ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended September 30, 2020 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (“the Exchange Act”), which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q are made based on our current expectations, forecasts, estimates and assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors, uncertainties and risks that could affect our future results or operations. These factors, uncertainties and risks may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement set forth in this Form 10-Q. You should carefully consider these risk and uncertainties described and other information contained in the reports we file with or furnish to the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our securities. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
OVERVIEW
AmeriCann designs, develops, leases and plans to operate state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation, processing and manufacturing facilities. AmeriCann’s team includes board members, consultants, engineers and architects who specialize in real estate development, traditional horticulture, lean manufacturing, medical research, facility construction, regulatory compliance, security, marijuana cultivation and genetics, extraction processes, and infused product development.
AmeriCann’s flagship project is the Massachusetts Cannabis Center. The Massachusetts Cannabis Center (“MCC”) is being developed on a 52-acre parcel located in Southeastern Massachusetts. AmeriCann’s MCC project is permitted for 987,000 sq. ft. of cannabis cultivation and processing infrastructure, which is being developed in phases to support both the existing medical cannabis and the newly emerging adult-use cannabis marketplace.
The first phase of the million square foot project, Building 1, a 30,000 square foot cultivation and processing facility, is fully-operational and is currently 100% leased by a vertically-integrated Massachusetts cannabis company. AmeriCann generates revenue through lease arrangements with the operators that includes base rent and royalty payments of 15% of gross revenue generated from products produced at the MCC.
AmeriCann, through a 100% owned subsidiary, AmeriCann Brands, Inc., has received two licenses from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to cultivate cannabis and provide extraction and product manufacturing support to the entire MCC project, as well as to other licensed cannabis farmers throughout regulated markets. AmeriCann Brands plans to operate in Building 2 at the MCC which is in the final design process. In addition to large-scale extraction of cannabis plant material, AmeriCann Brands plans to produce branded consumer packaged goods including cannabis beverages, vaporizer products, edible products, non-edible products and concentrates at the state-of-the-art facility.
AmeriCann plans to replicate the brands, technology and innovations developed at its MCC project to new markets throughout the country as a multi-state operator.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The Company believes that the COVID- 19 pandemic has had certain impacts on its business, but management does not believe there has been a material long-term impact from the effects of the pandemic on the Company’s business and operations, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, liquidity or capital and financial resources.
The Company has established policies to monitor the pandemic and has taken a number of actions to protect its employees, including restricting travel, encouraging quarantine and isolation when warranted, and directing most of its employees to work from home.
In an effort to mitigate the COVID- 19 pandemic Massachusetts implemented a “Stay at Home Advisory.” The advisory commenced March 24, 2020 and concluded May 25, 2020. Massachusetts Governor Baker deemed medical cannabis businesses as an essential service and, therefore, Building 1 has continued to operate in a standard manner without interruption, while management implemented guidelines from the CDC and Massachusetts. Adult use recreational sales of cannabis are once again legal in Massachusetts.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Leases
Effective October 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 842, Lease Accounting using the effective date method. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Variable lease payments are not included in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability due to uncertainty of the payment amount and are recorded as lease expense in the period incurred. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Under the available practical expedient, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for all classes of underlying assets as both a lessee and lessor. Further, we elected a short-term lease exception policy on all classes of underlying assets, permitting us to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less).
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Total Revenues
During the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we generated $271,585 and $34,691 in revenue, respectively. The increase in revenues is due to the rental revenue and participation fee revenues due to completion of Building 1.
Advertising and Marketing Expenses
Advertising and marketing expenses were $1,426 and $36,126 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease is due to a decrease in public relations costs.
Professional Fees
Professional fees were $96,856 and $86,609 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is due to an increase in accounting and consulting fees.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $475,881 and $456,348 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is primarily a result of an increase in loan fees, property tax expenses and other fees offset by a decrease in stock compensation expense and payroll expenses.
Recovery of Provision for Doubtful Accounts
(Recovery) of provision for doubtful accounts was $0 and $(1,761,675) for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is a result of a reversal of the reserve on the receivable balance with WGP, as the payment was received in February 2020.
Interest Income
Interest income was $5,148 and $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is a result of the BASK note receivable.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $204,854 and $199,298 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase is primarily attributable to interest on the $4,500,000 loan and the amortization of debt discounts during the three months ended December 31, 2020.
Net Operating Income/Loss
We had a net (loss)/income of $(502,284) and $1,017,985 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in net income is attributable to a one time collection of the arbitration award in 2019 partially offset by increases in revenues in 2020 and changes in operating expenses and interest income and expense, each of which is described above.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company had an accumulated deficit of $19,224,836 and $18,722,552 at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively, and had a net loss of $502,284 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. While the Company is attempting to increase operations and generate additional revenues, the Company's cash position may not be significant enough to support the Company's daily operations. Management intends to raise additional funds through the sale of its securities.
Management believes that the actions presently being taken to further implement its business plan and generate additional revenues provide the opportunity for the Company to continue as a going concern. While the Company believes in the viability of its strategy to generate additional revenues and in its ability to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company's ability to further implement its business plan and generate additional revenues. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
Notes Payable
See Notes 4 of the unaudited consolidated financial statements filed with this report for information concerning our notes payable.
Analysis of Cash Flows
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, our net cash flows used in operations were $242,423 as compared to net cash flows used in operations of $603,548 for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is primarily due to collection of the arbitration award, timing of working capital payments, and stock based compensation expense during the three months ended December 31, 2019.
Cash flows provided by investing activities were $8,117 for the three months ended December 31, 2020, consisting of payments received on notes receivable. Cash flows used in investing activities were $300,214 for the three months ended December 31, 2019, consisting of additions to constructions in progress and property, plant and equipment and payments received on notes receivable.
Cash flows provided by financing activities were $500,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020, consisting of proceeds on a note payable. Cash flows provided by financing activities were $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
We do not have any firm commitments from any person to provide us with any capital.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As of December 31, 2020, we did not have any off balance sheet arrangements.