Cresco Labs to Become the New Leader in Cannabis with the Acquisition of Columbia Care

By Louise Sommerfeld On Mar 23, 2022

Cresco Labs (CNSX:CL) (OTCMKTS:CRLBF) and Columbia Care Inc. (NEO:CCHW) (CSE:CCHW) (OTCQX:CCHWF) (“Columbia Care”) announced today they have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) pursuant to which Cresco Labs will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares (the “Columbia Care Shares”) of Columbia Care (the “Transaction”). Subject to customary closing conditions and necessary regulatory approvals, the Transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, shareholders of Columbia Care (the “Columbia Care Shareholders”) will receive 0.5579 of a subordinate voting share of Cresco Labs (each whole share, a “Cresco Labs Share”) for each Columbia Care common share (or equivalent) held, subject to adjustment (the “Consideration”) representing total consideration enterprise value of approximately US$2.0 billion based on the closing price of Cresco Labs Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE“) as of March 22, 2022. The Transaction provides Columbia Care Shareholders with premiums per Columbia Care Share of approximately 16% based on the closing prices of the Columbia Care Shares and the Cresco Labs Shares, and (ii) 19%, based on the 20-day volume weighted average prices (“VWAP”) of the Columbia Care Shares and the Cresco Labs Shares, each on the CSE as of March 22, 2022.

After giving effect to the Transaction, Columbia Care Shareholders will hold approximately 35% of the pro forma Cresco Labs Shares (on a fully diluted in-the-money, treasury method basis).

Key Transaction Highlights and Benefits

Superior Market Access

Largest Multi-State-Operator (“MSO”) by pro-forma revenue – Gives Cresco Labs the largest pro-forma revenue in cannabis today at over $1.4 billion.¹
Strategic, national footprint – Over 130 retail stores across an 18 market footprint,² representing the #2 retail footprint in the industry, and the #1 retail footprint outside of Florida. The combined company will cover all 10 of BDSA’s top-10 largest and fastest growing markets by 2025, representing approximately 55% of the U.S. population and over 70% of addressable cannabis market.
Market share leader in key states – Independently, the companies currently have #1 share positions in four markets (IL, PA, CO, VA,), a #2 share in MA, and a pathway to a top-3 position in three more (NY, NJ and FL), bringing the combined company to a material market position in seven of the top 10 markets by revenue in 2025, according to BDSA.
Exposure to adult-use upside – The combined company will have a meaningful presence in today’s most influential markets and those with the biggest tailwinds for growth and adult use upside including: NY, NJ, VA, PA, OH, MD, and FL.

Proven Capabilities in Wholesale and Retail

The industry’s leading brand portfolio – #1 market share in the U.S. with strength in every major segment: #1 in branded flower, #1 in concentrates, #1 in vapes and top 5 in edibles, per BDSA.³
Most productive retail banner – Cresco Labs’ Sunnyside retail stores have average annualized revenue per store of over $11 million, the highest of any scaled national operator in the industry.
Industry leading wholesale platform – Pro-forma Q4 2021 wholesale revenue of over $120 million, the highest in the industry.

Balanced Economics

Increased scale and diversification – On a pro-forma basis, the Company expects to have annual revenues in excess of $100 million in 8 different states by 2023 as the combined company increases depth across other markets and diversifies its revenue base.
Improved revenue mix – Increased retail revenue mix to 65% of total, from 47% today (for Cresco standalone), increasing vertical integration and scale to drive profitability improvement.
Opportunity for synergies and de-levering – Ability to increase retail productivity, reduce redundant operational and capital expenses as well as de-lever the organization through the proceeds from the sale of redundant licenses and assets in high-value markets.

Management Commentary

We are incredibly excited to announce this transformative transaction today at a very important time in the development of this industry. This acquisition brings together two of the leading operators in the industry, pairing a leading footprint with proven operational, brand and competitive excellence. The combination is highly complementary and provides unmatched scale, depth, diversification and long-term growth. On a pro-forma basis, the combined Company will be the largest cannabis company by revenue, the number one wholesaler of branded cannabis products, and the largest nationwide retail footprint outside of Florida. The combination of Cresco Labs and Columbia Care accelerates our journey to become the leader in cannabis in a way no other potential transaction could. We look forward to welcoming the incredible Columbia Care team to the Cresco Labs family. I couldn’t be more excited about this enhanced platform and how it furthers the Cresco Labs Vision – to be the most important and impactful company in cannabis.
Charles Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs

“Since our founding, our mission has been to deliver the best outcome for our stakeholders,” said Nicholas Vita, CEO of Columbia Care. “In an evolving industry, the opportunities to better achieve our mission through consolidation led us to this historic moment. With Columbia Care’s strategic national footprint in the most attractive markets and Cresco Labs’ success in execution and incredibly popular brands, we will together create the most important – and the most investable – company in cannabis. Getting to know Charlie, his team, and the culture at Cresco Labs has given me a high level of confidence in the ability to successfully integrate Columbia Care and maximize the tremendous value of the combined footprint.”

