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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark one)

☒ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the transition period from ________________ to________________________.

Commission File Number 000-55450

MEDICINE MAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

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4880 Havana Street

Suite 201

Denver, Colorado 80239

(Address of principal executive offices)

(303) 371-0387

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes ☐     No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   Yes ☐     No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ☒     No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).   Yes  ☒   No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the Registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the Registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).   ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes ☐   No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity (common stock) held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of the close of business on June 30, 2022 was approximately $50.8 million based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on OTC Markets Group, Inc. on that date.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s $0.001 par value Common Stock as of the close of business on March 15, 2023 was 55,212,547.

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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon our good faith assumptions, expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on our business. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intends,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “approximately,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms or other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future events or future operating or financial performance, although the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. In particular, such statements include those relating to, among other things, (i) regulatory limitations on our products and services and the uncertainty in the application of federal, state, and local laws to our business, and any changes in such laws; (ii) our ability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (iii) our ability to identify, consummate, and integrate anticipated acquisitions; (iv) general industry and economic conditions; (v) our ability to access adequate capital upon terms and conditions that are acceptable to us; (vi) our ability to pay interest and principal on outstanding debt when due; (vii) volatility in credit and market conditions; (viii) the loss of one or more key executives or other key employees; and (ix) other risks and uncertainties related to the cannabis market and our business strategy. This information may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual events or our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future events, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that future events, results, performance or achievements will be in accordance with our expectations or that the effect of future events, results, performance or achievements will be those anticipated by us.

These forward-looking statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in “Item 1. Business”, “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, “Item 3. Legal Proceedings,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations,” and elsewhere in this report. Many of those factors are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Considering these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than we have described. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements in this Report are reasonable, we cannot assure stockholders and potential investors that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning other matters addressed in this Report and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this Report.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise. Stockholders and potential investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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Risk Factors Summary

Our business faces significant risks and uncertainties. If any of the following risks are realized, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. You should carefully review and consider the full discussion of our risk factors in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Report. Set forth below is a summary list of the principal risk factors as of the date of the filing of this Report:

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

Overview

Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., doing business as Schwazze (“we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” or “Schwazze”), is a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator focused on growth through expansion and acquisition in existing and new markets. The Company’s business involves the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and retail sale of cannabis and cannabis related products. The Company sells products it manufactures and cultivates and a variety of other cannabis goods through wholly-owned retail stores, licensing arrangements, and/or third-party operators and retailers.

The Company is focused on organic growth as well as growing through geographic expansion, acquisition, and application for new licenses in the Colorado and New Mexico cannabis markets. The Company is focused on building a premier vertically integrated cannabis company in Colorado and New Mexico with the goal of expanding into new and emerging markets, potentially including new states, compatible with the Company’s business strategy. The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in mainstream consumer packaged goods, retail, manufacturing, and product development at Fortune 500 companies as well as at companies of various sizes in the cannabis sector. The Company strives to build and maintain a high-performance culture and a focus on analytical decision making, supported by data. Customer-centric thinking inspires the Company’s strategy and provides the foundation for the Company’s operational playbook.

The Company currently has operations in Colorado and New Mexico. As of March 1, 2023, the Company owned and operated (i) 42 retail dispensaries, 25 in Colorado under the banners Star Buds and Emerald Fields and 17 in New Mexico under the banner R. Greenleaf; (ii) five cultivation facilities, two in Colorado and three in New Mexico; and (iii) two manufacturing facilities, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico.

Schwazze is a reporting issuer in the United States and Canada. The Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 (“Common Stock” ) is listed for trading in the United States on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol “SHWZ” and also listed for trading in Canada on the NEO Exchange under the symbol “SHWZ.” Schwazze is a smaller reporting company under U.S. federal securities laws and has elected to follow scaled disclosure requirements.

History

The Company was incorporated in Nevada on March 20, 2014 under the name Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., and it rebranded its name to Schwazze in April 2020. The Company’s operations began through the licensing of proprietary processes developed, implemented, and practiced at other cannabis facilities relating to the commercial growth, cultivation, marketing and distribution of medical and recreational marijuana pursuant to relevant state laws. The Company continued early expansion with the acquisition of Success Nutrients™ and Pono Publications, including the rights to the book titled “Three A Light” and the proprietary cultivation techniques documented therein, which have been part of the Company’s product and service offerings since the acquisition. The Company then entered into the retail market by way of its acquisition of Two J’s LLC d/b/a The Big Tomato in 2018, a leading supplier of hydroponics and indoor gardening supplies in the Denver metro area.

Prior to 2020, the Company was focused on cannabis dispensary and cultivation consulting and providing equipment and nutrients to cannabis cultivators. In 2019, the Company made a strategic decision to move toward direct plant-touching operations due to changes in Colorado law expanding permitted investments into plant-touching cannabis companies. The Company developed a plan to roll up a number of direct plant-touching dispensaries, manufacturing, and cultivation facilities with the goal of being one of the largest seed-to-sale cannabis businesses in Colorado. In April 2020, the Company acquired its first plant-touching business, Mesa Organics Ltd. d/b/a Purplebee’s (“Purplebee’s”), which consisted of four dispensaries and one manufacturing infused products facility. Following the acquisition of Purplebee’s, the Company established a substantial retail presence in Colorado with its acquisition of 13 Star Buds branded dispensaries between December 2020 and March 2021 and its acquisition of two Emerald Fields branded dispensaries in February 2022, which it has continued to build through additional acquisitions. The Company entered the New Mexico cannabis market in 2022 when it acquired ten R. Greenleaf branded dispensaries, one manufacturing facility, and four cultivation

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facilities. Since its first plant-touching acquisition in April 2020, the Company has completed a number of acquisitions in an effort to expand its market presence and achieve complete vertical integration.

Financings

The Company has two classes of stock: common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”) and Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Preferred Stock”). The Preferred Stock votes with the Common Stock as a single class on an as-converted basis. Among other terms, each share of Preferred Stock (i) earns an annual dividend of 8% on the “preference amount,” which initially was equal to the $1,000 per-share purchase price and subject to increase, by having such dividends automatically accrete to, and increase, the outstanding preference amount; (ii) is entitled to a liquidation preference under certain circumstances, (iii) is convertible into shares of Common Stock by dividing the preference amount by $1.20 per share under certain circumstances, and (iv) is subject to a redemption right or obligation under certain circumstances.

From June 5, 2019 through May 21, 2020, the Company completed a private placement of shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock for aggregate gross cash proceeds of approximately $18,575,000. In the private placement, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 9,287,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $2.00 per share and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 9,287,000 additional shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.50 per share.

On December 16, 2020, the Company issued and sold a Convertible Promissory Note and Security Agreement in the original principal amount of $5,000,000 to Dye Capital & Company, LLC (“Dye Capital”). On February 26, 2021, Dye Capital converted all outstanding amounts under the note into 5,060 shares of Preferred Stock.

From December 2020 through March 2021 the Company completed a private placement of Preferred Stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $52.7 million dollars. In the private placement, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 52,700 shares of Preferred Stock at a price of $1,000 per share under securities purchase agreements with Dye Capital Cann Holdings II, LLC (“Dye Cann II”) and CRW Capital Cann Holdings, LLC (“CRW”) as well as subscription agreements with unaffiliated investors.

On February 26, 2021, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement with SHWZ Altmore, LLC (“Altmore”), as lender, and GGG Partners LLC, as collateral agent (the “Loan Agreement”). Upon execution of the Loan Agreement, the Company received $10,000,000 of loan proceeds. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Southern Colorado Growers (“SCG”), the Company received an additional $5,000,000 of loan proceeds under the Loan Agreement. The loan carries an interest rate of 15% per annum, and the Company is required to make principal payments in the amount of $750,000 quarterly starting June 1, 2023. The Loan Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in the assets of PBS Holdco LLC (“PBS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company and the Company’s Colorado manufacturing operation, and the SCG Cultivation (the “Altmore Collateral”).

On December 3, 2021, the Company and all its direct and indirect subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with 31 accredited investors (the “Note Investors”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Note Investors 13% senior secured convertible notes due December 7, 2026 (the “Investor Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $95,000,000 for an aggregate purchase price of $93,100,000 (reflecting an original issue discount of $1,900,000, or 2%) in a private placement. On December 7, 2021, the Company consummated the private placement and issued and sold the Investor Notes pursuant to the Indenture entered into among the Company, Chicago Admin, LLC, as collateral agent (the “Indenture Collateral Agent”), Ankura Trust Company, LLC, as trustee (the “Indenture Trustee”), and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Indenture”). The Company received net proceeds of approximately $92 million at the closing, after deducting a commission to the placement agent and estimated offering expenses. Such net proceeds are required to be used to fund previously identified acquisitions and other growth initiatives. The Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Investor Notes are secured by (i) junior security interest in the Altmore Collateral and the Star Buds Collateral, and (ii) a first priority security interest in all assets owned by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on or after December 7, 2021.

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Material Acquisitions & Investments

On June 3, 2017, the Company issued 7,000,000 shares of its Common Stock as consideration for the acquisitions of Pono Publications Ltd and Success Nutrients, Inc., pursuant to which the Company acquired the rights to its proprietary cultivation techniques codified in the proprietary work Three A Light and nutrients brand line offered by Success Nutrients.

