What changed in this filing

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

2022-05-13 compared with 2021-11-10 · 39 added, 122 removed, 23 unchanged (88% of the section changed)

There have been no material changes in the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”

in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, except as set forth below:

The recent resignation of our independent accounting firm could delay our future SEC filings and adversely affect our business.

As previously disclosed, on September 9, 2021, BDO USA, LLP resigned as our independent registered public accounting firm, and on September 30, 2021, through and with the approval of our audit committee, we appointed Armanino LLP as our new independent registered public accounting firm. 

The process of engaging and onboarding a new accounting firm can be costly and time consuming for management.  While we do not expect the change in auditors to delay our future filings with the SEC, such a delay is possible if we are unable to timely engage and onboard the new accounting firm.

These events could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations or impact our ability to obtain financing.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to consummate the transactions described in the Arrangement Agreement and any such failure would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, business results and prospects.

As previously disclosed, we recently entered into the Arrangement Agreement with Pinestar and we intend to consummate the Arrangement with Pinestar, and Pinestar intends to consummate an offering of Subscription Receipts. There are no assurances that the proposed Arrangement and/or corresponding offering of Subscription Receipts will be consummated.

There are many conditions to the closing of the Arrangement, many of which are outside of the parties’

in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, except for as set forth below:

The announcement and pendency of the SBBC Transaction may have an adverse effect on our business results, and a failure to complete the SBBC Transaction could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and stock price.

On April 16, 2022, we entered into the LOI with SBBC, which provides for the acquisition of all of our outstanding shares of common stock in exchange for SBBC Shares at a ratio of 0.20548 SBBC Shares for each one (1) Jones Share outstanding.

The SBBC Transaction is subject to a number of terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, the parties entering into a definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) with respect to the SBBC Transaction on or before June 30, 2022 (such agreement to include representations, warranties, conditions and covenants typical for a transaction of this nature), mutually favorable tax and corporate structuring, the approval by shareholders of both SBBC and the Company, and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other recognized stock exchange as the SBBC Shares may become listed after completion of the SBBC Transaction, and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval..

There is no assurance that all of the various conditions will be satisfied, that the Company and SBBC will be successful in negotiating an acceptable Definitive Agreement, when or whether a Definitive Agreement will be reached between the parties, or that the SBBC Transaction will be completed on the proposed terms, within the expected timeframe, or at all.

The SBBC Transaction may be delayed, and may ultimately not be completed, due to a number of factors, including:

the results of either the due diligence investigations or tax analysis to be conducted by each of the Company and SBBC are determined by either party to be not satisfactory to such party for any reason in its sole discretion;

the failure of SBBC and the Company to successfully negotiate the Definitive Agreement or come to an agreement on the material terms of the Definitive Agreement;

the failure to obtain requisite stockholder approval of the SBBC Transaction from the stockholders of either SBBC or the Company;

the failure to obtain approvals from the applicable stock exchanges;

the failure of the SEC to declare effective any registration statement filed with the SEC to register under the Securities Act the SBBC Shares to be issued to the Company’s stockholders in the SBBC Transaction;

potential future stockholder litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings, which could delay or prevent the SBBC Transaction; and

the failure to satisfy the other conditions to the completion of the SBBC Transaction, including the possibility that a material adverse effect would permit either party to terminate the LOI.

If the SBBC Transaction does not close, we may suffer other consequences that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows, and stock price, and our stockholders would be exposed to additional risks, including:

investor confidence in us could decline, stockholder litigation could be brought against us, relationships with existing and prospective business partners may be adversely impacted, we may be unable to retain key personnel, and our operating results and cash flows may be adversely impacted due to costs incurred in connection with the SBBC Transaction;

to the extent that the current market price of the Jones Shares reflects an assumption that the SBBC Transaction will be completed, the price of the Jones Shares could decrease if the SBBC Transaction is not completed;

any disruptions to our business resulting from the announcement and pendency of the SBBC Transaction, including adverse changes in our relationships with employees and our business partners, may continue or intensify in the event the SBBC Transaction is not consummated or is significantly delayed; and

the requirement that we pay SBBC up to $500,000 as compensation for SBBC’s out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the SBBC Transaction under certain circumstances that give rise to the termination of the LOI.

