UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  

 

For the month of October, 2019.

 

 

Commission File Number 001-38708

 

 

APHRIA INC.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

265 TALBOT ST. W.

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, N8H 4H3, CANADA

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F

 

Form 20-F      o  Form 40-F    ☒  

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):   o              

 

  Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):    o            

 

  Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  APHRIA INC.

 

Date:   October 15, 2019

/s/ Carl Merton______________________

Carl Merton

Chief Financial Officer

 

 
 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

99.1 Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018
99.2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended August 31, 2019
99.3 Certification of Interim Filings - Full Certificate by CEO and CFO dated October 15, 2019

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aphria Inc.

 

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2019 AND AUGUST 31, 2018

 

 

(Unaudited, expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise noted)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 

 

 

 

 

Aphria Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

 

        Note

August 31,

2019

May 31,
2019
Assets      
Current assets      
  Cash and cash equivalents    $  449,205  $  550,797
  Marketable securities 4           15,114                 20,199
  Accounts receivable             47,264                 25,488
  Prepaids and other current assets 5           18,936                 23,391
  Inventory 6         112,980                 91,529
  Biological assets 7           29,887                 18,725
  Promissory notes receivable 15           39,200                 39,200
  Current portion of convertible notes receivable 12           23,355                 11,500
                  735,941               780,829
  Capital assets 9         542,200               503,898
  Intangible assets 10         388,367               392,056
  Convertible notes receivable 12           10,030                 20,730
  Interest in equity investees 13               -                     9,311
  Long-term investments 14           87,413                 64,922
  Goodwill 11         669,618               669,846
           $  2,433,569  $  2,441,592
Liabilities      
Current liabilities      
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities    $  90,773  $  105,813
  Income taxes payable               2,148                   2,722
  Deferred revenue             22,687                 23,678
  Current portion of lease liabilities 3             1,080                      -  
  Current portion of long-term debt 18             6,280                   6,332
                  122,968               138,545
Long-term liabilities      
  Lease liabilities 3             5,284                      -  
  Long-term debt 18           54,204                 60,895
  Convertible debentures 19         407,159               421,366
  Deferred tax liability 16           88,632                 87,633
                  678,247               708,439
Shareholders’ equity      
  Share capital 20      1,661,641            1,655,273
  Warrants 21             1,336                   1,336
  Share-based payment reserve             37,197                 36,151
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss             (1,805)                    (119)
  Non-controlling interest 23           28,238                 28,409
  Retained earnings             28,715                 12,103
               1,755,322            1,733,153
               2,433,569  $  2,441,592

 

 

Nature of operations (Note 1), Commitments and contingencies (Note 32)

 

Approved on behalf of the Board:

“John Herhalt”  “Irwin Simon”
Signed:  Director Signed:  Director

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

   2  

Aphria Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

  

     

For the three months ended

August 31,

 

  Note  2019  2018
  Revenue from cannabis products    $  35,079  $  13,292
  Distribution revenue             95,327                       --   
  Excise taxes             (4,294)                       --   
 

 

     
Net revenue           126,112                 13,292
         
  Production costs 6           15,454                   4,834
  Cost of goods purchased             83,104                       --   

 

 

     
Gross profit before fair value adjustments             27,554                   8,458
         
  Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory 6             7,286                   4,205
  Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets 7         (25,153)                 (9,511)
 

 

     
Gross profit             45,421                 13,764
Operating expenses:      
  General and administrative 24           22,305                   8,851
  Share-based compensation 25             4,956                   6,122
  Selling, marketing and promotion               7,814                   4,741
  Amortization               5,008                   3,274
  Research and development                 610                      262
  Transaction costs                 735                      865
 

 

            41,428                 24,115
         
Operating income               3,993               (10,351)
         
  Finance income (expense), net 26           (5,257)                   1,059
  Non-operating income 27           20,303                 34,430
         
Income before income taxes             19,039                 25,138
         
Income taxes 16             2,598                   3,962
Net income             16,441                 21,176
         
Other comprehensive income      
  Other comprehensive income             (1,686)                       --   
Comprehensive income    $  14,755  $  21,176
Total comprehensive income (loss) is attributable to:      
  Shareholders of Aphria Inc.             14,926                 21,387
  Non-controlling interest 23              (171)                    (211)
       $  14,755  $  21,176
         
Weighted average number of common shares - basic     251,163,059        225,659,684
Weighted average number of common shares - diluted     252,741,610        230,366,310
         
Earnings per share - basic 29  $  0.07  $  0.09
Earnings per share - diluted 29  $  0.07  $  0.09

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

   3  
 

Aphria Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts)

 

       

 Number of

common shares

 Share capital (Note 20)  Warrants
(Note 21)
 Share-based payment reserve Accumulated other comprehensive loss  Non-controlling interest
(Note 23)
 Retained earnings  Total
       
       
       
Balance at May 31, 2018            210,169,924  $  1,113,981  $  1,375  $  22,006  $  (801)  $  9,580  $  27,452  $  1,173,593
Share issuance - June 2018 bought deal              21,835,510               245,925                      -                      -                        -                        -                        -                 245,925
Additional share issuance - Broken Coast acquisition                     19,963                      297                      -                      -                        -                        -                        -                        297
Share issuance - warrants exercised                     10,000                        18                      -                      -                        -                        -                        -                          18
Share issuance - options exercised                   565,371                   6,857                      -                 (4,455)                      -                        -                        -                     2,402
Income tax recovery on share issuance costs                           -                     3,399                      -                      -                        -                        -                        -                     3,399
Share-based payments                           -                        -                        -                   4,175                      -                        -                        -                     4,175
Non-controlling interest                           -                        -                        -                      -                        -                     9,452                      -                     9,452
Comprehensive income for the period                           -                        -                        -                      -                        -                      (211)                 21,387                 21,176
Balance at August 31, 2018            232,600,768  $  1,370,477  $  1,375  $  21,726  $  (801)  $  18,821  $  48,839  $  1,460,437
                       
                       
                       
       

 Number of

common shares

 Share capital (Note 20)  Warrants
(Note 21)
 Share-based payment reserve  Accumulated other comprehensive loss  Non-controlling interest
(Note 23)
 Retained earnings  Total
       
       
       
Balance at May 31, 2019            250,989,120  $  1,655,273  $  1,336  $  36,151  $  (119)  $  28,409  $  12,103  $  1,733,153
Share issuance - options exercised                   974,487             5,912               -           (1,967)               -                 -                 -               3,945
Share issuance - RSUs exercised                     50,000               456               -               -                 -                 -                 -                 456
Share-based payments                           -                 -                 -             3,013               -                 -                 -               3,013
Comprehensive income for the period                           -                 -                 -               -             (1,686)              (171)           16,612           14,755
Balance at August 31, 2019      252,013,607  $  1,661,641  $  1,336  $  37,197  $  (1,805)  $  28,238  $  28,715  $  1,755,322

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

   4  
 

Aphria Inc.

Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

 

 

 

   For the three months ended August 31,

 

 

Note 2019 2018
Cash used in operating activities:      
  Net income for the period    $  16,441  $  21,176
  Adjustments for:      
    Future income taxes 16             1,351                   2,468
    Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory 6             7,286                   4,205
    Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets 7         (25,153)                 (9,511)
    Loss on marketable securities 4                 85                      167
    Unrealized foreign exchange gain                  (83)                      (25)
    Amortization 9,10             9,218                   4,706
    Unrealized gain on convertible notes receivable 12           (1,155)                    (295)
    Gain on dilution of equity investee                 -                   (2,210)
    Loss on equity investee                 -                        247
    Gain on sale of equity investee 13               -                   (9,880)
    Deferred gain recognized                 -                      (511)
    Other non-cash items                     9                          4
    Share-based compensation 25             4,956                   6,122
    Gain on long-term investments 28         (13,708)               (22,700)
    Unrealized gain on convertible debentures           (14,207)                      -  
    Unrealized loss on financial liabilities                 -                        415
  Change in non-cash working capital 30         (15,893)                 (8,693)

 

 

          (30,853)               (14,315)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities:      
  Share capital issued, net of cash issuance costs                 -                 245,925
  Share capital issued on warrants, options and DSUs exercised               4,401                   2,420
  Advances from related parties 8               -                        915
  Repayment of amounts due to related parties 8               -                      (915)
  Proceeds from long-term debt                 -                   24,927
  Repayment of long-term debt             (6,752)                      (44)
  Repayment of lease liabilities                (255)                      -  

 

 

            (2,606)               273,228
Cash used in investing activities:      
  Proceeds from disposal of marketable securities 4             5,000                   4,000
  Investment in capital and intangible assets           (39,348)               (57,763)
  Proceeds from disposal of capital assets                 409                      -  
  Repayment of convertible and promissory notes receivable                 -                     1,942
  Investment in long-term investments and equity investees                 -                 (15,317)
  Proceeds from disposal of long-term investments and equity investees                 528                 35,626
  Net cash paid on business acquisitions 11         (34,722)                 (4,051)

 

 

          (68,133)               (35,563)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents          (101,592)               223,350
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period           550,797                 59,737
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period    $  449,205  $  283,087
Cash is comprised of:      
  Cash in bank    $  426,725  $  56,077
  Short-term deposits             22,480               227,010
Cash and cash equivalents    $  449,205  $  283,087

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

   5  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

1. Nature of operations

 

Aphria Inc. (the "Company" or “Aphria”) existing under the laws of Business Corporations Act (Ontario), is licensed to produce and sell cannabis under The Cannabis Act. In February 2018, the Company acquired Broken Coast Cannabis Ltd. (“Broken Coast”). Broken Coast is licensed to produce and sell cannabis under The Cannabis Act. In March 2018, the Company acquired Nuuvera Inc. (“Nuuvera”). Nuuvera is an international organization with a focus on building a global cannabis brand, with operations in Germany, Italy, Malta, and Lesotho. In September 2018, the Company acquired LATAM Holdings Inc. (“LATAM”) (Note 11). This purchase provides Aphria an early foothold into the Latin American cannabis market whereby LATAM holds licenses and license applications presently in-process for production, import, export and sale of cannabis and cannabis derivatives in Colombia, Argentina and Jamaica. In January 2019, Aphria through wholly-owned subsidiary Nuuvera Deutschland GmbH acquired CC Pharma GmbH (“CC Pharma”) (Note 11). CC Pharma is a distributor of pharmaceutical products to pharmacies in Germany and is a key part of the Company’s distribution strategy for cannabis in Germany.

 

1974568 Ontario Ltd. (“Aphria Diamond”) is a 51% majority owned subsidiary of the Company, incorporated in November 2017. Aphria Diamond has applied for its cultivation licence under the provisions of The Cannabis Act.

 

The registered office of the Company is located at 1 Adelaide Street East, Suite 2310, Toronto, Ontario.

 

The Company’s common shares are listed under the symbol “APHA” on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) in Canada and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in the United States.

 

These consolidated financial statements were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on October 11, 2019.

 

2. Basis of preparation

 

 

(a) Statement of compliance

 

The Company’s condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”. These condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all notes of the type normally included within the annual financial report and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended May 31, 2019, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and Interpretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee

 

(b) Basis of measurement

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, under the historical cost convention except for certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value and biological assets that are measured at fair value less costs to sell, as detailed in the Company’s accounting policies.

 

 

(c) Functional currency

 

All figures presented in the consolidated financial statements are reflected in Canadian dollars; however, the functional currency of the Company includes the Canadian dollar and the Euro.

Foreign currency transactions are translated to the respective functional currencies of the Company’s entities at the exchange rates in effect on the date of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate applicable at the statement of financial position date. Non-monetary items carried at historical cost denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at the date of the transactions. Non-monetary items carried at fair value denominated in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency at the date when the fair value was determined. Realized and unrealized exchange gains and losses are recognized through profit and loss.

 

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations reported in their functional currencies, including marketable securities, long-term investments and promissory notes payable, are translated into Canadian dollars, the Group’s presentation currency, at period-end exchange rates. Income and expenses, and cash flows of foreign operations are translated into Canadian dollars using average exchange rates. Exchange differences resulting from translating foreign operations are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity. The Company and all of its subsidiaries’ functional currency is Canadian dollars, with the exception of CC Pharma GmbH whose functional currency is the Euro.

   6  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

(d) Basis of consolidation

 

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly and indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity and be exposed to the variable returns from its activities. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

 

Subsidiaries Jurisdiction of incorporation Ownership interest(1)
Broken Coast Cannabis Ltd. British Columbia, Canada 100%
LATAM Holdings Inc. British Columbia, Canada 100%
Marigold Acquisitions Inc. British Columbia, Canada 100%
MMJ International Investments Inc. British Columbia, Canada 100%
Nuuvera Holdings Limited Ontario, Canada 100%
ARA - Avanti Rx Analytics Inc. Ontario, Canada 100%
MMJ Colombia Partners Inc. Ontario, Canada 100%
Nuuvera Israel Ltd.(2) Israel 100%
FL-Group Italy 100%
Goodfields Supply Co. Ltd. United Kingdom 100%
Hampstead Holdings Ltd. Bermuda 100%
ABP, S.A. Argentina 100%
Nuuvera Deutschland GmbH Germany 100%
Aphria Deutschland GmbH Germany 100%
CC Pharma GmbH Germany 100%
CC Pharma Research and Development GmbH Germany 100%
Aphria Wellbeing GmbH Germany 100%
Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited Jamaica 95% (3)  
Nuuvera Malta Ltd. Malta 90%  
ASG Pharma Ltd. Malta 90% (4)  
QSG Health Ltd. Malta 90% (5)  
ColCanna S.A.S. Colombia 90%  
CC Pharma Nordic ApS Denmark 75%  
1974568 Ontario Ltd. Ontario, Canada 51%  
Aphria Terra S.R.L. Italy 51%  
Aphria Italy S.p.A.(2) Italy 51%
APL - Aphria Portugal, Lda. Portugal 51%
CannInvest Africa Ltd. South Africa 50%
Verve Dynamics Incorporated (Pty) Ltd. Lesotho 30% (6)

(1) The Company defines ownership interest as the interest in which the Company is entitled to a proportionate share of net income. Legal ownership of some subsidiaries differ from ownership interest shown above.
(2) Represents inactive subsidiaries, which have no operations and do not own any assets, save and except for related party balances owing to the Company and are in the process of being dissolved.
(3) The Company holds 49% of the issued and outstanding shares of Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited, through wholly owned subsidiary Marigold Acquisitions Inc. The Company holds rights through a licensing agreement to 95% of the results of operations of Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited.
(4) The Company holds 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of ASG Pharma Ltd., through 90% owned subsidiary Nuuvera Malta Ltd.
(5) The Company holds 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of QSG Health Ltd., through 90% owned subsidiary Nuuvera Malta Ltd.
(6) The Company holds 60% of the issued and outstanding shares of Verve Dynamics Incorporated (Pty) Ltd., through 50% owned subsidiary CannInvest Africa Ltd.

 

   7  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

Intragroup balances, and any unrealized gains and losses or income and expenses arising from transactions with jointly controlled entities are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in the entity.

 

The Company treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of the Company. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling interests to reflect their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interests and any consideration paid or received is recognized in a separate reserve within equity attributable to the owners of the Company.

 

(e) Interest in equity investees

 

In accordance with IFRS 10, associates are those in which the Company has significant influence, but not control or joint control over the financial and accounting policies.

 

Interests in associates are accounted for using the equity method in accordance with IAS 28. They are recognized initially at cost, which includes transaction costs. After initial recognition, the consolidated financial statements include the Company’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income (“OCI”) of equity investees until the date on which significant influence ceases.

 

If the Company’s share of losses in an equity investment equals or exceeds its interest in the entity, including any other unsecured long-term receivables, the group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the other entity.

 

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Company and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in these entities. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

 

3. Significant accounting policies

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared following the same accounting policies used in the preparation of the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended May 31, 2019, with the exception of the adoption of IFRS 16, Leases (“IFRS 16”), as described below.

New standards and interpretations applicable effective June 1, 2019

Adoption of IFRS 16 - Leases

IFRS 16 introduced a single, on-balance sheet accounting model for leases. The Company, as a leasee, has recognized right-of-use assets representing its rights to use the underlying assets and lease liabilities representing its obligation to make lease payments.

The Company has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method and has elected to set the right-of-use asset equal to the lease liability. As such the cumulative effect of initial application recognized in retained earnings at June 1, 2019 is nil. Accordingly, the comparative information presented for the prior period has not been restated and is presented as previously reported under IAS 17 and related interpretations.

Previously, the Company determined at contract inception whether an arrangement was or contained a lease under IFRIC 4 Determining Whether an Arrangement contains a lease. The Company now determines whether a contract is or contains a lease based on the new definition of a lease. Under IFRS 16, a contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys a right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is Initially measured at cost, and subsequently at cost less any accumulated depreciation or impairment losses and adjusted for certain re-measurements of the lease liability. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The Company primarily uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. The weighted average discount rate used was 5.0%. The lease liability is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability and decreased by lease payments made. It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, a change in the estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or as appropriate, changes in the assessment of whether a purchase or extension option is reasonably certain to be exercised or a termination option is reasonably certain not to be exercised.

   8  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

On transition to IFRS 16, the Company elected to apply the practical expedient to grandfather the assessment of which transactions represent leases. The Company applied IFRS 16 only to contracts that were previously identified as leases under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4. Therefore, the definition of a lease under IFRS 16 was applied only to contracts entered into, or changed, on or after June 1, 2019.

 

The Company used the following additional practical expedients:

 

Applied a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with similar characteristics;
Applied the exemption not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases with terms less than 12 months and leases of low-value assets. The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line or other systematic basis over the lease term;
Excluded initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application; and
Used hindsight when determining the lease term if the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease.

 

The Company has furthermore applied judgment to determine the applicable discount rate. The discount rate is based on the Company's incremental borrowing rate and reflects the current market assessments of the time value of money and the associated risks for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted for.

 

On transition to IFRS 16, the Company recognized right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities of $6,619 on June 1, 2019 for a combination of vehicle and office lease agreements. The Company has recognized depreciation expense of $292 and $255 in finance costs in the condensed consolidated interim statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income for the three months ended August 31, 2019.

 

There are no other standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a material impact on the Company in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

 

The Company has reclassified certain immaterial items on the comparative consolidated statements of financial position, consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, and consolidated statements of cash flows to improve clarity.

 

4. Marketable securities

Marketable securities are classified as fair value through profit or loss, and are comprised of:

     S&P rating at
purchase

 Interest

rate

 Maturity

date

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

Fixed Income:          
  Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC  BBB 3.140% 6/14/2019           $  -              $  5,074
  Canadian Western Bank  A- 3.463% 12/17/2019           1,009                1,019
  Enercare Solutions Inc.  BBB 4.600% 2/3/2020           3,846                3,907
  Enbridge Inc.  BBB+ 4.530% 3/9/2020           5,167                5,137
  Choice Properties REIT  BBB 3.600% 4/20/2020           5,092                5,062
           $  15,114  $  20,199

 

The cost of marketable securities as at August 31, 2019 was $15,745 (May 31, 2019 - $20,907). During the three months ended August 31, 2019, the company divested of certain marketable securities for proceeds of $5,000 (2018 - $4,000), resulting in a loss on disposal of $(74) (2018 - $(55)), and re-invested $nil (2018 - $nil). During the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company recognized a loss of $(85) (2018 - $(167)) on its marketable securities portfolio, of which $(11) (2018 - $(112)) represented unrealized fair value adjustments.

   9  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

  

5. Prepaids and other current assets

Prepaids and other current assets are comprised of:

     

August 31,

2019

May 31,
2019
Sales tax receivable      $  4,335  $  7,583
Accrued interest                  915                2,779
Prepaid assets               9,552              10,696
Other               4,134                2,333
       $  18,936  $  23,391

 

 

6. Inventory

 

Inventory is comprised of:

 

Capitalized

cost

Fair value

adjustment

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

Harvested cannabis $  15,513 $  20,313 $  35,826 $  23,253
Harvested cannabis trim 2,882 3,522 6,404 5,789
Cannabis oil 15,957 13,565 29,522 19,601
Softgel capsules 316 272 588 764
Distribution inventory 31,058 - 31,058 32,944
Other inventory items 9,582 - 9,582 9,178
   $  75,308  $  37,672 $  112,980  $  91,529

 

During the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company recorded $15,454 (2018 - $4,834) of production costs. Included in production costs for the three months ended August 31, 2019 is $426 of cannabis oil conversion costs (2018 - $147), $2 related to the cost of accessories (2018 - $65), and amortization of $1,895 (2018 - $513). The Company also included $2,315 of amortization which remains in inventory for the three months ended August 31, 2019 (2018 - $919) related to capital assets utilized in production. During the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company expensed $7,286 (2018 -$4,205) of fair value adjustments on the growth its biological assets included in inventory sold.

 

The Company holds 9,760.1 kilograms of harvested cannabis (May 31, 2019 - 6,309.9 kgs), 2,275.0 kilograms of harvested cannabis trim (May 31, 2019 - 1,908.0 kgs) and 37,855.3 litres of cannabis oils or 6,583.5 kilograms equivalent in various stages of production (May 31, 2019 - 28,458.1 litres or 4,949.2 kilograms equivalent), 819.7 litres of cannabis oils used in softgel capsules or 142.5 kilograms equivalent at August 31, 2019 (May 31, 2019 - 982.0 litres or 218.2 kilograms equivalent).

 

7. Biological assets

Biological assets are comprised of:

          Amount
Balance at May 31, 2018     $  7,331
  Changes in fair value less costs to sell due to biological transformation     40,607
  Production costs capitalized       47,747
  Transferred to inventory upon harvest       (76,960)
Balance at May 31, 2019       $  18,725
  Changes in fair value less costs to sell due to biological transformation     25,153
  Production costs capitalized       29,791
  Transferred to inventory upon harvest       (43,782)
Balance at August 31, 2019        $  29,887

 

 

   10  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

The Company values cannabis plants at cost, which approximates fair value from the date of initial clipping from mother plants until half way through the flowering cycle of the plants. Measurement of the biological transformation of the plant at fair value less costs to sell begins in the fourth week prior to harvest and is recognized evenly until the point of harvest. The number of weeks in the growing cycle is between twelve and sixteen weeks from propagation to harvest. The Company has determined the fair value less costs to sell of harvested cannabis and harvested cannabis trim to be $3.50 and $2.75 per gram respectively, upon harvest for greenhouse produced cannabis (May 31, 2019 - $3.50 and $2.75 per gram) and $4.00 and $3.25 per gram respectively (May 31, 2019 - $4.00 and $3.25 per gram), upon harvest for indoor produced cannabis.

 

The effect of the fair value less cost to sell over and above historical cost was an increase in non-cash value of biological assets and inventory of $25,153 during the three months ended August 31, 2019 (2018 - $9,511).

 

The fair value of biological assets is determined using a valuation model to estimate expected harvest yield per plant applied to the estimated price per gram less processing and selling costs. Only when there is a material change from the expected fair value used for cannabis does the Company make any adjustments to the fair value used. During the period, there was no material change to these inputs and therefore there has been no change in the determined fair value per plant.

 

In determining the fair value of biological assets, management has made the following estimates in this valuation model:

The harvest yield is between 20 grams and 60 grams per plant;
The selling price is between $3.00 and $7.00 per gram;
Processing costs include drying and curing, testing, post-harvest overhead allocation, packaging and labelling costs between $0.30 and $0.80 per gram;
Selling costs include shipping, order fulfilment, patient acquisition and patient maintenance costs between $0.00 and $1.50 per gram;

 

Sales price used in the valuation of biological assets is based on the average selling price of all cannabis products and can vary based on different strains being grown as well as the proportion of sales derived from wholesale compared to retail. Selling costs vary depending on methods of selling and are considered based on the expected method of selling and the determined additional costs which would be incurred. Expected yields for the cannabis plant is also subject to a variety of factors, such as strains being grown, length of growing cycle, and space allocated for growing. Management reviews all significant inputs based on historical information obtained as well as based on planned production schedules.

 

Management has quantified the sensitivity of the inputs and determined the following:

Selling price per gram - a decrease in the average selling price per gram by 5% would result in the biological asset value decreasing by $906 (May 31, 2019 - $516) and inventory decreasing by $3,610 (May 31, 2019 - $2,470)
Harvest yield per plant - a decrease in the harvest yield per plant of 5% would result in the biological asset value decreasing by $517 (May 31, 2019 - $266)

 

These inputs are level 3 on the fair value hierarchy and are subject to volatility in market prices and several uncontrollable factors, which could significantly affect the fair value of biological assets in future periods.

