UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
(Mark One)
For
the fiscal year ended:
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________
Commission
File Number:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
| incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Exactus, Inc. 80 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 28, Delray Beach, FL 33483
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year if Changed Since Last Report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during
the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large Accelerated Filer ☐ | Accelerated Filer ☐ | |
| Smaller reporting company | ||
| Emerging growth company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which
the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s
most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2021, was approximately $
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding as March 15, 2022.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about our new and planned operations in the hemp industry through our subsidiary, Panacea Life Sciences, Inc. (“Panacea” or “PLS”), our expected revenue growth, our future plans and developments with respect to PPE products and the COVID-19 pandemic, research conducted at the Panacea Life Sciences Cannabinoid Lab at Colorado State University and plans, goals and anticipated results in connection therewith, our human resources following our acquisition of Panacea, proposed federal legislation and its potential impact on the CBD industry, our business relationship with XXII, our plans for our current and future products and our marketing and sales strategy including our intention to expand into new markets, our plans to raise capital, and our liquidity. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “intends,” “targets” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this Report. The identification of certain statements as “forward-looking” is not intended to mean that other statements not specifically identified are not forward-looking. All statements other than statements about historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements that relate to our future revenue, product development, customer demand, market acceptance, growth rate, competitiveness, gross margins, and expenditures.
Although forward-looking statements in this Report reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” within Part I, Item 1A of this Report, and other documents we file from time-to-time with the SEC. Such risks, uncertainties and changes in condition, significance, value, and effect could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed herein and in ways not readily foreseeable. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report and are based on information currently and reasonably known to us. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Report, other than as required by law. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Report, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
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PART I
Item 1. Business
General
Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a seed to sale cannabinoid and nutraceutical manufacturer and research company that produces purposeful, natural pharmaceutical alternatives for consumers and pets. We manufacture and sell softgels, gummies, tinctures, sublingual tablets, cosmetics, and other topicals. The Company operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Panacea Life Sciences, Inc. (“PLS” or “Panacea”), which the Company acquired in a reverse merger in June 2021. Panacea was founded by Leslie Buttorff in 2017 as a woman-owned business. Panacea was formed to own and engage in creating disruptive healthcare and veterinary solutions with a specific focus on hemp. In 2020 PLS also expanded into the Personal Protection Equipment (“PPE”) business on a temporary basis.
Recent Developments
Effective October 25, 2021 we completed the 1-for-28 reverse stock split as well as the name change from Exactus, Inc. to Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.
On October 25, 2021, of the 10,649,078 shares of EXDI Common Stock issued to Quintel-MC, Incorporated (an affiliate of our Chief Executive Officer) were exchanged for 100 shares of Series C-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Parent C-2 Stock”) which are convertible into 7,321,429 shares of Parent Common Stock and are entitled to vote on an as-converted basis. Other than the conversion and voting rights, there are no other preferences for the Parent C-2 Stock.
On November 18, 2021, the Company and an institutional investor signed an agreement for a $1.1 million original issue discount convertible note (the “Note”) financing in which the investor is paying $1 million in gross proceeds. The one-year Note is convertible into common stock at $1.40 per share. We also issued the investor 785,715 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $1.40 per share. The warrants are exercisable over a five-year period beginning May 18, 2022. The parties also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement giving the investor certain demand registration rights. After payment of a 10% commission to a broker-dealer, the adjusted net proceeds received by us were $900,000 before expenses including legal fees of the investor.
On March 3, 2022, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement (the “Agreement”) with an institutional investor (the “Investor”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue a 10% original issue discount senior convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $385,000 (the “Note”) and five-year warrants to purchase 275,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share at an exercise price of $1.40 per share (the “Warrants”) in exchange for 350 shares of the Company’s 0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A”). The Agreement was entered into after the Investor exercised the most favored nation rights contained in Section 7(b) of the Company’s Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A in connection with the consummation of a private placement with an institutional investor (the “Purchaser”) on November 18, 2021.
Our Competitive Analysis
We believe that our competitive advantages are derived from being vertically integrated that allows for extraction, enrichment and manufacturing under a cGMP quality environment: 1) Using pharmaceutical formulation methods to optimize the delivery of various hemp products, 2) Developing both full spectrum and THC-free products, 3) Hemp supply, and 4) utilize Good Manufacturing Practice to produce goods that are safe and quality products that deliver consistent dosing. The ability to produce both full spectrum products (those that contain 0.3%) and THC-free products allows us to optimize dosage and delivery to various human conditions. Removal of the THC from products is a difficult and expensive process, but we believe this is essential for specific patient populations; such as, athletes where testing positive for THC would lead to disqualification, first responders who would be terminated for testing positive for THC, and in animal products where even a small amount of THC can lead to toxicity and potential lethality. Industrial hemp extracts are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage and increasing speed of recovery with traumatic brain injury. The cannabinoids have also been reported to treat human disease conditions where currently multiple pharmacologicals are needed to address, e.g., Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or where there is no current cure such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, and age-related dementia, to name a few.
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Although numerous reports describe cannabis/hemp extract health benefits the industry lacks sufficient clinical data and quality control to provide patient benefit. We are combining human and pet clinical studies with Good Manufacturing Process manufacturing to generate a panel of products. Our products are formulated with delivery methods for health benefits including an intellectual property portfolio enabling development of topical creams, sublinguals, oral soft gel capsules, patches, and sprays. Our products are derived from organic practices industrial hemp grown in Colorado.
We believe a multitude (hundreds) of companies, large and small, have launched or intend to launch retail brands and white label products containing cannabinoids like CBD, including retail and seed-to-sale companies that are larger and better capitalized than we are and/or which offer products similar to ours with a larger geographic scope of operations and a market presence. Many of these are dependent upon third parties to provide raw material inventory for sale. We believe this makes many of the participants in the industry vulnerable to shortages, quality issues, reliability, and pricing variability. Our industry relationships may allow us to build an efficient supply chain that will put us among the few companies that maintain a competitive pricing and supply advantage. The CBD-based consumer product industry is highly fragmented with numerous companies. There are also large, well-funded companies that currently do not offer hemp-based consumer products including large agribusiness companies but may do so in the future and become significant competitors. Our goal is to be a leader in wholesale and retail sales channels for end-products, such as nutraceuticals, supplements and pet and farm products. As government regulation of CBD and related products becomes more lenient in certain jurisdictions, and other barriers to entry decline, we anticipate experiencing an increase in competition and an intensifying competitive environment, including potentially the introduction of new seed-to-sale companies and/or the expansion of operations by current competitors. Further, numerous other factors are expected to be critical to our ability to be and remain competitive in our business and goals, including product quality and prices, brand strength, production and distribution capabilities and geographic scope of operations and market presence. Additionally, market conditions can shift demand for CBD products, such as competitive pricing, the effects of inflation, regulatory changes and economic or geopolitical turmoil.
Our Intellectual Property
We operate in every segment of the cannabinoid product value chain. From the hemp plant to finished goods, we ensure our products with stringent testing protocols employed at every stage of the supply chain. In year 2021 we obtained registration for three of our six brands and our mark. Panacea endeavors to offer pure natural remedies within product lines for every aspect of life, Our portfolio includes the following trademarks and registrations: PANA Health™, PANA Beauty®, PANA Sport™, PANA Pet®, PANA Life® and PANA Pure™ and our PANA logo mark™.
Research and Development
In October 2021, the Panacea Life Sciences Cannabinoid Lab at Colorado State University, or CSU, was opened. The cannabinoid research center is conducting numerous studies and clinical research with the goal of extending our knowledge of how cannabis extracts affect human and animal health. We will work through the center to form multiple research collaborations as well as perform our own studies in multiple therapeutic areas. The lab is housed in the Chemistry Building in the heart of the CSU campus. The objective is to develop the center into a leader in cannabinoid research nation- and world-wide as the industry continues to grow. Panacea and CSU will work collaboratively on new projects and clinical research studies.
Our Sales Strategy
As previously described, since our products contain little to no THC, we have the ability to sell our products across the United States and internationally. We have established a multi-faceted sales strategy targeting:
| ● | global ecommerce platform for fulfilling orders and shipping worldwide where legally permitted; | |
| ● | direct pharmacy placement; | |
| ● | direct placement in retail stores, salons, spas, athletic facilities, etc. | |
| ● | Intelligent vending machines | |
| ● | Kiosks in Denver International Airport | |
| ● | E-commerce based systems and social media |
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In addition, we have established several other sales channels via sales representatives (“reps”), e-commerce (selling directly to customers), large bulk sales to suppliers and to dispensaries. We are working to establish a multi-tiered sales strategy focused on utilizing representatives for education and sales. The sales team is comprised of independent representatives (1099 consultants) that are compensated by commission only. We have over 20 sales reps that have signed up to be in the sales channel. The e-commerce sales platform also works with the commissioned based sales. All sales commissions are tracked and paid via our integrated systems.
We also manufacture products for several other companies for various white label and contract manufacturing deals. We specialize in bovine and vegan soft gel manufacturing. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these business lines were approximately 30% of our revenue. We plan to reinitiate these product lines in 2022.
Marketing and Distribution
We distribute our products to various businesses across the United States through channels optimized to the individual needs of customers. Our business to business (B2B) as well as business to customer (B2C) approaches allow much flexibility for healthcare providers the ability to recommend specific treatment options using cannabinoids as a replacement for conventional pharmaceuticals.
We are recruiting key service providers to leverage the power of online sales and social media placement. We have placed products on various online cannabidiol (CBD) sales stores and has launched product sales on Amazon.com. As product ambassadors are secured, we intend to increase its online and social media exposure to advance a business-to-consumer and business to business distribution model.
In 2021, we engaged Karsh Hagan, an independent, multi-disciplined marketing, design and technology company in Denver, Colorado to assist with brand development and roll out strategies. Currently we sell over 60 different product SKUs of CBD and Cannabigerol (CBG) products. In addition, we offer “white label” licensing to retail businesses and contract manufacturing services to smaller CBD companies. We plan to continue to build an integrated healthcare organization by creating products and programs using emerging botanical extracts. We deliver these programs through managed agriculture, pharmaceutical production, physician education, distribution and social media networks. We use our intellectual property in extraction technology, proprietary compounds, delivery systems, and distribution to produce high-quality products in terms of control, consistency, accountability, and packaging.
All of our products are stored in a secure distribution area in preparation for delivery to various sales channels, healthcare providers and other retail locations. The laboratory and production facility have the capacity for domestic and international delivery fulfillment and for international export. All products are tracked and securely manifested for delivery to retail and medical offices for distribution.
In 2018, our operating subsidiary PLS, a Colorado corporation, entered into an agreement with Canna Software/Quintel-MC, Incorporated, a related party, to research and define Panacea Life Sciences business and manufacturing processes. The ERPCannabis system based on an SAP architecture was used to develop the base installation. All financial, human resource, payroll, procurement, production planning and materials management business processes are represented in this system. In addition, the system is linked to our e-Commerce web site. This system allows us to update product costing and determine inventory levels which will be critical as the company expands. In addition, sophisticated financial and payroll processing are inherent in the solution; thus, offering investors detailed accounting results related to company investments. (See Note 6 under related party transactions in Notes Payable.)
Our Industrial Hemp Supply
In 2019, Panacea Life Sciences acquired Needle Rock Farms (NRF) in Crawford, Colorado. Our 2020 hemp crop was grown at NeedleRock Farms. Also, in December, 2019 Twenty Second Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII) (“XXII”) made a $14 million investment in Panacea which consisted of $7 million in preferred stock and $7 million in convertible debt. XXII also was to provide an additional $10 million in funding at a later point in time. On June 30, 2021 Panacea and XXII agreed to dissolve the agreement and agreed on the following: the preferred stock was converted to common stock; a $4.3 million loan was secured against the laboratory space owned by JN Real Estate, LLC (owned by Panacea’s CEO), the NRF and equipment would be transferred to XXII in exchange for a reduction of $2.2 million in convertible debt, 10 acres of the farm would be sub platted to Panacea, $500,000 in hemp would be delivered from the 2021 crop yield, and a 15-year agreement for hemp supply would be finalized after the deal was completed. In 2021 XXII was the grower at NRF and used organic practices for the crop. As of the date of this Report, XXII has not delivered the $500,000 of hemp to Panacea, nor have we closed on the 10 acres. However, we also have the 2020 crop and several hemp tolling contracts in which the output of crude and or distillate is shared with the growers to process.
Biotechnology Goals
We seek to take advantage of an emerging worldwide trend to utilize the production of cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp, such as CBD, CBDA, CBG, and other minor cannabinoids, to produce consumer products. Hemp is being used in cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and animal feed, where we also intend to focus our efforts. The market for hemp-derived products is expected to increase substantially over the next five years.
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The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids is attributable to the valuable overlap between phyto-cannabinoids (i.e., plant-derived cannabinoids) and the endogenous cannabinoid system in humans, termed a “therapeutic handshake”. Clinical trials demonstrate few adverse effects from oral CBD doses of up to 1,500 mg/day. The scientific understanding of the hemp plant’s clinical effects is based mostly on studies in specific indications, like epilepsy. One company, GW Pharmaceuticals pls, a company developing pharmaceutical drugs and cannabinoid-based medicines, has sought and obtained US and foreign approvals since 2018. EPIDIOLEX®/EPIDYOLEX® (cannabidiol), the first prescription, plant-derived cannabis-based medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the U.S. and the European Commission (EC) for use in Europe, is an oral solution which contains highly purified CBD. In the U.S., EPIDIOLEX® is indicated for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) in patients one year of age and older. Panacea has produced a similar product for sale.
Environmental Matters
Compliance with federal, state and local requirements regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had, nor is expected to have, any direct material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.
Government Regulations
On December 20, 2018, the President of the United States signed the Farm Bill into law. Among other things, this new law changed certain federal laws relating to the production and marketing of hemp, defined as cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), and hemp products containing less than 0.3 percent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, including removing hemp and derivatives of hemp from the Controlled Substance Act. On January 15, 2021 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued its final rule regarding the Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program which authorized hemp to be grown and processed legally in the United States and made it legal to transport in interstate commerce.
The Farm Bill recognizes hemp as distinct from its genetic cousin, marijuana, and specifically industrial hemp has been excluded from U.S. federal drug laws. The Farm Bill allows for each individual state to regulate industrial hemp and industrial hemp-based products or accept the USDA rules. Although no longer a controlled substance under federal law, cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp (other than THC) are still subject to a patchwork of state regulations. We are actively monitoring the regulations and proposed regulations in each state to ensure our operations are compliant.
In conjunction with the enactment of the Farm Bill, the FDA released a statement about the status of CBD and the agency’s actions in the short term with regards to CBD are expected to continue to influence the industry. The statement noted that the Farm Bill explicitly preserved the FDA’s authority to regulate products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds under Section 351 of the Public Health Service Act. This authority allows the FDA to continue enforcing the law to protect patients and the public while also providing potential regulatory pathways for products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds. The statement also noted the growing public interest in cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including CBD, and informed the public that the FDA will treat products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds as it does any other FDA-regulated products — meaning the products will be subject to the same authorities and requirements as FDA-regulated products containing any other substance, regardless of the source of the substance, including whether the substance is derived from a plant that is classified as hemp under the Farm Bill.
