Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
Business

Lowell Farms Inc. is governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada. On April 26, 2019, the Company completed a reverse takeover transaction with Indus Holding Company, a Delaware corporation, incorporated in 2014. Effective March 1, 2021, the Company changed its name to Lowell Farms Inc. and is a California-based cannabis company with vertically integrated operations including large scale cultivation, extraction, processing, manufacturing, branding, packaging and wholesale distribution to retail dispensaries. The Company manufactures and distributes proprietary and third-party brands throughout the State of California, the largest cannabis market in the world. The Company also provides manufacturing, extraction and distribution services to third-party cannabis and cannabis branding companies. The Company’s corporate office and principal place of business is located at 19 Quail Run Circle, Salinas, California.

Basis Of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of Lowell Farms Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

All dollar amounts in the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements are expressed in thousands of United States dollars ("$" or "US$"), unless otherwise indicated.

Use Of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates in these financial statements include allowance for doubtful accounts and credit losses, carrying value of inventory, revenue recognition, accounting for stock-based compensation expense, and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the operations and purchasing decisions of companies worldwide. It also has created and may continue to create significant uncertainty in the global economy. The Company has undertaken measures to protect its employees, partners, customers, and vendors. In addition, the Company’s personnel are subject to various travel restrictions, which limit the ability of the Company to provide services to customers and affiliates. This impacts the Company's normal operations. To date, the Company has been able to provide uninterrupted access to its products and services, including certain employees that are working remotely, and its pre-existing infrastructure that supports secure access to the Company’s internal systems. If, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has a substantial impact on the productivity of the Company’s employees or its partners’ or customers’ decision to use the Company’s products and services, the results of the Company’s operations and overall financial performance may be adversely impacted. The duration and extent of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time. As of the date of issuance of the financial statements, the Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require updates to the Company’s estimates and judgments or revisions to the carrying value of its assets or liabilities. These estimates may change, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and are recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements as soon as they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates and any such differences may be material to the financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash deposits in financial institutions, and other deposits that are readily convertible into cash. The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments purchased with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivables are classified as loans and receivable financial assets. Accounts receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost, less any provisions for impairment. When an accounts receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the provision. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited to the consolidated statements of operations.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Costs related to raw materials and finished goods are determined on the first-in, first-out basis. Specific identification and average cost methods are also used primarily for certain packing materials and operating supplies. The Company reviews inventory for obsolete, redundant and slow-moving goods and any such inventory is written-down to net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, if any. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset using the following terms and methods:

 

Category

 

Useful Life

Leasehold improvements

 

The lesser of the estimated useful life or length of the lease

Office equipment

 

3-5 years

Furniture and fixtures

 

3-7 years

Vehicles

 

4-5 years

Machinery and equipment

 

3-6 years

Buildings

 

35 years

Construction in progress

 

Not depreciated

 

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation are reviewed at each financial year-end and adjusted prospectively if appropriate. An item of equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying value of the asset) is included in the consolidated statements of operations in the year the asset is derecognized.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid for the acquisition of an entity over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill that has an indefinite useful life is not subject to amortization and is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Any goodwill impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the impairment is identified. Impairment losses on goodwill are not subsequently reversed.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization and impairment losses, if any. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are measured at fair value at the acquisition date. Intangible assets acquired in an asset purchase are valued at their purchase price. Amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which do not exceed the contractual period, if any. The estimated useful lives, residual values, and amortization methods are reviewed at each year-end, and any changes in estimates are accounted for prospectively.

 

Branding rights are measured at fair value at the time of acquisition and are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 15 years. In addition, the Company has certain brand and tradenames with indefinite lives, which are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at each statement of financial position date or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets that cannot be tested individually are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the cash-generating unit, or "CGU"). The recoverable amount of an asset or a CGU is the higher of its fair value, less costs to sell, and its value in use. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment charge is recognized immediately in profit or loss equal to the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the lesser of the revised estimate of the recoverable amount, and the carrying amount that would have been recorded had no impairment loss been recognized previously.