 

8. Related party transactions

 

Key management personnel compensation for the three months ended August 31, 2019 and 2018 was comprised of:

         For the three months ended August 31,
         2019  2018
Salaries      $  1,311  $  788
Short-term employment benefits (included in office and general)                 44                     27
Share-based compensation                  579                1,980
         $  1,934  $  2,795

 

 Directors and officers of the Company control 0.04% or 99,442 of the voting shares of the company.

 

 

   11  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

9. Capital assets

 

    Land Production Facility Equipment Leasehold improvements Construction in process Rights-of-Use Assets Total capital assets
Cost              
At May 31, 2018  $  24,504 $  99,442 $  15,949  $  1,665  $  167,157  $ -    $  308,717
  Business acquisitions 345 4,524 1,662                   182                   154                    -               6,867
  Additions 8,109 3,829 28,305                   778            163,953                    -           204,974
  Transfers 192 124,603 33,687               (1,389)           (157,093)                    -                 -  
  Disposals 3 70 24                    -                       11                    -                 108
At May 31, 2019              33,153            232,468              79,627                1,236            174,182                    -           520,666
  IFRS 16 Adjustment                    -                      -                      -                      -                      -                  6,619             6,619
  Additions                     12                1,600                5,963                   765              29,569                    -             37,909
  Transfers                    -                  9,148               (3,909)                   910               (6,149)                    -                 -  
  Disposals                    -                      -                    (409)                    -                      -                      -                (409)
  Effect of foreign exchange                      (6)                  (130)                    (45)                    -                      (33)                    -                (214)
At August 31, 2019  $  33,159  $  243,086  $  81,227  $  2,911  $  197,569  $  6,619  $  564,571
                 
Accumulated depreciation            
At May 31, 2018  $ -    $  2,500  $  2,957  $  109  $ -    $ -    $  5,566
  Amortization                    -                  5,160                5,962                     80                    -                      -             11,202
At May 31, 2019                    -                  7,660                8,919                   189                    -                      -             16,768
  Amortization                    -                  2,692                2,513                   106                    -                     292             5,603
At August 31, 2019  $ -    $  10,352  $  11,432  $  295  $ -    $  292  $  22,371
                 
Net book value              
At May 31, 2018  $  24,504  $  96,942  $  12,992  $  1,556  $  167,157  $ -    $  303,151
At May 31, 2019  $  33,153  $  224,808  $  70,708  $  1,047  $  174,182  $ -    $  503,898
At August 31, 2019  $  33,159  $  232,734  $  69,795  $  2,616  $  197,569  $  6,327  $  542,200

 

 

 

 

   12  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

10. Intangible assets

 

    Customer relationships Corporate website Licences, permits & applications Non-compete agreements Intellectual property, trademarks & brands Total intangible assets
Cost            
At May 31, 2018  $  11,730  $  409  $  139,170  $  1,930  $  81,086  $  234,325
  Business acquisitions              21,300                    -              123,956                1,400      16,200  162,856
  Additions                    -                     496              12,754                    -            1,244      14,494
At May 31, 2019              33,030                   905            275,880                3,330              98,530 411,675
  Additions -   -   904 -   535  1,439
  Effect of foreign exchange (829) -   -   (54) (630) (1,513)
At August 31, 2019  $  32,201  $  905  $  276,784  $  3,276  $  98,435  $  411,601
               
Accumulated depreciation          
At May 31, 2018  $  1,274  $  256  $  277  $  314  $  5,760  $  7,881
  Amortization 4,729 161 582 1,176 5,090 11,738
At May 31, 2019 6,003 417 859 1,490 10,850 19,619
  Amortization 1,518 95 43 418 1,541 3,615
At August 31, 2019  $  7,521  $  512  $  902  $  1,908  $  12,391  $  23,234
               
Net book value            
At May 31, 2018  $  10,456  $  153  $  138,893  $  1,616  $  75,326  $  226,444
At May 31, 2019  $  27,027  $  488  $  275,021  $  1,840  $  87,680  $  392,056
At August 31, 2019  $  24,680  $  393  $  275,882  $  1,368  $  86,044  $  388,367

 

 

Included in Licences, permits & applications is $273,579 of indefinite lived intangible assets.

 

11. Business Acquisitions

 

Acquisition of LATAM Holdings Inc.

 

On July 17, 2018, the Company signed a share purchase agreement with Scythian Biosciences Corp. (“Scythian”) to purchase 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of LATAM Holdings Inc. (“LATAM Holdings”); a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Scythian. As outlined in the share purchase agreement, the negotiated purchase price was to be settled with the issuance of 15,678,310 shares of the Company valued on July 17, 2018 at $193,000 and the assumption of $1,000 USD ($1,310 CAD) short-term liabilities. The acquisition of LATAM Holdings closed on September 27, 2018. Therefore, in accordance with IFRS 3 - Business Combinations, the equity consideration transferred was measured at fair value at the acquisition date, which is the date control was obtained, which in this case was determined to be September 27, 2018. The fair value of the consideration shares on September 27, 2018 was $273,900.

 

LATAM Holdings, through other subsidiaries, provides the Company with access to the emerging cannabis markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through this acquisition, the Company secured key licenses in Colombia, Argentina and Jamaica which is anticipated to provide first mover advantage in these countries. In addition, the Company acquired an option and rights of first refusal to purchase a Brazilian incorporated entity, with the option and right of first refusal vesting only upon the entity obtaining a licence to cultivate and distribute cannabis lawfully in Brazil.

   13  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

The table below summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the effective acquisition date:

      Note Number of shares Share price Amount
Consideration paid        
    Shares issued (i)          15,678,310  $  17.47  $  273,900
Total consideration paid        $  273,900
             
Net assets acquired        
  Current assets        
    Cash and cash equivalents                      2,704
    Accounts receivable                         571
    Prepaids and other current assets                         106
    Inventory                           65
  Long-term assets        
    Capital assets                         494
    Licences, permits & applications                  123,956
    Goodwill                  189,188
  Total assets             317,084
  Current liabilities        
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                      1,986
    Income taxes payable                           20
  Long-term liabilities        
    Deferred tax liability                    29,837
  Total liabilities               31,843
             
Non-controlling interest               11,341
             
Total net assets acquired        $  273,900

 

(i)       Share price based on the price of the shares on September 27th, 2018.

Net income and comprehensive net income for the Company would have been lower by approximately $1,139 for the three months ended August 31, 2018, if the acquisition had taken place on June 1, 2018. In connection with this transaction, the Company expensed transaction costs of $1,133.

Acquisition of CC Pharma GmbH

 

On November 7 ,2018, the Company signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of CC Pharma. The purchase price was cash consideration of €18,920 ($28,775 CAD) and additional cash consideration of up to €23,500 ($35,741 CAD) contingent on CC Pharma obtaining a specified EBITDA target. The acquisition of CC Pharma closed on January 9, 2019. During the three months ended August 31, 2019 the Company paid the additional cash consideration of €23,500 previously included in accounts payable, the value in CAD at date of settlement was $34,722.

 

CC Pharma is a leading distributor of pharmaceutical products to pharmacies in Germany as well as throughout Europe. The acquisition of CC Pharma provides the Company access to the cannabis markets in Germany and ultimately pan-European platforms.

   14  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

The Company is in the process of assessing the fair value of the net assets acquired and, as a result, the fair value of the net assets acquired may be subject to adjustments pending completion of final valuations and post-closing adjustments. The table below summarizes the preliminary estimated fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the effective acquisition date:

 

            Amount
Consideration        
    Cash        $  28,775
    Contingent consideration                    35,741
Total consideration        $  64,516
             
Net assets acquired        
  Current assets        
    Cash and cash equivalents                      7,237
    Accounts receivable                    33,989
    Prepaids and other current assets                    14,616
    Inventory                    28,352
  Long-term assets        
    Capital assets                      6,373
    Customer relationships                    21,300
    Non-compete agreements                      1,400
    Intellectual property, trademarks & brands                    16,200
    Goodwill                      6,146
  Total assets             135,613
  Current liabilities        
    Bank loans and overdrafts                    20,255
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                    44,111
    Income taxes payable                         672
  Long-term liabilities        
    Deferred tax liability                      6,059
  Total liabilities               71,097
             
Total net assets acquired        $  64,516

 

  

Revenue and net income and comprehensive net income for the Company would have been higher by approximately $150,000 and $2,625 respectively, for the three months ended August 31, 2018, if the acquisition had taken place on June 1, 2018. In connection with this transaction, the Company expensed transaction costs of $595.

 

Goodwill is comprised of:

         

August 31,

2019

 May 31,

2019

CannWay goodwill      $  1,200  $  1,200
Broken Coast goodwill           146,091            146,091
Nuuvera goodwill           377,221            377,221
LATAM goodwill           139,188            139,188
CC Pharma goodwill               6,146                6,146
Effect of foreign exchange                (228)                    -  
           $  669,618  $  669,846

 

   15  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

12. Convertible notes receivable

 

       

August 31,

2019

 May 31,

2019

HydRx Farms Ltd. (d/b/a Scientus Pharma)      $  11,500  $  11,500
Fire & Flower Inc.             11,855              11,166
10330698 Canada Ltd. (d/b/a Starbuds)               5,592                5,204
High Tide Inc.               4,438                4,360
                33,385              32,230
Deduct - current portion              (23,355)             (11,500)
         $  10,030  $  20,730

 

  

HydRx Farms Ltd. (d/b/a Scientus Pharma)


On August 14, 2017, Aphria purchased $11,500 in secured convertible debentures of Scientus Pharma (“SP”). The convertible debentures bear interest at 8%, paid semi-annually, mature in two years and include the right to convert the debentures into common shares of SP at $2.75 per common share at any time before maturity. SP maintains the option of forced conversion of the convertible debentures if the common shares of SP trade on a stock exchange at a value of $3.02 or more for 30 consecutive days. The Company has agreed with SP to extend the due date for an additional 90 days.

 

As at August 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company’s secured convertible debentures was $11,500 (May 31, 2019 - $11,500), which resulted in a fair value gain for the three months ended August 31, 2019 of $nil (2018 - $155).

 

Fire & Flower Inc.

 

On July 26, 2018, Aphria purchased $10,000 in unsecured convertible debentures of Fire & Flower Inc. (“F&F”). The convertible debentures bear interest at 8% per annum compounded, accrued and paid semi-annually in arrears. The debentures mature on July 31, 2020, at which point, they automatically convert into common shares of F&F at the lower of $1.15 and the share price on July 31, 2020. The debentures may also be converted into a loan on July 31, 2020 bearing interest at 12%, at the holder’s option.

 

As at August 31, 2019, the fair value of the unsecured convertible debentures was $11,855 (May 31, 2019 - $11,166), which resulted in a fair value gain for the three months ended August 31, 2019 of $689 (2018 - $140).

 

10330698 Canada Ltd. (d/b/a Starbuds)

 

On December 28, 2018, Aphria purchased $5,000 in secured convertible debentures of Starbuds. The convertible debentures bear interest at 8.5% per annum accruing daily due on the December 28, 2020. The debentures are secured against the assets of Starbuds. The debentures and any accrued and unpaid interest are convertible into common shares for $0.50 per common share and mature on December 28, 2020.

 

As at August 31, 2019, the fair value of the Company’s secured convertible debentures was $5,592 (May 31, 2019 - $5,204), which includes $285 (May 31, 2019 - $nil) of accrued interest. The remaining increase resulted in a fair value gain for the three months ended August 31, 2019 of $388 (2018 - $nil).

 

High Tide Inc.

 

On April 10, 2019, Aphria purchased $4,500 in unsecured convertible debentures of High Tide Inc. (“High Tide”). The convertible debentures bear interest at 10% per annum, payable annually up front in common shares of High Tide based on the 10-day volume weighted average price (the “Debentures”). The debentures mature on April 10, 2021 and are convertible into common shares of High Tide at a price of $0.75 at the option of the holder. In addition to the debentures, the Company received 6,000,000 warrants in High Tide as part of the purchase of the unsecured convertible debentures (Note 14).

 

As at August 31, 2019, the fair value of the unsecured convertible debentures was $4,438 (May 31, 2019 -$4,360), which resulted in a fair value gain for the three months ended August 31, 2019 of $78 (2018 - $nil).

   16  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 Convertible notes receivable

 

During the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company purchased a total of $nil (2018 - $10,000) in convertible notes. The unrealized gain on convertible notes receivable recognized in the results of operations amounts to $1,155 for the three months ended August 31, 2019 (2018 - $295).

 

The fair value was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: the risk-free rate of 1.51%; expected life of the convertible note; volatility of 70% based on comparable companies; forfeiture rate of nil; dividend yield of nil; and, the exercise price of the respective conversion feature.

 

13. Interest in equity investees

 

Althea Group Holdings Ltd. (“Althea”)

 

As at August 31, 2019 the Company held 50,097,906 common shares of Althea (May 31, 2019 - 50,750,000) representing an ownership interest of 21.5% (May 31, 2019 - 25%).

 

On July 25, 2019 Althea issued 30,000,000 common shares for gross proceeds of $30,000 AUD. During the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company sold 652,094 common shares in Althea reducing the Company’s ownership interest in Althea to 21.5% (Note 28). The Company also relinquished its board representation and ability to participate in Althea’s policy making process. As a result of these transactions, the Company ceased to account for this investment as an equity investee. In accordance with IAS 28, the Company recognized a gain on the change from equity accounting to fair value through profit and loss of $24,255 and reclassified its ownership interest to long-term investments (Note 14 and 27).

 

14. Long-term investments

 

     Cost
May 31, 2019
 Fair value May 31, 2019  Investment  Divesture/ Transfer Subtotal
August 31, 2019
 Change in fair value  Fair value August 31, 2019
Level 1 on fair value hierarchy              
  Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.            $  19,057            $  17,216               $  -                 $  -            $  17,216         $ (9,012)       $  8,204
  National Access Cannabis Corp.            11,574              7,147                 -                   -                7,147            (2,155)         4,992
  Aleafia Health Inc.            10,000              8,445                 -                   -                8,445            (2,621)         5,824
  Rapid Dose Therapeutics Inc.              5,400              5,832                 -                   -                5,832               (504)         5,328
  Fire & Flower Inc.              3,416              2,823                 -                   -                2,823                 160         2,983
  High Tide Inc.                 450                 340                 -                   -                   340                   28            368
  Althea Group Holdings Ltd.                 -                   -                   -                9,190              9,190            28,009       37,199
               49,897            41,803                 -                9,190            50,993            13,905       64,898
Level 3 on fair value hierarchy              
  Resolve Digital Health Inc.                 718              1,100                 -                   -                1,100                 -           1,100
  Resolve Digital Health Inc.                 282                 282                 -                   -                   282                 (24)            258
  Green Acre Capital Fund I              2,000              4,290                 -                   -                4,290               (425)         3,865
  Green Tank Holdings Corp.              1,890              5,334                 -                   -                5,334                 (92)         5,242
  IBBZ Krankenhaus GmbH              1,956              1,965                 -                   -                1,965                 (58)         1,907
  Greenwell Brands GmbH                 152                 153                 -                   -                   153                   (5)            148
  HighArchy Ventures Ltd.              9,995              9,995                 -                   -                9,995                 -           9,995
               16,993            23,119                 -                   -              23,119               (604)       22,515
     $  66,890  $  64,922  $ -    $  9,190  $  74,112  $  13,301  $  87,413

 

The fair value attached to warrants in both Level 2 and Level 3 were determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions: risk-free rate of 0.75-1.70% on the date of grant; expected life of 1 and 2 years; volatility of 70% based on comparable companies; forfeiture rate of 0%; dividend yield of nil; and, the exercise price of the respective warrant.

   17  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.

The Company owns 26,900,000 common shares and 6,900,000 warrants at a cost of $19,057, with a fair value of $8,204 as at August 31, 2019.

 

National Access Cannabis

The Company owns 11,344,505 common shares in NAC at a cost of $11,574, with a fair value of $4,992 as at August 31, 2019.

 

Aleafia Health Inc. (formerly Emblem Corp.) (“Aleafia”)

The Company owns 5,823,831 common shares in Aleafia at a cost of $10,000, with a fair value of $5,824 as at August 31, 2019. The shares are subject to various hold restrictions tied to terms within the supply agreement.

 

Rapid Dose Therapeutics Inc. (“RDT”)

The Company owns 7,200,000 common shares, for a total cost of $5,400, with a fair value of $5,328 as at August 31, 2019.

 

Fire & Flower Inc.

The Company owns 2,277,000 common shares, for a total cost of $3,416 with a fair value of $2,983 as at August 31, 2019.

 

High Tide Inc.

The Company owns 943,396 common shares and 6,000,000 warrants in High Tide Inc. at a cost of $450, with a fair value of $368 as at August 31, 2019. Each warrant is exercisable at $0.85 per warrant expiring April 18, 2021.

 

Althea Group Holdings Ltd. (“Althea”)

During the quarter, the Company reclassified the common shares held in Althea from equity investee to long-term (Note 13). The Company owns 50,097,906 common shares of Althea at a cost of $8,292 AUD ($8,132 CAD) with a fair value of $41,581 AUD ($37,199 CAD) as at August 31, 2019.

 

Resolve Digital Health Inc. (“Resolve”)

The Company owns 2,200,026 common shares and 2,200,026 warrants in Resolve at a total cost of $1,000, with a fair value of $1,358 as at August 31, 2019. The Company determined the fair value of its investment based on its net realizable value. Each warrant is exercisable at $0.65 per warrant expiring December 1, 2021.

 

Green Acre Capital Fund I

The Company committed and invested $2,000 to Green Acre Capital Fund I. The Company determined the fair value of its investment, based on its proportionate share of net assets, to be $3,865 as at August 31, 2019.

 

Green Tank Holdings Corp. (“Green Tank”)

The Company owns 1,540,308 preferred shares in Green Tank for a total cost of $1,420 USD ($1,890 CAD), with a fair value of $3,943 USD ($5,242 CAD) as at August 31, 2019. The Company determined the fair value of its investment, based on Green Tank’s most recent financing.

 

IBBZ Krankenhaus GmbH Klinik Hygiea (“Krankenhaus”)

The Company owns 25.1% of Krankenhaus, which is the owner and operator of Berlin-based Schöneberg Hospital, for €1,294 ($1,956 CAD). Through this investment, the Company is entitled to 5% of the net income (loss) for the years 2018 to 2021, and 10% of the net income (loss) for the period thereafter. The Company determined that the fair value of its investment, based on Krankenhaus’ most recent financing at the same price, is equal to its carrying value. The Company recognized a loss from the change in fair value of $(58) due to changes in the foreign exchange rate.

 

Greenwell Brands GmbH (“Greenwell”)

In September 2018, the Company entered into an investment and shareholder agreement with Greenwell for the purchase of 1,250 common shares, for a total cost of €100 ($152 CAD). The Company determined that the fair value of its investment, based on the most recent financing at the same price, is equal to its carrying value. The Company recognized a loss from the change in fair value of $(5) due to changes in the foreign exchange rate.

   18  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

HighArchy Ventures Ltd.

In October 2018, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with HighArchy Ventures Ltd. for the purchase of 1,999 Class A shares and 1,999 Class B shares, for a total cost of $9,995. During the year, HighArchy Ventures Ltd. completed a share split of 10,000 to 1. The Company determined that the fair value of its investment, based on the most recent financing at the same price, is equal to its carrying value.

 

 

15. Promissory notes receivable

 

    May 31,
2019
Additions Disposal/ Impairment

August 31,

2019

May 15, 2019 - $39,000 - 3%, due  $  39,000  $ --  $ --  $  39,000
  November 15, 2019
November 1, 2018 - $200 - interest free, due                   200                    --                    --              200
  May 1, 2020
     $  39,200  $ --  $ --  $  39,200

 

 

 

16. Income taxes and deferred income taxes

A reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate with the reported taxes is as follows:

         For the three months ended August 31,
        2019 2018
Income before income taxes (recovery)      $  19,039  $  25,138
Statutory rate     26.5% 26.5%
           
Expected income tax expense at combined basic federal and provincial tax rate           5,045                6,662
           
Effect on income taxes of:        
  Foreign tax differential                   78                    -  
  Permanent differences                   18                    -  
  Non-deductible share-based compensation and other expenses             1,313                1,631
  Non-taxable portion of gains             (3,576)               (4,571)
  Other                (626)                   196
  Tax assets not recognized                  346                     44
         $  2,598  $  3,962
           
Income tax expense is comprised of:        
  Current      $  1,247  $  1,494
  Future               1,351                2,468
         $  2,598  $  3,962

 

The following table summarized the movement in deferred tax:

           Amount
Balance at May 31, 2018        $  59,253
  Future income tax recovery                     (4,090)
  Income tax recovery on share issuance costs                     (3,426)
  Acquired through business acquisition                    35,896
Balance at May 31, 2019        $  87,633
  Future income tax expense                      1,351
  Effect of foreign exchange                        (352)
Balance at August 31, 2019        $  88,632

 

   19  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 The following table summarizes the components of deferred tax:

       

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

Deferred tax assets        
  Non-capital loss carry forward      $  27,148  $  20,133
  Share issuance and financing fees     8,918 9,689
  Other     1,180 1,102
Deferred tax liabilities        
  Net book value in excess of undepreciated capital cost   (3,205) (2,751)
  Intangible assets in excess of tax costs     (99,967) (101,271)
  Unrealized gain     (10,036) (6,534)
  Biological assets and inventory in excess of tax costs   (12,670) (8,001)
 Net deferred tax liabilities     $ (88,632)  $  (87,633)

 

 

 

17. Bank indebtedness

 

The Company secured an operating line of credit in the amount of $1,000 which bears interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 75 basis points. As of the August 31, 2019, the Company has not drawn on the line of credit. The operating line of credit is secured by a first charge on the property at 265 Talbot St. West, Leamington, Ontario and a first ranking position on a general security agreement.

 

18. Long-term debt

 

       

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

Term loan - $25,000 - Canadian Five Year Bond interest rate plus 2.73% with a    
  minimum 4.50%, 5 year term, with a 15-year amortization, repayable in blended monthly payments, due in July 2023  $  18,979 $ 24,022
     
Term loan - $25,000 - 3.95%, compounded monthly, 5 year term with a 15-year    
  amortization, repayable in equal monthly instalments of $188 including interest, due in April 2022         23,014 23,352
     
Term loan - $1,250 - 3.99%, 5-year term, with a 10-year amortization, repayable in 917 946
  equal monthly instalments of $13 including interest, due in July 2021
Mortgage payable - $3,750 - 3.95%, 5-year term, with a 20-year amortization, 3,345 3,380
  repayable in equal monthly instalments of $23 including interest, due in July 2021
Vendor take-back mortgage - $2,850 - 6.75%, 5-year term, repayable in equal monthly 1,158 1,305
  instalments of $56 including interest, due in June 2021
Term loan - €5,000 - Euro Interbank Offered Rate + 1.79%, 5-year term, repayable in 6,589 7,169
  quarterly instalments of €250 plus interest, due in December 2023
Term loan - €5,000 - Euro Interbank Offered Rate + 2.68%, 5-year term, repayable in 6,589 7,169
  quarterly instalments of €250 plus interest, due in December 2023
        60,591 67,343
Deduct  - unamortized financing fees   (107) (116)
     - principal portion included in current liabilities   (6,280) (6,332)
        $  54,204 60,895

 

   20  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

  

Total long-term debt repayments are as follows:

     Next 12 months      $  6,280
    2 years               6,336
    3 years               5,923
    4 years               6,060
    5 years             4,716
    Thereafter           31,276
    Balance of obligation      $  60,591

 

  

The term loan of $18,979 was entered into on July 27, 2018 and is secured by a first charge on the property at 223, 231, 239, 265, 269, 271 and 275 Talbot Street West, Leamington Ontario, a first position on a general security agreement, and an assignment of fire insurance to the lender. Principal payments started on the term loan in August 2018. The effective interest rate during the year was 4.68%.

 

The term loan of $23,014 was entered into on May 9, 2017 and is secured by a first charge on the property at 265 Talbot Street West, Leamington Ontario, a first position on a general security agreement, and an assignment of fire insurance to the lender. Principal payments started on the term loan in March 2018.

 

The term loan of $917 and mortgage payable of $3,345 were entered into on July 22, 2016 and are secured by a first charge on the property at 265 Talbot Street West, Leamington, Ontario and a first position on a general security agreement.

 

The vendor take-back mortgage payable of $1,158 was entered into on June 30, 2016 in conjunction with the acquisition of the property at 265 Talbot Street West. The mortgage is secured by a second charge on the property at 265 Talbot Street West, Leamington, Ontario.

 

The Company acquired term loans initially up to €17,000 ($25,460 CAD) as part of the acquisition of CC Pharma (Note 11). As at August 31, 2019, the Company had amounts outstanding of €9,000 ($13,178 CAD). These term loans are secured against the distribution inventory held by CC Pharma.