Even if successfully completed, there are certain risks to our stockholders from the SBBC Transaction, including:

the ratio of SBBC Shares to be issued in exchange for outstanding Jones Shares is fixed and will not be adjusted for changes in our business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition or operating results or in the event of any change in the market price of, analyst estimates of, or projections relating to, either our shares of common stock or the SBBC Shares; and

we may experience a departure of employees prior to the closing of the SBBC Transaction.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to negotiate the Definitive Agreement or consummate the SBBC Transaction.

Although the LOI is binding on both the Company and SBBC, there can be no assurances that the SBBC Transaction will be consummated.

The SBBC Transaction is subject to each of the Company and SBBC completing a due diligence review of the other party and receiving acceptable tax analysis regarding the structure of the SBBC Transaction.

The detailed terms of the SBBC Transaction must also be set forth in the Definitive Agreement, which must be negotiated between the parties.

There are no assurances that we will be successful in negotiating an acceptable Definitive Agreement, when or whether a Definitive Agreement will be reached between the parties, or that the SBBC Transaction will be consummated.

Even if a Definitive Agreement is executed, there will be many conditions to closing, many of which are outside of the parties’

control and it cannot be predicted whether these conditions will be satisfied.

There are no assurances when or if closing will occur, and there are many factors that may cause the closing to not occur. 

In addition, the parties may not recognize the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement, which may be affected by, among other things, the ability to meet the listing standards of any Canadian stock exchange following the consummation of the Arrangement, costs related to the proposed Arrangement, the timing of the completion of the Arrangement, our ability to execute our plans to develop and market cannabis-infused beverages and edibles and the timing and costs of the development of this new product line, our estimates of the size of the markets for our potential cannabis products, potential litigation involving the company, global economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, and access to additional financing.

Other factors include the possibility that the Arrangement does not close, including due to the failure to receive required security holder and/or court approvals, or the failure of other closing conditions. Any failure of the Arrangement and offering of Subscription Receipts to close would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, business results and prospects.

The terms of the Arrangement Agreement require changes in our board of directors, which may have a material adverse impact on our operations.

The Arrangement Agreement provides that upon the closing of the Arrangement, our board of directors will consist of Jamie Colbourne, Mark Murray, Clive Sirkin, Paul Norman, Alex Spiro and an additional director to be determined by us. 

This represents a material change in the composition of our board. 

Leadership transitions may cause disruption to our business, result in operational and administrative inefficiencies and added costs, and adversely affect our corporate governance, internal controls, enterprise risk management, business models and strategic priorities.

In addition, we may experience a loss of institutional knowledge about our company and historical operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business condition.

The terms of the Convertible Debenture limit our ability to take certain actions.

Under the terms of the Convertible Debenture, we are subject to certain affirmative covenants, including the requirement that we make payments in a timely manner, perform the other covenants under the Convertible Debenture, maintain our corporate existence, conduct our business in material compliance with applicable laws, use the proceeds for the costs and expenses related to the Arrangement and to pursue the production of cannabis-containing beverages and related products, maintain our books and records, pay our taxes, maintain our insurance, provide notice of any event of default, and reserve and keep available sufficient shares for issuance upon the conversion of the Convertible Debenture and the warrants issued in connection with the Convertible Debenture. 

In addition, we agreed not to take certain actions without the approval of the debentureholder.

Such actions include (a) amending our articles of incorporation or bylaws;

(b) except for certain shares authorized under the Convertible Debenture, offering or selling any equity or debt securities, including options, warrants or convertible securities;

(d) changing the strategy or principal lines of our business;

(e) liquidating, dissolving or winding up our affairs;

(f) entering into any transaction with any affiliate, officer, director, employee or holder of more than five percent (5%) of our capital stock, calculated on a fully diluted basis;

(g) making any single expenditure or series of related expenditure using the proceeds from the Convertible Debenture that exceeds $25,000, individually or in the aggregate;

(h) selling, transferring or otherwise disposing of any property other than certain exceptions set forth in the Convertible Debentures;

or (i) making any investment in any other person.

If requested by us, the debentureholder may elect not to allow us to take these actions.

