The Week In Cannabis: $1.25B+ In Financings And M&A, Tilray, KushCo, New York And More

Below is a recap of the main news related to the cannabis industry and markets for the week of August 27, 2021.

The Votes At Tilray, KushCo, Greenlane

KushCo Holdings, Inc. KSHB stockholders overwhelmingly voted to approve the previously announced merger agreement with Greenlane Holdings, Inc. GNLN at the special meeting of stockholders, with over 97% of votes cast voted in favor of the proposal. Greenlane stockholders also voted to approve the merger.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, KushCo will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Greenlane in an all-stock, tax-free business combination.

Benzinga Cannabis’ content is now available in Spanish on El Planteo.

Meanwhile, Tilray Inc. TLRY TLRY’s CEO Irwin D. Simon sent an open letter to shareholders detailing his strategic vision and $4 billion revenue plan for the company. The executive encouraged all shareholders to vote for initiatives in support of that vision and plan at Tilray’s Special Meeting of Stockholders, scheduled for September 10.

New York Getting Greener

New York’s 57th governor, Kathy Hochul — sworn into office this week after embattled Andrew Cuomo resigned — said she is ready to move on the state’s potentially multibillion-dollar legal cannabis program ASAP.

The former lieutenant governor saw the writing on the wall when she tweeted in January 2021 that “It's time to finally legalize recreational marijuana and create an equitable adult-use cannabis program that generates much-needed revenue for New York.”

And now Hochul's chance has come.

Although it’s unclear how quickly Hochul can roll out the state’s program in view of the precious little groundwork done by her predecessor, the governor has expressed her intent to move forward with the cannabis board and other appointments. The issue will be part of a private meeting to be held next week with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a staunch supporter of cannabis legalization.

“Nominating and confirming individuals with diverse experiences and subject matter expertise, who are representative of communities from across the state, to the Cannabis Control Board is a priority for Gov. Hochul,” the new governor’s spokesman, Jordan Bennett, told The Post.

“We look forward to working with the legislature to keep this process moving forward,” the Hochul rep said.

Also in New York, Brooklyn’s historic Medgar Evers College (MEC) will become the first City University of New York (CUNY) campus to offer a cannabis minor degree program. In the coming weeks, students will be able to choose from 13 newly developed courses to earn a cannabis degree minor in one of four different tracks. These courses are open to all students at the other of the 24 CUNY campuses via e-permits. The program, spearheaded by the MEC Cannabis Education Taskforce, is housed in the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.

Hexo’s Nasdaq Debut

HEXO Corp HEXO HEXO debuted on the Nasdaq Capital Market on Tuesday.

After announcing the pricing of a previously announced overnight marketed public offering of its 47.46 million units at $2.95 per unit last week, the company's stock price plunged 28% on Friday.

Shortly after, Cantor Fitzgerald’s Pablo Zuanic lowered the stock’s price target to CA$3.40 from CA$10 to address sectoral derating, increased share count and reduced visibility while reaffirming a “Neutral” rating.

According to the company, the total proceeds of $140 million from the offering will be utilized to fund the purchase price payable to the Redecan shareholders on the closing of the acquisition and for expenditures related to its U.S. expansion plans.

The stock rebounded later in the week as HEXO reported that its shareholders approved the previously announced acquisition of family-owned Canadian cannabis producer Redecan.

In exchange, the Ottawa-based company agreed to pay $400 million in cash in addition to the issuance of 69,721,116 common shares at $7.53 per share, bringing the total consideration to $925 million.

Markets

Stocks posted mixed results this week. Over the five trading days of this week:

• The ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF MJ: gained 4.3%.
• The AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF YOLO: rose 4.4%.
• The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF MSOS: advanced 2.6%.
• The Cannabis ETF THCX: was up 4.3%.
• The Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF CNBS: rose 4.1%.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY closed the week up 1.56%.