 

19. Convertible debentures

 

       

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

 Opening balance      $  421,366  $ - 
 Principal amount issued        -  469,805
 Fair value adjustment            (14,207)             (48,439)
Closing balance      $  407,159  $  421,366

 

 

 

The unsecured convertible debentures were entered into in April 2019, in the principal amount of $350,000 USD, are due in five years from issuance (the “Notes”). The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2019. The Notes are an unsecured obligation and ranked senior in right of payment to all indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes. The Notes will rank equal in right of payment with all liabilities that are not subordinated. The Notes are effectively junior to any secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

 

Holders of the Notes may convert all or any portion of their Notes, in multiples of $1 USD principal amount, at their option at any time between December 1, 2023 to the maturity date. The initial conversion rate for the Notes will be 106.5644 common shares of Aphria per $1 USD principal amount of Notes, which will be settled in cash, common shares of Aphria or a combination thereof, at Aphria’s election. This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $9.38 per common share, subject to adjustments in certain events. In addition, holders of the Notes may convert all or any portion of their Notes, in multiples of $1 USD principal amount, at their option at any time preceding December 1, 2023, if:

(a) the last reported sales price of the common shares for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;

(b) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1 USD principal amount of the Notes for each trading day of the measurement period is less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common shares and the conversion rate on each such trading day;

(c) the Company call any or all of the Notes for redemption or;

(d) upon occurrence of specified corporate event.

 

   21  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to June 6, 2022, except upon the occurrence of certain changes in tax laws. On or after June 6, 2022, the Company may redeem for cash all or part of the Notes, at its option, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common shares has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on and including trading day immediately preceding the date won which the Company provide notice of redemption. The redemption of Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

 

 

20. Share capital

 

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares. As at August 31, 2019, the Company has issued 252,013,607 shares.

 

Common Shares     Number of
shares
Amount
Balance at May 31, 2019 250,989,120 1,655,273
Options exercised 974,487 5,912
RSUs exercised     50,000 456
          252,013,607  $  1,661,641
           

 

a) Throughout the period, 974,487 shares were issued from the exercise of stock options with exercise prices ranging from $1.40 to $5.44 for a value of $5,912, including any cash consideration.
b) Throughout the period, 50,000 shares were issued in accordance with the restricted share unit plan to employees of the Company.

 

21. Warrants

The warrant details of the Company are as follows:

Type of warrant Expiry date

Number of

warrants

Weighted

average price

Amount
Warrant December 2, 2019 798,997 1.50 -  
Warrant September 26, 2021 200,000 3.14 360
Nuuvera warrant February 14, 2020 1,293,803 20.30 976
      2,292,800  $  12.25 1,336
           

 

   

Number of

warrants

Weighted

average price

Number of

warrants

Weighted

average price

Outstanding, beginning of the period   2,292,800 12.25 2,843,138 $  10.52
Exercised during the period   -   -   (550,335) 3.29
Cancelled during the period   -   -   (3) 1.75
Outstanding, end of the period       2,292,800  $  12.25         2,292,800  $  12.25

 

 

In March 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Nuuvera (Note 11) in which it reserved 1,345,866 common shares for issuance to the holders of certain common share purchase warrants of Nuuvera (“Nuuvera Warrants”). There are 3,795,450 Nuuvera Warrants, exercisable for Nuuvera shares at an exercise price of $7.20 per share, the Nuuvera shares would convert to 0.3546 Aphria shares and $0.62 cash.

   22  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

22. Stock options

 

The Company adopted a stock option plan under which it is authorized to grant options to officers, directors, employees and consultants enabling them to acquire common shares of the Company. The maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance of stock options that can be granted under the plan is 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The options granted can be exercised for up to a maximum of 10 years and vest as determined by the Board of Directors. The exercise price of each option can not be less than the market price of the common shares on the date of grant.

 

The Company recognized a share-based compensation expense of $3,013 during the three months ended August 31, 2019 (2018 - $4,175). The total fair value of options granted during the period was $4,614 (2018 - $7,089).

 

      August 31, 2019 May 31, 2019
   

Number of

options

Weighted

average price

Number of

options

Weighted

average price

Outstanding, beginning of the period       7,814,996  $  11.05         8,956,195  $  7.60
Exercised during the period     (1,004,833)             4.19        (3,164,174)                  4.05
Issued during the period       1,086,146             9.16         3,005,000                13.05
Cancelled during the period        (476,671)           10.91           (982,025)                  8.27
Outstanding, end of the period       7,419,638  $  11.71         7,814,996  $  11.05
Exercisable, end of the period       4,241,801  $  11.59         4,474,966  $  9.54

 

In June 2019, the Company issued 350,000 stock options at an exercise price between $9.15 and $9.70 per share, exercisable for 5 years to officers of the Company. Nil vested immediately and the remainder vest over 3 years.

 

In August 2019, the Company issued 736,146 stock options at an exercise price of $9.13 per share, exercisable for 5 years to officers and employees of the Company. Nil vested immediately and the remainder vest over 3 years.

 

 

   23  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 The outstanding option details of the Company are as follows:

Expiry date

 Weighted

average exercise

price

Number of

options

Vested and

exercisable

September 2019  $  3.00 42,365 42,365
November 2019  $  3.90 123,151 123,151
December 2019  $  5.25 333,334 33,333
January 2020  $  5.72 1,834 1,834
April 2020  $  7.92 38,334 38,334
June 2020  $  5.44 50,000 50,000
July 2020  $  5.24 268,660 268,660
September 2020  $  0.85 185,000 185,000
October 2020  $  6.90 33,333 26,666
November 2020  $  9.05 136,667 43,333
November 2020  $  9.28 33,333 33,333
December 2020  $  14.06 100,000 66,666
January 2021  $  21.70 10,000 6,666
January 2021  $  22.89 143,333 86,665
January 2021  $  22.08 33,333 33,333
March 2021  $  14.39 20,000 13,333
March 2021  $  9.98 200,000 133,333
March 2021  $  12.39 50,000 33,333
April 2021  $  11.40 380,000 266,666
April 2021  $  9.92 300,000 300,000
April 2021  $  11.45 33,333 33,333
May 2021  $  20.19 908,500 575,164
June 2021  $  1.40 51,668 51,668
June 2021  $  11.78 116,665 99,998
July 2021  $  11.85 150,000 100,000
August 2021  $  1.64 65,000 44,991
September 2021  $  19.38 66,666 33,332
October 2022  $  6.90 74,000 74,000
July 2023  $  11.51 80,000 26,664
July 2023  $  11.85 431,332 157,996
September 2023  $  19.38 150,000 -  
October 2023  $  19.70 60,000 -  
February 2024  $  12.77 345,000 -  
February 2024  $  13.31 1,000,000 1,000,000
April 2024  $  11.45 60,000 -  
June 2024  $  9.15 300,000 -  
June 2024  $  9.70 50,000 -  
August 2024  $  9.13 736,146 -  
July 2027  $  2.52 59,689 59,689
November 2027  $  6.29 39,792 39,792
March 2028  $  12.29 119,378 119,378
March 2028  $  14.38 39,792 39,792
Outstanding, end of the period  $  11.71     7,419,638     4,241,801

 

 

   24  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted using the following assumptions: risk-free rate of 2.00-2.08% on the date of grant; expected life of 3 - 5 years; volatility of 70% based on comparable companies; forfeiture rate of 0%; dividend yield of nil; and, the exercise price of the respective option.

 

23. Non-controlling interest

 

The following tables summarise the information relating to the Company’s subsidiaries, 1974568 Ontario Ltd. (“Aphria Diamond”), CannInvest Africa Ltd., Verve Dynamics Incorporated (Pty) Ltd. (“Verve Dynamics”), Nuuvera Malta Ltd., Marigold, and ColCanna S.A.S. before intercompany eliminations.

 

Non-controlling interest as at August 31, 2019:

 

Aphria

Diamond

CannInvest

Africa Ltd.

Verve

Dynamics

Nuuvera

Malta Ltd.

Marigold

ColCanna

S.A.S.

August 31,

2019

Current assets  $  5,885  $  442  $  232  $  1,336  $  1,223  $  2,761  $  11,879
Non-current assets        189,881               879  $  14,871               964            6,972        115,119  328,686
Current liabilities (6,144) -   (245) (64) (17) (76) (6,546)
Non-current liabilities (172,415) (1,319) (2,530) (3,425) (1,627) (8,136)   (189,452)
Net assets 17,207 2 12,328 (1,189) 6,551 109,668 144,567
               
Non-controlling interest % 49% 50% 70% 10% 5% 10%  
Non-controlling interest  $  8,431  $  1  $  8,630  $  (119)  $  328  $  10,967  $  28,238

 

 

 Non-controlling interest as at May 31, 2019:

 

Aphria

Diamond

CannInvest

Africa Ltd.

Verve

Dynamics

Nuuvera

Malta Ltd.

Marigold

ColCanna

S.A.S.

May 31,

2019

Current assets  $  2,598  $  2  $  185  $  1,813  $  441  $  5,078  $  10,117
Non-current assets 171,314 -   14,635 741 7,872 112,953 307,515
Current liabilities (5,743) (3) (2,155) (178) (16) (78) (8,173)
Non-current liabilities (150,892) (9) -   (3,196) (1,654) (9,638) (165,389)
Net assets 17,277 (10) 12,665 (820) 6,643 108,315 144,070
               
Non-controlling interest % 49% 50% 70% 10% 5% 10%  
Non-controlling interest  $  8,466  $  (5)  $  8,866  $  (82)  $  332  $  10,832  $  28,409

 

 

 Non-controlling interest for the three months ended August 31, 2019:

 

Aphria

Diamond

CannInvest

Africa Ltd.

Verve

Dynamics

Nuuvera

Malta Ltd.

Marigold

ColCanna

S.A.S.

August 31,

2019

Revenue  $ -    $  13  $ -    $  39  $  6  $ -    $  58
Total expenses (recovery)                 72  $  1  $  337               408                 92          (1,350)            (440)
Net comprehensive income (loss)               (72)                 12             (337)             (369)               (86)            1,350              498
               
Non-controlling interest % 49% 50% 70% 10% 5% 10%  
   $  (35)  $  6  $  (236)  $  (37)  $  (4)  $  135  $  (171)

 

 Non-controlling interest for the three months ended August 31, 2018:

  Aphria Diamond CannInvest Africa Ltd. Verve Dynamics Nuuvera Malta Ltd. Marigold ColCanna S.A.S. August 31, 2018
Revenue  $ -    $ -    $ -   $ -  $ -  $ -  $ -  
Total expenses (recovery)               429  $  1  $ -  -   -   430
Net comprehensive income (loss) (429) (1) -   -   -   -   (430)
               
Non-controlling interest % 49% 50% 70% 10% 5% 10%  
   $  (210)  $  (1)  $ -    $ -    $ -  $ -   $  (211)

 

   25  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

24. General and administrative expenses

 

        For the three months ended August 31,
          2019 2018
Executive compensation        $  1,837  $  835
Consulting fees                 3,765                   931
Office and general                 4,207                1,439
Professional fees                 2,512                1,562
Salaries and wages                 6,282                3,092
Insurance                 2,495                   368
Travel and accommodation                 1,041                   471
Rent                    166                   153
           $  22,305  $  8,851

 

  

25. Share-based compensation

 

Share-based compensation is comprised of:

        For the three months ended August 31,
          2019 2018
Amounts charged to share-based payment reserve in respect of    $  3,013  $  4,175
  share-based compensation      
Deferred share units expensed in the period                    301                1,947
Restricted share units expensed in the period                 1,642                    -  
           $  4,956  $  6,122

 

During the period, the Company issued 35,752 deferred share units to certain directors of the Company, under the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

During the period, the Company issued 226,459 restricted share units to employees, officers and directors, under the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

As at August 31, 2019, the Company had 127,710 deferred share units and 404,059 restricted share units outstanding of which, 153,788 restricted share units were vested.

 

26. Finance Income (expense), net
 

 
Finance income (expense), net is comprised of:

          For the three months ended August 31,
          2019 2018
  Interest income        $  3,896  $  1,492
  Interest expense               (9,153)                  (433)
           $  (5,257)  $  1,059

 

   26  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

  

27. Non-operating income

 

Non-operating income is comprised of:

          For the three months ended August 31,
          2019 2018
Non-operating income:          
  Foreign exchange loss        $  (8,682)  $  (59)
  Loss on marketable securities                    (85)                  (167)
  Gain on dilution of ownership in equity investee                 -                  2,210
  Loss from equity investees                   -                    (247)
  Gain on sale of equity investee                   -                  9,880
  Deferred gain on sale of intellectual property                   -                     233
  Unrealized gain on convertible notes                 1,155                   295
  Gain on long-term investments               13,708              22,700
  Unrealized gain on convertible debentures               14,207                    -  
  Unrealized loss on financial liabilities                   -                    (415)
           $  20,303  $  34,430

 

During the quarter the Company ceased accounting for it’s investment in Althea from equity accounting to fair value through profit and loss, and recognized a gain of $24,255 in gain on long-term investments.

28. Gain on long-term investments

 

Gain on long-term investments for the three months ended August 31, 2019 is comprised of:

Investment Proceeds  Opening fair value / cost Gain (loss) on disposal Change in fair value Total
Level 1 on fair value hierarchy          
Althea Company Pty Ltd.  $  528  $  121  $  407  $ -    $  407
Long-term investments (Note 14) -    -   -   13,301 13,301
Three months ended
   August 31, 2019
 $  528  $  121  $  407  $  13,301  $  13,708

 

   27  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

29. Earnings per share

 

The calculation of earnings per share for the three months ended August 31, 2019 was based on the comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders of $16,441 (2018 - $21,176) and a weighted average number of common shares outstanding of 251,163,059 (2018 - 225,659,684) calculated as follows:

 

         2019  2018
Basic earnings per share:        
  Net income for the period      $  16,441  $  21,176
  Average number of common shares outstanding during the period   251,163,059        225,659,684
Earnings per share - basic      $  0.07  $  0.09
           
         2019  2018
Diluted earnings per share:        
  Net income for the period      $  16,441  $  21,176
           
  Average number of common shares outstanding during the period   251,163,059 225,659,684
  "In the money" warrants outstanding during the period   875,610 1,285,099
  "In the money" options outstanding during the period   702,941 3,421,527
          252,741,610 230,366,310
Earnings per share - diluted      $  0.07  $  0.09

 

 

30. Change in non-cash working capital

 

Change in non-cash working capital is comprised of:

        For the three months ended August 31,
        2019 2018
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable      $  (1,905)  $  149
Decrease (increase) in other current assets     4,836 (2,273)
Decrease (increase) in inventory, net of fair value adjustment   (8,595) (5,352)
Decrease (increase) in biological assets, net of fair value adjustment   (6,532) (1,246)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities   (2,132) 217
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable     (574) (188)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue     (991) -  
         $  (15,893)  $  (8,693)

 

 

31. Financial risk management and financial instruments

 

Financial instruments

 

The Company has classified its cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, long-term investments, and convertible notes receivable as FVTPL, accounts receivable, prepaids and other current assets and promissory notes receivable as loans and receivables, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, promissory notes payable, long-term debt, leases liabilities and convertible debentures as FVTPL or amortized cost.

 

The carrying values of accounts receivable, prepaids and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and promissory notes payable approximate their fair values due to their short periods to maturity.

 

The Company’s long-term debt of $28,434 is subject to fixed interest rates. The Company’s long-term debt is valued based on discounting the future cash outflows associated with the long-term debt. The discount rate is based on the incremental premium above market rates for Government of Canada securities of similar duration. In each period thereafter, the incremental premium is held constant while the Government of Canada security is based on the then current market value to derive the discount rate. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt in repayment as at August 31, 2019 was $27,981.

   28  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

Fair value hierarchy

 

Financial instruments recorded at fair value are classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of inputs used in making the measurements. Cash and cash equivalents are Level 1. The hierarchy is summarized as follows:

 

Level 1 quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

Level 2 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (prices) or indirectly (derived from prices) from observable market data

Level 3 inputs for assets and liabilities not based upon observable market data

 

      Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

August 31,

2019

Financial assets at FVTPL          
  Cash and cash equivalents    $  449,205  $ -    $ -    $  449,205
  Marketable securities   15,114 -   -   15,114
  Convertible notes receivable   -   -   33,385 33,385
  Long-term investments   64,898 -   22,515 87,413
Outstanding, end of the year  $  529,217  $ -    $  55,900  $  585,117

 

      Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 May 31,
2019
Financial assets at FVTPL        
  Cash and cash equivalents  $  550,797  $ -    $ -    $  550,797
  Marketable securities 20,199 -   -   20,199
  Convertible notes receivable -   -   32,230 32,230
  Long-term investments 41,803 -   23,119 64,922
Outstanding, end of the year  $  612,799  $ -    $  55,349  $  668,148

 

 

The following table presents the changes in level 3 items for the three months ended August 31, 2019:

 

       

Unlisted

equity

securities

Trading

derivatives

Total
Closing balance May 31, 2019  $  23,119  $  32,230  $  55,349
  Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value (604) 1,155 551
Closing balance August 31, 2019  $  22,515  $  33,385  $  55,900

  

Financial risk management

 

The Company has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments: credit; liquidity; currency rate; and, interest rate price.

 

(a) Credit risk

 

The maximum credit exposure at August 31, 2019 is the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, prepaids and other current assets, promissory notes receivable and convertible notes receivable. The Company does not have significant credit risk with respect to customers. All cash and cash equivalents are placed with major financial institutions. Marketable securities are placed with major investment banks and are represented by investment grade corporate bonds.

   29  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

The Company mitigates its credit risk and volatility on its marketable securities through its investment policy, which permits investments in Federal or Provincial government securities, Provincial utilities or bank institutions and Investment grade corporate bonds.

 

  Total 0-30 days 31-60 days 61-90 days 90+ days
Trade receivables  $  47,264  $  25,605  $  13,017  $  2,215  $  6,427
    54% 28% 5% 13%

 

(b) Liquidity risk

 

As at August 31, 2019, the Company’s financial liabilities consist of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which has contractual maturity dates within one-year, promissory note payable, which has a contractual maturity within 15 months and long-term debt, and convertible debentures which has contractual maturities over the next five years. The Company manages its liquidity risk by reviewing its capital requirements on an ongoing basis. Based on the Company’s working capital position at August 31, 2019, management regards liquidity risk to be low.

 

(c) Currency rate risk

 

As at August 31, 2019, a portion of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities held in United States Dollars (“USD”) and Euros consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, convertible notes receivable, long-term investments and a promissory note payable. The Company’s objective in managing its foreign currency risk is to minimize its net exposure to foreign currency cash flows by transacting, to the greatest extent possible, with third parties in the functional currency. The Company is exposed to currency rate risk in other comprehensive income, relating to foreign subsidiaries which operate in a foreign currency. The Company does not currently use foreign exchange contracts to hedge its exposure of its foreign currency cash flows as management has determined that this risk is not significant at this point in time.

The Company is exposed to unrealized foreign exchange risk through its cash and cash equivalents. As at August 31, 2019, approximately $297,000 USD ($395,000 CAD) of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents was in United States dollars. A 1% change in the foreign exchange rate would result in an unrealized gain or loss of approximately $4,000.

 

(d) Interest rate price risk

 

The Company manages interest rate risk by restricting the type of investments and varying the terms of maturity and issuers of marketable securities. Varying the terms to maturity reduces the sensitivity of the portfolio to the impact of interest rate fluctuations.

 

(e) Capital management

 

The Company’s objectives when managing its capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, to meet its capital expenditures for its continued operations, and to maintain a flexible capital structure which optimizes the cost of capital within a framework of acceptable risk. The Company manages its capital structure and adjusts it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. To maintain or adjust its capital structure, the Company may issue new shares, issue new debt, or acquire or dispose of assets. The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

 

Management reviews its capital management approach on an ongoing basis and believes that this approach, given the relative size of the Company, is reasonable. There have been no changes to the Company’s capital management approach in the year. The Company considers its cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as capital.

   30  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

32. Commitments and contingencies

 

The Company has a lease for rental office space from December 2018 to November 30, 2028. The Company has committed purchase orders outstanding at August 31, 2019 related to capital asset expansion of $58,792, all of which are expected to be paid within the next year. Minimum payments payable over the next five years are as follows:

 

 

Years ending August 31,
2020 $  60,174
2021 1,273
2022 978
2023 869
2024 797
Thereafter 2,701
  $  66,792

 

From time to time, the Company and/or its subsidiaries may become defendants in legal actions arising out of the ordinary course and conduct of its business.

 

As of August 31, 2019, the Company was served statements of claims in class action lawsuits against the Company and certain of its officers and former officers. These claims relate to alleged misconduct in connection with the Company’s acquisitions of LATAM Holdings Inc. (“LATAM”) and Nuuvera Inc., and the Company’s June 2018 securities offering. At the present time, the representative claimants have been identified and selected in both the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. claims include alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The Canadian claims include alleged statutory and common law misrepresentation and oppression. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in each of these actions. With respect to the cases commenced in the United States, the Company is self-insured for the costs associated with any award or damages arising from such actions and has entered into indemnity agreements with each of the directors and officers and, subject to certain exemptions, will cover any costs incurred by them in connection with any of the class action claims. With respect to the cases commenced in Canada, the Company’s insurance policies may not be sufficient to cover any judgments against the Company. As at August 31, 2019, the Company has not recorded any uninsured amount related to this contingency.

 

33. Segment reporting

 

Information reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance focuses on the nature of the operations. The Company operates in three segments. 1) cannabis operations, which encompasses the production, distribution and sale of both medical and adult-use cannabis, 2) distribution operations, which encompasses the purchase and resale of products to customers. The distribution operations are carried out through the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries ABP, FL Group and CC Pharma, and 3) businesses under development which encompasses operations in which the Company has not received final licensing or has not commenced commercial sales from operations. Factors considered in determining the operating segments include the Company’s business activities, the management structure directly accountable to the CODM, availability of discrete financial information and strategic priorities within the organizational structure.

 

Segment information for the three months ended August 31, 2019:

 

     

Cannabis

operations

Distribution operations Businesses under development Total
Revenue      $  30,785  $  95,327  $ -    $  126,112
Income before income taxes     22,485 1,861 (5,307) 19,039

 

 

Segment information for the three months ended August 31, 2018:

     

Cannabis

operations

Distribution operations Businesses under development Total
Revenue     $  12,950 $  299 $  43 $  13,292
Income before income taxes     29,411 (159) (4,114) 25,138

 

   31  

Aphria Inc.

Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

(Unaudited - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

Geographic information for the three months ended August 31, 2019:

    North America Europe Latin America Africa Total
Revenue    $  30,785  $  93,705  $  1,622  $ -    $  126,112
Capital assets   502,236 30,104 6,868 2,992 542,200

 

 

 

Geographic information for the three months ended August 31, 2018:

    North America Europe Latin America Africa Total
Revenue    $  12,950  $  342  $ -    $ -    $  13,292
Capital assets   353,953 6,911 - - 360,864

 

 

Major customers are defined as customers that each individually account for greater than 10% of the Company’s annual revenues and greater than 10% of accounts receivable. For the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company had no one customer that accounted for greater than 10% of the Company’s revenue (2018 - nil).

 

 

 

 32

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

APHRIA INC.

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

This management discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of the financial condition and results of operations of Aphria Inc. and its subsidiaries, (the “Company” or “Aphria”), is for the three months ended August 31, 2019. It is supplemental to, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the three months ended August 31, 2019. The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

 

This MD&A has been prepared by reference to the MD&A disclosure requirements established under National Instrument 51-102 “Continuous Disclosure Obligations” (“NI 51-102”) of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Additional information regarding Aphria Inc. is available on our website at www.aphriainc.com or through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) website at www.sedar.com.

