Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.

Marijuana Company of America disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Marijuana Company of America reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.

Risk Overview Q3, 2022

Risk Distribution

36% Finance & Corporate

21% Legal & Regulatory

13% Production

13% Ability to Sell

10% Tech & Innovation

8% Macro & Political

Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy

This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.

Risk Change Over Time

S&P500 Average

Sector Average

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Marijuana Company of America Risk Factors

New Risk (0)

Risk Changed (0)

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No changes from previous report

The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.

The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.

Risk Highlights Q3, 2022

Main Risk Category

Finance & Corporate

With 14 Risks

Finance & Corporate

With 14 Risks

Number of Disclosed Risks

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 31

Recent Changes

0Risks added

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Since Sep 2022

0Risks added

0Risks removed

0Risks changed

Since Sep 2022

Number of Risk Changed

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 3

No changes from last report

S&P 500 Average: 3

See the risk highlights of Marijuana Company of America in the last period.

Risk Word Cloud

The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.

Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 39

Finance & Corporate

Total Risks: 14/39 (36%)Below Sector Average

Share Price & Shareholder Rights6 | 15.4%

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1

Our CEO, Jesus Quintero, will hold in excess of 50% of the voting power of our capital stock for the foreseeable future. If the voting power of our capital stock continues to be highly concentrated, it may prevent you and other minority stockholders from influencing significant corporate decisions and may result in conflicts of interest.

Jesus Quintero, our CEO, will continue to control in excess of 50% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock for at least as long as he continues to hold the Series A and B Preferred Stock. As a result, Mr. Quintero will have majority voting power over all matters requiring stockholder votes, including: the election of directors; mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions; the sale of all or substantially all of our assets and other decisions affecting our capital structure; amendments to our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; and our winding up and dissolution. This concentration of voting power may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by our other stockholders. The interests of Mr. Quintero may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of our other stockholders. This concentration of voting power may also have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of us. Also, Mr. Quintero may seek to cause us to take courses of action that, in his judgment, could enhance his investment in us, but which might involve risks to our other stockholders or adversely affect us or our other stockholders, including investors in this offering. As a result, the market price of our common stock could decline, or our other stockholders might not receive a premium over the then-current market price of our common stock upon a change in control. In addition, this concentration of voting power may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning shares in a company with significant stockholders.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2

There could be unidentified risks involved with an investment in our securities.

The foregoing risk factors are not a complete list or explanation of the risks involved with an investment in the securities. Additional risks will likely be experienced that are not presently foreseen by the Company. Prospective investors must not construe this the information provided herein as constituting investment, legal, tax or other professional advice. Before making any decision to invest in our securities, you should read this entire prospectus and consult with your own investment, legal, tax and other professional advisors. An investment in our securities is suitable only for investors who can assume the financial risks of an investment in the Company for an indefinite period of time and who can afford to lose their entire investment. The Company makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the likelihood of the success or the business of the Company, the value of our securities, any financial returns that may be generated or any tax benefits or consequences that may result from an investment in the Company.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3

Because we may issue additional shares of our common stock, investment in our company could be subject to substantial dilution.

Investors' interests in our Company will be diluted and investors may suffer dilution in their net book value per share when we issue additional shares. Dilution is the difference between what investors pay for their stock and the net tangible book value per share immediately after the additional shares are sold by us. We are authorized to issue 22,000,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value per share. As of January 31, 2022 there were 7,142,889,498 shares of our common stock in the public float. Our financing activities in the past focused on convertible note financing that requires us to issue shares of common stock to satisfy principal, interest and any applicable penalties related to these convertible notes. When required under the terms and conditions of the convertible notes, we issue additional shares of common stock that have a dilutive effect on our stockholders. We anticipate that all or at least some of our future funding, if any, will be in the form of equity financing from the sale of our common stock and so any investment in our company will be diluted, with a resulting decline in the value of our common stock. Trading in our common stock on the OTC Pink Tier Exchange has been subject to wide fluctuations. Our common stock is currently quoted for public trading on the OTC Pink Market Tier. The trading price of our common stock has been subject to wide fluctuations. Trading prices of our common stock may fluctuate in response to a number of factors, many of which will be beyond our control, including our issuance of additional common shares at variable prices to our convertible note holders. The stock market has generally experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies with limited business operation. There can be no assurance that trading prices and price earnings ratios previously experienced by our common stock will be matched or maintained. These broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs for us and a diversion of management's attention and resources. Our common stock has been delisted from OTC Markets OTCQB listing tier to OTC Markets Pink listing tier. Our common stock traded below $0.01 per share on the OTC Markets' QB trading tier for more than 30 consecutive calendar days, and as a result we no longer met the Standards for Continued Eligibility for OTCQB as per the OTCQB Standards, Section 2.3(2), which state that the company must "maintain proprietary priced quotations published by a Market Maker in OTC Link with a minimum closing bid price of $.01 per share on at least one of the prior thirty consecutive calendar days." As per Section 4.1 of the OTCQB Standards, the Company was granted a cure period of 90 calendar days, and at the Company's petition, the OTCQB granted the Company an extension from this requirement, until October 2020. However, the Company did not meet the requirement and was down-listed from the OTCQB marketplace to the OTC Markets Pink listing tier.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4

