another party is involved in providing goods or services to the Company’s clients, a determination is made as to who-the Company or the other party-is acting in the capacity as the principal in the sale transaction, and who is merely the agent arranging for goods or services to be provided by the other party.
The Company is typically considered the principal if it controls the specified good or service before such good or service is transferred to its client. The Company may also be deemed to be the principal even if it engages another party (an agent) to satisfy some of the performance obligations on its behalf, provided the Company (i) takes on certain responsibilities, obligations and risks, (ii) possesses certain abilities and discretion, or (iii) other relevant indicators of the sale. If deemed an agent, the Company would not recognize revenue for the performance obligations it does not satisfy.
The Company’s main sources of revenue are comprised of the following:
•Product sales (retail and wholesale) - direct sales of cannabis and cannabis-infused products by the Company’s retail dispensaries and wholesale operations. This revenue is recognized when products are delivered or at retail points-of-sale.
•Real estate rental income - rental income generated from leasing of the Company’s state-of-the-art, regulatory-compliant cannabis facilities to its cannabis-licensed clients. Rental income is generally a fixed amount per month that escalates over the respective lease terms. Prior to the third quarter of 2022, the Company charged additional rental fees based on a percentage of tenant revenue that exceeded specific amounts; these incremental rental fees were eliminated in connection with new contract negotiations with the Company's client.
•Supply procurement - resale of cultivation and production resources, supplies and equipment that the Company has acquired from top national vendors at discounted prices to its client and third parties within the cannabis industry. The Company recognizes this revenue after the delivery and acceptance of goods by the purchaser.
•Management fees - fees for providing the Company’s cannabis clients with comprehensive oversight of their cannabis cultivation, production and dispensary operations. Prior to the third quarter of 2022, these fees were based on a percentage of such clients’ revenue and are recognized after services have been performed; these fees were eliminated in connection with new contract negotiations with the Company's client.
•Licensing fees - revenue from the licensing of the Company's branded products, including Betty's Eddies, Bubby's Baked, Vibations and Kalm Fusion, to wholesalers and to regulated dispensaries throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The Company recognizes this revenue when the products are delivered.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, with depreciation recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term, if applicable. When assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in income. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense in the period incurred. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are generally as follows: buildings and building improvements, thirty-nine to forty years; tenant improvements, the lesser of the remaining duration of the related lease or the asset useful life; furniture and fixtures, seven to ten years; machinery and equipment, seven to ten years. Land is not depreciated.
Software development costs associated with internal use software are incurred in three stages of development: the preliminary project stage, the application development stage and the post-implementation stage. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Certain qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized as property and equipment. Internal use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of five to seven years, beginning when the software is ready for its intended use.
The Company’s property and equipment are individually reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable from the undiscounted future cash flows of such asset over the anticipated holding period. An impairment loss is measured by the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its estimated fair value. Impairment analyses are based on management’s current plans, asset holding periods, and currently available market information. If these criteria change, the Company’s evaluation of impairment losses may be different and could have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, based on the results of management’s impairment analyses, there were no impairment losses.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
The Company's intangible assets are comprised of trade names and trademarks, license and customer and non-compete agreements. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable based upon the estimated undiscounted cash flows. Recoverability of intangible assets with estimated lives and other long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If these comparisons indicate that an asset is not recoverable, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds the related estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is based on either discounted future operating cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the asset. The Company amortizes its intangible assets over their respective useful lives. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was no impairment of goodwill.
Leases
Arrangements that are determined to be leases with a term greater than one year are accounted for by the recognition of right-of-use assets that represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities that represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Non-lease components within lease agreements are accounted for separately.
Right-of-use assets and obligations are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term, utilizing the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of its fixed assets and other assets in accordance with ASC 360-10-15, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Impairment of long-lived assets is recognized when the net book value of
such assets exceeds their expected cash flows, in which case the assets are written down to fair value, which is determined based on discounted future cash flows or appraised values.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company's stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally corresponds with the vesting period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of stock options on the date of grant. The fair value of stock option and warrant issuances is affected by the Company's stock price on the issuance date as well as valuation assumptions, including the volatility of the Company's common stock price, expected term of the option, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.
The expected life of an instrument is calculated using the simplified method, which allows for using the mid-point between the vesting date and expiration date. The volatility factors are based on the historical two-year movement of the Company’s common stock prior to an instrument’s issuance date. The risk-free interest rate is based on United States Treasury rates with maturity periods similar to the expected instruments life on the issuance date.
The Company amortizes the fair value of option, warrant issuances and restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each instrument.
Extinguishment of Liabilities
The Company accounts for extinguishment of liabilities in accordance with ASC 405-20, Extinguishments of Liabilities. When the conditions for extinguishment are met, the liabilities are written down to zero and a gain or loss is recognized.
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities, measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.
ASC 740 prescribes a comprehensive model for how companies should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in their financial statements uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The Company recognizes in the financial statements the benefit of a tax position which is "more likely than not" to be sustained under examination based solely on the technical merits of the position, assuming a review by tax authorities having all relevant information. Tax positions that meet the recognition threshold are measured using a cumulative probability approach, at the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to the unrecognized tax benefits, if any, as a component of income tax expense.
Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, due to their cannabis activities, are subject to the provisions of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which prohibits businesses from deducting certain expenses associated with the trafficking of controlled substances within the meaning of Schedule I and II of the Controlled Substances Act. Such non-deductibility of certain ordinary business expenses results in permanent differences and can cause the Company’s effective tax rate to be highly variable and not necessarily correlated with pre-tax income.
Related Party Transactions
The Company follows ASC 850, Related Party Disclosures, for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions. In accordance with ASC 850, the Company’s financial statements include disclosures of material related party transactions, other than compensation arrangements, expense allowances, and other similar items in the ordinary course of business, as well as transactions that are eliminated in the preparation of financial statements.
Comprehensive Income
The Company reports comprehensive income and its components following guidance set forth by ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the consolidated financial statements. There were no items of comprehensive income applicable to the Company during the periods covered in the financial statements.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company regularly assesses the likelihood that a loss will be incurred from the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more future events. Such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing possible loss contingencies from legal proceedings or unasserted claims, the Company evaluates the perceived merits of such proceedings or claims, and of the relief sought or expected to be sought.
If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss will be incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability and an estimate of the range of possible losses, if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed.
While not assured, management does not believe, based upon information available at this time, that any loss contingency will have material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Risk and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks common to companies operating within the legal and medical cannabis industries, including, but not limited to, federal laws, government regulations and jurisdictional laws.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has reviewed all recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, and does not believe the future adoption of any such pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial condition or the results of its operations.
(3) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND ASSET PURCHASES
Business Combinations
Ermont
On March 9, 2023, following approval by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (the "CCC"), the Company acquired the operating assets of Ermont, a medical-licensed vertical cannabis operator located in Quincy, Massachusetts. The Ermont Acquisition provided the Company with its third dispensary in Massachusetts, substantially completing its build-out to the maximum allowable by state regulations.
As consideration for the Ermont Acquisition, which totaled $13.0 million, the Company paid $3.0 million of cash, issued 6,580,390 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of $3.0 million, and issued a $7.0 million promissory note (the "Ermont Note" and collectively, the "Ermont Consideration"). The Ermont Note has a six-year term and bears interest at 6.0% per annum, with payments of interest-only for two years and thereafter, quarterly payments of principal and interest in arrears. The outstanding balance on the Ermont Note is subject to prepayment in the event the Company raises $75.0 million of equity capital. The Company recorded the Ermont Note at the present value o $4.6 million as of the Ermont Acquisition date. The difference between the resent value and face value of the Ermont Note is being amortized to interest expense through the term of such note.
The Company rebranded the dispensary as Panacea Wellness Dispensary and commenced medical sales immediately after the Ermont Acquisition Date. The Ermont Acquisition also includes a Host Community Agreement with the city of Quincy to conduct adult-use cannabis sales. The Company expects to commence adult-use sales upon approval by the CCC. The Company also plans to expand the existing medical dispensary to accommodate expected increased traffic associated with adult-use sales and to repurpose Ermont's existing cultivation facility for its pheno-hunting activities. The Company has moved its pheno-hunting activities out of the New Bedford facility to use the freed space to cultivate its Nature's Heritage flower.
The Company's consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes $3.8 million of revenue and $2.4 million of net loss attributable to Ermont for the period since the Ermont Acquisition Date.
The Ermont Acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. The Company did not assume any of Ermont's liabilities. A summary of the allocation of the Ermont Consideration to the acquired and identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration:
Cash paid $ 3,000
Less cash acquired (13)
Net cash consideration 2,987
Common stock 2,994
Promissory note 4,569
Total fair value of consideration $ 10,550
Fair value of assets acquired:
Property and equipment $ 800
Intangible assets:
Tradename and trademarks 1,063
Customer base 4,642
License 131
Goodwill 3,914
Fair value of net assets acquired $ 10,550
The Company is amortizing the identifiable intangible assets arising from the Ermont Acquisition in relation to the expected cash flows from the individual intangible assets over their respective useful lives, which have a weighted average life of 10.71 years (see Note 11). Goodwill results from assets not separately identifiable as part of the transaction and is not deductible for tax purposes.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the condensed combined results of MariMed and Ermont for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 as if the Ermont Acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2022, with adjustments to give effect to pro forma events that are directly attributable to the Ermont Acquisition. These pro forma adjustments include amortization expense for the acquired intangible assets and interest expense related to the Ermont Note. Pro forma adjustments also include the elimination of acquisition-related and other expense directly attributable to the Ermont Acquisition from the year ended December 31, 2023 and inclusion of these expenses in the previous year.
