Acreage Holdings (ACRHF) Risk Analysis

Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to furnish a report by management on, among other things, an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment needs to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control that results in more than a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. As a non-accelerated filer and an emerging growth company, we are currently exempt from auditor attestation requirements concerning any such report Management conducted an assessment, based on the framework established in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and concluded that internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2023 due to a material weakness in controls. Refer to Item 9A. Controls and Procedures for further discussion and management's remediation plans. Failure to remediate the material weakness described in Item 9A at all or within our expected timeframe, or any newly identified material weaknesses could limit our ability to prevent or detect a misstatement of our financial results, lead to a loss of investor confidence, and have a negative impact on the trading price of our common stock.

issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Refer to Item 9A. Controls and Procedures for further discussion.

Effective internal controls are necessary for the Company to provide reliable financial reports and to help prevent fraud. Although the Company will implement a number of safeguards in efforts to ensure the reliability of its financial reports, including those imposed on the Company under U.S. and Canadian laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company cannot be certain that such measures will ensure that the Company will maintain adequate control over financial reporting. Failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm the Company's ability to meet its reporting obligations. If the Company or its auditors discover a material weakness, as we reported in Item 9A. of this Form 10-K, the disclosure of that fact, even if quickly remedied, could reduce the market's confidence in the Company's consolidated financial statements and adversely affect the trading price of the Fixed Shares and Floating Shares. We are exposed to potential risks from legislation requiring companies to evaluate internal controls under Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. As an emerging growth company, we will be exempt from auditor attestation requirements concerning any such report so long as we are an emerging growth company. Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the framework established in

As a result of recent and ongoing regulatory and policy changes in the medical and adult use cannabis industries and unreliable levels of market supply, the market data available is limited and unreliable. We must rely largely on our own market research to forecast sales, as detailed forecasts are not generally obtainable from other sources in the states in which our business operates. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we analyzed our inventory balances, and recorded wholesale inventory adjustments as a result of (i) having excess inventory and (ii) reducing the carrying value to ensure inventory balances are properly recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We recognized $9,624 of wholesale inventory adjustments within

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company sustained net losses from operations and had negative cash flow from operating activities. As of December 31, 2023, the Company's accumulated deficit was approximately $747.6 million. Additionally, as of December 31, 2023, the Company's cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was approximately $17.6 million. See "

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The continued development of Acreage's business may require additional financing. In the event that the Floating Share Arrangement is not completed and the Fixed Call Option has not been exercised under the Existing Arrangement prior to the termination of the Floating Share Agreement, Canopy will retain the Fixed Call Option to acquire the Fixed Shares under the Existing Arrangement. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favourable to Acreage. In addition, the Existing Arrangement Agreement contains restrictive covenants and consent requirements relating to capital raising activities, incurring indebtedness and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for Acreage to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. Acreage may require additional financing to fund its operations until positive cash flow is achieved. If the Floating Share Arrangement is not completed and the Fixed Call Option is not exercised under the Existing Arrangement as currently proposed, risks may materialize and may materially and adversely affect Acreage's business, financial results and the price of the Floating Shares and the Fixed Shares. This could result in the delay or indefinite postponement of Acreage's current business objectives or Acreage ceasing to carry on business. If Acreage is able to raise additional equity financing through the issuance of Floating Shares and Fixed Shares, such issuances may substantially dilute the interests of Floating Shareholders. If Acreage is able to raise additional debt financing, payment of the associated interest costs is likely to impose a substantial financial burden on Acreage.

The Existing Arrangement Agreement contains restrictive covenants that may potentially impair the discretion of Acreage's management with respect to certain business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, the ability of the Company to make any material change to the nature of its business, make certain payments, incur additional indebtedness, issue Acreage Shares, create liens or encumbrances not permitted by the Existing Arrangement Agreement and sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets. The restrictive covenants set out in the Existing Arrangement Agreement may significantly impair management's ability to operate Acreage's business. A failure to comply with these terms, if not cured or waived, could result in a breach of the Existing Arrangement Agreement.

The Company may make investments in companies with no significant sources of operating cash flow and no revenue from operations. The Company's investment in such companies are subject to risks and uncertainties that new companies with no operating history may face. In particular, there is a risk that the Company's investment in these pre-revenue companies will not be able to meet anticipated revenue targets or generate no revenue at all. The risk is that underperforming pre-revenue companies may lead to these businesses failing which could have a materially adverse impact on the business, financial condition and operating results of the Company.

