Cronos Group Inc 10-Q for FY2024 Q2
Cronos Group Inc. (CRON)
10-Q
2024-08-08
For: 2024-06-30
View Original
Added on
April 08, 2026
About this 10-Q
Cronos Group Inc filed this 10-Q on August 8, 2024, covering the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (FY2024 Q2).
Headline figures
Quarter ended June 30, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $27.76M
- up 46.0% from $19.02M a year earlier
- Net loss
- $8.76M
- compared with a net loss of $8.36M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$0.02
- compared with -$0.02 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024
or
For the transition period from to .
Commission File No. 001-38403
__________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
__________________________
British Columbia, | N/A | |||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |||||||
| incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
| N/A | ||||||||||||||
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or Section 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 x No o
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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.
| Large accelerated filer | o | x | ||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | ||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ||||||||||||||
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No x
As of August 5, 2024, there were 382,280,725 common shares of the registrant issued and outstanding.
1
Table of Contents | ||||||||||||||
PART I | ||||||||||||||
| FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||||||||
| PART II | ||||||||||||||
| OTHER INFORMATION | ||||||||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 5. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||||||||
Unless otherwise noted or the context indicates otherwise, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) to the “Company,” “Cronos Group,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Cronos Group Inc., its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries and, if applicable, its joint ventures and investments accounted for by the equity method; the term “cannabis” means the plant of any species or subspecies of genus Cannabis and any part of that plant, including all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers; the term “U.S. hemp” has the meaning given to term “hemp” in the United States (“U.S.”). Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the “2018 Farm Bill”), including hemp-derived cannabidiol (“CBD”); and the term “U.S. Schedule I cannabis” means cannabis excluding U.S. hemp.
This Quarterly Report contains references to our trademarks and trade names and to trademarks and trade names belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Quarterly Report may appear without the ® or ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trademarks or trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us or our business by, any other companies. In addition, this Quarterly Report includes website addresses. These website addresses are intended to provide inactive, textual references only. The information on or referred to on these websites is not part of or incorporated into this Quarterly Report.
All currency amounts in this Quarterly Report are stated in U.S. dollars, which is our reporting currency, unless otherwise noted. All references to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars; all references to “C$” are to Canadian dollars; all references to “A$” are to Australian dollars; and all references to “ILS” are to New Israeli Shekels.
| (Exchange rates are shown as C$ per $) | As of | ||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2024 | June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Spot rate | 1.3674 | 1.3242 | 1.3243 | ||||||||||||||
| Year-to-date average rate | 1.3581 | 1.3474 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
| (Exchange rates are shown as ILS per $) | As of | ||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2024 | June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Spot rate | 3.7742 | 3.7051 | 3.6163 | ||||||||||||||
| Year-to-date average rate | 3.6950 | 3.5892 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
All summaries of agreements described herein are qualified by the full text of such agreements (certain of which have been filed as exhibits with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission).
2
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
| Table of Contents | |||||
| 6 | |||||
3
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts, unaudited) | |||||
| As of June 30, 2024 | As of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Short-term investments | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | |||||||||||
| Interest receivable | |||||||||||
| Other receivables | |||||||||||
| Current portion of loans receivable, net | |||||||||||
| Inventory, net | |||||||||||
| Prepaids and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Held-for-sale assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Equity method investments, net | |||||||||||
| Other investments | |||||||||||
| Non-current portion of loans receivable, net | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | |||||||||||
| Other assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income taxes payable | |||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Current portion of lease obligation | |||||||||||
| Derivative liabilities | |||||||||||
| Current portion due to non-controlling interests | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Non-current portion due to non-controlling interests | |||||||||||
| Non-current portion of lease obligation | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
Share capital (authorized for issue as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023: unlimited; shares outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023: | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) | ( | ||||||||||
| Total equity attributable to shareholders of Cronos Group | |||||||||||
| Non-controlling interests | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
4
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Loss and Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |||||
(In thousands of U.S dollars, except share and per share amounts, unaudited) | |||||
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue, before excise taxes | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Excise taxes | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory write-down | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on long-lived assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share of income (loss) from equity method investments | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on revaluation of financial instruments | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on other investments | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from continuing operations | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to Cronos Group | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) on translation | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cronos Group | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss per share | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted - continuing operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted - discontinued operations | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and diluted - total | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
5
| Cronos Group Inc. | ||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity | ||
| For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 | ||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts, unaudited) | ||
| Number of shares | Share capital | Additional paid-in capital | Retained earnings | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Non-controlling interests | Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Activities relating to share-based compensation | ( | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) on translation | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Activities relating to share-based compensation | ( | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain (loss) on translation | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of shares | Share capital | Additional paid-in capital | Retained earnings | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Non-controlling interests | Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Activities relating to share-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain on translation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Activities relating to share-based compensation | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange gain on translation | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
6
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts, unaudited) | |||||
| Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on long-lived assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on other investments | |||||||||||||||||
Loss from investments | |||||||||||||||||
| Changes in expected credit losses on long-term financial assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other non-cash operating activities, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest receivable | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other receivables | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Prepaids and other current assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Inventory | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows used in operating activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Investing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of short-term investments | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from short-term investments | |||||||||||||||||
| Dividends received from equity method investment | |||||||||||||||||
Advances on loans receivable | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from repayment on loans receivable | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Purchase of intangible assets | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Withholding taxes paid on share-based awards | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Supplemental cash flow information | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Interest received | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
See notes to condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
7
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
1. Background, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a)Background
Cronos Group Inc. (“Cronos” or the “Company”) is incorporated in the province of British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) with principal executive offices at 4491 Concession Rd 12, Stayner, Ontario, L0M 1S0. The Company’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “CRON.”
Cronos is an innovative global cannabinoid company committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos’ diverse international brand portfolio includes Spinach®, PEACE NATURALS® and Lord Jones®.
(b)Basis of presentation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Cronos are unaudited. They have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other reporting period.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report”).
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation of our condensed consolidated interim financial statements. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations and ending shareholders’ equity.
(c)Discontinued Operations
In the second quarter of 2023, the Company exited its U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoid product operations. The exit of the U.S. operations represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results, and as such, qualifies for reporting as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive income (loss). Prior period amounts have been reclassified to reflect the discontinued operations classification of the U.S. operations. For more information, see Note 2 “Discontinued Operations.”
(d)Segment information
Segment reporting is prepared on the same basis that the Company’s chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) manages the business, makes operating decisions and assesses the Company’s performance. Prior to the second quarter of 2023, the Company reported results for two reportable segments, the U.S. and Rest of World. In the second quarter of 2023, as a result of the Company’s exit of its then-existing U.S. operations, the Company determined that it has one operating segment and therefore one reportable segment, which is comprised of operations in Canada and Israel and is involved in the cultivation, manufacture, and marketing of cannabis and cannabis-derived products for the medical and adult-use markets. All prior period segment disclosure information has been reclassified to conform to the current reporting structure in this Form 10-Q. These reclassifications had no effect on our consolidated financial statements in any period presented.
(e)Revenue recognition
The following tables present the Company’s revenue by major product category for continuing operations:
| Three months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cannabis flower | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cannabis extracts | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||
8
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
| Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cannabis flower | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cannabis extracts | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||
Net revenue attributed to a geographic region based on the location of the customer were as follows for continuing operations:
| Three months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Canada | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Israel | |||||||||||
| Other countries | |||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Canada | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Israel | |||||||||||
| Other countries | |||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||
(f)Concentration of risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities, primarily accounts receivable and other receivables, and its investing activities, including cash held with banks and financial institutions, short-term investments and loans receivable. The Company’s maximum exposure to this risk is equal to the carrying amount of these financial assets, which amounted to $954,818 and $966,442 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company assessed that there is a concentration of credit risk, as 30 % of the Company’s accounts receivable were due from one customer with an established credit history with the Company. As of December 31, 2023, 37 % of the Company’s accounts receivable were due from one customer with an established credit history with the Company.
The Company sells products to a limited number of major customers. Major customers are defined as customers that each individually accounted for greater than 10% of the Company’s revenue. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company earned a total net revenue before excise taxes of $19,941 from two major customers, together accounting for 52 % of the Company’s total net revenues before excise taxes. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company earned a total net revenue before excise taxes of $16,839 from three major customers, together accounting for 67 % of the Company’s total net revenues before excise taxes. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company earned a total net revenue before excise taxes of $45,482 from three customers, together accounting for 62 % of the Company’s total net revenues before excise taxes. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company earned a total net revenue before excise taxes of $34,732 from three major customers, together accounting for 67 % of the Company’s total net revenue before excise taxes.
9
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
(g)New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 enhances reportable segment disclosures by requiring disclosures such as significant segment expenses, information on the CODM and disclosures for entities with a single reportable segment. Additionally, the amendments enhance interim disclosure requirements, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, and contain other disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and we expect to adopt ASU 2023-07 retrospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 enhances the existing income tax disclosures to provide additional information to better assess how an entity’s operations, related tax risks and tax planning, and operational opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and we expect to adopt ASU 2023-09 prospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
(h)Adoption of new accounting pronouncements
On January 1, 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (“ASU 2022-03”). ASU 2022-03 clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments also require additional disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The adoption of ASU 2022-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements. With respect to the adoption of ASU 2022-03, see Note 4 “Investments” for discussion of the contractual restrictions related to the PharmaCann Option (as defined below).
2. Discontinued Operations
In the second quarter of 2023, the Company exited its then-existing U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoid product operations. Accordingly, the net loss of the U.S. operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 are reported separately as loss from discontinued operations on the condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive income (loss). There was no activity in discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.
10
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
The following table presents the major components comprising loss from discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023:
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory write-down | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment loss on long-lived assets(i) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other, net(ii) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss from discontinued operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(i)During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, as a result of the exit of the U.S. operations, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $205
(ii)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, Other, net related to loss on disposal of assets that were part of the U.S. operations.
The following tables present the Company’s discontinued operations revenue by major product category:
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannabis extracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The following tables summarize the Company’s discontinued operations restructuring activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023:
| Accrual as of April 1, 2023 | Expenses | Payments/Write-offs | Accrual as of June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee Termination Benefits | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Restructuring Costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrual as of January 1, 2023 | Expenses | Payments/Write-offs | Accrual as of June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee Termination Benefits | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Restructuring Costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
11
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
The Company had no assets or liabilities presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets related to its discontinued operations as of both June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
For the six months ended June 30, 2024, there were no purchases of property plant and equipment related to discontinued operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, purchases of property plant and equipment related to discontinued operations were $67 .
3. Inventory, net
Inventory, net is comprised of the following items:
| As of June 30, 2024 | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Raw materials | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Work-in-progress | ||||||||||||||
| Finished goods | ||||||||||||||
| Supplies and consumables | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
4. Investments
(a)Equity method investments, net
A reconciliation of the carrying amount of the investments in equity method investees, net is as follows:
| Ownership interest | As of June 30, 2024 | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
Cronos Growing Company Inc. (“Cronos GrowCo”) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
The following is a summary of the Company’s share of net income (losses) from equity investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting:
| For the three months ended June 30, | For the six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cronos GrowCo | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Beginning in the third quarter of 2024, the results of Cronos GrowCo will be consolidated into the results of the Company, and the Company’s investment in Cronos GrowCo will be reclassified as an intercompany transaction and eliminated upon consolidation. For more information, see Note 12 “Subsequent Events.”
(b)Other investments
Other investments consist of investments in common shares and options of two companies in the cannabis industry.
PharmaCann Option
On June 14, 2021, the Company purchased an option (the “PharmaCann Option”) to acquire 473,787 shares of Class A Common Stock of PharmaCann, Inc. (“PharmaCann”), a vertically integrated cannabis company in the United States, at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share, representing approximately 10.5 % of PharmaCann’s issued and outstanding capital stock on a fully diluted basis as of the date of the PharmaCann Option, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $110,392 . The PharmaCann Option is classified as an investment in an equity security without a readily determinable fair value. The Company measures the PharmaCann Option at cost less accumulated impairment charges, if any, and subsequently adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, based on updated information provided by PharmaCann in the second quarter, the Company’s ownership percentage in PharmaCann on a fully diluted basis was approximately 6.2 % and 6.6 %, respectively. The decrease in the Company’s ownership percentage since acquisition does not materially affect the Company’s rights under the PharmaCann Option. The PharmaCann Option is measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and is a level 3 asset. See Note 10 “Fair Value Measurements” for more information on the fair value hierarchy. The PharmaCann Option is reported as Other investments on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
12
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
During the first and second quarters of 2024, the Company identified adverse forecast changes in the financial performance of PharmaCann as indicators of impairment related to the PharmaCann Option and conducted analyses comparing the PharmaCann Option’s carrying amount to its estimated fair value. The fair value was estimated using the market approach. Under the market approach, the key assumptions are the selected multiples and the discount for lack of marketability. As a result of these analyses, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $12,734 and $12,916 in the first and second quarters of 2024, respectively, as the difference between the carrying amount of the PharmaCann Option and its estimated fair value, in the condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
The Company may sell, transfer or dispose of the PharmaCann Option without PharmaCann’s prior written consent, subject to the following conditions: (i) any transferee of any part of the PharmaCann Option must comply with and commit to comply with all regulations issued by a governmental entity applicable to such transferee in all material respects; (ii) any transferee of any part of the PharmaCann Option must agree to be bound by the terms of the Option Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2021 (the “Option Purchase Agreement”), as a “Purchaser” thereunder; (iii) the Company may not split and/or transfer the PharmaCann Option, in the aggregate, to more than four persons (with certain exceptions); (iv) no transferee may be a Prohibited Assignee (as defined in the Option Purchase Agreement); and (v) subject to certain exceptions, in the event that the Company (or a Permitted Transferee of the whole PharmaCann Option) transfers less than all of the PharmaCann Option to any third party that is not a Permitted Transferee, certain governance and information rights terminate immediately, unless waived by the PharmaCann board of directors in its sole and absolute discretion.
Additionally, in the event of an initial underwritten public offering of PharmaCann’s common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement, to the extent that holders of PharmaCann common stock are subject to any lock-up period imposed by the underwriter in connection therewith, the Company will, if applicable, execute a customary lock-up agreement on the same material terms and conditions as the other holders of common stock are subject to or as otherwise agreed between PharmaCann and the Company, subject to certain conditions with respect to the duration of the lock-up period.
Vitura Health Limited (formerly known as Cronos Australia)
The Company owns approximately 10 % of the outstanding common shares of Vitura Health Limited (“Vitura”). The investment is considered an equity security with a readily determinable fair value. Changes in the fair value of the investment are recorded as gain (loss) on revaluation of financial instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive loss.
The following table summarizes the Company’s other investments activity:
| As of April 1, 2024 | Unrealized loss | Impairment charges | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PharmaCann | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vitura | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of January 1, 2024 | Unrealized loss | Impairment charges | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PharmaCann | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vitura | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of April 1, 2023 | Unrealized gain | Impairment charges | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PharmaCann | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vitura | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of January 1, 2023 | Unrealized loss | Impairment charges | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PharmaCann | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vitura | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
13
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
5. Loans Receivable, net
Loans receivable, net consists of the following:
| As of June 30, 2024 | As of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
GrowCo Credit Facility | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Add: Current portion of accrued interest | |||||||||||||||||
Total current portion of loans receivable, net | |||||||||||||||||
GrowCo Credit Facility | |||||||||||||||||
Mucci Promissory Note | |||||||||||||||||
| Cannasoul Collaboration Loan | |||||||||||||||||
| Add: Long-term portion of accrued interest | |||||||||||||||||
Total long-term portion of loans receivable, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Total loans receivable, net | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Cronos GrowCo Credit Facility
On August 23, 2019, the Company, as lender, and Cronos GrowCo, as borrower, entered into a senior secured credit agreement for an aggregate principal amount of C$100,000 (the “GrowCo Credit Facility”). The GrowCo Credit Facility is secured by substantially all present and after-acquired personal and real property of Cronos GrowCo. In August 2021, the GrowCo Credit Facility was amended to increase the aggregate principal amount available to C$105,000 .
In June 2024, the GrowCo Credit Facility was amended to increase the aggregate principal amount available by C$70,000 by providing a second secured non-revolving credit facility (“Term Loan B”). The funds from Term Loan B will be used to expand Cronos GrowCo’s purpose-built cannabis facility and will mature 10 years after the commencement of sales from the expansion area, following which, principal will be repaid on a quarterly basis. Interest on Term Loan B is payable on a quarterly basis until maturity beginning after the first borrowing under Term Loan B. Prior to July 1, 2024, only C$12,000 of the C$70,000 increased principal availability could be drawn, which Cronos GrowCo drew in full on June 20, 2024.
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Cronos GrowCo had drawn C$116,000 and C$104,000 ($84,833 and $78,532 , respectively), respectively from the GrowCo Credit Facility. The interest rate on the outstanding borrowings is the Canadian Prime Rate plus 1.25 %, with interest payments due quarterly. Principal payments of C$1,000 commenced in March 2022 and are currently C$1,667 , due quarterly. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, Cronos GrowCo repaid C$1,667 ($1,216 ) in principal and C$1,920 ($1,401 ) in interest related to the GrowCo Credit Facility. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, Cronos GrowCo repaid C$3,333 ($2,447 ) in principal and C$3,862 ($2,835 ) in interest related to the GrowCo Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2024, Cronos GrowCo had repaid an aggregate C$14,833 ($10,848 ) and C$24,384 ($17,832 ) in principal and interest, respectively, under the terms of the GrowCo Credit Facility.
Beginning in the third quarter of 2024, the results of Cronos GrowCo will be consolidated into the results of the Company, and the Cronos GrowCo Credit Facility will be reclassified as an intercompany transaction and eliminated upon consolidation. For more information, see Note 12 “Subsequent Events.”
