UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015  

 

o Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from _________ to ________

 

Commission File Number:   333-173215

 

CannaVest Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  80-0944870
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

2688 South Rainbow Avenue, Suite B, Las Vegas, NV 89146

(Address number of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(866) 290-2157

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes    o No  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer  o Accelerated filer  o
  Non-accelerated filer  o Smaller reporting company  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of May 15, 2015, the issuer had 34,959,166 shares of issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.0001.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. None

 

 

 
 

 

CANNAVEST CORP.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    PAGE
     

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1
   
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited) 1
     
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014 (audited) 1
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 2
  Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 3
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 4
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 5
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 14
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 17
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 17
     

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 19
Item 1A. Risk Factors 20
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 20
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 20
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure 20
Item 5. Other Information 20
Item 6. Exhibits 21
     
  SIGNATURES 22

 

i
 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

On our Internet website, http://www.CannaVest.com, we post the following recent filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC: our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

When we use the terms “CannaVest”, “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” we mean CannaVest Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as well as any predecessor entities, unless the context otherwise indicates.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. To the extent that any statements made in this report contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects”, “plans”, “may,”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “should”, “intends”, “estimates”, and other words of similar meaning. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified and, consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, marketability of our products; legal and regulatory risks associated with the share exchange our ability to raise additional capital to finance our activities; the effectiveness, profitability and the future trading of our common stock; our ability to operate as a public company; our ability to protect our proprietary information; general economic and business conditions; the volatility of our operating results and financial condition; our ability to attract or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff; and other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, or otherwise.

 

Information regarding market and industry statistics contained in this report is included based on information available to us that we believe is accurate. It is generally based on industry and other publications that are not produced for purposes of securities offerings or economic analysis. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties accompanying any estimates of future market size, revenue and market acceptance of products and services. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

ii
 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

CANNAVEST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Assets  (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
Current assets          
Cash (Note 2)  $2,239,986   $2,302,418 
Accounts receivable, net (Note 2)   1,216,557    282,407 
Notes receivable - current portion (Note 3)   1,491,618    1,508,468 
Prepaid inventory   2,328,999    519,620 
Inventory (Note 4)   10,780,455    11,666,251 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   651,601    527,104 
Total current assets   18,709,216    16,806,268 
           
Property & equipment, net (Note 2)   546,896    516,423 
Intangibles, net (Note 6)   2,329,500    2,535,000 
Goodwill   1,855,512    1,855,512 
Note receivable - long term portion (Note 3)       26,705 
Total other assets   4,731,908    4,933,640 
           
Total assets  $23,441,124   $21,739,908 
           
Liabilities and stockholders' equity          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $475,066   $546,387 
Accrued expenses (Note 5)   175,958    118,206 
Total current liabilities   651,024    664,593 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)          
           
Stockholders' equity (Note 8)          
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding            
Common stock, par value $0.0001; 190,000,000 shares authorized; 34,959,166 and 33,419,166 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively     3,495       3,341  
Additional paid-in capital   29,191,777    24,828,337 
Accumulated deficit   (6,405,172)   (3,756,363)
Total stockholders' equity   22,790,100    21,075,315 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $23,441,124   $21,739,908 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

1
 

 

CANNAVEST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

UNAUDITED

 

   For the three months ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
Product sales, net  $2,714,051   $2,631,869 
Cost of goods sold   1,083,081    1,021,003 
Gross Profit   1,630,970    1,610,866 
           
Operating Expenses:          
Selling, general and administrative   3,993,675    924,365 
Research and development   323,145    151,021 
Total Operating Expenses   4,316,820    1,075,386 
           
Operating (Loss) Income   (2,685,850)   535,480 
           
Other income (expense):          
Interest income   37,041     
Interest expense       (615,344)
Allocated losses on KannaLife Sciences investment       (38,552)
Total Other Income (Expense)   37,041    (653,896)
           
Loss before taxes   (2,648,809)   (118,416)
Provision for income taxes        
Net Loss  $(2,648,809)  $(118,416)
           
Loss per share  $(0.08)  $(0.00)
Weighted average number of shares - basic & diluted   34,174,805    26,343,641 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2
 

 

CANNAVEST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the three months ended March 31, 2015

UNAUDITED

 

          Additional         
  Common Stock   Paid-In   Accumulated     
  Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Total 
Balance - December 31, 2014   33,419,166   $3,341   $24,828,337   $(3,756,363)  $21,075,315 
Shares issued for cash (net of expenses) (Note 8)   1,260,000    126    2,519,874        2,520,000 
Shares issued pursuant to underwriting services (Note 8)   30,000    3    87,597        87,600 
Stock-based compensation   250,000    25    1,755,969        1,755,994 
Net loss               (2,648,809)   (2,648,809)
Balance - March 31, 2015   34,959,166   $3,495   $29,191,777   $(6,405,172)  $22,790,100 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3
 

 

CANNAVEST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

 

  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
   2015   2014 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES        
Net loss  $(2,648,809)  $(118,416)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   249,725    217,306 
Amortization of debt discount       589,474 
Stock issued pursuant to employment agreement       2,825 
Stock-based compensation   1,755,994     
Loss on equity investment       38,552 
Interest on notes receivable   (31,562)    
Change in operating assets and liabilities:          
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (36,897)   (114,513)
Prepaid inventory   (1,809,379)   (786,116)
Inventory   885,796    81,332 
Accounts receivable   (934,150)   (825,227)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (13,569)   22,658 
Net cash used in operating activities   (2,582,851)   (892,125)
           
