IMC Partners with Leading US Brand to Launch cbdMD Products in Israel and Provides Further Details on Panaxia Transaction

Rhea-AI Summary

IM Cannabis Corp. (CSE:IMCC, NASDAQ:IMCC) has entered a binding letter of intent with cbdMD, Inc. to exclusively import its products to Israel, pending regulatory approval. This partnership aims to capitalize on the anticipated growth of the Israeli CBD market, projected to reach US$475 million by 2025. Additionally, IMC provided updates on its previous acquisition of the Panaxia pharmacy, involving a total purchase price of $7.2 million, with $2.9 million paid in cash and $4.3 million through share issuance.

Positive

• Exclusive partnership with cbdMD positions IMC as a key player in the expanding Israeli CBD market.
• The Israeli CBD market projected growth to US$475 million by 2025 presents significant revenue opportunities.
• Successful acquisition of Panaxia trading house enhances IMC's market presence.

Negative

• Acquisition completion is subject to approvals from the Israeli Ministry of Health, creating potential delays.
• Market entry depends on legalization of CBD for non-medical purposes in Israel, which is uncertain.

TORONTO, ON and GLIL YAM, ISRAEL / ACCESSWIRE / August 9, 2021 / IM Cannabis Corp. ("IMC" or the "Company") (CSE:IMCC, NASDAQ:IMCC), a multi-country operator ("MCO") in the medical and adult-use recreational cannabis sector with operations in Israel, Germany and Canada, is pleased to announce the signing of a binding letter of intent (the "Binding LOI") with cbdMD, Inc. (YCBD, YCBDpA), one of the leading and most highly trusted and recognized CBD health & wellness companies. Pursuant to the Binding LOI, the Company will be the exclusive importer of cbdMD, Inc.'s products to Israel. The Company is also providing details of the shares \issued as part of the consideration paid in connection with the previously announced acquisition of Panaxia-to-the-Home online pharmacy from Panaxia Pharmaceutical Industries Israel Ltd. and Panaxia Logistics Ltd., part of the Panaxia Labs Israel, Ltd. group of companies ("Panaxia") (PNAX).

Signing of Binding LOI with cbdMD

On August 3, 2021, IMC and cbdMD, Inc. executed the Binding LOI that will grant IMC an exclusive right to import, sell, distribute and market cbdMD products in Israel using the cbdMD brand name and trademark, subject to the legalization of CBD for non-medical purposes in Israel meeting all regulatory requirements for the import, sale, distribution and marketing of CBD products in Israel and meeting the minimum quantity targets as set out in the Binding LOI.

cbdMD is an industry leader in the United States, offering a full range of CBD products and is recognized for its strategic partnerships in sports and fitness. It was the first US based CBD company to be listed on the NYSE:American Stock Exchange.

"We are excited to enter this partnership with a leading company such as cbdMD, and to extend this leadership into the Israeli market" says Oren Shuster, IMC's CEO. "The Israeli CBD market is expected to reach up to US$475 million by 2025¹. With this agreement with cbdMD, we have the opportunity to shape the Israeli CBD market upon legalization and plan to leverage IMC's new and expanding retail presence, distribution capabilities and data-driven insights to reach our patients and delight our future consumers with a leading CBD brand such as cbdMD."

"We are excited to partner with IM Cannabis Corp and to enter the Israeli market. The cbdMD brand continues to grow internationally as we are now represented in over 30 countries," said Martin Sumichrast, Chairman & co-CEO of cbdMD, Inc.

Panaxia Transaction Issuance of Shares

As previously announced in press releases dated April 30 and June 1, 2021, the Company's wholly-owned Israeli subsidiary, IMC Holdings Ltd., signed a definitive agreement with Panaxia, pursuant to which IMC will acquire Panaxia's trading house and in-house pharmacy activities, for an aggregate purchase price of $7.2 million (the "Transaction").

The Transaction purchase price was to be satisfied by a combination of $2.9 million in cash (the "Cash Consideration") and $4.3 million in common shares of the Company ("Consideration Shares"). The Cash Consideration was paid in two installments according to the terms of the Transaction.

