ITEM 1. BUSINESS
In this Annual Report
on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”), references to the “Company” and to “we,” “us,” and “our”
refer to Merida Merger Corp. I.
General
We are a blank check company
formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 20, 2019. We were formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share
exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses
or entities, which we refer to as a “target business.” Our efforts to identify a prospective target business will not
be limited to a particular industry or geographic location, although we intend to focus our search for target businesses in the cannabis
industry.
In August 2019, we issued
an aggregate of 2,875,000 shares of our common stock (“founders’ shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000,
or approximately $0.009 per share, to Merida Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Merida Capital Partners III, LP (“Sponsor”). In
November 2019, we effectuated a stock dividend of 0.2 shares of common stock for each outstanding share of common stock, resulting in
Merida Holdings, LLC holding an aggregate of 3,450,000 founders’ shares.
In August 2019, we also issued
to designees of EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., the representative of the underwriters in our initial public offering (“IPO”), an
aggregate of 120,000 shares of common stock (after giving effect to the stock dividend referred to above) (“representative shares”)
at a price of $0.0001 per share.
On November 7, 2019, we consummated
the IPO of 12,000,000 units. Each unit (“Unit”) consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one redeemable warrant
(“Warrant”), with each whole Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share.
The units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $120,000,000.
Simultaneously with the consummation
of the IPO, we consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 3,750,000 warrants (“Private Warrants”)
at a price of $1.00 per Private Warrant, generating total proceeds of $3,750,000. The Private Warrants were sold to Merida Holdings, LLC
and EarlyBirdCapital and its designees. The Private Warrants are identical to the Warrants included in the Units sold in the IPO, except
that the Private Warrants are non-redeemable and may be exercised on a cashless basis, in each case so long as they continue to be held
by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.
On November 13, 2019, as
a result of the underwriters’ election to partially exercise their over-allotment option, we consummated the sale of an additional
1,001,552 Units at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $10,015,520. Simultaneously with the closing of the sale of additional
Units, we consummated the sale of an additional 200,311 Private Warrants at $1.00 per Private Warrant, generating total proceeds of $200,311.
Following the closing of the over-allotment option and sale of additional Private Warrants, an aggregate amount of $130,015,520 has been
placed in the trust account established in connection with the IPO. The underwriters’ remaining over-allotment option expired unexercised
and, as a result, 199,612 founder shares were forfeited and 250,388 founder shares are no longer subject to forfeiture, resulting in an
aggregate of 3,250,388 Founder Share shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
Transaction costs amounted
to $3,412,939, consisting of $2,600,311 of underwriting fees and $812,628 of other offering costs. As of December 31, 2019, $362,570 of
cash was held outside of the trust account established in connection with the IPO and is available for working capital purposes.
On December 12, 2019, the
shares of Common Stock and Warrants included in the Units began separate trading and the Units were delisted.
Business Strategy and Target Industries
Merida Capital Partners III
LP, our sponsor, and its affiliated funds, which we collectively refer to as “Merida,” have worked diligently for nearly 15
years to identify and complete transactions within the legal cannabis industry. Merida targets specific investments in the emerging cannabis
industry as well as products and services associated with the evolution of cannabis as an agricultural product, a natural plant-based medicine,
a constituent in pharmaceutical formulations, and an adult-use consumer product. It also has significant investments in companies
that produce hemp-based Cannabidiol (“CBD”) products. CBD is one of the two most prevalent cannabinoids found in cannabis
and hemp. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), CBD is not responsible for the ‘high’ that is typically associated
with cannabis use. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp (defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC content) from the federal Controlled Substance
Act. This means that products containing hemp derived CBD do not fall under the purview of the federal Controlled Substance Act. Our management
believes that further liberalization of the laws relating to CBD could occur which would lead to an even more expanded legalized market.
In recent years, CBD has
been studied and shown to be clinically effective for several orphan diseases and other afflictions — Epidiolex was recently approved
by the FDA to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome which are both rare & severe forms of epilepsy. Merida has invested
in hemp/CBD businesses, such as Freedom Leaf, that grow and process hemp to create consumer packaged goods that rely on hemp derived CBD,
or full spectrum hemp extract, as a major ingredient. Such products include: lotions/salves, soft-gel capsules, and tinctures. There
are several other producers of such products in the US including: Charlotte’s Web, CV Sciences, and Elixinol Global.
While Merida believes it
has a deep knowledge of the entire supply chain of the cannabis industry, its investment emphasis has been grounded primarily in four
distinct verticals: cultivation infrastructure and support; data and technology services; cultivation, brand development and dispensing;
and pharmaceutical development and life sciences. Merida’s principals have significant experience in observing and participating
in the evolution of the cannabis industry over the past ten years. They have helped to build and operate sophisticated cannabis cultivation
facilities and have directed significant investments into a broad spectrum of cannabis-related companies ranging from data analytics
companies to hydroponic suppliers. Merida focuses on companies that it believes will benefit disproportionately from additional growth
in legal access to cannabis and hemp-based CBD in the U.S. and globally. Because there is such fragmentation and information asymmetry
in the cannabis industry, Merida focuses much of its time on consuming and contextualizing data and information. Merida looks to exploit
its informational advantage to identify opportunities earlier in the value chain, emerging business models that are likely to gain traction
at disproportionate rates and conduct more aggressive price discovery on companies that have demonstrated successful business models.
Merida believes that asset-light business models in large addressable markets are likely to generate the most attractive risk-adjusted returns.
Merida looks to invest in companies that have successfully transitioned from the start-up phase to the revenue-generating growth
phase, accelerating proven operating models and supercharging growth.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
we will not invest in or consummate a business combination with a target business that we determine has been operating in violation of
U.S. federal laws, including the Controlled Substances Act. Additionally, our initial business combination must be with a target business
that fits within the overall existing investment strategy of our sponsor, which generally seeks to make investments in companies with
operations in and related to the legal cannabis industry that have experienced and passionate management teams, strong governance principals,
rigorous risk controls in place, consistent results of operations and where our sponsor’s management team can add value to a company
through participation on the board and as a strategic investor. However, given the breadth of such investment strategy, we do not anticipate
that this will meaningfully limit the types of target businesses with which we may look to consummate an initial business combination
with.
Members of our management
team have been working with legal cannabis companies since 2009 and have been investing in cannabis related companies since 2013. We believe
that our management team’s understanding of both the broader M&A market and of the legal cannabis industry — through direct
involvement in investing in and working with cannabis companies — gives us a unique ability to successfully identify, evaluate,
price, negotiate and close an attractive acquisition in this industry.
Effecting a Business Combination
General
We are not presently engaged
in, and we will not engage in, any substantive commercial business until we consummate an initial business combination. We intend to utilize
cash derived from the proceeds of our IPO and the private placement of private warrants, our capital stock, debt or a combination of these
in effecting a business combination which has not yet been identified. Accordingly, investors in our securities are investing without
first having an opportunity to evaluate the specific merits or risks of any one or more business combinations. A business combination
may involve the acquisition of, or merger with, a company which does not need substantial additional capital but which desires to establish
a public trading market for its shares, while avoiding what it may deem to be adverse consequences of undertaking a public offering itself.
These include time delays, significant expense, loss of voting control and compliance with various federal and state securities laws.
In the alternative, we may seek to consummate a business combination with a company that may be financially unstable or in its early stages
of development or growth. While we may seek to effect simultaneous business combinations with more than one target business, we will probably
have the ability, as a result of our limited resources, to effect only a single business combination.
Sources of Target Businesses
We expect that our principal
means of identifying potential target businesses will be through the extensive contacts and relationships of our sponsor, initial stockholders,
officers and directors. While our officers and directors are not required to commit any specific amount of time in identifying or performing
due diligence on potential target businesses, our officers and directors believe that the relationships they have developed over their
careers and their access to our sponsor’s contacts and resources will generate a number of potential business combination opportunities
that will warrant further investigation. We also anticipate that target business candidates will be brought to our attention from various
unaffiliated sources, including investment bankers, venture capital funds, private equity funds, leveraged buyout funds, management buyout
funds and other members of the financial community. Target businesses may be brought to our attention by such unaffiliated sources as
a result of being solicited by us through calls or mailings.
We have no present intention
to enter into a business combination with a target business that is affiliated with any of our officers, directors or sponsor. However,
we are not restricted from entering into any such transactions and may do so if (i) such transaction is approved by a majority of our
disinterested independent directors and (ii) we obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm, or another independent
entity that commonly renders valuation opinions, that the business combination is fair to our unaffiliated stockholders from a financial
point of view.
Selection of a Target Business and Structuring
of a Business Combination
Subject to our management
team’s pre-existing fiduciary obligations and the limitations that a target business have a fair market value of at least 80%
of the balance in the trust account (excluding taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the execution of
a definitive agreement for our initial business combination, as described below in more detail, and that we must acquire a controlling
interest in the target business, our management will have virtually unrestricted flexibility in identifying and selecting a prospective
target business. We have not established any specific attributes or criteria (financial or otherwise) for prospective target businesses.
In evaluating a prospective target business, our management may consider a variety of factors, including one or more of the following:
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financial
condition and results of operations;
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brand
recognition and potential;
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experience
and skill of management and availability of additional personnel;
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stage
of development of the products, processes, or services;
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existing
distribution and potential for expansion;
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degree
of current or potential market acceptance of the products, processes, or services;
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proprietary
aspects of products and the extent of intellectual property or other protection for products or formulas;
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impact
of regulation on the business;
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regulatory
environment of the industry;
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the
target business’s compliance with U.S. federal law, including the Controlled Substances Act;
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costs
associated with effecting the business combination;
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industry
leadership, sustainability of market share and attractiveness of market industries in which a target business participates; and
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macro
competitive dynamics in the industry within which the company competes.
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These criteria are not intended
to be exhaustive. Any evaluation relating to the merits of a particular business combination will be based, to the extent relevant, on
the above factors as well as other considerations deemed relevant by our management in effecting a business combination consistent with
our business objective. In evaluating a prospective target business, we will conduct an extensive due diligence review which will encompass,
among other things, meetings with incumbent management and inspection of facilities, as well as review of financial and other information
which is made available to us. This due diligence review will be conducted either by our management or by unaffiliated third parties we
may engage, although we have no current intention to engage any such third parties.