INVESTING ACTIVITIES          
Purchase of equipment   (74,698)   (9,295)
Repayment of principal on notes receivable   75,117    47,300 
Net cash provided by investing activities   419    38,005 
           
FINANCING ACTIVITIES          
Common stock issued for cash   2,520,000    7,075,000 
Payments on Roen Ventures loan       (92,069)
Repayment of related party loan       (300)
           
Net cash provided by financing activities   2,520,000    6,982,631 
Net (decrease) increase in cash   (62,432)   6,128,511 
Cash, beginning of period   2,302,418    2,243,670 
Cash, end of period  $2,239,986   $8,372,181 
           
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:          
Common stock issued for future underwriting services  $(87,600)  $ 
Conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable       6,000,000 
Conversion of line of credit to common stock       (600,000)
Common stock to be issued       (175,000)
           
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:          
Interest paid  $   $187,453 
Taxes paid   16,091     

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4
 

 

CANNAVEST CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED

 

  1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

 

CannaVest Corp. (formerly Foreclosure Solutions, Inc.) (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) develops, produces, markets and sells raw materials and end consumer products containing the hemp plant extract, Cannabidiol (“CBD”), to the nutraceutical, beauty care, pet care and functional food sectors. The Company is currently establishing pilot hemp growing operations in the United States with the goal of establishing industrial hemp operations nationally in the near future.

 

  2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation - The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CannaVest Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries US Hemp Oil, LLC, CannaVest Laboratories, LLC and Plus CBD, LLC (collectively, the “Company”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company commenced commercial operations on January 29, 2013.

The statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All references to GAAP are in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the operating results for the respective periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally present in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2015. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2015.

Use of Estimates - The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates, including those related to contingencies, on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Significant estimates include the amortization lives of intangible assets, inputs used for valuing stock-based compensation and the allowance for doubtful accounts. It is at least reasonably possible that a change in the estimates will occur in the near term.

Reportable Segment - The Company’s internal reporting is organized into three channels: CBD products, laboratory services and hemp farming activities. These channels qualify as individual operating segments and are aggregated and viewed as one reportable segment due to their similar economic characteristics, products, production, distribution processes and regulatory environment.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers amounts held by financial institutions and short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had no cash equivalents.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk - As of March 31, 2015, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) provided insurance coverage of up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and does not believe that the Company is exposed to significant risks from excess deposits. The Company’s cash balance in excess of FDIC limits totaled $1,972,976 at March 31, 2015.

5
 

 

At March 31, 2015 the Company had a $1,200,000 note receivable related to a single customer, MediJane Holdings, Inc. In addition, two customers represented 93.0% of our accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2015. Sales from one customer accounted for 37.9% of total sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (Note 3).

 

Accounts Receivable – Generally, the Company requires payment prior to shipment. However, in certain circumstances, the Company grants credit to companies located throughout the U.S. Accounts receivable consists of trade accounts arising in the normal course of business. Accounts receivable are unsecured and no interest is charged on past due accounts. Accounts for which no payments have been received after 30 days are considered delinquent and customary collection efforts are initiated. Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less a reserve made for doubtful receivables based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a quarterly basis.

 

Management has determined the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition and credit history, and current economic conditions. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts related to accounts receivable in the amount of $100,000.

  

Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition which requires persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery of a product or service, a fixed or determinable price and assurance of collection within a reasonable period of time. The Company records revenue when goods are delivered to customers and the rights of ownership have transferred from the Company to the customer.

 

Shipping and Handling – Shipping and handling costs totaled $53,024 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense. There were no shipping and handling expenses incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

Returns - Finished Products - Within ten days of a customer’s receipt of Company’s finished products, the customer may return (i) finished products that do not conform to Company’s product specifications or (ii), finished products which are defective, provided that notice of condition is given within five days of receiving the finished products. The failure to comply with the foregoing time requirements shall be deemed a waiver of the customer’s claim for incorrect or defective shipments. In the event of the existence of one or more material defects in any finished product upon delivery to the customer, the Company shall, at its sole option and cost, either (a) take such measures as are required to cure the defect(s) designated in the notice, or (b) replace such defective finished product(s). The Company may, at its sole option, require the return or destruction of the defective finished products. The customer shall afford the Company the opportunity to verify that such defects existed prior to shipment and were not, for purposes of example and not limitation, the result of improper transport, handling, storage, product rotation or misuse by the customer.

Bulk Oil Products - All sales of bulk oil products are final, and the Company does not accept returns under any circumstances.

 

There is no allowance for customer returns at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014 due to insignificant return amounts experienced during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Compensation and Benefits - The Company records compensation and benefits expense for all cash and deferred compensation, benefits, and related taxes as earned by its employees. Compensation and benefits expense also includes compensation earned by temporary employees and contractors who perform similar services to those performed by the Company’s employees, primarily information technology and project management activities.

 

Stock-Based Compensation - Certain employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company participate in various long-term incentive plans that provide for granting stock options and restricted stock awards. Stock options generally vest in equal increments over a two- to four-year period and expire on the tenth anniversary following the date of grant. Restricted stock awards generally vest 100% at the grant date.

 

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for equity awards granted to employees, officers, and directors as compensation and benefits expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of stock options is estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model on the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock awards is equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation is recognized over the requisite service period of the individual awards, which generally equals the vesting period.

6
 

 

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation for equity awards granted to consultants as selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of stock options is estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model on the date of grant and unvested awards are revalued at each reporting period. The fair value of restricted stock awards is equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares awarded. Stock-based compensation is recognized over the requisite service period of the individual awards, which generally equals the vesting period.

