Item 1.
Our Business
We are a company engaged
in the electronic cigarette, personal vaporizer and pocket lighter industry. We own a portfolio of electronic cigarette, personal
vaporizer patent and pocket lighter patents which are the basis for our efforts to:
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Design, market and distribute a line of pocket lighters under the “DISSIM” brand;
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Design, market and distribute a line of vaporizers for essential oils, concentrates, and dry herbs under the “HONEYSTICK” brand;
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Design, market and distribute a line of cannabidiol (“CBD”) products under the “GOLD LINE” brand;
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Design, market and distribute electronic cigarettes and popular vaporizers under the KRAVE brand;
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Prosecute and enforce our patent rights;
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License our intellectual property; and
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Develop private label manufacturing programs.
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Electronic Cigarettes, Personal Vaporizers,
Medical Vaporizers for Cannabis Use
“Electronic cigarettes”
or “e-cigarettes,” are battery-powered products that enable users to inhale nicotine vapor without smoke, tar, ash,
or carbon monoxide. Electronic cigarettes look like traditional cigarettes and, regardless of their construction are comprised
of three functional components:
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A mouthpiece, which is a small plastic cartridge that contains a liquid nicotine solution;
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The heating element that vaporizes the liquid nicotine so that it can be inhaled; and
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The electronics, which include: a lithium-ion battery, an airflow sensor, a microchip controller and an LED, which illuminates to indicate use.
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When a user draws air through
the electronic cigarette, the air flow is detected by a sensor, which activates a heating element that vaporizes the solution stored
in the mouthpiece/cartridge, the solution is then vaporized and it is this vapor that is inhaled by the user. The cartridge contains
either a nicotine solution or a nicotine-free solution, either of which may be flavored.
We have developed a line
of electronic cigarette e-liquids which were previously sold under the brand name “Helium.” We plan to develop a complete
line of disposable and rechargeable electronic personal vaporizers for cannabis and CBD under the Helium brand.
Disposable electronic vaporizers
feature a one-piece construction that houses all the components and is utilized until the nicotine or nicotine-free solution is
depleted.
Rechargeable electronic
vaporizers feature a rechargeable battery and replaceable cartridge. The cartridges are changed when the solution is depleted from
use.
Personal vaporizers are
similar in form and function to electronic cigarettes but typically have a larger form factor and are used to vaporize solutions
that are not nicotine-based and may include flavors and or flavor combinations. They are most widely used for cannabis extracts
including CBD.
Personal vaporizers or
vaporizers typically feature a tank and a chamber, a heating element and a battery. The vaporizer user fills the tank with a liquid
solution or the chamber with wax, dry herb or leaf. The vaporizer battery can be recharged and the tank and chamber can be refilled.
Medical vaporizers for
cannabis use function similarly to electronic cigarettes and vaporizers but have unique design characteristics to enable patients
to vape the different forms of cannabis. Generally, these forms are essential oils, concentrates, as well as dry herb. This results
in a similar effect but it is cannabis concentrates being vaporized instead of nicotine liquid or a flavored cartridge, so the
design has to be changed to vaporize these different textures.
We have developed a line
of vaporizers that are for use with medical cannabis under the “HONEYSTICK” brand. These vaporizers are designed for
sale in the medical and recreational cannabis markets and currently feature mainly vaporizers for essential oils and concentrates.
We plan to launch and develop more units for dry herb and continue to expand the line to offer more innovative technology that
is high performance and convenient. The Company also conducts most of its private label production for cannabis oriented vaporizers.
The U.S. Market for Electronic Cigarettes
and Medical Cannabis Vaporizers
Electronic cigarettes are
generally marketed as an alternative to traditional tobacco-burning cigarettes. Because electronic cigarettes offer a “smoking”
experience without the burning of tobacco leaf, electronic cigarettes offer users the ability to satisfy their nicotine cravings
without the byproducts of smoke, tar, ash or carbon monoxide. In many cases electronic cigarettes are not subject to the use prohibitions
of tobacco-burning cigarettes and therefore, may be used in more places than conventional cigarettes. Certain states, cities, businesses,
providers of transportation and public venues in the U.S. have already banned the use of electronic cigarettes, however, and others
are considering banning the use of electronic cigarettes. We cannot provide any assurances that the use of electronic cigarettes
will not be banned anywhere traditional tobacco-burning cigarette use is banned.
We believe that the market
for medical and recreational cannabis products, including cannabis vape products, continues to expand as the legal climate within
the U.S. has resulted in more states permitting recreational and/or medical cannabis use. Vape products are growing as a delivery
device because they allow very convenient, effective and discrete ways of delivery that minimize, odor and exposure. Vape products
also allow for the vaporization of all textures of cannabis, which allows for effective dosing.
The
U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for
medical purposes. Therefore, federal law criminalizing the use of marijuana preempts state laws that legalize its use for medicinal
purposes.
The
U.S. federal government regulates drugs through the CSA, which places controlled substances, including cannabis, in a schedule.
Cannabis is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. A Schedule I controlled substance is defined as a substance
that has no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of safety for use under medical supervision and a high
potential for abuse. The U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) defines Schedule I drugs, substances or chemicals as
“drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(the “FDA”) has approved Epidiolex, which contains a purified form of the drug CBD, a non-psychoactive ingredient
in the cannabis plant, for the treatment of seizures associated with two epilepsy conditions. The FDA has not approved cannabis
or cannabis compounds as a safe and effective drug for any other condition. Moreover, pursuant to the Agriculture Improvement Act
of 2018 (the “Farm Bill”), CBD remains a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA, with a narrow exception for
CBD derived from hemp with a tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) concentration of less than 0.3%.
The
Company maintains its operations so as to remain in compliance with the CSA. Even in those jurisdictions in which the manufacture
and use of medical marijuana has been legalized at the state level, the possession, use and cultivation all remain violations of
federal law that are punishable by imprisonment and substantial fines, and the prescription of marijuana is a violation of federal
law. Moreover, individuals and entities may violate federal law if they intentionally aid and abet another in violating these federal
controlled substance laws, or conspire with another to violate them.
The
inconsistencies between federal and state regulation of cannabis were addressed in a memorandum (the “Cole Memo”) which
then-Deputy Attorney General James Cole sent to all U.S. District Attorneys in 2013 outlining certain priorities for the DOJ relating
to the prosecution of cannabis offenses. The Cole Memo acknowledged that, notwithstanding the designation of cannabis as a Schedule
I controlled substance at the federal level, several states had enacted laws authorizing the use of cannabis for medical purposes.
The Cole Memo noted that jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing cannabis in some form have also implemented strong and
effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis.
As such, conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations is less likely to implicate the Cole Memo’s enforcement priorities.
The DOJ did not provide (and has not provided since) specific guidelines for what regulatory and enforcement systems would be deemed
sufficient under the Cole Memo. In light of limited investigative and prosecutorial resources, the Cole Memo concluded that the
DOJ should be focused on addressing only the most significant threats related to cannabis, such as distribution of cannabis from
states where cannabis is legal to those where cannabis is illegal, the diversion of cannabis revenues to illicit drug cartels and
sales of cannabis to minors.
On
January 4, 2018, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a new memorandum which rescinded the Cole Memo (the “Sessions
Memo”). The Sessions Memo stated, in part, that current law reflects “Congress’ determination that cannabis is
a dangerous drug and cannabis activity is a serious crime,” and Mr. Sessions directed all U.S. Attorneys to enforce
the laws enacted by Congress by following well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to cannabis activities.
The Company is not aware of any prosecutions of investment companies doing routine business with licensed marijuana related businesses
in light of the DOJ position following issuance of the Sessions Memo. However, there can be no assurance that the federal government
will not enforce federal laws relating to cannabis in the future. As a result of the Sessions Memo, federal prosecutors are now
free to utilize their prosecutorial discretion to decide whether to prosecute cannabis activities, despite the existence of state-level
laws that may be inconsistent with federal prohibitions. No direction was given to federal prosecutors in the Sessions Memo as
to the priority they should ascribe to such cannabis activities, and thus it is uncertain how active U.S. federal prosecutors will
be in relation to such activities.
Federal
prosecutors appear to continue to use the Cole Memo’s priorities as an enforcement guide. Merrick Garland, who became Attorney
General on March 10, 2021 has indicated that he would deprioritize enforcement of low-level cannabis crimes such
as possession, and has shared his view that the government should focus on large-scale criminal enterprises that circumvent state
legalization laws instead of going after people who abide by local cannabis policies. The Company believes it is too soon to determine
what prosecutorial effects will be created by the rescission of the Cole Memo or any replacement thereof and when or if the Sessions
Memo will be rescinded. President Joseph R. Biden, who assumed office in January 2021, has not yet indicated whether and when he
will decriminalize or legalize cannabis and has previously stated that he is opposed to legalization. The sheer size of the cannabis
industry, in addition to participation by state and local governments and investors, suggests that a large-scale federal enforcement
operation would more than likely create unwanted political backlash for the DOJ and the current administration. It is also possible
that the change of Congressional leadership in January 2021 could change the priorities of Congress and encourage reconciliation
of federal and state laws. Regardless, at this time, cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level.
The U.S. federal government has always reserved the right to enforce federal law in regard to the sale and disbursement of medical
or adult use cannabis, even if state law authorizes such sale and disbursement. It is unclear whether the risk of enforcement has
been altered.
One
legislative safeguard for the medical cannabis industry, appended to the federal budget bill, remains in place following the rescission
of the Cole Memo. For fiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Congress adopted a so-called “rider” provision
to the Consolidated Appropriations Acts (formerly referred to as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment and currently referred to as the
Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment) to prevent the federal government from using congressionally appropriated funds to enforce federal
cannabis laws against regulated medical cannabis actors operating in compliance with state and local law. The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer
Amendment was included in the fiscal year 2018 budget passed on March 23, 2018. The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment was included
in the consolidated appropriations bill signed into legislation by former President Trump in February 2019. In signing the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer
Amendment, former President Trump issued a signing statement noting that the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment “provides that
the Department of Justice may not use any funds to prevent implementation of medical marijuana laws by various States and territories,”
and further stating “I will treat this provision consistent with the President’s constitutional responsibility to faithfully
execute the laws of the United States.” On June 20, 2019, the House approved a broader amendment that, in addition to
protecting state medical cannabis programs, would also protect state adult use programs. On September 26, 2019, the Senate
Appropriations Committee declined to take up the broader amendment but did approve the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment for the
fiscal year 2020 spending bill. On September 27, 2019, the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment was renewed as part of a stopgap
spending bill, in effect through November 21, 2019, and was then renewed through a series of stopgap spending bills passed
in 2020. On December 27, 2020, the amendment was renewed through the signing of the fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending bill,
effective through September 30, 2021. Despite the rescission of the Cole Memo, the DOJ appears to continue to adhere to the
enforcement priorities set forth in the Cole Memo.
The
Cole Memo and the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment gave licensed cannabis operators (particularly medical cannabis operators) and
investors in states with legal regimes greater certainty regarding the DOJ’s enforcement priorities and the risk of operating
cannabis businesses. While the Sessions Memo has introduced some uncertainty regarding federal enforcement, the cannabis industry
continues to experience growth in legal medical and adult use markets across the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris is
the lead sponsor of the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, which seeks to end the federal prohibition
of marijuana, among other things, but in March 2020, it was reported that Vice President Harris has adopted the same position as
President Biden, who opposes legalization. Currently, there is no guarantee that state laws legalizing and regulating the sale
and use of cannabis will remain in place or that local governmental authorities will not limit the applicability of state laws
within their respective jurisdictions. Unless and until the U.S. Congress amends the CSA with respect to cannabis (and as to the
timing or scope of any such potential amendments there can be no assurance), there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce
current U.S. federal law criminalizing cannabis.
Although
the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, and
federal law criminalizing the use of marijuana preempts state laws that legalize its use, cannabis is largely regulated at the
state level.
State
laws that permit and regulate the production, distribution and use of cannabis for adult use or medical purposes are in direct
conflict with the CSA, which makes cannabis use and possession federally illegal. Although
certain states
and territories of the U.S. authorize medical and/or adult use cannabis production and distribution by licensed or registered entities,
under U.S. federal law, the possession, use, cultivation and transfer of cannabis and any related drug paraphernalia is illegal
and any such acts are criminal acts under federal law under any and all circumstances under the CSA. Although the Company’s
activities are believed to be compliant with applicable state and local laws, strict compliance with state and local laws with
respect to cannabis may neither absolve the Company of liability under U.S. federal law, nor may it provide a defense to any federal
proceeding which may be brought against the Company.
As of December 31,
2020, 35 states, plus the District of Columbia (and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern
Mariana Islands), have legalized the cultivation and sale of cannabis for medical purposes. In 15 of those states, the sale and
possession of cannabis is legal for both medical and adult use, and the District of Columbia has legalized adult use but not commercial
sale. In November 2020, voters in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota voted by referendum to legalize cannabis for adult
use, and voters in Mississippi and South Dakota voted to legalized cannabis for medical use, and in February 2021, the Virginia
legislature approved a bill that would legalize cannabis for adult use beginning in 2024. The Virginia bill is awaiting signature
by the governor, and if signed, Virginia will be the first southern state to legalize cannabis for adult use. Also in February
2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed three bills into law that legalize cannabis for adult use.
Although we are not engaged
in the purchase, sale, growth, cultivation, harvesting, or processing of marijuana products, strict enforcement of federal prohibitions
regarding marijuana could irreparably harm our business, subject us to criminal prosecution and/or adversely affect the trading
price of our securities. We cannot provide any assurances that federal regulations will not inhibit the growth, expansion, or legality
of the cannabis movement which is highly interdependent in the growth of sales of our vaporizers.
As
part of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,” in the most recent COVID-19 relief bill signed into law on December
27, 2020, the U.S. Congress amended the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (“PACT”) Act to apply to e-cigarettes and
all vaping products.
Originally
passed in 2009, the PACT Act amended the existing Jenkins Act of 1949, which required interstate shippers to report cigarette sales
to state tobacco tax administrators in order to combat illicit sales and tax avoidance. The PACT Act, among other things, prohibited
the use of the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) to deliver cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products directly to consumers.
In
addition to the non-mailing provisions, the PACT Act requires anyone who sells cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to register with
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (the “ATF”) and the tobacco tax administrators of
the states into which a shipment is made or in which an advertisement or offer is disseminated. Delivery sellers who ship cigarettes
or smokeless tobacco to consumers are further required to label packages as containing tobacco, verify the age and identity of
the customer at purchase, use a delivery method (other than USPS) that checks identification and obtains adult customer signature
at delivery, and maintain records of delivery sales for a period of four years after the date of sale, among other things.
The
PACT Act also requires sellers to file a monthly report with the state tobacco tax administrator and any other local or tribal
entity that taxes the sale of cigarettes. Such reports must include the name and address of the persons delivering and receiving
the shipment and the brand and quantity of the “cigarettes” that were shipped. These requirements apply to all sales
of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, including sales to consumers and sales between businesses.
The
PACT Act mandates that the ATF maintain a non-compliant list of persons who fail to comply with the Act. Placement on the list
bars common carriers and other persons from delivering products sold by the listed company. ATF distributes the list to common
carriers, USPS, credit card companies, and others to help enforce the list.
The
2020 PACT Act amendment, the “Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act,” modifies the original definition
of “cigarette” in the PACT Act to include Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (“ENDS”). The term “ENDS”
is defined very broadly to essentially include all vaping products, liquids, components, and accessories, whether
they contain nicotine or not. Specifically, an ENDS product is defined as “any electronic device that, through
an aerosolized solution,
delivers nicotine, flavor, or any other substance to the user inhaling from the device,” including
“an e-cigarette; an e-hookah; an e-cigar; a vape pen; an advanced refillable personal vaporizer; an electronic pipe; and any
component, liquid, part, or accessory of a device described [above], without regard to whether the component, liquid,
part, or accessory is sold separately from the device.” (Emphasis added.) Based on this definition of ENDS, zero-nicotine
e-liquids, synthetic “tobacco-free” nicotine e-cigarettes, and CBD/THC/hemp vape pens, among other things, would all
appear to be captured.
The
PACT Act requirements summarized above became effective in March 2021. Certain requirements (e.g., labeling, weight restrictions,
and 21+ age verification on delivery) only apply to direct-to-consumer sales (made through common carriers or private delivery
services). The registration and reporting requirements apply to all sales, including business-to-business sales.
As
noted, the amended PACT Act now prohibits the use of the USPS to deliver “ENDS” directly to consumers. The mail ban
is expected to go into effect in April 2021, although the final form of the regulations has not yet been determined.
For
example, the PACT Act has historically exempted businesses-to-business deliveries from the USPS ban. Specifically, the USPS ban
does not extend to tobacco products mailed only for business purposes between legally operating businesses that have all applicable
State and Federal Government licenses or permits and are engaged in tobacco product manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, export,
import, testing, investigation, or research. Companies seeking to use USPS for business-to-business deliveries must first
submit an application to the USPS Pricing and Classification Service Center and comply with several other shipping, labeling,
and delivery requirements. It is possible that, when published, the USPS’ regulations will to permit business-to-business
deliveries for ENDS. There is no assurance, however, that such deliveries will be permitted.
Critically for the vapor industry, the most
commonly used carriers, Federal Express and United Parcel Service (“UPS”), have announced that they would cease all
deliveries of vapor products. FedEx now prohibits, among other things, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, hooka and shisha, even if the
sender has proper licenses and is authorized to ship tobacco products. Beginning April 5, 2021, the shipment of vaping products,
including any and all noncombustible liquid or gel, regardless of the presence of nicotine, capable of being used with or for the
consumption of nicotine, and all related vape devices, products and accessories, are prohibited by UPS.
