Cresco Labs to Expand Into Florida Through Acquisition of Bluma Wellness Inc.
The Company will now have meaningful operations in all 7 cannabis markets that fall within the top 10 most populated states in the U.S.
CHICAGO-January 14, 2021-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cresco Labs (CSE:CL) (OTCQX:CRLBF) (“Cresco Labs” or “the Company”), one of the largest vertically integrated, multistate cannabis operators in the United States, and Bluma Wellness Inc. (CSE: BWEL.U) (OTCQX:BMWLF) (“Bluma”), a vertically integrated operator in Florida, announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which Cresco Labs will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Bluma (“Bluma Shares”) in an all-share transaction that values Bluma at an equity value of US$213 million (the “Transaction”).
Our strategy at Cresco Labs is to build the most strategic geographic footprint possible and achieve material market positions in each of our states. With Florida, we will have a meaningful presence in all 7 of the 10 most populated states in the country with cannabis programs – an incredibly strategic and valuable footprint by any definition.
Charles Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs.
We recognize the importance of the Florida market and the importance of entering Florida in a thoughtful way – we identified Bluma as having the right tools and key advantages for growth.
He added, “Bluma is known for having best-in-class cultivation in the state of Florida, a differentiated retail experience and omnichannel offering with effective delivery, a clear pathway to scale and an incredible management team. We have a proven track record of integrating assets in strategic states, improving fundamentals, and amplifying operations to take share in the most competitive cannabis markets. In 2020, we demonstrated the growth and leverage that can be created by focusing only on the most strategic markets, executing high-quality cultivation at scale, and marrying it with a targeted, consumer-focused model of high-volume retail. In 2021, it’s rinse and repeat. We’re using the same playbook to go deeper in strategic states, including Florida – we look forward to bringing our Cresco Labs brands and our Sunnyside stores to the Sunshine State!”
“Bluma’s high-quality cultivation operations, scaled delivery platform, and strategic retail investments combined with Cresco Labs’ track record of execution and capital allocation creates the best path forward to accelerate growth for our business in Florida,” said Brady Cobb, CEO of Bluma.
Our vision for Bluma and One Plant Florida has always been to cultivate remarkable experiences through exceptional cannabis. Our management team took the responsibility to seriously assess potential partners and we’re thrilled to be joining an organization that aligns operationally and shares our passion for creating quality cannabis products.
Brady Cobb, CEO of Bluma
Bluma Highlights:
- Bluma Wellness, under its operating subsidiary “One Plant Florida”, has 7 strategically located dispensaries with 8 more locations under legal control and planned to open.
- One Plant stores rank 2nd highest in per-store sales of smokable flower in Florida.
- One Plant stores derive 15% of revenue from home delivery (among the highest in Florida).
54,000 sq. ft. of cultivation space (with planned expansion of cultivation capacity, processing lab, and edibles kitchen). - One Plant dispensaries act as delivery hubs supporting the fleet of 15 delivery vehicles offering 24-48 hour statewide service.
Florida Market Highlights:
- 3rd most populous state in the U.S. with 21.7 million people1.
- 2nd largest growth of state residents in the U.S. in 20201.
- Over 450,000 registered patients in the medical program2.
- A regulatory environment that offers a margin profile through forced vertical integration that is immediately accretive to Cresco Labs’ overall business.
- Significant future growth potential once adult use and/or wholesale sales are introduced.
Financial and Legal Advisors
Cowen is acting as financial advisor to Cresco Labs and provided a fairness opinion to the Company’s board of directors. Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal advisor to Cresco Labs.
Clarus Securities Inc. and INFOR Financial Inc. are acting as financial advisors to Bluma and each provided a fairness opinion to the board of directors of Bluma. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP is acting as legal advisor to Bluma.