Leased Assets

The Company adopted FASB Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”) effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective adoption method which allowed it to initially apply the new standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. In connection with the adoption of the lease pronouncement, the Company recorded a charge to accumulated deficit of $847. A lease of property and equipment is classified as a capital lease if it transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership to the Company. Lease right-of-use assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make payments arising from the lease agreement. These assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement of the lease based upon the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term reflects the noncancelable period of the lease together with periods covered by an option to extend or terminate the lease when management is reasonably certain that it will exercise such option. Changes in the lease term assumption could impact the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities recognized on the balance sheet. As our leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, we determine the present value of the lease liability using our incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis.

Income Taxes

The Company is a United States C corporation for income tax purposes. Income tax expense consisting of current and deferred tax expense is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at year-end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities and the related deferred income tax expense or recovery are recognized for deferred 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 the enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply when the asset is realized or the liability settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that substantive enactment occurs. A deferred tax asset is recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be available against which the asset can be utilized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. The Company enters contracts that can include various combinations of products and services, which are generally capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations Revenue is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

Branded Products

For the Company’s branded products, revenue is recognized when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised cannabis good to a customer. A contract, whether a verbal or written sales order, is established with customers prior to order fulfillment with agreement upon unit prices, delivery dates, and payment terms. The transaction price is based on market pricing while considering the value of the Company’s brand and quality. Transaction price is allocated to each product sold based upon the negotiated unit sales price associated with each product line scheduled for delivery within the order. Performance obligation satisfaction occurs upon delivery to customer premises. These types of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 606, generally, do not require significant estimates or judgments based on the nature of the Company’s revenue stream. The sales prices, including discounts, are fixed at the point of sale and all consideration from contracts is included in the transaction price. The Company’s contracts do not include multiple performance obligations or material variable consideration.

Third Party Manufactured Products

The Company has certain licenses to manufacture and distribute third party products to retail dispensaries and deliveries in return for paying royalty payments to the third parties. The Company is a principal in the arrangement, it assumes primary responsibility for fulfilling the customer promise to retail dispensaries and deliveries, and it holds the inventory risk. Revenue is recognized when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised cannabis good to a retail dispensary or retail delivery. A contract, whether a verbal or written sales order, is established with customers prior to order fulfillment with agreement upon unit prices, delivery dates, and payment terms. The transaction price is based on market pricing while considering the value of the Company’s brand and quality. Transaction price is allocated to each product sold based upon the negotiated unit sales price associated with each product line scheduled for delivery within the order. Performance obligation satisfaction occurs upon delivery to customer premises. These types of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 606, generally, do not require significant estimates or judgments based on the nature of the Company’s revenue stream. The sales prices, including discounts, are fixed at the point of sale and all consideration from contracts is included in the transaction price. The Company’s contracts do not include multiple performance obligations or material variable consideration.

Distribution

The Company distributes certain third-party brands and bulk flower. The Company is a principal in the arrangement, it assumes primary responsibility for fulfilling the customer promise to retail dispensaries and deliveries and other wholesale customers, and it holds the inventory risk. Revenue is recognized when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised cannabis good to a customer. A contract, whether a verbal or written sales order, is established with customers prior to order fulfillment with agreement upon unit prices, delivery dates, and payment terms. The transaction price is based on market pricing while considering the value of the Company’s brand and quality. Transaction price is allocated to each product sold based upon the negotiated unit sales price associated with each product line scheduled for delivery within the order. Performance obligation satisfaction occurs upon delivery to customer premises. These types of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 606, generally, do not require significant estimates or judgments based on the nature of the Company’s revenue stream. The sales prices, including discounts, are fixed at the point of sale and all consideration from contracts is included in the transaction price. The Company’s contracts do not include multiple performance obligations or material variable consideration.