Global Market
According to a February
2020 Grand View Research report, the global e-cigarette and vape market size was valued at $ 12.41 billion in 2019 and is expected
to expand at a revenue-based estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.8% from 2020 to 2027. The market is expected to
gain traction over the forecast period, owing to increasing product demand from millennials. The availability of a variety of e-cigarette
options is anticipated to further fuel the product adoption.
In 2019, the World Health
Organization (“WHO”) estimated that there were approximately
seven million adults vaping or using e-cigarettes in 2016. According to the WHO, this number increased to 35 million by 2019. Euromonitor
estimates that 55 million adults worldwide will be vaping by 2021, and noted that, as of 2018, there has been an increase of 28
million individuals vaping globally. According to Euromonitor, in 2014, the global vaping market was worth $18.4 billion. Euromonitor
reports that by 2018, the market value had increased to $22.6 billion.
We believe
that the largest markets for vaping products are the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States. According to a Vape Beat
2019 survey, e-cigarette users in Europe increased by 86% between 2013 and 2018, and of all the vapers in Europe, 2.8 million live
in England. Of the vapers surveyed by Vape Beat, 37% previously smoked cigarettes, and 40% had not previously vaped or used
e-cigarettes. The BBC reported in 2019 that Europe represented the biggest market for e-cigarettes, with approximately 2,000 vaping
outlets.
Out of
3,000 vapers surveyed by Kantar in 2018, 21% purchased their supplies at online stores. The BBC also reported that nearly 50% of
all flavored e-cigarettes being sold are fruit or cannabis flavored.
Distribution and Sales
The distribution and sales
strategy for our products is tailored to the characteristics of each market, whether it be geographical, demographical, or genre
(cannabis or e-liquid).
Our sales and
distribution channels are:
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Direct sales and distribution, where we have set up our own distribution directly to retailers.
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Single independent distributors who are responsible for distribution within a single market.
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Exclusive territory and exclusive channel distribution, where distributors have an exclusive territory within a country or an exclusive right to sell within a distribution channel (e.g. gas stations).
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Distribution through wholesalers, where we supply either national or regional wholesalers who then service retailers.
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Internet/e-commerce sales, where we sell directly to end users through one of our internet websites and/or landing pages.
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Distribution through online distributors that sell to an extensive network of resellers.
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Distribution through dispensaries who are responsible for dispensing medical or recreational cannabis.
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Business Strategy
VPR Brands is a holding
company, whose assets include an issued U.S. patent for atomization related products, including technology for medical marijuana
vaporizers and electronic cigarette products and components, as well as pocket lighters. The Company is also engaged in product
development for the vapor or vaping market, including e-liquids. Electronic cigarettes are electronic devices which deliver nicotine
through atomization, or vaping of e-liquids and without smoke and other chemicals constituents typically found in traditional tobacco
burning cigarette products.
Our portfolio of electronic
cigarette personal vaporizer and pocket lighter patents are the basis for our efforts to:
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Design, market and distribute a line of pocket lighters under the “DISSIM” brand;
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Design, market and distribute a line of vaporizers for essential oils, concentrates, and dry herbs under the “HONEYSTICK” brand;
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Design, market and distribute a line of CBD products under the “GOLD LINE” brand;
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Design, market and distribute electronic cigarettes and popular vaporizers;
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Prosecute and enforce our patent rights;
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License our intellectual property; and
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Develop private label manufacturing programs.
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Our electronic cigarette
e-liquids are marketed as an alternative to tobacco burning cigarettes.
We design, develop, market
and distribute a line of products oriented toward the cannabis markets, which is the HoneyStick brand of vaporizers and the Goldline
CBD products. This allows us to capitalize on the rapidly growing expansion within the cannabis markets. The original HoneyStick
vaporizer placed second in the High Times SoCal Cannabis Cup in 2016, greatly popularizing the brand and making its performance
recognized.
Patent Rights
We are evaluating our options and conducting
investigations to determine if our intellectual property is being infringed upon in the U.S. and if so, by whom. We are exploring
legal options and strategies related to prosecuting infringers and pursuing available remedies. The Company has hired a law firm
on contingency basis to file suit against infringers.
License of our Technology
In light of recent lawsuits
filed against several electronic cigarette companies, we believe that an opportunity exists to license our patented technology
to companies named in those lawsuits and others who may be seeking an alternative to the electronic cigarette technologies which
are or may be subject to patent litigation. The Company is actively enforcing its intellectual property rights via lawsuits against
infringers.
Private Label
As an extension of our
plan to license our technology to other electronic cigarette companies, we plan to offer private label manufacturing programs for
electronic cigarette as well as cannabis vape companies that would rather purchase a finished manufactured product, rather than
simply purchasing a license to manufacture their products using our technology. We believe that we have a greater understanding
of the manufacturing process than a licensee would and that we can better oversee the manufacturing process of our patented technologies
and offer a more reliable and higher quality product through our supply chain than can otherwise be achieved by third parties.
Competition
Competition in the electronic
cigarette and vaporizer industry is intense. We compete with other sellers of electronic cigarettes, the nature of our competitors
is varied as the market is highly fragmented and the barriers to entry into the business are low. Our direct competitors sell products
that are substantially similar to ours and through the same channels through which we sell our electronic cigarette products. We
compete with these direct competitors for sales through distributors, wholesalers and retailers, including but not limited to national
chain stores, tobacco shops, dispensaries gas stations, travel stores, shopping mall kiosks, in addition to direct to public sales
through the internet, mail order and telesales. As a general matter, we have access to and market and sell the similar electronic
cigarettes as our competitors and since we sell our products at substantially similar prices as our competitors.
Part of our business strategy
focuses on the establishment of contractual relationships with distributors and prominent branding focused on performance and quality.
We are aware that e-cigarette competitors in the industry are also seeking to enter into such contractual relationships and try
to create brand loyalty. In many cases, competitors for such contracts may have greater management, human, and financial resources
than we do for entering into such contracts and for attracting distributor relationships. Furthermore, certain of our electronic
cigarette competitors may have better control of their supply and distribution, be, better established, larger and better financed
than our Company.
We also compete against
“big tobacco”, U.S. cigarette manufacturers of both conventional tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes like
Altria Group, Inc., Lorillard, Inc. and Reynolds American, Inc. We compete against big tobacco who offers not only conventional
tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes but also smokeless tobacco products such as “snus” (a form of moist ground
smokeless tobacco that is usually sold in sachet form that resembles small tea bags), chewing tobacco and snuff. Big tobacco has
nearly limitless resources, global distribution networks in place and a customer base that is fiercely loyal to their brands. Furthermore,
we believe that big tobacco will devote more attention and resources to developing and offering electronic cigarettes as the market
for electronic cigarettes grows. Because of their well-established sales and distribution channels, marketing expertise and significant
resources, big tobacco is better positioned than small competitors like us to capture a larger share of the electronic cigarette
market.
We also face competition
from manufacturers in China as they try to increase their U.S. presence by marketing directly to members within our supply and
value chain similar products.
We may also face competition
from other patent holders, including but not limited to, Imperial Tobacco Group Plc, Europe’s second-biggest tobacco company,
who in September 2013 acquired a portfolio of electronic cigarette patents from Dragonite International Ltd. (formerly Ruyan Group
Holdings Limited) for $75 million, as we attempt to negotiate and contract with other electronic cigarette companies to license
our intellectual property.
Manufacturing
We depend on third party
manufacturers for our electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and accessories. Our customers associate certain characteristics of our
products including the weight, feel, draw, unique flavor, packaging and other attributes of our products to the brands we market,
distribute and sell. Any interruption in supply and/or consistency of our products may adversely impact our ability to deliver
our products to our wholesalers, distributors and customers and otherwise harm our relationships and reputation with customers,
and have a materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Although we believe that
several alternative sources for our products are available, any failure to obtain the components, chemical constituents and manufacturing
services necessary for the production of our products would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
Source and Availability of Raw Materials
We believe that an adequate supply of product
and raw materials will be available to us as needed and from multiple sources and suppliers.
Intellectual Property
We own the following U.S. patent:
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Electronic Cigarette, Patent 8,205,622 as issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 14, 2012.
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In addition, as a result
of the acquisition of certain assets from Vapor Corp. (“Vapor”), the Company has acquired various trademarks and domains.
The following is the list of trademarks:
Trademark
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Application No.
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Application Date
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Registration No.
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Registration Date
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VAPORIN
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B-BUZZ'N
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86856758
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12/22/15
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N/A
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N/A
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CHILLER B
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86856798
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12/22/15
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5012851
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2-Aug-16
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ECIGTRONICS
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85371221
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7/14/11
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4191835
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14-Aug-12
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EZSMOKER
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77681034
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3/2/09
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3800589
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8-Jun-10
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FIFTY-ONE
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77514632
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7/3/08
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3762126
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23-Mar-10
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FUMARE
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85419589
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9/10/11
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4302950
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12-Mar-13
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GOLDMINE
|
85495797
|
12/15/11
|
4186101
|
7-Aug-12
|
GREENLINE
|
85495369
|
12/14/11
|
4186059
|
7-Aug-12
|
GREEN PUFFER
|
77683491
|
3/4/09
|
3800608
|
8-Jun-10
|
HONEY STICK
|
86711441
|
7/31/15
|
4877766
|
29-Dec-15
|
HOOKAH STIX
|
85432021
|
9/26/11
|
4388693
|
20-Aug-13
|
KRAVE
|
77598996
|
10/23/08
|
3753097
|
23-Feb-10
|
MINIMAX
|
85714681
|
8/28/12
|
4385494
|
13-Aug-13
|
RED LINE
|
85495799
|
12/15/11
|
4186102
|
7-Aug-12
|
SMOKE STAR
|
77846705
|
10/12/09
|
3795716
|
1-Jun-10
|
THE BEE KEEPER
|
86856822
|
12/22/15
|
5012853
|
2-Aug-16
|
THE B-HIGH'V
|
86856819
|
12/22/15
|
5017261
|
9-Aug-16
|
THE BUMBLER
|
86856830
|
12/22/15
|
5012854
|
2-Aug-16
|
THE TRIO
|
77956805
|
3/11/10
|
3876177
|
16-Nov-10
|
VAPE NAKED
|
86693699
|
7/15/15
|
5043802
|
20-Sep-16
|
VAPOR X
|
85200284
|
12/17/10
|
4005660
|
2-Aug-11
|
VAPORE
|
85419587
|
9/10/11
|
4306905
|
19-Mar-13
|
VX
|
86043664
|
8/21/13
|
4542479
|
3-Jun-14
|
The following are the website domains acquired:
Greenecig.com
Greenpuffer.com
Mrecig.com
Nicstics.com
Onedollarecig.com
Onedollarecigs.com
Smokeexchange.com
Smokegenius.com
www.vaporin.com
www.kraveit.com
www.vapehoneystick.com
www.ivaporx.com
Government Regulations
Tobacco Deemed Products
Pursuant to a December
2010 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in Sottera, Inc. v. Food & Drug Administration,
627 F.3d 891 (D.C. Cir. 2010), the FDA is permitted to regulate electronic cigarettes as “tobacco products”
under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 (the “Tobacco Control Act”). Under this
Court decision, the FDA is not permitted to regulate electronic cigarettes as “drugs” or “devices”
or a “combination product” under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act unless they are marketed for therapeutic purposes.
The Tobacco Control Act
also requires establishment, within the FDA’s new Center for Tobacco Products, of a Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory
Committee to provide advice, information and recommendations with respect to the safety, dependence or health issues related to
tobacco products.
The FDA had previously
indicated that it intended to regulate e-cigarettes under the Tobacco Control Act through the issuance of “Deeming
Regulations” that would include e-liquid, e-cigarettes, and other vaping products (collectively, “Deemed Tobacco
Products”) under the Tobacco Control Act and subject to the FDA’s jurisdiction.
On May 10, 2016, the FDA
issued the “Deeming Regulations” which came into effect August 8, 2016. The Deeming Regulations amended the definition
of “tobacco products” to include e-liquid, e-cigarettes and other vaping products. Deemed Tobacco Products include,
but are not limited to, e-liquids, atomizers, batteries, cartomizers, clearomisers, tank systems, flavors, bottles that contain
e-liquids and programmable software. Beginning August 8, 2016, Deemed Tobacco Products became subject to all FDA regulations applicable
to cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and other tobacco products which require:
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a prohibition on sales to those younger than 18 years of age and requirements for verification by means of photographic identification (in December 2019, the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products was raised from 18 to 21 years);
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health and addictiveness warnings on product packages and in advertisements;
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a ban on vending machine sales unless the vending machines are located in a facility where the retailer ensures that individuals under 18 years of age are prohibited from entering at any time;
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registration with, and reporting of product and ingredient listings to, the FDA;
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no marketing of new tobacco products prior to FDA review;
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no direct and implied claims of reduced risk such as "light", "low" and "mild" descriptions unless FDA confirms (a) that scientific evidence supports the claim and (b) that marketing the product will benefit public health;
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ban on free samples; and
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In addition, the Deeming
Regulations requires any Deemed Tobacco Product that was not commercially marketed as of the “grandfathering” date
of February 15, 2007, to obtain premarket approval before it can be marketed in the United States. Premarket approval could take
any of the following three pathways: (1) submission of a premarket tobacco product application (“PMTA”) and
receipt of a marketing authorization order; (2) submission of a substantial equivalence report and receipt of a substantial equivalence
order; or (3) submission of a request for an exemption from substantial equivalence requirements and receipt of an substantial
equivalence exemption determination. The Company cannot predict if any of the products in our product line, all of which would
be considered “non-grandfathered”, will receive the required premarket approval from the FDA if the Company were to
undertake obtaining premarket approval through any of the available pathways.
Since there were virtually
no e-liquid, e-cigarettes or other vaping products on the market as of February 15, 2007, there is no way to utilize the less onerous
substantial equivalence or substantial equivalence exemption pathways that traditional tobacco corporation can utilize. In order
to obtain premarket approval, practically all e-liquid, e-cigarettes or other vaping products would have to follow the PMTA pathway
which would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per application. Furthermore, the Deeming Regulations also effectively froze
the U.S. market on August 8, 2016 since any new e-liquid, e-cigarette or other vaping product would be required to obtain an FDA
marketing authorization though one of the aforementioned pathways. Deemed Tobacco Products that were on the market prior to August
8, 2016 have been provided with a grace period where such products can continue to be marketed until the May 12, 2020 PMTA submission
deadline. Upon submission of a PMTA, such products would be permitted to be sold pending the FDA’s review of the submitted
PMTAs, even if the May 12, 2020 deadline has passed.
In a press release dated
July 28, 2017, the FDA also stated that “the FDA plans to issue foundational rules to make the product review process more
efficient, predictable, and transparent for manufacturers, while upholding the agency’s public health mission. Among other
things, the FDA intends to issue regulations outlining what information the agency expects to be included in PMTAs, Modified Risk
Tobacco Product (“MRTP”) applications and reports to demonstrate Substantial Equivalence (“SE”).
The FDA also plans to finalize guidance on how it intends to review PMTAs for ENDS. The agency also will continue efforts to assist
industry in complying with federal tobacco regulations through online information, meetings, webinars and guidance documents”.
The Company has not filed
any PMTAs. We have switched all of our nicotine products to Tobacco Free Nicotine and/or have almost completely stopped selling
nicotine based vapor products. The Company has determined to focus on cannabis vape hardware products and lighters.
In addition to federal
regulation, state and local governments currently legislate and regulate tobacco products, including what is considered a tobacco
product, how tobacco taxes are calculated and collected, to whom tobacco products can be sold and by whom, in addition to where
tobacco products, specifically cigarettes may be smoked and where they may not. Certain municipalities have enacted local ordinances
which preclude the use of e-
liquid, e-cigarettes and other vaping products
where traditional tobacco burning cigarettes cannot be used and certain states have proposed legislation that would categorize
vaping products as tobacco products, equivalent to their tobacco burning counterparts. If these bills become laws, vaping products
may lose their appeal as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, which may have the effect of reducing the demand for the products.
The Company may be required
to discontinue, prohibit or suspend sales of its e-liquid products in states that require us to obtain a retail tobacco license.
If the Company is unable to obtain certain licenses, approvals or permits and if the Company is not able to obtain the necessary
licenses, approvals or permits for financial reasons or otherwise and/or any such license, approval or permit is determined to
be overly burdensome to the Company, then the Company may be required to cease sales and distribution of its e-liquid products
to those states, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial
condition.
As a result of FDA import
alert 66-41 (which allows the detention of unapproved drugs promoted in the U.S.), U.S. Customs has from time to time temporarily
and in some instances indefinitely detained certain products. If the FDA modifies the import alert from its current form which
allows U.S. Customs discretion to release the products, to a mandatory and definitive hold the Company may no longer be able to
ensure a supply of raw materials or saleable product, which will have material adverse effect on the Company’s business,
results of operations and financial condition.
At present, neither the
Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (which prohibits the use of the USPS to mail most tobacco products and which
amends the Jenkins Act, which would require individuals and businesses that make interstate sales of cigarettes or
smokeless tobacco to comply with state tax laws) nor the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (which
governs how cigarettes can be advertised and marketed) apply to electronic cigarettes. The application of either or both
of these federal laws to electronic cigarettes would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
As
part of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,” in the most recent COVID-19 relief bill signed into law on December
27, 2020, the U.S. Congress amended the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (“PACT”) Act to apply to e-cigarettes and
all vaping products.
Originally
passed in 2009, the PACT Act amended the existing Jenkins Act of 1949, which required interstate shippers to report cigarette sales
to state tobacco tax administrators in order to combat illicit sales and tax avoidance. The PACT Act, among other things, prohibited
the use of the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) to deliver cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products directly to consumers.