Utah law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our by-laws provides for the indemnification of our officers and directors at our expense, and correspondingly limits their liability, which may result in a major cost to us and hurt the interests of our shareholders because corporate resources may be expended for the benefit of officers and/or directors.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws include provisions that eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent possible under the laws of the State of Utah or other applicable law. These provisions eliminate the liability of our directors and our shareholders for monetary damages arising out of any violation of a director of his fiduciary duty of due care. Under Utah law, however, such provisions do not eliminate the personal liability of a director for (i) breach of the director's duty of loyalty, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, (iii) payment of dividends or repurchases of stock other than from lawfully available funds, or (iv) any transaction from which the director derived an improper benefit. These provisions do not affect a director's liabilities under the federal securities laws or the recovery of damages by third parties.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5

FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder's ability to buy and sell our stock.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (known as "FINRA") has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer's financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common shares, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.

Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6

The number of brokerage firms depositing and transacting trades for penny stock companies with a bid price of below one penny is very limited.

Currently, our common stock is traded on the OTC Markets Pink Tier with closing bid and ask prices below one penny. Many traditional brokerage firms and on-line brokerages refuse to accept for deposit and trade any penny stocks generally. For those that do, the time, effort and costs associated with depositing common stock in companies such as our with a sub-penny bid and ask are onerous, time consuming and costly. This may present material concerns and obstacles to those persons beneficially owning our common stock in certificate or book entry form, and wish to deposit same into a brokerage account.

Accounting & Financial Operations3 | 7.7%

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on any investment in the shares of stock of our Company and any gain on an investment in our Company will need to come through an increase in our stock's price, which may never happen.

We have never paid any cash dividends and currently do not intend to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. To the extent that we require additional funding currently not provided for, our funding sources may prohibit the payment of a dividend. Because we do not currently intend to declare dividends, any gain on an investment in our company will need to come through an increase in the stock's price. This may never happen, and investors may lose all of their investment in our company.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2

Uncertainty of profitability

Our business strategy may result in increased volatility of revenues and earnings. As we will only develop a limited number of products at a time, our overall success will depend on a limited number of products, which may cause variability and unsteady profits and losses depending on the products and/or services offered and their market acceptance.

Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3

We are a holding company, and our principal assets are held by subsidiaries, and accordingly we are dependent upon distributions from such operating subsidiaries to pay taxes and other expenses.

We are a holding company, and our principal assets are held by subsidiaries. Accordingly, we are dependent upon distributions from our operating subsidiaries to pay taxes and other expenses. If our operating subsidiaries do not generate sufficient revenues such that they can provide distributions to us, we may be unable to pay our expenses which would have a materially adverse effect on our business operations and our Company as a whole.

Corporate Activity and Growth5 | 12.8%

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1

We may fail to successfully execute our business plan.

Our shareholders may lose their entire investment if we fail to execute our business plan. Our prospects must be considered in light of the following risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, competition, the erosion of ongoing revenue streams, the ability to retain experienced personnel and general economic conditions. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in executing our business plan. If we fail to successfully execute our business plan, we may be forced to cease operations, in which case our shareholders may lose their entire investment.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2

We may have difficulties integrating acquisitions or identifying new acquisitions.