Terms
Under the terms of the Transaction, shareholders of Bluma will receive 0.0859 of a subordinate voting share of Cresco Labs (“Cresco Shares”) for each Bluma Share held (the “Exchange Ratio”), subject to adjustment as described below. The Exchange Ratio implies a price per Bluma Share of approximately US$1.12, representing a premium of approximately 29% based on the closing price of Bluma Shares on the CSE as of January 13, 2021. The Transaction will be completed by way of plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Exchange Ratio is subject to adjustment in the following circumstances: (i) if the 5-day volume weighted average price of Cresco Shares immediately preceding the 2nd business day prior to the closing of the Transaction (the “Cresco Closing Price”) is below US$9.99 but greater than US$7.00, the Exchange Ratio per Bluma Share will be calculated as US$0.86 divided by the Cresco Closing Price; and (ii) if the Cresco Closing Price is less than or equal to US$7.00, the Exchange Ratio will be fixed at 0.1229 Cresco Shares for each Bluma Share.
The Transaction is subject to, among other things, the approval of Bluma shareholders at a special meeting (the “Special Meeting”), and receipt of all required CSE, regulatory and court approvals, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. Additional details of the Transaction will be provided to Bluma shareholders in an information circular to be mailed in connection with the Special Meeting. It is currently anticipated that, subject to receipt of all required approvals, the Transaction will be completed by the start of the second quarter of 2021.
Recommendation of Bluma Board
The board of directors of Bluma formed a special committee of independent members (the “Special Committee”) to review and recommend the approval of the Transaction by the board of directors. The Special Committee obtained fairness opinions from each of INFOR Financial Inc. and Clarus Securities Inc. stating that, as of the date of the opinions and subject to the assumptions and limitations contained in such opinions, the consideration to be received by holders of Bluma Shares pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Bluma Shares. Based on the advice and recommendation of the Special Committee, the board of directors of Bluma determined that the Transaction is fair to the shareholders of Bluma, that the Transaction is in the best interests of Bluma and unanimously recommends that Bluma shareholders vote in favor of the resolution to approve the Transaction at the Special Meeting. Shareholders of Bluma holding approximately 40% in aggregate of Bluma Shares have executed voting and support agreements in favor of the Transaction. Certain Bluma shareholders will also agree not to transfer a portion of their resulting Cresco Shares for up to an eight-month period following closing of the Transaction.
About Cresco Labs
Cresco Labs is one of the largest vertically integrated, multistate cannabis operators in the United States, with a mission to normalize and professionalize the cannabis industry. Employing a consumer-packaged goods (“CPG”) approach, Cresco Labs is the largest wholesaler of branded cannabis products in the U.S. Its brands are designed to meet the needs of all consumer segments and comprised of some of the most recognized and trusted brands including Cresco, Remedi, High Supply, Cresco Reserve, Good News, Wonder Wellness, FloraCal Farms and Mindy’s Chef Led Artisanal Edibles created by James Beard Award-winning chef Mindy Segal. Sunnyside, Cresco Labs’ national dispensary brand, is a wellness-focused retailer created to build trust, education and convenience for both existing and new cannabis consumers. Recognizing that the cannabis industry is poised to become one of the leading job creators in the country, Cresco Labs operates the industry’s largest Social Equity and Educational Development initiative, SEED, which was established to ensure that all members of society have the skills, knowledge and opportunity to work and own businesses in the cannabis industry. Learn more about Cresco Labs at CrescoLabs.com.
About Bluma Wellness Inc.
Bluma Wellness Inc. owns and operates a vertically-integrated, licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida doing business as “One Plant Florida.” One Plant Florida cultivates, processes, dispenses and retails medical cannabis to qualified patients in the State of Florida through multiple retail dispensaries and an innovative next-day door-to-door e-commerce home delivery service, thereby offering convenient access for its customers and meeting the demands of an evolving retail landscape. Bluma Wellness plans to continue expanding its cultivation and distribution operations as the Florida market grows and may enter into other US states where the production, distribution and use of cannabis is permitted under state law.
1 https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/technical-documentation/research/evaluation-estimates.html
2 https://s27415.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/ommu_updates/2021/010821-OMMU-Weekly-Update.pdf