¹Based on Company management assessment, and Manufacturers' Association of Israel Study, conducted by Deloitte, September: Findings of Market Research Regarding Incorporation of CBD Into Consumer Goods, September 2020

To satisfy the share consideration component of the Transaction, the Company will issue up to five instalments of Consideration Shares. The deemed price of each Consideration Share is calculated based on the average closing price of the Company's common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market over the 10 trading day period immediately preceding the date of issuance.

On July 30, 2021, the Company issued the first instalment of 142,007 Consideration Shares at a price of US$5.009 per Consideration Share, representing an aggregate value equal to approximately US$ 711,313 with up to four additional instalments (each, an "Additional Instalment") expected. The next three Additional Instalments will be issued on the last trading day of each of the next three months. The fourth Additional Instalment will be issued upon the later of (i) four months from the issuance of the first instalment of Consideration Shares; or (ii) the second closing of the Transaction, which is subject to the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Health.

About cbdMD, Inc.

cbdMD, Inc. is one of the leading and most highly trusted and most recognized cannabidiol (CBD) brands with a comprehensive line of U.S. produced, THC-free¹ CBD products. The cbdMD brand currently includes over 130 SKU's of high-grade, premium CBD products including CBD tinctures, CBD gummies, CBD topicals, CBD capsules, CBD bath bombs, CBD bath salts, CBD sleep aids and CBD drink mixes. The Paw CBD brand of pet products includes over 45 SKUs of veterinarian-formulated products including tinctures, chews, topicals products in varying strengths, and the CBD Botanicals brand of beauty and skincare products features 15 SKUs, including facial oil and serum, toners, moisturizers, clear skin, facial masks, exfoliants and body care. Please visit www.cbdMD.com, follow cbdMD on Instagram and Facebook, or visit one of the 6,000 retail outlets that carry cbdMD products.

¹THC-free is defined as below the level of detection using validated scientific analytical methods.

About IM Cannabis Corp.

IMC is an MCO in the medical and adult-use recreational cannabis sector, headquartered in Israel and with operations In Israel, Germany, and Canada. Over the past decade, the Company believes that the IMC brand has become synonymous with quality and consistency in the Israeli medical cannabis market. The Company has also expanded its business to the retail sector with acquisitions of medical cannabis retail pharmacies and online platforms, distribution centers and logistics hubs enabling safe delivery of medical cannabis and control over the entire value chain, from seed to patients.

In Europe, IMC operates through Adjupharm GmbH, a German-based subsidiary and EU-GMP-certified medical cannabis distributor. IMC's European presence is augmented by strategic alliances with European and Canadian EU-GMP cultivators and distributors to capitalize on the increased demand for medical cannabis products in Europe and bring the IMC brand and its product portfolio to European patients.

