Form 10-Q for INDIE GROWERS ASSOCIATION
13-Feb-2015
Quarterly Report
This section of this report includes a number of forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words like:
believe, expect, estimate, anticipate, intend, project and similar expressions, or words which, by their nature, refer to future events. You should not place undue certainty on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of our report. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or our predictions.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We have an accumulated deficit of $144,296,668 from inception (March 24, 2006) to December 31, 2014.
The net income gained during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 was $29,784 compared to a loss of $15,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The net income was the result of rental income of $43,868 for the quarter.
The loss incurred during the nine months ended December 31, 2014 was $113,236,374 compared to a loss of $41,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2013. The loss was the result the following non-cash items: Extinguishment of Debt of $64,850,500, Directors fees of $48,200,000, and forfeiture of a deposit of $156,212 as more fully explained below.
On April 8, 2014, the Company entered into a share exchange agreement, fully executed by all parties, between the unit holders of Indie Growers Union LLC of Washington State. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company was to issue a total of 87,500,000 shares of common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding member units and assets of Indie Growers Union LLC on or before April 30, 2014. In addition, the Company had forwarded a total of $185,000 to Indie Growers Union LLC as a good faith payment. This Agreement was terminated by the Company on April 28, 2014. All but $28,788 of the $185,000 deposit was forfeited, therefore a loss of $156,212 was recorded.
RISK FACTORS
As we have changed businesses a number of the risks of the new business are discussed as follows:
Because we have no operating history in the cannabis industry, we may not succeed.
We have no specific operating history or experience in procuring, building out or leasing real estate for agricultural purposes, specifically marijuana grow facilities, or with respect to any other activity in the cannabis industry. Moreover, we are subject to all risks inherent in a developing a new business enterprise. Our likelihood of success must be considered in light of the problems, expenses, difficulties, complications, and delays frequently encountered in connection with establishing a new business and the competitive and regulatory environment in which we operate. For example, the medical marijuana industry is new and may not succeed, particularly should the federal government change course and decide to prosecute those dealing in medical marijuana. If that happens there may not be an adequate market for our properties or other activities we propose to engage in.
You should further consider, among other factors, our prospects for success in light of the risks and uncertainties encountered by companies that, like us, are in their early stages. For example, unanticipated expenses, delays and or complications with build outs, zoning issues, legal disputes with neighbors, local governments, communities and or tenants. We may not successfully address these risks and uncertainties or successfully implement our operating strategies. If we fail to do so, it could materially harm our business to the point of having to cease operations and could impair the value of our common stock to the point investors may lose their entire investment.
Because we may be unable to identify and or successfully acquire properties which are suitable for our business, our financial condition may be negatively affected.
Our business plan involves the identification and the successful acquisition of properties which are zoned for marijuana businesses, including grow and retail. The properties we acquire will be leased to licensed marijuana operators. Local governments must approve and adopt zoning ordinances for marijuana facilities and retail dispensaries. A lack of properly zoned real estate may reduce our prospects and limit our opportunity for growth and or increase the cost at which suitable properties are available to us. Conversely a surplus of real estate zoned for marijuana establishments may reduce demand and prices we are able to charge for properties we may have previously acquired.
Because our business is dependent upon continued market acceptance by consumers, any negative trends will adversely affect our business operations.
We are substantially dependent on continued market acceptance and proliferation of consumers of medical marijuana. We believe that as marijuana becomes more accepted the stigma associated with marijuana use will diminish and as a result consumer demand will continue to grow. And while we believe that the market and opportunity in the marijuana space continues to grow, we cannot predict the future growth rate and size of the market. Any negative outlook on the marijuana industry will adversely affect our business operations.
In addition, it is believed by many that large well-funded businesses may have a strong economic opposition to the cannabis industry. We believe that the pharmaceutical industry clearly does not want to cede control of any product that could generate significant revenue. For example, medical marijuana will likely adversely impact the existing market for the current “marijuana pill” sold by the mainstream pharmaceutical industry, should marijuana displace other drugs or encroach upon the pharmaceutical industry’s products. The pharmaceutical industry is well funded with a strong and experienced lobby that eclipses the funding of the medical marijuana movement. Any inroads the pharmaceutical could make in halting the impending cannabis industry could have a detrimental impact on our proposed business.
Because marijuana is illegal under federal law, we could be subject to criminal and civil sanctions for engaging in activities that violate those laws.
The U.S. Government classifies marijuana as a schedule-I controlled substance. As a result, marijuana is an illegal substance under federal law. Even in those jurisdictions in which the use of medical marijuana has been legalized at the state level, its prescription is a violation of federal law. The United States Supreme Court has ruled in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Coop. and Gonzales v. Raich that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes. Therefore, federal law criminalizing the use of marijuana pre-empts state laws that legalizes its use for medicinal purposes.
