Debt Swamp: Considerations for Cannabis Companies Incurring Secured Debt

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 29, 2021 /CNW/ – PRESS RELEASE – Harborside Inc., a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, has announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire UL Holdings Inc. (Urbn Leaf), a California cannabis retailer with a dominant position in Southern California, and  LPF JV Corporation (Loudpack), a manufacturer, cultivator and distributor of award-winning cannabis brands in California. Following completion of the transactions, Harborside is expected to be renamed StateHouse Holdings, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

Management believes that StateHouse, which is expected to trade under a new symbol, will be the largest and most developed cannabis platform in the state of California with retail, brands, processing, manufacturing, distribution and cultivation. Management believes that StateHouse will have the highest estimated annual revenue and brand market share among its current publicly-listed California peers, providing the company with a strong platform for growth as a consolidator of California’s cannabis industry. Through the first nine months of 2021, Harborside, on a pro-forma basis including revenue of Sublimation Inc. (Sublime) for the entire period, had gross revenue of US$57.8 million, while Urbn Leaf and Loudpack had revenue of US$45.9 million and US$61.4 million, respectively. Therefore, on a pro forma basis, management estimates that StateHouse would have generated gross revenue of approximately US$165 million for the same period.

Ed Schmults, the current CEO of Urbn Leaf, is expected to be appointed as CEO of StateHouse upon completion of the Urbn Leaf transaction and will be joining the Board of Directors of StateHouse. Marc Ravner, the current CEO of Loudpack, is expected to be appointed as president of StateHouse upon completion of the Loudpack transaction and will be joining the Board of Directors of StateHouse. Matthew Hawkins, current chairman and interim CEO of Harborside, will remain as Chairman of the Board of StateHouse. 

“Since reconstituting the company’s board of directors last year, our team embarked upon an ambitious mission to create a unique platform capable of consolidating California and driving significant growth through added scale. With these transactions, we are working to create a west coast cannabis powerhouse,” said Hawkins. “The combination of high-quality assets, increased scale and experienced leadership will drive tremendous value for shareholders. California is one of the world’s largest legal cannabis markets, with sales expected to reach US$7.4 billion by 2025. StateHouse will have a unique ability to navigate the operating challenges in the state and capitalize on the combined potential of the businesses we are acquiring. We are building what we believe is the ideal platform to consolidate the California cannabis sector, positioning us for long-term growth in both market share and profitability. Ed Schmults, an experienced leader with a proven retail and cannabis track record, is the right person to lead StateHouse into the future.”

The transaction was structured based upon the relative enterprise values of Harborside, Urbn Leaf and Loudpack. The aggregate consideration for the transactions will be met through the issuance of 151,427,786 subordinate voting shares of Harborside (SVS) and the assumption and restructuring of debts and other obligations as well as the issuance of 2,000,000 warrants at a strike price of US$2.50 per SVS. Harborside, Urbn Leaf and Loudpack noted that the structure of the transaction and overall consideration contemplates both a return to normalized enterprise valuations for California-focused cannabis companies and the potential for StateHouse to become a leading participant in that market.  Based upon the relative enterprise value of each party, following closing of the transactions, existing Harborside, Loudpack and Urbn Leaf shareholders will own approximately 35%, 39% and 26% of StateHouse, respectively, on a fully diluted basis and assuming conversion of all multiple voting shares of Harborside (MVS) to SVS.

In connection with the transactions, management has entered into a letter of intent with Pelorus Equity Group to complete the Real Estate Financing (as defined below) of US$77.3 million of non-dilutive real estate debt financing, which unlocks significant value from the StateHouse real estate portfolio and provides significant growth capital for the business. See “Concurrent Financing” below for further details. 

StateHouse Company Highlights

• 15 retail locations, representing the number two retail platform in California under one unified banner with further planned expansion; 
• Nine popular brands, including top-five ranked brands in the pre-roll (Fuzzies and Kingpen), edible (Smokiez) and value flower (Dime Bag) segments, representing the #3 ranked brand house in California;
• Deep roster of products at a variety of price points creates a wide range of appeal to all customer types. The company intends to support its retail customers through strong product selection, effective marketing support and a distribution strategy intended to reduce channel conflict;
• Manufacturing facilities with annual capacity of more than US$400 million in branded products revenue at full utilization, with capabilities to produce across all product formats offered by the company;
• A state-wide distribution network for the company’s branded products that reaches more than 780 active accounts, including approximately 75% of California dispensaries;
• 230,000 square feet of greenhouse cultivation space, with additional near-term expansion capacity of more than 100,000 square feet of canopy; and
• 36,000 pounds of cultivation capacity with 22,000 pounds of additional near-term cultivation capacity.

“The cannabis industry in California has reached an important tipping point, and with the collective strengths of these three companies and the benefits of integration, we have the right combination of assets and skills to set a new standard, offering consumers the widest variety of products with best-in-class customer service,” said Schmults.