A major part of our strategy is to grow through acquisition. However, we may be unable to identify and consummate additional acquisitions or may be unable to successfully integrate and manage the product lines or businesses that we have recently acquired or may acquire in the future. In addition, we may be unable to achieve a substantial portion of any anticipated cost savings from acquisitions or other anticipated benefits in the timeframe we anticipate, or at all. Moreover, any acquired product lines or businesses may require a greater than anticipated amount of trade, promotional and capital spending. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, technologies, services and products of the acquired companies, personnel turnover and the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns. Any inability by us to integrate and manage any product lines or businesses that we have recently acquired or may acquire in the future in a timely and efficient manner, any inability to achieve a substantial portion of any anticipated cost savings or other anticipated benefits from these acquisitions in the time frame we anticipate or any unanticipated required increases in trade, promotional or capital spending could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Moreover, future acquisitions by us could result in our incurring substantial additional indebtedness, being exposed to contingent liabilities or incurring the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, all of which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Risk of government action.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3

Our joint venture investments in Latin America, and other joint venture investments that we make in the future, could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority, our reliance on co-venturers' financial condition and liquidity and disputes between us and our co-venturers.

In addition to our new joint venture projects in Brazil and Uruguay, which are in development stage, will require financial investment on our part, and have not yet generated revenue for the Company, we may co-invest in other joint ventures in the future with third parties through partnerships or other joint ventures, acquiring non-controlling interests in or sharing responsibility for any such ventures. In this event, we would not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the joint venture and, in certain cases, may have little or no decision-making authority. Investments through partnerships or other joint ventures may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present were a third party not involved, including the possibility that partners or co-venturers might become bankrupt, fail to fund their share of required capital contributions, make dubious business decisions or block or delay necessary decisions. Partners or co-venturers may have economic or other business interests or goals which are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives. Such investments may also have the potential risk of impasses on decisions, such as a sale, because neither we nor the partner or co-venturer would have full control over the partnership or joint venture. Disputes between us and partners or co-venturers may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our executive officers, senior management and/or directors from focusing their time and effort on our business. Consequently, action by, or disputes with, partners or co-venturers might result in subjecting properties owned by the partnership or joint venture to additional risk. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of our third-party partners or co-venturers.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4

We cannot guarantee that we will succeed in achieving our goals, and our failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

Some of our hempSMART™ products are new and are only in the developmental stages of commercialization. We are not certain that these products will function as anticipated or be desirable to their intended markets. Also, some of our products may have limited functionalities, which may limit their appeal to consumers and put us at a competitive disadvantage. If our current or future hempSMART™ products fail to function properly or if we do not achieve or sustain market acceptance, we could lose customers or could be subject to claims which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. As is typical in a new and rapidly evolving industry, demand and market acceptance for recently introduced products and services are subject to a high level of uncertainty and risk. Because the market for our Company is evolving, it is difficult to predict with any certainty the ultimate size of this market and its growth rate, if any. We cannot guarantee that a market for our products will develop or that demand for our products will emerge or be sustainable. If the market fails to develop, develops more slowly than expected or becomes saturated with competitors, our business, financial condition and operating results would be materially adversely affected.

Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5

We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from our new joint venture operations in Brazil and Uruguay.

In connection with our entry into new joint ventures in Brazil and Uruguay, we face numerous risks and uncertainties, including effectively integrating our respective personnel, management controls and business relationships into an effective and cohesive operation. Further, we are subject to additional risks and uncertainties because we may be dependent upon, and subject to, liability losses or damages relating to system controls and personnel that are not under our control. The joint venture business may be subject to unforeseeable negative market conditions, economic downturns, and legal and political considerations in Brazil and Uruguay. While cannabis and hemp are legalized in Uruguay, Brazil is only considering legalization as of the date of this filing, and legalization there is not guaranteed.

Legal & Regulatory

Total Risks: 8/39 (21%)Below Sector Average

Regulation8 | 20.5%

Regulation - Risk 1

Our hempSMART™ sales in the UK may be subject to unforeseeable events and regulation that may have a material impact on our efforts to sell our hempSMART™ products in the UK.