As of January 31, 2014, 21 states and the District of Columbia allow its citizens to use medical marijuana. Additionally, voters in the states of Colorado and Washington approved ballot measures last November to legalize cannabis for adult use. The state laws are in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act, which makes marijuana use and possession illegal on a national level. The Obama administration has effectively stated that it is not an efficient use of resources to direct law federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute those lawfully abiding by state-designated laws allowing the use and distribution of medical marijuana. However, there is no guarantee that the administration will not change its stated policy regarding the low-priority enforcement of federal laws. Additionally, any new administration that follows could change this policy and decide to enforce the federal laws strongly. Any such change in the federal government’s enforcement of current federal laws could cause significant financial damage to us and our shareholders.
Should such a change occur, our business operations would be affected. If our marijuana tenants are forced to shut their operations, we would need to seek to replace those tenants with non-marijuana tenants, who would likely expect to pay lower rents. Moreover if the marijuana industry were forced to shut down at once, it would result in a high amount of vacancies at once and create a surplus of supply, driving leases and property values lower. Additionally, we would realize an economic loss on any and all improvements made to the properties that were specific to the marijuana industry and we would likely lose any and all investments in the US market that were marijuana related.
Further, and while we do not intend to harvest, cultivate, possess, distribute or sell cannabis, by leasing facilities and financing growers of medicinal marijuana, we could be deemed to be participating in marijuana cultivation or aiding and abetting, which remains illegal under federal law, and exposes us to potential criminal liability, with the additional risk that our properties could be subject to civil forfeiture proceedings. Moreover, since the use of marijuana is illegal under federal law, we may have difficulty acquiring or maintaining bank accounts and insurance and our shareholders may find it difficult to deposit their stock with brokerage firms.
Laws and regulations affecting the regulated marijuana industry are constantly changing, which could detrimentally affect our proposed operations, and we cannot predict the impact that future regulations may have on us.
Local, state and federal medical marijuana laws and regulations are broad in scope and subject to evolving interpretations, which could require us to incur substantial costs associated with compliance or alter our business plan. In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on its operations. In addition, it is possible that regulations may be enacted in the future that will be directly applicable to our proposed business. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our business.
FDA regulation of marijuana and the possible registration of facilities where medical marijuana is grown could negatively affect the cannabis industry which would directly affect our financial condition.
Should the federal government legalize marijuana for medical use, it is possible that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would seek to regulate it under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1938. Additionally, the FDA may issue rules and regulations including cGMPs (certified good manufacturing practices) related to the growth, cultivation, harvesting and processing of medical marijuana. Clinical trials may be needed to verify efficacy and safety. It is also possible that the FDA would require that facilities where medical marijuana is grown be registered with the FDA and comply with certain federally prescribed regulations. In the event that some or all of these regulations are imposed, we do not know what the impact would be on the medical marijuana industry, what costs, requirements and possible prohibitions may be enforced. If we or our tenants are unable to comply with the regulations and or registration as prescribed by the FDA, we and or our tenants may be unable to continue to operate their and our business in its current form or at all.
Our clients and our company may have difficulty accessing the service of banks, which may make it difficult to contract for real estate needs.
On February 14, 2014, the U.S. government issued rules allowing banks to legally provide financial services to state-licensed marijuana businesses. A memorandum issued by the Justice Department to federal prosecutors re-iterated guidance previously given, this time to the financial industry that banks can do business with legal marijuana businesses and “may not” be prosecuted. The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued guidelines to banks that “it is possible to provide financial services”” to state-licensed marijuana businesses and still be in compliance with federal anti-money laundering laws. The guidance falls short of the explicit legal authorization that banking industry officials had pushed the government to provide and to date it is not clear what if any banks have relied on the guidance and taken on legal marijuana companies as clients. The aforementioned policy may be administration dependent and a change in presidential administrations may cause a policy reversal and retraction of current policies, wherein legal marijuana businesses may not have access to the banking industry. We could be subject to sanctions if we are found to be a financial institution and not in harmony with FinCET guidelines. Also, the inability of potential clients in our target market to open accounts and otherwise use the service of banks may make it difficult for them to contract with us.
Because we buy, sell and lease property, we will be subject to general real estate risks.
We will be subject to risks generally incident to the ownership of real estate, including: (a) changes in general economic or local conditions; (b) changes in supply of, or demand for, similar or competing properties in the area; (c) bankruptcies, financial difficulties or defaults by tenants or other parties;
(d) increases in operating costs, such as taxes and insurance; (e) the inability to achieve full stabilized occupancy at rental rates adequate to produce targeted returns; (f) periods of high interest rates and tight money supply; (g) excess supply of rental properties in the market area; (h) liability for uninsured losses resulting from natural disasters or other perils; (i) liability for environmental hazards; and (j) changes in tax, real estate, environmental, zoning or other laws or regulations. For these and other reasons, no assurance can be given that we will be profitable.