On July 26, 2017, the Company issued 2,258,065 shares of its Common Stock for 100% ownership of Denver Consulting Group, Inc., a cannabis industry consultant that expanded the Company’s consulting offerings.

On September 20, 2018, the Company issued 1,933,329 shares of its Common Stock and paid approximately $307,000 in cash for 100% ownership of Two Js LLC d/b/a The Big Tomato (“The Big Tomato”), the Company’s retail store that provides the industry with cultivation supplies and equipment.

Between December 17, 2020 and March 3, 2021, the Company acquired 13 retail dispensaries and one cultivation facility located primarily in and around Denver, Colorado branded under the Star Buds banner. On December 17, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Starbuds Pueblo LLC, and (ii) Starbuds Alameda LLC. On December 18, 2020, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Starbuds Commerce City LLC, (ii) Lucky Ticket LLC, (iii) Starbuds Niwot LLC, and (iv) LM MJC LLC. On February 4, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Colorado Health Consultants LLC, and (ii) Mountain View 44th LLC. On March 2, 2021, the Company acquired the assets of (i) Starbuds Aurora LLC, (ii) SB Arapahoe LLC, (iii) Citi-Med LLC, (iv) Starbuds Louisville LLC, and (v) KEW LLC. The Company refers to this series of acquisitions as the “Star Buds Acquisition” and each of the aforementioned entities generically as “Star Buds” unless otherwise specified. In connection with the Star Buds Acquisition, the Company also acquired the exclusive right to use the Star Buds tradename in Colorado. The purchase price for the Star Buds Acquisitions was paid in cash, Preferred Stock, and deferred payments referred to in this report as “seller note(s)”. The seller notes are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets owned by SBUD LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that acquired the Star Buds assets (the “Star Buds Collateral”). The aggregate purchase price for the Star Buds Acquisition was $118,000,000, paid as follows: (i) $44,250,000 in cash at the applicable closings, (ii) $44,250,000 in deferred cash, also referred to in this report as “seller note(s),” (iii) 29,506 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 25,078 shares were issued at the applicable closings and 4,428 shares were held back by the Company as collateral for potential indemnification obligations pursuant to the applicable purchase agreements. In addition, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,531,250 shares of Common Stock to the sellers under the applicable purchase agreement.

On July 21, 2021, the Company acquired the cultivation assets and real property of SCG, which included approximately 36 acres of real property with outdoor cultivation capacity located in Huerfano County, Colorado, for a total purchase price of approximately $5.8 million in cash and 2,197,978 shares of Common Stock.

On December 21, 2021, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Double Brow, LLC (“Double Brow”), acquired one retail dispensary located in Glendale, Colorado from Smoking Gun, LLC (“SG”) and Smoking Gun Land Company, LLC (“SG Land,” and together with SG, “Smoking Gun”) for a total purchase price of $4 million in cash and 100,000 shares of Common Stock.

On January 26, 2022, the Company, through Double Brow, acquired two retail dispensaries located in Boulder, Colorado from BG3 Investments, LLC, d/b/a Drift (“Drift”), and Black Box Licensing, LLC pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement entered into on June 25, 2021 with Double Brow, Drift, Black Box Licensing, LLC and Brian Searchinger, the sole equity holder of Drift and an equity holder of Black Box Licensing, LLC, as amended on October 28, 2021 (the “Drift Purchase Agreement”). The acquired assets include (i) the assets used in or related to Drift’s business of distributing, marketing, and selling recreational cannabis products and (ii) the leases for two retail dispensaries located in Boulder, Colorado. The aggregate closing consideration for the acquisition was (i) $1.92 million in cash, and (ii) 1,146,099 shares of Common Stock issued to Drift.

On February 9, 2022, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Emerald Fields Merger Sub, LLC (“Emerald Fields Sub”), acquired two retail dispensaries located in Manitou Springs, Colorado and Glendale, Colorado branded under the banner Emerald Fields pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 15, 2021, with Emerald Fields Sub, MCG, LLC (“MCG”), MCG’s owners, and Donald Douglas Burkhalter and James Gulbrandsen in

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their capacity as the Member Representatives, as amended on February 9, 2022 (the “MCG Merger Agreement”). Under the MCG Merger Agreement, MCG merged with and into Emerald Fields Sub, with Emerald Fields Sub continuing as the surviving entity. The aggregate closing consideration for the merger was $29 million, consisting of: (i) $16.0 million in cash; (ii) 6,547,239 shares of the Common Stock issued to the members of MCG; and (iii) an aggregate of $2.32 million was held back as collateral for potential claims for indemnification under the MCG Merger Agreement as follows: (y) $1.39 million in cash and (z) 569,325 shares of Common Stock. The MCG Merger Agreement provides for the escrowed portion of the purchase price (less any claims for indemnity) to be released 50% on February 9, 2023 and 50% on August 9, 2023.

On February 8, 2022, the Company entered the New Mexico market with its acquisition of ten retail dispensaries located throughout the State of New Mexico operating under the banner R. Greenleaf, one manufacturing facility, and four cultivation facilities under the terms of a Purchase Agreement, dated November 29, 2021, with Nuevo Holding, LLC and Nuevo Elemental Holding, LLC, both of which are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the “Nuevo Purchasers”), Reynold Greenleaf & Associates, LLC (“RGA”), Elemental Kitchen and Laboratories, LLC (“Elemental”), the equity holders of RGA and Elemental, and William N. Ford, in his capacity as Representative, as amended on February 8, 2022 (the “Nuevo Purchase Agreement”). The Nuevo Purchasers acquired substantially all of the operating assets of RGA and all of the equity of Elemental and assumed specified liabilities of RGA and Elemental. Pursuant to existing laws and regulations in New Mexico, the cannabis licenses for certain facilities managed by RGA are held by two not-for-profit entities: Medzen Services, Inc. (“Medzen”) and R. Greenleaf Organics, Inc. (“R. Greenleaf” and together with Medzen, the “NFPs”). At the closing, Nuevo Holding, LLC gained control over the NFPs by becoming the sole member of each of the NFPs and replacing the directors of the two NFPs with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and the Company’s General Counsel. The business acquired from RGA consists of serving as a branding, marketing and consulting company, licensing certain intellectual property related to the business of THC-based products to Elemental and the NFPs, providing consulting services to Elemental and the NFPs, and supporting Elemental and the NFPs to promote, support, and develop sales and distribution of products. Elemental is engaged in the business of creating and distributing cannabis-derived products to licensed cannabis producers. Elemental and the NFPs are in the business of cultivating, processing and dispensing marijuana in New Mexico, with 10 dispensaries, four cultivation facilities (three operating and one under development) and one manufacturing facility. The dispensaries are located in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, Las Cruces, Grants and Las Vegas, New Mexico. The cultivation and manufacturing facilities are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and consists of approximately 70,000 square feet of cultivation and 6,000 square feet of manufacturing. On the same date, Nuevo Holding, LLC entered into two separate Call Option Agreements containing substantially identical terms with each of the NFPs. Each Call Option Agreement gives Nuevo Holding, LLC the right to acquire 100% of the equity or 100% of the assets of the applicable NFP for a purchase price of $100 if, in the future, the New Mexico legislature adopts legislation that permits a NFP to (i) convert to a for-profit corporation and maintain its cannabis license or (ii) sell its assets (including its cannabis license) to a for-profit corporation. The aggregate closing consideration for the acquisitions was approximately (i) $32.2 million in cash,  which included a $4.5 million cash earnout based on EBITDA of the acquired businesses for the calendar year 2021, and (ii) $17.0 million in the form of an unsecured promissory note issued by Nuevo Holding, LLC to RGA, the principal amount of which is payable on February 8, 2025 with interest payable monthly at an annual interest rate of 5% (the “Nuevo Note”).

On February 15, 2022, the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets of Brow 2, LLC (“Brow”) related to its indoor cannabis cultivation operations located in Denver, Colorado (other than assets expressly excluded) and assumed certain liabilities for contracts acquired pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated August 20, 2021, among Double Brow, Brow, and Brian Welsh, as the owner of Brow (the “Brow Purchase Agreement”). The acquired assets included a 37,000 square foot building, the associated lease and equipment designed for indoor cultivation. After purchase price adjustments for pre-closing inventory, the aggregate consideration was $6.7 million, of which Double Brow paid $6.2 million at closing and held back $500,000 as collateral for potential claims for indemnification under the Brow Purchase Agreement. Any of the purchase price held back and not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released on February 15, 2023 plus 3% simple interest.

On May 31, 2022, the Company acquired one retail dispensary operating under the banner Urban Dispensary and one cultivation facility, each located in Denver, Colorado, pursuant to an Asset and Personal Goodwill Purchase Agreement (the “Urban Dispensary Purchase Agreement”) with Double Brow, Urban Health & Wellness, Inc. d/b/a Urban Dispensary (“Urban Dispensary”), Productive Investments, LLC (“Productive Investments”), and Patrick Johnson (together with

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Productive Investments, the “Urban Equityholders”), pursuant to which the Purchaser acquired (i) all of Urban Dispensary’s assets used or held for use in Urban Dispensary’s business of owning and operating a retail marijuana store and a grow facility, each located in Denver, Colorado, and (ii) all of Equityholders’ personal goodwill arising from Equityholders’ independent, separate, individual and personal efforts relating to Urban Dispensary’s business on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement (the “Urban Dispensary Purchase”), and assume obligations under contracts acquired as part of the Urban Dispensary Purchase. The aggregate consideration for the Urban Dispensary Purchase was $1.32 million in cash and 1,230,534 shares of Common Stock. The Company held back $288,000 of the stock consideration at closing as collateral for potential claims for indemnification from Urban Dispensary under the Urban Dispensary Purchase Agreement. Any portion of the held back consideration not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released to Urban Dispensary on November 30, 2023.