 

Inventory - Inventory is stated at lower of cost or market, with cost being determined on average cost basis. There was no reserve for obsolete inventory as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. Amounts paid to suppliers in advance for inventory is classified as prepaid inventory. Once the Company has assumed ownership, the cost of prepaid inventory is reclassified to inventory. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had $2,662,057 of inventory in Dusseldorf, Germany.

 

Property & Equipment - Equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into its existing use. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Tenant improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the related lease. Maintenance or repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon sale or disposition, the historically-recorded asset cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount less proceeds from disposal is charged or credited to other income (expense).

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - In accordance with ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, the Company calculates the fair value of its assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments and includes this additional information in the notes to its financial statements when the fair value is different than the carrying value of those financial instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company’s current assets and current liabilities approximates their carrying amount due to their readily available nature and short maturity.

  

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, or (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a combination of the income, or discounted cash flows, approach and the market approach, which utilizes comparable companies’ data. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. The impairment loss would be calculated by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the other assets and liabilities of that unit based on their fair values. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount assigned to its other assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.

 

We make critical assumptions and estimates in completing impairment assessments of goodwill and other intangible assets. Our cash flow projections look several years into the future and include assumptions on variables such as future sales and operating margin growth rates, economic conditions, market competition, inflation and discount rates.

 

We amortize the cost of other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which range up to five years, unless such lives are deemed indefinite. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year for impairment, or more often if indicators warrant. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 there were no impairments.

 

Long-Lived Assets - In accordance with ASC Topic 360, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, the Company reviews property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of property and equipment is measured by comparing its carrying value to the undiscounted projected future cash flows that the asset(s) are expected to generate. If the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset over its respective fair value, which is generally determined as the present value of estimated future cash flows or at the appraised value. The impairment analysis is based on significant assumptions of future results made by management, including revenue and cash flow projections. Circumstances that may lead to impairment of property and equipment include a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset is being used or in its physical condition and a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator.

7
 

 

Loss per Share - The Company calculates earning or loss per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share, which requires the computation and disclosure of two EPS amounts, basic and diluted. Basic EPS is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus all potentially dilutive shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The Company had 6,390,000 of stock options outstanding that are anti-dilutive at March 31, 2015. The Company had no outstanding stock options at March 31, 2014.

 

Research and Development Expense - Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and include, but are not limited to, employee salaries and benefits, cost of inventory used in product development, consulting service fees, the cost of renting and maintaining our laboratory facility and depreciation of laboratory equipment.

 

Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the related temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized when the rate change is enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. In accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, the Company recognizes the effect of uncertain income tax positions only if the positions are more likely than not of being sustained in an audit, based on the technical merits of the position. Recognized uncertain income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which those changes in judgment occur. The Company recognizes both interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision. As of March 15, 2015 and December 31, 2014 the Company did not have a liability for unrecognized tax uncertainties. The Company is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions. Management believes the Company is no longer subject to tax examinations for the years prior to 2010.

 

Recent Issued and Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

  

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which completes the joint effort by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2014-09 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance requiring management to evaluate on a regular basis whether any conditions or events have arisen that could raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The guidance (1) provides a definition for the term “substantial doubt,” (2) requires an evaluation every reporting period, interim periods included, (3) provides principles for considering the mitigating effect of management’s plans to alleviate the substantial doubt, (4) requires certain disclosures if the substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of management’s plans, (5) requires an express statement, as well as other disclosures, if the substantial doubt is not alleviated, and (6) requires an assessment period of one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The standard is effective for the Company’s reporting year beginning January 1, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.

 

  3. NOTES RECEIVABLE

 

Notes receivable at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are comprised of the following:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
           
Dixie Botanicals note and accrued interest  $260,056   $335,173 
MediJane Holdings note and accrued interest   1,231,562    1,200,000 
    1,491,618    1,535,173 
           
Less current portion   1,491,618    1,508,468 
Long-term portion  $   $26,705 

 

8
 

 

The Dixie Botanicals note relates to an accounts receivable balance that was due on December 31, 2013. On January 10, 2014, Medical Marijuana, Inc. (“MJNA”) agreed to assume $725,000 of the accounts receivable and wrote-off $11,496. MJNA paid the Company $125,000 on January 17, 2014 towards this balance. The remaining $600,000 is subject to a promissory note between the parties, whereby MJNA will make monthly payments including interest at 7% per annum over a two year period. The note is secured by MJNA’s ownership share of the Company, owned indirectly by MJNA through MJNA’s subsidiary, PhytoSPHERE Systems, LLC, valued at two times the principal amount of the note as collateral.

 

The MediJane Holdings (“MJMD”) note relates to the sale of Company products in exchange for a convertible promissory note in the amount of $1,200,000. The full amount of $1,200,000 is due on June 23, 2015 along with accrued interest at 10%. The Company has the option to convert the full amount of the note, along with accrued interest into shares of common stock of MJMD.

 

  4. INVENTORY

 

Inventory at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is comprised of the following:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
           
Raw materials  $10,524,822   $11,209,119 
Finished goods   255,633    457,132 
   $10,780,455   $11,666,251 

 

  5. ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

Accrued expenses at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
           
Accrued payroll expenses  $63,812   $68,920 
Other accrued liabilities   112,146    49,286 
   $175,958   $118,206 

 

  6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

 

We amortize the identifiable intangible assets using the straight-line method over a useful life of five years. We determined that the useful life of those assets are based on the term of the applicable noncompete agreement and estimated lives of relationships acquired.

Amortization of intangible assets is expected to be approximately $822,000 for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and $68,500 for the year ending December 31, 2018.