Mucci Promissory Note
On June 28, 2019, the Company entered into a promissory note receivable agreement (the “Mucci Promissory Note”) for C$16,350 (approximately $11,957 ) with the Cronos GrowCo joint venture partner (“Mucci”). The Mucci Promissory Note is secured by a general security agreement covering all the assets of Mucci. On September 30, 2022, the Mucci Promissory Note was amended and restated to increase the interest rate from 3.95 % to the Canadian Prime Rate plus 1.25 %, change the interest payments from quarterly to annual, and defer Mucci’s initial cash interest payment from September 30, 2022 to July 1, 2023. On June 20, 2024, the Mucci Promissory Note was amended and restated. As a result, interest accrued on the Mucci Promissory Note between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024 was capitalized as part of the principal balance, which increased the loans receivable and decreased interest receivable by $974
Prior to July 1, 2022, interest accrued on the Mucci Promissory Note was capitalized as part of the principal balance. As of July 1, 2022, interest was accrued and to be paid in cash beginning on July 1, 2023. Prior to 2023, there were no 1,750 1,322 1,187 897 563 425 no
14
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
Cannasoul Collaboration Loan
As of both June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Cannasoul Lab Services Ltd. has received ILS 8,297 2,198 and $2,294 , respectively), from the Cannasoul Collaboration Loan.
Expected credit loss allowances on the Company’s long-term financial assets for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were comprised of the following items:
| As of April 1, 2024 | Increase(i) | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| GrowCo Credit Facility | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mucci Promissory Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannasoul Collaboration Loan | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| As of January 1, 2024 | Increase(i) | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| GrowCo Credit Facility | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mucci Promissory Note | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannasoul Collaboration Loan | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| As of April 1, 2023 | Increase (decrease) | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| GrowCo Credit Facility | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mucci Promissory Note | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannasoul Collaboration Loan | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| As of January 1, 2023 | Increase (decrease) | Foreign exchange effect | As of June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| GrowCo Credit Facility | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mucci Promissory Note | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannasoul Collaboration Loan | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
(i)During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, $1,212 and $1,021 , respectively, were recorded as increases to general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive income (loss) primarily as a result of the increased loans under the GrowCo Credit Facility. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, $382 and $1,146 , respectively, were recorded as decreases to general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive income (loss) as a result of adjustments to our expected credit losses.
15
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
6. Restructuring
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company initiated a strategic plan to realign the business around its brands, centralize functions and evaluate the Company’s supply chain (the “Realignment”). As part of the Realignment, on February 28, 2022, the Board approved plans to leverage the Company’s strategic partnerships to improve supply chain efficiencies and reduce manufacturing overhead by exiting its production facility in Stayner, Ontario, Canada (the “Peace Naturals Campus”). On February 27, 2023, the Board approved revisions to the Realignment, which were expected to result in the Company maintaining select components of its operations at the Peace Naturals Campus, namely distribution warehousing, certain research and development activities and manufacturing of certain of the Company’s products, while seeking to sell and lease back all or some of the Peace Naturals Campus or to lease certain portions of the Peace Naturals Campus to third parties. In the third quarter of 2023, the Board approved revisions to the Realignment to wind-down operations at its Winnipeg, Manitoba facility (“Cronos Fermentation”), list the Cronos Fermentation facility for sale, and implement additional organization-wide cost reductions as the Company continues its Realignment initiatives. The Realignment initiatives were intended to position the Company to drive profitable and sustainable growth over time.
On November 26, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Future Farmco Canada Inc. for the sale and leaseback of the Peace Naturals Campus. This agreement was subsequently terminated pursuant to its terms during the second quarter of 2024. The Company is continuing to evaluate its strategic options for the Peace Naturals Campus, which may include continuing and expanding operations at the facility.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company ceased operations at Cronos Fermentation and performed an assessment under ASC 360 of the recoverability of the carrying value of the Cronos Fermentation assets, and determined the carrying value of the assets was not fully recoverable. The fair value was estimated using a combination of the market and income approaches. As a result of this analysis, an impairment loss on long-lived assets of $1,631 was recorded to the condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive loss in the six months ended June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, the assets of Cronos Fermentation met the held-for-sale criteria and were classified to assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and the assets are valued at their fair value less costs to sell. A $445 loss for estimated costs to sell was recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2024 as a result of the classification of the Cronos Fermentation assets as held for sale.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company incurred $547 and $630 of restructuring costs in its continuing operations in connection with the Realignment. Charges related thereto include shutdown costs at the Cronos Fermentation facility, as well as employee-related costs such as severance and other termination benefits. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized no
The following table summarizes the Company’s restructuring activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024:
| Accrual as of April 1, 2024 | Expenses | Payments/Write-offs | Accrual as of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee Termination Benefits | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Restructuring Costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accrual as of January 1, 2024 | Expenses | Payments/Write-offs | Accrual as of June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee Termination Benefits | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Restructuring Costs | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
16
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
7. Share-based Compensation
(a)Share-based award plans
The Company has granted stock options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and deferred share units (“DSUs”) to employees and non-employee directors under the 2018 Stock Option Plan dated June 28, 2018 (the “2018 Stock Option Plan”), the Employment Inducement Award Plan #1 (the “Employment Inducement Award Plan”), the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan dated March 29, 2020 (the “2020 Omnibus Plan”) and the DSU Plan dated August 10, 2019 (the “DSU Plan”). The Company can no longer make grants under the 2018 Stock Option Plan or the Employment Inducement Award Plan.
The following table summarizes the total share-based compensation expense associated with the Company’s stock options and RSUs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:
| For the three months ended June 30, | For the six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock options | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| RSUs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total share-based compensation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
(b)Stock options
Vesting conditions for grants of options are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The typical vesting for stock option grants made under the 2020 Omnibus Plan is annual vesting over to five years with a maximum term of ten years . The typical vesting for stock option grants made under the 2018 Stock Option Plan is quarterly vesting over to five years with a maximum term of seven years . The 2018 Stock Option Plan did not, and the 2020 Omnibus Plan does not, authorize grants of options with an exercise price below fair market value.
The following is a summary of the changes in stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:
Weighted-average exercise price (C$) (i) | Number of options | Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Cancellation, forfeiture and expiry of options | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable as of June 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average exercise price (C$) (i) | Number of options | Weighted-average remaining contractual term (years) | |||||||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of options | |||||||||||||||||
Cancellation, forfeiture and expiry of options | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable as of June 30, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||||||||
(i)The weighted-average exercise price reflects the conversion of foreign currency-denominated stock options translated into C$ using the average foreign exchange rate as of the date of issuance.
The following table summarizes stock options outstanding:
| As of June 30, 2024 | As of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| 2020 Omnibus Plan | |||||||||||
| 2018 Stock Option Plan | |||||||||||
| Total stock options outstanding | |||||||||||
17
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
(c)Restricted share units
The following is a summary of the changes in RSUs for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:
Weighted-average grant date fair value (C$)(ii) | Number of RSUs | ||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
Granted(i) | |||||||||||
| Vested and issued | ( | ||||||||||
| Cancellation and forfeitures | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
Weighted-average grant date fair value (C$)(ii) | Number of RSUs | ||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||
Granted(i) | |||||||||||
| Vested and issued | ( | ||||||||||
| Cancellation and forfeitures | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||
(i)RSUs granted in the period vest annually in equal installments over a three-year period from either the grant date or after a or five year “cliff-period.” All RSUs are subject to such holder’s continued employment through each vesting date. The vesting of such RSUs is not subject to the achievement of any performance criteria.
(d)Deferred share units
The following is a summary of the changes in DSUs for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:
| Financial liability | Number of DSUs | ||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
| DSU liabilities settled | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Loss on revaluation | — | ||||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2024 | $ | ||||||||||
| Financial liability | Number of DSUs | ||||||||||
| Balance as of January 1, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||
| Gain on revaluation | ( | — | |||||||||
| Balance as of June 30, 2023 | $ | ||||||||||
18
| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
8. Loss per Share
Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing and discontinued operations are calculated as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic loss per share computation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of Cronos Group | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for computation for basic and diluted earnings per share(i) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic loss from continuing operations per share | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
Diluted loss per share from continuing operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations attributable to the shareholders of Cronos Group | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for computation for basic and diluted earnings per share(i) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic loss from discontinued operations per share | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Diluted loss from discontinued operations per share | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||
(i)In computing diluted loss per share, incremental common shares are not considered in periods in which a net loss is reported as the inclusion of the common share equivalents would be anti-dilutive.
For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, total securities of 19,434,059 and 28,769,758 , respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted shares outstanding because the effect would be anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, total securities of 22,007,363 and 29,428,093 , respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted shares outstanding because the effect would be anti-dilutive.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
(a)Commitments
There have been no material changes in the information regarding commitments as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report.
(b)Contingencies
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its business and in connection with its marketing, distribution and sale of its products. Many of these legal proceedings are in the early stages of litigation and seek damages that are unspecified or not quantified. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe these legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition but could be material to its results of operations for a quarterly period depending, in part, on its results for that quarter.
(i)Class action complaints relating to restatement of 2019 interim financial statements
On March 11 and 12, 2020, two alleged shareholders of the Company separately filed two putative class action complaints in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the Company and its Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Financial Officer. The court consolidated the cases, and the consolidated amended complaint alleges violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5, promulgated thereunder, against all defendants, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against the individual defendants. The consolidated amended complaint generally alleges that certain of the Company’s prior public statements about revenues and internal controls were incorrect based on the Company’s disclosures relating to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors’ review of the appropriateness of revenue recognized in connection with certain bulk resin purchases and sales of products through the wholesale channel. The consolidated amended complaint does not quantify a damage request. The defendants moved to dismiss on February 8, 2021. On November 17, 2023, the court entered an order granting the motion and dismissed the case with prejudice. On December 1, 2023, the shareholder plaintiffs sought reconsideration of the dismissal, requesting that the court instead dismiss the action without prejudice and permit the plaintiffs to seek leave to further amend the complaint. The reconsideration motion is pending.
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| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
On June 3, 2020, an alleged shareholder filed a Statement of Claim, as amended on August 12, 2020, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, seeking, among other things, an order certifying the action as a class action on behalf of a putative class of shareholders and damages of an unspecified amount. The Amended Statement of Claim named (i) the Company, (ii) its Chief Executive Officer, (iii) former Chief Financial Officer, (iv) former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, and (v) current and former members of the Board as defendants and alleged breaches of the Ontario Securities Act, oppression under the Ontario Business Corporations Act and common law misrepresentation. The Amended Statement of Claim generally alleged that certain of the Company’s prior public statements about revenues and internal controls were misrepresentations based on the Company’s March 2, 2020 disclosure that the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors was conducting a review of the appropriateness of revenue recognized in connection with certain bulk resin purchases and sales of products through the wholesale channel, and the Company’s subsequent restatement. The Amended Statement of Claim did not quantify a damage request. On June 28, 2021, the Court dismissed motions brought by the plaintiff for leave to commence a claim for misrepresentation under the Ontario Securities Act and for certification of the action as a class action. The plaintiff appealed the Court’s dismissal of the motions only with respect to the Company, the Chief Executive Officer, and the now former Chief Financial Officer; the remaining defendants were dismissed from the matter with prejudice and the Company and all individual defendants agreed not to seek costs from plaintiff in connection with the dismissal of the motions. On September 26, 2022, the Court of Appeal for Ontario reversed the Superior Court’s dismissal of the leave and certification motions, granted the plaintiff leave to proceed to bring a claim for misrepresentation under the Ontario Securities Act, and remitted the certification motion back to the Superior Court. On April 11, 2023, the plaintiff filed a Fresh as Amended Statement of Claim, which reflected the dismissal of the defendants for which an appeal was not sought, the removal of the claims for oppression under the Ontario Business Corporations Act and common law misrepresentation, as well as shortening the proposed class period. On October 10, 2023, the Superior Court certified the action on behalf of a class of persons or entities who acquired shares in the secondary market, including on the TSX and Nasdaq, during the period from May 9, 2019 to March 30, 2020, other than certain excluded persons.
(ii)Regulatory reviews relating to restatements
On October 24, 2022, the Company announced regulatory settlements as follows:
SEC Settlement
On October 24, 2022, the SEC issued an Order Instituting Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21(c) of the Exchange Act, Making Findings, and Imposing a Cease-and-Desist Order (the “Settlement Order”) resolving the Restatements.
The Company agreed to settle with the SEC, without admitting or denying the allegations described in the Settlement Order. The Settlement Order fully and finally disposed of the investigation of the Company by the SEC into the Restatements without the payment of any civil penalty or other amount.
The Settlement Order required the Company to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, Sections 10(b), 13(a), 13(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act and Rules 10b-5, 13a-13, 13a-15(a), 13a-16 and 12b-20 thereunder.
As a result of the Settlement Order, the Company (i) lost its status as a well-known seasoned issuer for a period of three years, (ii) is unable to rely on the private offering exemptions provided by Regulations A and D under the Securities Act for a period of five years and (iii) is unable to rely on the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for a period of three years.
OSC Settlement
On October 24, 2022, the Ontario Capital Markets Tribunal approved a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) between the Company and the staff of the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”), resolving the Restatements.
Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, which fully and finally disposed the investigation of the Company by the OSC, Cronos agreed to pay a total of C$1.34 million to fully settle the matter, and acknowledged that it had failed to comply with the requirement under Section 77 of the Ontario Securities Act to file interim financial reports in the manner set out therein and had acted in a manner contrary to the public interest.
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| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
(iii)Litigation and regulatory inquiries relating to marketing, distribution, import and sale of products
On April 17, 2023, a group of plaintiffs led by the Green Leaf (Ale Yarok) political party filed a Statement of Claim and Request for Approval of a Class Action on behalf of a purported class of Israeli cannabis consumers in the District Court of Tel Aviv, Israel, against 26 cannabis-related parties, including three Cronos Israel entities. The Statement of Claim alleges that the defendants violated certain laws relating to the marketing of medical cannabis products, including marketing to unlicensed cannabis consumers. The lawsuit seeks a total of ILS 420 million. The Cronos Israel defendants moved to dismiss the action on August 13, 2023. The court granted the motion (and similar motions filed by other defendants) on May 16, 2024, dismissing the plaintiffs’ petition for class certification without prejudice and their individual claims with prejudice, and ordering the plaintiffs to pay ILS 10 thousand to each of the defendants for costs. On July 14, 2024, the plaintiffs appealed to the Supreme Court of Israel seeking to overturn both the dismissal of plaintiffs’ individual claims and the award of costs. The appeal is pending.
On January 18, 2024, the Company was notified that the Trade Levies Commissioner of the Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry initiated a public investigation of alleged dumping of medical cannabis imports from Canada into Israel. On July 9, 2024, the Commissioner announced a preliminary determination proposing to impose an anti-dumping duty on Canadian licensed producers. The Company would be subject to a proposed duty of 369%. The Commissioner determined not to impose a provisional duty at this time pending the conclusion of the Ministry’s investigation. The Company previously responded to requests for information from the Ministry and is providing additional information. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the investigation.
We expect litigation and regulatory proceedings relating to the marketing, distribution, import and sale of our products to increase.
10. Fair Value Measurements
The Company complies with ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements for its financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period, and non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at least annually. In general, fair values are determined by:
•Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
•Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves.
•Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
| June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Other investments(i) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments(i) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(i)As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s influence on Vitura is deemed non-significant and the investment is considered an equity security with a readily determinable fair value. See Note 4 “Investments” for additional information.
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| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
There were no transfers between fair value categories during the periods presented.
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value:
| As of June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments(i) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments(i) | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
(i)On June 14, 2021, the Company purchased an option to acquire 473,787 shares of Class A Common Stock of PharmaCann, a vertically integrated cannabis company in the United States, at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share, representing approximately 10.5 % of PharmaCann’s issued and outstanding capital stock on a fully diluted basis as of the date of the PharmaCann Option, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $110,392 . As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, based on updated information provided by PharmaCann in the first quarter, the Company’s ownership percentage in PharmaCann on a fully diluted basis was approximately 6.2 % and 6.6 %. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the PharmaCann Option was impaired to zero. See Note 4 “Investments.”
There were no transfers between fair value categories during the periods presented.
11. Related Party Transactions
(a)Cronos GrowCo
The Company holds a variable interest in Cronos GrowCo through its ownership of 50 % of Cronos GrowCo’s common shares and senior secured debt in Cronos GrowCo. See Note 4 “Investments” for additional information.
The Company made the following purchases of cannabis products from Cronos GrowCo:
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cronos GrowCo – purchases | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
As of June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company had payables outstanding to Cronos GrowCo of $1,640 and $2,267 , respectively.
During the third quarter of 2023, the Company, as supplier, entered into a cannabis germplasm supply agreement with Cronos GrowCo as buyer. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company received $266 and $627 , respectively, in relation to this agreement.
Additionally, on August 23, 2019, the Company, as lender, and Cronos GrowCo, as borrower, entered into the GrowCo Credit Facility. In August 2021, the GrowCo Credit Facility was amended to increase the aggregate principal amount available. In June 2024, the GrowCo Credit Facility was further amended to increase the aggregate principal amount available by providing a second secured non-revolving credit facility. See Note 5 “Loans Receivable, net” for additional information.
On June 20, 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated supply agreement with Cronos GrowCo (the “Supply Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Supply Agreement, prior to the commencement of sales from Cronos GrowCo’s Phase 2 expansion area, the Company and its affiliates have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase an aggregate total quantity of 80 % of what is produced by Cronos GrowCo. Thereafter, the Company and its affiliates will have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase 70 % of Cronos GrowCo’s forecasted production capacity over a given period and 70 % of Cronos GrowCo’s actual production in a given month. All prices for products purchased pursuant to the Supply Agreement are fixed throughout the four year term of the Supply Agreement.
Beginning in the third quarter of 2024, the results of Cronos GrowCo will be consolidated into the results of the Company, and all transactions with Cronos GrowCo will be treated as intercompany transactions and eliminated upon consolidation. For more information, see Note 12 “Subsequent Events.”
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| Cronos Group Inc. | |||||
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | |||||
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts) | |||||
(b)Vendor Agreement
In November 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with an external vendor whereby the vendor would provide certain manufacturing services to the Company. The vendor then subcontracted out a portion of those services to another company whose chief executive officer is an immediate family member of an executive of the Company. The Company purchased $603 and $1,436 of products and services under this subcontracted agreement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The Company had $0 and $28 in outstanding payables related to the subcontracted agreement as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
In November 2023, the Company negotiated a direct contract with the related-party vendor. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company purchased $260 and $936 of products and services under this agreement and had outstanding accounts payable related to the agreement of $7 and $11 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
12. Subsequent Events
(a)Cronos GrowCo Amended Shareholders’ Agreement
On July 1, 2024, the Company attained majority control of the board of directors of Cronos GrowCo. As a result, the Company will consolidate the results of operations of Cronos GrowCo in its condensed consolidated financial statements beginning in the third quarter of 2024. The consolidation of Cronos GrowCo results in a business combination under ASC 805. Acquisition costs of $196
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read together with other information, including Cronos Group’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements and the related notes to those statements, included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024 (this “Quarterly Report”), consolidated financial statements appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Annual Report”), Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of the Annual Report and Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Quarterly Report.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report, the documents incorporated into this Quarterly Report by reference, other reports we file with, or furnish to, the SEC and other regulatory agencies, and statements by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf contain information that may constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws and court decisions (collectively, “Forward-Looking Statements”), which are based upon our current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. All information that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute Forward-Looking Statements. In some cases, Forward-Looking Statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “expect,” “likely,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “proposed,” “estimate” and other similar words, expressions and phrases, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussion of strategy. Forward-Looking Statements include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance or other statements that are not statements of historical fact.