On July 13, 2022, the Company entered into a strategic relationship with Mission Holdings US, Inc. (“Mission Holdings”), an entity affiliated with MCG, by purchasing a non-controlling equity interest in Mission Holdings. Mission Holdings offers various cannabis products and brands, including proprietary cannabis-infused gummies and premium flower for medical and recreational sale in Colorado and California. The Company has the right to acquire 100% of the equity interest in Mission Holdings on or after the three-year anniversary of the investment.

On December 15, 2022, the Company acquired substantially all of the operating assets associated with two retail dispensaries located in Denver, Colorado and Aurora, Colorado owned by Lightshade Labs LLC (“Lightshade”) pursuant to the terms of two Asset Purchase Agreements, dated September 9, 2022, among Double Brow, the Company, Lightshade, and Lightshade’s owners, Thomas Van Alsburg, Steve Brooks, and John Fritzel, as amended on December 15, 2021 (the “Lightshade Purchase Agreements”). After purchase price adjustments for transaction and related expenses, the aggregate consideration for the acquisition was approximately $2.75 million, all of which was paid in cash. The Company deposited $300,000 of the purchase price in escrow as collateral for potential claims for indemnification from Lightshade under the Lightshade Purchase Agreements. Any of the purchase price placed in escrow and not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be released on December 15, 2023.

Current Operations and Developments

Operating Segments

The Company’s operations are organized into three different segments as follows: (i) Retail, consisting of retail locations for sale of cannabis products; (ii) Wholesale, consisting of manufacturing, cultivation and sale of both wholesale cannabis and non-cannabis products; and (iii) Other, consisting of all other income and expenses, which primarily includes those related to in-store advertising and general corporate operations. Each of our operating segments are discussed in further detail below.

SEGMENT 1 –Retail – This segment currently includes our Retail dispensaries located in Colorado and New Mexico.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned and operated 25 retail cannabis dispensaries in the State of Colorado—19 retail dispensaries under the banner name Star Buds and six retail dispensaries under the banner name Emerald Fields—and  16 retail cannabis dispensaries in the State of New Mexico, all under the banner name R. Greenleaf.

Our dispensaries sell a wide variety of cannabis products directly to tens of thousands of consumers. These products include loose flower, concentrates, edibles, pre-rolls, topicals, infused beverages, and other associated cannabis products produced by a large variety of cannabis vendors. In Colorado, our retail dispensaries sell products sourced from our Wholesale segment, investment partners, licensing arrangements, and other third party suppliers. In New Mexico, our retail dispensaries sell products predominantly sourced through internal wholesale operations and a small percentage of third party products.

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SEGMENT 2 – Wholesale – This segment includes consolidated Wholesale, Cultivation, and Manufacturing.

The Company supports its retail operations and growth through the operation of wholly-owned manufacturing and cultivation facilities. The Company’s wholly-owned manufacturing and cultivation facilities also engage with the wholesale markets in Colorado and New Mexico. The Company’s wholesale business includes cannabis and non-cannabis operations, although the Company’s cannabis wholesale operations are more substantial than its non-cannabis activities.

Wholesale

The Company participates in the wholesale market through both its cultivation and manufacturing operations based on market conditions and internal needs.

The wholesale cannabis market is influenced by a number of factors outside of the Company’s control largely due to the cyclical nature of the agricultural industry. The Company has acquired robust cultivation capacity such that it can expand production and sell its cultivation products to the wholesale market during certain market cycles when advantageous to do so, and it also has the ability to scale back production when the wholesale market is less profitable.

The Company’s manufacturing operations are used to extract oil from the cannabis plant and refine the oil into distillate oil.  It sells this distillate oil to other product manufacturers. Like its cultivation facilities, the Company can increase or curtail its production capacity to adjust to market conditions. 

Lastly, the Company also supplies the wholesale markets through the sale of cannabis cultivation materials, nutrients, and equipment. The Company sells a variety of indoor gardening supplies and hydroponics through its online and retail store, The Big Tomato, located in Aurora, Colorado. While these wholesale activities were a meaningful component of the Company’s operations in the past, the Company’s business strategy has trended away from these revenue sources in recent years due to growth and expansion of the Company’s retail, manufacturing, and cultivation activities as well as the impact of the greater wholesale market downturn in Colorado and nationwide. Management is assessing the ongoing value and anticipated future utilization of these particular wholesale operations.

Cultivation

As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned eight cultivation facilities: four in Colorado and four in New Mexico. The Company leverages its cultivating capacity in both states where it operates to participate in the wholesale market and/or support internal operations based on market conditions and profitability in wholesale transactions.

The Company operated four active cultivations in Colorado throughout 2022, but it ceased operations at two of its facilities located in Denver, Colorado during the year to consolidate production activities and drive synergies. The Company maintains four active cultivation licenses in Colorado as of March 1, 2023.

The Company’s primary cultivation facilities in Colorado include (i) a 37,000 square foot building located in Denver, Colorado leased by the Company for indoor cultivation (the “Brow Cultivation”) and (ii) 36 acres of land in Huerfano County, Colorado owned by the Company and designed for indoor and outdoor cultivation (the “SCG Cultivation”). The SCG Cultivation includes a greenhouse and 24 hoop houses, and the Company is expanding the SCG Cultivation to include additional hoop houses for increased outdoor cultivation capacity.

The Company operated four active indoor cultivations in New Mexico during 2022, and it discontinued operations at one of its cultivation facilities located in Albuquerque, New Mexico during 2022 to consolidate production activities and drive synergies. The Company maintains three active cultivation licenses in New Mexico as of March 1, 2023.

The Company’s primary cultivation facility in New Mexico is a 40,000 square foot building located in Albuquerque, New Mexico (the “Edith Grow”). The Company completed the first phase of planned renovation of the Edith Grow in 2022 with the goal of completing additional phases of construction and renovation to expand the cultivation capacity of the Edith Grow for increased synergies and cost savings. The Edith Grow, together with the Company’s other indoor

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cultivation facilities in New Mexico, primarily support Elemental’s manufacturing operations and the New Mexico Retail segment operations.

Manufacturing and Extraction

As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned and operated two manufacturing facilities: one in Colorado and one in New Mexico.

The Company’s manufacturing facilities primarily conduct cannabis extraction, distillation, manufacturing, and infusion operations for incorporation into retail cannabis products or sale through internal and external channels. The Company purchases cannabis biomass and trim to support manufacturing operations both internally from its cultivation operations as well as from a number of different vendors across Colorado and New Mexico. The Company maintains the ability to strategically adjust the amount of materials sourced from internal and external sources based on market conditions due to vertical integration in both states.  

The Company’s Colorado manufacturing facility is owned and operated by PBS. PBS leases a facility in Pueblo, Colorado containing approximately 7,000 square feet of space where PBS conducts ethanol extraction, distillation, and manufacturing of cannabis plants and biomass for sale and distribution to external buyers and internally to support the Company’s retail segment. PBS also supports the Colorado Retail segment by processing and packaging products for retail distribution from time to time. The Company acquires cannabis biomass and trim to support PBS’s manufacturing operations both internally from its cultivation operations at SCG and the Brow Cultivation as well as from a number of different vendors across Colorado. However, manufacturing operations in Colorado source raw materials from external vendors to a greater degree than manufacturing operations in New Mexico due to pricing and market conditions. PBS produces vapes, cartridges, and syringes for internal and external distribution, which includes the Company’s proprietary brand of vape products: Purplebee’s and Autograph by Purplebee’s.

The Company’s New Mexico manufacturing facility is owned and operated by Elemental, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Elemental leases a manufacturing facility located in Albuquerque, New Mexico representing approximately 6,000 square feet where it performs extraction, infusion, and manufacturing operations. Elemental produces a number of cannabis products that are sold in R. Greenleaf dispensaries, including edibles and vapes. Elemental primarily sources the raw materials used for its operations through the Company’s cultivation and wholesale operations due to increased vertical integration in New Mexico, although Elemental does purchase biomass and trim from external sources to support its operations.

SEGMENT 3 – Other – This segment includes General Corporate and Other.

General Corporate and Other

The Other segment encompasses the Company’s general corporate operations not otherwise categorized as retail or wholesale, and it also includes revenue from in-store advertisements and certain vendor promotions. This segment also includes the Company’s research and development subsidiary, Schwazze Biosciences LLC, which is committed to pursuing a program of basic and applied research focused on bringing consumers, as well as pets, the most beneficial properties of the cannabis plant.