Currently, the UK regulates wellness products containing CBD through its Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ("MHRA"). Pursuant to the MHRA, only wellness products containing less than 0.2% THC may be sold in the UK. Our latest laboratory results from testing the THC content of our hempSMART™ products containing CBD derived from industrial hemp show that our products approach 0% THC. While we are confident that our hempSMART™ products are compliant with regulations in both the UK, these regulations may change unforeseeably, and any such changes may have a material effect on our ability to market and sell our hempSMART™ products in the UK. Additionally, we rely on affiliates in the UK for the administration of our business there. We have not to date established an effective warehousing protocol to efficiently store and deliver products there. The failure of our UK affiliates to efficiently handle the storage and distribution of our products could create a material deficiency in conducting our business there.

Regulation - Risk 2

The Farm Bill recently passed, and undeveloped shared state-federal regulations over hemp cultivation and production may impact our business.

The Farm Bill was signed into law on December 20, 2018. Under Section 10113 of the Farm Bill, state departments of agriculture must consult with the state's governor and chief law enforcement officer to devise a plan that must be submitted to the Secretary of USDA. A state's plan to license and regulate hemp can only commence once the Secretary of USDA approves that state's plan. In states opting not to devise a hemp regulatory program, USDA will need to construct a regulatory program under which hemp cultivators in those states must apply for licenses and comply with a federally-run program. The details and scopes of each state's plans are not fully known at this time and may contain varying regulations that may impact our business. Even if a state creates a plan in conjunction with its governor and chief law enforcement officer, the Secretary of the USDA must approve it. There can be no guarantee that any state plan will be approved. Review times may be extensive. There may be amendments and the ultimate plans, if approved by states and the USDA, may materially limit our business depending upon the scope of the regulations.

Regulation - Risk 3

Laws and regulations affecting our industry to be developed under the Farm Bill are in development.

As a result of the Farm Bill's recent passage, laws and regulations affecting the hemp industry will evolve which could detrimentally affect our operations. Local, state and federal hemp laws and regulations may be broad in scope and subject to changing interpretations. These changes may require us to incur substantial costs associated with legal and compliance fees and ultimately require us to alter our business plan. Furthermore, violations of these laws, or alleged violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our operations. In addition, we cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, and it is possible that regulations may be enacted in the future that will be directly applicable to our business.

Regulation - Risk 4

Psychoactive Cannabis and derivatives are illegal under the CSA.

Psychoactive Cannabis and derivatives are Schedule 1 controlled substances and are illegal under the CSA. Even in states that have legalized the use of Psychoactive Cannabis, its sale and use remain violations of federal law. The illegality of Psychoactive Cannabis under the CSA preempts state laws that legalize its use. Therefore, strict enforcement of the CSA regarding Psychoactive Cannabis and derivatives would likely result in Natural Plant Extracts of California, Inc.'s inability to proceed with its business plans involving operating a psychoactive cannabis delivery service in California. This event would cause us to suffer losses related to our 5% interest in Natural Plant Extracts of California, Inc.

Regulation - Risk 5

While we will use our best efforts to comply with all laws and regulations, there is a possibility that governmental action to enforce any alleged violations may result in legal fees and damage awards that would adversely affect us. We anticipate our operating expenses will increase, and we may never achieve profitability.

We launched our first hempSMART™ product, hempSMART Brain™, in November 2016. Since then, we have introduced a number of other consumer products, including hempSMART Pain™, hempSMART™ Full Spectrum Pet Drops™, and hempSMART™ Full Spectrum Drops™. As we continue to produce other hempSMART™ products, we anticipate increases in our operating expenses, without realizing significant revenues from operations. Within the next 12 months, these increases in expenses will be attributed to the cost of (i) general and administrative, (ii) new research and development, (iii) advertising and website development, (iv) legal and accounting fees at various stages of operation, (v) joint venture activities, (vi) creating and maintaining distribution and supply chain channels. As a result of some or all of these factors in combination, we will incur significant financial losses in the foreseeable future. There is no history upon which to base any assumption as to the likelihood that our Company will prove successful. We cannot provide investors with any assurance that our business will attract customers and investors. If we are unable to address these risks, there is a high probability that our business will fail.

Regulation - Risk 6

The possible FDA Regulation of hemp and industrial hemp derived CBD, and the possible registration of facilities where hemp is grown and CBD products are produced, if implemented, could negatively affect the hemp industry generally, which could directly affect our financial condition.