In
addition to the non-mailing provisions, the PACT Act requires anyone who sells cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to register with
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (the “ATF”) and the tobacco tax administrators of
the states into which a shipment is made or in which an advertisement or offer is disseminated. Delivery sellers who ship cigarettes
or smokeless tobacco to consumers are further required to label packages as containing tobacco, verify the age and identity of
the customer at purchase, use a delivery method (other than USPS) that checks identification and obtains adult customer signature
at delivery, and maintain records of delivery sales for a period of four years after the date of sale, among other things.
The
PACT Act also requires sellers to file a monthly report with the state tobacco tax administrator and any other local or tribal
entity that taxes the sale of cigarettes. Such reports must include the name and address of the persons delivering and receiving
the shipment and the brand and quantity of the “cigarettes” that were shipped. These requirements apply to all sales
of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, including sales to consumers and sales between businesses.
The
PACT Act mandates that the ATF maintain a non-compliant list of persons who fail to comply with the Act. Placement on the list
bars common carriers and other persons from delivering products sold by the listed company. ATF distributes the list to common
carriers, USPS, credit card companies, and others to help enforce the list.
The
2020 PACT Act amendment, the “Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act,” modifies the original definition
of “cigarette” in the PACT Act to include Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (“ENDS”). The term “ENDS”
is defined very broadly to essentially include all vaping products, liquids, components, and accessories,
whether they contain
nicotine or not. Specifically, an ENDS product is defined as “any electronic device that, through an aerosolized solution,
delivers nicotine, flavor, or any other substance to the user inhaling from the device,” including
“an e-cigarette; an e-hookah; an e-cigar; a vape pen; an advanced refillable personal vaporizer; an electronic pipe; and any
component, liquid, part, or accessory of a device described [above], without regard to whether the component, liquid,
part, or accessory is sold separately from the device.” (Emphasis added.) Based on this definition of ENDS, zero-nicotine
e-liquids, synthetic “tobacco-free” nicotine e-cigarettes, and CBD/THC/hemp vape pens, among other things, would all
appear to be captured.
The
PACT Act requirements summarized above became effective in March 2021. Certain requirements (e.g., labeling, weight restrictions,
and 21+ age verification on delivery) only apply to direct-to-consumer sales (made through common carriers or private delivery
services). The registration and reporting requirements apply to all sales, including business-to-business sales.
As
noted, the amended PACT Act now prohibits the use of the USPS to deliver “ENDS” directly to consumers. The mail ban
is expected to go into effect in April 2021, although the final form of the regulations has not yet been determined.
For
example, the PACT Act has historically exempted businesses-to-business deliveries from the USPS ban. Specifically, the USPS ban
does not extend to tobacco products mailed only for business purposes between legally operating businesses that have all
applicable State and Federal Government licenses or permits and are engaged in tobacco product manufacturing, distribution, wholesale,
export, import, testing, investigation, or research. Companies seeking to use USPS for business-to-business deliveries must
first submit an application to the USPS Pricing and Classification Service Center and comply with several other
shipping, labeling, and delivery requirements. It is possible that, when published, the USPS’ regulations will to permit
business-to-business deliveries for ENDS. There is no assurance, however, that such deliveries will be permitted.
Critically for the vapor
industry, the most commonly used carriers, Federal Express and United Parcel Service (“UPS”), have announced that they
would cease all deliveries of vapor products. FedEx now prohibits, among other things, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, hooka and shisha,
even if the sender has proper licenses and is authorized to ship tobacco products. Beginning April 5, 2021, the shipment of vaping
products, including any and all noncombustible liquid or gel, regardless of the presence of nicotine, capable of being used with
or for the consumption of nicotine, and all related vape devices, products and accessories, are prohibited by UPS.
The tobacco industry expects significant regulatory
developments to take place over the next few years, driven principally by the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control (“FCTC”). The FCTC is the first international public health treaty on tobacco, and its objective
is to establish a global agenda for tobacco regulation with the purpose of reducing initiation of tobacco use and encouraging cessation.
Regulatory initiatives that have been proposed, introduced or enacted include:
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the levying of substantial and increasing tax and duty charges;
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restrictions or bans on advertising, marketing and sponsorship;
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the display of larger health warnings, graphic health warnings and other labeling requirements;
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restrictions on packaging design, including the use of colors and generic packaging;
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restrictions or bans on the display of tobacco product packaging at the point of sale, and restrictions or bans on cigarette vending machines;
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requirements regarding testing, disclosure and performance standards for tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and other smoke constituents levels;
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requirements regarding testing, disclosure and use of tobacco product ingredients;
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increased restrictions on smoking in public and work places and, in some instances, in private places and outdoors;
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elimination of duty free allowances for travelers; and
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encouraging litigation against tobacco companies.
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If e-liquid, e-cigarettes
or other vaping products are subject to one or more significant regulatory initiatives enacted under the FCTC, the Company’s
business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
European Union
On April 3, 2014, the European
Union issued the “New Tobacco Product Directive” and is intended to regulate “tobacco products”,
including cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, cigars and smokeless tobacco, and “electronic cigarettes and herbal products
for smoking”, including e-cigarettes, e-liquid, refill containers, liquid holding tanks and e-liquid bottles sold directly
to consumers. The New Tobacco Product Directive became effective May 20, 2016.
The New Tobacco Product
Directive introduces a number of new regulatory requirements for e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products, which includes
the following: (i) restricts the amount of nicotine that e-cigarettes and e-liquid can contain; (ii) requires e-cigarettes, e-liquid
and refill containers to be sold in child and tamper-proof packaging and nicotine liquids to contain only “ingredients of
high purity”; (iii) provides that e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products must deliver nicotine doses at “consistent
levels under normal conditions of use” and come with health warnings, instructions for their use, information on “addictiveness
and toxicity”, an ingredients list, and information on nicotine content; (iv) significantly restricts the advertising and
promotion of e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products; and (v) requires e-cigarette, e-liquid and other vaping product
manufacturers and importers to notify EU Member States before placing new products on the market and to report annually such to
Member States (including on their sales volumes, types of users and their “preferences”). Failure to make annual reports
to Member State Competent Authorities or to properly notify prior to a substantive change to an existing product or introduction
of a new product could result in the Company’s inability to market or sell its products and cause material adverse effect
on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
The New Tobacco Product
Directive requires Member States to transpose into law New Tobacco Product Directive provisions by May 20, 2016. An “EU directive”
requires Member States to achieve particular results. However, it does not dictate the means by which they do so. Its effect depends
on how Member States transpose the New Tobacco Product Directive into their national laws. Member States may decide, for example,
to introduce further rules affecting e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products (for example, age restrictions) provided
that these are compatible with the principles of free movement of goods in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The Tobacco Product Directive also includes provisions that allow Member States to ban specific e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other
vaping products or specific types of e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products in certain circumstances if there are grounds
to believe that they could present a serious risk to human health. If at least three Member States impose a ban and it is found
to be duly justified, the European Commission could implement a European Union wide ban. Similarly, the New Tobacco Product Directive
provides that Member States may prohibit a certain category of tobacco, flavoring or related products on grounds relating to a
specific situation in that Member State for public health purposes. Such measures must be notified to the European Commission to
determine whether they are justified.
There are also other national
laws in Member States regulating e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products. It is not clear what impact the new Tobacco
Product Directive will have on these laws.
Canada
On September 27, 2017,
Health Canada released a Notice to the Industry that portions of Bill S-5 related to the sale of vaping products that are marketed
without health or therapeutic claims are to be enacted immediately upon Royal Assent. In effect, this both legitimizes the sale
of vaping products within Canada and creates an initial regulatory framework. Health Canada has taken the stance that vaping products
that are not marketed as therapeutic are to be
considered consumer products and subject to
the requirements of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (“CCPSA”). Under the CCPSA, there
is a “general prohibition” on products that are classified as “very toxic” under the Consumer Chemicals
and Containers Regulations, 2001 (“CCCR, 2001”). Health Canada has reviewed the toxicity of nicotine
containing products and has determined that “vaping liquids containing equal to or more than 66 mg/ml (6.6%) nicotine meet
the classification of "very toxic" under the CCCR, 2001 and will be prohibited from import, advertising or sale under
Section 38 of the CCCR, 2001. None of the Company’s e-liquid products for sale fall under this classification of “very
toxic” and are therefore able to be marketed for sale within Canada. Health Canada has also determined that products containing
any nicotine that falls below the “very toxic” classification to be regulated as “toxic” under the CCCR,
2001. This classification requires the use of childproof packaging, specific labeling requirements and pictograms as outlined in
the CCCR, 2001.
At present, the Company
has made efforts to ensure that its e-liquid products that are being marketed in Canada are in full compliance with the recommendations
of Health Canada and will expect no interruption to business upon Royal Ascent of Bill S-5.
Health Canada had also
stated an intent to develop additional regulations under the authority of the CCPSA, however, at this time it is unclear what those
additional regulations may be or how they will affect the Company’s business. If e-liquid, e-cigarettes or other vaping products
are subject to one or more significant regulatory initiatives enacted under the Bill S-5 or otherwise, the Company’s business,
results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Currently in Canada, electronic
smoking products (i.e., electronic products for the vaporization and administration of inhaled doses of nicotine including electronic
cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and pipes, as well as cartridges of nicotine solutions and related products) fall within the scope
of the Food and Drugs Act. All of these products require market authorization prior to being imported, advertised or
sold in Canada. Market authorization is granted by Health Canada following successful review of scientific evidence demonstrating
safety, quality and efficacy with respect to the intended purpose of the health product. To date, no electronic smoking product
has been authorized for sale by Health Canada.
In the absence of evidence
establishing otherwise, an electronic smoking product delivering nicotine is regulated as a “new drug” under Division
8, Part C of the Food and Drug Regulations. In addition, the delivery system within an electronic smoking kit that
contains nicotine must meet the requirements of the Medical Devices Regulations. Appropriate establishment licenses
issued by Health Canada are also needed prior to importing, and manufacturing electronic cigarettes. Products that are found to
pose a risk to health and/or are in violation of the Food and Drugs Act and related regulations may be subject
to compliance and enforcement actions in accordance with the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate’s Compliance and
Enforcement Policy (POL-0001). According to Health Canada regulations, it is not permissible to import, advertise or sell electronic
smoking products without the appropriate authorizations, and persons that violate these regulations are subject to repercussions
from Health Canada, including but not limited to, seizure of the products.
Since no scientific evidence
demonstrating safety, quality and efficacy with respect to the intended purpose of e-cigarettes, e-liquid or other vaping products
has been submitted to Health Canada to date, there is the possibility that in the future Health Canada may modify or retract the
current prohibitions currently in place. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be in total compliance, remain
competitive, or financially able to meet future requirements and regulations imposed by Health Canada.
To date, Health Canada
has not imposed any restrictions on e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products that do not contain nicotine. e-cigarettes,
e-liquid and other vaping products that do not make any health claim and do not contain nicotine may legally be sold in Canada.
Thus, vendors can openly sell nicotine-free e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products. However, there are vape shops operating
throughout Canada selling e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products containing nicotine without any implications from Health
Canada. e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products are subject to standard product regulations in Canada, including the Canada
Consumer Product Safety Act and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.
At present, neither the Tobacco
Act (which regulates the manufacture, sale, labelling and promotion of tobacco products) nor the Tobacco Products
Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes and Little Cigars) (which governs how
cigarettes can be advertised and marketed)
apply to e-cigarettes, e-liquid and other vaping products. The application of these federal laws to e-cigarettes, e-liquid and
other vaping products would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Company’s Efforts to Mitigate Risks
Associated with New and Evolving Regulation
The Company is constantly
seeking to stay in compliance with all existing and reasonably expected future regulations. The Company, through its internal compliance
team, market consultants and technicians and testing labs hopes to stay in accordance with all standards whether set forth in the
New Tobacco Products Directive or the Deeming Regulations. Making sure that all e-liquid products meet and exceed the standards
set forth by each market’s regulatory body is of the highest concern for the Company. Staying in compliance with all marketing
and packaging directives is imperative to maintaining access to the markets. Although these processes are costly and time consuming,
it is imperative for the Company’s success that these steps are taken and constantly kept up to date. Failure to comply in
a timely fashion to any particular directive or regulation could have material adverse effects on the results of business operations.
CBD Products
The Company’s CBD
products are subject to various state and federal laws regarding the production and sales of hemp-based products. Section 12619
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (“2018 Farm Bill”) removed “hemp,” as defined in
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (the “1946 Agricultural Act”), from the classification of “marijuana,”
which is generally prohibited as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (“CSA”). Under
the 1946 Agricultural Act (as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill), the term “hemp” means “the plant Cannabis
sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids,
salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent
on a dry weight basis.” As a result of the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, and since the Company believes its CBD products
contain parts of the cannabis plant with a THC concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis, the Company believes
that its CBD products are not governed by the CSA and, ergo, would not be subject to prosecution thereunder because the Company
believes its CBD products contain “hemp” within the meaning of the 1946 Agricultural Act (as amended by the 2018 Farm
Bill) and do not contain any “marijuana” as prohibited under the CSA (as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill); provided,
however, there is a lack of legal protection for hemp-based products that contain more than 0.3 percent THC and there is a risk
that the Company would be subject to prosecution under the CSA in the event that its CBD products are found to contain more than
0.3 percent THC.
Furthermore, the 1946 Agricultural
Act (as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill) provides additional regulations regarding the production of hemp-based products and
there is the risk that its CBD products may be found to be in violation of these regulations. Specifically, the 1946 Agricultural
Act (as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill) contains provisions relating to the shared state-federal jurisdiction over hemp cultivation
and production, whereby states and Indian tribes have been delegated the broad authority to regulate and limit the production and
sale of hemp and hemp products within their borders. Under the 1946 Agricultural Act (as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill), a
plan under which a State or Indian tribe monitors and regulates the production of hemp shall only be required to include “(i)
a practice to maintain relevant information regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe,
including a legal description of the land, for a period of not less than three calendar years; (ii) a procedure for testing, using
post-decarboxylation or other similarly reliable methods, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp produced in
the State or territory of the Indian tribe; (iii) a procedure for the effective disposal of—(I) plants, whether growing or
not, that are produced in violation of this subtitle; and (II) products derived from those plants; (iv) a procedure to comply with
enforcement procedures; (v) a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to
verify that hemp is not produced in violation of applicable law; (vi) a procedure for submitting the information, as applicable,
to the Secretary of Agriculture (the “Secretary”) not more than 30 days after the date on which the information
is received; and (vii) a certification that the State or Indian tribe has the resources and personnel to carry out the practices
and procedures described in clauses (i) through (vi).” Further, a hemp producer in a State or the territory of an Indian
tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is approved shall be determined to have negligently violated the State or Tribal plan, including
by negligently— “(i) failing to provide a legal description of land on which the producer produces hemp; (ii) failing
to obtain a license or other required authorization from the State department of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable;
or (iii)
producing Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9
THC concentration of more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” A hemp producer that negligently violates a State or Tribal
plan 3 times in a 5-year period shall be ineligible to produce hemp for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the third
violation. If the State department of agriculture or Tribal government in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which
a State or Tribal plan, as applicable, determines that a hemp producer in the State or territory has violated the State or Tribal
plan with a culpable mental state greater than negligence— “(i) the State department of agriculture or Tribal government,
as applicable, shall immediately report the hemp producer to —(I) the Attorney General; and (II) the chief law enforcement
officer of the State or Indian tribe, as applicable.” In the case of a State or Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal
plan is not approved, the production of hemp in that State or the territory of that Indian tribe shall be subject to a plan established
by the Secretary to monitor and regulate that production. A plan established by the Secretary under shall include— “(A)
a practice to maintain relevant information regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe,
including a legal description of the land, for a period of not less than 3 calendar years; (B) a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation
or other similarly reliable methods, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp produced in the State or territory
of the Indian tribe; (C) a procedure for the effective disposal of—(i) plants, whether growing or not, that are produced
in violation of applicable law; and (ii) products derived from those plants; (D) a procedure to comply with the enforcement procedures;
(E) a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to verify that hemp is not
produced in violation of this subtitle; and (F) such other practices or procedures as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.
The Secretary shall also establish a procedure to issue licenses to hemp producers. In the case of a State or Indian tribe for
which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under applicable law, it shall be unlawful to produce hemp in that State or the territory
of that Indian tribe without a license issued by the Secretary. A violation of a plan established by the Secretary shall be subject
to enforcement and the Secretary shall report the production of hemp without a license issued by the Secretary to the Attorney
General. In the event that the Company’s CBD products are found to be in violation of these regulations, the Company may
become subject to enforcement action as provided for in the 1946 Agricultural Act (as amended by the 2018 Farm Bill) and may
become subject to prosecution thereunder.
Financing Transaction
The Equity Line
On February 19, 2020
(the “Execution Date”), the Company entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement (the “Equity Purchase Agreement”)
with DiamondRock, LLC (the “Investor”) pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, the
Investor committed to purchase shares of the Company’s common units (the “Put Shares”) at an aggregate purchase
price of up to $5,000,000 (the “Maximum Commitment Amount”) over the course of the commitment period.
Pursuant to the terms
of the Equity Purchase Agreement, the commitment period will commence upon the initial effective date of the Form S-1 Registration
Statement planned to be filed to register the Put Shares in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement as further described
below and will end on the earlier of (i) the date on which the Investor has purchased Put Shares from the Company pursuant to the
Equity Purchase Agreement equal to the Maximum Commitment Amount, (ii) the date on which there is no longer an effective registration
statement for the Put Shares, (iii) 24 months after the initial effectiveness of the Registration Statement planned to be filed
to register the Put Shares in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement as further described below, or (iv) written notice
of termination by the Company to the Investor (which will not occur at any time that the Investor holds any of the Put Shares).