Marketing

The Company markets its products, retail establishments and services to consumers through a variety of channels, including: digital marketing efforts, print advertising, outdoor billboards, coupons, a consolidated loyalty program across all states and retail banners, ecommerce websites, budtender appreciation events, universal gift card program, “search engine optimization” activities, grand opening or newly remodeled store events, brand pop-up events, and in-store promotions. In 2022, the Company’s Colorado retail banner, Star Buds, was the first cannabis sponsor of a professional ultimate frisbee sporting team, The Colorado Summit.

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Schwazze has created and maintains a database of marketing collateral materials and resources used for the Schwazze parent company brand, its in-house products/brands, and across all retail banners in the states in which it operates. The Company also coalesces interest and a presence within the industry through participation in various industry events, building relationships with key regulatory and government affairs officials, and through direct promotion.

The Company continues to enhance its online presence via its house of brands website, http://www.schwazze.com, and its investor relations website, http://www.ir.schwazze.com. During 2022, the Company revamped its website to include an overview of its retail and wholesale brands, features on management and its Board of Directors, latest investor relations presentations, links to media, analyst coverage and press relations, Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports, and our industry partners.

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Intellectual Property, Brand Development, and Licensing

Our operational success and business strategy incorporates various pieces of proprietary intellectual property, including trademarks, trade names, and copyrights owned by the Company and licensing of third party intellectual property pursuant to licensing agreements. We also acknowledge that certain protections normally available to us related to design or other utility patents in the cannabis industry are not currently enforceable under federal law. We attempt to protect our intellectual property via the deployment of robust non-disclosure agreements with both prospective partners, employees, and licensees prior to engagement. We also register our owned intellectual property in the states where we operate in an effort to enhance protection against infringement. There are no assurances that these non-disclosure agreements will prevent a third party from infringing upon our rights, and we also cannot enforce our owned cannabis-related intellectual property outside of the states of Colorado and New Mexico where our marks are registered. We intend to register for federal patent and trademark protection that is otherwise currently prohibited if and when the federal government eliminates the cannabis prohibition.

Schwazze is actively building a house of brands that includes both our active retail banners as well as products for sale at both the retail and wholesale level, manufacturing all products and controlling the quality for such brands through its vertical integration. The Company has developed three internally owned product brands as of March 1, 2023. These brands include: (i) Purplebee’s and (ii) Autograph by Purplebee’s, the Company’s distillate vaporizer product line, and (iii) EDW (Every Day Weed), which is a pre-packaged pouch of loose-ground flower offered in half-ounce increments at an affordable price point. Purplebee’s, Autograph by Purplebee’s, and EDW are available for sale in Indica, Sativa and Hybrid strains.

In addition to internal brand development efforts, we also enter into advantageous licensing agreements with other cannabis companies with recognizable brand value to maximize the success of our product offerings and sales. Schwazze has an exclusive licensing partnership with the premium California-based cannabis flower brand, Lowell Herb Company, which gives the Company exclusive right to manufacture, distribute and promote Lowell Farms products in the Colorado and New Mexico markets. Current products include: Quicks, Classics and Singles. Quicks and Classics are sold in 3.5g multi-units packs in blends of strains of indica, sativa, and hybrid dominances, while “singles” are 1g, single strain pre-rolls. The Lowell Farms brand is promoted through in-store advertising and promotion, customer loyalty programming, and budtender appreciation events. We also maintain a non-exclusive branding partnership with Mission Holdings pursuant to which we sell Mission Holdings’ proprietary brand of low-cost edibles, Nfuzed gummies, and premium flower, Level 10, in our retail channels in the states where we operate.

We also acquired a number of brands through previous acquisitions of existing dispensaries with varying degrees of brand recognition and loyalty that we actively utilize in our house of brands. In connection with the Star Buds acquisitions, we acquired the exclusive right to use the Star Buds brand in Colorado pursuant to a licensing agreement with the owners of the Star Buds intellectual property. We also acquired all of the rights in and interest to the Emerald Fields intellectual property owned by MCG that was acquired pursuant to the MGC Merger Agreement. In Colorado, we currently operate all of our retail dispensaries under the Emerald Fields or Star Buds banner. In New Mexico, we acquired the intellectual property associated with R. Greenleaf and operate all existing dispensaries under the R. Greenleaf banner.

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Government Regulations

Below is a discussion of the federal and state-level U.S. regulatory regimes in those jurisdictions where we are currently involved in the cannabis industry. The Company is directly engaged in the manufacture, possession, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the adult-use cannabis marketplace in the State of Colorado and the State of New Mexico.

Federal Regulations

The United States federal government regulates drugs through the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 811) (the “CSA”), which places controlled substances, including cannabis, in one of five different schedules. Cannabis, except hemp containing less than .3% (on a dry weight basis) of the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, is classified as a Schedule I drug. As a Schedule I drug, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) considers cannabis to have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. The classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug is inconsistent with what the Company believes to be many valuable medical uses for cannabis accepted by physicians, researchers, patients, and others. As evidence of this, the FDA on June 25, 2018 approved Epidiolex (CBD) oral solution with an active ingredient derived from the cannabis plant for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older. This is the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified drug substance derived from the cannabis plant. CBD is a chemical component of cannabis that does not contain the intoxication properties of THC (“THC”), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. The Company believes the CSA categorization as a Schedule I drug is not reflective of the medicinal properties of cannabis or the public perception thereof, and numerous studies show cannabis is not able to be abused in the same way as other Schedule I drugs, has medicinal properties, and can be safely administered.

The federal position is also not necessarily consistent with democratic approval of cannabis at the state government level in the United States. Unlike in Canada, which has federal legislation uniformly governing the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis under the Cannabis Act, S.C. 2018, c. 16, (Canada) and the Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, cannabis is largely regulated at the state and local level in the United States. State laws regulating cannabis conflict with the CSA, which makes cannabis use and possession federally illegal. Although certain states and territories of the United States authorize medical or adult-use cannabis production and distribution by licensed or registered entities, under United States federal law, the possession, use, cultivation, and transfer of cannabis and any related drug paraphernalia is illegal, and any such acts are criminal acts. Although the Company’s activities are compliant with applicable state and local laws, strict compliance with state and local laws with respect to cannabis may neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law nor provide a defense to federal criminal charges that may be brought against the Company. The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution establishes that the United States Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it are paramount and, in case of conflict between federal and state law, federal law shall apply.

Nonetheless, 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have legalized some form of cannabis for medical use, while 21 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the adult-use of cannabis for recreational purposes. As more and more states legalized medical and/or adult-use cannabis, the federal government attempted to provide clarity on the incongruity between federal prohibition under the CSA and these state-legal regulatory frameworks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law, with cannabis listed as a Schedule I drug under the CSA.

Until 2018, the federal government provided guidance to federal law enforcement agencies and banking institutions regarding cannabis through a series of memoranda from the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). The most recent such memorandum was drafted by former Deputy Attorney General James Cole on August 29, 2013 (the “Cole Memorandum”). The Cole Memorandum offered guidance to federal enforcement agencies as to how to prioritize civil enforcement, criminal investigations, and prosecutions regarding cannabis in all states, and acknowledged that, notwithstanding the designation of cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, several states have enacted laws authorizing the use of cannabis. The Cole Memorandum also noted that jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing cannabis in some form have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to

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control the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis. As such, conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations is less likely to be a priority at the federal level. The Cole Memorandum was seen by many state-legal cannabis companies as a safe harbor for their licensed operations that were conducted in full compliance with all applicable state and local regulations. However, on January 4, 2018, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum. In the absence of a uniform federal policy, as had been established by the Cole memorandum, enforcement priorities are determined by respective United States Attorneys.

Following his election, President Biden appointed Merrick Garland to serve as the U.S. Attorney General. While Attorney General Garland indicated in his confirmation hearing that he did not feel that enforcement of the federal cannabis prohibition against state-licensed business would be a priority target of the DOJ resources, no formal enforcement policy has been issued to date. There is no guarantee that state laws legalizing and regulating the sale and use of cannabis will not be repealed or overturned, or that local governmental authorities will not limit the applicability of state laws within their respective jurisdictions. Unless and until the U.S. Congress amends the CSA with respect to cannabis (and as to the timing or scope of any such potential amendments there can be no assurance), there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce current U.S. federal law.

As an industry best practice, despite the rescission of the Cole Memorandum, the Company abides by the following standard operating policies and procedures:

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In addition, the Company conducts background checks to ensure that the principals and management of its operating subsidiaries are of good character, have not been involved with other illegal drugs, engaged in illegal activity or activities involving violence, or use of firearms in cultivation, manufacturing, or distribution of cannabis. The Company will also conduct ongoing reviews of the activities of its cannabis businesses, the premises on which they operate, and the policies and procedures that are related to possession of cannabis or cannabis products outside of the licensed premises, including the cases where such possession is permitted by regulation.

One legislative safeguard for the medical cannabis industry remains in place: Congress has passed a so-called “rider” provision in the fiscal year 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Acts to prevent the federal government from using congressionally appropriated funds to enforce federal cannabis laws against regulated medical cannabis actors operating in compliance with state and local law. The rider is known as the "Rohrabacher-Farr" Amendment after its original lead sponsors (it is also sometimes referred to as the “Rohrabacher-Blumenauer” or “Joyce-Leahy” Amendment). In 2021, President Biden became the first president to propose a budget with the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment included. On February 18, 2022, the amendment was renewed through the signing of a stopgap spending bill, effective through March 11, 2022.