 

In this MD&A, reference is made to gram equivalents, “all-in” cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram, cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram, cannabis gross profit, cannabis gross margin, distribution gross profit, distribution gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations, adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations, adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development, strategic investments, capital and intangible asset expenditures - wholly owned subsidiaries, and capital and intangible asset expenditures - majority owned subsidiaries which are not measures of financial performance under IFRS. The Company calculates each as follows:

 

“Gram equivalents” include both grams of dried cannabis as well as grams of cannabis oil as derived using an ‘equivalency factor’ of 1 gram per 5.75 mL of cannabis oil. Management believes this measure provides useful information as a benchmark of the Company against its competitors.
“All-in” cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram is equal to production costs less the costs of accessories less cannabis oil conversion costs (“cost of sales of dried cannabis”) plus (minus) increase (decrease) in plant inventory divided by gram equivalents of cannabis sold in the quarter. This measure provides the cost per gram of dry cannabis and gram equivalent of oil sold before the post harvesting processing costs to create oil or other ancillary products.
Cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram is equal to cost of sales of dried cannabis less amortization, packaging costs and distribution costs plus (minus) increase (decrease) in plant inventory divided by gram equivalents of cannabis sold in the quarter. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it removes non-cash amortization and packaging costs and provides a benchmark of the Company against its competitors.
Cannabis gross profit is equal to gross profit less distribution revenue, other revenue, cost of goods purchased, other costs of sales, the non-cash increase (plus the non-cash decrease) in the fair value adjustments on sale of inventory and on growth of biological assets, if any. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it removes non-similar revenue, costs and fair value metrics tied to increasing stock levels (decreasing stock levels) required by IFRS.
Cannabis gross margin is cannabis gross profit divided by net revenue from cannabis products. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it represents the gross profit based on the Company’s cost to produce inventory sold and removes fair value metrics tied to increasing stock levels (decreasing stock levels) required by IFRS.
Distribution gross profit is equal to gross profit less revenue from cannabis products, other revenue, excise taxes, production costs, other costs of sales, the non-cash increase (plus the non-cash decrease) in the fair value adjustments on sale of inventory and on growth of biological assets, if any. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it removes non-similar revenue and costs.
Distribution gross margin is distribution gross profit divided by distribution revenue. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it represents the gross profit based on the Company’s costs to purchase inventory for resale.
Adjusted EBITDA is net income (loss), plus (minus) income taxes (recovery) plus (minus) non-operating (income) loss, net, plus amortization, plus share-based compensation, plus (minus) non-cash fair value adjustments on sale of inventory and on growth of biological assets, plus impairment, plus transaction costs, and certain one-time non-operating expenses, as determined by management. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it is a commonly used measure in the capital markets and as it is a close proxy for repeatable cash generated by operations.
Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations is calculated based on the same approach outlined above for Adjusted EBITDA, based on the operations of the following entities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements: Aphria Inc. and Broken Coast Cannabis Ltd. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it is a commonly used measure in the capital markets and it is a close proxy for repeatable cash generated from the Company’s operations in the cannabis regulated industry.
Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations is calculated based on the same approach outlined above for Adjusted EBITDA, based on the operations of the following entities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements; CC Pharma GmbH, ABP, S.A. and FL-Group. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it is a commonly used measure in the capital markets and it is a close proxy for repeatable cash generated from the Company’s distribution operations.
Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development is adjusted EBITDA minus adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations and adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it is a commonly used measure in the capital markets and as it is a close proxy for repeatable cash generated by the Company’s businesses under development.
Strategic investments are the total cash out flows used in investing activities relating to investment in long-term investments and equity investees as well as both notes and convertible notes advanced. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it helps provide an indication of the use of capital raised by the Company outside of its operating activities.
Capital and intangible asset expenditures - wholly-owned subsidiaries are all cash out flows used in investing activities relating to investment in capital assets and investment in intangible assets, net of shares issued for wholly owned subsidiaries. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it helps provide an indication of the use of capital raised by the Company outside of its operating activities.

 

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Capital and intangible asset expenditures - majority-owned subsidiaries are all cash out flows used in investing activities relating to investment in capital assets and investment in intangible assets, net of shares issued for majority owned subsidiaries. Management believes this measure provides useful information as it helps provide an indication of the use of capital raised by the Company outside of its operating activities.

 

 

These measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

All amounts in this MD&A are expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated.

 

This MD&A is prepared as of October 11, 2019.

 

Company Overview

Aphria Inc. (“Aphria”), a company amalgamated under the laws of the province of Ontario, is licensed to produce and sell medical and adult-use cannabis and cannabis-derived extracts in Canada under the provisions of the Cannabis Act. Aphria received its licence to produce and sell medical cannabis on November 26, 2014, followed by its licence to sell cannabis extracts on August 18, 2016. These licences were extended to include the adult-use market on October 17, 2018. Aphria’s head office is based in Leamington, Ontario, adjacent to Aphria One, the Company’s original 1,100,000 square foot Leamington greenhouse facility. Throughout this MD&A, Aphria will refer to its original Leamington campus as “Aphria One”.

 

The Company’s common shares are listed under the symbol “APHA” on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

 

Canadian Cannabis Operations

 

The Company’s domestic Canadian cannabis operations are comprised of the original Aphria One greenhouse facility (described above), its Leamington-based Extraction Centre of Excellence, wholly-owned British Columbia-based subsidiary Broken Coast, and 51% majority owned Leamington-based subsidiary, 1974568 Ontario Ltd. (“Aphria Diamond”).

 

The Extraction Centre of Excellence is being constructed as an integral part of the Company’s Leamington production facilities, combining science and innovation to develop the future of the cannabis industry.

 

Broken Coast Cannabis Ltd. (“Broken Coast”), a subsidiary of the Company acquired in February 2018, is licensed to produce and sell cannabis under the provisions of the Cannabis Act. Broken Coast’s purpose-built, indoor cannabis production facility on Vancouver Island provides Aphria with ‘B.C. Bud’ and is a leading premium cannabis brand.

 

Aphria Diamond is a 51% majority owned subsidiary of the Company, incorporated in November 2017. This entity is the Company’s venture with Double Diamond Farms (“Double Diamond”). Aphria Diamond has applied for a site cultivation licence under the provisions of the Cannabis Act.

 

The Company is awaiting Health Canada approval at Aphria Diamond which will expand the Company’s production capacity. Once this expanded facility is licensed, operating at capacity and in full crop rotation, the Company will have more than 2.4 million square feet of space under cultivation capable of annual production of more than 255,000 kgs of cannabis.

 

International Operations

 

Aphria EMEA is a group of subsidiaries of the Company operating throughout the emerging Cannabis market in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with a focus on building a global cannabis company. The Company’s operations are split between distribution and production.

 

The Company has a distribution operations presence throughout the EMEA region. Currently, the majority of distribution activities within the EMEA region relate to distribution of medical products with plans to continue developing and incorporating cannabis products into the product assortment.

 

The Company has production operations presence in Germany and Lesotho. The production presence in Germany has expanded in the current year with the Company obtaining 5 cultivation lots from the German government. In addition to obtaining the maximum number of lots within the tender process, the Company stands as the only licensed producer in Germany with the permission to grow all three strains of medical cannabis approved by the BfArM. Further, the Company’s recently licensed to a third party CBD offerings for medical and cosmetic products within Germany, resulting in the Company now earning a royalty stream. The Company has a production presence in Lesotho, with an under construction large-scale extraction operation to support the forecasted demand of cannabis products within the EMEA corridor.

 

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LATAM Holdings Inc. (“LATAM”) is a subsidiary of the Company acquired in September 2018. LATAM holds key licences in Colombia, Argentina and Jamaica through its subsidiaries MMJ Colombia Partners Inc., Marigold Acquisitions Inc., Hampstead Holdings Ltd., MMJ International Investments Inc., ABP, S.A., Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited, and ColCanna S.A.S. Through the LATAM acquisition, the Company obtained the option to purchase a majority interest in a Brazilian incorporated entity, upon that Brazilian entity obtaining a medical cannabis cultivation, processing and distribution licence in Brazil.

 

The Company’s majority and wholly-owned subsidiaries are as follows:

 

Subsidiaries Jurisdiction of incorporation Ownership interest (1)
Broken Coast Cannabis Ltd. British Columbia, Canada 100%
LATAM Holdings Inc. British Columbia, Canada 100%
Marigold Acquisitions Inc. British Columbia, Canada 100%
MMJ International Investments Inc. British Columbia, Canada 100%
Nuuvera Holdings Limited Ontario, Canada 100%
ARA - Avanti Rx Analytics Inc. Ontario, Canada 100%
MMJ Colombia Partners Inc. Ontario, Canada 100%
Nuuvera Israel Ltd.(2) Israel 100%
FL-Group Italy 100%
Goodfields Supply Co. Ltd. United Kingdom 100%
Hampstead Holdings Ltd. Bermuda 100%
ABP, S.A. Argentina 100%
Nuuvera Deutschland GmbH Germany 100%
Aphria Deutschland GmbH Germany 100%
CC Pharma GmbH Germany 100%
CC Pharma Research and Development GmbH Germany 100%
Aphria Wellbeing GmbH Germany 100%
Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited Jamaica   95%(3)
Nuuvera Malta Ltd. Malta 90%
ASG Pharma Ltd. Malta   90%(4)
QSG Health Ltd. Malta   90%(5)
ColCanna S.A.S. Colombia 90%
CC Pharma Nordic ApS Denmark 75%
1974568 Ontario Ltd. Ontario, Canada 51%
Aphria Terra S.R.L. Italy 51%
Aphria Italy S.p.A. Italy 51%
APL - Aphria Portugal, Lda. Portugal 51%
CannInvest Africa Ltd. South Africa 50%
Verve Dynamics Incorporated (Pty) Ltd. Lesotho 30%(6)
(1) The Company defines ownership interest as the interest in which the Company is entitled a proportionate share of net income. Legal ownership of some subsidiaries differs from ownership interest shown above.
(2) Represents inactive subsidiaries, which have no operations and do not own any assets, save and except for a related party balance owing to the Company, and is in the process of being dissolved.
(3) The Company holds 49% of the issued and outstanding shares of Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited, through wholly owned subsidiary Marigold Acquisitions Inc. The Company holds rights through a licensing agreement to 95% of the results of operations of Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited.
(4) The Company holds 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of ASG Pharma Ltd., through 90% owned subsidiary Nuuvera Malta Ltd.

 

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(5) The Company holds 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of QSG Health Ltd., through 90% owned subsidiary Nuuvera Malta Ltd.
(6) The Company holds 60% of the issued and outstanding shares of Verve Dynamics Incorporated (Pty) Ltd., through 50% owned subsidiary CannInvest Africa Ltd.

 

STRATEGY AND OUTLOOK

Aphria, a global cannabis consumer packaged goods company is setting the standard for brand development, product innovation, and industrial scale cultivation automation for the production of high-quality cannabis grown in the most natural conditions possible. The Company was one of the first licensed producers in Canada and the first Canadian licensed producer to fully exploit greenhouse cultivation and industrial-scale production to deliver sustainable operating profit margins in the emerging cannabis industry. Through its international operations, the Company also seeks opportunities to create long-term shareholder value by identifying partnership and investment opportunities where the Company can apply experience and knowledge gained in the Canadian cannabis industry. Applying this experience to other jurisdictions where a national cannabis legalization framework is developing, and local market characteristics are expected to support the Company’s competitive strengths.

 

Canadian Cannabis Operations

Canadian cannabis operations include the results of: (i) Canadian subsidiaries which hold investments and have no other operations; (ii) companies which are applicants and are expected to become licensed cannabis producers in Canada (Aphria Diamond); and, (iii) companies which also actively produce and sell cannabis under the Cannabis Act (Aphria One and Broken Coast).

 

 

 

 

 Licences

The 1,100,000 sq. ft facility at Aphria One is currently fully licensed and fully planted, yielding approximately 600,000 plants.

 

As of the date of this MD&A, the Aphria Diamond facility is complete, the licence application was originally submitted in March 2018 and we continue to engage in discussions with Health Canada on the application. The ultimate date of approval by Health Canada is unknown. Once approved by Health Canada, the facility will go through a short ramp up period, similar to Aphria One. Once fully planted the Company’s total expected production capacity(1) will be 255,000 kgs a year from all Canadian facilities.

 

(1) These figures are considered forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s experience in growing cannabis, and data available concerning the wide variety of strains under the growing conditions maintained at its facilities. Material assumptions to derive capacity at full completion include, but are not limited to: the number of plants expected to occupy each facility, the number of harvest cycles and average yield per harvest cycle per year for the strains expected to be grown at each facility.

 

Canadian medical market brands

Since 2014, the Aphria brand has been a leading choice for patients seeking high quality pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis. As the Canadian adult-use market continues to develop, the Company expects to continue to focus and invest in the Canadian medical market while concurrently developing cannabis-based products and brands targeting the adult-use market.

 

Canadian adult-use market brands

The Company is investing capital and resources to establish a leading position in the adult-use market in Canada. These investments are focused on brand development, product innovation, marketing, sales, education, and research to enable the Company to capture, retain and grow a significant share of the Canadian market as it continues to develop.

 

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Aphria developed its initial portfolio of adult-use brands to specifically meet the evolving needs of Canada’s most profitable segments. The Company leveraged its strengths to offer products with unique attributes - from price through to potency and assortment - to best serve its consumers. The suite of brands created by the Company for Canada’s adult-use market include Solei, RIFF, Good Supply, and Broken Coast. Each brand is unique to a specific target audience with various product offerings designed to meet the needs of its targeted segments, described below:

 

 

 

Solei Sungrown Cannabis (“Solei”) is designed for current and novice users, pairing an assortment of carefully curated strains and product formats for different experiences. Solei’s signature ‘Moments’ based approach has received very positive feedback from retailers and consumers seeking a simplified approach to cannabis.

 

   
 

 

RIFF is a culture and community focused brand supporting the artistic community across Canada. The brand has high potency offerings available for more experienced users.

 

   
 

 

 

Good Supply offers regular cannabis users with a no-frills, yet excellent value-for-money assortment that does not sacrifice quality.

 

 

   
  Complementing Aphria’s in-house brands, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Broken Coast is a multi-award-winning craft grower that delivers a premium product and provides consumers with an opportunity to access a brand synonymous with British Columbia-grown cannabis. Broken Coast’s craft cannabis is grown on the shores of the Salish Sea in small batches using single-strain growing rooms. All flower is hand-trimmed and slow-cured ensuring premium product quality and consistency.

 

Product development

The Canadian government has committed to regulating the sale of cannabis infused products in 2019. According to Headset, Inc., data which tracks US sales across the cannabis category, the vape market makes up 17% to 30% of sales (California, Nevada, Colorado, Washington) depending on the market. Aphria is investing capital and resources in product research, development, and production technologies in anticipation of the legalization of these new emerging categories. As a part of these R&D efforts, the Company is investing in the following areas to develop consistent and unique formulations to be used in its end-products:

 

Industrial-scale extraction technologies using different methods including CO2, butane and ethanol;
The effective isolation of terpenes, cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds; and,

 

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Development of nano-emulsification technology providing flavourless and colourless input material into derivative products such as edibles and beverages.

 

The Company is currently engaged in R&D, IP partnerships and formulation development for a broad suite of high margin derivative products such as vapes, edibles, beverages, concentrates, topicals and other products such as oral thin strips and transdermal patches. 

 

Within these categories, the Company’s primary focus in the near term is vape products as the company anticipates that said products will represent a similar percentage of the Canadian cannabis market as it does in existing US markets and is very well aligned to its superior extraction capabilities and know-how. The Company anticipates having vape products available following the statutory notice period required to sell the products under the Cannabis Regulations, sometime in December. The Company believes edibles and beverages will collectively represent a much smaller proportion of the market and has a strategy established to meet this demand, which will be implemented after vapes have been introduced.

 

Distribution

The Company signed supply agreements with all the provinces and the Yukon Territory in Canada, representing access to 99.8% of Canadians, showing the Company’s commitment to becoming a leader in the adult-use market. The Company is one of a handful of licensed producers which has agreements with every province in Canada.

 

The Company signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Great North Distributors Inc. (“Great North Distributors”), a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”), to provide the Company with the sales force and wholesale/retail channel expertise required to efficiently distribute the Company’s product through each of the provincial/territorial cannabis control agencies. As one of the leading distributors of alcoholic beverages in Canada, Great North Distributors has extensive expertise in managing compliance with the unique rules that govern the marketing of controlled substances in each of the jurisdictions where the Company has supply agreements. The Company has leveraged the Great Northern Distributors agreement by signing a subsequent agreement with We Grow BC Ltd. (“We Grow”), a Vancouver-based licensed producer of premium cannabis, to become We Grow’s exclusive sales representatives across Canada. As of August 31, 2019, We Grow has listed its products in multiple provinces providing additional revenue for the Company.

 

In addition to the above distribution agreements for the adult-use market, the Company sees an expanded distribution path in the medical cannabis market with its five-year supply agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart.

 

Production

The Company’s Aphria One facility is fully licensed and is fully planted. The Company currently has an open second site licence application for its Aphria Diamond site. The site is complete, the licence application was originally submitted in March 2018 and we continue to engage in discussions with Health Canada on the application. The ultimate date of approval by Health Canada is unknown. Once approved by Health Canada, the facility will go through a short ramp period, similar to Aphria One. Once fully, planted the Company’s total expected production capacity(1) will be 255,000 kgs a year from all Canadian facilities.

 

(1) These figures are considered forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s experience in growing cannabis, and data available concerning the wide variety of strains under the growing conditions maintained at its facilities. Material assumptions to derive capacity at full completion include, but are not limited to: the number of plants expected to occupy each facility, the number of harvest cycles and average yield per harvest cycle per year for the strains expected to be grown at each facility.

 

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Aphria One

The Company’s original flagship greenhouse facility, Aphria One, accounts for more than 90% of the Company’s current production.

 

The Company obtained Health Canada approval on the additional 800,000 square feet at Aphria One in March 2019. With the Part IV and Part V greenhouse expansions completed and approved, the Company has over 1,100,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art operational greenhouse facilities.

 

The Company has spent approximately $159,000 for the Part IV and Part V expansion, an increase of approximately $11,000 (7%) from the original combined budget. The increase is mainly due to project add-ons and change orders relating to upgrades in order to maintain the industry leading state-of-the-art infrastructure.

 

The Company is the first licensed producer to integrate industrial horticulture production technology into the cultivation of cannabis within a greenhouse environment. This cutting-edge technology automates the following functions of the plant growing cycle:

 

Transplanting cuttings through various stages into the final pots for flowering;
Aiding in evaluation of the health and quality of plants to ensure plants meet the Company’s stringent quality standards throughout the many stages of the growing cycle;
Monitoring and providing water and nutrients to the plants during the growing cycle; and
Transporting plants through different areas in the greenhouse including to the processing room once harvested.

 

With this innovative technology implemented, the only human interaction throughout the plants’ growth cycle for plants grown in these areas are at the initial phase of taking the cuttings and to trim and prune the plants.

 

Additional state-of-the-art automation employed throughout the rest of the facilities include processes that involve:

 

Cutting the plants, and transferring them to be processed;
Automating the de-budding and trimming process;
Disposing of waste produced in the cutting, de-budding and trimming phase of production; and
Distributing the buds into trays in a drying rack to evenly dry and cure the harvested product.

 

Automating labour-intensive parts of the production process enables the Company to achieve optimal product consistency and quality control while significantly reducing operating costs. In addition to the reduction of labour costs, the Company has also introduced measures that significantly reduce energy costs and consumption.

 

The Company installed a co-generation power plant that utilizes natural gas to generate its own electricity and as a by-product of this process, hot & cold water and CO2. This combined-cycle process not only generates electricity for use in the greenhouse to operate the lights and air conditioners, but also hot & cold water that is used to control the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse. The residual gas emissions created by this process are directed through a catalytic converter to create CO2 which is used during the growing cycle. This co-generation power plant also incorporates state-of-the-art power switching capability that automatically selects between the public electrical grid and the Company’s private power co-generation equipment to ensure it is constantly using the most cost-effective energy available.

 

In addition to these energy saving initiatives, the Company has installed systems that recycle the water used in the irrigation process. The ‘used’ water is sterilized through a pasteurization process which then allows it to be reused to irrigate additional plants thereby reducing the total amount and cost of water used on a per gram basis.

 

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Aphria Diamond

Through this 51% owned subsidiary, the Company has partnered with Double Diamond, a company with multi-generational expertise in the commercial greenhouse industry. This partnership provides Aphria with access to an industry leading team of growers and operators with expertise in large-scale greenhouse operations as well as contracted exclusive access to all of the production output from Aphria Diamond.

 

The Company provided $10,200 of initial capital to the venture with Double Diamond contributing $9,800. Aphria Diamond acquired 100 acres of land, including almost 32 acres of greenhouses for $42,389, and spent an additional approximately $82,000 as at August 31, 2019 made up of both the greenhouse retrofit and capital expenditures relating to operational equipment. All funds above the initial seed capital have been funded by the Company and will be repaid in full by Aphria Diamond.

 

Aphria Diamond is implementing similar levels of automation, as described above in Aphria One.

 

All production from Aphria Diamond will be sold to Aphria at an agreed upon transfer price, allowing Aphria to recognize 100% of the remaining profit from any further processing into a derivative product, and 100% of the wholesale margin from branding on all product from Aphria Diamond.

 

Broken Coast

Broken Coast is the Company’s premium brand of indoor-grown cannabis. Broken Coast provides the Company access to the quality associated with British Columbia-grown cannabis as well as an award-winning genetic bank of cannabis strains which in turn can be produced at scale through the Company’s Aphria One and Aphria Diamond facilities. Broken Coast will continue the development of new premium strains and continue to represent what is the highest level of premium cannabis grown through their custom-built indoor facilities.

 

Extraction Centre of Excellence

The Company’s state-of-the-art Extraction Centre of Excellence will be physically located on the same property as Aphria Diamond and requires Aphria Diamond’s licence to submit a licence amendment application with Health Canada. As a result of the pending licence application, the Company has taken steps at its licensed facilities to supplement its extraction capabilities. These steps ensure that sufficient extraction capacity exists to process all of the Company’s extraction needs regardless of when the licence for the Extraction Centre of Excellence is received. Once the licence is received, the Company will have extra extraction capacity to increase the amount of biomass it processes for either internal or external needs.

 

This facility will provide the necessary production capacity and innovation to incorporate the Company’s currently developed extraction technologies and further expand on these technologies to create new and innovative product offerings for the adult-use market as they become legal to sell in Canada. The facility will be equipped to conduct a wide range of cannabis extractions, including CO2, butane, ethanol, and to produce world-class cannabis concentrates, including fractionated distillates.

 

The Canadian cannabis market is in the early stages of its evolution with a limited focus on the sale of cannabis as a product, in the form of dried flower or bud, shake or trim, as well as cannabis oil in its many forms, including tinctures, softgel capsules, and oral sprays. The Company believes that as the global cannabis industry evolves, this focus on cannabis as a product will evolve into cannabis as an ingredient. The Extraction Centre of Excellence was created to facilitate Aphria’s leadership in the evolution of cannabis as an ingredient as the Company intends to create its own branded products with these cannabis ingredients.

 

As at August 31, 2019, the Company incurred approximately $48,400 of its expected cost of $62,300 budgeted, for the completion of the Extraction Centre of Excellence.

 

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Licences

The Company holds two licences under the Cannabis Act for cultivation processing and sale: Aphria One and Broken Coast.

 

The Company obtained approval from Health Canada in March 2019 expanding the licensed growing area at Aphria One from 300,000 sq. ft. to over 1,100,000 sq. ft. The Company also has submitted an application for a second site licence for Aphria Diamond, once approved will provide an additional 1,300,000 sq. ft. of licensed greenhouse growing area.

 

The Company is in the process of obtaining EU-GMP certification by the European Medicines Authority within its Aphria One and Avanti locations.

 

The licences and certification provide the Company with the ability to cultivate, process and sell cannabis within Canada and to export its products into other countries where the sale of cannabis is legal.

 

U.S. Expansion Strategy

 

The Company believes that the existing U.S. cannabis market is hindered by the federal prohibition on cannabis resulting in poor capital allocation by active players as they jockey for first mover advantage. Currently, operators are forced to create cultivation and distribution centers in each state they wish to participate in, forcing them to operate multiple facilities in order to become a multi-state operator (“MSO”). The current MSO model results in poor capital allocation as money is invested within multiple individual states where investments would not be made but for current interstate trade barriers. The Company is focused on participating in U.S. federally permissible activities, and is therefore currently reviewing the landscape and looking to prepare for legalization of cannabis through the purchase of profit generating companies in other industries and converting their existing operations to include cannabis when it is federally legal to do so. The Company is looking to develop cannabis operations based on the best locations to service the United States as opposed to operating individual locations in less desired locations as a result of the current legalization structure, when federally legal to do so. Furthermore, the Company is evaluating potential strategic partnerships in order to accelerate and escalate the Company’s brand capabilities and strategies.

 

The Company intends to be well poised to capitalize on the U.S. market once it becomes federally legal to do so through this unique strategy. The Company believes investing in more established industries will generate faster returns through positive EBITDA, while putting the Company in the best possible position to generate significant long-term returns when the U.S. legalizes cannabis federally and removes the current barriers in the industry.

 

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International Operations

 

Outside of Canada, the Company is developing partnerships and making direct investments in countries where there is an existing or emerging federal legal cannabis market. The Company’s international strategy is currently focused on medical cannabis markets in stable economic and political jurisdictions that have developed or are developing effective regulations and enforcement mechanisms that limit licensed production and control importation and distribution.