M&A

Financings

Earnings Reports

• Gage Growth Corp. GAGE GAEGF reported second-quarter results. Revenue totaled $26.4 million compared to $17.6 million in the first quarter of 2021, representing a 49.9% quarter-over-quarter increase and 130.2% year-over-year, and missing estimates by $2.03 million. The gross margin, before the impact of biological asset adjustments, was 34.2% versus 26.1% in the prior period.
• TILT Holdings Inc. TILT TLLTF reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter and announced a new partnership with the Shinnecock Indian Nation to establish vertical cannabis operations on their tribal territory in the Hamptons. Second-quarter revenue increased 33% to $48.5 million driven by growth in both cannabis and inhalation and accessory revenue.
• Jushi Holdings Inc. JUSH JUSHF announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2021. Total revenue increased 4.6% sequentially and 219.7% year-over-year, reaching $47.7 million in the quarter ended June 30.
• Cansortium Inc. TIUM CNTMF, which operates under the Fluent brand, announced its second-quarter earnings, revealing a 24% year-over-year improvement in revenue, which amounted to $16.5 million.
• Hollister Biosciences Inc. HOLL HSTRF HOB reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2021, touting a significant growth in revenue which amounted to $17.6 million.
• Planet 13 Holdings Inc. PLTH PLNHF announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2021, reporting revenues of $32.8 million, up by 205.2% from $10.8 million in the same period of 2020.

Also reporting earnings this week (full details on Benzinga Cannabis) were:

• Khiron Life Sciences Corp. KHRN KHRNF
• Indiva Limited NDVA (OTCQX: NDVAF)
• Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. CANF CFBI
• Australis Capital Inc. AUSA (OTC: AUSAF)
• Chalice Brands Ltd. CHAL CHALF

Find all the details on these and other earnings reports on Benzinga Cannabis’ Earnings Center.

Nevada Consumption Lounges

The Nevada Senate approved the cannabis consumption lounges legalization bill in June in a 17-3 vote, sending it to the governor’s desk. About a week later, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak (D) signed legislation into law. Under the new law there are two new licensing categories for cannabis businesses - 1) ”retail cannabis consumption lounges and 2) “independent cannabis consumption lounges.”

Latin America

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, legislators re-ignited a debate over the legalization of medical cannabis and hemp.

Bill No. 21.388 was approved by the Environmental Commission of the Legislative Assembly last November, but its presentation to the plenary of the Assembly was delayed.

In the initiative proposed by Congress Representative Zoila Rosa Volio, hemp is defined as cannabis with a THC content of less than 1%. In addition, the bill distinguishes between products for therapeutic and medicinal use.

The bill did not contemplate licensing to private firms, only to national farmers or cooperatives. Legislators modified the bill through a motion that enables the production of medicinal cannabis by individuals and legal entities.

Brasil

Avicanna Inc. AVCN AVCNF completed its first commercial export of 20 kg of high CBD full spectrum psychoactive cannabis extracts to Brazil via its majority-owned Colombian subsidiary Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S. The shipment is related to the previously announced three-year master supply agreement that SMGH executed with a leading Brazilian pharmaceutical in July 2021.

This marks the 11th country to which Avicanna has successfully completed the export of Aureus-branded products, which demonstrates the Company’s capabilities, innovation and regulatory expertise.

Europe And Africa

The German government is in favor of decriminalizing possession of up to six grams of cannabis throughout the country.

According to Heraldo, Daniela Ludwig, the government's drug commissioner, said she was in favor of minimum possession no longer being a crime. Instead, it would become an administrative offense.

With minimal possession no longer a crime in some German states, authorities are now looking to implement a nationwide plan to unify criteria.

Ludwig also argued that possession of six grams can be justified and that "marijuana is not as dangerous a drug as cocaine or heroin."

Meanwhile, Aurora Cannabis Inc. ACB ACB’s subsidiary Aurora Germany GmbH and Ethypharm have delivered their initial shipment of cannabis to the French medical cannabis pilot program.

Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. TGOD TGODF finalized its first international commercial shipment consisting of cannabis flower and other extracts destined for the highly anticipated South African medical cannabis market.

Kid Cudi And Snoop Dogg

American rapper Kid Cudi has been showing his love for marijuana for a while now. In fact, he has a track called 'Marijuana' which, coincidentally, is 4:20 minutes long.

Now, the 37-year-old musician has taken his passion to another level: he's looking to hire a professional blunt maker.

Rapper, cannabis activist and businessman Snoop Dogg appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night in a special edition of the show hosted by TV sports personality Stephen A. Smith.

