EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1552189
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 1552189_10-K_2021_0001654954-21-004263.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Business Overview
We are a Nevada corporation organized under the name Solid Solar Energy, Inc in 2008 and renamed Exactus, Inc. in 2016. We have pursued opportunities in Cannabidiol, which we refer to as CBD, since 2019.
In December 2018, we expanded our focus to pursue opportunities in hemp-derived CBD. This decision was based in part on the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which will remain in force through 2023. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized the production of hemp and removed hemp and hemp seeds from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s, or the DEA’s, schedule of Controlled Substances. It also directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the USDA, to issue regulations and guidance to implement a program to create a consistent regulatory framework around production of hemp throughout the United states. On October 31, 2019, the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Services, issued an interim final rule (with request for comments). The rule outlines provisions for the USDA to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes. The U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program establishes federal regulatory oversight of the production of hemp in the U.S. The program authorizes the USDA to approve plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp and establishes a federal plan for producers in states or territories that choose not to administer a state or tribe specific plan, provide the state or tribe does not ban hemp production.
Our principal executive offices were located at 80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28 Delray Beach, FL 33483 until mid-2020 when we commenced remote operations due to Covid-19, and our telephone number is (800) 881-9352.
Farming Operations
During most of 2020 we were engaged in marketing of hemp derived products sourced from our leased farming operations. Through our majority-owned subsidiary, Exactus One World, LLC (“EOW”) we held one-year leases, for approximately 200 acres of farmland in southwest Oregon for growing hemp. Our initial efforts to pursue agricultural development, including farm soil preparation, planting, harvesting, transportation and drying, were situated at farms from which we shipped hemp biomass to third parties for processing. Due to a rapid decline in commodity prices for industrial hemp experienced during 2020 we suspended all farming operations during 2020, and entered into a supply agreement with Hemptown USA, Inc. to provide us with industrial hemp.
Industrial Hemp
We seek to take advantage of an emerging worldwide trend to utilize the production of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp, such as CBD, CBG and CBN, to produce consumer products. Hemp is being used in cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and animal feed, where we also intend to focus our efforts. The market for hemp-derived products is expected to increase substantially over the next five years.
The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids is attributable to the valuable overlap between phyto-cannabinoids (i.e. plant-derived cannabinoids) and the endogenous cannabinoid system in humans, termed a “therapeutic handshake”. Clinical trials demonstrate few adverse effects from oral CBD doses of up to 1,500 mg/day or up to 30 mg IV. The scientific understanding of CBD’s clinical effects is based mostly on studies in specific indications, like epilepsy. One company, GW Pharmaceuticals pls, a leading company developing pharmaceutical drugs and cannabinoid-based medicines, has sought and obtained US and foreign approvals since 2018. EPIDIOLEX®/EPIDYOLEX® (cannabidiol), the first prescription, plant-derived cannabis-based medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the U.S. and the European Commission (EC) for use in Europe, is an oral solution which contains highly purified cannabidiol (CBD). In the U.S., EPIDIOLEX® is indicated for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) in patients one year of age and older. EPIDIOLEX® has received approval in the European Union under the tradename EPIDYOLEX® for adjunctive use in conjunction with clobazam to treat seizures associated with LGS and Dravet syndrome in patients two years and older. In September 2020, EPIDYOLEX® was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia for the treatment of seizures associated with LGS or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age and older. EPIDYOLEX® has received Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of seizures associated TSC.
Healthcare
Currently, CBD products are not a covered benefit, or an extra benefit, under managed care, insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or any state programs. This will likely continue to be the case for the intermediate term. Legal issues and confusion concerning legality, lack of FDA regulation and availability as an OTC medication will likely continue for an indefinite period impeding adoption and payor acceptance.
Competition
We believe a multitude (hundreds) of companies, large and small, have launched or intend to launch retail brands and white label products containing cannabinoids like CBD. Many of these are dependent upon third parties to provide raw material inventory for sale. We believe this makes many of the participants in the industry vulnerable to shortages, quality issues, reliability, and pricing variability. Our industry relationships may allow us to build an efficient supply chain that will put us among the few companies that maintain a competitive pricing and supply advantage.
The CBD-based consumer product industry is highly fragmented with numerous companies, many of which are under-capitalized. There are also large, well-funded companies that currently do not offer hemp-based consumer products including large agribusiness companies such as Cargill and Tyson Foods, but may do so in the future and become significant competitors.
Our goal is to rapidly establish one or more principal sources of supply and to develop wholesale and retail sales channels for end-products, such as nutraceuticals, supplements and pet and farm products.
Environmental Matters
Compliance with federal, state and local requirements regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, have not had, nor are they expected to have, any direct material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, however such factors could indirectly affect us as well as participants in the supply chain for our products, and our business, operations, vendors or suppliers.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Company and Our Business
Because we have a limited operating history to evaluate our company, the likelihood of our success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications and delay frequently encountered by an early-stage company.
Since we have a limited operating history in our current business of hemp-based CBD, it will make it difficult for investors and securities analysts to evaluate our business and prospects. You must consider our prospects in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties we face as an early-stage company with a limited operating history. Investors should evaluate an investment in our company considering the uncertainties encountered by early-stage companies in an intensely competitive industry and in which the potential hemp-based CBD competition and farming, extraction, production and manufacturing companies are large well capitalized companies with resources (financial and otherwise) significantly greater than the Company’s. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will be able to become profitable.
We have sustained losses in the past and we may sustain losses in the foreseeable future.
We have incurred losses from operations in prior periods, including the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Our loss from operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $10.6 million and our net loss was $10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our accumulated deficit was $30.4 million at December 31, 2020, which includes significant non-cash charges. We expect to sustain losses in the foreseeable future and may never be profitable.
Because we expect to need additional capital to fund our growing operations, we may not be able to obtain sufficient capital and may be forced to limit the scope of our operations.
We expect that as our business continues to grow, we will need additional working capital. If adequate additional debt and/or equity financing is not available on reasonable terms or at all, we may not be able to continue to expand our business, and we will have to modify our business plans accordingly. These factors would have a material and adverse effect on our future operating results and our financial condition.
If we reach a point where we are unable to raise needed additional funds to continue as a going concern, we will be forced to cease our activities and dissolve the Company. In such an event, we will need to satisfy various creditors and other claimants, severance, lease termination and other dissolution-related obligations.
Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing.
The audit report prepared by our independent registered public accounting firm relating to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our auditor’s doubts are based on our recurring losses from operations, negative cash flows from operating activities and accumulated deficit. Our ability to continue as a going concern will be determined by our ability to obtain additional funding in the short term to enable us to fund our operations. If we are unable to raise additional capital or secure additional lending soon, management expects that we will need to curtail our operations.
We may not be able to successfully implement our strategy on a timely basis or at all.
Our future success depends on our ability to implement our strategy of expanding into new markets and new distribution channels and attracting new consumers to our brand. Our ability to implement this strategy depends, among other things, on our ability to:
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establish our reputation as a well-managed enterprise committed to delivering premium quality products;
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enter into distribution and other strategic arrangements with retailers and other potential distributors of our products;
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continue to effectively compete in specialty channels and respond to competitive developments;
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identify, expand and maintain loyal customers;
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maintain and, to the extent necessary, improve our standards for product quality, safety and integrity;
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maintain sources from suppliers that comply with all federal, state and local laws for the required supply of quality ingredients to meet our growing demand;
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identify and successfully enter and market our products in new geographic markets and market segments;
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maintain compliance with all federal, state and local laws related to our products; and
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attract, integrate, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
We may not be able to successfully implement our strategy and may need to change our strategy in order to maintain our growth. If we fail to implement our strategy or if we invest resources in a strategy that ultimately proves unsuccessful, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
We may have difficulties managing our anticipated growth, or we may not grow at all.
If we succeed in growing our business, such growth could strain our management team and capital resources. Our ability to manage operations and control growth will be dependent on our ability to raise and spend capital to successfully attract, train, motivate, retain, and manage new members of senior management and other key personnel and continue to update and improve our management and operational systems, infrastructure and other resources, financial and management controls, and reporting systems and procedures. Failure to manage our growth effectively could cause us to misallocate management or financial resources, and result in additional expenditures and inefficient use of existing human and capital resources or we otherwise may be forced to grow at a slower pace that could impair or eliminate our ability to achieve and sustain profitability. Such slower than expected growth may require us to restrict or cease our operations and go out of business.
The focus of our business is to purchase and sell hemp-based products. We may not be able to successfully buy and sell products and, if we acquire hemp-based products from third parties, we may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of our business plans and efforts.
There is significant risk involved in connection with our activities in which we seek to pursue hemp-based businesses. We have no prior experience as an operator of hemp-based businesses. The investment in farm operations intended to produce sales and our business model failed to produce anticipated benefits, due to oversupply, rapidly declining prices and our inability to establish significant markets. Failure to successfully effectively utilize our biomass created from farming and extract ingredients to produce or sell, or scale our operations, had had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Therefore, there is no assurance that the hemp-based business will be successful, will occur timely or in a timeframe that is capable of prediction, or will generate enough revenue to recoup our investment.
We may not be able to manage our manufacturing and supply chain effectively, which may adversely affect our results of operations.
We must accurately forecast demand for all our products in order to ensure that we have enough products available to meet the needs of our customers. Our forecasts are based on multiple assumptions that may cause our estimates to be inaccurate and affect our ability to obtain adequate third-party contract manufacturing capacity in order to meet the demand for our products, which could prevent us from meeting increased customer demand and harm our brand and our business. If we do not accurately align our purchasing capabilities with customer demand, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
During 2020, we relied upon five outside suppliers for our supply of CBD and CBG. During 2021, we intend to leverage and build upon existing relationships with suppliers. We will remain, dependent on a small number of suppliers for our products. If any of our limited number of suppliers were to go out of business, we might be unable to find a replacement for such sources in a timely manner, if at all. If a supplier were to be acquired by a competitor, the competitor may elect not to sell to us at all. The loss of a supplier could cause additional difficulties in finding a substitute supplier given the strict licensing requirements in this industry and there are a limited number of suppliers that currently hold such licenses and comply with the 2014 Farm Bill. If for any reason we were to change any one of our third-party contract manufacturers, we could face difficulties that might adversely affect our ability to maintain an adequate supply of our products, and we would incur costs and expend resources while making the change. Moreover, we might not be able to obtain terms as favorable as those received from our current third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers, which in turn would increase our costs.
In addition, we must continuously monitor our inventory and product mix against anticipated demand. If we underestimate demand, we risk having inadequate supplies and damaging supplier relationships. We also face the risk of having too much inventory on hand that may reach its expiration date and become unsalable, and we may be forced to rely on markdowns or promotional sales to dispose of excess or slow-moving inventory. If we are unable to manage our supply chain effectively, our operating costs could increase, and our profit margins could decrease.
Reliance on other Manufacturers.
The ability to compete and grow will be dependent on it having access, at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner, to skilled labor, equipment, facilities, and raw materials. No assurances can be given that we will be successful in maintaining a required supply of skilled labor, equipment, facilities or raw materials.
We rely on third parties for extraction, processing, and manufacturing. The Company cannot provide assurance that access to other manufacturers for supply, expertise, or materials will not be limited, not be interrupted, not be restricted in certain geographic regions, or be of satisfactory quality or be delivered in a timely manner. In this regard, we will require continued access to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (“cGMP”) manufacturer facilities, testing laboratories, qualified extraction facilities, processing, manufacturing and related services. If we are unable to obtain access to a cGMP manufacturer, for example, or any of the other supply chain elements involved in our plans, we may be restricted from operations which would have a materially adverse effect on our business and operations.
We are heavily reliant on a small number of customers and suppliers.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, 3 customers represented 82% of our total net sales of CBD products, including Ceed2Med, LLC (“C2M”), a related party. The loss of any of these customers or their inability to make future payments could significantly impact our business and results of operation. In addition, we purchased most of our finished products from three suppliers. In January 2021, the Company and C2M agreed to cancel all obligations and agreements. C2M is also engaged in the business of farming and selling hemp and hemp-derived products and is a competitor. Our heavy reliance on a limited number of suppliers for our products could have significant impact on our business and results of operation in the event of any shortage of, or delay in, the supply. The loss of any supplier could significantly impact our business and results of operation.
If we fail to manage our existing assets and third-party relationships (such as, extractors, producers, distributors, shippers and retail distribution clients) effectively, our revenue and profits could decline, and should we fail to acquire additional revenues, our growth could be impeded.
Our success depends in part on our ability to manage our third-party relationships necessary to effectively manage our assets. Our vendors and providers are not bound by long-term contracts that ensure us a consistent access to necessary expertise, which is crucial to our ability to generate revenues and earnings. The ability to utilize third parties and benefit from our assets will depend on various factors, some of which are beyond our control.
We are reliant on key inputs and changes in their costs could negatively impact our profitability.
Our business is dependent on several key inputs and their related costs including raw materials and supplies related to product development and manufacturing operations. Any significant interruption or negative change in the availability or economics of the supply chain for key inputs could materially impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. Some of these inputs may only be available from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. If a sole source supplier was to go out of business, we might be unable to find a replacement for such source in a timely manner or at all. If a sole source supplier were to be acquired by a competitor, that competitor may elect not to sell to us in the future. Any inability to secure required supplies and services or to do so on appropriate terms could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Fluctuations in the cost of ingredients, labor and other costs could adversely affect our operating results.
Our principal products contain hemp-derived CBD oil and isolate. Increases and unexpected decreases in the cost of ingredients in our products could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Significant price increases, market conditions, weather, acts of God and other disasters could materially affect our operating results. An increase in our operating costs could adversely affect our profitability. Factors such as inflation, increased labor and employee benefit costs and increased energy costs may adversely affect our operating costs. Decreases in demand or excess availability of biomass may cause unexpected decreases in raw materials and corresponding decrease in the retail price of CBD products. As a result, as experienced during 2020, we may experience situations where the cost paid for inventory exceeds the current retail market. Many of the factors affecting costs are beyond our control and we may not be able to pass along increased costs to our customers.
If the ingredients used in our products are contaminated, alleged to be contaminated or are otherwise rumored to have adverse effects, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
We buy ingredients from other manufacturers. If these materials are alleged or prove to include contaminants that affect the safety or quality of our products or are otherwise rumored to have adverse effects, for any reason, we may sustain the costs of and possible litigation resulting from a product recall and need to find alternate ingredients, delay production, or discard or otherwise dispose of products, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if any of our competitors experience similar events, our reputation could be damaged, including as a result of a loss of consumer confidence in the types of products we sell.
Although we insure on an economically reasonable basis against product recalls and product contamination, and carry a cannabis regulatory and enforcement endorsement under our Directors and Officers insurance policy, our insurance may not be adequate to cover all liabilities that we may incur in connection with product liability claims, including among others, that the products we sell caused injury or illness, include inadequate instructions for use or include inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects or interactions with other substances. For example, punitive damages are generally not covered by insurance. If we are subject to substantial product liability claims in the future, we may not be able to continue to maintain our existing insurance, obtain comparable insurance at a reasonable cost, if at all, or secure additional coverage. This could result in future product liability claims being uninsured. If there is a product liability judgment against us or a settlement agreement related to a product liability claim, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In addition, even if product liability claims against us are not successful or are not fully pursued, these claims could be costly and time-consuming and may require management to spend time defending claims rather than operating our business.
We may become the subject of litigation and, due to the nature of our business, may be the target of future legal proceedings that could have an adverse effect on our business.
The Company is currently subject to disputes and litigation with several vendors and former employees principally related to termination, failure to perform and unpaid wages.
The Company may become subject to similar actions in the future which will be costly and time consuming to defend, and the outcomes of which are uncertain.
We may seek to internally develop additional hemp-based products, which would take time and be costly. Moreover, the failure to successfully develop, or obtain or maintain intellectual property rights for, such products would lead to the loss of our investments in such activities.
Part of our business may include the internal development of products that we will seek to offer and sell. However, this aspect of our business would likely require significant capital and would take time to achieve. Such activities could also distract our management team from its present business initiatives, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business. There is also the risk that our initiatives in this regard would not yield any viable new products or developments, which would lead to a loss of our investments in time and resources in such activities.
In addition, even if we are able to internally develop new products, in order for those products to be viable and to compete effectively, we would need to develop and maintain, and we would heavily rely upon, a proprietary position with respect to such products. However, there are significant risks associated with any such efforts and products we may develop principally including the following:
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efforts may not result in success, or may take longer than we expect;
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we may be subject to litigation or other proceedings;
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any patents or trademarks that are issued to us may not provide meaningful protection;
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we may not be able to develop additional proprietary technologies;
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other companies may challenge our efforts or intellectual property rights that are issued to us;
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other companies may have independently developed and/or patented (or may in the future independently develop and patent) similar or alternative technologies, or duplicate our technologies; and
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other companies may design around technologies we have developed.
If we do not successfully generate additional products and services, or if such products and services are developed but not successfully commercialized, we could lose revenue opportunities.
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand our product and service offerings. To that end we have engaged in the process of identifying new product opportunities to provide additional products and related services to our customers. The processes of identifying and commercializing new products is complex and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict customers’ changing needs and emerging trends, our business could be harmed. We have already and may have to continue to commit significant resources to commercializing new products before knowing whether our investments will result in products the market will accept. Furthermore, we may not execute successfully on commercializing those products because of errors in product planning or timing, technical hurdles that we fail to overcome in a timely fashion, or a lack of appropriate resources. This could result in competitors providing those solutions before we do and a reduction in net sales and earnings.
The success of new products depends on several factors, including proper new product definition, timely completion, and introduction of these products, differentiation of new products from those of our competitors, regulatory compliance, and market acceptance of these products. There can be no assurance that we will successfully identify additional new product opportunities, develop, and bring new products to market in a timely manner, or achieve market acceptance of our products, or that products and technologies developed by others will not render our products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive.
Our future success depends on our ability to grow and expand our customer base. Our failure to achieve such growth or expansion could materially harm our business.
To date, our revenue growth plans have been derived from projected sales of our products, not actual sales or historical experience. Our success depends on us achieving greater and broader acceptance of our products and expanding our customer base. There can be no assurance that customers will purchase our products or that we will continue to expand our customer base. If we are unable to effectively market or expand our product offerings, we will be unable to grow and expand our business or implement our business strategy. This could materially impair our ability to increase sales and revenue and materially and adversely affect our margins, which could harm our business and cause our stock price to decline.
Our suppliers could fail to fulfill our orders or provide raw materials to manufacture, package or distribute our products, which would disrupt our business, increase our costs, harm our reputation, and potentially cause us to lose our market.
We depend on third party suppliers for materials used for our products, such as bottles, caps, boxes, shipping materials and labels. These suppliers could fail to produce products to our specifications or in a workmanlike manner and may not deliver the material or products on a timely basis. Our suppliers may also have to obtain inventories of the necessary materials and tools for production. Any change in our suppliers’ approach to resolving production issues could disrupt our ability to fulfill orders and could also disrupt our business due to delays in finding new suppliers, providing specifications and testing initial production. Such disruptions in our business and/or delays in fulfilling orders could harm our reputation and could potentially cause us to lose our market.
Any damage to our reputation or our brands may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Maintaining, developing and expanding our reputation with our customers and our suppliers is critical to our success. Our brand may suffer if our marketing plans or product initiatives are not successful. The importance of our brand may decrease if competitors offer more products similar to the products that we manufacture. Further, our brands may be negatively impacted due to real or perceived quality issues or if consumers perceive us as being untruthful in our marketing and advertising, even if such perceptions are not accurate. Product contamination, the failure to maintain high standards for product quality, safety and integrity, including raw materials and ingredients obtained from suppliers, or allegations of product quality issues, mislabeling or contamination, even if untrue or caused by our third-party contract manufacturing partners or raw material suppliers, may reduce demand for our products or cause production and delivery disruptions. However, we may be unable to detect or prevent product and/or ingredient quality issues, mislabeling or contamination, particularly in instances of fraud or attempts to cover up or obscure deviations from our guidelines and procedures. If any of our products become unfit for consumption, cause injury or are mislabeled, we may have to engage in a product recall and/or be subject to liability. Damage to our reputation or our brands or loss of consumer confidence in our products for any of these or other reasons could result in decreased demand for our products and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In addition, if any of our competitors experience similar events, our reputation could be damaged, including as a result of a loss of consumer confidence in the types of products we sell.
Further, our corporate reputation is susceptible to damage by actions or statements made by current or former employees, competitors, vendors, adversaries in legal proceedings and government regulators, as well as members of the investment community and the media. There is a risk that negative information about our company, even if based on false rumor or misunderstanding, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. In particular, damage to our reputation could be difficult and time-consuming to repair, could make potential or existing retail customers reluctant to select us for new engagements, resulting in a loss of business, and could adversely affect our recruitment and retention efforts.
Our business depends, in part, on the sufficiency and effectiveness of our marketing and trade promotion programs and incentives.
Due to the competitive nature of our industry, we must effectively and efficiently promote and market our products to sustain and improve our competitive position in our market. Marketing investments may be costly. In addition, we may, from time to time, change our marketing strategies and spending, including the timing or nature of our trade promotions and incentives. We may also change our marketing strategies and spending in response to actions by our customers, competitors and other companies that manufacture and/or distribute our products. The sufficiency and effectiveness of our marketing and trade promotions and incentives are important to our ability to retain and improve our market share and margins. If our marketing and trade promotions and incentives are not successful or if we fail to implement sufficient and effective marketing and trade promotions and incentives or adequately respond to changes in industry marketing strategies, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
If we are unable to enter into such arrangements on favorable terms, are unable to achieve the desired results under these arrangements and programs, are unable to maintain these relationships, fail to generate sufficient traffic or generate sufficient revenue from purchases pursuant to these arrangements and programs, or properly manage the actions of these providers, our ability to generate revenue and our ability to attract and retain our customers may be impacted, negatively affecting our business and results of operations.
A significant product defect or product recall could materially and adversely affect our brand image, causing a decline in our sales and profitability, and could reduce or deplete our financial resources.
A significant product defect could materially harm our brand image and could force us to conduct a product recall. This could damage our relationships with our customers and reduce end-user loyalty. A product recall would be particularly harmful to us because we have limited financial and administrative resources to effectively manage a product recall and it would detract management’s attention from implementing our core business strategies. As a result, a significant product defect or product recall could cause a decline in our sales and profitability and could reduce or deplete our financial resources.
We may be subject to product liability claims or regulatory action if our products are alleged to have caused significant loss or injury.
We may be subject to product liability claims, regulatory action and litigation if our products are alleged to have caused loss or injury or failed to include adequate instructions for use or failed to include adequate warnings concerning possible side effects or interactions with other substances. Previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from use and consumption of CBD products alone or in combination with other medications or substances could also occur. In addition, the sale of any ingested product involves a risk of injury due to tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination. Our products may also be subject to product recalls, including voluntary recalls or withdrawals, if they are alleged to pose a risk of injury or illness, or if they are alleged to have been mislabeled, misbranded or adulterated or to otherwise be in violation of governmental regulations. We may in the future have to recall, certain of our products as a result of potential contamination and quality assurance concerns. A product liability claim or regulatory action against us could result in increased costs and could adversely affect our reputation and goodwill with our patients and consumers generally. We do not carry product liability insurance. As a result, a successful product liability claim brought against us would have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Although we are seeking to acquire product liability insurance, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain product liability insurance on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities. Such insurance is expensive and may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage on reasonable terms or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims could result in us becoming subject to significant liabilities that are uninsured and could adversely affect our commercial arrangements with third parties.
If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we will incur substantial liabilities.
We face an inherent risk of product liability. For example, we may be sued if any product we sell allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit sales of our products. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:
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decreased demand for our products;
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injury to our reputation;
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costs to defend the related litigation;
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a diversion of management's time and our resources;
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substantial monetary awards to users of our products;
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product recalls or withdrawals;
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loss of revenue; and or a decline in our stock price.
In addition, while we continue to take what we believe are appropriate precautions, we may be unable to avoid significant liability if any product liability lawsuit is brought against us.
If we make acquisitions, it could divert management’s attention, cause ownership dilution to our stockholders and be difficult to integrate.
Acquisitions generally involve significant risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the assets, services and technologies we acquire or industry overlay on which the assets are applicable, diversion of management's attention from other business concerns, overvaluation of the acquired assets, and the acceptance of the acquired assets and/or businesses. To date, our previous acquisitions have been unsuccessful. Future acquisitions may have a number of adverse effects upon us including adverse financial effects and may seriously disrupt our management’s time. The integration of acquired assets may place a significant burden on management and our internal resources. The diversion of management attention and any difficulties encountered in the integration process could harm our business.
We face risks associated with strategic acquisitions.
We have strategically acquired several operations, which to date have not provided the anticipated operational or financials benefits. These acquisitions involved a number of financial, accounting, managerial, operational, legal, compliance and other risks and challenges and may continue to negatively affect our business and operations.
If we fail to retain our key personnel, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth and our business could suffer.
Our future depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key personnel and the continued contributions of our executive officers, each of whom may be difficult to replace. The loss of the services of any such individual and the process to replace any key personnel would involve significant time and expense and may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.
We depend on the knowledge and skills of our senior management and other key employees, and if we are unable to retain and motivate them or recruit additional qualified personnel, our business may suffer.
Our success will depend on our ability to retain our current management and key employees, and to attract and retain qualified personnel in the future, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to retain our personnel or attract new, qualified personnel. In addition, we do not maintain any “key person” life insurance policies. The loss of the services of members of our senior management or key employees could prevent or delay the implementation and completion of our strategic objectives or divert management’s attention to seeking qualified replacements.
We will be required to attract and retain top quality talent to compete in the marketplace.
We believe our future growth and success will depend in part on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled managerial, product development, sales and marketing, and finance personnel. There can be no assurance of success in attracting and retaining such personnel. Shortages in qualified personnel could limit our ability to increase sales of existing products and services and launch new product and service offerings.
If we fail to retain key personnel and hire, train and retain qualified employees, we may not be able to compete effectively, which could result in reduced revenue or increased costs.
Our success is highly dependent on the continued services of key management and technical personnel. Our management and other employees may voluntarily terminate their employment at any time upon short notice. The loss of the services of any member of the senior management team or any of the managerial or technical staff or members of our Advisory Board on which we principally rely for expertise on our CBD segment may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of product development, our growth strategies and other business objectives. Our future success will also depend on our ability to identify, recruit and retain additional qualified technical and managerial personnel. We operate in several geographic locations where labor markets are particularly competitive, and where demand for personnel with these skills is extremely high and is likely to remain high. As a result, competition for qualified personnel is intense, particularly in the areas of general management, finance, and sales. The process of hiring suitably qualified personnel is often lengthy and expensive and may become more expensive in the future. If we are unable to hire and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, our ability to conduct and expand our business could be seriously reduced.
War, terrorism, other acts of violence or natural or manmade disasters such as a global pandemic may affect the markets in which the Company operates, the Company's customers, the Company's delivery of products and customer service, and could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
Our business may be adversely affected by instability, disruption or destruction in a geographic region in which it operates, regardless of cause, including war, terrorism, riot, civil insurrection or social unrest, and natural or manmade disasters, including famine, food, fire, earthquake, storm or pandemic events and spread of disease (including the recent outbreak of the coronavirus commonly referred to as "COVID- 19") which has dramatically impacted the adoption of cannabinoid products due to store closures and restrictions on in-person sales. Such events may cause customers to suspend their decisions on using products and services, make it impossible to attend or sponsor trade shows or other conferences in which our products and services are presented to distributors, customers and potential customers, extraction facilities, manufacturing locations or other physical locations, cause restrictions, postponements and cancellations of events that attract large crowds and public gatherings such as trade shows at which we have historically presented our products, and give rise to sudden significant changes in regional and global economic conditions and cycles that could interfere with purchases of goods or services, commitments to develop new brands and white label products, or agriculture and farming. These events also pose significant risks to our personnel and to physical facilities, transportation and operations, which could materially adversely affect the Company's financial results.
Any significant disruption to communications, gathering and travel, including restrictions and other potential protective quarantine measures against COVID-19 by governmental agencies, may increase the difficulty and could make it impossible for the Company to deliver goods services to its customers. Restrictions and protective measures against COVID-19 could cause additional unexpected labor costs and expenses or could restrain our ability to retain the highly skilled personnel needs for its operations. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company's business, sales and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.
We believe the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has negatively affected our operations necessary to prepare and maintain accurate accounting and reporting and could continue to do so in the foreseeable future. The coronavirus has resulted in restrictions, postponements and cancelations and the impact, extent and duration of the government-imposed restrictions as well as the overall effect of the COVID-19 virus is currently unknown.
The ongoing circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 virus outbreak magnify the challenges faced from our continuing efforts to introduce and sell our products in a challenging environment and could have an impact on our business and financial results.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock.
The price of our common stock has been highly volatile due to several factors that will continue to affect the price of our stock.