The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect any operating efficiencies or potential cost savings that may result from the consolidation of the operations of MariMed and Ermont. Accordingly, these unaudited pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes and are not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual results of operations of the combined company that would have been achieved had the Ermont Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2022, nor are they intended to represent or be indicative of future results of operations. These unaudited pro forma results for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
(unaudited)
Revenue $ 148,948 $ 139,857
Net (loss) income $ (17,210) $ 6,292
Kind
In December 2021, the Company entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with the members of Kind (the "Kind Sellers") to acquire 100% of the equity ownership of Kind. Kind was the Company's client in Maryland that held licenses for the cultivation, production, and dispensing of medical cannabis. Upon execution of the membership interest purchase agreement, the Company deposited $5.0 million into escrow as a contract down payment. In April 2022, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission approved the Company’s acquisition of Kind, and the acquisition was completed on the Kind Acquisition Date (the “Kind Acquisition”). As consideration for Kind, the Company paid the Kind Sellers $13.1 million, which amount was reduced by $2.3 million of cash acquired (together, the "Kind Cash Consideration"), and issued four-year 6.0% promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $6.5 million to the Kind Sellers, secured by a first priority lien on the Company’s property in Hagerstown, MD (the "Kind Notes" and, together with the "Kind Cash Consideration, the "Kind Consideration"). The Kind Acquisition has allowed the Company to expand its operations into the Maryland cannabis industry and marketplace.
The Kind Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and the financial results of Kind have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the period subsequent to the Kind Acquisition Date. The Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022 include $8.1 million of revenue and a net loss of $1.5 million attributable to Kind. A summary of the allocation of Kind Consideration to the acquired assets, identifiable intangible assets and certain assumed liabilities is as follows (in thousands):
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Cash consideration:
Cash paid at closing $ 10,128
Release of escrow 2,444
Severance paid from escrow 556
Less cash acquired (2,310)
Net cash consideration 10,818
Note payable 5,634
Write-off of accounts receivable 658
Write-off of deferred accounts receivable 842
Total fair value of consideration transferred $ 17,952
Fair value of assets acquired and (liabilities assumed):
Current assets, net of cash acquired $ 5,047
Property and equipment 622
Intangible assets:
Trade name and trademarks 2,041
Licenses and customer base 4,700
Non-compete agreements 42
Goodwill 6,011
Current liabilities (511)
Fair value of net assets acquired $ 17,952
The Company is amortizing the identifiable intangible assets in relation to the expected cash flows from the individual intangible assets over their respective useful lives, which have a weighted average life of 5.77 years (see Note 11). Goodwill resulted from assets that were not separately identifiable as part of the transaction and was not deductible for tax purposes.
Concurrent with entering into the Kind membership purchase agreement, the Company entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with one of the members of Kind to acquire such member’s entire equity ownership interest in (i) Mari
Holdings MD LLC (“Mari-MD”), the Company’s majority-owned subsidiary that owns production and retail cannabis facilities in Hagerstown, MD and Annapolis, MD, and (ii) Mia Development LLC (“Mia”), the Company’s majority-owned subsidiary that owns production and retail cannabis facilities in Wilmington, DE. Upon the dismissal in September 2022 of the derivative claims in the DiPietro lawsuit (Note 21), the Company paid the aggregate purchase consideration of $2.0 million, and the transaction was completed, increasing the Company’s ownership of Mari-MD and Mia to 99.7% and 94.3%, respectively.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the condensed combined results of MariMed and Kind for the year ended December 31, 2022 as if the Kind Acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2021, with adjustments to give effect to pro forma events that are directly attributable to the Kind Acquisition. These pro forma adjustments include the reversal of MariMed revenue and related cost of sales derived from Kind prior to the Kind Acquisition Date, amortization expense for the acquired intangible assets, depreciation expense for property and equipment acquired by MariMed as part of the Kind Acquisition, and interest expense related to the Kind Notes. Pro forma adjustments also include the elimination of acquisition-related and other expense directly attributable to the Kind Acquisition from the year ended December 31, 2022 and inclusion of these expenses in the previous year.
The unaudited pro forma results do not reflect any operating efficiencies or potential cost savings that may result from the consolidation of the operations of MariMed and Kind. Accordingly, these unaudited pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes and are not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual results of operations of the combined company that would have been achieved had the Kind Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2021, nor are they intended to represent or be indicative of future results of operations. These unaudited pro forma results for the year ended December 31, 2022 are as follows (in thousands):
(unaudited)
Revenue $ 136,078
Net income $ 15,823
Valuation of Acquired Intangible Assets
The valuation of the acquired intangible assets is inherently subjective and relies on significant unobservable inputs. The Company used an income approach to value the acquired trade name/trademarks, licenses/customer base, and non-compete intangible assets. The valuation for each of these intangible assets was based on estimated projections of expected cash flows to be generated by the assets discounted to the present value at discount rates commensurate with perceived risk. The valuation assumptions take into consideration the Company’s estimates of new markets, products and customers and its outcome through key assumptions driving asset values, including sales growth, royalty rates and other related costs.
Asset Purchases
Green Growth Group Inc.
In January 2022, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the equity ownership of Green Growth Group Inc. (“Green Growth”), an entity that holds a craft cultivation and production cannabis license issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, in exchange for cash consideration of $1.9 million and shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $1.5 million. Concurrently, the Company made a good faith deposit of $0.1 million.
In April 2022, the Illinois Department of Agriculture approved the Company’s acquisition of Green Growth, and the purchase transaction (the “Green Growth Acquisition”) was completed on May 5, 2022 (the “Green Growth Acquisition Date”). The Company paid the remaining $1.8 million in cash and issued 2,343,750 shares of MariMed common stock to the sellers on the Green Growth Acquisition Date. With this license, the Company can cultivate up to 14,000 square feet of cannabis flowers and produce cannabis concentrates. The acquisition of this cannabis license allows the Company to be vertically integrated in Illinois by growing cannabis and producing cannabis products that can be distributed and sold at the Company-owned Thrive dispensaries and sold into the robust Illinois wholesale cannabis marketplace. The Company has allocated the purchase price to its licenses/customer base intangible asset.
Greenhouse Naturals LLC
In November 2021, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Greenhouse Naturals LLC (the "Greenhouse Naturals Sellers") to acquire the cannabis license and assume the property lease associated with a cannabis
dispensary in Beverly, MA. The purchase price was comprised of 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock payable at closing and $5.1 million in cash, with $5.0 million of the cash amount payable post-closing on a monthly basis as a percentage of the dispensary's monthly gross sales.
The Greenhouse Naturals Acquisition was completed on December 30, 2022, upon the Company's payment of $0.1 million of cash and issuance of 2,000,000 shares of its common stock, with a fair value of $0.7 million, to the Greenhouse Naturals Sellers. The Company issued a note to the Greenhouse Naturals Sellers for the remaining $5.0 million of the cash purchase price (the "Greenhouse Naturals Note"), and has recorded it at the present value of $4.3 million. The difference between the face value of the Greenhouse Naturals Note and the value recorded is being amortized to interest expense over the term of such note. The final inspection by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was completed in April 2023, and the Company opened the dispensary on April 25, 2023. The Company has allocated the purchase price to a licenses/customer base intangible asset, with an estimated useful life of 10 years.
Pending Acquisitions
Allgreens Dispensary, LLC ("Allgreens")
In August 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase 100% of the membership interests in Allgreens Dispensary, LLC (the "Allgreens Agreement"), a conditional adult-use cannabis dispensary license in Illinois, for $2.25 million of cash and $1.0 million of promissory notes which the Company will issue to the Allgreens members at the time of closing (the "Allgreens Notes"). Completion of the acquisition is dependent upon certain conditions, including resolution of any remaining legal challenges affecting nearly 200 social equity dispensary licenses, and regulatory approval of the acquisition. If the closing conditions are met and the acquisition is completed, which the Company expects to occur in 2024, the Company will have five adult-use dispensaries operating in Illinois. For the interim period until the acquisition is completed, the Company has entered into a management agreement with Allgreens, under which the management fees are calculated as a percentage of Allgreens' revenue. In connection with this agreement, the Company recorded expenses related to Allgreens aggregating approximately $164,000 in the year ended December 31, 2023 as a component of Investments, net of current portion in the Company's consolidated balance sheet (see Note 9).
Pursuant to the Allgreens Agreement, as of December 31, 2023, the Company had made payments aggregating $1.375 million to the Allgreens members, with additional cash payments aggregating $0.875 million to be made as specific milestones as defined in the Allgreens Agreement are reached. The Allgreens Notes will mature one year from the date the dispensary is permitted to commence operations.
Robust Missouri Process and Manufacturing 1, LLC ("Robust")
In September 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the membership interests in Robust Missouri Processing and Manufacturing 1, LLC (the "Robust Agreement"), a Missouri wholesaler and processor, for $0.7 million of cash. Completion of the acquisition is dependent upon obtaining all requisite approvals from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which is expected to occur in 2024. Under the Robust Agreement, the Company made an initial advance payment of $350,000 to the Robust members, with an additional payment of $350,000 to be made at closing.
