Green Thumb Industries Announces $50 Million Share Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Green Thumb Industries (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) has announced a $50 million share repurchase program, authorizing the buyback of up to 10,573,860 Subordinate Voting Shares over the next 12 months. This follows the company's previous repurchase program, which expired on September 10, 2024, where 6.5 million shares were repurchased for $73.3 million. The new program will run from September 23, 2024, to September 22, 2025.

CEO Ben Kovler emphasized the value-creating nature of share buybacks at attractive prices and the company's strong balance sheet. Green Thumb is not obligated to purchase any shares and may suspend or terminate the program at any time. Shares will be purchased on various exchanges, subject to securities regulations, and the company does not plan to incur debt to fund the program.

Positive

• Authorization of a $50 million share repurchase program, potentially increasing shareholder value
• Successful completion of previous repurchase program, buying back 6.5 million shares for $73.3 million
• Strong balance sheet position, as highlighted by the CEO
• Flexibility to pursue strategic M&A, capital expenditures, and investment opportunities alongside the buyback program

Negative

• No obligation to complete the full $50 million share repurchase, which may lead to uncertainty for investors
• Potential opportunity cost of using $50 million for share repurchases instead of other growth initiatives

CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Thumb Industries Inc. (“Green Thumb” or the “Company”) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a $50 million share repurchase program. The repurchase program authorizes, pursuant to a normal course issuer bid, the repurchase of up to 10,573,860 of its Subordinate Voting Shares (“Shares”) from time to time over the next 12 months. Under the Company’s previous repurchase program that expired on September 10, 2024, Green Thumb repurchased 6.5 million shares for $73.3 million.

“We continue to believe in the value-creating nature of share buybacks done at attractive prices,” said Green Thumb Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. “This buyback program provides greater flexibility to use our cash reserves to repurchase more shares should the opportunity present itself. We love our balance sheet, particularly in light of the recent refinancing, and remain open to strategic M&A, capital expenditures into the business and unique investment opportunities. The future is bright for Green Thumb as America craves more well-being and more cannabis.”

The repurchase program will commence on September 23, 2024 and expire on September 22, 2025. Green Thumb is not obligated to purchase any Shares. If management determines it has a better use for its cash reserves, it is under no obligation to continue to purchase Shares and share purchases may be suspended or terminated at any time at Green Thumb’s discretion. Shares may be purchased on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the OTCQX Best Market, or alternative trading systems and will be subject to the limitations and rules imposed by U.S. and Canadian securities regulations. The Company does not expect to incur debt to fund the share repurchase program. The actual number of Shares purchased, timing of purchases and share price will depend upon market conditions at the time and securities law requirements. All Shares acquired will be returned to treasury and cancelled.

About Green Thumb Industries
Green Thumb Industries Inc. (“Green Thumb”), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, promotes well-being through the power of cannabis while giving back to the communities in which it serves. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including &Shine, Beboe, Dogwalkers, Doctor Solomon’s, Good Green, incredibles and RYTHM. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called RISE. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb has 20 manufacturing facilities, 98 open retail locations and operations across 14 U.S. markets. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs approximately 4,700 people and serves millions of patients and customers each year. More information is available at www.gtigrows.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, “forward-looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this document regarding the prospects of our industry or our prospects, plans, financial position or business strategy may constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “foresee,” “opportunity,” “project,” “potential,” “risk,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “forecast,” “continue,” “suggests” or “could” or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terms or expressions of similar meaning. Furthermore, forward-looking statements may be included in various filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized executive officers. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that these expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. These known and unknown risks include, without limitation: cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law, and enforcement of cannabis laws could change; the Company may be subject to action by the U.S. federal government; state regulation of cannabis is uncertain; the Company may not be able to obtain or maintain necessary permits and authorizations; the Company may be subject to heightened scrutiny by Canadian regulatory authorities; the Company may face limitations on ownership of cannabis licenses; the Company may become subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulation; cannabis businesses are subject to applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations and have restricted access to banking and other financial services; the Company may face difficulties acquiring additional financing; the Company faces intense competition; the Company faces competition from unregulated products; the Company is dependent upon the popularity and consumer acceptance of its brand portfolio; the Company lacks access to U.S. bankruptcy protections; the Company operates in a highly regulated sector and may not always succeed in complying fully with applicable regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions where it carries on business; the Company has limited trademark protections; the Company may face difficulties in enforcing its contracts; cannabis businesses are subject to unfavorable tax treatment; cannabis businesses may be subject to civil asset forfeiture; the Company is subject to proceeds of crime statutes; the Company faces exposure to fraudulent or illegal activity; the Company’s use of joint ventures may expose it to risks associated with jointly owned investments; the Company faces risks due to industry immaturity or limited comparable, competitive or established industry best practices; the Company faces risks related to its products; the Company’s business is subject to the risks inherent in agricultural operations; the Company faces risks related to its information technology systems and potential cyber-attacks and security breaches; the Company relies on third-party software providers for numerous capabilities we depend upon to operate, and a disruption of one or more of these systems could adversely affect our business; the Company faces an inherent risk of product liability or similar claims; the Company’s products may be subject to product recalls; the Company may face unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; the Company’s voting control is concentrated; the Company’s capital structure and voting control may cause unpredictability; and issuances of substantial amounts of the Super Voting Shares, Multiple Voting Shares, Subordinate Voting Shares may result in dilution. Further information on these and other potential factors that could affect the Company’s business and financial condition and the results of operations are included in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and elsewhere in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website or at https://investors.gtigrows.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this document, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in our reports to the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this document.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Investor Contact:                                        
Andy Grossman
EVP, Capital Markets & Investor Relations
InvestorRelations@gtigrows.com                        
310-622-8257                                                

Media Contact:
GTI Communications
media@gtigrows.com

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

FAQ

What is the size of Green Thumb Industries' new share repurchase program?

Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) has announced a $50 million share repurchase program, authorizing the buyback of up to 10,573,860 Subordinate Voting Shares over the next 12 months.

When does Green Thumb Industries' (GTBIF) new share repurchase program start and end?

The new share repurchase program for Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) will commence on September 23, 2024, and expire on September 22, 2025.

How many shares did Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) repurchase in its previous buyback program?

In its previous repurchase program that expired on September 10, 2024, Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) repurchased 6.5 million shares for $73.3 million.

Is Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) obligated to complete the full $50 million share repurchase?

No, Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) is not obligated to purchase any shares. The company may suspend or terminate the program at any time at its discretion.