Intangible assets consisted of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

   Original Fair Market Value   Accumulated Amortization   Net 
             
Balance - March 31, 2015:               
Vendor relationships  $1,170,000   $507,000   $663,000 
Trade name   230,000    99,667    130,333 
Noncompete agreement   2,710,000    1,173,833    1,536,167 
   $4,110,000   $1,780,500   $2,329,500 
                
Balance - December 31, 2014:               
Vendor relationships  $1,170,000   $448,000   $722,000 
Trade name   230,000    88,167    141,833 
Noncompete agreement   2,710,000    1,038,833    1,671,167 
   $4,110,000   $1,575,000   $2,535,000 

 

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled $205,500 and $205,500, respectively.

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  7. RELATED PARTIES

    

For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized sales to the following related parties:

 

            
      For the three months ended March 31, 
Party  Relationship  2015   2014 
            
HempMeds PX  80% owned by MJNA  $   $2,510,066 
      $   $2,510,066 
              
       0.0%    95.4% 

  

During 2014, the Company discontinued sales to HempMeds PX (Note 10).

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company paid $1,542,413 and $1,074,906, respectively, to a stockholder of the Company who is a supplier of hemp oil and hemp to the Company.

 

  8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Common Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 190,000,000 shares of common stock (par value $0.0001). As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had 34,929,166 and 33,419,166 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, respectively.

 

On January 28, 2015, we commenced an offering whereby the Company intends to sell up to 12 million shares of its restricted common stock in a private placement to accredited investors at a price per share of $2.00 (the “Offering”). The issuance of the shares in connection with the Offering was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirement of the Act in transaction not involve in a public offering pursuant to Rule 506(b) of Regulation D, as promulgated by the SEC under the Act. As of March 31, 2015, the Company sold an aggregate of 1,260,000 shares of its restricted common stock pursuant to the Offering to 27 investors for an aggregate purchase price of $2,520,000. On January 2, 2015, 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued at a price of $2.36 per share, the Company’s closing price for common stock on the previous trading day, for compensation to an officer of the Company. In addition, on March 10, 2015, the Company issued 30,000 shares of common stock at a price of $2.92 per share, the Company’s closing price for common stock on such date, in connection with retaining an investment bank to assist in capital raising efforts.

 

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of $.0001 par value preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company. Each such series or class shall have voting powers, if any, and such preferences and/or other special rights, with such qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such series or class of shares of preferred stock. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 there was no preferred stock issued and outstanding.

 

Options/Warrants

On July 23, 2014, Company stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, which provides for the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock bonus awards and performance-based awards. This plan serves as the successor to the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (Note 9).

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  9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

On July 23, 2014, Company stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended 2013 Plan”), which provides for the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock bonus awards and performance-based awards. The Amended 2013 Plan serves as the successor to the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. There were no option awards under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the Amended 2013 Plan, the Company may grant up to 10,000,000 shares of new stock. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately 3,610,000 of authorized unissued shares reserved and available for issuance under the Amended 2013 Plan.

 

The stock options are exercisable at no less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant, and restricted stock and restricted stock units are issued at a value not less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. Generally, stock options awarded are vested in equal increments ranging from two to four years on the annual anniversary date on which such equity grants were awarded. The stock options generally have a maximum term of 10 years. The following table summarizes stock option activity for the Amended 2013 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2015:

 

  Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contract Term
(Years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding - December 31, 2014   6,470,000   $2.70           
Granted                  
Exercised                  
Forfeited   (80,000)  $2.82           
Expired                  
Outstanding - March 31, 2015   6,390,000   $2.70    9.64   $ 
Total exercisable - March 31, 2015   3,530,250   $2.66    9.68   $ 
Total unvested - March 31, 2015   2,859,750   $2.74    9.59   $ 
Total vested or expected to vest - March 31, 2015   6,390,000   $2.70    9.64   $ 

 

 

The following table summarizes unvested stock options as of March 31, 2015:

 

  Number of Shares   Weighted Average Fair Value Per Share on Grant Date 
Unvested stock options - December 31, 2014   3,421,131   $2.31 
Granted        
Vested   (481,381)   2.19 
Forfeited   (80,000)   2.50 
Unvested stock options - March 31, 2015   2,859,750   $2.33 

 

The Company recognized expenses of $1,165,994 relating to stock options and $590,000 relating to common stock issued to employees, non-employees, officers, and directors during the three months ended March 31, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, stock-based compensation of $1,743,327 and $12,667, was expensed to Selling, General and Administration and Research and Development, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements granted to employees, officers, and directors was $5,886,474, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.11 years. There was no stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

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  10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Commitments

The Company has non-cancelable operating leases, which expire through 2017. The leases generally contain renewal options ranging from 1 to 3 years and require the Company to pay costs such as real estate taxes and common area maintenance.

 

On February 23, 2015, we signed an amended lease for our laboratory facility in San Diego, California. Pursuant to the term of the lease, we will lease an additional 704 square feet of laboratory space for an additional $1,478 per month. The term of the lease commenced on March 1, 2015 with a term of 22 months through December 31, 2016.

 

The Company incurred rent expense of $74,492 and $40,394 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

The Company is a party to a contract for the growth and processing of 2,600 kilograms of product currently being delivered and scheduled to be delivered through August 31, 2015. The total amount left to be paid under this contract is approximately $6.2 million through October 2015. The Company is party to a second purchasing contract to provide up to 1 million kilograms of raw product to the Company. There is approximately $1.6 million remaining to be paid under this second contract through December 31, 2015. We have contractual rights for the growth and processing of hemp oil for delivery through October 2018 under both of these contracts. We anticipate the cost under both contracts will remain consistent with current year prices.

