Harborside is Going Public
Harborside dispensary in Oakland was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States and made the first legal cannabis sale in the state of California.
The company is serving over 300,000 patients and generating over $400 million in sales since then.
The company has been through some harrowing times including a legal row with the IRS.
However, the company is bouncing back and going public.
Harborside currently commands 3% of the entire CA retail market, which is by a landslide the biggest market in the country, according to the company.
Harborside Inc. (formerly Lineage Grow Company Ltd.) is announcing today the completion of its reverse takeover of FLRish, Inc. (d/b/a Harborside) (“FLRish”) pursuant to the terms of a merger agreement dated February 8, 2019, as amended on April 17, 2019 among the Company, FLRish, Inc. and Lineage Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the “Reverse Takeover.”
The Reverse Takeover was completed by way of a “three-cornered merger” whereby FLRish merged with Merger Sub to form a merged corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Immediately prior to the Reverse Takeover taking effect, Harborside consolidated its common shares on the basis of approximately 41.82 common shares into one new common share (the “Consolidation”), (b) changed its name to Harborside Inc., (c) reclassified the post-Consolidation common shares as subordinate voting shares (the “Subordinate Voting Shares”) and (d) created a new class of multiple voting shares (the “Multiple Voting Shares”).
On closing, the holders of shares of FLRish received Multiple Voting Shares, Subordinate Voting Shares or a combination thereof, for each share of FLRish outstanding immediately prior to completion of the Reverse Takeover.
Harborside’s new board of directors is now consisted of Andrew Berman, Peter Bilodeau, Adam Szweras, Matthew K. Hawkins, Tracy Geldert, Sherri Altshuler and Nayir Felix Munoz, with Mr. Bilodeau as Chairman. Mr. Andrew Berman, CEO of FLRish, is now the President and CEO of the Company, with Mr. Keith Li continuing his role as CFO of the Company. Mr. Jack Nichols has been appointed the Corporate Secretary of the Company. Iconic Founder Mr. Steve DeAngelo serves as Chairman Emeritus.
Andrew Berman, CEO of Harborside Inc., said in a press release this morning, “Today is a historic day for Harborside. The company has served as a pioneer for the entire industry, and we’re excited to extend Harborside’s tradition of ‘trust, choice, and value’ to both our customers and our shareholders.”
It is expected that the Subordinate Voting Shares will be listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”) at the opening of the markets on or about June 6, 2019, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions to listing, and are expected to trade under the symbol “HBOR”. In conjunction with the closing of the Reverse Takeover, the Company’s auditors will be MNP LLP.
Law Firm Aird & Berlis LLP acted as FLRish’s Canadian legal advisor, whilenDuane Morris LLP acted as FLRish’s U.S. legal advisor. Fogler, Rubinoff LLP acted as Lineage’s Canadian legal advisor.
Harborside going public is a monumental step in the industry symbolically and financially. The company claims it plans to increase sales growth and deliver profitability, driving its retail and wholesale business off the production from its stores and farms. Three additional stores and a grow facility are already in the works.
To many, Steve DeAngelo is an icon, a pioneer and a patient advocate all rolled into one. His tenacious, decades-long cannabis advocacy has made him legendary throughout the industry.
Subsequently, Harborside a trusted and respected name in a sea of competitive for-profit companies that are eager to cash in on the greed rush without offering any corporate social justice initiatives.
From grassroots community campaigns to appearing on national television networks, and every uphill battle for legalization in between, DeAngelo has been on the frontlines as an activist for more than four decades.
He played a key role in the passage of Initiative 59, Washington DC’s medical cannabis law and the passage of Prop 64, California’s adult use law. He successfully defended multiple attempts by US federal authorities to close Harborside. He continues to stand for legalization and decriminalization of cannabis around the globe.
"I believe a profitable, ethical, politically-engaged cannabis industry will be the most powerful force in spreading cannabis reform to every corner of the planet. I will not rest and will not stop until the last cannabis prisoner is free," he says.