Canopy Growth and TerrAscend's Arise Bioscience Enter Debt Financing Agreement

Rhea-AI Summary

Canopy Growth has entered into a US$20 million loan agreement with Arise Bioscience Inc., a subsidiary of TerrAscend. The loan, secured by Arise's assets, will bear an interest rate of 6.10% per annum and matures on December 9, 2030. Additionally, Canopy has received 2,105,718 common share purchase warrants from TerrAscend. Proceeds from the loan will be used for general corporate purposes and debt repayment, without involvement in cannabis operations in the U.S. until compliant with laws.

Positive

• Secured a US$20 million loan providing financial support to Arise Bioscience.
• The loan has a reasonable interest rate of 6.10% per annum.

Negative

• None.

Canopy Growth completes US$20 million loan to Arise Bioscience Inc.

SMITHS FALLS and TORONTO, ON, Dec. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") (TSX: WEED) (NASDAQ: CGC) and Arise Bioscience Inc. ("Arise"), a wholly owned subsidiary of TerrAscend Corp. ("TerrAscend") (CSE: TER) (OTCQX: TRSSF) engaged only in the legal sale of CBD products, today announced they have entered into a loan financing arrangement in the amount of US$20 million (the "Loan") pursuant to a secured debenture (the "Debenture"). In connection with the Loan, TerrAscend has issued 2,105,718 common share purchase warrants to the Company (the "Warrants").

Canopy Growth initially co-invested in TerrAscend in November 2017. On November 30, 2018, Canopy Growth announced the completion of a restructuring transaction with TerrAscend pursuant to which TerrAscend restructured its share capital by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). Subsequently, in March 2020, Canopy Growth loaned CAD $80.5 million to TerrAscend Canada Inc.

"TerrAscend's management continues to perform very well in high-growth, competitive markets.  With this additional loan into TerrAscend's Arise business unit, we are confident the team will continue to execute at a high level and that they are well positioned to drive strong value creation for Canopy shareholders," said David Klein, CEO, Canopy Growth.

Jason Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of TerrAscend, added, "I'd like to thank the Canopy Growth team for their ongoing support and investment as we scale our operations. I'm proud to consider them partners and look forward to continuing to execute on the opportunity ahead." 

Use of Proceeds

Arise is only engaged in the legal sale of CBD products and does not sell THC products. The Loan proceeds are expected to be used by Arise for general corporate purposes, the repayment of indebtedness and/or for other permitted purposes under the terms of the Debenture. The funds will not be used, directly or indirectly, in connection with or for any cannabis or cannabis-related operations in the United States, unless and until such operations comply with all applicable laws of the United States.

Transaction Overview

The Debenture will bear interest at a rate of 6.10% per annum and will mature on December 9, 2030 or such earlier date in accordance with the terms of the Debenture and all interest payments made pursuant to the Debenture are payable in cash by Arise beginning in the fourth year after issuance of the Debenture. The Debenture is secured by the assets of Arise, is not convertible, and is not guaranteed by TerrAscend. The Warrants are comprised of: (a) 1,926,983 common share purchase warrants (the "First Tranche Warrants") with each First Tranche Warrant entitling Canopy Growth to acquire one common share of TerrAscend at an exercise price of CAD $15.28 per share; and (b) 178,735 common share purchase warrants (the "Second Tranche Warrants") with each Second Tranche Warrant entitling Canopy Growth to acquire one common share of TerrAscend at an exercise price of CAD $17.19 per share. The Warrants will be exercisable by Canopy Growth following changes in U.S. federal laws permitting the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana or to remove the regulation of such activities from the federal laws of the United States and the Loan is repayable by Arise at anytime. The First Tranche Warrants expire on December 9, 2030 or such earlier date in accordance with the First Tranche Warrants and the Second Tranche Warrants expire on December 9, 2031 or such earlier date in accordance with the Second Tranche Warrants.

About Canopy Growth

Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED,NASDAQ:CGC ) is a world-leading diversified cannabis and cannabinoid-based consumer product company, driven by a passion to improve lives, end prohibition, and strengthen communities by unleashing the full potential of cannabis. Leveraging consumer insights and innovation, we offer product varieties in high quality dried flower, oil, softgel capsule, infused beverage, edible, and topical formats, as well as vaporizer devices by Canopy Growth and industry-leader Storz & Bickel. Our global medical brand, Spectrum Therapeutics, sells a range of full-spectrum products using its colour-coded classification system and is a market leader in both Canada and Germany. Through our award-winning Tweed and Tokyo Smoke banners, we reach our adult-use consumers and have built a loyal following by focusing on top quality products and meaningful customer relationships. Canopy Growth has entered into the health and wellness consumer space in key markets including Canada, the United States, and Europe through BioSteel sports nutrition, and This Works skin and sleep solutions; and has introduced additional federally-permissible CBD products to the United States through our First & Free and Martha Stewart CBD brands. Canopy Growth has an established partnership with Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com.

About TerrAscend

TerrAscend is a leading North American cannabis operator with vertically integrated operations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California in addition to operating as a licensed producer in Canada. TerrAscend operates an award-winning chain of Apothecarium dispensary retail locations as well as scaled cultivation, processing and manufacturing facilities on both the East and West coasts. TerrAscend's best-in-class cultivation and manufacturing practices yield consistent, high-quality cannabis, providing industry-leading product selection to both the medical and legal adult-use market. The Company owns a number of synergistic businesses and brands, including The Apothecarium, Ilera Healthcare, State Flower, Valhalla Confections, and Arise Bioscience Inc. For more information, visit www.terrascend.com.

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), which involve certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements predict or describe our future operations, business plans, business and investment strategies and the performance of our investments. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by their use of such terms and phrases as "intend," "goal," "strategy," "estimate," "expect," "project," "projections," "forecasts," "plans," "seeks," "anticipates," "potential," "proposed," "will," "should," "could," "would," "may," "likely," "designed to," "foreseeable future," "believe," "scheduled" and other similar expressions. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Forward–looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, financial results, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward–looking statements and the forward–looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. A discussion of some of the material factors applicable to Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy") can be found under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Canopy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with applicable Canadian securities regulators, as such factors may be further updated from time to time in its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with applicable Canadian securities regulators, which can be accessed at www.sec.gov/edgar and www.sedar.com, respectively. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this press release and in the filings. Any forward–looking statement included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, Canopy disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward– looking statement. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on any forward–looking statement. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation

FAQ

What is the loan amount Canopy Growth provided to Arise Bioscience?

Canopy Growth provided a loan of US$20 million to Arise Bioscience.

What is the interest rate on the loan to Arise Bioscience?

The loan to Arise Bioscience bears an interest rate of 6.10% per annum.

When will the loan to Arise Bioscience mature?

The loan to Arise Bioscience will mature on December 9, 2030.

What will the proceeds from the loan to Arise Bioscience be used for?

The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and repayment of indebtedness.

What type of warrants did Canopy Growth receive from TerrAscend?

Canopy Growth received 2,105,718 common share purchase warrants from TerrAscend.