Forward-Looking Statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:
•the ongoing impact of the public investigation into Canadian licensed producers of alleged dumping of medical cannabis imports from Canada into Israel by the Israel Trade Levies Commissioner of the Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry (the “Anti-Dumping Investigation”);
•expectations related to the conflict involving Israel, Hamas, Iran and other stakeholders in the region (the “Middle East Conflict”) and its impact on our operations in Israel, the supply of product in the market and the demand for product by medical patients in Israel, as well as any regional or global escalations and their impact to global commerce and stability;
•expectations related to the German, Australian and United Kingdom (the “UK”) markets, including our strategic partnerships with Cansativa GmbH (“Cansativa”), Vitura Health Limited (“Vitura”) and GROW® Pharma, respectively, and our plans to distribute the PEACE NATURALS® brand in Germany and the UK;
•expectations related to our announcement of cost-cutting measures, including our decision to wind-down operations at our Winnipeg, Manitoba facility and list the facility for sale, the expected costs and benefits from the wind-down of production activities at the facility, challenges and effects related thereto as well as changes in strategy, metrics, investments, costs, operating expenses, employee turnover and other changes with respect thereto;
•expectations related to the impact of our decision to exit our U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoid product operations, including the costs, expenses and write-offs associated therewith, the impact on our operations and our financial statements and any future plans to re-enter the U.S. market;
•expectations related to our announced realignment (the “Realignment”) and any progress, challenges and effects related thereto as well as changes in strategy, metrics, investments, reporting structure, costs, operating expenses, employee turnover and other changes with respect thereto;
•the timing of the change in the nature of operations at our facility in Stayner, Ontario (the “Peace Naturals Campus”);
•our ability to acquire raw materials from suppliers, including Cronos GrowCo, and the costs and timing associated therewith;
•expectations regarding the potential success of, and the costs and benefits associated with, our joint ventures, strategic alliances and equity investments, including the strategic partnership (the “Ginkgo Strategic Partnership”) with Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (“Ginkgo”);
•expectations related to the expansion of Cronos GrowCo’s purpose-built cannabis facility;
•our ability or plans to identify, develop, commercialize or expand our technology and research and development (“R&D”) initiatives in cannabinoids, or the success thereof;
•expectations regarding revenues, expenses, gross margins and capital expenditures;
•expectations regarding our future production and manufacturing strategy and operations, the costs and timing associated therewith and the receipt of applicable production and sale licenses;
24
•the ongoing impact of the legalization of additional cannabis product types and forms for adult-use in Canada, including federal, provincial, territorial and municipal regulations pertaining thereto, the related timing and impact thereof and our intentions to participate in such markets;
•the legalization of the use of cannabis for medical or adult-use in jurisdictions outside of Canada, including the United States and Germany, the related timing and impact thereof and our intentions to participate in such markets, if and when such use is legalized;
•the grant, renewal, withdrawal, suspension, delay and impact of any license or supplemental license to conduct activities with cannabis or any amendments thereof;
•our ability to successfully create and launch brands and cannabis products;
•expectations related to the differentiation of our products, including through the utilization of rare cannabinoids;
•the benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis, including CBD and other cannabinoids;
•laws and regulations and any amendments thereto applicable to our business and the impact thereof, including uncertainty regarding the application of United States (“U.S.”) state and federal law to cannabis and U.S. hemp (including CBD and other U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoids) products and the scope of any regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (the “DEA”), the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”) and any state equivalent regulatory agencies over cannabis and U.S. hemp (including CBD and other U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoids) products, including the possibility marijuana is moved from Schedule I to Schedule III under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act;
•the anticipated benefits and impact of Altria Group Inc.’s investment in the Company (the “Altria Investment”), pursuant to a subscription agreement dated December 7, 2018;
•uncertainties as to our ability to exercise our option (the “PharmaCann Option”) in PharmaCann Inc. (“PharmaCann”), in the near term or the future, in full or in part, including the uncertainties as to the status and future development of federal legalization of cannabis in the U.S. and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction with PharmaCann;
•expectations regarding the implementation and effectiveness of key personnel changes;
•expectations regarding acquisitions and dispositions and the anticipated benefits therefrom;
•expectations of the amount or frequency of impairment losses, including as a result of the write-down of intangible assets, including goodwill;
•the impact of the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine (and resulting sanctions) on our business, financial condition and results of operations or cash flows;
•our compliance with the terms of the settlement with the SEC (the “Settlement Order”) and the settlement agreement with the Ontario Securities Commission (the “Settlement Agreement”); and
•the impact of the loss of our ability to rely on private offering exemptions under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the loss of our status as a well-known seasoned issuer, each as a result of the Settlement Order.
Certain of the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein concerning the industries in which we conduct our business are based on estimates prepared by us using data from publicly available governmental sources, market research, industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of these industries, which we believe to be reasonable. However, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics, such data is inherently imprecise. The industries in which we conduct our business involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors, which are described further below.
25
The Forward-Looking Statements contained herein are based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including: (i) our ability to effectively navigate developments related to the Anti-Dumping Investigation and its impact on our operations in Israel; (ii) our ability to effectively navigate developments related to the Middle East Conflict and its impact on our employees and operations in Israel, the supply of product in the market and demand for product by medical patients in Israel; (iii) our ability to efficiently and effectively distribute our PEACE NATURALS® brand in Germany with our strategic partner Cansativa and in the UK with our strategic partner GROW® Pharma and our ability to efficiently and effectively distribute products in Australia with our strategic partner Vitura; (iv) our ability to realize the expected cost-savings and other benefits related to the wind-down of our operations at our Winnipeg, Manitoba facility, (v) our ability to realize the expected cost-savings, efficiencies and other benefits of our Realignment and other announced cost-cutting measures and employee turnover related thereto; (vi) our ability to efficiently and effectively wind down certain production activities at the Peace Naturals Campus, receive the benefits of the change in the nature of our operations at our Peace Naturals Campus and acquire raw materials on a timely and cost-effective basis from third parties, including Cronos GrowCo; (vii) the timely completion of the expansion of Cronos GrowCo’s purpose-built cannabis facility and the ability of Cronos GrowCo to repay the Term Loan B; (viii) our ability to realize anticipated benefits, synergies or generate revenue, profits or value from our acquisitions and strategic investments; (ix) the production and manufacturing capabilities and output from our facilities and our joint ventures, strategic alliances and equity investments; (x) government regulation of our activities and products including, but not limited to, the areas of cannabis taxation and environmental protection; (xi) the timely receipt of any required regulatory authorizations, approvals, consents, permits and/or licenses; (xii) consumer interest in our products; (xiii) our ability to differentiate our products, including through the utilization of rare cannabinoids; (xiv) competition; (xv) anticipated and unanticipated costs; (xvi) our ability to generate cash flow from operations; (xvii) our ability to conduct operations in a safe, efficient and effective manner; (xviii) our ability to hire and retain qualified staff, and acquire equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; (xix) our ability to exercise the PharmaCann Option and realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction with PharmaCann; (xx) our ability to complete planned dispositions, and, if completed, obtain our anticipated sales price; (xxi) general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which we operate; (xxii) management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; and (xxiii) other considerations that management believes to be appropriate in the circumstances. While our management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
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By their nature, Forward-Looking Statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the Forward-Looking Statements in this Quarterly Report and other reports we file with, or furnish to, the SEC and other regulatory agencies and made by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf. Such factors include, without limitation, negative impacts on our business and operations in Israel due to the Anti-Dumping Investigation, including that we may not be able to produce, import or sell our products in Israel as a result thereof; negative impacts on our employees, business and operations in Israel due to the Middle East Conflict, including that we may not be able to produce, import or sell our products or protect our people or facilities in Israel during the Middle East Conflict, the supply of product in the market and the demand for product by medical patients in Israel; that we may not be able to successfully continue to distribute our products in Germany, Australia and the UK or generate material revenue from sales in those markets; that we may not be able to achieve the anticipated benefits of the wind-down of our operations at our Winnipeg, Manitoba facility or be able to access raw materials on a timely and cost-effective basis from third-parties; that we may be unable to further streamline our operations and reduce expenses; that we may not be able to effectively and efficiently re-enter the U.S. market in the future; that we may not be able to access raw materials on a timely and cost-effective basis from third-parties, including Cronos GrowCo; that Cronos GrowCo may not be able to complete the expansion of its purpose-built cannabis facility within a reasonable time or repay its borrowings under Term Loan B; the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine may disrupt our operations and those of our suppliers and distribution channels and negatively impact the demand for and use of our products; the risk that cost savings and any other synergies from the Altria Investment may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; failure to execute key personnel changes; the risks that our Realignment, the change in the nature of our operations at the Peace Naturals Campus and our further leveraging of our strategic partnerships will not result in the expected cost-savings, efficiencies and other benefits or will result in greater than anticipated turnover in personnel; lower levels of revenues; the lack of consumer demand for our products; our inability to reduce expenses at the level needed to meet our projected net change in cash and cash equivalents; our inability to manage disruptions in credit markets; unanticipated future levels of capital, environmental or maintenance expenditures, general and administrative and other expenses; growth opportunities not turning out as expected; the lack of cash flow necessary to execute our business plan (either within the expected timeframe or at all); difficulty raising capital; the potential adverse effects of judicial, regulatory or other proceedings, or threatened litigation or proceedings, on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; volatility in and/or degradation of general economic, market, industry or business conditions; compliance with applicable environmental, economic, health and safety, energy and other policies and regulations and in particular health concerns with respect to vaping and the use of cannabis and U.S. hemp products in vaping devices; the unexpected effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, activist investors or federal (including U.S. federal), state, provincial, territorial or local regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations; adverse changes in regulatory requirements in relation to our business and products; legal or regulatory obstacles that could prevent us from being able to exercise the PharmaCann Option and thereby realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction with PharmaCann; dilution of our fully diluted ownership of PharmaCann and the loss of our rights as a result of that dilution; our failure to improve our internal control environment and our systems, processes and procedures; and the factors discussed under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Annual Report and under Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Reports. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements.
Forward-Looking Statements are provided for the purposes of assisting the reader in understanding our financial performance, financial position and cash flows as of and for periods ended on certain dates and to present information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these Forward-Looking Statements because of their inherent uncertainty and to appreciate the limited purposes for which they are being used by management. While we believe that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-Looking Statements are made as of the date they are made and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on that date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any Forward-Looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such Forward-Looking Statements. The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this Quarterly Report and other reports we file with, or furnish to, the SEC and other regulatory agencies and made by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
Foreign currency exchange rates
All currency amounts in this Quarterly Report are stated in U.S. dollars, which is our reporting currency, unless otherwise noted. All references to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars. The assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated into dollars at the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2024, June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2023. Transactions affecting the shareholders’ equity (deficit) are translated at historical foreign exchange rates. The condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive income (loss) and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows of our foreign operations are translated into dollars by applying the average foreign exchange rate in effect for the reporting period as reported on Bloomberg.
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The exchange rates used to translate from Canadian dollars (“C$”) to dollars is shown below:
| (Exchange rates are shown as C$ per $) | As of | ||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2024 | June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Spot rate | 1.3674 | 1.3242 | 1.3243 | ||||||||||||||
| Year-to-date average rate | 1.3581 | 1.3474 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
The exchange rates used to translate from New Israeli Shekels (“ILS”) to dollars is shown below:
| (Exchange rates are shown as ILS per $) | As of | ||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2024 | June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Spot rate | 3.7742 | 3.7051 | 3.6163 | ||||||||||||||
| Year-to-date average rate | 3.6950 | 3.5892 | N/A | ||||||||||||||
Business Overview
Cronos is an innovative global cannabinoid company committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos’ diverse international brand portfolio includes Spinach®, PEACE NATURALS® and Lord Jones®.
Strategy
Cronos seeks to create value for shareholders by focusing on four core strategic priorities:
•growing a portfolio of iconic brands that responsibly elevate the consumer experience;
•developing a diversified global sales and distribution network;
•establishing an efficient global supply chain; and
•creating and monetizing disruptive intellectual property.
Discontinued Operations
In the second quarter of 2023, Cronos exited its U.S. hemp-derived cannabinoid product operations. The exit of the U.S. operations represented a strategic shift that has a major effect on Cronos’ operations and financial results, and as such, qualifies for reporting as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of net loss and comprehensive income (loss). Prior period amounts have been reclassified to reflect the discontinued operations classification of the U.S. operations. For further detail on the discontinuation of the U.S. operations, see Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Business Segments
Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, following the exit of our U.S. operations, Cronos is reporting through one consolidated segment, which includes operations in both Canada and Israel. In Canada, Cronos operates one wholly owned license holder under the Cannabis Act (Canada) (the “Cannabis Act”), Peace Naturals Project Inc. (“Peace Naturals”), which has production facilities near Stayner, Ontario. In Israel, the Company operates under the IMC-GAP, IMC-GMP and IMC-GDP certifications required for the cultivation, production and marketing of dried flower, pre-rolls and oils in the Israeli medical market.
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Recent Developments
Middle East Conflict
Cronos continues to monitor the Middle East Conflict and potential impacts the Middle East Conflict could have on the Company’s personnel and business in Israel and the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities related to the Company’s operations in Israel. The extent to which the Middle East Conflict may impact the Company’s personnel, business and activities will depend on future developments which remain highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. It is possible that the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities related to the Company’s operations in Israel could change materially in the near term.
Transaction with Cronos GrowCo
On June 20, 2024, Cronos announced an expansion of Cronos GrowCo. The investment will be funded by an additional credit facility provided by Cronos and is intended to assist GrowCo’s expansion of its purpose-built cannabis facility to address the increased global market demand for high-quality cannabis flower.
Key highlights of the investment:
•Investment in Expansion: Cronos has provided an approximately $51 million ($70 million CAD) secured non-revolving credit facility to Cronos GrowCo to fund facility expansion, enabling growth opportunities in the markets Cronos operates in today as well as potentially enabling Cronos GrowCo to take advantage of future growth into new markets that open.
•Enhanced Governance: As of July 1, 2024, the GrowCo board of directors expanded to five members, three of whom are appointed by Cronos.
•New Supply Agreement: Prior to the commencement of sales from the expanded facility, Cronos will have the option to purchase up to 80% of Cronos GrowCo’s total production. Thereafter, Cronos will have the option to purchase up to 70% of the total production from the expanded facility.
•Financial Consolidation: Cronos will consolidate Cronos GrowCo’s results in its financial statements beginning in the third quarter of 2024.
The Canadian cannabis market has a shortage of high quality biomass and we anticipate the expansion will aid our ability to supply markets we operate in, while also fueling the potential for additional expansion. See “Risk Factors – We are anticipating shortages in raw materials and may be unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner and at commercially reasonable prices,” for further discussion of the potential impact of this shortage on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Termination of Agreement for Sale and Leaseback of Peace Naturals Campus
On May 28, 2024, the Company’s agreement with Future Farmco Canada Inc. for the sale and leaseback of the Peace Naturals Campus was terminated pursuant to its terms. The Company is continuing to evaluate its strategic options for the Peace Naturals Campus, which may include continuing and expanding operations at the facility.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The tables below set forth our condensed consolidated results of operations, expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars for the periods presented. Our condensed consolidated financial results for these periods are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated financial results that we will achieve in future periods.
| (in thousands of USD) | Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue, before excise taxes | $ | 38,678 | $ | 25,798 | $ | 74,045 | $ | 52,352 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excise taxes | (10,916) | (6,777) | (20,995) | (13,836) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | 27,762 | 19,021 | 53,050 | 38,516 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 21,070 | 15,922 | 41,875 | 32,490 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory write-down | 395 | — | 395 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 6,297 | 3,099 | 10,780 | 6,026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 4,330 | 5,297 | 9,662 | 11,038 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 962 | 1,107 | 1,959 | 3,146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 12,767 | 13,451 | 21,674 | 25,307 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 547 | — | 630 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 2,236 | 2,331 | 4,251 | 4,866 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,016 | 1,533 | 2,139 | 3,058 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on long-lived assets | — | — | 1,974 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 21,858 | 23,719 | 42,289 | 47,415 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (15,561) | (20,620) | (31,509) | (41,389) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income | 4,628 | 14,777 | 17,534 | 16,075 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | 2,174 | 180 | 2,732 | 1,616 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations | — | (2,834) | — | (4,056) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | (8,759) | (8,497) | (11,243) | (27,754) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | (2) | (137) | (245) | (225) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Cronos Group | $ | (8,757) | $ | (8,360) | $ | (10,998) | $ | (27,529) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of select financial results
| (in thousands of USD) | Three months ended June 30, | Change | Six months ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 27,762 | $ | 19,021 | $ | 8,741 | 46 | % | $ | 53,050 | $ | 38,516 | $ | 14,534 | 38 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 21,070 | 15,922 | 5,148 | 32 | % | 41,875 | 32,490 | 9,385 | 29 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 6,297 | 3,099 | 3,198 | 103 | % | 10,780 | 6,026 | 4,754 | 79 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin(i) | 23 | % | 16 | % | N/A | 7 | pp | 20 | % | 16 | % | N/A | 4 | pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(i)Gross margin is defined as gross profit divided by net revenue.
Net revenue
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, we reported consolidated net revenue of $27.8 million, representing an increase of $8.7 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we reported consolidated net revenue of $53.1 million, representing an increase of $14.5 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the increase was primarily due to higher cannabis flower and extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, higher cannabis flower sales in Israel and higher cannabis flower sales in other countries, partially offset by an adverse price/mix in the Canadian cannabis flower category driving increased excise tax payments as a percentage of revenue.
