UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 40-F
(Amendment No. 3)
☒ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
☐ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended _____________ | Commission File Number: _____________ |
High Tide Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Alberta, Canada | 5990 | N/A | ||
(Province or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Unit 112, 11127 – 15 Street N.E.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T3K 2M4
(403) 770-9435
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
CCS Global Solutions, Inc.
530 Seventh Avenue, Suite 508
New York, New York 10018
(800) 300-5067
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including
area code) of agent for service in the United States)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Common Shares | HITI | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
☐ Annual Information Form | ☐ Audited Annual Financial Statements |
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Registrant’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: Not applicable.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☐ | No ☒ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ☐ | No ☐ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
High Tide Inc. (the “Company” or the “Registrant”) is a Canadian issuer eligible to file its registration statement pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on Form 40-F pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system of the Exchange Act. The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. Equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 3a12-3. The Company filed a Registration Statement on Form 40-F (the “Registration Statement”) on March 21, 2020, Amendment No. 1 thereto on April 1, 2021 and Amendment No. 2 thereto on May 25, 2021.
The Company is filing this Amendment No. 3 to (i) include additional exhibits, each of which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement on Form 40-F and (ii) amend the exhibit references under the heading “Principal Documents” and other sections. No other amendment to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 40-F is being effected hereby.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Exhibits incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement of the Registrant contain forward-looking statements that reflect management’s expectations with respect to future events, the Registrant’s financial performance and business prospects. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of the words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “likely”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar words (including negative and grammatical variations), or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things, information regarding:
● | the competitive and business strategies of the Registrant; |
● | the intention to grow the business, operations and potential activities of the Registrant; |
● | the intention to maximize the utilization of the Registrant’s existing assets and investments; |
● | the expected production capacity of the Registrant; |
● | the expected demand for the Registrant’s products; |
● | the expected category growth of the Registrant’s products; |
● | the expected number of licensed cannabis stores in Canada and its Provinces; |
● | the success of the entities that the Registrant acquires and the Registrant’s collaborations; |
● | the market for the Registrant’s current and proposed products, as well as the Registrant’s ability to capture market share; |
● | the anticipated timing for the release of expected product offerings; |
● | the development of affiliated brands, product diversification and future corporate development; |
● | expectations with respect to the Registrant’s product development, product offering and the expected sales mix thereof; |
● | the ability of the Registrant to source components, products and inventory; |
● | the Registrant’s satisfaction of international demand for its products; |
● | the Registrant’s plans with respect to importation and exportation; |
● | the Registrant’s expectations with respect to harvest; |
● | the competitive conditions of the industry and the Registrant’s market expertise; |
● | whether the Registrant will have sufficient working capital and its ability to obtain financing required in order to develop its business and continue operations; |
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● | the applicable laws, regulations, licensing and any amendments thereof related to the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis product in the Canadian, U.S and other international markets; |
● | the applicable laws and regulations, and the potential time frame for the implementation of such laws and regulations, to legalize and regulate medical and adult-use cannabis (and the consumer products derived therefrom) internationally; |
● | the grant, renewal and impact of any license or supplemental license to conduct activities with cannabis or any amendments thereof; |
● | the anticipated future gross sales and margins of the Registrant’s operations and the potential for significant growth or losses; |
● | the potential for the Registrant to record future impairment losses; |
● | the performance of the Registrant s business and operations; |
● | the Registrant’s ability to capitalize on the U.S. market; |
● | future steps to be taken in response to COVID-19; and |
● | the ability of the Registrant to continue to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly- qualified and skilled employees. |
Readers are cautioned that the above list of cautionary statements is not exhaustive.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 37 of the Annual Information Form for the year ended October 31, 2020, attached as Exhibit 99.149 to this Registration Statement and incorporated herein by reference, and under the heading “Risk Assessment” on page 16 of the Registrant’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, attached as Exhibit 99.163 to this Registration Statement and incorporated herein by reference, and in other filings that the Registrant has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. Importantly, forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting Management’s current expectations and beliefs, and are based upon certain assumptions that Management believes to be reasonable based on the information currently available to Management, including, but not limited to, the assumptions that:
● | current and future Management will abide by the business objectives and strategies from time to time established by the Registrant; |
● | the Registrant will retain and supplement its Board and Management, or otherwise engage consultants and advisors, having knowledge of the industries (or segments thereof) within which the Registrant may from time to time participate; |
● | the Registrant will have sufficient working capital and the ability to obtain the financing required in order to develop its business and continue operations; |