The time and costs required
to select and evaluate a target business and to structure and complete the business combination cannot presently be ascertained with any
degree of certainty. Any costs incurred with respect to the identification and evaluation of a prospective target business with which
a business combination is not ultimately completed will result in a loss to us and reduce the amount of capital available to otherwise
complete a business combination.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
The Nasdaq and Neo listing
rules require that the target business or businesses that we acquire must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80%
of the balance of the funds in the trust account (excluding taxes payable on the income earned on the trust account) at the time of the
execution of a definitive agreement for our initial business combination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we are not then listed on
Nasdaq or the Neo for whatever reason, we would no longer be required to meet the foregoing 80% fair market value test.
We currently anticipate structuring
a business combination to acquire 100% of the equity interests or assets of the target business or businesses. We may, however, structure
our initial business combination where we merge directly with the target business or a newly formed subsidiary or where we acquire less
than 100% of such interests or assets of the target business in order to meet certain objectives of the target management team or shareholders
or for other reasons, but we will only complete such business combination if the post-transaction company owns or acquires 50% or
more of the outstanding voting securities of the target or otherwise acquires a controlling interest in the target sufficient for it not
to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Even if the post-transaction company owns or
acquires 50% or more of the voting securities of the target, our stockholders prior to the business combination may collectively own a
minority interest in the post-transaction company, depending on valuations ascribed to the target and us in the business combination
transaction. For example, we could pursue a transaction in which we issue a substantial number of new shares in exchange for all of the
outstanding capital stock of a target. In this case, we could acquire a 100% controlling interest in the target; however, as a result
of the issuance of a substantial number of new shares, our stockholders immediately prior to our initial business combination could own
less than a majority of our outstanding shares subsequent to our initial business combination. If less than 100% of the equity interests
or assets of a target business or businesses are owned or acquired by the post-transaction company, the portion of such business
or businesses that is owned or acquired is what will be valued for purposes of the 80% fair market value test.
The fair market value of
the target will be determined by our board of directors based upon one or more standards generally accepted by the financial community
(such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and/or book value). The proxy solicitation materials used by us in connection
with any proposed transaction will provide public stockholders with our analysis of the fair market value of the target business, as well
as the basis for our determinations. If our board is not able to independently determine that the target business has a sufficient fair
market value, we will obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated, independent investment banking firm, or another independent entity that
commonly renders valuation opinions, with respect to the satisfaction of such criteria. We will not be required to obtain an opinion from
an investment banking firm as to the fair market value if our board of directors independently determines that the target business complies
with the 80% threshold.
Lack of Business Diversification
We may seek to effect a business
combination with more than one target business, although we expect to complete our business combination with just one business. Therefore,
at least initially, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon the future performance of a single business operation.
Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries
or multiple areas of a single industry, it is probable that we will not have the resources to diversify our operations or benefit from
the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses. By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of
diversification may:
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subject
us to numerous economic, competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the
particular industry in which we may operate subsequent to a business combination, and
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result
in our dependency upon the performance of a single operating business or the development or market acceptance of a single or limited
number of products, processes or services.
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If we determine to simultaneously
acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers to agree that our
purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other acquisitions, which may make it more difficult for us,
and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple acquisitions, we could also face additional risks, including
additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations (if there are multiple sellers)
and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or products of the acquired companies
in a single operating business.
Limited Ability to Evaluate the Target Business’s
Management
Although we intend to scrutinize
the management of a prospective target business when evaluating the desirability of effecting a business combination, we cannot assure
you that our assessment of the target business’ management will prove to be correct. In addition, we cannot assure you that the
future management will have the necessary skills, qualifications, or abilities to manage a public company. Furthermore, the future role
of our officers and directors, if any, in the target business following a business combination cannot presently be stated with any certainty.
While it is possible that some of our key personnel will remain associated in senior management or advisory positions with us following
a business combination, it is unlikely that they will devote their full time efforts to our affairs subsequent to a business combination.
Moreover, they would only be able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination if they are able to negotiate
employment or consulting agreements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously with
the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for them to receive compensation in the form of cash payments and/or our
securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. While the personal and financial
interests of our key personnel may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business, their ability to remain
with the company after the consummation of a business combination will not be the determining factor in our decision as to whether or
not we will proceed with any potential business combination. Additionally, we cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have
significant experience or knowledge relating to the operations of the particular target business.
Following a business combination,
we may seek to recruit additional managers to supplement the incumbent management of the target business. We cannot assure you that we
will have the ability to recruit additional managers, or that any such additional managers we do recruit will have the requisite skills,
knowledge or experience necessary to enhance the incumbent management.
Stockholder Approval in Connection with
an Initial Business Combination
In connection with any proposed
business combination, we will seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which
stockholders may seek to convert their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination or don’t
vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (net of taxes payable), subject to
the limitations described herein. We will consummate our initial business combination only if we have net tangible assets of at least
$5,000,001 either immediately prior to or upon consummation of the business combination and a majority of the outstanding shares of common
stock voted are voted in favor of the business combination.
We chose our net tangible
asset threshold of $5,000,001 to ensure that we would avoid being subject to Rule 419 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. However, if we seek to consummate an initial business combination with a target business that imposes any type of working capital
closing condition or requires us to have a minimum amount of funds available from the trust account upon consummation of such initial
business combination, we may need to have more than $5,000,001 in net tangible assets and this may force us to seek third party financing
which may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. As a result, we may not be able to consummate such initial business combination
and we may not be able to locate another suitable target within the applicable time period, if at all. Public stockholders may therefore
have to wait until November 7, 2021 in order to be able to receive a pro rata share of the trust account.
Our sponsor, initial stockholders,
officers and directors have agreed (1) to vote any shares of common stock owned by them in favor of any proposed business combination
and (2) not to convert any shares of common stock in connection with a stockholder vote to approve a proposed initial business combination.
If we hold a meeting to approve
a proposed business combination and a significant number of stockholders vote, or indicate an intention to vote, against such proposed
business combination or that they wish to convert their shares, our officers, directors, sponsor, initial stockholders or their affiliates
could make such purchases in the open market or in private transactions in order to influence the vote and reduce the number of conversions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, our officers, directors, sponsor, initial stockholders and their affiliates will not make purchases of
shares of common stock if the purchases would violate Section 9(a)(2) or Rule 10b-5 of the Exchange Act, which are rules designed
to stop potential manipulation of a company’s stock.
Conversion Rights
At any meeting called to
approve an initial business combination, public stockholders may seek to convert their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or
against the proposed business combination or do not vote at all, into their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in
the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination, less any taxes then due but not
yet paid.
Our sponsor, initial stockholders
and our officers and directors will not have conversion rights with respect to any shares of common stock owned by them, directly or indirectly,
whether acquired prior to or purchased by them in our IPO or in the aftermarket. Additionally, the holders of the representative shares
will not have conversion rights with respect to the representative shares.
We may require public stockholders,
whether they are a record holder or hold their shares in “street name,” to either (i) deliver their certificates to our transfer
agent or (ii) deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using Depository Trust Company’s DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal
At Custodian) System, at the holder’s option, in each case prior to a date set forth in the proxy materials sent in connection with
the proposal to approve the business combination. There is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced delivery process and
the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC System. The transfer agent will typically charge the broker delivering
the shares a nominal amount and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the holder. However, this fee would
be incurred regardless of whether or not we require holders seeking to exercise conversion rights. The need to deliver shares is a requirement
of exercising conversion rights regardless of the timing of when such delivery must be effectuated. However, in the event we require stockholders
seeking to exercise conversion rights prior to the consummation of the proposed business combination and the proposed business combination
is not consummated this may result in an increased cost to stockholders.
Any proxy solicitation materials
we furnish to stockholders in connection with a vote for any proposed business combination will indicate whether we are requiring stockholders
to satisfy such certification and delivery requirements. Accordingly, a stockholder would have from the time the stockholder received
our proxy statement up until the vote on the proposal to approve the business combination to deliver his shares if he wishes to seek to
exercise his conversion rights. This time period varies depending on the specific facts of each transaction. However, as the delivery
process can be accomplished by the stockholder, whether or not he is a record holder or his shares are held in “street name,”
in a matter of hours by simply contacting the transfer agent or his broker and requesting delivery of his shares through the DWAC System,
we believe this time period is sufficient for an average investor. However, we cannot assure you of this fact.
Any request to convert such
shares once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the proposed business combination. Furthermore, if a holder of public
shares delivered his certificate in connection with an election of their conversion and subsequently decides prior to the applicable date
not to elect to exercise such rights, he may simply request that the transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically).
If the initial business combination
is not approved or completed for any reason, then our public stockholders who elected to exercise their conversion rights would not be
entitled to convert their shares for the applicable pro rata share of the trust account. In such case, we will promptly return any shares
delivered by public holders.
Liquidation if No Business Combination
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation provides that we will have until November 7, 2021 to complete an initial business combination. If we have
not completed an initial business combination by such date, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii)
as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a
per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not
previously released to us, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public
stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable
law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and
our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to
provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Our sponsor, initial stockholders,
officers and directors have agreed that they will not propose any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that
would affect our public stockholders’ ability to convert their shares in connection with a business combination as described herein
or affect the substance or timing of our obligation to redeem 100% of our public shares if we do not complete a business combination by
November 7, 2021 unless we provide our public stockholders with the opportunity to convert their shares of common stock upon such approval
at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including interest not
previously released to us but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public shares. This redemption right shall
apply in the event of the approval of any such amendment, whether proposed by our sponsor, initial stockholders, executive officers, directors
or any other person.
Under the Delaware General
Corporation Law, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received
by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100%
of our outstanding public shares in the event we do not complete our initial business combination within the required time period may
be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section
280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including
a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during
which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions
are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s
pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the
third anniversary of the dissolution.
