Item 1. Business
Item 1. Business
Historical background
Target Group Inc. (“Target Group” or “the Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 2, 2013, under our original name of River Run Acquisition Corporation. Effective May 13, 2014, the Company changed its name to Chess Supersite Corporation. On July 3, 2018, we filed an amendment in our Certificate of Incorporation to change our name to Target Group Inc.
Effective October 18, 2018, our common stock became eligible for quotation on the OTCQB platform operated by OTC Markets Group Inc, under the symbol “CBDY”.
The global spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continued to have a significant impact on the Canadian and global economy and customer purchasing behavior, while equity markets remained volatile. However, these factors have not impacted the Company’s operations, financial results for the year.
Cannabis Business-Canada
We are now engaged in the cultivation, processing and distribution of curated cannabis products for the adult-use medical and recreational cannabis market in Canada and, where legalized by state legislation, in the United States. We believe that there is a shift in the public’s perception of cannabis from a state of prohibition to a state of legalization. In October 2018, Canada became the first major industrialized nation to legalize adult-use cannabis at the national federal level. Cannabis is still heavily regulated. However, the medical use of cannabis is now permitted in up to 29 countries and many more countries have reformed, or are considering reforming, their cannabis uses laws to include the recreational use of cannabis.
In the 2016 publication by Deloitte, Insights and Opportunities Recreational Marijuana, the project size of the Canadian adult-use market ranged from CDN$4.9 billion to CDN$8.7 billion annually. In the 2018 publication by Deloitte, A Society in Transition, an Industry Ready to Boom, the projected size of the Canadian adult-use market in 2019 ranged from CDN$1.8 billion to CDN$4.3 billion. The Canadian medical cannabis industry experienced substantial growth since 2014. Health Canada projects the Canadian cannabis market will reach CDN$1.3 billion in annual value by 2024.
We intend to position ourselves with a core emphasis on wholesale & co-packaging services to accommodate all consumer-packaged goods required for the sophisticated cannabis market in Canada and internationally. This will integrate cannabinoid research, analytical testing, product development and manufacturing.
Our product manufacturing will include, but will not be limited to the following:
● Cannabis flower pods for vaporizer use
● Cannabis extract pods for vaporizer use
● Cannabis pre-rolls
● K-Cup infused coffee and tea pods
● Infused cannabis beverages
● Infused cannabis edibles
● Infused topical products and CBD wellness products.
As of the date of this report, the Company (i.e., Target Group Inc. and its subsidiaries) does not have any operations, employees or corporate offices based in United States.
Acquisitions
To take advantage of the opportunity resulting from the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Canada, we completed several strategic acquisitions and entered into several significant agreements as follows:
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Visava Inc./Canary Rx Inc.
On June 27, 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange (“ Exchange Agreement ”) with Visava Inc., a private Ontario, Canada corporation (“ Visava ”). Visava owns 100% of Canary Rx Inc, (“ Canary ”), a Canadian corporation that operates a 44,000 square foot facility located in Ontario’s Garden Norfolk County for the production of cannabis. Canary is a Canadian Licensed Producer under Health Canada’s Cannabis Act (“Bill C-45”). Canary expects to grow up to 4 million grams of cannabis annually out of its Simcoe facility once it is at full capacity. The Company is now growing premium cannabis in indoor grow rooms and each 2,200 square feet room gets up to 5.4 turns annually.
Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company issued to the Visava shareholders an aggregate of 25,500,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding common stock held by the Visava shareholders. In addition to its Common Stock, the Company issued to the Visava shareholders, pro rata Common Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 25,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share of $0.10 for a period of two years following the issuance date of the Warrants. The transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement closed effective August 2, 2018. Visava will continue its business operations as a first-tier wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company with Canary operating as our second-tier subsidiary. During the year ended, December 31, 2020, all of the warrants expired, none were exercised.
CannaKorp Inc.
Pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Share Exchange dated January 25, 2019 (“Exchange Agreement”) , on March 1, 2019, we completed the acquisition of Massachusetts –based CannaKorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CannaKorp”). CannaKorp has developed a single-use pre-measured pod and vaporizer system for consumers interested in vaporizing natural herbs, including cannabis. The patent-pending system is known as The Wisp™ and Wisp Pods™. The Wisp™ vaporizer system extracts the medically beneficial compounds more efficiently while simultaneously offering a much safer and more enjoyable experience than other alternatives.
Under the terms of the Exchange Agreement, we issued 30,407,712 shares of our common stock to the exchanging CannaKorp shareholders in exchange for 99.8% of the outstanding common stock held by the CannaKorp shareholders. CannaKorp will continue to operate as our subsidiary. During the year ended, December 31, 2021, all of the warrants expired, none were exercised.
Agreements
Serious Seeds B.V.
Effective December 6, 2018, the Company and Canary entered into a Distribution, Collaboration and Licensing Agreement (“Agreement”) with Serious Seeds B.V. (“Serious Seeds”), incorporated in the Netherlands, and Simon Smit (“Smit”), President of Serious Seeds. Under the Agreement, Canary was appointed the exclusive distributor in Canada and all other legal markets globally of Serious’ proprietary cannabis seed strains and Serious’ cannabis cuttings, dried flowers, extracts and seeds. In addition, under the Agreement Canary Rx and Serious will develop certain “Collaborative Products” defined as cannabis seed strains created collaboratively using Serious’ intellectual property. During the term of the Agreement, Canary will own all of the intellectual property related to the Collaborative Products.
Under the Agreement, Smit has granted Canary an exclusive license in Canada and all legal markets globally to Serious’ intellectual property including the right to use the service mark of Serious Seeds and all of the names of Serious’ proprietary cannabis seed strains including but not limited to Chronic, AK-47, White Russian, Bubble Gum, Kali Mist, Warlock, Double Dutch, Biddy, Early, Motavation and Strawberry-AKeil.
The initial term of the Agreement will be five (5) years and will be automatically renewed for consecutive five (5) terms subject to rights of termination upon one hundred and eighty (180) days prior notice. In consideration of the intellectual property rights granted by Smit to Canary, the Company will issue to Smit 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on the effective date of the Agreement. In addition, on the thirteenth (13) month following the effective date of the Agreement of the initial term, the Company will issue to Smit 5,208 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of Target common stock at an exercise price of $0.15 per share. Thereafter, from the fourteenth (14) month following the effective date of the Agreement and continuing through the sixtieth (60) month of the initial term, the Company will issue Smit 5,208 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 16,667 shares of Target common
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stock, each month, at varying exercise prices ranging from $0.20 to $0.35 per share. All of the above warrants must be exercised on or before the two (2) year anniversary date of each of the warrant issuance dates.
In consideration of Canary’s appointment as Serious’ exclusive distributor in Canada, Canary will pay Serious certain royalties as follows:
1 st year:
2.00% of gross sales
2 nd year:
2.25% of gross sales
3 rd year:
2.50% of gross sales
4 th year:
2.75% of gross sales
5 th and following years:
3.00% of gross sales
On October 8, 2019, Canary was granted licenses to cultivate, process and sell cannabis pursuant to the Cannabis Act (Bill C-45). These Standard Licenses enable Canary to produce approximately 3,600kg of dried cannabis flower per year. Canary has curated a bank of 3,500 seeds, comprised of more than 125 strains, including the entire Serious Seeds collection. The Company has the capacity to grow 8 different strains at a time, within the facility’s 8 indoor separate flower rooms.
Cannavolve Inc. Sales Agency Agreement
Effective December 13, 2018, the Company appointed Cannavolve Inc., an Ontario, Canada corporation based in Toronto (“Cannavolve”) , under the terms of a Licensed Producer/Licensed Processor Sales Agency Agreement (“Agency Agreement”) , as the Company’s exclusive agent in Canada to market and sell the CannaKorp Wisp™ vaporizer, the Serious Seeds™ products and Canary branded cannabis in the recreational cannabis markets ( collectively the “Products”). Cannavolve is an independent recreational cannabis sales and marketing Company established to represent licensed producers and licensed processors in Canada of cannabis and cannabis accessories. Cannavolve operates in Canada with offices in Halifax, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.