Cancelled Acquisition
The Harvest Foundation LLC
In 2019, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the ownership interests of The Harvest Foundation LLC (“Harvest”), the Company’s cannabis-licensed client in the State of Nevada. The purchase price was comprised of the issuance of 1,000,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock in the aggregate, to two owners of Harvest as a good faith deposit, which were issued upon execution of the purchase agreement (the "Deposit Shares"). The Company recorded the Deposit Shares at par value at the time of issuance, since the transaction had not yet been consummated. In addition, $1.2 million of the Company’s common stock would be issued at closing and warrants to purchase 400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock, would be granted on the day prior to legislative approval of the transaction.
The acquisition was conditioned upon state regulatory approval of the transaction and other closing conditions. Upon approval, and the fulfillment of other closing conditions, the ownership of Harvest would be transferred to the Company.
There was no assurance that the closing conditions to the Company’s acquisition of Harvest, including regulatory approval, would be achieved or that the acquisition would be consummated.
The regulatory approval process for license transfers in Nevada experienced significant delays as a result of multiple factors, including the impact of COVID. Additionally, the progress of this potential acquisition had been delayed as a result of actions taken by the Nevada Cannabis Control Board (the "CCB") relating to regulatory operating violations by Harvest. Harvest was unable to negotiate a settlement with the CCB to resolve these violations, which would have allowed it to proceed with the sale. In October 2022, the CCB issued an order approving the placement of a receiver to oversee Harvest and its licenses. The Company monitored the status of these regulatory matters, and ultimately determined that it should withdraw from the agreement to purchase Harvest, and submitted such request to the CCB. The CCB accepted the request by the Company, releasing the Company from the liabilities related to this cancelled transaction. In connection with the cancellation of this transaction, the Deposit Shares were returned to the Company in December 2023, and they were restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares of the Company's common stock. The return of the Deposit Shares was recorded at par value and is included as a component of stockholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023.
(4) (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic (loss) earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. For periods in which the Company reports net income, diluted earnings per share is determined by using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period, unless the effect is antidilutive.
The calculations of shares used to compute net earnings per share were as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 363,403 337,697
Potential dilutive common shares - 42,592
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 363,403 380,289
(5) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
Accounts receivable 7,963 8,760
Allowance for doubtful accounts (764) (4,603)
Accounts receivable, net 7,199 4,157
The Company maintains an allowance against trade accounts receivable (the "AR Allowance"), and had previously also reserved against cash advanced by the Company to a cannabis-licensed client or working capital purposes (the "WC Reserve"), both of which were reported as components of the allowance for doubtful accounts in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company's allowance for doubtful accounts activity was as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31, Balance at beginning of year Charges to expense Charges (credits) to other accounts Write-offs Balance at end of year
2023 $ 4,603 $ 118 $ - $ (3,957) $ 764
2022 $ 41,401 $ 3,752 $ (11,300) $ (29,250) $ 4,603
The amount reported under "Charges (credits) to other accounts" for the year ended December 31, 2022 represents the elimination of the reserve for trade receivables from a former client of the Company's in connection with the purchase accounting when the Company acquired this client. Of the amount reported under "Write-offs" for the year ended December 31, 2022, $29.0 million represents the write-off of a fully reserved trade receivable from a related party in connection with that party's bankruptcy declaration.
(6) DEFERRED RENTS RECEIVABLE
The Company is the lessor under operating leases which contain rent holidays, escalating rents over time, options to renew, requirements to pay property taxes, insurance and/or maintenance costs, and prior to the third quarter of 2022, contingent rental payments based on a percentage of monthly tenant revenue. The Company is not the lessor under any finance leases.
The Company recognizes fixed rental receipts from such lease agreements on a straight line basis over the expected lease term. Differences between amounts received and amounts recognized are recorded in Deferred rents receivable in the consolidated balance sheets. Contingent rentals are recognized only after tenants’ revenue is finalized and if such revenue exceeds certain minimum levels.
The Company currently leases a cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facility that it owns in Delaware to a cannabis-licensed client under a triple net lease that expires in 2035. Prior to the Kind Acquisition Date, the Company had leased a cultivation and processing facility that it owns in Maryland to Kind. The Company had also previously leased a portion of a third owned property in Massachusetts under a lease that expired in February 2023, after which the tenant continued to rent the space on a month-to-month basis through November 2023. The Company does not intend to lease this space again, as it plans to use this space to expand its cultivation footprint.
The Company currently subleases two properties - a cannabis production facility with offices under a sublease that expires in January 2026 and contains an option to negotiate an extension of the sublease term and a dispensary under a sublease that expires in April 2027. The Company also subleases a portion of a third property that it developed into a cultivation facility under a sublease that expires in March 2030, with an option to extend the term for three additional five-year periods. The Company intends to develop the remaining space of this property into a processing facility. These properties are all subleased to a cannabis-licensed client in Delaware.
The Company received rental payments aggregating $2.0 million and $3.0 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company recognized rental revenue on a straight line basis totaling $1.5 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Future minimum rental receipts for non-cancellable leases and subleases as of December 31, 2023 were as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
2024 $ 1,200
2025 1,200
2026 1,058
2027 931
2028 931
Thereafter 2,714
Total $ 8,034
(7) NOTES RECEIVABLE
Notes receivable, including accrued interest, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, was comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2023 2022
First State Compassion Center ("FSCC Initial Note") $ - $ 328
First State Compassion Center ("FSCC Secondary Notes") - 8,160
First State Compassion Center ("FSCC New Note") - 750
Healer LLC 866 866
Total notes receivable 866 10,104
Less: Notes receivable, current portion (52) (2,637)
Notes receivable, net of current $ 814 $ 7,467
First State Compassion Center
Omnibus Agreement
On July 1, 2023 (the "Omnibus Agreement Date"), the Company entered into an Omnibus Agreement with First State Compassion Center ("FSCC"), the Company's cannabis-licensed client in Delaware: (a) consolidating all amounts owed by FSCC to the Company and its affiliated entities as described below, aggregating $11.0 million (the "Omnibus Agreement"); (b) providing for the automatic conversion of all amounts owed by FSCC to the Company, upon the approval of adult cannabis use in Delaware, into 100% ownership of FSCC's licenses and business; and (c) extending to FSCC, in the Company's sole discretion, up to an additional $2.0 million of working capital loans. The Omnibus Agreement has a term of five years, with an automatic five-year extension if adult cannabis use is not approved in Delaware by the maturity date, and bears interest, compounded semiannually and payable annually, at the appropriate rate of interest in effect under Sections 1274(d), 482 and 7872 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as calculated under Rev. Ruling 86-17, 1986-1 C.B. 377, for the period for which the amount of interest is being determined. The state of Delaware recently approved the adult use of cannabis, with the implementation period expected to extend through approximately November 2024. The Omnibus Agreement is reported as a component of Other assets in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023.
Notes Receivable From FSCC Prior to the Omnibus Agreement Date
The notes receivable from FSCC described below in the aggregate were converted into the Omnibus on the Omnibus Agreement Date:
•FSCC issued a 10-year promissory note to the Company in May 2016 for $0.7 million, which bore interest at a rate of 12.5% per annum and matured in April 2026, as amended (the “FSCC Initial Note”). The monthly payments on the FSCC Initial Note were approximately $10,000. At December 31, 2022, the current portion of the FSCC Initial Note was approximately $85,000, and is included in Notes receivable, current portion, in the consolidated balance sheet.
•In December 2021, the Company converted financed trade accounts receivable balances from FSCC aggregating $7.8 million into notes receivable, which was net of the $1.3 million debt issuance discount recorded in connection with the conversion, whereby FSCC issued promissory notes aggregating $7.8 million to the Company (the “FSCC Secondary Notes”). The FSCC Secondary Notes bore interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum and matured in December 2025. FSCC was required to make periodic payments of principal and interest throughout the term of the FSCC Secondary Notes. At December 31, 2022, the FSCC Secondary Notes balance included approximately $49,000 of unpaid accrued interest. The Company had granted FSCC an interest holiday in 2023 from January 1, 2023 through the Omnibus Agreement Date and accordingly, no interest was accrued in 2023. At December 31, 2022, the current portion of the FSCC Secondary Notes aggregated $2.5 million.
•In December 2022, the Company converted amounts due from FSCC aggregating $750,000 into a note receivable, whereby FSCC issued a promissory note to the Company for $750,000 (the "FSCC New Note"). The FSCC New Note bore interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum and matured in December 2026. FSCC was required to make
quarterly interest payments, with the full amount of principal due on December 31, 2026; however, the Company had granted FSCC an interest holiday for the six months ended June 30, 2023. At December 31, 2022, the entire balance of the FSCC New Note was long-term.
•In the second quarter of 2023, the Company converted $879,000 due from FSCC into a note receivable.
Healer LLC
In March 2021, the Company was issued a promissory note in the principal amount of approximately $894,000 (the "Revised Healer Note") from Healer LLC, an entity that provides cannabis education, dosage programs, and products developed by Dr. Dustin Sulak ("Healer"). The principal balance of the note represents previous loans extended to Healer by the Company totaling $0.8 million, plus approximately $94,000 of accrued interest through the Revised Healer Note issuance date. The Revised Healer Note bears interest of 6.0% per annum and requires quarterly payments of interest through its April 2026 maturity date.
The Company has the right to offset any licensing fees payable by the Company to Healer in the event Healer fails to make any payment when due. In 2021, the Company offset approximately $28,000 of licensing fees payable to Healer against the principal balance of the Revised Healer Note, reducing the principal balance to approximately $866,000.
At each of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total amounts of principal and accrued interest due under the Revised Healer Note were approximately $866,000, of which approximately $52,000 was current.