Our common stock has traded as low as $0.04 and as high as $0.49 between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The reason for the volatility in our stock is not well understood and the volatility may continue. Some of the factors we believe that have contributed to our common stock volatility and which may be applicable in future periods, include:
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entry into new business ventures;
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asset acquisitions or dispositions;
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commencement of litigation;
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small amounts of our stock available for trading, expiration of any lockup agreements and terms of any leak-out rights with respect thereto;
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filing of registration statements registering the sale of new or outstanding shares of our common stock;
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options and derivatives availability or unavailability;
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short selling and potential “short and distort” campaigns and other short attacks involving our stock;
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small public float of our outstanding common stock and concentration of ownership and control of our common and preferred stock, as well as the terms and conversion rights thereof and revisions to such terms;
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expiration of Rule 144 holding periods with respect to our outstanding common stock;
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fluctuations in our operating results;
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changes in the capital markets and ability for the Company to raise capital;
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legal developments and public awareness with respect to hemp-based and/or CBD business plans, generally, and involving the Company;
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confusion with Companies engaged in the business of marijuana, and the legal and regulatory concerns that our business is related to the marijuana business;
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general economic conditions;
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and legal and regulatory environment.
We cannot guarantee the continued existence of an active established public trading market for our shares.
Our shares are currently quoted on the OTCQB tier of the over-the-counter market operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc. Trading in stock quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors that may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. This volatility could depress the market price of our shares for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Accordingly, OTCQB may provide less liquidity for holders of our shares than a national securities exchange such as the Nasdaq Stock Market. There is no assurance that we can successfully maintain an active established trading market for our shares.
Market prices for our shares may also be influenced by a number of other factors, including:
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the issuance of new equity securities pursuant to a public or private offering;
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changes in interest rates;
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competitive developments, including announcements by competitors of new products or services or significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
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variations in quarterly operating results;
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change in financial estimates by securities analysts;
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the depth and liquidity of the market for our shares;
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investor perceptions of Exactus and its industry generally; and
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general economic and other national conditions.
Our shares of common stock are thinly traded and, as a result, stockholders may be unable to sell at or near ask prices, or at all, if they need to sell shares to raise money or otherwise desire to liquidate their shares.
Our common stock has been “thinly-traded,” meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common stock at or near ask prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. We believe this situation is attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and would be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we become more seasoned and viable. In addition, we believe that due to the limited number of shares of our common stock outstanding, an options market has not been established for our common stock, limiting the ability of market participants to hedge or otherwise undertake trading strategies available for larger companies with broader stockholder bases which prevents institutions and others from acquiring or trading in our securities. Consequently, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give stockholders any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common shares will develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained.
There may not be sufficient liquidity in the market for our securities for investors to sell their shares. The market price of our common stock may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock will likely be highly volatile, as is the stock market in general. Some of the factors that may materially affect the market price of our common stock are beyond our control, such as conditions or trends in the industry in which we operate or sales of our common stock. This situation is attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and would be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned and viable.
Consequently, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a mature issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. It is possible that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will not develop or be sustained, or that trading levels will not continue. These factors may materially adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our performance. In addition, the public stock markets have experienced extreme price and trading volume volatility. This volatility has significantly affected the market prices of securities of many companies for reasons frequently unrelated to the operating performance of the specific companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We can sell additional shares of common stock without consulting stockholders and without offering shares to existing stockholders, which would result in dilution of existing stockholders’ interests in the Company and could depress our stock price.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize 650,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 56.4 million were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Moreover, our Board of Directors is authorized to issue additional shares of our common stock and preferred stock and revise the terms of conversion of preferred stock outstanding and conversion of debt into equity of the Company as well as issue common stock in connection with the settlement of litigations and claims. The future issuance of additional shares of our common stock or preferred stock or debt convertible into common stock would cause immediate, and potentially substantial, dilution to our existing stockholders, which could also have a material effect on the market value of the shares. During 2020 and early 2021, we issued approximately 40 million additional shares of common stock in settlements, cancellations and conversions.
We do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our capital stock must come from increases in the fair market value and trading price of the capital stock.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in the development and expansion of our business. Any credit agreements, which we may enter into with institutional lenders, may restrict our ability to pay dividends. Whether we pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and any other factors that the board of directors decides is relevant. Therefore, any return on your investment in our capital stock must come from increases in the fair market value and trading price of the capital stock.
We may issue additional equity shares to fund our operational requirements, which would dilute share ownership. Such sales of additional equity securities may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and your rights in the company may be reduced.
The company’s continued viability depends on its ability to raise capital. We expect to continue to incur product development and selling, general and administrative costs. Changes in economic, regulatory, or competitive conditions may lead to cost increases. Management may determine that it is in the best interest of the company to develop new services or products. In any such case additional financing is required for the company to meet its operational requirements. We may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. The sale or the proposed sale of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Also, any new securities issued may have greater rights, preferences, or privileges than our existing common stock. Our stockholders may experience substantial dilution upon such issuances and a reduction in the price that they are able to obtain upon sale of their shares. There can be no assurances that the company will be able to obtain such financing on terms acceptable to the company and at times required by the company, if at all. In such event, the company may be required to materially alter its business plan or curtail all or a part of its operational plans.
We may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events, or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might grant to holders of preferred stock could affect the value of the common stock.
Our common stock may be considered a “penny stock” and may be difficult to sell.
The Commission has adopted regulations which generally define “penny stock” to be an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. Historically, the price of our common stock has fluctuated greatly. If, the market price of the common stock is less than $5.00 per share and the common stock does not fall within any exemption, it therefore may be designated as a “penny stock” according to SEC rules. The “penny stock” rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally those with assets in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 together with their spouse). For transactions covered by these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchase of securities and have received the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction before the purchase. Additionally, for any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the broker-dealer must deliver, before the transaction, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price information on the limited market in penny stocks. These additional burdens imposed on broker-dealers may restrict the ability or decrease the willingness of broker-dealers to sell our common shares and may result in decreased liquidity for our common shares and increased transaction costs for sales and purchases of our common shares as compared to other securities.
Because we will be subject to “penny stock” rules, the level of trading activity in our stock may be reduced.
Broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in “penny stocks” are regulated by penny stock rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on some national securities exchanges). The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer to deliver to its customers a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market prior to carrying out a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and, if the broker-dealer is the sole market maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this fact and the broker-dealer’s presumed control over the market, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. In addition, broker-dealers who sell these securities to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors” must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction.
It may be difficult to predict our financial performance because our quarterly operating results may fluctuate.
Our revenues, operating results and valuations of certain assets and liabilities may vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. You should not rely on period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future performance. Our results of operations may fall below the expectations of market analysts and our own forecasts. If this happens, the market price of our common stock may fall significantly. The factors that may affect our quarterly operating results include the following:
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fluctuations in results of our operations and capital raising efforts;
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the timing and amount of expenses incurred to establish a hemp-based operation;
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the impact of our anticipated need for personnel and expected substantial increase in headcount;
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worsening economic conditions which cause revenues or profits attributable to sales of products or services to decline;
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changes in the regulatory environment, including regulation of hemp-based products or CBD by the FDA or comparable state regulatory agencies or agricultural authorities
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the timing and amount of expenses associated with extraction, production, purchasing, manufacturing and selling of product;
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Any changes we make in our Critical Accounting Estimates described in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our periodic reports;
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the adoption of new accounting pronouncements, or new interpretations of existing accounting pronouncements, that impact the manner in which we account for, measure or disclose our results of operations, financial position or other financial measures; and
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costs related to acquisitions of technologies or businesses.
Our operating results, including net sales, gross margin and net income (loss), as well as our stock price have varied in the past, and our future operating results will continue to be subject to quarterly and annual fluctuations based upon numerous factors. Our stock price will continue to be subject to daily variations as well. Our future operating results and stock price may not follow any past trends or meet our guidance and expectations.
Our net sales and operating results, net income (loss) and operating expenses, and our stock price have varied in the past and may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year in the future. We believe a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, could cause these variations and make them difficult to predict, including:
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fluctuations in demand for our products or downturns in the industries that we serve;
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the ability of our suppliers, both internal and external, to produce and deliver products including sole or limited source components, in a timely manner, in the quantity, quality and prices desired;
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the timing of receipt of bookings and the timing of and our ability to ultimately convert bookings to net sales;
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rescheduling of shipments or cancellation of orders by our customers;
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fluctuations in our product mix;
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the ability of our customers' other suppliers to provide sufficient material to support our customers' products;
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currency fluctuations and stability, in particular the U.S. dollar as compared to, other currencies;
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introductions of new products and product enhancements by our competitors, entry of new competitors into our markets, pricing pressures and other competitive factors;
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our ability to develop, introduce, manufacture and ship new and enhanced products in a timely manner without defects;
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our ability to manage our manufacturing capacity across our diverse product lines and that of our suppliers, including our ability to successfully expand our manufacturing capacity in various locations around the world;
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our ability to successfully and fully integrate acquisitions, into our operations and management;
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our ability to successfully internally transfer products as part of our integration efforts;
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our reliance on contract manufacturing;
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our customers' ability to manage their susceptibility to adverse economic conditions;
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the rate of market acceptance of our new products;
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the ability of our customers to pay for our products;
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expenses associated with acquisition-related activities;
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access to applicable credit markets by us and our customers;
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our ability to control expenses;
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potential excess and/or obsolescence of our inventory;
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impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets;
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our ability to meet our expectations and forecasts and those of public market analysts and investors;’
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our ability and the ability of our contractual counterparts to comply with the terms of our contracts;
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damage to our reputation as a result of coverage in social media, Internet blogs or other media outlets;
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managing our internal and third-party sales representatives and distributors, including compliance with all applicable laws;
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costs, expenses and damages arising from litigation;
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individual employees intentionally or negligently failing to comply with our internal controls; and
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distraction of management related to acquisition, integration or divestment activities.
Our expenses for any given quarter are typically based on expected sales and if sales are below expectations in any given quarter, the adverse impact of the shortfall on our operating results may be magnified by our inability to adjust spending quickly enough to compensate for the shortfall. We also base our inventory levels on our forecasted product mix for the quarter. If the actual product mix varies significantly from our forecast, we may not be able to fill some orders during that quarter, which would result in delays in the shipment of our products. Accordingly, variations in timing of sales, particularly for our higher priced, higher margin products, can cause significant fluctuations in quarterly operating results.
Due to these and other factors, such as varying product mix, quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year comparisons of our historical operating results may not be meaningful. You should not rely on our results for any quarter or year as an indication of our future performance. Our operating results in future quarters and years may be below public market analysts' or investors' expectations, which would likely cause the price of our stock to fall. In addition, over the past several years, U.S. and global equity markets have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the stock prices of many companies involved in the cannabis industry and are expected to affect the hemp-based industry as well, both within and outside our industry. There has not always been a direct correlation between this volatility and the performance of particular companies subject to these stock price fluctuations. These factors, as well as general economic and political conditions, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our stock in the future.
Our largest outside stockholder can exert significant control over our business and affairs and may have actual or potential interests that may depart from those of our other stockholders.
Our largest outside stockholder through December 31, 2020, C2M, owns a substantial percentage of our outstanding voting capital. On January 21, 2021 the Company entered into a settlement agreement with C2M and their principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons. The business interests of C2M may differ from the interests of other stockholders. There can be no assurance C2M or other significant stockholders will, in future matters submitted for stockholder approval, vote in favor of such matters, even if such matters are recommended for approval by management or are in the best interests of stockholders generally. As a result, such persons will have the ability to vote their significant holdings in favor (or not in favor) of proposals presented to our stockholders for approval, including proposals to:
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elect or defeat the election of our directors;
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amend or prevent amendment of our articles of incorporation or bylaws;
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effect or prevent a merger, sale of assets or other corporate transaction; and
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control the outcome of any other matter submitted to the stockholders for vote.
In addition, such persons’ stock ownership may discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price. C2M could also utilize their significant ownership interest to seek to influence management and decisions of the Company.
We are subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, which will require us to incur audit fees and legal fees in connection with the preparation of such reports. These additional costs will reduce or might eliminate our profitability.
We are required to file periodic reports with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To comply with these requirements, our independent registered auditors will have to review our quarterly financial statements and audit our annual financial statements. Moreover, our legal counsel will have to review and assist in the preparation of such reports. The costs charged by these professionals for such services cannot be accurately predicted at this time, because factors such as the number and type of transactions that we engage in and the complexity of our reports cannot be determined at this time and will have a major effect on the amount of time to be spent by our auditors and attorneys. However, the incurrence of such costs will obviously be an expense to our operations and thus have a negative effect on our ability to meet our overhead requirements and earn a profit. We may be exposed to potential risks resulting from new requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, the trading price of our Common Stock, if a market ever develops, could drop significantly, or we could become subject to Commission enforcement proceedings.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud and our business may be harmed and our stock price may be adversely impacted.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or to prevent fraud could harm our business. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires management to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In order to continue to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are required to continuously evaluate and, where appropriate, enhance our policies, procedures and internal controls. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting, we could be subject to litigation or regulatory scrutiny and investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports. We cannot assure you that in the future we will be able to fully comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or that management will conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. If we fail to fully comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our business may be harmed, and our stock price may decline.
Our assessment, testing and evaluation of the design and operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting resulted in our conclusion that, as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective, as a result of: (1) we lacked a sufficient number of employees to properly segregate duties and provide adequate review of the preparation of the financial statements and (2) we lacked sufficient independent directors on our Board of Directors to maintain Audit and other committees consistent with proper corporate governance standards. We can provide no assurance as to conclusions of management with respect to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in the future.
Because we are a “smaller reporting company,” we will not be required to comply with certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. As a smaller reporting company, we are eligible for exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including, but not limited to:
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Reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements.
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Not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. and
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Reduced disclosure obligations for our annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and registration statements.
We will continue to incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC, impose various requirements on public companies, including establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly, particularly after we are no longer a smaller reporting company. For example, we expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance.
Pursuant to Section 404, we will be required to furnish a report by our management on our internal control over financial reporting. To achieve compliance with Section 404 within the prescribed period, we will be engaged in a process to document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting, which is both costly and challenging. In this regard, we will need to continue to dedicate internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants and adopt a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate through testing that controls are functioning as documented and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. Despite our efforts, there is a risk that neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm will be able to conclude within the prescribed timeframe that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as required by Section 404. This could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.
Short sellers of our stock may be manipulative and may drive down the market price of our common stock.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed or intends to borrow from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities at a later date to return to the lender. A short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is therefore in the short seller’s interest for the price of the stock to decline, some short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, opinions or characterizations regarding the relevant issuer, its business prospects and similar matters calculated to or which may create negative market momentum, which may permit them to obtain profits for themselves as a result of selling the stock short. Issuers whose securities have historically had limited trading volumes and/or have been susceptible to relatively high volatility levels can be particularly vulnerable to such short seller attacks. The publication of any such commentary regarding us in the future may bring about a temporary, or possibly long term, decline in the market price of our common stock. In the past, the publication of commentary regarding us by a disclosed short seller has been associated with the selling of shares of our common stock in the market on a large scale, resulting in a precipitous decline in the market price per share of our common stock. No assurances can be made that similar declines in the market price of our common stock will not occur in the future, in connection with such commentary by short sellers or otherwise.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sales practice requirements may also limit your ability to buy and sell our stock, which could depress our share price.
FINRA rules require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares, depressing our share price.
Transfers of our securities may be restricted by virtue of state securities “blue sky” laws, which prohibit trading absent compliance with individual state laws. These restrictions may make it difficult or impossible to sell shares in those states.
Transfers of our common stock may be restricted under the securities or securities regulations laws promulgated by various states and foreign jurisdictions, commonly referred to as "blue sky" laws. Absent compliance with such individual state laws, our common stock may not be traded in such jurisdictions. Because the securities held by many of our stockholders have not been registered for resale under the blue-sky laws of any state, the holders of such shares and persons who desire to purchase them should be aware that there may be significant state blue sky law restrictions upon the ability of investors to sell the securities and of purchasers to purchase the securities. These restrictions may prohibit the secondary trading of our common stock. Investors should consider the secondary market for our securities to be a limited one.
“Anti-Takeover” provisions in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may cause a third party to be discouraged from making a takeover offer that could be beneficial to our stockholders.
Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and the anti-takeover provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, could delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us or replacing members of our Board of Directors, or make more costly any attempt to acquire control of the Company, even if the acquisition or the Board designees would be beneficial to our stockholders. These factors could also reduce the price that certain investors might be willing to pay for shares of the common stock and result in the market price being lower than it would be without these provisions.
In addition, large stockholders may seek to influence our Board of Directors and stockholders by acquiring positions in the Company to force consideration of proposals that may be less desirable than other outcomes. The effect of such influences on our Company or our corporate governance could reduce the value of our monetization activities and have an adverse effect on the value of our assets. The effect of Anti-Takeover provisions could impact the ability of prospective stockholders to obtain influence in the Company or representation on the Board of Directors or acquire a significant ownership position and such result may have an adverse effect on the Company and the value of its securities.
Regulatory Risks Related to Our Business
FDA regulation could negatively affect the hemp industry, which would directly affect our financial condition.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") may seek expanded regulation of hemp under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1938. Additionally, the FDA may issue rules and regulations, including certified good manufacturing practices, or cGMPs, related to the growth, cultivation, harvesting and processing of hemp. Clinical trials may be needed to verify efficacy and safety. It is also possible that the FDA would require that facilities where hemp is grown register with the FDA and comply with certain federally prescribed regulations. In the event that some or all of these regulations are imposed, we do not know what the impact would be on the hemp industry, including what costs, requirements and possible prohibitions may be enforced. If we or our manufacturing partners are unable to comply with the regulations or registration as prescribed by the FDA, we or our manufacturing partners may be unable to continue to operate their and our business in its current or planned form or at all.
Changes in the Law and Development Programs
The 2018 Farm Bill declassified industrial hemp as a Schedule I substance, shifted regulatory authority from the Drug Enforcement Administration to the Department of Agriculture, and provided autonomy for states to regulate the industry. The 2018 Farm Bill did not change the Food and Drug Administration’s oversight authority over CBD products. The 2018 Farm Bill defined industrial hemp as a variety of cannabis containing an amount equal to or lower than 0.3% tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC), and allowed farmers to grow and sell hemp under state regulation. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 41 states have set up cultivation and production programs to regulate the production of hemp.
For the first time since 1937, industrial hemp had been decriminalized at the federal level and can be grown legally in the United States, but on a limited basis. A landmark provision passed in the Agricultural Act of 2014 had previously classified hemp as distinct from its genetic cousin, marijuana. Marijuana cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and therefore, strict enforcement of federal laws regarding cannabis will likely affect the perception of the lawfulness of our activity for a continuing period of time, which could result in our inability and the inability of our customers to execute their respective business plans.
Although we believe the foregoing will be applicable to business other than hemp-based CBD (other cannabinoids), there is risk that confusion or uncertainty surrounding our products with regulated cannabis could occur on the state or federal level and impact us. We may have difficulty with establishing banking relationships, working with investment banks and brokers who would be willing to offer and sell our securities or accept deposits from stockholders, and auditors willing to certify our financial statements if we are confused with businesses that are in the cannabis business. Any of these additional factors, should they occur, could also affect our business, prospects, assets or results of operation could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition of the Company.
We and our manufacturers and suppliers are subject to extensive governmental regulation and may be subject to enforcement if we are not in compliance with applicable requirements.
We, our manufacturers, and suppliers are subject to a broad range of federal, state and local laws and regulations governing, among other things, the testing, development, manufacture, distribution, marketing and post-market reporting of foods, including those that contain CBD. These include laws administered by the FDA, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), and other federal, state and local regulatory authorities.
Failure by us or our third-party contract manufacturers and suppliers to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to obtain and maintain necessary permits, licenses and registrations relating to our or our partners’ operations could subject us to administrative and civil penalties, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, warning letters, restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of our products, or refusals to permit the import or export of products, as well as potential criminal sanctions, which could result in increased operating costs resulting in a material effect on our operating results and business.
The markets for businesses in the CBD and hemp extracts industries are competitive and evolving.
In particular, the Company will face strong competition from both existing and emerging companies that offer similar products to the Company. Some of the Company’s current and potential competitors may have longer operating histories, greater financial, marketing and other resources and larger customer bases. Given the rapid changes affecting the global, national and regional economies generally and the CBD industry, in particular, the Company may not be able to create and maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The Company’s success will depend on its ability to keep pace with any changes in such markets, especially in light of legal and regulatory changes. The Company’s success will depend on its ability to respond to, among other things, changes in the economy, market conditions and competitive pressures. Any failure to anticipate or respond adequately to such changes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, operating results, liquidity, cash flow and operational performance.
We are subject to the risk of potential changes to state laws pertaining to industrial hemp.
As of the date hereof, approximately forty-seven states authorized industrial hemp programs pursuant to the Farm Bill. Continued development of the industrial hemp industry will be dependent upon new legislative authorization of industrial hemp at the state level, and further amendment or supplementation of legislation at the federal level. Any number of events or occurrences could slow or halt progress all together in this space. While progress within the industrial hemp industry is currently encouraging, growth is not assured. While there appears to be ample public support for favorable legislative action, numerous factors may impact or negatively affect the legislative process(es) within the various states where the Company has business interests. Any one of these factors could slow or halt use of industrial hemp, which could negatively impact the business up to possibly causing the Company to discontinue operations as a whole.
Our product candidates are not approved by the FDA or other regulatory authority, and we face risks of unforeseen medical problems, and up to a complete ban on the sale of our product candidates.
The efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical products is established through a process of clinical testing under FDA oversight. However, if an individual were to use one of our products in an improper manner, we cannot predict the potential medical harm to that individual. If such an event were to occur, the FDA or similar regulatory agency might impose a complete ban on the sale or use of our products.
There are numerous costs associated with numerous laws and regulations.
The manufacture, labeling and distribution of the Company products will be regulated by various federal, state and local agencies. These governmental authorities may commence regulatory or legal proceedings, which could restrict the permissible scope of the Company’s product claims or the ability to sell products in the future. The FDA may regulate the Company’s products to ensure that the products are not adulterated or misbranded. The Company is subject to regulation by the federal government and other state and local agencies as a result of its CBD products. The shifting compliance environment and the need to build and maintain robust systems to comply with different compliance in multiple jurisdictions increases the possibility that the Company may violate one or more of the requirements. If the Company’s operations are found to be in violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply to the Company, it may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of the Company’s operations, any of which could adversely affect the ability to operate the Company’s business and its financial results. Failure to comply with FDA requirements may result in, among other things, injunctions, product withdrawals, recalls, product seizures, fines and criminal prosecutions. The Company’s advertising will be subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) under the Federal Trade Commission Act. In recent years, the FTC has initiated numerous investigations of dietary and nutrition supplement products and companies. Additionally, some states also permit advertising and labeling laws to be enforced by private attorney generals, who may seek relief for consumers, seek class-action certifications, seek class-wide damages and product recalls of products sold by the Company. Any actions against the Company by governmental authorities or private litigants could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Information Technology and Intellectual Property
We are subject to cyber-security risks, including those related to customer, employee, vendor or other company data and including in connection with integration of acquired businesses and operations.
We currently do not utilize automated technology or software to maintain important records necessary to the successful performance of our business. We are evaluating various selling, inventory and contact management software tools, such as Shopify, in order to begin to adopt processes to track inventory, generate sales orders and invoices, promote leads and sales and support customer interaction such as customer service and warranty claims. Without these tools we operate at a significant disadvantage to our competitors who have implemented more sophisticate systems than us.
We use information technologies to securely manage certain operations and various business functions. We rely on various technologies, some of which are managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including reporting on our business and interacting with customers, vendors and employees. In addition, we collect and store certain data, including proprietary business information, and may have access to confidential or personal information that is subject to privacy and security laws, regulations and customer-imposed controls. Our systems are subject to repeated attempts by third parties to access information or to disrupt our systems. Despite our security design and controls, and those of our third-party providers, we may become subject to system damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to any number of causes, including cyber-attacks, breaches, employee error or malfeasance, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, service providers, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. It is possible for such vulnerabilities to remain undetected for an extended period. We may face other challenges and risks as we upgrade and standardize our information technology systems as part of our integration of acquired businesses and operations. We do not have contingency plans in place to prevent or mitigate the impact of these events, and these events could result in operational disruptions or the misappropriation of sensitive data, and depending on their nature and scope, could lead to the compromise of confidential information, improper use of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions and exposure to liability. Such disruptions or misappropriations and the resulting repercussions, including reputational damage and legal claims or proceedings, may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock.
Our intellectual property rights may be inadequate to protect our business.
Our failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights for any reason could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We also rely on unpatented proprietary technology. It is possible that others will independently develop the same or similar technology or otherwise obtain access to our unpatented technology. To protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information, we require employees, consultants, advisors and collaborators to enter into confidentiality agreements. We cannot assure you that these agreements will provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized use, misappropriation or disclosure of such trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information. If we are unable to maintain the proprietary nature of our technologies, we could be materially adversely affected.
We rely on our trademarks, trade names, and brand names to distinguish our products from the products of our competitors, and have registered or applied to register many of these trademarks. We cannot assure you that our trademark applications will be approved. Third parties may also oppose our trademark applications, or otherwise challenge our use of the trademarks. In the event that our trademarks are successfully challenged, we could be forced to rebrand our products, which could result in loss of brand recognition, and could require us to devote resources advertising and marketing new brands. Further, we cannot assure you that competitors will not infringe our trademarks, or that we will have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks.
If third parties claim that we infringe upon their intellectual property rights, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We face the risk of claims that we have infringed third parties’ intellectual property rights. Any claims of intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, could be expensive and time consuming to defend; could require us to cease selling the products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property, could require us to redesign, reengineer, or rebrand the product, if feasible, could divert management’s attention and resources, or could require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property.
Any royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. A successful claim of infringement against us could result in our being required to pay significant damages, enter into costly license or royalty agreements, or stop the sale of certain products, any of which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our future prospects.
Our inability to effectively protect our intellectual property would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively, our revenue, our financial condition, and our results of operations.
We may be unable to obtain intellectual property rights to effectively protect our branding, products, and other intangible assets. Our ability to compete effectively may be affected by the nature and breadth of our intellectual property rights. While we intend to defend against any threats to our intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that any such actions will adequately protect our interests. If we are unable to secure intellectual property rights to effectively protect our branding, products, and other intangible assets, our revenue and earnings, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected.
We also rely on non-disclosure and non-competition agreements to protect portions of our intellectual property portfolio. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, that third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or proprietary knowledge, or that third parties will not independently develop competitive products with similar intellectual property.
A failure of one or more key information technology systems, networks or processes may materially adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
The efficient operation of our business will depend on our information technology systems which presently we believe is deficient in significant respects related to our accounting for and effective control over raw materials, inventory, and supply-chain in general. We rely on our information technology systems to effectively manage our sales and marketing, accounting and financial and legal and compliance functions, engineering and product development tasks, research and development data, communications, supply chain, order entry and fulfillment and other business processes. We also rely on third parties and virtualized infrastructure to operate and support our information technology systems. The failure of our information technology systems, or those of our third-party service providers, to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in transaction errors, processing inefficiencies and the loss of sales and customers, causing our business and results of operations to suffer.
In addition, our information technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from circumstances beyond our control, including fire, natural disasters, power outages, systems failures, security breaches, cyber-attacks and computer viruses. The failure of our information technology systems to perform as a result of any of these factors or our failure to effectively restore our systems or implement new systems could disrupt our entire operation and could result in decreased sales, increased overhead costs, excess inventory and product shortages and a loss of important information.
Further, it is critically important for us to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of our information technology systems. To the extent that we have information in our databases that our customers consider confidential or sensitive, any unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, such information due to human error, breach of our systems through cybercrime, a leak of confidential information due to employee misconduct or similar events could result in a violation of applicable data protection and privacy laws and regulations, legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, a loss of confidence of our customers, suppliers and manufacturers and lost sales. Actual or suspected cyber-attacks may cause us to incur substantial costs, including costs to investigate, deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, train employees and engage third-party experts and consultants. We have taken steps to protect the security of our systems. Despite the implementation of these security measures, our systems may still be vulnerable to physical break-ins computer viruses, programming errors, attacks by third parties or similar disruptive problems. If any of these risks materialize, our reputation and our ability to conduct our business may be materially adversely affected.
We rely heavily on third-party commerce platforms to conduct our businesses. If one of those platforms is compromised, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.
We intend to rely upon third-party commerce platforms, including Shopify and Alibaba. We also rely on e-mail service providers, bandwidth providers, Internet service providers and mobile networks to deliver e-mail and “push” communications to customers and to allow customers to access our website.
Any damage to, or failure of, our systems or the systems of our third-party commerce platform providers could result in interruptions to the availability or functionality of our website and mobile applications. As a result, we could lose customer data and miss order fulfillment deadlines, which could result in decreased sales, increased overhead costs, excess inventory and product shortages. If for any reason our arrangements with our third-party commerce platform providers are terminated or interrupted, such termination or interruption could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We exercise little control over these providers, which increases our vulnerability to problems with the services they provide. We could experience additional expense in arranging for new facilities, technology, services and support. In addition, the failure of our third-party commerce platform providers to meet our capacity requirements could result in interruption in the availability or functionality of our website and mobile applications.
Failure to comply with federal, state and foreign laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and consumer protection, or the expansion of current or the enactment of new laws or regulations relating to privacy, data protection and consumer protection, could adversely affect our business and our financial condition.