Under the Agency Agreement, Cannavolve will be paid a commission of 6% of net sales based on the wholesale prices of the Products. The initial term of the Agency Agreement is two (2) years from December 13, 2018, subject to a renewal term of two (2) additional years. In addition to customary termination provisions based upon the material default of either the Company or Cannavolve, we can terminate the Agency Agreement without cause upon ninety (90) days prior written notice. The agreement was renewed on December 13, 2020, for an additional two (2) years. The agreement had not been renewed on December 13, 2022 and has expired on that date.
cGreen, Inc. Exclusive License Agreement
Effective August 8, 2019, the Company entered into an Exclusive License Agreement (“License Agreement”) with cGreen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“cGreen”). The License Agreement granted the Company an exclusive license to manufacture and distribute the patent-pending THC antidote True Focus™ in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. The term of the license was ten (10) years and four (4) months from the effective date of August 8, 2019. In consideration of the license, the Company had to issue 10,000,000 shares of its common stock as follows: (i) 3.500,000 within ten (10) days of the effective date; (ii) 3,500,000 shares on January 10, 2020; and (iii) 3,000,000 shares not later than June 10, 2020. In addition, the Company would have to pay cGreen royalties of 7% of the net sales of the licensed products and 7% of all sublicensing revenues collected by the Company. The Company would pay cGreen an advance royalty of $300,000.00 within ten (10) days of the effective date; $300,000.00 on January 10, 2020; and $400,000.00 on or before June 10, 2020, and $500,000 on or before November 10, 2020. All advance royalty payments would be credited against the royalties owed by the Company through December 31, 2020.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2019, the intangible asset was written off based on management’s review and evaluation of its recoverability.
Additionally, during the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the Company was in arbitration with cGreen for the breaches of the terms of the License Agreement, however, through an early mediation, both companies reached a settlement agreement to settle the breaches of the contract on July 27, 2020 (“Effective Date”). As per the settlement agreement, the License Agreement has been terminated and the Company does not have to issue the 10 million shares nor pay the outstanding royalty payable in the amount of $1,191,860. As consideration, the Company paid $130,000 within 30 days of the Effective Date and will pay $100,000 in monthly installments of
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$10,000 commencing in April 2021 to cGreen. As of December 31, 2022, there was no outstanding balance, the balance has been paid in full and the claim is closed during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (December 31, 2021: $10,000).
Joint Venture Agreement
Effective May 14, 2020, Canary entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (“Joint Venture”) with 9258159 Canada Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (referred to as “Thrive Cannabis”) and 2755757 Ontario Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (referred to as “JVCo”). Canary and Thrive Cannabis each hold 50% of the voting equity interest in JVC. The term of the Joint Venture is five (5) years from its effective date of May 14, 2020.
Under the Joint Venture, JVCo is permitted to use the rooms of Canary’s licensed cannabis cultivation facilities located in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada ("Licensed Site Portion”) to operate and manage the Licensed Site Portion for the cultivation and process of cannabis pursuant to Canary’s license issued by Health Canada. During the term of the Joint Venture, JVCo is responsible for the administration, operation and management of the Licensed Site Portion and all proceeds from the sale of the cannabis and related cannabis products cultivated therein are payable to the JVCo.
In addition, Canary, Thrive Cannabis, and JVCo entered into a Unanimous Shareholder Agreement dated May 14, 2020, governing the management and administration of the business of JVCo.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the joint venture partners, Canary and Thrive Cannabis entered into an agreement. Pursuant to this agreement the Company received a total of $1,634,496 (CAD 2,125,482) of which $1,056,005 (CAD 1,373,218) were reduced from investment in joint venture as these represented recovery of investment and $578,491 (CAD 752,264) were classified as other income representing recovery of interest expense charged on shareholder loan, which was primarily provided to support joint venture operations. Also refer to shareholder loan in Note 14.