From
time to time over the term of the Equity Purchase Agreement, commencing on the date on which a registration statement registering
the Put Shares (the “Registration Statement”) becomes effective, the Company may, in its sole discretion, provide the
Investor with a put notice (each a “Put Notice”) to purchase a specified number of the Put Shares (each a “Put
Amount Requested”) subject to the limitations discussed below and contained in the Equity Purchase Agreement. Within
two trading days of the date that the Put Notice is deemed delivered (“Put Date”) pursuant to terms of the Equity Purchase
Agreement, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Investor, the estimated amount of Put Shares equal to the
investment amount (“Investment Amount”) indicated in the Put Notice divided by the “Initial Pricing” per
share, as such term is defined in the Equity Purchase Agreement (the “Estimated Put Shares”) as DWAC Shares. Within
two trading days following the Put Date, the Investor shall pay the Investment Amount to the Company by wire transfer of immediately
available funds.
At
the end of the five trading days following the clearing date associated with the applicable Put Notice (“Valuation Period”),
the purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) shall be computed as 85% of the average daily volume weighted average price
of the Company’s common units during the Valuation Period and the number of Put Shares shall be determined for a particular
put as the Investment Amount divided by the Purchase Price. If the number of Estimated Put Shares (Investment Amount divided
by Initial Pricing) initially delivered to the Investor is greater than the number of Put Shares (Investment Amount divided by
Purchase Price) purchased by the Investor pursuant to such Put, then, within two trading days following the end of the Valuation
Period, the Investor shall deliver to the Company any excess Estimated Put Shares associated with such put. If the number of Estimated
Put Shares (Investment Amount divided by Initial Pricing) delivered to the Investor is less than the Put Shares purchased by the
Investor pursuant to a put, then within two trading days following the end of the Valuation Period the Company shall deliver to
the Investor by wire transfer of immediately available funds equal to the difference between the Estimated Put Shares and the Put
Shares issuable pursuant to such put.
The Put Amount Requested
pursuant to any single Put Notice must have an aggregate value of at least $25,000, and cannot exceed the lesser of (i) $250,000,
or (ii) 150% of the average daily trading value of the common units in the five trading days immediately preceding the Put Notice.
In order to deliver a
Put Notice, certain conditions set forth in the Equity Purchase Agreement must be met, as provided therein. In addition, the Company
is prohibited from delivering a Put Notice if: (i) the sale of Put Shares pursuant to such Put Notice would cause the Company to
issue and sell to the Investor, or the Investor to acquire or purchase, a number of shares of the Company’s common units
that, when aggregated with all shares of common units purchased by the Investor pursuant to all prior Put Notices issued under
the Equity Purchase Agreement, would exceed the Maximum Commitment Amount; or (ii) the issuance of the Put Shares would cause the
Company to issue and sell to Investor, or the Investor to acquire or purchase, an aggregate number of shares of common units that
would result in the Investor beneficially owning more than 4.99% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common
units (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”).
If the value of the Put
Shares based on the Purchase Price determined for a particular put would cause the Company to exceed the Maximum Commitment Amount,
then within two trading days following the end of the Valuation Period the Investor shall return to the Company the surplus amount
of Put Shares associated with such put. If the number of the Put Shares (Investment Amount divided by Purchase Price) determined
for a particular put exceeds the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then within two trading days following the end of the Valuation
Period the Investor shall return to the Company the surplus amount of Put Shares associated with such put. Concurrently, the Company
shall return within two trading days following the end of the respective Valuation Period to the Investor, by wire transfer of
immediately available funds, the portion of the Investment Amount related to the portion of Put Shares exceeding the Beneficial
Ownership Limitation.
Further pursuant to the
Equity Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed that if the SEC declares the Registration Statement for the Put Shares effective,
then during the 12 month period immediately following the date the SEC declares the Registration Statement for the Put Shares effective,
upon any issuance by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of common units or common units equivalents for cash consideration,
indebtedness or a combination of units thereof (a “Subsequent Financing”), the Investor shall have the right to participate
in up to an amount of the Subsequent Financing (that is not an “Exempt Issuance” as such term is defined in the Equity
Purchase Agreement), equal to 50% of the Subsequent Financing (the “Participation Maximum”) on the same terms, conditions
and price provided for in such Subsequent Financing; provided, however, where (i) the person or persons through or with whom such
Subsequent Financing is proposed to be effected will not agree to such participation by the Investor and (ii) the Investor will
not agree to finance the total amount of such Subsequent Financing in lieu of the person or persons through or with whom such Subsequent
Financing is proposed to be effected, the Investor shall have no right to participate in such Subsequent Financing.
Further pursuant to the
Equity Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to reserve a sufficient number of shares of its common units for the Investor pursuant
to the Equity Purchase Agreement and all other contracts between the Company and the Investor.
Registration Rights Agreement
On
the Execution Date, the Company also entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”)
with the Investor pursuant to which the Company is obligated to file the Registration Statement to register the resale of the Put
Shares. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company must (i) file the Registration Statement within 45 calendar
days from the Execution Date, (ii) use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), within 90 calendar days after the filing thereof, and
(iii) use its reasonable best efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until
all of the Put Shares have been sold thereunder or pursuant to Rule 144.
Pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to pay all reasonable expenses, other than sales or brokerage commissions, incurred in connection
with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company.
Corporate History
We were incorporated in
New York on July 19, 2004, as Jobsinsite.com, Inc. On August 5, 2004, we changed our name to Jobsinsite, Inc. On June 18, 2009,
we merged with a Delaware corporation and became Jobsinsite, Inc. On July 1, 2009, we filed articles of conversion with the secretary
of state of Delaware and became Soleil Capital L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. On September 2, 2015, we changed our name
to VPR Brands, LP. We are managed by Soleil Capital Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Under our partnership
agreement, we are authorized to issue an unlimited number of partnership interests for the consideration and on the terms and conditions
determined by Soleil Capital Management LLC, our General Partner, without the approval of the unitholders. We may also issue additional
partnership interests that, as determined by its General Partner, may have rights to distributions or special voting rights to
which the Common Units are not entitled. The Common Unitholders do not have preemptive rights under the partnership agreement to
acquire additional Common Units or other partnership interests. As of the date hereof, 87,656,632 common units, no par value per
unit, are issued and outstanding and no Class A preferred units, no par value per unit, are issued and outstanding.
Since our inception, the
Company has generated nominal revenues through the sale of software items related to the job search industry and in 2009, management
actively explored opportunities to manage private capital. Specifically, the Company had plans to sponsor and manage limited partnerships
organized for the purpose of exploring opportunities to acquire securities in secondary transactions of venture backed businesses
and dispensing capital to seed stage venture capital opportunities. As a result of the Company’s new business direction and
in an effort to establish operations in the venture capital and private equity industry, the Company has reorganized the business
and restructured the Company as a public limited partnership. In 2013, management identified an opportunity to acquire a portfolio
of electronic cigarette and personal vaporizers patents. In connection with this transaction the Company’s business objectives
pivoted and the Company is now focusing its efforts on the electronic cigarette and personal vaporizer industry and is pursuing
plans to commercialize and monetize its portfolio of electronic cigarette and personal vaporizer patents. Prior to the Company’s
decision to design, develop and market electronic cigarette e-liquids sold under the Helium brand in March 2016, the Company had
designed, developed and marketed electronic cigarettes sold under the RED brand.
On December 27, 2013, the
Company entered into a patent acquisition agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company and Guocheng
"Greg" Pan, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase certain electronic cigarette and personal vaporizer patents
owned and invented by Mr. Pan (the "Purchased Assets"). Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement and in consideration
for the acquisition of the Purchased Assets, the Company issued to Mr. Pan (and certain of his designees) 10,501,700 common units
representing limited partnership units of the Company and a warrant to purchase 2,000,000 common units representing limited partnership
units of the Company. The warrants entitle Mr. Pan (or his designees) to purchase common units of the Company at $0.15 per common
unit with an expiration date ten years from the effective date of the Purchase Agreement.
The patents were originally
valued based on number of units issued, warrants issued, valuation of the traded stock at the time of issuance and similar patents
sold during the year. Based on these assumptions, the Company has valued the assets purchased at approximately $5.5 million at
the time of purchase. During the year ended December
31, 2014, the Company determined due to lack
of sales and projected sales and completion in the industry the value of the patent should be significantly reduced. As a result,
the Company has written off the entire patent.
In April 2015, the Company
issued 25,000 of the Company’s common units to Gordon Hung in exchange for services for the Company valued at $12,500.
On May 29, 2015, the Company,
entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Kevin Frija (“Frija Share Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement
(“Private Placement”) of up to 50,000,000 common units representing limited partnership interests of the Company. The
Private Placement was expected to occur in multiple tranches. For the first tranche, on June 4, 2015, the Company issued 10,000,000
common units to Mr. Frija at a purchase price of $0.01 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $100,000 to the Company. In subsequent
tranches, Mr. Frija had the right to buy an additional 40,000,000 common units at a purchase price of $0.01 per unit. The Company
expected to receive gross proceeds of $400,000 in the aggregate upon the closing of the subsequent tranches of the Private Placement,
which is expected to be completed by September 2016. No placement agent has participated in the Private Placement.
In connection with the
Share Purchase Agreement, the Company named Mr. Frija chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors of the Company
and as a manager of the Company’s general partner, Soleil Capital Management LLC (the “General Partner”). Contemporaneous
with Mr. Frija’s appointment as chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Directors, the Company’s current
chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors, Messrs. Jon Pan and Greg Pan, respectively, have resigned from
their respective positions. Notwithstanding, Mr. Greg Pan continues to serve as a member of the board of directors of the Company
and as a manager of the General Partner and Mr. Jon Pan continues to serve as a consultant to the Company. In consideration and
as severance, for Jon Pan’s resignation as chief executive officer, the Company and the General Partner have entered into
that certain Share Purchase Agreement with Jon Pan wherein the Company agreed to grant Jon Pan the right to purchase 10,000,000
of the Company’s Common Units, at a price of $0.01 per unit.
In August 2015, the Company
issued 1,980,000 of the Company’s common unit to the former CEO, Jon Pan in exchange for repayment of funds advanced of $8,000
and future consulting services totaling $11,800. The Company will amortize the prepaid expenses over the next 15 months starting
October 1, 2015.
On September 2, 2015, in
accordance with authority granted to the General Partner under the Company’s Limited Partnership Agreement, the General Partner
changed the Company’s name (“Name Change”) from Soleil Capital L.P. to VPR Brands, LP by filing an amendment
to the Company’s Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Delaware Secretary of State. Accordingly, on September 10, 2015,
the Company’s General Partner also amended the Company’s Limited Partnership Agreement to reflect the Name Change from
Soleil Capital L.P. to VPR Brands, LP. On September 17, 2015, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) approved the
Name Change and the Company’s new trading symbol VPRB.
The Company, Soleil Capital
Management LLC and Greg Pan entered into a Termination of Share Purchase Agreement on August 18, 2015, which terminated the Share
Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2015, among the Company, Soleil Capital Management LLC and Greg Pan.
On December 9, 2015, Kevin
Frija sold an aggregate of 9,000,000 of his Common Units at a sale price of $0.01 per unit (for an aggregate of $90,000) to Jacob
Levy (1,000,000 units), Nissim Levy (1,000,000 units), Sara Morad (1,000,000 units), Yaron Edery (1,000,000 units), Barry Rub (2,000,000
units), Hannah Frija (2,000,000 units), and Ralph Frija (1,000,000 units).
On March 28, 2016, Mr.
Frija exercised a right to buy 15,000,000 Common Units at a purchase price of $0.01 per unit, resulting in 15,000,000 Common Units
issued to Mr. Frija in exchange for gross proceeds of $150,000 to the Company, pursuant to the terms of the Frija Share Purchase
Agreement, leaving a balance of 25,000,000 Common Units to purchase at $0.01 per unit under the right to buy under the Frija Share
Purchase Agreement.
On April 29, 2016, the
Company issued an aggregate of 720,000 common units, valued at $0.02 per common unit (for an aggregate of $14,400), to four consultants
as total compensation paid-in-advance for services related to product development, creative direction and sales and marketing to
be provided under their respective consulting agreements with the Company.
On May 23, 2016 ($20,000)
and May 31, 2016 ($20,000) and June 16, 2016 ($10,000), pursuant to the terms of the Frija Share Purchase Agreement, Mr.
Frija exercised a right to buy 5,000,000 Common Units at a purchase price of $0.01 per unit, resulting in 5,000,000 Common Units
issued to Mr. Frija in exchange for total gross proceeds of $50,000 to the Company, leaving a balance of 20,000,000 Common Units
to purchase at $0.01 per unit (an aggregate purchase price of $200,000) under the right to buy under the Frija Share Purchase Agreement.
Asset Purchase Agreement with Vapor Corp.
On July 29, 2016, the Company
entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) between Vapor and the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer, Kevin Frija (the former Chief Executive Officer of Vapor), pursuant to which Vapor sold Vapor’s wholesale operations
and inventory related thereto (collectively, “Assets”) to the Company. The Vapor acquisition and the line of business
was accounted for using the purchase method.
Securities Purchase Agreement with DiamondRock
The Company entered into
a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with DiamondRock, LLC, an unaffiliated third party (“DiamondRock”),
pursuant to which the Company sold to Diamond Rock a $500,000 convertible promissory note (the “Note”) for a purchase
price of $475,000, reflecting an original issue discount of $25,000. The transactions under the SPA closed on November 29, 2016,
and the Note was issued on that date.
The Note permits the Company
to make additional borrowings under the Note. On November 29, 2016, DiamondRock advanced the first tranche to the Company in the
amount of $71,250, which reflected the first borrowing in the amount of $75,000, less the prorated portion of the original issue
discount.
Amounts advanced under
the Note bear interest at the rate of 8% per year, and the maturity date for each tranche is 12 months from the funding of the
applicable tranche. The Company may prepay any amount outstanding under the Note prior to the actual maturity date for a 35%.
DiamondRock has the right
to convert the outstanding and unpaid principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest of the respective tranche of the Note into
common units of the Company, subject to the limitation that DiamondRock may not complete a conversion if doing so would cause DiamondRock
to own in excess of 4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common units, provided that DiamondRock may waive that limitation
and increase the ownership cap to up to 9.99%. The conversion price for any conversion under the Note is equal to the lesser of
(i) $0.50 and (ii) 65% of the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common over the 7 trading days ending
on the last complete trading day prior to the date of the conversion. In addition, in the event that the Company enters into certain
transactions with other parties that provide for a conversion price at a larger discount (than 35%) to the trading price of the
Company’s common stock, or provides for a longer look-back period, then the conversion price and look-back period under the
Note will be adjusted to be such lower conversion price and longer look-back period, as applicable.
If at any time while the
Note is outstanding, the Company enters into a transaction structured in accordance with, based upon, or related or pursuant to,
in whole or in part, Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act (covering certain exchange transactions), then a liquidated damages
charge of 25% of the outstanding principal balance of the Note at that time will be assessed and will become immediately due and
payable to DiamondRock, either in the form of cash payment or as an addition to the balance of the Note, as determined by mutual
agreement of the Company and DiamondRock.
The Note also contains
a right of first refusal such that, if at any time while the Note is outstanding, the Company has a bona fide offer of capital
or financing from any 3rd party that the Company intends to act upon, then the Company must first offer such opportunity to DiamondRock
to provide such capital or financing on the same terms. The SPA and the Note contain customary representations, warranties and
covenants for transactions of this type.
Diamond Rock Loan
During 2017, the Company
borrowed an additional $325,650 under the Diamond Rock loan agreement. Terms of the loan are the same as described in the acquisition
note.
During the year ended December
31, 2018, the Diamond Rock converted a total of $660,000 into 17,371,225 common units of stock.
Brikor Note
On February 15, 2019, the
Company issued a senior convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $200,000 to Brikor LLC. The principal amount due
under the Brikor Note bears interest at the rate of 18% per annum. The principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest (to the
extent not converted in accordance with the terms of the Brikor Note) is due and payable on the third anniversary of the issue
date. The Brikor Note and the amounts payable thereunder are unsecured obligations of the Company and shall be senior in right
of payment and otherwise to all indebtedness, as provided in the Brikor Note.
At any time after the first
anniversary of the issue date, the holder may require the Company, upon at least 30 business days’ written notice, to redeem
all or any portion of the Brikor Note. The portion of the Brikor Note subject to redemption will be redeemed by the Company in
cash.
The Brikor Note is convertible
into common units of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Brikor Note, Brikor has the right, at its option, to convert any
portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount (as hereinafter defined) into common units in accordance with the provisions
of the Brikor Note at the Conversion Rate (as hereinafter defined). The number of common units issuable upon conversion of any
Conversion Amount will be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) $0.10 (subject to adjustment as set forth in
the Brikor Note) (such result, the “Conversion Rate”). “Conversion Amount” means the sum of (A) the portion
of the principal balance of the Brikor Note to be converted with respect to which the determination is being made, (B) accrued
and unpaid interest with respect to such principal balance, if any, and (C) the Default Balance (other than any amount thereof
within the purview of foregoing clauses (A) or (B)), if any.
Daiagi and Daiagi Note
On February 15, 2019, the
Company issued a senior convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $200,000 (the “Daiagi and Daiagi Note”)
to Mike Daiagi and Mathew Daiagi jointly (the “Daiagis”). The principal amount due under the Daiagi and Daiagi Note
bears interest at the rate of 18% per annum. The principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest (to the extent not converted
in accordance with the terms of the Daiagi and Daiagi Note) is due and payable on the third anniversary of the issue date. The
Daiagi and Daiagi Note and the amounts payable thereunder are unsecured obligations of the Company and shall be senior in right
of payment and otherwise to all indebtedness, as provided in the Daiagi and Daiagi Note.
At any time after the first
anniversary of the issue date, the holder may require the Company, upon at least 30 business days’ written notice, to redeem
all or any portion of the Daiagi and Daiagi Note. The portion of the Daiagi and Daiagi Note subject to redemption will be redeemed
by the Company in cash.