The Company may require equity and/or debt financing to finance operations, undertake capital expenditures or to undertake acquisitions or other transactions. If the Company is required to access capital markets to carry out its development objectives, the state of capital markets and other financial systems could affect the Company's access to, and cost of, capital. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to the Company when needed or on terms that are commercially viable. The Company's inability to raise financing to finance operations, fund capital expenditures or acquisitions could limit its growth have a material adverse effect upon future profitability, and may adversely affect the business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects and stock price of the Company. The Company may have access to equity financing from the public capital markets in Canada and the U.S. by virtue of its status as a reporting issuer in each of the provinces of Canada (other than Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Quebec), and under the Exchange Act. The Company also may have access to equity and debt financing from the prospectus exempt (private placement) markets in Canada and the U.S. The Company also has relationships with sources of private capital (such as funds and high net worth individuals) that could be investigated at a higher cost of capital. While the Company is not able to obtain bank financing in the U.S. or financing from other U.S. federally regulated entities, it currently has access to equity financing through the public and private markets in Canada and the U.S., and to debt financing in the U.S. through certain specialty lenders. Furthermore, the Existing Arrangement Agreement provides that the Company may not issue any equity securities, without Canopy Growth's prior consent, other than: (i) upon the exercise or conversion of convertible securities outstanding as of the Amendment Date; (ii) contractual commitments existing as of the Amendment Date; (iii) the Option Shares; (iv) the issuance of up to $3,000,000 worth of Fixed Shares pursuant to an at-the-market offering to be completed no more than four times during any one-year period; (v) the issuance of up to 500,000 Fixed Shares in connection with debt financing transactions that are otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Existing Arrangement Agreement; or (vi) pursuant to one private placement or public offering of securities during any one-year period for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $20,000,000, subject to specific limitations as set out in the Existing Arrangement Agreement. However, additional equity financing may be dilutive to shareholders of the Company and could involve the sale of securities with rights and preferences superior to those of the Fixed Shares or the Floating Shares. Debt financing may involve restrictions on the Company's financing and operating activities. Debt financing may be convertible into other securities of the Company or involve the issuance of equity fees, either of which may result in immediate or resulting dilution. In either case, additional financing may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to raise additional funds as needed, the scope of its operations or growth may be reduced and, as a result, the Company may be unable to fulfill its long-term goals. In this case, investors may lose all or part of their investment. Any default under such debt instruments could have a material adverse effect on the Company, its business or the results of operations.

A key element of the Company's growth strategy will in part involve identifying and making acquisitions of interests in, or the businesses of, entities involved in the legal cannabis industry. The Company's ability to identify such potential acquisition opportunities and make debt and/or equity investments is not guaranteed. Achieving the benefits of future acquisitions will depend in part on successfully identifying and capturing such opportunities in a timely and efficient manner and in structuring such arrangements to ensure a stable and growing stream of revenues.

Canopy's publicly available interim financial statements as of and for nine months ended December 31, 2023 reflect a net loss and negative cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2023. Canopy has approximately C$85.5 million in debt maturing in 2024. If Canopy is unable or does not have the resources to repay or refinance such debt coming due in 2024, that may have an adverse impact on Canopy's capital position, business and operations and, consequentially, the liquidity and price of the Canopy Shares.

Although the sale of cannabis is permissible at the state level in a number of states in United States, cannabis continues to be categorized as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, and the cultivation, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis remains federally illegal in the United States. As such, the Controlled Substances Act may still be enforced against individuals and companies operating in states in which the sale of cannabis is permissible. This poses a risk that certain of Canopy's lenders or other capital providers may choose not to engage in business with Canopy if it is believed that Canopy is in contravention of the Controlled Substances Act. If one or more of such providers terminates its relationship with Canopy as a result of its strategy to accelerate its entry into the United States cannabis industry through the creation of Canopy USA (the "Reorganization"), it could have a material adverse effect on Canopy, including its reputation and ability to conduct business, its financial position, operating results, profitability or liquidity or the market price of its listed securities.

There can be no assurance that Canopy will maintain its ownership interest in Canopy USA. If Canopy divests its ownership interest in Canopy USA, whether as a result of a forced divestiture or by voluntary sale, Floating Shareholders will no longer have an interest in Canopy USA or its U.S. cannabis investments previously held by Canopy.