As per the Joint Venture, Canary will provide the JVCo with a Hard Cost Loan with the maximum amount of $885,960 (CAD 1,200,000). This loan bears an interest rate of 7% per annum, matures in 12 months from the effective date, and is secured against the personal property of the JVCo and Thrive will guarantee one-half (1/2) of the outstanding balance of the loan. As of December 31, 2022 the loan advanced amounts to $247,331 (CAD 335,000) and interest income charged for the year ended in the amount of $18,033 (CAD 23,450) is included in other income on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss and interest receivable in the amount of $42,216 (CAD 57,180) is included in receivable from joint venture on the consolidated balance sheet.
The JVCo will reimburse Canary for certain expenses incurred by Canary for the cultivation and processing of cannabis products. Below is the table which summarizes the activity of the year:
Year ended December 31,
2022
2021
CAD
USD
CAD
USD
Sales
5,093,028
3,916,539
2,812,937
2,198,592
Cost of goods sold
2,635,640
2,026,807
2,367,595
1,850,512
Gross profit
2,457,388
1,889,732
445,342
348,080
Operation expenses
1,534,800
1,180,261
959,888
750,248
Net income (loss)
922,588
709,471
(514,546)
(402,168)
Eligible recoverable expenses
4,870,924
3,596,203
3,193,190
2,518,788
Recoverable amount
4,870,924
3,596,203
3,193,190
2,518,788
Income (loss) on equity
461,294
354,735
(349,277)
(272,995)
During the year ended December 31, 2022, revenue was sold to thirteen customers (2021: ten).
The JVCo shall make payments out of the revenues, net of applicable taxes and expenses (“Net Income”), in accordance with the following order of priority:
a) First, the payment of recoverable expenses;
b) Second, to the repayment of the Hard Cost Loan until repaid in full;
c) Third, to the repayment of the Soft Costs (costs of services and materials provided by Thrive Cannabis) until repaid in full;
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d) Finally, any remaining Net Income shall be distributed, on a monthly basis, as follows:
(i) For the first two (2) years following the execution of this Agreement, Canary shall receive 60% and Thrive Cannabis shall receive 40%; and
(ii) For the three (3) years following such period, Canary shall receive 57.5% and Thrive shall receive 42.5%.
Below is the position of the JVCo as at:
As of
December 31, 2022
December 31,2021
CAD
USD
CAD
USD
Assets
10,913,576
8,057,493
4,830,446
3,810,256
Liabilities
11,181,077
8,254,989
6,020,535
4,748,998
Deficit
(267,501)
(197,496)
(1,190,089)
(938,742)
CL Investors Debt Purchase and Assignment Agreement
On June 15, 2020, the Company, its first-tier subsidiaries Visava Inc. (“Visava”) CannaKorp Inc. (“CannaKorp”), and the Company’s second-tier subsidiary, Canary Rx Inc. (“Canary”), entered into a Debt Purchase and Assignment Agreement (“Agreement”) with CL Investors Inc. (“CLI”), a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada. June 15th was the preliminary date of the agreement, and the agreement was not finalized until the later date as indicated below.
The CEO (and also a director) of the Company is the secretary and a shareholder of CLI plus the CEO’s brother is the President and sole director of CLI therefore the loan from CLI is classified under related party transactions.
CLI purchased from the Company for the sum of $2,141,070, (CAD 2,900,000) a debt obligation owing from Canary to the Company in the principal balance of $7,825,980 (CAD 10,600,000 (“Canary Debt”)). Upon receipt of the consideration, the Company loaned the full sum to Canary under terms of an unsecured, non-interest-bearing promissory note, subject to a covenant by the Company not to take any collection action so long as the Canary Debt remains unpaid to CLI. As of December 31, 2022, $3,692 (CAD 5,000) is still outstanding from CLI which is presented as other receivable on the consolidated balance sheet.