 

Contingencies

On April 23, 2014, Tanya Sallustro filed a purported class action complaint (the “Complaint”) in the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) alleging securities fraud and related claims against the Company and certain of its officers and directors and seeking compensatory damages including litigation costs. Ms. Sallustro alleges that between March 18-31, 2014, she purchased 325 shares of the Company’s common stock for a total investment of $15,791. The Complaint refers to Current Reports on Form 8-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filings made by the Company on April 3, 2014 and April 14, 2014, in which the Company amended previously disclosed sales (sales originally stated at $1,275,000 were restated to $1,082,375 - reduction of $192,625) and restated goodwill as $1,855,512 (previously reported at net zero).  Additionally, the Complaint states after the filing of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on April 3, 2014 and the following press release, the Company’s stock price “fell $7.30 per share, or more than 20%, to close at $25.30 per share.”  Subsequent to the filing of the Complaint, six different individuals have filed a motion asking to be designated the lead plaintiff in the litigation.  The Court scheduled a hearing on August 14, 2014 to consider the motions for designation as lead plaintiff.  The other individuals seeking lead plaintiff designation are: Wayne Chesner; Anamaria Schelling; Mark Williams; Otilda LaMont; Jane Ish and Steve Schuck.  After a hearing held on August 14, 2014, the Court took the matter under submission. On March 19, 2015, the Court issued a ruling appointing Steve Schuck as lead plaintiff and setting an initial pre-trial conference for June 25, 2015. The Company has not yet answered the Complaint but management intends to vigorously defend the allegations and an estimate of the possible loss cannot be made at this time.

On March 17, 2015, Company stockholder Michael Ruth filed a shareholder derivative suit in Nevada District Court alleging two causes of action: 1) Breach of Fiduciary Duty, and 2) “Gross Mismanagement.” The claims are premised on the same event as the already-pending securities class action case in New York – it is alleged that the Form 8-K filings misstated goodwill and sales of the Company, which when corrected, lead to a significant drop in stock price. The Company has not been served with a complaint but intends to vigorously defend the case after service is made.

On August 11, 2014, we terminated the Non-Exclusive License and Distribution Agreement with HempMeds PX, LLC (the “HempMeds Agreement”).  On or about August 13, 2014, HempMeds PX, LLC (“HempMeds”) demanded arbitration against us and recommended that the parties engage Private Trials in Las Vegas, Nevada to conduct the arbitration, denying that HempMeds was in breach of the HempMeds Agreement.  On August 22, 2014, HempMeds filed a complaint in the Eighth Judicial District, Clark County, Nevada (the “Nevada Complaint”) against us for breach of the HempMeds Agreement, unjust enrichment, and interference with prospective business advantage, claiming that it had satisfied all of its obligations under the HempMeds Agreement and that we breached that agreement by terminating it without just cause. Concurrently, HempMeds filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction, asking the Court to reinstate the HempMeds Agreement, namely the provision that identified HempMeds as the exclusive on-line seller of certain products of the Company. The court denied HempMeds’ motion on October 3, 2014.  On April 27, 2015, the parties’ lawyers submitted a stipulation to the court, advising the court that the parties will go to arbitration and asking the court to dismiss the case without prejudice.  The court is expected to dismiss the case shortly.  We deny HempMeds’ claims and intend to vigorously defend the allegations and file appropriate counter-claims in arbitration.  Since no discovery has been conducted, an estimate of the possible loss or recovery cannot be made at this time.

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On September 11, 2014, we filed a complaint for trademark infringement against Kannaway, LLC, General Hemp, LLC and HDDC Holdings, LLC (collectively, “Defendants”) in the United States District Court, Southern District of California, Case No. 14-cv-2160-CAB-BLM, asserting that Defendants have infringed on the Company’s Cannabis Beauty® and Cannabis Beauty Defined trademarks.  The Company alleges, among other things, that defendant HDDC Holdings, LLC (“HDDC”) assigned its rights in the CANNABIS BEAUTY DEFINED® mark to Company (the “HDDC Assignment”) which was promptly filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office but, despite the foregoing, HDDC’s sister company, defendant Kannaway, LLC (“Kannaway”), is improperly using the trademark on personal care products in competition with the Company. On February 20, 2015, Defendants filed a counterclaim against the Company, asserting that the HDDC Assignment was signed under “duress” and that HDDC licensed the mark to the other defendants for 50 years before it assigned the mark to the Company. Lastly, counterclaimants assert claims for unfair competition against the Company, although they do not identify the commercial activity giving rise to the claim. We filed a Motion to Dismiss the counterclaim which the court has taken under submission.  On February 12, 2015, the Court granted our motion for preliminary injunction, enjoining defendants from using the Cannabis Beauty Defined trademark or any confusingly similar mark. The Company has posted an undertaking for $1.2M to secure the preliminary injunction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c). Management intends to vigorously prosecute this complaint and defend the counterclaims. Since no discovery has been conducted, an estimate of the possible recovery or loss cannot be made at this time.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  

OVERVIEW

 

We are in the business of developing, producing, marketing and selling raw materials and end consumer products containing the hemp plant extract, Cannabidiol (“CBD”). We sell to numerous consumer markets including the nutraceutical, beauty care, pet care and functional food sectors. We seek to take advantage of an emerging worldwide trend to re-energize the production of industrial hemp and to foster its many uses for consumers. CBD is derived from hemp stalk and seed. The development of products in this highly regulated industry carries significant risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. As a result, we cannot assure that we will successfully market and sell our planned products or, if we are able to do so, that we can achieve sales volume levels that will allow us to cover our fixed costs.