As of the date of this Report, and based upon publicly available information, to our knowledge the FDA has not taken any enforcement actions against CBD companies. The FDA, however, has sent warning letters to companies demanding they cease and desist from the production, distribution, or advertising of CBD products, only relating to instances that such CBD companies have made misleading and unapproved label claims. We will continue to monitor the FDA’s position on CBD. In December 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it was going to seek penalties against companies making deceptive marketing claims and named 6 companies which it had targeted for making egregious and unsupported health claims. On March 5, 2021, the FTC approved the final administrative consent orders with all 6 companies. We are unaware of any further actions and we will continue to monitor the FTC’s position with regards to deceptive marketing claims.
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We are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws, including laws protecting the privacy of customer non-public information and the handling of customer complaints and regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices. The growth and demand for online commerce has and may continue to result in more stringent consumer protection laws that impose additional compliance burdens on online companies. These laws may cover issues such as user privacy, spyware and the tracking of consumer activities, marketing e-mails and communications, other advertising and promotional practices, money transfers, pricing, product safety, content and quality of products and services, taxation, electronic contracts and other communications and information security.
There is also great uncertainty over whether or how existing laws governing issues such as sales and other taxes, auctions, libel, and personal privacy apply to the internet and commercial online services. These issues may take years to resolve. For example, tax authorities in a number of states, as well as a Congressional advisory commission, are currently reviewing the appropriate tax treatment of companies engaged in online commerce, and new state tax regulations may subject us to additional state sales and income taxes. New legislation or regulation, the application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business or the application of existing laws and regulations to the internet and commercial online services or other contexts applicable to our operations could result in significant additional taxes or regulatory restrictions on our business. These taxes or restrictions could have an adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations and overall financial condition. Furthermore, there is a possibility that we may be subject to significant fines or other payments for any past failures to comply with these requirements.
Potential Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business Operations
As disclosed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a notable impact on general economic conditions, including but not limited to the temporary closures of many businesses, “shelter in place” and other governmental regulations, reduced business and consumer spending due to both job losses and reduced investing activity, among many other effects attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there continue to be many unknowns. During 2020, COVID-19 had a significant impact on our CBD operations. Recognizing the sudden need for personal protective equipment, we shifted our business to importing and selling PPE hand sanitizers and masks.
The Omicron variant which had a significant impact in the second half of 2021 and early 2022. While a new variant is replacing Omicron, the economy has substantially reopened and it is uncertain as the impact it may have. The duration and extent of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate of the virus and its many variants, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions including vaccinations and the impact of these and other factors on our employees, customers, partners and vendors. If we are not able to respond to and manage the impact of such events effectively, our business will be harmed.
Potential Impacts of Certain Current and Proposed Regulations on Our Business and Operations
Recently, a bill titled the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, put forward by Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, would amend the definition of a dietary supplement to remove the prohibition on marketing CBD as a dietary supplement. Management sees the bill, if enacted, as an opportunity for the FDA to accelerate their decision to classify CBD products as a dietary supplement. This would be a significant step for hemp/CBD companies as it would open the door to new selling opportunities, such as getting into retail stores, who have largely been hesitant to welcome CBD in their doors without a clear position from the FDA.
Many people are increasingly turning to CBD products for several reasons: CBD is non-psychoactive, so it does not produce a “high” like THC, there are few known contraindications, the properties of different cannabinoids can positively affect a wide range of ailments, and cannabinoids work directly and indirectly with the body’s endocannabinoid system to create balance known as homeostasis. As demand increases, we believe the FDA must provide more clarity about CBD’s legalization, and this bill is a promising first step.
Human Capital
On December 31, 2021 we had 35 employees, including 29 full-time employees. There are no collective bargaining agreements covering any of our employees. Panacea is registered as a Woman-Owned Business as its founder, majority shareholder and CEO is female.
We believe that our success depends on our ability to attract, develop and retain key personnel. We believe that the skills, experience and industry knowledge of our key employees significantly benefit our operations and performance.
Employee health and safety in the workplace is one of our core values. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored for us the importance of keeping our employees safe and healthy. In response to the pandemic, we have taken actions aligned with the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an effort to protect our workforce so they can more safely and effectively perform their work. Panacea does not have a remote workforce.
Employee levels are managed to align with the pace of business and management believes it has sufficient human capital to operate its business successfully.
Additional information
We file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers such as our company that file electronically with the SEC.
Our corporate website address is www.panacealife.com. We make available free of charge, through the Investor section of our website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information which appears on our corporate website is not part of this Report.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Investors should carefully consider the following Risk Factors before deciding whether to invest in us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair our business operations or our financial condition. If any of the events discussed in the Risk Factors below occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, the value and marketability of our common stock could decline.
Summary Risk Factors
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that you should consider before investing in our common stock. Set forth below is a summary of the principal risks we face:
| ● | We need to raise capital through the sale of our common stock or securities convertible or exercisable into our common stock soon which will have a dilutive effect on our existing stockholders; | |
| ● | Our ability to continue as a going concern is in doubt unless we obtain adequate new debt or equity financing and achieve sufficient sales levels; | |
| ● | Because we require additional capital to execute our business plan and expand our operations, our inability to generate and obtain such capital on acceptable terms, or at all, could harm our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects; | |
| ● | We are highly dependent on our Chief Executive Officer, and the loss of her services or a conflict of interest arising from her loans to us and her other business endeavors would adversely affect us; | |
| ● | Our business and the CBD industry generally are subject to substantial regulation and governmental scrutiny characterized by high compliance costs and uncertainty, including the possibility that laws change in a manner adverse to us; | |
| ● | the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. and global economy, and the uncertainty relating to its continuation and the pace of economic recovery, could hinder our business plan or force us to change our production efforts; | |
| ● | Panacea’s operations and our new Chief Executive Officer were not previously subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reporting obligations, which could render us difficult to evaluate and expose us to risk; | |
| ● | If we are unable to keep up with rapid technological change, consumer preferences and economic developments in our industry or in general, our products may become obsolete. | |
| ● | We could become subject to data privacy and security claims or enforcement actions, particularly due to our digital marketing efforts; | |
| ● | We may become subject to product liability or related claims based on our production and sale of products containing chemical compounds designed to be ingested or applied topically; | |
| ● | Our Chief Executive Officer, directly and through entities she controls, owns a majority of our outstanding common stock and voting power on an as-converted basis, rendering other stockholders’ ability to influence matters before them limited in most cases; and | |
| ● | Operational risks such as material weaknesses and other deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could result in errors, potentially requiring restatements of our historical financial data, leading investors to lose confidence in our reported results. |
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Our ability to continue as a going concern is in doubt unless we obtain adequate new debt or equity financing and achieve sufficient sales levels.
Our auditors have issued their audit opinion which is qualified based upon our ability to continue as a going concern. We have incurred significant net losses to date. We anticipate that we will continue to lose money for the foreseeable future. Additionally, we have negative cash flows from operations and we our revenue may exceed our expenses in the next 12 months. Since our inception in 2017, we have generated losses from operations. As of December 31, 2021, our accumulated deficit was $16.8 million, and we had $3.8 million in cash and liquid stock. Our continued existence is dependent upon generating sufficient working capital and obtaining adequate new debt or equity financing. These factors raise doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the issuance date of this Report. Management cannot provide assurance that we will ultimately achieve or maintain profitable operations or become cash flow positive or raise additional debt and/or equity capital. Because of our continuing losses, without improvements in our cash flow from operations or new financing, we may have to continue to restrict our expenditures. Working capital limitations may impinge on our day-to-day operations, which may contribute to continued operating losses.
Operational risks such as material weaknesses and other deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could result in errors, potentially requiring restatements of our historical financial data, leading investors to lose confidence in our reported results.
There are a number of factors that may impede our efforts to establish and maintain effective internal controls and a sound accounting infrastructure, including our lacking a Chief Financial Officer, our pace of growth, and general uncertainty regarding the operating effectiveness and sustainability of controls. Controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, provide only reasonable assurance that material errors in our financial statements will be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Any failure to establish and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting increases the risk of material error and/or delay in our financial reporting. Depending on the nature of a failure and any required remediation, ineffective controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and potentially result in additional restatements of our historical financial results. Financial restatements or other issues arising from ineffective controls and our recent change of our auditors could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would have an adverse effect on the trading price of our securities. Delays in meeting our financial reporting obligations could affect our ability to maintain the listing of our securities. Although we seek to reduce these risks through active efforts relating to properly documented processes, adequate systems, risk culture, compliance with regulations, corporate governance and other factors supporting internal controls, such procedures may not be effective in limiting each of the operational risks.
Risks Related to Our Business and the CBD Industry
Because we need to raise additional capital any financing based on our common stock or common stock equivalents will dilute our existing stockholders and the terms of any such financing could impose restrictions on our operations.
We have depended upon loans from our Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder and prior to November 18, 2021, we have primarily financed our operations by borrowing funds from her. On November 18, 2021, we entered into an agreement with an institutional investor for a $1.1 million original issue discount convertible note. See Item 1, Business. We will require additional capital to execute our business plan and we do not know if investors will be interested in purchasing additional shares our common stock or common stock equivalents or, if any financing will be on terms that are less attractive to us. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of common stock or common stock equivalents, our stockholders will be diluted. Further, the terms of such financings may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of existing stockholders. Debt financings may involve an equity component, such as convertible notes and warrants, which could also result in dilution of our existing stockholders’ ownership. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed payment obligations and could also result in certain restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our use of the proceeds, prohibitions on incurring additional debt or making subsequent dilutive issuances of securities, limitations on our ability to acquire or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. Additionally, if we were to default on such indebtedness, we could lose any assets and intellectual property with which the indebtedness is secured. We received no additional cash proceeds from this transaction.
Because, we are highly dependent on the services of Leslie Buttorff, our Chief Executive Officer, the loss of her and our inability to expand our management team, could harm our business.
Our success is largely dependent on the continued services of Leslie Buttorff, our Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder. The loss of the services of Ms. Buttorff would leave us without executive leadership, which could diminish our business and growth opportunities. Additionally, Ms. Buttorff has business interests outside our company, including as an owner and officer of a consulting company and of a real estate holding company each of which hold shares in us as a result of the recent share exchange under the Exchange Agreement. Accordingly, from time-to-time she may not devote her full time and attention to our affairs, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, and there can be no assurance that a conflict of interest will not arise from her other business ventures. Further, as of December 31, 2021, Ms. Buttorff holds demand promissory notes totaling $9,704,894 at various interest rates ranging from 0% to 12%. Thus, she has the power to call the notes and obtain all of our assets. As of this date of this Report, additional funds have been borrowed. Additionally, we have a line of credit with Ms. Buttorff through which it may borrow up to $1 million at a 10% annual interest rate. The fact that she continues to advance money and is our principal stockholder reflects her intent to support us.
We will also need to build an executive management team around Ms. Buttorff, including locating and hiring a Chief Financial Officer and other executive officers, which could be a time consuming and expensive process and divert management’s attention from other pressing matters concerning our operations or growth. The market for highly qualified personnel in this industry is very competitive and we may be unable to attract such personnel in a timely manner, on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to attract and retain the required personnel, our business could be harmed.
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The loss of Ms. Buttorff would have a material adverse effect on us. We do not have key man insurance on the life of Ms. Buttorff. Ms. Buttorff’s Employment Agreement with us (the “Employment Agreement”) permits her to resign for good reason which includes our material breach of the Employment Agreement including our failure to pay her. In the event Ms. Buttorff terminates her Employment Agreement for good reason, this would result in the us owing her approximately $760,000 in severance pay plus any earned bonuses and other benefits and would leave us without an executive officer which may have a material adverse effect upon us, your investment, and hamper our ability to continue operations. As of this date, the Company has not paid Ms. Buttorff a salary and continues to accrue this liability. If we fail to procure the services of additional executive management or implement and execute an effective contingency or succession plan for Ms. Buttorff, the loss of Ms. Buttorff would significantly disrupt our business from which we may not be able to recover.
If we are unable to develop and maintain our brand and reputation for our product offerings, our business and prospects could be materially harmed.
Our business and prospects depend, in part, on developing and then maintaining and strengthening our brand and reputation in the markets we serve. If problems with our products cause our customers to have a negative experience or failure or delay in the delivery of our products to our customers, our brand and reputation could be diminished. If we fail to develop, promote and maintain our brand and reputation successfully, our business and prospects could be materially harmed.
Because we face intense competition, we may not be able to increase our market share which would materially and adversely affect us.
Our industry is highly competitive. It is possible that future competitors could enter our market, thereby causing us to lose market share and revenues or fail to grow our operations and market presence as intended or at all. In addition, some of our current competitors have, or future competitors may have, significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do or may have more experience or advantages in the markets in which we will compete that will allow them to offer lower prices or higher quality products. If we do not successfully compete with these competitors, we could fail to develop a sufficient market share to achieve our goals and our future business prospects could be materially adversely affected.
The pet health and wellness industry is highly competitive. We compete on the basis of product and ingredient quality, product availability, palatability, brand awareness, loyalty and trust, product variety and innovation, product packaging and design, reputation, price and convenience and promotional efforts. The pet products and services retail industry has become increasingly competitive due to the expansion of pet-related product offerings by certain supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and other mass and general retail and online merchandisers and the entrance of other specialty retailers into the pet food and pet supply market.
We face direct competition from companies that sell various pet health and wellness products at a lower price point and distribute such products to traditional retailers, which are larger than we are and have greater financial resources. Price gaps between products may result in market share erosion and harm our business. Our current and potential competitors may also establish cooperative or strategic relationships amongst themselves or with third parties that may further enhance their resources and offerings. Further, it is possible that domestic or foreign companies, some with greater experience in the pet health and wellness industry or greater financial resources than we possess, will seek to provide products or services that compete directly or indirectly with ours in the future.
Many of our current competitors have, and potential competitors may have, longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources and larger customer bases than we do. These factors may allow our competitors to derive greater net sales and profits from their existing customer base, acquire customers at lower costs or respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in consumer preferences or habits. These competitors may engage in more extensive research and development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns and adopt more aggressive pricing policies (including but not limited to predatory pricing policies and the provision of substantial discounts), which may allow them to build larger customer bases or generate net sales from their customer bases more effectively than we do.
Our competitors may be able to identify and adapt to changes in consumer preferences more quickly than us due to their resources and scale. They may also be more successful in marketing and selling their products, better able to increase prices to reflect cost pressures and better able to increase their promotional activity, which may impact us and the entire pet health and wellness industry. Increased competition as to any of our products could result in price reduction, increased costs, reduced margins and loss of market share, which could negatively affect our profitability. While we believe we are better equipped to customize products for the pet health and wellness market generally as compared to other companies in the industry, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete against these other companies. Expansion into markets served by our competitors and entry of new competitors or expansion of existing competitors into our markets could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may face difficulties as we expand our business and operations into jurisdictions in which we have no prior operating experience.
We plan in the future to expand our operations and business into jurisdictions outside of the jurisdictions where we currently carry on business. There can be no assurance that any market for our products will develop in any such foreign jurisdiction. We may face new or unexpected risks or significantly increase our exposure to one or more existing risk factors, including economic instability, new competition, changes in laws and regulations, including the possibility that we could be in violation of these laws and regulations as a result of such changes, and the effects of competition. These factors may limit our capability to successfully expand our operations in, or export our products to, those other jurisdictions.