Inventory write-down
For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we reported inventory write-downs of $0.4 million, compared to no inventory write-downs in the the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the increase was primarily due to write-downs resulting from unusable inventory that was scrapped in the period.
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Cost of sales
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, we reported consolidated cost of sales of $21.1 million, representing an increase of $5.1 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we reported consolidated cost of sales of $41.9 million, representing an increase of $9.4 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the increase was primarily due to higher cannabis flower and extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, higher cannabis flower sales in Israel and higher cannabis flower sales in other countries.
Gross profit
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, we reported gross profit of $6.3 million, representing an increase of $3.2 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we reported gross profit of $10.8 million, representing an increase of $4.8 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the increase was primarily due to higher cannabis flower and extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, higher cannabis flower sales in Israel and higher cannabis flower sales in other countries, partially offset by an adverse price/mix in the Canadian cannabis flower category driving increased excise tax payments as a percentage of revenue and higher inventory write-downs.
Operating expenses
| Three months ended June 30, | Change | Six months ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | $ | 4,330 | $ | 5,297 | $ | (967) | (18) | % | $ | 9,662 | $ | 11,038 | $ | (1,376) | (12) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 962 | 1,107 | (145) | (13) | % | 1,959 | 3,146 | (1,187) | (38) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 12,767 | 13,451 | (684) | (5) | % | 21,674 | 25,307 | (3,633) | (14) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 547 | — | 547 | N/M | 630 | — | 630 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share-based payments | 2,236 | 2,331 | (95) | (4) | % | 4,251 | 4,866 | (615) | (13) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,016 | 1,533 | (517) | (34) | % | 2,139 | 3,058 | (919) | (30) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on long-lived assets | — | — | — | N/A | 1,974 | — | 1,974 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 21,858 | $ | 23,719 | $ | (1,861) | (8) | % | $ | 42,289 | $ | 47,415 | $ | (5,126) | (11) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, sales and marketing expenses were $4.3 million, representing a decrease of $1.0 million compared to the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, sales and marketing expenses were $9.7 million, representing a decrease of $1.4 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the decrease was primarily due to lower advertising and marketing spend.
Research and development
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, research and development expenses were $1.0 million, essentially unchanged from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, research and development expenses were $2.0 million, representing a decrease of $1.2 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was primarily due to lower costs associated with the collaboration and license agreement between Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. and the Company.
General and administrative
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $12.8 million, representing a decrease of $0.7 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses were $21.7 million, representing a decrease of $3.6 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the decrease was primarily due to lower professional fees, largely related to financial statement review costs, and lower salaries and benefits and insurance costs, partially offset by an increase in the expected credit loss allowance on loans receivable.
Restructuring costs
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, restructuring costs were $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For further information, see Note 6 “Restructuring” to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
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Share-based compensation
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, share-based compensation expense was $2.2 million, essentially unchanged from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, share-based compensation expense was $4.3 million, representing a decrease of $0.6 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was primarily due to headcount reductions that occurred in the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, depreciation and amortization expenses were $1.0 million, representing a decrease of $0.5 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, depreciation and amortization expenses were $2.1 million, representing a decrease of $0.9 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the decrease was primarily due to lower amortization on Ginkgo-related intangible assets and lower depreciation on property, plant and equipment.
Impairment loss on long-lived assets
For the six months ended June 30, 2024, impairment loss on long-lived assets was $2.0 million and was primarily due to the cessation of operations at Cronos Fermentation during Q1 2024. There was no such impairment loss on long-lived assets for the three months ended June 30, 2024, or the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. For further information, see Note 6 “Restructuring” to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Other income and income tax benefit
| Three months ended June 30, | Change | Six months ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income, net | $ | 13,451 | $ | 12,471 | $ | 980 | 8 | % | $ | 27,696 | $ | 23,646 | $ | 4,050 | 17 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share of income (loss) from equity method investments | 917 | 270 | 647 | 240 | % | 2,365 | (226) | 2,591 | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on revaluation of financial instruments | (3,615) | 5,193 | (8,808) | N/M | (6,257) | (2,565) | (3,692) | (144) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment loss on other investments | (12,916) | — | (12,916) | N/M | (25,650) | — | (25,650) | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) | 6,543 | (3,174) | 9,717 | N/M | 19,802 | (4,817) | 24,619 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 248 | 17 | 231 | N/M | (422) | 37 | (459) | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income | 4,628 | 14,777 | (10,149) | (69) | % | 17,534 | 16,075 | 1,459 | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | 2,174 | 180 | 1,994 | N/M | 2,732 | 1,616 | 1,116 | 69 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from continuing operations | (8,759) | (5,663) | (3,096) | (55) | % | (11,243) | (23,698) | 12,455 | 53 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations | — | (2,834) | 2,834 | N/M | — | (4,056) | 4,056 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,759) | $ | (8,497) | $ | (262) | (3) | % | $ | (11,243) | $ | (27,754) | $ | 16,511 | 59 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(i)“N/M” is defined as not meaningful.
Interest income, net
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, interest income, net was $13.5 million, representing an increase of $1.0 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, interest income, net was $27.7 million, representing an increase of $4.1 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the increase in net interest income was primarily due to higher interest rates in the current period compared to the prior periods.
Share of income (loss) from equity method investments
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, our share of income from equity method investments was $0.9 million, representing an increase of $0.6 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, our share of income from equity method investments was $2.4 million, representing an increase of $2.6 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the increase was due to higher income pick-ups from our equity method investment in Cronos GrowCo. Periodic income and loss pickups from our equity method investment in Cronos GrowCo are impacted both by the profitability of Cronos GrowCo and any unsold inventory remaining at Cronos that originated from Cronos GrowCo.
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Gain (loss) on revaluation of financial instruments
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the loss on revaluation of financial instruments was $3.6 million, representing a deterioration of $8.8 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the loss on revaluation of financial instruments was $6.3 million, representing a deterioration of $3.7 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. The change was primarily related to the change in fair value of our investment in Vitura Health Limited (“Vitura”). For further information, see Note 4 “Investments” to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Impairment loss on other investments
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, we recognized $12.9 million and $25.7 million, respectively, of impairment loss on other investments, driven by impairment charges recorded on our PharmaCann Option for the difference between its estimated fair value and its carrying amount. There was no such impairment loss on other investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. For further information, see Note 4 “Investments” to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, foreign currency translation gain was $6.5 million, representing an improvement of $9.7 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, foreign currency translation gain was $19.8 million, representing an improvement of $24.6 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the change was primarily due to certain foreign currency-denominated cash equivalents and certain foreign currency-denominated intercompany loans anticipated to be settled in the foreseeable future.
Other, net
Other, net primarily includes gains and losses on the disposal of assets.
Income tax benefit
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, income tax benefit was $2.2 million, compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, income tax benefit was $2.7 million, compared to $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. For both the three and six month comparative periods, the increased benefit was driven by higher current income tax benefits recorded on the losses that will be carried back to recover taxes paid in prior years.
Loss from discontinued operations
There was no activity in discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, loss from discontinued operations was due to the exit of U.S. operations. For more information, see Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” in our condensed consolidated interim financial statements under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
Non-GAAP Measures
Cronos Group reports its financial results in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). This Quarterly Report refers to measures not recognized under U.S. GAAP (“non-GAAP measures”). These non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these non-GAAP measures are provided as a supplement to corresponding U.S. GAAP measures to provide additional information regarding the results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All non-GAAP measures presented in this Quarterly Report are reconciled to their closest reported U.S. GAAP measure. Reconciliations of historical adjusted financial measures to corresponding U.S. GAAP measures are provided below.
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Adjusted EBITDA
Management reviews Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, which excludes non-cash items and items that do not reflect management’s assessment of ongoing business performance. Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest, tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization adjusted for: share of (income) loss from equity method investments; impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets; impairment loss on long-lived assets; -(gain) loss on revaluation of financial instruments; transaction costs related to strategic projects; impairment loss on other investments; foreign currency transaction loss; other, net; loss from discontinued operations; restructuring costs; inventory write-downs resulting from restructuring actions; share-based compensation; and financial statement review costs and reserves related to the restatements of our 2019 and 2021 interim financial statements (the “Restatements”), including the costs related to the settlement of the SEC’s and the Ontario Securities Commission’s (“OSC”) investigations of the Restatements and legal costs defending shareholder class action complaints brought against us as a result of the 2019 restatement (see Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings” of this Quarterly Report for a discussion of the shareholder class action complaints relating to the restatement of the 2019 interim financial statements and the settlement of the SEC’s and the OSC’s investigations of the Restatements). Results are reported as total consolidated results, reflecting our reporting structure of one reportable segment.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides the most useful insight into underlying business trends and results and provides a more meaningful comparison of period-over-period results. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA for planning, forecasting and evaluating business and financial performance, including allocating resources and evaluating results relative to employee compensation targets.
Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to net income (loss) as follows:
| Three months ended June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Continuing Operations | Discontinued Operations | Total | |||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (8,759) | $ | — | $ | (8,759) | |||||||||||
| Interest income, net | (13,451) | — | (13,451) | ||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | (2,174) | — | (2,174) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,513 | — | 1,513 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | (22,871) | — | (22,871) | ||||||||||||||
Share of income from equity method investments | (917) | — | (917) | ||||||||||||||
Loss on revaluation of financial instruments(ii) | 3,615 | — | 3,615 | ||||||||||||||
Impairment loss on other investments(iii) | 12,916 | — | 12,916 | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction gain | (6,543) | — | (6,543) | ||||||||||||||
Transaction costs(iv) | 196 | — | 196 | ||||||||||||||
Other, net(v) | (248) | — | (248) | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring costs(vi) | 547 | — | 547 | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation(vii) | 2,236 | — | 2,236 | ||||||||||||||
Financial statement review costs(viii) | 18 | — | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (11,051) | $ | — | $ | (11,051) | |||||||||||
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| Three months ended June 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Continuing Operations | Discontinued Operations | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (5,663) | $ | (2,834) | $ | (8,497) | |||||||||||
| Interest income, net | (12,471) | (3) | (12,474) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | (180) | — | (180) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,265 | 115 | 2,380 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | (16,049) | (2,722) | (18,771) | ||||||||||||||
| Share of income from equity method investments | (270) | — | (270) | ||||||||||||||
Impairment loss on long-lived assets(i) | — | 205 | 205 | ||||||||||||||
Gain on revaluation of financial instruments(ii) | (5,193) | — | (5,193) | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction loss | 3,174 | — | 3,174 | ||||||||||||||
Other, net(v) | (17) | 163 | 146 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring costs(vi) | — | 534 | 534 | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation(vii) | 2,331 | 5 | 2,336 | ||||||||||||||
Financial statement review costs(viii) | 119 | — | 119 | ||||||||||||||
Inventory write-down(ix) | $ | — | $ | 839 | 839 | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (15,905) | $ | (976) | $ | (16,881) | |||||||||||
| Six months ended June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Continuing Operations | Discontinued Operations | Total | |||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (11,243) | $ | — | $ | (11,243) | |||||||||||
| Interest income, net | (27,696) | — | (27,696) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | (2,732) | — | (2,732) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,244 | — | 3,244 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | (38,427) | — | (38,427) | ||||||||||||||
Share of income from equity method investments | (2,365) | — | (2,365) | ||||||||||||||
Impairment loss on long-lived assets(i) | 1,974 | — | 1,974 | ||||||||||||||
Loss on revaluation of financial instruments(ii) | 6,257 | — | 6,257 | ||||||||||||||
Impairment loss on other investments(iii) | 25,650 | — | 25,650 | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction gain | (19,802) | — | (19,802) | ||||||||||||||
Transaction costs(iv) | 196 | — | 196 | ||||||||||||||
Other, net(v) | 422 | — | 422 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring costs(vi) | 630 | — | 630 | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation(vii) | 4,251 | — | 4,251 | ||||||||||||||
Financial statement review costs(viii) | (506) | — | (506) | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (21,720) | $ | — | $ | (21,720) | |||||||||||
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| Six months ended June 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Continuing Operations | Discontinued Operations | Total | |||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (23,698) | $ | (4,056) | $ | (27,754) | |||||||||||
| Interest income, net | (23,646) | (8) | (23,654) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | (1,616) | — | (1,616) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,541 | 244 | 4,785 | ||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | (44,419) | (3,820) | (48,239) | ||||||||||||||
| Share of loss from equity method investments | 226 | — | 226 | ||||||||||||||
Impairment loss on long-lived assets(i) | — | 205 | 205 | ||||||||||||||
Loss on revaluation of financial instruments(ii) | 2,565 | — | 2,565 | ||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction loss | 4,817 | — | 4,817 | ||||||||||||||
Other, net(v) | (37) | 163 | 126 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring costs(vi) | — | 534 | 534 | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation(vii) | 4,866 | 21 | 4,887 | ||||||||||||||
Financial statement review costs(viii) | 395 | — | 395 | ||||||||||||||
Inventory write-down(ix) | — | 839 | 839 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (31,587) | $ | (2,058) | $ | (33,645) | |||||||||||
(i)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, impairment loss on long-lived assets related to the winding down of operations at Cronos Fermentation. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, impairment loss on long-lived assets related to certain leased properties associated with the Company’s U.S. operations.
(ii)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, (gain) loss on revaluation of financial instruments related primarily to the Company’s equity securities in Vitura.
(iii)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, impairment loss on other investments represents the fair value change on the PharmaCann Option.
(iv)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, transactions costs represent advisory fees associated with the Cronos GrowCo expansion transaction.
(v)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, other, net related to (gain) loss on disposal of assets and (gain) loss on revaluation of derivative liabilities.
(vi)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, restructuring costs from continuing operations related to shutdown costs at the Cronos Fermentation facility, as well as employee-related severance costs associated with the Realignment, as described in Note 6 “Restructuring.” For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, restructuring costs related to employee-related severance costs and other restructuring costs associated with our U.S. operations as described in Note 2 “Discontinued Operations.”
(vii)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, share-based compensation related to the non-cash expenses of share-based compensation awarded to employees under the Company’s share-based award plans as described in Note 7 “Share-based Compensation.”
(viii)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, financial statement review costs include costs and reserves taken related to the Restatements, costs related to the Company’s responses to requests for information from various regulatory authorities relating to the Restatements and legal costs incurred defending shareholder class action complaints brought against the Company as a result of the 2019 restatement. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, a credit balance is presented due to an insurance recovery.
(ix)For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, inventory write-downs relate to product destruction and obsolescence associated with the exit of our U.S. operations as described in Note 2 “Discontinued Operations.”
Constant Currency
To supplement the consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have presented constant currency adjusted financial measures for net revenues, gross profit, gross profit margin, operating expenses, net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, as well as cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances as of June 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures. We present constant currency information to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying operations performed excluding the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations. To present this information, current and comparative prior period income statement results in currencies other than U.S. dollars are converted into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates from the three month comparative period in 2023 rather than the actual average exchange rates in effect during the respective current periods; constant currency current and prior comparative balance sheet information is translated at the prior year-end spot rate rather than the current period spot rate. All growth comparisons relate to the corresponding period in 2023. We have provided this non-GAAP financial information to aid investors in better understanding the performance of our operations. The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this Quarterly Report should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, the measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See further discussion on foreign currency risk as noted in Item 3 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
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The table below sets forth certain measures of consolidated results from continuing operations on a constant currency basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 as well as cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, both on an as-reported and constant currency basis (in thousands):
| As Reported | As Adjusted for Constant Currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended June 30, | As Reported Change | Three months ended June 30, | Constant Currency Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 27,762 | $ | 19,021 | $ | 8,741 | 46 | % | $ | 28,290 | $ | 9,269 | 49 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 6,297 | 3,099 | 3,198 | 103 | % | 6,434 | 3,335 | 108 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 23 | % | 16 | % | N/A | 7 | pp | 23 | % | N/A | 7 | pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | 21,858 | 23,719 | (1,861) | (8) | % | 21,861 | (1,858) | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (8,759) | (5,663) | (3,096) | (55) | % | (8,162) | (2,499) | (44) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | (11,051) | (15,905) | 4,854 | 31 | % | (10,863) | 5,042 | 32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months ended June 30, | As Reported Change | Six months ended June 30, | Constant Currency Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 53,050 | $ | 38,516 | $ | 14,534 | 38 | % | $ | 53,795 | $ | 15,279 | 40 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 10,780 | 6,026 | 4,754 | 79 | % | 10,983 | 4,957 | 82 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 20 | % | 16 | % | N/A | 4 | pp | 20 | % | N/A | 4 | pp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | 42,289 | 47,415 | (5,126) | (11) | % | 42,336 | (5,079) | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (11,243) | (23,698) | 12,455 | 53 | % | (10,643) | 13,055 | 55 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | (21,720) | (31,587) | 9,867 | 31 | % | (21,508) | 10,079 | 32 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of June 30, | As of December 31, | As Reported Change | As of June 30, | Constant Currency Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 848,189 | $ | 669,291 | $ | 178,898 | 27 | % | $ | 852,752 | $ | 183,461 | 27 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term investments | — | 192,237 | (192,237) | (100) | % | — | (192,237) | (100) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments | $ | 848,189 | $ | 861,528 | $ | (13,339) | (2) | % | $ | 852,752 | $ | (8,776) | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue
| As Reported | As Adjusted for Constant Currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended June 30, | As Reported Change | Three months ended June 30, | Constant Currency Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannabis flower | $ | 20,661 | $ | 14,014 | $ | 6,647 | 47 | % | $ | 21,058 | $ | 7,044 | 50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannabis extracts | 7,064 | 4,926 | 2,138 | 43 | % | 7,195 | 2,269 | 46 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 37 | 81 | (44) | (54) | % | 37 | (44) | (54) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 27,762 | $ | 19,021 | $ | 8,741 | 46 | % | $ | 28,290 | $ | 9,269 | 49 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| As Reported | As Adjusted for Constant Currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months ended June 30, | As Reported Change | Six months ended June 30, | Constant Currency Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannabis flower | $ | 38,186 | $ | 27,142 | $ | 11,044 | 41 | % | $ | 38,812 | $ | 11,670 | 43 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cannabis extracts | 14,791 | 11,227 | 3,564 | 32 | % | 14,909 | 3,682 | 33 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 73 | 147 | (74) | (50) | % | 74 | (73) | (50) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 53,050 | $ | 38,516 | $ | 14,534 | 38 | % | $ | 53,795 | $ | 15,279 | 40 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | As Adjusted for Constant Currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended June 30, | As Reported Change | Three months ended June 30, | Constant Currency Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | $ | 19,844 | $ | 13,595 | $ | 6,249 | 46 | % | $ | 20,210 | $ | 6,615 | 49 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Israel | 6,889 | 5,426 | 1,463 | 27 | % | 7,036 | 1,610 | 30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other countries | 1,029 | — | 1,029 | N/M | 1,044 | 1,044 | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 27,762 | $ | 19,021 | $ | 8,741 | 46 | % | $ | 28,290 | $ | 9,269 | 49 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | As Adjusted for Constant Currency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months ended June 30, | As Reported Change | Six months ended June 30, | Constant Currency Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % | 2024 | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | $ | 38,715 | $ | 28,029 | $ | 10,686 | 38 | % | $ | 39,044 | $ | 11,015 | 39 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Israel | 13,306 | 10,487 | 2,819 | 27 | % | 13,707 | 3,220 | 31 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other countries | 1,029 | — | 1,029 | N/M | 1,044 | 1,044 | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 53,050 | $ | 38,516 | $ | 14,534 | 38 | % | $ | 53,795 | $ | 15,279 | 40 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, net revenue on a constant currency basis was $28.3 million, representing a 49% increase from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net revenue on a constant currency basis was $53.8 million, representing a 40% increase from the six months ended June 30, 2023. On a constant currency basis, net revenue increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to higher cannabis flower and extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, higher cannabis flower sales in Israel and higher cannabis flower sales in other countries, partially offset by an adverse price/mix in the Canadian cannabis flower category driving increased excise tax payments as a percentage of revenue.