The duo discussed the issue of cannabis use by professional athletes, a topic that became hot last month when sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was banned from competing in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for THC in the state of Oregon, where cannabis use is legal.

Richardson’s banning triggered a public debate involving the White House, several congressional lawmakers, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

In the live interview, Smith said he routinely recommends sports athletes to “stay off the weed,” but only because he “doesn’t want them losing their money.”

The rapper agreed with the remark, acknowledging that when it comes to athletes who have “commissioners and rules and regulations and tests,” testing positive for cannabis use can put a dent in their career.

However, Snoop Dogg said he thinks sports leagues should relax their attitude towards weed use by professional athletes.

Other News

Eybna, a technology company and terpene manufacturer based in both California and Tel Aviv, is partnering with legacy cannabis brands Spherex and Orchid Essentials, the cannabis brand from Orchid Ventures, Inc. ORCD ORVRF.

The brands selected Eybna to develop and craft custom data-driven terpene formulations for their cannabis products to ensure pure, consistent flower experiences no matter where they choose to manufacture and offer their products, fueling multi-state expansion opportunities.

And Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TRUL TCNNF opened its 100^th store.

CannGen Insurance Services launched a new division called CannGenPRO, which is designed to fill an industry need for Management and Professional Liability insurance. Under this division, the company is now offering Directors and Officers (D&O) liability insurance and Employment Practice Liability (EPL) for private companies operating legally in the U.S. and will entertain limits of up to $5 million on a combined or single exposure line basis.

“Last year the US cannabis industry saw tremendous growth and increased revenue -- reaching a record $17.5 billion in legal cannabis sales. With this comes larger risks to an industry that struggles to find proper insurance coverage. Now is the perfect time to expand our product suite to include these needed solutions,” Charles Pyfrom, CMO of CannGen, told Benzinga.

Executive Moves

Find out about all the latest executive moves at:

• USCC, MedMen, Metrc, Green Check Verified
• Acreage, Green Scientific Labs, OMMA, PharmaCielo, Ketamine One, BC Craft Supply
• Jushi Holdings, HEXO Corp, Delic Holdings, KCSA Strategic Communications, Green Check Verified

Top Stories Of The Week

Check out the top stories on Benzinga Cannabis this week:

• Should You Buy Columbia Care Shares Right Now? This Analyst Explains
• This Cannabis Company Has A Better 1-Year Return Than Tesla, Facebook, GE And Ford
• This Psychedelics Stock Could Grow 300% In One Year
• EXCLUSIVE: Why Canadian Cannabis Companies With US Operations Can Still List On NYSE & NASDAQ?
• New Jersey's Recreational Cannabis Program May Be 'A Wreck' But A Few Companies Could Emerge As Winners
• White Boy Rick Is Out Of Prison, Entering Michigan Cannabis Industry: What You Need To Know
• Argentina's Cannabis Market: What Do Investors And Entrepreneurs Need To Know?
• Meet Milonga: The Argentine CBD-Infused Yerba Mate That's Captivated Miami
• EXCLUSIVE: Want To Know The Hottest Brands In Cannabis In 2021? Meet The People Deciding Who They Are

Top Spanish Stories

• Las Acciones de Esta Empresa de Psicodélicos Podrían Subir un 300% en Un Año
• El Mercado de Cannabis en Argentina: ¿Cómo lo Ven Inversores y Emprendedores Extranjeros?
• ‘Miss Representation’: Mujeres Porreras en Cine y TV
• Escritor y Juez de Hachís: Hablamos con Jimi Devine sobre Genéticas de Cannabis y Dispensarios en California
• La Vida Después del Covid: ¿Qué Pasará con las Rondas de Porro?
• Chalas en las Pantallas de Showmatch: Llegó el L-Gante
• De Deudora Financiera a Acreedora Ambiental: el Plan de Avaaz para Sacar a Argentina de la Crisis
• ¿Por Qué No Existe un Emoji de Marihuana?
• ¿Quiénes Son Esas Chicas? Seis Mujeres que Trabajan Desde Adentro la Industria de la Música Urbana
• ¿Qué Es la Marihuana Hidropónica y Cómo Cultivarla?

Lead image by Ilona Szentivanyi. Copyright: Benzinga.