We must accurately forecast demand for all of our products in order to ensure that we have enough products available to meet the needs of our customers. Our forecasts are based on multiple assumptions that may cause our estimates to be inaccurate and affect our ability to obtain adequate third-party contract manufacturing capacity in order to meet the demand for our products. If we do not accurately align our manufacturing capabilities with demand, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
In addition, we must continuously monitor our inventory and product mix against forecasted demand. If we underestimate demand, we risk having inadequate supplies. We also face the risk of having too much inventory on hand that may reach its expiration date and become unsalable, and we may be forced to rely on markdowns or promotional sales to dispose of excess or slow-moving inventory. If we are unable to manage our supply chain effectively, our operating costs could increase and our profit margins could decrease.
Because the sale of our products involves the potential for product liability, we may incur significant losses and expenses in excess of our insurance coverage.
We face an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims if the use of our products results in, or is believed to have resulted in, illness or injury. Our products are designed for ingestible or topical use and contain combinations of ingredients, and there is little experience with or knowledge of the long-term effects of these combinations. In addition, interactions of these ingredients and products with other products, prescription medications and over-the-counter treatments have not been fully explored or understood and may have unintended consequences. Future research or results may lead to the discovery of unknown adverse side effects from CBD, which would harm our business and materially and adversely affect our financial condition.
Although we believe all of our products will be safe when taken as directed by us, there is little long-term research on the effects of human consumption of certain of the new product ingredients or combinations in concentrated form that we use or may in the future use in developing our CBD products. Any instance of illness or negative side effects of ingesting CBD products or applying them topically on the skin could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations by, among other things, exposing us to the risk of costly litigation and/or governmental sanctions and dramatically reducing the demand for some or all of our products.
Any product liability claim or related developments from our products or CBD in general may increase our costs and adversely affect our revenue, product demand and operating results. Moreover, liability claims arising from a serious adverse event may increase our costs through higher insurance premiums and deductibles and may make it more difficult to secure adequate insurance coverage in the future. In addition, our product liability insurance may fail to cover future product liability claims, which, if adversely determined, could subject us to substantial monetary damages. Finally, we may sustain a judgment in excess of our insurance coverage.
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The success of our business will depend upon our ability to create and expand our brand awareness.
The health and wellness and CBD markets we compete in are highly competitive, with many well-known brands leading the industry. Our competitors include CBD companies who have a longer history operating in these markets than we do. Our ability to compete effectively and generate revenue will be based upon our ability to create and expand awareness of our products distinct from those of our competitors. It is imperative that we are able to convey to consumers the benefits of our products both in general and as compared to competitive offerings. However, advertising, packaging and labeling of our products is limited by various regulations. Our success will be dependent upon our ability to convey to consumers that our products are superior to those of our competitors while complying with complex and varying regulations in the markets in which we attempt to market and sell them.
If we fail to develop and introduce new products it will adversely affect our future prospects.
Our industry is subject to rapid change. New products are constantly introduced to the market. Our ability to remain competitive depends in part on our ability to enhance existing products, to develop and manufacture new products in a timely and cost-effective manner, to adequately anticipate, prepare and execute strategies for market transitions, and to effectively market our products. Management believes that our future financial results will depend to a great extent on the successful expansion of our current product offerings and on the development and introduction of new products. We cannot be certain that we will be successful in selecting, developing, manufacturing and marketing new products or in improving upon or enhancing the market for existing products.
The success of new product introductions or expansions to new territories depends on various factors, including, without limitation, the following:
| ● | Successful sales and marketing efforts; |
| ● | Timely delivery of the products; |
| ● | Availability of raw materials and/or sufficient production facilities; |
| ● | Pricing of raw materials and labor; |
| ● | Regulatory allowance and restrictions of the products; and |
| ● | Market acceptance and consumer sentiment. |
If we fail to appropriately respond to changing consumer preferences and demand for new products, it could significantly harm our customer relationships and product sales and harm our operating results and financial condition.
Our business is subject to changing consumer trends and preferences, especially with respect to targeted nutrition and natural wellness products. Our success will depend in part on our ability to anticipate and respond to these changes, and we may not respond in a timely or commercially appropriate manner to such changes. Furthermore, the health and wellness industry is characterized by rapid and frequent changes in demand for products and new product introductions and enhancements. Our failure to accurately predict these trends could negatively impact consumer opinion of our products, which in turn could harm our customer relationships and product demands and cause the loss of sales. The success of our product offerings depends upon a number of factors, including our ability to:
| ● | Accurately anticipate consumer needs; |
| ● | Successfully commercialize new products or product enhancements in a timely manner; |
| ● | Price our products competitively; |
| ● | Arrange for the production and delivery our products in sufficient volumes and in a timely manner; |
| ● | Differentiate our products from those of our competitors; and |
| ● | Innovate and develop new products or product enhancements that meet these trends. |
If we do not meet these challenges, some of our products could be rendered obsolete, which could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.
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Adverse publicity associated with our products or ingredients, or those of our competitors or similar businesses, could adversely affect our sales and revenue.
Adverse publicity concerning any actual or purported failure by us or our competitors to comply with applicable laws and regulations or concerning any other aspect of our business or the CBD industry could have an adverse effect on the public perception of us and our products. This, in turn, could negatively affect our ability to obtain financing, endorsers and attract distributors, retailers or consumers for our products, which would have a material adverse effect
Our distributors’ and customers’ perception of the safety, utility and quality of our products or even similar products distributed by others can be significantly influenced by national media attention, publicized scientific research or findings, product liability claims and other publicity concerning our products or similar products distributed by others. Adverse publicity, whether or not accurate, that causes a perceived connection between consumption of our products or any similar products and illness or other adverse effects, will likely diminish the public’s perception of and in turn the demand for our products. Claims that any products are ineffective, inappropriately labeled or have inaccurate instructions as to their use, could have a material adverse effect on the market demand for our products, including reducing our sales and revenue, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
If we are unable to manufacture our products in sufficient quantities or at defined quality specifications or are unable to maintain regulatory approvals for our production facility, we may be unable to develop or meet demand for our products and lose time to market and potential revenues.
Commercialization of our products require access to, or development of, facilities to manufacture a sufficient supply of our products. In the future we may face difficulties in the development, production or distribution of our products. We may need to outsource the testing or manufacturing process or other aspects of our commercialization efforts, and
We may face competition for access to any third-party supply sources, development or production partners and facilities such as hemp growers and may be subject to production delays if any of those third parties give their other business partners a higher priority than they give to us. Even if we are able to identify additional or replacement third-parties, the delays and costs associated with establishing and maintaining a relationship with such third parties may have a material adverse effect on us. Further, a reduction in the control of our production efforts would be inherent in any such outsourcing, which exposes us to a greater risk of liability, including regulatory enforcement actions for alleged noncompliance with law and product liability claims. This could also result in lower product quality which could negatively impact demand for our offerings or our competitive advantage. Any of these challenges could prevent us from achieving our business objectives and harm your investment in us.
If the market opportunities for our current and potential future products are less lucrative than anticipated, our ability to generate revenues may be adversely affected and our business may suffer.
Our understanding, expectation and estimates of the market for our current and future products may prove to be incorrect, and new test results or studies, reports, legislative or regulatory developments or other factors beyond our control may result in the market for our products being lower than anticipated on a regional, national or global scale. The number of individuals in the U.S. who are willing to purchase our products may be lower than expected, or expectations for repetitive purchases and consumption may prove to be incorrect. These occurrences could materially adversely affect our prospects and operational results.
If we are unable to establish relationships with third parties to carry out sales, marketing, and distribution functions or to create effective marketing, sales, and distribution capabilities, we will be unable to market our products successfully.
Our business strategy includes using third parties to market and sell the products at the retail level. There can be no assurance that we will successfully be able to establish marketing, sales, or distribution relationships with a sufficient number of third parties to meet our goals, that such relationships, if established, will be successful, or that we will be successful in gaining market acceptance for current or future products. To the extent that we enter into any marketing, sales, or distribution arrangements with third parties, our product revenues per unit sold are expected to be lower than
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if we marketed, sold, and distributed our products directly, and any revenues we receive will depend upon the efforts of such third parties.
If we are unable to establish such third-party marketing and sales relationships, we would have to establish and grow in-house marketing and sales capabilities. To market any products directly, we would have to build a marketing, sales, and distribution force that has technical expertise and could support a distribution capability. Competition in the health and wellness and CBD industries for technically proficient marketing, sales, and distribution personnel is intense, and attracting and retaining such personnel may significantly increase our costs. There can be no assurance that we will be able to establish internal marketing, sales, or distribution capabilities or that these capabilities will be sufficient to meet our needs.
We face and may continue to face business disruption and related risks arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had and could continue to have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our production and development and sale of our products has been and could continue to be materially adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, we began producing and selling personal protective equipment such as hand sanitizer and face masks in 2020. In 2021, sales levels declined as the pandemic began to be contained. We rely upon CBD sales in retail stores including convenience stores and have not created a material online sales presence. Sales of our CBD products declined as a result of the pandemic, due in part to decreased demand caused by economic hardship and uncertainty and production challenges caused by supply shortages and the lockdowns. While vaccinations beginning in 2021 allowed for the reopening of the economy, the recent “Delta” and “Omicron” variants of the virus, potential new variants of the virus, as well as reduced efficacy of vaccines over time and the possibility that a large number of people decline to get vaccinated or receive booster shots, creates inherent uncertainty as to the future of our business, our industry and the economy in general in light of the pandemic.
We are still assessing our business plans and the impact COVID-19 may have on our ability to commercialize our products, but there can be no assurance that this analysis will enable us to avoid or mitigate part or all of any impact from the spread of COVID-19 or its consequences, including macroeconomic downturns. The duration and extent of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate of the virus and its many variants, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions including vaccinations and the impact of these and other factors on our employees, customers, partners and vendors. If we are not able to respond to and manage the impact of such events effectively, our business will be harmed.
Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the effect on the capital markets and the economy is uncertain, and we may have to deal with a recessionary economy and economic uncertainty including possible material adverse effects upon our business.
Because of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, the effect on the capital markets and the economy is uncertain, and as a result we may have to deal with a recessionary economy and economic uncertainty, including possible adverse effects upon our ability to raise capital as and when needed. As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, certain events are beginning to affect the global and U.S. economy including increased inflation, substantial increases in the prices of oil and gas, large Western companies ceasing to do business in Russia and uncertain capital markets with declines in leading market indexes. The duration of this war and its impact are at best uncertain. Ultimately the economy may turn into a recession with uncertain and potentially severe impacts upon public companies and us, including our ability to raise capital. We cannot predict how this will affect our operations or the industries in which we operate, however any such impact may be material and adverse.
If our information technology systems are compromised, the information we store and process, including our intellectual property, could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen, which could harm our business, relationships with strategic partners and future results of operations.
Companies are increasingly suffering damage from attacks by hackers and there is a general risk that the Russia may adopt widespread Internet hacking as a weapon in the Ukrainian war, which hacking may ultimately affect us. In the ordinary course of business, we store sensitive information, such as our intellectual property, including trade secrets and results of our clinical and preclinical research, and that of our suppliers and business partners, on a central server, and such information is transmitted via email correspondence. The secure maintenance and processing of this information is critical to our research and development activities and future operations. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breaches due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our information technology systems and the information stored there could be accessed by third parties, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such unauthorized access, disclosure, misappropriation or other loss of information could result in disruption of our operations, including our existing and future research collaborations, and damage our reputation, which in its turn could harm our business and future results of operations.
We have a limited operating history upon which investors can evaluate our future prospects.
Our subsidiary was founded and began operations in the CBD industry in 2017 and we therefore have a limited operating history upon which an evaluation of our business plan or performance and prospects can be made. Our business and prospects must be considered in the light of the potential problems, delays, uncertainties and complications encountered in connection with a business which is still in its early stages in a relatively new industry characterized by unexpected change. The risks include, but are not limited to, the possibility that we fail to develop functional and scalable products, or that although functional and scalable, our products will not be economical to market in order to become or remain profitable; that our competitors hold proprietary rights precluding us from marketing such products; that our competitors offer a superior or equivalent product or otherwise achieve or maintain greater market acceptance than us; that we are unable to upgrade or improve our processes and products to accommodate new features and expand our offerings; or that we fail to receive or maintain necessary regulatory clearances and compliance for our products and operations. In order to grow our revenue, we must develop and improve upon our brand name recognition and competitive advantages for our products and expand into new markets. Even if we accomplish such growth, resulting expenses may be greater than estimated, which could reduce or even eliminate any revenue gains for which such endeavors were made. There are no assurances that we can successfully address these challenges. If we are unsuccessful, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
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If the market for CBD products declines, it would materially and adversely affect our business.
Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill described below, our industry experienced an influx of hemp farmers and producers which resulted in a saturated marketplace. As a result, the supply for CBD and related products has in the past exceeded demand. This trend has reduced prices and affected our gross margins and could force us to reduce our prices to remain competitive or could result in lower sales levels than we have experienced in the past, either of which would result in a decline in revenue or growth rate and could materially adversely affect our financial condition and prospects.
If we fail to attract new customers in a cost-effective manner, our business may be harmed.
A large part of our success depends on our ability to attract new customers in a cost-effective manner. We have made, and may continue to make, significant investments in attracting new customers through increased advertising spends on social media, radio, podcasts, and targeted email communications, other media and events, sponsorships, and influencer sponsorships. Marketing campaigns can be expensive and may not result in the cost-effective acquisition of customers. Further, as our brand becomes more widely known, future marketing campaigns may not attract new customers at the same rate as past campaigns and the cost of acquiring new customers may increase over time. Additionally, regulation, algorithms, or participants in the digital marketing ecosystem may change rules for our industry or access to available demographics which may result in significant changes in the ability to target key demographic pools, impacting our ability to target our customers effectively. If we are unable to attract new customers, or fail to do so in a cost-effective manner, our business may be harmed.
Even if we meet our growth objectives and our enter into new markets as intended, we may face difficulties evaluating our current and future business prospects, and we may be unable to effectively manage any growth associated with these achievements, which would increase the risk of your investment losing value and could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our entry into new markets and/or growth in our product offering or consumer base may place a significant strain on our resources and increase demands on our executive management, personnel and operational systems, and our human, administrative and financial resources may be inadequate to meet these demands. We may also be unable to effectively manage any expanded operations or achieve planned growth on a timely or profitable basis, particularly if the number of customers using our products significantly increases within a short period of time. If we are unable to manage expanded operations effectively, we may experience operating inefficiencies, the quality of our products could decline, and our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
If we cannot manage our growth effectively, our results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
We expect to experience growth as we raise additional capital. Businesses which grow rapidly often have difficulty managing their growth while maintaining their compliance and quality standards. If we grow as rapidly as anticipated, we will need to expand our management by recruiting and employing additional executive and key personnel capable of providing the necessary support. There can be no assurance that management, along with staff, will be able to effectively manage our growth nor can there be any assurance that growth in our product offerings, customer base or contracts will translate to an increase in revenue or profitability. Any failure to meet the challenges associated with rapid growth could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results.
Existing or future governmental regulations relating to CBD products may harm or prevent our ability to produce and/or sell our product offerings.
While a majority of state governments in the United States have legalized the growing, production, and use of CBD in some form and subject to certain restrictions, cannabis remains illegal under federal law. In addition, in July 2017, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency issued a statement that certain CBD extractions fall within the definition of marijuana and are therefore a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, as amended. Thus, the cannabis industry, including companies which sell products containing CBD, faces significant uncertainty surrounding regulation by the federal government, which could claim supremacy over state regulatory regimes including those with a “friendlier” view toward CBD products. While the federal government has for several years chosen to not intervene in the cannabis business conducted legally within the states that have legislated such activities, there is, nonetheless, potential that the federal government may at any time choose to begin enforcing its laws against the manufacture, possession, or use of cannabis-based products such as CBD. Similarly, there is the possibility that the federal government may enact legislation or rules that authorize the manufacturing, possession or use of those products under specific guidelines. Local, state and federal cannabis laws and regulations are broad in scope and subject to evolving interpretations. In the event the federal government was to tighten its regulation of the industry, we would likely suffer a material adverse effect on our business, including potentially substantial losses.