Because our business model depends upon the availability of private financing, any change in our ability to raise money will adversely affect our financial condition.
Our ability to acquire, operate and sell properties, engage in the business activities that we have planned and achieve positive financial performance depends, in large measure, on our ability to obtain financing in amounts and on terms that are favorable. The capital markets in the United States have recently undergone a turbulent period in which lending was severely restricted. Although there appears to be signs that financial institutions are resuming lending, the market has not yet returned to its pre-2008 state. Obtaining favorable financing in the current environment remains challenging. We recently entered into a drawdown agreement for $14 million. In the event the lender is unable to finance on our drawdowns, we will not be able to implement our business plan and our financial performance could be adversely affected.
Because we will compete with others for suitable properties, competition will result in higher costs that could materially affect our financial condition.
We will experience competition for real estate investments from individuals, corporations and other entities engaged in real estate investment activities, many of whom have greater financial resources than us. Competition for investments may have the effect of increasing costs and reducing returns to our investors.
Because there may be restrictions on the transfer and further encumbrance of our properties, there may be negative consequences that will affect our financial condition.
The terms of our drawdown agreement allow properties that we acquire to be collateral to secure the loans we receive. We may be prohibited from transferring or further encumbering the properties or any interest in our properties except with a lender’s prior consent. The loans may provide that upon violation of these restrictions, a lender may declare the entire amount of the loan to be immediately due and payable. If we are unable to obtain replacement financing or otherwise fail to immediately repay the loans in full, the lender may invoke its remedies under the loan, including proceeding with a foreclosure sale that could result in our losing our entire interest in the properties subject to the loans.
Because we are liable for hazardous substances on our properties, environmental liabilities are possible and can be costly.
Federal, state and local laws impose liability on a landowner for releases or the otherwise improper presence on the premises of hazardous substances. This liability is without regard to fault for, or knowledge of, the presence of such substances. A landowner may be held liable for hazardous materials brought onto a property before it acquired title and for hazardous materials that are not discovered until after it sells the property. Similar liability may occur under applicable state law. Sellers of properties may make only limited representations as to the absence of hazardous substances. If any hazardous materials are found within our properties in violation of law at any time, we may be liable for all cleanup costs, fines, penalties and other costs. This potential liability will continue after we sell the properties and may apply to hazardous materials present within the properties before we acquire the properties. If losses arise from hazardous substance contamination which cannot be recovered from a responsible party, the financial viability of the properties may be adversely affected. It is possible that we will purchase properties with known or unknown environmental problems which may require material expenditures for remediation.
Because we may not be adequately insured, we could experience significant liability for uninsured events.
While we intend to carry comprehensive insurance on our properties, including fire, liability and extended coverage insurance, there are certain risks that may be uninsurable or not insurable on terms that management believes to be economical. For example, management may not obtain insurance against floods, terrorism, mold-related claims, or earthquake insurance. If such an event occurs to, or causes the damage or destruction of, a property, we could suffer financial losses.
If we are found non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we will be subject to significant liabilities.
If any of our properties are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (the “ADA”), we may be required to pay for any required improvements. Under the ADA, public accommodations must meet certain federal requirements related to access and use by disabled persons. The ADA requirements could require significant expenditures and could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. We cannot assure that ADA violations do not or will not exist at any of our properties.
The following table provides selected financial data about our company for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2014.
March 31, Balance Sheet Data December 31, 2014 2014 Cash $ 1,739 $ 37,319 Liabilities $ 535,641 $ 184,113 Stockholders' Equity ( Deficit ) $ 46,334,023 $ (146,794) |
Our cash balance at December 31, 2014 was $1,739 with outstanding liabilities of $535,641. Management believes our current cash balance will be unable to sustain operations for the next 12 months. We will be forced to raise additional funds by issuing new debt or equity securities or otherwise. If we fail to raise sufficient capital when needed, we will not be able to complete our business plan.
PLAN OF OPERATION
Our cash balance is $ 1,739 as of December 31, 2014. We believe our cash balance is insufficient to fund our levels of operations for the next twelve months. As a result we will be forced to raise additional funds by issuing new debt or equity securities or otherwise. If we fail to raise sufficient capital when needed, we will not be able to complete our business plan. This means that there is substantial doubt that we can continue as an on-going business for the next twelve months unless we obtain additional capital to pay our bills.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
MAPH Enterprises, LLC | (305) 414-0128 | 1501 Venera Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | new@marijuanastocks.com