In Canada, IMC operates through Trichome JWC Acquisition Corp. d/b/a JWC. JWC is a licensed producer located in Kitchener, Ontario, selling cannabis flower, pre-rolls, hash and kief in the Canadian recreational cannabis market under the JWC and WAGNERS brands. JWC operates with high standards for providing clean, consistent, aeroponically-grown premium cannabis products to medical patients and the adult-use market throughout Canada and the world. IMC also operates MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. and its licensed producer subsidiary, Highland Grow Inc.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "likely" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, without limitation, statements relating to the Binding LOI, the entering into of a definitive agreement based on the Binding LOI (including the receipt of all requisite approvals and the satisfaction of minimum quantity targets), expectations related to the Israeli non-medical CBD market, the Company's retail presence, distribution capabilities and data-driven insights, the completion of the Transaction (including the receipt of all requisite approvals), the issuance dates of the Additional Instalments, and the Company's business and strategic plans.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to the ability of the Company to execute its business plan, the continued growth of the medical and/or recreational cannabis markets in the countries in which the Company operates or intends to operate, the Company maintaining "de facto" control over Focus Medical Herbs Ltd. ("Focus Medical") in accordance with IFRS 10, Focus Medical maintaining its existing Israeli medical cannabis propagation and cultivation licenses and the expected decriminalization and/or legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in Israel. The Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, forward-looking information is subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Such risks include, without limitation: the failure to negotiate and execute a definitive agreement with cbdMD satisfactory to the respective parties, the failure to obtain all necessary approvals related to the Binding LOI, the ability of the Company to complete the Transaction in a timely manner or at all; the receipt of requisite approvals to complete the Transaction; the ability of the Company to complete the acquisition of R.A. Yarok Pharm Ltd. ("Pharm Yarok"), Rosen High Way Ltd. ("Rosen High Way") and High Way Shinua.Ltd. ("HW Shinua") (the "Acquisition") in a timely manner or at all; the receipt of requisite approvals to complete the Acquisition; the ability of the Company to integrate the Pharm Yarok and Rosen High Way businesses into its existing operations and to realize the expected benefits and synergies of the Acquisition; HW Shinua successfully obtaining a medical cannabis transportation license from the Israeli Medical Cannabis Unit; the ability of the Company to capture the benefits associated with its acquisitions of Trichome Financial Inc., MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. and Panaxia-to-the-Home; unexpected disruptions to the operations and businesses of the Company and/or Focus Medical as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic or other disease outbreaks including a resurgence in the cases of COVID-19; the Israeli government deciding to delay or abandon the decriminalization and/or legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis; any bill relating to the decriminalization and/or legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in Israel being rejected by Israeli parliament; any change in the political environment which would negatively affect the decriminalization and/or legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in Israel; engaging in activities considered illegal under United States federal law; the ability of the Company to comply with applicable government regulations in a highly regulated industry; unexpected changes in governmental policies and regulations affecting the production, distribution, manufacture or use of medical cannabis in Israel, Germany, or any other foreign jurisdictions in which the Company intends to operate; unexpected changes in governmental policies and regulations affecting the production, distribution, manufacture or use of adult-use recreational cannabis in Canada; any failure of the Company to maintain "de facto" control over Focus Medical in accordance with IFRS 10; any change in accounting practices or treatment affecting the consolidation of financial results; the Company and Focus Medical having to rely on third party cannabis producers to supply Adjupharm and Focus Medical with product to successfully fulfill previously announced sales agreements and purchase commitments; the ability of Focus Medical and Adjupharm to deliver on their sales commitments; the risk that regulatory authorities in Israel may view the Company as the deemed owner of more than 5% of Focus Medical in contravention to Israeli rules restricting the ownership of Israeli cannabis cultivators and thereby jeopardizing Focus Medical's cannabis propagation or cultivation licenses; any unexpected failure of Focus Medical to renew its propagation or cultivation licenses with the Israeli Ministry of Health, including any adverse consequences as a result of certain legal proceedings initiated by Israeli municipal authorities against Focus Medical, Oren Shuster, and certain other shareholders and stakeholders of Focus Medical (the "Construction Proceedings"); any unexpected failure of Focus Medical to maintain any of its commercial facilities or land lease agreements, including as a result of the Construction Proceedings; any unexpected failure of Adjupharm to renew its production, wholesale, narcotics handling or import/export licenses, permits, certificates or approvals; the Company's reliance on management; the lack of merger and acquisition opportunities; inconsistent public opinion and perception regarding the use of cannabis; perceived effects of medical cannabis products; the Company's ability to maintain or improve the brand position of the IMC brand in the Israeli and German medical cannabis markets; political instability and conflict in the Middle East; adverse market conditions; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; costs of inputs; crop failures; litigation; currency fluctuations; competition; industry consolidation; failure to meet NASDAQ's continued listing requirements; and loss of key management and/or employees.

CONTACTS:

Oren Shuster
CEO, IM Cannabis Corp.
+972-77-3603504
info@imcannabis.com

Caitlin Kasunich
Media Relations - U.S.
+1 212-896-1241
ckasunich@kcsa.com

Gal Wilder
Media Relations - Canada
+1 416-602-4092
gwilder@cohnwolfe.ca

Elizabeth Barker
Investor Relations
+1 212-896-1203
ebarker@kcsa.com

SOURCE: IM Cannabis Corp.

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FAQ

What is the recent partnership of IMCC?

IM Cannabis Corp. entered a binding letter of intent with cbdMD to exclusively import its products to Israel.

How much is the Israeli CBD market projected to be worth?

The Israeli CBD market is expected to reach up to US$475 million by 2025.

What is the value of IMCC's acquisition of Panaxia?

IMC's acquisition of Panaxia is valued at a total of $7.2 million.

What are the terms for IMCC's share issuance related to the Panaxia acquisition?

The acquisition includes $4.3 million to be satisfied through the issuance of common shares.

What is the timeline for IMCC's share installments related to the Panaxia transaction?

IMC will issue the share installments over a period of several months, with specific dates subject to market conditions.