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Nevertheless, for the time being, cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level. The federal government of the U.S. has always reserved the right to enforce federal law regarding the sale and disbursement of medical or adult-use cannabis, even if state law sanctions such sale and disbursement. If the U.S. federal government begins to enforce U.S. federal laws relating to cannabis in states where the sale and use of cannabis is currently legal, or if existing applicable state laws are repealed or curtailed, the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects could be materially adversely affected.

There is a growing consensus among cannabis businesses and numerous members of Congress that prosecutorial discretion is not law and temporary legislative riders, such as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, are an inappropriate way to protect lawful medical cannabis businesses. Numerous bills have been introduced in Congress in recent years to decriminalize aspects of state-legal cannabis trades. The Company has observed that each year more congressmen and congresswomen sign on and co-sponsor cannabis legalization bills. In light of all this, it is anticipated that the federal government will eventually repeal the federal prohibition on cannabis and thereby leave the states to decide for themselves whether to permit regulated cannabis cultivation, production, and sale, just as states are free today to decide policies governing the distribution of alcohol or tobacco.

The most comprehensive proposal for reform of federal legislation on cannabis was introduced on July 14, 2021, by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) along with Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) when they released draft legislation titled the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (the “CAOA”). The CAOA removes cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act which would permit its decriminalization and allow the expungement of federal non-violent marijuana crimes. The CAOA would impose a federal tax on cannabis of 10% in its first year of enactment, eventually increasing to 25% in 5% increments. The taxes raised would be used to petition fund programs to benefit communities disproportionately impacted by the “War on Drugs”.

The CAOA enshrines the current state cannabis licensing regimes but introduces additional federal permitting of cannabis wholesalers. Regulatory responsibility for cannabis control would be transferred from the DEA to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”). The publication of the CAOA by Democratic congressional leaders represents a significant milestone in the move toward federal legalization of cannabis. While the CAOA indicates that legalization may come with significant federal tax burden, federal legalization will also bring long-awaited benefits to the industry of the removal of the Section 280E tax burden, clarity as to the status of state-licensed cannabis businesses, broad access to the banking and card payment system, and increased availability, and reduced cost, of capital.

At the time of the CAOA announcement, Senator Schumer indicated the bill currently did not have sufficient support in the Congress to pass. Although he originally targeted Spring 2022 for passage of legislation based on the CAOA draft, he then shifted to introducing of a revised draft of the CAOA in the Senate in April 2022.  As introduced, the CAOA lacked clarity regarding the transition of cannabis control from the DEA to TTB and the FDA, which presents the risk that existing operators may face a period of regulatory uncertain if legislation similar to the CAOA is enacted. Such uncertainty may impede growth of, and investment in, incumbent cannabis businesses, while exposing them to increased competition from the illicit market.

Ultimately, the CAOA did not pass and there can be no assurance that similar comprehensive legislation that would de-schedule cannabis and de-criminalize will be passed in the near future or at all. If such legislation is passed, there is no guarantee that it will include provisions that preserve the current state-based cannabis programs under which the Company’s subsidiaries operate or that such legislation will be otherwise favorable to the Company and its business.

Colorado Regulations

On November 7, 2000, Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, which amended the state constitution to allow the use of marijuana in the state by approved patients with written medical consent. On November 6, 2012, Colorado voters approved Amendment 64, which amended the state constitution to establish an adult use cannabis program in Colorado and permit the commercial cultivation, manufacture and sale of marijuana to adults 21 years of age or older. The commercial sale of marijuana for adult use to the general public began on January 1, 2014 at cannabis businesses licensed

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under the regulatory framework. As of January 1, 2020, medical and adult use marijuana are regulated together under a single statute – the Colorado Marijuana Code.

Under the Colorado Marijuana Code, the Colorado Department of Revenue is empowered to grant licenses to both adult use and medical marijuana businesses, including cultivation facilities, products manufacturers, testing facilities, transporters, researchers and developers, and (in the adult use context) accelerator cultivators, accelerator stores, and hospitality businesses.

Cannabis businesses must also comply with local licensing requirements. Colorado localities are allowed to limit or prohibit the operation of marijuana businesses.

The Company in Colorado is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of Colorado.

Colorado License Requirements

An application for a marijuana business in Colorado requires submission of (1) a copy of any local license required for the marijuana business, (2) a certificate of good standing from the jurisdiction in which the business was formed, (3) the identity and address of the registered agent in Colorado, (4) organizational documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of organization, and similar documents, (5) corporate governance documents, (6) a deed, lease, or similar document establishing the applicant’s ability to use the proposed premises, (7) a facility diagram, (8) findings of suitability with respect to the business’ owners, (8) information regarding securities listings (if the business is publicly traded), (9) financial statements, and documents related to payments of taxes. A business is required to obtain permission from its locality as part of the licensing process.

With respect to the renewal process, provided that the requisite renewal fees are paid, the renewal application is submitted in a timely manner, the Company has no reason to believe it wouldn’t receive an applicable renewed licenses in the ordinary course of business.

Regulatory Requirements

The regulations establish requirements applicable to all marijuana businesses, along with specific requirements for each type of business.

All marijuana businesses in Colorado are required to (1) create and enforce limited access areas for the protection of marijuana and marijuana products, (2) maintain security alarm systems installed and maintained by a licensed alarm installation company, as well as approved locks and surveillance equipment, (3) follow all applicable laws regarding waste disposal (including cannabis-containing waste), (4) implement an inventory tracking system used for inventory tracking and recordkeeping, (5) comply with both state and local requirements as to hours of operation, (6) comply with sanitary requirements applicable to employees and production spaces, including sanitation audits, (7) comply with recordkeeping requirements, and (8) maintain and provide procedures for dealing with product recalls.

Cultivation facilities are additionally required to (1) provide and maintain copies of standard operating procedures for cultivation, harvesting, drying, curing, trimming, packaging, storing, and sampling, (2) comply with requirements related to pesticides, and (3) comply with additional sanitary and product safety requirements. Marijuana products manufacturers are required to (1) comply with labeling and dosing requirements related to standardized doses of marijuana, (2) comply with specific prohibitions regarding the shapes, colors, and similar characteristics of edible products, refrain from use of prohibited additives and ingredients, (3) maintain and provide standard operating procedures related to manufacturing of each category of products. Marijuana dispensaries are subject to additional requirements regarding (1) methods of accepting orders, (2) payments by customers, and (3) identification of customers.

The Marijuana Enforcement Division and local licensing authorities may conduct announced or unannounced inspections of licensees to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Licensees may also be subject to

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inspection of the licensed premises by the local fire department, building inspector, or code enforcement officer to confirm that no health or safety concerns are present.

Colorado uses METRC as the Marijuana Enforcement Division’s marijuana inventory tracking system for all medical and adult use licensees. Marijuana is required to be tracked and reported with specific data points from seed to sale through METRC for compliance purposes under Colorado marijuana laws and regulations. This tracking is conducted by using electronic tags on plants and shipments between licensees and facilities.

New Mexico

Until 2021, New Mexico’s cannabis industry was regulated under the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act (the “LECUA”), which permitted and regulated the use of cannabis for qualified and registered patients with certain medical conditions. The LECUA was administrated by the New Mexico Department of Health.

On April 12, 2021, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Cannabis Regulation Act, which became effective on June 29, 2021 (the “CRA”). The CRA decriminalized the possession, use and cultivation of cannabis for recreational or adult use and created the Cannabis Control Division (the “CCD”) as a new division of the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department, to administer the CRA and promulgate, by or before January 1, 2022, a single set of rules for regulation of the State’s medical and adult use cannabis industry, including licensure, sales, testing, security, advertising and labeling of cannabis products. Other than maintenance of the patient registry for medical cannabis under the LECUA, the CRA vested CCD with all authority to administrate and regulate New Mexico’s medical and adult use cannabis activities. Consequently, parties licensed pursuant to the CCD rules can sell both medical and adult use cannabis with the most substantive differences being: (i) medical cannabis is not subject to the New Mexico Cannabis Excise Tax; (ii) persons under 21 can only legally purchase cannabis products if they are a qualified medical patient; and (iii) the CCD has the authority to effectively reserve some cannabis to ensure an “adequate supply” for medical patients.

The CRA permits local jurisdictions to adopt reasonable time, place and manner rules that do not conflict with the CRA, but such rules must not completely prohibit operation of an entity licensed under the CRA or impose criminal, civil or administrative penalties on any such licensee for the use of a property licensed by the CCD. The CRA provides for the following types of licenses: courier, testing laboratory, manufacturer, producer, retailer, research laboratory, vertically integrated, producer microbusiness, integrated microbusiness and cannabis consumption area. The CRA does not create a limit on the number of licenses issued but does limit the number of plants that can be grown under each producer license and requires as a condition of licensure that each producer applicant demonstrate the legal right to enough water for its proposed operation as determined by the CCD and validated by documents from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.

Per the CRA’s express requirement, retail sales of adult use cannabis products in New Mexico began on April 1, 2022. In January and March of 2022, the CCD amended its rules to increase plant counts for most license types and modified the testing requirements for cannabis products. Since April 1, 2022, there have been no substantive changes in New Mexico’s regulatory framework.