(8) INVENTORY
Inventory at December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2023 2022
Plants $ 3,296 $ 2,653
Ingredients and other raw materials 4,932 3,255
Work-in-process 9,663 7,635
Finished goods 7,415 5,934
Total inventory $ 25,306 $ 19,477
(9) INVESTMENTS
The Company's investments at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were all classified as current and were comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2023 2022
Investment - current:
WM Technology Inc. $ 88 $ 123
Investments - noncurrent:
Artis LLC (d/b/a Little Dog) $ 57 $ -
Allgreens 164 -
Total investments - noncurrent $ 221 $ -
The Company did not have any noncurrent investments at December 31, 2022.
WM Technology Inc.
In February 2022, the Company received 121,698 shares of common stock of WM Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPS) (the "WMT Shares"), a technology and software infrastructure provider to the cannabis industry, which represented the Company's pro rata share of the additional consideration pursuant to a 2021 asset purchase agreement between the
Company and Members RSVP LLC. The Company recognized losses of approximately $35,000 and $0.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which amounts represent the changes in the fair value of the WMT Shares, and which are included as components of Other (expense) income, net, in the consolidated statements of operations.
Artis LLC (d/b/a Little Dog)
In April 2023, the Company purchased a 49% interest in Artis LLC, d/b/a Little Dog ("Little Dog"), a cannabis delivery service (the "Little Dog Investment") for approximately $98,000 of cash. The Company recognizes changes in the fair value of the Little Dog Investment based on its proportional share of Little Dog's net income (loss). During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a loss in the Little Dog Investment of approximately $41,000, which is included as a component of Other (expense) income, net, in the consolidated statement of operations.
Allgreens
In connection with the pending acquisition of Allgreens and the management agreement the Company entered into with Allgreens for the interim period prior to the completion of the acquisition (see Note 3), the Company recorded expenses related to Allgreens aggregating approximately $164,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023 as a component of Investments, net of current portion.
Flowr Corp.
In December 2021, the Company received shares of Flowr Corp. common stock (the "Flowr Stock") arising from the sale of the Company's ownership interest in Terrace Inc., which was sold to Flowr Corp. (TSX.V: FLWR; OTC: FLWPF).The Flowr Stock was recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded as a component of Other (expense) income, net, in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company recorded a loss of $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2022, comprised of the loss on the change in the Flowr Investment for the year, plus the $61,000 write-off of the remaining fair value of the Flowr Investment in December 2022 arising from Flowr's bankruptcy filing and delisting from the exchanges on which the Flowr Stock traded.
(10) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The Company's property and equipment, net, at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2023 2022
Land $ 4,819 $ 4,450
Buildings and building improvements 54,737 43,542
Tenant improvements 25,451 17,016
Furniture and fixtures 2,191 2,009
Machinery and equipment 16,394 10,087
Construction in progress 427 4,761
104,019 81,865
Less: accumulated depreciation (14,916) (10,224)
Property and equipment, net $ 89,103 $ 71,641
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, additions to property and equipment totaled $20.4 million and $18.6 million, respectively. Of the additions to property and equipment, $0.3 million of such additions in each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, were paid for by the issuance of Company common stock.
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $5.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
(11) INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
The Company's acquired intangible assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31, 2023 Weighted
average
amortization
period (years) Cost Accumulated
amortization Net
carrying
value
Trade name and trademarks 7.11 $ 3,104 $ 1,335 $ 1,769
Licenses and customer base 9.15 18,033 2,797 15,236
Non-compete agreements 2.00 42 35 7
8.84 $ 21,179 $ 4,167 $ 17,012
December 31, 2022 Weighted
average
amortization
period (years) Cost Accumulated
amortization Net
carrying
value
Trade name and trademarks 3.00 $ 2,041 $ 453 $ 1,588
Licenses and customer base 8.94 13,260 675 12,585
Non-compete agreements 2.00 42 14 28
8.13 $ 15,343 $ 1,142 $ 14,201
Estimated future amortization expense for the Company’s intangible assets at December 31, 2023 was as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
2024 $ 3,254
2025 2,772
2026 2,344
2027 2,191
2028 2,191
Thereafter 4,260
Total $ 17,012
The changes in the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
Balance at January 1, $ 8,079 $ 2,068
Ermont Acquisition 3,914 -
Kind Acquisition - 6,011
Balance at December 31, $ 11,993 $ 8,079
Goodwill is tested on an annual basis for impairment. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31. Based on these tests, the Company determined that there was no goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
(12) TERM LOAN
Credit Agreement
On January 24, 2023 (the "Term Loan Date"), the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement, by and among the Company, subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party thereto (collectively with the Company, the “CA Borrowers”), lenders from time to time party thereto (the “CA Lenders”), and Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC (“Chicago Atlantic”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (the "CA Credit Agreement").
Proceeds from the CA Credit Agreement were designated to complete the build-out of a new cultivation and processing facility in Illinois, complete the build-out of a new processing kitchen in Missouri, expand existing cultivation and processing facilities in Massachusetts and Maryland, fund certain capital expenditures, and repay in full the Kind Notes incurred in connection with the Kind Acquisition, which repayment occurred on January 24, 2023 (see Note 13). The remaining balance, if any, was expected to be used to fund acquisitions.
Principal, Security, Interest and Prepayments
The CA Credit Agreement provided for $35.0 million in principal borrowings at the CA Borrowers’ option in the aggregate and further provided the CA Borrowers with the right, subject to customary conditions, to request an additional incremental term loan in the aggregate principal amount of up to $30.0 million, provided that the CA Lenders elected to fund such incremental term loan. $30.0 million of loan principal was funded at the initial closing (the "Term Loan"), which amount was reduced by an original issuance discount of $0.9 million (the "CA Original Issuance Discount"). The Company had the option, during the six-month period following the initial closing, to draw down an additional $5.0 million, which it did not elect to do. The loan required scheduled amortization payments of 1.0% of the principal amount outstanding under the CA Credit Agreement per month commencing in May 2023, and the remaining principal balance was due in full on January 24, 2026, subject to extension to January 24, 2028 under certain circumstances.
The CA Credit Agreement provided the CA Borrowers with the right, subject to specified limitations, to incur (a) seller provided debt in connection with future acquisitions, (b) additional mortgage financing from third-party lenders secured by real estate currently owned and acquired after the closing date, and (c) additional debt in connection with equipment leasing transactions.
The obligations under the CA Credit Agreement were secured by substantially all of the assets of the CA Borrowers, excluding specified parcels of real estate and other customary exclusions.
The CA Credit Agreement provided for a floating annual interest rate equal to the prime rate then in effect plus 5.75%, which rate could be increased by 3.00% upon an event of default or 7.50% upon a material event of default as provided in the CA Credit Agreement.
At any time, the Company could voluntarily prepay amounts due under the facility in $5.0 million increments, subject to a three-percent prepayment premium and, during the first 20-months of the term, a “make-whole” payment.
Representations, Warranties, Events of Default and Certain Covenants
The CA Credit Agreement included customary representations and warranties and customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to material indebtedness, and events of bankruptcy and insolvency.
The CA Credit Agreement also included customary negative covenants limiting the CA Borrowers’ ability to incur additional indebtedness and grant liens that were otherwise not permitted, among others. Additionally, the CA Credit Agreement required the CA Borrowers to meet certain financial tests. The Company was in compliance with the CA Credit Agreement covenants at all times while the Term Loan was outstanding.
Warrant Issuance
The CA Credit Agreement provided for 30% warrant coverage against amounts funded under the facility, priced at a 20% premium to the trailing 20-day average price on the closing date of each such funding. At the initial closing, upon funding of the initial $30.0 million under the facility, the Company issued to the CA Lenders an aggregate of 19,148,936 warrants
to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at $0.47 per share, exercisable for a five-year period following issuance.
The Company recorded the warrants at present value of $5.5 million as a component of Additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 24, 2023, and discounted the Term Loan amount by $5.5 million (the "CA Warrant Discount"). The Company was amortizing the CA Warrant Discount to interest expense over the term of the CA Credit Agreement.
Prepaid Debt Issuance Costs
The Company incurred $1.8 million of third party costs (i.e., legal fees, referral fees, etc.) in connection with the Term Loan that were recorded as a discount to the Term Loan (the "CA Third-Party Costs Discount"). The Company was amortizing the CA Third-Party Costs Discount to interest expense over the term of the CA Credit Agreement.
Repayment and Retirement of Term Loan
On November 16, 2023 (the "Payoff Date"), the Company repaid and retired the Term Loan (the "Term Loan Payoff") using proceeds from a new $58.7 million loan entered into on the same day (see Note 13). The Term Loan Payoff amount totaled $32.7 million, comprised of $28.5 million for the outstanding principal, $3.7 million for the make-whole payment, $0.2 million for accrued unpaid interest and $0.3 million for transaction-related fees.
The Company recognized a loss of $10.2 million in connection with the Term Loan Payoff, which is the primary component of Loss on extinguishment of debt in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Interest Amortization
The Company recorded $2.1 million of aggregate interest amortization from the Term Loan Date to the Payoff Date related to the CA Original Issuance Discount, CA Warrant Discount and CA Third Party Costs Discount.