The Existing Arrangement Agreement includes certain covenants in favor of Canopy that will apply following the Acquisition Time until the End Date. Such covenants include, among other things, the right to nominate a majority of the Acreage Board, preemptive rights, top-up rights, approval rights and certain audit and inspection rights. In addition, during such time there will be a number of restrictions imposed on Acreage, including, without limitation, restrictions regarding the payment of dividends, Acreage's merger and acquisition activities, acquisitions, divestitures, amendments to Acreage's constating documents, the issuance of certain securities and entering into any agreements that limit Acreage's ability to compete, in each case without the consent of Canopy. As a result, following the Acquisition Time, Acreage will be subject to a number of constraints. Acreage is not permitted to pursue various strategic and other business opportunities without obtaining Canopy's consent. In the event Canopy does not provide its consent, Acreage may fail to execute on its business objectives and may not be able to pursue strategic and organic growth opportunities, which may have a material adverse effect on Acreage's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Material acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions involve a number of risks, including: (i) potential disruption of the Company's ongoing business, (ii) distraction of management, (iii) the Company may become more financially leveraged, (iv) the anticipated benefits and cost savings of those transactions may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected, (v) increasing the scope and complexity of the Company's operations, and (vi) loss or reduction of control over certain of the Company's assets. Additionally, the Company or High Street may issue additional equity interests in connection with such transactions, which would dilute a shareholder's holdings in the Company.

The growth of High Street and the Company has placed and may continue to place significant demands on management and their operational and financial infrastructures. As the operations of the Company, High Street and the Subsidiaries grow in size, scope and complexity and as new opportunities are identified and pursued, the Company and High Street may need to increase in scale its infrastructure (financial, management, informational, personnel and otherwise). In addition, the Company will need to effectively execute on business opportunities and continue to build on and deploy its corporate development and marketing assets as well as access sufficient new capital, as may be required. The ability of the Company and High Street to successfully complete the proposed acquisitions and to capitalize on other growth opportunities may redirect the limited resources of the Company and/or High Street and require expansion of its infrastructure. This will require the commitment of financial, operational and technical resources in advance of an increase in the volume of business, with no assurance that the volume of business will increase. There can be no assurance that the Company or High Street will be able to respond adequately or quickly enough to the changing demands that its proposed acquisition plans will impose on management, team members and existing infrastructure, and changes to the operating structure of the Company and High Street may result in increased costs or inefficiencies that cannot be anticipated. Changes as the Company and High Street grow may have a negative impact on their operations, and cost increases resulting from the inability to effectively manage its growth could adversely impact its profitability. In addition, continued growth could also strain the ability to maintain reliable service levels for its clients, develop and approve its operational, financial and management controls, enhance its reporting systems and procedures and recruit, train and retain highly-skilled personnel. Failure to effectively manage growth could result in difficulty or delays in servicing clients, declines in quality or client satisfaction, increases in costs, difficulties in introducing new products or applications or other operational difficulties, and any of these difficulties could adversely impact the business performance and results of operations of the Company and High Street.

The Company expects to incur a number of non-recurring transaction-related costs associated with completing the Acquisition which will be incurred whether or not the Acquisition is completed. Such costs may offset any expected cost savings and other synergies from the Acquisition.