The Farm Bill established that hemp containing less the 0.3% THC was no longer a Schedule 1 drug under the CSA. Previously, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") did not approve hemp or CBD derived from hemp as a safe and effective drug for any indication. The FDA considered hemp and hemp-derived CBD as illegal Schedule 1 drugs. Further, the FDA has concluded that products containing hemp or CBD derived from hemp are excluded from the dietary supplement definition under sections 201(ff)(3)(B)(i) and (ii) of the U.S. Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, respectively. However, as a result of the passage of the Farm Bill, at some indeterminate future time, the FDA may choose to change its position concerning products containing hemp, or CBD derived from hemp, and may choose to enact regulations that are applicable to such products, including, but not limited to: the growth, cultivation, harvesting and processing of hemp; regulations covering the physical facilities where hemp is grown and processed; and possible testing to determine efficacy and safety of hemp derived CBD. In this hypothetical event, our hemp-based hempSMART™ products containing CBD may be subject to regulation. In the hypothetical event that some or all of these regulations are imposed, we do not know what the impact would be on the hemp industry in general, and what costs, requirements and possible prohibitions may be enforced. If we are unable to comply with the conditions and possible costs of possible regulations and/or registration as may be prescribed by the FDA, we may be unable to continue to operate our business.

Regulation - Risk 7

Laws governing our access to banking services remain uncertain and are in a state of flux.

On February 14, 2014, the U.S. government issued rules allowing banks to legally provide financial services to state-licensed cannabis businesses. A memorandum issued by the Justice Department to federal prosecutors re-iterated guidance previously given, this time to the financial industry, that banks can do business with legal cannabis businesses and "may not" be prosecuted. We believe this applies to hemp and to Psychoactive Cannabis. The Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued guidelines to banks that "it is possible to provide financial services" to state-licensed cannabis (and hemp) businesses and still be in compliance with federal anti-money laundering laws. These provisions created barriers to our banking operations. With the passage of the Farm Bill, we expect that the banking industry will be more open to doing business with compliant hemp businesses. Currently, the U.S. Congress is considering the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act sponsored by Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) Denny Heck (D-WA), Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) filed in March, 2019 designed to protect banks that service the marijuana industry from being penalized by federal regulators. The act currently has 138 cosponsors-more than a quarter of the House. However, this may take time and may not result in a more open banking climate. We expect that banks will be more open to serving cannabis and hemp businesses, but there is no guarantee – even with the passage of the Farm Bill.

Regulation - Risk 8

Banking regulations in our business are costly and time consuming.

In assessing the prospective risk of providing services to a hemp-related business, a financial institutions may conduct customer due diligence that includes: (i) verifying with the appropriate state authorities whether the business is duly licensed and registered; (ii) reviewing the license application (and related documentation) submitted by the business for obtaining a state license to operate its cannabis-related business; (iii) requesting from state licensing and enforcement authorities available information about the business and related parties; (iv) developing an understanding of the normal and expected activity for the business, including the types of products to be sold; (v) ongoing monitoring of publicly available sources for adverse information about the business and related parties; (vi) ongoing monitoring for suspicious activity, including for any of the red flags described in this guidance; and (vii) refreshing information obtained as part of customer due diligence on a periodic basis and commensurate with the risk. With respect to information regarding state licensure obtained in connection with such customer due diligence, a financial institution may reasonably rely on the accuracy of information provided by state licensing authorities, where states make such information available. These regulatory reviews may be time consuming and costly.

Production

Total Risks: 5/39 (13%)Below Sector Average

Employment / Personnel3 | 7.7%

Employment / Personnel - Risk 1

The Company's failure to continue to attract, train, or retain highly qualified personnel could harm the Company's business.

The Company's success also depends on the Company's ability to attract, train, and retain qualified personnel, specifically those with management and product development skills. In particular, the Company must hire additional skilled personnel to further the Company's research and development efforts. Competition for such personnel is intense. If the Company does not succeed in attracting new personnel or retaining and motivating the Company's current personnel, the Company's business could be harmed.

Employment / Personnel - Risk 2

The loss of key management personnel could adversely affect our business.

We depend on the continued services of our executive officers and senior management team as they work closely with independent associate leaders and are responsible for our day-to-day operations. Our success depends in part on our ability to retain our executive officers, to compensate our executive officers at attractive levels, and to continue to attract additional qualified individuals to our management team. Although we have entered into employment agreements with our senior management team, and do not believe that any of them are planning to leave or retire in the near term, we cannot assure that our senior managers will remain with us. The loss or limitation of the services of any of our executive officers or members of our senior management team, or the inability to attract additional qualified management personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or independent associate relations.