(13) MORTGAGES AND NOTES PAYABLE
The Company's mortgages and notes payable balances at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2023 2022
Construction to Permanent Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Loan ("CREM Loan") $ 52,083 $ -
Bank of New England
New Bedford, MA and Middleborough, MA properties - 12,141
Bank of New England
Wilmington, DE property 1,219 1,345
DuQuoin State Bank
Anna, IL and Harrisburg, IL properties 719 750
DuQuoin State Bank
Metropolis, IL property 2,472 2,508
DuQuoin State Bank
Mt. Vernon, IL property 2,923 2,974
South Porte Bank
Mt. Vernon, IL property - 801
Promissory note issued as purchase consideration - Ermont Acquisition 2,591 -
Promissory note issued as purchase consideration - Greenhouse Naturals Acquisition 4,190 4,348
Promissory note issued as purchase consideration - Kind Acquisition - 4,802
Promissory notes issued to purchase motor vehicles 178 48
Total mortgages and notes payable 66,375 29,717
Less: Mortgages and notes payable, current portion (723) (3,774)
Mortgages and notes payable, net of current $ 65,652 $ 25,943
Mortgages
CREM Loan
On November 16, 2023, Mari Holdings MD LLC, Hartwell Realty Holdings LLC, Kind Therapeutics USA, LLC, ARL Healthcare Inc., and MariMed Advisors, Inc., each a wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company (collectively, the "CREM Borrowers") entered into a Loan Agreement (the "CREM Loan Agreement"), by and among the CREM Borrowers, and Needham Bank, a Massachusetts co-operative bank (the "CREM Lender") pursuant to which the CREM Lender loaned to the CREM Borrowers an aggregate principal amount of $58.7 million (the "CREM Loan Transaction"). The Company has fully guaranteed the obligations of the CREM Borrowers under the CREM Loan Transaction and pledged to the CREM Lender its equity ownership in each CREM Borrower. The CREM Lender has a first priority security interest in all of the CREM Borrowers' operating assets in Maryland and Massachusetts and first priority mortgages on the CREM Borrowers' properties owned in Maryland and Massachusetts.
The CREM Loan Transaction matures in ten years and has an interest rate for the initial five years of 8.43% per annum. The interest rate will reset after five years to the FHLB Rate (the Classic Advance Rate for Fixed Rate advances for a period of five years for an amount greater than or equal to the loan amount, as such rate is defined and published by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston), plus 3.50%. The Company will make interest-only payments for the first twelve months of the term of the loan, with payments thereafter based upon a twenty-year amortization schedule.
The CREM Lender initially released $52.8 million to the CREM Borrowers (the "Initial CREM Distribution"). The remaining proceeds of $5.9 million will be held in escrow to complete the expansion of the Company's Hagerstown, Maryland cultivation facility (the "Hagerstown Facility"). Any unused proceeds will be released to the Company after completion of the Hagerstown Facility expansion. The Company used $46.8 million of the Initial CREM Distribution to fully repay certain of its outstanding debt. These payments were comprised of $32.7 million to pay off the Term Loan, $11.9 million to pay off the mortgage with Bank Of New England for the New Bedford, MA and Middleborough, MA properties, and $2.2 million to reduce the outstanding balance of the note issued by the Company in connection with the Ermont Acquisition.
The Company incurred bank closing costs and third party costs (i.e., legal fees, etc.) aggregating $1.5 million in connection with the CREM Loan Transaction, which have been recorded as a discount to the Loan Transaction (the "CREM Closing Costs Discount"), and which are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the CREM Loan Transaction. The Company recorded nominal interest amortization in the year ended December 31, 2023 related to the CREM Closing Costs Discount.
The CREM Loan Agreement includes customary representations and warranties and customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to material indebtedness, and events of bankruptcy and insolvency. The CREM Loan Agreement also includes customary negative covenants limiting the CREM Borrowers' (but not the Company's) ability to incur additional indebtedness and grant liens that are otherwise not permitted, among others. The CREM Loan Agreement also requires the CREM Borrowers to meet certain periodic financial tests.
Bank of New England (New Bedford, MA and Middleborough, MA)
The Company maintained an amended and restated mortgage secured by the Company’s properties in New Bedford, MA and Middleborough, MA in the original amount of $13.0 million and bearing interest of 6.5% per annum that would mature in August 2025 (the “Refinanced Mortgage”). The outstanding principal balance of the Refinanced Mortgage was $12.1 million at December 31, 2022, of which approximately $382,000 was current. On November 16, 2023, the Company used $11.9 million of the proceeds from the CREM Loan Transaction to pay the outstanding principal of the Refinanced Mortgage, and such mortgage was retired. The Company recorded a loss of $0.2 million on the early repayment of the Refinanced Mortgage, which amount is included as a component of Loss on extinguishment of debt in the Company's consolidated statement of operations or the year ended December 31, 2023. Concurrent with the repayment of the Refinanced Mortgage, the Company refinanced the properties through the CREM Loan and accordingly, effective November 16, 2023, the mortgage on these properties is held by Needham Bank, which mortgage matures in 2033 and which outstanding amount is included as a component of the CREM Loan outstanding balance.
Bank of New England (Wilmington, DE)
The Company maintains a mortgage with Bank of New England for the 2016 purchase of a building in Wilmington, DE, which was developed into a cannabis seed to sale facility and is currently leased to the Company’s cannabis-licensed client in that state. The mortgage matures in 2031, with monthly principal and interest payments at a rate of 5.25% per annum, with the rate adjusting every five years to the then prime rate plus 1.5% with a floor of 5.25% per annum. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the outstanding principal balance on this mortgage was $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of which approximately $133,000 and $126,000, respectively, was current.
DuQuoin State Bank (Anna, IL and Harrisburg, IL)
In May 2016, the Company entered into a mortgage agreement with DuQuoin State Bank (“DSB”) for the purchase of properties in Anna, IL and Harrisburg, IL, which the Company developed into two free-standing retail dispensaries. On May 5th of each year of the mortgage agreement, this mortgage is due to be repaid unless it is renewed for another year at a rate determined by DSB’s executive committee. The mortgage was renewed in May 2022 at a rate of 6.75% per annum. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the outstanding principal balance on this mortgage approximated $719,000 and $750,000 respectively, of which approximately $27,000 and $36,000, respectively, was current.
DuQuoin State Bank (Metropolis, IL)
In July 2021, the Company purchased the land and building in which it operates its cannabis dispensary in Metropolis, IL. The purchase price consisted of 750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, which were valued at $0.7 million in the aggregate on the date of the transaction, and payoff of the seller’s remaining mortgage of $1.6 million. In connection with this purchase, the Company entered into an additional mortgage agreement with DSB in the amount of $2.7 million that matures in July 2041 and initially bears interest at a rate of 6.25% per annum, which rate is adjusted each year based on a certain interest rate index plus a margin. As part of this transaction, the seller was provided with a 30.0% ownership interest in Mari Holdings Metropolis LLC (“Metro”), the Company’s subsidiary that owns the property and related mortgage obligation, reducing the Company’s ownership interest in Metro to 70.0%. At each of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the outstanding principal balance on this mortgage was $2.5 million, of which approximately $46,000 and $77,000, respectively, was current.
DuQuoin State Bank (Mt. Vernon, IL)
In July 2022, Mari Holdings Mt. Vernon LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a $3.0 million loan agreement and mortgage with DSB secured by property owned in Mt. Vernon, IL, which the Company is developing into a grow and production facility (the "DSB Mt. Vernon Mortgage"). The DSB Mt. Vernon Mortgage has a 20-year term and initially bears interest at the rate of 7.75%, subject to upward adjustment on each annual anniversary date to the Wall Street Journal United States Prime Rate (with an interest rate floor of 7.75%). The proceeds of the loan are being utilized for the build-out of the property and other working capital purposes. The current portion of the DSB Mt. Vernon Mortgage was approximately $48,000 and $68,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
South Porte Bank (Mt. Vernon, IL)
In February 2020, the Company entered into a mortgage agreement with South Porte Bank for the purchase and development of a property in Mt. Vernon, IL (the "South Porte Bank Mortgage"). Beginning in August 2021, pursuant to an amendment to the South Porte Bank Mortgage, the monthly payments of principal and interest aggregated approximately $6,000, with such payment amounts effective through June 2023, at which time all remaining principal, interest and fees were due. On May 26, 2023, the Company repaid the outstanding balance on the South Porte Bank Mortgage, which totaled approximately $778,000. In January 2024, the Company refinanced this property and entered into a $1.2 million mortgage with DSB.
Promissory Notes
Promissory Note Conversion
In the first quarter of 2022, a noteholder converted the outstanding principal balance of $0.4 million into 1,142,858 shares of the Company's common stock and such note was retired. The Company did not record any gains or losses arising from this conversion.
Promissory Notes Issued as Purchase Consideration
Ermont Acquisition
In connection with the Ermont Acquisition, the Company issued the Ermont Note (see Note 3), totaling $7.0 million. The Ermont Note matures in March 2029 and bears interest at 6.0% per annum, with payments of interest-only for two years, and quarterly payments of principal and interest in arrears thereafter. The outstanding balance on the Ermont Note is subject to prepayment in full in the event the Company raises $75.0 million or more of equity capital. The Company recorded the Ermont Note at a present value of $4.6 million. This amount is net of the $2.4 million recorded as a debt discount, which is being accreted through the term of the Ermont Note to interest expense. As discussed above, on November 26, 2023, the Company used $2.2 million of the proceeds from the CREM Loan Transaction to reduce the outstanding balance of the Ermont Note. The fair value of the Ermont Note was $2.6 million at December 31, 2023, all of which was recorded as noncurrent, as the first scheduled principal payment is not due until two years after the Ermont Acquisition Date.
