CANOPY GROWTH ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
- Shareholders overwhelmingly approve the creation of a new class of Exchangeable Shares of Canopy Growth, enabling the acceleration of Canopy Growth's entry into the
U.S. THC market, which is expected to be approximately in 2026.1$50B - Canopy
USA expected to advance imminently with triggering acquisition of U.S. assets.
A total of 32,250,578 common shares of the Company (the "Shares"), representing
The sole matter put forward before the Company's shareholders for consideration and approval, as set out in the Company's definitive proxy statement dated February 12, 2024 (the "Proxy Statement"), was approved by the requisite number of votes cast at the Meeting, as further detailed below.
At the Meeting, shareholders passed a special resolution authorizing an amendment (the "Amendment Proposal") to the Company's articles of incorporation, as amended (the "Articles"), in order to, among other things: (i) create and authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of a new class of non-voting and non-participating exchangeable shares in the capital of Canopy Growth (the "Exchangeable Shares"). The Exchangeable Shares will not carry voting rights, rights to receive dividends or other rights upon dissolution of Canopy Growth but will be convertible into Shares.
The detailed results of the vote at the Meeting are set out below:
Votes cast | % Votes | Votes cast | % Votes | Abstentions | % |
30,818,252 | 95.56 % | 1,313,601 | 4.07 % | 118,725 | 0.37 % |
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"With this successful shareholder vote complete, our Canopy
Added Klein, "Buoyed by recent comments from the President and the Vice-President, Canopy Growth continues to be cautiously optimistic that cannabis will be moved to Schedule III in the near-term. Following this, we expect an immediate enhancement to the cashflow of Wana, Jetty, and Acreage resulting from the removal of the prohibition on business deductions in Section 280 which we expect to help power their growth."
Overview of Canopy
On October 25, 2022, Canopy Growth previously announced a strategy to accelerate its entry into the
Potential benefits of this strategy include:
- Fast Tracks Entry into the World's Largest and Fastest Growing Cannabis Market: The
U.S. retail cannabis market is projected to be as high as approximatelyUS in 2026, and this strategy aims to unlock the ability to capture share and return on investments made to date. Through these "stepping stone" transactions, Canopy Growth will be strategically repositioned to capitalize on the benefits of complete ownership and control of its$50 billion U.S. THC portfolio of assets following the date that the NASDAQ Stock Market or The New York Stock Exchange permit the listing of companies that consolidate the financial statements of companies that cultivate, distribute or possess marijuana (as defined in 21 U.S.C 802) inthe United States . - Establishes a Leading, Brand Focused Powerhouse: Canopy
USA 's portfolio includes some of the most recognized, iconic cannabis brands inthe United States that we believe are ideally positioned in the fastest growing categories, such as edibles, vapes, and flower. CanopyUSA is expected to leverage the best of each brand's offerings to accelerate growth and market expansion as key states across the country continue to allow adult-use cannabis usage, realizing value in the near term and setting Canopy Growth up for a fast start uponU.S. federal permissibility of cannabis. - Financial Benefit via Revenue and Cost Synergies within Canopy
USA : The combination ofU.S. cannabis assets is expected to generate revenue and cost synergies within CanopyUSA by leveraging the brands, routes to market and operations of the fullU.S. cannabis ecosystem while eliminating redundancies across certain of theU.S. THC portfolio of assets and the public company reporting costs of Acreage. Furthermore, as a result of the various investments, counterparties and definitive agreements in connection with theU.S. THC portfolio of assets, the time, complexity and cost associated with monitoring and valuing each underlying contract is financially and logistically burdensome. As a result of the formation of CanopyUSA , the Company has adopted a singular approach to itsU.S. strategy. Over time we expect to realize value as a result of: (i) reduced operating expenses for Canopy Growth with respect to the monitoring of theU.S. THC portfolio of assets; and (ii) cost synergies across CanopyUSA , including the elimination of public company reporting costs for Acreage, all of which are expected to be realized while cannabis remains federally illegal inthe United States . - Highlights the Value of Canopy's U.S. THC Investments: While Canopy Growth will not consolidate the financial results of Canopy
USA , Canopy Growth expects to highlight the value of CanopyUSA 'sU.S. THC assets to investors following their acquisition.