 

Through several acquisitions, the Company secured access to key international markets, management team bench strength with a proven knowledge and executional success within the industries and jurisdictions in which they operate. The Company believes that with its significant experience in the highly regulated Canadian cannabis market, it will be able to export its industry leading knowledge and practices to its global subsidiaries as these markets mature.

 

As part of its international strategy, the Company is developing regional hubs. These hubs will represent key countries for investment and will aid in the flow of cannabis goods across the globe.

 

 

 

 

 

The Company has international operations or strategic relationship in Australia, Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malta, Paraguay and maintains an option for entry into Brazil. With these markets still in their infancy, and the regulatory environment around them still being formed, these countries are looking to Canada as a leader in developing the regulatory environment. The Company provides a unique opportunity to bring the experience from working within Canada during the development of the cannabis regulations, to provide this expertise and knowledge to develop these global cannabis markets.

 

Export facility from Canada

Brampton-based ARA - RX Analytics Inc. (“Avanti”), currently holds four Canadian licences: (i) Cannabis Processing Licence; (ii) Cannabis Analytical Testing Licence; (iii) Drug Establishment Licence; and, (iv) Medical Device Establishment Licence.

 

In addition to allowing the Company to possess and handle cannabis and cannabis derivative products, these licences allow Avanti to engage in the possession, production, packaging, sale, transportation and delivery and testing of drugs and medical devices in addition to cannabis and related cannabinoids. The Company is also able to complete testing/analysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

 

The Company is currently in the process of securing EU-GMP certification, which will then be used as the Canadian staging site for international bound GMP certified products. The Company’s EU-GMP certification will cover the extraction, post processing, testing, packaging and shipping process.

 

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Pan-Asia

 

Australia

Aphria Inc. maintains relationships in Australia with two companies conducting medical cannabis clinical trials. Medlab Pty Ltd. is currently in a clinical trial related to oncology pain using Aphria blended cannabis strains for oil, subsequently converted in Australia into a nanocell mucosol spray. Aphria and Medlab Pty Ltd. share the rights in the intellectual property associated with the active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”) on this trial. CannPal Pty Ltd., is currently in a clinical trial related to animal pain in cats and dogs, using Aphria strains. Aphria Inc. also maintains a supply relationship with a licensed producer in Australia, Althea Company Pty Ltd.

 

European Union

 

Germany

The German market is considered to be one of the most highly sought-after medical cannabis markets in the world. German law currently permits import of cannabis only. The German government recently completed a tender process to award licences for in-country cultivation. Aphria EMEA, through its German wholly-owned subsidiary Aphria Deutschland GmbH (“Deutschland”), was one of the three selected by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (“BfArM”) to receive a licence for the cultivation of medical cannabis in Germany. The Company was granted the most available lots within the tender process, a total of 5 lots, and is the only licensed producer in Germany with the permission to grow all three strains of medical cannabis approved by the BfArM. Each lot is expected to provide a minimum annual capacity of 200 kgs. Germany currently allows the sale of cannabis and cannabis extracts in pharmacies. These cannabis-based products are also covered by insurance companies. This coverage provides a greater number of medical cannabis patients with access to the full use and benefits of these products.

 

The Company’s approach in Germany is a three-pronged approach covering: demand; supply; and, distribution.

 

Demand

Through the acquisition of a 25.1% interest in Berlin-based Schöneberg Hospital, the Company has access to doctors and patients to support the education of the benefits of medical cannabinoids. The Company also plans to build and operate pain treatment centers including the new possibilities of digital health care throughout Germany, which will further provide access to patients once supply is available from its German facility. The Company has partnered with a leading company in digital apps and medical software to build a modern, patient centric clinic for telemedicine.

 

Supply

The Company will, through imports and local production, supply products into the German market. The Company entered into a strategic partnership with a prominent European flower producer, to obtain access to EU GMP-certified organic medical cannabis. This agreement ensures the Company will have further access to cannabis for distribution throughout the EU. The Company is in the process of developing the facilities, in order to deliver the first harvest by the end of 2020 to BfArM as well as a storage facility to support a GMP certified storage space. As of the MD&A date, the Company has completed the first phase of construction, completing the concrete pour of the indoor greenhouse building. It is currently in the process of customizing the inside of the building as well as ordering the necessary machinery and equipment to support operations from cultivation to packaging. Furthermore, the storage facility has been completed as of August 2019 and is in the process of obtaining the wholesaler and narcotic license to import and store cannabis goods.

 

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Distribution

Through the acquisition of CC Pharma GmbH (“CC Pharma”), the Company obtained a leading importer and distributor of EU-pharmaceuticals for the German market. With over 317 active German national pharmaceutical licences, 690 active EU pharmaceutical licences, and access to approximately 13,000 active pharmacy accounts, CC Pharma operates a production, repackaging and labelling facility. Based on regulations, pharmacies can only supply the product that has been prescribed to the patient unless the product is unavailable. As such, the Company will expand CC Pharma’s operations to meet the high demand for medicinal cannabis through distributing cannabis throughout the German pharmacies, leveraging its existing business and know-how to ensure that the Company’s products are sufficiently stocked in the pharmacies in Germany.

 

Malta

Through subsidiary ASG Pharma Ltd. (“ASG”), the Company received the first import permit for medical cannabis issued by the Government of Malta’s Ministry of Health. The Company intends on using ASG to import cannabis resin and dried flower for processing, packaging and distribution of EU-GMP certified cannabis products throughout large parts of Europe. As of August 31, 2019, ASG’s analytical lab is EU GMP certified and fully operational. The development of a new floor dedicated to the processing and packaging of bulk cannabis in accordance with EU-GMP is ongoing and will be ready and expected to be fully operational as an EU GMP certified facility in the first half of fiscal 2020, pending certification by the European Medicines Authority.

 

ASG’s will provide the Company with the ability to bring production of cannabis product from outside of Europe into an EU-GMP certified facility for further packaging, processing and distribution throughout Europe.

 

Through the subsidiary QSG Health Ltd. (“QSG”), the Company will pursue the health and wellness market with CBD based products. These products will not have the THC component found in cannabis and will focus on diversifying the Company’s product offerings throughout Europe.

 

Italy

The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, FL-Group, is authorized for the distribution of pharmaceutical products, including cannabis-based and cannabinoids products in Italy to pharmacies. The FL-Group acts as the Company’s distributor to the Italian cannabis market. The company has established Aphria Terra as a grassroots organization involved with furthering the Company’s presence in the Italian cannabis industry.

 

United Kingdom

Medicinal cannabis was legalized in the UK effective November 1, 2018. The Company entered into a supply agreement for bulk product for sale in the UK medicinal cannabis market. In addition, the Company recently exported, on a compassionate basis, to the UK “Jorja’s Hope”, a 200:1 product to assist a three year-old control her epileptic seizures.

 

Africa

 

Lesotho

The Company entered into a venture in CannInvest Africa Ltd. (“CannInvest”), a South African corporation. Through this transaction, the Company obtained a controlling interest in Verve Dynamics Incorporated (Pty) Ltd. (“Verve”). Verve holds a licence in Lesotho for prohibited drug operations, which allows Verve to cultivate, manufacture, supply, distribute, store, export and import cannabis and cannabis resin for medical purposes or scientific use.

 

The Company also entered into a supply agreement with Verve, where Verve will supply cannabis THC and CBD extract from its planned EU-GMP certified facility. This is expected to provide the Company with access to GMP certified extract for distribution into South Africa and other federally legal markets, including the European Union.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Construction of a new extraction and processing facility is complete. The Company is currently working on developing sales through this facility. Upon completion, the Company expects to process cannabis for other producers in the country for a tolling fee, while applying for EU-GMP certification which will allow all product from the Lesotho site to be distributed within the EU.

 

South America

 

LATAM Holdings Inc.

 

The acquisition of LATAM provided the Company with various production, distribution and market development opportunities in South America and the Caribbean, including Colombia, Argentina, Jamaica and potentially Brazil.

 

Colombia

The acquisition of LATAM provided the Company with a 90% ownership of Colcanna S.A.S. (“Colcanna”). This ownership provides the Company with the ability to further develop the global Aphria brand with Aphria branded products distributed to patients in Colombia. Colcanna is developing its 54 acres of land for the cultivation of cannabis, which is expected to provide 50,000 kgs of dried flower annually. Until the emerging Colombian market demand grows to match the Company’s Colombian production, the Company will be able to utilize its export licence to distribute the excess production within LATAM region including Argentina, and Paraguay. In order to seek to maximize the export activities, the Company will apply for the EU-GMP certification, which is expected to allow all products from the Colombia site to be distributed outside of Colombia. Furthermore, the Company signed an exclusive three-year agreement with the Colombian Medical Federation (FMC), a national guild that oversees the ethical exercise of the medical profession in Colombia. Under this agreement, Aphria and the FMC will jointly develop an academic curriculum on the medicinal use of cannabis, as well as execute other initiatives that will promote cannabis training and education across the medical community. The Colombian Medical Federation has nearly 2,000 affiliated doctors and a database of more than 70,000 medical professionals that access the organization for research and educational resources, including through a virtual platform that offers certified courses on a range of subjects

 

Argentina

The acquisition of LATAM provided the Company with sole ownership of ABP, S.A. (“ABP”). The Company continues to work with Hospital Garrahan, a leading pediatric hospital in Buenos Aires. On June 6, 2019, the Ministry of Health approved a resolution authorizing public and private health insurance companies to import and stock medical cannabis inventory. As of the MD&A date, the Company is working on shipments of traditional pharmaceutical medicines and medical cannabis products coming into the Argentinian market to supply both public and private health insurance companies. Furthermore, the Company believes that with this recent resolution, the market is one step closer to an evolution of the medical cannabis regulatory framework that would allow scalable commercialization.

 

Jamaica

The acquisition of LATAM provided the Company with a 49% ownership interest in Marigold Projects Jamaica Limited (“Marigold”), through multiple subsidiaries and a 95% royalty on profits through a licensing agreement. This acquisition provides the Company with several key licences including a Tier 3 cultivation licence, a Tier 2 herb house licence, as well as conditional licences for import, export and research purposes. In August 2019, the Company opened its first herb house in Jamaica, subsequent to receiving the appropriate retail licence from the regulatory authorities and its first sale in Jamaica.

 

Brazil

Finally, the acquisition of LATAM provided the Company with an option to purchase 50.1% of a Brazilian entity for $24,000 USD once it secures a medical cannabis cultivation and distribution licence from the Brazilian government and a right of first offer and refusal on another 20% to 39% of the Brazilian entity. This right of first refusal provides the Company with lower risk at a fixed price to enter into the Brazilian cannabis market pending the Brazilian company obtaining a licence to cultivate and distribute cannabis lawfully within the country.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Aphria’s Purpose

Mission

To be the premier global cannabis company through an unrelenting commitment to our people, the planet, product quality and innovation.

Vision

To be the best performing cannabis company globally, providing investors with access to the most accretive cannabis opportunities around the world.

Our Values

In an emerging and constantly evolving industry, our values unite us, informing and inspiring the way we work with our employees, patients, consumers and one another. Our commitment to our people, the planet, product quality and innovation helps us create stronger, healthier communities everywhere we do business. Our corporate social responsibility goes beyond our borders. We are committed to exporting our industry leading knowledge and practices to our global subsidiaries. For the communities we touch, we are vigilant of the impact we have and strive to be a positive contributor to their well-being.

 

We put people first

We're committed to the needs of our patients and consumers whether they are looking for natural options for medical needs, exploring the options in wellness, or seeking alternatives to their lifestyle. We're driven by a desire to help others live their best life.

 

This includes continuous product development on different methods of administering the product through oil and softgels, and eventually oral strip, and patches, as well as being proactive in aiding patients who have difficulties obtaining the required medical care. In the current year, the Company has taken the initiative to provide access to treatment on a compassionate basis for a three-year-old epileptic girl; a treatment that has decreased daily seizures from around thirty to just three or four.

 

We lead by example

We're passionate about pushing our industry forward. Our commitment to innovation means we're always on the lookout for new opportunities, that we attract those who share our outlook, and that we never stop focusing and imagining what's coming next.

 

This includes the continuous push for innovations in expansionary projects, product development and market research. In the current year, the Company has expanded its reach to Latin America and Germany through its acquisitions. Furthermore, it has partnered with various organizations to further develop the product line including transdermal patches, oral thin strips, and other cannabis-infused products.

 

We respect the earth

As a conscientious company, we pride ourselves on providing a natural product for our patients and consumers. We're committed to ensuring that our actions and those of our employees have a positive impact on the environment around us, no matter where we operate. Recently the Company launched Plant Positivity, Aphria’s social impact platform. With a vision of social impact for communities and individuals, through Plant Positivity, Aphria is providing people with better access to plants and leading education on the role plants can play in improving everyday well-being. As part of the platform, Aphria partnered with Evergreen, a national not-for-profit dedicated to making cities flourish to create the Plant Positivity Gardens: six gardens that add more than 50 varieties of native plant species to the existing 8,000-square-metres of gardens across Evergreen Brick Works. This partnership has created new spaces for people to reflect, socialize and learn more about the natural world. Further, the themed gardens contribute to a thriving community and educational space where people can experience sustainable practices that make cities flourish.

 

The Company employs sustainable growing practices to provide efficiencies, cost reduction benefits and lessen our impact on the environment. This includes:

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Use of computerized systems to monitor and reduce water usage, and collection and cleaning of run-off water so that it can be safely reused.
Aphria’s co-generation plant produces electricity, hot water, CO2 and cold water which is more efficient and reduces impact on local communities.
Capture and clean the CO2 from the exhaust and add it into the greenhouse to promote plant growth and reduce our carbon footprint.
98% of our Canadian production will grow in state-of-the art greenhouses in Leamington, Ontario, using 1/12th the energy of traditional indoor growing operations.
Reduced the plastic and cardboard used in secondary packaging across all products targeting saving in excess of 35% net packaging weight.

 

We take responsibility to heart

We believe it is our responsibility to protect the safety of our employees, patients, consumers, and society. Our partnerships and programs reflect our ongoing commitment to the safety of our communities through education, responsible use, and meaningful corporate citizenship.

 

The Company places a great deal of energy and effort towards ensuring the safety of children and families in communities we serve. Our Charter Agreement with Drug Free Kids Canada and participation in the Global Cannabis Partnership, reflect our ongoing commitment to the safety of our communities through education, responsible use, and meaningful responsible corporate citizenship in our industry. Recently, the Company launched ‘Aphria Educates’ a program aimed to educate Canadians on responsible and safe use of all cannabis products legally available now and in the future. The first initiative was a two-city educational panel in conjunction with Drugs Free Kids Canada, a Canadian non-profit organization providing parents with evidence-informed information about youth and substance use while promoting frequent, balanced parent-youth discussions about drugs. Entitled Aphria Educates with Drug Free Kids Canada, the panels focused on furthering awareness around the potential harms of cannabis for youth and helping parents navigate the ever-evolving Canadian cannabis landscape. In addition to partnerships mentioned above, the Company has also partnerships with various organizations in countries like Colombia in order to jointly develop academic curriculums on the medicinal use of cannabis.

 

These core values serve as a compass impacting the Company’s strategic decisions and its outlook. The activities and outlooks covered within each of the operations below as well as the activities within the Investor Highlights are intended to align to these core values.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

INVESTOR HIGHLIGHTS

          Q1 - 2020 Q4 - 2019
Distribution revenue          $  95,327  $  99,186
Net cannabis revenue          $  30,785  $  28,608
Kilogram equivalents sold                    5,969.4            5,574.3
Kilograms produced, net                 10,581.4            7,597.9
Production costs          $  15,454  $  13,333
Cost of goods purchased          $  83,104  $  87,270
Cash cost to produce dried cannabis / gram1        $  1.43  $  1.35
"All-in" cost of sales of dried cannabis / gram1        $  2.52  $  2.35
Gross profit before fair value adjustments1        $  27,554  $  28,185
Adjusted distribution margin1         12.8% 12.4%
Adjusted cannabis margin1         49.8% 53.0%
Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations1        $  1,329  $  1,851
Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development1        $  (4,234)  $  (5,514)
Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations1        $  3,940  $  3,872
Cash and cash equivalents & marketable securities        $  464,319  $  570,996
Working capital          $  612,973  $  642,284
Capital and intangible asset expenditures - wholly-owned subsidiaries1    $  19,277  $  26,828
Capital and intangible asset expenditures - majority-owned subsidiaries1  $  20,071  $  16,943
Strategic investments1          $  34,722  $  6,862

1 - Non-GAAP measure

 

Aphria One facility fully licensed and fully planted
Mid-term potential capacity of 255,000 kgs. (annualized), pending Health Canada approval
Second consecutive quarter with positive adjusted EBITDA and positive adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations
Continued cannabis sales growth despite Broken Coast fire resulting in approx. $1.5 million of lost revenue in the quarter
Marigold opened its first herb house in Jamaica;
Launch of “Aphria Educates” in September 2019, a program aimed to educate on responsible and safe use of all cannabis products

 

RECENT EVENTS

Fire at Broken Coast

On August 20, 2019, a fire occurred inside one of two mother plant rooms at Broken Coast. The fire department was dispatched immediately, all employees were safely evacuated from the facility and Health Canada was notified. The fire was largely contained to one mother room but resulted in smoke damage to many of the common areas in the facility and impacted two grow rooms and the drying room.

 

Broken Coast was unable to ship product during the last eleven days of the quarter. Based on orders on hand and expected orders during this time period, we believe Broken Coast’s sales were impacted by $1.5 million during the quarter, because of quarantined product. Of this, $1.3 million of the sales were for product that was tested, packaged and ready to ship. Subsequent testing after the fire, determined that the quarantined product was saleable and therefore the product was released. The sales will be recognized by the Company in the next quarter. The remaining $0.2 million in sales represent expected medical orders that were not placed by patients. These sales will not be replaced.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

As a result of the fire, Broken Coast destroyed mother plants, vegetative plants, dried flower and trim with a wholesale selling price of approximately $3.0 million. The out-of-pocket cost to the Company of the product destroyed was approximately $1.0 million. The Company believes that this one-time loss of product is eligible for re-imbursement under its insurance policies and accordingly is disclosed in other receivables in the quarter-end financial statements.

 

During the period of time the facility was not in full operations, Broken Coast worked closely with the insurance company, its adjuster, the fire recovery crew and Health Canada to minimize the impacts of the fire and resume operations as quickly as possible. As of September 9, 2019, with the exception of the room where the fire started, the facility was back in full operations, including growing, drying, packaging, processing, testing and shipping.

 

Annualized production capacity at Aphria One

 

Based on the harvests recorded in August 2019, the Company has reached harvests of 55,000 kgs annualized. The Company notes that the production harvests for August do not yet represent a full harvest from the facility. The facility reached full planting in the last week of July 2019. The Company expects those plants to be harvested in early November.

 

Change in CC Pharma’s business strategy

 

During the quarter CC Pharma proactively changed its business strategy to compensate for changes in the German government’s reimbursement model. The Company has taken an approach of focusing its activities on selling higher volume of products whose reimbursement was less impacted by these governmental changes. This and a traditional summer slow-down has impacted distribution revenue at CC Pharma for the quarter, this does not impact the guidance provided by management in regards to the financial forecast for FY20.

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Impact of fair value metrics on biological assets and inventory

In accordance with IFRS, the Company is required to record its biological assets at fair value. During the main growth phase, the cost of each plant is accumulated on a weekly basis. This occurs from the date of clipping from a mother plant up to the end of the tenth week of growth for Aphria One and ninth week of growth for Broken Coast. For the remainder of the growing period, the cost of each plant continues to be accumulated on a weekly basis but also includes an allocation of the fair value of the plant. At the time of harvest, the Company increases the carrying value of the harvested product to its full fair value less costs to sell.

 

As at August 31, 2019, the Company’s harvested cannabis and cannabis oil, as detailed in Note 6, and biological assets, as detailed in Note 7 of its financial statements, are as follows:

 

       

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

Harvested cannabis - at cost  $  15,513  $  10,039
Harvested cannabis - fair value increment          20,313               13,214
Harvested cannabis trim - at cost            2,882                 2,830
Harvested cannabis trim - fair value increment            3,522                 2,959
Cannabis oil - at cost          15,957               11,300
Cannabis oil - fair value increment              13,565                 8,301
Softgel capsules - at cost                   316                     422
Softgel capsules - fair value increment                   272                     342
Biological assets - at cost          19,962               13,430
Biological assets - fair value increment            9,925                 5,295
Cannabis products - at fair value      $  102,227  $  68,132

 

 

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

The Company has modified the size and length of time we grow the plants located in the Company’s Part IV expansion to optimize the use of the automation. As a result of the reduced growing period for these plants, the Company modified its standard costs and fair value accounting of biological assets accordingly.

 

Aphria One’s biological assets are carried at cost plus fair value increments of $0.49, $0.97, $1.46 and $1.95 per gram for weeks 11, 12, 13 and 14, respectively. Broken Coast’s biological assets are carried at cost plus fair value increments of $0.73, $1.46, $2.19 and $2.92 per gram for weeks 10, 11, 12 and 13 respectively. Harvested cannabis and harvested cannabis trim are carried at fair values of $3.50 per gram and $2.75 per gram, respectively (May 31, 2019 - $3.50 and $2.75) for greenhouse produced cannabis. Harvested cannabis and harvested cannabis trim are carried at fair values of $4.00 per gram, $3.25 per gram, respectively (May 31, 2019 - $4.00 and $3.25) for indoor produced cannabis. Cannabis oil and softgel capsules include the relative fair value based on the amount of harvested cannabis or harvested cannabis trim used in the production of each product.

 

The individual components of fair values are as follows:

 

       

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

Harvested cannabis - at cost - per gram  $  1.59  $  1.59
Harvested cannabis - fair value increment - per gram  $  2.08  $  1.97
Harvested cannabis trim - at cost - per gram  $  1.27  $  1.48
Harvested cannabis trim - fair value increment - per gram  $  1.55  $  1.55
Cannabis oil - at cost - per mL  $  0.42  $  0.40
Cannabis oil - fair value increment - per mL  $  0.36  $  0.29
Softgel capsules - at cost - per mL  $  0.39  $  0.43
Softgel capsules - fair value increment - per mL      $  0.33  $  0.35

 

 

COST PER GRAM

Calculation of “all-in” costs of sales of dried cannabis per gram

The Company calculates “all-in” cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram as follows:

 

 

 "All-in" cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram    Three months ended
 

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

             
Production costs      $  15,454  $  13,333
  Less:        
    Cost of accessories      $  (2)  $  (7)
    Cannabis oil conversion costs      $  (426)  $  (250)
Adjusted "All-in" cost of sales of dried cannabis      $  15,026  $  13,076
             
Gram equivalents sold during the quarter         5,969,436         5,574,298
             
"All-in" cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram      $  2.52  $  2.35

 

The Company recognized an increase in packaging labour of approximately $900 or $0.15, as the Company prepares for the increase in packaging and processing required with the additional capacity from Part IV and Part V. This portion of packaging costs are expected to remain consistent while the Company continues to increase volume sold.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

The Company recognized a temporary increase in the “all-in” cost of sales of dried cannabis per gram and cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram as a result of the allocation of production space in the Part III expansion to mother and vegetative plants for the Part IV and Part V and the Aphria Diamond expansions. This increased the “all-in” cost of sale of dried cannabis per gram and cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram by an estimated $0.20. The Company received Health Canada approval for the Part IV and Part V expansions in March 2019. The Company expects a temporary increase in the “all-in” cost of sale of dried cannabis per gram and cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram until the Aphria Diamond expansion is fully planted.

 

Calculation of cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram

The Company calculates cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram as follows:

 

 

 Cash costs to produce dried cannabis per gram    Three months ended
 

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

             
Adjusted "All-in" cost of sales of dried cannabis      $  15,026  $  13,076
  Less:        
    Amortization      $  (1,895)  $  (1,812)
    Packaging costs      $  (3,190)  $  (2,813)
    Distribution costs      $  (1,433)  $  (912)
Cash costs to produce dried cannabis      $  8,508  $  7,539
             
Gram equivalents sold during the quarter         5,969,436         5,574,298
             
Cash costs to produce per gram      $  1.43  $  1.35

 

The Company recognized a temporary increase in cash costs to produce per gram of $0.08 as a result of the increased costs allocated production which is not considered to be the full capacity of the facility.

 

Results of Operations

Net revenue

During the three months ended August 31, 2019 the Company recognized revenues of $126,112 versus $13,292 in the same period of the prior year and $128,568 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, representing an increase of 848.8% from the prior year and a 1.9% decrease from the prior quarter. Included in net revenue for the three months ended August 31, 2019 is $35,079 of revenue from cannabis products, $(4,294) of excise taxes, and $95,327 of distribution revenue.

