Cresco Labs to Acquire Origin House in Largest-Ever Public Company Acquisition in the U.S. Cannabis
Sector
Solidifies a Leading Position in California, the World’s Largest Regulated Cannabis Market
Creates a Cannabis Industry Powerhouse – Combined Entity Will Have the Leading Distribution Footprint in
North America
Addition of Californian Brands and Expertise to Support Continued Global Expansion
Cresco Labs Inc. (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company” – CSE: CL, OTCQX: CRLBF) and CannaRoyalty Corp. d/b/a Origin
House (“Origin House” – CSE: OH, OTCQX: ORHOF) are pleased to announce today that they have entered into a definitive
agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which Cresco Labs will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Origin
House (the “Origin House Shares”) (the “Transaction”). Under the terms of the Agreement, holders of common shares of
Origin House will receive 0.8428 subordinate voting shares of Cresco Labs (the “Cresco Labs Shares”) for each Origin House
Share (the “Exchange Ratio”).
The Transaction represents a total consideration of approximately C$1.1 billion on a fully-diluted basis, or C$12.68 per Origin
House Share (based on the Exchange Ratio and the closing price of Cresco Labs Shares on March 29, 2019, the last trading day prior
to the announcement of the Transaction). The Transaction represents the largest public company acquisition in the history of the
U.S. cannabis industry. The combined entity will be: one of the largest vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis operators in the
United States; a leading North American cannabis company, by footprint; and one of the largest cannabis brand distributors.
Origin House has become a leading distributor and provider of brand support services in California, the world’s largest
regulated cannabis market. Origin House’s proven strategy has been to build relationships with established dispensaries, build
partnerships with established market-leading brands, develop promising cannabis product companies, and then leverage its full suite
of support services to transform those products into strong California consumer brands. Origin House delivers over 50+ cannabis
brands to more than 500 dispensaries in California, representing approximately 60% market penetration1.
KEY TRANSACTION HIGHLIGHTS & BENEFITS:
- Combination of Cresco Labs and Origin House will result in the premier distribution company
serving California, the largest cannabis market in the world;
- Accelerates Cresco Labs’ entrance into the California market with the addition of Origin
House’s vast distribution platform;
- Establishes the cannabis industry’s first national “house of brands” with a growing
multi-state footprint that includes leading distribution market share in some of the largest states in the country including
California, Pennsylvania and Illinois;
- Combines the expertise of two industry leaders in branded product development and
distribution;
- Positions Cresco Labs as the preferred partner for additional premier cannabis brands seeking
distribution on the industry’s most expansive platform;
- Enhances Cresco Labs’ capital markets presence by significantly increasing its scale and the
liquidity in the Company’s stock, resulting in improved ability to attract institutional investment and lower its cost of
capital;
- Continued participation by Origin House shareholders who will hold approximately 20% of the
issued and outstanding Cresco Labs Shares on a pro forma, fully-diluted and as converted basis, enabling Origin House
Shareholders the opportunity to participate in the expected value created through the Transaction; and
- Immediate premium to Origin House shareholders of approximately 26% over the 30-day volume
weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Origin House Shares on the Canadian Stock Exchange (“CSE”) ending March 29,
2019 (based on the Exchange Ratio and the closing price of Cresco Labs Shares on March 29, 2019).
MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY
“The acquisition of Origin House is another example of our focused and disciplined approach to creating a meaningful presence in
key cannabis markets through excellence in brand development and distribution,” said Cresco Labs CEO and Co-founder Charlie
Bachtell. “It establishes Cresco Labs as the leading multi-state operator with one of the largest distribution platforms in
California, which is projected to be a $7.7 billion cannabis market in 2022 by Arcview Market Research/BDS Analytics. Having a
similar priority on consumers and consumer brands with the expertise of executives from the largest wine and liquor distribution
company in the United States, the team at Origin House has established the premier cannabis distribution company in the largest
cannabis market in the world. It’s an incredible platform for Cresco in California and the distribution infrastructure will provide
a valuable framework to leverage as we scale our platforms in other states. Congratulations to Marc and the team at Origin House –
through strategic M&A and purposeful investments, they’ve built something very special.”
Mr. Bachtell continued, “Following the closing of this acquisition, Cresco brands will be in over 725 dispensaries across the
country, giving us the largest and most strategic distribution footprint of any cannabis company in the United States. This
significantly accelerates our efforts to build the first national house of brands with broad and deep positions in the largest
cannabis markets in the country. Cresco will have industry-leading brand development and distribution capabilities, which we
believe will result in significant value creation for consumers and our shareholders alike as the market for medical-use and
regulated adult-use cannabis continues to grow at a rapid pace.”