Ravner added: “We are excited about the potential for this business combination. The assets of Loudpack, Harborside and Urbn Leaf are highly complementary. With increased scale and vertical integration, we expect to be a premier operator across every stage of the cannabis value chain.”

Anticipated Benefits to Shareholders

• Statewide Retail Presence: StateHouse is expected to have 15 retail locations across key urban areas of California, with significant influence and control over shelf space and brand value. This strong retail platform will feature a unified retail banner, leading in-store customer service, ease of accessibility and delivery, and a diversified product offering.
• Brands with Leading Market Share: StateHouse is expected to have a portfolio of leading brands with strong positions in the largest market segments. It will offer a deep roster of products at a variety of price points, creating a wide range of appeal to all customer types. The company intends to support its retail customers through strong product selection, effective marketing support and distribution strategy that reduces channel conflict.
• Vertical Integration and Outsized Margin Potential: StateHouse expects to achieve synergies through full vertical integration, with enhanced control over quality and input costs, production and distribution efficiencies, and access to shelf space. Vertical integration is expected to drive margin expansion at every stage of the value chain from cultivation to retail operations, creating leadership in each segment of the industry.
• Scaled Cultivation Platform: StateHouse is expected to have a cultivation platform that is scaled to meet its production needs and limiting its reliance on the bulk market. 
• Strength in Manufacturing Driving Top-Tier Portfolio of Branded Products: StateHouse’s leading manufacturing facility is expected to be positioned to continue developing new brands and SKUs to win in California.
• Rolling up California: The California cannabis market is highly fragmented, with no significant presence from large multi-state operators. StateHouse is expected to be positioned to leverage its scale, reduced cost of capital and extensive management and board-level experience to acquire companies across the value chain, expand its footprint, and build a flagship California cannabis company.
• Strong Leadership: In connection with the transactions, the company intends to reconstitute its management team and board of directors. The proposed new management team and board has deep experience in cannabis retail and cultivation as well as the consumer packaged goods sector. The proposed CEO of StateHouse, Schmults, has more than 30 years of experience leading world-class brands including Patagonia and FAO Schwarz.

Details of the Transactions

Urbn Leaf Transaction

Pursuant to the terms of the definitive agreement with respect to Urbn Leaf, Harborside will acquire all of the equity interests of Urbn Leaf through the issuance of approximately 60,000,000 SVS, subject to adjustment, and the restructuring and assumption of debt. The Urbn Leaf Agreement provides for, among other things, customary representations and warranties and covenants, including mutual non-solicitation provisions and a US$2.5 million termination fee payable by either the Company or Urbn Leaf in certain circumstances. The implementation of the Urbn Leaf Transaction will be subject to the approval of a majority of votes cast by Harborside shareholders and the approval of the shareholders of Urbn Leaf, and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals, including customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature.

The Urbn Leaf Transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of Urbn Leaf. The directors and officers and certain shareholders of Urbn Leaf, collectively holding approximately 69% of Series A shares and 96% of common shares, have entered into voting and support agreements to vote in favor of the Urbn Leaf Transaction. In addition, concurrent with the closing of the Urbn Leaf Transaction, the company will enter into a lock-up agreement with certain shareholders of Urbn Leaf in respect of the Harborside SVS to be received by such shareholders pursuant to the Urbn Leaf transaction. Pursuant to the Urbn Leaf Lock-Up Agreement, the Urbn Leaf Locked-Up Shareholders will agree not to sell, assign or otherwise transfer the Harborside SVS received. The restrictions lapse in three installments with each one-third of the shares released from the restrictions on the 6-month, 12-month and 18-month anniversaries from the closing of the Urbn Leaf transaction.

Loudpack Transaction

Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement with respect to the Loudpack transaction, Harborside will acquire all of the equity interest of Loudpack through the issuance of approximately 91,427,786 SVS, subject to adjustment, 2,000,000 warrants and the assumption and restructuring of debts. The warrants will be exercisable to purchase SVS at a price of US$2.50 per SVS, anytime within five years of the closing date. Harborside will have the option to accelerate the expiration date of the warrants in the event that the volume weighted average trading price of the SVS is equal to or greater than US$5.00. 

The Loudpack Agreement provides for, among other things, customary representations and warranties and covenants, including mutual non-solicitation provisions and a US$5.0 million termination fee payable by either the Company or Loudpack in certain circumstances. The implementation of the Loudpack transaction will be subject to the approval of a majority of votes cast by Harborside shareholders, the approval of a simple majority of the holders of SVS, the  approval of the sole shareholder of Loudpack, the approval of the voting members of Loudpack’s sole shareholder and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, approval pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and other customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature.