The Company is in compliance with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the State of New Mexico. Any non-compliance citations or notices of violation which may have an impact on the Company’s licensing, business activities or operations are required by Staff Notice 51-352 to be promptly disclosed by the Company.

New Mexico Licensing Requirements

In New Mexico, licenses are renewed annually. In order to operate in New Mexico an operator is required to obtain a license from the CCD, a certificate of occupancy from the applicable local government and a certificate of fitness from the State Fire Marshall. Each year, licensees are required to submit a renewal application per guidelines published by CCD. While renewals are annual, there is no limit to the number of renewals a licensee may obtain. Assuming requisite renewal fees are paid, renewal applications are submitted in a timely manner, and the establishment has not

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been cited for material violations, renewal applicants can anticipate approval in the ordinary course of business. However, any unexpected denials, delays or costs associated with a licensing renewal could impede planned operations and may have a material adverse effect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

A vertically integrated cannabis establishment license permits the holder to conduct one or more of the following: (i) production of cannabis, (ii) manufacturing of cannabis products, (iii) retail establishment, or (iv) courier of cannabis products. Only certified physicians may provide medicinal marijuana recommendations. An adult-use retailer license permits the sale of cannabis and cannabis products to any individual older than 21 years of age who does not possess a physician’s recommendation.

Holders of licenses in New Mexico are subject to a detailed regulatory scheme encompassing: security, staffing, sales, manufacturing standards, inspections, inventory, advertising and marketing, product packaging and labeling, records and reporting, and more.

Any non-compliance citations or notices of violation which may have an impact on the Company’s licensing, business activities or operations are required by Staff Notice 51-352 to be promptly disclosed by the Company.

Cannabis Production Requirements

A producer license permits the holder to cultivate cannabis, including planting, growing and harvesting cannabis. A licensee must submit to the CCD a premises diagram that shows the location of all entrances, exits, rooms, cultivation areas, light locations, and security camera locations, among other things. A producer must develop and implement policies and procedures that include, at a minimum, cannabis testing criteria and procedures consistent with the CRA, employee training materials, training requirements, recordkeeping protocols, transportation, testing protocols, employee policies and procedures.

Licensees must also develop a cultivation plan that details, among other things, the cultivation areas, water usage, pesticide storage areas, processing areas, packaging areas, a light diagram, if applicable, pest management and cannabis waste procedures. A producer must follow stringent health and safety requirements that cover premises, equipment and employees. The use of pesticides is permitted so long as they are used in accordance with the New Mexico Pesticide Control Act.

Manufacturing Requirements

There are four classes of manufacturing licenses:

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A manufacturing license permits the holder to manufacture cannabis in accordance with the Class of a license held. A licensee must submit to the CCD a premises diagram that shows the location of all entrances, exits, rooms, cultivation areas, light locations, security camera locations, among other things. A manufacturer must develop and implement policies and procedures that include, at a minimum cannabis testing criteria and procedures consistent with the CRA, employee training materials, training requirements, recordkeeping protocols, transportation, testing protocols, employee policies and procedures and training documentation. The CCD sets forth requirements regarding purity and materials used and requires all extractions to be performed in a closed loop system.

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Retail Requirements

Adult use retailed licenses permit the sale of cannabis and cannabis products to any individual age 21 years of age or older or to any individual 18 years of age or older if such person possesses a valid qualified patient, primary caregiver or reciprocal participant registry card. As with all state-legal cannabis programs, only cannabis grown in New Mexico can be sold in New Mexico.

Cannabis retailers may only display cannabis goods for inspection and sale in the retail area. Such goods may be removed from their packaging and placed in containers to allow for customer inspection, so long as the containers are not readily accessible to customers without the assistance of retailer personnel. A container must be provided to the customer by the licensed retailer or its employees, who must remain with the customer at all times that the container is being inspected by the customer. Cannabis goods removed from their packaging in this way may not be sold or consumed. They must be destroyed appropriately when they are no longer being used for display. Retailers may also sell live, immature cannabis plants and seeds. A retailer may not sell more than two ounces of cannabis, sixteen grams of cannabis extract, eight hundred milligrams of edible cannabis, or six immature cannabis plants to a customer in a single purchase.

Courier Requirements

A licensee may deliver cannabis products directly to a qualified patient who is at least 18 years of age, a primary caregiver or a reciprocal participant, or directly to a consumer who is at least 21 years of age. Payment for cannabis and cannabis products cannot be requested or received by a cannabis courier. Licensees may only deliver cannabis products to the person who is identified by the retail cannabis licensee as an intended, authorized recipient.

Licensees must obtain cannabis from a licensed retailer and the courier must be employed by the retailer or have established a delivery agreement. Licensees must also comply with any local laws restricting time of deliveries and can only be delivered to a residential address.

Reporting Requirements

New Mexico uses BioTrackTHC (“BioTrack”) as the state’s track-and-trace system used to track commercial cannabis activity and movement across the distribution chain for all sate-issued annual licensees. The system allows for other third-party system integration via application programming interface. Only licensees have access to BioTrack.

Storage, Transportation and Security Requirements

To ensure the safety and security of cannabis business premises and to maintain adequate controls against the diversion, theft and loss of cannabis or cannabis products, the CCD requires licensed businesses to do the following:

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In addition to CCD storage and security requirements, local jurisdictions may have additional storage and security requirements. Such requirements, to the extent they exist, may vary from one locality to another.

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Site Visits and Inspections

The CCD and its authorized representatives have broad authority, with or without notice, to inspect licensed cannabis operations, including premises, facilities, equipment, books and records (which may be copied, and such copies retained) and cannabis products. In addition, a licensed producer must submit annual reports to the CCD on inventory, sales, revenue, and other matters. Failure to grant representatives from CCD full and immediate access to facilities, property and premises, or to cooperate with inspections and investigations, may result in disciplinary action and referral to law enforcement. Any non-compliance citations or notices of violation which may have an impact on the Company’s licensing, business activities or operations are required by Staff Notice 51-352 to be promptly disclosed by the Company

Compliance Activities

Despite the recent rescission of the Cole Memorandum, the Company continues to do the following towards ensuring compliance with the guidance provided by the Cole Memorandum, the FinCEN Guidance, and other best industry practices:

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In addition, the Company ensures compliance with its obligations under New Mexico law and regulations by (i) engaging third-party cannabis monitoring services who provide legislative monitoring and regulatory compliance services, and (ii) periodic reviews with external counsel who audit compliance checks on the Company’s suppliers and other industry partners to ensure their ongoing compliance and ensure that the Company’s internal processes are sufficient to maintain with its obligations under New Mexico law.

Employees and Human Capital

As of March 1, 2023, the Company employed 651 full time and 93 part time employees across all reporting segments, and the Company expects its labor demand to increase as it continues to expand operations in Colorado and New Mexico and into potential new markets in the future. The Company also employs several specialty contractors to provide support for various roles in retail sales, wholesale, cultivation, and distribution operations and general corporate roles. The Company intermittently engages temporary staffing agencies to fill labor demand during peak times in the Company’s cultivation and harvest cycle. Full time employees are distributed among several departments, including retail, cultivation,

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manufacturing, integration and operations, construction and project management, supply chain and distribution, facilities and security, information technology, sales and marketing, human resources, finance, mergers, acquisitions and real estate, regulatory licensing and compliance, and legal.

The Company offers company-sponsored benefits packages to all eligible full-time employees, which includes participation in a 401(k) retirement savings plan (for which full-time and part-time employees are both eligible), medical, vision, and dental plans, disability insurance, employee assistance programs, life insurance, and other voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness coverage, and pet insurance. None of the Company’s employees are represented by a labor union or a collective bargaining agreement. Management currently evaluates employee performance-based on financial metrics such as EBITDA, revenue, and free cash flow, along with specific individual performance goals for certain roles, to assess and reward employee performance.

The Company is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining qualified, hard-working individuals to contribute to a diverse and successful culture. During 2022, the Company expanded its team dedicated to human capital needs for more direct engagement with its employees and the labor needs of the organization, specifically hiring a Head of Human Resources in May 2022 and further expanding its human resources function through deployment of various resources throughout the organization. The Company engages with its employees to evaluate overall satisfaction and culture through anonymous surveys and interviews, the results of which are aggregated and compiled into action plans designed to address pressure points in its workforce. The Company anticipates implementing additional policies in future periods to further its efforts to attract and retain qualified talent across the organization.

Environmental, Social, and Governance

The Company strives to be an exemplary steward for the cannabis industry in the markets in which it operates, and the Company is committed to its contribution to a more equitable and sustainable industry.

The cannabis industry experiences a higher degree of organic diversity than is often common in other industries, and the Company seeks to capitalize on this unique characteristic to build a more diverse workforce to foster new ideas and innovation within the cannabis community. The Company seeks to hire diverse talent at every level in the organization, including management. The Company adopted a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy in 2022 for implementation in 2023 that seeks to attract and support a diverse workforce.

The Company believes that strong governance and processes are key to maximizing operational synergies and success while managing and minimizing risk. Management incorporates automation and organizational checks and balances in its corporate processes to manage human resources, and it maintains good communication with the Company’s board of directors. Management meets regularly with a subset of directors of the Company to discuss acquisition activity and strategy, and the Company appointed Jonathan Berger as Lead Independent Director of the Company’s board of directors to strengthen its governance position.