Furthermore, if the pro rata
portion of our trust account distributed to our public stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of our public shares in the event we do
not complete our initial business combination within the required time period is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware
law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the
statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years,
as in the case of a liquidation distribution. If we are unable to complete a business combination within the prescribed time frame, we
will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business
days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount
then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest but net of taxes payable, divided by the number of then outstanding public
shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive
further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption,
subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii)
and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.
Accordingly, it is our intention to redeem our public shares as soon as reasonably possible following our 24th month,
and, therefore, we do not intend to comply with those procedures. As such, our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims
to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary
of such date.
Because we will not be complying
with Section 280 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 281(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law requires us to adopt
a plan, based on facts known to us at such time that will provide for our payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may
be potentially brought against us within the subsequent ten years. However, because we are a blank check company, rather than an operating
company, and our operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise
would be from our vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses.
We are required to seek to
have all third parties and any prospective target businesses enter into agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim
of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the trust account. As a result, the claims that could be made against us will be
limited, thereby lessening the likelihood that any claim would result in any liability extending to the trust. We therefore believe that
any necessary provision for creditors will be reduced and should not have a significant impact on our ability to distribute the funds
in the trust account to our public stockholders. Nevertheless, Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the
underwriters of our IPO, have not executed agreements with us waiving such claims to the monies held in the trust account. Furthermore,
there is no guarantee that other vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses will execute such agreements. Nor is there
any guarantee that, even if they execute such agreements with us, they will not seek recourse against the trust account. Merida Manager
III LLC has agreed that it will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per share by the
claims of target businesses or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or
products sold to us, but we cannot assure you that it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to do
so. We have not asked it to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether it has sufficient
funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations. Therefore, we cannot assure you that Merida Manager III LLC will be able to satisfy its indemnification
obligations if it is required to do so. Additionally, the agreement with Merida Manager III LLC specifically provides for two exceptions
to the indemnity it has given: it will have no liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a target business or vendor or other entity
who has executed an agreement with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in
the trust account, or (2) as to any claims for indemnification by the underwriters of our IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act. As a result, if we liquidate, the per-share distribution from the trust account could be less than $10.00
due to claims or potential claims of creditors.
If we are unable to complete
an initial business combination and expend all of the net proceeds of our IPO, other than the proceeds deposited in the trust account,
and without taking into account interest, if any, earned on the trust account, the initial per-share redemption price would be $10.00.
As discussed above, however, the proceeds deposited in the trust account could become subject to claims of our creditors that are in preference
to the claims of public stockholders.
Our public stockholders shall
be entitled to receive funds from the trust account only in the event of our failure to complete a business combination within the required
time period, if the stockholders seek to have us convert or purchase their respective shares upon a business combination which is actually
completed by us or upon certain amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation prior to consummating an initial business
combination. In no other circumstances shall a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the trust account.
If we are forced to file
a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account
could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties
with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we cannot assure you
we will be able to return to our public stockholders at least $10.00 per share.
If we are forced to file
a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders
could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent
conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, because
we intend to distribute the proceeds held in the trust account to our public stockholders promptly after November 7, 2021, this may be
viewed or interpreted as giving preference to our public stockholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions
from our assets. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted
in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust
account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Competition
In identifying, evaluating
and selecting a target business, we have encountered, and may continue to encounter, intense competition from other entities having a
business objective similar to ours. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive experience identifying and effecting
business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater technical, human and other resources than
us and our financial resources are relatively limited when contrasted with those of many of these competitors. While we believe there
may be numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds of this offering, our ability to compete in acquiring
certain sizable target businesses may be limited by our available financial resources.
In recent years, and especially
since the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially.
Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there
are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies
currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort
and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
If we succeed in effecting
a business combination, there will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business. We cannot assure
you that, subsequent to a business combination, we will have the resources or ability to compete effectively.
Facilities
We currently maintain our
principal executive offices at 641 Lexington Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10022. The cost for this space is included
in the $5,000 per-month fee Merida Manager III LLC charges us for general and administrative services. We believe, based on rents
and fees for similar services in New York City that the fee charged by our sponsor is at least as favorable as we could have obtained
from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office space, combined with the other office space otherwise available to our executive
officers, adequate for our current operations.
Employees
We have two executive officers.
These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to our matters but they devote as much of their time as they
deem necessary to our affairs and intend to continue doing so until we have completed our initial business combination. The amount of
time they devote in any time period may vary based on whether a target business has been selected for our initial business combination
and the stage of the business combination process we are in. We do not intend to have any full-time employees prior to the completion
of our initial business combination.
Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements
Our common stock and warrants
are registered under the Exchange Act and we have reporting obligations, including the requirement that we file annual, quarterly, and
current reports with the SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, this Report contains financial statements audited
and reported on by our independent registered public accountants.
We will provide stockholders
with audited financial statements of the prospective target business as part of any proxy solicitation materials sent to stockholders
to assist them in assessing the target business. These financial statements will need to be prepared in accordance with or reconciled
to United States generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards. We cannot assure you that any
particular target business identified by us as a potential acquisition candidate will have the necessary financial statements. To the
extent that this requirement cannot be met, we may not be able to acquire the proposed target business.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other
risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following material risk factors should be carefully considered.
Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our business, operating results, liquidity and financial
condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results
of operations.
Summary of Risk Factors
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Your
only opportunity to affect the investment decision regarding a potential business combination may be limited to the exercise of your
right to convert your shares to cash.
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Our
initial stockholders and management team will control a substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions requiring a
stockholder vote.
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The
ability of our public stockholders to convert their shares for cash may make our financial condition unattractive to potential business
combination targets, which may make it difficult for us to enter into an agreement for an initial business combination or optimize our
capital structure. If our initial business combination is unsuccessful you would have to wait for liquidation in order to redeem your
shares.
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We
may not be able to complete our initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of our IPO, in which case we would cease
all operations except for the purpose of winding up, and we would redeem our public shares for a pro rata portion of the funds in the
trust account, and we would liquidate. In such event, our warrants would expire worthless.
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If
we seek stockholder approval of our initial business combination and we do not conduct redemptions pursuant to the tender offer rules,
and if you or a “group” of stockholders are deemed to hold in excess of 20% of our Class A common stock, you will lose the
ability to convert all such shares in excess of 20% of our Class A common stock.
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We
are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or another independent valuation or appraisal firm
and, consequently, you may have no assurance from an independent source that the price we are paying for the target(s) of our initial
business combination is fair from a financial point of view.
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Our
warrants and founder shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Class A common stock and make it more difficult to
effectuate our initial business combination.
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We
may issue additional shares of capital stock or debt securities to complete a business combination, which would reduce the equity interest
of our stockholders.
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Resources
could be wasted in researching acquisitions that are not completed, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate
and acquire or merge with another business.
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We
may be unable to obtain additional financing, if required, to complete a business combination or to fund the operations and growth of
the target business.
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Our
search for a business combination, and any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially
adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and other events, and the status of debt and equity markets.
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We
may seek business combination opportunities with a financially unstable business or an entity lacking an established record of revenue,
cash flow or earnings, which could subject us to volatile revenues, cash flows or earnings or difficulty in retaining key personnel.
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We
may have a limited ability to assess the management of a prospective target business and, as a result, may effect our initial business
combination with a target business whose management may not have the skills, qualifications or abilities to manage a public company.
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If
we consummate a business combination with a target company with assets located outside of the United States, our results of operations
and prospects could be subject to the economic, political, and legal policies, developments, and conditions in the country in which we
operate. Further, exchange rate fluctuations and currency policies may cause our ability to succeed in the international markets to be
diminished.
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If
we pursue a target business in cannabis industry, we would be subject to a variety of risks that may negatively impact our operations.
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Past
performance by our management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in the Company.
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Our
sponsor, executive officers and directors presently have fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities and, accordingly, may
have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented.
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We
may amend the terms of the warrants in a manner that may be adverse to holders of public warrants with the approval by the holders of
a majority of the then outstanding public warrants.
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We
may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
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Nasdaq
may delist our securities from trading on its exchange, which could limit investors’ ability to make transactions in our securities
and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
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If
third parties bring claims against us, and if our directors decide not to enforce the indemnification obligations of our sponsor, or
if our sponsor does not have the funds to indemnify us, the proceeds held in the trust account could be reduced and the per-share redemption
amount received by stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
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Our
stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption
of their shares
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Holders
of our Class A common stock will not be entitled to vote on any election of directors we hold prior to the vote on our initial business
combination
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We
may redeem your unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
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The
securities in which we invest the funds held in the trust account could bear a negative rate of interest, which could reduce the value
of the assets held in trust such that the per-share redemption amount received by public stockholders may be less than $10.00 per share.
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We
have no operating history and no revenues, and you have no basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
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If
we are deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements
and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to complete our initial business combination.
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Provisions
in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit
the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for our common stock and could entrench management.
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Provisions
in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole
and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable
judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
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Cyber
incidents or attacks directed at us could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.
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Risks Associated with Our Business
We are a newly formed company with no operating
history and, accordingly, you will not have any basis on which to evaluate our ability to achieve our business objective.
We are a newly formed company
with no operating results to date. Therefore, our ability to commence operations is dependent upon obtaining financing through the public
offering of our securities. Since we do not have an operating history, you will have no basis upon which to evaluate our ability to achieve
our business objective, which is to acquire an operating business. We have not conducted any substantive discussions and we have no plans,
arrangements or understandings with any prospective acquisition candidates. We will not generate any revenues until, at the earliest,
after the consummation of a business combination.
If we are unable to consummate a business
combination, our public stockholders may be forced to wait more than 24 months before receiving distributions from the trust account.
We have until November 7,
2021 to complete a business combination. We have no obligation to return funds to investors prior to such date unless we consummate a
business combination prior thereto and only then in cases where investors have sought to convert their shares. Only after the expiration
of this full time period will public security holders be entitled to distributions from the trust account if we are unable to complete
a business combination. Accordingly, investors’ funds may be unavailable to them until after such date and to liquidate your investment,
public security holders may be forced to sell their public shares or warrants, potentially at a loss.
