TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canopy Rivers Inc. (the “Company” or “Canopy Rivers”) (TSXV:RIV) today announced its investment in Greenhouse Juice Company (“Greenhouse”), a dynamic plant-based food and beverage company. Canopy Rivers has committed $9 million in a convertible debt financing package (the “Financing”) that includes secured and unsecured debt, warrant coverage, and board representation rights. Proceeds from this financing will be used to supplement Greenhouse’s national expansion and initiatives for the development of natural health and wellness beverages infused with cannabidiol (“CBD”).
Greenhouse is a proudly Canadian company delivering organic, plant-based food and beverages. Founded in January 2014, Greenhouse has expanded from a single retail outlet to an omnichannel business with 15 corporate-owned retail stores, an e-commerce delivery service (www.greenhouse.ca), and a growing network of distribution partners with hundreds of retail locations, including both big box and specialty boutiques. Greenhouse operates out of a purpose-built, food grade and GMP-compliant production and processing facility, one of the most sophisticated of its kind on the east coast of North America.
“We believe CBD is poised to become a major ingredient within consumer packaged goods wellness products,” said Narbe Alexandrian, VP Business Development at Canopy Rivers. “Over five years, Greenhouse has built a successful, well-recognized beverage brand and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility capable of producing a wide range of products. We see high-quality, low-sugar beverages as being ideal for infusion with non-psychoactive CBD, and we believe Greenhouse’s expansion into CBD-based products will further solidify its leadership position in the health and wellness space.”
Products containing CBD, an active ingredient derived from cannabis plants, including hemp, are increasing in popularity as the health benefits of this natural and versatile compound are becoming more widely explored. CBD can be used in a variety of ways and is typically consumed as an ingestible oil or applied topically. Management believes that Greenhouse is an established leader among its peers and has the brand awareness and infrastructure required to bring CBD consumer products to market at scale. As a wellness ingredient, CBD is a natural fit for Greenhouse’s existing range of organic, plant-based, functional beverages. Greenhouse is developing a new line of products that will utilize full-spectrum CBD extracts, pure CBD isolates, and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
“As a plant-based health and wellness brand, Greenhouse is excited to continue our mission by expanding across Canada and extending into CBD-based beverages,” said Anthony Green, CEO of Greenhouse. “CBD shows evidence-based potential as a potent, non-psychoactive wellness ingredient and Greenhouse is uniquely positioned to be a trusted leader in this new space. We’re very excited to partner with Canopy Rivers, a global player in cannabis innovation, to introduce our brand to a growing audience and unlock the wellness potential of CBD-based beverages.”
The Financing includes a $6 million senior secured convertible debenture with a 12% yield, three-year term, and fixed conversion price. The second tranche is comprised of a $3 million unsecured convertible debenture with an automatic conversion mechanism based upon certain sales performance milestones at Greenhouse, and full warrant coverage on certain sales performance milestones as well. Additionally, the Company will receive incremental warrants entitling Canopy Rivers to increase its economic interest in Greenhouse under certain circumstances, as well as other governance-related rights.
About Canopy Rivers Inc.
Canopy Rivers is a unique investment and operating platform structured to pursue investment opportunities in the emerging global cannabis sector. Canopy Rivers works collaboratively with Canopy Growth (TSX: WEED, NYSE: CGC) to identify strategic counterparties seeking financial and/or operating support. Canopy Rivers has developed an investment ecosystem of complementary cannabis operating companies that represent various segments of the value chain across the emerging cannabis sector. As the portfolio continues to develop, constituents will be provided with opportunities to work with Canopy Growth and collaborate among themselves, which Canopy Rivers believes will maximize value for its shareholders and foster an environment of innovation, synergy and value creation for the entire ecosystem.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar expressions and includes information regarding: the growth of Greenhouse’s distribution network; Greenhouse’s strong or established leadership position; the ability of CBD to become a major trend in healthy living; Greenhouse juices being ideal for infusion with CBD; Greenhouse becoming a leading cannabis brand in the health and wellness space; the increasing popularity of CBD products; the brand awareness and infrastructure of Greenhouse and its ability to bring products to market at scale; the ability of consumers to reap benefits of CBD; Greenhouse’s unique position to be a trusted leader in CBD-based wellness consumer packaged goods; the wellness potential of CBD; and other expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; competition in the cannabis brand health and wellness space; the ability of Greenhouse to grow its retail presence; the popularity of CBD products; Canopy Rivers’ network of strategic partners; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; risks relating to anti-money laundering laws; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; as well as the risk factors set out in the joint management information circular of Canopy Rivers Corporation and the Company dated August 8, 2018, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information, please contact:
Canopy Rivers Inc.
Karoline Hunter
Sr. Director, Investor Relations & Communications
E-mail: ir@canopyrivers.com
Daniel Pearlstein
Executive Vice President, Strategy
E-mail: daniel@canopyrivers.com