Greenhouse Naturals Acquisition
In connection with the Greenhouse Naturals Acquisition, the Company issued the Greenhouse Naturals Note (see Note 3) totaling $5.0 million, to the Greenhouse Naturals Sellers, payable on a monthly basis as a percentage of the monthly gross sales of the Company's Beverly, Massachusetts dispensary (the "Beverly Dispensary"). The Company recorded $0.7 million as a debt discount, which is being accreted to interest expense through the term of the Greenhouse Naturals Note. The difference between the face value of the Greenhouse Naturals Note and the value recorded at the time of the Greenhouse Naturals Acquisition is being amortized to interest expense over the term of such note, which matures in July 2026. In the third quarter of 2023, the Company updated its forecast of revenue attributable to the Beverly Dispensary and accordingly, adjusted the schedule of estimated future payments on the Greenhouse Naturals Note. The fair value of the Greenhouse Naturals Note was $4.2 million and $4.3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company estimated that the current portion of the Greenhouse Naturals Note was $0.3 million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which amounts are included in Mortgages and notes payable, current portion, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Kind Acquisition
In connection with the Kind Acquisition, the Company issued the Kind Notes (see Note 3) to the Kind Sellers. The Kind Notes had an aggregate outstanding balance of $5.5 million at December 31, 2022, of which $1.6 million was current.
On January 24, 2023, in connection with the CA Credit Agreement (see Note 12), the Company repaid the Kind Notes in full, aggregating $5.4 million, including approximately $420,000 of accrued interest. There was no penalty in connection with the early repayment of the Kind Notes.
Promissory Notes Issued to Purchase Commercial Vehicles
The Company entered into three note agreements to purchase commercial vehicles in the year ended December 31, 2023; in August 2023 with Ally Financial, in April 2023 with Ford Credit, and in January 2023 with Ally Financial. The Company had previously entered into note agreements to purchase commercial vehicles in August 2020 with First Citizens' Federal Credit Union and in June 2021 with Ally Financial. At December 31, 2023, the five outstanding notes had an aggregate outstanding balance of approximately $178,000, of which approximately $33,000 was current. At December 31, 2022, there were two outstanding notes with an aggregate outstanding balance of approximately $48,000, of which approximately $12,000 was current. The weighted average interest rates of the outstanding balances were 11.07% and 8.19% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The weighted average remaining terms of these notes were 4.61 years and 4.07 years at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(14) MEZZANINE EQUITY
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company's outstanding Series B convertible preferred stock (the "Series B Stock") is held by three institutional shareholders (the “Series B Holders”). The Series B Holders are entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of Series B Stock are convertible, together with the holders of common stock as a single class, on most matters. However, the affirmative vote or consent of the Series B Holders voting separately as a class is required for certain acts taken by the Company, including the amendment or repeal of certain charter provisions, liquidation or winding up of the Company, creation of stock senior to the Series B Stock, and/or other acts as defined in the Series B Stock certificate of designation.
The Series B Stock shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, rank senior to the Company’s common stock. The Company shall not declare, pay, or set aside any dividends on shares of any other class or series of capital stock of the Company unless the Series B Holders then outstanding shall first receive, or simultaneously receive, a dividend on each outstanding share of Series B Stock in an amount calculated pursuant to the Series B Stock certificate of designation.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series B Holders then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders before any payment shall be made to the holders of common stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to $3.00, plus any dividends declared but unpaid thereon, with any remaining assets distributed on a prorated basis among the holders of the shares of Series B Stock and common stock, based on the number of shares held by each such holder, treating for this purpose all such securities as if they had been converted to common stock.
At any time on or prior to the six-year anniversary of the issuance date of the Series B Stock, (i) the Series B Holders have the option to convert their shares of Series B Stock into common stock at a conversion price of $3.00 per share, without the payment of additional consideration, and (ii) the Company has the option to convert all, but not less than all, of the shares of Series B Stock into the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $3.00 if the daily volume weighted average price of common stock (the “VWAP”) exceeds $4.00 per share for at least twenty consecutive trading days prior to the date on which the Company gives notice of such conversion to the Series B Holders.
On the day following the six-year anniversary of the 2020 issuance of the Series B Stock, all outstanding shares of Series B Stock shall automatically convert into common stock as follows:
If the sixty-day VWAP is less than or equal to $0.50 per share, the Company shall have the option to:
•convert all shares of Series B Stock into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion ratio of 1:1 (4,908,333 shares), subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events and pay cash to the Series B Holders equal to the difference between the sixty-day VWAP and $3.00 per share; or
•pay cash to the Series B Holders equal to $3.00 per share ($14,725,000).
If the sixty-day VWAP is greater than $0.50 per share, the Company shall have the option to
•convert all shares of Series B Stock into shares of common stock at a conversion price per share equal to $3.00 per share divided by the sixty-day VWAP;
•pay cash to the Series B Holders equal to $3.00 per share ($14,725,000); or
•convert a number of shares of Series B Stock, such number at the Company's sole discretion into shares of the Company's common stock valued at the sixty-day VWAP (the "Conversion Value") and pay cash to the Series B Holders equal to the difference between $14,725,000 and the Conversion Value (shares issued multiplied by the sixty-day VWAP).
The Company shall at all times when the Series B Stock is outstanding, reserve and keep available such number of its duly authorized shares of common stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series B Stock.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
In March 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Hadron Healthcare Master Fund (“Hadron”) with respect to a financing facility of up to $46.0 million in exchange for newly-designated Series C convertible preferred stock of the Company and warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock (the "Hadron Agreement"). At that time, Hadron purchased $23.0 million of Units at a price of $3.70 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one share of Series C preferred stock and a four-year warrant to purchase two and one-half shares of common stock. The Company issued to Hadron 6,216,216 shares of Series C preferred stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 15,540,540 shares of common stock. Each share of Series C preferred stock is convertible, at the holder’s option, into five shares of MariMed common stock, and each warrant is exercisable at an exercise price of $1.087 per share. The warrants are subject to early termination if certain milestones are attained and the market value of the Company’s common stock reaches certain predetermined levels.
Provided that at least 50.0% of the shares of Series C convertible preferred stock remained outstanding, the holders had the right to appoint one observer to the Company’s board of directors (the "Board") and to each of its Board committees, and appoint a member to the Company’s B if and when a seat became available, at which time the observer roles would terminate. The transaction also imposed certain covenants on the Company with respect to the incurrence of new indebtedness, the issuance of additional shares of any designation of preferred stock, and the payment of distributions.
On August 4, 2022, the Company and Hadron entered into a second amendment to the Hadron Agreement pursuant to which, inter alia, (i) Hadron's obligation to provide any further funding to the Company and the Company's obligation to sell any further securities to Hadron was terminated, (ii) Hadron's right to appoint a designee to the Board was eliminated, and (iii) certain covenants restricting the Company's incurrence of new indebtedness were eliminated.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, in three separate transactions, the Company converted, at Hadron's request in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Series C stock certificate of designation, a total of 5,060,942 shares of Series C Stock into 25,304,710 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Conversions"). The Conversions were effected at a conversion rate of five shares of the Company's common stock for each share of Series C Stock converted. The Company did not recognize a gain or loss on the Conversions, as they were effected in accordance with the Series C Stock certificate of designation. At December 31, 2023, 1,155,274 shares of Series C Stock remained outstanding.
(15) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
The Amended and Restated Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the "2018 Plan") provides for the award of options to purchase the Company's common stock ("stock options"), restricted stock units ("RSUs"), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock, dividend equivalents, performance shares or other stock-based performance awards, as well
as other stock- or cash-based awards. At December 31, 2023, there were 26,034,185 total shares of common stock available for future issuance under the 2018 Plan.
Stock Options
A summary of the Company's stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2023 is below:
Shares Weighted average exercise price
Outstanding at January 1, 2023 36,504,673 $ 0.82
Granted 1,100,000 $ 0.43
Exercised (487,752) $ 0.23
Forfeited (700,000) $ 1.49
Expired (817,500) $ 1.85
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 35,599,421 $ 0.78
Stock options granted under the 2018 Plan generally expire five years from the date of grant. At December 31, 2023, the options outstanding had a weighted average remaining life of approximately three years.
The grant date fair values of stock options granted in the year ended December 31, 2023 were estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions:
Estimated life (in years) 3.00 to 3.26
Weighted average volatility 99.22 %
Weighted average risk-free interest rate 3.59 %
Dividend yield -
Restricted Stock Units
The Company began to grant restricted stock units ("RSUs") under the 2018 Plan in the fourth quarter of 2022. Holders of unvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") do not have voting and dividend rights. The grant date fair value of RSUs is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods. The fair value of RSUs is determined based on the market value of the Company's shares on the date of grant.
The activity related to the Company's RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2023 was as follows:
RSUs Weighted average grant date fair value
Unvested at January 1, 2023 1,599,999 $ 0.53
Granted 4,962,538 $ 0.40
Vested (599,999) $ 0.53
Forfeited (137,000) $ 0.44
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 5,825,538 $ 0.42
Warrants
In connection with the CA Credit Agreement (see Note 12), the Company issued to the Lenders an aggregate of 19,148,936 warrants to purchase shares of the Company's common stock at $0.47 per share, exercisable for a five-year period following issuance.
In addition to the 450,000 shares of restricted common stock issued to purchase the outstanding minority interest in Mari Holdings MD LLC ("Mari MD") noted below, the Company also issued 400,000 warrants to purchase the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share (the "Mari MD Warrants"). The Mari MD Warrants expire on April 13, 2026.