Gross profit
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, gross profit on a constant currency basis was $6.4 million, representing a 108% increase from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, gross profit on a constant currency basis was $11.0 million, representing an 82% increase from the six months ended June 30, 2023. On a constant currency basis, gross profit increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to higher cannabis flower and extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, higher cannabis flower sales in Israel and higher cannabis flower sales in other countries, partially offset by an adverse price/mix in the Canadian cannabis flower category driving increased excise tax payments as a percentage of revenue and higher inventory write-downs.
Operating expenses
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, operating expenses on a constant currency basis were $21.9 million, representing an 8% decrease from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, operating expenses on a constant currency basis was $42.3 million, representing an 11% decrease from the six months ended June 30, 2023. On a constant currency basis, operating expenses decreased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to lower advertising and marketing spend, lower costs associated with the achievement of Ginkgo milestones, lower professional fees, largely related to financial statement review costs, and lower salaries and benefits and insurance costs.
38
Net loss from continuing operations
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, net loss from continuing operations on a constant currency basis was $8.2 million, representing an increased loss of $2.5 million from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net loss from continuing operations on a constant currency basis was $10.6 million, representing an improvement of $13.1 million from the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, Adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis was $(10.9) million, representing a 32% improvement from the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, Adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis was $(21.5) million, representing a 32% improvement from the six months ended June 30, 2023. The improvement in Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 on a constant currency basis was driven by higher cannabis flower and extract sales in the Canadian adult-use market, higher cannabis flower sales in Israel, decreases in general and administrative expenses and lower costs associated with the achievement of Ginkgo milestones, partially offset by an adverse price/mix in Canada in the cannabis flower category driving increased excise tax payments as a percentage of revenue.
Cash and cash equivalents & short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments on a constant currency basis decreased 1% to $852.8 million as of June 30, 2024 from $861.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments is primarily due to advances of loans receivable and purchases of property, plant and equipment in the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2024, we had $848.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and no short-term investments. We believe that the existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund the business operations and capital expenditures over the next twelve months. The following table summarizes the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:
| (In thousands of U.S. dollars) | Six months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows used in operating activities | $ | (460) | $ | (59,467) | |||||||
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | 180,999 | (298,964) | |||||||||
| Cash flows used in financing activities | (905) | (782) | |||||||||
| Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents | (736) | 3,997 | |||||||||
| Net change in cash | $ | 178,898 | $ | (355,216) | |||||||
Comparison of cash flows between the six months ended June 30, 2024 and the six months ended June 30, 2023
Operating activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we used $0.5 million of cash in operating activities as compared to cash used of $59.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, representing a decrease in cash used of $59.0 million. This change is primarily driven by a $32.8 million decrease in income taxes payable in the prior period as a result of a tax payment connected to the previously disclosed relinquishment by Altria of its warrant to purchase additional shares of the Company, a $21.5 million increase in net income after adjusting for non-cash items during the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, higher interest received and lower increases in inventory, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable, net and a decrease in accounts payable.
Investing activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we generated $181.0 million of cash in investing activities, compared to $299.0 million of cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023, representing a change of $480.0 million. This change is primarily driven by the maturity of certain short-term investments, which were reinvested as cash equivalents upon maturity in the six months ended June 30, 2024, partially offset by higher advances of loans receivable and lower loan repayments in the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Financing activities
During the six months ended June 30, 2024, cash used in financing activities was $0.9 million, compared to $0.8 million of cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of $0.1 million. This change is primarily driven by an increase of $0.1 million in withholding taxes paid on share-based awards during the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to six months ended June 30, 2023.
39
Cash Requirements
The Company’s cash requirements have not changed significantly since the filing of the Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report. Our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed significantly since the filing of the Annual Report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The Company is exposed to certain market risks, including changes from foreign currency exchange rates related to our international operations. Except as updated below, the Company’s market risks have not changed significantly from the market risk disclosed in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report.
Foreign currency risk
The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1. “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report are expressed in U.S. dollars. The Company is exposed to foreign currency risk based on its net assets, liabilities, and revenues denominated in foreign currencies, including Canadian dollars and Israeli new shekels. As a result, we are exposed to foreign currency translation gains and losses. Revenue and expenses of all foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the foreign currency exchange rates that approximate the rates in effect during the period when such items are recognized. Appreciating foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will positively impact operating income and net earnings, while depreciating foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will have an adverse impact.
A 10% change in the exchange rates for the Canadian dollar would have affected the carrying amount of the net assets by approximately $103.4 million and $97.7 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The corresponding impact would be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. We have not historically engaged in hedging transactions and do not currently contemplate engaging in hedging transactions to mitigate foreign exchange risks. As we continue to recognize gains and losses in foreign currency transactions, depending upon changes in future currency rates, such gains and losses could have a significant, and potentially adverse, effect on the Company’s results of operations.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had foreign currency loss on translation of $10.2 million and $32.5 million, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 the Company had foreign currency gain on translation of $16.6 million and $19.0 million, respectively.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as of June 30, 2024. Based on that evaluation, management has concluded that, as of June 30, 2024, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act were recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act), that occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
41
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1: Legal Proceedings.
The information set forth under Note 9(b), Contingencies, to the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A: Risk Factors.
An investment in us involves a number of risks. A detailed discussion of our risk factors appears in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the Annual Report. Any of the matters highlighted in the risk factors described in the Annual Report could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, causing an investor to lose all, or part of, its, his or her investment. The risks and uncertainties described in the Annual Report are those we currently believe to be material, but they are not the only ones we face. If any of the risks described in the Annual Report, or any other risks and uncertainties that we have not yet identified or that we currently consider not to be material, actually occur or become material risks, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and consequently the price of our securities could be materially and adversely affected.
Our new auditor may not be able to complete its review procedures in time for us to obtain a review of our financial statements for the third quarter of 2024.
The Audit Committee of the Board has approved the engagement of Davidson & Company LLP (“D&C”) as our independent auditors and our shareholders approved that appointment at our 2024 Annual Meeting. D&C have advised us that they intend to complete the work necessary to review our third quarter financial statements. However, D&C have just commenced their work and there can be no assurance that they will be able to complete the required work on a timely basis to permit the filing of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 within the SEC’s required time-frame.
We are anticipating shortages in raw materials and may be unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner and at commercially reasonable prices.
Our production operations require that we obtain adequate supplies of raw materials, particularly biomass, on a timely basis and at commercially reasonable prices. From time to time, including presently, there have been and are now shortages of raw materials. Industry-wide shortages in the supply of raw materials could result in industry-wide raw material price adjustments and shortages.
Cronos GrowCo’s production facilities are our principal source of raw materials. Therefore, our production operations are reliant on our ability to acquire such raw materials on a timely and cost-effective basis from Cronos GrowCo. If Cronos GrowCo is unable to meet our needs for raw materials, we may be required to source additional supply from third parties.
We may not be able to find third-party suppliers capable of supplying raw materials on a timely basis at commercially reasonable prices or in the quantities we require. If we are unable to secure the necessary raw materials, we may experience product shortages and delays, we may be unable to launch new products and we may be required to discontinue certain products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Product shortages, discontinuations or delays could result in customers listing fewer of our products, our failure to maintain or grow our market share and reputational damage, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, business and prospects.
If raw material shortages cause industry-wide prices of raw materials to rise, our costs would increase. To the extent that we are unable to offset such costs through higher prices of our products or other cost savings, our results of operations, financial condition, business and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
The imposition of an anti-dumping duty on our imports into Israel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
On January 18, 2024, the Company was notified that the Trade Levies Commissioner of the Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry initiated a public investigation of alleged dumping of medical cannabis imports from Canada into Israel. On July 9, 2024, the Commissioner announced a preliminary determination proposing to impose an anti-dumping duty on Canadian licensed producers. The Company would be subject to a proposed duty of 369%. If the Minister of Economy issues a final decision to impose an anti-dumping duty to which the Company’s imports would be subject, our ability to continue to import raw materials and cannabis products into Israel from Cronos GrowCo, the performance of our business in Israel, and our results of operations, financial condition, business and prospects could be materially and negatively impacted.
42
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
Securities Trading Plans of Directors and Executive Officers
During the three months ended June 30, 2024, no directors or executive officers entered into terminated
Certain of our officers or directors have made, and may from time to time make, elections to have shares withheld to cover withholding taxes or pay the exercise price of options, which may be designed to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act or may constitute non-Rule 10b5–1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K).
43
Item 6. Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately below are filed as part of this Quarterly Report, which Exhibit Index is corporate by reference herein.
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Index | |||||||
3.1* | ||||||||
10.1*** | ||||||||
10.2*** | ||||||||
| 31.1* | ||||||||
| 31.2* | ||||||||
| 32.1** | ||||||||
| 32.2** | ||||||||
| 101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document. | |||||||
| 101.SCH* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
| 101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
| 101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith and not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
*** Schedules and certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) and Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally an unredacted copy of the exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.
44
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| CRONOS GROUP INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ James Holm | |||||||
James Holm Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| August 8, 2024 | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Jimmy McGinness | |||||||
Jimmy McGinness Vice President, Controller, and Principal Accounting Officer | ||||||||
| August 8, 2024 | ||||||||
45
Exhibit 3.1
Number: C1256453CERTIFICATE
OF
CONTINUATION
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
I Hereby Certify that Cronos Group Inc., has continued into British Columbia from the Jurisdiction of ONTARIO, under the Business Corporations Act, with the name CRONOS GROUP INC. on July 9, 2020 at 01:15 PM Pacific Time.
ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATE
Certificate of Continuation Number C1256453
ARTICLES
OF
Cronos Group Inc.
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
BRITISH COLUMBIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable.........................2
Article 2
SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
2.1 Authorized Share Structure.......................................................................................…...... 2
2.2 Form of Share Certificate.................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgement.................................................. 2
2.4 Delivery by Mail................................................................................................................. 2
2.5 Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement.......................... 2
2.6 Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificate or Acknowledgement.................... 3
2.7 Splitting Share Certificates................................................................................................. 3
2.8 Certificate Fee..................................................................................................................... 3
2.9 Recognition of Trusts......................................................................................................… 3
2.10 Shares may be Uncertificated.........................................................................................… 3
Article 3
ISSUE OF SHARES
ISSUE OF SHARES
3.1 Directors Authorized........................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Commissions and Discounts............................................................................................... 4
3.3 Brokerage............................................................................................................................ 4
3.4 Conditions of Issue............................................................................................................. 4
3.5 Share Purchase Warrants, Options and Rights................................................................... 4
Article 4
SHARE REGISTERS
SHARE REGISTERS
4.1 Central Securities Register.................................................................................................. 4
4.2 Closing Register.................................................................................................................. 5
Article 5
SHARE TRANSFERS
SHARE TRANSFERS
5.1 Registering Transfers.......................................................................................................... 5
5.2 Form of Instrument of Transfer.......................................................................................... 5
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5.3 Transferor Remains Shareholder........................................................................................ 5
5.4 Signing of Instrument of Transfer....................................................................................... 5
5.5 Enquiry as to Title Not Required........................................................................................ 6
5.6 Transfer Fee........................................................................................................................ 6
Article 6
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
6.1 Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death........................................................ 6
6.2 Rights of Legal Personal Representative............................................................................ 6
Article 7
PURCHASE OF SHARES
PURCHASE OF SHARES
7.1 Company Authorized to Purchase Shares........................................................................... 7
7.2 No Purchase, Redemption or Other Acquisition When Insolvent...................................... 7
7.3 Sale and Voting of Purchased, Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares......................... 7
Article 8
BORROWING POWERS
BORROWING POWERS
8.1 Borrowing Powers.............................................................................................................. 7
Article 9
ALTERATIONS
ALTERATIONS
9.1 Alteration of Authorized Share Structure........................................................................... 8
9.2 Special Rights and Restrictions.......................................................................................... 8
9.3 Change of Name................................................................................................................. 8
9.4 Other Alterations................................................................................................................. 8
Article 10
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
10.1 Annual General Meetings................................................................................................... 9
10.2 Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting.................................................................. 9
10.3 Calling of Meetings of Shareholders.................................................................................. 9
10.4 Notice for Meetings of Shareholders.................................................................................. 9
10.5 Record Date for Notice and Voting.................................................................................. 10
10.6 Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice................................................................... 10
10.7 Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders.................................................. 10
10.8 Location of Meetings of Shareholders.............................................................................. 10
Article 11
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
11.1 Special Business................................................................................................................ 11
11.2 Special Majority................................................................................................................ 11
11.3 Quorum............................................................................................................................. 11
11.4 One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum......................................................................................................................................... 11
11.5 Persons Entitled to Attend Meeting..............................................................…................ 12
11.6 Requirement of Quorum................................................................................................... 12
11.7 Lack of Quorum................................................................................................................ 12
11.8 Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting.......................................................................... 12
11.9 Chair.................................................................................................................................. 12
11.10 Selection of Alternate Chair.............................................................................................. 13
11.11 Adjournments.................................................................................................................... 13
11.12 Notice of Adjourned Meeting........................................................................................... 13
11.13 Decision by Show of Hands or Poll.................................................................................. 13
11.14 Declaration of Result........................................................................................................ 13
11.15 Motion Need Not be Seconded......................................................................................... 14
11.16 Casting Vote...................................................................................................................... 14
11.17 Manner of Taking Poll...................................................................................................... 14
11.18 Demand for Poll on Adjournment..................................................................................... 14
11.19 Organization...................................................................................................................... 14
11.20 Chair Must Resolve Dispute............................................................................................. 14
11.21 Casting of Votes................................................................................................................ 14
11.22 No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair........................................................................ 14
11.23 Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting................................................ 15
11.24 Retention of Ballots and Proxies....................................................................................... 15
11.25 Meeting by Telephone or Other Communications Medium............................................. 15
Article 12
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
12.1 Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares................................................................ 15
12.2 Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity................................................................... 15
12.3 Votes by Joint Holders...................................................................................................... 15
12.4 Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders..................................................... 16
12.5 Representative of a Corporate Shareholder...................................................................... 16
12.6 When Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to the Company.................................................. 16
12.7 Appointment of Proxy Holders......................................................................................... 16
12.8 Alternate Proxy Holders................................................................................................... 17
12.9 When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder................................................................ 17
12.10 Deposit of Proxy............................................................................................................... 17
12.11 Validity of Proxy Vote...................................................................................................... 17
12.12 Form of Proxy................................................................................................................... 18
12.13 Revocation of Proxy......................................................................................................... 18
12.14 Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed............................................................................... 18
12.15 Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote................................................................... 18
Article 13
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
13.1 First Directors; Number of Directors................................................................................ 18
13.2 Change in Number of Directors........................................................................................ 19
13.3 Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy............................................................................ 19
13.4 Qualifications of Directors................................................................................................ 19
13.5 Remuneration of Directors................................................................................................ 19
13.6 Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors......................................................................... 19
13.7 Special Remuneration for Directors.................................................................................. 19
Article 14
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
14.1 Election at Annual General Meeting................................................................................. 20
14.2 Consent to be a Director................................................................................................... 20
14.3 Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors................................................................................ 20
14.4 Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled............................................................................. 21
14.5 Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies............................................................................... 21
14.6 Remaining Directors Power to Act................................................................................... 21
14.7 Shareholders May Fill Vacancies..................................................................................... 21
14.8 Additional Directors.......................................................................................................... 21
14.9 Ceasing to be a Director.................................................................................................... 21
14.10 Removal of Director by Shareholders............................................................................... 22
14.11 Removal of Director by Directors..................................................................................... 22
Article 15
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
15.1 Limitation on Nominations of Directors........................................................................... 22
15.2 Nomination Procedures..................................................................................................... 22
15.3 Nominations by a Nominating Shareholder...................................................................... 23
Article 16
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS
16.1 Director Holding Other Office in the Company............................................................... 27
16.2 No Disqualification........................................................................................................... 27
16.3 Professional Services by Director or Officer.................................................................... 27
16.4 Director or Officer in Other Corporations........................................................................ 27
Article 17
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
17.1 Meetings of Directors....................................................................................................... 27
17.2 Voting at Meetings............................................................................................................ 27
17.3 Chair of Meetings............................................................................................................. 27
17.4 Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium........................................... 28
17.5 Calling of Meetings........................................................................................................... 28
17.6 Notice of Meetings..........….............................................................................................. 28
17.7 When Notice Not Required............................................................................................... 28
17.8 Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice................................................................. 28
17.9 Waiver of Notice of Meetings.......................................................................................... 29
17.10 Quorum............................................................................................................................. 29
17.11 Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective.............................................................. 29
17.12 Consent Resolutions in Writing........................................................................................ 29
Article 18
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES
18.1 Appointment and Powers of Committees......................................................................... 29
18.2 Obligations of Committees............................................................................................... 30
18.3 Powers of Board................................................................................................................ 30
18.4 Committee Meetings......................................................................................................... 30
Article 19
OFFICERS
OFFICERS
19.1 Directors May Appoint Officers....................................................................................... 31
19.2 Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers........................................................................ 31
19.3 Qualifications.................................................................................................................... 31
19.4 Remuneration and Terms of Appointment....................................................................... 31
19.5 Duties of Officers May be Delegated............................................................................... 31
Article 20
INDEMNIFICATION
INDEMNIFICATION
20.1 Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Officers..................................................... 32
20.2 Further Indemnification of Directors and Officers........................................................... 32
20.3 Deemed Contract.............................................................................................................. 34
20.4 Indemnification of Other Persons..................................................................................... 34
20.5 Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act........................................................... 35
20.6 Company May Purchase Insurance................................................................................... 35
Article 21
DIVIDENDS
DIVIDENDS
21.1 Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights............................................................. 35
21.2 Declaration of Dividends.................................................................................................. 35
21.3 No Notice Required.......................................................................................................... 35
21.4 Record Date...................................................................................................................... 35
21.5 Manner of Paying Dividend.............................................................................................. 35
21.6 Settlement of Difficulties.................................................................................................. 36
21.7 When Dividend Payable................................................................................................... 36
21.8 Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares........................................... 36
21.9 Receipt by Joint Shareholders........................................................................................... 36
21.10 Dividend Bears No Interest............................................................................................... 37
21.11 Fractional Dividends......................................................................................................... 37
21.12 Payment of Dividends....................................................................................................... 37
21.13 Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus................................................................ 37
Article 22
DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND REPORTS
DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND REPORTS
22.1 Recording of Financial Affairs......................................................................................... 37
Article 23
NOTICES
NOTICES
23.1 Method of Giving Notice.................................................................................................. 38
23.2 Deemed Receipt of Mailing.............................................................................................. 38
23.3 Certificate of Sending....................................................................................................... 38
23.4 Notice to Joint Shareholders............................................................................................. 38
23.5 Notice to Legal Personal Representatives Trustees.......................................................... 38
Article 24
EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS
EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS
24.1 Execution of Documents Generally.................................................................................. 39
Article 25
PROHIBITIONS
PROHIBITIONS
25.1 Definitions......................................................................................................................... 39
25.2 Application........................................................................................................................ 39
25.3 Consent Required for Transfer of Transfer Restricted Securities..................................... 40
Article 26
General Provisions
General Provisions
26.1 Information Available to Shareholders............................................................................. 40
Certificate of Continuation Number C1256453
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
ARTICLES
of
CRONOS GROUP INC.