 

Distribution revenue

 

Included in distribution revenue is $93,501 of revenue from CC Pharma, and $1,826 of revenue from other distribution companies for the three months ended August 31, 2019. Each of the companies were acquired after Q1 2019, therefore the Company did not produce revenue in the same quarter of the previous year.

 

As mentioned above, the change in the government reimbursement program within Germany and a traditional summer slow-down had an impact on CC Pharma’s distribution sales for the quarter. This has resulted in a decrease in distribution revenue of $3,403 from Q4 2019.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Revenue from cannabis products

 

 Revenue from cannabis products    Three months ended
 

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

             
  Revenue from dried flower      $  25,098  $  24,886
  Revenue from oil      $  9,981  $  8,646
Revenue from cannabis products      $  35,079  $  33,532

 

During the quarter the Company sold 3,371.4 kgs of dried cannabis and 2,598.0 kgs equivalent of cannabis oil products compared to 3,184.6 kgs of dried cannabis and 2,389.7 kgs equivalent of cannabis oil products in the prior quarter.

 

Revenue from cannabis products    Three months ended
 

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

             
  Revenue from medical cannabis products      $  10,242  $  10,855
  Revenue from adult-use cannabis products      $  19,961  $  18,506
  Wholesale cannabis revenue      $  4,876  $  4,171
Revenue from cannabis products      $  35,079  $  33,53

 

Gross revenue from medical cannabis products

 

Revenue from medical cannabis products for the three months ended August 31, 2019 was $10,242 versus $13,292 in the same period of the prior year and $10,855 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, representing a decrease of 22.9% from the prior year and a 5.6% decrease from the prior quarter.

 

The decrease in revenue from medical cannabis produced during the quarter from the prior quarter was related to:

 

Decrease in the medical cannabis sales by 63.0 kgs equivalents to 1,354.3 kgs equivalents sold in the current quarter;
Decrease in the average retail selling price (excluding wholesale) before excise taxes to medical patients during the quarter from $7.66 to $7.56. Decrease in selling price is a result of a higher percentage of total medical sales coming from Aphria vs. Broken Coast; and,
Decrease in medical cannabis sales of approximately $300 due to the fire at the Broken Coast location.

 

Gross revenue from adult-use cannabis products

 

Revenue from adult-use cannabis products for the three months ended August 31, 2019 was $19,961 versus $nil in the same period of the prior year and $18,506 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, representing an increase of 7.9% from the prior quarter.

 

The increase in revenue from adult-use cannabis products during the quarter from the prior quarter was related to:

 

Increase in the adult-use cannabis sales by 88.5 kgs equivalents to 3,317.1 kg equivalents sold in the current quarter; and,
Increase in the average selling price before excise taxes to the adult-use market from $5.73 to $6.02.

 

These factors were partially offset by:

 

Decrease in adult-use cannabis sales of approximately $1,200 due to the fire at the Broken Coast location.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Wholesale cannabis revenue

 

Revenue from wholesale cannabis products for the three months ended August 31, 2019 was $4,876 versus $820 in the same period of the prior year and $4,171 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. During the quarter, the Company continued selling product in accordance with existing wholesale supply agreements to other licensed producers.

 

Gross profit and gross margin

The gross profit for the three months ended August 31, 2019 was $45,421, compared to $13,764 in the same quarter in the prior year and $36,007 in the previous quarter. The increase in gross profit from the prior year and prior quarter is a result of the inclusion of the distribution revenue from the acquisition of CC Pharma and ABP, the increase in revenue from cannabis products and the increase in the net fair value adjustment for biological assets.

 

    Three months ended
 

August 31,

2019

May 31,

2019

             
  Revenue from cannabis products      $  35,079  $  34,306
  Distribution revenue      95,327  99,186
  Excise taxes      (4,294)  (4,924)
             
  Net revenue      126,112  128,568
             
  Production costs      15,454  13,471
  Cost of goods purchased      83,104  86,912
             
  Gross profit before fair value adjustments      27,554  28,185
             
  Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory      7,286  9,649
  Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets    (25,153)  (17,471)
           (17,867)  (7,822)
             
  Gross profit      $  45,421  $  36,007
  Gross margin     36.0% 28.0%

 

Cost of sales currently consist of four main categories: (i) production costs and, (ii) cost of goods purchased, (iii) fair value adjustment on sale of inventory and (iv) fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets:

 

(i) Production costs include all direct and indirect costs of production, related to cannabis sold. This includes costs relating to growing, cultivation and harvesting, quality assurance and quality control, cannabis oil processing, as well as packaging, labelling and amortization of production equipment and greenhouse infrastructure utilized in the production of cannabis. All cannabis shipped and sold by Aphria has been grown and produced by the Company.


(ii) Cost of goods purchased consist of items purchased for resale through the Company’s distribution businesses which are run through its subsidiaries ABP and CC Pharma.

 

(iii) Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory is part of the Company’s cost of sales due to IFRS standards relating to agriculture and biological assets (i.e. living plants or animals). This line item represents the effect of the non-cash fair value adjustment of inventory sold in the period.

 

  Page |21 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

(iv) Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets is part of the Company’s cost of sales due to IFRS standards relating to agriculture and biological assets (i.e. living plants or animals). This line item represents the effect of the non-cash fair value adjustment of biological assets (cannabis) produced in the period. In an effort to increase transparency, inventory of harvested cannabis (Note 6 - Consolidated financial statements for the three months ended August 31, 2019) consists of harvested cannabis and harvested cannabis trim to be $3.50 and $2.75 per gram respectively, for greenhouse produced cannabis and $4.00 and $3.25 per gram respectively, for indoor produced cannabis.

 

Management believes that the different components of net revenue and cost of sales included in the gross profit and gross margin can be confusing. Accordingly, management believes the use of cannabis gross profit, cannabis gross margin, distribution gross profit and distribution gross margin provides a better representation of performance of the Company’s different types of operations because it excludes non-cash fair value adjustments required by IFRS.

 

Cannabis gross profit, cannabis gross margin, distribution gross profit and distribution gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

 

The following is the Company’s cannabis gross profit and cannabis gross margin as compared to IFRS for the three months ended August 31, 2019:

 

       

 Three months ended

August 31, 2019

(IFRS) 

Adjustments

Three months ended

August 31, 2019

(Adjusted)

             
  Revenue from cannabis products    $  35,079  $  --     $  35,079
  Distribution revenue    95,327  (95,327)  --   
  Excise taxes      (4,294)  --     (4,294)
             
  Net revenue      126,112  (95,327)  30,785
             
  Production costs      15,454  --     15,454
  Cost of goods purchased    83,104  (83,104)  --   
  Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory  7,286  (7,286)  --   
  Fair value adjustment on biological assets  (25,153)  25,153  --   
         80,691  (65,237)  15,454
             
  Cannabis gross profit    $  45,421  $  (30,090)  $  15,331
  Cannabis gross margin   36.0%   49.8%

 

The Company’s adjusted cannabis gross profit increased by $166 while the adjusted cannabis gross margin declined by 3.2% from the prior quarter. This is mainly driven by lower higher margin sales from Broken Coast as a result of the fire in addition to the temporary higher cost per gram as discussed above.

 

  Page |22 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

The following is the Company’s distribution gross profit and distribution gross margin as compared to IFRS for the three months ended August 31, 2019:

 

       

 Three months ended

August 31, 2019

(IFRS) 

Adjustments

Three months ended

August 31, 2019

(Adjusted)

             
  Revenue from cannabis products    $  35,079  $  (35,079)  $  --   
  Distribution revenue    95,327  --     95,327
  Excise taxes      (4,294)  4,294  --   
             
  Net revenue      126,112  (30,785)  95,327
             
  Production costs      15,454  (15,454)  --   
  Cost of goods purchased    83,104  --     83,104
  Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory  7,286  (7,286)  --   
  Fair value adjustment on biological assets  (25,153)  25,153  --   
         80,691  2,413  83,104
             
  Distribution gross profit    $  45,421  $  (33,198)  $  12,223
  Distribution gross margin   36.0%   12.8%

 

The Company’s adjusted distribution gross profit decreased by $51 while the adjusted distribution gross margin increased by 0.4% from the prior quarter. This is primarily driven by lower sales due to the change in CC Pharma’s business strategy described above. Despite the changes in the business model and lower sales, management was able to improve gross margin by focusing on sales of more profitable products.

 

Selling, general and administrative costs

   

For the three months ended

August 31,

     2019  2018
  General and administrative      $  22,305  $  8,851
  Share-based compensation      4,956  6,122
  Selling, marketing and promotion      7,814  4,741
  Amortization      5,008  3,274
  Research and development      610  262
  Transaction costs      735  865
         $  41,428  $  24,115

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses are comprised of general and administrative, share-based compensation, selling, marketing and promotion, amortization, research and development, impairment, and transaction costs. These costs increased by $17,313 to $41,428 from $24,115 in the same quarter in the prior year primarily due to CC Pharma and the LATAM entities not being included in the same quarter in the prior year. The decrease from the prior quarter is a result of decreases in transaction costs and general and administrative of approximately $19,500 and $3,900 respectively offset by an increase in non-cash share-based compensation and amortization of approximately $1,900 and $500 respectively.

 

  Page |23 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

General and administrative costs

   

For the three months ended

August 31,

     2019  2018
  Executive compensation      $  1,837  $  835
  Consulting fees      3,765  931
  Office and general      4,207  1,439
  Professional fees      2,512  1,562
  Salaries and wages      6,282  3,092
  Insurance      2,495  368
  Travel and accomondation      1,041  471
  Rent      166  153
         $  22,305  $  8,851

 

The increase in general and administrative costs from the prior year was largely related to:

 

The addition of LATAM operations occurred in September 2018;
The addition of CC Pharma operations occurred in January 2019;
Overall increase in headcounts at all employee levels;
Overall inflationary increase associated with compensation as well as general and administrative expenses; and,
Increase in overall consultant fees associated with initiation of various projects including the Canadian growth strategy, and Plant Positivity

 

Share-based compensation

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $4,956 for the three months ended August 31, 2019 compared to $6,122 for the same period in the prior year. Share-based compensation was valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model and represents a non-cash expense. The decrease in share-based compensation is a result of a decrease in the value of the Company’s stock as well as the basis for initial valuation of all share-based awards. The Company issued 35,752 DSUs, 226,459 RSUs and 1,086,146 stock options in the current quarter compared, to 15,884 DSUs, nil RSUs and 1,070,000 stock options in the same period of the prior year. Of the stock options granted in the quarter, nil vested in the quarter. The majority of the awards issued in the quarter relate to the company-wide bonus program for the fiscal 2019.

 

Selling, marketing and promotion costs

For the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company incurred selling, marketing and promotion costs of $7,814, versus $4,741 in the same quarter last year. The current period costs are comprised of $6,340 of cannabis related selling, marketing and promotion or 20.6% of revenue from cannabis products and $1,474 of distribution selling marketing and promotion or 1.5% of distribution revenue. These costs relate to general marketing, research and education expenses, patient acquisition and maintenance, call center operations, and shipping costs. Patient acquisition and ongoing patient maintenance costs include funding to individual clinics to perform medical studies as well as support to assist with operating costs incurred by clinics resulting from the education of patients using the Company’s products.

 

Amortization

The Company incurred non-production related amortization charges of $5,008 for the three months ended August 31, 2019 compared to $3,274 for the same period in the prior year. The increase in amortization charges are a result of the finite-life intangibles acquired as part of the Company’s acquisitions, as well as the assets that have been transferred into use from the capital expenditures incurred in the current and prior fiscal year.

 

  Page |24 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Research and development

Research and development costs of $610, or 2.0% of revenue from cannabis products were expensed during the three months ended August 31, 2019 compared to $262 in same period last year. These relate to costs associated with the development of new cannabis products. Although the Company spends a significant amount on research and development, the majority of these costs remain in production costs, as the Company does not reclassify research and development costs on products which can still be sold.

 

Transaction costs

Transaction costs of $735 were expensed during the three months ended August 31, 2019 compared to $865 in same period last year. These relate to costs associated with the various restructuring costs and potential acquisitions the Company has considered and abandoned, or is still considering.

 

Non-operating income (loss)

   

For the three months ended

August 31,

     2019  2018
  Foreign exchange loss      $  (8,682)  $  (59)
  Loss on marketable securities      (85)  (167)
  Gain on dilution of ownership in equity investee      --     2,210
  Loss from equity investees      --     (247)
  Gain on sale of equity investee      --     9,880
  Deferred gain on sale of intellectual property      --     233
  Unrealized gain on convertible notes      1,155  295
  Gain on long-term investments      13,708  22,700
  Unrealized gain on convertible debentures      14,207  --   
  Unrealized loss on financial liabilities      --     (415)
         $  20,303  $  34,430

 

For the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $13,301 from the change in fair value of long-term investments. Furthermore, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $14,207 resulting from lower trading price of the convertible debenture as well as change in the USD to CAD currency rate. These gains were offset by foreign exchange loss of $8,682.

 

Net income

The Company recorded net income for the three months ended August 31, 2019 of $16,441 or $0.07 per share as opposed to net income of $21,176 or $0.09 per share in the same period of the prior year.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company calculates adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), plus (minus) income taxes (recovery), plus (minus) non-operating (income) loss, net, plus amortization, plus share-based compensation, plus (minus) non-cash fair value adjustments on sale of inventory and on growth of biological assets, and certain one-time non-operating expenses, as determined by management, all as follows:

 

  Page |25 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

   

For the three months ended

August 31,

     2019  2018
  Net income (loss)      $  16,441  $  21,176
  Income taxes (recovery)      2,598  3,962
  Finance (income) expense, net      5,257  (1,059)
  Non-operating (income) loss      (20,303)  (34,430)
  Amortization      9,218  4,706
  Share-based compensation      4,956  6,122
  Fair value adjustment on sale of inventory      7,286  4,205
  Fair value adjustment on growth of biological assets    (25,153)  (9,511)
  Transaction costs      735  865
  Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development    4,234  3,565
  Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations      (3,940)  --   
  Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations    $  1,329  $  (399)

 

Within the last twelve months, the Company modified its Adjusted EBITDA definitions. Previously, the Company included the Adjusted EBITDA of Aphria Diamond as part of the Adjusted EBITDA from ACMPR operations. The ACMPR concept changed in the prior year and the Company renamed this as cannabis operations. As part of that change, the Company reclassified Adjusted EBITDA of Aphria Diamond to Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development because Aphria Diamond did not have a licence from Health Canada. The impact on the prior year was an increase to Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations of $429 and a decrease to Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development of $(429).

 

 

   

For the three months ended

August 31,

     2019  2018
  Adjusted EBITDA from cannabis operations      $  1,329  $  (399)
  Adjusted EBITDA from businesses under development    (4,234)  (3,565)
  Adjusted EBITDA from distribution operations      3,940  --   
  Adjusted EBITDA      $  1,035  $  (3,964)

 

The Company’s adjusted EBITDA increased by $826 from $209 in the prior quarter to $1,035.

 

LIQUIDITY and capital resources

Cash flow used in operations for the period totaled $30,853, a $16,538 increase from $14,315 used in the prior year. The increase in cash flow used in operations is primarily a result of:

 

Increase in operating cash outflow from developing international operations; and
A temporary increase in cash outflow associated with investment in the Company’s packaging and post harvest processing costs to accommodate the increased production from the Part IV and Part V expansion. The Company expects a similar cash-outflow for the next quarter as the Company invests in working capital as we grow production.
Additional cash production costs expensed due to temporary higher packaging and distribution costs.

Cash resources / working capital requirements

The Company constantly monitors and manages its cash flows to assess the liquidity necessary to fund operations. As at August 31, 2019, Aphria maintained $449,205 of cash and cash equivalents on hand plus $15,114 in liquid marketable securities, compared to $550,797 in cash and cash equivalents plus $20,199 marketable securities at May 31, 2019. Liquid sources of cash decreased $106,677 in the quarter. This decrease is a result of the final payment on the acquisition of CC Pharma for $34,722, repayment of long-term debt of $6,752, investment in working capital of $15,893, and investment in capital and intangible assets of $39,348.

 

  Page |26 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Working capital provides funds for the Company to meet its operational and capital requirements. As at August 31, 2019, the Company maintained working capital of $612,973. Management expects that the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalents balance and cash flow from operations will be adequate to meet the Company’s announced expansion of facilities and operational activities in the next year.

 

Capital and intangible asset expenditures

For the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company invested $19,277 in capital and intangible assets through wholly-owned subsidiaries, exclusive of business acquisitions, of which $2,028 are considered maintenance CAPEX and the remaining $17,249 growth CAPEX related to the Extraction Centre of Excellence and facility build out in Germany.

 

For the three months ended August 31, 2019, the Company invested $20,071 in capital and intangible assets through majority-owned subsidiaries, of which $163 are considered maintenance CAPEX and the remaining $19,908 growth CAPEX.

 

Financial covenants

The Company expects to meet its financial covenants in the next year. The Company believes that it has sufficient operating room with respect to its financial covenants for the next fiscal year and does not anticipate being in breach of any of its financial covenants during this period.

 

Contractual obligations and off-balance sheet financing

The Company has a lease for office space from December 2018 until November 30, 2028.

 

Minimum payments payable over the next five years are as follows:

 

Payments due by period
       Total 

 Less than 1

year 

 1 - 3 years   4 - 5 years  After 5 years
  Outstanding capital related           
    commitments    $  58,792  $  58,792  $  --  $  --     $  --   
  Leases    8,000  1,382  2,251  1,666  2,701
  Long-term debt    60,591  6,280  12,259  10,776  31,276
Total    $  127,383  $  66,454  $  14,510  $  12,442  $  33,977

 

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this MD&A, there have been no material changes with respect to the contractual obligations of the Company during the year-to-date period.

 

Contingencies

From time to time, the Company and/or its subsidiaries may become defendants in legal actions arising out of the ordinary course and conduct of its business.

 

As of August 31, 2019, the Company has been served statements of claims in class action lawsuits against the Company and certain of its officers and former officers. These claims relate to alleged misconduct in connection with the Company’s acquisitions of LATAM Holdings Inc. (“LATAM”) and Nuuvera Inc., and the Company’s June 2018 securities offering. At the present time, the representative claimants have been identified and selected in both the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. claims include alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The Canadian claims include alleged statutory and common law misrepresentation and oppression. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in each of these actions. With respect to the cases commenced in the United States, the Company is self-insured for the costs associated with any award or damages arising from such actions and has entered into indemnity agreements with each of the directors and officers and, subject to certain exemptions, will cover any costs incurred by them in connection with any of the class action claims. With respect to the cases commenced in Canada, the Company’s insurance policies may not be sufficient to cover any judgments against the Company. As at August 31, 2019, the Company has not recorded any uninsured amount related to this contingency.

 

  Page |27 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Share capital

Aphria has the following securities issued and outstanding, as at October 11, 2019:

 

       

 Presently

outstanding 

 Exercisable 

 Exercisable

& in-the-

money 

Fully diluted
  Common stock      251,557,806  --     --     251,557,806
  Warrants      2,292,800  2,292,800  998,997  998,997
  Stock options      7,103,428  4,251,098  961,658  961,658
  Restricted share units      394,641  146,000  146,000  146,000
  Deferred share units     127,710  --     --     --   
  Convertible debentures      37,297,540  37,297,540  --     --   
  Fully diluted            253,518,461

*Based on closing price on October 11, 2019

 

Quarterly results

The following table sets out certain unaudited financial information for each of the eight fiscal quarters up to and including the current quarter, ended August 31, 2019. The information has been derived from the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements, which in management’s opinion, have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements filed in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report and include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information presented. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance and this information is not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

    Nov/18 Feb/19 May/19 Aug/19
Net revenue  $  21,668  $  73,582  $  128,568  $  126,112
Net income (loss)  54,774  (108,209)  15,760  16,441
Earnings (loss) per share - basic 0.22  (0.43)  0.05  0.07
Earnings (loss) per share - fully diluted 0.22  (0.43)  0.05  0.07
        Nov/17 Feb/18 May/18 Aug/18
Net revenue  $  8,504  $  10,267  $  12,026  $  13,292
Net income (loss)  6,455  12,944  (4,992)  21,176
Earnings (loss) per share - basic 0.05  0.08  (0.06) 0.09
Income (loss) per share - fully diluted 0.04  0.08  (0.04) 0.09

 

 

CORPORATE POSITION ON CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL JURISDICTIONS WHERE CANNABIS IS FEDERALLY ILLEGAL

As cannabis is currently federally illegal in the U.S., The Company does not engage in any U.S. cannabis related activities as defined in Canadian Securities Administrators Staff Notice 51-352 (Revised). While the Company has historically held certain interests in U.S. cannabis related activities, as at the date of this MD&A it has divested itself of all such interests. The Company will only conduct business activities related to growing or processing cannabis, in jurisdictions where it is federally legal to do so.

 

  Page |28 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

INDUSTRY TRENDS AND RISKS

There are a number of risk factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those described herein. The risks and uncertainties described herein are not the only ones the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business. If any of the following risks actually occur, the Company’s business may be harmed, and its financial condition and results of operations may suffer significantly.

 

Risks Related to the Company’s Business and the Cannabis Industry

Reliance on Licence

The Company’s ability to cultivate, store and sell cannabis and cannabis oil in Canada is dependent on maintaining its licence with Health Canada and licences through its various subsidiaries. Failure to comply with the requirements of the licence or any subsidiary licence or any failure to maintain its licence or any subsidiary licence may have a material adverse impact on the business, financial condition and operations. There can be no guarantees that Health Canada will extend or renew the licence as necessary or, if it extended or renewed, that the licence will be extended or renewed on the same or similar terms. Should Health Canada not extend or renew the licence or should it renew the licence on different terms, the business, financial condition and results of the operation of the Company may be materially adversely affected.

 

Expansion Strategy

 

There is no guarantee that the Company’s expansion strategy (including receiving the expected Health Canada approvals in a timely fashion, if at all) will be completed in the currently proposed form, if at all, nor is there any guarantee that the Company will be able to expand into additional jurisdictions. There is also no guarantee that the Company’s intentions to acquire and/or construct additional cannabis production and manufacturing facilities in Canada and in other jurisdictions with federally legal cannabis markets, and to expand the Company’s marketing and sales initiatives will be successful. Any such activities will require, among other things, various regulatory approvals, licences and permits (such as additional licences from Health Canada under the Cannabis Act, as applicable) and there is no guarantee that all required approvals, licences and permits will be obtained in a timely fashion or at all. There is also no guarantee that the Company will be able to complete any of the foregoing activities as anticipated or at all.

 

The Company’s failure to successfully execute its international expansion strategy (including receiving required regulatory approvals, licences and permits) could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and may result in the Company failing to meet anticipated or future demand for its cannabis products, when and if it arises.

 

The Company’s expansion into jurisdictions outside of Canada is subject to additional business risks, including new or unexpected risks or could significantly increase the Company’s exposure to one or more existing risk factors, including economic instability, changes in laws and regulations and the effects of competition. In addition, international expansion could subject the Company’s business to certain risks relating to fluctuating exchange rates or require a number of up-front expenses, including those associated with obtaining regulatory approvals, as well as additional ongoing expenses, including those associated with infrastructure, staff and regulatory compliance. These factors may limit the Company’s ability to successfully expand its operations into such jurisdictions and may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

  Page |29 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Highly Regulated Industry

 

The laws, regulations and guidelines generally applicable to the cannabis industry domestically and internationally may change in ways currently unforeseen. The Company’s operations are subject to a variety of laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the manufacture, management, transportation, storage, sale, health and safety and disposal of cannabis, including the Cannabis Act, any regulations thereunder and applicable stock exchange rules and regulations. Any amendment to or replacement of existing laws may cause adverse effects to the Company’s operations. The risks to the Company’s business represented by subsequent regulatory changes could reduce the addressable market for the Company’s products and could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. To the knowledge of management, other than make routine corrections that may be required by Health Canada from time to time, the Company is currently in compliance with all such laws. Achievement of the Company’s business objectives is contingent, in part, upon compliance with regulatory requirements enacted by governmental authorities and, where necessary, obtaining regulatory approvals. The impact of Health Canada’s compliance regime, any delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain regulatory approvals required may significantly delay or impact the development of the Company’s business and operations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Any potential non-compliance could cause the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects to be adversely affected. Further, any amendment to or replacement of the Cannabis Act and other applicable rules and regulations governing the Company’s business activities may cause adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial conditions and results of operations. The risks to the Company’s business associated with the decision to amend or replace the Cannabis Act, and subsequent regulatory changes, could reduce the addressable market for the Company’s products and could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

The Company will incur ongoing costs and obligations related to regulatory compliance. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject the Company to regulatory or agency proceedings or investigations and may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include damage awards, fines, penalties or corrective measures requiring capital expenditures or remedial actions. Parties may be liable for civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations. The outcome of any regulatory or agency proceedings, investigations, audits, and other contingencies could harm the Company’s reputation and no assurance can be given that any pending or future regulatory or agency proceedings, investigations and audits will not result in substantial costs or a diversion of management’s attention and resources. Amendments to current laws, regulations and permitting requirements, or more stringent application of existing laws or regulations, may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, resulting in increased capital expenditures or production costs, reduced levels of cannabis production or abandonment or delays in the development of facilities.

