Verano Draws US$100 Million to Fund Strategic Growth Initiatives, and Adds an Option for Up to an Additional US$175 Million

Rhea-AI Summary

Verano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) has announced the drawing of an additional US$100 million under its existing credit agreement to support expansion and strategic growth initiatives. This follows a prior announcement from February 1, 2022, and comes at a non-dilutive interest rate of 8.50%. Additionally, the company has included funding of up to US$175 million for the future, pending final agreements with lenders. Verano operates in 15 U.S. states, with active facilities across 12 states, focusing on wellness through regulated cannabis products.

Positive

• Successfully drawn an additional US$100 million to fund expansion.
• Non-dilutive financing at an interest rate of 8.50%.
• Additional potential funding of up to US$175 million announced.

Negative

• None.

Funding follows previously-announced intention to draw US$100 million under existing credit agreement, providing Verano with flexibility to drive internal expansion efforts and near- and long-term growth strategies

CHICAGO, March 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) (“Verano” or the “Company”), a leading multi-state cannabis company, today announced it has drawn an additional US$100 million under its existing credit agreement pursuant to a fourth amendment to such credit agreement, to fund expansion and strategic growth initiatives, per its previous announcement on February 1, 2022, at a non-dilutive interest rate of 8.50%. As part of such amendment to its credit agreement, funding for up to an additional US$175 million at a future date was added, which lending commitment is subject to final agreement and conditions with the Company’s lenders. Chicago Atlantic Advisors, LLC (“Chicago Atlantic”) is the lead administrative agent and collateral agent, with participation from AFC Gamma, Inc. (“AFC Gamma”).

About Verano

Verano is a leading, vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator in the U.S., devoted to the ongoing improvement of communal wellness by providing responsible access to regulated cannabis products. With a mission to address vital health and wellness needs, Verano produces a comprehensive suite of premium, innovative cannabis products sold under its trusted portfolio of consumer brands, including Verano^™, Avexia^™, Encore^™, and MÜV^™. Verano’s portfolio encompasses 15 U.S. states, with active operations in 12, including 12 production facilities comprising over 1,000,000 square feet of cultivation capacity. Verano designs, builds, and operates dispensaries under retail brands including Zen Leaf^™ and MÜV^™, delivering a superior cannabis shopping experience in both medical and adult-use markets. Learn more at www.verano.com.

About Chicago Atlantic and Green Ivy Capital , LLC

Chicago Atlantic Advisers, LLC is an asset management firm specializing in direct lending and opportunistic private credit investing. Founded in 2018 by Tony Cappell, John Mazarakis, and Andreas Bodmeier, the firm seeks to capitalize on North American investment opportunities that are time-sensitive, complex, or in dislocated markets, where risk is fundamentally mispriced. Through its affiliate Green Ivy Capital, LLC, the firm manages a diversified portfolio of credit investments in the cannabis space and is actively investing across the value chain.

About AFC Gamma, Inc.

AFC Gamma (NASDAQ: AFCG) is a commercial real estate finance company that provides a range of lending solutions to established operators in the cannabis industry. AFC Gamma originates, structures and underwrites senior secured loans and other types of loan solutions in states that have legalized medicinal and/or adult use cannabis. AFC Gamma’s senior management team has over 100 years of combined experience in investment management and disciplined credit investing across a range of economic cycles. 

Contacts:

Media
Verano
Steve Mazeika
Director, Communications
steve.mazeika@verano.com
312-348-4430

Investors
Verano
Julianna Paterra, CFA
Director, Investor Relations
Julianna@verano.com

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", “future”, "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to the Company’s operations. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein, including, without limitation, the risk factors discussed in the Company's publicly available filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except as may be required in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice regarding forward-looking information and statements.

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FAQ

What recent funding announcement has Verano Holdings made?

Verano Holdings announced it has drawn an additional US$100 million under its existing credit agreement for expansion and strategic growth.

What is the interest rate associated with Verano Holdings' new funding?

The new funding comes at a non-dilutive interest rate of 8.50%.

How much additional funding might Verano Holdings secure in the future?

Verano Holdings announced a potential additional funding of up to US$175 million, subject to final agreements with lenders.

In how many U.S. states does Verano Holdings operate?

Verano Holdings operates in 15 U.S. states, with active operations in 12.

What is the purpose of Verano Holdings drawing additional funds?

The funds will be used to support expansion and strategic growth initiatives.