The cannabis industry is dependent on certain resources such as water and electricity to succeed. The Company strives to achieve efficient and sustainable practices so as to conserve these resources. The cost of these resources, and the cost of compliance with expanding environmental regulations, could increase in the future.

COVID-19 and Future Pandemics

In March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized coronavirus disease 2019 (together with its variants “COVID-19”) as a pandemic. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S. and other countries across the world, and the duration and severity of its effects and those of its variants are currently unknown. The Company remains committed to protecting the health and safety of its employees and customers in accordance with recommended actions of the government and health authorities as COVID-19 persists. In the future, a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic or an unrelated pandemic illness may present similar or unique operational challenges faced by the Company during the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to labor shortages, supply chain disruption, travel and work restrictions, and recessionary macroeconomic conditions impacting consumer behavior.

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The Company’s financial results of operations were not materially negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the year-ended December 31, 2022. However, the uncertain nature of the spread of COVID-19 and any future pandemics may impact the Company’s business operations in future periods.

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Competition

As discussed above, our business has recently expanded. In addition to operational expansions in Colorado, we also entered the New Mexico market in 2022. With expansion in existing and new markets and operational developments, our competition has also increased. As a multi-state operator (“MSO”) with vertically integrated operations, we compete with a variety of other operators for market share, including other regional MSOs, single store operators, consumer packaged goods companies, cultivators, illicit market participants, and potentially pharmaceutical companies in the future.

In the majority of states that have legalized adult-use cannabis sales, there are specific license caps that create high barriers to entry. There are not state-wide license caps prescribed by state law in Colorado and New Mexico where we currently operate; however, some local jurisdictions place caps, outright prohibition, and/or restrictions on new license issuances, which can add additional complexity and practical barriers to our expansion efforts in certain geographic areas.

As of December 31, 2022, there were 669 recreational cannabis licenses issued in Colorado, up from 651 recreational cannabis licenses issued as of December 31, 2021, meaning approximately 18 recreational cannabis licenses were issued in 2022 (which does not account for licenses surrendered or terminated throughout the year). Our most direct competitors within Colorado include The Green Solution, Native Roots, Green Dragon, LivWell, Columbia Care Inc., Craft Concentrates, Mammoth Manufacturing, Colorado Cannabis Company, and Spherex Inc.

In New Mexico, there were 200 cannabis licenses as of December 31, 2021, which increased to 550 cannabis licenses as of December 31, 2022. Our most direct competitors within New Mexico include Ultra Health, PurLife, Pecos Valley, Assurance, Everest, and Bloom.

Outside of Colorado and New Mexico, we also view other vertically integrated MSOs as potential competitors due to our growth and future plans; these competitors include Green Thumb Industries, Inc., iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc., Acreage Holdings, Inc., and Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. Like us, these companies can realize centralized synergies to produce higher margins.

Additionally, we compete with the illicit markets. The New Mexico market presents more competition from illicit participants as compared to the Colorado market due to the infancy of the cannabis industry in that state as well as fewer caps and restrictions on new license issuances. As the regulatory environment continues to develop in Colorado, New Mexico, and nationwide, management believes there will be a meaningful reduction of the illicit market.

Industry Analysis

Nationally, the marijuana industry has continued to expand through the passage of legislation in many states permitting medical and/or recreational use of cannabis under state law. While there certainly appears to be a trend towards acceptance of cannabis on a state-by-state basis, there are no assurances offered that this business will be able to sustain itself over time if the Federal government changes its current position related to state legalized operations.

As of March 1, 2023 at least 38 states and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam have legalized marijuana for medical use. Twenty-one of those states and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam have legalized the adult-use of cannabis.

Sales in the Colorado market decreased in 2022 following two years of strong growth.  The Colorado market dropped 21% from $2.23 billion in gross sales during 2021 to $1.77 billion in gross sales during 2022. The New Mexico market showed strong growth in 2022 following legalization of adult-use cannabis sales starting on April 1, 2022.  According to BDSA, the leading provider of market intelligence for the cannabis industry, the New Mexico market generated approximately

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$461 million in sales in 2022, up from approximately $264 in sales during 2021, representing an increase of approximately 75%.

Available Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 4880 Havana St. Suite 201, Denver, CO 80239 and the Company’s telephone number is 303-371-0387. Our website address is www.schwazze.com. Information found on our website or any other website referenced in this Report is not incorporated into this Report and does not constitute a part of this Report. Website addresses referenced in this Report are intended to be inactive textual references only and not active hyperlinks to the referenced websites. We make available, free of charge through our website, our SEC filings furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

Recent Developments

The Company previously reported that it signed an agreement on January 25, 2023 with Cannabis Care Wellness Centers, LLC and Green Medicals Wellness Center #5, LLC (collectively referred to as “Smokey’s”) and the owners of Smokey’s, pursuant to which the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, will purchase two retail and medical marijuana stores located in Fort Collins, Colorado and Garden City, Colorado. The aggregate consideration for the Smokey’s acquisition will be up to $7.5 million, payable in cash and Common Stock. At the closing, the Company will pay the purchase price (i) in cash in the amount of $3,750,000 and (ii) in shares of the Common Stock in the amount of $3,150,000 divided by the price per share of the Common Stock as of market close on the first trading day immediately before the closing. At the closing, the Company will use a portion of the purchase price to pay off certain indebtedness and transaction expenses of Smokey’s and then pay the balance to Smokey’s. The Company will hold back from issuance additional shares of Common Stock in the amount of $600,000 divided by the price per share of the Common Stock as of market close on the first trading day immediately before the closing and $150,000 of the cash portion of the purchase price as collateral for potential claims for indemnification from Smokey’s under the purchase agreement. Any portion of the indemnity holdback not used to satisfy indemnification claims will be issued or released (as applicable) to the owners of Smokey’s on the 18-month anniversary of the closing date of the acquisition in accordance with the purchase agreement. The cash portion of the indemnity holdback is also subject to post-closing reduction if any of the actual marijuana inventory or cash at closing is less than certain targets stated in the purchase agreement.

The closing of the Smokey’s acquisition is subject to closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, including, without limitation, obtaining licensing approval from the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and local regulatory authorities.

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ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS.

There are a number of risk factors affecting the Company, its business and holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock. The risks and uncertainties described herein are not the only ones the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business. If any of the following risks actually occur, the Company’s business may be harmed and its financial condition and results of operations may suffer significantly.

Risks Related to Our Industry

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Despite the successful development of a cannabis industry legal under state laws in a number of states, state laws legalizing medicinal and recreational adult cannabis use are in conflict with the CSA, which classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance and makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled

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that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes, and thus federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis preempts state laws legalizing its use.

A prior U.S. administration attempted to address the inconsistent treatment of cannabis under state and federal law in the Cole Memorandum, which Deputy Attorney General James Cole sent to all U.S. Attorneys in August 2013 that outlined certain priorities for the DOJ relating to the prosecution of cannabis offenses. The Cole Memorandum provided that enforcing federal cannabis laws and regulations in jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing cannabis in some form and that have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations was not a priority for the DOJ. The DOJ did not provide (and has not provided since) specific guidelines for what regulatory and enforcement systems would be deemed sufficient under the Cole Memorandum. On January 4, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions formally issued the Sessions Memorandum, which rescinded the Cole Memorandum effective upon its issuance. The Sessions Memorandum stated, in part, that current law reflects “Congress’ determination that cannabis is a dangerous drug and cannabis activity is a serious crime,” and Mr. Sessions directed all U.S. Attorneys to enforce the laws enacted by Congress and to follow well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to cannabis activities. There can be no assurance that the federal government will not enforce federal laws relating to cannabis in the future. The Biden administration has not expressed a cannabis policy as of the date of this Report. The uncertainty of federal enforcement practices going forward and the inconsistency between federal and state laws and regulations presents major risks for our business and operations. Any such change in the federal government’s enforcement of federal laws could cause significant financial damage to us and our stockholders.

Under federal law, and more specifically the CSA, the possession, use, cultivation and transfer of cannabis is illegal. It is also federally illegal to advertise the sale of cannabis, or to sell paraphernalia designed or intended primarily for use with cannabis, unless the paraphernalia is authorized by federal, state, or local law. Our business involves the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis and cannabis products, and, therefore, violates federal law. Further, we provide services to customers that are engaged in the business of possession, use, cultivation and/or transfer of cannabis. As a result, law enforcement authorities, in their attempt to regulate the illegal use of cannabis, may seek to bring an action or actions against us, including, but not limited to, a claim of aiding and abetting another’s criminal activities. The federal aiding and abetting statute provides that anyone who “commits an offense against the United States or aides, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal. 18 U.S.C. §2(a).

If the Federal Government were to change its enforcement practices, or were to expend its resources enforcing existing federal laws on those involved in the cannabis industry, such action could have a materially adverse effect on our business and operations, our customers or the sales of our products up to and including a complete cessation of our business, and our investors could lose their entire investment.

It is possible that additional federal or state legislation could be enacted in the future that would prohibit us from selling cannabis, and if such legislation were enacted, the demand for our products and services would likely decrease, causing revenues to decline. Further, additional government disruption in the cannabis industry could cause potential customers and users to be reluctant to use our products and services, which would be detrimental to us. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our business.

Our business is dependent on state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry.

