PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harvest Health & Recreation, Inc. (CSE: HARV, OTCQX: HRVSF) (“Harvest”), a vertically integrated cannabis company with one of the largest and deepest footprints in the U.S., and Falcon International Corp. (“Falcon”), a California-based cannabis company with experience in cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale distribution and brand development, today have both certified substantial compliance with the Request for Additional Information and Documentary Materials (“Second Request”) issued by the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) on April 17, 2019 regarding Harvest’s proposed acquisition of Falcon. Harvest also announced continued progress towards completing its plans to acquire Verano Holdings, LLC (“Verano”), and CannaPharmacy, Inc. (“CannaPharmacy”). These transactions will provide Harvest with key executive and management positions, best in class operating assets and an expanded footprint in both adult use and medical markets. Through the integration process Harvest will further enhance its operational capabilities throughout the U.S. and capitalize on the significant advantages each company holds in its respective markets.
The certification of substantial compliance triggers the start of a 30-day waiting period during which Harvest and Falcon will continue to work constructively with the DOJ to complete the investigation. The waiting period is expected to expire on or around October 23, 2019 after which the parties will be free to close unless the DOJ takes legal action to block the transaction. Pending satisfaction of closing conditions and receipt of all regulatory approvals, Harvest expects to then close the transaction, expanding its presence in California, the largest cannabis market in the U.S.
Separately, Harvest and Verano are nearing certification on substantial compliance with the Second Request issued by the DOJ and are currently on track to certify by the end of October, with the transaction expected to close by year-end. This acquisition will combine two geographically complementary, like-minded, market-leading multi-state operators focused on quality, operating excellence and profitable growth.
Finally, Harvest has certified substantial compliance with respect to the CannaPharmacy transaction, and upon certification of substantial compliance by CannaPharmacy the 30-day waiting period will begin. Through this acquisition, Harvest will expand its footprint in certain eastern states where CannaPharmacy operates.
“We have made significant progress in submitting the required documents for second requests on Verano and CannaPharmacy and certified substantial compliance for Falcon and look forward to closing all the acquisitions by year end,” said Harvest CEO Steve White. “In this dynamic industry we continue to evaluate our organization and drive towards our goal to build the best team in cannabis. These game-changing transactions not only bring revenue and compelling assets to our portfolio, even more importantly, they bring very talented operational executives and key leadership to the Harvest family. We feel strongly that the new talent that will join the company through these acquisitions will be transformational. While 2019 has been an important year in our history, we are excited by the prospects of what we can achieve together as One Harvest in 2020. These partnerships will only serve to build upon our capabilities to improve people’s lives through all the goodness cannabis has to offer.”
About Harvest Health & Recreation, Inc.
Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, Harvest Health & Recreation, Inc. is a multi-state cannabis operator (MSO) and vertically-integrated cannabis company. Subject to completion of announced acquisitions, Harvest will have one of the largest footprints in the U.S., with rights to more than 210 facilities, of which approximately 130 are retail locations, and more than 1,700 employees across 18 states and territories. Since 2011, the company has been committed to expanding its Harvest House of Cannabis retail and wholesale presence throughout the U.S., acquiring, creating and growing leading brands for patients and consumers nationally and continuing on a path of profitable growth. Harvest’s mission is to improve lives through the goodness of cannabis and is focused on its vision to become the most valuable cannabis company in the world. We hope you’ll join us on our journey: https://harvestinc.com
Facebook: @HarvestHOC
Instagram: @HarvestHOC
Twitter: @HarvestHOC
Forward-looking Statements
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects Harvest management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Harvest believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the combined Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the ability of Harvest to develop Harvest's brand and meet its growth objectives, the ability of Harvest to complete planned acquisitions that are accretive to it's revenue, the ability of Harvest to obtain and/or maintain licenses or other contractual rights to operate in the jurisdictions in which it operates or in which it expects or plans to operate; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and in particular in the ability of the Company to raise debt and equity capital in the amounts and at the costs that it expects; adverse changes in the public perception of cannabis; decreases in the prevailing prices for cannabis and cannabis products in the markets that the Company operates in; adverse changes in applicable laws; or adverse changes in the application or enforcement of current laws, including those related to taxation; the inability to locate and acquire suitable companies, properties and assets necessary to execute on the Company's business plans; and increasing costs of compliance with extensive government regulation. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Harvest and market conditions.