Terms of the Transaction

The Transaction will be effected by way of a plan of arrangement pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of each of Cresco Labs and Columbia Care. Columbia Care Shareholders holding approximately 25% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding Columbia Care Shares have committed to enter into voting support agreements with Cresco Labs to vote in favor of the Transaction. After giving effect to the Transaction, Columbia Care Shareholders will hold approximately 35% of pro forma Cresco Labs Shares (on a fully diluted in-the-money, treasury method basis). The Consideration is subject to adjustment in the event that Columbia Care is required to issue shares in satisfaction of an earn-out payment for a prior acquisition, with the potential adjustment in proportion to the additional dilution from such potential issuance relative to Columbia Care’s current fully diluted in-the-money outstanding shares. Additional details of the Transaction, including any adjustment to the Consideration, will be described in the management information circular and proxy statement (the “Circular“) that will be mailed to Columbia Care Shareholders in connection with a special meeting of Columbia Care Shareholders (the “Meeting“) expected to be held in the second quarter to approve the Transaction.

The Transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of each of Cresco Labs and Columbia Care. Columbia Care Shareholders holding approximately 25% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding Columbia Care Shares have committed to enter into voting support agreements with Cresco Labs to vote in favor of the Transaction. Certain Columbia Care Shareholders have also agreed to not transfer a significant portion of their resulting Cresco Labs Shares for up to an eight-month period following closing of the Transaction.

The Arrangement Agreement provides for certain customary provisions, including covenants in respect of non-solicitation of alternative transactions, a right to match superior proposals, a US$65 million termination fee payable to Cresco Labs under certain circumstances.

The Transaction is subject to, among other things, receipt of the necessary approvals of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the approval of two-thirds of the votes cast by Columbia Care Shareholders at the Special Meeting, receipt of the required regulatory approvals, including, but not limited, approval pursuant to the Hart–Scott–Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and other customary conditions of closing. Approval of Cresco Labs Shareholders is not required. Additional details of the Transaction will be provided in the Circular.

Recommendation of the Columbia Care Board

The Board of Directors of Columbia Care (the “Columbia Care Board“) has unanimously determined, after receiving financial and legal advice and following the receipt of a unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee“), that the Transaction is in the best interests of Columbia Care, and that, on the basis of the Fairness Opinions (as defined herein), that the Consideration to be received by the Columbia Care Shareholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Columbia Care Shareholders.

The Columbia Care Board unanimously recommends that Columbia Care Shareholders vote in favor of the resolution to approve the Transaction. The Columbia Care Board obtained a fairness opinion from Canaccord Genuity Corp. (“Canaccord Genuity”) and an independent fairness opinion from ATB Financial Markets Inc., (the “Fairness Opinions”), each which provide that, as at the date of such respective opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, procedures, factors, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the Consideration to be received by the Columbia Care Shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Columbia Care Shareholders.

Financial and Legal Advisors

Stoic Advisory Inc. and Solidum Capital Advisors are acting as financial advisor to Cresco Labs. A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners provided a fairness opinion to Cresco Labs’ Board of Directors. Bennett Jones LLP is acting as Canadian legal advisor to Cresco Labs. Paul Hastings LLP is acting as US legal advisor to Cresco Labs.

Canaccord Genuity is acting as financial advisor to Columbia Care and provided a fairness opinion to the Columbia Care Board. Stikeman Elliott LLP is acting as Canadian legal advisor to Columbia Care. Foley Hoag LLP is acting as US legal advisor to Columbia Care.

Conference Call and Investor Presentation

Cresco Labs will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the financial results and the Arrangement Agreement this morning at 8:30am EST. The Company will provide prepared remarks followed by a Q&A session with Charles Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs, Dennis Olis, CFO of Cresco Labs, Greg Butler, CCO of Cresco Labs, and Nick Vita, CEO of Columbia Care. In addition, the Company has posted an investor presentation with key highlights of the transaction to its investor website.

Dial-in: 1-844-200-6205 (Toll Free), 1-646-904-5544 (US Local), +1 929-526-1599 (Other)

Access Code: 216557

Archived access to the webcast will be available for one year on the Cresco Labs investor relations website.

To read the rest of the Press Release in its entirety, click here.