Employment / Personnel - Risk 3

Our joint ventures in Brazil and Uruguay will rely significantly upon the activities of our joint venture partners. We will rely upon our joint venture partner's Brazilian and Uruguayan personnel, business acumen, experience and involvement to seek economic success and the joint ventures' compliance with applicable Brazilian and Uruguayan laws.

If we are unable to integrate and monitor our Brazilian and Uruguayan joint ventures successfully and efficiently, there is a risk that our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, conflicts or disagreements between us and our joint venture partners in Brazil and Uruguay may negatively impact the benefits to be achieved by the relevant joint venture. There is no assurance that our joint ventures will be successfully integrated or yield all of the positive benefits anticipated.

Costs2 | 5.1%

Costs - Risk 1

Costs and expenses of being a reporting company under the 1934 Securities and Exchange Act may be burdensome and prevent us from achieving profitability.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and parts of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We expect that the requirements of these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal, accounting and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly, and place significant strain on our personnel, systems and resources.

Costs - Risk 2

Due to our involvement in the hemp industry and the Psychoactive Cannabis delivery business, we may have a difficult time obtaining the various insurances that are desired to operate our business, which may expose us to additional risk and financial liability.

Insurance that is otherwise readily available, such as general liability, and directors and officer's insurance, is more difficult for us to find, and more expensive, because we are service providers to companies in the cannabis industry. There are no guarantees that we will be able to find such insurances in the future, or that the cost will be affordable to us. If we are forced to go without such insurances, it may prevent us from entering into certain business sectors, may inhibit our growth, and may expose us to additional risk and financial liabilities.

Ability to Sell

Total Risks: 5/39 (13%)Above Sector Average

Competition3 | 7.7%

Competition - Risk 1

The Company's industry is highly competitive, and we have less capital and resources than many of our competitors which may give them and advantage in developing and marketing products similar to ours or make our products obsolete.

We are involved in a highly competitive industry where we may compete with numerous other companies who offer alternative hemp products and derivatives, who may have far greater resources, more experience, and personnel perhaps more qualified than we do. Such resources may give our competitors an advantage in developing and marketing products similar to ours or products that make our products less desirable to consumers or obsolete. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete against these other entities.

Competition - Risk 2

Management of growth will be necessary for us to be competitive.

Successful expansion of our business will depend on our ability to effectively attract and manage staff, strategic business relationships, and shareholders. Specifically, we will need to hire skilled management and technical personnel as well as manage partnerships to navigate shifts in the general economic environment. Expansion has the potential to place significant strains on financial, management, and operational resources, yet failure to expand will inhibit our profitability goals.

Competition - Risk 3

We are operating in a highly competitive market.

The markets for businesses in the hemp industry is competitive and evolving. In particular, we face strong competition from larger companies that may be in the process of offering similar products and services to ours. Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources and larger client bases than we have (or may be expected to have). Given the rapid changes affecting the global, national, and regional economies generally and the cannabis and hemp industries, in particular, we may not be able to create and maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Our success will depend on our ability to keep pace with any changes in its markets, especially with legal and regulatory changes. Our success will depend on our ability to respond to, among other things, changes in the economy, market conditions, and competitive pressures. Any failure by us to anticipate or respond adequately to such changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, liquidity, cash flow and our operational performance.

Demand2 | 5.1%

Demand - Risk 1

Because our business is dependent upon continued market acceptance by consumers, any negative trends will adversely affect our business operations.

We are substantially dependent on continued market acceptance and proliferation of consumers of hemp and hemp-derived CBD. We believe that as hemp and hemp-derived CBD becomes more accepted as a result of the passage of the Farm Bill, the stigma associated with hemp and CBD will diminish and as a result consumer demand will continue to grow. While we believe that the market and opportunity in the hemp space continues to grow, we cannot predict the future growth rate and size of the market. Any negative outlook on the hemp industry will adversely affect our business operations.

Demand - Risk 2

Our hempSMART™ products are relatively new and our industry is rapidly evolving.