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
INTERPRETATION
1.1Definitions. In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Applicable Securities Laws” means the securities legislation in Canada, the United States and any other relevant jurisdiction, as amended from time to time, the rules, regulations and forms made or promulgated under any such statutes and the published national instruments, multilateral instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the securities commissions and similar regulatory authorities, in each case, applicable to the Company;
“board” means the directors or sole director of the Company, as the case may be;
“Business Corporations Act” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) in force from time to time and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that act;
“Company” means Cronos Group Inc.;
“Interpretation Act” means the Interpretation Act (British Columbia) in force from time to time and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that act;
“legal personal representative” means the personal or other legal representative of the shareholder;
“meeting of shareholders” or “Shareholders Meeting” means an annual meeting of shareholders and a special meeting of shareholders of the Company;
“registered address” of a shareholder means the shareholder’s address as recorded in the central securities register;
“Securities Transfer Act” means the Securities Transfer Act (British Columbia) in force from time to time and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act.
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1.1Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable. The definitions in the Business Corporations Act and the definitions and rules of construction in the Interpretation Act, with the necessary changes, so far as applicable, and unless the context requires otherwise, apply to these Articles as if they were an enactment. If there is a conflict between a definition in the Business Corporations Act and a definition or rule in the Interpretation Act relating to a term used in these Articles, the definition in the Business Corporations Act will prevail in relation to the use of the term in these Articles. If there is a conflict between these Articles and the Business Corporations Act, the Business Corporations Act will prevail.
ARTICLE 2
SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
2.1Authorized Share Structure. The authorized share structure of the Company consists of shares of the class or classes and series, if any, described in the Notice of Articles of the Company.
2.2Form of Share Certificate. Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required by, the Business Corporations Act.
2.3Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgement. Unless the shares of which the shareholder is the registered owner are uncertificated shares within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act, each shareholder is entitled, without charge, to (a) one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the shareholder’s name or (b) a non-transferable written acknowledgement of the shareholder’s right to obtain such a share certificate, provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate or acknowledgement and delivery of a share certificate or an acknowledgement to one of several joint shareholders or to one of the shareholders’ duly authorized agents will be sufficient delivery to all.
2.4Delivery by Mail. Any share certificate or non-transferable written acknowledgement of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate may be sent to the shareholder by mail at the shareholder’s registered address and neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is liable for any loss to the shareholder because the share certificate or acknowledgement is lost in the mail or stolen.
2.5Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement. If the board or the secretary of the Company, if any, is satisfied that a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgement of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is worn out or defaced, they must, on production to them of the share certificate or acknowledgement, as the case may be, and on such other terms, if any, as they think fit:
(a)order the share certificate or acknowledgement, as the case may be, to be cancelled; and
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(b)issue a replacement share certificate or acknowledgement, as the case may be.
2.6Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificate or Acknowledgement. If a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgement of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement share certificate or acknowledgement, as the case may be, must be issued to the person entitled to that share certificate or acknowledgement, as the case may be, if the board or the secretary, if any, of the Company receives:
(a)proof satisfactory to them (which, if requested, shall include an affidavit) that the share certificate or acknowledgement is lost, stolen or destroyed; and
(b)any indemnity the board considers adequate.
2.7Splitting Share Certificates. If a shareholder surrenders a share certificate to the Company, or to any transfer agent or other agent duly appointed for such purpose, together with a written request that the Company issue in the shareholder’s name two or more share certificates, each representing a specified number of shares and in the aggregate representing the same number of shares as the share certificate so surrendered, the Company, or its agent duly appointed for such purpose, as the case may be, must cancel the surrendered share certificate and issue replacement share certificates in accordance with that request.
2.8Certificate Fee. There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the issue of any share certificate under Articles 2.5, 2.6, or 2.7, the amount, if any, and which must not exceed the amount prescribed under the Business Corporations Act, determined by the board.
2.9Recognition of Trusts. Except as required by law or statute or these Articles, no person will be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or fraction of a share or (except as required by law or statute or these Articles or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the shareholder.
2.10Shares may be Uncertificated. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 2, the board may, by resolution, provide that
(a)the shares of any or all of the classes or series of the Company’s shares may be uncertificated shares; or
(b)any specified shares may be uncertificated shares.
-3-
ARTICLE 3
ISSUE OF SHARES
ISSUE OF SHARES
3.1Directors Authorized. Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and issued shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the board may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share.
3.2Commissions and Discounts. The Company may at any time pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that person purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other person or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for shares of the Company.
3.3Brokerage. The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.
3.4Conditions of Issue. Except as provided for by the Business Corporations Act, no share may be issued until it is fully paid. A share is fully paid when:
(a)consideration is provided to the Company for the issue of the share by one or more of the following:
(i)past services performed for the Company;
(ii)property; or
(iii)money; and
(b)the value of the consideration received by the Company equals or exceeds the issue price set for the share under Article 3.1.
3.5Share Purchase Warrants, Options and Rights. Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options and rights upon such terms and conditions as the board determines, which share purchase warrants, options and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.
ARTICLE 4
SHARE REGISTERS
SHARE REGISTERS
4.1Central Securities Register. As required by and subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must maintain a central securities register, which may be kept in electronic form. The board may, subject to the Business Corporations Act, appoint an agent to maintain the central securities register. The board may also appoint one or more
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agents, including the agent which keeps the central securities register, as transfer agent for its shares or any class or series of its shares, as the case may be, and the same or another agent as registrar for its shares or such class or series of its shares, as the case may be. The board may terminate such appointment of any agent at any time and may appoint another agent in its place.
4.2Closing Register. The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.
ARTICLE 5
SHARE TRANSFERS
SHARE TRANSFERS
5.1Registering Transfers. A transfer of a share of the Company must not be registered unless:
(a)a duly signed instrument of transfer in respect of the share has been received by the Company;
(b)if a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that share certificate has been surrendered to the Company;
(c)if a non-transferable written acknowledgement of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that acknowledgement has been surrendered to the Company; and
(d)the satisfaction of any other conditions precedent, in favour of the Company, to which such transfer has validly been made subject (including any conditions precedent required to be satisfied in order to ensure compliance with Applicable Securities Laws).
5.2Form of Instrument of Transfer. The instrument of transfer in respect of any share of the Company must be either in the form, if any, on the back of the Company’s share certificates or in any other form that may be approved by the Company or the transfer agent for the class or series of shares to be transferred.
5.3Transferor Remains Shareholder. Except to the extent that the Business Corporations Act otherwise provides, the transferor of shares is deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in a central securities register of the Company in respect of the transfer.
5.4Signing of Instrument of Transfer. If a shareholder, or such shareholder’s duly authorized attorney, signs an instrument of transfer in respect of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, the signed instrument of transfer constitutes a complete and sufficient authority to the Company and its directors, officers and agents of the Company to register the number of shares specified in the instrument of transfer or specified in any other manner, or, if no number is specified, all the shares represented by the share
-5-
certificates or set out in the written acknowledgements deposited with the instrument of transfer:
(a)in the name of the person named as transferee in that instrument of transfer; or
(b)if no person is named as transferee in that instrument of transfer, in the name of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered.
5.5Enquiry as to Title Not Required. Neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is bound to inquire into the title of the person named in the instrument of transfer as transferee or, if no person is named as transferee in the instrument of transfer, of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered or is liable for any claim related to registering the transfer by the shareholder or by any intermediate owner or holder of the shares, of any interest in the shares, of any share certificate representing such shares or of any written acknowledgement of a right to obtain a share certificate for such shares.
5.6Transfer Fee. Subject to the applicable rules of any stock exchange on which the securities of the Company may be listed, there must be paid to the Company, in relation to the registration of any transfer, a fee, if any, in the amount, if any, determined by the board.
ARTICLE 6
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
6.1Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death. In the case of the death of a shareholder, the legal personal representative of the shareholder, or if the shareholder was a joint holder, the surviving joint holder, will be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to the shareholder’s interest in the shares. Before recognizing a person as a legal personal representative of a shareholder, the board may require proof of appointment by a court of competent jurisdiction, a grant of letters probate, letters of administration or such other evidence or documents as the board, officers or duly authorized agents of the Company consider appropriate.
6.2Rights of Legal Personal Representative. The legal personal representative of a shareholder has the rights, privileges and obligations that attach to the shares held by the shareholder, including the right to transfer the shares in accordance with these Articles and Applicable Securities Laws, if appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency within the meaning of the Securities Transfer Act has been deposited with the Company. This Article 6.2 does not apply in the case of the death of a shareholder with respect to shares registered in the shareholder’s name and the name of another person in joint tenancy.
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ARTICLE 7
PURCHASE OF SHARES
PURCHASE OF SHARES
7.1Company Authorized to Purchase Shares. Subject to Article 7.2, the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may, if authorized by the board, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares at the price and upon the terms determined by the board.
7.2No Purchase, Redemption or Other Acquisition When Insolvent. The Company must not make a payment or provide any other consideration to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
(a)the Company is insolvent; or
(b)making the payment or providing the consideration would render the Company insolvent.
7.3Sale and Voting of Purchased, Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares. If the Company retains a share redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it, the Company may sell, gift or otherwise dispose of the share, but, while such share is held by the Company, it:
(a)is not entitled to vote the share at a meeting of shareholders;
(b)must not pay a dividend in respect of the share; and
(c)must not make any other distribution in respect of the share.
ARTICLE 8
BORROWING POWERS
BORROWING POWERS
8.1Borrowing Powers. The Company, if authorized by the board (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that the board may delegate its power to provide such authorization to a committee, under Article 18.1, or to an officer, under Article 19.2), may:
(a)borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on the terms and conditions that the board considers appropriate;
(b)issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts or premiums and on such other terms as the board considers appropriate;
(c)guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person, provided that any director or authorized officer of
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the Company may authorize the Company to guarantee the performance of an obligation of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and
(d)mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future assets and undertaking of the Company.
ARTICLE 9
ALTERATIONS
ALTERATIONS
9.1Alteration of Authorized Share Structure. Subject to Article 9.2, the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by special resolution:
(a)create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares;
(b)increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established;
(c)subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid and issued, shares;
(d)if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value:
(i)decrease the par value of those shares; or
(ii)if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares;
(e)change all or any of its unissued, or fully paid and issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or any of its unissued shares without par value into shares with par value;
(f)alter the identifying name of any of its shares; or
(g)otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the Business Corporations Act;
and, if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and Articles accordingly.
9.2Special Rights and Restrictions. Subject to the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by special resolution:
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(a)create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions to, the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued; or
(b)vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued;
and alter its Notice of Articles and Articles accordingly.
9.3Change of Name. The Company may by special resolution authorize an alteration of its Notice of Articles in order to change its name.
9.4Other Alterations. If the Business Corporations Act does not specify the type of resolution and these Articles do not specify another type of resolution, the Company may by ordinary resolution alter these Articles.
ARTICLE 10
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
10.1Annual General Meetings. Unless an annual general meeting is deferred or waived in accordance with the Business Corporations Act, the Company must hold its first annual general meeting within 18 months after the date on which it was incorporated or otherwise recognized, and after that must hold an annual general meeting at least once in each calendar year and not more than 15 months after the last annual reference date at such time and place as may be determined by the board.
10.2Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting. If all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting consent by unanimous resolution under the Business Corporations Act to all of the business that is required to be transacted at that annual general meeting, the annual general meeting is deemed to have been held on the date of the unanimous resolution. The shareholders must, in any unanimous resolution passed under this Article 10.2, select as the Company’s annual reference date a date that would be appropriate for the holding of the applicable annual general meeting.
10.3Calling of Meetings of Shareholders. Subject to the Business Corporations Act, only the board may, whenever it thinks fit, call a meeting of shareholders.
10.4Notice for Meetings of Shareholders. The Company must send notice of the date, time and location of any meeting of shareholders, in the manner provided in these Articles, or in such other manner, if any, as may be prescribed by ordinary resolution (whether previous notice of the resolution has been given or not), to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting, to each director and to the auditor of the Company, unless these Articles otherwise provide, at least the following number of days before the meeting:
(a)if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days, and not more than 60 days;
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(b)otherwise, 10 days.
10.5Record Date for Notice and Voting. The board may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is held by fewer than:
(a)if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 30 days;
(b)otherwise, 10 days.
If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.
10.6Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice. The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting of shareholders to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any of the persons entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting. Any person entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders may, in writing or otherwise, waive that entitlement or agree to reduce the period of that notice. Attendance of a persons at a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of entitlement to the meeting unless that person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
10.7Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders. If a meeting of shareholders is to consider special business within the meaning of Article 11.1, the notice of meeting must:
(a)state the general nature of the special business; and
(b)if the special business includes considering, approving, ratifying, adopting or authorizing any document or the signing of or giving of effect to any document, have attached to it a copy of the document or state that a copy of the document will be available for inspection by shareholders:
(i)at the Company’s records office, or at such other reasonably accessible location in British Columbia as is specified in the notice; and
(ii)during statutory business hours on any one or more specified days before the day set for the holding of the meeting.
10.8Location of Meetings of Shareholders. Meetings of shareholders may be held anywhere within Canada, the United States, or at such other location that the board, by resolution, may determine. To the extent not prohibited by the Business Corporations Act, such other location may include a virtual meeting, which shall be deemed to be held at the registered office of the Company.
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ARTICLE 11
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
11.1Special Business. At a meeting of shareholders, the following business is special business:
(a)at a meeting of shareholders that is not an annual general meeting, all business is special business except business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;
(b)at an annual general meeting, all business is special business except for the following:
(i)business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;
(ii)consideration of any financial statements of the Company presented to the meeting;
(iii)consideration of any reports of the board or auditor;
(iv)the setting or changing of the number of directors;
(v)the election or appointment of directors;
(vi)the appointment of an auditor;
(vii)the setting of the remuneration of an auditor;
(viii)any non-binding advisory vote;
(ix)business arising out of a report of the board not requiring the passing of a special resolution or an exceptional resolution;
(x)any other business which, under these Articles or the Business Corporations Act, may be transacted at a meeting of shareholders without prior notice of the business being given to the shareholders.
11.2Special Majority. The majority of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution.
11.3Quorum. Subject to the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is any persons who are, or who represent by proxy, the holders of at least 33 1/3%, in the aggregate, of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.
11.4One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum. If there is only one shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders:
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(a)the quorum is one person who is, or who represents by proxy, that shareholder; and
(b)that shareholder, present in person or by proxy, may constitute the meeting.
11.5Persons Entitled to Attend Meeting. In addition to those persons who are entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, the only other persons entitled to be present at the meeting are the directors, the officers of the Company, any counsel for the Company, the auditor of the Company and any other persons invited by the board or by the chair of the meeting and any persons entitled or required under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to attend any meeting of shareholders, but if any of those persons does attend a meeting of shareholders, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.
11.6Requirement of Quorum. No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting of shareholders, may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum of shareholders entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.
11.7Lack of Quorum. If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a quorum is not present:
(a)in the case of a meeting requisitioned by shareholders, the meeting is dissolved, and
(b)in the case of any other meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place.
11.8Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting. If, at the meeting to which the meeting referred to in Article 11.7(b) was adjourned, a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of the meeting, the person or persons present and being, or representing by proxy, one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.
11.9Chair. The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders:
(a)the chair of the board, if any; or
(b)if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the lead director of the board, if any; or
(c)if the lead director of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the individual whom the Chief Executive Officer (or, if the Chief
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Executive Officer is absent, the Chief Financial Officer) of the Company appoints.
11.10Selection of Alternate Chair. If, at any meeting of shareholders, the chair of the board, the lead director of the board or the individual whom the Chief Executive Officer (or, if the Chief Executive Officer is absent, the Chief Financial Officer) of the Company appoints, as the case may be, is not present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board, the lead director of the board or the individual whom the Chief Executive Officer (or, if the Chief Executive Officer is absent, the Chief Financial Officer) of the Company appoints, as the case may be, is unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board, the lead director of the board or the individual whom the Chief Executive Officer (or, if the Chief Executive Officer is absent, the Chief Financial Officer) of the Company appoints, as the case may be, has advised the secretary of the Company, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present must choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting or if all of the directors present decline to take the chair or fail to so choose or if no director is present, the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.