In the event that we are unable to take these actions, our interests and those of our shareholders may be materially and adversely affected.

We may  

default  

on our obligations under the Convertible Debenture, which may accelerate our repayment obligations or otherwise limit our access to future financing.

If we fail to make any payments under the Convertible Debenture when due, fail to perform any of our covenants or obligations under the Convertible Debenture, file for bankruptcy or become insolvent, fail to convert the Convertible Debenture in accordance with its terms, default under any of our other indebtedness or extend any loan to any officer, director, employee or holder of more than ten percent (10%) of our common stock, we will be in default of such obligations.

Any such default will increase the applicable interest rate under the Convertible Debenture from five percent (5%) to eighteen percent (18%) and could result in acceleration of the debt outstanding under the Convertible Debenture and entitle the debentureholder to bring suit for the enforcement thereof or exercise other remedies provided thereunder.

If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all such debt or to borrow sufficient funds to refinance it.

Even if new financing were then available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us. 

Any such default would have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, competitive position, financial condition or results of operations and we may not be able to continue operations. 

If we cannot continue operations, our shareholders would likely lose most or all of their investment in us.

Our repayment obligations under the Convertible Debenture would be accelerated if the Arrangement is not completed.

If for whatever reason the Arrangement is terminated, or either we or Pinestar gives notice to the debentureholder that the Arrangement is unlikely to occur within seven months from the date of the Convertible Debenture, all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the Convertible Debenture becomes due and payable within 60 days of such termination/notification date. 

Since completion of the Arrangement will be subject to several conditions, many of which are outside our control, there is a significant risk that the Arrangement will not be consummated, which would require us to repay the entire principal amount of the Convertible Debenture on an accelerated basis.

We may not have sufficient cash reserves or have access to sufficient liquid funds to be able to cover such an obligation within such accelerated timeline, which would materially adversely affect our business and impact our ability to continue our operations.

Even if sufficient funds were then available, making such a large payment could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations and we may not be able to continue operations. 

If we cannot continue operations, our shareholders would likely lose most or all of their investment in us.

Companies that operate in the cannabis industry face unique and evolving risks

If we expand our business to the production or sale of cannabis containing beverages, edibles and related products as currently planned, we and our operations may be adversely effected by the risks faced by companies operating in the cannabis industry, including but not limited to, the following:

Marijuana remains illegal under United States federal law

Marijuana is a Schedule-I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, or CSA, and is illegal under federal law.

It remains illegal under United States federal law to grow, cultivate, sell or possess marijuana for any purpose or to assist or conspire with those who do so.

Additionally, 21 U.S.C. 856 a.1.

states that it shall be unlawful to “knowingly open, lease, rent, use, or maintain any place, whether permanently or temporarily, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance.”

Even in those states in which the use of marijuana has been authorized, its use remains a violation of federal law.

Since federal law criminalizing the use of marijuana is not preempted by state laws that legalize its use, strict enforcement of federal law regarding marijuana would likely adversely affect demands for any cannabis products we develop.

Uncertainty of federal enforcement

On January 4, 2018, former Attorney General Sessions rescinded the previously issued memoranda (known as the Cole Memorandum) from the U.S.

Department of Justice (“DOJ”) that had de-prioritized the enforcement of federal law against marijuana users and businesses that comply with state marijuana laws, adding uncertainty to the question of how the federal government will choose to enforce federal laws regarding marijuana.

Former Attorney General Sessions issued a memorandum to all United States Attorneys in which the DOJ affirmatively rescinded the previous guidance as to marijuana enforcement, calling such guidance “unnecessary.”

This one-page memorandum was vague in nature, stating that federal prosecutors should use established principles in setting their law enforcement priorities.

Under previous administrations, the DOJ indicated that those users and suppliers of medical marijuana who complied with state laws, which required compliance with certain criteria, would not be prosecuted. On November 7, 2018, Jeff Sessions resigned from his position as Attorney General.

The current Attorney General, Merrick Garland, has not indicated any change in enforcement priority for state-compliant marijuana businesses, however, substantial uncertainty regarding federal enforcement remains.