 

Historically cultivated for industrial and practical purposes, hemp is used today for textiles, paper, auto parts, biofuel, cosmetics, animal feed, supplements and much more. The global hemp market in 2015 is estimated to offer over 25,000 products—an impressive scope for such a historically misunderstood and restricted commodity. The market for hemp-derived products is expected to increase exponentially over the next five years, and CannaVest is well positioned to be a dominant player in the hemp industry.

 

We expect that we will need to raise approximately $15 million in the next 12 months to fund our business and have begun raising funds under a private placement. Given the small size of our company and the early stage of our operations, we may find it difficult to raise sufficient capital to meet our needs. We do not have firm commitments for all of our capital needs, and there are no assurances they will be available to us. If we are unable to access capital as necessary, our ability to generate revenues and to continue as a going concern will be in jeopardy.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We currently focus on Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our business relationships and our resulting operating performance and financial position. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (net income plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization), further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash expenses and other adjustments as set forth below. We present Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it an important measure of our performance and it is a meaningful financial metric in assessing our operating performance from period to period by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business, such as certain non-cash items and other adjustments.

 

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA, viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, our reported results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), provides useful information to investors regarding our performance for the following reasons:

 

·because non-cash equity grants made to employees and non-employees at a certain price and point in time do not necessarily reflect how our business is performing at any particular time, stock-based compensation expense is not a key measure of our operating performance; and
·revenues and expenses associated with acquisitions, dispositions, equity issuance and related offering costs can vary from period to period and transaction to transaction and are not considered a key measure of our operating performance.

We used Adjusted EBITDA:

 

·as a measure of operating performance;
·to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies; and
·in communication with our board of directors concerning our financial performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and does not purport to be an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The term Adjusted EBITDA is not defined under GAAP, and Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income (loss), operating income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP.

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Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be consider in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

·Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect all cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual requirements;
·Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; and
·Adjusted EBITDA can differ significantly from company to company depending on strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate, the level of capital investment, thus, limiting is usefulness as a comparative measure.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us for investment in our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental information.

 

A reconciliation from our net loss to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and is detailed below:

 

   For the three months ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
         
Net loss  $(2,648,809)  $(118,416)
Interest income   (37,041)    
Interest expense       615,344 
Amortization of purchased intangible assets   205,500    205,500 
Depreciation of property & equipment   44,225    11,806 
EBITDA   (2,436,125)   714,234 
           
EBITDA Adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation expense (1)   1,755,994     
Allocated loss on KannaLife Sciences equity investment (2)       38,552 
Total EBITDA Adjustments   1,755,994    38,552 
           
Adjusted EBITDA  $(680,131)  $752,786 

_____________

(1)Represents stock-based compensation expense related to stock options awarded to employees, consultants and non-executive directors based on the grant date fair value under the Black-Scholes valuation model.
(2)Represents allocated losses related to KannaLife Sciences investment.

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We have disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements and in “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, those accounting policies that we consider to be significant in determining our results of operation and financial condition. There have been no material changes to those policies that we consider to be significant since the filing of our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accounting principles used in preparing our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements conform in all material respects to GAAP.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 2 in the accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

 

Revenues and gross profit - We had sales of $2,714,051 and gross profit of $1,630,970, representing a gross profit percentage of 60.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 versus sales of $2,631,869 and gross profit of $1,610,866 representing a gross profit percentage of 61.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The sales increase for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is the result of the Company’s expansion of its existing customer markets.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses - For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company incurred selling, general and administrative (the “SG&A”) expenses in the amount of $3,993,675 compared with $924,365 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. This increase is primarily driven by the continued growth of Company operations, increase in our headcount, marketing and legal expense, and stock-based compensation. SG&A expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 includes $1,743,327 of stock-based compensation, a non-cash expense. Our legal expenses have increased due to various matters that we are vigorously defending. The SG&A expenses include $205,500 and $205,500 of amortization expense of intangible assets acquired through the Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Assets (the “PhytoSPHERE Agreement”) entered into by the Company with PhytoSPHERE Systems, LLC (“PhytoSPHERE”) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

  

Research and development expenses - For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred research and development expenses of $323,145 and $151,021, respectively. These expenses are related to the cost of process development, rental of our laboratory facility, payroll expenses, laboratory supplies, product development and testing, and outsourced research personnel for the period. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2015 over 2014 relates primarily to expansion of our laboratory facility, increase in headcount and related expenses. Research and development expense during the three months ended 2015 includes $12,667 of stock-based compensation, a non-cash expense.

 

Interest income/expense – Interest income was $37,041 and $0, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Interest expense was $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and $615,344 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Interest for the three months ended March 31, 2014 includes interest accrued under the Roen Ventures Note in the amount of $25,870 and $589,474 representing the amortization of the remaining debt discount at the date of conversion.