At December 31, 2023, warrants to purchase up to 42,189,476 shares of common stock were outstanding, with a weighted average exercise price of $0.68.
Other Common Stock Issuances
In addition to the activity related to stock options and RSUs described above and the Conversions (see Note 14), the Company also issued during the year ended December 31, 2023:
•6,580,390 shares of restricted common stock with a fair value of $3.0 million in connection with the Ermont Acquisition (see Note 3);
•740,741 shares of restricted common stock with a fair value of approximately $300,000 to purchase property and equipment;
•400,000 shares of restricted common stock to settle certain obligations to one of the Company's service providers with a fair value of approximately $160,000;
•450,000 shares of restricted common stock to purchase a 0.33% minority interest in Mari Holdings MD LLC, one Company's majority-owned subsidiaries;
•13,007 shares of restricted common stock with an aggregate fair value of approximately $5,000 issued under a royalty agreement; and
•75,025 shares of restricted common stock in the aggregate granted to three employees, including the 70,000 shares discussed below under "Common Stock Issuance Obligations" below, with a total fair value of approximately $41,000.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million and $6.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Common Stock Issuance Obligations
At December 31, 2022, the Company was obligated to issue 70,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate, with an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $39,000, to two employees, which shares were issued in the first quarter of 2023. The Company had no such obligation at December 31, 2023.
(16) REVENUE
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s revenue was comprised of the following major categories (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
Product sales - retail $ 95,517 $ 92,836
Product sales - wholesale 48,788 32,865
Total product revenue 144,305 125,701
Other revenue:
Real estate rentals 1,787 3,526
Supply procurement 1,534 3,353
Management fees 711 848
Licensing fees 261 582
Total other revenue 4,293 8,309
Total revenue $ 148,598 $ 134,010
(17) MAJOR CUSTOMERS
The Company did not have any customers that contributed 10% or more of total revenue in the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.
At each of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no customers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company's accounts receivable balance. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral on accounts receivable.
(18) LEASES
Lease Commitments
The Company was the lessee under eight operating leases and twenty-three finance leases at December 31, 2023. These leases contain rent holidays and customary escalations of lease payments for the type of facilities being leased. The Company's operating lease agreements include its corporate headquarters, dispensaries and cannabis production and processing facilities. The Company subleases three of these leased facilities to a cannabis-licensed client. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including cancelable option periods which the Company fully expects to exercise. Certain leases require the payment of property taxes, insurance and/or maintenance costs in addition to the rent payments.
The Company leases machinery and office equipment under finance leases that expire in January 2026 through October 2038 with such terms comprising major part of the economic useful life of the leased property.
The components of lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
Operating lease expense $ 1,838 $ 1,160
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 606 $ 169
Interest on lease liabilities 244 47
Total finance lease expense $ 850 $ 216
The weighted average remaining lease terms and weighted average discount rates for the Company's operating leases and finance leases at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
Weighted average remaining lease term (years):
Operating leases 9.83 6.30
Finance leases 3.29 3.70
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases 11.0 % 8.1 %
Finance leases 11.0 % 8.7 %
Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2023 under all non-cancelable leases having an initial or remaining term of more than one year were as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31, Operating
leases Finance
leases
2024 $ 1,945 $ 1,210
2025 1,987 1,209
2026 1,958 926
2027 1,813 359
2028 1,757 105
Thereafter 2,229 -
Total lease payments 11,689 3,809
Less: imputed interest (1,289) (459)
Present value of lease liabilities $ 10,400 $ 3,350
(19) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company’s corporate offices are leased from an entity in which the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") has an investment interest. This lease expires in October 2028 and contains a five-year extension option. Expenses under this lease in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $272,000 and $156,000, respectively.
The Company procures nutrients, lab equipment, cultivation supplies, furniture, and tools from an entity owned by the family of the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (the "COO"). Purchases from this entity totaled $6.5 million and $4.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company pays royalties on the revenue generated from its Betty’s Eddies product line to an entity owned by the COO and the Company's Chief Revenue Officer (the "CRO") under a royalty agreement. Under this agreement, the royalty on all sales of Betty’s Eddies products is 3.0% if sold directly by the Company and between 1.3% and 2.5% if licensed by the Company for sale by third parties. Future developed products (i.e., ice cream) have a royalty rate of 0.5% if sold directly by the Company and between 0.125% and 0.135% if licensed by the Company for sale by third parties. The aggregate royalties due to this entity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 approximated $722,000 and $219,000, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, one of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries paid distributions of approximately $11,000 to the CEO, who owns a minority equity interest in such subsidiary. During the year ended December 31, 2022, this subsidiary paid distributions aggregating approximately $27,300 to the CEO and Robert Fireman, the Company's former President and Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Company accrued $1,800 in the aggregate at December 31, 2022 for payments related to the fourth quarter of 2022.
FSCC, the cannabis-licensed client in Delaware that the Company manages, paid fees to BKR Management Inc., a company partially owned by the CEO, related to the initial formation, licensing and establishment of FSCC's cannabis operations. The aggregate fees paid by FSCC were $192,000 related to each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Payment of these fees terminated effective as of December 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2023, the Company’s mortgages with Bank of New England and DuQuoin State Bank were personally guaranteed by the CEO under a limited guaranty. Additionally, the CEO provided a limited guaranty to the CA Lenders under the CA Credit Agreement through its repayment in November 2023. The CEO had also guaranteed the South Porte Bank Mortgage prior to its repayment in May 2023.
(20) INCOME TAXES
The Company recorded provisions for income taxes of $9.4 million and $5.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s cumulative federal net operating losses were $71.2 million and $39.2 million, respectively. The provision recorded in the year ended December 31, 2023 was due in part to the impact of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 280E"), which prohibits the deduction of
certain ordinary business expenses, true-ups from changes that occurred between when the provision for the year ended December 31, 2022 as determined and when the related tax returns were filed, and reserves recorded against uncertain tax positions taken on the tax returns as filed. The provision recorded in the year ended December 31, 2022 was due in part to the impact of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which prohibits the deduction certain ordinary business expenses, and true-ups from changes that occurred between when the provision for the year ended December 31, 2021 was determined and when the related tax return was filed.
Reconciliations of the Company’s effective tax rates and the statutory tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
U.S federal taxes at the statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 %
State taxes net of federal benefit (4.2) % 12.8 %
Section 280E adjustment (49.3) % 11.6 %
Stock-based compensation (0.7) % 2.2 %
Non-cash interest (9.4) % - %
FIN 48 reserve (28.1) % 19.5 %
Return to Provision adjustments 45.9 % (48.7) %
Other (7.3) % 8.2 %
Valuation allowance (96.9) % 2.0 %
Effective tax rate (129.0) % 28.6 %
The income tax effect of the Company’s loss carryforwards and temporary differences at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2023 2022
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 14,693 6,947
Allowance for doubtful accounts 207 256
Stock compensation 2,434 2,557
Loss on equity investments 8,094 8,602
Goodwill write-offs 115 1,188
Change in fair value of investments 229 616
Lease payments 2,621 525
Reserves 484 225
Other 448 95
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation (6,925) (4,758)
Real estate revenue (2,477) (500)
Net deferred tax asset 19,923 15,753
Valuation allowance (19,923) (15,753)
Total $ - $ -
Federal net operating losses carry forward indefinitely, subject to an annual limitation of 80% of taxable income, while state net operating losses expire at various dates beginning in 2031. These tax attributes are subject to an annual limitation from equity shifts, which constitute a change of ownership as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The Company recorded valuation allowances against its net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2023 and 2022 due to the uncertainty regarding the realization of such assets. The Company’s assessment of the realization of its deferred tax assets in future periods may differ due to changing circumstances.
The Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
Year ended December 31,
Balance at January 1, $ 4,014 $ -
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years 1,636 4,014
Balance at December 31, $ 5,650 $ 4,014
All of the unrecognized tax benefits are included as a component of Income taxes payable, which is a current liability. The Company does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next twelve months. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits increased by $1.6 million as a result of uncertain tax positions relating to net operating losses deducted by subsidiaries that are subject to the provisions of Section 280E. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits increased by $4.0 million as a result of uncertain tax positions relating to net operating losses deducted by subsidiaries that are subject to the provision of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company believes that its reserves for uncertain tax positions are appropriate, and that it has meritorious defenses for its tax filings and will vigorously defend them during any audit process, appellate process and through litigation in courts, as necessary.
The Company classified interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. The total amount of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions and recognized in the balance sheet at December 31, 2023 was $0.4 million.
The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal tax jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is currently open to examination under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service and state jurisdictions for the tax years ended December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2033.
At December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a receivable for income taxes of $1.0 million, comprised of refunds requested from the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities. This receivable is reported as a component of Other current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a receivable for income taxes of $3.1 million, comprised of $1.3 million of overpayments that will be applied to future periods and $1.8 million that was requested for refund from the Internal Revenue Service. This receivable is reported as a component of Other current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022.
(21) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Maryland Litigation and DiPietro Lawsuit
In November 2019, Kind Therapeutics USA Inc. ("Kind") filed a complaint against the Company in the Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland, captioned Kind Therapeutics USA, Inc. vs. MariMed Inc., et al. (Case No. C-21-CV-19-000670) (the "Maryland Litigation").