 

Health Canada inspectors routinely assess the Company’s facilities against the Cannabis Act and its regulations and provide the Company with follow up reports noting observed deficiencies. The Company is continuously reviewing and enhancing its operational procedures and facilities both proactively and in response to routine inspections. The Company follows all regulatory corrections in response to inspections in a timely manner. If the Company fails to comply with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines, the Company may incur additional costs or penalties, or the Company’s operations may be restricted or shut down.

 

In addition, the introduction of new tax laws, regulations or rules, or changes to, or differing interpretation of, or application of, existing tax laws, regulations or rules in Canada or any of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates could result in an increase in taxes, or other governmental charges, duties or impositions. No assurance can be given that new tax laws, regulations or rules will not be enacted or that existing tax laws, regulations or rules will not be changed, interpreted or applied in a manner which could result in the Company’s profits being subject to additional taxation or which could otherwise have a material adverse effect. Due to the complexity and nature of the Company’s operations, various legal and tax matters may be outstanding from time to time. If the Company is unable to resolve any of these matters favorably, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Licence Application in Respect of Aphria Diamond May Not be Successful

 

There is no guarantee that Health Canada will approve the Aphria Diamond licence application in a timely fashion, if at all. The Company’s failure to successfully execute the licence application (including receiving the Health Canada approvals in a timely fashion, if at all) could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, and may result in the Company not meeting anticipated or future demand when it arises.

 

  Page |30 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Laws and Regulations Governing Cannabis in Foreign Jurisdictions

 

The Company’s ability to achieve its business objectives in foreign jurisdictions is contingent, in part, upon its compliance with regulatory requirements enacted by governmental authorities and the Company obtaining all regulatory approvals, where necessary, for the sale of its products. The Company cannot predict the impact of the compliance regime countries such as Germany, Italy, Lesotho, Malta, Colombia, Argentina or Jamaica are implementing and the method in which their governmental authorities will implement the adult-use or medical cannabis industry. Similarly, the Company cannot predict how long it will take to secure all appropriate regulatory approvals for its products, or the extent of testing and documentation that may be required by governmental authorities. The impact of the various compliance regimes, any delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain regulatory approvals may significantly delay or impact the development of markets, products and sales initiatives and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

The Company currently incurs and will continue to incur ongoing costs and obligations related to regulatory compliance. A failure on the Company’s part to comply with regulations may result in additional costs for corrective measures, penalties or in restrictions on its operations. In addition, changes in regulations, more vigorous enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events could require extensive changes to the Company’s operations, increased compliance costs or give rise to material liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Foreign Investment in Cannabis Companies

 

Certain jurisdictions may prohibit or restrict its citizens or residents from investing in or transacting with companies involved in the cannabis industry, even if such companies only conduct business in jurisdictions where cannabis is legal. For example, if an investor in the United Kingdom profits from an investment in a cannabis producer or supplier, such investment may technically violate the United Kingdom Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Similar prohibitions or restrictions may apply in other jurisdictions where cannabis has not been legalized. In the United States, there have been certain instances of U.S. Customs and Border Protection preventing citizens of foreign countries from entering the United States for reasons related to the cannabis industry.

 

Operations in Foreign Jurisdictions

 

The Company has operations in various emerging markets and may have operations in additional emerging markets in the future. Such operations expose the Company to the socioeconomic conditions as well as the laws governing the cannabis industry in such countries. Inherent risks with conducting foreign operations include, but are not limited to: high rates of inflation; extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates, military repression; war or civil war; social and labor unrest; organized crime; hostage taking; terrorism; violent crime; expropriation and nationalization; renegotiation or nullification of existing licences, approvals, permits and contracts; changes in taxation policies; restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and changing political norms, banking and currency controls and governmental regulations that favor or require us to award contracts in, employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, the jurisdiction.

 

Governments in certain foreign jurisdictions intervene in their economies, sometimes frequently, and occasionally make significant changes in policies and regulations. Changes, if any, in cannabis industry or investment policies or shifts in political attitude in the countries in which the Company operates may adversely affect its operations or profitability. Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to, but not limited to, restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, currency remittance, importation of product and supplies, income and other taxes, royalties, the repatriation of profits, expropriation of property, foreign investment, maintenance of concessions, licences, approvals and permits, environmental matters, land use, land claims of local people, water use and workplace safety. Failure to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices could result in loss, reduction or expropriation of licences, or the imposition of additional local or foreign parties as joint venture partners with carried or other interests.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

The Company continues to monitor developments and policies in the emerging markets in which it operates and assess the impact thereof to our operations; however, such developments cannot be accurately predicted and could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Corruption and Fraud in Emerging Markets

 

There are uncertainties, corruption and fraud relating to title ownership of real property in certain emerging markets in which the Company operates or may operate. Property disputes over title ownership are frequent in emerging markets, and, as a result, there is a risk that errors, fraud or challenges could adversely affect the Company’s ability to operate in such jurisdictions. Any of the foregoing risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Inflation in Emerging Markets

 

In the past, high levels of inflation have adversely affected emerging economies and financial markets, and the ability of government to create conditions that stimulate or maintain economic growth. Moreover, governmental measures to curb inflation and speculation about possible future governmental measures have contributed to the negative economic impact of inflation and have created general economic uncertainty. The emerging markets in which the Company operates or may operate may experience high levels of inflation in the future. Inflationary pressures may weaken investor confidence in such countries and lead to further government intervention in the economy. If countries in which the Company operates experience high levels of inflation in the future and/or price controls are imposed, the Company may not be able to adjust the rates the Company charges its customers to fully offset the impact of inflation on the Company’s cost structures, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Acquisition or Use of Properties in Foreign Jurisdictions

 

Non-resident individuals and non-domiciled foreign legal entities may be subject to restrictions on the acquisition or lease of properties in certain emerging markets. Limitations also apply to legal entities domiciled in such countries which are controlled by foreign investors, such as the entities through which the Company operates in certain countries. Accordingly, the Company’s current and future operations may be impaired as a result of such restrictions on the acquisition or use of property, and the Company’s ownership or access rights in respect of any property it owns or leases in such jurisdictions may be subject to legal challenges, all of which could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

International Expansion

 

In addition to the jurisdictions described elsewhere in this MD&A, the Company may in the future expand into other geographic areas, which could increase the Company’s operational, regulatory, compliance, reputational and foreign exchange rate risks. The failure of the Company’s operating infrastructure to support such expansion could result in operational failures and regulatory fines or sanctions. Future international expansion could require the Company to incur a number of up-front expenses, including those associated with obtaining regulatory approvals, as well as additional ongoing expenses, including those associated with infrastructure, staff and regulatory compliance. the Company may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition and expansion opportunities or integrate such operations successfully with the Company’s existing operations.

 

Reliance on International Advisors and Consultants

 

The legal and regulatory requirements in the foreign countries in which the Company operates or will operate with respect to the cultivation and sale of cannabis, banking systems and controls, as well as local business culture and practices are different from those in Canada. The Company must rely, to a great extent, on local legal counsel, consultants and advisors retained by it in order to keep apprised of legal, regulatory and governmental developments as they pertain to and affect the Company’s business, and to assist the Company with its governmental relations. The Company must rely, to some extent, on those members of management and the Board who have previous experience working and conducting business in these countries, if any, in order to enhance its understanding of and appreciation for the local business culture and practices. The Company also relies on the advice of local experts and professionals in connection with current and new regulations that develop in respect of the cultivation and sale of cannabis as well as in respect of banking, financing, labour, litigation and tax matters in these jurisdictions. Any developments or changes in such legal, regulatory or governmental requirements or in local business practices are beyond the Company’s control. The impact of any such changes may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Regulation Risks

 

The Company is subject to a variety of domestic and international laws and regulations pertaining to money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crime, including the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended and the rules and regulations thereunder, the Criminal Code (Canada) and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by governmental authorities internationally.

 

In the event that any of the Company’s operations or investments, any proceeds thereof, any dividends or distributions therefrom, or any profits or revenues accruing from such operations or investments were found to be in violation of money laundering legislation or otherwise, such transactions may be viewed as proceeds of crime under one or more of the statutes noted above or any other applicable legislation. This could restrict or otherwise jeopardize the Company’s ability to declare or pay dividends, effect other distributions or subsequently repatriate such funds back to Canada. Furthermore, while the Company has no current intention to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future, in the event that a determination was made that proceeds obtained by the Company could reasonably be shown to constitute proceeds of crime, the Company may decide or be required to suspend declaring or paying dividends without advance notice and for an indefinite period of time.

 

Corruption and Anti-Bribery Law Violations

 

The Company’s business is subject to Canadian laws which generally prohibit companies and employees from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. In addition, the Company is subject to the anti-bribery laws of any other countries in which it conducts business now or in the future. the Company’s employees or other agents may, without its knowledge and despite its efforts, engage in prohibited conduct under the Company’s policies and procedures and anti-bribery laws for which the Company may be held responsible. the Company’s policies mandate compliance with these anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. However, there can be no assurance that the Company’s internal control policies and procedures will always protect it from recklessness, fraudulent behaviour, dishonesty or other inappropriate acts committed by its affiliates, employees, contractors or agents. If the Company’s employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, the Company could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Legislative or Regulatory Reform and Compliance

 

The commercial cannabis industry is a new industry, and we anticipate that such regulations will be subject to change as the Canadian federal government monitors licencees in action. The Company’s operations are subject to a variety of laws, regulations, guidelines and policies, whether in Canada or elsewhere, relating to the cultivation, manufacture, import, export, management, packaging/labelling, advertising and promotion, sale, transportation, storage and disposal of cannabis but also including laws and regulations relating to drugs, controlled substances, health and safety, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment. While to the knowledge of management, the Company is currently in compliance with all such laws, any changes to such laws, regulations, guidelines and policies due to matters beyond the Company’s control may cause adverse effects to the Company’s operations.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Environmental Regulations and Risks

 

The Company’s operations are subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company’s operations.

 

Government approvals and permits are currently, and may in the future be required in connection with The Company’s operations. To the extent such approvals are required and not obtained, the Company may be curtailed or prohibited from its proposed production of medical cannabis or from proceeding with the development of its operations as currently proposed.

 

Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. The Company may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of its operations and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.

 

Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing the production of medical cannabis, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact on the company and cause increases in expenses, capital expenditures or production costs or reduction in levels of production or require abandonment or delays in development.

 

Risks Inherent in an Agricultural Business

 

The Company’s business involves the growing of medical cannabis, an agricultural product. Such business will be subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, such as insects, plant diseases and similar agricultural risks. Although the Company expects that any such growing will be completed indoors under climate-controlled conditions, there can be no assurance that natural elements will not have a material adverse effect on any such future production.

 

Reliance on a Single Cultivation Facility

 

To date, other than Broken Coast, the Company’s principal activities and resources have been primarily focused on the premises in Leamington, Ontario. The Company expects to continue to focus its operation in this facility for the foreseeable future. Adverse changes or developments affecting the existing facility and location could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s ability to continue producing cannabis, its business, financial condition and prospects.

 

Third Party Transportation

 

In order for customers of the Company to receive their product, the Company must rely on third party transportation services. This can cause logistical problems with and delays in patients obtaining their orders and cannot be directly controlled by the Company. Any delay by third party transportation services may adversely affect the Company’s financial performance.

 

Moreover, security of the product during transportation to and from the Company’s facilities is critical due to the nature of the product. A breach of security during transport could have material adverse effects on the Company’s business, financials and prospects. Any such breach, including any failure to comply with recommendations or requirements of Health Canada for the transportation of cannabis, could impact the Company’s ability to continue operating under its licences or the prospect of renewing its licences.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Reliance on Third Party Suppliers, Manufacturers and Contractors

 

The Company intends to maintain a full supply chain for the provision of products and services to the regulated cannabis industry. Due to the novel regulatory landscape for regulating cannabis in Canada and the variability surrounding the regulation of cannabis in the United States, the Company’s third-party suppliers, manufacturers and contractors may elect, at any time, to decline or withdraw services necessary for the Company’s operations. Loss of these suppliers, manufacturers and contractors, including for non-cannabis based products coming from the United States, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

In addition, any significant interruption, negative change in the availability or economics of the supply chain or increase in the prices for the products or services provided by any such third party suppliers, manufacturers and contractors could materially impact the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Any inability to secure required supplies and services or to do so on appropriate terms could have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Reliance on Key Personnel

 

The success of the Company is dependent upon the ability, expertise, judgment, discretion and good faith of its executive management. The Company’s future success depends on its continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified and skilled employees. Qualified individuals are in high demand, and the Company may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. The loss of the services of member of the Company’s executive management, or an inability to attract other suitably qualified persons when needed, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to execute on its business plan and strategy, and the Company may be unable to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all. Currently, the Company’s executive management team is in transition and is led by an interim Chief Executive Officer. The retention of a permanent Chief Executive Officer and other members of the executive team, including a President and a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Commercial Officer, a Chief Medical Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, would distribute the Company’s reliance on executive management among a larger group of qualified individuals. Further, as licencees under the Cannabis Act, the Company’s officers and directors and each member of executive management are subject to a security clearance by Health Canada. There is no assurance that any of the Company’s existing personnel who presently or may in the future require a security clearance will be able to obtain or renew such clearances or that new personnel who require a security clearance will be able to obtain one. A failure by a member of the Company’s executive management to maintain or renew his or her security clearance, would result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if a member of the Company’s executive management leaves the Company, and the Company is unable to find a suitable replacement that has a security clearance required by the Cannabis Act in a timely manner, or at all, there could occur a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. While employment agreements are customarily used as a primary method of retaining the services of a member of the Company’s executive management, these agreements cannot assure the continued services of such employees.

 

Limited Operating History

 

The Company, while incorporated in 1994, began carrying on business in 2012 and did not generate revenue from the sale of products until late 2014. The Company is therefore subject to many of the risks common to early-stage enterprises, including under-capitalization, cash shortages, limitations with respect to personnel, financial, and other resources and lack of revenues. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving a return on shareholders’ investment and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the early stage of operations.

 

Product Liability

 

As a manufacturer and distributor of products designed to be ingested by humans, the Company faces an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims, regulatory action and litigation if its products are alleged to have caused significant loss or injury. In addition, the sale of the Company’s products involves the risk of injury to consumers due to tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination. Previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from human consumption of the Company’s products alone or in combination with other medications or substances could occur. The Company may be subject to various product liability claims, including, among others, that the Company’s products caused injury or illness, include inadequate instructions for use or include inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects or interactions with other substances.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

A product liability claim or regulatory action against the Company could result in increased costs, could adversely affect the Company’s reputation with its clients and consumers generally, and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition of the Company. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities. Such insurance is expensive and may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage on reasonable terms or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of the Company’s potential products.

 

Product Recalls

 

Manufacturers and distributors of products are sometimes subject to the recall or return of their products for a variety of reasons, including product defects, such as contamination, unintended harmful side effects or interactions with other substances, packaging safety and inadequate or inaccurate labelling disclosure. If any of the Company’s products are recalled due to an alleged product defect or for any other reason, the Company could be required to incur the unexpected expense of the recall and any legal proceedings that might arise in connection with the recall. the Company may lose a significant amount of sales and may not be able to replace those sales at an acceptable margin or at all. In addition, a product recall may require significant management attention. Although the Company has detailed procedures in place for testing its products, there can be no assurance that any quality, potency or contamination problems will be detected in time to avoid unforeseen product recalls, regulatory action or lawsuits. Additionally, if one of the Company’s significant brands were subject to recall, the image of that brand and the Company could be harmed. A recall for any of the foregoing reasons could lead to decreased demand for the Company’s products and could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition of the Company. Additionally, product recalls may lead to increased scrutiny of the Company’s operations by Health Canada or other regulatory agencies, requiring further management attention and potential legal fees and other expenses.

 

Wholesale Price Volatility

 

The cannabis industry is a margin-based business in which gross profits depend on the excess of sales prices over costs. Consequently, profitability is sensitive to fluctuations in wholesale and retail prices caused by changes in supply (which itself depends on other factors such as weather, fuel, equipment and labour costs, shipping costs, economic situation and demand), taxes, government programs and policies for the cannabis industry (including price controls and wholesale price restrictions that may be imposed by government agencies responsible for the sale of cannabis), and other market conditions, all of which are factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company’s operating income may be significantly and adversely affected by a decline in the price of cannabis and will be sensitive to changes in the price of cannabis and the overall condition of the cannabis industry, as the Company’s profitability is directly related to the price of cannabis. There is currently not an established market price for cannabis and the price of cannabis is affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control. Any price decline may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Results of Future Clinical Research

 

To date, there is limited standardization in the research of the effects of cannabis, and future clinical research studies may lead to conclusions that dispute or conflict with the Company’s understanding and belief regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis. Research in Canada, the United States and internationally regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy and dosing of cannabis or isolated cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC) remains in relatively early stages.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Future research and clinical trials may draw opposing conclusions to statements in this prospectus or could reach different or negative conclusions regarding the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, dosing or other facts and perceptions related to cannabis, which could adversely affect social acceptance of cannabis and the demand for the Company’s products.

 

Insurance Coverage

 

The Company has insurance to protect its assets, operations, directors and employees in Canada. While the Company believes its insurance coverage addresses all material risks to which it is exposed and is adequate and customary in its current state of operations, such insurance is subject to coverage limits and exclusions and may not be available for the risks and hazards to which the Company is exposed. In addition, no assurance can be given that such insurance will be adequate to cover the Company’s liabilities or will be generally available in the future or, if available, that premiums will be commercially justifiable. If the Company were to incur substantial liability and such damages were not covered by insurance or were in excess of policy limits, or if the Company were to incur such liability at a time when it is not able to obtain liability insurance, there could be a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company is also currently pursuing additional insurance coverage over its crop, product liability claims and for business interruption. While the Company believes the insurance coverage addresses all material risks to which it is exposed and is adequate and customary in the current state of operations, such insurance is subject to coverage limits and exclusions and may not be available for the risks and hazards to which the Company is exposed.

 

Unfavorable Publicity or Consumer Perception

 

The Company believes the cannabis industry is highly dependent upon consumer perception regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of cannabis and related products distributed to such consumers. Consumer perception of the Company’s products can be significantly influenced by scientific research or findings, regulatory investigations, litigation, media attention and other publicity regarding the consumption of cannabis products. There can be no assurance that future scientific research, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other research findings or publicity will be favorable to the cannabis market or any particular product, or consistent with earlier publicity. Future research reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other publicity that are perceived as less favorable than, or that question, earlier research reports, findings or publicity could have a material adverse effect on the demand for the Company’s products and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Company. The Company’s dependence upon consumer perceptions means that adverse scientific research reports, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other publicity, whether or not accurate or with merit, could have a material adverse effect on the Company, the demand for the Company’s products, and the business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Company.

 

Further, adverse publicity reports or other media attention regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of cannabis and related products in general, or the Company’s products specifically, or associating the consumption of cannabis or related products with illness or other negative effects or events, could have such a material adverse effect. Such adverse publicity reports or other media attention could arise even if the adverse effects associated with such products resulted from consumers’ failure to consume such products appropriately or as directed. The increased usage of social media and other web-based tools used to generate, publish and discuss user-generated content and to connect with other users has made it increasingly easier for individuals and groups to communicate and share opinions and views in regard to the Company and its activities, whether true or not. Although the Company believes that it operates in a manner that is respectful to all stakeholders and that it takes care in protecting its image and reputation, it does not ultimately have direct control over how it is perceived by others. Reputational loss may result in decreased investor confidence, increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations and an impediment to the Company’s overall ability to advance its projects, thereby having a material adverse impact on its financial performance, financial condition, cash flows and growth prospects.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Reputational Risk to Third Parties

 

The parties outside of the cannabis industry with which the Company does business may perceive that they are exposed to reputational risk as a result of the Company’s cannabis business activities. Failure to establish or maintain business relationships could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Growth Targets

 

The Company’s ability to continue the cultivation of cannabis products at the same pace as it is currently producing or at all, and the Company’s ability to continue to increase both the Company’s cultivation capacity and the Company’s production, may be affected by a number of factors, including plant design errors, non-performance by third party contractors, increases in materials or labor costs, construction performance falling below expected levels of output or efficiency, environmental pollution, contractor or operator errors, breakdowns, aging or failure of equipment or processes, labor disputes, as well as factors specifically related to indoor agricultural and processing practices, such as reliance on provision of energy and utilities to the facility, and potential impacts of major incidents or catastrophic events on the facility, such as fires, explosions, earthquakes or storms.

 

Additional Financing

 

There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to achieve its business objectives. The continued development of the Company may require additional financing. The failure to raise such capital could result in the delay or indefinite postponement of current business objectives or the Company ceasing to carry on business. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available if needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favorable to the Company. In addition, from time to time, the Company may enter into transactions to acquire assets or the shares of other corporations. These transactions may be financed wholly or partially with debt, which may increase the Company’s debt levels above industry standards. Any debt financing secured in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for the Company to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. Debt financings may also contain provisions which, if breached, may entitle lenders or their agents to accelerate repayment of loans and/or realize upon security over the assets of the Company, and there is no assurance that the Company would be able to repay such loans in such an event or prevent the enforcement of security granted pursuant to such debt financing.

 

Future Acquisitions or Dispositions

 

Although there is no present intention to undertake any of the following transactions, material acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions involve a number of risks, including: (i) potential disruption of the Company’s ongoing business; (ii) distraction of management; (iii) the Company may become more financially leveraged; (iv) the anticipated benefits and cost savings of those transactions may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected; (v) increasing the scope and complexity of the Company’s operations; and (vi) loss or reduction of control over certain of the Company’s assets.

 

The presence of one or more material liabilities of an acquired company that are unknown to the Company at the time of acquisition could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, business prospects and financial condition of the Company. A strategic transaction may result in a significant change in the nature of the Company’s business, operations and strategy. In addition, the Company may encounter unforeseen obstacles or costs in implementing a strategic transaction or integrating any acquired business into the Company’s operations.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

The Company may be subject to various potential conflicts of interest because of the fact that some of its officers and directors may be engaged in a range of business activities. The Company’s executive officers and directors may devote time to their outside business interests, so long as such activities do not materially or adversely interfere with their duties to Aphria. In some cases, the Company’s executive officers, directors and consultants may have fiduciary obligations associated with these business interests that interfere with their ability to devote time to the Company’s business and affairs and that could adversely affect the Company’s operations.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

In addition, the Company may also become involved in other transactions which conflict with the interests of its directors and officers who may from time to time deal with persons, firms, institutions or corporations with which the Company may be dealing, or which may be seeking investments similar to those the Company desires. The interests of these persons could conflict with the Company’s interests. In addition, from time to time, these persons may be competing with the Company for available investment opportunities. Conflicts of interest, if any, will be subject to the procedures and remedies provided under applicable laws. In particular, in the event that such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the Board, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval of such participation or such terms. In accordance with applicable laws, the Company’s directors are required to act honestly, in good faith and in the Company’s best interests.

 

Litigation

 

From time to time, the Company may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims, some of which arise in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. Litigation is inherently uncertain, and any adverse outcomes could negatively affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, brand and/or the trading price of its securities. In addition, litigation can involve significant management time and attention and be expensive, regardless of outcome. During the course of litigation, there may be announcements of the results of hearings and motions and other interim developments related to the litigation. If securities analysts or investors regard these announcements as negative, the trading price of the Company’s securities may decline. In addition, the Company evaluates these litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these assessments and estimates, the Company may establish reserves or disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate. These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from the Company’s current assessments and estimates.

 

The Company was served statements of claims in class action lawsuits against it and certain of its current and former officers. These claims relate to alleged misconduct in connection with the Company’s acquisitions of LATAM and Nuuvera, and the Company’s June 2018 Offering. At the present time, the Company is aware of five such claims, two of which were commenced in the United States and three of which were commenced in Canada. The U.S. claims include alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Rule 10b 5 under the Exchange Act and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The Canadian claims include alleged statutory and common law misrepresentation and oppression. The Company intends to vigorously defend ourselves in each of these actions. With respect to the cases commenced in the United States, the Company is self-insured for the costs associated with any award or damages arising from such actions and have entered into indemnity agreements with each of the Company’s directors and officers and, subject to certain exemptions, will cover any costs incurred by them in connection with any of the class action claims. With respect to the cases commenced in Canada, the Company’s insurance policies may not be sufficient to cover any judgments against it.

