iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc., (CSE: IAN, OTCQB: ITHUF), which owns, operates, and partners with licensed cannabis operations throughout the United States, is pleased to announce that it has received a US$50 millioninvestment from Gotham Green Partners, which management believes to be the largest investment to date by a single investor in a publicly traded U.S. cannabis operating company.
"Gotham Green Partners is well recognized as a long-term investor and leader within the cannabis investment community, and we are excited to partner with GGP to create value for our shareholders," said Hadley Ford, CEO of iAnthus. "As the U.S. cannabis industry continues to grow, we will be well-capitalized and well-positioned to continue the buildout of our existing assets and pursue opportunistic acquisitions to expand our footprint."
"As an early mover in the space, the iAnthus team has successfully assembled a portfolio of valuable licensed cannabis assets in attractive states with desirable demographics," said Jason Adler, Managing Member of GGP. "iAnthus' recent acquisitions in New York and Florida, combined with its operations in Massachusetts, provide a compelling growth and investment opportunity. With this infusion of capital, we look forward to working with the management team to source additional strategic opportunities and accelerate the Company's growth profile."
"Jason and the GGP team have demonstrated the ability to help portfolio companies accelerate geographic expansion and operational efficiencies to create meaningful value for investors," said Julius Kalcevich, CFO of iAnthus. "GGP's investment enables iAnthus to recapitalize its balance sheet with long-term exchangeable debt and significantly fund its key operations, particularly in New York and Florida. We look forward to GGP's involvement in these activities in the coming quarters."
Through 2018, the Company plans to allocate the proceeds of this financing in the following manner:
- Repayment of US$20 million one-year note and accrued interest to VCP Bridge LLC;
- Continued cultivation and dispensary build-outs in New York and Florida markets; and
- Potential expansion activities consistent with iAnthus' strategic objectives.
The remaining expenditures for completing iAnthus' Massachusetts and Vermont operations will be funded with current cash on hand.
The Company's wholly owned subsidiary iAnthus Capital Management, LLC has issued US$40 millionaggregate principal amount of high yield senior secured notes, with a maturity date of three years (the "HY Notes"). The HY Notes have a 13% coupon, which may be paid in cash or in-kind for the first year. The HY Notes are exchangeable into shares of the Company at US$3.08 per share, which amount was reserved by price reservation with the Canadian Securities Exchange. The HY Notes include warrants to purchase, in the aggregate, up to 6,670,372 shares of the Company at US$3.60 per share, which amount was reserved by price reservation with the Canadian Securities Exchange. Beginning one year from today, iAnthus Capital Management may force the exchange of the HY Notes into common shares if the daily volume weighted average trading price of the Company's common shares is greater than US$5.14 for any 20 consecutive trading days.
The Company has concurrently issued US$10 million aggregate amount of Units, with each Unit comprised of one Class A share of the Company at US$2.57 per share and a warrant to purchase one share of the Company at a price of US$3.86 per share, which amount was reserved by price reservation with the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Net cash proceeds to the Company are approximately US$46 million after the deductions of various fees and structuring costs. Pro forma for the repayment to VCP Bridge LLC, the Company will have a cash balance of approximately US$32 million.
The debt and equity securities were issued on a prospectus exempt basis and are subject to: (i) a hold period in Canada of four months and a day from the date of issuance; and (ii) an applicable US securities law legend.
Class A shares of the Company are identical to the common shares of the Company in all respects, other than the right to vote for directors of the Company. The Investor may convert Class A shares into common shares beginning on July 2, 2018.
iAnthus was advised by McMillan LLP and Fox Rothschild LLP, and Gotham Green Partners was advised by Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP and SkyLaw Professional Corporation.
About iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. owns and operates best-in-class licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States, providing investors diversified exposure to the U.S. regulated cannabis industry. Founded by entrepreneurs with decades of experience in operations, investment banking, corporate finance, law and health care services, iAnthus provides a unique combination of capital and hands-on operating and management expertise. The Company uses these skills to support operations across six states. For more information, visit www.iAnthusCapital.com.
About Gotham Green Partners
Gotham Green Partners, LLC is a New York-based private equity firm focused on deploying capital into cannabis and cannabis-related enterprises on a global scale. The firm manages a diversified portfolio of investments and is actively investing across the cannabis value chain.
