BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PRESS RELEASE -- Jushi Holdings Inc., a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator, has announced it has closed its previously announced acquisition of Nature’s Remedy of Massachusetts, Inc. and certain of its affiliates, a vertically integrated, single-state operator in Massachusetts, for total upfront consideration of US$91.2 million. Nature’s Remedy currently operates two retail dispensaries, in Millbury, Mass., and Tyngsborough, Mass., and a 50,000-square-foot cultivation and production facility in Lakeville, Mass., with approximately 22,000 square feet of high-quality indoor flower canopy and state-of-the-art extraction and manufacturing capabilities. The company expects to execute on the significant opportunity to expand Nature’s Remedy’s wholesale revenue in the fourth quarter, driven by additional cultivation capacity as well as the planned resale of excess inventory at the Lakeville Facility. By way of the net working capital adjustment contained in the Merger and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, the company paid an additional US$2.9 million in cash to acquire excess inventory worth US$17.5 to US$22.5 million at prevailing wholesale prices.
“We are excited to officially enter the Massachusetts market, adding Nature’s Remedy, a vertically integrated business operating high-quality, well-managed assets,” said Jim Cacioppo, chief executive officer, chairman and founder of Jushi. “With its strong, defensible retail position and a scalable cultivation footprint, Nature’s Remedy offers significant opportunities for us to expand and grow our presence in this rapidly maturing adult-use market. I look forward to working with our new colleagues to introduce our complete line of industry-leading brands and products into the wholesale market and at Nature’s Remedy’s retail stores."
Cultivation and Product Manufacturing Facility of Nature’s Remedy
The 50,000-square-foot Lakeville facility is located within a 185,000 square-foot industrial complex. Currently, the Lakeville facility’s flower canopy encompasses approximately 22,000 square feet, which Nature’s Remedy expects to expand to approximately 32,500 square feet by the end of the year. The Lakeville facility utilizes CO2 extraction and has a full kitchen for edible production. Current biomass production at the Lakeville facility is approximately 16,000 lbs/year, including approximately 9,000 lbs/year of high-quality bud flower. As part of the ongoing expansion of the facility, Nature’s Remedy plans to increase biomass production to approximately 26,000 lbs/year, including approximately 13,000 lbs/year of A bud flower based on 32,500 square feet of canopy. In addition to the above-mentioned expansion, Nature’s Remedy is evaluating further expansion opportunities in the existing Lakeville industrial complex and/or on ten acres of land owned by Nature’s Remedy in Grafton, Mass. The Lakeville facility could potentially accommodate an additional 18,000 to 20,000 square feet of canopy through the expansion into approximately 26,000 square feet of adjacent space in the existing building. In Grafton, Mass., Nature’s Remedy has a Host Community Agreement in place with the town and recently received a provisional cultivation license from the Commonwealth. The ten acres of land in Grafton, Mass., could potentially accommodate a new 35,000 to 40,000 square-foot facility with approximately 18,000 square feet of canopy. These expansions are subject to business evaluations and needs, as well as receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.
Millbury Dispensary
The Millbury dispensary is located in the town of Millbury, Mass., just south of Worcester, Mass. The Millbury dispensary caters primarily to the local population and surrounding underserved areas and serves both adult-use and medical customers. The Millbury dispensary provides ample parking for its patrons and is strategically situated along the Worcester-Providence Turnpike, which sees approximately 10,600 cars per day. The Millbury dispensary is located in close proximity to the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, the largest open-air shopping center in Central Massachusetts, and the Mass Turnpike.
Tyngsborough Dispensary
Tyngsborough is located in northern Middlesex County just south of Nashua, N.H., and serves adult-use customers. The Tyngsborough dispensary is strategically located in close proximity to the Pheasant Lane Mall, one of the largest malls in New Hampshire, and in close proximity to an exit on Route 3/Northwest Expressway, which sees 60,000 to 80,000 cars per day. There is ample customer parking with potential for expansion.
Jushi acquired Nature’s Remedy for an upfront payment of US$91.2 million, comprised of US$40.0 million in cash, approximately US$34.7 million in stock2, a US$11.5 million unsecured three-year note and a US$5.0 million unsecured five-year note. Under the agreement, the company has also agreed to issue up to an additional US$5.0 million in Company Shares and a US$5 million increase to the principal balance of the 3-year note upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of certain conditions after the closing date, bringing the total potential consideration for the acquisition paid by the company to US$101.2 million. Assuming all conditions are met, the company expects to issue up to 4.3 million fewer company shares, assuming an average daily volume weighted price of US$4.61, as a result of the revised agreement. The revised purchase price (inclusive of the full US$10 million of additional consideration, but excluding any benefit from the acquired excess inventory) represents a multiple of 2.7 to 3.0x Nature’s Remedy’s expected full year 2022 EBITDA of US$34 to US$38 million.
