CALGARY, AB, April 8, 2021 /CNW/ - High Tide Inc. ("High Tide"
or the "Company") (TSXV: HITI) (OTCQB: HITIF) (FRA: 2LY), a
retail-focused cannabis corporation enhanced by the manufacturing
and distribution of consumption accessories, announced today that
it has reached an agreement with a strategic investor to extend the
maturity of its $2,000,000
convertible debenture and reduce the applicable interest rate
pursuant to a debenture amendment agreement (the "Debenture
Amendment Agreement"). The Debenture Amendment Agreement
extends the maturity date of the convertible debenture from
April 18, 2021, to April 18, 2023, and reduces the applicable
interest rate from 10.0% to 7.0%. The conversion price of
$0.75 remains unchanged. The
Debenture Amendment Agreement remains subject to approval from the
TSX Venture Exchange.
"I am very pleased to report that this strategic partner has
agreed to extend this debenture," said Raj Grover, President &
Chief Executive Officer of High Tide. "During the past nine months,
we have now announced that four lenders to High Tide have agreed to
extend the maturity of their debt by more than one year and
simultaneously cut the applicable interest rate – and this
encompasses $42 million in total
facilities. Over the past four quarters we have generated
$13.4 million in EBITDA.
Specifically, during our fiscal first quarter ended January 31, 2021, we reported $4.6 million in EBITDA, and positive cash flows
from operations before working capital of $3.5 million. It is clear that our lenders
have realized that this is not the same company they lent to some
time ago in terms of risk profile, and many are willing to extend
maturity and adjust terms in our favour as a result. With a
current cash balance of approximately $33
million, we clearly had enough cash on hand to retire the
debt we agreed to extend today; however, given the strategic nature
of this partner, we mutually preferred to have them remain on our
cap table."
About High Tide Inc.
High Tide is a retail-focused cannabis company enhanced by the
manufacturing and distribution of consumption accessories. The
Company is the largest Canadian retailer of recreational cannabis
as measured by revenue, with 81 branded retail locations spanning
Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. High Tide's retail segment
features the Canna Cabana, KushBar, Meta Cannabis Co., Meta
Cannabis Supply Co. and NewLeaf Cannabis banners, with additional
locations under development across the country. High Tide has been
serving consumers for over a decade through its numerous
consumption accessory businesses including e-commerce platforms
Grasscity.com, Smokecartel.com and CBDcity.com, and its wholesale
distribution division under Valiant Distribution, including the
licensed entertainment product manufacturer Famous Brandz. High
Tide's strategy as a parent company is to extend and strengthen its
integrated value chain, while providing a complete customer
experience and maximizing shareholder value. Key industry investors
in High Tide include Aphria Inc. (TSX:APHA) (NYSE:APHA) and Aurora
Cannabis Inc. (NYSE:ACB) (TSX:ACB).
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking
information or forward-looking statements. Such information and
statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are
made as of the date of this news release or as of the date of the
effective date of information described in this news release, as
applicable. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or
future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions,
expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Any statements
that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions,
expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions
or future events or performance (generally, forward-looking
statements can be identified by use of words such as "outlook",
"expects", "intend", "forecasts", "anticipates", "plans",
"projects", "estimates", "envisages, "assumes", "needs",
"strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof, or
stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "can",
"could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar
expressions, and other similar terminology) are not statements of
historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that
may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to the ability
of High Tide to execute on its business plan and that High Tide
will receive one or multiple licenses from Alberta Gaming, Liquor
& Cannabis, British Columbia's Liquor Distribution
Branch, Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba,
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario or the
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority permitting it to carry on
its Canna Cabana Inc. and KushBar Inc. businesses. High Tide
considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances.
However, there can be no assurance that any one or more of the
government, industry, market, operational or financial targets as
set out herein will be achieved. Inherent in the forward-looking
statements are known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual results, performance or
achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements.
The forward–looking statements contained herein are current
as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law,
High Tide does not have any obligation to advise any person if it
becomes aware of any inaccuracy in or omission from any
forward-looking statement, nor does it intend, or assume any
obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements to
reflect new events or circumstances. Any and all forward-looking
statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by
this cautionary statement, and except as otherwise indicated, are
made as of the date of this news release.
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SOURCE High Tide Inc.