LAS VEGAS, August 28, 2023 – PRESS RELEASE – Planet 13 Holdings Inc., a leading vertically integrated multistate cannabis company, announced that it has entered into a membership interest purchase agreement to acquire all of the ownership interests of VidaCann LLC from the sellers who currently own all of the membership interests in VidaCann.
VidaCann is engaged in the business of cultivating, processing, storing, transporting and dispensing cannabis as well as leasing and operating cannabis cultivation, processing, fulfillment and storage, and dispensing facilities in the state of Florida.
Key Transaction Highlights and Anticipated Benefits
- Expansive Retail Dispensary Network - VidaCann currently operates 26 dispensaries and is the ninth largest dispensary network in Florida. With Planet 13's three dispensary locations in Nevada and California, upcoming Illinois dispensary, four leased dispensary locations in Florida, and proven SuperStore and experiential retail expertise, the proposed acquisition has the potential to enhance both absolute and per-store revenue generation.
- State-of-the-Art Cultivation and Processing Facility - A fully operational greenhouse cultivation facility with a state-of-the-art processing and analytical lab, which at full capacity has the potential to support more than double the amount of the combined Planet 13 and VidaCann dispensary network in Florida.
- Complementary Brand Portfolio - Well-respected house brand VidaCann and licensed brands Tikun Olam and Stanley Brothers complement Planet 13's leading house of brands. The combined portfolio will create a diversified brand and product offering able to address every consumer use case.
- Strong Local Management Team - VidaCann's experienced management team and operational staff are expected to join Planet 13 to run the Florida operations after closing. VidaCann's top-tier management team built the company into a top-10 Florida operator through a focus on the consumer, along with efficiency and cost management.
"Acquiring VidaCann would significantly accelerate our time to market and, more importantly, scale in Florida. VidaCann is one of the 10 largest Florida cannabis operators by retail network size, and we believe it has developed a reputation for high product quality and customer service," said Larry Scheffler, co-CEO of Planet 13. "We are excited to bring Planet 13's retail and product brands to Florida consumers after the closing of the proposed transaction, especially with the possibility of upcoming adult-use legislation."
"Part of the appeal of this deal is the amazing management team of VidaCann that has built it into the ninth largest Florida cannabis company with limited debt or outside capital. We believe their ability to run lean, efficient operations is a cultural and strategic fit with Planet 13's company-wide philosophy and operations in other states," said Bob Groesbeck, co-CEO of Planet 13. "We laid out a set of goals at the beginning of the year, including using cost-effective M&A to accelerate time to market in Florida. We believe we are executing on our goals and setting Planet 13 up to be a stronger company in 2024."
Transaction Details
Pursuant to the purchase agreement, the company will acquire VidaCann from the sellers for agreed consideration equal to the sum of: (i) 78,461,538 common shares in the capital of the company (the "base share consideration"); (ii) a cash payment of $4 million (the "closing cash payment"); and (iii) promissory notes to be issued by the company to the sellers in the aggregate principal amount of $5 million, with each of the above components subject to adjustments as set out in the purchase agreement.
Based on the closing price of the company's common shares of (CAD$0.69) US$0.5071 as of Aug. 25, 2023, on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) (based on the Bank of Canada CAD to USD exchange rate on Aug. 25, 2023, of CAD$1.00=US$1.3606), the total consideration is valued at approximately US$48.9 million. The purchase agreement contemplates that VidaCann will continue to have US$3 million of bank indebtedness and US$1.5 million or less of related party notes to former VidaCann owners at the time of closing.
Pursuant to the purchase agreement, 1,307,698 shares comprising the base share consideration will be issued to VidaCann's industry adviser, 9496 7346 Quebec Inc. (VC adviser) on closing. The proposed transaction is an arm's length transaction.
Post-transaction, the former equity holders of VidaCann, along with the VC adviser, will have approximately 26.09% pro forma ownership in Planet 13 on a fully diluted basis, before factoring in any adjustments to the base share consideration. All shares issued by the company will be subject to resale restrictions under applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws.
Furthermore, each seller and each equity holder of a seller that holds more than 5% in direct or indirect interest in VidaCann and receives base share consideration will be subject to a lock-up agreement restricting trading of the shares received, with the release of one-third of shares from such restrictions six months following closing and each subsequent six months thereafter.
The proposed transaction is expected to close in, or immediately prior to, the first quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of approval from the applicable state cannabis regulators and the sale of the company's Medical Marijuana Treatment Center license in Florida to a third party, including any regulatory approvals required to effectuate the sale.
The sellers will be granted the right on closing to nominate one additional (fifth) director to the board of directors of Planet 13.
The terms of the proposed transaction were negotiated by management and advisers under guidance of, and unanimously recommended for approval by, the board. The board has received a fairness opinion from Evans & Evans Inc. to the effect that, in its opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the consideration to be paid by Planet 13 is fair, from a financial point of view, to Planet 13. The fee paid to Evans & Evans in connection with the delivery of its fairness opinion is not contingent on the successful implementation of the proposed transaction.
The proposed transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of Planet 13 and the managers of VidaCann.