 

Gain/Loss on equity investment - For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized losses of $0 and $38,552, respectively, representing its pro rata share (24.97%) of the loss of KannaLife Sciences, Inc. (“KannaLife”). On June 2, 2014, the Company sold its 24.97% equity investment in KannaLife to PhytoSPHERE in exchange for 500,000 shares of Company common stock held by PhytoSPHERE, an affiliate of KannaLife.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

A summary of our changes in cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided below:

 

   For the three months ended March 31, 
   2015   2014 
Net cash flows provided by (used in):          
Operating activities  $(2,582,851)  $(892,125)
Investing activities   419    38,005 
Financing activities   2,520,000    6,982,631 
Net (decrease) increase in cash   (62,432)   6,128,511 
Cash, beginning of period   2,302,418    2,243,670 
Cash, end of period  $2,239,986   $8,372,181 

 

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by or used in operating activities includes net loss adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, loss on equity investment, gain on sale of equity investment, bad debt expense and stock-based compensation. Operating assets and liabilities primarily include balances related to funding of inventory purchases and customer accounts receivable. Operating assets and liabilities that arise from the funding of inventory purchases and customer accounts receivable can fluctuate significantly from day to day and period to period depending on the timing of inventory purchases and customer behavior.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled $2,582,851 and $892,125, respectively. Cash used for prepayments of inventory and inventory purchases was approximately $923,583 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $704,782 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Cash used to fund accounts receivable was $934,150 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $825,227 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Cash used by accounts payable and accrued expenses was $13,569 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Cash provided by accounts payable and accrued expenses was $22,658 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Amortization of the debt discount totaled $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $589,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Stock-based compensation totaled $1,755,994 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 while there was no stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Depreciation and amortization totaled $249,725 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $217,306 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

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Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities totaled $419 and $38,005 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The net cash used in investing activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 consisted of $74,698 of property and equipment purchases and $75,117 of principal repayments on note receivable. The net cash provided by investing activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 consisted of $9,295 of property and equipment purchases and $47,300 of principal repayments on note receivable.

 

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled $2,520,000 and $6,982,631, respectively. Cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 consisted of $2,520,000 in proceeds from the sale of common stock. Cash flows provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily includes proceeds of $7,075,000 from the sale of common stock and proceed of $92,069 from the Roen Ventures, LLC loan.

 

The Company has yet to attain a level of operations which allows it to meet operating and working capital cash flow needs. Therefore, the Company has commenced an offering and plans to raise an additional amount up to $24 million through a private placement. We expect to be dependent upon obtaining additional financing in order to adequately fund working capital, infrastructure and expenses in order to execute plans for future operations so that we can achieve a level of revenue adequate to support our cost structure, none of which can be assured.

 

We expect to realize revenue to fund our working capital needs through the sale of raw and finished products to third parties. However, we cannot be assured that our working capital needs to develop, launch, market and sell our products will be met through the sale of raw and finished products to third parties. If not, we may not be able to maintain profitable operations. If we are unable to maintain profitable operations sufficient to fund our business, we would need to raise additional capital through either the issuance of equity, acquisition of debt or sale of a segment of our operations in the future. In the event we are unable to maintain profitable operations or raise sufficient additional capital, our ability to continue as a going concern would be in jeopardy and investors could lose all of their investment in the Company.

 

Numerous other products are currently in development and we will continue to scale up our processing capability to accommodate new products in our pipeline.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company has two supply agreements in place with European farmers to supply raw material in future years. These arrangements are critical to Company operations since the worldwide supply of raw hemp is currently limited.

 

The first contract is for the growth and processing of 2,600 kilograms of product currently being delivered and scheduled to be delivered through August 31, 2015. The total amount left to be paid under this contract is approximately $6.2 million through October 2015. The second contract provides up to 1 million kilograms of raw product to the Company. There is approximately $1.6 million remaining to be paid under this second contract. We have contractual rights for the growth and processing of hemp oil for delivery through October 2018 under both of these contracts. We anticipate the cost under both contracts will remain consistent with current year prices. 

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Our management, which is comprised of one person holding the offices of President and Chief Executive Officer and one person holding the offices of Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, at a reasonable assurance level, as of the Evaluation Date, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under that Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

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An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s procedures and internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015. In making this assessment, the Company used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework of 1992 (the “1992 COSO Framework”). The Company is in the process of integrating the updated, 2013 version of the 1992 COSO Framework. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting were not effective in that there were material weaknesses as of March 31, 2015, as described below.

 

The Company has a small Board of Directors (3 members) and does not provide sufficient entity level oversight over financial reporting due to its small size. All three current Board members also function as the Company’s audit committee. The Company is evaluating expansion of its current Board, including the addition of an independent Board member with sufficient accounting and financial experience to chair the audit committee.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by the Company’s internal controls.

 

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified with our evaluation that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On April 23, 2014, Tanya Sallustro filed a purported class action complaint (the “Complaint”) in the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) alleging securities fraud and related claims against the Company and certain of its officers and directors and seeking compensatory damages including litigation costs.  Ms. Sallustro alleges that between March 18-31, 2014, she purchased 325 shares of the Company’s common stock for a total investment of $15,791.00.  The Complaint refers to Current Reports on Form 8-K and Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filings made by the Company on April 3, 2014 and April 14, 2014, in which the Company amended previously disclosed sales (sales originally stated at $1,275,000 were restated to $1,082,375 - reduction of $192,625) and restated goodwill as $1,855,512 (previously reported at net zero).  Additionally, the Complaint states after the filing of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on April 3, 2014 and the following press release, the Company’s stock price “fell $7.30 per share, or more than 20%, to close at $25.30 per share.”  Subsequent to the filing of the Complaint, six different individuals have filed a motion asking to be designated the lead plaintiff in the litigation.  The Court scheduled a hearing on August 14, 2014 to consider the motions for designation as lead plaintiff.  The other individuals seeking lead plaintiff designation are:  Wayne Chesner; Anamaria Schelling; Mark Williams; Otilda LaMont; Jane Ish and Steve Schuck.  After a hearing held on August 14, 2014, the Court took the matter under submission. On March 19, 2015, the Court issued a ruling appointing Steve Schuck as lead plaintiff and setting an initial pre-trial conference for June 25, 2015.  The Company has not yet answered the Complaint but management intends to vigorously defend the allegations. 