“We are excited to welcome the Origin House team to the Cresco family,” said Cresco Labs President and Co-founder Joe
Caltabiano. “With the addition of Origin House and its vast distribution network in California, we will have access to incredibly
valuable real-time market data and insight into consumer buying patterns that will inform our product development strategies and
reinforce our brand strength. In addition to their brand building and distribution expertise, Origin House has a very experienced
M&A, corporate development and capital markets team that will be extremely valuable as we continue to expand and add scale
through additional transactions. With respect to the capital markets impact, with the equity issued through this transaction, we
expect to have substantially more shares in our float, which we believe will provide ample liquidity for larger institutional
investors looking to deploy capital into the cannabis space. We expect that our larger scale and improved liquidity following this
acquisition will positively impact our ability to attract a larger universe of potential investors and reduce our cost of capital
in the future.”
Marc Lustig, Chairman and CEO of Origin House commented, “From an Origin House perspective, this transaction is directly aligned
with our strategy to build a leading portfolio of cannabis brands in California and to rapidly and accretively take those brands to
the rest of the U.S. market, as well as the Canadian market. By partnering with one of the largest and most innovative U.S.
multi-state operators in existence today, Origin House will supercharge its growth and be in a position to offer its brand partners
access to 10 additional states, with licenses and supporting infrastructure already in place. Cresco shares Origin House’s resolute
focus on the customer as the catalyst for all brand and business development efforts. This Transaction is not the first opportunity
we have reviewed, but it has received the unanimous support of our board and large shareholders because we are confident that
together we will be in a position to truly change the face of the global cannabis industry while continuing to create significant
value for the shareholders of both companies.”
TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION
The Transaction will be effected by way of a plan of arrangement under the laws of the Province of Ontario. Under the terms of
the Agreement, Cresco Labs will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Origin House Shares, with each holder of Origin House
common shares receiving 0.8428 Cresco Labs Shares for each Origin House Share (and each holder of an Origin House proportionate
voting share receiving 84.28 Cresco Labs Shares for each proportionate voting share held), which implies a price per Origin House
Share of C$12.68 (on an as converted basis), representing a total consideration of approximately C$1.1 billion (on a
fully-diluted). After giving effect to the Transaction, Origin House Shareholders will hold approximately 20% ownership in the pro
forma entity (on a pro forma fully-diluted and as converted basis).
The Transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of each of Cresco Labs and Origin House. Certain Origin
House directors, officers and other significant shareholders have entered into irrevocable voting and support agreements to vote in
favor of the Transaction, and have also agreed for their resulting Cresco Labs Shares to be deposited into escrow and released over
a period of nine months following closing of the Transaction.
The Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants for transactions of this type, including a
termination fee in the amount of C$45 million payable by Origin House in the event that the Transaction is terminated in certain
circumstances.
The Transaction is subject to, among other things, CSE, Ontario court and certain other regulatory approvals and requires the
approval of two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders of Origin House at a special meeting expected to be held in June 2019, as
well as other customary closing conditions. Approval of Cresco Labs Shareholders is not required. Additional details of the
Transaction will be provided to Origin House Shareholders in an information circular expected to be mailed to shareholders in the
coming weeks. The Transaction is expected to be completed by the end of June 2019, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
applicable closing conditions.
The Board of Directors of Origin House unanimously recommends that Origin House Shareholders vote in favor of the resolution to
approve the Transaction.
Upon the completion of the Transaction, Marc Lustig will be appointed to the executive management team of Cresco Labs and will
also serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Lustig has 16 years of healthcare and capital markets experience in
North America and Europe. Mr. Lustig founded CannaRoyalty Corp (d/b/a Origin House) in early 2015.
CRESCO LABS PRO FORMA FOOTPRINT
Upon completion of the Transaction, as well as the receipt of licensure in Michigan and the closing of the Company’s pending
acquisition in Florida, Cresco Labs will have operations in 11 states, 23 facilities, more than 1.5 million square feet of
cultivation, and licenses to operate up to 51 retail dispensaries. Cresco Labs brands will be sold in over 725 dispensaries across
the United States.
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS
Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as financial advisor and Bennett Jones LLP acted as legal counsel to Cresco Labs.
Cormark Securities Inc. acted as financial advisor and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP acted as legal counsel to Origin
House.
Origin House has retained Kingsdale Advisors as its strategic shareholder and communications advisor. Shareholders with
questions are advised to contact Kingsdale Advisors at 1-888-302-5677 or contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com
CONFERENCE CALL AND INVESTOR PRESENTATION
Cresco Labs and Origin House will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss the acquisition on Tuesday April 2nd
at 8:00 am ET. The conference call may be accessed via Cresco Labs investor website at investors.crescolabs.com or by dialing
either (a) 1-866-688-4235 (Toll-Free) or (b) 1-409-216-0711 (International), in either case entering conference ID 3274836.