The Daiagi and Daiagi Note
is convertible into common units of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Daiagi and Daiagi Note, the Daiagis have the right,
at their option, to convert any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount into common units in accordance with the
provisions of the Daiagi and Daiagi Note at the Conversion Rate. The number of common units issuable upon conversion of any Conversion
Amount will be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) $0.10 (subject to adjustment as set forth in the Daiagi
and Daiagi Note).
Amber Investments Note
On February 15, 2019, the
Company issued a senior convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $200,000 (the “Amber Investments Note”)
to Amber Investments LLC (“Amber Investments”). The principal amount due under the Amber Investments Note bears interest
at the rate of 18% per annum. The principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest (to the extent not converted in accordance with
the terms of the Amber Investments Note) is due and payable on the third anniversary of the issue date. The Amber Investments Note
and the amounts payable thereunder are unsecured obligations of the Company and shall be senior in right of payment and otherwise
to all indebtedness, as provided in the Amber Investments Note.
At any time after the first
anniversary of the issue date, the holder may require the Company, upon at least 30 business days’ written notice, to redeem
all or any portion of the Amber Investments Note. The portion of the Amber Investments Note subject to redemption will be redeemed
by the Company in cash.
The Amber Investments Note
is convertible into common units of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Amber Investments Note, Amber Investments has the
right, at its option, to convert any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount into common units in accordance with
the provisions of the Amber Investments Note at the Conversion Rate. The number of common units issuable upon conversion of any
Conversion Amount will be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) $0.10 (subject to adjustment as set forth in
the Amber Investments Note).
K & S Pride Note
On February 19, 2019, the
Company issued a senior convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $200,000 (the “K & S Pride Note”)
to K & S Pride Inc. (“K & S Pride”). The principal amount due under the K & S Pride Note bears interest
at the rate of 18% per annum. The principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest (to the extent not converted in accordance with
the terms of the K & S Pride Note) is due and payable on the third anniversary of the issue date. The K & S Pride Note
and the amounts payable thereunder are unsecured obligations of the Company and shall be senior in right of payment and otherwise
to all indebtedness, as provided in the K & S Pride Note.
At any time after the first
anniversary of the issue date, the holder may require the Company, upon at least 30 business days’ written notice, to redeem
all or any portion of the K & S Pride Note. The portion of the K & S Pride Note subject to redemption will be redeemed
by the Company in cash.
The K & S Pride Note
is convertible into common units of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the K & S Pride Note, K & S Pride has the right,
at its option, to convert any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount into common units in accordance with the
provisions of the K & S Pride Note at the Conversion Rate. The number of common units issuable upon conversion of any Conversion
Amount will be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) $0.10 (subject to adjustment as set forth in the K &
S Pride Note).
Surplus Depot Note
On February 20, 2019, the
Company issued a senior convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $200,000 (the “Surplus Depot Note”)
to Surplus Depot Inc. (“Surplus Depot”). The principal amount due under the K & S Pride Note bears interest at
the rate of 18% per annum. The principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest (to the extent not converted in accordance with
the terms of the Surplus Depot Note) is due and payable on the third anniversary of the issue date. The Surplus Depot Note and
the amounts payable thereunder are unsecured obligations
of the Company and shall be senior in right
of payment and otherwise to all indebtedness, as provided in the Surplus Depot Note.
At any time after the first
anniversary of the issue date, the holder may require the Company, upon at least 30 business days’ written notice, to redeem
all or any portion of the Surplus Depot Note. The portion of the Surplus Depot Note subject to redemption will be redeemed by the
Company in cash.
The Surplus Depot Note
is convertible into common units of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Surplus Depot Note, Surplus Depot has the right,
at its option, to convert any portion of the outstanding and unpaid Conversion Amount into common units in accordance with the
provisions of the Surplus Depot Note at the Conversion Rate. The number of common units issuable upon conversion of any Conversion
Amount will be determined by dividing (x) such Conversion Amount by (y) $0.10 (subject to adjustment as set forth in the Surplus
Depot Note).
Frija Notes
On February 1, 2019, the Company issued a promissory
note in the principal amount of $100,001 (the “February 2019 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija. Mr. Frija is the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a
significant unitholder of the Company. The principal amount due under the February 2019 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of
24% per annum, permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business
day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is
due on February 1, 2020. The February 2019 Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2019 was $12,798,
which was fully paid during the year ended December 31, 2020.
On June 14, 2019, the Company issued a promissory
note in the principal amount of $100,001 (the “June 2019 Frija/Hoff Note”) to Kevin Frija and Dan Hoff. Mr. Frija is
the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman
of the Board, and a significant unitholder of the Company. Mr. Hoff is the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. The principal
amount due under the June 2019 Frija/Hoff Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, permits Messrs. Frija and Hoff to deduct
one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal amount due and
accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due on June 14, 2020. The June 2019 Frija/Hoff
Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2019 was $51,265, which was fully paid during the year ended December
31, 2020.
On July 5, 2019, the Company issued a Note
in the principal amount of $100,001 (“July 2019 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer,
President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant unitholder of
the Company. The principal amount due under the July 2019 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits Mr.
Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal
amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due in July 2020. The July 2019
Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2020 was $7,356 and $57,145, respectively.
On October 7, 2019, the Company issued a Note
in the principal amount of $100,001 (“July 2019 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer,
President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant unitholder of
the Company. The principal amount due under the July 2019 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits Mr.
Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal
amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due in July 2020. The July 2019
Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $2,476 and $80,728, respectively.
On November 8, 2019, the Company issued a Note
in the principal amount of $100,001 (“July 2019 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer,
President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant unitholder of
the Company. The principal amount due under the July 2019 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits Mr.
Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal
amount due and accrued
interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount
and any accrued interest is due in July 2020. The July 2019 Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31,
2020 and 2019 was $2,476 and $89,033, respectively.
On November 15, 2019, the Company issued a
Note in the principal amount of $100,001 (“July 2019 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant unitholder
of the Company. The principal amount due under the July 2019 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits
Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal
amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due in July 2020. The July 2019
Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $956 and $90,646, respectively.
On December 9, 2019, the Company issued a Note
in the principal amount of $100,001 (“July 2019 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer,
President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant unitholder of
the Company. The principal amount due under the July 2019 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits Mr.
Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal
amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due in July 2020. The July 2019
Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $1,510 and $95,392, respectively.
On December 16, 2019, the Company issued a
Note in the principal amount of $100,001 (“July 2019 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant unitholder
of the Company. The principal amount due under the July 2019 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits
Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal
amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due in July 2020. The July 2019
Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the note as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $4,084 and $100,001, respectively.
Notes Issued by the Company in 2020
Frija Notes
On January 10, 2020, the Company issued a promissory
note in the principal amount of $100,001 (“January 2020 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, who is the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant
unitholder of the Company. The principal amount due under the Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and the January
2020 Frija Note permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business
day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due
on January 10, 2021. The Note is unsecured. The balance of the January 2020 Frija Note as of December 31,
2020 was $9,671.
On February 18, 2020, the Company issued a
promissory note in the principal amount of $100,001 (“February 2020 Frija Note”) to Kevin Frija, who is the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a
significant unitholder of the Company. The principal amount due under the February 2020 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of
24% per annum, and the February 2020 Frija Note permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account
in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount
and any accrued interest is due on February 18, 2021. The February 2020 Frija Note is unsecured and had a balance as of December
31, 2020 of $21,963.
On April 6, 2020, the Company issued a promissory
note in the principal amount of $100,001 (the “April 2021 Note”) to Mr. Frija, who is the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant stockholder
of the Company. The principal amount due under the April 2021 Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and the April 2021
Note permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until
the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due on April 6,
2021. The April 2021 Note is unsecured. The balance of the April 2021 Note as of December 31, 2020 was $38,071.
On June 22, 2020, the Company a promissory
note in the principal amount of $100,001 (together, the “June 2020 Note”) to Mr. Frija, who is the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a
significant unitholder of the Company. The principal amount due under the June 2020 Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per
annum, and the June 2020 Note permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of
$500 per business day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued
interest is due on June 22, 2021. During August 2020, there was an additional $70,000 issuance to the June 2020 Note. The June
2020 Note is unsecured and had an aggregate balance as of December 31, 2020 of $53,243.
On August 19, 2020, the Company issued a promissory
note in the principal amount of $100,001 (the “August 2020 Note”) to Kevin Frija, who is the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant
stockholder of the Company. The principal amount due under the August 2020 Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and
the August 2020 Note permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per
business day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest
is due on August 19, 2021. The August 2020 Note is unsecured. The balance of the August 2020 Note as of December 31, 2020 was $80,782.
On September 22, 2020, the Company issued a
promissory note in the principal amount of $100,001 (the “September 22, 2020 Note”) to Mr. Frija, who is the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a
significant stockholder of the Company. The principal amount due under the September 22, 2020 Note bears interest at the rate of
24% per annum, and the September 22, 2020 Note permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account
in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount
and any accrued interest is due on September 22, 2021. The September 22, 2020 Note is unsecured. The balance of the September 22,
2020 Note as of December 31, 2020 was $94,157.
On November 2, 2020, the Company issued a
promissory note in the principal amount of $100,001 (the “November 2020 Frija/Hoff Note”) to Kevin Frija, the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the
Board, and a significant unitholder of the Company, and Dan Hoff, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. The principal amount due
under the November 2020 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from
the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is
repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due on November 2, 2021. The November 2020 Frija Note is unsecured.
The balance of the November 2020 Frija Note as of December 31, 2020 was $96,173.
On December 1, 2020, the Company issued a promissory
note in the principal amount of $100,001 (the “December 1, 2020 Note”) to Kevin Frija, who is the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer, President, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant
stockholder of the Company. The principal amount due under the December 1, 2020 Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum,
and the December 1, 2020 Note permits Mr. Frija to deduct one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of
$500 per business day until the principal amount due and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued
interest is due on December 1, 2021. The December 1, 2020 Note is unsecured. The balance of the December 1, 2020 Note as of December
31, 2020 was $100,000.
On December 17, 2020, the Company
received $95,000 pursuant to a promissory note in the principal amount of $100,001 issued on January 14, 2021, to Kevin Frija
(“January 14, 2021 Frija Note”), the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer and Chairman of the Board, and a significant unitholder of the Company. The principal
amount due under the January 14, 2021 Frija Note bears interest at the rate of 24% per annum, and permits Mr. Frija to deduct
one ACH payment from the Company’s bank account in the amount of $500 per business day until the principal amount due
and accrued interest is repaid. Any unpaid principal amount and any accrued interest is due on January 14, 2022. The January
14, 2021 Frija Note is unsecured. The balance of the January 14, 2021 Frija Note as of December 31, 2020 was $95,000.
Employees
As of December 31, 2020, we had 12 employees.
None of our employees is represented by a union. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.
Various portions of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or achievements
could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including
those set forth below and elsewhere in this report. These risk factors are not presented in the order of importance or probability
of occurrence. For purposes of these risk factors, the term “electronic cigarettes” is deemed to include “vaporizers.”
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
We have a history of operating
losses and our auditors have indicated that there is a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
For the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we reported net losses of $563,779 and $1,179,010, respectively, and negative cash flow from
operating activities of $69,607 and $1,335,958, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, we had an aggregate accumulated deficit
of approximately $10,340,000 and negative working capital of $1,892,210. Such losses have historically required us to seek additional
funding through the issuance of debt or equity securities. Our long-term success is dependent upon among other things, achieving
positive cash flows from operations and if necessary, augmenting such cash flows using external resources to satisfy our cash needs.
However, we may be unable to achieve these goals and actual results could differ from our estimates and assumptions, accordingly,
we may have to supplement our cash flow, by debt financing or sales of equity securities. There can be no assurance that we will
be able to obtain additional funding, if needed, on commercially reasonable terms, or of all.
As a result of these net
losses and cash flow deficits and other factors we have disclosed, there is a substantial doubt about our
ability to continue as a going concern.
Our financial statements
do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. These adjustments would likely include substantial
impairment of the carrying amount of our assets and potential contingent liabilities that may arise if we are unable to fulfill
various operational commitments. In addition, the value of our securities, including common units issued in this offering, would
be greatly impaired. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon generating sufficient cash flow from operations
and obtaining additional capital and financing, including funds to be raised in this offering. If our ability to generate cash
flow from operations is delayed or reduced and we are unable to raise additional funding from other sources, we may be unable to
continue in business even if this offering is successful. For further discussion about our ability to continue as a going concern
and our plan for future liquidity, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations—Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.”
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In March 2020,
the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide.
The spread of COVID-19 has affected segments of the global economy and may affect our operations, including the potential interruption
of our supply chain. We are monitoring this situation closely, and although operations have not been materially affected by the
COVID-19 outbreak to date,
the ultimate duration and severity
of the outbreak and its impact on the economic environment and our business is uncertain.
The spread of COVID-19,
or another infectious disease, could also negatively affect the operations at our third-party manufacturers, which could result
in delays or disruptions in the supply of our products. In addition, we may take temporary precautionary measures intended to help
minimize the risk of the virus to our employees, including temporarily requiring all employees to work remotely, suspending all
non-essential travel worldwide for our employees, and discouraging employee attendance at industry events and in-person work-related
meetings, which could negatively affect our business.
The extent to which
COVID-19 impacts our operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence,
including the duration of the outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19 and the actions to
contain the coronavirus or treat its impact, among others. In particular, the continued spread of the coronavirus globally could
adversely impact our operations, including among others, our manufacturing and supply chain, sales and marketing and could have
an adverse impact on our business and our financial results. The COVID-19 outbreak is a widespread health crisis that has adversely
affected the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect demand for
our products and likely impact our operating results.
We are affected by extensive laws, governmental
regulations, administrative determinations, court decisions and similar other constraints, which can make compliance costly and
subject us to enforcement actions by governmental agencies.
The formulation, manufacturing,
packaging, labeling, holding, storage, distribution, advertising and sale of our products are affected by extensive laws, governmental
regulations and policies, administrative determinations, court decisions and similar constraints at the federal, state and local
levels, both within the United States and in any country where we conduct business. There can be no assurance that we, or our independent
distributors, will be in compliance with all of these regulations. A failure by us or our distributors to comply with these laws
and regulations could lead to governmental investigations, civil and criminal prosecutions, administrative hearings and court proceedings,
civil and criminal penalties, injunctions against product sales or advertising, civil and criminal liability for us and/or our
principals, bad publicity, and tort claims arising out of governmental or judicial findings of fact or conclusions of law adverse
to us or our principals. In addition, the adoption of new regulations and policies or changes in the interpretations of existing
regulations and policies may result in significant new compliance costs or discontinuation of product sales, and may adversely
affect the marketing of our products, resulting in decreases in revenue.
We face intense competition and our failure
to compete effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Competition in the electronic
cigarette and related e liquids industry is intense. We compete with other sellers of electronic cigarettes, most notably Lorillard,
Inc., Altria Group, Inc. and Reynolds American Inc., big tobacco companies, through their electronic cigarettes business segments;
the nature of our competitors is varied as the market is highly fragmented and the barriers to entry into the business are low.
We compete primarily on
the basis of product quality, brand recognition, brand loyalty, service, marketing, advertising and price. We are subject to highly
competitive conditions in all aspects of our business. The competitive environment and our competitive position can be significantly
influenced by weak economic conditions, erosion of consumer confidence, competitors’ introduction of low-priced products
or innovative products, cigarette excise taxes, higher absolute prices and larger gaps between price categories, and product regulation
that diminishes the ability to differentiate tobacco products.
Our principal competitors
are “big tobacco”, U.S. cigarette manufacturers of both conventional tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes like
Altria Group, Inc., Lorillard, Inc. and Reynolds American Inc. We compete against “big tobacco” who offers not only
conventional tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes but also smokeless tobacco products such as “snus” (a form
of moist ground smokeless tobacco that is usually sold in sachet form that resembles small tea bags), chewing tobacco and snuff.
Furthermore, we believe that “big tobacco” will devote more
attention and resources to developing and offering
electronic cigarettes as the market for electronic cigarettes grows. Because of their well-established sales and distribution channels,
marketing expertise and significant resources, “big tobacco” is better positioned than small competitors like us to
capture a larger share of the electronic cigarette market. We also compete against numerous other smaller manufacturers or importers
of cigarettes. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against any of our competitors, some of whom
have far greater resources, capital, experience, market penetration, sales and distribution channels than us. If our major competitors
were, for example, to significantly increase the level of price discounts offered to consumers, we could respond by offering price
discounts, which could have a materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may be unable to promote and maintain
our brands.
We believe that establishing
and maintaining our brand is a critical aspect of attracting and expanding a large customer base. Promotion and enhancement of
our brands will depend largely on our success in continuing to provide high quality products. If our customers and end users do
not perceive our products to be of high quality, or if we introduce new products or enter into new business ventures that are not
favorably received by our customers and end users, we will risk diluting our brand identities and decreasing their attractiveness
to existing and potential customers.
Moreover, in order to attract
and retain customers and to promote and maintain our brand equity in response to competitive pressures, we may have to increase
substantially our financial commitment to creating and maintaining a distinct brand loyalty among our customers. If we incur significant
expenses in an attempt to promote and maintain our brands, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be
adversely affected.
We expect that new products and/or brands
we develop will expose us to risks that may be difficult to identify until such products and/or brands are commercially available.
We are currently developing,
and in the future will continue to develop, new products and brands, the risks of which will be difficult to ascertain until these
products and/or brands are commercially available. For example, we are developing new formulations, packaging and distribution
channels. Any negative events or results that may arise as we develop new products or brands may adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to manage our anticipated
future growth, our business and results of operations could suffer materially.