11.11Adjournments. The chair of a meeting of shareholders may, and if so directed by the meeting must, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
11.12Notice of Adjourned Meeting. It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting of shareholders or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of shareholders except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given in the same manner as the original meeting.
11.13Decision by Show of Hands or Poll. Subject to the Business Corporations Act, every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll, before or on the declaration of the result of the vote by show of hands, is directed by the chair of the meeting or demanded by at least one shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy.
11.14Declaration of Result. The chair of a meeting of shareholders must declare to the meeting the decision on every question in accordance with the result of the show of hands or the poll, as the case may be, and that decision must be entered in the minutes of the meeting. A declaration of the chair of the meeting that a resolution is carried by the necessary majority or is defeated is, unless a poll is directed by the chair of the meeting or demanded under Article 11.13, conclusive evidence without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.
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11.15Motion Need Not be Seconded. No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded unless the chair of the meeting rules otherwise, and the chair of the meeting is entitled to propose or second a motion.
11.16Casting Vote. In the case of an equality of votes, the chair of a meeting of shareholders does not, either on a show of hands or on a poll, have a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which the chair of the meeting may be entitled as a shareholder.
11.17Manner of Taking Poll. Subject to Article 11.18, if a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of shareholders:
(a)the poll must be taken:
(i)at the meeting, or within seven days after the date of the meeting, as the chair of the meeting directs; and
(ii)in the manner, at the time and at the place that the chair of the meeting directs;
(b)the result of the poll is deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the poll is demanded; and
(c)the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it.
11.18Demand for Poll on Adjournment. A poll demanded at a meeting of shareholders on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.
11.19Organization. The order of business at a meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the chair of a meeting of shareholders. The chair of a meeting of shareholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting of shareholders, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Company, restrictions on entry to such meeting of shareholders after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of voting polls for each item on which a vote is to be taken.
11.20Chair Must Resolve Dispute. In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the chair of a meeting of shareholders must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.
11.21Casting of Votes. On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the same way.
11.22No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair. No poll may be demanded in respect of the vote by which a chair of a meeting of shareholders is elected.
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11.23Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting. The demand for a poll at a meeting of shareholders does not, unless the chair of the meeting so rules, prevent the continuation of a meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.
11.24Retention of Ballots and Proxies. The Company or its agents must, for at least three months after a meeting of shareholders, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three-month period, the Company or its agents may destroy such ballots and proxies.
11.25Meeting by Telephone or Other Communications Medium. A shareholder or proxy holder may participate in a meeting of shareholders in person, by telephone or other communications medium if all shareholders or proxy holders participating in the meeting, whether in person, by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other. A shareholder or proxy holder who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 11.25 is deemed, for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, to be present at the meeting.
ARTICLE 12
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
12.1Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares. Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:
(a)on a vote by show of hands, every person present who is a shareholder or proxy holder and entitled to vote on the matter has one vote; and
(b)on a poll, every shareholder entitled to vote on the matter has one vote in respect of each share entitled to be voted on the matter and held by that shareholder and may exercise that vote either in person or by proxy.
12.2Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity. A person who is not a shareholder may vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the chair of the meeting, or the board, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.
12.3Votes by Joint Holders. If there are joint shareholders registered in respect of any share:
(a)any one of the joint shareholders may vote at any meeting of shareholders, either personally or by proxy, in respect of the share as if that joint shareholder were solely entitled to it; or
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(b)if more than one of the joint shareholders is present at any meeting of shareholders, personally or by proxy, and more than one of them votes in respect of that share, then only the vote of the joint shareholder present whose name stands first on the central securities register in respect of the share will be counted.
12.4Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders. Two or more legal personal representatives of a shareholder in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 12.3, deemed to be joint shareholders.
12.5Representative of a Corporate Shareholder. If a corporation that is not a subsidiary of the Company is a shareholder, that corporation may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders, and:
(a)for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must be received:
(i)at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified in the notice calling the meeting for the receipt of proxies on the date that is at least the number of business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies or, if no number of days is specified, two business days, before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or
(ii)at the meeting by the chair of the meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting;
(b)if a representative is appointed under this Article 12.5:
(i)the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as that corporation could exercise if it were a shareholder who is an individual, including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and
(ii)the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a shareholder present in person at the meeting.
Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company or its transfer agent by written instrument or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.
12.6When Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to the Company. If and for so long as the Company is a public company, Articles 12.7 to 12.15 apply only insofar as they are not inconsistent with any Applicable Securities Laws or any rules of any exchange on which the securities of the Company are listed.
12.7Appointment of Proxy Holders. Every shareholder of the Company, including a corporation that is a shareholder but not a subsidiary of the Company, entitled to vote at a
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meeting of shareholders may, by proxy, appoint one or more (but not more than five) proxy holders to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.
12.8Alternate Proxy Holders. A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an absent proxy holder.
12.9When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder. A person must not be appointed as a proxy holder unless the person is a shareholder, although a person who is not a shareholder may be appointed as a proxy holder if:
(a)the person appointing the proxy holder is a corporation or a representative of a corporation appointed under Article 12.5;
(b)the Company has at the time of the meeting of shareholders for which the proxy holder is to be appointed only one shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting;
(c)the shareholders present in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed, by a resolution on which the proxy holder is not entitled to vote but in respect of which the proxy holder is to be counted in the quorum, permit the proxy holder to attend and vote at the meeting;
(d)the Company is a public company; or
(e)if approved by the board, the person is a director or officer of the Company.
12.10Deposit of Proxy. A proxy for a meeting of shareholders must:
(a)be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified in the notice calling the meeting for the receipt of proxies on the date that is at least the number of business days specified in the notice, or, if no number of days is specified, two business days, before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or
(b)unless the notice provides otherwise, be provided at the meeting to the chair of the meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting.
12.11Validity of Proxy Vote. A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the shareholder giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:
(a)at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the date that is at least the number of business days specified in the notice calling the meeting of shareholders at which the proxy is to be used, or, if no number of days
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is specified, two business days, before the day set for the holding of such meeting; or
(b)by the chair of the meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken.
12.12Form of Proxy. A proxy, whether for a specified meeting of shareholders or otherwise, must be in such form as is approved by the board or the chair of the meeting.
12.13Revocation of Proxy. Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is received:
(a)at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the date that is at least the number of business days specified in the notice calling the meeting of shareholders at which the proxy is to be used, or, if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of such meeting; or
(b)by the chair of the meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken.
12.14Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed. An instrument referred to in Article 12.13 must be signed as follows:
(a)if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the instrument must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy;
(b)if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for the corporation under Article 12.5.
12.15Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote. The board or the chair of any meeting of shareholders may, but need not, inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence as to the existence of the authority to vote.
ARTICLE 13
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS
13.1First Directors; Number of Directors. The first directors are the persons designated as directors of the Company in the Notice of Articles that applies to the Company when it is recognized under the Business Corporations Act. The number of directors, excluding additional directors appointed under Article 14.8, is set at:
(a)subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), the number of directors that is equal to the number of the Company’s first directors;
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(b)if the Company is a public company, the greater of three and the number of directors most recently set either:
(i)by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); or
(ii)under Article 14.4;
(c)if the Company is not a public company, the number of directors most recently set either:
(i)by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); or
(ii)under Article 14.4.
13.2Change in Number of Directors. If the number of directors is set under Articles 13.1(b)(i) or 13.1(c)(i):
(a)the shareholders may elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board up to that number; or
(b)the board, subject to Article 14.8, may appoint, or the shareholders may elect or appoint, directors to fill those vacancies.
13.3Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy. An act or proceeding of the board is not invalid merely because fewer than the number of directors set or otherwise required under these Articles is in office.
13.4Qualifications of Directors. A director is not required to hold a share of the Company as qualification for his or her office but must be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director.
13.5Remuneration of Directors. The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the board may from time to time determine. That remuneration may (only to the extent permitted by any applicable policies adopted by the board or any duly authorized committee thereof) be in addition to any salary or other remuneration paid to any officer or employee of the Company as such, who is also a director.
13.6Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors. The Company may reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.
13.7Special Remuneration for Directors. If any director performs any professional or other services for the Company that in the opinion of the board are outside the ordinary duties of a director, or if any director is otherwise specially occupied in or about the Company’s business, he or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the board (but only to the extent
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permitted by any applicable policies adopted by the board or any duly authorized committee thereof, including but not limited to any policy of the Company applicable to related party transactions), and such remuneration may be either in addition to, or in substitution for, any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.
ARTICLE 14
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
14.1Election at Annual General Meeting. Subject to Article 15, at every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2:
(a)the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of directors must elect, or by unanimous resolution appoint, a board consisting of the number of directors that has then been set under these Articles; and
(b)all the directors cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment of directors under paragraph (a), but are eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
14.2Consent to be a Director. No election, appointment or designation of an individual as a director is valid unless:
(a)that individual consents to be a director in the manner provided for in the Business Corporations Act;
(b)that individual is elected or appointed at a meeting of shareholders at which the individual is present and the individual does not refuse, at the meeting, to be a director; or
(c)with respect to first directors, the designation is otherwise valid under the Business Corporations Act.
14.3Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors. If:
(a)the Company fails to hold an annual general meeting, and all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting fail to pass the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, on or before the date by which the annual general meeting is required to be held under the Business Corporations Act; or
(b)the shareholders fail, at the annual general meeting or in the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, to elect or appoint any directors;
then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:
(a)the date on which his or her successor is elected or appointed; and
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(b)the date on which he or she otherwise ceases to hold office under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles.
14.4Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled. If, at any meeting of shareholders at which there should be an election of directors, the places of any of the retiring directors are not filled by that election, those retiring directors who are not re-elected and who are asked by the newly elected directors to continue in office will, if willing to do so, continue in office to complete the number of directors that has then been set pursuant to these Articles until further new directors are elected at a meeting of shareholders convened for that purpose. If any such election or continuance of directors does not result in the election or continuance of the number of directors that has then been set pursuant to these Articles, the number of directors is deemed to be set at the number of directors actually elected or continued in office.
14.5Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies. Any casual vacancy occurring in the board may be filled by the board.
14.6Remaining Directors Power to Act. The board may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the board, but if the Company has fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the board may only act for the purpose of appointing directors up to that number or of summoning a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of filling any vacancies on the board or, subject to the Business Corporations Act, for any other purpose.
14.7Shareholders May Fill Vacancies. Subject to Article 15, if the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board.
14.8Additional Directors. Subject to Article 15 and notwithstanding Articles 13.1 and 13.2, between annual general meetings or unanimous resolutions contemplated by Article 10.2, the board may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors appointed under this Article 14.8 must not at any time exceed:
(a)one-third of the number of first directors, if, at the time of the appointments, one or more of the first directors have not yet completed their first term of office; or
(b)in any other case, one-third of the number of the current directors who were elected or appointed as directors other than under this Article 14.8.
Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors under Article 14.1(a), but is eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
14.9Ceasing to be a Director. A director ceases to be a director when:
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(a)the term of office of the director expires;
(b)the director dies;
(c)the director resigns as a director by notice in writing provided in the manner required by the Business Corporations Act; or
(d)the director is removed from office pursuant to Articles 14.10 or 14.11.
14.10Removal of Director by Shareholders. The Company may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by ordinary resolution. In that event, the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill the resulting vacancy, subject to Article 15. If the shareholders do not elect or appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy contemporaneously with the removal, then the board may appoint or the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill that vacancy.
14.11Removal of Director by Directors. The board may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office if the director is indicted or convicted in a court of law for, or upon the entering by such director of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, (x) a felony offense under U.S. state or federal law, an indictable offence under the Criminal Code (Canada) or a comparable offence under the law of any other jurisdiction, or (y) any crime involving moral turpitude, fraud, dishonesty, bribery or theft or if the director ceases to be qualified to act as a director of a company in accordance with the Business Corporations Act and does not promptly resign, and the board may appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy.
ARTICLE 15
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
ADVANCE NOTICE FOR NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
15.1Limitation on Nominations of Directors. Subject only to the Business Corporations Act, only individuals who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set out in this Article 15 and who, at the discretion of the board, satisfy the qualifications of a director as set out in the Business Corporations Act shall be eligible for election as directors.
15.2Nomination Procedures. Nominations of individuals for election to the board may be made at any annual Shareholders Meeting or at any special Shareholders Meeting if one of the purposes for which the special Shareholders Meeting was called was the election of directors. Such nominations may be made in the following manner:
(a)by or at the direction of the board, including pursuant to a notice of meeting, including, for clarity, any nominees of a shareholder who are proposed by the board for election in the notice of meeting, whether pursuant to an agreement with such shareholder or otherwise;
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(b)by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a proposal made in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act, or a requisition of meeting of shareholders made in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act; or
(c)by any person (a “Nominating Shareholder”):
(i)who, at the close of business on the date of the giving of the notice provided below in Article 15.3 and on the record date for notice of such meeting, is entered in the central securities register as a holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting or who beneficially owns shares that are entitled to be voted at such meeting; and
i.who complies with the notice procedures set forth below in this Article 15.3.
15.3Nominations by a Nominating Shareholder.
(a)In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a Nominating Shareholder, the Nominating Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company. To be timely, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the secretary of the Company must be made:
i.in the case of an annual Shareholders Meeting, not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual Shareholders Meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the annual Shareholders Meeting is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date on which the first public announcement by the Company by press release (the “Notice Date”) of the date of the annual Shareholders Meeting was made, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be made not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the Notice Date; and
ii.in the case of a special Shareholders Meeting (which is not also an annual Shareholders Meeting) called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which the first public announcement by the Company by press release of the date of the special Shareholders Meeting was made.
(b)In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a Shareholder Meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Nominating Shareholder’s notice as described above.
(c)To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the secretary of the Company must set forth:
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i.the identity of the Nominating Shareholder and the number of voting securities held by the Nominating Shareholder;
ii.if the Nominating Shareholder is not the beneficial owner of all of those voting securities, the identity of the beneficial owner and the number of voting securities beneficially owned by that beneficial owner;
iii.with respect to the Nominating Shareholder and, if applicable, any beneficial owner, the following:
(A)the class or series and number of any securities in the capital of the Company which are controlled, or over which control or direction is exercised, directly or indirectly, by the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner, and each person acting jointly or in concert with any of them (and for each such person any options or other rights to acquire shares in the capital of the Company, any derivatives or other securities, instruments or arrangements for which the price or value or delivery, payment or settlement obligations are derived from, referenced to, or based on any such shares, and any hedging transactions, short positions and borrowing or lending arrangements relating to such shares) as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice;
(B)any proxy, contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner has a right to vote any shares in the capital of the Company on the election of directors.
(C)in the case of a special Shareholders Meeting called for the purpose of electing directors, a statement as to whether the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner intends to send an information circular and form of proxy to any shareholders in connection with the individual’s nomination; and
(D)any other information relating to the Nominating Shareholder or beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular or other filings to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act and Applicable Securities Laws; and
(E)as to each individual whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director:
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(I)the name, age, business address and residential address of the individual;
(II)confirmation that the individual would consent to serve as a director if elected;
(III)the principal occupation or employment of the individual;
(IV)the class or series and number of securities in the capital of the Company which are beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, directly or indirectly, by such individual as of the record date for the Shareholders Meeting (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice; and
(V)any other information relating to the individual that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular or other filings to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act and Applicable Securities Laws.
(d)A Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the secretary of the Company must also state:
i.whether, in the opinion of the Nominating Shareholder and the proposed nominee, the proposed nominee would qualify to be an independent director under sections 5605(a)(2), 5605(c)(2) and 5605(d)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the commentary relating thereto and Rule 10A-3(b) and Rule 10C-1(b) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as any other applicable independence criterion of a stock exchange or regulatory authority that may be applicable to the Company; and
ii.whether, with respect to the Company, the proposed nominee has one or more of the relationships described in sections 5605(a)(2), 5605(c)(2) and 5605(d)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and the commentary relating thereto and Rule 10A-3(b) and Rule 10C-1(b) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as any other applicable independence criterion of a stock exchange or regulatory authority that may be applicable to the Company.
(e)The Company may require any proposed director nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed director nominee to serve as an independent director or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed director nominee.
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(f)In addition to the provisions of this Article 15, a Nominating Shareholder and any individual nominated by the Nominating Shareholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Business Corporations Act, Applicable Securities Laws and applicable stock exchange rules regarding the matters set forth herein.
(g)Except as otherwise provided by the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of the Company, no individual shall be eligible for election as a director unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Article 15; provided, however, that nothing in this Article 15 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by a shareholder (as distinct from the nomination of directors) at a Shareholders Meeting of any matter in respect of which it would have been entitled to submit a proposal pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act. The chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the foregoing provisions and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such foregoing provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded. A duly appointed proxyholder of a Nominating Shareholder shall be entitled to nominate at a Shareholders Meeting the directors nominated by the Nominating Shareholder, provided that all of the requirements of this Article 15 have been satisfied. If the Nominating Shareholder or its duly appointed proxyholder does not attend at the Shareholders Meeting to present the nomination, the nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Company.
(h)In addition to the provisions of this Article 15, a Nominating Shareholder and any individual nominated by the Nominating Shareholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Business Corporations Act, Applicable Securities Laws and applicable stock exchange rules regarding the matters set forth herein.
(i)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 15, notice given to the secretary of the Company may only be given by personal delivery, and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is served by personal delivery to the secretary of the Company at the address of the principal executive offices of the Company; provided that if such delivery is made on a day which is a not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery shall be deemed to have been made on the subsequent day that is a business day.
(j)Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this Article 15.
(k)For greater certainty, nothing in this Article 15 shall limit the right of the board to fill a vacancy among the directors in accordance with these Articles.
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ARTICLE 16
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS
DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS
16.1Director Holding Other Office in the Company. A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in addition to his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the board may determine.
16.2No Disqualification. No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided for that reason, in each case subject to the requirements of Applicable Securities Laws.
16.3Professional Services by Director or Officer. Subject to the Business Corporations Act and Applicable Securities Laws, a director or officer of the Company, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and subject to the requirements of Applicable Securities Laws, the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.
