IM Cannabis Receives 180 Calendar Day Extension from the Nasdaq Stock Market to Regain Compliance with Bid Price Rule

Rhea-AI Summary

IM Cannabis Corp. has received a 180-day extension from the Nasdaq Stock Market to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. The company will continue to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and plans to pursue available options to regain compliance, including potentially pursuing a reverse stock split.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• The company has not yet regained compliance with the minimum $1 bid price per share requirement, which could lead to potential delisting from the Nasdaq Stock Market if not addressed within the extension period.

Financial Analyst

The extension granted to IM Cannabis Corp. by Nasdaq to meet the Bid Price Rule is a critical juncture for the company's continued listing on a major exchange. The bid price requirement is a standard mechanism to ensure a minimum level of market confidence and liquidity, which can impact investor perception and the ability to raise capital. The consideration of a reverse stock split is a common strategy employed by companies facing delisting due to share price deficiencies. This move can adjust the number of outstanding shares and proportionally increase the share price, potentially satisfying the exchange's requirements.

However, it's important to note that while a reverse stock split may improve the nominal share price, it does not inherently change the company's market capitalization or underlying fundamentals. Investors should consider the potential dilution of ownership and the perception of such a move, as it can sometimes be viewed as a negative signal regarding a company's performance or growth prospects. The company's ability to regain compliance will be closely watched, as failure to do so could result in delisting, which typically leads to decreased liquidity and investor interest.

Market Research Analyst

IM Cannabis Corp.'s situation highlights the challenges faced in the medical cannabis industry, where regulatory hurdles, market saturation and price volatility can impact stock performance. The sector is highly competitive, with legal and regulatory environments differing significantly across jurisdictions. The company's operational focus on Israel and Germany indicates a strategic targeting of markets with established legal frameworks for medical cannabis.

From a market perspective, the extension may provide a temporary reprieve, but it underscores the need for IMC to address underlying issues that may be contributing to its stock's performance. Investors and stakeholders will be looking for strategic initiatives beyond the reverse stock split that address long-term growth and profitability. Such initiatives could include expanding market share, cost optimization and diversification of product offerings. The company's next steps will be crucial in maintaining market confidence and should be monitored by investors for indications of the company's future trajectory.

TORONTO and GLIL YAM, Israel, Jan. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IM Cannabis Corp. (CSE: IMCC) (NASDAQ: IMCC) (the "Company," "IMCannabis," or "IMC"), a leading medical cannabis company with operations in Israel and Germany, announced today that it has received a 180 calendar day extension, until July 29, 2024, from the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq"), to regain compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) (the "Bid Price Rule").

The Bid Price Rule stipulates that the bid price of the Company's common stock must close at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. On August 1, 2023, the Company received notice from Nasdaq that based on the previous 30 consecutive business days, the Company's listed security no longer met the minimum $1.00 bid price per share requirement. Therefore, in accordance with the Bid Price Rule, the Company was provided 180 calendar days, or until January 29, 2024, to regain compliance. The listed security has not regained compliance with the minimum $1 bid price per share requirement. However, Nasdaq's Staff has determined that the Company is eligible for an additional 180 calendar day period,^[1] or until July 29, 2024, to regain compliance.^[2]

The Company will continue to monitor the closing bid price of its common stock and plans to pursue available options to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, including potentially pursuing a reverse stock split. If the Company authorizes a reverse stock split, it will plan to effectuate the split no later than ten business days prior to the end of the extension in order to regain compliance. 

About IM Cannabis Corp.

IMC (Nasdaq: IMCC) (CSE: IMCC) is an international cannabis company that provides premium cannabis products to medical patients in Israel and Germany, two of the largest medical cannabis markets. The Company has recently exited operations in Canada to pivot its focus and resources to achieve sustainable and profitable growth in its highest value markets, Israel and Germany. The Company leverages a transnational ecosystem powered by a unique data-driven approach and a globally sourced product supply chain. With an unwavering commitment to responsible growth and compliance with the strictest regulatory environments, the Company strives to amplify its commercial and brand power to become a global high-quality cannabis player.

The IMC ecosystem operates in Israel through its commercial relationship with Focus Medical Herbs Ltd., which imports and distributes cannabis to medical patients, leveraging years of proprietary data and patient insights. The Company also operates medical cannabis retail pharmacies, online platforms, distribution centers, and logistical hubs in Israel that enable the safe delivery and quality control of IMC products throughout the entire value chain. In Germany, the IMC ecosystem operates through Adjupharm GmbH, where it distributes cannabis to pharmacies for medical cannabis patients. Until recently, the Company also actively operated in Canada through Trichome Financial Corp and its wholly owned subsidiaries, where it cultivated, processed, packaged, and sold premium and ultra-premium cannabis at its own facilities under the WAGNERS and Highland Grow brands for the adult-use market in Canada. The Company has exited operations in Canada and considers these operations discontinued.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All information that addresses activities or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements 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 statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. In the press release, such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to statements relating to compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing requirements, and timing and effect thereof and the potential for an extension to regain compliance; Company leaving the Canadian cannabis market to focus on Israel, Germany and Europe.

The above lists of forward-looking statements and assumptions are not exhaustive. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks. These include: any failure of the Company to maintain "de facto" control over Focus Medical in accordance with IFRS 10; the failure of the Company to comply with applicable regulatory requirements in a highly regulated industry; unexpected changes in governmental policies and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates; the Company's ability to continue to meet the listing requirements of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the NASDAQ Capital Market; any unexpected failure to maintain in good standing or renew its licenses; the ability of the Company and Focus Medical (collectively, the "Group") to deliver on their sales commitments or growth objectives; the reliance of the Group on third-party supply agreements to provide sufficient quantities of medical cannabis to fulfil the Group's obligations; the Group's possible exposure to liability, the perceived level of risk related thereto, and the anticipated results of any litigation or other similar disputes or legal proceedings involving the Group; the impact of increasing competition; any lack of merger and acquisition opportunities; adverse market conditions; the inherent uncertainty of production quantities, qualities and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; risks of product liability and other safety-related liability from the usage of the Group's cannabis products; supply chain constraints; reliance on key personnel; the risk of defaulting on existing debt and war, conflict and civil unrest in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Any forward-looking statement included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

^1. Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A).
^2. This second 180 day period relates exclusively to the bid price deficiency. The Company may be delisted during the 180 days for failure to maintain compliance with any other listing requirements for which it is currently on notice or which occurs during this period.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1742228/IM_Cannabis_Logo.jpg

Company contacts:

Anna Taranko, Director Investor & Public Relations
IM Cannabis Corp.
+49 157 80554338
a.taranko@imcannabis.de

Oren Shuster, CEO
IM Cannabis Corp.
info@imcannabis.com

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SOURCE IM Cannabis Corp.

What is the ticker symbol for IM Cannabis Corp.?

The ticker symbol for IM Cannabis Corp. is 'IMCC'.

What is the purpose of the 180-day extension received by IM Cannabis Corp.?

The purpose of the 180-day extension is to allow the company to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, which stipulates that the bid price of the company's common stock must close at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days.

What happens if IM Cannabis Corp. does not regain compliance within the extension period?

If IM Cannabis Corp. does not regain compliance within the extension period, it could potentially face delisting from the Nasdaq Stock Market.

What options does IM Cannabis Corp. plan to pursue to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule?

IM Cannabis Corp. plans to pursue available options to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule, including potentially pursuing a reverse stock split.

Where does IM Cannabis Corp. have operations?

IM Cannabis Corp. has operations in Israel and Germany.