There can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be completed, or if completed, that it will be completed on the same or similar terms to those set out in the Existing Arrangement Agreement and the Floating Share Agreement. The completion of the Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions which include, among others, obtaining necessary approvals, including the Acquisition Regulatory Approvals (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) and performance by us, and Canopy Growth, of our, and its, respective obligations and covenants in the Existing Arrangement Agreement. If these conditions are not fulfilled or waived or the Acquisition is not completed for any other reason, our shareholders will not receive Canopy Shares as consideration for their shares of Acreage. Certain of these conditions, including the approval of the Canopy Capital Reorganization and the exchange of all Canopy Shares held by CBG and Greenstar into Exchangeable Canopy Shares, are outside of our control. There can be no certainty, nor can we provide any assurance, that all conditions precedent will be satisfied or waived, or, if satisfied or waived, when they will be satisfied or waived and, accordingly, the Acquisition may not be completed. In addition, if the Acquisition is not completed, our ongoing business may be adversely affected as a result of the costs (including opportunity costs) incurred in respect of pursuing the Acquisition, and we could experience negative reactions from the financial markets, which could cause a decrease in the market price of the Fixed Shares, particularly if the market price reflects market assumptions that the Acquisition will be completed or completed on certain terms. We may also experience negative reactions from our customers and employees and there could be negative impact on our ability to attract future acquisition opportunities. Failure to complete the Acquisition or a change in the terms of the Acquisition could each have a material adverse effect on Acreage's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Under the Existing Arrangement Agreement, we are required to comply with the initial business plan set forth in the Proposal Agreement (the "Initial Business Plan"). The Initial Business Plan sets forth certain Pro-Forma Net Revenue Targets (as defined in the Arrangement Agreement) and Consolidated Adj. EBITDA Targets (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) for each applicable fiscal year of the Initial Business Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not exceed the 90% threshold for both the Pro-Forma Net Revenue Target and the Consolidated Adj. EBITDA Target set forth in the Initial Business Plan. Therefore, Canopy Growth could, but has not, required the Company to implement austerity measures (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) by providing such notice to the Company. If, at the end of a fiscal quarter (commencing with the fiscal quarter dated December 31, 2020), our Pro-Forma Revenue (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) is less than 90% of the Pro-Forma Net Revenue Target set forth in the Initial Business Plan or if our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) is less than 90% of the Consolidated Adj. EBITDA Target set forth in the Initial Business Plan, an Interim Failure to Perform (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) will be deemed to have occurred and the Austerity Measures (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) will become applicable. The Austerity Measures place significant restrictions on our ability to take certain actions in the operation of our business. Among other things, the Austerity Measures prevent us from issuing any Fixed Shares, Fixed Multiple Shares or Floating Shares, granting any New Options (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) or Floating Options (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement), entering into any contract in respect of Company Debt (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) (other than in the ordinary course of business), or paying any fees owing to members of our Board. The Austerity Measures also prevent us and our subsidiaries from entering into any business combination, merger or acquisition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business), from making any new capital investments or incurring any new capital expenditures, and from entering into any contract to dispose of any assets (other than in the ordinary course of business). The Austerity Measures will apply until the non-compliance causing the Interim Failure to Perform is cured by us and our subsidiaries, as applicable. However, if an Interim Failure to Perform occurs and the Austerity Measures are implemented, our ability to conduct our business in the ordinary course will be significantly restricted. Accordingly, the occurrence of an Interim Failure to Perform will increase the possibility that a Material Failure to Perform (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) and/or a Failure to Perform (as defined in the Existing Arrangement Agreement) will occur. A Material Failure to Perform will be deemed to occur if our Pro-Forma Revenue is less than 80% of the Pro-Forma Net Revenue Target or our Consolidated EBITDA is less than 80% of the Consolidated Adj. EBITDA Target, as determined on an annual basis (commencing in respect of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021). The occurrence of a Material Failure to Perform is considered a breach of a material term of the Existing Arrangement Agreement incapable of being cured. Consequently, certain restrictive covenants under the Existing Arrangement Agreement which relate to exclusivity and non-competition of Canopy Growth in favor of us, including the restriction preventing Canopy Growth from acquiring a competitor of ours in the United States, will terminate. In addition, the occurrence of a Material Failure to Perform is likely to constitute an event of default under the Debenture, causing the Hempco Loan to become immediately due and payable. If the Hempco Loan is required to be repaid prior to the maturity date, it would have an immediate and lasting material adverse effect on us and our ability to complete the Acquisition. In addition, if our Pro-Forma Revenue is less than 60% of the Pro-Forma Net Revenue Target or the Consolidated EBITDA is less than 60% of the Consolidated Adj. EBITDA Target for the trailing 12 month period ending on the date that is 30 days prior to the proposed Acquisition Time, a Failure to Perform shall occur and a material adverse impact will be deemed to have occurred for purposes of Section 6.2(2)(h) of the Existing Arrangement Agreement. In the event of a Failure to Perform, Canopy Growth will not be required to complete the Acquisition.

Achieving the benefits anticipated through Canopy USA depends in part on the ability of Canopy USA to effectively capitalize on its scale, to realize the anticipated capital and operating synergies, to profitably sequence the growth prospects and to maximize the potential of its growth opportunities. The ability to realize these benefits from the proposed acquisitions of Acreage, Wana and Jetty by Canopy USA may depend, in part, on successfully consolidating certain functions and integrating operations, procedures and personnel in a timely and efficient manner, and on Canopy USA's ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies. The integration of Acreage with Wana and Jetty, in the event the Wana Option and Jetty Option are exercised, by Canopy USA will require the dedication of substantial effort, time and resources on the part of Canopy USA which may divert time, focus and resources from other strategic opportunities available to Canopy USA and from operational matters during this process. In addition, the integration process could result in disruption of existing relationships with suppliers, employees, customers and other constituencies of each company. There can be no assurance that Canopy USA will be able to integrate the operations of each of the businesses successfully or achieve any of the synergies or other benefits that are anticipated. Operational and strategic decisions with respect to the integration of Acreage with Wana and Jetty, in the event the Wana Option and Jetty Option are exercised, have not yet been made and may present challenges. It is possible that the integration process could result in the inability to attract and retain key employees, the disruption of the respective ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the ability to maintain relationships with clients, suppliers, employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits. The performance of Canopy USA could be adversely affected if Canopy USA cannot attract and retain key employees. Any inability of Canopy USA to successfully integrate the operations could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of Canopy and Canopy USA.