As a condition of the closing of the Agreement, the terms of the Canary Debt were amended to provide for interest at 5% per annum with a maturity date of 60 months from the date of the Agreement (“Term”). The Canary Debt will be repaid according to the following schedule:
a) In the first year of the Term, Canary will pay CLI the greater of $834,279 (CAD 1,130,000) and fifty percent (50%) of the Net Revenue (hereinafter defined), provided that where the latter amount exceeds the former amount, Canary will, by the end of such first year, pay CLI no less than the former amount and Canary will, within thirty (30) days following the end of such first year, pay CLI the balance of such amount owing for such first year;
b) In the second year of the Term, Canary will pay CLI the greater of $1,550,430 (CAD 2,100,000) and fifty percent (50%) of the Net Revenue, by way of twelve (12) consecutive monthly installments payable on the 14th day of each month commencing on August 14, 2021, provided that where the latter amount exceeds the former amount, Canary will, within thirty (30) days following the end of such second year, pay CLI the balance of such amount owing for such second year;
c) In the third year of the Term, Canary will pay CLI the greater of $2,377,326 (CAD 3,220,000) and fifty percent (50%) of the Net Revenue, by way of twelve (12) consecutive monthly installments payable on the 14th day of each month commencing on August 14, 2022, provided that where the latter amount exceeds the former amount, Canary will, by the end of such third year, pay CLI no less than the former amount and Canary will, within thirty (30) days following the end of such third year, pay CLI the balance of such payments owing for such third year;
d) In the fourth year of the Term, Canary will pay CLI the greater of $2,273,964 (CAD 3,080,000) and fifty percent (50%) of the Net Revenue, by way of twelve (12) consecutive monthly installments payable on the 14th day of each month commencing on August 14, 2023, provided that where the latter amount exceeds the former amount, Canary will, within thirty (30) days following the end of such fourth year, pay CLI the balance of such amount owing for such fourth year; and
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e) In the fifth year of the Term, Canary will pay CLI the balance owing under this Note, by way of twelve (12) consecutive monthly installments payable on the 14th day of each month commencing on August 14, 2024, for an amount calculated by dividing twelve (12) into the sum of all amounts owing under this Note at the beginning of the fifth year of the Term on account of Principal and Interest, provided that where there are further amounts owing under this Note at the end of such fifth year, Canary will pay CLI all such further amounts within five (5) days following the end of such fifth year.
For the purposes of this Note, “Net Revenue” will mean any and all revenue generated from Canary’s Licensed Facility (hereinafter defined) to which it is entitled net of applicable taxes and third-party expenses.
The repayment of the Canary Debt, as amended, is guaranteed by Visava and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary CannaKorp Inc. and secured by (i) a general security interest in the assets of the Company, Canary, Visava and CannaKorp Inc., respectively; and (ii) a pledge by the Company of all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Canary, Visava and CannaKorp Inc. held by the Company. In addition to the foregoing guarantees, security interest and stock pledge, CLI has been granted an option, in lieu of repayment of the amended Canary Debt, to demand, in its sole and absolute discretion the transfer, assignment and conveyance of 75% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Visava and Canary.
Furthermore, the President and sole director of CLI has been granted an option to acquire the remaining 25% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Visava and Canary.
Effective August 14, 2020, the Agreement was amended (“Amendment”) to provide that CLI will purchase from Rubin Schindermann, a director of the Company, 500,000 shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock in consideration of the payment by CLI to Rubin Schindermann of $78,880 (CAD 100,000) and the issuance to Schindermann of 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. In consideration of the foregoing, Mr., Schindermann resigned as a director of the Company and from any and all administrative and executive positions with the Company’s subsidiaries Visava Inc., Canary Rx Inc. and CannaKorp Inc., respectively. In addition, the Company issued Common Stock Purchase Warrant for 10,000,000 shares of Target common stock to CLI as consideration for the Agreement. Refer to Note 17 for additional details on warrants. The combined impact of both transactions resulted in debt issuance cost of $251,518. This debt issuance cost will be amortized over the term of the debt on a straight-line basis.
The transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the Amendment closed on August 14, 2020.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.