Mr. Hadley Ford reports
IANTHUS ANNOUNCES INTERIM AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE INNOVATIVE, NATIONAL CBD PRODUCTS BRAND, CBD FOR LIFE
iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc.'s U.S. subsidiary has entered into a letter of intent to acquire CBD For Life, a top-ranked, national CBD (cannabidiol) brand in the United States.
CBD For Life was launched in February of 2016 by its co-founders Beth Stavola and Julie Winter, who are well recognized as leaders and innovators in the cannabis and CBD industries. Ms. Stavola is being featured as an honoree this year for the 2019 High Times women of weed and was recognized as Inc.com's top 100 female founders in 2018. The brand's CBD-infused pain management and beauty products have been featured in a wide range of on-line and print publications including Forbes, Shape, Marie Claire, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan and Allure. CBD For Life's product lineup has also been featured in stories by multiple broadcast news outlets in the New York metro area and its products have received numerous accolades including the 2018 skin care award winner for the Hollywood Beauty Awards product of the year.
CBD For Life has experienced an increase in interest from mainstream retailers in the first quarter of 2019 following the passage of the Farm Bill. Products are available directly to consumers on-line and CBD For Life is currently distributing to 750 retail locations and actively on-boarding approximately 25 new locations per week with a dedicated sales channel working with national retailers. The currently available product lineup includes:
- Health and wellness -- CBD-infused topicals, tinctures and sprays made for targeted pain relief ranging from muscle soreness to headaches;
- Beauty and skin care -- formulas blending essential oils and CBD extract into lotions, creams and hair products designed to improve rejuvenation and restore moisture.
These products are designed for self-care, beauty and wellness; and through a partnership with iAnthus, CBD For Life plans to expand its existing wholesale and retail platform to give more consumers access to its growing range of products.
"Developing a strong CBD strategy is mission critical for cannabis companies to compete on a national scale while simultaneously entering the consumer product and retail marketplace," said Hadley Ford, chief executive officer of iAnthus. "With the acquisition of a name brand like CBD For Life, iAnthus is well positioned to increase our market share with greater exposure to patients and customers across the country."
According to industry experts, retail sales of CBD consumer products are estimated to have been between $600-million (U.S.) and $2-billion (U.S.) in 2018. As a growing number of CBD brands and product types become increasingly available through diverse retail channels, the CBD market is projected to generate $16-billion (U.S.) in retail sales by 2025. Research has shown that nearly 7 per cent of the U.S. population in January of 2019 reported using CBD as a supplement, and that number is expected to grow to at least 10 per cent by 2025.
"We're excited to bring CBD For Life into the iAnthus family -- our CBD brand will provide iAnthus with even greater reach and a wider consumer base, particularly in states that have yet to implement full-scale cannabis programs," said Ms. Stavola, co-founder of CBD For Life and chief strategy officer of iAnthus.
Fairness opinion and proposed structure
iAnthus expects to acquire 100 per cent of the equity interests in CBD For Life in return for 2,529,863 common shares of iAnthus. Based on a fixed share price of $5.41 (U.S.) (the closing price of ITHUF shares on the OTCQX as of March 15, 2019), the stock consideration equates to $13.7-million (U.S.). At the closing of the transaction, iAnthus also expects to repay the outstanding debt and related accrued interest of CBD For Life in the amount of approximately $2.0-million (U.S.) in cash.
The transaction with CBD For Life is a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions due to the fact Ms. Stavola is an officer and director of iAnthus and an officer and significant shareholder of CBD For Life. iAnthus expects to rely on an exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 based on a determination that the securities of the company are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange and that the fair market value of the transaction, insofar as it involves an interested party, does not exceed 25 per cent of iAnthus's market capitalization.
Notwithstanding the fact that the transaction with CBD For Life is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, iAnthus engaged GMP Securities LP to provide a fairness opinion to the members of the board of directors who are non-related parties. iAnthus expects that the fairness opinion, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, will conclude that the consideration to be paid by iAnthus for the acquisition of CBD For Life is fair, from a financial point of view, to iAnthus.
Closing of the transaction with CBD For Life is subject to the parties entering into a definitive agreement and that iAnthus receives the fairness opinion. The parties expect to enter into a definitive agreement in the second quarter of 2019. There can be no assurances that the transaction the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.
About iAnthus Capital Holdings Inc.
iAnthus Capital Holdings owns and operates best-in-class licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States, providing investors diversified exposure to the U.S. regulated cannabis industry.
About CBD For Life
CBD For Life is a producer of highly innovative, natural, luxurious and effective cannabidiol-infused pain management and beauty products using 99-per-cent-pure CBD extract derived from stems and stalks of industrial hemp. Its revolutionary formulas combine CBD with nourishing essential oils and other active ingredients to aid in reducing pain, inflammation and stress while promoting anti-aging, rejuvenation and vibrancy. CBD For Life is headquartered in New Jersey where the products are produced in a large-scale contract manufacturing facility.