William Sumner
It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis financial news for June 19, 2019.
On the Site
Charlotte’s Web Holdings
Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. (TSX:CWEB)(OTCQX:CWBHF) reported its final hemp planting for its 2019 growing season. The company said that in order to meet growing demand the total acres planted for 2019 has been increased to 862, an 187% increase from 300 acres planted in 2018.
CannTrust Holdings
CannTrust Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CTST) shares popped over 5% in early trading on news that the company had formed a joint venture with California hemp grower Elk Grove Farming Company. CannTrust is a Canadian cannabis company founded by pharmacists and this would be the company’s entry into the United States. The company said it expects to invest roughly $20 million in the operation by the end of 2020. The shares were lately trading at $5.22.
Executive Spotlight: Kraig Fox, President & CEO of High Times Holdings
A veteran media and entertainment executive, Kraig Fox oversees High Time’s day-to-day operations, which now include Dope Magazine, Culture Magazine, Green Rush Daily, and a number of events, including the Cannabis Cup Festivals.
Not Even Close To OK !!! California, Cannabis & IBI (Inherent Bureaucratic Ineptitude)
The Times article describes yet another band-aid the Legislature is slapping on California’s maladroit roll-out of cannabis regulation. This particular band-aid is an emergency extension of time through a budget Trailer Bill. The Bill, which is opposed by environmental groups, extends provisional licensing.
In Other News
Canopy Rivers
Canopy Rivers Inc. (TSXV: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) announced that has made a $10 million investment and has entered into a strategic collaboration with ZeaKal Inc. ZeaKal is a California-based company with with proprietary technologies that reportedly increase photosynthesis, improve plant yield and enhance nutritional profiles for a variety of crops. “Our investment in ZeaKal, the fifth consecutive international transaction for Canopy Rivers, builds on our thesis of selecting globally scalable and innovative processes, products, and technologies from complementary industries, and applying them to the cannabis and hemp economy,” said Mary Dimou, Director of Business Development at Canopy Rivers.
Green Flower Media
Green Flower Media today announced that it has closed a $20 million Series A financing round. The financing round was led by Tuatara Capital and additional funding came from Poseidon Asset Management and Phyto Partners. The proceeds from the round will go towards developing new certificate programs, creating new content for its subscription service, expanding the company’s team, and forming strategic partnerships.
Innovative Industrial Properties
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. announced that it entered into an amendment of the lease with Green Peak Industries, LLC, largest vertically integrated medical-use cannabis license holder in Michigan. The amendment will make available an additional $18 million for Green Peak to expand its cultivation and processing facilities at 10070 Harvest Park in Dimondale, Michigan. “We are thrilled to expand our real estate partnership with one of the premier medical-use cannabis operators in the state of Michigan, another example of our position as a long-term real estate capital partner that our tenant operators can count on,” said Paul Smithers, President and CEO of IIP.