In August 2020, Jennifer DiPietro, directly and derivatively on behalf of Mari Holdings MD LLC ("Mari-MD") and Mia Development LLC ("Mia") commenced a suit against the Company's then-Chief Executive Officer and then-Chief Financial Officer and its wholly-owned subsidiary MariMed Advisors Inc., in Suffolk Superior Court, Massachusetts (the "DiPietro Lawsuit").
In December 2021, (i) the parties in the Maryland Litigation and the DiPietro Lawsuit entered into a global Confidential Settlement and Release Agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") in resolution of both litigation matters and (ii) the Company entered into (a) a membership interest purchase agreement with the members of Kind to acquire 100% of the equity ownership of Kind (the "Kind Acquisition") and (b) a membership interest purchase agreement with Jennifer DiPietro to acquire her entire equity ownership interest in Mari-MD and Mia (the "DiPietro Acquisition").
In April 2022, following the consummation of the Kind Acquisition, the Maryland Litigation was dismissed in its entirety with prejudice, and the parties released each other from any and all claims between them.
In June 2022, upon the approval of the court in the DiPietro Lawsuit, the DiPietro Acquisition was consummated and the parties released each other from any and all direct and derivative claims, and a stipulation dismissing all claims and counterclaims with prejudice was filed with the court.
Bankruptcy Claim
During 2019, the Company’s subsidiary, MariMed Hemp, Inc. ("MMH") sold and delivered hemp seed inventory to GenCanna Global Inc., a Kentucky-based cultivator, producer, and distributor of hemp (“GenCanna”). At the time of sale, the Company owned a 33.5% ownership interest in GenCanna. The Company recorded a related party receivable of approximately $29 million from the sale, which was fully reserved at December 31, 2019.
On January 24, 2020, an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding under Chapter 11 was filed against GenCanna and its wholly-owned subsidiary, OGGUSA Inc. (f/k/a GenCanna Global US, Inc.) ("OGGUSA" and together with GenCanna, the "OGGUSA Debtors") in the United States. Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Kentucky (the "Bankruptcy Court"). In February 2020, the OGGUSA Debtors, agreed to convert the involuntary bankruptcy proceeding into a voluntary Chapter 11 proceeding. The OGGUSA Debtors' subsidiary, Hemp Kentucky LLC, also filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court.
In May 2020, after an abbreviated solicitation/bid/sale process, the Bankruptcy Court, over numerous objections by creditors and shareholders of the OGGUSA Debtors, which included the Company, entered an order authorizing the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the OGGUSA Debtors to MGG Investment Group LP ("MGG"), a creditor of the OGGUSA Debtors. After the consummation of the sale of all or substantially all of their assets and business, the OGGUSA Debtors filed their liquidating plan of reorganization (the “Liquidating Plan”) to collect various prepetition payments and commercial claims against third parties, liquidate the remaining assets of the OGGUSA Debtors, and make payments to creditors. The Liquidating Plan was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on November 12, 2020.
Since the approval of the Liquidating Plan, the OGGUSA Debtors have been in the process of liquidating the remaining assets, negotiating and prosecuting objections to other creditors’ claims, and pursuing the collection of accounts receivable and Chapter 5 bankruptcy avoidance claims.
In April 2022, the Plan Administrator filed a Complaint against MMH (the "Complaint") alleging certain preferential transfers of assets, which were valued by the Plan Administrator at $250,000, relating to payments on a $600,000 loan made to MMH by the Company prior to the filing of the OGGUSA Debtors Chapter 11 proceeding (the "Preferential Claim"). The Complaint sought to recover an amount no less than $200,000 and to disallow MMH’s unsecured general claim in the bankruptcy proceeding until such time as such preferential transfer had been repaid to the OGGUSA Debtors.
In July 2023, MMH entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with the Plan Administrator pursuant to which it agreed to reduce its Bankruptcy Court approved unsecured general claim to $15.5 million, or by 50%, in consideration for the settlement of the Preferential Claim and a general release of MMH and the Company.
As of the date of this report, there is insufficient information to determine how much MMH may receive upon the completion of the liquidation of the remaining assets of the OGGUSA Debtors on account of its general unsecured claim, if anything.
New Bedford, MA and Middleborough, MA Buildouts
In the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded an increase of $2.0 million in building and building improvements and a corresponding accrued liability in the same amount for electrical work performed at the Company's New Bedford and Middleborough properties between December 2017 and June 2023. The electrical work was performed by an electrical contractor that is owned and/or controlled by the family of a non-officer/director Company stockholder who beneficially owned more than 5% of the Company's common stock when the electrical work began. The electrical work was primarily paid for by an entity that is indirectly controlled by that individual and another non-officer/director Company shareholder who also beneficially owned more than 5% of the common stock when the electrical work began. The Company repaid the two shareholders $300,000 each as salary between 2021 and 2023 (at the rate of $100,000 each per year), which payments have since been terminated. The Company intends to negotiate an agreement with the entity that paid for the electrical work and all other interested parties to reflect the liability and agreed-upon payment terms.
(22) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Planned Business Acquisition
On February 1, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire the medical cannabis retail license and certain assets of Our Community Wellness & Compassionate Care Center, Inc. ("Medleaf") in Prince George's County, Maryland in exchange for $5.25 million, adjusted for certain items. The purchase consideration is comprised of $2.0 million of cash in the aggregate, a $2.0 million note to be issued to the sellers of Medleaf (the "Medleaf Sellers") at the time of closing, and shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of $1.25 million based on a formulaic calculation, to be issued at the time of closing. As of the date of this report, the Company has made advance payments to the Medleaf Sellers totaling $0.5 million. Completion of the acquisition is dependent upon certain conditions, including regulatory approval of the acquisition. The Company expects this acquisition to be completed in 2024; however, there is no assurance that the required regulatory approvals will be obtained.
Receipt of Certificate of Occupancy - Casey, Illinois
On February 26, 2024, MariMed received its Certificate of Occupancy from the Illinois Cannabis Control Commission to commence operations in the Company's permanent brick-and-mortar facility for its Casey, Illinois adult-use dispensary. The Company anticipates that it will transition from its temporary facility at the same location and commence operations in the new facility during the first quarter of 2024.
Equity Transaction
Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company issued 3,614 shares of restricted common stock with an aggregate fair market value of approximately $2,000 as payment under a royalty agreement.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive and interim chief financial officer (same person), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of December 31, 2023 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based upon that evaluation, our management concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) are accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive and interim chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined by the SEC in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our chief executive and interim chief financial officer, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurances to our management and the board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations which may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on that assessment and using the COSO criteria, our management have concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During 2023, the Company undertook an initiative, utilizing internal resources and outside experts, to review and further document its policies and procedures to strengthen and insure its internal controls over financial reporting. This included developing and preparing updated and incremental standard operating procedures and policies documentation. These related to, among others, the procedure for recording transaction in the company’s general ledger and the manner in which the Company accounts for various types of transactions, as well as policies relating to purchasing, travel and entertainment, revenue recognition, electronic fund transfers and electronic document retention and backup. The Company views this process as an ongoing initiative as new systems and procedures are implemented and adopted in connection with the Company’s growth and business expansion and intends to continue to allocate internal resources and engage outside consultants, as it deems appropriate, to insure the strength of its ongoing internal controls over financial reporting.
Other than as described above, there was no change to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) that occurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
Pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only our management’s report in this annual report on Form 10-K, an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting is not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
Insider Trading Arrangements
On December 4, 2023, Jon Levine, the President, Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company ("Mr. Levine"), adopted a trading arrangement for the sale of shares of the Company’s common stock (the "Mr. Levine's Trading Plan”) that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1(c). Mr. Levine’s Trading Plan (i) authorizes the agent to sell only such number of shares of the Company’s common stock as are necessary to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising from each incremental vesting of the compensatory restricted stock units awarded to Mr. Levine in November 2023 pursuant to the terms of such plan beginning on November 7, 2024; and (ii) is in effect from December 4, 2023 through the earlier of the date on which all sales have been completed pursuant to the terms of such plan, the termination of the plan as provided for therein, or November 15, 2026.
On December 6, 2023, Timothy Shaw, the Chief Operating Officer of the Company ("Mr. Shaw"), adopted a trading arrangement for the sale of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Mr. Shaw’s Trading Plan”) that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1(c). Mr. Shaw’s Trading Plan (i) authorizes the agent to sell only such number of shares of the Company’s common stock as are necessary to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising from each incremental vesting of the compensatory restricted stock units awarded to Mr. Shaw in September 2023 pursuant to the terms of such plan beginning on September 1, 2024; and (ii) is in effect from December 6, 2023 through the earlier of the date on which all sales have been completed pursuant to the terms of such plan, the termination of the plan as provided for therein, or September 15, 2026.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
We have adopted a code of ethics (the “Code”) that applies to our Board of Directors executive officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or individuals performing similar functions, as well as our employees. A copy of the Code can be found on our website at https://ir.marimedinc.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents. The Code of Ethics was designed with the intent to deter wrongdoing, and to promote the following:
•honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
•full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submit to, the Commission and in other public communications the Company makes;
•compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
•prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and
•accountability for adherence to the Code.
The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's December 31, 2023 fiscal year.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's December 31, 2023 fiscal year.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's December 31, 2023 fiscal year.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's December 31, 2023 fiscal year.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of the Company's December 31, 2023 fiscal year.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
1) Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of the Company are listed in the index under Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2) Financial Statement Schedules
None. All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required under the instructions, or the information is contained in the consolidate financial statements or notes thereto, included herein.
3) List of Exhibits
The Exhibits filed part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the signature page of this Annual Report, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.