● | the Registrant will continue to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees; |
● | no adverse changes will be made to the regulatory framework governing cannabis, taxes and all other applicable matters in the jurisdictions in which the Registrant conducts its business from time to time, and any other jurisdiction in which the Registrant may conduct its business in the future; |
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● | the Registrant will be able to generate cash flow from operations, including, through the retail sale of cannabis and cannabis products, and the manufacture and distribution of smoking accessories and cannabis lifestyle products; |
● | the Registrant will be able to execute on its business strategy, as in place from time to time; |
● | the Registrant will be able to meet the requirements necessary to obtain and/or maintain its governmental authorizations and permits; |
● | general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Registrant operates will remain the same; |
● | the Registrant will be able to compete in, and remain competitive within, the cannabis industry; |
● | cannabis prices will not decline materially; |
● | the Registrant will be able to effectively manage anticipated and unanticipated costs; and |
● | the Registrant will be able to maintain internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure, and procedures in order to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. |
No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements in the Exhibits incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement should not be unduly relied upon. The Registrant’s forward-looking statements contained in the Exhibits incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement are made as of the respective dates set forth in such Exhibits. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made. In preparing this Registration Statement, the Registrant has not updated such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in circumstances or in management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions that may have occurred prior to the date hereof. Nor does the Registrant assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements in the future. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
DIFFERENCES IN UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN REPORTING PRACTICES
The Registrant is permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States, to prepare this Registration Statement in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. The Registrant has historically prepared its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, which differ in certain respects from United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) and from practices prescribed by the SEC. Therefore, the Registrant’s financial statements filed with this Registration Statement may not be comparable to financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
PRINCIPAL DOCUMENTS
In accordance with General Instruction B.(1) of Form 40-F, the Registrant hereby incorporates by reference Exhibits 99.1 through 99.211, inclusive, as set forth in the Exhibit Index attached hereto.
In accordance with General Instruction D.(9) of Form 40-F, the Registrant has filed the written consent of the experts named in the foregoing Exhibits as Exhibits 99.153 and 99.154 as set forth in the Exhibit Index attached hereto.
TAX MATTERS
Purchasing, holding or disposing of securities of the Registrant may have tax consequences under the laws of the United States and Canada that are not described in this registration statement on Form 40-F.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
The required disclosure is included under the heading “Description of Capital Structure” in the Registrant’s Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.149.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Registrant has no off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in paragraph 11(ii) of General Instruction B to Form 40-F) that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
CURRENCY
Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this Registration Statement are in Canadian dollars. The exchange rate of Canadian dollars into United States dollars, on October 31, 2020, based upon the daily average closing rate as quoted by the Bank of Canada, was U.S.$1.00 = Cdn$1.3745. The exchange rate of Canadian dollars into United States dollars, on May 27, 2021, based upon the daily average closing rate as quoted by the Bank of Canada, was US$1.00 = Cdn$1.2073.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table summarizes the undiscounted contractual obligations of the Registrant as of October 31, 2020:
Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | Greater than 5 years | ||||||||||||||||
(Cdn$000) | (Cdn$000) | (Cdn$000) | (Cdn$000) | (Cdn$000) | ||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 6,421 | $ | 6,421 | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
Notes payable | $ | 4,730 | $ | 3,660 | $ | 180 | $ | 890 | - | |||||||||||
Convertible debentures | $ | 32,790 | $ | 16,463 | $ | 10,106 | $ | 6,221 | - | |||||||||||
Lease obligations | $ | 21,554 | $ | 3,564 | $ | 6,892 | $ | 4,022 | $ | 7,076 | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 65,495 | $ | 30,108 | $ | 17,178 | $ | 11,133 | $ | 7,076 |
NASDAQ CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
A foreign private issuer that follows home country practices in lieu of certain provisions of the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Nasdaq Stock Market Rules”) must disclose the ways in which its corporate governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies. As required by Nasdaq Rule 5615(a)(3), the Registrant will disclose on its website, https://www.hightideinc.com/, as of the listing date, each requirement of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules that it does not follow and describe the home country practice followed in lieu of such requirements.
UNDERTAKING
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F or transactions in said securities.
CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
The Registrant has concurrently filed a Form F-X in connection with the class of securities to which this Registration Statement relates.
Any change to the name or address of the Registrant’s agent for service shall be communicated promptly to the Commission by amendment to the Form F-X referencing the file number of the Registrant.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HIGH TIDE INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Raj Grover | |
Name: Raj Grover | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: May 28, 2021
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EXHIBIT INDEX
The following documents are being filed with the Commission as Exhibits to this Registration Statement:
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* | Previously Filed. |
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