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Because laws and regulations affecting our industry are evolving, changes to any regulation may materially affect our CBD products.
In conjunction with the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the “Farm Bill”), the FDA released a statement about the status of CBD as a nutritional supplement, and the agency’s actions in the short term with regards to CBD will guide the industry. As a company whose products contain CBD, we intend to meet all FDA guidelines as the regulations evolve. Any difficulties in compliance with future government regulation could increase our operating costs and adversely impact our results of operations in future periods.
In addition, as a result of the Farm Bill’s passage, we expect that there will be a constant evolution of laws and regulations affecting the CBD industry which could 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.
Unexpected changes in federal and state law could cause any of our current products, as well as products that we intend to develop and launch, containing hemp-derived CBD oil to be illegal, or could otherwise prohibit, limit or restrict any of our products containing CBD.
Our business is based on the production and distribution of products containing hemp-derived CBD. The Farm Bill, which amended various sections of the U.S. Code, and legalized the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp at the federal level, subject to compliance with certain federal requirements and state law. There can be no assurance that the Farm Bill will not be repealed or amended such that our products containing hemp-derived CBD would once again be deemed illegal under federal law.
The Farm Bill delegates the authority to the states to regulate and limit the production of hemp and hemp-derived products within their territories. Although many states have adopted laws and regulations that allow for the production and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products under certain circumstances, no assurance can be given that such state laws may not be repealed or amended such that our intended products containing hemp-derived CBD would once again be deemed illegal under the laws of one or more states now permitting such products, which in turn would render such intended products illegal in those states under federal law even if the federal law is unchanged. In the event of either repeal of federal or of state laws and regulations, or of amendments thereto that are adverse to our intended products, we may be restricted or limited with respect to those products that we may sell or distribute, which could adversely impact our intended business plan with respect to such intended products.
Additionally, the FDA has indicated that certain products containing CBD are not permissible under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”), notwithstanding the passage of the Farm Bill. On December 20, 2018, after the Farm Bill became law, then FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb issued a statement in which he reiterated the FDA’s position that CBD products that are marketed with a claim of therapeutic benefit must be approved by the FDA for their intended use before they may be distributed in interstate commerce and that the FDCA prohibits interstate distribution of food products containing CBD and marketing products containing CBD as a dietary supplement, regardless of whether the substances are hemp-derived. Although we believe our existing and planned CBD products comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, legal proceedings alleging violations of such laws could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, including expensive legal fees and other costs. Sources of hemp-derived CBD depend upon legality of cultivation, processing, marketing and sales of products derived from those plants under state law.
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Hemp-derived CBD can only be legally produced in states that have laws and regulations that allow for such production and that comply with the Farm Bill, apart from state laws legalizing and regulating medical and recreational cannabis or marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law. This is one of the reasons why we are based in Colorado. Unexpected changes in federal and state law could cause our current CBD production methods or resulting products, as well as products that we intend to develop and launch, to be illegal or could otherwise prohibit, limit or restrict some or all of our products in the event of repeal or amendment of laws and regulations which are now comparatively favorable to the cannabis/hemp industry in certain states, we would be required to locate new suppliers in states with laws and regulations that qualify under the Farm Bill. If we were to be unsuccessful in arranging new sources of supply of our raw ingredients, or if our raw ingredients were to become legally unavailable, our intended business plan with respect to such products could be adversely impacted.
Because we and our distributors may only sell and ship our products containing hemp-derived CBD in states that have adopted laws and regulations qualifying under the Farm Bill, a reduction in the number of states having such qualifying laws and regulations could limit, restrict or otherwise preclude the sale of intended products containing hemp-derived CBD.
The interstate shipment of hemp-derived CBD from one state to another is legal only where both states have laws and regulations that allow for the production and sale of such products and that qualify under the Farm Bill. Therefore, the marketing and sale of our products is limited by such factors and is restricted to such states. Although we believe we may lawfully sell any of our finished products including those containing CBD in a majority of states, a repeal or adverse amendment of laws and regulations that are now favorable to the distribution, marketing and sale of finished products we intend to sell could significantly limit, restrict or prevent us from generating revenue related to our products that contain hemp-derived CBD. Additionally, any such adverse changes or existing legislation in new markets we target may stunt our growth and diminish our prospects. Any such repeal or adverse amendment of laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our business plan with respect to such products.
Costs associated with compliance with numerous laws and regulations and quality standards could adversely impact our financial results.
The manufacture, labeling and distribution of CBD products is regulated by various federal, state and local government agencies. These governmental authorities regulate our products and processes to ensure that the products are not adulterated or misbranded. We are subject to regulation by the federal government and other state and local agencies as a result of our CBD products. In addition to the risks associated with the possibility of government enforcement or private litigation due to alleged noncompliance, our compliance costs associated with our day-to-day operations are high and are expected to increase as we expand into new markets and/or develop and market new products. For example, as a “seed to sale” CBD business, meaning a business which handles every step of a CBD product’s manufacture and sale in-house rather than relying on third parties for some or all the production and distribution steps, we are responsible for the quality of our product, and the means by which it is produced and marketed, at every stage. Compliance with regulations imposed on our business model means we must deploy and maintain an advanced computer monitoring system which allows us to track our production and distribution process. We must train our employees and utilize and maintain security measures to ensure our facility functions properly. Compliance with these and other government requirements for product monitoring, quality, labelling and distribution are costly which may limit our profitability. Further, if we fail to properly comply with our obligations in the manufacturing process, we risk governmental enforcement actions which may be costly and adversely affect us.
Our products or third parties with whom we do business may not comply with health, safety and labelling standards.
We do not have control over all of the third parties involved in the sale of our products and their compliance with government health, safety and labelling standards. Even if our products meet these standards, they could otherwise become contaminated or fail, or the standards could be changed in a manner adverse to our operations or those of our business partners. A failure to meet these standards could occur in our operations or those of our distributors or suppliers. This could result in expensive production interruptions, recalls, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions and liability claims. Moreover, negative publicity could be generated from false, unfounded or nominal liability claims or limited recalls. Any of these failures or occurrences could negatively affect our business and financial performance.
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If we fail to comply with U.S. laws related to privacy, data security, and data protection, it could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
We rely on a variety of marketing techniques, including email, radio, display advertising, and social media marketing, targeted online advertisements, and postal mailings, and we are or may become subject to various laws and regulations that govern such marketing and advertising practices. A variety of federal and state laws and regulations, including those enforced by various federal government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission, and state and local agencies, govern the collection, use, retention, sharing, and security of personal data, particularly in the context of online advertising, which we utilize to attract new customers.
The legislative and regulatory bodies or self-regulatory organizations in various jurisdictions inside the United States may expand current laws or regulations, enact new laws or regulations, or issue revised rules or guidance regarding privacy, data protection, consumer protection, information security, and online advertising. California has enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”), which became operative on January 1, 2020, and its implementing regulations took effect in August 2020. The CCPA requires companies that process personal information on California residents to make new disclosures to consumers about such companies’ data collection, use, and sharing practices and inform consumers of their personal information rights such as deletion rights, allows consumers to opt out of certain data sharing with third parties, and provides a new cause of action for data breaches. In November 2020, California enacted the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (the “CPRA”), which amends and expands the scope of the CCPA, while introducing new privacy protections that extend beyond those included in the CCPA and its implementing regulations. The CCPA, as amended and expanded by the CPRA, is one of the most prescriptive general privacy law in the United States and may lead to similar laws being enacted in other U.S. states or at the federal level. For example, the State of Nevada also passed a law effective on October 1, 2019 that amends the state’s online privacy law to allow consumers to submit requests to prevent websites and online service providers (“Operators”) from selling personally identifiable information that Operators collect through a website or online service. Further, on March 2, 2021, the Governor of Virginia signed into law the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (the “VCDPA”). The VCDPA creates consumer rights, similar to the CCPA, but also imposes security and assessment requirements for businesses. In addition, on July 7, 2021, Colorado, the state in which we are headquartered, enacted the Colorado Privacy Act (“CoCPA”), becoming the third comprehensive consumer privacy law to be passed in the United States (after the CCPA and VCDPA). Although the CoCPA closely resembles the VCDPA, both of which do not contain a private right of action and will instead be enforced by the respective states’ Attorney General and district attorneys, the two differ in many ways and once they become enforceable in 2023, we must comply with each if our operations fall within the scope of these newly enacted comprehensive mandates. Prior efforts undertaken to comply with other recent privacy-related laws have proven that these initiatives require time to carefully plan, assess gaps in current compliance mechanisms, and implement new policies, processes and remediation efforts. Additionally, the FTC and state attorneys general are interpreting federal and state consumer protection laws to impose standards for the online collection, use, dissemination, and security of data. Each of these privacy, security, and data protection laws and regulations, and any other such changes or new laws or regulations, could impose significant limitations, require changes to our business model or practices, or restrict our use or storage of personal information, which may increase our compliance expenses and make our business more costly or less efficient to conduct. In addition, any such changes could compromise our ability to develop an adequate marketing strategy and pursue our growth strategy effectively, which, in turn, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
While we intend to strive to comply with applicable laws and regulations relating to privacy, data security, and data protection, given that the scope, interpretation, and application of these laws and regulations are often uncertain and may be in conflict across jurisdictions, it is possible that these obligations may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another and may conflict with other rules or our practices. Any failure or perceived failure by us or third-party service providers to comply with privacy or security policies or privacy-related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personal data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation, or negative publicity, and could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
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Our planned expansion into international markets will involve inherent risks that we may not be able to control.
Our business plan includes the eventual marketing and sale of our products in international markets. Specifically, we do not currently have a set time frame for entering these markets. In 2022, we started a reselling program in Brazil, where our products are delivered to their warehouses in Miami, Florida and exchanged in the United States for sale. Accordingly, our operating results could be materially and adversely affected by a variety of uncontrollable and changing factors relating to international business operations, including:
| ● | Economic conditions adversely affecting geographic areas in which we intend to do business; |
| ● | Foreign currency exchange rates; |
| ● | Political or social unrest or economic instability in a specific country or region; |
| ● | Higher costs of doing business in foreign countries; |
| ● | Infringement claims on foreign patents, copyrights or trademark rights; |
| ● | Difficulties in staffing and managing operations across disparate geographic areas; |
| ● | Difficulties associated with enforcing agreements and intellectual property rights through foreign legal systems; |
| ● | Trade protection measures and other regulatory requirements, which may affect our ability to import or export our products from or to various countries; |
| ● | Adverse tax consequences; |
| ● | Unexpected changes in legal and regulatory requirements and challenges in complying with varying requirements across jurisdictions; and |
| ● | Military conflict, terrorist activities, natural disasters and medical epidemics. |
If we are unable to overcome these or other challenges in executing our planned expansion into international markets, our prospects would be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
We may become involved in litigation or other proceedings relating to patent and other intellectual property rights.
A third party may sue us or our strategic collaborators for infringing its intellectual property rights. Likewise, we may need to resort to litigation to enforce licensed rights or to determine the scope and validity of third-party intellectual property rights. The cost to us of any litigation or other proceeding relating to intellectual property rights, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial, and the litigation would divert our efforts. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. If we do not prevail in this type of litigation, we or our strategic collaborators may be required to pay monetary damages; stop commercial activities relating to the affected products or services; obtain a license in order to continue manufacturing or marketing the affected products or services; or attempt to compete in the market with a substantially similar product. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could limit our ability to continue some of our operations. In addition, a court may require that we pay expenses or damages, and litigation could distract management or disrupt our commercial activities.
If we become involved in intellectual property litigation, such litigation is likely to be expensive and time-consuming and could be unsuccessful.
Our commercial success will depend in part on our avoiding infringement on the patents and proprietary rights of third parties for products we license or sell. There is substantial litigation, both within and outside the United States, involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the health and wellness industry, including patent infringement lawsuits, interferences, oppositions, and reexaminations and other post-grant proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and corresponding foreign patent offices. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications which are owned by third parties may exist with products we may license and sell.
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Parties making intellectual property claims against us may obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could block our ability to further develop and commercialize one or more products. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, involves substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of our management’s attention from our business. If a claim of infringement against us succeeds, we may have to pay substantial damages, possibly including treble damages and attorneys’ fees for willful infringement, pay royalties, redesign our infringing products or obtain one or more licenses from third parties, which may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure.
To counter infringement or unauthorized use claims against us, we may be required to file infringement claims in response, or we may be required to defend the validity or enforceability of any such intellectual property rights. In an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that either our or one or more of our licensors’ intellectual property rights are not valid or is unenforceable or may refuse to stop the other party from using the underlying concepts or technology at issue because our intellectual property rights do not cover those elements. In any event, intellectual property litigation is expensive and time consuming and we may be unsuccessful in defending or enforcing such claims, which would materially harm our business.
Any inability to protect our intellectual property rights could reduce the value of our products and brands, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and business.
Our business is partly dependent upon our trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. Effective intellectual property rights protection, however, may not be available under the laws of every country in which we and our sub-licensees may operate. There is a risk of certain valuable trade secrets being exposed to potential infringers. Regardless of whether our compounds and technology are or becomes protected by patents or otherwise, there is a risk that other companies may employ such compounds or technology without authorization and without recompensing us.
The efforts we take to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete. In addition, protecting our intellectual property rights is costly and time consuming. There is a risk that we may have insufficient resources to counter adequately such infringements through negotiation or the use of legal remedies. It may not be practicable or cost effective for us to fully protect our intellectual property rights in some countries or jurisdictions. If we are unable to successfully identify and stop unauthorized use of our intellectual property, we could lose potential revenue and experience increased operational and enforcement costs, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and business.
The intellectual property behind our products may include unpublished know-how, which is dependent on certain key individuals, as well as existing and pending intellectual property protection.
The commercialization of our products is partially dependent upon know-how and trade secrets held by certain individuals working with and for us. Because the expertise runs deep in these few individuals, if something were to happen to any or all of these individuals, the ability to properly manufacture our products without compromising quality and performance could be diminished greatly. Further, while our employees and contractors are subject to non-disclosure obligations, any misappropriation of confidential information including trade secrets and know-how could allow our competitors and others to overcome any advantage we have and reduce our market share and viability.
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Risks Related to Our Securities and Our Status as an SEC Reporting Company
Because our Chief Executive Officer, directly and through entities she controls, beneficially owns approximately 61% of our issued and outstanding common stock and voting power on an as-converted basis, she can exert significant control over our business and affairs which may be averse to those of our stockholders, particularly if a conflict of interest arises.