16.4Director or Officer in Other Corporations. Subject to the requirements of Applicable Securities Laws, a director or officer of the Company may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder or otherwise, and, subject to the Business Corporations Act and Applicable Securities Laws, the director or officer of the Company is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him or her as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.
ARTICLE 17
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
17.1Meetings of Directors. The board may meet together for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and meetings of directors held at regular intervals may be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the board may from time to time determine.
17.2Voting at Meetings. Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
17.3Chair of Meetings. The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:
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(a)the chair of the board, if any;
(b)the lead director of the board, if any;
(c)any other director chosen by the board if:
i.the chair of the board is not present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting;
ii.the chair of the board is not willing to chair the meeting; or
iii.the chair of the board has advised the secretary of the Company, if any, or any other director, that he or she will not be present at the meeting.
17.4Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium. A director may participate in a meeting of directors or of any committee of the board in person, by telephone, or by other communications medium if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other. A director who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 17.4 is deemed for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles to be present at the meeting and to have agreed to participate in that manner.
17.5Calling of Meetings. The chair of the board or the lead director of the board may, and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of such chair of the board or the lead director of the board must, call a meeting of directors at any time.
17.6Notice of Meetings. Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the board pursuant to Article 17.1 or as provided in Article 17.7, upon reasonable notice of each meeting of directors specifying the place, day and time of that meeting must be given to each of the directors by any method set out in Article 23.1 or orally or by telephone.
17.7When Notice Not Required. It is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of directors to a director if:
(a)the meeting is to be held immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which that director was elected or appointed, or is the meeting of directors at which that director is appointed; or
(b)the director has waived notice of the meeting.
17.8Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice. The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.
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17.9Waiver of Notice of Meetings. Any director may send to the Company a document signed by him or her waiving notice of any past, present or future meeting or meetings of directors and may at any time withdraw that waiver with respect to meetings held after that withdrawal. After sending a waiver with respect to all future meetings and until that waiver is withdrawn, no notice of any meeting of directors need be given to such director and all meetings of directors so held are deemed not to be improperly called or constituted by reason of notice not having been given to such director.
Attendance of a director at a meeting of the board is a waiver of notice of the meeting, unless that director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
17.10Quorum. The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the board is a majority of the number of directors in office or such greater number as the board may determine from time to time.
17.11Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective. Subject to the Business Corporations Act, an act of a director or officer of the Company is not invalid merely because of an irregularity in the election or appointment or a defect in the qualification of that director or officer.
17.12Consent Resolutions in Writing. A resolution of the board or of any committee of the board consented to in writing by all of the directors entitled to vote on it, whether by signed document, fax, email or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages, is as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of directors or of the committee of the board duly called and held. Such resolution may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one resolution in writing. A resolution passed in that manner is effective on the date stated in the resolution or on the latest date stated on any counterpart. A resolution of the board or of any committee of the board passed in accordance with this Article 17.12 is deemed to be a proceeding at a meeting of the board or of the committee of the board and to be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of directors or of the committee of the board that satisfies all the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and all the requirements of these Articles relating to meetings of directors or of a committee of the board.
ARTICLE 18
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES
18.1Appointment and Powers of Committees. The board may, by resolution:
(a)appoint one or more committees consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate;
(b)delegate to a committee appointed under paragraph (a) any of the board’s powers, except:
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i.the power to fill vacancies in the board;
ii.the power to remove a director or appoint additional directors;
iii.the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the board; and
iv.the power to appoint or remove officers of the Company appointed by the board; and
(c)make any delegation referred to in paragraph (b) subject to the conditions set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution.
18.2Obligations of Committees. Any committee appointed under Article 18.1, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it, must:
(a)conform to any rules that may from time to time be imposed on it by the board; and
(b)report every act or thing done in exercise of those powers at such times as the board may require.
18.3Powers of Board. The board may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Article 18.1:
(a)revoke or alter the authority given to the committee, or override a decision made by the committee, except as to acts done before such revocation, alteration or overriding;
(b)terminate the appointment of, or change the membership of, the committee; and
(c)fill vacancies in the committee.
18.4Committee Meetings. Subject to Article 18.2(a) and unless the board otherwise provides in the resolution appointing the committee or in any subsequent resolution, with respect to a committee appointed under Article 18.1:
(a)the committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper;
(b)the committee may elect a chair of its meetings but, if no chair of a meeting is elected, or if at a meeting the chair of the meeting is not present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, the directors present who are members of the committee may choose one of their number to chair the meeting;
(c)a majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum of the committee; and
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(d)questions arising at any meeting of the committee are determined by a majority of votes of the members present, and in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
ARTICLE 19
OFFICERS
OFFICERS
19.1Directors May Appoint Officers. The board may, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the board determines and the board may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.
19.2Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers. The board may for each officer:
(a)determine the functions and duties of the officer;
(b)delegate to the officer any of the powers exercisable by the board on such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as the board thinks fit; and
(c)revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the officer.
In the absence of such resolution, the respective officers shall have the powers and shall discharge the duties customarily and usually held and performed by like officers of companies similar in organization and business purposes to the Company, subject to the control of the board.
19.3Qualifications. No officer may be appointed unless that officer is qualified in accordance with the Business Corporations Act. One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as the managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.
19.4Remuneration and Terms of Appointment. All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the board thinks fit and are subject to termination at the pleasure of the board, and an officer may in addition to such remuneration be entitled to receive, after he or she ceases to hold such office or leaves the employment of the Company, a pension or gratuity. An appointment as an officer does not create any rights of employment.
19.5Duties of Officers May be Delegated. In case any officer is absent or for any other reason that the board may deem sufficient, the Chief Executive Officer or the board may delegate for the time being the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director.
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ARTICLE 20
INDEMNIFICATION
INDEMNIFICATION
20.1Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must indemnify an eligible party (as defined in the Business Corporations Act) and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties (as defined in the Business Corporations Act) to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding (as defined in the Business Corporations Act), pay the expenses (as defined in the Business Corporations Act) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act.
20.2Further Indemnification of Directors and Officers. In addition to the Company’s obligations under Article 20.1, and subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company shall, except as provided in this Article 20.2, indemnify Indemnitees to the full extent permitted by law. Expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any action, suit, or proceeding, as described in this Article 20.2, shall be paid or reimbursed by the Company promptly upon receipt by it of an undertaking of such Indemnitee to repay such Expenses if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Company shall be unsecured, and no interest shall be charged thereon. The Company shall not indemnify any Indemnitee or advance or reimburse any Indemnitee’s Expenses if the action, suit or proceeding alleges (1) claims under Section 16(b) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (2) violations of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Insider Trading Policy or Conflicts of Interest Policy or (3) violations of Canadian, United States or other applicable federal, provincial or state insider trading laws, unless, in each case, such Indemnitee has been successful on the merits, received the written consent to incurring the Expenses or settled the case with the written consent of the Company, in which case the Company shall indemnify and reimburse such Indemnitee.
No claim for indemnification under this Article 20.2 shall be paid by the Company unless the Company has determined that the relevant Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Unless ordered by a court, such determinations shall be made by (1) a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification is sought, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by shareholders. An Indemnitee shall be presumed to have met the relevant standard, and, if the determination is not made by the Company within 30 days of a demand by such
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Indemnitee for indemnification, such Indemnitee shall be deemed to have met such standard.
An Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon the sooner of (a) becoming aware of an action, suit or proceeding where indemnification or the advance payment or reimbursement of Expenses may be sought, or (b) being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any matter which may be subject to indemnification or the advance payment or reimbursement of Expenses covered by this Article 20.2. The failure of an Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to such Indemnitee pursuant to this Article 20.2. No claim for indemnification or the advance payment or reimbursement of Expenses shall be made by an Indemnitee or paid by the Company unless the Indemnitee gives notice to the Company in writing of such claim for indemnification within two years after the Indemnitee received notice of the claim, action, suit or proceeding.
As a condition to indemnification or the advance payment or reimbursement of Expenses under this Article 20.2, any demand for payment by an Indemnitee under this Article 20.2 shall be in writing and shall provide reasonable accounting by such Indemnitee’s legal counsel for the Expenses to be paid by the Company.
For the purposes of this Article 20.2, the term “Indemnitee” shall mean any person made or threatened to be made a party, or otherwise involved in any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person or such person’s testator or intestate is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or serves or served at the request of the Company any other enterprise as a director or officer; the term “Company” shall include any predecessor of the Company and any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed by the Company in an arrangement, amalgamation or similar transaction; the term “other enterprise” shall include any corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, public limited company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, fund or other enterprise; service “at the request of the Company” shall include service as a director or officer of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries, provided, however that such request for service is in writing; and action by a person with respect to an employee benefit plan which such person reasonably believes to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of such plan shall be deemed to be action not opposed to the best interests of the Company; the term “Expenses” shall include all reasonable out of pocket fees, costs and expenses, including without limitation, legal counsel fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 excise taxes or penalties assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan, Canadian or United States federal, provincial, state, local or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt
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of any payments under this Article 20.2, penalties and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with defending, preparing to defend, or investigating an actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding (including Indemnitee’s counterclaims that directly respond to and negate the affirmative claim made against Indemnitee (“Permitted Counterclaims”) in such action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) but shall exclude the costs of any of an Indemnitee’s counterclaims, other than Permitted Counterclaims; and action, suit or proceeding shall be deemed to include the class action complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York by Donald Finch, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated against the Company Michael Gorenstein and Jerry F. Barbato, Finch v. Cronos Group et al., 2:20-cv-01324-JMA-ST (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 12, 2020) (Dkt. No. 1), and the class action complaint filed in the Eastern District of New York by Jill Witte, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated against the Company, Michael Gorenstein and Jerry F. Barbato, Witte v. Cronos Group et al., 1:20-cv-01310-ENV-SIL (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 11, 2020) (Dkt. No. 1) (together, the “Existing Actions”), and with respect to the Existing Actions the officers and directors party thereto or subject thereto shall be deemed entitled to advancement of expenses and indemnification in accordance with this Article 20.2.
Any action, suit or proceeding regarding indemnification or advance payment or reimbursement of Expenses arising out of this Article 20.2 must be brought and heard in the Courts of the Province of Ontario. In the event of any payment under this Article 20.2, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee (under any insurance policy or otherwise), who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights. Except as required by law or as otherwise becomes public (other than as a result of a breach by an Indemnitee of such Indemnitee’s confidentiality obligation under this Article 20), any Indemnitee will keep confidential any information that arises in connection with this Article 20, including but not limited to, claims for indemnification or the advance payment or reimbursement of Expenses, amounts paid or payable hereunder and any communications between the parties. No amendment of these Articles shall impair the rights of any Indemnitee arising at any time with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment.
20.3Deemed Contract. Each eligible party (as defined in the Business Corporations Act) and each Indemnitee (as defined in Article 20.2) is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in this Article 20.
20.4Indemnification of Other Persons. Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act, the Company may indemnify any person to the extent permitted by applicable law.
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20.5Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act. The failure of a director or officer of the Company to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Article 20.
20.6Company May Purchase Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:
(a)is or was a director or officer of the Company;
(b)is or was a director or officer of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company;
(c)at the request of the Company, is or was a director or officer of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;
(d)at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;
against any liability incurred by him or her as such director or officer or person who holds or held such equivalent position.
ARTICLE 21
DIVIDENDS
DIVIDENDS
21.1Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights. The provisions of this Article 21 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends.
21.2Declaration of Dividends. Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the board may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends as they may consider appropriate.
21.3No Notice Required. The board need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 21.2.
21.4Record Date. The board may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend. The record date must not precede the date on which the dividend is to be paid by more than two months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. (Toronto time) on the date on which the board passes the resolution declaring the dividend.
21.5Manner of Paying Dividend. A resolution declaring a dividend may direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, or in any one or more of those ways.
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21.6Settlement of Difficulties. If any difficulty arises in regard to a distribution under Article 21.5, the board may settle the difficulty as they deem advisable, and, in particular, may:
(a)set the value for distribution of specific assets;
(b)determine that cash payments in substitution for all or any part of the specific assets to which any shareholders are entitled may be made to any shareholders on the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties; and
(c)vest any such specific assets in trustees for the persons entitled to the dividend.
21.7When Dividend Payable. Any dividend declared by the board may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the board.
21.8Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares. All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.
21.9Receipt by Joint Shareholders. If several persons are joint shareholders of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any dividend, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.
21.10Dividend Bears No Interest. No dividend bears interest against the Company.
21.11Fractional Dividends. If a dividend to which a shareholder is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the dividend, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the dividend and that payment represents full payment of the dividend.
21.12Payment of Dividends. Any dividend or other distribution payable in money in respect of shares may be paid by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to the registered address of the shareholder, or in the case of joint shareholders, to the registered address of the joint shareholder who is first named on the central securities register, or to the person and to the address the shareholder or joint shareholders may direct in writing or by electronic transfer, if so authorized by the shareholder. The mailing of such cheque or the forwarding by electronic transfer will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque (plus the amount of the tax required by law to be deducted), discharge all liability for the dividend unless such cheque is not paid on presentation or the amount of tax so deducted is not paid to the appropriate taxing authority.
21.13Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, the board may from time to time capitalize any retained earnings or surplus of the Company and may from time to time issue, as fully paid, shares or any
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bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as a dividend representing the retained earnings or surplus or any part thereof.
ARTICLE 22
DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND REPORTS
DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND REPORTS
22.1Recording of Financial Affairs. The board must cause adequate accounting records to be kept to properly record the financial affairs and condition of the Company and to comply with the Business Corporations Act.
ARTICLE 23
NOTICES
NOTICES
23.1Method of Giving Notice. Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles provide otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:
(a)mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows:
i.for a record mailed to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;
ii.for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
iii.in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient;
(b)delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the person:
i.for a record delivered to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;
ii.for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
iii.in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient;
(c)unless the intended recipient is the Company or the auditor of the Company, sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
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(d)unless the intended recipient is the auditor of the Company, sending the record by email to the email address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
(e)physical delivery to the intended recipient;
(f)creating and providing a record posted on or made available through an electronic source that is generally accessible by the intended recipient and providing written notice by and of the foregoing methods as to the availability of such record; or
(g)as otherwise permitted by any Applicable Securities Laws.
23.2Deemed Receipt of Mailing. A notice, statement, report or other record that is:
(a)mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person referred to in Article 23.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was mailed on the day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, following the date of mailing.
(b)faxed to a person to the fax number provided by that person referred to in Article 23.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was faxed on the day it was faxed;
(c)emailed to a person to the email address provided by that person referred to in Article 23.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was emailed on the day it was emailed; and
(d)delivered in accordance with Article 23.1(f), is deemed to be received by the person on the day such written notice is sent.
23.3Certificate of Sending. A certificate signed by the secretary of the Company, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that capacity on behalf of the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was sent in accordance with Article 23.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.
23.4Notice to Joint Shareholders. A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint shareholders of a share by providing such record to the joint shareholder first named in the central securities register in respect of the share.
23.5Notice to Legal Personal Representatives Trustees. A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the persons entitled to a share as a consequence of the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of a shareholder by:
(a)mailing the record, addressed to them:
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i.by name, by the title of the legal personal representative of the deceased or incapacitated shareholder, by the title of trustee of the bankrupt shareholder or by any similar description; and
ii.at the address, if any, supplied to the Company for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled; or
(b)if an address referred to in paragraph (a)(ii) has not been supplied to the Company, by giving the notice in a manner in which it might have been given if the death, bankruptcy or incapacity had not occurred.
ARTICLE 24
EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS
EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS
24.1Execution of Documents Generally. The board may from time to time by resolution authorize any one or more persons, directors or officers of the Company for the purpose of executing, or delegating authority (with such limitations or restrictions on such authority as he or she deems appropriate) to execute, any instrument or document in the name of and on behalf of the Company (for which no seal need be affixed), and if no such person, director or officer is appointed, then any one officer or director may execute (or so delegate authority to execute) such instrument or document.
ARTICLE 25
PROHIBITIONS
PROHIBITIONS
25.1Definitions. In this Article 25:
(a)“transfer restricted security” means:
i.a share of the Company;
ii.a security of the Company that is convertible into shares of the Company; or
iii.any other security of the Company which must be subject to restrictions on transfer in order for the Company to satisfy the requirement for restrictions on transfer under the “private issuer” exemption of Canadian securities legislation or under any other exemption from prospectus or registration requirements of Canadian securities legislation similar in scope and purpose to the “private issuer” exemption.
(b)“security” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Act (British Columbia).
25.2Application. Article 25.3 does not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company.
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25.3Consent Required for Transfer of Transfer Restricted Securities. No share or other transfer restricted security may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of without the consent of the board and the board is not required to give any reason for refusing to consent to any such sale, transfer or other disposition.
ARTICLE 26
GENERAL PROVISIONS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
26.1Information Available to Shareholders.
(a.)Except as provided by the Business Corporations Act, no shareholder shall be entitled to discovery of any information respecting any details or conduct of the Company’s business which in the opinion of the board it would be inexpedient in the interests of the Company to communicate to the public.
(b.)The board may from time to time, subject to rights conferred by the Business Corporations Act, determine whether and to what extent and at what time and place and under what conditions or regulations the documents, books and registers and accounting records of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of shareholders and no shareholder shall have any right to inspect any document or book or register or accounting record of the Company except as conferred statute or authorized by the board or by a resolution of the shareholders.
[signature page follows]
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The Company has as its articles these articles.
| Full name and signature of a director | Date of signing | |||||||
(signed) “Michael Gorenstein” | July 9, 2020 | |||||||
| Director | ||||||||
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Michael Gorenstein, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Cronos Group Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| /s/ Michael Gorenstein | |||||
| Michael Gorenstein | |||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||
(Principal Executive Officer) | |||||
Date: August 8, 2024
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James Holm, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Cronos Group Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| /s/ James Holm | |||||
| James Holm | |||||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||||
(Principal Financial Officer) | |||||
Date: August 8, 2024
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024 of Cronos Group Inc. (the “Company”) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael Gorenstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| /s/ Michael Gorenstein | |||||
Michael Gorenstein | |||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||
(Principal Executive Officer) | |||||
Date: August 8, 2024
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.
This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024 of Cronos Group Inc. (the “Company”) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, James Holm, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| /s/ James Holm | |||||
James Holm | |||||
Chief Financial Officer | |||||
(Principal Financial Officer) | |||||
Date: August 8, 2024
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request.
This certification accompanies the Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.