Regardless, the federal government has always reserved the right to enforce federal law regarding the sale and disbursement of medical or recreational marijuana, even if state law sanctioned such sale and disbursement.

Although the rescission of the Cole Memorandum does not necessarily indicate that marijuana industry prosecutions are now affirmatively a priority for the DOJ, there can be no assurance that the federal government will not enforce such laws in the future.

As a result, it is now unclear if the DOJ will seek to enforce the CSA against those users and suppliers who comply with state marijuana laws.

In 2014, Congress passed a spending bill, or the 2015 Appropriations Bill, containing a provision , or the Appropriations Rider, blocking federal funds and resources allocated under the 2015 Appropriations Bill from being used to “prevent such States from implementing their own State medical marijuana law.”

The Appropriations Rider provided a budgetary constraint on the federal government from interfering with the ability of states to administer their medical marijuana laws, although it did not codify federal protections for medical marijuana patients and producers.

Moreover, despite the Appropriations Rider, the DOJ maintains that it can still prosecute violations of the federal marijuana ban and continue cases already in the courts.

However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and other courts have interpreted the language to mean that the DOL cannot prosecute medical marijuana operators complying strictly with state medical marijuana laws.

Additionally, the Appropriations Rider must be re-enacted every year.

The Appropriations Rider was renewed on December 20, 2019 through the signing of the fiscal year 2020 omnibus spending bill, effective through September 30, 2020, continued re-authorization of the Appropriations Rider cannot be guaranteed. Subsequently, the Appropriations Rider was extended through a series of stopgap spending bills on October 1, December 11, December 18, December 20 and December 22, 2020.  On December 27, 2020 the Appropriations Rider was included in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending bill and will remain in effect through September 30, 2021.  If the Appropriation Rider is not extended in the future, the risk of federal enforcement and override of state medical marijuana laws would increase.

Despite the rescission of the Cole Memorandum, the Department of the Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, has not rescinded the “FinCEN Memo”

dated February 14, 2014, which de-prioritizes enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act against financial institutions and marijuana-related businesses which utilize them.

This memo appears to be a standalone document and is presumptively still in effect.

At any time, however, the Department of the Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, could elect to rescind the FinCEN Memo.

This would make it more difficult for us and our clients and potential clients to access the U.S.

banking systems and conduct financial transactions, which would adversely affect our operations.

We could become subject to racketeering laws

The Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) is a federal statute providing criminal penalties in addition to a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.

Under RICO, it is unlawful for any person who has received income derived from a pattern of racketeering activity (which includes most felonious violations of the CSA), to use or invest any of that income in the acquisition of any interest, or the establishment or operation of, any enterprise which is engaged in interstate commerce.

RICO also authorizes private parties whose properties or businesses are harmed by such patterns of racketeering activity to initiate a civil action against the individuals involved.

Although RICO suits against the cannabis industry are rare, a few cannabis businesses have been subject to a civil RICO action.

Any violation of RICO could result in significant fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, convictions or settlements arising from civil proceedings conducted by either the federal government or private citizens or criminal charges, including but not limited to, seizure of assets, disgorgement of profits, cessation of our business activities or divestiture. 

Banking regulations could limit access to banking services and expose us to risk

In February 2014, the FCEN of the U.S.

Department of the Treasury issued the FCEN Memo.

The FCEN Memo states that in some circumstances, it may not be appropriate to prosecute banks that provide services to marijuana-related businesses for violations of federal money laundering laws.

It refers to supplementary guidance that Deputy Attorney General Cole issued to federal prosecutors relating to the prosecution of money laundering offenses predicated on cannabis-related violations of the CSA.

It is unclear at this time whether the current administration will follow the guidelines of the FCEN Memo.

federal law, banks or other financial institutions that provide a cannabis-related business with a checking account, debit or credit card, small business loan, or any other service could be found guilty of money laundering, aiding and abetting, or conspiracy.

As a result, any cannabis operations we develop may have the effect of 

limiting our access to banking or other financial services in the United States.

The inability or limitation on our ability to open or maintain bank accounts in the United States, to obtain other banking services and/or accept credit card and debit card payments may make it difficult to operate and conduct our business.