The Loudpack transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of Loudpack. All of the voting members of the sole stockholder of Loudpack have entered into a voting and support agreement to vote in favour of the Loudpack transaction. In addition, concurrent with the closing of the Loudpack transaction, the company will enter into a lock-up agreement with the sole stockholder of Loudpack in respect of the Harborside SVS to be received pursuant to the Loudpack transaction. Pursuant to the Loudpack Lock-Up Agreement, Loudpack’s sole stockholder will agree not to sell, assign or otherwise transfer the Harborside SVS received, except to its members, who will be required to enter into equivalent lock-up agreements. The restrictions lapse in three installments with each one-third of the shares released from the restrictions on the 6-month, 12-month and 18-month anniversaries from the closing of the Loudpack transaction.

Terms and Conditions 

Following closing of the transactions, existing Harborside, Loudpack and Urbn Leaf shareholders will own approximately 35%, 39% and 26% of StateHouse, respectively on a fully diluted basis and assuming conversion of all MVS to SVS.

As aforementioned, both the Loudpack transaction and Urbn Leaf transaction require approval of the CSE and by Harborside shareholders at a special meeting of shareholders to be held in the first quarter of 2022. Harborside shareholders will also be asked to approve, among other things, the proposed change in the company name at the meeting.

A full description of the Loudpack transaction and Urbn Leaf transaction will be set forth in the management information circular of Harborside, which will be mailed to Harborside shareholders in connection with the Meeting, and filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) under Harborside’s profile at www.sedar.com.

Harborside Board Approval

Harborside’s board of directors has unanimously approved the transactions and has unanimously resolved to recommend that the shareholders of Harborside vote in favour of the transactions.  In addition, all directors and executive officers, as well as certain shareholders of Harborside, collectively holding approximately 27% of the Harborside voting interest, have indicated their intention to vote in favor of both the Loudpack transaction and the Urbn Leaf transaction. 

PI Financial Corp. has provided fairness opinions to the board of directors of Harborside that, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in each such fairness opinion, the consideration to be paid by Harborside shareholders pursuant to the transactions is fair from a financial point of view to Harborside’s shareholders.

Closing

The transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2022, subject to approval by Harborside shareholders, the CSE, regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Concurrent Financing

Roll Up Financing

In connection with the transactions, the company has signed a non-binding term sheet with Pelorus Equity Group for a total of US$77.3 million of debt financing (the “Roll Up Financing”) which would be used primarily to retire certain existing loans and provide additional working capital to the company, Urbn Leaf and Loudpack. The Roll Up Financing would contain a nominal interest rate of 10.25%, along with specified origination, closing and other transaction fees, and would be secured by certain real estate assets and cannabis licenses of the company, Urbn Leaf and Loudpack. It would also be subject to debt service ratio requirements, interest reserves, certain cross-corporate guarantees and defaults, subordination agreements and intercreditor agreements, along with a general corporate guaranty from the company. The Roll Up Financing is intended to be funded in two tranches, with the first occurring prior to closing on the acquisitions of Urbn Leaf and Loudpack, and the second tranche to be funded to the company post-closing, at a time of the company’s choosing. The first tranche is intended to be funded in three separate loans, with one loan each to Urbn Leaf, Loudpack and the company. The Roll Up Financing also will contain terms so that, in the event that the first tranche is funded, and the company does not close on the acquisitions of Urbn Leaf and/or Loudpack, the company is no longer obligated to guarantee the specific portion of the first tranche that is related to the acquisition transaction that will not close. The company intends to enter into a definitive agreement with Pelorus prior to the end of 2021.

“We’re excited to be able to fund such a significant rollup in the California market,” said Travis Goad, managing partner of Pelorus Equity Group. “We think the combined companies will be a formidable player on a go forward basis. This loan is one of our first in our new lower cost stabilized lending program. We expect this stabilized lending program will continue to be the best-in-class financing option for cannabis operators with cash flowing assets, especially for complex transactions such as this. Pelorus is constantly innovating new financing solutions for the cannabis real estate market.”    

Financial and Legal Advisors

ATB Capital Markets Inc. and Stoic-Solidum Advisory acted as financial advisors to Harborside. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP acted as Canadian legal counsel and Duane Morris LLP acted as United States legal counsel to Harborside. PI Financial provided fairness opinions on the Transactions to Harborside.

PGP Capital Advisors, LLC acted as financial advisor and Burns & Levinson LLP acted as United States legal counsel to Urbn Leaf. 

Ducera Partners LLC and Beacon Securities Limited acted as financial advisor and Feuerstein Kulick LLP acted as United States legal counsel to Loudpack.

Conference Call

Matt Hawkins and Ed Schmults hosted a conference call on Nov. 30, 2021, followed by a question and answer session.

Conference Call Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Time: 10 a.m., Eastern time

Toll-free Dial-in Number: 888-664-6392 

International Dial-in Number: 416-764-8659