
The bought deal adds five active dispensaries and two cultivation and production facilities to Verano’s Nevada footprint.
The bought deal adds five active dispensaries and two cultivation and production facilities to Verano’s Nevada footprint.
Verano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) is buying WSCC, Inc., also known as Sierra Well, adding two operational dispensaries and an active cultivation and production facility in Nevada along with two real estate properties in Carson City and Reno. The acquisition is a cash and stock deal valued at $29 million with $5.6 million in cash up front and the rest in stock. It is expected to close once approvals are received for the two medical cannabis cultivation licenses; two adult-use cultivation licenses; two medical cannabis dispensary licenses; two adult-use dispensary licenses; one medical production license; one adult-use product manufacturing license; and one adult-use distribution license.
“We’ve been operating successfully in Nevada since 2017 and have maintained focus on growing our presence in this highly attractive state. Following completion of this accretive transaction, Nevada will become a core market for us. We are pleased to strategically expand our distribution in Nevada while partnering with a like-minded ownership group that has built a profitable business through sound operational management,” said George Archos, Verano Founder, and CEO. “We look forward to expanding Verano’s retail presence into Northern Nevada and bringing our house of premium brands to more patients and consumers in a region that’s rife with natural beauty and draws significant tourism from around the country.”
Sierra Well was going to be bought by iAnthus in 2019 for $27.6 million. At that time Sierra Well had unaudited annual revenue of approximately $16 million with an EBITDA (non-IFRS) margin above 20% and positive net income. One year later, iAnthus said it had terminated the agreement as it was beginning to unravel.
The move is expected to strengthen the company’s distribution capability in Northern Nevada with the addition of an approximately 10,000 sq. ft. Reno cultivation and production facility, which will complement the active expansion at the Verano-affiliated cultivation facility in North Las Vegas. The company said that both dispensaries are located along busy retail corridors and just minutes from their respective city centers.
In addition, Verano said in a statement that it will broaden its Nevada supply chain while increasing the dispensary count between Verano and its affiliates to four active storefronts, with a fifth planned location to open in Las Vegas later this summer.
iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. (CSE: IAN) (OTCQX: ITHUF) has entered an agreement to acquire WSCC, Inc., better known as Sierra Well, for $27.6 million. iAnthus will pay for the acquisition price with $5.1 million in cash and $22.5 million in company shares, priced at the 10-day volume-weighted average price prior to closing of the transaction.
Sierra Well is a Nevada-based, vertically integrated cannabis company with two retail dispensary locations and two cultivation/production facilities in Reno and Carson City totaling a combined 20,000 square feet. The company has an unaudited annual revenue of approximately $16 million with an EBITDA (non-IFRS) margin above 20% and positive net income.
“Strengthening our foothold in one of the most successful adult-use cannabis markets is consistent with our strategy to deliver iAnthus’ nationally recognized products in premier markets,” said Hadley Ford, CEO of iAnthus. “This strategic transaction will allow us to scale our Nevada operations, add talent, and solidify both our retail and brand presence in both the Northern and Southern portions of the state.”
The acquisition will help increase iAnthus’ total Nevada footprint to six retail dispensary licenses and 50,000 square feet of cultivation and production space and increase the company’s retail presence to 29 stores nationwide. Once the acquisition closes, Sierra Well dispensaries will be renamed under iAnthus’ Be. brand, which will launch sometime next month.
“We’re excited to join the iAnthus team and look forward to expanding our business with the expertise of a tried and tested multi-state operator,” said Steven Nightingale, Chairman of the Board of Sierra Well. “We at Sierra Well see this partnership as a perfect fit, one that will allow our dynamic workforce to deepen their ability to provide top-notch service and products to the communities of Reno and Carson City.”
Pending approval from the Nevada Department of Taxation, the acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2020.
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