You will not be entitled to protections
normally afforded to investors of blank check companies.
Since the net proceeds of
our IPO are intended to be used to complete a combination with a target business that has not been identified, we may be deemed to be
a “blank check” company under the United States securities laws. However, since we have net tangible assets in excess of $5,000,000
and have filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, including an audited balance sheet demonstrating this fact, we are exempt from rules promulgated
by the SEC to protect investors of blank check companies such as Rule 419. Accordingly, investors will not be afforded the benefits or
protections of those rules which would, for example, completely restrict the transferability of our securities, require us to complete
a business combination within 18 months of the effective date of the initial registration statement and restrict the use of interest
earned on the funds held in the trust account. Because we are not subject to Rule 419, our units will be immediately tradable, we will
be entitled to withdraw amounts from the funds held in the trust account prior to the completion of a business combination and we will
have a longer period of time to complete such a business combination than we would if we were subject to such rule.
If we determine to change our acquisition
criteria or guidelines, many of the disclosures contained in this Report would not be applicable and you would be investing in our company
without any basis on which to evaluate the potential target business we may acquire.
We could seek to deviate
from the acquisition criteria or guidelines disclosed in this Report although we have no current intention to do so. For instance, we
currently anticipate acquiring a target business ancillary to the cannabis industry. However, we are not obligated to do so and may determine
to merge with or acquire a company which is not ancillary to the cannabis industry if the terms of the transaction are determined by us
to be favorable to our public stockholders. In such event, many of the acquisition criteria and guidelines would not be applicable. Accordingly,
investors may be making an investment in our company without any basis on which to evaluate the potential target business we may acquire.
Additionally, because our sponsor is limited to investing in the legal cannabis industry, to the extent that we seek a business combination
with a target in another industry, our sponsor may be required to or may determine to sell our shares of common stock, warrants, and other
equity-linked interests that it owns, either to its affiliates, including other Merida Purchasers, or to third parties. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, we will not invest in or consummate a business combination with a target business that we determine has been operating
in violation of U.S. federal laws, including the Controlled Substances Act. Further, regardless of whether or not we deviate from the
acquisition criteria or guidelines in connection with any proposed business combination, investors will always be given the opportunity
to convert their shares in connection with any proposed business combination.
We may issue shares of our capital stock
or debt securities to complete a business combination, which would reduce the equity interest of our stockholders and likely cause a change
in control of our ownership.
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, and
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share. As of December 31, 2020 there are 23,176,973 authorized
but unissued shares of common stock available for issuance (after appropriate reservation for the issuance of the shares underlying the
public and private warrants). We may also issue a substantial number of additional shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock,
or a combination of common stock and preferred stock, to complete a business combination. The issuance of additional shares of common
stock will not reduce the per-share conversion amount in the trust account. The issuance of additional shares of common stock or
preferred stock:
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may
significantly reduce the equity interest of investors in our securities;
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may
subordinate the rights of holders of shares of common stock if we issue shares of preferred stock with rights senior to those afforded
to our shares of common stock;
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may
cause a change in control if a substantial number of shares of common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, our ability
to use our net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and could result in the resignation or removal of our present officers and directors;
and
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may
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our shares of common stock.
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Similarly, if we issue debt securities,
it could result in:
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default
and foreclosure on our assets if our operating revenues after a business combination are insufficient to repay our debt obligations;
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acceleration
of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even if we make all principal and interest payments when due if we breach certain covenants
that require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
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our
immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt security is payable on demand; and
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our
inability to obtain necessary additional financing if the debt security contains covenants restricting our ability to obtain such financing
while the debt security is outstanding.
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If we incur indebtedness,
our lenders will not have a claim on the cash in the trust account and such indebtedness will not decrease the per-share conversion amount
in the trust account.
If the net proceeds of our IPO not being
held in trust are insufficient to allow us to operate at least until November 7, 2021, we may be unable to complete a business combination.
Of the net proceeds of our
IPO, only approximately $600,000 was available to us initially outside the trust account to fund our working capital requirements. We
also have access to interest earned on the funds held in the trust account to pay our tax obligations. Additionally, up to $250,000 of
interest earned on the funds in the trust account was available to be released to us for working capital during the first 12 months
after November 4, 2019 and another $250,000 may be released to us for working capital after the 12-month anniversary of such date.
We believe that such funds will be sufficient to allow us to operate until at least November 7, 2021; however, we cannot assure you that
our estimate is accurate. Accordingly, if we use all of the funds held outside of the trust account and all interest available to us,
we may not have sufficient funds available with which to structure, negotiate or close an initial business combination. In such event,
we would need to borrow funds from our sponsor, officers or directors or their affiliates to operate or may be forced to liquidate. Our
sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors and their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds, from time to time
or at any time, in whatever amount that they deem reasonable in their sole discretion for our working capital needs. Each loan would be
evidenced by a promissory note. The notes would either be paid upon consummation of our initial business combination, without interest,
or, at holder’s discretion, up to $1,500,000 of the notes may be converted into warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant.
If third parties bring claims against us,
the proceeds held in trust could be reduced and the per-share redemption price received by stockholders may be less than $10.00.
Our placing of funds in trust
may not protect those funds from third party claims against us. Although we will seek to have all vendors and service providers we engage
and prospective target businesses we negotiate with execute agreements with us waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind
in or to any monies held in the trust account for the benefit of our public stockholders, they may not execute such agreements. Furthermore,
even if such entities execute such agreements with us, they may seek recourse against the trust account. A court may not uphold the validity
of such agreements. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims which could take priority over those of our public
stockholders. If we are unable to complete a business combination and distribute the proceeds held in trust to our public stockholders,
Merida Manager III LLC has agreed (subject to certain exceptions described elsewhere in this Report) that it will be liable to ensure
that the proceeds in the trust account are not reduced below $10.00 per share by the claims of target businesses or claims of vendors
or other entities that are owed money by us for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to us. However, we have not asked
it to reserve for such indemnification obligations, nor have we independently verified whether it has sufficient funds to satisfy its
indemnity obligations. Therefore, we cannot assure you it will be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations if it is required to
do so. As a result, the per-share distribution from the trust account may be less than $10.00, plus interest, due to such claims.
Additionally, if we are forced
to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust
account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in our bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third
parties with priority over the claims of our stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the trust account, we may not be
able to return to our public stockholders at least $10.00.
Our stockholders may be held liable for
claims by third parties against us to the extent of distributions received by them.
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation provides that we will continue in existence only until November 7, 2021. If we have not completed a business
combination by such date, we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible
but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash,
equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, including any interest not previously released to us, divided by the
number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders
(including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably
possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of our remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate,
subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements
of other applicable law. We cannot assure you that we will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against us. As such,
our stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability
of our stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of the date of distribution. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that third
parties will not seek to recover from our stockholders amounts owed to them by us.
If we are forced to file
a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against us which is not dismissed, any distributions received by stockholders
could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or bankruptcy laws as either a “preferential transfer” or a “fraudulent
conveyance.” As a result, a bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by our stockholders. Furthermore, because
we intend to distribute the proceeds held in the trust account to our public stockholders promptly after expiration of the time we have
to complete an initial business combination, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preference to our public stockholders over any
potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from our assets. Furthermore, our board may be viewed as having breached
their fiduciary duties to our creditors and/or may have acted in bad faith, and thereby exposing itself and our company to claims of punitive
damages, by paying public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of creditors. We cannot assure you that claims
will not be brought against us for these reasons.
Our directors may decide not to enforce
Merida Manager III LLC’s indemnification obligations, resulting in a reduction in the amount of funds in the trust account available
for distribution to our public stockholders.
In the event that the proceeds
in the trust account are reduced below $10.00 per public share and Merida Manager III LLC asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations
or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take
legal action against it to enforce such indemnification obligations. It is possible that our independent directors in exercising their
business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification
obligations, the amount of funds in the trust account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.00
per share.
If we do not file and maintain a current
and effective prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will only be able to exercise such
warrants on a “cashless basis.”
If we do not file and maintain
a current and effective prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants at the time that holders wish to
exercise such warrants, they will only be able to exercise them on a “cashless basis” provided that an exemption from registration
is available. As a result, the number of shares of common stock that holders will receive upon exercise of the warrants will be fewer
than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. Further, if an exemption from registration is not available, holders
would not be able to exercise on a cashless basis and would only be able to exercise their warrants for cash if a current and effective
prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is available. Under the terms of the warrant agreement,
we have agreed to use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to file and maintain a current and effective prospectus relating to
the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you that we will
be able to do so. If we are unable to do so, the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company may be
reduced or the warrants may expire worthless.
An investor will only be able to exercise
a warrant if the issuance of shares of common stock upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or is deemed exempt under the
securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants.
No warrants will be exercisable
and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock unless the shares of common stock issuable upon such exercise has been registered
or qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the warrants. If the shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not qualified or exempt from qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders
of the warrants reside, the warrants may be deprived of any value, the market for the warrants may be limited and they may expire worthless
if they cannot be sold.
The private warrants may be exercised at
a time when the public warrants may not be exercised.
Once the private warrants
become exercisable, such warrants may immediately be exercised on a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, so long as they are
held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. The public warrants, however, will only be exercisable on a cashless basis
at the option of the holders if we fail to register the shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants under the Securities Act within
90 days following the closing of our initial business combination. Accordingly, it is possible that the holders of the private warrants
could exercise such warrants at a time when the holders of public warrants could not.
We may amend the terms of the warrants in
a manner that may be adverse to holders with the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants.
Our warrants will be issued
in registered form under a warrant agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us. The warrant
agreement provides that the terms of the warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any
defective provision. The warrant agreement requires the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding public warrants
in order to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders.
A provision of our warrant agreement may
make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination.