Our operating results depend
to a large extent on our ability to successfully manage our anticipated growth. To manage our anticipated growth, we believe we
must effectively, among other things:
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hire, train, and manage additional employees;
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expand our marketing and distribution capabilities;
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increase our product development activities;
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add additional qualified finance and accounting personnel; and
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implement and improve our administrative, financial and operational systems, procedures and controls.
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If we are unable to manage
our growth effectively, we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities or develop new products, and we may fail to
satisfy product requirements, maintain product quality, execute our business plan or respond to competitive pressures, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to significant product
liability litigation.
The tobacco industry has
experienced, and continues to experience, significant product liability litigation. Most tobacco liability lawsuits have been brought
against manufacturers and sellers of cigarettes by individual plaintiffs, often participating on a class-action basis, for injuries
allegedly caused by cigarette smoking or by exposure to cigarette smoke. However, several lawsuits have also been brought against
manufacturers and sellers of smokeless products for injuries to health allegedly caused by use of smokeless products. In addition
to the risks to our business, results of operations and financial condition resulting from adverse results in any such action,
ongoing litigation may divert management’s attention and resources, which could have an impact on our business and operations.
We cannot predict with certainty the outcome of these claims and there can be no assurance that we will not sustain losses in connection
with such lawsuits and that such losses will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
As a result of their relative
novelty, electronic cigarette and vaporizer product manufacturers and sellers have only recently become subject to litigation.
We may see increasing litigation over e-products or the regulation of our products, as the regulatory regimes surrounding these
products develop.
As a result, we may face
substantial costs due to increased product liability litigation relating to new regulations or other potential defects associated
with e-products we sell, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Sales of conventional tobacco cigarettes
have been declining, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The overall U.S. market
for conventional tobacco cigarettes has generally been declining in terms of volume of sales, as a result of restrictions on advertising
and promotions, funding of smoking prevention campaigns, increases in regulation and excise taxes, a decline in the social acceptability
of smoking, and other factors, and such sales are expected to continue to decline. While the sales of electronic cigarettes have
been increasing over the last several years, the electronic cigarette market is only developing and is a fraction of the size of
the conventional tobacco cigarette market. A continual decline in cigarette sales may adversely affect the growth of the electronic
cigarette market, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our patents and our ability to enforce
them.
We have a portfolio of
issued U.S. and Chinese patents, however we cannot provide any assurances that our patents will not be challenged and if challenged,
will be upheld and deemed valid. Furthermore our efforts to enforce our patent may be costly and there can be no assurances that
should we seek to prosecute and enforce our patents, that we will be victorious and even if we are victorious, we cannot provide
assurances that our efforts would result in damages, licensing fees or removing the infringing products from the market. Moreover,
if we are not able to retain counsel on a contingency basis, we may be unable to pursue prosecution of the infringers of our patents.
We may not be able to adequately protect
our intellectual property rights in China or elsewhere, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We believe that patents,
trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property we use and are developing are important to sustaining and growing our
business. We utilize third party manufacturers to manufacture our products in China, where the validity, enforceability and scope
of protection available under intellectual property laws are uncertain and still evolving. Implementation and enforcement of Chinese
intellectual property-related laws have historically been deficient, ineffective and hampered by corruption and local protectionism.
Accordingly, we may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property in China, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, policing unauthorized use of our intellectual property
in China and elsewhere is difficult and expensive, and we may need to resort to litigation to enforce or defend our intellectual
property or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others. Such litigation and
an adverse determination in any such litigation, if any, could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management
attention, which could harm our business and competitive position.
Third parties may claim that we infringe
their intellectual property and trademark rights.
Competitors in our markets
may claim that we infringe their proprietary rights. Such claims, whether or not meritorious, may result in the expenditure of
significant financial and managerial resources, injunctions against us or the payment of damages.
Adverse publicity associated with our
products or ingredients, or those of similar companies, could adversely affect our sales and revenue.
Adverse publicity concerning
any actual or purported failure by us to comply with applicable laws and regulations regarding any aspect of our business could
have an adverse effect on the public perception of the Company. This, in turn, could negatively affect our ability to obtain financing,
endorsers and attract distributors or retailers for our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our ability to
generate sales and revenue.
Our distributors’
and customers’ perception of the safety and quality of our products or even similar products distributed by others can be
significantly influenced by national media attention, publicized scientific research or findings, product liability claims and
other publicity concerning our products or similar products distributed by others. Adverse publicity, whether or not accurate,
that associates consumption of our products or any similar products with illness or other adverse effects, will likely diminish
the public’s perception of our products. Claims that any products are ineffective, inappropriately labeled or have inaccurate
instructions as to their use, could have a material adverse effect on the market demand for our products, including reducing our
sales and revenue.
We rely on our CEO and may experience
difficulty in attracting and hiring qualified new personnel in some areas of our business.
The loss of our CEO or
any of our key employees could adversely affect our business. As a member of the tobacco industry, we may experience difficulty
in identifying and hiring qualified executives and other personnel in some areas of our business. This difficulty is primarily
attributable to the health and social issues associated with the tobacco industry. The loss of services of any key employees or
our inability to attract, hire and retain personnel with requisite skills could restrict our ability to develop new products, enhance
existing products in a timely manner, sell products or manage our business effectively. These factors could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may not be successful in maintaining
the consumer brand recognition and loyalty of our products.
We compete in a market
that relies on innovation and the ability to react to evolving consumer preferences. The smoke accessories industry in particular
is subject to changing consumer trends, demands and preferences. Therefore, products once favored may over time become disfavored
by consumers or no longer perceived as the best option. Consumers in the market have demonstrated a high degree of brand loyalty,
but producers must continue to adapt their products in order to maintain their status among these customers as the market evolves.
Trends within the industry change often and our failure to anticipate, identify or react to changes in these trends could, among
other things, lead to reduced demand for our products. Factors that may affect consumer perception of our products include health
trends and attention to health concerns associated with vaping, price-sensitivity in the presence of competitors’ products
or substitute products and trends in favor of new products that are currently being researched and produced by participants in
our industry.
We are subject to significant product
liability litigation.
The tobacco industry has
experienced, and continues to experience, significant product liability litigation. Most tobacco liability lawsuits have been brought
against manufacturers and sellers of cigarettes by individual plaintiffs, often participating on a class-action basis, for injuries
allegedly caused by cigarette smoking or by exposure to cigarette smoke. However, several lawsuits have also been brought against
manufacturers and sellers of smokeless products for injuries to health allegedly caused by use of smokeless products. In addition
to the risks to our business, results of operations and financial condition resulting from adverse results in any such action,
ongoing litigation may divert management’s attention and resources, which could have an impact on our business and operations.
We cannot predict with certainty the outcome of these claims and there can be no assurance that we will not sustain losses in connection
with such lawsuits and that such losses will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
As a result of their relative
novelty, electronic cigarette and vaporizer product manufacturers and sellers have only recently become subject to litigation.
We may see increasing litigation over e-products or the regulation of our products, as the regulatory regimes surrounding these
products develop.
As a result, we may face
substantial costs due to increased product liability litigation relating to new regulations or other potential defects associated
with e-products we sell, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If we are the subject of future product
defect or liability suits, our business will likely fail.
In the course of our planned
operations, we may become subject to legal actions based on a claim that our products are defective in workmanship or have caused
personal or other injuries. We currently maintain liability insurance, but such coverage may not be adequate to cover all potential
claims. Moreover, even if we are able to maintain sufficient insurance coverage in the future, any successful claim could significantly
harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we experience product recalls, we
may incur significant and unexpected costs and our business reputation could be adversely affected.
We may be exposed to product
recalls and adverse public relations if our products are alleged to cause illness or injury, or if we are alleged to have violated
governmental regulations. A product recall could result in substantial and unexpected expenditures that could exceed our product
recall insurance coverage limits and harm to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition. In addition, a product recall may require significant management time and attention and
may adversely impact on the value of our brands. Product recalls may lead to greater scrutiny by federal or state regulatory agencies
and increased litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Product exchanges, returns and warranty
claims may adversely affect our business.
If we are unable to maintain
an acceptable degree of quality control of our products we will incur costs associated with the exchange and return of our products
as well as servicing our customers for warranty claims. Any of the foregoing on a significant scale may have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Adverse economic conditions may adversely
affect the demand for our products.
Electronic cigarettes and
vapor products are new to market and may be regarded by users as a novelty item and expendable as such demand for our products
may be extra sensitive to economic conditions. When economic conditions are prosperous, discretionary spending typically increases;
conversely, when economic conditions are unfavorable, discretionary spending often declines. Any significant decline in economic
conditions that affects consumer spending could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
We rely, significantly, on the efforts
of third party agents to generate sales of our products.
We rely, significantly,
on the efforts of independent distributors to purchase and distribute our products to wholesalers and retailers. No single distributor
currently accounts for a material percentage of our sales and we believe that should any of these relationships terminate we would
be able to find suitable replacements and do so on a timely basis. However, any loss of distributors or our ability to timely replace
any given distributor could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely, in part, on the
efforts of independent salespersons who sell our products to distributors and major retailers and Internet sales affiliates to
generate sales of products. No single independent salesperson or Internet affiliate currently accounts for a material percentage
of our sales and we believe that should any of these relationships terminate we would be able to find suitable replacements and
do so on a timely basis. However, any loss of independent sales persons or Internet sales affiliates or our ability to timely replace
any one of them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to establish sustainable
relationships with large retailers or national chains.
We believe the best way
to develop brand and product recognition and increase sales volume is to establish relationships with large retailers and national
chains. We currently do not have any established relationships with large retailers and or national chains and we cannot provide
any assurances that we will be successful in our efforts to establish such relationships and or if we would be able to pay the
costs associated with establishing such national accounts. Our inability to develop and sustain relationships with large retailers
and national chains will impede our ability to develop brand and product recognition and increase sales volume and, ultimately,
require us to pursue and rely on local and more fragmented sales channels, which will have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
We may not be able to adapt to trends
in our industry.
We may not be able to
adapt as the electronic cigarette industry and customer demand evolves, whether attributable to regulatory constraints or requirements,
a lack of financial resources or our failure to respond in a timely and/or effective manner to new technologies, customer preferences,
changing market conditions or new developments in our industry. Any of the failures to adapt for the reasons cited herein or otherwise
could make our products obsolete and would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on third party manufacturers
for our products.
We depend on third party
manufacturers for our electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and accessories. Our customers associate certain characteristics of our
products including the weight, feel, draw, unique flavor, packaging and other attributes of our products to the brands we market,
distribute and sell. Any interruption in supply and/or consistency of our products may adversely impact our ability to deliver
our products to our wholesalers, distributors and customers and otherwise harm our relationships and reputation with customers,
and have a materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Although we believe that
several alternative sources for the components, chemical constituents and manufacturing services necessary for the production of
our products are available, any failure to obtain any of the foregoing would have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
We rely on Chinese manufacturers to produce
our products.
Our manufacturers are
based in China. Certain Chinese factories and the products they export have been the source of safety concerns and recalls, which
is generally attributed to lax regulatory, quality control and safety standards. Should Chinese factories continue to draw public
criticism for exporting unsafe products, whether those products relate to our products or not we may be adversely affected by the
stigma associated with Chinese production, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
We may face competition from foreign
importers who do not comply with government regulation.
We may face competition
from foreign sellers of electronic cigarettes that may illegally ship their products into the United States for direct delivery
to customers. These market participants will not have the added cost and expense of complying with U.S. regulations and taxes and
as a result will be able to offer their product at a more competitive price than us and potentially capture market share. Moreover,
should we be unable to sell certain of our products during any regulatory approval process we have no assurances that we will be
able to recapture those customers that we lost to our foreign domiciled competitors during any “blackout” periods,
during which we are not permitted to sell our products. This competitive disadvantage may have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and our financial condition.
Our results of operations could be adversely
affected by currency exchange rates and currency devaluations.
Our functional currency
is the U.S. dollar; substantially all of our purchases and sales are currently generated in U.S. dollars. However, our manufacturers
and suppliers are located in China. Fluctuations in exchange rates between our respective currencies could result in higher production
and supply costs to us which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations if we are not willing or able to
pass those costs on to our customers.
We depend on our General Partner and
its manager Messrs. Kevin Frija and Greg Pan.
Our performance is directly
correlated to the performance of our General Partner. Due in part to our size, the loss of the services of Messrs. Frija and Pan
would have a material adverse effect on us, including on a short term basis, and until a replacement could be found, the continuity
of our operations.
We do not carry any "key
man" insurance that would provide us with proceeds in the event of the death or disability of any of our principals.
Rights of limited partners are significantly
different than rights of shareholders of a corporation.
We are organized as a limited
partnership. Members of limited partnerships, also known as limited partners, have different rights than shareholders of a corporation.
Due to our structure as a limited partnership, your rights as a stakeholder are governed by our operating agreement. For example,
limited partners do not elect persons to our board of directors. Our General Partner has limited call rights to our securities;
please read carefully the Agreement of Limited Partnership of VPR Brands which governs the relationship between us and our unitholders.
Our General Partner, Soleil Capital Management
LLC, is solely responsible for our operations.
The current managers of
our General Partner are Kevin Frija, who is our current executive officer, Chairman, and a director, and Greg Pan, who is a director.
Through the General Partner, Messrs. Frija and Pan manage all of our operations and activities. Our General Partner’s limited
liability company agreement establishes a board of directors that will be responsible for the oversight of our business and operations.
Our General Partner's board of directors will be elected in accordance with its limited liability company agreement, where Mr.
Frija (or, following his withdrawal, death or disability, any successor founder designated by him), will have the power to appoint
and remove the directors of our General Partner. Following the withdrawal, death or disability of Kevin Frija (and any successor
founder), the power to appoint and remove the directors of our General Partner will revert to the members of our General Partner
who hold a majority in interest in our General Partner. Our common unit-holders do not elect our General Partner or its board of
directors and, unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, will have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our
business and therefore limited ability to influence decisions regarding our business. Furthermore, if our common unit holders are
dissatisfied with the performance of our General Partner, they will have little ability to remove our General Partner.
Our ability to retain our management
is critical to our success and our ability to grow depends on our ability to attract additional key personnel.
Our success depends on our
ability to attract and retain managers, executive officers and qualified personnel. We anticipate that it will be necessary for
us to attract and retain key personnel in order to develop our business and
pursue our growth strategy. The market for
qualified managers is extremely competitive and as such our inability to attract and retain key personnel would adversely affect
in the short term, our continuity of operations and in the long term our profitability.
The control of our General Partner may
be transferred to a third party without common unitholder consent.
Our General Partner may
transfer its General Partner interest to a third party in a merger or consolidation without the consent of our common unitholders.
Furthermore, at any time, the members of our General Partner may sell or transfer all or part of their limited liability company
interests in our General Partner without the approval of the common unitholders, subject to certain restrictions as described elsewhere
in this annual report. A new general partner and/or owner could have different business objectives and/or philosophies then our
current business objectives and/or philosophies, employ individuals who are less experienced in our current business, be unsuccessful
in identifying new opportunities in our current area of business or have a track record that is not as successful as VPR Brand's
track record. If any of the foregoing were to occur, we could experience difficulty in operating our business, and the value of
our business, our results of operations and our financial condition could materially suffer.
We have hired and will need to hire additional
qualified accounting and administrative personnel in order to remediate material weaknesses in our internal control over financial
accounting, and we will need to expend additional resources and efforts to establish and maintain the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures.
As a public company, we
are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our management is required to evaluate and disclose its assessment of the effectiveness of
our internal control over financial reporting as of each year-end, including disclosing any “material weakness” in
our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies,
that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not
be prevented or detected. As a result of its assessment, management has determined that there were material weaknesses due to the
lack of segregation of duties and sufficient internal controls (including technology-based general controls) that encompass our
Company as a whole with respect to entity and transactions level controls in order to ensure complete documentation of complex
and non-routine transactions and adequate financial reporting. If we continue to experience material weaknesses in our internal
controls or fail to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, such circumstances could cause us to fail to meet
our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements, or adversely affect the results
of periodic management evaluations and, if required, annual auditor attestation reports. Due to these material weaknesses, management
concluded that, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective. Management
also concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. These weaknesses
were first identified in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. Although the number of employees
has grown as a result of the hiring of additional accounting and information technology staff, we cannot assure you that we will
have sufficient resources to resolve these material weaknesses. These weaknesses have the potential to adversely
impact our financial reporting process and our financial reports. We will need to hire additional qualified accounting and administrative
personnel in order to resolve these material weaknesses.
We are required to comply with certain
provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and if we fail to
continue to comply, our business could be harmed, and the price of our securities could decline.
Rules adopted by the SEC
pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act require an annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting, and
for certain issuers an attestation of this assessment by the issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm. The
standards that must be met for management to assess the internal control over financial reporting as effective are evolving and
complex, and require significant documentation, testing, and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards. We expect to
incur significant expenses and to devote resources to Section 404 compliance on an ongoing basis. It is difficult for us to predict
how long it will take or costly it will be to complete the assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting for each year and to remediate any deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, we may
not be able to complete the assessment and remediation process on a timely basis. In the event that our Chief Executive Officer
or
principal financial officer determines that our
internal control over financial reporting is not effective as defined under Section 404, we cannot predict how regulators will
react or how the market prices of our securities will be affected; however, we believe that there is a risk that investor confidence
and the market value of our securities may be negatively affected.
We are subject to cyber-security risks,
including those related to customer, employee, vendor or other company data and including in connection with integration of acquired
businesses and operations.