We may collect, store, process, and use personal information and other customer data, and we rely in part on third parties that are not directly under our control to manage certain of these operations and to collect, store, process and use payment information. Due to the volume and sensitivity of the personal information and data we and these third parties manage and expect to manage in the future, as well as the nature of our customer base, the security features of our information systems are critical. A variety of federal, state and foreign laws and regulations govern the collection, use, retention, sharing and security of this information. Laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and consumer protection are evolving and subject to potentially differing interpretations. These requirements may not be harmonized, may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another or may conflict with other rules or our practices. As a result, our practices may not have complied or may not comply in the future with all such laws, regulations, requirements and obligations.
We expect that new industry standards, laws and regulations will continue to be proposed regarding privacy, data protection and information security in many jurisdictions. We cannot yet determine the impact such future laws, regulations and standards may have on our business. Complying with these evolving obligations is costly. For instance, expanding definitions and interpretations of what constitutes “personal data” (or the equivalent) within the United States and elsewhere may increase our compliance costs and legal liability. A significant data breach or any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with any federal, state or foreign privacy or consumer protection-related laws, regulations or other principles or orders to which we may be subject or other legal obligations relating to privacy or consumer protection could adversely affect our reputation, brand and business, and may result in claims, investigations, proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others or other penalties or liabilities or require us to change our operations and/or cease using certain data sets. Depending on the nature of the information compromised, we may also have obligations to notify users, law enforcement or payment companies about the incident and may need to provide some form of remedy, such as refunds, for the individuals affected by the incident.
We are subject to risks related to online payment methods.
We accept payments using a variety of methods, including credit card and debit card. As we offer new payment options to customers, we may be subject to additional regulations, compliance requirements and fraud. For certain payment methods, including credit and debit cards, we pay interchange and other fees, which may increase over time and raise our operating costs and lower profitability. We are also subject to payment card association operating rules and certification requirements, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and rules governing electronic funds transfers, which could change or be reinterpreted to make it difficult or impossible for us to comply. As our business changes, we may also be subject to different rules under existing standards, which may require new assessments that involve costs above what we currently pay for compliance. If we fail to comply with the rules or requirements of any provider of a payment method we accept, if the volume of fraud in our transactions limits or may, among other things, be subject to fines or higher transaction fees and may lose, or face restrictions placed upon, our ability to accept credit card and debit card payments from customers or facilitate other types of online payments. If any of these events were to occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected. We occasionally receive orders placed with fraudulent credit card data. We may suffer losses as a result of orders placed with fraudulent credit card data even if the associated financial institution approved payment of the orders. Under current credit card practices, we may be liable for fraudulent credit card transactions. If we are unable to detect or control credit card fraud, our liability for these transactions could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Credit card processing companies have periodically declined to associate with companies engaged in hemp and cannabinoid sales.
Significant merchandise returns or refunds could harm our business.
We allow our customers to return products or offer refunds, subject to our return and refunds policy. If merchandise returns or refunds are significant or higher than anticipated and forecasted, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected. Further, we modify our policies relating to returns or refunds from time to time, and may do so in the future, which may result in customer dissatisfaction and harm to our reputation or brand, or an increase in the number of product returns or the amount of refunds we make.

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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
During 2020, we leased offices in Delray Beach Florida which was vacated for virtual operations with the onset of Covid-19. If additional or alternative space is needed in the future, we believe such space will be available on commercially reasonable terms as necessary.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We are unable to predict the outcome of any such matters or the ultimate legal and financial liability, and at this time cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss and accordingly have not accrued a related liability.

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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
Market Information
Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB over-the-counter market under the symbol “EXDI.” Over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. On March 31, 2021 the closing bid price on the OTC Markets for our Common Stock was $0.17.
Penny Stock
The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a market price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, that: (a) contains a description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading; (b) contains a description of the broker's or dealer's duties to the customer and of the rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to a violation of such duties or other requirements of the securities laws; (c) contains a brief, clear, narrative description of a dealer market, including bid and ask prices for penny stocks and the significance of the spread between the bid and ask price; (d) contains a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary actions; (e) defines significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of trading in penny stocks; and (f) contains such other information and is in such form, including language, type size and format, as the SEC shall require by rule or regulation.
The broker-dealer also must provide, prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock, the customer with (a) bid and offer quotations for the penny stock; (b) the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction; (c) the number of shares to which such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to the depth and liquidity of the market for such stock; and (d) a monthly account statement showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account.
In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement as to transactions involving penny stocks, and a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement.
These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity for our common stock. Therefore, stockholders may have difficulty selling our securities.
Holders of Our Common Stock
As of March 31, 2021, we had 99,632,710 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, and approximately 166 shareholders of record.
Dividends
There are no restrictions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that prevent us from declaring dividends. The Nevada Revised Statutes, however, do prohibit us from declaring dividends where after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend:
1. we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or;
2. our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the rights of shareholders who have preferential rights superior to those receiving the distribution.
We have not declared any dividends and we do not plan to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.

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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
General
Through January 2021 we conducted certain of our operations under a Master Product Development and Supply Agreement (the “Development Agreement”) and Management and Services Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC (“C2M”) entered in 2018 in order rapidly enter into the CBD business. C2M agreed to provide the Company access to expertise, resources, skills and experience suitable for producing products with active phyto-cannabinoid (CBD) rich ingredients including isolates, distillates, water soluble, and proprietary formulations. Under the Development Agreement, we had been allotted a minimum of 50 and up to 300 kilograms per month, and up to 2,500 kilograms annually, of active phyto-cannabinoid (CBD) rich ingredients for resale, and offered tinctures, edibles, capsules, topical solutions and animal health products manufactured, directly or indirectly, under this arrangement. C2M was also responsible for overseeing our farming and manufacturing activities.
Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Net Revenues The Company is principally engaged in the business of selling products made from industrial hemp. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we generated total revenues of $2.1 million from the sale of CBD products, including revenues of $0.3 million from a related party, C2M, for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Cost of Sales The primary components of cost of sales include the cost of the CBD product. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s cost of sales amounted to $2.7 million which includes cost of sales with a related party of $.4 million. Cost of sales primarily increased related to increase in volume.
Operating Expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred $10.0 in operating expenses as compared to $9.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $1.0 million. The increase in operating expenses mainly was related to a $4.5 million increase in impairment charges, offset by a 2.9 million decrease in professional and consulting fees related to a reduction in costs related to our farming activities and $0.3 million decrease in selling and marketing expenses as more of our revenue was generated from product distribution requiring less sales and marketing efforts, and $0.4 million decrease in general and administrative costs mainly related to a reduction in head count costs ..
Other Expenses, net
Derivative gain increased by $2.4 million from $1.9 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $0.5 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2020, due to the change in value of the underlying derivative liability and conversion of notes in 2020.
Gain on stock settlement of debt decreased by $3.1 million from $3.0 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $0.1 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2020 due to the conversion of notes and interest into common and preferred shares during the year ended December 31, 2019. We did not have comparable gains or losses during the year ended December 31, 2020 as there was less conversion activity in 2020 by the note holders.
Interest expense increased by $0.5 million from $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in interest expense is primarily related to increase in principle balance outstanding, amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost related to our convertible note payable issued during 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception in 2008, we have generated losses from operations. As of December 31, 2020, our accumulated deficit was $30.4 million. As of December 31, 2020, we had $25,139 of cash and working capital deficit of $5.0 million. Accordingly, we will need to obtain further funding through public or private equity offerings, debt financing, collaboration arrangements or other sources. The issuance of any additional shares of common stock, preferred stock or convertible securities could be substantially dilutive to our shareholders. In addition, adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise capital, we will be forced to reduce our operations and may not be able to continue as a going concern.
The Company has various principal balances outstanding as of December 31, 2020, under debt agreements with the Small Business Administration (SBA) of the federal government, related parties and convertible notes with a third party. A total of $335,510 is due under a Secured Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with the SBA, $115,517 is due to various related party shareholders of the Company and $696,286 was due under convertible notes (which subsequent to year end was converted into newly-issued shares of our Series A Preferred Stock). The convertible notes bear interest at a rate ranging from 5% to 8% per annum and prior to conversion had maturity dates mature of November 26, 2020 and February 1, 2023.
On February 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with 3i, LP (“3i”) and an institutional investor (“Investor”) under which the Investor agreed to purchase and 3i agreed to sell that certain 8% senior secured convertible note dated November 27, 2019 (the “Note”) and all of our warrants previously issued to 3i and 3i agreed settle and release all claims asserted against us. As a result, 3i agreed to dismissal of all pending litigation against the Company. As a result, the Subsidiary Guaranty, IP Security Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement with 3i were also terminated. In addition, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with the Investor and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred Stock under which the Note in the original principal amount of $750,000 would be exchanged for $500,000 of a new series of preferred stock designated 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred”) with a stated value of $1,000 per share (the “Stated Value”).
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $0.7 million due to our net loss of $10.9 million, non-cash charges related to convertible loan notes derivative gain of $0.5 million and $0.1 million gain on extinguishment of debt, offset by $0.1 million of depreciation, $1.3 million of stock based compensation, $0.1 million of bad debt, $4.6 million of impairment charges, $0.7 million of inventory reserves, $0.6 million of prepaid stock based compensation amortization, $0.8 million of amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance cost related to convertible notes, $.7 million of intangible amortization, $0.1 million of non-cash interest expense, and $0.1 million of right of use lease asset amortization. Net changes in operating assets and liabilities totaled of $1.6 million, which is primarily attributable to increases in total accounts receivable of $0.1 million, decrease of $0.6 million of inventory, decrease in prepaid assets of $0.2 million, and $1.0 million increase in accounts payable and accruals.
Net cash used in investing activity for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $0.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $0.7 million mainly from the sale of $0.4 million of common stock and $0.4 million from the issuance of notes offset by $0.2 million of payments on notes.
Going Concern
The audit report prepared by our independent registered public accounting firm relating to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We have concluded that the circumstances described above continue to raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as of December 31, 2020. As of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K, the Company had nearly no cash.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2020, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements.
In the normal course of business, we may be confronted with issues or events that may result in a contingent liability. These generally relate to lawsuits, claims or the actions of various regulatory agencies. We consult with counsel and other appropriate experts to assess the claim. If, in our opinion, we have incurred a probable loss as set forth by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, an estimate is made of the loss and the appropriate accounting entries are reflected in our financial statements. After consultation with legal counsel, we do not anticipate that liabilities arising out of currently pending or threatened lawsuits and claims will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Critical Accounting Estimates and New Accounting Pronouncements
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures in the financial statements. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have been selected could have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.
Application of Significant Accounting Policies
Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. Our financial statements may, therefore, not be comparable to those of companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (ASU 2017-04). The standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amendments of ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, but the loss cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for the calendar year ending December 31, 2020. The amendments require a prospective approach to adoption and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests. The Company doen not believe the adoption of the standard will have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.
We have reviewed the FASB issued ASU accounting pronouncements and interpretations thereof that have effectiveness dates during the periods reported and in future periods. We have carefully considered the new pronouncements that alter previous generally accepted accounting principles and do not believe that any new or modified principles will have a material impact on the Company’s reported financial position or operations in the near term. The applicability of any standard is subject to the formal review of the Company’s financial management.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Financial Statements Required by Article 8 of Regulation S-X:
Audited Financial Statements:
CONTENTS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Exactus, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31,
Restated
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$25,139
$18,405
Accounts receivable, net
-
55,725
Accounts receivable - related party
-
18,860
Inventory, net
10,712
1,337,809
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
15,258
248,776
Prepaid expenses and other current assets - related party
-
622,160
Due from related parties
-
127,500
Total current assets
$51,109
2,429,235
Deposits
-
80,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets - related party
-
2,492,045
Property and equipment, net
20,159
477,433
Intangible assets, net
-
2,147,311
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net
-
390,810
Total Assets
$71,268
$8,016,834
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable
$2,027,507
$1,442,409
Accounts payable - related parties
506,585
454,511
Accrued expenses
620,391
238,010
Unearned revenue - related party
-
215,000
Notes payable - current portion
130,344
-
Note payable - related parties
115,517
55,556
Subscription payable
250,000
250,000
Convertible notes, net of discounts
696,286
85,906
Derivative liability
237,022
880,410
Interest payable
52,051
16,677
Operating lease liabilities, current portion
269,115
169,869
Total current liabilities
4,904,818
3,808,348
Notes payable - long term
205,166
-
Convertible notes payable - long-term portion
-
100,000
Operating lease liabilities - long-term portion
-
220,942
Total long term liabilities
205,166
320,942
Total Liabilities
5,109,984
4,129,290
Commitment and contingencies (see Note 11)
Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity:
Exactus, Inc. Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity
Preferred stock: 50,000,000 shares authorized; $0.0001 par value, 5,266,466 undesignated shares
Preferred stock Series A: 1,000,000 shares designated; $0.0001 par value,
323,019 and 353,109 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
Preferred stock Series B-1: 32,000,000 shares designated; $0.0001 par value,
1,650,000, shares issued and outstanding
Preferred stock Series B-2: 10,000,000 shares designated; $0.0001 par value,
7,516,000 shares issued and outstanding
Preferred stock Series C: 1,733,334 shares designated; $0.0001 par value,
none shares issued and outstanding
-
-
Preferred stock Series D: 200 shares designated; $0.0001 par value,
shares issued and outstanding
-
-
Preferred stock Series E: 10,000 shares designated; $0.0001 par value,
10,000 shares issued and outstanding
Common stock: 650,000,000 shares authorized; $0.0001 par value, 56,356,431 and 43,819,325 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
5,636
4,382
Common stock to be issued (100,000 and 664,580 shares to be issued, respectively)
Additional paid-in capital
27,485,796
25,343,293
Due from related party
(128,489)
-
Accumulated deficit
(30,384,380)
(20,923,681)
Total Exactus Inc. Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity
(3,020,477)
4,425,013
Non-controlling interest in subsidiary
(2,018,239)
(537,469)
Total Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity
(5,038,716)
3,887,544
Total Liabilities and (Deficit) Equity
$71,268
$8,016,834
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Exactus, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31,
(Restated)
Net revenues
$1,755,210
$183,234
Net revenues - related party
315,800
162,446
Total net revenues
2,071,010
345,680
Cost of sales
2,301,843
1,939,382
Cost of sales - related party
417,783
106,752
Total cost of sales
2,719,626
2,046,134
Gross loss
(648,616)
(1,700,454)
Operating Expenses:
General and administration
2,679,337
3,066,500
Impairment
4,577,406
-
Selling and marketing expenses
638,632
948,296
Professional and consulting
2,010,935
4,935,394
Research and development
-
22,100
Total operating expenses
9,906,310
8,972,290
Loss from operations
(10,554,926)
(10,672,744)
Other (expenses) income
Derivative gain (loss)
513,674
(1,871,583)
Loss on stock settlement
(23,000)
-
Gain on settlement of debt, net
126,222
3,004,630
Interest expense
(1,003,439)
(479,111)
Total other (expense) income, net
(386,543)
653,936
Loss before provision for income taxes
(10,941,469)
(10,018,808)
Provision for income taxes
-
-
Net loss
(10,941,469)
(10,018,808)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
1,480,770
537,469
Net loss attributable to Exactus, Inc.
(9,460,699)
(9,481,339)
Deemed dividend on preferred stock
-
(904,450)
Net loss available to Exactus, Inc. common stockholders
$(9,460,699)
$(10,385,789)
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted
$(0.22)
$(0.30)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest per common share - basic and diluted
$(0.03)
$(0.02)
Net loss available to Exactus, Inc. common stockholders per common share - basic and diluted
$(0.19)
$(0.31)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
basic and diluted
49,688,543
33,899,585
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Exactus, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Series A
Series B-1
Series B-2
Series C
Series D
Series E
Issued
Unissued
Paid in
Due from related
Accumulated
Deficit
(As
Non-controlling
Total
(As
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
party
restated)
Interest
restated)
Balance, December 31, 2018
-
-
2,800,000
$280
8,684,000
$868
1,733,334
$173
$1
-
$-
6,233,524
$623
-
$-
7,111,445
$(10,537,892)
$-
$(3,424,502)
Preferred stock issued upon convesion of convertible debt
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
849,276
-
-
849,360
Preferred stock issued for private placement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
55,084
-
-
55,090
Preferred stock issued pursuant to Management and Services Agreement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,000
-
-
-
-
3,374,999
-
-
3,375,000
Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock to Common Stock
(551,341)
(55)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,756,705
-
-
(221)
-
-
-
Conversion of Series B-1 Preferred Stock to Common Stock
-
-
(1,150,000)
(115)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
143,750
-
-
-
-
-
Conversion of Series B-2 Preferred Stock to Common Stock
-
-
-
-
(1,168,000)
(116)
-
-
-
-
-
-
146,000
-
-
-
-
-
Conversion of Series D Prefered Stock to Common Stock
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(27)
(1)
-
-
675,000
-
-
(67)
-
-
-
Deemed dividend on Preferred Stock
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
904,450
(904,450)
-
-
Common stock issued for private placement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
22,187,007
2,219
-
-
7,213,161
-
-
7,215,380
Common Stock issued for Master Supply
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,385,691
-
-
(839)
-
-
-
Common stock issued for debt settlement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
203,080
-
-
40,596
-
-
40,616
Common stock issued for purchase of membership interest in subsidiary
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
937,500
-
-
989,906
-
-
990,000
Common stock issued for purchase of membership interest in subsidiary
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
503,298
-
-
449,950
-
-
450,000
Common stock unissued for pursuant to Asset Purchase Agreement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100,000
69,990
-
-
70,000
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible debt
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
250,000
-
-
195,975
-
-
196,000
Common stock issued and unissued for prepaid services
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
150,000
100,000
120,355
-
-
120,380
Common stock issued and unissued for services
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,312,490
20,830
925,714
-
-
925,847
Stock-based compensation in connection with restricted common stock award grants
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
115,280
68,750
143,896
-
-
143,914
Common stock and preferred stock cancelled per Surrender and Release Agreement
-
-
-
(1,733,334)
(173)
-
-
-
-
(180,000)
(18)
-
-
-
-
-
Common stock issued for exercise of stock options
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
375,000
(37)
-
-
-
Stock options granted for services
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,276,636
-
-
1,276,636
Stock warrants granted for services
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,428,243
-
-
1,428,243
Stock warrants granted as debt discount
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
194,388
-
-
194,388
Net Loss
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(9,481,339)
(537,469)
(10,224,506)
Balance, December 31, 2019
353,109
$35
1,650,000
$165
7,516,000
$752
-
$-
$-
10,000
43,819,325
$4,382
664,580
$66
$25,343,293
$(20,923,681)
$(537,469)
$3,887,544
Common stock issued for private placement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,700,000
-
-
384,630
-
-
-
385,000
Common stock issued for unissued common stock
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
475,000
(475,000)
(47)
-
-
-
-
-
Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock to Common Stock
(30,090)
(3)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
150,450
-
-
(12)
-
-
-
-
Common stock issued for services
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
765,000
-
-
378,446
-
-
-
378,523
Stock-based compensation in connection with restricted common stock award grants
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,766,635
(89,580)
(9)
664,418
-
-
-
696,786
Stock options granted for services
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
276,736
-
-
-
276,736
Common stock issued upon conversion of convertible debt and accrued interest
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,397,937
-
-
239,838
-
-
-
240,078
Common stock issued in connection with forbearance agreement
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
500,000
-
-
89,950
-
-
-
90,000
Due from related parties reclassified to equity
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(128,489)
-
-
(128,489)
Common stock issued for private placement in fiscal 2019
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12,084
-
-
(1)
-
-
-
-
Common stock issued for services and accounts payable
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
750,000
-
-
70,500
-
-
-
70,575
Common stock issued for exercise of stock options
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,000
-
-
5,998
-
-
-
6,000
Net Loss for the period
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(9,460,699)
(1,480,770)
(10,941,469)
323,019
1,650,000
7,516,000
-
-
-
10,000
56,356,431
5,636
100,000
27,485,796
(128,489)
(30,384,380)
(2,018,239)
(5,038,716)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Exactus, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31,
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss
$(10,941,469)
$(10,224,506)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
85,233
63,770
Derivative (gain) loss
(513,674)
1,871,583
Gain on extinguishment of debt
(126,222)
-
Stock-based compensation
1,321,045
3,774,640
Bad debt expense
149,907
32,577
Impairment expense
4,577,406
1,087,346
Inventory reserve
678,870
723,391
Amortization of prepaid stock-based expenses
630,682
285,494
Amortization of discount and debt issuance costs for convertible notes
836,316
425,712
Amortization of intangible assets
734,584
828,526
Deferred rent
-
85,699
Non-cash interest expense
99,449
-
Non-cash settlement of payable
75,000
-
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets
121,695
-
Loss (gain) on settlement of debt
23,000
(3,004,630)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable
(94,182)
(88,302)
Accounts receivable - related party
18,860
(18,860)
Inventory
648,227
(2,864,383)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
233,518
(140,765)
Deposit
40,000
(80,000)
Accounts payable
684,579
518,979
Accounts payable - related party
(25,842)
454,511
Accrued expenses
338,381
321,135
Unearned revenues
(215,000)
215,000
Settlement payable
-
(20,000)
Interest payable
49,054
6,793
Operating lease liabilities
(121,696)
-
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities
(692,279)
(5,746,290)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchase of membership interest in subsidiary
-
(1,500,000)
Purchase of property and equipment
-
(541,203)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
-
(2,041,203)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Increase in due to related party classified as equity
(989)
-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
6,000
-
Advances from related party
97,000
242,500
Repayments on related party advances
(19,084)
(370,000)
Proceeds from sale of common stock
385,000
7,215,380
Payments of principal on notes payable
-
(59,500)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable
335,510
97,156
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable - related party
57,919
-
Payments of principal on convertible notes
(212,593)
(186,443)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of issuance cost
50,250
864,845
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities
699,013
7,803,938
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
6,734
16,445
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
18,405
1,960
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$25,139
$18,405
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest and finance charges
$46,025-
$40,116
Cash paid for taxes
$-
$-
Non-Cash investing and financing activities:
Forgiveness of debt by officers and directors
$-
$-
Proceeds from sale of Series D preferred stock paid directly to settle amounts
due to officers and directors
$-
$-
Proceeds from sale of Series A preferred stock paid directly to settle debts
$-
$55,090
Convertible notes and interest payable settled by Series A preferred stock issued
$-
$849,360
Note payable, accrued expense and interest payable settled by common stock issued
$240,078
$40,616
Convertible notes settled by common stock issued
$-
$196,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities settled by common stock issued
$70,575
$-
Common stock issued for purchase of membership interest in subsidiary
$-
$1,440,000
Common stock and preferred stock issued for prepaid services
$-
$3,495,380
Common stock issued pursuant to asset purchase agreement
$-
$70,000
Increase in intangible assets for subscription payable
$-
$250,000
Initial beneficial conversion feature and debt discount on convertible notes
$-
$670,467
Stock warrants granted as debt discount
$-
$194,388
Initial derivative liability on convertible notes
$-
$-
Fair value of common stock issued on conversion of notes
$-
$-
Fair value of common stock issued for settlement of accounts payable
$-
$-
Preferred deemed dividend
$-
$904,450
Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities
recorded upon adoption of ASC 842
$-
$2,431,362
Reduction of operating lease right-of-use asset and operating lease liabilities
$-
$258,109
Prepaid expenses directly paid by a related party
$-
$35,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EXACTUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2020
NOTE 1 - NATURE OF ORGANIZATION
Organization and Business Description
Exactus, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on January 18, 2008 as an alternative energy research and development company. During much of its history the Company had designed solar monitoring and charging systems which were discontinued in 2016 to focus on developing point-of-care diagnostic devices. In January 2019, the Company added to the scope of its business activities, efforts to produce, market and sell products made from industrial hemp containing cannabidiol (“CBD”).
On January 8, 2019, the Company entered into the Master Product Development and Supply Agreement with C2M. In consideration for the Development Agreement, C2M was issued 8,385,691 shares of Common Stock. Additionally, the Company granted vested 10-year options to purchase 750,000 shares of Common Stock, with exercise price of $0.32 per share to three C2M founders. As a result, C2M became the Company’s largest shareholder holding (inclusive of the vested options held by its founders) approximately 51% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock as of the date of the Development Agreement. Consequently, such transaction resulted in a change of control whereby, C2M obtained majority control through its Common Stock ownership. In connection with this agreement, the Company received access to expertise, resources, skills and experience suitable for production of CBD rich ingredients including isolates, distillates, water soluble, and proprietary formulations. Under the Development Agreement, the Company was allotted a minimum of 50 and up to 300 kilograms per month, and up to 2,500 kilograms annually, of CBD rich ingredients for resale and placed a $1 million purchase order for products.
Following passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the Company entered into a Master Product Development and Supply Agreement (the “Development Agreement”) with Ceed2Med, LLC (“C2M”). Under the Development Agreement, C2M agreed to provide to the Company up to 2,500 kilograms of products (isolate or distillate) for manufacture into consumer products such as tinctures, edibles, capsules, topical solutions and animal products. The Company believes manufacturing, testing and quality akin to pharmaceutical products is important when distributing hemp-based products. The Company’s products originated from farms at which the Company or C2M oversaw all stages of plant growth and are manufactured under contract arrangements with third-parties.
In consideration for the Development Agreement, C2M was issued 8,385,691 shares of Common Stock. Additionally, the Company granted vested 10-year options to purchase 750,000 shares of Common Stock, with exercise price of $0.32 per share to three C2M founders. As a result, C2M became the Company’s largest shareholder holding (inclusive of the vested options held by its founders) approximately 51% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock as of the date of the Development Agreement. Consequently, such transaction resulted in a change of control whereby, C2M obtained majority control through its Common Stock ownership. In connection with this agreement, the Company received access to expertise, resources, skills and experience suitable for production of CBD rich ingredients including isolates, distillates, water soluble, and proprietary formulations. Under the Development Agreement, the Company was allotted a minimum of 50 and up to 300 kilograms per month, and up to 2,500 kilograms annually, of CBD rich ingredients for resale and placed a $1 million purchase order for products.
On March 11, 2019, with the assistance of C2M and assignment of rights, the Company acquired a 50.1% limited liability membership interest in Exactus One World, LLC (“EOW”), an Oregon limited liability company formed on January 25, 2019, in order to farm industrial hemp for its own use. Prior to the acquisition, EOW had no operating activities. The Company acquired its 50.1% limited liability membership interest pursuant to a Subscription Agreement and a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement. Following the events with C2M, described above, the Company entered into the business of production and selling of industrial hemp grown for its own use and for sale to third-parties.
On January 21, 2021 we entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC and its principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons. The Company no longer plans to farm industrial hemp for its own commercial purposes.
On January 11, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-8 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) including shares issuable upon conversion of the Company’s outstanding convertible securities. All share and per share values of the Company’s Common Stock for all periods presented in this Report and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the Reverse Stock Split.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of its 50.1% subsidiary, EOW and 51% subsidiary, Paradise Medlife.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which present the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, stockholders’ (deficit) equity and cash flows as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for the years then ended, have been made. Those adjustments consist of normal and recurring adjustments.
Going concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern. The going concern concept contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. No adjustment has been made to the carrying amount and classification of the Company’s assets and the carrying amount of its liabilities based on the going concern uncertainty. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company had a net loss attributable to Exactus Inc. common stockholders of $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The net cash used in operating activities was $784,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $30.4 million and working capital deficit of $4.8 million at December 31, 2020. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from the issuance date of this report. Management cannot provide assurance that the Company will ultimately achieve profitable operations or become cash flow positive, or raise additional debt and/or equity capital. The Company is seeking to raise capital through additional debt and/or equity financings to fund its operations in the future. Although the Company has historically raised capital from sales of common and preferred shares and from the issuance of convertible promissory notes, there is no assurance that it will be able to continue to do so. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital or secure additional lending in the near future, management expects that the Company will need to curtail its operations. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Over the last several months the Company, its Board of Directors, and its advisors have been evaluating numerous opportunities and relationships to increase shareholder value. The Company expects to realize revenue through its efforts, if successful, to sell wholesale and retail products to third parties. However, as the Company is in a start-up phase, in a new business venture, in a rapidly evolving industry, many of its costs and challenges are new and unknown. In order to fund the Company’s activities, the Company will need to raise additional capital either through the issuance of equity and/or the issuance of debt. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received proceeds from the sale of the Company’s Common Stock of approximately $385,000.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global slowdown of economic activity which is likely to continue to reduce the future demand for a broad variety of goods and services, while also disrupting sales channels, marketing activities and supply chains for an unknown period of time until the virus is fully contained. The Company’s business operations have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and related events and the Company expects this disruption to continue to have a negative impact on its revenue and results of operations, the size and duration of which is currently difficult to predict. The impact to date has included a decline in product and sales demand. Although the Company is unable to predict the full impact and duration of COVID-19 on its business, the Company is actively managing its financial expenditures in response to the current uncertainty.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related events, including actions taken by various government authorities in response, have increased market volatility and make the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes more difficult. As of the date of issuance of the financial statements, the Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require it to update its estimates, judgments or revise the carrying value of its assets or liabilities. These estimates may change, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and are recognized in the consolidated financial statements as soon as they become known.