Due consideration must be given to our prospects in light of the risks, uncertainties and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of development, particularly companies in the rapidly evolving legal cannabis and hemp industries. To be successful we must, among other things: - Develop, manufacture and introduce new attractive and successful consumer products in our hempSMART™ brand. - Attract and maintain a large customer base and develop and grow that customer base. - Increase awareness of our hempSMART™ brand and develop effective marketing strategies to insure consumer loyalty. - Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution providers. - Respond to competitive and technological developments. - Attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.

Tech & Innovation

Total Risks: 4/39 (10%)Below Sector Average

Innovation / R&D1 | 2.6%

Innovation / R&D - Risk 1

We may be unable to respond to the rapid technological change in the industry and such change may increase costs and competition that may adversely affect our business.

Rapidly changing technologies, frequent new product and service introductions and evolving industry standards characterize our market. The continued growth of the Internet and intense competition in our industry exacerbates these market characteristics. Our future success will depend on our ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies by continually improving the performance features and reliability of our hempSMART™ products. We may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction or marketing of our hempSMART™ products. In addition, any new enhancements must meet the requirements of our current and prospective customers and must achieve significant market acceptance. We could also incur substantial costs if we need to modify our hempSMART™ products and services or infrastructures to adapt to these changes. We also expect that new competitors may introduce products or services that are directly or indirectly competitive with us. These competitors may succeed in developing, products and services that have greater functionality or are less costly than our products and services and may be more successful in marketing such products and services. Technological changes have lowered the cost of operating communications and computer systems and purchasing software. These changes reduce our cost of selling products and providing services, but also facilitate increased competition by reducing competitors' costs in providing similar services. This competition could increase price competition and reduce anticipated profit margins.

Trade Secrets3 | 7.7%

Trade Secrets - Risk 1

It is unknown whether the passage of the Farm Bill will provide us trademark protection for our hempSMART™ brand and products.

We have applied for a trademark for our hempSMART™ brand name. Before passage of the Farm Bill, we were uncertain that we could obtain patent or trademark protection for our products Because hemp derived CBD was considered an illegal Schedule 1 drug under the CSA at the time. With the passage of the Farm Bill, we may be able to overcome these uncertainties, since hemp containing less than 0.3% THC is no longer a Schedule 1 drug under the CSA. However, we cannot guarantee more favorable treatment and the failure to obtain trademark protection may materially impact our brand establishment, sales and good will.

Trade Secrets - Risk 2

If we fail to protect our intellectual property, our business could be adversely affected.

Our viability will depend, in part, on our ability to develop and maintain the proprietary aspects of our hempSMART™ products and brand to distinguish our hempSMART™ products and services from our competitors' products and services. We rely on patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and confidentiality provisions to establish and protect our intellectual property. Any infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property could damage its value and limit our ability to compete. We may have to engage in litigation to protect the rights to our intellectual property, which could result in significant litigation costs and require a significant amount of our time. Competitors may also harm our sales by designing products that mirror the capabilities of our products or technology without infringing on our intellectual property rights. If we do not obtain sufficient protection for our intellectual property, or if we are unable to effectively enforce our intellectual property rights, our competitiveness could be impaired, which would limit our growth and future revenue. We may also find it necessary to bring infringement or other actions against third parties to seek to protect our intellectual property rights. Litigation of this nature, even if successful, is often expensive and time-consuming to prosecute, and there can be no assurance that we will have the financial or other resources to enforce our rights or be able to enforce our rights or prevent other parties from developing similar technology or designing around our intellectual property.

Trade Secrets - Risk 3

Our trade secrets may be difficult to protect.

Our success depends upon the skills, knowledge and experience of our scientific and technical personnel, our consultants and advisors, as well as our contractors. Because we operate in a highly competitive industry, we rely in part on trade secrets to protect our proprietary hempSMART™ products and processes. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. We enter into confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements with our corporate partners, employees, consultants, outside scientific collaborators, developers and other advisors. These agreements generally require that the receiving party keep confidential and not disclose to third party's confidential information developed by the receiving party or made known to the receiving party by us during the course of the receiving party's relationship with us. These agreements also generally provide that inventions conceived by the receiving party in the course of rendering services to us will be our exclusive property, and we enter into assignment agreements to perfect our rights. These confidentiality, inventions and assignment agreements may be breached and may not effectively assign intellectual property rights to us. Our trade secrets also could be independently discovered by competitors, in which case we would not be able to prevent the use of such trade secrets by our competitors. The enforcement of a claim alleging that a party illegally obtained and was using our trade secrets could be difficult, expensive and time consuming and the outcome would be unpredictable. The failure to obtain or maintain meaningful trade secret protection could adversely affect our competitive position.