If:
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we
issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities for capital raising purposes in connection with the closing
of our initial business combination at an issue price or effective issue price of less than $9.20 per share of common stock,
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the
aggregate gross proceeds from such issuances represent more than 60% of the total equity proceeds, and interest thereon, available for
the funding of our initial business combination on the date of the consummation of our initial business combination (net of redemptions),
and
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the
Market Value is below $9.20 per share,
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then the exercise price of the warrants will be
adjusted to be equal to 115% of the higher of the Market Value and the price at which we issue the additional shares of common stock or
equity-linked securities. This may make it more difficult for us to consummate an initial business combination with a target business.
Since we have not yet selected a particular industry or target
business with which to complete a business combination, we are unable to currently ascertain the merits or risks of the industry or business
in which we may ultimately operate.
We may pursue an acquisition
opportunity in any business industry or sector, although we intend to focus on companies in the cannabis industry as described in this
Report. Accordingly, there is no current basis for you to evaluate the possible merits or risks of the particular industry in which we
may ultimately operate or the target business which we may ultimately acquire. To the extent we complete a business combination with a
financially unstable company or an entity in its development stage, we may be affected by numerous risks inherent in the business operations
of those entities. If we complete a business combination with an entity in an industry characterized by a high level of risk, we may be
affected by the currently unascertainable risks of that industry. Although our management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent
in a particular industry or target business, we cannot assure you that we will properly ascertain or assess all of the significant risk
factors. We also cannot assure you that an investment in our units will not ultimately prove to be less favorable to investors in our
securities than a direct investment, if an opportunity were available, in a target business.
Our ability to successfully effect a business
combination and to be successful thereafter will be totally dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel, some of whom may join us
following a business combination. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot
assure you that our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct.
Our ability to successfully
effect a business combination is dependent upon the efforts of our key personnel. We believe that our success depends on the continued
service of our key personnel, at least until we have consummated our initial business combination. We cannot assure you that any of our
key personnel will remain with us for the immediate or foreseeable future. In addition, none of our officers is required to commit any
specified amount of time to our affairs and, accordingly, our officers will have conflicts of interest in allocating management time among
various business activities, including identifying potential business combinations and monitoring the related due diligence. We do not
have employment agreements with, or key-man insurance on the life of, any of our officers. The unexpected loss of the services of
our key personnel could have a detrimental effect on us.
The role of our key personnel
after a business combination, however, cannot presently be ascertained. Although some of our key personnel serve in senior management
or advisory positions following a business combination, it is likely that most, if not all, of the management of the target business will
remain in place. While we intend to closely scrutinize any individuals we engage after a business combination, we cannot assure you that
our assessment of these individuals will prove to be correct. These individuals may be unfamiliar with the requirements of operating a
public company which could cause us to have to expend time and resources helping them become familiar with such requirements. This could
be expensive and time-consuming and could lead to various regulatory issues which may adversely affect our operations.
Our officers and directors may not have
significant experience or knowledge regarding the jurisdiction or industry of the target business we may seek to acquire.
We may consummate a business
combination with a target business in any geographic location or industry we choose, although we intend to focus on companies or assets
ancillary to the cannabis industry. We cannot assure you that our officers and directors will have enough experience or have sufficient
knowledge relating to the jurisdiction of the target or its industry to make an informed decision regarding a business combination.
Our key personnel may negotiate employment
or consulting agreements with a target business in connection with a particular business combination. These agreements may provide for
them to receive compensation following a business combination and as a result, may cause them to have conflicts of interest in determining
whether a particular business combination is the most advantageous.
Our key personnel will be
able to remain with the company after the consummation of a business combination only if they are able to negotiate employment or consulting
agreements or other appropriate arrangements in connection with the business combination. Such negotiations would take place simultaneously
with the negotiation of the business combination and could provide for such individuals to receive compensation in the form of cash payments
and/or our securities for services they would render to the company after the consummation of the business combination. The personal and
financial interests of such individuals may influence their motivation in identifying and selecting a target business.
Our officers and directors will allocate
their time to other businesses thereby causing conflicts of interest in their determination as to how much time to devote to our affairs.
This could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate a business combination.
Our officers and directors
will not commit their full time to our affairs. We presently expect each of our officers and directors to devote such amount of time as
they reasonably believe is necessary to our business. We do not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of our
initial business combination. The foregoing could have a negative impact on our ability to consummate our initial business combination.
Our officers and directors may have a conflict
of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for a business combination.
Our initial stockholders,
including our officers and directors, have waived their right to convert the founders’ shares or any other shares purchased in our
IPO or thereafter, or to receive distributions from the trust account with respect to the founders’ shares upon our liquidation
if we are unable to consummate a business combination. Accordingly, the shares acquired prior to our IPO, as well as the private warrants
and any warrants purchased by our officers or directors in the aftermarket, will be worthless if we do not consummate a business combination.
The personal and financial interests of our directors and officers may influence their motivation in timely identifying and selecting
a target business and completing a business combination and in determining whether the terms, conditions and timing of a particular business
combination are appropriate and in our stockholders’ best interest.
Our sponsor may have a conflict of interest
in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for a business combination.
While we intend to focus
our search for an initial business combination target on businesses in the legal cannabis industry, we are not limited to this industry
and we may pursue a business combination opportunity in any business or industry we choose and we may pursue a company with operations
or opportunities outside of the United States. However, our sponsor is limited to investing in the legal cannabis industry, and, to the
extent that we seek a business combination with a target in another industry, our sponsor may be required to or may determine to sell
our shares of common stock, warrants, and other equity-linked interests that it owns, either to its affiliates, including other Merida
Purchasers or to third parties in connection with the business combination. If that occurs, our sponsor and our officers and directors
affiliated with Merida may have interests that differ from yours.
Our officers and directors or their affiliates
have pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations and may in the future become affiliated with other entities engaged in business
activities similar to those intended to be conducted by us. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity
a particular business opportunity should be presented.
Our officers and directors
or their affiliates have pre-existing fiduciary and contractual obligations to other companies. Accordingly, they may participate
in transactions and have obligations that may be in conflict or competition with our consummation of our initial business combination.
As a result, a potential target business may be presented by our management team to another entity prior to its presentation to us and
we may not be afforded the opportunity to engage in a transaction with such target business. Specifically, certain of our officers and
directors are affiliated with Merida Capital Partners and its related funds. Additionally, our officers and directors may in the future
become affiliated with entities that are engaged in a similar business, including another blank check company that may have acquisition
objectives that are similar to ours. Accordingly, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business
opportunity should be presented. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor and a potential target business may be presented to
other entities prior to its presentation to us, subject to our officers’ and directors’ fiduciary duties under Delaware law.
EarlyBirdCapital may have a conflict of
interest in rendering services to us in connection with our initial business combination.
We have engaged EarlyBirdCapital
to assist us in connection with our initial business combination. We will pay EarlyBirdCapital a cash fee for such services in an aggregate
amount equal to up to 3.5% of the total gross proceeds raised in our IPO only if we consummate our initial business combination. The private
warrants purchased by EarlyBirdCapital and its designees and the representative shares will also be worthless if we do not consummate
an initial business combination. These financial interests may result in EarlyBirdCapital having a conflict of interest when providing
the services to us in connection with an initial business combination.
Our securities may be delisted which could limit investors’
ability to make transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our securities are currently
listed on Nasdaq and Neo exchanges. We cannot assure you that our securities will continue to be listed on such exchanges in the future
prior to an initial business combination. Additionally, in connection with our initial business combination, it is likely that the exchanges
will require us to file a new initial listing application and meet initial listing requirements as opposed to more lenient continued listing
requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time. The exchanges will also
have discretionary authority to not approve our listing if they determine that the listing of the company to be acquired is against public
policy at that time.
If our securities are delisted
from trading on the exchanges, or we are not listed in connection with our initial business combination, we could face significant material
adverse consequences, including:
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a
limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
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reduced
liquidity with respect to our securities;
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a
determination that our shares of common stock are “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our shares of common
stock to adhere to more stringent rules, possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for
our shares of common stock;
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a
limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
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a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
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The National Securities Markets
Improvement Act of 1996, which is a federal statute, prevents or preempts the states from regulating the sale of certain securities, which
are referred to as “covered securities.” Because we expect that our units and eventually our common stock and warrants will
be listed on Nasdaq, our units, common stock and warrants will be covered securities. Although the states are preempted from regulating
the sale of our securities, the federal statute does allow the states to investigate companies if there is a suspicion of fraud, and,
if there is a finding of fraudulent activity, then the states can regulate or bar the sale of covered securities in a particular case.
While we are not aware of a state having used these powers to prohibit or restrict the sale of securities issued by blank check companies,
certain state securities regulators view blank check companies unfavorably and might use these powers, or threaten to use these powers,
to hinder the sale of securities of blank check companies in their states. Further, if we were no longer listed on Nasdaq, our securities
would not be covered securities and we would be subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
We are an “emerging growth company”
and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our shares of common
stock less attractive to investors.
We are an “emerging
growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years. However,
if our non-convertible debt issued within a three year period or revenues exceeds $1.07 billion, or the market value of our
shares of common stock that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million on the last day of the second fiscal quarter of
any given fiscal year, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following fiscal year. As an emerging growth company,
we are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we have reduced
disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and we are exempt from the requirements
of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously
approved. Additionally, as an emerging growth company, we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards that
have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As such, our financial
statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. We cannot predict if investors will find
our shares of common stock less attractive because we may rely on these provisions. If some investors find our shares of common stock
less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price may be more volatile.
We may only be able to complete one business
combination with the proceeds of our IPO, which will cause us to be solely dependent on a single business which may have a limited number
of products or services.
It is likely we will consummate
a business combination with a single target business, although we have the ability to simultaneously acquire several target businesses.
By consummating a business combination with only a single entity, our lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic, competitive
and regulatory developments. Further, we would not be able to diversify our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks
or offsetting of losses, unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations in different industries
or different areas of a single industry. Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be:
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solely
dependent upon the performance of a single business, or
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dependent
upon the development or market acceptance of a single or limited number of products, processes, or services.
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This lack of diversification may subject us to numerous economic,
competitive and regulatory developments, any or all of which may have a substantial adverse impact upon the particular industry in which
we may operate subsequent to a business combination.