Use of Estimates
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP which 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 reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period then ended. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to the fair value of derivative liabilities, useful life of property and equipment, fair value of right of use assets, assumptions used in assessing impairment of long-term assets, contingent liabilities, and fair value of non-cash equity transactions.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value as used in numerous accounting pronouncements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. The guidance prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value and establishes a three-tier value hierarchy that distinguishes among the following:
●
Level 1-Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
●
Level 2-Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and models for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
●
Level 3-Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The Company measures certain financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows at December 31, 2020 and 2019:
At December 31, 2020
At December 31, 2019
Description
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Derivative liabilities
-
-
$237,022
-
-
$880,410
A roll forward of the level 3 valuation financial instruments is as follows:
December 31,
Balance at beginning of year
$880,410
Transfers out due to conversions of convertible notes
(129,714)
Change in fair value included in derivative gain
(513,674)
Balance at end of year
$237,022
December 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of year
$1,742,000
Initial fair value of derivative liabilities as debt discount
670,467
Initial fair value of derivative liabilities as derivative expense
786,823
Reduction through conversion of debt
(3,403,640)
Change in fair value included in derivative loss
1,084,760
Balance at end of year
$880,410
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has no assets that are re-measured at fair value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of those investments approximates their fair market value due to their short maturity and liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and amounts on deposit with financial institutions, which amounts may at times exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such accounts and do not believe the Company is exposed to any significant credit risk. The Company had $0 cash balances in excess of FDIC insured limits at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents were $25,139 and $18,405 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
The Company has a policy of providing an allowance for doubtful accounts based on its best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts receivable. The Company periodically reviews its accounts receivable to determine whether an allowance is necessary based on an analysis of past due accounts and other factors that may indicate that the realization of an account may be in doubt. Account balances deemed to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense and included in the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, allowance for doubtful accounts amounted to $0 and $13,991, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts balance at December 31, 2020 is $0 as the Company wrote off the uncollectible receivables and corresponding reserve. Bad debt expense amounted to $251,638 and $32,577 during the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets consisted of the following:
December 31,
December 31,
Prepaid services
$-
$248,767
Prepaid insurance
9,288
-
Other assets
6,000
-
$15,258
$248,776
Prepaid expenses and other assets - related party consisted of the following:
December 31,
December 31,
Prepaid expense: C2M - current
$-
$622,160
Prepaid expense: C2M - noncurrent
-
2,492,045
$-
$3,114,205
Prepaid expenses with C2M consisted primarily of costs paid for future services. Prepaid expenses included prepayments in cash and equity instruments for an operating lease, consulting, and insurance fees which were being amortized over the terms of their respective agreements. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company impaired the prepaid assets - related party as the Company no longer plans to farm industrial hemp for its own commercial purposes. Furthermore, on January 21, 2021 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC, Skybar Holding, LLC, and their principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons.
Inventory
The Company values inventory, consisting of raw materials, growing plants and finished goods, at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first-in and first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company reduces inventory for the diminution of value, resulting from product obsolescence, damage or other issues affecting marketability, equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated net realizable value. Factors utilized in the determination of the estimated net realizable value include (i) estimates of future demand, and (ii) competitive pricing pressures. In accordance with ASC 905, “Agriculture”, all direct and indirect costs of growing hemp are accumulated until the time of harvest and are reported at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Included in inventory is the Company’s hemp crop under cultivation on farm acreage leased by the Company. The cost of the hemp crop under cultivation is determined based upon costs to purchase industrial hemp seed and industrial hemp cuttings, plus farm labor, fertilizer, water and power, the cost to harvest and cost for drying services. The costs of planting, cultivating and harvesting the Company’s hemp crop are capitalized to hemp crop inventory under cultivation, when incurred. The Company determined the cost allocation of the hemp crop (hemp flowers and hemp cuttings) based upon a proforma Market Value Method. However, based upon current actual sales prices and after reviewing national sales trends, the Company established an inventory reserve to write down the inventory to net realizable value which is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonable predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation or shipping.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 3 to 10 years. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired, or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed, and any resulting gains or losses are included in the consolidated statement of operations.
Impairment of long-lived assets
In accordance with ASC Topic 360, the Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, or at least annually. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book value. The Company recorded impairment expense of $4,577,406 and $1,087,346 as follows:
December 31,
Prepaid expenses and other assets - related party
$2,483,523
$-
Deposit
40,000
-
Property and equipment
372,041
-
Intangible assets
1,412,727
250,192
Operating lease - right of use asset
269,115
-
Total
$4,577,406
$1,087,346
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company impaired $4.577,406 of assets as follows:
$2,483,523 of prepaid assets - related party with C2M, $372,041 of farm property and equipment, $1,412,727 of intangible assets related to EOW farm leases and related assets, and $269,115 of operating lease right of use assets as the Company no longer plans to farm industrial hemp for its own commercial purposes.
$40,000 related to a leasehold deposit with Skybar holdings, LLC as the Company determined the respective commercial lease was not enforceable and the leased space would not be utilized.
Furthermore, on January 21, 2021 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC, Skybar Holding, LLC, and their principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company impaired $250,192 related to the write off of intangible assets.
Derivatives and Hedging- Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity
In accordance with the provisions of ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” the embedded conversion features in the convertible notes are not considered to be indexed to the Company’s stock. As a result, these are required to be accounted for as derivative financial liabilities and have been recognized as liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the derivative financial liabilities is determined using a binomial model with Monte Carlo simulation and is affected by changes in inputs to that model including the Company’s stock price, expected stock price volatility, the expected term, and the risk-free interest rate. The derivative financial liabilities are subject to re-measurement at each balance sheet date and any changes in fair value is recognized as a component in other income (expenses).
Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC Topic 606 and the related amendments Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires revenue to be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company recognizes revenue by applying the following steps:
Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at the point in time when products are shipped or delivered to the customer, which is when the customer has title and the significant risks and rewards of ownership. Therefore, the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation (shipment of product). The Company primarily receives fixed consideration for sales of product. Payments received from customers that are related to unshipped or undelivered products are recorded as unearned revenue until the shipment of product. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $0 and $215,000, respectively, of unearned revenue recorded from the Company’s related party customer, C2M.
Cost of Sales
The primary components of cost of sales include the cost of the product, and, indirect cost such as utilities, farm lease expenses, and depreciation expenses on farming equipment related to production and harvesting period.
Research and Development Expenses
The Company follows ASC 730-10, “Research and Development,” and expenses research and development costs when incurred. Accordingly, third-party research and development costs, including designing, prototyping and testing of product, are expensed when the contracted work has been performed or milestone results have been achieved. Indirect costs are allocated based on percentage usage related to the research and development. Research and development costs of $0 and $22,100 were incurred for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively and are included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Advertising Costs
The Company applies ASC 720 “Other Expenses” to account for advertising related costs. Pursuant to ASC 720-35-25-1, the Company expenses the advertising costs when the first time the advertising takes place. Advertising costs were $61,118 and $496,908 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included as a component of selling and marketing expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
Shipping and Handling Costs
The Company accounts for shipping and handling fees in accordance with ASC 606. The amounts charged to customers for shipping products are recognized as revenues and the related costs of shipping products are classified in selling and marketing expenses as incurred. Shipping costs are included as a component of selling and marketing expenses and were $24,687 and $11,835 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassified amounts have no impact on the Company’s previously reported financial position or results of operations.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
Through March 31, 2018, pursuant to ASC 505-50 - Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees, all share-based payments to non-employees, including grants of stock options, were recognized in the consolidated financial statements as compensation expense over the service period of the consulting arrangement or until performance conditions are expected to be met. Using a Black Scholes valuation model, the Company periodically reassessed the fair value of non-employee options until service conditions are met, which generally aligns with the vesting period of the options, and the Company adjusts the expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements accordingly. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions by expanding the scope of the stock-based compensation guidance in ASC 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees. ASU No. 2018-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, but entities may not adopt prior to adopting the new revenue recognition guidance in ASC 606. The Company adoption did not have any material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains uncertain. The Company records compensation expense based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date. The awards to consultants and other third parties are then revalued, or the total compensation is recalculated, based on the then current fair value, at each subsequent reporting date.
Related Parties
The Company applies ASC 850, “Related Party Disclosures,” for the identification of related parties and disclosure of related party transactions.
Earnings per Share
The Company computes basic and diluted earnings per share amounts in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share”. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if preferred stock converted to Common Stock and warrants are exercised. Preferred stock and warrants are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation if their effect is anti-dilutive.
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the following potentially dilutive shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per shares because their impact was anti-dilutive:
December 31,
Stock options
3,751,749
4,671,280
Stock warrants
1,578,549
2,014,299
Restricted stock to be issued upon vesting
1,734,161
3,583,328
Convertible preferred stock
9,460,845
9,611,295
Convertible debt
11,404,548
3,027,778
Total
27,929,852
22,907,980
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provision of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740-10”), which requires, among other things, an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach require the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred asset will not be realized.
The Company follows the provision of ASC 740-10 related to Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions. When tax returns are filed, there may be uncertainty about the merits of positions taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions.
Tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefit associated with tax positions taken that exceed the amount measured as described above should be reflected as a liability for uncertain tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The Company believes its tax positions are all more likely than not to be upheld upon examination. As such, the Company has not recorded a liability for uncertain tax benefits.
The Company has adopted ASC 740-10-25, “Definition of Settlement”, which provides guidance on how an entity should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits and provides that a tax position can be effectively settled upon the completion and examination by a taxing authority without being legally extinguished. For tax positions considered effectively settled, an entity would recognize the full amount of tax benefit, even if the tax position is not considered more likely than not to be sustained based solely on the basis of its technical merits and the statute of limitations remains open. The federal and state income tax returns of the Company are subject to examination by the IRS and state taxing authorities, generally for three years after they are filed.
Non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements
In December 2007, the FASB issued ASC 810-10-65, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). This ASC clarifies that a non-controlling (minority) interest in subsidiaries is an ownership interest in the entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. It also requires consolidated net income to include the amounts attributable to both the parent and non-controlling interest, with disclosure on the face of the consolidated statement of operations of the amounts attributed to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. In accordance with ASC 810-10-45-21, those losses attributable to the parent and the non-controlling interest in subsidiaries may exceed their interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess and any further losses attributable to the parent and the non-controlling interest shall be attributed to those interests even if that attribution results in a deficit non-controlling interest balance. On March 11, 2019, the Company acquired a 50.1% limited liability membership interest in EOW, pursuant to a Subscription Agreement and a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement and has the right to appoint a manager of the limited liability company. Additionally, on July 5, 2019, the Company acquired a 51% limited liability membership interest in Paradise Medlife.
Gain (Loss) on Modification/Extinguishment of Debt
In accordance with ASC 470, “Gain (Loss) on Modification/Extinguishment of Debt”, a modification or an exchange of debt instruments that adds or eliminates a conversion option that was substantive at the date of the modification or exchange is considered a substantive change and is measured and accounted for as extinguishment of the original instrument along with the recognition of a gain or loss. Additionally, under ASC 470, a substantive modification of a debt instrument is deemed to have been accomplished with debt instruments that are substantially different if the present value of the cash flows under the terms of the new debt instrument is at least 10 percent different from the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of the original instrument. A substantive modification is accounted for as an extinguishment of the original instrument along with the recognition of a gain/loss.
Leases
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The updated guidance requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most operating leases. In addition, the updated guidance requires that lessors separate lease and non-lease components in a contract in accordance with the new revenue guidance in ASC 606. The updated guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, applying the package of practical expedients to leases that commenced before the effective date whereby the Company elected to not reassess the following: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases and; (ii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. For contracts entered into on or after the effective date, at the inception of a contract the Company assessed whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. The Company’s assessment is based on: (1) whether the contract involves the use of a distinct identified asset, (2) whether the Company obtained the right to substantially all the economic benefit from the use of the asset throughout the period, and (3) whether the Company has the right to direct the use of the asset. The Company will allocate the consideration in the contract to each lease component based on its relative stand-alone price to determine the lease payments.
Operating lease ROU assets represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company use an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the adoption date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity”, to reduce complexity in applying GAAP to certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. ASU 2020-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.
In December 2019, the FASB released ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”). The purpose of the update is to reduce the complexity pertaining to certain areas in accounting for income taxes. Key amendments from ASU 2019-12 include, but are not limited to, the accounting for hybrid tax regimes, step-up in tax basis for goodwill in non-business combination transactions, intraperiod tax allocation exception to the incremental approach, and interim period accounting for enacted changes in tax law. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of the year ending December 31, 2021. The Company does not expect that the adoption of the standard will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective beginning on March 12, 2020 and may be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. The does not expect that the adoption of the standard will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3 - ACQUISITION OF ASSETS AND OWNERSHIP
Exactus One World
On March 11, 2019, the Company acquired a 50.1% limited liability membership interest in Exactus One World, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company, formed on January 25, 2019 which since inception, had no operations.
The Company acquired 50.1% limited liability membership interest pursuant to a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) and a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”). Under the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the Company acquired a 30% interest in EOW, and an additional 20.1% was acquired from existing members pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement. The existing members are considered third parties. The Company has the right to appoint a manager of the limited liability company. Under the Operating Agreement for EOW, as amended, the Company has the right to appoint, and remove and replace, if desired, one of three managers of EOW, with each manager having the full rights to control the business and affairs of EOW.
Under the term of the Subscription Agreement, the Company acquired 30% of membership interest in EOW in consideration for cash of $2,700,000 initially payable as follows:
●
$400,000 paid previously for purchase of Hemp Seeds;
●
$100,000 upon execution of the LLC Operating Agreement;
●
$500,000 on or before April 1, 2019;
●
$500,000 on or before May 1, 2019;
●
$300,000 on or before August 1, 2019;
●
$450,000 on or before September 1, 2019 and,
●
$450,000 on or before October 1, 2019
The acquisition of the 30% membership interest is deemed to be an investment in and capital contribution to EOW and is eliminated upon consolidation. The Company paid a total of $2.7 million as of December 31, 2019.
Under the term of the Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired 20.1% of EOW from existing members for aggregate consideration of $2,940,000 consisting of total cash payments of $1,500,000, 937,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock valued at $990,000, and $450,000 worth of shares of Common Stock on June 14, 2019. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 937,500 shares of its Common Stock valued at $990,000, or $1.056 per share, the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock based on the quoted trading price on the date of the Purchase Agreement. No goodwill was recorded since the Purchase Agreement was accounted for as an asset purchase. The consideration shall be paid to the sellers as follows:
●
$300,000 cash and 937,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to the sellers upon execution, which was paid during the year ended December 31, 2019;
●
$700,000 paid on April 18, 2019;
●
On June 10, 2019, the Company was required to issue and issued the sellers an additional $450,000 of shares of common stock of the Company based upon the 20 day volume weighted average price per share on the date of issue which was equivalent to $0.89 per share or 503,298 shares of the Company’s common stock and was issued in August 2019; and
●
$500,000 paid by November 2019.
At December 31, 2020, the Company has an outstanding balance of $0 to the members.
Pursuant to ASU 2017-01 and ASC 805, the Company analyzed the operations of EOW and the related agreements to determine if the Company acquired a business or acquired assets. Based on this analysis, it was determined that the Company acquired assets, primarily consisting of the value of two farm leases for approximately 200 acres of farmland in southwest Oregon for growing and processing industrial hemp, with lease terms of one year, and a license to operate such farms. The leases are renewable on a year-to-year basis at the option of the Company. Accordingly, the transaction was not considered a business, and goodwill was not recorded since the Purchase Agreement was accounted for as an asset purchase.
The relative fair value of the assets acquired were based on management’s estimates of the fair values on March 11, 2019. Based upon the purchase price allocation, the following table summarizes the estimated relative fair value of the assets acquired at the date of acquisition:
Intangible asset - Hemp farming license
$10,000
Intangible assets - farm leases
2,930,000
Total assets acquired at fair value
2,940,000
Total purchase consideration
$2,940,000
Additionally, the Company recorded the acquisition of 50.1% of membership interest in EOW under the FASB issued ASC 810-10-65, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”). As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded a non-controlling interest balance of $2,018,239 and $537,469, respectively, in connection with the majority-owned subsidiary, EOW as reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and losses attributable to non-controlling interest of $1,480,770 and $537,469, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Paradise Medlife, LLC
On July 5, 2019, the Company entered into an Operating Agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) with Paradise Medlife, LLC and Paradise CBD, LLC. Paradise Medlife is a Florida Limited Liability Company, organized on April 12, 2019 with no operations since inception. The Company agreed to contribute capital of $50,000 in the form of CBD products in exchange for 51% ownership of Paradise Medlife. Consequently, Paradise Medlife became a majority owned subsidiary of the Company. To date, Paradise Medlife has no operations and the Company to date has not contributed the capital of $50,000.
Green Goddess Extracts, LLC
On July 31, 2019 the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Green Goddess Purchase Agreement”) with Green Goddess Extracts, LLC (“Green Goddess”), a Florida contract manufacturer and formulator of hemp and vape products. Under the Green Goddess Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the assets of Green Goddess consisting principally of its right and interest in the Green Goddess brand, inventory, customer list, intellectual property including IP addresses and trademarks entered into an option to acquire the seller’s vape assets, and entered into an employment agreement with the founder (the “Founder”) of Green Goddess. Green Goddess manufactures and distributes a premium line of hemp-derived products sold through distributors and online. Green Goddess has been a contract manufacturer for C2M and the Company.
Under the terms of the Green Goddess Purchase Agreement the Company agreed to issue 250,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and pay $250,000 cash for the acquisition to be paid in six installments. The first installment of $41,667 due within 90 days of the closing and the five additional installments paid starting on October 12, 2019 and continuing on the first day of each following month. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has an outstanding balance of $250,000 to the seller which is included in subscription payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company is currently in default under the Asset Purchase Agreement. However, there are no penalty interest or charges from the default pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement.
The shares vest 1/24 on the closing date and an additional 1/24 vests on the first day of each month thereafter provided that the Company and the Executive under the Employment Agreement discussed below are neither in breach of this Green Goddess Purchase Agreement or the Employment Agreement. In addition, the Company entered into an agreement under which the Company may become obligated to issue up to an additional $250,000 of Common Stock (the “Additional Stock Consideration”) based upon the volume weighted average price per share (“VWAP”) for the 20 days prior to issuance, in the event that sales of products utilizing seller’s flavored products exceed $500,000 monthly for a three-month average period. The Additional Stock Consideration shall vest 1/24 on the signature or execution date of this Green Goddess Purchase Agreement and an additional 1/24 vests on the first day of each month thereafter provided that the Company and the Executive under the Employment Agreement discussed below are neither in breach of this Green Goddess Purchase Agreement or the Employment Agreement.
Additionally, on July 1, 2019, the Company entered into an Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Alejandro De La Espriella (the “Executive”) who is the managing member of Green Goddess Extracts, LLC. The term of the Employment Agreement shall be for two years and shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless either party provides a written notice of non-renewal. The Company agrees to pay the Executive an initial base salary of $120,000 per year subject to annual adjustments determined by the board of directors of the Company and such Executive shall also be eligible for annual bonus, performance bonus and equity awards as defined in the Employment Agreement.
Pursuant to ASU 2017-01 and ASC 805, the Company analyzed the operations of Green Goddess and the related agreements to determine if the Company acquired a business or acquired assets. The gross assets include the intellectual property (the related trademark, brand, and IP addresses are determined to be a single intangible asset), the inventory, customer list, non-compete/non-solicitation and the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company concluded that substantially all of the fair values of the gross assets acquired is not concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets.
The set has outputs through the continuation of revenues, and the Company considered the criteria in paragraph 805-10-55-5E to determine whether the set includes both inputs and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. The set is not a business because: 1) It does not include an organized workforce that could meet the criteria in paragraph 805-10-55-5E (a) through (b), 2) There are no acquired processes that could meet the criteria in paragraph 805-10-55-5E(c) through (d), and 3) It does not include both an input and a substantive process. Accordingly, the transaction was not considered a business.
Additionally, in accordance with ASC 805-10, the 250,000 shares of common stock and the Additional Stock Consideration are tied to continued employment of the Company and as such are recognized as compensation expenses in the post combination period under Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
The relative fair value of the assets acquired were based on management’s estimates of the fair values on July 31, 2019. Based upon the purchase price allocation, the following table summarizes the estimated relative fair value of the assets acquired at the date of acquisition:
Intangible asset - trademark
$3,500
Intangible assets - customer list
212,529
Inventory
33,971
Total assets acquired at fair value
250,000
Total purchase consideration
$250,000
During the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company fully impaired the assets and resulted in an impairment loss of $186,025 related to the Green Goddess intangible asset.
The Company, Green Goddess and the founder of Green Goddess have each asserted various claims against the other for breach of contract although no proceedings have been commenced. Currently, the Company has suspended efforts to market and sell CBD products under the Green Goddess brand and Green Goddess has suspended delivery of the Company’s inventory due to the disputes which involve, among other things, the amounts that were due and owing Green Goddess from C2M for orders placed prior to the asset purchase, the nature and going concern value of the assets purchased by the Company and representations concerning the operation of the business and performance by the founder under the employment agreement. There can be no assurance the parties will resolve their differences or that the prior agreements will not be terminated. The CBD products with a cost of $837,153 were written down to a value of $0 during the year ended December 31, 2019, due to the age and questionable salability of the product. The cost of the inventory write off is included in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Levor, LLC
On September 30, 2019 the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Levor Purchase Agreement”) with Levor, LLC (“Levor”) and the sole owner and manager of Levor (the “Seller”). Under the Levor Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired the asset of Levor consisting principally of its rights and interest in the cosmetic brand collection, “Levor Collection”, which is an all-virtual brand that offers cannabinoid-infused cosmetic products. Under the terms of the Levor Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at closing. In addition, the Company entered into an agreement under which the Company may become obligated to issue additional shares of the Company’s common stock to be earned and payable to the Seller on the 12-month anniversary of the closing date which value is equivalent to 35% of the total annual net revenue of the Levor brand divided by the then closing bid price of the common stock on the 12-month anniversary (the Earn-out Consideration”). The Seller of Levor was an employee of the Company from July, 2019 through November 2020.
Pursuant to ASU 2017-01 and ASC 805, the Company analyzed the operations of Levor and the related agreements to determine if the Company acquired a business or acquired assets. Based on this analysis, it was determined that the Company acquired assets, primarily consisting of its rights and interest in the cosmetic brand collection, “Levor Collection”. The Company concluded that substantially all of the fair values of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. Accordingly, the transaction was not considered a business.
Pursuant to the terms of the Levor Purchase Agreement, the Company granted 100,000 shares of its Common Stock valued at $70,000, or $0.70 per share, the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock based on the sale of common stock in the recent private placement.
Additionally, in accordance with ASC 805-10, the Earn-out Consideration is deemed as contingent payment to an employee and the Company determined that the arrangement is compensatory in nature and as such are recognized as compensation expenses in the post combination period under Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
The relative fair value of the assets acquired were based on management’s estimates of the fair values on September 30, 2019. Based upon the purchase price allocation, the following table summarizes the estimated relative fair value of the assets acquired at the date of acquisition:
Intangible asset - Brand
$70,000
Total assets acquired at fair value
70,000
Total purchase consideration
$70,000
During the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company recorded an impairment expense of $64,167 related to the Levor intangible asset.
NOTE 4 - INVENTORY
Inventory, net consisted of the following:
December 31,
Finished goods - CBD
$10,712
$-
Finished goods - hemp flowers and hemp cuttings
-
1,337,809
$10,712
$1,337,809
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded a reserve or inventory write-off related to inventory of $678,870 and $723,391 which is equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated net realizable value and is included in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company fully impaired the finished goods related to purchased CBD products from C2M and resulted in an impairment loss of $837,153 which is included in cost of sales on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
NOTE 5 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
Estimated life
Greenhouse
years
$34,465
$34,465
Fencing and storage
years
44,543
44,543
Irrigation
years
387,975
387,975
Office and computer equipment
years
40,834
40,834
Farming Equipment
years
11,500
11,500
Leasehold improvement
years
21,886
21,886
Total
541,203
541,203
Less: Accumulated depreciation
(149,003)
(63,770)
Less: Impairment expense
(372,041)
-
$20,159
$477,433
Depreciation expense amounted to $85,233 and $63,770 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded impairment expense of $372,041 which was equivalent to the remaining net book values of the greenhouse, fencing and storage, irrigation, farming equipment and leasehold improvement related to a commercial lease with Skybar Holding, LLC.
NOTE 6 - INTANGIBLE ASSET
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, intangible asset consisted of the following:
Useful life
December 31,
December 31,
Participation rights - EOW
3 year
$2,930,000
$2,930,000
Hemp operating license - EOW
1 year
10,000
10,000
Trademark - Green Goddess
3 year
-
3,500
Customer list - Green Goddess
3 year
-
212,529
Brand - Levor
3 year
-
70,000
Total
2,940,000
3,226,029
Less: accumulated amortization
(1,527,273)
(828,526
Less: Impairment expenses
(1,412,727)
(250,192
Intangible assets, net
$-
$2,147,311
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, amortization of intangible assets amounted to $734,584 and $828,526, respectively.
During fiscal 2019, the Company fully impaired the intangible assets related to the Green Goddess and Lever Brands.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company determined that intangible assets related to EOW farm leases were impaired due to management’s intent of not pursuing farm operations in Oregon and the non-renewal of the related EOW farm leases. Accordingly, the Company fully impaired the remaining carrying value of the intangible assets related to EOW farm leases and recorded an impairment expense of $1,412,727 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Amortization of intangible assets attributable to future periods is $0 as all acquired intangible assets were written off as of September 30, 2020.
NOTE 7 - OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES
On March 1, 2019, the Company, through its majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise, located in Cave Junction, Oregon, consisted of approximately 100 acres. The lease required the Company to pay 5% of the net income realized by the Company from the operation of the lease farm. Accordingly, the Company recognized $0 Right-of-use asset (“ROU”) and lease liabilities on this farm lease as the Company had not determined when net income would be generated from this lease. The lease was to continue in effect year-to-year except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination. The Company has not paid any lease under this agreement for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
On March 1, 2019, the Company, through its majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise, located in Glendale, Oregon, consisted of approximately 100 acres. The lease required the Company to pay $120,000 per year, whereby $50,000 was payable upon execution and $70,000 payable prior to planting for agricultural use or related purposes. The lease was to continue in effect from year-to-year except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination. The Company recognized lease expense of $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019 and was included in cost of sales on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
On April 30, 2019, the Company, through its majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise, located in Cave Junction, Oregon, consisted of approximately 38 acres. The lease requires the Company to pay $76,000 per year, whereby $38,000 was payable upon execution and $38,000 payable on September 15, 2019 and 2% of the net income realized by the Company from the operation of the leased farm. The lease was to continue in effect from year-to-year for five years except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination. The Company paid the initial payment of $26,000 and the remaining $12,000 was paid directly to the landlord by an affiliated company who is renting the portion of the lease property from the Company. The affiliated company is owned by two managing members of EOW. The Company recognized lease expense of $134,667 included in cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 and recorded $17,333 as prepaid expense amortized over the term of the lease.
On July 9, 2019, the Company entered into a Commercial Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) with Skybar Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company. Pursuant to the Lease, the Company will rent the entire first floor (consisting of approximately 4,000 square feet) of a property located in Delray Beach, Florida (the “Premises”). The Company planned to develop the Premises to create a hemp-oriented health and wellness retail venue, including education, clothing and cosmetics, and explore franchise opportunities. The initial term of the Lease was 5 years commencing August 1, 2019, with two 5-year extension options. The Lease included a right of first refusal in favor of the Company to lease any space that becomes available on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Premises and a right of first refusal to purchase the Premises. Pursuant to the Lease, the Company agreed to pay rent equal to $40,000 per month in advance in addition to all applicable Florida sales and/or federal taxes and security deposit of $40,000. Effective one year from the lease commencement date and each year thereafter, the rent was to increase at least three percent (3%) per year. The lessor of the Premises is a limited liability company owned or controlled by Vladislav (Bobby) Yampolsky, the manager and controlling member of C2M, the Company’s largest stockholder and former Board Member. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company determined that the commercial lease with Skybar Holding, LLC was not in compliance with current laws or regulations in the City of Delray Beach, did not represent an enforceable contract and was void from the moment of execution. As a result, the Company restated its prior year financial information to correct this accounting error. Additionally, on August 6, 2020, the Company submitted a written termination letter to Skybar Holdings, LLC. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the Company fully impaired the security deposit of $40,000.
On January 21, 2021 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC, Skybar Holding, LLC, and their principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons.
In adopting ASC Topic 842, Leases (Topic 842), the Company elected the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permit it not to reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. In addition, the Company elected not to apply ASC Topic 842 to arrangements with lease terms of 12 month or less.
The Company adopted ASC Topic 842 on January 1, 2019. Between March 2019 and August 2019 which are the execution dates of various lease agreements, the Company recorded right-of-use assets totaling $506,506 and total lease liabilities of $506,506 based on an incremental borrowing rate of 10%. The Company recorded lease expense of $129,200 and $340,365 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The cash outflows from operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $100,000.