We use information technologies
to securely manage operations and various business functions. We rely on various technologies, some of which are managed by third
parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities,
including reporting on our business and interacting with customers, vendors and employees. In addition, we collect and store certain
data, including proprietary business information, and may have access to confidential or personal information that is subject to
privacy and security laws, regulations and customer-imposed controls. Our systems are subject to repeated attempts by third parties
to access information or to disrupt our systems. Despite our security design and controls, and those of our third-party providers,
we may become subject to system damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to any number of causes, including cyber-attacks, breaches,
employee error or malfeasance, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, service
providers, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. It is possible for such vulnerabilities to remain undetected for an
extended period. We may face other challenges and risks as we upgrade and standardize our information technology systems as part
of our integration of acquired businesses and operations. We have contingency plans in place to prevent or mitigate the impact
of these events, however, these events could result in operational disruptions or the misappropriation of sensitive data, and depending
on their nature and scope, could lead to the compromise of confidential information, improper use of our systems and networks,
manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions and exposure to liability.
Such disruptions or misappropriations and the resulting repercussions, including reputational damage and legal claims or proceedings,
may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock.
This risk is enhanced in
certain jurisdictions with stringent data privacy laws. For example, California recently adopted the California Consumer Privacy
Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which provides new data privacy rights for consumers and new operational requirements
for businesses. The CCPA includes a statutory damages framework and private rights of action against businesses that fail to comply
with certain CCPA terms or implement reasonable security procedures and practices to prevent data breaches. The CCPA went into
effect in January 2020.
The business that we conduct outside
the U.S. may be adversely affected by international risk and uncertainties.
Although our operations
are based in the United States, we conduct business outside of the United States and expect to continue to do so in the future.
Any business that we conduct outside of the United States is subject to additional risks that may have a material adverse effect
on our ability to continue conducting business in certain international markets, including, without limitation:
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Potentially reduced protection for intellectual property rights;
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Unexpected changes in tariffs, trade barriers and regulatory requirements;
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Economic weakness, including inflation or political instability, in particular foreign economies and markets;
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Business interruptions resulting from geo-political actions, including war and terrorism or natural disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, floods and fires; and
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Failure to comply with Office of Foreign Asset Control rules and regulations and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”).
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These factors or any combination
of these factors may adversely affect our revenue or our overall financial performance.
If we were treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax or state tax purposes, then our distributions to our common unitholders would be substantially reduced
and the value of our common units would be adversely affected.
If we were treated as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax
rate. Distributions to our common unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains,
losses, deductions or credits would flow through to you. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our distributions
to our common unitholders would be substantially reduced, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our common units.
Current law may change,
causing us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal or state income tax purposes or otherwise subjecting us to entity level
taxation. For example, because of widespread state budget deficits, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships
to entity level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise or other forms of taxation. If any state were to impose
a tax upon us as an entity, our distributions to our common unitholders would be reduced.
Our common unitholders may be subject
to U.S. federal income tax on their share of our taxable income, regardless of whether they receive any cash distributions from
us.
Each unitholder will be
required to take into account its allocable share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Partnership. Distributions
to a unitholder will generally be taxable to the unitholder for U.S. federal income tax purposes only to the extent the amount
distributed exceeds the unitholder's tax basis in the unit. That treatment contrasts with the treatment of a shareholder in a corporation.
For example, a shareholder in a corporation who receives a distribution of earnings from the corporation will generally report
the distribution as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In contrast, a holder of our units who receives a distribution
of earnings from us will not report the distribution as dividend income (and will treat the distribution as taxable only to the
extent the amount distributed exceeds the unitholder's tax basis in the units), but will instead report the holder's allocable
share of items of our income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, our common unitholders may be subject to U.S. federal,
state, local and possibly, in some cases, foreign income taxation on their allocable share of our items of income, gain, loss,
deduction and credit (including our allocable share of those items of any entity in which we invest that is treated as a partnership
or is otherwise subject to tax on a flow through basis) for each of our taxable years ending with or within your taxable year,
regardless of whether or not a common unitholder receives cash distributions from us.
Our common unitholders
may not receive cash distributions equal to their allocable share of our net taxable income or even the tax liability that results
from that income. In addition, certain of our holdings, including holdings, if any, in a Controlled Foreign Corporation, or "CFC,"
and a Passive Foreign Investment Company, or "PFIC," may produce taxable income prior to the receipt of cash relating
to such income, and common unitholders that are U.S. taxpayers will be required to take such income into account in determining
their taxable income. In the event of an inadvertent termination of our partnership status for which the IRS has granted us limited
relief, each holder of our common units may be obligated to make such adjustments as the IRS may require to maintain our status
as a partnership. Such adjustments may require persons holding our common units to recognize additional amounts in income during
the years in which they hold such units.
RISKS RELATED TO REGULATION AND MARKET
Our business is primarily involved in
the sales of products that contain nicotine and/or CBD, which faces significant regulation and actions that may have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Our current business is
primarily involved in the sale of products that contain nicotine and/or CBD. The general market in which our products are
sold faces significant governmental regulation and private sector actions, including efforts aimed at reducing the incidence of
use in minors and efforts seeking to hold the importers, makers and sellers of these products responsible for alleged adverse health
effects associated with the use of, in particular,
inhalable, vaporized e-liquid solutions containing
nicotine derived from tobacco. More broadly, new regulatory actions by the FDA and other federal, state or local governments or
agencies have an impact the consumer acceptability of or access to our products, including regulations promulgated by FDA which
will require us to file PMTA(s) for any of our products that are identified as “Deemed Tobacco Products” by the FDA
that we intend to market and sell after May 2020. Additionally, on January 2, 2020, the FDA issued an enforcement policy effectively
banning the sale of flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes marketed primarily by large manufacturers in the United States without
prior authorization from the FDA, which policy went into effect in February 2020. According to the FDA, it is expected that the
new policy will have minimal impact on small manufacturers, such as vape shops, that sell non-cartridge based products. We believe
that any ban on flavored e-cigarettes, or similar enforcement action by the FDA, would have a significant material adverse impact
on the our products, which would, in turn, have a material adverse impact on our overall business.
Additional regulatory challenges
may come in future months and years, including the FDA’s publication of new product standards or additional rule making that
may impact vape shops or other small manufacturers, limit adult consumer choices, delay or prevent the launch of new or modified
risk tobacco products or products with claims of reduced risk, require the recall or other removal of certain products from the
marketplace, restrict communications including marketing, advertising, and educational campaigns regarding the product category
to adult consumers, restrict the ability to differentiate products, create a competitive advantage or disadvantage for certain
companies, impose additional manufacturing, labeling or packaging requirements, interrupt manufacturing or otherwise significantly
increase the cost of doing business, or restrict or prevent the use of specified products in certain locations or the sale of products
by certain retail establishments. Any of these actions may also have a material adverse effect on our business. Each of our
products are also subject to intense competition and changes in adult consumer preferences, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business.
Many of our products contain nicotine,
which is considered to be a highly addictive substance.
Many of our products contain
nicotine, a chemical found in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, certain other vapor products and other tobacco products, which is considered
to be highly addictive. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act empowers the FDA to regulate the amount of nicotine
found in vapor products, but may not require the reduction of nicotine yields of a vapor product to zero. Any FDA regulation may
require us to reformulate, recall and or discontinue certain of the products we may sell from time to time, which may have a material
adverse effect on our ability to market our products and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results
of operations, cash flows and or future prospects.
Significant increases in state and local
regulation of our products have been proposed or enacted and are likely to continue to be proposed or enacted in numerous jurisdictions.
There has been increasing
activity on the state and local levels with respect to scrutiny of e-products. State and local governmental bodies across the U.S.
have indicated e-products may become subject to new laws and regulations at the state and local levels. Further, some states and
cities, have enacted regulations that require obtaining a tobacco retail license in order to sell electronic cigarettes and vaporizer
products. Many states and some cities have passed laws restricting the sale of electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products to
minors. If one or more states from which we generate or anticipate generating significant sales of e-products bring actions to
prevent us from selling our e-products unless we obtain certain licenses, approvals or permits, and if we are not able to obtain
the necessary licenses, approvals or permits for financial reasons or otherwise and/or any such license, approval or permit is
determined to be overly burdensome to us, then we may be required to cease sales and distribution of our products to those states,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Certain states and cities
have already restricted the use of electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products in smoke-free venues. Additional city, state or
federal regulators, municipalities, local governments and private industry may enact rules and regulations restricting the use
of electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products in those same places where cigarettes cannot be smoked. Because of these restrictions,
our customers may reduce or otherwise cease using our e-products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
There is uncertainty related to the federal
regulation of e-products. Increased regulatory compliance burdens could have a material adverse impact on our business development
efforts.
Since their introduction,
there has been significant uncertainty regarding whether, how and when tobacco regulations would apply to certain of our products,
such as e-cigarettes, e-liquids, vaporizers, and other related products. Based on a decision in December 2010 by the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (the “Sottera decision”), the FDA is permitted to regulate electronic cigarettes containing
tobacco-derived nicotine as “tobacco products” under the Tobacco Control Act.
Effective August 8, 2016,
FDA’s regulatory authority under the Tobacco Control Act was extended to all remaining tobacco products, including: (i) certain
new products (such as electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and e-liquids) and their components or parts (such as tanks, coils and
batteries); (ii) cigars and their components or parts (such as cigar tobacco); (iii) pipe tobacco; (iv) hookah products; or (v)
any other tobacco product “newly deemed” by FDA. These deeming regulations apply to all products made or derived from
tobacco intended for human consumption but excluding accessories of tobacco products (such as lighters).
The deeming regulations
require us to (i) register with the FDA and report product and ingredient listings; (ii) market newly deemed products only after
FDA review and approval; (iii) only make direct and implied claims of reduced risk if the FDA approves after finding that scientific
evidence supports the claim and that marketing the product will benefit public health as a whole; (iv) refrain from distributing
free samples; (v) implement minimum age and identification restrictions to prevent sales to individuals under age 18; (vi) develop
an approved warning plan and include prescribed health warnings on packaging and advertisements; and (vii) refrain from selling
the products in vending machines, unless the machine is located in a facility that never admits youth. Newly-deemed tobacco products
are also subject to the other requirements of the Tobacco Control Act, such as that they not be adulterated or misbranded. The
FDA could in the future promulgate good manufacturing practice regulations for these and our other products, which could have a
material adverse impact on our ability and the cost to manufacture our products.
The anticipated costs of
complying with future FDA regulations will be dependent on the rules issued by the FDA, the timing and clarity of any new rules
or guidance documents accompanying these rules, the reliability and simplicity (or complexity) of the electronic systems utilized
by FDA for information and reports to be submitted, and the details required by FDA for such information and reports with respect
to each regulated product (which have yet to be issued by FDA). Failure to comply with existing or new FDA regulatory requirements
could result in significant financial penalties and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
financial condition and ability to market and sell our products. Compliance and related costs could be substantial and could significantly
increase the costs of operating in our NewGen and cigar and pipe tobacco product markets.
In addition, failure to
comply with the Tobacco Control Act and with FDA regulatory requirements could result in litigation, criminal convictions or significant
financial penalties and could impair our ability to market and sell our electronic and vaporizer products. At present, we are not
able to predict whether the Tobacco Control Act will impact our products to a greater degree than competitors in the industry,
thus affecting our competitive position.
Furthermore, neither the
Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act nor the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act currently apply to NewGen products.
There may, in the future, also be increased regulation of additives in smokeless products and internet sales of NewGen products.
The application of either or both of these federal laws, and of any new laws or regulations which may be adopted in the future,
to NewGen products or such additives could result in additional expenses and require us to change our advertising and labeling,
and methods of marketing and distribution of our products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
Recent bans on the sales of flavored
e-cigarettes directly impact the markets in which we may sell our products, and may have a material adverse impact on our business.
On January 2, 2020, the
FDA issued an enforcement policy effectively banning the sale of flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes marketed primarily by large
manufacturers in the United States without prior authorization from the FDA, which policy went into effect in February 2020. In
addition, several state and local governments have
temporarily or permanently banned the sale
of flavored e-cigarettes as of the date of hereof, although some bans have been temporarily halted by judicially imposed injunctions.
Other states and municipalities are considering implementing similar restrictions, and some cities have implemented more restrictive
measures than their state counterparts, such as San Francisco, which in June 2019, approved a new ban on the sale of flavored nicotine
products, including vaping liquids and menthol cigarettes. Any ban of on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes directly limits the
markets in which we may sell our products. In the event the prevalence of such bans increase across the United States, our business,
results of operations and financial condition will be materially harmed.
There is uncertainty related to the regulation
of flavored e-cigarette liquid and vaporization products and certain other consumption accessories, including the possibility that
all flavored e-cigarette liquid and vaporization products may be recalled or removed from the market entirely. Any increased regulatory
compliance burdens will have a material adverse impact on our operations and future business development efforts.
There has been increasing
activity on the federal, state, and local levels with respect to scrutiny of flavored e-cigarette liquid and vaporizer products,
including the FDA’s recently announced enforcement policy regarding flavored cartridge-based e-cigarette products, and there
is uncertainty regarding whether and in what circumstances federal, state, or local regulatory authorities will seek to develop
and/or enforce regulations relative to other products used for the vaporization of nicotine. Federal, state, and local governmental
bodies across the United States have indicated that flavored e-cigarette liquid, vaporization products and certain other consumption
accessories may become subject to new laws and regulations at the state and local levels. In addition to initiatives taken by the
FDA at the federal level, we believe that over 25 states have implemented statewide regulations that prohibit vaping in public
places. In addition, certain states have temporarily banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. Many states, provinces, and some
cities have passed laws restricting the sale of e-cigarettes and certain other nicotine vaporizer products.
Changes to the application
of existing laws and regulations, and/or the implementation of any new laws or regulations that may be adopted in the future, at
a federal, state, or local level, directly or indirectly implicating flavored e-cigarette liquid and products used for the vaporization
of nicotine would materially limit our ability to sell such products, result in additional compliance expenses, and require us
to change our labeling and methods of distribution, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
The regulation of tobacco products by the FDA in the United
States and the issuance of Deeming Regulations may materially adversely affect the Company.
The “Deeming Regulations”
issued by the FDA in May 2016 require any e-liquid, e-cigarettes, and other vaping products considered to be Deemed Tobacco Products
that were not commercially marketed as of the grandfathering date of February 15, 2007, to obtain premarket approval by the FDA
before any new e-liquid or other vaping products can be marketed in the United States. However, any Deemed Tobacco Products such
as certain products from our product lines that were on the market in the United States prior to August 8, 2016 have a grace period
to continue to market such products, ending on May 12, 2020 whereby a premarket application, likely though the PMTA pathway, must
be completed and filed with the FDA. Upon submission of a PMTA, products would then be able to be marketed pending the FDA’s
review of the submission. Without obtaining marketing authorization by the FDA prior to May 12, 2020 or having submitted a PMTA by
such date, non-authorized products would be required to be removed from the market in the United States until such authorization
could be obtained, although such products may continue to be sold if a PMTA is pending as of the May 12, 2020 deadline.
As of the date of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K, we are not preparing to submit PMTAs for certain of our traditional nicotine electronic cigarette and
vapor products, including, but not limited to menthol and/or tobacco products. We are also evaluating the potential investment
and returns associated with filing additional PMTAs for other products after the May 2020 expiration of the grace period (which
on April 22, 2020 the FDA was granted by the court, a 120-day extension of the May 12 deadline) which we expect to cost at least
$750,000 per application, which cost may vary based on several factors including the selection of contract research organizations
to assist with the application process, as well as variable costs associated with scientific, market perception and clinical studies
that may be required in connection with each PMTA. If we do not submit a PMTA for any our products considered to be Deemed
Tobacco Products prior to the lapse of the grace period or if any PMTA submitted by the Company is denied, we will be
required to cease the marketing and distribution of such our products, which, in turn, would have a material
adverse effect
on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that if
the Company were to complete a PMTA for any of the affected our products, that any application would be approved by the FDA.
The market for electronic cigarettes
and vapor products is a niche market, subject to a great deal of uncertainty and is still evolving.
Electronic cigarettes and
vapor products, having recently been introduced to market, are still at an early stage of development, represent a niche market
and are evolving rapidly and are characterized by an increasing number of market entrants. Our future sales and any future profits
are substantially dependent upon the widespread acceptance and use of electronic cigarettes. Rapid growth in the use of, and interest
in, electronic cigarettes is recent, and may not continue on a lasting basis. The demand and market acceptance for these products
is subject to a high level of uncertainty. Therefore, we are subject to all of the business risks associated with a new enterprise
in a niche market, including risks of unforeseen capital requirements, failure of widespread market acceptance of electronic cigarettes
and vapor products, in general or, specifically our products, failure to establish business relationships and competitive disadvantages
as against larger and more established competitors.
There is substantial concern regarding
the effect of long-term use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products. Despite the recent outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries,
the medical profession does not yet definitively know the cause of such injuries. Should electronic cigarettes or vapor products,
including our products, be determined conclusively to pose long-term health risks, including a risk of vaping-related lung injury,
our business will be negatively impacted.
Because electronic cigarettes
and vapor products have been developed and commercialized recently, the medical profession has not yet had a sufficient period
of time to fully realize the long-term health effects attributable to electronic cigarette and vapor product use. On November 8,
officials at the CDC reported a breakthrough in the investigation into the outbreak of vaping-related lung injuries. The CDC's
principal deputy director, Dr. Anne Schuchat, stated that "vitamin E acetate is a known additive used to dilute liquid in
e-cigarettes or vaping products that contain THC,” suggesting the possible culprit for the series of lung injuries across
the U.S. As a result, there is currently no way of knowing whether or not vapor products are safe for their intended use. If the
medical profession were to determine conclusively that electronic cigarette or vapor product usage poses long-term health risks,
the use of such products, including our products, could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
Possible yet unanticipated changes in
federal and state law could cause any of our current products, containing hemp-derived CBD oil to be illegal, or could
otherwise prohibit, limit or restrict any of our products containing CBD.