Alternatively, if we determine
to simultaneously acquire several businesses and such businesses are owned by different sellers, we will need for each of such sellers
to agree that our purchase of its business is contingent on the simultaneous closings of the other business combinations, which may make
it more difficult for us, and delay our ability, to complete the business combination. With multiple business combinations, we could also
face additional risks, including additional burdens and costs with respect to possible multiple negotiations and due diligence investigations
(if there are multiple sellers) and the additional risks associated with the subsequent assimilation of the operations and services or
products of the acquired companies in a single operating business. If we are unable to adequately address these risks, it could negatively
impact our profitability and results of operations.
The ability of our stockholders to exercise
their conversion rights may not allow us to effectuate the most desirable business combination or optimize our capital structure.
If our business combination
requires us to use substantially all of our cash to pay the purchase price, because we will not know how many stockholders may exercise
conversion rights, we may either need to reserve part of the trust account for possible payment upon such conversion, or we may need to
arrange third party financing to help fund our business combination. In the event that the acquisition involves the issuance of our stock
as consideration, we may be required to issue a higher percentage of our stock to make up for a shortfall in funds. Raising additional
funds to cover any shortfall may involve dilutive equity financing or incurring indebtedness at higher than desirable levels. This may
limit our ability to effectuate the most attractive business combination available to us.
In connection with any vote to approve a
business combination, we will offer each public stockholder the option to vote in favor of a proposed business combination and still seek
conversion of his, her or its shares.
In connection with any vote
to approve a business combination, we will offer each public stockholder (but not our sponsor, officers or directors) the right to have
his, her or its shares of common stock converted to cash regardless of whether such stockholder votes for or against such proposed business
combination or does not vote at all. The ability to seek conversion while voting in favor of our proposed business combination may make
it more likely that we will consummate a business combination.
In connection with any stockholder meeting
called to approve a proposed initial business combination, we may require stockholders who wish to convert their shares in connection
with a proposed business combination to comply with specific requirements for conversion that may make it more difficult for them to exercise
their conversion rights prior to the deadline for exercising their rights.
In connection with any stockholder
meeting called to approve a proposed initial business combination, each public stockholder will have the right, regardless of whether
he is voting for or against such proposed business combination or does not vote at all, to demand that we convert his shares into a pro
rata share of the trust account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial business combination. We may require
public stockholders who wish to convert their shares in connection with a proposed business combination to either (i) deliver their certificates
to our transfer agent or (ii) deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC
(Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, at the holders’ option, in each case prior to a date set forth in the proxy materials
sent in connection with the proposal to approve the business combination. In order to obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholder’s
broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and our transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is our understanding that stockholders
should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the transfer agent. However, because we do not have any
control over this process or over the brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock certificate.
While we have been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the DWAC System, we cannot assure you of this fact. Accordingly,
if it takes longer than we anticipate for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to convert may be unable to meet
the deadline for exercising their conversion rights and thus may be unable to convert their shares.
If, in connection with any stockholder
meeting called to approve a proposed business combination, we require public stockholders who wish to convert their shares to comply
with specific requirements for conversion, such converting stockholders may be unable to sell their securities when they wish to in the
event that the proposed business combination is not approved.
If we require public stockholders
who wish to convert their shares to comply with specific requirements for conversion and such proposed business combination is not consummated,
we will promptly return such certificates to the public stockholders. Accordingly, investors who attempted to convert their shares in
such a circumstance will be unable to sell their securities after the failed acquisition until we have returned their securities to them.
The market price for our shares of common stock may decline during this time and you may not be able to sell your securities when you
wish to, even while other stockholders that did not seek conversion may be able to sell their securities.
Because of our structure, other companies
may have a competitive advantage and we may not be able to consummate an attractive business combination.
We expect to encounter intense
competition from entities other than blank check companies having a business objective similar to ours, including venture capital funds,
leveraged buyout funds and operating businesses competing for acquisitions. Many of these entities are well established and have extensive
experience in identifying and effecting business combinations directly or through affiliates. Many of these competitors possess greater
technical, human and other resources than we do and our financial resources will be relatively limited when contrasted with those of many
of these competitors. While we believe that there are numerous potential target businesses that we could acquire with the net proceeds
of our IPO, our ability to compete in acquiring certain sizable target businesses will be limited by our available financial resources.
This inherent competitive limitation gives others an advantage in pursuing the acquisition of certain target businesses. Furthermore,
seeking stockholder approval in connection with any proposed business combination may delay the consummation of such a transaction. Additionally,
our outstanding warrants, and the future dilution they potentially represent, may not be viewed favorably by certain target businesses.
Any of the foregoing may place us at a competitive disadvantage in successfully negotiating a business combination.
We may be unable to obtain additional financing,
if required, to complete a business combination or to fund the operations and growth of the target business, which could compel us to
restructure or abandon a particular business combination.
Although we believe that
the net proceeds of our IPO, together with interest earned on the funds held in the trust account available to us, will be sufficient
to allow us to consummate a business combination, because we have not yet identified any prospective target business, we cannot ascertain
the capital requirements for any particular transaction. If the net proceeds of our IPO prove to be insufficient, either because of the
size of the business combination, the depletion of the available net proceeds in search of a target business, or the obligation to convert
into cash a significant number of shares from dissenting stockholders, we will be required to seek additional financing. Such financing
may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. To the extent that additional financing proves to be unavailable when needed to consummate
a particular business combination, we would be compelled to either restructure the transaction or abandon that particular business combination
and seek an alternative target business candidate. In addition, if we consummate a business combination, we may require additional financing
to fund the operations or growth of the target business. The failure to secure additional financing could have a material adverse effect
on the continued development or growth of the target business. None of our sponsor, officers, directors or stockholders is required to
provide any financing to us in connection with or after a business combination.
Our initial stockholders will control a
substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions requiring a stockholder vote.
Our initial stockholders
own approximately 20% of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. However, our sponsor, officers, directors, initial stockholders
or their affiliates could determine in the future to make additional purchases of securities in the open market or in private transactions,
to the extent permitted by law, in order to influence the vote or magnitude of the number of shareholders seeking to convert their shares
for a pro rata portion of the trust account. In connection with any vote for a proposed business combination, our initial stockholders,
as well as all of our officers and directors, have agreed to vote the shares of common stock owned by them immediately before our IPO
as well as any shares of common stock acquired in the open market in favor of such proposed business combination.
Our board of directors is
and will be divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of three years with only one class of directors
being elected in each year. It is unlikely that there will be an annual meeting of stockholders to elect new directors prior to the consummation
of a business combination, in which case all of the current directors will continue in office until at least the consummation of the business
combination. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your voting rights under corporate law for up to 24 months. If there is
an annual meeting, as a consequence of our “staggered” board of directors, only a minority of the board of directors will
be considered for election and our sponsor, because of their ownership position, will have considerable influence regarding the outcome.
Accordingly, our initial stockholders will continue to exert control at least until the consummation of a business combination.
Our outstanding warrants may have an adverse
effect on the market price of our common stock and make it more difficult to effect a business combination.
We have issued warrants to
purchase 6,500,776 shares of common stock as part of the units offered by us in our IPO and private warrants to purchase 3,950,311 shares
of common stock. We may also issue other warrants to our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates in payment
of working capital loans made to us. To the extent we issue shares of common stock to effect a business combination, the potential for
the issuance of a substantial number of additional shares upon exercise of these warrants could make us a less attractive acquisition
vehicle in the eyes of a target business. Such securities, when exercised, will increase the number of issued and outstanding shares of
common stock and reduce the value of the shares issued to complete the business combination. Accordingly, our warrants may make it more
difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target business. Additionally, the sale, or even
the possibility of sale, of the shares underlying the warrants could have an adverse effect on the market price for our securities or
on our ability to obtain future financing. If and to the extent these warrants are exercised, you may experience dilution to your holdings.
We may redeem your unexpired warrants prior
to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to you, thereby making your warrants worthless.
We have the ability to redeem
outstanding warrants (excluding the private warrants and any warrants underlying additional units issued to our sponsor, officers or directors
in payment of working capital loans made to us) at any time after they become exercisable and prior to their expiration, at a price of
$0.01 per warrant, provided that the last reported sales price of the common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for
stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations) for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading-day period commencing
after the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third business day prior to proper notice of such redemption provided that on
the date we give notice of redemption and during the entire period thereafter until the time we redeem the warrants, we have an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current
prospectus relating to them is available. If and when the warrants become redeemable by us, we may exercise our redemption right even
if we are unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws. Redemption of the
outstanding warrants could force you (i) to exercise your warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a time when it may be disadvantageous
for you to do so, (ii) to sell your warrants at the then-current market price when you might otherwise wish to hold your warrants
or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be
substantially less than the market value of your warrants. None of the private warrants will be redeemable by us so long as they are held
by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees.
Our management’s ability to require
holders of our warrants to exercise such warrants on a cashless basis will cause holders to receive fewer shares of common stock upon
their exercise of the warrants than they would have received had they been able to exercise their warrants for cash.
If we call our public warrants
for redemption after the redemption criteria described elsewhere in this Report have been satisfied, our management will have the option
to require any holder that wishes to exercise his warrant (including any private warrants) to do so on a “cashless basis.”
If our management chooses to require holders to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis, the number of shares of common stock received
by a holder upon exercise will be fewer than it would have been had such holder exercised his warrant for cash. This will have the effect
of reducing the potential “upside” of the holder’s investment in our company.
If our security holders exercise their registration
rights, it may have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares of common stock and the existence of these rights may make it
more difficult to effect a business combination.
Our initial stockholders
are entitled to make a demand that we register the resale of the founders’ shares at any time commencing three months prior to the
date on which their shares may be released from escrow. Additionally, the holders of representative shares, the private warrants and any
warrants our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors, or their affiliates may be issued in payment of working capital loans
made to us, are entitled to demand that we register the resale of the representative shares, private warrants and any other warrants we
issue to them (and the underlying securities) commencing at any time after we consummate an initial business combination. The presence
of these additional securities trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities. In addition,
the existence of these rights may make it more difficult to effectuate a business combination or increase the cost of acquiring the target
business, as the stockholders of the target business may be discouraged from entering into a business combination with us or will request
a higher price for their securities because of the potential effect the exercise of such rights may have on the trading market for our
shares of common stock.