 

On March 17, 2015, stockholder Michael Ruth filed a shareholder derivative suit in Nevada District Court alleging two causes of action: 1) Breach of Fiduciary Duty, and 2) “Gross Mismanagement.” The claims are premised on the same event as the already-pending securities class action case in New York – it is alleged that the Form 8-K filings misstated goodwill and sales of the Company, which when corrected, lead to a significant drop in stock price.  The Company has not been served with a complaint but intends to vigorously defend the case after service is made.

 

On August 11, 2014, we terminated the Non-Exclusive License and Distribution Agreement with HempMeds PX, LLC (the “HempMeds Agreement”). On or about August 13, 2014, HempMeds PX, LLC (“HempMeds”) demanded arbitration against us and recommended that the parties engage Private Trials in Las Vegas, Nevada to conduct the arbitration, denying that HempMeds was in breach of the HempMeds Agreement. On August 22, 2014, HempMeds filed a complaint in the Eighth Judicial District, Clark County, Nevada (the “Nevada Complaint”) against us for breach of the HempMeds Agreement, unjust enrichment, and interference with prospective business advantage, claiming that it had satisfied all of its obligations under the HempMeds Agreement and that we breached that agreement by terminating it without just cause.  Concurrently, HempMeds filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction, asking the Court to reinstate the HempMeds Agreement, namely the provision that identified HempMeds as the exclusive on-line seller of certain products of the Company. The court denied HempMeds’ motion on October 3, 2014.  We have not yet answered the Nevada Complaint because the parties have agreed to arbitration and are attempting to resolve the issue of where the arbitration will be held.  We deny HempMeds’ claims and intend to vigorously defend the allegations and file appropriate counter-claims.  Since no discovery has been conducted, an estimate of the possible loss or recovery cannot be made at this time.

 

On September 11, 2014, we filed a complaint for trademark infringement against Kannaway, LLC, General Hemp, LLC and HDDC Holdings, LLC (collectively, “Defendants”) in the United States District Court, Southern District of California, Case No. 14-cv-2160-CAB-BLM, asserting that Defendants have infringed on CannaVest’s Cannabis Beauty® and Cannabis Beauty Defined trademarks.  CannaVest alleges, among other things, that defendant HDDC Holdings, LLC (“HDDC”) assigned its rights in the CANNABIS BEAUTY DEFINED® mark to CannaVest (the “HDDC Assignment”) which was promptly filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office but, despite the foregoing, HDDC’s sister company, defendant Kannaway, LLC (“Kannaway”), is improperly using the trademark on personal care products in competition with CannaVest.  On February 20, 2015, Defendants filed a counterclaim against CannaVest, asserting that the HDDC Assignment was signed under “duress” and that HDDC licensed the mark to the other defendants for 50 years before it assigned the mark to CannaVest.  Lastly, Counterclaimants assert claims for unfair competition against CannaVest, although they do not identify the commercial activity giving rise to the claim.  We filed a Motion to Dismiss the counterclaim which will be heard on April 17, 2015.  On February 12, 2015, the Court granted our motion for preliminary injunction, enjoining defendants from using the Cannabis Beauty Defined trademark or any confusingly similar mark.  CannaVest has posting an undertaking for $1.2M to secure the preliminary injunction under FRCP 65(c).  Management intends to vigorously prosecute this complaint and defend the counterclaims.  Since no discovery has been conducted, an estimate of the possible recovery or loss cannot be made at this time.

 

On or about November 24, 2014, the Company received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission requesting certain documents and information. We fully cooperated with these requests. There has been no allegation of wrongdoing, and there has not been any indication that formal legal action will be pursued against the Company or its officers or directors. We are optimistic that no formal legal action will be initiated. However, there can be no assurances that our expectations will be met.

 

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Item 1a. RISK FACTORS

 

Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

On January 28, 2015, we commenced an offering whereby the Company intends to sell up to $24 million shares of its restricted common stock in a private placement to accredited investors at a price per share of $2.00 (the “Offering”). The issuance of the shares in connection with the Offering was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirement of the Act in transaction not involve in a public offering pursuant to Rule 506(b) of Regulation D, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act.

 

As of March 31, 2015, the Company sold an aggregate of 1,260,000 shares of its restricted common stock pursuant to the Offering to 27 investors for an aggregate purchase price of $2,520,000. Proceeds will primarily be used to finance working capital and further invest in Company infrastructure.

 

Item 3: DEFAULTS UNDER SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

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Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
2.1 (1)   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 25, 2013, by and between CannaVEST Corp., a Texas corporation, and CannaVEST Corp., a Delaware corporation.
3.1 (1)   Certificate of Incorporation of CannaVEST Corp., as filed on January 26, 2013.
3.2 (1)   Bylaws of CannaVEST Corp., dated as of January 26, 2013.
4.1 (2)   CannaVEST Corp. Specimen Stock Certificate
31.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101 INS   XBRL Instance Document**
101 SCH   XBRL Schema Document**
101 CAL   XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document**
101 LAB   XBRL Labels Linkbase Document**
101 PRE   XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document**
101 DEF   XBRL Definition Linkbase Document**

 

* Filed herewith.

** The XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability of that section and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing or document.

 

  (1) Incorporated by reference from an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2013.
  (2) Incorporated by reference from an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2013.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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,

 

 

 

CANNAVEST CORP.

(Registrant)

     
     
  By /s/ Michael Mona, Jr.
    Michael Mona, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
    Dated May 15, 2015
     
  By /s/ Joseph D. Dowling
    Joseph D. Dowling
Chief Financial Officer
    Dated May 15, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

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