Our Chief Executive Officer and currently one of our three directors, owns approximately 61% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock and voting power on an as-converted basis. As of December 31, 2021 Ms. Buttorff and or her companies also hold $9,704,894 in demand notes which bear interest at a rate ranging from 0 to 12% per annum. As of the date of this Report, additional funds have been loaned to the Company. The interests of Ms. Buttorff may differ from the interests of our other stockholders, including by virtue of her other businesses operated through her entities and their holdings that are not affiliated with us. As a result, Ms. Buttorff will have significant influence and control over all corporate actions including those actions requiring stockholder approval, irrespective of how our minority stockholders may vote, including the following actions:
| ● | the election of our directors; |
| ● | charter or bylaw amendments; |
| ● | a merger, asset sale or other fundamental corporate transaction; and |
| ● | any other matter submitted to our stockholders for a vote, subject only to applicable law including the Nevada Revised Statutes. |
This concentration of ownership and the conflicts of interest may have the effect of impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination or tender offer for our common stock which other stockholders may deem desirable or could reduce our stock price or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price in such a transaction. Further, to the extent our other stockholders disagree with an action Ms. Buttorff elects to take as a stockholder, their ability to prevent such action or avoid the effect on their shareholdings will range from significantly limited to non-existent due to our current capital structure, subject only to applicable law and our charter documents. Therefore, if Ms. Buttorff has an interest adverse to other stockholders, or if other stockholders otherwise disagree with Ms. Buttorff with respect to a matter before the stockholders, they will have little to no control over that matter and the direction we ultimately take.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and distract our management, which could make it difficult to manage our business.
The federal securities laws require us to comply with SEC reporting requirements relating to our business and securities. Complying with these reporting and other regulatory obligations is time-consuming and will result in increased costs to us which could have a negative effect on our financial condition or business. These increased costs are not fully reflected in the financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K because until June 30, 2021, our subsidiary was a private company not subject to SEC reporting obligations.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These requirements may place a strain on our systems and resources. We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC disclosing certain aspects and developments of our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting which we currently lack. To maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, we will need to commit significant resources, hire additional executive officers and personnel and provide for additional management oversight. We intend to implement additional procedures and processes for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to SEC reporting companies. Sustaining our growth will also require us to commit additional managerial, operational and financial resources to identifying competent professionals to join us and to maintain appropriate operational and financial systems to adequately support our intended expansion. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or business.
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Due to factors beyond our control, our stock price may be volatile.
Any of the following factors could affect the market price of our common stock:
| ● | Our failure to generate increasing material revenues from our CBD products; |
| ● | Our failure to enhance our product offerings or expand into new markets; |
| ● | A decline in our revenue or growth rate; |
| ● | Our public disclosure of the terms of any financing which we consummate in the future; |
| ● | A decline in the economy which impacts the demand for our products and our ability to generate revenue and achieve growth metrics; |
| ● | Announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, new products, acquisitions, commercial relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
| ● | Changes in laws, regulations or government actions affecting the CBD industry in general or our products in particular; |
| ● | Our ability to list our common stock on a national securities exchange; |
| ● | Our ability to attract analyst coverage; |
| ● | The sale of large numbers of shares of common stock by our shareholders; |
| ● | Short selling activities; or |
| ● | Changes in market valuations of similar companies. |
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted. A securities class action suit against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s time and attention, which would otherwise be used to benefit our business.
These broad market and industry factors may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to the “penny stock” rules which will adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock.
The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define “penny stock” to be an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. The market price of our common stock on the OTCQB is presently less than $5.00 per share and therefore we are considered a “penny stock” company according to SEC rules. Until such time as our stock price rises above $5.00 per share, the “penny stock” designation requires any broker-dealer selling our securities to disclose certain information concerning the transaction, obtain a written agreement from the purchaser and determine that the purchaser is reasonably suitable to purchase the securities. These rules limit the ability of broker-dealers to solicit purchases of our common stock and therefore reduce the liquidity of the public market for our shares.
Broker-dealers are increasingly reluctant to permit investors to buy or sell speculative unlisted stock and often impose costs which make it uneconomical for small shareholders to do so. Moreover, as a result of apparent regulatory pressure from the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) a growing number of broker-dealers decline to permit investors to purchase and sell or otherwise make it difficult to sell shares of penny stocks. The “penny stock” designation may have a depressive effect upon our common stock price which the prospective reverse stock split may not sufficiently overcome.
Potential Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business Operations
As disclosed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a notable impact on general economic conditions, including but not limited to the temporary closures of many businesses, “shelter in place” and other governmental regulations, reduced business and consumer spending due to both job losses and reduced investing activity, among many other effects attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there continue to be many unknowns. During 2020, COVID-19 had a significant impact on our CBD operations. Recognizing the sudden need for personal protective equipment, we shifted our business to importing and selling PPE hand sanitizers and masks.
The Omicron variant which had a significant impact in the second half of 2021 and early 2022. While a new variant is replacing Omicron, the economy has substantially reopened and it is uncertain as the impact it may have. The duration and extent of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate of the virus and its many variants, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions including vaccinations and the impact of these and other factors on our employees, customers, partners and vendors. If we are not able to respond to and manage the impact of such events effectively, our business will be harmed.
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Potential Impacts of Certain Current and Proposed Regulations on Our Business and Operations
Recently, a bill titled the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, put forward by Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, would amend the definition of a dietary supplement to remove the prohibition on marketing CBD as a dietary supplement. Management sees the bill, if enacted, as an opportunity for the FDA to accelerate their decision to classify CBD products as a dietary supplement. This would be a significant step for hemp/CBD companies as it would open the door to new selling opportunities, such as getting into retail stores, who have largely been hesitant to welcome CBD in their doors without a clear position from the FDA.
Many people are increasingly turning to CBD products for several reasons: CBD is non-psychoactive, so it does not produce a “high” like THC, there are few known contraindications, the properties of different cannabinoids can positively affect a wide range of ailments, and cannabinoids work directly and indirectly with the body’s endocannabinoid system to create balance known as homeostasis. As demand increases, we believe the FDA must provide more clarity about CBD’s legalization, and this bill is a promising first step.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
Our contract with XXII provides us with the right to own 10 acres of the Needle Rock Farm in Delta County, CO. We also lease our laboratory space at 16194 West 45th Drive, Golden, CO 80403 from JN Real Estate Company, LLC which is owned by our CEO. See Note 5 to our consolidated financials.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time–to-time, we may become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We are unable to predict the outcome of any such matters or the ultimate legal and financial liability, and at this time cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss and accordingly have not accrued a related liability.
We filed suit in District Court in and for Osage, County, Oklahoma on December 19, 2019. We have sued Defendants, Mike Fisher, in his official capacity as Osage County District Attorney ex rel. State of Oklahoma as an investigating and/or prosecuting body, Eddie Virden in his official capacity as the Sheriff of the City of Osage as holder of the property, and the City of Pawhuska as the property seizing body, (collectively the “Government Defendants”) for the return of approximately 17,000 pounds of industrial hemp (the “Property”). We believe we were entitled to possession of the Property pursuant to an August 23, 2018, contract between us and Blue Circle Development, LLC (“BCD”), wherein we agreed to pay and BCD agreed to deliver the Property according to certain terms. Plaintiff performed pursuant to the contract and is entitled to possession of the Property. We believe the Government Defendants wrongfully detained the Property and is responsible for damages to the Property and to us. On or about May 4, 2020, the Government Defendants improperly released the Property to BCD in violation of a Court Order. We have asserted claims against the Government Defendants for interference with the Court Order and BCD for improperly intercepting the Property from us. The case is currently in the discovery phase including document production and depositions. The parties will complete the discovery phase, potentially engage in dispositive motion briefing, and proceed toward a trial date.
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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB over-the-counter market under the symbol “PLSH.” Over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. On March 15, 2022 the closing bid price on the OTCQB for our Common Stock was $0.50.
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Holders of Our Common Stock
As of March 15, 2022, we had 14,762,342 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, and approximately 186 shareholders of record.
Dividends
There are no restrictions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that prevent us from declaring dividends. The Nevada Revised Statutes, however, do prohibit us from declaring dividends where after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend:
1. We would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business, or;
2. Our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the rights of shareholders who have preferential rights superior to those receiving the distribution.
We have not declared any dividends and we do not plan to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Forward-Looking Statements
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements that are included elsewhere in this Report. Our discussion includes forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements because of several factors, including those set forth under the Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors and Business sections in this Report, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risk factors described throughout this Report.
General
We are a Nevada corporation organized in 2008. Exactus, Inc. was our former name. We have pursued opportunities in hemp-based businesses, which we refer to as “cannabinoids or CBD”. On June 30, 2021 Exactus acquired Panacea Life Sciences, Inc. (“Panacea” or “PLS”), our subsidiary, and as a result became a seed-to-sale Cannabinoid company. The former Panacea stockholders have assumed majority control of us and all our operations are now operated through Panacea which because of the share exchange became our wholly owned subsidiary. Leslie Buttorff, became our Chief Executive Officer and a director upon the closing of the share exchange, also became our principal stockholder through common stock and Convertible Preferred Stock issued to her and entities she controls.
Panacea was founded by Leslie Buttorff in 2017 as a woman-owned business with a focus on CBD products and technology. Through Panacea, we are dedicated to developing and producing the highest-quality, most medically relevant, legal, hemp-derived cannabinoid products for consumers and pets. Beginning at a farm, XXII owns and of which we have the right to own a 10-acre parcel, located in Needle Rock, Colorado and leases laboratory space located within a 51,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, cGMP, extraction, manufacturing, testing and fulfillment center located in Golden, Colorado, Panacea operates in every aspect of the CBD product value chain. From cultivation to finished goods, Panacea ensures its products with stringent testing protocols employed at every stage of the supply chain. Panacea endeavors to offer pure natural remedies within product lines for every aspect of life: PANA Life®, PANA Beauty®, PANA Sport™, PANA Pet®, PANA PURE™ and PANA Health™.
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We believe we are well positioned to develop novel hemp extracts as dietary supplements and topical applications. Our biotechnology plans focus on our research at Colorado State University where we are involved in several health-related research studies.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
| Years Ended December 31, | Period to | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | Period Change | ||||||||||
| Revenues from cannabinoid sales | $ | 1,933,627 | $ | 4,224,720 | $ | (2,231,092 | ) | |||||
| Revenues from PPE sales | $ | 66,000 | $ | 4,793,000 | (4,727,000 | ) | ||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 1,519,049 | $ | 7,020,223 | $ | (5,501,174 | ) | |||||
| Operating expenses | $ | 4,959,059 | $ | 4,449,313 | $ | 509,746 | ||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 1,518,687 | $ | 2,806,026 | $ | (1,287,339 | ) | |||||
| Interest expense | $ | (1,105,243 | ) | $ | (1,511,579 | ) | $ | 406,336 | ||||
| Unrealized gain on marketable securities | $ | 1,008,046 | $ | 1,426,798 | $ | (418,672 | ) | |||||
| Realized gain on sale of securities | $ | 160,296 | $ | - | $ | 160,296 | ||||||
| Other loss | $ | - | $ | (20,180 | ) | $ | 20,180 | |||||
| Employer retention credit | $ | 396,679 | $ | - | $ | 396,679 | ||||||
| Rental income | $ | 236,560 | $ | 271,767 | $ | (35,207 | ) | |||||
| Loss on sale of assets | $ | (297,351 | ) | $ | (140,714 | ) | $ | (156,637 | ) | |||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | $ | 755,782 | $ | - | $ | 755,782 | ||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Net Revenues
We are principally engaged in the business of producing and selling products made from industrial hemp. Revenue consists of sales of our six category of brand products, white label and contract manufacturing sales to other CBD companies, raw material sales (distillate and isolate), and tolling arrangements. We have also engaged in the sale of personal protective equipment (PPE).
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Our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $6,958,093, or 77%, to $2,059,627 as compared to $9,017,720 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in sales in 2021 was due primarily to the decrease of PPE related sales and the continued impact COVID has had on the CBD business. In 2021, we continued to see many of our CBD customers go out of business, which continued to impact our white label and contract manufacturing contracts. We expect the decrease in sales activity to continue due to limited capital resources until we consummate a financing. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we generated $2.06 million in revenue compared to $9.018 million in the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in sales is attributed to less PPE items being sold in 2021 and the continued impact COVID has had on the CBD business. Revenues related to the sale of PPE items were $0.066 million in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $4.793 million in the year ended December 31, 2020.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $5,501,174, or 78%, to $1,519,049 as compared to $7,020,223 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in cost of sales was due primarily to decrease in sales as well as the effect of COVID-19 on the materials supply chain. The primary components of cost of sales include the cost of manufacturing the CBD products and PPE. The decrease in costs corresponds to the decrease in PPE sales.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $577,593, or 8%, to $6,677,746 as compared to $7,255,339 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $1,087,339, partially offset by an increase in production related operating expenses of $509,746.
The decrease in general and administrative expenses of $1,087,339 or 39% to $1,718,687 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $2,806,026 for the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to decreases in sales commissions, sales and marketing activities as well as general activities, partially offset by an increase in professional fees relating the various transactions relating to the merger.
The increase in production related operating expenses of $509,746 or 11% to $4,959,059 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $4,449,313 for the year ended December 31, 2020, was primarily due to increases in payroll and related expenses of $193,000 stock-based compensation of $223,000 legal and professional fees of $633,000 and insurance of $169,000.
Within the total GA category of expenses, sales and marketing expenses decreased from $1.505 million to $0.378 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 when compared to the 12 months ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to sales commissions paid for PPE sales, the Panacea brand development, advertising fees for the Facebook program and the new Panacea website.
Also, within the total GA category of expenses, professional, legal, and consulting fees were $0.779 million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 when compared to $0.312 million the 12 months ended December 31, 2020. In 2020, legal expenses were attributed to the farm acquisition and the XXII investment. In 2021, legal fees were related to the XXII farm sale and investment restructuring, the Panacea reverse merger and fees related to obtaining a trademarks and registrations for our brand.
Other income (expense)
Other income for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $1,361,823, or 5,235%, to 1,387,835 as compared to $26,012 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
| 24 |
Summary of Cash Flows
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cash (used in) / provided by | ||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | (3,922,090 | ) | $ | (7,646,723 | ) | ||
| Investing activities | 522,533 | (3,080,388 | ) | |||||
| Financing activities | 3,334,953 | 2,295,981 | ||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (64,605 | ) | $ | (8,431,130 | ) | ||
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $3,922,090 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $7,646,723 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in 2021 was due primarily to decreases in revenues as well as cost of sales and operating expenses as well as favorable changes to working capital. The largest source of operating cash is from our customers. A large majority of our customers purchase CBD on-line, so credit card payments are collected and paid within 1-2 business days. Other white label and contract manufacturing customers pay before the products are released. Some larger customers have either net 10-, 2%- or 30-day net terms. Net cash used in operating activities was $3.922 million and $7.647 million for 12 months ended December 31, for 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $522,533 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $3,080,388 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase of cash provided in 2021 was due primarily to a significant decrease in fixed asset acquisitions as well as increases in proceeds from sales of fixed assets and marketable securities. Machinery and building retrofitting expenses and cash received in the acquisition were the investing activities for the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 and totaled $0.522 million and $3.08 million for December 31, 2020.