If we are deemed to be an investment company,
we may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for
us to complete a business combination.
A company that, among other
things, is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting,
owning, trading or holding certain types of securities would be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act, as amended,
or the Investment Company Act. Since we will invest the proceeds held in the trust account, it is possible that we could be deemed an
investment company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do not believe that our anticipated principal activities will subject us to the
Investment Company Act. To this end, the proceeds held in trust may be invested by the trustee only in United States “government
securities” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money
market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which invest only in direct
U.S. government treasury obligations. By restricting the investment of the proceeds to these instruments, we intend to meet the requirements
for the exemption provided in Rule 3a-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act.
If we are nevertheless deemed
to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be subject to certain restrictions that may make it more difficult
for us to complete a business combination, including:
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restrictions
on the nature of our investments; and
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restrictions
on the issuance of securities.
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In addition, we may have imposed upon us certain burdensome requirements, including:
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registration
as an investment company;
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adoption of a specific form of corporate structure; and
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reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy, compliance policies and procedures and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations.
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Compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expense for which we have not allotted.
Because each unit contains one-half of
one redeemable warrant and only a whole warrant may be exercised, the units may be worth less than units of other blank check companies.
Each unit contains one-half of
one redeemable warrant. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade. Accordingly,
unless you purchase a multiple of two units, the number of warrants issuable to you upon separation of the units will be rounded down
to the nearest whole number of warrants. This is different from other offerings similar to ours whose units include one share of common
stock and one warrant to purchase one whole share. We have established the components of the units in this way in order to reduce the
dilutive effect of the warrants upon completion of an initial business combination since the warrants will be exercisable in the aggregate
for three-quarters of the number of shares compared to units that each contain a warrant to purchase one whole share, thus making
us, we believe, a more attractive merger partner for target businesses. Nevertheless, this unit structure may cause our units to be worth
less than if they included a warrant to purchase one whole share.
Risks Associated with our Search for and Consummation
of a Business Combination
If we do not conduct an adequate due diligence
investigation of a target business, we may be required to subsequently take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring, and impairment
or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our stock price,
which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.
We must conduct a due diligence
investigation of the target businesses we intend to acquire. Intensive due diligence is time consuming and expensive due to the operations,
accounting, finance and legal professionals who must be involved in the due diligence process. Even if we conduct extensive due diligence
on a target business, this diligence may not reveal all material issues that may affect a particular target business, and factors outside
the control of the target business and outside of our control may later arise. If our diligence fails to identify issues specific to a
target business, industry or the environment in which the target business operates, we may be forced to later write-down or write-off assets,
restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even though these charges
may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute
to negative market perceptions about us or our common stock. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or
other covenants to which we may be subject as a result of assuming pre-existing debt held by a target business or by virtue of our
obtaining post-combination debt financing.
The requirement that we complete an initial
business combination by November 7, 2021 may give potential target businesses leverage over us in negotiating a business combination.
We have until November 7,
2021 to complete an initial business combination. Any potential target business with which we enter into negotiations concerning a business
combination will be aware of this requirement. Consequently, such target business may obtain leverage over us in negotiating a business
combination, knowing that if we do not complete a business combination with that particular target business, we may be unable to complete
a business combination with any other target business. This risk will increase as we get closer to the time limit referenced above.
We may not obtain a fairness opinion with
respect to the target business that we seek to acquire and therefore you may be relying solely on the judgment of our board of directors
in approving a proposed business combination.
We will only be required
to obtain a fairness opinion with respect to the target business that we seek to acquire if it is an entity that is affiliated with any
of our sponsor, initial stockholders, officers, directors or their affiliates. In all other instances, we will have no obligation to obtain
an opinion. Accordingly, investors will be relying solely on the judgment of our board of directors in approving a proposed business combination.
Resources could be spent researching acquisitions
that are not consummated, which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
It is anticipated that the
investigation of each specific target business and the negotiation, drafting, and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents,
and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others.
If a decision is made not to complete a specific business combination, the costs incurred up to that point for the proposed transaction
likely would not be recoverable. Furthermore, even if an agreement is reached relating to a specific target business, we may fail to consummate
the business combination for any number of reasons including those beyond our control. Any such event will result in a loss to us of the
related costs incurred which could materially adversely affect subsequent attempts to locate and acquire or merge with another business.
There are risks related to the cannabis
industry to which we may be subject.
We will not invest in or
consummate a business combination with a target business that we determine has been operating in violation of U.S. federal laws, including
the Controlled Substances Act. Nevertheless, business combinations with companies with operations in the cannabis industry entail special
considerations and risks. If we are successful in completing a business combination with a target business with operations in the cannabis
industry, we will be subject to, and possibly adversely affected by, the following risks:
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The
cannabis industry is extremely speculative and its legality is uncertain, making it subject to inherent risk;
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Use of cannabis that is not in compliance with the Controlled Substances Act is illegal under federal law, and therefore, strict enforcement of federal laws regarding the use, cultivation, processing and/or sale of cannabis could result in our inability to execute a business plan in the cannabis industry;
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Federal courts may refuse to recognize the enforceability of contracts pertaining to any business operations that are deemed illegal under federal law and, as a result, cannabis-related contracts could prove unenforceable in such courts;
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Consumer complaints and negative publicity regarding cannabis related products and services could lead to political pressure on states to implement new laws and regulations that are adverse to the cannabis industry or to reverse current favorable laws and regulations relating to cannabis;
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Assets leased to cannabis businesses may be forfeited to the federal government in connection with government enforcement actions under federal law;
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation of cannabis and the possible registration of facilities where cannabis is grown could negatively affect the cannabis industry, which could directly affect our financial condition;
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Due to our proposed involvement in the regulated cannabis industry, we may have a difficult time obtaining the various insurance policies that are needed to operate our business, which may expose us to additional risks and financial liabilities;
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The cannabis industry may face significant opposition from other industries that perceive cannabis products and services as competitive with their own, including but not limited to the pharmaceutical industry, adult beverage industry and tobacco industry, all of which are have powerful lobbying and financial resources;
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Many national and regional banks have been resistant to doing business with cannabis companies because of the uncertainties presented by federal law and, as a result, we may have difficulty accessing the service of banks, which may inhibit our ability to open bank accounts, obtain financing in the future, or otherwise utilize traditional banking services;
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Laws and regulations affecting the regulated cannabis industry are varied, broad in scope and subject to evolving interpretations, and may restrict the use of the properties we acquire or require certain additional regulatory approvals, which could materially adversely affect our operations;
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Securities exchanges may not list companies engaged in the cannabis industry; and
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Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which disallows a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred in carrying on any trade or business that consists of trafficking in controlled substances prohibited by federal or state law, may prevent us from deducting certain business expenditures, which would increase our net taxable income.
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Furthermore, because the
regulatory environment relating to cannabis and other similar products (such as vaping) is so dynamic, it is extremely difficult to predict
the impact of any new regulations that may be adopted on a target business we may acquire. Newly adopted regulations could limit or permanently
reduce the profitability of any target business we ultimately acquire. As a result, these or any of the above could have an adverse impact
on our operations following a business combination. However, our efforts in identifying prospective target businesses are not restricted
to the cannabis industry. Accordingly, if we acquire a target business in another industry, these risks will likely not affect us and
we will be subject to other risks attendant with the specific industry in which we operate or target business which we acquire, none of
which can be presently ascertained.
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 will require substantial financial and management resources and may increase the time and costs of completing an acquisition.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 requires that we evaluate and report on our system of internal controls and may require that we have such system of internal controls
audited beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2021. If we fail to maintain the adequacy
of our internal controls, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties and/or stockholder litigation. Any inability
to provide reliable financial reports could harm our business. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also requires that our independent
registered public accounting firm report on management’s evaluation of our system of internal controls. A target company may not
be in compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act regarding adequacy of their internal controls. The development of
the internal controls of any such entity to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may increase the time and costs necessary
to complete any such acquisition. Furthermore, any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered
in the implementation of adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future, could harm our operating results
or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our
reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock.
If we effect a business combination with
a company located in a foreign jurisdiction, we would be subject to a variety of additional risks that may negatively impact our operations.
If we are successful in consummating
a business combination with a target business in a foreign country, we would be subject to any special considerations or risks associated
with companies operating in the target business’ home jurisdiction, including any of the following:
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rules and regulations or currency conversion or corporate withholding taxes on individuals;
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tariffs and trade barriers;
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regulations related to customs and import/export matters;
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longer payment cycles;
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tax issues, such as tax law changes and variations in tax laws as compared to the United States;
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currency fluctuations and exchange controls;
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challenges in collecting accounts receivable;
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cultural and language differences;
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employment regulations;
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crime, strikes, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist attacks, and warts; and
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deterioration of political relations with the United States.
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We cannot assure you that
we would be able to adequately address these additional risks. If we were unable to do so, our operations might suffer.
If we effect a business combination with
a company located outside of the United States, the laws applicable to such company will likely govern all of our material agreements
and we may not be able to enforce our legal rights.
If we effect a business combination
with a company located outside of the United States, the laws of the country in which such company operates will govern almost all of
the material agreements relating to its operations. We cannot assure you that the target business will be able to enforce any of its material
agreements or that remedies will be available in this new jurisdiction. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in such
jurisdiction may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. The inability to enforce or obtain a
remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. Additionally,
if we acquire a company located outside of the United States, it is likely that substantially all of our assets would be located outside
of the United States and some of our officers and directors might reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible
for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce
judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under federal
securities laws.
Provisions in our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover of us, which could limit the price investors might be
willing to pay in the future for our common stock and could entrench management.
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider
to be in their best interests. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, each of which will generally serve for a term of
three years with only one class of directors being elected in each year. As a result, at a given annual meeting only a minority of the
board of directors may be considered for election. Since our “staggered board” may prevent our stockholders from replacing
a majority of our board of directors at any given annual meeting, it may entrench management and discourage unsolicited stockholder proposals
that may be in the best interests of stockholders. Moreover, our board of directors has the ability to designate the terms of and issue
new series of preferred stock.