Expected Next Steps in Canopy
With shareholders of the Company approving the Amendment Proposal at the Meeting, the following principal steps are expected to be completed:
- The Company is expected to amend its Articles to create and authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares;
- Following the creation of the Exchangeable Shares, Constellation Brands, Inc., ("CBI") Canopy Growth's largest shareholder, is expected to convert its Shares into Exchangeable Shares and the CBI nominees that are currently sitting on the Company's Board of Directors are expected to resign as directors of the Company following the expected termination of the second amended and restated investor rights agreement dated April 18, 2019 among Canopy Growth, CBG Holdings LLC and Greenstar Investment Limited Partnership, wholly-owned subsidiaries of CBI (collectively, the "CBI Actions"). Following the CBI Actions, CBI will continue to be Canopy Growth's largest shareholder; and
- Following completion of the CBI Actions, and the completion of the investment in Canopy
USA by a third-party, CanopyUSA is expected to exercise its options and acquire Acreage, Wana and Jetty. The acquisitions of Wana and Jetty are expected to be completed in the Company's Q2 FY2025. The acquisition of Acreage is expected to be completed by the end of Canopy Growth's FY2025.
Canopy Growth shareholders may elect to convert all or part of their Shares into non-trading Exchangeable Shares (the "Common Share Conversion Right") and holders of Exchangeable Shares may elect to convert all or part of their Exchangeable Shares into Common Shares (the "Exchangeable Share Conversion Right", together with the Common Share Conversion Right, the "Conversion Right"). It is important to note that the Exchangeable Shares will not be publicly tradable on TSX or NASDAQ stock markets. The Conversion Right may be exercised by registered holders of Shares and Exchangeable Shares, as applicable, at any time following the effective time of the creation of the Exchangeable Shares, by completing and signing a notice of conversion. For more information concerning the Conversion Right, please refer to the press release of the Company dated March 11, 2024 (https://www.canopygrowth.com/investors/news-releases/canopy-growth-announces-details-regarding-converting-into-exchangeable-shares-2/). It is important to note that the Exchangeable Shares will not be listed or posted for trading on any stock exchange.
For complete results on the matter voted on at the Meeting, please consult the Company's Report of Voting Results, which will be filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and the Company's Form 8-K which will be filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
About Canopy Growth Corporation
Canopy Growth is a leading North American cannabis and consumer packaged goods ("CPG") company dedicated to unleashing the power of cannabis to improve lives.
Through an unwavering commitment to our consumers, Canopy Growth delivers innovative products with a focus on premium and mainstream cannabis brands including Doja, 7ACRES, Tweed, and Deep Space. Canopy Growth's CPG portfolio features gourmet wellness products by Martha Stewart CBD, and category defining vaporizer technology made in
Canopy Growth has also established a comprehensive ecosystem to realize the opportunities presented by the
Beyond its world-class products, Canopy Growth is leading the industry forward through a commitment to social equity, responsible use, and community reinvestment—pioneering a future where cannabis is understood and welcomed for its potential to help achieve greater well-being and life enhancement.
For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, 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. Our actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those anticipated. 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 include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: expectations regarding the Canopy
Certain of the forward-looking statements contained herein concerning the industries in which we conduct our business are based on estimates prepared by us using data from publicly available governmental sources, market research, industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of these industries, which we believe to be reasonable. However, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics, such data is inherently imprecise. The industries in which we conduct our business involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors, which are described further below.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including, without limitation: (i) management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; (ii) general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which we operate; (iii) anticipated and unanticipated costs; (iv) government regulation; (v) our ability to realize anticipated benefits, synergies or generate revenue, profits or value; and (xiii) other considerations that management believes to be appropriate in the circumstances. While our management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release and other reports we file with, or furnish to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and other regulatory agencies and made by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf. Such factors include, without limitation, our limited operating history; the diversion of management time on issues related to Canopy
While we believe that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date they are made and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on that date. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except as required by law. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and other reports we file with, or furnish to, the SEC and other regulatory agencies and made by our directors, officers, other employees and other persons authorized to speak on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
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