ROU is summarized below:
December 31,
Restated
Farm lease ROU
$506,506
$506,506
Less accumulated amortization
(237,391)
(115,695)
Less impairment expense
(269,115)
-
Balance of ROU asset
$-
$390,811
During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company determined that ROU assets related to EOW farm leases were impaired due to management’s intent of not pursuing farm operations in Oregon in year 2021 crop season and the non-renewal of the related EOW farm leases. Accordingly, the Company fully impaired the remaining carrying value of the ROU assets related to EOW farm leases and recorded an impairment expense of $269,115 during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Operating lease liability related to the ROU asset is summarized below:
December 31,
Restated
Farm lease ROU
$506,506
$506,506
Reduction of lease liability
(237,391)
(115,695)
Total
$269,115
390,811
Less: current portion
(269,115)
(168,869)
Long term portion of lease liability
-
$220,942
NOTE 8 - NOTES PAYABLE
Notes payable
U.S. Small Business Administration Loan
On May 28, 2020, the Company received a Secured Disaster Loan in the amount of $99,100 from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loan carries interest at a rate of 3.75% per year, requires monthly payments of principal and interest, and matures in thirty (30) years. Installment payments, including principal and interest, of $483 monthly, will begin twelve (12) months from the date of the promissory Note. The SBA loan is secured by a security interest in the Company's tangible and intangible assets. The loan proceeds are to be used as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by the Covid-19 disaster occurring in the month of January 31, 2020 and continuing thereafter. As of December 31, 2020, the principal balance of this note amounted to $99,100.
Paycheck Protection Program Funding
On May 22, 2020, the Company received federal funding in the amount of $236,410 through the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). PPP funds have certain restrictions on use of the funding proceeds, and generally must be repaid within two (2) years at 1% interest. The PPP loan may, under circumstances, be forgiven. There shall be no payment due by the Company during the six months period beginning on the date of this note (“Deferral Period”). Commencing one month after the expiration of the Deferral Period, the Company shall pay the lender monthly payments of principal and interest, each in equal amount required to fully amortize by the maturity date. If a payment on this note is more than ten days late, the lender shall charge a late fee of up to 5% of the unpaid portion of the regularly scheduled payment. As of December 31, 2020, the principal balance of this note amounted to $236,410. The Company has formally applied for forgiveness of this PPP loan.
Notes payable to unrelated parties is summarized below:
As of December 31,
Principal amount
$335,510
$-
Less: current portion
(130,344)
-
Notes payable - long term portion
$205,166
$-
Minimum principal payments under notes payable to unrelated parties at December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2020
$11,859
Year ended December 31, 2021
155,501
Year ended December 31, 2022
68,392
Year ended December 31, 2023
2,091
Year ended December 31, 2024 and thereafter
97,667
Total principal payments
$335,510
Notes payable - related party
During the fourth quarter 2020, the Company received $37,000 in cash proceeds from the former Chief Executive Officer and stockholder of the Company as an unsecured obligation. The Company is currently negotiating to settle the outstanding obligation with the issuance of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2020, the principal balance due is $37,000 and is currently in default.
During February 2020, the Company entered a short-term promissory note for principal amount of $22,461 and gross cash proceeds of $20,419 (original issue discount of $2,042) with a stockholder of the Company. The note became due and payable on March 8, 2020 and bore interest at a rate of eighteen (18%) percent per annum prior to the maturity date, and eighteen (18%) per annum if unpaid following the maturity date. The note is unsecured obligation of the Company. In addition, the note carries a 10% original issue discount of $2,042 which have been amortized and recorded in interest expense on the accompanying unaudited statements of operations. The Company is currently negotiating to extend the maturity date of the related party note. As of December 31, 2020, the principal balance of this note amounted to $22,461 and is currently in default.
During October 2019, the Company entered into two short-term promissory notes (the “Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $94,056 and gross cash proceeds of $85,000 (original issue discount of $9,056). A note with principal amount of $55,556 was subscribed by Andrew Johnson, an officer of the Company. The Notes became due and payable between October 18, 2019 and December 16, 2019 and bear interest at a rate of twelve (12%) percent per annum prior to the maturity date, and eighteen (18%) per annum if unpaid following the maturity date. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. In addition, the Notes carry a 10% original issue discount of $9,056 which have been amortized and recorded in interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In December 2019, the Company repaid one of the notes with principal amount of $38,500 and accrued interest of $770. As of December 31, 2020, and 2019, the principal balance under the notes was $55,556, respectively. The Company is currently negotiating on extending the maturity date of the related party note.
On June 28, 2017, the Company issued promissory notes to two of the Company’s then executive officers. The promissory notes accrued interest at a rate of 8.0% per annum and matures on the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the date of the promissory note, and (ii) the closing of the sale of the Company’s securities in a single transaction or a series of related transactions from which at least $500,000 of gross proceeds are raised. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had borrowed $14,229 under the promissory notes. Between February 2019 and March 2019, the Company paid $11,129 under the promissory notes. Additionally, in March 2019, the Company issued 153,080 shares of its Common Stock to a former executive officer upon the conversion of $27,000 of principal amount and accrued interest of $3,267 under a promissory note. In August 2019, the Company repaid principal amount of $21,000 and accrued interest of $1,769. The remaining principal balance of $6,500 and accrued interest of $2,107 were deemed paid pursuant to the respective severance arrangements. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized $1,214 of interest expense. As of December 31, 2019, the notes had an accrued interest balance of $0. As of December 31, 2019, the principal balance under the notes was $0.
NOTE 9 - CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE
The Company’s convertible notes consist of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Convertible Notes in the aggregate amount of $100,000, issued on March 22, 2018. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum and mature on February 1, 2023. If a qualified financing from which at least $5 million of gross proceeds are raised occurs prior to the maturity date, then the outstanding principal balance of the notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be automatically converted into a number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $0.40 per Share. The Notes offers registration rights wherein the Company agrees that within 45 days of a Qualified Offering, prior to the Maturity Date, the Company shall file a registration statement with the SEC registering for resale of the shares of Company’s Common Stock into which the Notes are convertible. The Company shall send a written conversion notice to the lender pursuant to the note agreement and as such the principal balance of the convertible note remains outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company reclassed the principal balance to current portion as of December 31, 2020.
$100,000
$100,000
Convertible Note in the amount of $833,333, issued on November 27, 2019. The Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a single institutional investor (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Purchaser in a series of 3 closings up to $1,944,444 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s senior secured convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) and warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Warrants”). On November 27, 2019 (the “Initial Closing Date”), the Company issued a Note in the principal amount of $833,333, and a two-year Warrant to purchase 275,612 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.756 per share (see Note 10). The Notes will be issued at a 10% original issue discount and bear an interest rate of 8%. The Notes mature one year after their issuance unless accelerated due to an event of default. The Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at the discretion of the Company. At the Initial Closing Date, the Company received net proceeds, after the original issue discount and the Purchaser’s counsel fees, of $730,000. Each note is convertible at the option of the note holder at any time into shares of our common stock at the fixed conversion rate of $0.50 per share. However, the conversion rate is subject to adjustment in the event of default, redemption and upon the occurrence of certain events affecting stockholders generally, such as stock splits and recapitalizations. The Company must pay amortization redemption payments equaling one-ninth of the original principal amount due on each note commencing 90 days after issuance and continuing during the following eight months (each an “Amortization Redemption”). The note holder may at its option accelerate up to six future amortization redemption payments, in which case the note holder may demand the accelerated amortization amounts be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock at the lesser of i) the fixed conversion rate of $0.50 per share of common stock, or (ii) the rate equal to 80% of the lowest volume weighted average price, or VWAP, during the 10 trading days immediately before the applicable date of the amortization redemption payment (“Amortization Conversion Rate”). Amortization redemption payment amount is equivalent to 110% of the sum of (i) one-ninth (1/9th) of the Original Principal Amount of this Note, (ii) 100% of all accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of this Note that is subject to such Amortization Redemption, (iii) 100% of the Make-Whole Amount payable in respect of the principal amount of this Note that is subject to such Amortization Redemption (as applicable), and (iv) all liquidated damages, costs of collection and other amounts payable in respect of this Note as of the applicable amortization redemption payment Date for such Amortization Redemption. If the Company fails to make a redemption payment, the note holder may demand the amortization amounts be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock at the lesser of fixed conversion rate of $0.50 per share of common stock or the Amortization Conversion Rate. In addition, in the event of a subsequent issuance of the Company’s common stock or debt, the Company is subject to mandatory redemption provisions as defined in the note agreement. The Company may not issue shares of the Company’s common stock to third parties at a price lower than the fixed conversion rate of $0.50 per share of common stock without the consent of the note holder. At this time, the Company is delinquent in its payments under the initial convertible note, with the May 1, 2020, April 1, 2020, and a portion of the February 25, 2020 payments currently in arrears. The Company intends to make these payments and the upcoming monthly payments with receipts from product sales and/or the proceeds of additional equity funding. The Company paid original issuance cost of $83,333, cash commission and loan fees of $92,055, and recorded redemption premium of $88,889 related to the amortization redemption payment in connection with this note payable and are being amortized over the term of the note. On the Initial Closing Date, certain FINRA broker-dealers who acted on behalf of the Company were paid aggregate cash commissions of approximately $72,055 and were granted a four-year warrant to acquire an aggregate of 84,187 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.792 per share of common stock at any time before the close of business four years after their issuance, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, splits, fundamental transactions, or other changes in our capital structure.
546,036
85,906
Carrying Amount of Convertible Debt
$646,036
$185,906
Less: Current Portion
(646,036)
(85,906)
Convertible Notes, Long Term
$-
$100,000
During October 2020, the Company entered into a short-term convertible note for principal amount of $50,250 with a stockholder of the Company. The note became due and payable on January 27, 2021 and bear interest at a rate of twelve (12%) percent per annum prior to the maturity date, and twelve (12%) per annum if unpaid following the maturity date. The note is unsecured obligation of the Company. As of December 31, 2020, the principal balance of this note amounted to $50,250 . On January 22, 2021 the notes principal and interest were converted into 2,070,300 shares of the company’s common stock in full satisfaction of the note and accrued interest.
The following is a summary of the carrying amounts of convertible notes as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Principal Amount
$933,333
$933,333
Add: additional principal
50,250
-
Add: amortization of redemption premium
88,889
8,280
Less: redemption premium payments
(20,800)
-
Less: principle payments and conversions
(356,186)
-
Less: unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs
-
(755,707)
Total convertible debt less unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs
$696,286
$185,906
Between March 2020 and August, 2020, the Company made cash repayments towards the principal of $185,186 and accrued interest of $14,814.
Conversion of Convertible Notes into Common Stock
On May 27, 2020, the Company issued 247,588 shares of its common stock at a contractual conversion price of $0.13, as a result of the conversion of principal of $30,000 and interest of $2,400 of the convertible note.
On June 10, 2020, the Company issued 564,000 shares of its common stock at a contractual conversion price of $0.09, as a result of the conversion of principal of $47,000 and interest of $3,760 of the convertible note.
Between July 2020 and August 2020, the Company issued 1,586,349 shares of its common stock at a contractual conversion price of $0.06, as a result of the conversion of principal of $94,000 and interest of $7,520 of the convertible note.
Notice of Delinquent Payment
The Company was delinquent in its payments under the initial convertible note executed on November 27, 2019, with the May 1, 2020 and April 1, 2020 payments. On May 20, 2020, the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement with the investor (the “Holder”) regarding the initial convertible note. Under the Forbearance Agreement, the investor has agreed to forebear from exercising any default-related rights and remedies subject to the following conditions and material terms:
●
The Company has paid the Holder $60,000 in cash before July 1, 2020. Additional monthly payments required under the Amortization Schedule for the note shall continue to be due on or before the first day of each calendar month thereafter, commencing with the $110,000 payment originally due April 1, 2020 now due on or before August 1, 2020, and the subsequent monthly payments listed on the Amortization Schedule to be paid monthly in the sequence listed. Interest shall continue to accrue on the principal balance of the Note at the rate(s) stated therein, with all additional accrued interest resulting from this extension of payment deadlines to be paid as part of the last monthly payment. The Company paid the $110,000 on August 1, 2020.
●
The payments that were in arrears from February, April and May can be paid in whole or in part at any time at the sole election of the Holder in shares of common stock at the Amortization Conversion Price (defined as 80% of the lowest volume weighted average price, or VWAP, during the 10 trading days immediately before the applicable date of the amortization redemption payment).
●
Unless or until a default under the Forbearance Agreement occurs, the fixed conversion price under the note will remain $0.50 per share, and the note shall continue to bear interest at the non-default rate of 8% per annum.
●
Unless or until a default under the Forbearance Agreement occurs, the contractual limit on issuances of shares to issue shares of common stock or options to employees, officers, directors, consultants, advisors or contractors will be increased from 5% to 10% or our issued an outstanding common stock.
●
The Company has issued the Holder 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in consideration for the forbearance.
Derivative Liabilities Pursuant to Securities Purchase Agreements
In connection with the issuance of notes during the year ended December 31, 2019, on the initial measurement date of the notes, the fair values of the embedded conversion option of $1,457,290 was recorded as derivative liabilities of which $786,823 was charged to current period operations as initial derivative expense and $670,467 was recorded as a debt discount which was amortized into interest expense over the term of the note. The Company recognized change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $251,638 and $32,577 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Upon conversions during the years ended December 31, 2020, the derivative liability was marked to fair value at the conversion, and then a related fair value amount of $129,714 relating to the portion of debt converted was reclassified to other income as part of gain on debt extinguishment. Additionally, the Company recorded loss on debt extinguishment of $55,398, in connection with the conversions during the years ended December 31, 2020.
The Company recognized gain on extinguishment of debt due to repayment and conversions of notes into shares of common and preferred stock of $3,004,629 and change in fair value of derivative liabilities of $896,000 during the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company determined that the conversion options embedded in the convertible notes require liability presentation at fair value. Each of these instruments provide the holder with the right to convert into Common Stock at a fixed discount market, with certain notes subject to a cap on the conversion price. These clauses cause uncertainty as to the number of shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt and accordingly require liability presentation on the balance sheet in accordance with US GAAP. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company measured the fair value of the embedded derivatives using a binomial model and Monte Carlo simulations, and the following assumptions:
Expected Volatility
213.48% to 216.44%
239.97% to 567.11%
Expected Term
0.16 to 0.66 Years
0.25 to 1.0 Years
Risk Free Rate
0.08% to 0.18%
1.59% to 2.54%
Dividend Rate
0.00%
0.00%
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 849,360 Series A preferred stock to various note holders and also sold an aggregate of 55,090 shares of preferred stock for $55,090 which were used to repay and convert a total of $842,791 of principal amount (includes penalty fees of $149,313, included in derivative expenses) during the year ended December 31, 2019 and accrued interest of $61,569 pursuant to the Exchange Agreements (the “Exchange Agreements”). During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock to a note holder upon the conversion of $4,000 of accrued interest. In March 2019, the Company paid off the principal notes of $186,443 (includes penalty fees of $48,337, included in derivative expenses) during the year ended December 31, 2019 and accrued interest of $20,467. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded a gain on settlement of debt of $3,004,630 in connection with the exchange and repayments of various convertible notes.
During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $1,003,439 and $479,111, respectively, of interest expense, of which $838,358 and $425,712 represent non-cash amortization of debt discount and issuance costs. As of December 31, 2020, the principal balance under the notes was $165,767 and $55,556, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, total accrued interest was $52,051 and $16,677, respectively.
NOTE 10 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
On January 11, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock at a ratio of 1-for-8 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) including shares issuable upon conversion of the Company’s outstanding convertible securities. All share and per share values of the Company’s Common Stock for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the Reverse Stock Split.
In January 2019, the Company approved the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) which provides for the issuance of incentive awards in the form of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards. The 2019 Plan provides for a share limit equal to 15% of the total of the number of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock and all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of any outstanding securities of the Company.
Preferred Stock
The Company’s authorized preferred stock consists of 50,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001.
Series A - On February 17, 2016, the Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series A Preferred Stock, consisting of up to five million (5,000,000) shares, par value $0.0001 per share.
On December 21, 2018, the Company filed a Certificate of Cancellation of our previously filed Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Preferred Stock in order to designate 1,000,000 shares as a new Series of Preferred Stock for issuance to former Holders of our Notes under the Exchange Agreements, and filed a new Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Certificate of Designation”).
Pursuant to the Series A Preferred Certificate of Designation, the Company issued shares of Series A Preferred. Each share of Series A Preferred has a stated value of $1.00 per share. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to a payment as set forth in the Certificate of Designation. The Series A Preferred is convertible into such number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share equal to the Stated Value of $1.00, divided by $0.20, subject to adjustment in the event of stock split, stock dividends, and recapitalization or otherwise. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreements each holder of Notes shall be issued Series A Preferred in the amount of the purchase price paid for such Notes by the buyer under the Exchange Agreement, including any penalty, interest and premium payments. Each share of Series A Preferred entitles the holder to vote on all matters voted on by holders of Common Stock as a single class. With respect to any such vote, each share of Series A Preferred entitles the holder to cast such number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock such share of Series A Preferred is convertible into at such time, but not in excess of the conversion limitations set forth in the Series A Preferred Certificate of Designation. The Series A Preferred will be entitled to dividends to the extent declared by the Company.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 849,360 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to various note holders and also sold an aggregate of 55,090 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $55,090 in a private placement, which was used to repay and convert a total of $842,791 of principal amount (includes penalty fees of $149,313 during the year ended December 31, 2019) and accrued interest of $61,569 pursuant to Exchange Agreements. Accordingly, the Company recognized a deemed dividend of $904,450 during the year ended December 31, 2019 in connection with the issuance of these Series A Preferred Stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company converted 30,090 Series A Preferred Stock into 150,450 shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company converted 551,341 Series A Preferred Stock into 2,756,705 shares of Common Stock. There are 323,019 and 353,109 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which were convertible into 1,615,095 and 1,765,545 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
On February 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with 3i, LP (“3i”) and an institutional investor (“Investor”) under which the Investor agreed to purchase and 3i agreed to sell certain 8% senior secured convertible note dated November 27, 2019 (the “Note”) and all of our warrants previously issued to 3i and 3i agreed settle and release all claims asserted against the Company. As a result, 3i agreed to dismiss all pending litigation against the Company. Furthermore, the Subsidiary Guaranty, IP Security Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement with 3i were also terminated.
In addition, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with the Investor and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred Stock under which the Note in the original principal amount of $750,000 would be exchanged for $500,000 of a new series of our preferred stock designated 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred”) with a stated value of $1,000 per share (the “Stated Value”).
The Company authorized the issuance of a total of 1,000 ($1,000,000) of Series A Preferred for issuance. Each share of Series A Preferred is convertible at the option of the Holder, into that number of shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share) (the “Common Stock”) (subject to certain limitations on beneficial ownership) determined by dividing the Stated Value by $0.05 per share (the “Conversion Price”), subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar transactions that proportionately decrease or increase the Common Stock.
The Company is prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series A Preferred to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder beneficially owns more than 4.99% (which may be increased to 9.99% upon 61 days’ written notice to the Company), in the aggregate, of the issued and outstanding shares of the Common Stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred. Holders of the Series A Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders and shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible, subject to applicable beneficial ownership limitations. The Series A Preferred Stock provides a liquidation preference equal to the Stated Value, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, fees or liquidated damages.
The Series A Preferred can be redeemed at the Company’s option upon payment of a redemption premium between 120% to 135% of the Stated Value of the outstanding Series A Preferred redeemed. The Company is not obligated to file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with respect to the shares of Common Stock into which Series A Preferred may be converted however the Investor will be deemed to have held the Series A Preferred on the original issue date to 3i for the purposes of the availability of an exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Act.
On February 16, 2021 the Company offered to our prior Series A preferred stock enhanced conversion inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into our Common Stock and filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our prior Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred Stock, all of which has been converted to Common Stock, in order to issue the new Series A Preferred stock described herein.
Series B-1 - On February 29, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B-1 Preferred Stock”), consisting of up to 32,000,000 shares, par value $0.0001 per share. With respect to rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, the Series B-1 Preferred Stock ranks pari passu to the class of Common Stock. Shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock have no dividend rights except as may be declared by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, out of funds legally available for that purpose. Shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock are convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of Common Stock at a conversion rate of 0.125 shares for 1 share basis. Holders of Series B-1 Preferred Stock have the right to vote as-if-converted to Common Stock on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of the Company’s Common Stock. On February 29, 2016, the Company issued 30,000,000 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company converted 1,150,000 Series B-1 Preferred Stock into 143,750 shares of Common Stock. There are 1,650,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock outstanding, which were convertible into 206,250 shares of common stock, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
On February 16, 2021, the Company offered to our Series B-1 preferred stock enhanced conversion inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into our Common Stock and expects to file a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our previous Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series B-1, Preferred Stock upon conversion or cancellation of Series B-1.
Series B-2 - On February 17, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B-2 Preferred Stock”), consisting of up to 10,000,000 shares, par value $0.0001 per share, with a stated value of $0.25 per share. With respect to rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, holders of Series B-2 Preferred Stock will be paid in cash in full, before any distribution is made to any holder of common or other classes of capital stock, an amount of $0.25 per share. Shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock have no dividend rights except as may be declared by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, out of funds legally available for that purpose. Shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock are convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of Common Stock at a conversion rate of 0.125 shares for 1 share basis. Holders of Series B-2 Preferred Stock have the right to vote as-if-converted to Common Stock on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock. For so long as any shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, the Corporation shall not issue any notes, bonds, debentures, shares of preferred stock, or any other securities that are convertible to Common Stock unless such conversion rights are at a fixed ratio or a fixed monetary price. On February 29, 2016, the Company issued 2,084,000 shares of Series B-2 Preferred Stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company converted 1,168,000 Series B-2 Preferred Stock into 146,000 shares of Common Stock. There are 7,516,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock outstanding, which were convertible into 939,500 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
On February 16, 2021, the Company offered to our Series B-2 preferred stock enhanced conversion inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into our Common Stock and expect to file a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our previous Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series B-2, Preferred Stock upon conversion or cancellation of Series B-2.
Series C - On June 30, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a Certificate of Designation authorizing 1,733,334 shares of new Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The Series C Preferred Stock ranks equally with the Company’s Common Stock with respect to liquidation rights and is convertible to Common Stock at a conversion rate of 0.125 shares for 1 share basis. The conversion rights of holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are limited such that no holder may convert any shares of preferred stock to the extent that such holder, immediately following the conversion, would own in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. This limitation may be increased to 9.99% upon 61 days written notice by a holder of the Series C Preferred Stock to the Company.
As the Company was unable to proceed with the clinical trials and research, on July 31, 2019, the Company entered into a Surrender and Mutual Release Agreement (the “Cancellation Agreement”) to terminate the agreements and to cancel all issued and outstanding shares of Series C Preferred. Accordingly, the Company cancelled 1,733,334 shares of Series C Preferred Stock which was recorded at par value.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
On April 7, 2021 the Company filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our prior Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series C Preferred Stock, all of which has been cancelled or converted into Common Stock.
Series D - On March 1, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors voted to designate a class of preferred stock entitled Series D Convertible Preferred Stock consisting of up to 200 shares, par value $0.0001 per share, to offer for sale to certain accredited investors, including affiliates of the Company, with a maximum offering amount of $2,200,000. Pursuant to the terms of the Series D Subscription Agreement, immediately following the consummation of an offering of the Company’s Common Stock for which the gross proceeds of the offering exceed $5,000,000, each share of Series D automatically converts into 25,000 shares of Common Stock. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, each holder of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, for each share of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock held, $10,000 per share payable pari passu with the Company’s Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock. Shares of Series D Preferred Stock have no dividend rights except as may be declared by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, out of funds legally available for that purpose. Holders of Series D Preferred Stock have the right to vote as-if-converted to Common Stock on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of the Company’s Common Stock. At no time may shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock be converted if such conversion would cause the holder to hold in excess of 4.99% of our issued and outstanding Common Stock, subject to an increase in such limitation up to 9.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock on 61 days’ written notice to the Company.
On March 28, 2018, the Company issued 45 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. The Company received $550,000 in connection with the Offering including $50,000 in cash for 5 shares of Series D Preferred Stock and $500,000 in debt re-payment to officers and directors for 2016 and 2017 bonuses for 40 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company converted 27 shares of Series D Preferred Stock into 675,000 shares of Common Stock. There were 18 shares of Series D preferred stock outstanding which were convertible into 450,000 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
On February 16, 2021, the Company offered to our Series D preferred stock enhanced inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into our Common Stock and expect to file a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our previous Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series D, Preferred Stock upon conversion or cancellation of Series D.
On April 7, 2021 the Company filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our prior Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series D Preferred Stock, all of which has been cancelled or converted into Common Stock.
Series E - On August 1, 2019 the Company issued 10,000 shares of newly designated Series E 0% Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series E Preferred”) to C2M pursuant to the MSA. Under the terms of the Series E Preferred, C2M may only convert such shares of Series E Preferred into shares of the Company’s Common Stock, if the closing price of Common Stock on the principal trading market, shall exceed $2.00 per share for 5 consecutive trading days. Once vested, the shares of Series E Preferred held by C2M are intended to either be converted at $1.60 per share of Common Stock or optionally redeemed out of the proceeds of future financings, at the option of C2M.
Each share of Series E Preferred is convertible into 625 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and have a stated value of $1,000 per share. The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combination of shares and similar recapitalization transactions. The Company is prohibited from effecting conversions of the Series E Preferred to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder beneficially owns more than 4.99% (which may be increased to 9.99% upon 61 days’ written notice), in the aggregate, of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Series E Preferred. Holders of the Series E Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to shareholders and shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series E Preferred Stock are convertible, subject to applicable beneficial ownership limitations. The Series E Preferred Stock provides a liquidation preference equal to par value.
The Series E Preferred has a no mandatory redemption rights however, in the event the Company raisee $5,000,000 from a capital raising transaction involving any equity or equity-linked financing during any fiscal quarter in an amount which would cause the Company’s cash or cash equivalents to exceed $5,000,000 (a “Fundamental Transaction”), the Company is required from the proceeds of such offering, to offer C2M a right to redeem Series E Preferred then outstanding as follows:
(A) 0% percent of the net proceeds of the Fundamental Transaction, after deduction of the amount of net proceeds required to leave the Company (together with our existing cash on hand immediately prior to the completion of the Fundamental Transaction) with cash on hand of $5,000,000; plus
(B) 10% percent of the next $5,000,000 of net proceeds of the Fundamental Transaction; plus
(C) 100% of the net proceeds of the Fundamental Transaction thereafter (until the Series E Preferred is redeemed in full).
The shares of Series E Preferred are convertible into Common Stock, once vested, at a price of $1.60 per share. The Company is not obligated to file a registration statement with respect to the shares of Common Stock into which Series E Preferred shares may be converted. The Company believes that the occurrence of the Fundamental Transaction is considered a conditional event and as a result the instrument does not meet the definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instrument based from ASC 480-10-25, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. This financial instrument was assessed at each reporting period to determine whether circumstances have changed such that the instrument met the definition of a mandatorily redeemable instrument (that is, the event is no longer conditional). If the event has occurred, the condition is resolved, or the event has become certain to occur, the financial instrument will be reclassified as a liability.
On July 31, 2019, the Company granted 10,000 Series E Preferred in connection with a Management and Services Agreement (the “MSA”) with C2M. The Company valued the 10,000 Series E Preferred shares which is equivalent into 6,250,000 common shares at a fair value of $0.54 per common share or $3,375,000 based on the sales of common stock on recent private placements on the dates of grant. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $260,795 and prepaid expense - related party of $3,114,204 to be amortized over the term of the MSA. During fiscal year 2020, the Company impaired the remaining unamortized prepaid balance and recognized an impairment charge of $2,483,523 as the Company no longer anticipates utilizing the services under the MSA.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock issued and outstanding which were convertible into 6,250,000 shares of common stock.
On February 16, 2021, the Company offered to our Series E preferred stock enhanced conversion inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into our Common Stock.
On April 7, 2021 the Company filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our prior Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series E Preferred Stock, all of which has been cancelled or converted into Common Stock.
Common Stock
The Company’s authorized Common Stock consists of 650,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
The following were transactions during the year ended December 31, 2020:
Sale of Common Stock for private placement
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company sold an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock for total proceeds of $350,000.
Conversion of Series A Preferred stock into Common Stock
On January 20, 2020, the Company converted 30,090 Series A Preferred Stock into 150,450 common shares.
Conversion of Notes into Common Stock
On May 27, 2020, the Company issued 247,588 shares of its common stock at a contractual conversion price of $0.13, as a result of the conversion of principal of $30,000 and interest of $2,400 of the convertible note.
On June 10, 2020, the Company issued 564,000 shares of its common stock at a contractual conversion price of $0.09, as a result of the conversion of principal of $47,000 and interest of $3,760 of the convertible note.
Between July 2020 and August 2020, the Company issued 1,586,349 shares of its common stock at a contractual conversion price of $0.06, as a result of the conversion of principal of $94,000 and interest of $7,520 of the convertible note.
These shares of common stock had an aggregate fair value of $240,078 and the Company recorded $55,398 of loss on debt extinguishment related to these note conversions.
Common Stock pursuant to Forbearance Agreement
On May 20, 2020, the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement with the note holder regarding the initial convertible note executed on November 27, 2019. The Company has issued the Holder 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in consideration for the forbearance and valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of approximately $0.18 per common share or $90,000 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. The Company recorded interest expense of $90,000 during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Common Stock for services
On December 31, 2020, the Company issued approximately 2 million shares to an executive and board member of the Company in settlement of an accrued payroll balance of $75,000. The Company recognized $31,000 of stock-based compensation in relation to the settlement.