Although multiple legislative reforms related to cannabis and cannabis-related banking are currently being considered by the federal government in the United States, such as the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act and the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, there can be no assurance that any of these pieces of legislation will become law in the United States.

Further legislative development beneficial to our operations is not guaranteed

The success of our planned business expansion into cannabis products will depend on the continued development of the cannabis industry and the activity of commercial business and government regulatory agencies within the industry.

The continued development of the cannabis industry is dependent upon continued legislative and regulatory authorization of cannabis at the state level and a continued laissez-faire approach by federal enforcement agencies.

Any number of factors could slow or halt progress in this area.

Further regulatory progress beneficial to the industry cannot be assured.

While there may be ample public support for legislative action, numerous factors impact the legislative and regulatory process, including election results, scientific findings or general public events.

Any one of these factors could slow or halt progressive legislation relating to cannabis and the current tolerance for the use of cannabis by consumers, which could adversely affect the demand for our product and operations.

Changing legislation and evolving interpretations of the law

Laws and regulations affecting the medical and adult-use marijuana industry are constantly changing, which could detrimentally affect our planned cannabis operations.

Local, state, and federal marijuana laws and regulations are broad in scope and subject to evolving interpretations, which could require us to incur substantial costs associated with modification of operations to ensure compliance.

In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our planned cannabis business and result in a material adverse effect on our operations.

We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations, or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our operations.

Dependence on client licensing

Our planned cannabis business will be dependent on us obtaining various licenses from various municipalities and state licensing agencies.

There can be no assurance that any or all licenses necessary for us to operate our planned cannabis businesses will be obtained, retained or renewed.

If a licensing body were to determine that we had violated applicable rules and regulations, there is a risk the license granted to us could be revoked, which could adversely affect our operations.

Insurance risks

In the United States, many marijuana-related businesses are subject to a lack of adequate insurance coverage.

In addition, many insurance companies may deny claims for any loss relating to marijuana or marijuana-related operations based on their illegality under federal law, noting that a contract for an illegal transaction is unenforceable.

The cannabis industry is an evolving industry and we must anticipate and respond to changes.

The cannabis industry is not yet well-developed, and many aspects of this industry’s development and evolution cannot be accurately predicted.

While we have attempted to identify any risks specific to the cannabis industry that would be applicable to our planned cannabis operations, you should carefully consider that there are other risks that cannot be foreseen or are not described in this Quarterly Report, which could materially and adversely affect the development of our cannabis business and our future financial performance.

We expect that the cannabis market and our business will evolve in ways that are difficult to predict.

Our long-term success will depend on our ability to successfully adjust our strategy to meet the changing market dynamics.

If we are unable to successfully adapt to changes in the cannabis industry, our operations could be adversely affected.

There are no assurances when or if closing will occur, even if the parties successfully negotiate and sign a Definitive Agreement, and there are many factors that may cause the closing to not occur, including matters discovered by each of the parties as they complete their respective due diligence investigation of the other party. 

Litigation may arise in connection with the SBBC Transaction, which could be costly, prevent consummation of the SBBC Transaction, divert management ’

s attention and otherwise materially harm our business.

Regardless of the outcome of any future litigation related to the SBBC Transaction, such litigation may be time-consuming and expensive and may distract our management from running the day-to-day operations of our business.

The litigation costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources to address the claims and counterclaims in any litigation related to the SBBC Transaction may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects, cash flows, and financial condition.

If the SBBC Transaction is not consummated for any reason, litigation could be filed in connection with the failure to consummate the SBBC Transaction.

Any litigation related to the SBBC Transaction may result in negative publicity or an unfavorable impression of us, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock, impair our ability to recruit or retain employees, damage our relationships with our business partners, or otherwise materially harm our operations and financial performance

Binding Offer to Purchase dated April 16, 2022, between the Company and Simply Better Brands Corp.

(Previously filed with, and incorporated herein by reference to, Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on April 21, 2022).

Articles of Incorporation of Jones Soda Co.

5 unchanged sentences

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

Certification of Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

8 unchanged sentences

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.

November 10, 2021

JONES SODA CO.

/s/  Joe Culp

Controller, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer

Interim Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer

Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.

What changed 10-Q

Item 1A. Risk Factors