Archived access to the webcast will be available for one year on Cresco’s investor website.
In addition, an investor presentation providing an overview of the transaction will be made available on the Events and
Presentations page of the Cresco investor website.
ABOUT CRESCO LABS
Cresco Labs, based in Chicago, is a leading U.S. cannabis company with experienced management, access to capital and a
demonstrated growth strategy. As a differentiated grower, processor and retailer of premium cannabis operating across the United
States, the company focuses on entering highly regulated markets with outsized demand potential and strong regulatory structures.
Its impressive speed-to-market gives Cresco a distinct competitive advantage as it replicates its model to expand its national
footprint. Cresco’s proven ability to execute is complemented by a cutting-edge brand strategy spearheaded by several of the
brightest minds in consumer marketing in the nation. Cresco’s products are tailored to all major consumer segments: everyday
cannabis, medicinally focused, connoisseur grade, and chef inspired edibles by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal.
Learn more about Cresco Labs at
www.crescolabs.com.
ABOUT ORIGIN HOUSE
Origin House is a growing cannabis brands and distribution company operating across key markets in the U.S. and Canada, with a
strategic focus on becoming a preeminent global house of cannabis brands. Origin House’s foundation is in California, the world’s
largest regulated cannabis market, where it delivers over 130 branded cannabis products from 50+ brands to the majority of licensed
dispensaries. Origin House’s brand development platform is operated out of five licensed facilities located across California, and
provides distribution, manufacturing, cultivation and marketing services for its brand partners. Origin House is actively
developing infrastructure to support the proliferation of its brands internationally, initially through its acquisition of Canadian
retailer 180 Smoke. Origin House’s shares trade on the CSE under the symbol “OH” and on the OTCQX under the symbol “ORHOF”. Origin
House is the registered business name of CannaRoyalty Corp. For more information, visit
www.originhouse.com.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and
may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements
are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only Cresco Labs’ and/or
Origin House's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and
outside of the Cresco Labs’ and/or Origin House's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, ‘may,’ ‘will,’ ‘should,’ ‘could,’ ‘would,’
‘expects,’ ‘plans,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘believes,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘projects,’ ‘predicts,’ ‘potential’ or ‘continue’ or the negative of
those forms or other comparable terms.
Forward looking statements are based on certain assumptions regarding the Company and Origin House, including but not limited to
expected growth, results of operations, performance, industry trends and growth opportunities. While the Company considers these
assumptions to be reasonable based on currently available information, they may prove to be incorrect. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: (i) risks associated with general economic conditions; (ii) adverse
industry events; (iii) future legislative and regulatory developments; (iv) inability to access sufficient capital and/or inability
to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; (v) the evolving cannabis industry in North America generally; (vi) the ability
of the Company to implement its business strategies; (viii) risks associated with currency and interest rate fluctuations; (ix)
risks discussed in public filings relating to the Transaction, as well as those risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in the
Company’s CSE Listing Statement filed with SEDAR or Origin House’s management’s discussion and analysis filed with SEDAR; (x) and
other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Cresco Labs’ and/or Origin House.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Because of these uncertainties, readers should not
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. No assurances are given as to the future trading price or trading volumes
of Cresco Labs’ Shares, or Origin House Shares, nor as to the Cresco Labs’ and/or Origin House's financial performance in future
financial periods. Except to the extent required by applicable laws, Cresco Labs’ and/or Origin House does not intend to update any
of these factors or any of the forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future event or
otherwise. Except as otherwise indicated, this press release speaks as of the date hereof. The distribution of this press release
does not imply that there has been no change after the date hereof or create any duty or commitment to update or supplement any
information provided in this press release or otherwise.
1 Based on the percentage of licensed cannabis micro-businesses and storefronts serviced over the past 9 months.
CONTACTS – Cresco Labs
Media:
Jason Erkes, Cresco Labs
Chief Communications Officer
press@crescolabs.com
Investors:
Aaron Miles, Cresco Labs
Vice President, Investor Relations
investors@crescolabs.com
For general Cresco Labs inquiries:
312-929-0993
info@crescolabs.com
CONTACTS – Origin House
Media:
Priyam Chakraborty, Origin House
Communications Manager
647-232-9287
pchakraborty@originhouse.com
Investors:
Kingsdale Advisors
1-888-302-5677
contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com
Jonathan Ross
LodeRock Advisors Inc., Origin House Investor Relations
416-283-0178
jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190401005470/en/