 

Intellectual Property

 

The ownership and protection of trademarks, patents, trade secrets and intellectual property rights are significant aspects of the Company’s future success. Unauthorized parties may attempt to replicate or otherwise obtain and use the Company’s products and technology. Policing the unauthorized use of the Company’s current or future trademarks, patents, trade secrets or intellectual property rights could be difficult, expensive, time-consuming and unpredictable, as may be enforcing these rights against unauthorized use by others. Identifying unauthorized use of intellectual property rights is difficult as the Company may be unable to effectively monitor and evaluate the products being distributed by its competitors, including parties such as unlicensed dispensaries, and the processes used to produce such products. In addition, in any infringement proceeding, some or all of the Company’s trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights or other proprietary know-how, or arrangements or agreements seeking to protect the same for the benefit of the Company, may be found invalid, unenforceable, anti-competitive or not infringed. An adverse result in any litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of the Company’s trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and could put existing intellectual property applications at risk of not being issued. Any or all of these events could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

In addition, other parties may claim that the Company’s products infringe on their proprietary and perhaps patent protected rights. Such claims, whether or not meritorious, may result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, legal fees, result in injunctions, temporary restraining orders and/or require the payment of damages. As well, the Company may need to obtain licences from third parties who allege that the Company has infringed on their lawful rights. However, such licences may not be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. In addition, the Company may not be able to obtain or utilize on terms that are favorable to it, or at all, licences or other rights with respect to intellectual property that it does not own.

 

Customer Acquisitions

 

The Company’s success depends on its ability to attract and retain customers. There are many factors which could impact the Company’s ability to attract and retain customers, including but not limited to the Company’s brand awareness, its ability to continually produce desirable and effective cannabis products and the successful implementation of customer-acquisition plans. The failure to acquire and retain customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Contracts with Provincial and Territorial Governments

 

The Company expects to derive a significant portion of its future revenues from its supply contracts with the various Canadian provinces and territories. There are many factors which could impact the Company’s contractual agreements with the provinces and territories, including but not limited to availability of supply, product selection and the popularity of the Company’s products with retail customers. If the Company’s supply agreements with certain Canadian provinces and territories are amended, terminated or otherwise altered, the Company’s sales and results of operations could be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

In addition, not all of the Company’s supply contracts with the various Canadian provinces and territories contain purchase commitments or otherwise obligate the provincial or territorial wholesaler to buy a minimum or fixed volume of cannabis products from the Company. The amount of cannabis that the provincial or territorial wholesalers may purchase under the supply contracts may therefore vary from what the Company expects or has planned for. As a result, the Company's revenues could fluctuate materially in the future and could be materially and disproportionately impacted by the purchasing decisions of the provincial or territorial wholesalers. If any of the provincial or territorial wholesalers decide to purchase lower volumes of products from the Company than the Company expects, alters its purchasing patterns at any time with limited notice or decides not to continue to purchase the Company's cannabis products at all, the Company's revenues could be materially adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Constraints on Marketing Products

 

In view of the restrictions on marketing, advertising and promotional activities set forth in the Cannabis Act and related regulations, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be hindered by applicable restrictions on sales and marketing activities imposed by Health Canada. If the Company is unable to effectively market its products and compete for market share, or if the costs of compliance with government legislation and regulation cannot be absorbed through increased selling prices for its products, the Company’s sales and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

  Page |40 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Fraudulent or Illegal Activity

 

The Company is exposed to the risk that its employees, independent contractors and consultants may engage in fraudulent or other illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, reckless and/or negligent conduct or disclosure of unauthorized activities to the Company that violates: (i) government regulations; (ii) manufacturing standards; (iii) federal and provincial healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations; or (iv) laws that require the true, complete and accurate reporting of financial information or data. It is not always possible for the Company to identify and deter misconduct by its employees and other third parties, and the precautions taken by the Company to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting the Company from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against the Company, and it is not successful in defending itself or asserting its rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment of the Company’s operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Information Technology Systems and Cyber-Attacks

 

The Company has entered into agreements with third parties for hardware, software, telecommunications and other information technology services in connection with its operations. The Company’s operations depend, in part, on how well it and its suppliers protect networks, equipment, information technology systems and software against damage from a number of threats, including, but not limited to, cable cuts, damage to physical plants, natural disasters, intentional damage and destruction, fire, power loss, hacking, computer viruses, vandalism and theft. The Company’s operations also depend on the timely maintenance, upgrade and replacement of networks, equipment, information technology systems and software, as well as pre-emptive expenses to mitigate the risks of failures. Any of these and other events could result in information system failures, delays and/or increase in capital expenses. The failure of information systems or a component of information systems could, depending on the nature of any such failure, adversely impact the Company’s reputation and results of operations.

 

The Company has not experienced any material losses to date relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, but there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such losses in the future. The Company’s risk and exposure to these matters cannot be fully mitigated because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. As a result, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of controls, processes and practices designed to protect systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access is a priority. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the Company may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.

 

Security Risks

 

Given the nature of the Company’s product and its lack of legal availability outside of channels approved by the Government of Canada, as well as the concentration of inventory in its facilities, despite meeting or exceeding Health Canada’s security requirements, there remains a risk of shrinkage as well as theft. A security breach at one of the Company’s facilities could expose the Company to additional liability and to potentially costly litigation, increase expenses relating to the resolution and future prevention of these breaches and may deter potential patients from choosing the Company’s products.

 

In addition, the Company collects and stores personal information about its patients and is responsible for protecting that information from privacy breaches. A privacy breach may occur through procedural or process failure, information technology malfunction, or deliberate unauthorized intrusions. Theft of data for competitive purposes, particularly patient lists and preferences, is an ongoing risk whether perpetrated via employee collusion or negligence or through deliberate cyber-attack. Any such theft or privacy breach would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

  Page |41 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

In addition, there are a number of federal and provincial laws protecting the privacy of personal information, including records of a patient’s personal health information. Generally, these laws require the prior consent of an individual to collect, use and disclose that individual’s personal information. They also require that personal information be protected by appropriate safeguards, and that the Company restrict the handling of personal information to the minimum amount of personal information necessary to carry out permitted purposes. If the Company is found to be in violation of these privacy laws, or other laws governing patient health information, the Company could be subject to sanctions and civil or criminal penalties, which could increase the Company’s liabilities, harm the Company’s reputation and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Challenging Global Financial Conditions

 

In recent years, global credit and financial markets have experienced extreme disruptions, including with respect to, at times, severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability. There can be no assurance that significant deterioration in credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions will not occur in the future. Any such economic downturn, volatile business environment or continued unpredictable and unstable market conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Further, global credit and financial markets have displayed arguably increased volatility in response to global events. Future crises may be precipitated by any number of causes, including natural disasters, geopolitical instability, changes to energy prices or sovereign defaults. These factors may impact the ability of the Company to obtain equity or debt financing in the future and, if obtained, on terms favorable to the Company. Increased levels of volatility and market turmoil can adversely impact the Company’s operations and the value, and the price of the Common Shares could be adversely affected.

 

In addition, there is a risk that one or more of the Company’s current service providers may themselves be adversely impacted by difficult economic circumstances, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

History of Losses

 

The Company incurred losses in prior periods. The Company may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and may continue to incur significant losses in the future. In addition, the Company expects to continue to increase operating expenses as it implements initiatives to continue to grow its business. If the Company’s revenues do not increase to offset these expected increases in costs and operating expenses, the Company will not be profitable.

 

Competition

 

The Company expects significant competition from other companies in light of the recent coming into force of the Cannabis Act. A large number of companies appear to be applying for cultivation, processing and sale licences, some of which may have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than the Company, may be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, sale and support of their products and services, and may have more extensive customer bases and broader customer relationships. The Company’s future success depends upon its ability to achieve competitive per unit costs through increased production and on its ability to recognize higher margins through the sale of higher margin products. To the extent that the Company is not able to produce its products at competitive prices or consumers prioritize established low margin products over innovative, higher margin products, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Should the size of the cannabis market increase as projected the overall demand for products and number of competitors will increase as well, and in order for the Company to be competitive it will need to invest significantly in research and development, market development, marketing, production expansion, new client identification, distribution channels and client support. If the Company is not successful in obtaining sufficient resources to invest in these areas, the Company’s ability to compete in the market may be adversely affected, which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

  Page |42 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Difficulty to Forecast

 

The Company must rely largely on its own market research to forecast sales as detailed forecasts are, with certain exceptions, not generally available from other sources at this early stage of the cannabis industry. A failure in the demand for the Company’s products to materialize as a result of competition, technological change, change in the regulatory or legal landscape or other factors could have a material adverse effect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Unsolicited Takeover Proposals

 

The review and consideration of any takeover proposal may be a significant distraction for the Company’s management and employees and could require the expenditure of significant time and resources by the Company.

 

Moreover, any unsolicited takeover proposal may create uncertainty for the Company’s employees and this uncertainty may adversely affect the Company’s ability to retain key employees and to hire new talent. Any such takeover proposal may also create uncertainty for the Company’s customers, suppliers and other business partners, which may cause them to terminate, or not to renew or enter into, arrangements with the Company. The uncertainty arising from unsolicited takeover proposals and any related costly litigation may disrupt the Company’s business, which could result in an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations. Management and employee distraction related to any such takeover proposal also may adversely impact the Company’s ability to optimally conduct its business and pursue its strategic objectives.

 

Reliance on the Veterans Affairs Canada (“VAC”) Medical Cannabis Reimbursement Policies

 

VAC reimburses certain medical cannabis purchases for eligible Canadian Armed Forces veterans. The current reimbursement policy includes a three gram per day limit, subject to certain exceptions, and an $8.50 per gram price cap. The Company maintains a number of veterans as part of its overall medical patient list, although veteran sales have decreased in recent years. As the Company grows larger and, more particularly, since the legalization of adult-use cannabis, veteran patients have become less and less material to the Company’s overall sales as a relative percentage. However, should VAC further amend its reimbursement policies this may further exacerbate demand for medical cannabis and the Company may be materially adversely affected.

 

Risks Related to the Company’s Common Shares

Volatile Market Price of the Common Shares

 

The market price of the Common Shares may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. This volatility may affect the ability of holders of Common Shares to sell their securities at an advantageous price.

 

Market price fluctuations in the Common Shares may be due to the Company’s results of operations failing to meet expectations of securities analysts or investors in any period, downward revision in securities analysts’ estimates, adverse changes in general market conditions or economic trends, acquisitions, dispositions or other material public announcements by the Company or its competitors, along with a variety of additional factors. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Common Shares. Financial markets historically at times experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices of equity securities of companies and that have often been unrelated to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. Accordingly, the market price of the Common Shares may decline even if the Company’s results of operations, underlying asset values or prospects have not changed. Additionally, these factors, as well as other related factors, may cause decreases in asset values that are deemed to be other than temporary, which may result in impairment losses. There can be no assurance that continuing fluctuations in price and volume will not occur. If such increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue, the Company’s operations could be adversely impacted and the trading price of the Common Shares may be materially adversely affected.

 

  Page |43 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Risks Related to Dilution

 

The Company may issue Common Shares in the future, which may dilute a shareholder’s holdings in the Company. The Company’s articles permit the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares, and shareholders will have no pre-emptive rights in connection with such further issuance. The Board has discretion to determine the price and the terms of issue of further issuances. Issuances of the Company’s securities may involve the issuance of a significant number of Common Shares at prices less than the current market price for the Common Shares. Issuances of substantial numbers of Common Shares, or the perception that such issuances could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of the Common Shares. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized but unissued Common Shares, or securities convertible into Common Shares, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to security holders. Moreover, additional Common Shares will be issued by the Company on the exercise of options under the Company’s stock option plan and upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.

 

The Company may sell equity securities in offerings (including through the sale of securities convertible into equity securities). The Company cannot predict the size of such issuances of equity securities or the size and terms of future issuances of debt instruments or other securities convertible into equity securities or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of the Company’s securities will have on the market price of the Common Shares.

 

Sales of substantial amounts of the Company’s securities by the Company or its existing shareholders, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for the Company’s securities and dilute investors’ earnings per Common Share. Exercises of presently outstanding share options or warrants may also result in dilution to security holders. A decline in the market prices of the Company’s securities could impair the Company’s ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should the Company desire to do so.

 

Dividends

 

The Company has not paid any dividends on the outstanding Common Shares, and the Company has no current intention to declare dividends on the Common Shares in the foreseeable future. Any decision to pay dividends on the Common Shares in the future will be at the discretion of the Board and will depend on, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, current and anticipated cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, any future contractual restrictions and financing agreement covenants, solvency tests imposed by corporate law and other factors that the Board may deem relevant. Additionally, the Company’s ability to pay dividends is currently restricted by the terms of its credit facilities with WFCU, which requires that dividends may only be paid after satisfaction of all terms, conditions and covenants contained therein. As a result, investors may not receive any return on an investment in the Common Shares unless they are able to sell their Common Shares for a price greater than that which such investors paid for them.

 

Regulated Nature of the Company’s Business May Impede or Discourage a Takeover

 

The Company requires and holds various licences to operate its business, which would not necessarily continue to apply to an acquiror of the Company’s business following a change of control. These licensing requirements could impede a merger, amalgamation, takeover or other business combination involving the Company or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer for Common Shares, which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market price of the Common Shares.

 

Listing Standards of the TSX and NYSE

 

The Company must meet continuing listing standards to maintain the listing of the Common Shares on the TSX and NYSE. If the Company fails to comply with listing standards and the TSX or NYSE delists the Common Shares, the Company and its shareholders could face significant material adverse consequences, including: (i) a limited availability of market quotations for the Common Shares; (ii) reduced liquidity for the Common Shares; (iii) a determination that the Common Shares are “penny stock,” which would require brokers trading in the Common Shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for the Common Shares; (iv) a limited amount of news about us and analyst coverage of the Company; and (v) a decreased ability for the Company to issue additional equity securities or obtain additional equity or debt financing in the future.

 

  Page |44 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

TSX Restrictions

 

On October 16, 2017, the TSX provided clarity regarding the application of Sections 306 (Minimum Listing Requirements) and 325 (Management) and Part VII (Halting of Trading, Suspension and Delisting of Securities) of the TSX Company Manual (collectively, the “Requirements”) to TSX listed issuers with business activities in the cannabis sector. In TSX Staff Notice 2017 0009, the TSX notes that issuers with ongoing business activities that violate U.S. federal law regarding cannabis are not in compliance with the Requirements. The TSX reminded issuers that, among other things, should the TSX find that a listed issuer is engaging in activities contrary to the Requirements, the TSX has the discretion to initiate a delisting review. Failure to comply with the Requirements could have an adverse effect on the Company.

 

Liquid Trading Market

 

The Company’s shareholders may be unable to sell significant quantities of Common Shares into the public trading markets without a significant reduction in the price of their Common Shares, or at all. There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity of the Common Shares on the trading market, and that the Company will continue to meet the listing requirements of the TSX or the NYSE or achieve listing on any other public listing exchange.

 

Emerging Growth Company

 

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the U.S. Jumpstart Our Business Start-ups Act, and it uses the exemption provided to emerging growth companies from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”). Therefore, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (“ICOFR”) will not receive the level of review provided by the process relating to the auditor attestation included in annual reports of issuers that are not using an exemption.

 

The Company may fail to maintain the adequacy of the Company’s ICOFR as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, and may not be able to ensure that the Company can conclude, on an ongoing basis, that the Company has effective ICOFR in accordance with Section 404 of SOX or equivalent Canadian legislation. Failure to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of SOX and equivalent Canadian legislation on an ongoing, timely basis could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of the Company’s financial statements, which in turn could harm the Company’s business and negatively impact the trading price of the Common Shares or the market value of the Company’s other securities. In addition, any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm the Company’s results of operations or cause it to fail to meet reporting obligations. Future acquisitions of companies, if any, may provide the Company with challenges in implementing the required processes, procedures and controls in the Company’s acquired operations. No evaluation can provide complete assurance that the Company’s ICOFR will detect or uncover all failures of persons to disclose material information otherwise required to be reported. The effectiveness of the Company’s processes, procedures and controls could also be limited by simple errors or faulty judgments. In addition, as the Company expands, the challenges involved in implementing appropriate ICOFR will increase and will require that the Company continues to improve its ICOFR.

 

In addition, the Company cannot predict if investors will find the Common Shares less attractive because it relies on the aforementioned exemption. If some investors find the Common Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for the Common Shares and trading price for the Common Shares may be negatively affected.

 

  Page |45 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

Foreign Private Issuer Status

 

In order to maintain the Company’s status as a foreign private issuer, a majority of the Common Shares must be either directly or indirectly owned by non-residents of the United States if the Company has one or more other connections to the United States prescribed by the foreign private issuer test. The Company may in the future lose its foreign private issuer status if a majority of the Common Shares are held in the United States and if the Company fails to meet the additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of its foreign private issuer status. The regulatory and compliance costs under U.S. federal securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly more than the costs incurred as a Canadian foreign private issuer eligible to use the multijurisdictional disclosure system (“MJDS”). If the Company is not a foreign private issuer, the Company would not be eligible to use the MJDS or other foreign issuer forms and would be required to file periodic and current reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. In addition, the Company would lose the ability to rely upon exemptions from NYSE corporate governance requirements that are available to foreign private issuers.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company

 

The Company may be characterized as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). Under the PFIC rules, for any taxable year that the Company’s passive income or the Company’s assets that produce passive income exceed specified levels, the Company will be characterized as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This characterization could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences for the Company’s U.S. holders, which may include having certain distributions on the Common Shares and gains realized on the sale of Common Shares treated as ordinary income, rather than as capital gains income, and having potentially punitive interest charges apply to the proceeds of sales of Common Shares and certain distributions. Based on current business plans and financial expectations, although there can be no assurance, the Company expects that it will not be a PFIC for the Company’s current taxable year and expect that it will not be a PFIC for the foreseeable future.

 

Certain elections may be made to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of the PFIC rules for holders of the Common Shares, but these elections may be detrimental and/or unavailable to the shareholders under certain circumstances. The PFIC rules are extremely complex and U.S. investors are urged to consult independent tax advisers regarding the potential consequences to them of the Company’s classification as a PFIC.

 

Risks Related to Changes in Laws, Regulations and Guidelines

The Company’s operations are subject to various laws, regulations and guidelines relating to the manufacture, management, packaging/labelling, advertising, sale, transportation, storage and disposal of medical cannabis but also including laws and regulations relating to drugs, controlled substances, health and safety, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment. Changes to such laws, regulations and guidelines due to matters beyond the control of the Company may cause adverse effects business, financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The Company endeavours to comply with all relevant laws, regulations and guidelines. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, the Company is in compliance or in the process of being assessed for compliance with all such laws, regulations and guidelines.

 

The Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations came into force on October 17, 2018. The Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations prohibit testimonials, lifestyle branding and packaging that is appealing to youth. The restrictions on advertising, marketing and the use of logos and brand names could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Cannabis Act allows for licences to be granted for outdoor cultivation, which may reduce start-up capital required for new entrants in the cannabis industry. It may also ultimately lower prices, as capital expenditure requirements related to outdoor growing are typically much lower than those associated with indoor growing. Such results may also have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The legislative framework pertaining to the Canadian adult-use cannabis market is uncertain. In addition, the governments of every Canadian province and territory have, to varying degrees, announced regulatory regimes for the distribution and sale of cannabis for adult-use purposes within those jurisdictions. There is no guarantee that provincial legislation regulating the distribution and sale of cannabis for adult-use purposes will be enacted according to all the terms announced by such provinces and territories, or at all, or that any such legislation, if enacted, will create the growth opportunities that the Company currently anticipates. While the impact of any new legislative framework for the regulation of the Canadian adult-use cannabis market is uncertain, any of the foregoing could result in a material adverse effect of the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

  Page |46 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

To date, only fresh cannabis, dried cannabis and cannabis oil products are permitted for sale in Canada. Pursuant to the Cannabis Act, certain classes of cannabis products, such as edibles, concentrates and other ingestibles are currently prohibited from sale, but new regulations under the Cannabis Act will come into force on October 17, 2019 to permit edibles, concentrates and other ingestibles to be available for sale no earlier than mid-December 2019. While regulations have been released, the impact of these regulatory changes on the business of the Company is unknown, and the proposed regulations may not be implemented at all or, if they are, may change significantly.

 

Further, Health Canada may change their administration, interpretation or application of the applicable regulations or their compliance or enforcement procedures at any time. Any such changes could require the Company to revise its ongoing compliance procedures, requiring the Company to incur increased compliance costs and expend additional resources. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to comply or continue to comply with applicable regulations.

 

INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be publicly disclosed by a public company is gathered and reported to senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), on a timely basis so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding public disclosure. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures was conducted as of May 31, 2019, based on the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) by and under the supervision of the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings of the Canadian Securities Administrators) were effective in providing reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company is made known to them and information required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in such legislation.

 

Under the supervision of the CEO and CFO, the Company designed internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in National Instrument 52-109) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. The Company’s management team used COSO to design the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

It is important to understand that there are inherent limitations of internal controls as stated within COSO. Internal controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding achievement of an entity’s objectives. A system of controls, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls or procedures. As a result, there is no certainty that an organization's disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors or all fraud. Even disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting determined to be effective can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the three months ended August 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

  Page |47 

APHRIA INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This MD&A contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation with regards to expected financial performance, strategy and business conditions. We use words such as “forecast”, “future”, “should”, “could”, “enable”, “potential”, “contemplate”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “project”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs with respect to future events and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievement to be materially different from any future forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, general economic and market conditions, investment performance, financial markets, legislative and regulatory changes, technological developments, catastrophic events and other business risks. These forward-looking statements are as of the date of this MD&A and the Company and management assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except as required by securities laws. The Company and management caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.

 

Some of the specific forward-looking statements in this MD&A include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the following:

the intended expansion of the Company’s facilities and receipt of approval from Health Canada to complete such expansion;
the expected cost to produce a gram of dried cannabis;
the expected cost to process cannabis oil;
expectation with respect to product development and the market share thereof;
expectations with respect to crop rotation and harvest;
the anticipated future gross margins of the Company’s operations; and,
The Company’s investments in the United States, the characterization and consequences of those investments under Federal Law, and the framework for the enforcement of cannabis and cannabis-related offenses in the United States.

 

  

 

  Page |48 

Exhibit 99.3

 

 

FORM 52-109F2 CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS FULL CERTIFICATE


I, Irwin Simon, Chief Executive Officer, Aphria Inc. certify the following:

1. Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Aphria Inc. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended August 31, 2019.

2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings. 

4. Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

a. designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that 
i. material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and 
ii. information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and 
b. designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP. 


5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (COSO Framework 213) published by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

5.2 ICFR - material weakness relating to design: N/A

5.3 Limitation on scope of design: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A

a) the fact that the issuer’s other certifying officer and I have limited the scope of our design of DC&P and ICFR to exclude controls, policies and procedures of a business that the issuer acquired not more than 365 days before the last day of the period covered by the interim filings; and,
b) summary financial information about the business that the issuer acquired that has been consolidated in the issuer’s financial statements.

 


6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on June 1, 2019 and ended on August 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR. 

Date: October 15, 2019

__”Irwin Simon”_________
Irwin Simon
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

FORM 52-109F2 CERTIFICATION OF INTERIM FILINGS FULL CERTIFICATE


I, Carl Merton, Chief Financial Officer, Aphria Inc. certify the following:

1. Review: I have reviewed the interim financial reports and interim MD&A (together, the “interim filings”) of Aphria Inc. (the “issuer”) for the interim period ended August 31, 2019.

2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.

3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial reports together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings. 

4. Responsibility: The issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.

5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings

a. designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that 
i. material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and 
ii. information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and 
b. designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer’s GAAP. 


5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer’s ICFR is the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (COSO Framework 213) published by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

5.2 ICFR - material weakness relating to design: N/A

5.3 Limitation on scope of design: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A

a) the fact that the issuer’s other certifying officer and I have limited the scope of our design of DC&P and ICFR to exclude controls, policies and procedures of a business that the issuer acquired not more than 365 days before the last day of the period covered by the interim filings; and,
b) summary financial information about the business that the issuer acquired that has been consolidated in the issuer’s financial statements.


6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer’s ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on June 1, 2019 and ended on August 31, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer’s ICFR. 

Date: October 15, 2019


__”Carl Merton”_________
Carl Merton
Chief Financial Officer