Cash flows from financing activities
During the year ended December 31, 2021, cash provided by financing activities totaled $3,334,953 which includes proceeds of $2,302,468 from related part notes, $1,000,000 from convertible notes, and $243,042 from a related party payroll protection loan partially offset by repayments of notes payable in the amount of $210,556.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, cash provided by financing activities totaled $2,295,981 which includes of $5,984,226 from related party notes payable and $273,300 from other loans partially offset by the repayment of $3,961,545 of notes payable. Net cash provided by financing activities for the 12 months ended December 31, 2021 was $3.335 million. For the same period in 2020 the financing was $2.296 million. In 2021 the primary financing was cash provided by Company’s CEO.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On December 31, 2021, we had approximately $3.8 million of liquid marketable securities and $20,000 in cash. There have been no material changes as of the date of this Report. Our Chief Executive Officer holds the XXII shares pursuant to the pledge agreement and has the power at any time to permit us to sell the shares to provide working capital. We have borrowed substantial sums from Leslie Buttorff, our Chief Executive Officer, to meet its working capital obligations. On June 30, 2021 Panacea issued an affiliate of Ms. Buttorff a 12% demand promissory note for $4.063 million and issued Ms. Buttorff a 10% demand promissory note for $1.624 million secured by a pledge of certain XXII common stock owned by Panacea. Additionally, we have a line of credit with Ms. Buttorff through which it may borrow up to $1 million at a 10% annual interest rate.
We do not have sufficient cash resources to sustain our operations for the next 12 months. This raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as we are dependent on obtaining financing from one or more debt or equity offerings or further loans from Ms. Buttorff assuming she agrees to advance further funds.
| 25 |
These consolidated financial statements are presented on the basis that we will continue as a going concern. The going concern concept contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. No adjustment has been made to the carrying amount and classification of our assets and the carrying amount of our liabilities based on the going concern uncertainty. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the date of this Report. Management cannot provide assurance that we will ultimately achieve profitable operations or become cash flow positive or raise additional debt and/or equity capital. In addition, due to insufficient revenue, we will need to obtain further funding through public or private equity offerings, debt financing, collaboration arrangements or other sources in order to maintain active business operations. We currently do not have sufficient cash flow to pay our ongoing financial obligations on a consistent basis. The issuance of any additional shares of common stock, preferred stock or convertible securities could be substantially dilutive to our stockholders. In addition, adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise capital, we will be forced to borrow additional sums from our Chief Executive Officer or delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs, we may not be able to continue as a going concern, and we may be forced to discontinue operations. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2021, we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Estimates and New Accounting Pronouncements
Critical Accounting Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires its management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosures. Our management bases its estimates, assumptions and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Different assumptions and judgments would change the estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements which, in turn, could change the results from those reported. In addition, actual results may differ from these estimates and such differences could be material to our financial position and results of operations.
Critical accounting estimates are those that our management considers the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations because they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting estimates in relation to its consolidated financial statements include those related to:
| ● | Goodwill and intangible assets | |
| ● | Fair value of marketable securities | |
| ● | Incremental Borrowing Rate used Right of Use Asset Calculations | |
| ● | Business combinations |
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles
We allocate the cost of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the remaining amount classified as goodwill. The identification and valuation of these intangible assets and the determination of the estimated useful lives at the time of acquisition, as well as the completion of impairment tests, require significant management judgments and estimates. These estimates are made based on, among other factors, review of projected future operating results and business plans, economic projections, anticipated highest and best use of future cash flows and the cost of capital. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets, and potentially result in a different impact to our results of operations. Further, changes in business strategy and/or market conditions may significantly impact these judgments and thereby impact the fair value of these assets, which could result in an impairment of the goodwill or intangible assets.
| 26 |
Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances change that indicate impairment may have occurred. We tested goodwill for impairment and determined there was no impairment and found not impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over our fair value.
Fair value of marketable securities
Marketable securities are recorded at fair value using the quoted market prices and changes in fair value are recorded as net realized gains or losses in comprehensive income. We monitor these investments for impairment and make appropriate reductions in carrying values as necessary.
Incremental Borrowing Rate used Right of Use Asset Calculations
We determine if a contract is a lease or contains a lease at the inception of the contract and reassess that conclusion if the contract is modified. All leases are assessed for classification as an operating lease or a finance lease. Operating lease right-of-use, or ROU, assets are included in non-current other assets on our consolidated balance sheet. Operating lease liabilities are separated into a current portion, included within other accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet, and a non-current portion, included within other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. We do not have any finance lease ROU assets or liabilities. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We do not obtain and control the right to use the identified asset until the lease commencement date.
Our lease liabilities are recognized at the applicable lease commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments required to be paid over the lease term. Because the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments to present value. The estimated incremental borrowing rate is derived from information available at the lease commencement date. We factor in publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics when calculating our incremental borrowing rates. Our ROU assets are also recognized at the applicable lease commencement date. The ROU asset equals the carrying amount of the related lease liability, adjusted for any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and lease incentives provided by the lessor. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and do not factor into the measurement of the applicable ROU asset or lease liability.
Business Combinations
We have applied significant estimates and judgments in order to determine the fair value of the identified assets acquired, liabilities assumed and goodwill recognized in connection with our business combinations to ensure the value of the assets and liabilities acquired are recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. In measuring the fair value, we utilize valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach, or cost approach.
The valuation of the identifiable assets and liabilities includes assumptions made in performing the valuation, such as projected revenue, weighted average cost of capital, discount rates, estimated useful lives, and other relevant assessments. These assessments can be significantly affected by our estimates, judgments, and assumptions. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates, judgments, or assumptions, or if additional or new information arises in the future that affects our fair value estimates, then adjustments to our initial fair value estimates may have a material impact to our purchase accounting or our results of operations. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates, judgments, or assumptions, or if additional or new information arises in the future, beyond our one-year measurement period, that affects our fair value estimates, then adjustments to our initial fair value estimates may have a material impact to our results of operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
A smaller reporting company is not required to provide the information required by this item.
| 27 |
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Financial Statements Required by Article 8 of Regulation S-X:
Audited Financial Statements:
| F-1 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the board of directors of Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, the related statement of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Substantial Doubt about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company’s significant operating losses raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or are required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments.
We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
|
/s/
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| BF Borgers CPA PC | |
| We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021 | |
| March 25, 2022 |
Firm
ID is
| F-2 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Panacea Life Sciences, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Panacea Life Sciences, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2020, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and will require additional capital to continue as a going concern. This raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
| F-3 |
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Goodwill
Description of the Matter
As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company’s goodwill balance was $2,188,810 as of December 31, 2020. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing annually as of December 31 or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit that includes goodwill might exceed the fair value of that reporting unit. The Company estimates the fair value of each reporting unit based on a combination of an income approach that utilizes discounted cash flows specific to each reporting unit.
We identified the determination of the fair value of each reporting unit included in the Company’s annual goodwill impairment test as a critical audit matter. The key assumptions utilized by management in the determination of the fair value under the income approach include projected revenue growth rates, profit margins, operating expenses, terminal value and discount rates for the Company. Auditing management’s valuation methods and assumptions utilized in estimating the fair value involved especially challenging and subjective auditor judgement due to the nature and extent of audit effort required to address this matter, including the extent of specialized skill or knowledge needed.
How we addressed the matter in our Audit
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
| ● | Evaluating management’s review of key assumptions used in determining the valuation methodology for the measurement of the fair value of each reporting unit. | |
| ● | Evaluating management’s ability to forecast cash flows and the reasonableness of management assumptions used to develop cash flow forecasts and projections by comparing them to historical operating performance, internal and external communications made by the Company and forecasted information included in industry reports. | |
| ● | Testing the accuracy and completeness of the data used by management to develop its projections. | |
| ● | Utilizing personnel with specialized knowledge and skill of valuation techniques to assist in: (i) evaluating the methodologies used by management to determine the fair value of each reporting unit including the weighting of income and market approaches; (ii) assessing the underlying projections by comparing key assumptions to historical levels; (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of assumptions used in the income approach including discount rates, terminal values, present value factors; and (iv) testing the mathematical accuracy of the Company’s calculations. |
| /s/
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| We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021 | |
| December 17, 2021 | |
| Firm ID is |
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| F-4 |
Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||
| Other receivables, related party | - | |||||||
| Inventory | ||||||||
| Marketable securities related party | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset, net, related party | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Operating lease liability, current portion, related party | ||||||||
| Note payable-current, related party | ||||||||
| Convertible note payable, net | - | |||||||
| Paycheck protection loan, SBA Loan | ||||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability, long-term portion, related party | ||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities, related party | ||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | - | - | ||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Series A Preferred Stock: $ Par Value, shares designated; and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | - | - | ||||||
| Series B-1 Preferred: $ Par Value, shares designated; and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | - | |||||||
| Series B-2 Preferred: $ Par Value, shares designated; and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | - | |||||||
| Series C Preferred: $ Par Value, shares designated; and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | ||||||||
| Series C-1 Preferred: $ Par Value, shares designated and and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | ||||||||
| Series C-2 Preferred: $ Par Value, and shares designated and and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | - | |||||||
| Series D Preferred: $ Par Value, shares designated and and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | ||||||||
| Common Stock: $ Par Value, shares authorized; and shares issued and outstanding on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively. | ||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| F-5 |
Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations
| for the year ending December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| REVENUE | $ | $ | ||||||
| COST OF SALES | ||||||||
| GROSS PROFIT | ||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ||||||||
| TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
| LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net | ||||||||
| Realized gain on sale of securities | - | |||||||
| Other income (loss) | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Employer retention credit | - | |||||||
| Rental Income | ||||||||
| Loss on sale of assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | - | |||||||
| TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | ||||||||
| INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| TAXES | - | - | ||||||
| NET INCOME (LOSS) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Per-share data | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| F-6 |
Panacea Life Sciences, Inc.
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
| Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Stockholder’s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital |
Deficit | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | - | - | - | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for acquisition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series A Preferred stock conversion to common stock | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock at split | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion of Common Stock to Series C-2 Preferred Stock to equity | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of convertible debt and warrants, net of issuance costs | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| F-7 |
Panacea Life Sciences, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
| For the years ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
| Depreciation | ||||||||
| Realized gain on sale of securities | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Unrealized gain on marketable securities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Fixed Asset Disposal Loss | ||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | ||||||||
| Noncash settlement of convertible note and accrued interest | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Amortization of debt discount and non-cash interest expense | - | |||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Inventory | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expense and other assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Operating lease liability, net | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Net cash received from acquisitions | - | |||||||
| Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | - | |||||||
| Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | ||||||||
| Net fixed asset acquisitions | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Repayment of notes payable | ( | ) | - | |||||
| Proceeds from payroll protection loan, SBA loan | - | |||||||
| Proceeds from payroll protection loan - related party | - | |||||||
| Payments of principal on notes payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from Note payable-related party | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of discount | - | |||||||
| Cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | ||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | ||||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes during the year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Interest payments during the year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Noncash investing and financing activity | ||||||||
| Non-cash Receivable - related party | $ | $ | ||||||
| Related party loan repayment with inventory | $ | $ | ||||||
| Non-cash fixed asset disposal as part of the reverse acquisition | $ | $ | ||||||
| Capitalized assets purchased on account - related party | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities from acquisition | $ | $ | ||||||
| Debt retired in merger, related party | $ | $ | ||||||
| Preferred Series B-1 Issuance in Acquisition | $ | $ | ||||||
| Preferred Series B-2 Issuance in Acquisition | $ | $ | ||||||
| Common stock issued for the reverse merger with Exactus | $ | $ | ||||||
| Discounts related to issuance of convertible debt and warrants | $ | $ | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| F-8 |
PANACEA LIFE SCIENCES HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2021
NOTE 1 - NATURE OF ORGANIZATION
Organization and Business Description
Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”, “Panacea Holdings”, “Exactus”, “we”, “us”, “our”) was incorporated on January 18, 2008 in the State of Nevada. In January 2019, the Company added to the scope of its business activities, efforts to produce, market and sell products made from industrial hemp containing cannabidiol (“CBD”). On June 30, 2021 the Company entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with Panacea Life Sciences, Inc. (“Panacea”) a CBD company, and the stockholders of Panacea. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the former Panacea stockholders assumed majority control of the Exactus and all operations are now operated by Panacea, which as a result of the share exchange became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Exactus. In October, 2021 the Company changed its name from Exactus, Inc. to Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc.
The Company operates in one segment with a focus on developing and producing high-quality, medically relevant, legal, hemp-derived cannabinoid products for consumers and pets.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation
On June 30, 2021 the Company merged with Panacea. The merger is accounted for as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (ASC 805, Business Combinations). Management evaluated the guidance contained in ASC 805 with respect to the identification of the acquirer in the merger and concluded, based on a consideration of the pertinent facts and circumstances, that Panacea acquired Exactus for financial accounting purposes. This determination is primarily based on Panacea stockholders comprising a relative majority of the voting power of the Company and having the ability to nominate the members of the board of directors of Exactus after the Merger, Panacea’s operations prior to the Merger comprising the only ongoing operations of the Company following the Merger, and Panacea’s senior management prior to the Merger comprising a majority of the senior management of the Company following the Merger. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the financial statements of the Company represent a continuation of the financial statements of Panacea with the Merger being treated as the equivalent of Panacea issuing stock for the net assets of Exactus, accompanied by a recapitalization whereby no goodwill or other intangible assets are recorded. Transactions and balances prior to the Merger are those of Panacea. The shares and net loss per share available to holders of Panacea’s common stock prior to the Merger have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the exchange ratio established in the Exchange Agreement.
The consolidated financial statements represent the accounts and balances for Panacea through June 30, 2021, and the consolidated balances and activities of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Panacea, from that date forward. All significant consolidated transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
All
share and per share numbers have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to a
| F-9 |
Going concern
These
audited consolidated financial statements are presented on the basis that the Company will continue as a going concern. Panacea has merged
with Exactus, so the below items reflect stand-alone historical results of Panacea through June 30, 2021 and the combined financial information
thereafter. The going concern concept contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of
business. Since our inception in later 2017, we have generated losses from operations, except for some slight profits in a few quarters.
As of December 31, 2021, our accumulated deficit was $
These factors raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of 12 months from the issuance date of these financial statements. Management plans to raise additional capital to fund operations, until the Company achieves and maintains profitable operations and cash flows. Management cannot provide assurance that the issuance of any additional shares of common stock, preferred stock or convertible securities could be substantially dilutive to our shareholders. In addition, adequate additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. These audited consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global slowdown of economic activity which is likely to continue to reduce the future demand for a broad variety of goods and services, while also disrupting sales channels, marketing activities and supply chains for an unknown period of time until the virus is fully contained. The Company’s business operations have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and related events and the Company expects this impact on its revenue and results of operations, the size and duration of which is currently difficult to predict. However, adverse consequences from COVID-19 and recent supply chain disruptions and delays may hinder our ability to continue our operations and generate revenue. The impact to date has included a decline in CBD product and sales demand. Further, in 2020, the Company (Panacea) invested in personal protective equipment (PPE) materials to sell. Hand sanitizers, testing kits and masks, and sales of PPE products, which constituted a significant portion of our revenue during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and prior periods during the pandemic, have declined as vaccines continue to be administered and mask mandates and similar requirements have been lifted or reduced in many places. Although the Company is unable to predict the full impact and duration of COVID-19 on its business, the Company is actively managing its financial expenditures in response to the current uncertainty.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related events, including actions taken by various government authorities in response, have increased market volatility and make the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes more difficult. As of the date of issuance of the financial statements, the Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require it to update its estimates, judgments or revise the carrying value of its assets or liabilities. These estimates may change, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and are recognized in the consolidated financial statements as soon as they become known.