We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions
under Delaware law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together these provisions may make more difficult the removal of
management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities.
Because we must furnish our stockholders
with target business financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or international financial
reporting standards, we will not be able to complete a business combination with prospective target businesses unless their financial
statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards.
The federal proxy rules require
that a proxy statement with respect to a vote on a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests include historical
and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure in periodic reports. These financial statements may be required to be prepared in accordance
with, or be reconciled to, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, or international financial
reporting standards, or IFRS, depending on the circumstances, and the historical financial statements may be required to be audited in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. Additionally, to the extent
we furnish our stockholders with financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, such financial statements will need to be audited
in accordance with U.S. GAAP at the time of the consummation of the business combination. These financial statement requirements may limit
the pool of potential target businesses we may acquire.
General Risks
Changes in laws or regulations, or a failure
to comply with any laws and regulations, may adversely affect our business, investments and results of operations.
We are subject to laws and
regulations enacted by national, regional and local governments. In particular, we will be required to comply with certain SEC and other
legal requirements. Compliance with, and monitoring of, applicable laws and regulations may be difficult, time consuming and costly. Those
laws and regulations and their interpretation and application may also change from time to time and those changes could have a material
adverse effect on our business, investments and results of operations. In addition, a failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations,
as interpreted and applied, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
There may be tax consequences to our business
combinations that may adversely affect us.
While we expect to undertake
any merger or acquisition so as to minimize taxes both to the acquired business and/or asset and us, such business combination might not
meet the statutory requirements of a tax-free reorganization, or the parties might not obtain the intended tax-free treatment
upon a transfer of shares or assets. A non-qualifying reorganization could result in the imposition of substantial taxes.
Our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation will provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive
forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum
for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against
directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought only in the Court of Chancery
in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service
of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines
that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent
to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive
jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction,
or (D) any action arising under the Securities Act, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District
of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital
stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
This choice of forum provision
may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our
directors, officers or employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed
to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and may therefore bring a claim in
another appropriate forum. We cannot be certain that a court will decide that this provision is either applicable or enforceable, and
if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable
or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could
harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation will provide that the exclusive forum provision will be applicable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created
by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought
to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
Our search for a business combination, and
any target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination, may be materially adversely affected by the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic and other events.
The COVID-19 pandemic
has adversely affected, and other events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases)
could adversely affect, the economies and financial markets worldwide, and the business of any potential target business with which we
consummate a business combination could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we may be unable to complete a business combination
if concerns relating to COVID-19 continue to restrict travel, limit the ability to have meetings with potential investors or the
target company’s personnel, vendors and services providers are unavailable to negotiate and consummate a transaction in a timely
manner. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our search for a business combination will depend on future developments, which are highly
uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions
to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, among others. If the disruptions posed by COVID-19 or other events (such as terrorist
attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases) continue for an extensive period of time, our ability
to consummate a business combination, or the operations of a target business with which we ultimately consummate a business combination,
may be materially adversely affected.
In addition, our ability
to consummate a transaction may be dependent on the ability to raise equity and debt financing which may be impacted by COVID-19 and
other events (such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters or a significant outbreak of other infectious diseases), including as a result
of increased market volatility, decreased market liquidity in third-party financing being unavailable on terms acceptable to us or
at all.
As the number of special purpose acquisition
companies evaluating targets increases, attractive targets may become scarcer and there may be more competition for attractive targets.
This could increase the cost of our initial business combination and could even result in our inability to find a target or to consummate
an initial business combination.
In recent years and especially
since the fourth quarter of 2020, the number of special purpose acquisition companies that have been formed has increased substantially.
Many potential targets for special purpose acquisition companies have already entered into an initial business combination, and there
are still many special purpose acquisition companies seeking targets for their initial business combination, as well as many such companies
currently in registration. As a result, at times, fewer attractive targets may be available, and it may require more time, more effort
and more resources to identify a suitable target and to consummate an initial business combination.
In addition, because there
are more special purpose acquisition companies seeking to enter into an initial business combination with available targets, the competition
for available targets with attractive fundamentals or business models may increase, which could cause targets companies to demand improved
financial terms. Attractive deals could also become scarcer for other reasons, such as economic or industry sector downturns, geopolitical
tensions, or increases in the cost of additional capital needed to close business combinations or operate targets post-business combination.
This could increase the cost of, delay or otherwise complicate or frustrate our ability to find and consummate an initial business combination,
and may result in our inability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors altogether.
Changes in the market for directors and
officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate and complete an initial business combination.
In recent months, the market
for directors and officers liability insurance for special purpose acquisition companies has changed. The premiums charged for such policies
have generally increased and the terms of such policies have generally become less favorable. There can be no assurance that these trends
will not continue.
The increased cost and decreased
availability of directors and officers liability insurance could make it more difficult and more expensive for us to negotiate an initial
business combination. In order to obtain directors and officers liability insurance or modify its coverage as a result of becoming a public
company, the post-business combination entity might need to incur greater expense, accept less favorable terms or both. However,
any failure to obtain adequate directors and officers liability insurance could have an adverse impact on the post-business combination’s
ability to attract and retain qualified officers and directors.
In addition, even after we
were to complete an initial business combination, our directors and officers could still be subject to potential liability from claims
arising from conduct alleged to have occurred prior to the initial business combination. As a result, in order to protect our directors
and officers, the post-business combination entity will likely need to purchase additional insurance with respect to any such claims
(“run-off insurance”). The need for run-off insurance would be an added expense for the post-business combination
entity, and could interfere with or frustrate our ability to consummate an initial business combination on terms favorable to our investors.
We may issue our shares to investors in
connection with our initial business combination at a price that is less than the prevailing market price of our shares at that time.
In connection with our initial
business combination, we may issue shares to investors in private placement transactions (so-called PIPE transactions) at a price
of $10.00 per share or which approximates the per-shareamounts in our trust account at such time, which is generally approximately $10.00.
The purpose of such issuances will be to enable us to provide sufficient liquidity to the post-business combination entity. The price
of the shares we issue may therefore be less, and potentially significantly less, than the market price for our shares at such time.
Recent SEC guidance required us to reconsider
the accounting of warrants and led us to conclude that our warrants be accounted for as liabilities rather than as equity and such requirement
resulted in a restatement of our previously issued financial statements.
On April 12, 2021, the
staff of the SEC issued a public statement entitled “Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants issued
by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPACs”) (the “Statement”). In the Statement, the SEC staff expressed
it view that certain terms and conditions common to SPAC warrants may require the warrants to be classified as liabilities on the SPAC’s
balance sheet as opposed to equity. Since issuance, our warrants were accounted for as equity within our balance sheet, and after discussion
and evaluation, we have concluded that our private warrants should be presented as liabilities with subsequent and periodic fair value re-measurement. Therefore,
we conducted a valuation of our private warrants and restated our previously issued financial statements, which resulted in unanticipated
costs and diversion of management resources and may result in potential loss of investor confidence. Although we have now completed the
restatement, we cannot guarantee that we will have no further inquiries from the SEC or the Nasdaq regarding our restated financial statements
or matters relating thereto.
Any future inquiries from
the SEC or Nasdaq as a result of the restatement of our historical financial statements will, regardless of the outcome, likely consume
a significant amount of our resources in addition to those resources already consumed in connection with the restatement itself.
Our private warrants are accounted for as
warrant liabilities and are recorded at fair value upon issuance with changes in fair value each reporting period to be reported in earnings,
which may have an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock.
We now account for our private
warrants as warrant liabilities and recorded at fair value upon issuance with any changes in fair value each reporting period to be reported
in earnings as determined by the Company based the available publicly traded warrant price or based on a valuation report obtained from
its independent third party valuation firm. The impact of changes in fair value on earnings may have an adverse effect on the market price
of our common stock.
We have identified material weaknesses
in our internal control over financial reporting regarding complex financial instruments, specifically related to the accounting for
our warrants and common stock subject to possible redemption. These material weaknesses could continue to adversely affect our ability
to report our results of operations and financial condition accurately and in a timely manner.
Our management is responsible
for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Our
management also evaluates the effectiveness of our internal controls and we will disclose any changes and material weaknesses identified
through such evaluation in those internal controls. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal
control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial
statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
In connection with the
preparation and audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, a material weakness was identified
in our internal controls over financial reporting related to the accounting for complex financial instruments. One instance of the material
weakness related to the effectiveness of our review of accounting conclusions for complex debt and equity transactions, specifically
our warrant accounting. In addition, in connection with the preparation of our financial statements as of September 30, 2021, management
identified additional errors made in our historical financial statements where we improperly classified some of our common stock subject
to possible redemption. We previously determined the common stock subject to possible redemption to be equal to the redemption value
of $10.00 per share of common stock while also taking into consideration that a redemption cannot result in net tangible assets being
less than $5,000,001 pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Management determined that the common stock issued
during our initial public offering can be redeemed or become redeemable subject to the occurrence of future events considered outside
our control. Therefore, management concluded that temporary equity should include all shares of common stock subject to possible redemption.
As a result, management has noted a classification error related to temporary equity and permanent equity. This resulted in a restatement
to the initial carrying value of the common stock subject to possible redemption with the offset recorded to additional paid-in capital
(to the extent available), accumulated deficit and common stock. Management concluded that the foregoing constituted a material weakness
as of September 30, 2021. The foregoing instances led to two restatements of our prior period financial statements. Further, our management
concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021 due to
such material weaknesses.
As a result, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary
to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly,
management believes that the financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus/consent solicitation statement present
fairly in all material respects our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period presented. However, we cannot
assure you that the foregoing will not result in any future material weaknesses or deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting.
Even though we have strengthened our controls and procedures, in the future those controls and procedures may not be adequate to prevent
or identify irregularities or errors or to facilitate the fair presentation of our financial statements.