On January 23, 2020, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock for legal services to be rendered in fiscal 2020 and valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of approximately $0.4948 per common share or $123,700 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant which the Company recorded as stock-based compensation during the year ended December 31, 2020.
On January 23, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 515,000 shares of Common Stock to two officers and three employees of the Company for services in fiscal 2020 and as an incentive to retain such employees and valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of approximately $0.4948 per common share or $254,823 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $254,823.
On July 1, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for corporate legal advisor services. The consultant shall receive compensation of 750,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for services rendered and to be rendered until September 30, 2020. The Company valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of approximately $0.0941 per common share or $70,575 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. The Company recorded stock-based legal fees of $59,086 during the year ended December 31, 2020 and a reduction of $11,490 of accounts payable.
Common Stock related to exercise of Stock Options
In September 2020, the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock for the exercise of stock options by the former President of the Company and received proceeds of $6,000.
Common Stock issued for Vested Restricted Common Stock Award
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,948,486 of Common Stock to employees and consultants for vested restricted stock awards.
Common Stock issued for Unissued Stock
There were 564,580 shares of common stock issuable which were issued during the year ended December 31, 2020 and accordingly, there remains 100,000 shares of common stock to be issued at December 31, 2020.
Sale of Common Stock for private placement
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company sold an aggregate of 3,700,000 shares of Common Stock for total proceeds of $385,000.
The following were transaction during the year ended December 31, 2019:
Common Stock issued for Development Agreement
In consideration for the Development Agreement (see Note 11), C2M was issued 8,385,691 shares of our Common Stock on January 8, 2019. Additionally, the Company granted immediately vested 10-year options to purchase 750,000 shares of Common Stock, with exercise price of $0.32 per share to certain C2M founders. As a result, C2M became the Company’s largest shareholder holding (inclusive of the vested options held by its founders) approximately 51% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock as of the date of the Development Agreement. Consequently, such transaction resulted in a change of control whereby, C2M obtained majority control through its Common Stock ownership (See Note 11). Therefore, the Company accounted for the 8,385,691 shares of Common Stock under ASC 845-10-S99 “Transfer of Nonmonetary Assets by Promoters or Shareholders” whereby the transfer of nonmonetary assets to a company by its promoters or shareholders in exchange for stock prior to or at the time of the company's initial public offering normally should be recorded at the transferors' historical cost basis determined under GAAP. The Company determined that the value of the Development Agreement is $0 and recording it in a step-up basis would not be appropriate since C2M is considered a promoter, majority shareholder and also a related party having an ownership interest of 51% in the Company on the execution date of the Development Agreement. Accordingly, the Company recorded the issuance of 8,385,691 shares of Common Stock at par value. The 750,000 options were valued on the grant date at approximately $0.13 per option for a total of $96,000 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price of $0.13 per share (based on the quoted trading price on the dates of grants), volatility of 296%, expected term of 10 year, and a risk-free interest rate of 2.74%. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $96,000.
Common Stock issued for settlement of debt
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 250,000 shares of Common Stock to note holders upon the conversion of $4,000 of accrued interest. The fair value of shares on conversion was $196,000 having a derivative value on date of conversion of $18,000 and the balance of $178,000 was recorded as loss on settlement of debt. Additionally, in March 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 203,080 shares of Common Stock to a noteholder upon the conversion of $27,000 of principal amount, accrued interest of $3,267 and $10,349 of accrued expenses.
Common Stock for membership interest in subsidiary
On March 11, 2019, with the assistance of C2M and assignment of rights, under the term of the Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired additional 20.1% from existing members in consideration for payment of 937,500 shares of Common Stock (see Note 3). The 937,500 shares of Common Stock were valued at the fair value of $1.056 per common share or $990,000 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. Additionally, on June 10, 2019, the Company was required to issue the existing members an additional $450,000 of shares of Common Stock of the Company based upon the 20 day volume weighted average price per share on the date of issue which was equivalent to $0.89 per share or 503,298 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and was issued in August 2019.
Common Stock for services
In April 2019, the Company entered into a consulting agreement for investor relations services. The consultant shall receive compensation of 50,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock and shall vest over one year with 4,174 common stock to vest on the date of this agreement and 4,166 common shares on the first day of each month thereafter. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company granted 50,000 shares of Common Stock and valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of $1.55 per common share or $77,500 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $58,128 during the year ended December 31, 2019. In connection with this transaction, there were 20,830 shares of Common Stock to be issued as of December 31, 2019.
In May 2019, the Company entered into a 6-month consulting agreement for investor relations services. The consultant shall receive compensation of 10,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock per month or a total of 60,000 shares of Common Stock. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 60,000 shares of Common Stock and valued the shares of Common Stock at the average fair value of $0.72 per common share or $43,000 based on the sales of common stock on recent private placements on the dates of grants at the end of each month. The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $43,000 during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Between August 2019 and November 2019, the Company entered into various consulting agreements with terms from 6 months to 2 years. The Consultants shall receive compensation in aggregate of 150,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Common Stock and 100,000 shares remains to be unissued as of December 31, 2019 and valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value ranging from approximately $0.50 to $0.61 per common share or $80,500 based on the sales of common stock on recent private placements on the dates of grants. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $24,699 and prepaid expense of $55,801 to be amortized over the term of this agreement.
In December 2019, the Company issued 100,000 shares of Common Stock for legal services to be rendered and valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of approximately $0.40 per common share or $39,880 based on the based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded prepaid expense of $39,880 to be amortized over the term of this agreement.
On October 23, 2019, the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement (the “Amended Operating Agreement”) of EOW was amended. Under the terms of the Amended Operating Agreement, the minority members of EOW conveyed their rights to distributions related to the current 2019 hemp crop. As a result, the Company shall receive 100% of the distributions of net profit from the 2019 hemp crop on approximately 226 acres of farmland currently growing in Oregon. The minority EOW members acknowledge and agree that each is waiving their right to participate, to the extent of their respective percentage interest, in distributions arising from the profits generated from the harvest of the 2019 hemp crop. Thereafter, the distributions shall continue as set forth in Section 5.02(a) of the Operating Agreement. Since March 2019, the Company has owned 50.1% of the limited liability membership interests in EOW. In addition, the members amended the payment schedule under which farm costs are required to be made by the Company. As consideration for the amendment, the Company agreed to issue 1,223,320 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, to the minority members of EOW (“EOW Members”). The Company determined that the 1,223,320 shares of common stock is deemed compensation to the EOW Members in exchange for their right to receive their respective membership distribution which is considered income to them. As such the Company valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of $0.69 per common share or $844,091 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $844,091 during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Common Stock in connection with Asset Purchase Agreements
On July 31, 2019, under the terms of the Green Goddess Purchase Agreement the Company agreed to issue 250,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to the Founder (see Note 3). In accordance with ASC 805-10, the 250,000 shares of common stock and the Additional Stock Consideration are tied to continued employment of the Company and as such are recognized as compensation expenses in the post combination period under Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $33,750 in connection with this agreement. In connection with this transaction, the Company issued 62,500 shares of commons stock which represents the vested shares and there remains 187,500 unvested shares as of December 31, 2019.
On September 30, 2019, pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement with Levor, LLC, the Company granted 100,000 shares of its Common Stock valued at $70,000, or $0.70 per share, the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock based on the sale of common stock in the recent private placement (see Note 3). In connection with this transaction, there were 100,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued as of December 31, 2019.
Common Stock grants under the 2019 Plan
On September 13, 2019, the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Company appointed Vladislav “Bobby” Yampolsky to serve as its Interim Executive Chairman. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Yampolsky served as a member of the Board. In addition, the Board also appointed the Company’s current President, Emiliano Aloi, to serve as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. The appointments were made following the departure of the Company’s Chairman and CEO in August 2019. Vladislav (Bobby) Yampolsky is the founder, manager and controlling member of C2M, the Company’s largest stockholder.
On September 13, 2019, the Board delegated authority to the Chairman of the Board and/or the CEO to issue restricted stock and options under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) to non-executive employees and consultants. The aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 (“Common Stock”), issuable under delegated authority may not exceed 500,000 shares, and no individual award may exceed 100,000 shares, provided, further, that the minimum exercise price of awards made shall be the fair market value of the Common Stock determined in accordance with the 2019 Plan.
On September 13, 2019, the Board approved additional awards to officers, directors and consultants under the 2019 Plan as follows:
Name
Amount of Grant
Vesting Period
Vesting Commencement Date
Bobby Yampolsky - former Director
1,000,000 shares of restricted Common Stock.
1/48th per month.
Cancelled.
Emiliano Aloi - former CEO
1,000,000 shares of restricted Common Stock.
1/48th per month.
Cancelled.
Consultant - Legal and consulting services
100,000 shares of restricted Common Stock.
1/48th per month.
Vests October 1, 2019.
Consultant - consulting services
1,000,000 shares of restricted Common Stock.
1/48th per month.
Vests on the first day of calendar month following:
(A) the date that the 2019 Exactus One World agriculture total yield is at least 400,000 pounds of total biomass for production and held for sale or processing (including top flower harvest) and (B) the date that the Company has reported at least $5 million of revenue on a consolidated basis.
The Company valued the shares of Common Stock at the average fair value of $0.70 per common share or $2,170,000 based on the sales of common stock on recent private placements on the dates of grants. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $48,125 in connection with these restricted common stock grants. In connection with this transaction, there were an aggregate of 68,750 shares of Common Stock to be issued as of December 31, 2019 which represents the vested shares and there remains 3,031,250 unvested shares as of December 31, 2019.
Approval of Director Compensation Plan
On September 13, 2019, the Board established a new Director Compensation Plan (the “Director Plan”) to be administered under the 2019 Plan applicable to each non-employee/non-executive director, which Director Plan replaces the prior compensation arrangements previously applicable to non-employee/non-executive directors. The material terms of the Director Plan are set forth below:
Timing
Amount
Vesting
Initial appointment
(non-employee/non-executive directors)
$100,000 of the Company’s Common Stock issued on and priced at fair market value of the Common Stock on the last calendar date prior to appointment.
1/24th vests upon date of grant and 1/24th vests on the first calendar date of each calendar month following appointment until fully vested as long as continuing as a director.
Directors continuing after initial appointment
(non-employee/non-executive directors)
$25,000 of Common Stock issued annually on the first day of September and priced at fair market value of the Common Stock as of the calendar date prior to the issuance for each continuing director that has served a minimum of 9 consecutive months as of the first day of September each year.
1/24th vests upon date of grant and 1/24th vests on the first calendar date of each calendar month following appointment until fully vested as long as continuing as a director.
In June 2019, the Company granted 100,000 shares of restricted common stock to a former director who resigned in December 2019. The vesting period was 1/24th vests upon date of grant and 1/24th vests on the first calendar date of each calendar month following appointment until fully vested as long as continuing as a director. In December 2019, the Company issued the 27,778 vested shares of Common Stock and was valued at the fair value of $1.05 per common share or $29,167 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $29,167 in connection with these restricted common stock grants.
In December 2019, the Company granted an aggregate of 300,000 shares of restricted common stock to three directors of the Company. The vesting periods are 1/24th vests upon date of grant and 1/24th vests on the first calendar date of each calendar month following appointment until fully vested as long as continuing as a director. The Company valued the shares of Common Stock at the fair value of $0.54 per common share or $162,000 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $13,500 in connection with these restricted common stock grants. In connection with this transaction, there were an aggregate of 25,002 shares of Common Stock issued as of December 31, 2019 which represents the vested shares and there remains 274,998 unvested shares as of December 31, 2019.
Cancellation of Common Stock
On July 31, 2019, the Company entered into a Surrender and Mutual Release Agreement (the “Cancellation Agreement”) to terminate the agreements and to cancel all issued and outstanding shares of Series C Preferred and 180,000 shares of Common Stock, and all warrants issued under these arrangements. Accordingly, the Company cancelled 180,000 shares of Common Stock which was recorded at par value.
Common Stock Warrants
A summary of the Company’s outstanding stock warrants as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and changes during the period ended are presented below:
Number of Warrants
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(Years)
Balance at December 31, 2018
644,083
1.77
1.38
Granted
1,578,549
0.45
5.00
Cancelled
-
-
-
Exercised
-
-
-
Forfeited
(208,333)
4.80
-
Balance at December 31, 2019
2,014,299
0.45
3.31
Granted
50,000
0.50
0.17
Cancelled
(485,750)
0.49
Exercised
-
-
Forfeited
-
-
Balance at December 31, 2020
1,578,549
0.49
3.01
Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2020
1,578,549
$0.49
2.50
Weighted average fair value of warrants granted during the period
$0.50
As of December 31, 2020, aggregate intrinsic value in connection with exercisable warrants amounted to approximately $50,000.
On March 21, 2019, the Company issued 718,750 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with a consulting agreement in exchange for corporate development and advisory services. The warrants have a term of 5 years from the date of grant and are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.20. The 718,750 warrants were valued on the grant date at approximately $1.55 per warrant for a total of $1,114,062 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price of $1.55 per share (based on the quoted trading price on the dates of grants), volatility of 602%, expected term of 5 year, and a risk free interest rate of 2.35%. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $1,114,062.
On November 13, 2019, the Company issued 500,000 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with a consulting agreement in exchange for corporate development and advisory services. The warrants have a term of 5 years from the date of grant and are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.70. The 500,000 warrants were valued on the grant date at approximately $0.63 per warrant for a total of $314,181 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price of $0.63 per share (based on the quoted trading price on the dates of grants), volatility of 270%, expected term of 5 year, and a risk free interest rate of 1.69%. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $314,181.
On November 27, 2019, the Company issued a convertible note in the principal amount of $833,333, and a warrant to purchase 275,612 shares of Common Stock. The Company granted the note holder warrants in connection with the issuance of this note. The warrants had a term of 2 years from the date of grant. The warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.756 per share of Common Stock at any time before the close of business on the day two years after their issuance subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, splits, fundamental transactions, or other changes in capital structure, and contain provisions that permit cashless exercise if a registration statement covering the resale of the shares issuable pursuant to the warrants is not filed within 180 days of their issuance. The Company accounted for the warrants by using the relative fair value method and recorded debt discount from the relative fair value of the warrants of $140,243 using the Binomial Lattice method and is being amortized over the term of the note. Additionally, the Company issued 84,187 warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to a certain FINRA broker-dealer who acted on behalf of the Company in connection with the issuance of this convertible note. The warrants had a term of 4 years from the date of grant and was exercisable at an exercise price of approximately $0.08. The 84,187 warrants were valued on the grant date at approximately $0.64 per warrant for a total of $54,145 using a Binomial Lattice method with the following assumptions: stock price of $0.65 per share (based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant), volatility of 270%, expected term of 4 years, and a risk free interest rate of 1.63%. The Company recorded these warrants as debt discount which is being amortized over the term of the note. The Company assessed the classification of its common stock purchase warrants as of the date of each equity offering and determined that such instruments met the criteria for equity classification under the guidance in ASU 2017-11 “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Feature”. The Company has no warrants that contain a ‘round down’ feature under Topic 815 of ASU 2017-11.
Common Stock Options
Stock Option Plan
In September 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive awards in the form of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock unit awards. The awards may be granted by the Company’s Board of Directors to its employees, directors and officers and to consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors who provide services to the Company or to a subsidiary of the Company. The exercise price for stock options must not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. The incentive awards shall either be fully vested and exercisable from the date of grant or shall vest and become exercisable in such installments as the Board or Compensation Committee may specify. Stock options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan is 9,500,000. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate in 10 years.
Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is summarized as follows:
Number of Options
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life(Years)
Balance at December 31, 2018
959,375
0.41
8.79
Granted
4,753,572
0.21
8.54
Exercise
(375,000)
0.01
9.12
Forfeited
(666,667)
0.05
8.56
Balance at December 31, 2019
4,671,280
0.29
7.29
Granted
1,000,000
0.30
9.75
Exercise
(20,000)
0.30
9.18
Forfeited
(1,899,531)
0.41
-
Balance at December 31, 2020
3,751,749
$0.23
8.0
Options exercisable at December 31, 2020
3,517,638
$0.24
8.0
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the period $0.33
As of December 31, 2020, aggregate intrinsic value in connection with exercisable options amounted to approximately $31,500.
On February 2020, the Company granted 1,000,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to Derek Du Chesne, the Company’s former President, Chief Growth Officer and Director in connection with his employment agreement . The options have a 10-year term from the date of grant and were exercisable at an exercise price of $0.30 per share. The fair value of the options granted amounted to $0.33 per option or $332,900. In September 2020, the former President tendered his resignation and exercised 20,000 options for $6,000. The remaining 980,000 options were cancelled upon his resignation.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Compensation expense related to stock options granted is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model for the options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are presented below:
Risk-free interest rate
1.55%
Expected volatility
263%
Expected term (in years)
Expected dividend yield
0%
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a period consistent with the expected term of the option in effect at the time of the grant. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected term assumption for stock options granted is the contractual term of the option award. The Company has never declared or paid dividends on its common stock and has no plans to do so in the foreseeable future. Forfeitures are recognized as a reduction of stock-based compensation expense as they occur.
The Company recognized $282,326 and $227,394 of compensation expense relate to the vesting of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. These amounts are included in general and administrative expenses on the accompanying unaudited consolidated statement of operations.
The following were transactions during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Between January 2019 and March 2019, the Company granted 4,003,572 options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to various members of the Board of Directors of the company and consultants with vesting terms pursuant to their respective sock option agreements. The options have a term of 10 years from the date of grant and were exercisable at an exercise price ranging from $0.01 to $0.96. The Company recognized $1,276,637 of compensation expense related to the vesting of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2019. These amounts are included in general and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
In February 2019 and April 2019, the Company granted an aggregate of 750,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to an investor in connection with the sale of Common Stock. The options have a nine-month term from the date of grant and was exercisable at an exercise price of $0.50 per share. The fair value of the options granted amounted to $0.92 per option or $688,674.
Pursuant to the Settlement and General Release Agreement dated in January 2020, the Company recorded the issuance of 375,000 shares at par value upon the exercise of the 375,000 stock options and shall cancel the remaining 625,000 stock options as of December 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2019, aggregate intrinsic value in connection with exercisable options amounted to $726,371. As of December 31, 2019, 872,392 outstanding options are unvested and there was $337,863 unrecognized compensation expense in connection with unvested stock options (see Note 11).
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Compensation expense related to stock options granted is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model for the options granted during the year ended December 31, 2019 are presented below:
Risk-free interest rate
2.43 - 2.7495%
Expected volatility
293 - 296%
Expected term (in years)
Expected dividend yield
0%
Restricted Common Stock
A summary of the status of the restricted common stock and changes during the year ended December 31, 2020 is as follows. There was no activity during the year ended December 31, 2018.
Restricted Stock Common Stock
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
Balance at December 31, 2018
-
$-
Granted
3,727,778
0.69
Vested and issued
(144,450)
(0.84)
Forfeited
-
-
Balance at December 31, 2019
3,583,328
$0.68
Granted
4,871,022
0.08
Vested and issued
(1,948,486)
0.39
Forfeited
(4,771,703)
0.36
Balance at December 31, 2020
1,734,161
0.41
As of December 31, 2020, unamortized or unvested stock-based compensation costs related to restricted share arrangements was approximately $935,000 and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.75 years.
On January 14, 2020, in connection with his appointment to the Board of Directors, Alvaro Daniel Alberttis was awarded $100,000 worth of restricted common stock, valued at the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the appointment. These shares vest at a rate of 1/24th on the date of grant, and 1/24th per month thereafter, contingent upon his continued service. The Company valued the shares of restricted common stock at the fair value of $0.36 per common share or $100,000 based on the quoted trading price on the date of grant.
On April 29, 2020, the Company appointed two new board members and shall each be granted $100,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as they continue in their service as board of directors of the Company.
On April 29, 2020, the Company appointed a new advisory board member of the Company and shall be granted $50,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as they continue in their service as member of the Advisory Board of the Company.
On April 29, 2020, Derek Du Chesne accepted his appointment to the additional positions of President and a member of our Board of Directors. Following his appointment as President, the Company granted 1,000,000 shares of restricted common stock as additional compensation, with vesting and other terms to be decided by the Company’s Compensation Committee. In September 2020, Derek Du Chesne tendered his resignation as President, Chief Growth Officer and Director and as such, the unvested 1,000,000 shares of restricted common stock have been cancelled as of September 30, 2020.
On June 11, 2020, the Company appointed Julian Pittam as Board Chairman and has granted Mr. Pittam $100,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as they continue in their service as board of directors of the Company.
On June 24, 2020, the Company appointed Emiliano Aloi as new board member and has granted Mr. Aloi $100,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as they continue in their service as board of directors of the Company.
On September 1, 2020, the Company has granted John Price as a continuing director of the Company, $25,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as they continue in their service as board of directors of the Company.
During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of approximately $347,667 and $13,500 in connection with vested restricted common stock grants, respectively.
NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Matters
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements with third parties that include indemnification provisions which, in its judgment, are normal and customary for companies in the Company’s industry sector. These agreements are typically with business partners, clinical sites, and suppliers. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company generally agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and reimburse indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified parties with respect to the Company’s product candidates, use of such product candidates, or other actions taken or omitted by us. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unlimited. The Company has not incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. As a result, the estimated fair value of liabilities relating to these provisions is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these provisions as of December 31, 2020 or 2019.
On January 22, 2021, we settled all outstanding claims and obligations to Dr. Krassen Dimitrov. Previously, we had recorded an obligation on our balance sheet of $575,000 for claims asserted against us. The terms of the settlement are confidential, other than no cash was paid in connection with the settlement. As a result, we expect to eliminate $575,000 of indebtedness from our financial statements during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
On September 25, 2019, Jonathan Gilbert, a former director, filed and served a complaint against the Company in the courts of Nassau County, New York. The complaint alleges that Mr. Gilbert is entitled to retain certain cancelled equity awards and seeks specific performance and damages. In February 2019, the Company granted 1,000,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock to a former director of the Company, Jonathan Gilbert, with vesting terms pursuant to the respective stock option agreement. The former director resigned as a director of the Company in August 2019. The options have a term of 10 years from the date of grant and was exercisable at an exercise price at $0.01. The Company already recognized $320,000 of compensation expense which relates to the vesting of 500,000 stock options prior to his resignation. After Jonathan Gilbert’s resignation, he filed a complaint against the Company disputing his rights to receive the Company’s common stock through the exercise of his stock options. In January 10, 2020, Mr. Gilbert and the Company entered into a Settlement and General Release Agreement and both parties agreed to such consideration. The Company will issue to Mr. Gilbert 375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock whereby 187,500 shares of common stock shall be issued immediately (“First Tranche”) and another 187,500 shares of common stock shall be issued immediately and held by the transfer agent and delivered on the six month anniversary of this agreement (“Second Tranche”) (collectively the First and Second Tranche shall be called “Settlement Stock”). The Settlement Stock is by virtue of the exercise of Mr. Gilbert’s stock options and any required payments from the exercise of the stock options have been credited or forgiven. The Settlement Stock which is issued under the Stock Option Plan based upon the exercise of the stock options registered pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on form S-8 (File no. 333-229025). The Company and Mr. Gilbert have released and discharged each other from all claims and demands. In January 2020, Mr. Gilbert dismissed the lawsuit against the Company. Pursuant to the Settlement and General Release Agreement dated in January 2020, the Company recorded the issuance of 375,000 shares at par value upon the exercise of the 375,000 stock options and cancelled the remaining 625,000 stock options during fiscal 2019.
On February 26, 2020 a complaint was filed against the Company in the Circuit Court, Palm Beach County, Florida on behalf of two former employees of the Company. The case is entitled Ryan Borcherds and Miriam Martinez vs. Exactus, Inc. (Case No. 103978709). These former employees were hired in January 2020. The complaint alleged the Company failed to pay wages and compensation to 2 employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act, breach of contract and violation of various Florida statutes, including allegations on behalf of other similarly situated persons. On May 8, 2020, an amended complaint was filed against the Company in the Circuit Court, Palm Beach County, Florida on behalf of six former employees, with one additional employee added to the suit in June 2020. The amended case is entitled Ryan Bocherds, Marc Reiss, Jeannine Boffa, Benjamin Blair, Miriam Martinez and Michael Amoroso vs. Exactus, Inc, (Case No. 50-2020-CA-002274-MB). The other four former employees were hired between April 2019 and December 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has recorded total accrued salaries of $31,960 and $26,494 related to these former employees, respectively. On September 8, 2020, the Company entered into settlement agreements and mutual releases with all plaintiffs. Under the settlement agreements, the Company is obligated to pay a total of $131,130 (including $16,000 in legal fees, and excluding any applicable payroll taxes) to the plaintiffs. Under the settlement agreements, the Company paid each plaintiff 50% of the settlement amount at the time of signing, and are obligated to pay the remaining settlement amounts in six monthly installments.
The 50% amount as well as the first monthly installment for each plaintiff was paid and we are in default for the remaining 5 monthly payments.
On November 19th, 2020 a complaint was filed in United States District Court Southern District of New York on behalf of 3i, LP, 3i, LP v. Exactus, Inc. 1:20-cv-09734. The complaint claimed that the Company had defaulted on the promissory note issued by 3i, LP in November 27, 2019 and sought a judgment of $703,268.21. On February 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with 3i, LP and an institutional investor under which the Investor agreed to purchase and 3i agreed to sell that certain 8% senior secured convertible note dated November 27, 2019 and all of our warrants previously issued to 3i and 3i agreed settle and release all claims asserted against us. As a result, 3i agreed to dismissal of all pending litigation against us, with prejudice.
On October 26, 2020 two complaints were filed in the Circuit Court, Palm Beach County, Florida on behalf of a former vendors of the Company. The cases entitled SEP COMMUNICATIONS LLC V EXACTUS INC. 50-2020-CA-011680-XXXX-MB and SOUTHEASTERN PRINTING COMPANY V EXACTUS INC 50-2020-CC-009475-XXXX-SB seeks approximately $54,612.80 & $19,528.36 respectively, plus interests and court costs.
Leases
On March 1, 2019, the Company, through its majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise is located in Cave Junction, Oregon and consist of approximately 100 acres. The lease requires the Company to pay 5% of the net income realized by the Company from the operation of the lease farm. The lease shall continue in effect from year to year except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination. The Company does not intend to renew the lease.
On March 1, 2019, the Company, through its majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise is located in Glendale, Oregon and consist of approximately 100 acres. The lease requires the Company to pay $120,000 per year, whereby $50,000 was payable upon execution and $70,000 shall be payable prior to planting for agricultural use or related purposes. The lease shall continue in effect from year to year except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination. The Company does not intend to renew the lease.
On April 30, 2019, the Company, through its majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise is located in Cave Junction, Oregon and consists of approximately 38 acres. The lease requires the Company to pay $76,000 per year, whereby $38,000 was payable upon execution and $38,000 shall be payable on September 15, 2019 and 2% of the net income realized by the Company from the operation of the lease farm. The Company has paid the initial payment of $26,000 and the remaining $12,000 was paid directly to the landlord by an affiliated company who is renting the portion of the lease property from the Company. The affiliated company is owned by two managing members of EOW. EOW is in the process of arranging a sub-lease agreement with the affiliated company. The lease shall continue in effect from year to year for five years except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination (see Note 7). The Company does not intend to renew the lease.
On July 9, 2019, the Company entered into a Commercial Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) with Skybar Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company. Pursuant to the Lease, the Company will rent the entire first floor (consisting of approximately 4,000 square feet) of a property located in Delray Beach, Florida (the “Premises”). The Company plans to develop the Premises to create a hemp-oriented health and wellness retail venue, including education, clothing and cosmetics, and explore franchise opportunities. The initial term of the Lease is 5 years commencing August 1, 2019, with two 5-year extension options. The Lease includes a right of first refusal in favor of the Company to lease any space that becomes available on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Premises and a right of first refusal to purchase the Premises. Pursuant to the Lease, the Company will pay rent equal to forty thousand dollars per month in advance in addition to all applicable Florida sales and/or federal taxes. Effective one year from the lease commencement date and each year thereafter, the rent shall increase at least three percent (3%) per year. The lessor of the Premises is a limited liability company owned or controlled by Vladislav (Bobby) Yampolsky, the manager and controlling member of C2M, the Company’s largest stockholder. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company has determined that the commercial lease with Skybar Holding, LLC is not in compliance with current laws or regulations in the City of Delray Beach and does not represent an enforceable contract and was void from the moment of execution. As a result, the Company has restated its prior year financial information to correct this accounting error (see Note 14). Additionally, on August 6, 2020, the Company submitted a written termination letter to Skybar Holdings, LLC.
On January 21, 2021 we entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC, Skybar Holding, LLC ,and their principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons.
On July 1, 2019, the Company entered into an office lease agreement for a lease term of six months beginning July 1, 2019 ending December 31, 2019 for a total rental of $6,052 for six months. The lease premise is located in Delray Beach, Florida. In December 2019, the Company and landlord agreed to extend the lease for another 6-month term from January 2020 to June 2020 with the same terms as the original lease agreement. Since the end of the 6-month lease in June 2020, the company continued on a month-to-month.