Use of Estimates
The audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with US GAAP and required management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions in preparation of these statements. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include but are not limited to the useful life of property and equipment, incremental borrowing rate used in the calculation of right of use asset and lease liability, reserves for inventory, allowance for doubtful accounts, revenue allocations, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, assumptions used in assessing impairment of long-term assets, assumptions used in the calculation of net realizable value of inventory and fair value of non-cash equity transactions.
| F-10 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of balance sheet presentation and reporting of cash flows, the Company considers all unrestricted demand deposits, money market funds and highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of less than 90 days to be cash and cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high-quality financial institutions. At times, balances in the Company’s cash accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) limit. On December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s cash balances did not exceed the FDIC limit.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are generally unsecured. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the age of outstanding invoices and management’s evaluation of collectability. Accounts are written off after all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted and management concludes that likelihood of collection is remote. Any future recoveries are applied against the allowance for doubtful accounts. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we did not believe we needed to reserve for any doubtful accounts, respectively. The Company’s accounts receivable policy changed in 2020 to only provide larger, well-established companies with Net 30 payment terms. For all other sales they are paid by credit card or wires received before the product is shipped to the customer.
Inventory
Inventories are stated at lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories of purchased materials are valuated using a moving average method and managed by first in first out basis (FIFO). Inventories of internally manufactured materials are valuated using a standard costing method and are also managed on a FIFO basis. Production related costs that are capitalized as inventory as part of the standard cost valuation include the direct materials consumed, direct labor used, indirect labor used, and manufacturing overhead. Overhead is calculated based on specific manufacturing process and allocated on an order-by-order basis. Production variances that occur between standard cost valuation and actual costs are expensed as incurred in the income statement as part of cost of goods sold.
Marketable securities
The Company’s marketable securities consist of and shares of XXII at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which are classified as available-for-sale and included in current assets. (See Note 2 – Going Concern). Securities are valued based on market prices for identical assets using third party certified pricing sources. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized and realized gains and losses reported as a component of income (loss). Realized gains and losses, if any, are calculated on the specific identification method and are included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value as used in numerous accounting pronouncements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. The guidance prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value and establishes a three-tier value hierarchy that distinguishes among the following:
| ● | Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. | |
| ● | Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and models for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. | |
| ● | Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. |
| F-11 |
The following table shows, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
There were no transfers of marketable securities into or out of Level 1 during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020.
| December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Balance at beginning of year | $ | |||
| Sale of securities | ( | ) | ||
| Realized gain on sale of securities | ||||
| Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net | ||||
| Balance at end of period | $ | |||
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has no liabilities that are re-measured at fair value.
Property and Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight–line method on the
various asset classes over their estimated useful lives, which range from to
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
The
Company has intangible assets. Goodwill is comprised of the purchase price of business combinations in excess of the fair market value
assigned at acquisition to the tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized. The Company tests goodwill for impairment
on an annual basis. The Company performed its most recent goodwill impairment using a discounted cash flow analysis and found that the
fair value exceeded the carrying value. It has $
| Estimated Life | ||
| Goodwill from Phoenix Acquisition | ||
| Intangibles – Formulations |
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Goodwill | $ | $ | ||||||
| Intangibles – Formulations | ||||||||
| Less accumulated amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net intangible assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| F-12 |
Leases
The
Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Contracts containing a lease are further evaluated for classification as
an operating or finance lease.
The Company uses incremental borrowing rates based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments at commencement date. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term or the useful life of the leased asset.
In addition, the carrying amount of the ROU and lease liabilities are remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the assessment to purchase the underlying asset.
Convertible Notes Payable
The Company has issued convertible notes, which contain variable conversion features, whereby the outstanding principal and accrued interest automatically convert into common shares at a fixed price which may be a discount to the common stock at the time of conversion. Some of the conversion features of these notes are contingent upon future events, whereby, the holder agreed not to convert until the contingent future event has occurred.
Revenue Recognition
The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
The Company accounts for a contract when it has been approved and committed to, each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred have been identified, the payment terms have been identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability is probable. Revenue is generally recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. However, the Company’s sales are primarily through retail stores, purchase orders or ecommerce; thus, currently contract liabilities are negligible. The Company does not have any multiple-element arrangements.
Some
of the Company’s contract liabilities consist of advance customer payments. Contract liability results from transactions in which
the Company has been paid for products by customers, but for which all revenue recognition criteria have not yet been met. Once all revenue
recognition criteria have been met, the contract liabilities are recognized. The Company recorded $
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Payments received for unearned revenue | ||||||||
| Revenue earned | ||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| F-13 |
Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration that an entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The amount of revenue that is recorded reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods. The Company applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the promised goods in the contract; (ii) determination of whether the promised goods are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation.
Revenue related to the sale of products is recognized once goods have been sold to the customer and the performance obligation has been completed. In both contracted purchase and retail sales, we offer consumer products through our online stores. Revenue is recognized when control of the goods is transferred to the customer. This generally occurs upon our delivery to a third-party carrier or, to the customer directly. Revenue from tolling services is recognized when the performance obligation, such as processing of the material, has been completed and output material has been transferred to the customer.
Revenue is generally recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Some of the Company’s contract liabilities consist of advance customer payments. A contract liability results from transactions in which the Company has been paid for products by customers, but for which all revenue recognition criteria have not yet been met. Once all revenue recognition criteria have been met, the contract liabilities are recognized. However, the Company’s sales are primarily through retail stores, purchase orders or ecommerce; thus, currently contract liabilities are negligible. The Company does not have any multiple-element arrangements.
Some of the Company’s contract liabilities consist of advance customer payments. Contract liability results from transactions in which the Company has been paid for products by customers, but for which all revenue recognition criteria have not yet been met. Once all revenue recognition criteria have been met, the contract liabilities are recognized.
Shipping and Handling Costs
The
Company accounts for shipping and handling fees in accordance with ASC 606. The amounts charged to customers for shipping products are
recognized as revenues and the related freight costs of shipping products are classified in general and administrative costs as incurred.
Shipping costs are included as a component of general and administrative and were $
Advertising Marketing
Advertising
costs are expensed when incurred.
Included in this category are expenses related to public relations, investor relations, new package design, website design, design of
promotional materials, cost of trade shows, cost of products given away as promotional samples, and paid advertising. The Company recorded
advertising costs included in general and administrative costs of $
Segment Information
The Company follows the provisions of ASC 280-10 Segment Reporting. This standard requires that companies disclose operating segments based on the manner in which management disaggregates the Company in making internal operating decisions. Segment identification and selection is consistent with the management structure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance and make decisions regarding resource allocation, as well as the materiality of financial results consistent with that structure. Based on the Company’s management structure and method of internal reporting, the Company has one operating segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker does not review operating results on a disaggregated basis; rather, the chief operating decision maker reviews operating results on an aggregate basis.
| F-14 |
The Company computes basic and diluted earnings per share amounts in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share”. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if preferred stock converted to common stock and warrants are exercised. Preferred stock and warrants are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation if their effect is anti-dilutive.
The
Business Combination on December 31, 2021 was accounted for as a recapitalization of equity structure. In
October, 2021 the Company completed
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Convertible note payable | - | - | ||||||
| Restricted Stock | - | - | ||||||
| Options to purchase common stock | - | - | ||||||
| Warrants to purchase common stock | - | - | ||||||
| Series A Convertible Preferred | - | |||||||
| Series B-1 Convertible Preferred | - | |||||||
| Series B-2 Convertible Preferred | - | |||||||
| Series C Convertible Preferred | ||||||||
| Series C-1 Convertible Preferred | ||||||||
| Series C-2 Convertible Preferred | - | |||||||
| Series D Convertible Preferred | ||||||||
| Total | - | - | ||||||
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes and established for all the entities a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of tax positions and requires certain expanded disclosures. The provision for income taxes is based upon income or loss after adjustment for those permanent items that are not considered in the determination of taxable income. Deferred income taxes represent the tax effects of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management makes judgments as to the interpretation of the tax laws that might be challenged upon an audit and cause changes to previous estimates of tax liability. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual taxable income by tax jurisdiction varies from estimates, additional allowances or reversals of reserves may be necessary.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contract’s in an Entity’s Own Equity. The ASU simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current GAAP. Consequently, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument with no separate accounting for embedded conversion features. The ASU removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, which will permit more equity contracts to qualify for it. The ASU simplifies the diluted net income per share calculation in certain areas. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2021, and early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2021-04 “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation— Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815- 40) Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options” which clarifies and reduces diversity in an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (for example, warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. An entity should measure the effect of a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity classified after modification or exchange as follows: i) for a modification or an exchange that is a part of or directly related to a modification or an exchange of an existing debt instrument or line-of-credit or revolving-debt arrangements (hereinafter, referred to as a “debt” or “debt instrument”), as the difference between the fair value of the modified or exchanged written call option and the fair value of that written call option immediately before it is modified or exchanged; ii) for all other modifications or exchanges, as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified or exchanged written call option over the fair value of that written call option immediately before it is modified or exchanged. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the amendments prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
| F-15 |
The Company does not discuss recent pronouncements that are not anticipated to have an impact on or are unrelated to its financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
NOTE 3 – PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Property and equipment, net including any major improvements, are recorded at historical cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged against operations as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, generally as follows:
| Estimated Life | ||
| Computers and technological assets | ||
| Furniture and fixtures | ||
| Machinery and equipment | ||
| Leasehold improvement |
Property and equipment, net consists of the following:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Computers and technological assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Furniture and fixtures | ||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | ||||||||
| Land | ||||||||
| Assets Under Construction | - | |||||||
| Leasehold Improvements | ||||||||
| Total | ||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total Property and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
The land and equipment decreased from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 due to the partial sale of the farmland and equipment. See Note 10.
Depreciation
expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $
The
asset under construction in 2020 was related to a deposit the Company made on an XL Novasep chromatography unit. The Company decided
it did not have the proper equipment needed to house the unit, so it negotiated a settlement with Novasep to return the deposit less
restocking and legal fees. The unit was never delivered to the Company. On May 24, 2021 $
| F-16 |
NOTE 4 – INVENTORY
Inventory consists of the following components:
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Raw Materials | $ | $ | ||||||
| Semi-Finished | ||||||||
| Finished Goods | ||||||||
| Packaging | ||||||||
| Trading | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 5 –OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES – RELATED PARTY
Right of Use
The
Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASC 842”) on January
1, 2019, the start of our 2019 fiscal year. The Company has one lease arrangement with a related party entered into on December 22, 2018
for a 3-year term commencing January 1, 2019 for certain laboratory facilities with a nine-year extension option. This lease was extended
and now expires on
The
Company, as of January 1, 2019, leases a portion of the property (formerly the Environmental Protection Agency building) in Golden, CO
from JN Real Estate, owned by the CEO, a related party with a term expiring on
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Right-of-use assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less: Long-term portion of operating lease liability | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Short-term portion of operating lease liability | ||||||||
| Unpaid balances | ||||||||
| Total short-term lease liability obligations | $ | $ | ||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (Ends December 31, 2030) | | |||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate | 3.0 | % | ||||||
During
years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized approximately $
| F-17 |
Approximate future minimum lease payments for our right of use assets over the remaining lease periods as of December 31, 2021, are as follows:
Maturity of operating lease liabilities for the following years ended:
| 2022 | $ | |||
| 2023 | $ | |||
| 2024 | $ | |||
| 2025 | $ | |||
| 2026 | $ | |||
| Thereafter | $ | |||
| Total undiscounted operating lease payments | $ | |||
| Less: Imputed interest | $ | ( | ) | |
| Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ |
NOTE 6 – NOTES PAYABLE
Convertible Note Payable
On
November 18, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with Lincoln Park Capital Fund, LLC
(the “Purchaser”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell a
The
Note will be due
Under
the terms of the Note, upon a public offering by the Company of common stock, either alone or in units or with other securities pursuant
to an effective registration statement resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $
The Note also contains customary negative covenants prohibiting the Company from certain actions while the Note remains outstanding.
The
Warrants will be exercisable for a -year term beginning on May 18, 2022, at an exercise price of $
| F-18 |
The SPA provides that the Purchaser may purchase an additional note and additional warrants on substantially the same terms as the Note and the Warrants on any business day prior to the 91st business day immediately following the closing of the SPA.
Pursuant to the SPA, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated November 18, 2021, by and between the Company and the Purchaser, in which the Company has agreed to file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the SEC following request by the Purchaser at any time following the 180-day period after the initial closing.
The
Company calculated the fair value of the Warrants using the Black Scholes method as $
Paycheck Protection Program Funding U.S. Small Business Administration Loan
On
May 28, 2020, the Company received a secured,
In
April 2021, the Exactus Company borrowed a “second draw” loan of $
Regarding
Panacea Life Sciences, Inc.’s (PLS) Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, PLS received the PPP first draw loan in the amount
of $
PLS’s accounting treatment of the PPP loans and forgiveness follows best practice from the AICPA and accounted for the loan as a financial liability in accordance with FASB ASC 470 and accrue interest in accordance with the interest method under FASB ASC 835-30. The full amount of the PPP loan and accrued interest was forgiven on June 28, 2021 and written off.
The aforementioned forgiveness of the various PPP loans was recorded in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations as gain on extinguishment of debt
| F-19 |
Employer Retention Credit
Panacea
received an employer retention credit from the federal government of $
Note payable-current, related party
As
part of the agreement in the share agreement transaction, certain loan balances (“Quintel Loans”) from Quintel-MC
Incorporated, an affiliate of the Company’s CEO, (“Quintel”) and historical interest owed of $
On
June 30, 2021, Panacea issued the Company’s CEO, Ms. Buttorff, a
On
June 30, 2021 the $
During
October 2019, the Company issued a short-term promissory note to an officer of Exactus, for an aggregate principal amount of $
During
February 2021, the Company entered into a short-term promissory note for principal amount of $
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Quintel Note | $ | $ | ||||||
| CEO Note | ||||||||
| XXII Debt | - | |||||||
| Total related party notes | $ | $ | ||||||
On January 1, 2019 Panacea received a loan from
Quintel-MC Incorporated for up to $
On December 3, 2019, we entered into securities
purchase agreement with an investor pursuant to which we sold a convertible note bearing interest at
Other long-term liabilities, related party
The
Company has recorded a related party liability (“Fixed Asset Loan”) in the amounts of $
In
2020, the Company recorded an additional related party liability in the amount of $
| F-20 |
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Other long-term liabilities, related party | ||||||||
| Fixed Asset Loan | $ | $ | ||||||
| JN Building Loan | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 7 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock
The Company’s authorized common stock consists of shares with a par value of $ per share.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, shares of Series A Preferred Shares were converted into shares of common stock.
Common stock options
Stock Option Plan
On June 30, 2021 the Company’s stockholders approved the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive awards in the form of non-qualified and incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, warrants and preferred stock. The awards may be granted by the Company’s Board of Directors to its employees, directors and officers and to consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors who provide services to the Company or to a subsidiary of the Company. The exercise price for stock options must not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. The incentive awards shall either be fully vested and exercisable from the date of grant or shall vest and become exercisable in such installments as the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee may specify. Stock options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan is . Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate in years.
As part of the merger of Exactus, Panacea assumed the Exactus 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive awards in the form of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock unit awards. The awards may be granted by the Company’s Board of Directors to its employees, directors and officers and to consultants, agents, advisors and independent contractors who provide services to the Company or to a subsidiary of the Company. The exercise price for stock options must not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. The incentive awards shall either be fully vested and exercisable from the date of grant or shall vest and become exercisable in such installments as the Board or Compensation Committee may specify. Stock options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan is . Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate in years. This plan had fully vested options outstanding at the time of the merger. There have been no options granted under this plan subsequent to the merger.
