Harborside Inc. Announces Increased Interest in Haight-Ashbury Dispensary

OAKLAND, Calif. and TORONTO – Harborside Inc. (CSE: HBOR) (OTCQX: HBORF), a California-focused, vertically-integrated cannabis enterprise, today announces the acquisition of a further 29.9% interest in FGW Haight, Inc., a company that has the conditional use approval necessary to operate a cannabis dispensary and related businesses located in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district.

Harborside is acquiring the increased interest in FGW through the execution of a securities purchase agreement, following the previously announced acquisition of a 50.1% interest in FGW that closed on December 18, 2020. Subject to regulatory approval from the City of San Francisco, the FGW Acquisition will increase the Company’s interest in FGW to 80%. Harborside also retains the right of first refusal to purchase, in its discretion, in whole or in part and in one or more closings, the remaining 20% of FGW, subject to regulatory approvals.

Pursuant to the Agreement, Harborside will pay an aggregate purchase price of USD$1,300,650 (the “Purchase Price”) for the Shares. The Purchase Price will be satisfied through the issuance of multiple voting shares of the Company, valued at the greater of: (i) the 30-day VWAP of the subordinate voting shares of the Company on the CSE at the time of issuance less a discount multiplied by 100; (ii) CAD$150 per MVS; or (iii) such other price as may be approved by the CSE.

“This dispensary in the historic and culturally-significant Haight-Ashbury district will enhance Harborside’s position as a leading cannabis retailer in California,” added Mr. Hawkins. “Our position in Northern California is already very strong and we expect to expand it significantly following the creation of StateHouse.”

“I am excited to strengthen our partnership with Harborside and to continue serving our community,” said Damien Posey, a leading community mentor in San Francisco and a founding shareholder of FGW. “This dispensary will be neighborhood-oriented, including the hiring of local staff, the selection of local products and the promotion of community safety.”

The FGW Acquisition is subject to certain material closing conditions, including approvals from regulatory authorities. There can be no assurance that the FGW Acquisition will be completed on the current terms or at all. Closing of the FGW Acquisition is expected to occur on or before February 28, 2022.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements with respect to whether the Company will receive the requisite regulatory approval for the FGW acquisition, timing for the completion of the FGW Acquisition, the future success of and expansion plans relating to FGW’s dispensary and related business, future performance, growth, profitability, competitive position, and acquisition opportunities, and the Company’s corporate strategy moving forward.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: whether the Company will receive additional voting support agreements for matters to be considered by shareholders at the Meeting; implications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion and acquisitions; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company’s management discussion and analysis for the period ended September 30, 2021 and the Company’s listing statement dated May 30, 2019, which are available under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is indirectly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial performance.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The Company’s securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

(This information is primarily sourced from Harborside Inc.  Highly Capitalized has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Read our Disclaimer here).