We distribute certain
products containing hemp-derived CBD, and we currently intend to develop and launch additional products containing hemp-derived
CBD in the future. Until 2014, when 7 U.S. Code §5940 became federal law as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the “2014
Farm Act”), products containing oils derived from hemp, notwithstanding a minimal or non-existing THC content, were classified
as Schedule I illegal drugs. The 2014 Farm Act expired on September 30, 2018, and was thereafter replaced by the Agricultural Improvement
Act of 2018 on December 20, 2018 (the “2018 Farm Act”), which amended various sections of the U.S. Code, thereby
removing hemp, defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, from Schedule 1 status under the Controlled Substances Act, and legalizing
the cultivation and sale of industrial-hemp at the federal level, subject to compliance with certain federal requirements and state
law, amongst other things. More specifically, industrial hemp is defined as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of
such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight
basis.” The hemp oil we use comports with this definition of less than 0.3% THC. THC is the psychoactive component of plants
in the cannabis family generally identified as marihuana or marijuana. There is no assurance that the 2018 Farm Act will not be
repealed or amended such that our products containing hemp-derived CBD would once again be deemed illegal under federal law.
The 2018 Farm Act delegates
the authority to the states to regulate and limit the production of hemp and hemp derived products within their territories. Although
many states have adopted laws and regulations that allow for the production and sale of hemp and hemp derived products under certain
circumstances, currently Idaho, Mississippi
and South Dakota have not adopted laws and
regulations permitted by the 2018 Farm Act. No assurance can be given that such state laws may not be implemented, repealed or
amended such that our products containing hemp-derived CBD would be deemed legal in those states that have not adopted regulations
pursuant to the 2018 Farm Act, or illegal under the laws of one or more states now permitting such products, which in turn would
render such intended products illegal in those states under federal law even if the federal law is unchanged. In the event of either
repeal of federal or of state laws and regulations, or of amendments thereto that are adverse to our intended products, we may
be restricted or limited with respect to those products that we may sell or distribute, which could adversely impact our intended
business plan with respect to such intended products.
Additionally, the FDA has
indicated its view that certain types of products containing CBD may not be permissible under the FDCA. The FDA’s position
is related to its approval of Epidiolex, a marijuana-derived prescription medicine to be available in the United States. The active
ingredient in Epidiolex is CBD. On December 20, 2018, after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the FDA then-Commissioner Scott
Gottlieb issued a statement in which he reiterated the FDA’s position that, among other things, the FDA requires a cannabis
product (hemp-derived or otherwise) that is marketed with a claim of therapeutic benefit, or with any other disease claim,
to be approved by the FDA for its intended use before it may be introduced into interstate commerce and that the FDCA prohibits
introducing into interstate commerce food products containing added CBD, and marketing products containing CBD as a dietary supplement,
regardless of whether the substances are hemp-derived. We do not believe that any of our products fall within the FDA’s regulatory
authority reiterated by the FDA Commissioner in December 2018, as we have not, and do not intend to market any of our products
with a claim of therapeutic benefit or with any other disease claim. However, should any regulatory action, including action taken
by the FDA, and/or legal proceeding alleging violations of such laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
If our hemp oil products are found to
violate federal law or if there is negative press from being in a hemp or cannabis-related business, we could be criminally prosecuted
or forced to suspend or cease operations.
Although we sell vaporizers
that are for use with medical marijuana, we do not sell the medical marijuana component. We do sell products with hemp oil as an
ingredient. There is a misconception that that hemp and marijuana are the same thing. This perception drives much of the regulation
of hemp products. Although hemp and marijuana are both part of the cannabis family, they differ in cultivation, function, and application.
Despite the use of marijuana becoming more widely legalized, it is viewed by many regulators and many others as an illegal product.
Hemp, on the other hand, is used in a variety of other ways that include clothing, skin products, pet products, dietary supplements
(the use of CBD oil), and thousands of other applications. Hemp may be legally sold, however the inability of many to understand
the difference between hemp and marijuana often causes burdensome regulation and confusion among potential customers. Therefore,
we may be affected by laws related to cannabis and marijuana, even though our products are not the direct targets of these laws.
Cannabis is currently a
Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (“CSA”) and is, therefore, illegal under federal
law. Even in those states in which the use of cannabis has been legalized pursuant to state law, its use, possession and/or cultivation
remains a violation of federal law. A Schedule I controlled substance is defined as one that has no currently accepted medical
use in the United States, a lack of safety for use under medical supervision and a high potential for abuse. The U.S. Department
of Justice (the “DOJ”) describes Schedule I controlled substances as “the most dangerous drugs of all the drug
schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence.” If the federal government decides to enforce the
CSA in the states, persons that are charged with distributing, possessing with intent to distribute or growing cannabis could be
subject to fines and/or terms of imprisonment, the maximum being life imprisonment and a $50 million fine.
Notwithstanding the CSA,
33 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico allow their residents to use medical
cannabis. The states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, and the District
of Columbia, allow cannabis for adult recreational use. Such state and territorial laws are in conflict with the federal CSA, which
makes cannabis use and possession illegal at the federal level.
However, cannabis, as mentioned
above, is a schedule-I controlled substance and is illegal under federal law. Even in those states in which the use of cannabis
has been legalized, its production and use remains a violation of federal law. Since federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis
preempts state laws that legalize its use, strict
enforcement of federal laws regarding marijuana
that would apply to the sale and distribution of our hemp oil products could result in criminal charges brought against us and
would likely result in our inability to proceed with our business plan.
In addition, any negative
press resulting from any incorrect perception that we have entered into the marijuana space could result in a loss of current or
future business. It could also adversely affect the public’s perception of us and lead to reluctance by new parties to do
business with us or to own our common stock. We cannot assure you that additional business partners, including but not limited
to financial institutions and customers, will not attempt to end or curtail their relationships with us. Any such negative press
or cessation of business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our product candidates are not approved
by the FDA or other regulatory authority, and we face risks of unforeseen medical problems, and up to a complete ban on the sale
of our product candidates.
The efficacy and safety
of pharmaceutical products is established through a process of clinical testing under FDA oversight. Our products have not gone
through this process because we believe that the topical products, we sell are not subject to this process. However, if an individual
were to use one of our products in an improper manner, we cannot predict the potential medical harm to that individual. If such
an event were to occur, the FDA or similar regulatory agency might impose a complete ban on the sale or use of our products.
Sources of hemp-derived CBD depend
upon legality of cultivation, processing, marketing and sales of products derived from those plants under state law.
Hemp-derived CBD can only
be legally produced in states that have laws and regulations that allow for such production and that comply with the 2018 Farm
Act, apart from state laws legalizing and regulating medical and recreational cannabis or marijuana, which remains illegal
under federal law and regulations. We purchase all of our hemp-derived CBD from licensed growers and processors in states where
such production is legal. As described in the preceding risk factor, in the event of repeal or amendment of laws and regulations
which are now favorable to the cannabis/hemp industry in such states, we would be required to locate new suppliers in states with
laws and regulations that qualify under the 2018 Farm Act. If we were to be unsuccessful in arranging new sources of supply of
our raw ingredients, or if our raw ingredients were to become legally unavailable, our intended business plan with respect to such
products could be adversely impacted.
Because our distributors may only sell
and ship our products containing hemp-derived CBD in states that have adopted laws and regulations qualifying under the
2018 Farm Act, a reduction in the number of states having such qualifying laws and regulations could limit, restrict or otherwise
preclude the sale of intended products containing hemp-derived CBD.
The interstate shipment
of hemp-derived CBD from one state to another is legal only where both states have laws and regulations that allow for the
production and sale of such products and that qualify under the 2018 Farm Act. Therefore, the marketing and sale of our intended
products containing hemp-derived CBD is limited by such factors and is restricted to such states. Although we believe we may lawfully
sell any of our finished products, including those containing CBD, in a majority of states, a repeal or adverse amendment of laws
and regulations that are now favorable to the distribution, marketing and sale of finished products we intend to sell could significantly
limit, restrict or prevent us from generating revenue related to our products that contain hemp-derived CBD. Any such repeal or
adverse amendment of now favorable laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on our business plan with respect to such
products.
Our business, results of operations and
financial condition could be adversely affected if we are taxed like other tobacco products or if we are required to collect and
remit sales tax on certain of our internet sales.
Presently the sale of e-products
is generally not subject to federal, state and local excise taxes like the sale of conventional cigarettes or other tobacco products,
all of which generally have high tax rates and have faced significant increases in the amount of taxes collected on their sales.
In recent years, however, state and local governments have taken actions to move towards imposing excise taxes on e-products. Certain
localities impose excise taxes on electronic cigarettes and/or liquid vapor. Other jurisdictions are contemplating similar legislation
and other restrictions
on electronic cigarettes. As of early April
2020, a total of 23 states and D.C. have enacted vaping taxes. Should federal, state and local governments and
or other taxing authorities begin or continue to impose excise taxes similar to those levied against conventional cigarettes and
tobacco products on e-products, it may have a material adverse effect on the demand for these products, as consumers may be unwilling
to pay the increased costs, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
We may be unable to establish
the systems and processes needed to track and submit the excise and sales taxes we collect through Internet sales, which would
limit our ability to market our products through our websites which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations and financial condition. States such as New York, Hawaii, Rhode Island and North Carolina have begun collecting sales
taxes on Internet sales where companies have used independent contractors in those states to solicit sales from residents of that
state. The requirement to collect, track and remit sales taxes based on independent affiliate sales may require us to increase
our prices, which may affect demand for our products or conversely reduce our net profit margin, either of which would have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may have a difficult time obtaining
the various insurances that are desired to operate our business in the CBD industry, which may expose us to additional risk and
financial liability.
Insurance that is otherwise
readily available, such as general liability, and directors and officer’s insurance, may become more difficult for us to
find, and more expensive, due to our recent launch of certain products containing hemp-derived CBD. There are no guarantees that
we will be able to find such insurances in the future, or that the cost will be affordable to us. If we are forced to go without
such insurances, it may prevent us from entering into certain business sectors, may inhibit our growth, and may expose us to additional
risk and financial liabilities.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON UNITS
Trading on the OTC Markets is volatile
and sporadic, which could depress the market price of our common units.
Our common units
are quoted on the OTCQB tier of the OTC Markets. Trading in securities quoted on the OTC Markets is often thin and characterized
by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors, some of which may have little to do with our operations or business
prospects. This volatility could depress the market price of our common units for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Moreover,
the OTC Markets is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTC Markets is often more sporadic than the trading of
securities listed on a quotation system like Nasdaq Capital Market or a stock exchange like the NYSE American.
Our stock price is likely to be
highly volatile because of several factors, including a limited public float.
The market price
of our common units has been volatile in the past and the market price of our common units is likely to be highly volatile in the
future. You may not be able to resell our common units following periods of volatility because of the market’s adverse reaction
to volatility.
Other factors that
could cause such volatility may include, among other things:
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;
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the absence of securities analysts covering us and distributing research and recommendations about us;
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we may have a low trading volume for a number of reasons, including that a large portion of our stock is closely held;
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overall stock market fluctuations;
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announcements concerning our business or those of our competitors;
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actual or perceived limitations on our ability to raise capital when we require it, and to raise such capital on favorable terms;
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conditions or trends in the industry;
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litigation;
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changes in market valuations of other similar companies;
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future sales of common units;
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departure of key personnel or failure to hire key personnel; and
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general market conditions.
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Any of these factors
could have a significant and adverse impact on the market price of our common units and/or warrants. In addition, the stock market
in general has at times experienced extreme volatility and rapid decline that has often been unrelated or disproportionate to the
operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common
units and/or warrants, regardless of our actual operating performance.
The issuance of a large number
of common units could significantly dilute existing unitholders and negatively impact the market price of our common units.
On February 19,
2020 (“Closing Date”), the Company entered into an Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2020, with DiamondRock,
LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Selling Unitholder”) providing that, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions thereof, Selling Unitholder is committed to purchase, on an unconditional basis, shares of common units (“Put
Shares”) at an aggregate price of up to $5,000,000 over the course of its term. Pursuant to the terms of the equity purchase
agreement, the purchase price for each of the Put Shares equals 85% of the average daily
volume weighted average price of the common units during the five trading days following the clearing date associated with the
applicable put notice (“Put Notice”). As a result, if we sell shares of common units under the equity purchase
agreement, we will be issuing common units at below market prices, which could cause the market price of our common units to decline,
and if such issuances are significant in number, the amount of the decline in our market price could also be significant. In general,
we are unlikely to sell shares of common units under the equity purchase agreement at a time when the additional dilution to unitholders
would be substantial unless we are unable to obtain capital to meet our financial obligations from other sources on better terms
at such time. However, if we do, the dilution that could result from such issuances could have a material adverse impact on existing
unitholders and could cause the price of our common units to fall rapidly based on the amount of such dilution.
The Selling Unitholder may sell
a large number of common units, resulting in substantial diminution to the value of units held by existing unitholders.
Pursuant to the
Equity Purchase Agreement, we are prohibited from delivering a Put Notice to the Selling Unitholder to the extent that the issuance
of units would cause the Selling Unitholder to beneficially own more than 4.99% of our then-outstanding common units. These restrictions,
however, do not prevent the Selling Unitholder from selling common units received in connection with the Equity Line and then receiving
additional common units in connection with a subsequent issuance. In this way, the Selling Unitholder could sell more than 4.99%
of the outstanding common units in a relatively short time frame while never holding more than 4.99% at any one time. As a result,
existing unitholders and new investors could experience substantial diminution in the value of their common units. Additionally,
we do not have the right to control the timing and amount of any sales by the Selling Unitholder of the units issued under the
Equity Line.
Our common units are a “penny stock”
under SEC rules. It may be more difficult to resell securities classified as “penny stock.”
Our common units is a “penny
stock” under applicable SEC rules (generally defined as non-exchange traded stock with a per-share price below $5.00). Unless
we successfully list our common units on a national securities exchange, or attain and maintain a per-unit price above $5.00, these
rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that recommend the purchase or sale of penny stocks to persons
other than those who qualify as “established customers” or “accredited investors.” For example, broker-dealers
must determine the appropriateness for non-qualifying persons of investments in penny stocks. Broker-dealers must also provide,
prior to a transaction in
a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the
rules, a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market.
The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, disclose the compensation
of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, furnish monthly account statements showing the market value of each
penny stock held in the customer’s account, provide a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment
for the purchaser, and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction.
Legal remedies available
to an investor in “penny stocks” may include the following:
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If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in violation of the requirements listed above, or other federal or states securities laws, the investor may be able to cancel the purchase and receive a refund of the investment.
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If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in a fraudulent manner, the investor may be able to sue the persons and firms that committed the fraud for damages.
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These requirements may
have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity, if any, in the secondary market for a security that becomes subject
to the penny stock rules. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage broker-dealers
from effecting transactions in our securities, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of our securities. These
requirements may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our common units and may affect your ability to resell our common
units.
Many brokerage firms will
discourage or refrain from recommending investments in penny stocks. Most institutional investors will not invest in penny stocks.
In addition, many individual investors will not invest in penny stocks due, among other reasons, to the increased financial risk
generally associated with these investments.
For these reasons, penny
stocks may have a limited market and, consequently, limited liquidity. We can give no assurance at what time, if ever, our common
units will no longer be classified as a “penny stock” in the future.
Our directors and officers control
a substantial number of our common units, decreasing your influence on unitholder decisions.
Our
officers and directors own 32,103,170 units, or approximately 36.6% of our outstanding common units.
As a result, our officers and directors as a group could have a significant influence in delaying,
deferring or preventing any potential change in control of our company; they will be able to strongly influence the actions of
our board of directors even if they were to cease being directors or officers of our company and can effectively control the outcome
of actions brought to our unitholders for approval. Such a high level of ownership may adversely affect the exercise of your voting
and other unitholder rights.
Units eligible for future sale
may adversely affect the market.
From time to time,
certain of our unitholders may be eligible to sell all or some of their common units by means of ordinary brokerage transactions
in the open market pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, subject to certain limitations. In general, pursuant
to Rule 144, non-affiliate unitholders may sell freely after six months, subject only to the current public information requirement.
Affiliates may sell after six months, subject to the Rule 144 volume, manner of sale (for equity securities), current public information,
and notice requirements. Of the 85,975,911 common units outstanding as of December 31, 2020, approximately 44,308,573
units are tradable without restriction. Given the limited trading of our common units, resale of even a small number of our common
units pursuant to Rule 144 or an effective registration statement may adversely affect the market price of our common units.
Provisions of our partnership agreement,
as amended, may delay or prevent a takeover which may not be in the best interests of our unitholders.
Provisions of the
Partnership Agreement of the Company, as amended, may be deemed to have anti-takeover effects. Pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Partnership
Agreement, the General Partner of the Company may, without the approval of the Company’s limited partners, issue additional
securities of the Company for any partnership purpose at any time and from time to time for such consideration and on such terms
and conditions as the General Partner shall determine in its sole discretion, all without the approval of any limited partners,
and that each additional Company
interest authorized to be issued by the
Company may be issued in one or more classes, or one of more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights,
powers and duties as shall be fixed by the General Partner in its sole discretion. Pursuant to Section 13.1 of the Agreement, the
General Partner may, without the approval of any partner, any unitholder or any other person, amend any provision of the Partnership
Agreement to reflect any amendment expressly permitted in the Partnership Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting along,
therefore including the creation of a new class of Company securities with dividends, liquidation, conversion, voting or other
rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common units.
We do not expect to pay dividends
in the foreseeable future.
We do not intend
to declare dividends for the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will reinvest any future earnings in the development
and growth of our business. Therefore, investors will not receive any funds unless they sell their common units, and unitholders
may be unable to sell their units on favorable terms. We cannot assure you of a positive return on investment or that you will
not lose the entire amount of your investment in our common units.