On January 22, 2021, Exactus had granted -year options exercisable at $ per share to certain officers and directors, including options to Larry Wert who remains a director. Subsequently, at a meeting on March 31, 2021 several directors reviewed the January grants to three of the insiders and sought to negate their option awards in order to achieve two stated goals: to allow the directors to vote a sufficient number of shares required to approve a matter purportedly requiring additional votes to achieve a majority under Nevada law, and to correct an alleged mistake in the January action which was claimed to have unintentionally awarded options instead of shares of common stock. The directors present thereupon purported to grant four directors a total of shares and directed the Company’s transfer agent to issue such shares. The effectiveness of the March 31, 2021 board action is currently under review and may ultimately be determined to have been ineffective as a matter of law. All related shares and options outstanding have been reported as if legally transacted.
| F-21 |
Stock Options
| Options Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Number of Shares Subject to Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Options assumed in merger | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Options granted | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Options exercised | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Options canceled / expired | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Stock Warrants
As
a result of the Merger closing (see Note 10), as of December 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate
of
| Name | Number of Shares | Average Exercise Price | ||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
| Assumed in Merger | $ | |||||||
| Issued with convertible debt | ||||||||
| Total as of December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding warrants have no intrinsic value.
Restricted Stock
| Restricted Stock Common Stock | ||||
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Assumed in merger | ||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | ||||
As of December 31, 2021, there were no unamortized or unvested stock-based compensation costs related to restricted share arrangements. These shares are included in the total of outstanding share as of December 31, 2021.
| F-22 |
Preferred Stock
The Company’s authorized preferred stock consists of shares with a par value of $.
In connection with our acquisition of Panacea on December 31, 2021, we issued convertible preferred stock to our new principal shareholder and Chief Executive Officer (and her affiliates) as follows:
shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C”) shares of Series C-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C-1”) and shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D”), which together convert into approximately % of the Company’s common stock outstanding as of that date. The Series C has a liquidation preference of $ per share, is convertible at the rate of shares of common stock per share and through December 31, 2023 has the option to participate in the recovery by the Company of certain assets. In order to avail herself of the rights, the holder can cause the Company to use the cash generated by the assets and repurchase Series C at a price equal to the liquidation preference per share, subject to the Company maintaining an agreed upon level of net assets. The Series C-1 has a liquidation preference of $ per share and is convertible at the rate of shares of common stock for each share of Series C-1. The Series D has a liquidation preference of $ per share and is convertible into common stock at the rate of shares of common stock per share. The Series C, C-1 and D also vote on an as converted basis.
In
addition, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with an investor and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada
a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred stock under which the Note in the original
principal amount of $
The
Company authorized the issuance of a total of shares of Series A Preferred for issuance. Each share of Series A Preferred is convertible
at the option of the holder, into that number of shares of our common stock (subject to certain limitations on beneficial ownership)
determined by dividing the Stated Value by $
On February 16, 2021 the Company offered to our prior Series A Preferred stock holder enhanced conversion inducements to voluntarily convert the preferred shares into our common stock and filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our prior Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for Series A Preferred stock, all of which has been converted to common stock, in order to issue the new 0% Series A Preferred stock described herein.
On April 7, 2021 the Company filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our prior Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for the previous Series C Preferred Stock, all of which has been cancelled or converted into common stock.
On February 16, 2021, the Company offered to holders of our prior Series D Preferred Stockholder(s) enhanced inducements to voluntarily convert preferred shares into our common stock.
On April 7, 2021 the Company filed a Certificate of Cancellation and Withdrawal with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada cancelling our prior Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations for the previous Series D Preferred Stock, all of which has been cancelled or converted into common stock.
| F-23 |
During the quarter ended December 31, 2021 the Company withdrew its prior Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and Series E Preferred Stock and issued shares of newly designated Series C, Series C-1 and Series D to former Panacea stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.
Common Stock for services
In October, 2021 the Company entered into a consulting agreement for investor relations services. The consultant shall receive compensation of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and shall vest over one year with common stock to vest on the date of this agreement and common shares on the first day of each month thereafter.
NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Matters
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into agreements with third parties that include indemnification provisions which, in its judgment, are normal and customary for companies in the Company’s industry sector. These agreements are typically with business partners, and suppliers. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company generally agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and reimburse indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified parties with respect to the Company’s products, use of such products, or other actions taken or omitted by us. The maximum potential number of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unlimited. The Company has not incurred material costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. As a result, the estimated fair value of liabilities relating to these provisions is minimal. Accordingly, the Company has no liabilities recorded for these provisions as of December 31, 2021.
As a result of our acquisition of Panacea, the Company is now involved in the following pending litigation:
On
February 16, 2021, Henley Group, Inc. filed with the Superior Court of the State of California, San Bernardino County, a complaint (Case
#: SIV SB 2105771) against Panacea for breach of contract and fraud related to Panacea’s non-delivery of product. While Panacea
refunded the purchase price, the plaintiff seeks damages including lost profits and costs which plaintiff alleged to have incurred in
the amount of approximately $
On
October 7, 2019, CMI Mechanical (“CMI”) agreed to procure, deliver, and install a dehumidification system (the “System”)
at the Company’s facility located at 16194 W. 45th Drive, Golden, Colorado 80403 (the “Property”). The Company believes
the System has failed to meet the requirements of the subject contract, and CMI has not remedied that failure for the Company. The Company
withheld certain payments as permitted under the contract. On December 10, 2020, CMI recorded a lien against the Property in the amount
of $
Concentrations
The Company has no concentration of vendors that would impact production costs in the longer term.
On
the revenue side, in the 3rd Quarter of 2021 we signed a large contract with a convenience store chain. The revenues from
the first shipment of CBD products are
In
2020, there were concentrations of purchases from two vendors: BSH (approximately
The
other concentration is in the accounts receivable category, where three customer accounts for
| F-24 |
The Company has no other contingencies, material commitments, or purchase obligations or sales obligations.
Executive Employment Agreement
On
December 31, 2021 the Company entered into an updated Employment Agreement with Leslie Buttorff pursuant to which Ms. Buttorff serves
as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for an initial term of July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2024 (the “Employment Agreement).
Under her Employment Agreement, Ms. Buttorff receives an annual base salary of $
Under her Employment Agreement, she is entitled to severance payments under termination provisions which are intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, and the Regulations thereunder.
In
the event of termination by the Company without “cause” or resignation by Ms. Buttorff for “good reason,” Ms.
Buttorff is entitled to receive two years’ base salary, or $
Generally, “good reason” is defined as (i) any material breach of the Employment Agreement by the Company, (ii) the Company’s assignment of Ms. Buttorff to a position that has materially less authority, status, or functional responsibility than the position with the Company as of the commencement date, or the assignment to her of duties that are not those of an executive at the management level, (iii) the reduction of Ms. Buttorff’s base salary, (iv) the requirement that Ms. Buttorff move her primary place of employment more than 30 miles from her initial place of employment, or (v) upon any change of control event as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) provided that within 12 months of the change of control event the Company terminates Ms. Buttorff or fails to obtain an agreement from any successor to perform the Employment Agreement.
Under the terms of her Employment Agreement, Ms. Buttorff is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants during the term of her employment and following termination of employment with the Company. The Employment Agreement also contains customary confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants.
NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Notes Payable and Accrued Interest – Related Parties
On
December 31, 2021 Panacea received a loan of $
On
December 31, 2021, Panacea issued the Company’s CEO, Ms. Buttorff, a
| F-25 |
On
July 1, 2021, the Company issued Ms. Buttorff a $
During
October 2019, the Company issued a short-term promissory notes to an officer of Exactus, for an aggregate principal amount of $
JN Real Estate related party owned by Ms. Buttorff—See Note 10 Exchange Agreement and Note 5 Operating lease.
Services
Agreement dated January 1, 2019, by and between the Company and Quintel, with respect to IT, HR, accounting/periodic reporting, production
planning, and employee reporting services. Master Agreement dated January 1, 2019, by and between the Company and Quintel/Canna Software,
LLC for the provision of the ERPCannabis solution. As of December 31, 2021 the outstanding obligation under these two service contracts
is $
The interest expense recorded for related party loans are shown below.
| December 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Accrued Interest | ||||||||
| Related party loan-Quintel | $ | $ | ||||||
| Related party loan-CEO loan | ||||||||
| Related party loan-XXII | - | - | ||||||
| Related party loan – Line of credit | - | |||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | Year ended December 31, 2020 | |||||||
| Interest Expense | ||||||||
| Related party loan-Quintel | $ | $ | ||||||
| Related party loan-CEO loan | ||||||||
| Related party loan-XXII | - | |||||||
| Related party loan – Line of Credit | - | |||||||
Other
The Company continues to hold shares of XXII stock which is available for trading. XXII recently moved from the NYSE to NASDAQ. As of December 31, 2021 XXII is a common shareholder of the Company. See Note 10 for additional details related to XXII resolution.
NOTE 10 – EXCHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN EXACTUS, INC. AND PANACEA LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
On
June 30, 2021, Exactus legally acquired Panacea pursuant to the Exchange Agreement with the shareholders of Panacea including its founder
Leslie Buttorff and 22nd Century Group, Inc., (“XXII”), a principal investor. Panacea, which was founded by Leslie
Buttorff in 2017 as a woman-owned business, attracted $
| F-26 |
Shares Issuances
Pursuant
to the Exchange Agreement, on June 30, 2021 the Company issued a total of shares of common stock,
On
June 29, 2021 the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada three new series of preferred stock (“Preferred
Stock”) designated as Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C-1 Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock and authorized
the filing of a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C-1
Convertible Preferred Stock and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock in the State of Nevada. The Board designated for issuance
Also,
on December 31, 2021, Panacea and XXII agreed to dissolve their business relationship. In terms of the agreement the following transactions
occurred in consideration for the XXII investment in Panacea of $
| 1. | Series
B Preferred ($ | |
| 2. | $ | |
| 3. | Panacea
sold to XXII the real property and improvements located in Delta County, Colorado, and comprised of approximately | |
| 4. | JN
Real Estate Company LLC (JN), owned by Leslie Buttorff, assumed a $ |
On December 31, 2021, the Board authorized the Company to file a certificate of amendment (the “Amendment”) to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to effectuate a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock, par value $ per share on a one (1) for twenty-eight (28) basis (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split was effective October 25, 2021.
As disclosed in Note 1 and 2 the Company has accounted for this share exchange as a reverse merger and recapitalization.
NOTE 11 – INCOME TAXES
The
Company has incurred aggregate net operating losses of approximately $
| F-27 |
The following table summarizes the significant differences between the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate for financial statement purposes for the year ended December 31, 2020. The company has yet to file income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2021.
December 31, 2020 | ||||
| U.S. federal statutory rate | % | |||
| Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: | ||||
| Increase in valuation allowance | ( | )% | ||
| ROU Assets/Liabilities | ( | )% | ||
| State taxes | % | |||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | - | % | ||
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows:
December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Deferred tax assets (liabilities) | ||||
| Net Operating Loss Carryforwards | $ | |||
| Marketable securities | ( | ) | ||
| ROU Assets/Liabilities | ( | ) | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | ( | ) | ||
| Total deferred tax assets (liabilities) | ||||
| Valuation Allowance | ( | ) | ||
| Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) | $ | |||
The
Company provided a valuation allowance equal to the deferred income tax asset for the year ended December 31, 2020 because it was not
known whether future taxable income will be sufficient to utilize the loss carryforward. The increase in the allowance was $
NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On
October 7, 2019, CMI Mechanical (“CMI”) agreed to procure, deliver, and install a dehumidification system (the “System”)
at the Company’s facility located at 16194 W. 45th Drive, Golden, Colorado 80403 (the “Property”). The Company believes
the System has failed to meet the requirements of the subject contract, and CMI has not remedied that failure for the Company. The Company
withheld certain payments as permitted under the contract. On December 10, 2020, CMI recorded a lien against the Property in the amount
of $
| F-28 |
On
March 3, 2022, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement (the “Agreement”) with an institutional investor (the “Investor”)
pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue a
The
Note will be due March 3, 2023, which is one year from the issuance date. The Note initially does not bear any interest, however upon
and during any event of default by the Company, the Note will accrue interest at a rate of
The
principal and accrued interest on the Note is convertible into common stock at a conversion price of $
Under
the terms of the Note, upon a Qualified Offering, as defined in the Note, the conversion price will be reduced to
The
Note also contains customary negative covenants prohibiting the Company from certain actions while the Note remains outstanding. The
Warrants will be exercisable for a -year term beginning on May 18, 2022, at an exercise price of $
Each
of the Note and the Warrants contain a
Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated March 3, 2022, by and between the Company and the Investor, in which the Company has agreed to file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities Exchange Commission following request by the Purchaser in the November 2021 private placement and include the registrable securities of the Investor. The Investor has agreed that their rights and remedies pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement are subordinate to the rights and remedies of the Purchaser pursuant to its registration rights agreement.
The Company obtained the consent of the Purchaser in connection with the foregoing.
| F-29 |
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
As previously disclosed on the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2021, on December 28, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the change of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm from RBSM LLP to BF Borgers CPA PC for the 2021 audit and for the Company’s periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q for future filings.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer), who is presently also serving as our principal financial officer, has conducted an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Our management’s evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting was based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that because of inherent limitations, any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, may not prevent or detect misstatements and can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
| ● | pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; | |
| ● | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and | |
| ● | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Our Chief Executive Officer has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that the information relating to us is required to be disclosed in our SEC reports (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure as a result of the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting:
| ● | The Company does not have sufficient segregation of duties within accounting functions due to only having two officers and limited resources. | |
| ● | The Company does not have an audit committee; and | |
| ● | The Company does not have written documentation of our internal control policies and procedures. |
We plan to rectify these weaknesses by establishing written policies and procedures for our internal control of financial reporting and hiring additional accounting personnel at such time as we raise sufficient capital to do so.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
The information required by Item 10 (Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance), Item 11 (Executive Compensation), Item 12 (Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters), Item 13 (Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence), and Item 14 (Principal Accounting Fees and Services) is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2021.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
| 28 |
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules
(a) Financial Statements and Schedules
The following financial statements and schedules listed below are included in this Form 10-K.
Financial Statements (See Item 8)
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** Exhibits and/or Schedules have been omitted. The Company hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request any omitted information.
*** This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
+Portions of this exhibit have been omitted as permitted by the rules of the SEC. The information excluded is both (i) not material and (ii) the type that the Company customarily and actually treats as private or confidential. The Company undertakes to submit a marked copy of this exhibit for review by the SEC Staff, to the extent it has not been previously provided, and provide supplemental materials to the SEC Staff promptly upon request.
Copies of this Report (including the financial statements) and any of the exhibits referred to above will be furnished at no cost to our shareholders who make a written request to Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc., at the address on the cover page of this Report, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
| 29 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Panacea Life Sciences Holdings, Inc. | |
| March 31, 2022 | /s/ Leslie Buttorff |
| Leslie Buttorff | |
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE | ||
| /s/ Leslie Buttorff | Principal Executive Officer and Chairman | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Leslie Buttorff | ||||
| /s/ Nathan Berman | Principal Accounting Officer | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Nathan Berman | ||||
| /s/ Janice Nerger | Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Janice Nerger | ||||
| /s/ Lawrence J. Wert | Director | March 31, 2022 | ||
| Lawrence J. Wert |
| 30 |