It is anticipated that Canopy USA will exercise its option to acquire 100% of the shares of Jetty (the "Jetty Option") and 100% of the shares of Wana (the "Wana Option"). If such options are exercised, upon completion of the Floating Share Arrangement, it is anticipated that Canopy USA's business will involve the integration of companies that previously operated independently. Such integration may present challenges for Canopy USA, including the integration of the operations, systems and personnel, and special risks, including possible unanticipated liabilities, unanticipated costs, diversion of time and attention and the loss of key employees. The difficulties Canopy USA may encounter in the transition and integration process could have an adverse effect on the revenues, level of expenses and operating results of Canopy and Canopy USA. If actual results are less favourable than anticipated, the business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity of Canopy and Canopy USA could be materially adversely impacted. The ability to realize the benefits of the Floating Share Arrangement may depend in part on successfully consolidating functions and integrating operations, procedures and personnel in a timely and efficient manner, as well as on Canopy USA's ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies, efficiencies and cost savings from integrating the businesses of Acreage with Wana and Jetty, in the event the Wana Option and the Jetty Option are exercised. Operational, strategic and staffing decisions have not yet been made. These decisions, coupled with the integration of Acreage, Wana and Jetty, in the event the options to acquire ownership of these entities is exercised, into Canopy USA's operations, may present challenges, including the integration of systems and personnel, and special risks, including possible unanticipated liabilities, unanticipated costs, and the loss of key employees. The performance of Canopy USA after completion of the Floating Share Arrangement could be adversely affected if Canopy USA cannot attract and retain key employees to assist in its operations. As a result of these factors, it is possible that the expected cost reductions and synergies may not be realized. It is expected that integration will require the dedication of substantial effort, time and resources, which may divert the focus of Canopy USA and resources from other strategic opportunities following completion of the Floating Share Arrangement, as well as from operational matters. The amount and timing of the synergies hoped to be realized may not occur as planned. In addition, the integration process may result in the disruption of ongoing business that may adversely affect the ability of Canopy USA and Canopy to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Floating Share Arrangement.

The Company is a holding company and has no material assets other than its indirect ownership of Units of High Street. As such, the Company has no independent means of generating revenue or cash flow. The Company has determined that High Street will be a variable interest entity (a "VIE") and that it will be the primary beneficiary of High Street. Accordingly, pursuant to the VIE accounting model, the Company will consolidate High Street in its consolidated financial statements. In the event of a change in accounting guidance or amendments to the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement which governs High Street (the "A&R LLC Agreement") resulting in the Company no longer having a controlling interest in High Street, the Company may not be able to consolidate High Street's results of operations with its own, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. Moreover, the Company's ability to pay its taxes and operating expenses or declare and pay dividends in the future, if any, will be dependent upon the financial results and cash flows of High Street and the Subsidiaries and distributions it receives indirectly from High Street. There can be no assurance that any of High Street or the Subsidiaries will generate sufficient cash flow to distribute funds to the Company or that applicable state law and contractual restrictions will permit such distributions. High Street will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, will not be subject to any entity-level U.S. federal income tax. Instead, taxable income will be allocated to the holders of Units. Accordingly, holders of Units will incur income taxes on their allocable share of any net taxable income of High Street. Under the terms of the A&R LLC Agreement, High Street will be obligated to make tax distributions to holders of Units. USCo intends, as its manager, to cause High Street to make cash distributions to the owners of Units in an amount sufficient to (i) fund their tax obligations in respect of taxable income allocated to them, and (ii) cover the operating expenses of USCo, USCo2 and the Company, including payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. However, High Street's ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions, such as restrictions on distributions that would either violate any contract or agreement to which High Street is then a party, including debt agreements, or any applicable law, or that would have the effect of rendering High Street insolvent. If the Company does not have sufficient funds to pay tax or other liabilities or to fund its operations, it may have to borrow funds, which could materially adversely affect its liquidity and financial condition and subject it to various restrictions imposed by any such lenders. In addition, if High Street does not have sufficient funds to make distributions, the Company's ability to declare and pay cash dividends will also be restricted or impaired.