Macro & Political

Total Risks: 3/39 (8%)Above Sector Average

Economy & Political Environment1 | 2.6%

Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1

Our revenues and our profitability may be adversely affected by economic conditions and changes in the market for our products. Our business is also subject to general economic risks that could adversely impact the results of operations and financial condition.

Because of the anticipated nature of the products that we offer and attempt to develop, it is difficult to accurately forecast revenues and operating results and these items could fluctuate in the future due to a number of factors. These factors may include, among other things, the following: - Our ability to raise sufficient capital to take advantage of opportunities and generate sufficient revenues to cover expenses. - Our ability to source strong opportunities with sufficient risk adjusted returns. - Our ability to manage our capital and liquidity requirements based on changing market conditions generally and changes in the developing legal medical marijuana and recreational marijuana industries. - The acceptance of the terms and conditions of our multi-level sales agreements. - The amount and timing of operating and other costs and expenses. - The nature and extent of competition from other companies that may reduce market share and create pressure on pricing and investment return expectations. - Adverse changes in the national and regional economies in which we will participate, including, but not limited to, changes in our performance, capital availability, and market demand. - Adverse changes in the projects in which we plan to invest which result from factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to, a change in circumstances, capacity and economic impacts. - Adverse developments in the efforts to legalize cannabis or increased federal enforcement. - Changes in laws, regulations, accounting, taxation, and other requirements affecting our operations and business. - Our operating results may fluctuate from year to year due to the factors listed above and others not listed. At times, these fluctuations may be significant.

Natural and Human Disruptions2 | 5.1%

Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1

Our business may be affected by unusual weather patterns.

The production of some of our hempSMART™ products relies on the availability and use of live hemp plant material. Growing periods can be impacted by weather patterns and these unpredictable weather patterns may impact our ability to harvest hemp. In addition, severe weather, including drought and hail, can destroy a hemp crop, which could result in our having no hemp to harvest, process and sell. If our suppliers are unable to obtain sufficient hemp from which to process CBD, our ability to meet customer demand, generate sales, and maintain operations will be impacted.

Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2

Our business and financial results may be materially adversely affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

The pandemic of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected the economies and financial markets worldwide. Government efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus through lockdowns of cities, business closures, restrictions on travel and emergency quarantines, among others, and responses by businesses and individuals to reduce the risk of exposure to infection, including reduced travel, cancellation of meetings and events, and implementation of work-at- home policies, among others, have caused significant disruptions to the global economy and normal business operations across a growing list of sectors and countries. Our operating results substantially depend on revenues derived from sales of hemp and cannabis-derived products on a wholesale and retail basis. As the COVID-19 spread continues, the measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus have resulted in supply chain disruptions, insufficient work force and suspended manufacturing and construction works for the cannabis industry. One or more of our customers, partners, service providers or suppliers may experience financial distress, delayed or defaults on payment, file for bankruptcy protection, sharp diminishing of business, or suffer disruptions in their business due to the outbreak. These preventative measures have also impacted our daily operations. The efforts enacted to control COVID-19 have placed heavy pressure on our marketing and sales activities. We continue to assess the related risks and impacts COVID-19 pandemic may have on our business and our financial performance. In light of the rapidly changing situation across different countries and regions, it remains difficult to estimate the duration and magnitude of COVID-19 impact. Until such time as the COVID-19 pandemic is contained or eradicated and global business return to more customary levels, our business and financial results may be materially adversely affected.

See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.

FAQ

What are “Risk Factors”?

Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.

They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.

It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.

How do companies disclose their risk factors?

Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.

Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.

Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.

According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.

How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?

Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.

You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.

Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.

A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.

What are all the risk factor categories?

TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.

1. Financial & Corporate

Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.

2. Legal & Regulatory

Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.

3. Production

Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.

4. Technology & Innovation

Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.

5. Ability to Sell

Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.

6. Macro & Political

Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.

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