Ceed2Med
As previously disclosed, on January 8, 2019, the Company entered into a Master Product Development and Supply Agreement (the “Development Agreement”) with Ceed2Med, LLC. Emiliano Aloi of C2M became a member of the Company’s Advisory Board in January 2019 and was appointed President of the Company on March 11, 2019. On August 13, 2019, the Company appointed Mr. Aloi as Interim Chief Executive Officer and on June 24, 2020, the Company appointed Mr. Aloi as a new member of the Board of Directors of the Company. On December 11, 2020 Mr. Aloi resigned from his positions as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director of the company and on January 21, 2021 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC and its principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons, although Mr Aloi was not released from any claims or obligations that could be asserted by the Company. In connection with the settlement, Ceed2Med, LLC agreed to assignment of all rights to convert its outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock at a price of $1.60 per share to third parties in connection with settlement and releases of third party claims, resulting in no further dilution from issuances of settlement shares other than the right for Ceed2Med to have received such shares upon conversion and thereupon the Series E Preferred Stock was simultaneously converted into shares of common stock.
On December 22, 2020 Ken Puzder, the Company’s former Chief Financial officer and member of the Board of Directors, resigned from all positions with the Company. Mr. Puzder served as Chief Financial officer of C2M during his tenure with the Company, and previously and subsequently. Mr. Puzder was not released from any claims or obligations that could be asserted by the Company under the C2M Settlement Agreement entered on January 21, 2021.
As previously disclosed, on March 11, 2019, the Company acquired, through our majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, from the Company’s largest shareholder, C2M, certain rights to a 50.1% limited liability membership interest in certain farm leases and operations in Oregon in order to enter into the business of hemp farming for the 2019 grow season.
As previously disclosed, on July 31, 2019, the Company finalized and entered into a Management and Services Agreement in order to provide the Company project management and various other benefits associated with the farming rights, operations and opportunities with C2M, including assignment by C2M of C2M’s agreements and rights to acquire approximately 200 acres of hemp farming.
Employment Agreements
Andrew Johnson, the Company’s Chief Strategy Officer, was serving under a two-year employment agreement adopted on March 11, 2019 at an annual salary of $110,000, which was increased to $150,000 on January 23, 2020. In addition, he will be entitled to an annual cash bonus, in an amount as determined by the board of directors, if the Company meets or exceeds criteria adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. He shall also be eligible for grants of awards under stock option or other equity incentive plans of the Company as the Company’s Compensation Committee. For the 2019 year, he received a cash bonus of $100,000 to be paid in equal installments over the next 12 months which have been recorded in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. On January 22, 2021 the company reached an agreement with Mr. Johnson to exchange all accrued salaries, unpaid expenses and unpaid bonus for 7,752,880 shares of the company’s common stock and to terminate his employment agreement.
Derek Du Chesne, the Company’s former President, Chief Growth Officer, and a Director, was serving under a two-year employment agreement dated February 18, 2020 and entered into in connection with his service as Chief Growth Officer. Du Chesne’s base salary for the initial year of service will be $150,000, increasing to not less than $250,000 for the second year of service, subject to annual review by the Board of Directors. He will be entitled to quarterly cash bonuses based on a percentage of our net sales to be determined. In addition, Mr. Du Chesne was entitled to annual cash bonuses as follows: (1) up to 250% of base salary for the 2020 calendar year, if: (A) Company’s net income on a consolidated basis for the 2020 fiscal year is equal to or in excess of $5,000,000; or (B) Company’s net sales on a consolidated basis is equal to or in excess of $40,000,000 during the 2020 fiscal year; and (2) 200% of base salary for the 2021 calendar year, subject to the satisfaction of performance criteria set by the Board in consultation with a third-party compensation expert and Mr. Du Chesne. He was eligible to participate in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan during his employment. Upon execution of the Agreement, he was granted options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.50 per share. 250,000 of these options were vested immediately, with the remaining 750,000 options to vest in equal installments over the next twenty-four months. The employment agreement with Mr. Du Chesne was intended to provide direct incentives to increase company sales, while providing a reasonable base compensation for his service. Following his appointment as President, he received 1,000,000 shares of restricted common stock as additional compensation, with vesting and other terms to be decided by the Company’s Compensation Committee. On March 5, 2020, the Board of directors of the Company approved the repricing of Mr. Du Chesne’s stock options to 90% of the market price on the original date of grant or exercise price of $0.30 per share (see Note 10). In September 2020, Mr. Du Chesne tendered his resignation as President, Chief Growth Officer and Director of the Company and the company and he entered into a Separation and Release Agreement.
Distribution Agreements
On February 4, 2020, the Company entered into a Supply and Distribution Agreement with HTO Holdings Inc (dba “Hemptown, USA”), enabling the Company to purchase and sell Hemptown’s Cannabigerol (CBG) and Cannabidiol (CBD) products, including top flower, biomass and extracts (crude, isolates, distillates, and water soluble). Ceed2Med, LLC, the Company’s largest shareholder, is also a significant investor in Hemptown USA and is party to a distribution agreement with the Company. The Interim Chief Executive Officer and C2M, LLC will cooperate in developing plans to coordinate the Company’s efforts to introduce CBG and expand its efforts to sell CBD products. This agreement shall remain in force for a period of one year from effective date and shall renew automatically in one-year increments for three years unless either party gives written notice of its intention not to renew at least 60 days prior to expiration. On March 28, 2020, the Company amended the Supply and Distribution Agreement Pursuant to the amendment whereby the Company agreed to also (i) aid Hemptown’s management with product compliance requirements, (ii) participate in discussions related to Hemptown’s 2020 farming, harvesting and processing plans as well as joint supply scenarios, (iii) interact with Hemptown’s ingredient and manufacturing divisions to facilitate development of documents for selected SKUs to service the white label market, and (iv) aid Hemptown’s CEO in overseeing the entire supply chain to establish best practices in quality and compliance and lower costs. In addition, Hemptown agrees to pay the Company $3,500 a month in consulting fees. On July 21, 2020, Hemptown discontinued the consulting arrangement entered into under the March 28, 2020 amendment.
On November 20, 2019, the Company entered into the Non-Exclusive Distribution and Profit-Sharing Agreement with Canntab Therapeutics USA (Florida), Inc. Pursuant to the agreement, which has a term of 2 years and is subject to automatic renewal. The Company is a non-exclusive distributor of certain Canntab products throughout the U.S. Canntab will not grant a third-party the right to promote, sell or deliver the products within the U.S. during the term of the agreement, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, the Company agreed to share equally with Canntab in the gross profits received from the sale of their products by us. With respect to Canntab’s sales of products, the Company will receive 10% of the gross profits. In connection with the Canntab Agreement, the Company also entered into a Supply Agreement with Canntab, which has a term of 2 years and is subject to automatic renewal, pursuant to which we agreed to sell hemp extracts to Canntab. Due to a need for additional warehouse space and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Company has not distributed Canntab products to date. On November 13, 2020, the Company entered into a Termination Agreement with Canntab, under which we terminated our agreements with Canntab and exchanged mutual releases.
NOTE 12 - RELATED PARTY CONSIDERATIONS
Some of the officers and directors of the Company are involved in other business activities and may, in the future, become involved in other business opportunities that become available. They may face a conflict in selecting between the Company and other business interests. We have not formulated a policy for the resolution of such conflicts.
On November 20, 2017, Dr. Dimitrov, former director of the Company, provided a notice to the Company stating that he was resigning from the Board, effective immediately. Dr. Dimitrov indicated that his resignation from the Board was based on the deteriorating relationship between the Company and Digital Diagnostics over the non-payment of fees owed by the Company pursuant to the licensing agreement between the Company and Digital Diagnostics. The Company paid $0 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, $0 and $22,100, respectively, was recognized in Research and Development expenses for consulting provided by Dr. Dimitrov, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, $575,000 was included in accounts payable for both periods to KD Innovation Ltd., an affiliated entity of Dr. Dimitrov.
On January 8, 2019, the Company entered into a Master Product Development and Supply Agreement with C2M. As of December 31, 2020 C2M is a majority stockholder of the Company. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, accounts payable to C2M related to purchase of inventory amounted to $0 and $8,342, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized revenues from C2M of $3,300 and $125,000, respectively from sales of inventory and recorded related cost of sales of $1,701 and $96,647, respectively. Additionally, accounts receivable from C2M as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $0. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had recorded unearned revenue of $215,000 with C2M. On January 21, 2021 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC and certain of its principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons.
From time to time, the Company’s subsidiary, EOW, receives advances from an affiliated company which is owned by three members of EOW for working capital purposes. The advances are non-interest bearing and are payable on demand. The Company advanced $127,500 during fiscal 2019 to these related parties which resulted in a receivable or due from related parties of $128,489 and $127,500 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These advances are short-term in nature, non-interest bearing and due on demand. The Company reclassed the $128,489 related party receivable to the stockholders’ equity section as of December 31, 2020.
The Company recognized revenues from a related party customer of $37,446 during the year ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, accounts receivable from a related party customer amounted to $18,860. Additionally, the Company wrote-off $18,586 of accounts receivable from this related party customer into bad debt expense during the year ended December 31, 2019. The customer is an affiliated company which is substantially owned by a managing member of EOW.
On July 9, 2019, the Company entered into a Commercial Lease Agreement (the “Lease”) with Skybar Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company. Pursuant to the Lease, the Company will rent the entire first floor (consisting of approximately 4,000 square feet) of a property located in Delray Beach, Florida (the “Premises”). The Company plans to develop the Premises to create a hemp-oriented health and wellness retail venue, including education, clothing and cosmetics, and explore franchise opportunities. The initial term of the Lease is 5 years commencing August 1, 2019, with two 5-year extension options. The Lease includes a right of first refusal in favor of the Company to lease any space that becomes available on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the Premises and a right of first refusal to purchase the Premises. Pursuant to the Lease, the Company will pay rent equal to $40,000 per month in advance in addition to all applicable Florida sales and/or federal taxes and security deposit of $40,000. Effective one year from the lease commencement date and each year thereafter, the rent shall increase at least three percent (3%) per year. The lessor of the Premises is a limited liability company owned or controlled by Vladislav (Bobby) Yampolsky, a former member of the Board and the founder, manager and controlling member of C2M, the Company’s largest stockholder. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company has determined that the commercial lease with Skybar Holding, LLC is not in compliance with current laws or regulations in the City of Delray Beach and does not represent an enforceable contract and was void from the moment of execution. As a result, the Company has restated its prior year financial information to correct this accounting error. Additionally, on August 6, 2020, the Company submitted a written termination letter to Skybar Holdings, LLC. On January 21, 2021 we entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC and its principals, including Mr. Yampolsky and Skybar Holdings, LLC, cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons.
From January 31, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Company’s Former Interim Executive Chairman, Bobby Yampolsky, made a series of advances to the Company in the approximate total amount of $97,000 and has been included in due to related party as reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. These advances are short-term in nature and non-interest bearing. On June 11, 2020, Mr. Yampolsky tendered his resignation as a member and interim chairman of the board of directors of the Company. Additionally, the Company agreed to pay $12,500 on June 11, 2020 and a monthly installment payment of approximately $7,084 beginning July 15, 2020 to June 15, 2021. On June 11, 2020, the Company paid $12,500 of these related party advances.. As of December 31, 2020, due to related party amounted to $77,916. On January 21, 2021 we entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC and certain of its principals, including Mr. Yampolsky, cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons. As such as of March 31st, 2021, due to related party amounted to $0.
NOTE 13 - CONCENTRATION OF REVENUE AND SUPPLIERS
During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, total sale of CBD products to three customers of which two were related parties in 2019, represented approximately 82% (37%, 23% and 22%) during fiscal 2020 and 58% (11%, 36% - related party, and 11% - related party) during fiscal 2019, of the Company’s net sales.
As of December 31, 2019, total accounts receivable, net from two customers and one related party customer represented approximately 82% (18%, 38%, 25% - related party, and 27%) of accounts receivable.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company purchased inventory from C2M totaling approximately $1,033,213 (98% of the purchases). During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company fully reserved finished goods related to purchased CBD products from C2M and resulted in an inventory reserve loss of $837,153 which is included in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations.
At December 31, 2020, total accounts payable with one vendor was approximately 27% of total accounts payable.
As of December 31, 2019, total accounts payable from two vendors and one affiliated company represented approximately 60% (12%, 30% and 18% -related party) of total accounts payable. The affiliated company is owned by three members of EOW.
NOTE 14 - INCOME TAXES
The Company has incurred aggregate net operating losses of approximately $21.1 million for income tax purposes as of December 31, 2020. The net operating losses carry forward for United States income taxes, which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these losses appears not more than likely due to the Company’s limited operating history and continuing losses for United States income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company has provided a 100% valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset to reduce the asset to zero. Management will review this valuation allowance periodically and make adjustments as necessary.
The following table summarizes the significant differences between the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate for financial statement purposes for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
December 31,
December 31,
US Federal Statutory Tax Rate
21.0%
21.6%
State taxes
4.35%
4.6%
Bad debt
(1.62%)
-
Derivative loss
1.02
-
Stock-based compensation
(3.17%)
-
Depreciation
0.19%
-
Amortization
2.17%
-
Impairment
(12.00%)
-
Change in valuation allowance
(11.92%)
(25.6%)
0.00%
0.00%
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized as follows:
Deferred Tax Asset:
December 31,
December 31,
Net operating loss carryforward
$8,337,000
$4,226,345
Valuation allowance
(8,337,000)
(4,226,345)
Net deferred tax asset
$-
$-
Of the approximately $21.1 million of available net operating losses, $2.3 million begin to expire in 2034 and $1.9 million which were generated after the Act’s effective date can be utilized indefinitely subject to annual usage limitations.
The Company provided a valuation allowance equal to the deferred income tax asset for the year ended December 31, 2020 because it was not known whether future taxable income will be sufficient to utilize the loss carryforward. The increase in the allowance was $4.0 million in fiscal 2020. Additionally, the future utilization of the net operating loss carryforward to offset future taxable income may be subject to an annual limitation, based upon IRC Section 382/383 Ownership change rules that may have or could occur in the future. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions or events leading to uncertainty in a tax position. The Company’s 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Corporate Income Tax Returns are subject to Internal Revenue Service examination.
IRC Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code forbids businesses from deducting otherwise ordinary business expenses from gross income associated with the “trafficking” of Schedule I or II substances, as defined by the Controlled Substances Act. The IRS has subsequently applied Section 280E to state-legal cannabis businesses, since cannabis is still a Schedule I substance. Management is in the process of evaluating IRC Section 280E, as it relates to the Companies business and the amount of net operating losses above that the Companies Management has provided a Full Valuation Reserve on.
NOTE 15 - RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Subsequent to the Company’s external auditor’s periodic review of the Form 10-Q for the Periods Ended September 30, 2019 and March 31, 2020, annual audit for the year ended December 31, 2019 and, in the process of review, the current Form 10-Q for the Period Ended June 30, 2020, the Company conducted further reviews of the consolidated financial statements. Based on such reviews, the following determinations were made:
Error in Accounting for Operating Lease Right-of-Use Asset and Operating Lease Liabilities
During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company has determined that the commercial lease with Skybar Holding, LLC is not in compliance with current laws or regulations in the City of Delray Beach and does not represent an enforceable contract and was void from the moment of execution. Therefore, the accounting treatment for the recognition of the operating lease right-of -use asset and operating lease liabilities upon adoption of ASC 842 related to this commercial lease was incorrect. As a result of a detailed review of this commercial lease, the Company has made an assessment in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 that the lease is unenforceable and should not have been accounted for under ASC 842. Additionally, the Company reversed previously recorded accrued expenses related to this commercial lease agreement.
In accordance with the guidance provided by the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 250 - “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“ASC 250”), SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 99, Materiality (“SAB 99”) and Staff Accounting Bulletin 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”), the Company has determined that the impact of adjustments relating to the corrections of this accounting error are not material to previously issued annual audited and unaudited financial statements and as such no restatement was necessary. Correcting prior year financial statements for immaterial errors would not require previously filed reports to be amended. Such correction may be made the next time the registrant files the prior year financial statements. Accordingly, these misstatements were corrected during the period ended September 30, 2020 and will be disclosed prospectively.
The effect on these revisions on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets is as follows:
As of March 31, 2020
Previously
Reported
Adjustments
As Corrected
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Current assets
$1,661,211
$-
$1,661,211
Current liabilities
$5,338,486
$(564,628)
$4,773,858
Working capital (deficit)
$(3,677,275)
$564,628
$(3,112,647)
Total assets
$8,458,826
$(1,705,115)
$6,753,711
Total liabilities
$6,985,191
$(2,034,232)
$4,950,959
Total stockholders' equity
$1,473,635
$329,117
$1,802,752
As of December 31, 2019
Previously
Reported
Adjustments
As Corrected
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Current assets
$2,429,235
$-
$2,429,235
Current liabilities
$4,190,544
$(382,196)
$3,808,348
Working capital (deficit)
$(1,761,309)
$382,196
$(1,379,113)
Total assets
$9,799,277
$(1,782,443)
$8,016,834
Total liabilities
$6,117,431
$(1,988,141)
$4,129,290
Total stockholders' equity
$3,681,846
$205,698
$3,887,544
As of September 30, 2019
Previously
Reported
Adjustments
As Corrected
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Current assets
$3,255,169
$-
$3,255,169
Current liabilities
$2,052,454
$(302,196)
$1,750,258
Working capital (deficit)
$1,202,715
$302,196
$1,504,911
Total assets
$11,449,203
$(1,858,284)
$9,590,919
Total liabilities
$4,054,527
$(1,940,563)
$2,113,964
Total stockholders' equity
$7,394,676
$82,279
$7,476,955
The effect on these revisions on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations is as follows:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
Previously
Reported
Adjustments
As Corrected
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues
$836,000
$-
$836,000
Operating expenses
$2,192,767
$(123,419)
$2,069,348
Loss from operations
$(2,757,023)
$123,419
$(2,633,604)
Other income (expenses)
$(188,480)
$-
$(188,480)
Net loss
$(2,945,503)
$123,419
$(2,822,084)
Net Loss available to Exactus, Inc. common stockholders
$(2,789,684)
$123,419
$(2,666,265)
Basic & diluted EPS
$(0.06)
$0
$(0.06)
For the Year Ended
December 31,
Previously
Reported
Adjustments
As Corrected
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues
$345,680
$-
$345,680
Operating expenses
$9,177,988
$(205,698)
$8,972,290
Loss from operations
$(10,878,442)
$205,698
$(10,672,744)
Other income (expenses)
$653,936
$-
$653,936
Net loss
$(10,224,506)
$205,698
$(10,018,808)
Net Loss available to Exactus, Inc. common stockholders
$(10,591,487)
$205,698
$(10,385,789)
Basic & diluted EPS
$(0.31)
$0
$(0.31)
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Previously
Reported
Adjustments
As Corrected
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues
$215,816
$-
$215,816
Operating expenses
$5,803,458
$(82,279)
$5,721,179
Loss from operations
$(5,803,847)
$82,279
$(5,721,568)
Other income (expenses)
$1,178,363
$-
$1,178,363
Net loss
$(4,625,484)
$82,279
$(4,543,205)
Net Loss available to Exactus, Inc. common stockholders
$(5,168,306)
$82,279
$(5,086,027)
Basic & diluted EPS
$(0.16)
$0
$(0.15)
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
Previously
Reported
Adjustments
As Corrected
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues
$60,153
$-
$60,153
Operating expenses
$2,062,677
$(82,279)
$1,980,398
Loss from operations
$(2,102,942)
$82,279
$(2,020,663)
Other income (expenses)
$(5,105)
$-
$(5,105)
Net loss
$(2,108,047)
$82,279
$(2,025,768)
Net Loss available to Exactus, Inc. common stockholders
$(1,934,367)
$82,279
$(1,852,088)
Basic & diluted EPS
$(0.05)
$0
$(0.05)
The revisions had no effect in the cash used in operating activities on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
NOTE 16 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company has evaluated any events or transactions occurring after December 31, 2020, the balance sheet date, through the date of filing of this report and note that there have been no such events or transactions that would require recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, except as disclosed below.
On February 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with 3i, LP (“3i”) and an institutional investor (“Investor”) under which the Investor agreed to purchase and 3i agreed to sell that certain 8% senior secured convertible note dated November 27, 2019 (the “Note”) and all of our warrants previously issued to 3i and 3i agreed settle and release all claims asserted against us. As a result, 3i agreed to dismissal of all pending litigation against the Company.
As a result, the Subsidiary Guaranty, IP Security Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement with 3i were also terminated.
In addition, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with the Investor and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred Stock under which the Note in the original principal amount of $750,000 would be exchanged for $500,000 of a new series of preferred stock designated 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred”) with a stated value of $1,000 per share (the “Stated Value”).
The Company authorized the issuance of a total of 1,000 ($1,000,000) of our Series A Preferred for issuance. Each share of Series A Preferred is convertible at the option of the Holder, into that number of shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share) (the “Common Stock”) (subject to certain limitations on beneficial ownership) determined by dividing the Stated Value by $0.05 per share (the “Conversion Price”), subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar transactions that proportionately decrease or increase the Common Stock.
The Company is prohibited from effecting the conversion of the Series A Preferred to the extent that, as a result of such conversion, the holder beneficially owns more than 4.99% (which may be increased to 9.99% upon 61 days’ written notice to the Company), in the aggregate, of the issued and outstanding shares of the Common Stock calculated immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred. Holders of the Series A Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders and shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are convertible, subject to applicable beneficial ownership limitations. The Series A Preferred Stock provides a liquidation preference equal to the Stated Value, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, fees or liquidated damages.
The Series A Preferred can be redeemed at the Company's option upon payment of a redemption premium between 120% to 135% of the Stated Value of the outstanding Series A Preferred redeemed. We are not obligated to file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with respect to the shares of Common Stock into which Series A Preferred may be converted however the Investor will be deemed to have held the Series A Preferred on the original issue date to 3i for the purposes of the availability of an exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Act.
On February 16, 2021 the Company filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our previous Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred Stock, all of which has been converted to Common Stock.
The foregoing description of the Securities Purchase Agreement, Exchange Agreement and Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred Stock of is a summary of the material terms of such Agreements. The Agreements contain additional terms, covenants, and conditions and should be reviewed in their entirety for additional information
On February 16, 2021, our board of directors authorized the issuance of up to 1,000 shares of our Series A Preferred.
The Company has also offered to Series B-1 and Series B-2 preferred stock holders inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into Common Stock and expect to file a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling the Company's previous Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series B-1, B-2, C. D and E Preferred Stock upon conversion or cancellation of all such Series.
On January 22, 2021, the Board of Directors formed a Strategic Alternatives Committee, for the purpose of evaluating potential acquisitions, mergers, and other strategic business combinations. The new committee consists of Directors Larry Wert and Julian Pittam, with Mr. Wert serving as its chairman. During 2021, the Strategic Alternatives Committee reviewed various business combination proposals and entered into separate negotiations to acquire two companies with existing business and operations in the electric vehicle industry. Ongoing due diligence is continuing.
As previously reported, on January 22, 2021, the Board of Directors authorized a possible reverse split of our common stock at a ratio of between 1 share for every 40 shares held and 1 share for every 50 shares held, to be determined in the further discretion of the Board, revised to 1 share for every 25-100 shares held on March 31, 2021, and approved by a majority of the holders of common stock of the Company. The reverse split is subject to approval by our shareholders unless the number of authorized shares of the Company's capital stock is reduced proportionately in accordance with Nevada law, and may be authorized, if at all, in connection with a recapitalization required in connection with an acquisition or similar event. In connection with a potential acquisition, the Company is continuing recapitalization efforts through, among other things, cancellation and exchange of existing indebtedness for equity, cancellation of our outstanding series of preferred stock, and a reverse split.
On January 22, 2021, the Company entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC, a former affiliate of the company. Over the course of 2018-2019 the Company had entered into a series of agreements for product and funding with C2M in connection with our seed-to-sale strategy for our hemp-derived CBD business, to secure farming rights and expertise, and to secure product, distribution and funding. The Company previously issued 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock convertible into 6,250,000 shares of common stock to C2M. Pursuant to the Agreement, C2M will permit the Company to transfer all outstanding shares of Series E Preferred stock to settle various third-party claims and obligations, avoiding dilution in furtherance of ongoing restructuring efforts. Under the Settlement and Release Agreement with Ceed2Med, all existing agreements, obligations and claims have been cancelled and rescinded, the parties exchanged full mutual releases. and the Company is to receive a cash payment of $200,000, a portion of which has been paid.
On January 22, 2021, the Company settled all outstanding claims and obligations to Dr. Krassen Dimitrov, a former director, Digital Diagnostics, Inc., and KD Innovation Ltd. Previously, the Company had recorded an obligation of $575,000 for claims asserted against the Company. The terms of the settlement are confidential, other than no cash was paid in connection with the settlement. As a result, the Company expects to eliminate $575,000 of indebtedness from the financial statements during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
On January 22, 2021, our board of directors authorized the issuance of up to approximately 25,000,000 shares common stock in settlement of approximately $1,250,000 in outstanding liabilities and accounts payable owed to 11 persons. Such amount and number of shares is inclusive of a payment to C2M and under the Krassen Settlement described above.
On January 22, 2021, our board of directors approved private offers to be made through January 31, 2021, subject to extension, to holders of our Series A, Series B-1 and Series B-2 preferred stock with inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into our common stock with full general releases of all claims against the company. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock may exchange their shares at a conversion price of $0.025 per share. Holders of our Series B-1 and Series B-2 Preferred Stock may exchange their shares at a conversion price equal to .25 shares of common stock for each share of preferred stock exchanged. There were 323,019 shares of Series A, 1,650,000 shares of Series B-1 and 7,516,000 shares of Series B-2 preferred stock outstanding as of December 31, 2020. Outstanding shares of Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible stock were convertible into 206,250 shares of common stock and 939,500 shares of common stock, respectively, as of December 31, 2019 at the original conversion rate of .125 shares of common stock for each share of preferred stock.
The Company agreed to permit transfer of Series E Preferred Stock and conversion into 6,250,000 shares of common stock ($1.60 per share) and purchase of 8,000,000 shares of restricted common stock for $200,000 in connection with the settlement with C2M as described above.

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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
No events occurred requiring disclosure under Item 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our company’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based upon that evaluation, including our Chief Operating Officer, we have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As a result of this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective. Our management identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, which are indicative of many small companies with small staff: (1) we lacked a sufficient number of employees to properly segregate duties and provide adequate review of the preparation of the financial statements and (2) due to turnover on our Board of Directors, our Audit and other committees have not always been fully staffed.
We plan to take steps to enhance and improve the design of our internal control over financial reporting. During the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, we have not been able to remediate the material weaknesses identified above. To remediate such weaknesses, we have appointed additional independent directors and we plan to appoint additional qualified personnel to address inadequate segregation of duties. Our ability to retain additional personnel is largely dependent upon our securing additional financing to cover the costs required. If we are unsuccessful in securing such funds, remediation efforts may be adversely affected in a material manner.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to an exemption for non-accelerated filers set forth in Section 989G of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None
PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The following information sets forth the names, ages, and positions of our current directors and executive officers as of May 15, 2021.
Name
Age
Present Positions
Andrew L. Johnson
Chief Strategy Officer
Alvaro Daniel Alberttis
Chief Operating Officer & Director
Julian Pittam
Director
John Price
Director
Larry Wert
Director
Director Information
The Board of Directors of the Company is currently comprised of four (4) members. The following biographical information discloses each director’s age, business experience and other directorships held during the past five years. It also includes the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that the individual should serve as a director for the Company.
John Price, age 51, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company on February 7, 2019. Mr. Price has over 25 years of experience in accounting, financial planning and analysis, and business process improvement. He is also highly experienced in capital raise and debt financing, M&A, accounting operations, compliance, and system implementations. Mr. Price currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Assure Holdings Corp. Mr. Price’s prior positions include serving as Chief Accountant of National Beverage, Chief Financial Officer at Alliance MMA and MusclePharm and in various accounting and finance roles in high growth technology companies in the Silicon Valley. Price spent the first seven years of his career at Ernst & Young with nearly three years in the San Jose, California office and nearly five years in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office. Mr. Price has been a certified public accountant (currently inactive) since 2000 and attended Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting.
The Board nominated Mr. Price to serve as a director of the Board because of his past experience as a Chief Financial Officer and other financial oversight positions at public companies.
Alvaro Daniel Alberttis, age 44, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company on January 16, 2020. Mr. Alberttis is an entrepreneurial executive, advisor and investor with over twenty years of experience across diverse small-middle market businesses and nonprofit organizations. Since 2013, he has served as the Managing Director of Strategic Philanthropy for The Kannico Agency, LLC. At the Kannico Agency, Mr. Alberttis directs strategy and execution of the firm’s global philanthropic consulting operations. In addition, Mr. Alberttis is an experienced commercial banking executive, and has served in a multitude of financial advisory positions for consumers and corporations for over thirteen years. He began his commercial banking career as a Senior Branch Manager with a staff of thirty and transitioned into a Senior Commercial Banker advising clients in all industries with a specialization in Government, Large Nonprofit and Educational clients across the South East U.S. As a commercial banker, Mr. Alberttis has served with JP Morgan Chase, NA (2011-2017); PNC Bank NA (2007-2011); and TD Bank, NA (2004-2007). Since 2013, he has also served as a Trustee of the Quantum Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation focused solely on supporting healthcare initiatives. Mr. Alberttis holds a B.S. in Business Management from Lynn University (2010), and a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from Florida Atlantic University (2013). Mr. Alberttis has not had any material direct or indirect interest in any of our transactions or proposed transactions over the last two years.