While there appears to be ample public support for legislative action to legalize cannabis use and possession, numerous factors may impact or negatively affect the legislative process(es) within the various states in which we have business interests. Any one of these factors could slow or halt the use of cannabis, which would negatively impact our business up to possibly causing us to discontinue operations as a whole.

The voters or legislatures of states in which cannabis has already been legalized could potentially repeal applicable laws that permit the operation of both medical and retail cannabis businesses. These actions might force businesses, including our own, to cease operations in one or more states entirely.

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We are required to comply concurrently with federal, state and local laws in each jurisdiction where we operate.

Various federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines govern our business in the jurisdictions in which we operate or propose to operate, including laws and regulations relating to health and safety, conduct of operations and the production, management, transportation, storage and disposal of our products and of certain material used in our operations. Compliance with each of these laws, regulations and guidelines requires concurrent compliance with other complex federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines. These laws, regulations and guidelines change frequently and may be difficult to interpret and apply. Compliance with these laws, regulations and guidelines requires the investment of significant financial and managerial resources, and a determination that we are not in compliance with these laws, regulations and guidelines could harm our reputation and brand image and have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, it is impossible for us to predict the cost or effect of such laws, regulations or guidelines upon our future operations. Changes to these laws, regulations and guidelines could negatively affect our competitive position within our industry and the markets in which we operate, and there is no assurance that various levels of government in the jurisdictions in which we operate will not pass legislation or regulation or issue guidelines that adversely impacts our business.

Our business is subject to a variety of U.S. laws, many of which are unsettled and still developing, and which could subject us to claims or otherwise harm our business.

We are subject to a variety of state and federal laws in the United States. In the United States, despite cannabis having been legalized for medical use in many states, and for adult recreational use in a number of states, cannabis meeting the definition of “marijuana” continues to be categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Following the passage of HB19-1090 in Colorado, we have elected to move into plant-touching operations in addition to non-plant-touching operations by acquiring several plant-touching businesses in Colorado and New Mexico. As a public company involved in direct plant-touching activities, we may face additional scrutiny from the U.S. federal government or other regulatory agencies. Such scrutiny, and any investigation of our operations related to plant-touching activities, could have a material adverse impact on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

Competition in our industry is intense.

The cannabis industry is highly fragmented, and we have many competitors, including many who offer similar products and services as those offered by us. There can be no guarantees that other companies will not enter the market and develop products and services that are in direct competition with us in the future. We anticipate continued competition from current participants as well as entry of other companies in the cannabis market, and we may not be able to establish or maintain a competitive advantage. Some of these companies may have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases, preferable product offerings, and/or significantly greater financial, technical, sales and marketing resources. This may allow them to respond more quickly than us to market opportunities. It may also allow them to devote greater resources to the marketing, promotion and sale of their products and services. These competitors may also adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive offers to existing and potential customers, employees, strategic partners, distribution channels and advertisers. Increased competition is likely to result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and potential loss of market share.

Competition from the illicit cannabis market could impact our ability to succeed.

We face competition from illegal market operators that are unlicensed and unregulated including illegal dispensaries and illicit market suppliers selling cannabis and cannabis-based products. As these illegal market participants do not comply with the regulations governing the cannabis industry, their operations may have significantly lower costs. The perpetuation of the illegal market for cannabis may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, as well as the perception of cannabis use. Furthermore, given the restrictions on regulated cannabis retail, it is possible that legal cannabis consumers revert to the illicit market as a matter of convenience.

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We are subject to risks related to unsafe concentration of heavy metals and other contaminants in our cannabis and nutrient products, and associated inconsistent treatment under state law.

Cannabis plants may absorb heavy metals and other contaminants from the soil that they grow in. Nutrient products are made from ingredients that may contain heavy metals and other contaminants. Heavy metals and contaminants are naturally found in the earth’s soil but may also be present as a result of pesticide use. Some contaminants, like heavy metals, are toxic to humans at even low concentrations. If our raw materials contain contaminants, they may transfer to our products. If the level of contaminants in our products exceeds permissible or safe levels, it may result in loss of inventory and possible harm to consumers of the products, which may expose us, among other things, to monetary losses, product liability claims and reputational risk.

In addition, state regulation of testing for, and permissible levels of, contaminants in cannabis products varies, making compliance costly.

We face competition from synthetic production and technological advances.

The pharmaceutical and hemp industries may attempt to dominate the cannabis industry through the development and distribution of synthetic products which emulate the effects and treatment of organic cannabis. If they are successful, the widespread popularity of such synthetic products could change the demand, volume and profitability of the cannabis industry. This could adversely affect our ability to secure long-term profitability and success through the sustainable and profitable operation of our business.

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Our success is dependent on consumer acceptance of cannabis products generally, and specifically our products.

Our ability to generate revenue and be successful in the implementation of our business plan is significantly dependent on consumer acceptance of and demand for cannabis products generally, and, specifically, our products. Consumer acceptance will depend on several factors, including federal, state, and local regulation of cannabis as well as availability, cost, ease of use, familiarity of use, convenience, effectiveness, quality, safety, and reliability of cannabis products. If consumers do not accept cannabis products generally, or, specifically, our products, or if we fail to meet customers’ needs and expectations, our ability to continue generating revenues could be reduced.

We are subject to risks inherent in an agricultural business such as reliance on certain resources and the risk of crop failure.

We work in the cannabis industry, which relies on agricultural processes. The cultivation of cannabis plants requires large amounts of resources like water and electricity for a successful harvest. If we are unable to obtain sufficient quantities of these resources at affordable prices, whether by reason of climate change, political forces, civil unrest, market conditions, weather events, pandemic outbreaks, or other forces beyond our control, our operations and financial condition could be materially impacted. Our business is also subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, including risks of crop failure presented by weather, insects, plant diseases and similar agricultural risks that might affect our operations and profitability. Additionally, during the harvest season, cannabis plant prices often decrease and reduce gross margins, which tends to impact our liquidity and results of operations depending on the severity of such price fluctuations.

There is uncertainty related to the regulation of vaporization products and certain other consumption accessories. Increased regulatory compliance burdens could have a material adverse impact on our business development efforts and our operations.

There is uncertainty regarding whether and in what circumstances federal, state, or local regulatory authorities will seek to develop and enforce regulations relative to vaporizer hardware and accessories that can be used to vaporize cannabis and/or tobacco. Further, it remains to be seen whether current or future regulations relating to tobacco vaporization products would also apply to cannabis vaporization products and related consumption accessories.

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There has been increasing activity on the federal, state, and local levels with respect to scrutiny of vaporizer products. Federal, state, and local governmental bodies across the United States have indicated that vaporization products and certain other consumption accessories may become subject to new laws and regulations at the state and local levels. For example, in September 2019, the Trump Administration announced a plan to ban the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes nationwide. At the state level, over 25 states have implemented statewide regulations that prohibit vaping in public places. In January 2015, the California Department of Health declared electronic cigarettes and certain other vaporizer products a health threat that should be strictly regulated like tobacco products, and in September 2019, California’s governor issued an executive order on vaping, focused on enforcement and disclosure. Many states, provinces, and some cities have passed laws restricting the sale of electronic cigarettes and certain other tobacco vaporizer products. Some cities have also implemented more restrictive measures than their state counterparts, such as San Francisco, which in June 2018, approved a new ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including vaping liquids and menthol cigarettes.

The application of any new laws or regulations that may be adopted in the future, at a federal, state, or local level, directly or indirectly implicating cannabis vaporization products or consumption accessories could limit our ability to sell such products, result in additional compliance expenses, and require us to change our labeling and methods of distribution, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The scientific community has not yet extensively studied the long-term health effects of the use of vaporizer products.

Cannabis vaporizers and related products were recently developed and therefore the scientific community has not had a sufficient period of time to study the long-term health effects of their use. If the scientific community were to determine conclusively that use of any or all of these products poses long-term health risks, market demand for these products and their use could materially decline. Such a determination could also lead to litigation and significant regulation. Loss of demand for our product, product liability claims, and increased regulation stemming from unfavorable scientific studies of these products could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The cannabis industry and market are relatively new in the United States, and this industry and market may not continue to exist or develop as anticipated or we may ultimately be unable to succeed in this industry and market.

We are operating our current business in the relatively new cannabis industry and market, and our success depends on our ability to operate our business successfully. In addition to being subject to general business risks applicable to a business involving an agricultural product and a regulated consumer product, we need to continue to build brand awareness of our brand in the cannabis industry and make significant investments in our business strategy and production capacity. These investments include introducing new products and services into the markets in which we operate, adopting quality assurance protocols and procedures and undertaking regulatory compliance efforts. These activities may not promote our business as effectively as intended, or at all, and we expect that our competitors will undertake similar investments to compete with us for market share. Competitive conditions, consumer preferences and spending patterns in this industry and market are relatively unknown and may have unique characteristics that differ from other existing industries and markets and that may cause our efforts to further our business to be unsuccessful or to have undesired consequences. As a result, we may not be successful in our efforts to operate our business or to develop new products and services and produce and distribute these products and services to the markets in which we operate in time to be effectively commercialized, or these activities may require significantly more resources than we currently anticipate in order to be successful.

We, or the cannabis industry more generally, may receive unfavorable publicity or become subject to negative consumer or investor perception.