Research and Development

Research costs are expensed as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, research costs are immaterial.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred certain development expenditures related to the Lowell 35s product line that launched during the third quarter of the year ended December 31, 2022. Development costs of approximately $78 were expensed during the year ended December 31, 2022 to validate that the product line was commercially and technically feasible and to bring the product to market. Development expenditures are capitalized only if development costs are material, can be measured reliably, future economic benefits are probable, and the Company intends to and has sufficient resources to complete the development to use or sell the asset. To date, no development costs have been capitalized.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company has a share-based compensation plan. The Company measures equity settled share-based payments based on their fair value at the grant date and recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period based on the Company’s estimate of equity instruments that will eventually vest.

 

For shares granted to non-employees, the compensation expense is measured at the fair value of the goods and services received, except where the fair value cannot be estimated, in which case, it is measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted. The fair value of share-based compensation to non-employees is periodically re-measured until counterparty performance is complete, and any change therein is recognized over the period and in the same manner as if the Company had paid cash instead of paying with or using equity instruments.

Business Combinations

A business combination is defined as an acquisition of assets and liabilities that constitute a business. A business consists of inputs, including non-current assets and processes, including operational processes, that when applied to those inputs have the ability to create outputs that provide a return to the Company. Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The consideration of each acquisition is measured at the aggregate of the fair values of tangible and intangible assets obtained, liabilities and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Company at the date of acquisition. Key assumptions routinely utilized in allocation of purchase price to intangible assets include projected financial information such as revenue projections for companies acquired. As of the acquisition date, goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration given, generally measured at fair value, and the net of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2020, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC release No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses, amending Rule 1- 02(w)(2) which includes amendments to certain of its rules and forms related to the disclosure of financial information regarding acquired or disposed businesses. Among other changes, the amendments impact SEC rules relating to (1) the definition of “significant” subsidiaries, (2) requirements to provide financial statements for “significant” acquisitions, and (3) revisions to the formulation and usage of pro forma financial information. The final rule became effective on January 1, 2021; however, voluntary early adoption was permitted. The Company early adopted the provisions of the final rule in 2020. The guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use (ROU) asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU 2018-11, Leases Topic 842 Target improvements, which provides an additional (and optional) transition method whereby the new lease standard is applied at the adoption date and recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842) Codification Improvements, which further clarifies the determination of fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers and modifies transition disclosure requirements for changes in accounting principles and other technical updates. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective adoption method which allowed it to initially apply the new standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. In connection with the adoption of the new lease pronouncement, the Company recorded a charge to accumulated deficit of $847. Refer to the Summary of Effects of Lease Accounting Standard Update Adopted in First Quarter of 2019 in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Form 10 filed for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

In September 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequent amendments to the initial guidance: ASU 2018-19 “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses”, ASU 2019-04 “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments”, ASU 2019-05 “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses”, ASU 2019-11 “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (collectively, Topic 326),ASU 2020-02 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842) and ASU 2020-03 Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments. Topic 326 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. This guidance was effective for the year ended December 31, 2020. The guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808), Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606. This guidance amended Topic 808 and Topic 606 to clarify that transactions in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under Topic 606 when the counterparty is a customer for a distinct good or service (i.e., unit of account). The amendments preclude an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. This guidance was effective for the year ended December 31, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax accounting guidance, including requirements such as tax basis step-up in goodwill obtained in a transaction that is not a business combination, ownership changes in investments, and interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. This guidance was effective for the Company in our fiscal year and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2021 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01 Investments-Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. This guidance addresses accounting for the transition into and out of the equity method and provides clarification of the interaction of rules for equity securities, the equity method of accounting, and forward contracts and purchase options on certain types of securities. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. We evaluated the impact of ASU 2020-01 on our Consolidated Financial Statements, which was effective for the Company in our fiscal year and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2021 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt-Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). This update amends the guidance on convertible instruments and the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity's own equity and improves and amends the related EPS guidance for both Subtopics. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, which means it was effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounting standards not yet adopted

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08-Business Combinations (“Topic 805”): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in ASU 2021-08 require that an entity recognizes and measures contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”). At the acquisition date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts. The amendments improve comparability for both the recognition and measurement of acquired revenue contracts with customers at the date of and after a business combination. This standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, which means it will be effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2023. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2021-08 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

No other recently issued accounting pronouncements had or are expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.