The Board nominated Mr. Alberttis to serve as a director of the Board because of his past experiences with small to middle market businesses providing strategic advising and consulting services.
Larry Wert, age 63, was appointed to our Board of Directors on April 29, 2020. Mr. Wert has over 40 years in broadcasting. He served as the President of Broadcast Media for Tribune Media Company from 2013 through September of 2019. He was responsible for overseeing the strategy and day-to-day activities of Tribune Media Company’s forty-two owned or operated television stations, their related websites, digital properties and the company’s Chicago radio station WGN-AM. Wert previously served on the NAB TV Board of Directors, Fox Board and the CBS Board of Governors. In 2017, he was named “Broadcaster of the Year” by the Illinois Broadcaster’s Association. In 2018, under his leadership, Tribune Broadcasting was named “Station Group of the Year” by Broadcasting and Cable. Prior to his time at Tribune Media, Mr. Wert served from 1998 until 2013 as the President and General Manager of WMAQ-TV, the NBC owned and operated station in Chicago. During his tenure there, he expanded local news hours, launched the first street side studio in the city and oversaw integration of WSNS-TV/Telemundo into the station. Under his leadership, he brought key events to the station including the Chicago Marathon and Chicago Auto Show. During his time at NBC, Mr. Wert also had group responsibilities. He was named president of NBC Local’s central and western regions in 2008, overseeing NBC-owned stations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas and Chicago. In September, 2011, he became executive vice president of station initiatives for all ten NBC-owned stations. Mr. Wert started his career at Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago in 1978, and moved on to television sales with ABC, working in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, where he became local sales manager at WLS-Ch. 7. In 1989, Mr. Wert shifted to radio as president and general manager of WLUP-97.9 FM and AM 1000 in Chicago, better known as “The Loop.” In 1996, he was named president of Evergreen Media. When it merged with Chancellor Broadcasting he became senior vice president of Chancellor, overseeing 13 radio properties.
Mr. Wert is very involved in the community and recently finalized his term as Chairman of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for several charities, including the Children’s Brittle Bone Foundation, Catholic Charities, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the 100 Club. He is a member of the Governing Board of Gilda’s Club of Chicago, an advisor the Chicago Chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation and an honorary board member of RAINBOWS, an organization that helps children cope with loss. In 2018, he was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame. Mr. Wert also sits on Board of Trustees for Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill. Mr. Wert holds a BA degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Julian Pittam, age 51, was appointed to our Board of Directors on June 11, 2020. Mr. Pittam is an experienced advisor to start-up and fast-growing companies. From March 2019 to the present, Mr. Pittam has been a non-executive Director of Urban Markets Ltd., a company producing financial technology for the residential property market. From December 2018 to March 2019, he was a non-executive director of TCOC Ltd., a CBD wholesaler. From March 2017 to January 2019, Mr. Pittam served as a non-executive Director of Certua Ltd. a software-as-a-service firm focused on financial technology and artificial intelligence. From January 2008 to September 2018 he was a Member of The Invicta Film Partnership, a film finance firm. From February 2014 to February 2018, Mr. Pittam was a non-executive Director of We Are Infinite Ltd., an advertising technology firm. From March 2013 to March 2017, he was a non-executive Director of Disciple Media Ltd., a creator of Google and Apple-based apps for communities. From May 2015 to July of 2016, Mr. Pittam was the Managing Director for Europe and Asia for Enso Financial Management Ltd., a firm focused on balance sheet and funding optimization for hedge funds.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
The following provides certain biographical information with respect to each executive officer of the Company who is not a director.
Andrew L. Johnson, age 35, was appointed Chief Strategy Officer on March 11, 2019 and has been working with the company since January 2019. From November 2014 to November 2018, he served as Director of Investor Relations at ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC), an integrated, global nutraceutical company devoted to improving the way people age. While at ChromaDex, the company raised over $50 million without an investment bank, transitioned from the OTC Market to the Nasdaq, significantly increased institutional ownership, and improved liquidity by over 500%. Mr. Johnson was instrumental in establishing an investor relations platform including, but not limited, to composing and disseminating corporate messaging, press releases, quarterly earnings, conference call transcripts, shareholder update letters, and marketing materials. Before joining ChromaDex, he held the role of Director of Outreach at Alliance Advisors, an investor relations consulting firm from April 2014 to July 2014. During this time, Mr. Johnson worked with various C-level management teams of small and micro-cap companies to increase investor awareness through the facilitation and attendance of non-deal roadshows, investment conferences, group meetings, and one-on-one meetings with institutional investors. From September 2011 to January 2013, he worked at Sidoti & Company, an institutional equity research firm, where he sat on the sales desk. During his time in the firm, he built relationships, presented investment ideas, and provided equity research, including corporate access to over 750 small and mid-cap companies. Mr. Johnson has over ten years of experience communicating with investors and has held the Series 3, 7, and 63 licenses in the past. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Washington State University.
Term of Office
Our Directors are appointed for a one-year term to hold office until the next annual general meeting of our shareholders or until removed from office in accordance with our bylaws. Our officers are appointed by our board of directors and hold office until removed by the board.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between or among the directors, executive officers or persons nominated or chosen by the Company to become directors or executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
To the best of our knowledge, during the past ten years, none of the following occurred with respect to a present or former director, executive officer, or employee: (1) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (2) any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); (3) being subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his or her involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; and (4) being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended or vacated.
Code of Ethics
On January 9, 2019, our board of directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all directors, executive officers, and employees of the Company.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
With regard to our full-time executive officer, the goal of the salary component of our compensation policy is to provide reasonable compensation for their full-time service within the constraints faced by a rapidly developing business with significant cash needs for its planned expansion. Equity grants for our full-time executive officers are currently under review by the compensation committee. The goal of our anticipated equity grants will be to provide an appropriate mixture of short term and long-term incentives to increase shareholder value.
Andrew Johnson, the Company’s Chief Strategy Officer, was serving under a two-year employment agreement adopted on March 11, 2019 at an annual salary of $110,000, which was increased to $150,000 on January 23, 2020. In addition, he will be entitled to an annual cash bonus, in an amount as determined by the board of directors, if the Company meets or exceeds criteria adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. He shall also be eligible for grants of awards under stock option or other equity incentive plans of the Company as the Company’s Compensation Committee. For the 2019 year, he received a cash bonus of $100,000. On January 22, 2021 the company reached an agreement with Mr. Johnson to exchange all accrued salaries, unpaid expenses and unpaid bonus for 7,752,880 shares of the company’s common stock and to terminate his employment agreement.
On September 1, 2020, the Company granted John Price as a continuing director of the Company, $25,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as he continues in his service as board of directors of the Company.
On June 11, 2020, the Company appointed Julian Pittam as Board Chairman and granted Mr. Pittam $100,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as he continues in his service as board of directors of the Company.
On June 24, 2020, the Company appointed Emiliano Aloi as new board member and granted Mr. Aloi $100,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as he continues in his service as board of directors of the Company. Mr. Aloi resigned on December 8th, 2020 having vested 271,317 shares of common stock.
On June 24, 2020, the Company appointed Justin Viles as new board member and granted Mr. Viles $100,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as he continues in his service as board of directors of the Company. Mr. Viles resigned on September 15th, 2020 having vested 131,577 shares of common stock.
On January 14, 2020, the Company appointed Alvaro Alberttis as new board member and granted Mr. Alberttis $100,000 worth of restricted common stock under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting period of 1/24th upon date of grant and 1/24th per month on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until fully vested so long as he continues in his service as board of directors of the Company.
On June 24, 2019, Vladislav Yampolsky was appointed to our board of directors and was awarded 1,000,000 restricted common stock as compensation with vesting term of 1/48th per month starting on October 1, 2019. Mr. Yampolsky resigned on June 11th, 2020 having vested 287,501 shares of common stock and the balance was cancelled.
Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our former or current executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Summary Compensation Table
Year
Salary
Option Award(s)(1)
Total
Emiliano Aloi(2)
$62,308
$-
$62,308
Former Interim CEO
$108,036
$32,000
$140,036
Alvaro Alberttis(3)
$-
$50,980
$50,980
Chief Operating Officer
$-
$-
$-
Kenneth E. Puzder(4)
$76,731
$122,500
$199,231
Former Chief Financial Officer
$81,428
$70,000
$151,428
Andrew Johnson(5)
$75,962
$122,500
$198,462
Chief Strategy Officer
$92,977
$174,500
$267,477
Derek du Chesne(6)
$76,730
$500,000
$575,000
Former President
$-
$-
$-
(1)
The amounts in these columns do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officer nor do they reflect the actual value that will be recognized by the named executive officer. Instead the amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For additional information on the valuation assumptions regarding the option awards, refer to Note 3 to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC.
(2)
Mr. Aloi was resigned as our interim CEO on December 08, 2020.
(3)
Mr. Alberttis was appointed COO on June 22, 2020
(4)
Mr. Puzder resigned as our CFO on December 22, 2020
(5)
Mr. Johnson was appointed to serve as Chief Strategy Officer on March 1, 2019.
(6)
Mr. Du Chesne resigned from all positions held on September 15, 2020
Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements
Andrew Johnson, our Chief Strategy Officer, is serving under a two-year employment agreement adopted March 11, 2019 at an annual salary of $110,000, which was increased to $150,000 on January 23, 2020. In addition, he will be entitled to an annual cash bonus, in an amount as determined by the board of directors, if the Company meets or exceeds criteria adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. For the 2020 year, he received a stock bonus of 250,000 shares of common stock with immediate vesting He shall also be eligible for grants of awards under stock option or other equity incentive plans of the Company as the Company’s Compensation Committee.
Derek Du Chesne, the Company’s former President, Chief Growth Officer, and a Director, was serving under a two-year employment agreement dated February 18, 2020 and entered into in connection with his service as Chief Growth Officer. Du Chesne’s base salary for the initial year of service will be $150,000, increasing to not less than $250,000 for the second year of service, subject to annual review by the Board of Directors. He will be entitled to quarterly cash bonuses based on a percentage of our net sales to be determined. In addition, Mr. Du Chesne was entitled to annual cash bonuses as follows: (1) up to 250% of base salary for the 2020 calendar year, if: (A) Company’s net income on a consolidated basis for the 2020 fiscal year is equal to or in excess of $5,000,000; or (B) Company’s net sales on a consolidated basis is equal to or in excess of $40,000,000 during the 2020 fiscal year; and (2) 200% of base salary for the 2021 calendar year, subject to the satisfaction of performance criteria set by the Board in consultation with a third-party compensation expert and Mr. Du Chesne. He was eligible to participate in the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan during his employment. Upon execution of the Agreement, he was granted options to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.50 per share. 250,000 of these options were vested immediately, with the remaining 750,000 options to vest in equal installments over the next twenty-four months. The employment agreement with Mr. Du Chesne was intended to provide direct incentives to increase company sales, while providing a reasonable base compensation for his service. Following his appointment as President, he received 1,000,000 shares of restricted common stock as additional compensation, with vesting and other terms to be decided by the Company’s Compensation Committee. On March 5, 2020, the Board of directors of the Company approved the repricing of Mr. Du Chesne’s stock options to 90% of the market price on the original date of grant or exercise price of $0.30 per share. In September 2020, Mr. Du Chesne tendered his resignation as President, Chief Growth Officer and Director of the Company.
Generally, our executives shall be entitled to an annual cash bonus in an amount as determined by the board of directors, if the Company meets or exceeds criteria adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The executives shall also be eligible for grants of awards under stock option or other equity incentive plans of the Company as the Company’s Compensation Committee or, in the absence thereof, the Company’s Board of Directors may from time to time determine and shall be entitled to participate in all benefits plans the Company provides to its senior executives. The Company shall reimburse the executives for all reasonable expenses incurred in the course of employment. In the event employment is terminated without Cause or by the executives with Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreements), the Executives shall be entitled to receive severance benefits equal to the lesser of 50% of their base salaries or the amount of salary unpaid for the remaining term then in effect, continued coverage under the Company’s benefit plans and payment of their pro-rated earned annual bonus, provided certain conditions are met. The executives are subject to a one (1) year non-competition and non-solicitation provision.
Equity Awards At Year End Table
The following table sets forth certain information regarding all outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2020.
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
Equity Incentive Plan Award: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
Emiliano Aloi *
250,000
(1)
-
$0.320
01/09/2029
Former Interim
Chief Executive Officer
Kenneth E. Puzder *
250,000
(2)
149,739
$0.200
01/11/2029
Former Chief
Financial Officer
Andrew Johnson
12,500
(3)
-
$0.320
01/15/2029
Chief Strategy Officer
31,250
(4)
15,625
$0.960
01/15/2029
125,000
(5)
20,832
$0.560
03/12/2029
* Resigned from positions in 2020.
(1)
One hundred percent of the options vested immediately at grant date.
(2)
1/24th of the options vested immediately at grant date, with the balance vesting 1/24th per month on the first calendar date of each calendar month following appointment until fully vested so long as continuing as a director
(3)
One hundred percent of the options vested immediately at grant date.
(4)
Fifty percent of the options vested immediately at grant date, with the balance vesting upon the achievement of certain goals.
(5)
1/12th of the options vested immediately at grant date, with the balance vesting 1/12th per month on the first calendar date of each calendar month flowing grant date until fully vested.
All of the stock options held by our named executive officers listed in the table above were granted under and subject to the terms of our 2019 Plan, the terms of which are described below under “2019 Stock Option Plan”.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
Our named executive officers did not exercise any stock option awards during the year ended December 31, 2020.
2018 Stock Option Plan
In September 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive awards in the form of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock unit awards. The awards may be granted by the Company’s Board of Directors to its employees, directors and officers and to consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors who provide services to the Company or to a subsidiary of the Company. The exercise price for stock options must not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. The incentive awards shall either be fully vested and exercisable from the date of grant or shall vest and become exercisable in such installments as the Board or Compensation Committee may specify. Stock options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan is 1,187,500. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate in 10 years.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had reserved shares of its common stock for future issuance under the 2018 Plan as follows (figures reflect the effect of the 1 for 8 Reverse Stock Split in January 2019):
Shared Reserved
Stock options outstanding
959,375
Available for future grants under the 2018 Plan
228,125
Warrants outstanding
644,083
Total shares reserved
1,861,583
2019 Equity Incentive Plan
On January 11, 2019, our shareholders approved the Exactus, Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means for the Company to continue to attract, motivate and retain management, key employees, consultants and other independent contractors, and to provide these individuals with greater incentive for their service to the Company by linking their interests in the Company’s success with those of the Company and its shareholders. The Plan is limited such that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the Plan may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total of: (a) the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock, and (b) all shares common stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of any of our outstanding securities which are convertible or exercisable into shares of Common Stock under the terms thereof.
Compensation of Directors Table
The following table shows the compensation paid during the year ended December 31, 2020 to our non-employee director.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
Stock Awards ($)
Option Awards ($)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)
All Other Compensation ($)
Total ($)
Lawrence J. Wert
Executive Chairman
(a)
-
100,000
-
-
-
-
100,000
John Price
Board Member
(b)
-
25,000
-
-
-
-
-
Alvaro Daniel Alberttis
Board Member
(c)
-
100,000
-
-
-
-
100,000
Julian Pittam
Board Member
(d)
-
100,000
-
-
-
-
100,000
Emiliano Aloi
Former Board Member
(e)
-
29,167
-
-
-
-
29,167
Justin A. Viles
Former Board Member
(f)
-
24,500
-
-
-
-
24,500
(a)
Includes 526,316 shares of common stock at $0.19per share, vesting 1/24th on date of grant and 1/24th per month until fully vested
(b)
Includes 347,222 shares of common stock at $0.07 per share, vesting 1/24th on date of grant and 1/24th per month until fully vested.
(c)
Includes 277,778 shares of common stock at $0.36 per share, vesting 1/24th on date of grant and 1/24th per month until fully vested.
(d)
Includes 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share, vesting 1/24th on date of grant and 1/24th per month until fully vested
(e)
Includes 271,317 shares of common stock at $0.1075 per share. All shares are fully vested at December 31, 2020. Mr. Aloi resigned from the Board on December 08, 2020.
(f)
Includes 131,577 shares of common stock at $0.19 per share. All shares are fully vested at December 31, 2020. Mr. Viles resigned from the Board on September 17, 2020.

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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 following table sets forth information as of March 31, 2021, regarding the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by each director, each named executive officer and by all directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership includes shares, if any, held in the name of the spouse, minor children or other relatives of the director or executive officer living in such person’s home, as well as shares, if any, held in the name of another person under an arrangement whereby the director or executive officer can vest title in himself at once or at some future time. In determining the number and percentage of shares beneficially owned by each person, shares that may be acquired by such person pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2021 are deemed outstanding for purposes of determining the total number of outstanding shares for such person and are not deemed outstanding for such purpose for all other shareholders. To our knowledge, except as otherwise indicated, beneficial ownership includes sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares. Unless otherwise noted, each shareholder’s address is 80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28, Delray Beach, FL 33483, and each shareholder has sole voting power and investment power with respect to securities shown in the table below.
Title of class
Name and address of beneficial owner
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Percent of Class(1)
Current Named Executive Officers & Directors:
Common Stock
Julian Pittam
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
3,914,791
(2)
13.75%
Common Stock
John Price
NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL 33483
2,672,111
(3)
2.70%
Common Stock
Andrew Johnson
NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL 33483
8,486,240
(4)
8.58%
Common Stock
Alvaro Alberttis
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
4,770,726
(5)
4.81%
Common Stock
Lawrence J. Wert
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
8,620,297
(6)
8.70%
Common Stock Total of All Current Directors and Executive Officers:
28,464,147
38.54%
Based on 99,632,710 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021.
(2)
Includes 3,924,790 shares of Common Stock.
(3)
Includes 2,672,111 shares of Common Stock.
(4)
Includes (i) 8,486,240 shares of Common Stock, (ii) 12,500 vested stock options to purchase Common Stock exercisable at $0.32 per share, (iii) 15,625 vested stock options to purchase Common Stock exercisable at $0.96 per share and (iv) 125,000 vested stock options to purchase Common Stock exercisable at $0.56 per share.
(5)
Includes 4,770,726 shares of Common Stock.
(6)
Includes 8,620,297 shares of Common Stock.
Title of class
Name and address of beneficial owner
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Percent of Class(1)
Former Named Executive Officers & Directors:
Common Stock
Kevin Esval
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
817,000
(2)
0.82%*
Common Stock
Jeffrey Thompson
NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL 33483
350,000
(3)
0.35%*
Common Stock
Vladislav Yampolsky
NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL 33483
8,723,192
(4)
8.76%
Common Stock
Justin Viles
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
631,577
(5)
0.63%*
Common Stock
Emiliano Aloi
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
271,317
(6)
0.27%*
Common Stock
Derek DuChesne
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
20,000
(7)
0.02%*
Common Stock
Ken Puzder
80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28
Delray Beach, FL
250,000
(8)
0.25%*
Common Stock Total of All Former Directors and Former Executive Officers:
11,043,106
11.08%
* Less than 1%.
Based on 99,632,710 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021.
(2)
Includes (i) 100,000 shares of common stock, (ii) 279,500 shares of common stock held by Velocity Health Capital over which Mr. Esval has sole voting power and investment power, (iii) 187,500 shares of common stock held by Donegal Bio Ventures, over which Mr. Esval has sole voting power and investment power and (iv) vested options to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock exercisable at $0.20 per share.
(3)
Includes (i) 100,000 shares of common stock and (ii) 250,000 vested stock options to purchase Common Stock exercisable at $0.20 per share.
(4)
Includes 8,723,192 shares of Common Stock
(5)
Includes 631,577 shares of Common Stock.
(6)
Includes 271,317 shares of Common Stock.
(7)
Includes 20,000 shares of Common Stock.
(8)
Includes 250,000 shares of Common Stock

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
We have entered into agreements in 2019 with Ceed2Med, LLC, our largest stockholder. For more information about these agreements please see “Business Overview - Ceed2Med Agreements” above.
We are party to an arbitration proceeding commenced September 2019 in San Francisco, California currently pending before the American Arbitration Association in New York, New York. The proceeding was brought by our former director, Dr. Krassen Dimitrov. The complaint generally alleges that we and our subsidiary Exactus Biosolutions, Inc. breached an alleged consulting agreement with Dr. Dimitrov and owe unpaid consulting fees, plus interest. Dr. Dimitrov also licensed certain technology to Exactus Biosolutions, Inc. The Company is conducting an investigation into matters concerning the licenses and payments previously made, and disputes that any amounts are due and the existence of any contract. The Company intends vigorously to defend such action. The Company believes that there exist grounds to assert various counter-claims and third-party claims against Dr. Dimitrov and his affiliated companies for return of amounts previously paid. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, $0 and $300,000 was recognized in Research and Development expenses for consulting provided by Dr. Dimitrov. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, $575,000 was included in accounts payable, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, $0 was paid.
On June 28, 2017, we issued to two of our former executive officers a promissory note in the principal amount up to $100,000, which amount may be drawn upon by the Company as bridge financing for general working capital purposes. The promissory note accrues interest at a rate of 8.0% per annum and matures on the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the date of the promissory note, and (ii) the closing the sale of our securities in a single transaction or a series of related transactions from which at least $500,000 of gross proceeds are raised.
On July 5, 2018, we issued our officer 15 shares of Series D Preferred shares in exchange for the forgiveness of $200,000 worth of accrued debt owed to the officer by the us.
On January 8, 2019, the Company entered into a Master Product Development and Supply Agreement with C2M (see note 12). At December 31, 2019, accounts payable to C2M related to purchase of finish products amounted to $8,342. Ceed2Med is our largest stockholder.
On March 29, 2019, we retired a note payable owing to our former officer in the amount of $30,616. To retire the note, we issued the officer shares of common stock valued at $0.20 per share, for a total of 153,080 shares issued to retire the debt.
On March 1, 2019, we, through our majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise is located in Cave Junction, Oregon and consists of approximately 100 acres. The lease requires us to pay 5% of the net income realized by us from the operation of the lease farm. Accordingly, we recognized $0 Right-of-use asset and lease liabilities on this farm lease as we have not determined when it will generate net income from this lease. The lease shall continue in effect from year to year except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination.
On March 1, 2019, the Company, through its majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise is located in Glendale, Oregon and consists of approximately 100 acres. The lease requires the Company to pay $120,000 per year, whereby $50,000 was payable upon execution and $70,000 shall be payable prior to planting for agricultural use or related purposes. The lease shall continue in effect from year to year except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination.
On April 30, 2019, we through our majority-owned subsidiary, EOW, entered into a farm lease agreement for a lease term of one year. The lease premise is located in Cave Junction, Oregon and consists of approximately 38 acres. The lease requires the Company to pay $76,000 per year, whereby $38,000 was payable upon execution and $38,000 shall be payable on September 15, 2019 and 2% of the net income realized by us from the operation of the lease farm. The lease shall continue in effect from year to year for five years except for at least a 30-day written notice of termination. We have paid the initial payment of $26,000 and the remaining $12,000 was paid directly to the landlord by an affiliated company who is renting the portion of the lease property from us. The affiliated company is owned by two managing members of EOW. EOW is in the process of arranging a sub-lease agreement with the affiliated company.
On July 9, 2019, the Company entered into a Commercial Lease Agreement with Skybar Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company. Pursuant to the lease, the Company will rent the entire first floor (consisting of approximately 4,000 square feet) of a property located in Delray Beach, Florida. The Company plans to develop the premises to create a hemp-oriented health and wellness retail venue, including education, clothing and cosmetics, and explore franchise opportunities. The initial term of the lease is 5 years commencing August 1, 2019, with two 5-year extension options. The lease includes a right of first refusal in favor of the Company to lease any space that becomes available on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the premises and a right of first refusal to purchase the premises. Pursuant to the lease, the Company will pay rent equal to $40,000 per month in advance in addition to all applicable Florida sales and/or federal taxes and security deposit of $40,000. Effective one year from the lease commencement date and each year thereafter, the rent shall increase at least three percent (3%) per year. The lessor of the premises is a limited liability company owned or controlled by Bobby Yampolsky, a member of the Board and the founder, manager and controlling member of Ceed2Med, the Company’s largest stockholder.
On July 31, 2019, we granted 10,000 Series E Preferred in connection with a Management and Services Agreement with Ceed2Med, our largest stockholder. We valued the 10,000 Series E Preferred shares which is equivalent into 6,250,000 common shares at a fair value of $0.54 per common share or $3,375,000 based on the sales of common stock on recent private placements on the dates of grant.
On January 21, 2021 we entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC and its principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons. In connection with the settlement, Ceed2Med, LLC agreed to assignment of all rights to convert its outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock at a price of $1.60 per share to third parties in connection with settlement and releases of third party claims, resulting in no further dilution from issuances of settlement shares other than the right for Ceed2Med to have received such shares upon conversion and thereupon the Series E Preferred Stock was simultaneously converted into shares of common stock.
On September 13, 2019, we issued 2,000,000 shares of restricted common stock to officers and directors of the Company subject to vesting periods. As of March 31, 2020, 287,501 have vested and been issued. The remaining shares are not eligible for vesting, have been cancelled, and the awardees are no longer with the company.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we reimbursed a managing member of EOW and an affiliated company which is owned by two managing members of EOW, for operating expenses paid on behalf of EOW for the following:
●
$400,000 worth of hemp seeds
●
$50,000 lease payment related to a lease agreement
●
$100,000 for irrigation cost
During October 2019, we entered into two short-term promissory notes for a total net proceeds of $85,000 with an officer and an investor. As of March 31, 2021 only the note with the officer remains with a balance.
During October 2019, we entered into a short-term promissory note for a total net proceeds of $50,000 and a principal amount of $55,556 with an officer (See Note 12 to financial statements).
We recognized revenues from a related party customer of $37,446 during the year ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, accounts receivable from a related party customer amounted to $18,860. The customer is an affiliated company which is substantially owned by a managing member of EOW.
From time to time, the Company’s subsidiary, EOW, receives advances from an affiliated company which is owned by three members of EOW for working capital purposes. The advances are non-interest bearing and are payable on demand. The affiliated company provided advances to the Company for working capital purposes for a total of $242,500 and the Company paid back these advances. The Company also advanced $127,500 to these related parties which resulted to a receivable or due from related parties of $127,500 as of December 31, 2019. These advances are short-term in nature, non-interest bearing and due on demand.
From January 31, 2020 through April 10, 2020, our Interim Executive Chairman, Bobby Yampolsky, made a series of advances to us in the approximate total amount of $97,000. On January 21, 2021, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with Ceed2Med, LLC, Skybar Holding, LLC, and their principals cancelling all agreements, obligations and claims and providing full mutual releases of the Company and such persons.
On February 4, 2020, we entered into a Supply and Distribution Agreement with HTO Holdings Inc (dba “Hemptown, USA”). On March 28, 2020, we amended the Supply and Distribution Agreement. Ceed2Med, LLC, our largest shareholder, is also a significant investor in Hemptown USA and is party to a distribution agreement.
Some of the officers and directors of the Company are involved in other business activities and may, in the future, become involved in other business opportunities that become available. They may face a conflict in selecting between the Company and other business interests. We have not formulated a policy for the resolution of such conflicts.
Director Independence
We are not a “listed issuer” within the meaning of Item 407 of Regulation S-K and there are no applicable listing standards for determining the independence of our directors. Applying the definition of independence set forth in Rule 4200(a)(15) of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., we believe that Julian Pittam and Larry Wert, are independent directors.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, RBSM LLP, in connection with the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and other professional services rendered.
Year Ended:
Audit Services
Audit Related Fees
Tax Fees
Other Fees
December 31,
$45,000
n/a
n/a
n/a
December 31,
$100,700
n/a
n/a
n/a
Audit fees represent the professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and the review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, along with services normally provided by the accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or other engagements. Audit-related fees represent professional services rendered for assurance and related services by the accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s consolidated financial statements that are not reported under audit fees.
Tax fees represent professional services rendered by the accounting firm for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. All other fees represent fees billed for products and services provided by the accounting firm, other than the services reported for the other categories.
Pre-Approval Policy of Services Performed by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee has delegated the pre-approval authority to its chairperson when expedition of services is necessary. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the full Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval and the fees for the services performed to date.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules
(a) Financial Statements and Schedules
The following financial statements and schedules listed below are included in this Form 10-K.
Financial Statements (See Item 8)
(b)
Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (attached as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-183360), filed August 16, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-183360, filed December 19, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 12, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference)
3.4
Bylaws (attached as Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-183360), filed August 16, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.5
Certificate of Designation for Series A Preferred Stock (attached as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference)
3.6
Certificate of Designation for Series B-1 Preferred Stock (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 4, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)
3.7
Certificate of Designation for Series B-2 Preferred Stock (attached as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Amendment to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed February 17, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)
3.8
Amendment to Certificate of Designation After Issuance of Class or Series (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 1, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1
2018 Equity Incentive Plan (attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.2
2019 Equity Incentive Plan (attached as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 22, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.3*
Supply and Distribution Agreement with HTO Holdings, Inc. (Hemptown, USA)
10.4*
Amendment to Supply and Distribution Agreement with HTO Holdings, Inc. (Hemptown, USA)
21.1
Subsidiary List
23.1*
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
101**
The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL).
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema