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Canopy Growth (CGC)
NASDAQ:CGC
Risk Overview Q2, 2025
Risk Distribution
29% Legal & Regulatory
25% Finance & Corporate
15% Production
14% Ability to Sell
10% Macro & Political
7% Tech & Innovation
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Canopy Growth Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q2, 2025
Main Risk Category
Legal & Regulatory
With 25 Risks
Legal & Regulatory
With 25 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
87
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
87
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Jun 2025
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Jun 2025
Number of Risk Changed
0
-14
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 1
0
-14
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 1
See the risk highlights of Canopy Growth in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 87
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 25/87 (29%)Above Sector Average
Regulation17 | 19.5%
Regulation - Risk 1
Regulatory non-compliance by licensed cannabis competitors may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.Regulation - Risk 2
The Canadian excise duty framework affects our profitability.Canada's excise duty framework imposes an excise duty and various regulatory-like restrictions on cannabis products sold in Canada. We currently hold licenses issued by the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") required to comply with this excise framework. Currently, the excise tax significantly increases the cost of cannabis to consumers in Canada. Any change in the rates or application of excise duty to cannabis products sold by us in Canada, and any restrictive interpretations by the CRA or the courts of the provisions of the Excise Act, 2001 (which may be different than those contained in the Cannabis Act) may affect our profitability and ability to compete in the market.
Regulation - Risk 3
Controlled substance and other legislation and treaties may restrict or limit our ability to research, manufacture and develop a commercial market for our products outside of the jurisdictions in which we currently operate and our expansion into additional jurisdictions is subject to risks.Our ability to expand internationally is also contingent, in part, upon compliance with applicable regulatory requirements enacted by governmental authorities and obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals. We cannot predict the impact of the compliance regime that governmental authorities may implement to regulate the adult-use or medical cannabis industry. Similarly, we cannot predict how long it will take to secure all appropriate regulatory approvals for our products, or the extent of testing and documentation that may be required by governmental authorities.
Approximately 250 substances, including cannabis, are listed in the Schedules annexed to the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (New York, 1961), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances (Vienna, 1971) and the Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (introducing control on precursors) (Vienna, 1988). The purpose of these listings is to control and limit the use of these drugs according to a classification of their therapeutic value, risk of abuse and health dangers, and to minimize the diversion of precursor chemicals to illegal drug manufacturers. The 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended in 1972, classifies cannabis as a Schedule I (substances with addictive properties, presenting a serious risk of abuse) narcotic drug. The 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances classifies tetrahydrocannabinol, which includes delta-9 THC as a Schedule I psychotropic substance (substances presenting a high risk of abuse, posing a particularly serious threat to public health, which are of very little or no therapeutic value). Many countries are parties to these conventions, which govern international trade and domestic control of these substances, including cannabis. They may interpret and implement their obligations in a way that creates legal obstacles to our obtaining manufacturing and/or marketing approval for our products in those countries. These countries may not be willing or able to amend or otherwise modify their laws and regulations to permit our products to be manufactured and/or marketed, and achieving such amendments to the laws and regulations may take a prolonged period of time. There can be no assurance that any market for our products will develop in any jurisdiction in which we do not currently have operations. We may face new or unexpected risks or significantly increase our exposure to one or more existing risk factors, including economic instability, political instability, changes in laws and regulations and the effects of competition. These factors may limit our capability to successfully expand our operations into such jurisdictions and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Regulation - Risk 4
Cannabis is a controlled substance in the United States and therefore subject to the CSA.We are indirectly involved in ancillary activities related to the cannabis industry in jurisdictions in the United States where local state law permits such activities and, by virtue of Canopy USA and Canopy USA LPs' holdings of shares and warrants of TerrAscend, we may be indirectly associated with the cultivation, processing or distribution of cannabis in the United States. In the United States, cannabis is regulated at both the federal and state levels. To our knowledge, there are to date a total of 39 states, and the District of Columbia, that have now legalized or passed legislation decriminalizing cannabis in some form, including California, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Florida. Although several states allow the sale of cannabis at the state level, cannabis continues to be categorized as a controlled substance under the CSA and, as such, cultivation, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis violates federal law in the United States. The inconsistency between federal and state laws and regulations may result in a loss of the value of our investments and alliances in these businesses.
While state regulation in certain U.S. states may take a permissive approach to medical and/or adult-use of cannabis, the CSA may still be enforced by U.S. federal law enforcement officials against individuals and companies operating in those states for activity that is legal under state law. If the DOJ opted to pursue a policy of aggressively enforcing U.S. federal law against financiers or equity owners of cannabis-related businesses, then Canopy USA, Acreage, TerrAscend, Wana and Jetty, for instance, could face (i) seizure of their cash and other assets used to support or derived from their business activities; and/or (ii) the arrest of its employees, directors, officers, managers and/or investors, who could face charges of ancillary criminal violations of the CSA for aiding and abetting and conspiring to violate the CSA by virtue of providing financial support to state-licensed or permitted cultivators, processors, distributors, and/or retailers of cannabis.
Based on the advice of our legal advisors with respect to the formation of Canopy USA, the transaction structure was intended to (i) permit us to remain able to represent that we comply with U.S. federal criminal law, particularly direct or indirect violations of the CSA (collectively, "Applicable Federal Law"); and (ii) ensure that (a) we do not, directly or indirectly, violate Applicable Federal Law; (b) we will not directly violate U.S. federal law as we do not cultivate, distribute, sell, or possess cannabis in the United States; (c) we do not violate indirect federal law (such as aiding and abetting, conspiracy, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act) because we do not control or profit from companies that cultivate, distribute, sell, or possess cannabis in the United States; and (d) we do not violate anti-money laundering laws because no funds will flow from entities that cultivate, distribute, sell, or possess cannabis in the United States to us. While we believe, based on the advice of our legal advisors, that we currently comply, and will continue to comply (in the event that Canopy USA exercises the Cultiv8 Option or in the event that the Canopy USA LPs convert the TerrAscend Exchangeable Shares into TerrAscend Common Shares), with all applicable laws and regulations by virtue of our ownership interest in the Non-Voting Shares of Canopy USA, there is a risk that our interpretation of laws, regulations, and guidelines, may differ from those of others, including those of shareholders, government authorities, securities regulators, and stock exchanges. In the event of an aggressive enforcement policy, the DOJ could allege that we and the Board, and potentially our shareholders, "aided and abetted" violations of U.S. federal law as a result of our ownership interest in the Non-Voting Shares of Canopy USA and the activities of Canopy USA. In these circumstances, we may lose our entire investment and directors, officers and/or our shareholders may be required to defend any criminal charges against them at their own expense and, if convicted, be sent to federal prison.
Violations of any federal laws and regulations could result in significant fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, convictions or settlements arising from civil proceedings initiated by either the federal government or private citizens, or criminal charges, including, but not limited to, disgorgement of profits, cessation of business activities or divestiture. This could have a material adverse effect on us, including our reputation and ability to conduct business, the listing of our securities on the TSX, Nasdaq or other exchanges, our financial position, operating results, profitability or liquidity or the market price of our listed securities. Overall, an investor's contribution to and involvement in our activities may result in federal civil and/or criminal prosecution, including forfeiture of his or her entire investment.
Regulation - Risk 5
We operate in highly regulated industries where the regulatory environments are rapidly developing and we may not always succeed in complying fully with applicable regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions where we carry on business.Our business and activities are heavily regulated in all jurisdictions where we carry on business. Our operations are subject to various laws, regulations and guidelines by governmental authorities (including, in Canada, Health Canada and other federal, provincial, state and local regulatory agencies) relating to, among other things, the cultivation, manufacture, processing, marketing, labeling, packaging, management, transportation, distribution, import, export, storage, sale, pricing and disposal of cannabis, hemp and cannabis-based products, and also including laws, regulations and guidelines relating to health and safety, insurance coverage, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment (including relating to emissions and discharges to water, air and land, and the handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous materials and wastes). Our operations may also be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to, among other things, price controls, import or export controls, controls on currency remittance, increased income taxes, restrictions on foreign investment and government policies rewarding contracts to local competitors or requiring domestic producers or vendors to purchase supplies from a particular jurisdiction. Laws, regulations and guidelines, applied generally, grant government agencies and self-regulatory bodies broad administrative discretion over our activities, including the power to limit or restrict business activities as well as impose additional disclosure requirements on our products and services, as well as on our personnel (including management and the Board).
Achievement of our business objectives is contingent, in part, upon compliance with regulatory requirements enacted by these governmental authorities and obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals for the cultivation, production, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, sale, import and export, as applicable, of our products. The cannabis and hemp industries are still new, and in Canada, in particular, the Cannabis Act has no close precedent in Canadian law. Similarly, the regulatory regimes in the jurisdictions in which we and our strategic investments operate outside of Canada are new and are still being developed without close precedent in such jurisdictions. The effect of relevant governmental authorities' administration, application and enforcement of their respective regulatory regimes and delays in obtaining, or failure to obtain, necessary regulatory approvals may significantly delay or impact the development of markets, products and sales initiatives and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
The regulatory environment for our products is rapidly developing, and the need to build and maintain robust systems to comply with different and changing regulations in multiple jurisdictions increases the possibility that we may violate one or more applicable requirements. While we endeavor to comply with all relevant laws, regulations and guidelines, any failure to comply with the regulatory requirements applicable to our operations could subject us to negative consequences, including, but not limited to, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, asset seizures, revocation or imposition of additional conditions on licenses to operate our business, the denial of regulatory applications (including, in the U.S., by other regulatory regimes that rely on the positions of the DEA, FDA and USDA in the application of their respective regimes), the suspension or expulsion from a particular market or jurisdiction or of our key personnel, or the imposition of additional or more stringent inspection, testing and reporting requirements, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Additionally, scheduled or unscheduled inspections of our facilities or facilities of our strategic investments or third party suppliers by applicable regulatory agencies could result in adverse findings that could require significant remediation efforts and/or temporary or permanent shutdown of our facilities or those of our strategic investments or third party suppliers. The outcome of any regulatory or agency proceedings, investigations, inspections, audits, and other contingencies could harm our reputation, require us to take, or refrain from taking, actions that could harm our operations or require us to pay substantial amounts of money, harming our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Increasingly, communication and coordination among regulators has led in other industries to coordinated responses to regulatory and licensure applications. To the extent that regulators coordinate responses to license applications and regulatory conditions, limitations or denials of licenses in one jurisdiction may lead to denials in other jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that any pending or future regulatory or agency proceedings, investigations, inspections and audits will not result in substantial costs or a diversion of management's attention and resources, adversely impact our future growth plans and opportunities or have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If any part of our business activities are found to be in violation of any of federal, state, provincial or local laws or any other governmental regulations, in addition to the items described above:
- we may be subject to "Warning Letters," untitled letters, fines, penalties, administrative sanctions, settlements, injunctions, product recalls and/or other enforcement actions arising from civil, administrative or other proceedings initiated that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity, cash flow and operational performance;- the profits or revenues derived therefrom could be subject to anti-money laundering statutes, including the Money Laundering Control Act, which could result in significant disruption to our business operations and involve significant costs, expenses or other penalties; and - our suppliers, service providers and distributors may elect, at any time, to breach, terminate or otherwise cease to participate in supply, service or distribution agreements, or other relationships, on which our operations rely.
Regulation - Risk 6
We are reliant on required licenses, authorizations, approvals and permits issued by Canadian and foreign governmental authority for our ability to grow, process, store and sell cannabis, hemp and cannabinoids which are subject to ongoing compliance, reporting and renewal requirements.We are dependent on our existing licenses from governmental authorities in order to grow, store, process and sell cannabis. These licenses are subject to ongoing compliance and reporting requirements. Failure to comply with the requirements of these licenses or failure to maintain these licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. There can be no guarantee that a license will be extended or renewed or, if extended or renewed, that it will be extended or renewed on terms that are favorable to us or that a governmental authority will not revoke the licenses. Should we fail to comply with requirements of the licenses, should the applicable governmental authority not extend or renew the licenses, should they be renewed on different terms (including not allowing for anticipated capacity increases) or should the licenses be revoked or suspended, our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects will be materially adversely affected.
In addition, our ability to grow our business may be dependent on securing and maintaining certain new licenses. Failure to comply with the requirements of any license application or failure to obtain and maintain the appropriate licenses with the relevant authorities would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. There can also be no guarantees that regulatory authorities will issue the required licenses to us.
Regulation - Risk 7
Changes in the laws, regulations and guidelines governing cannabis and hemp may adversely affect our business and that of our investments.Our current operations are subject to various laws, regulations and guidelines promulgated by governmental authorities relating to the marketing, acquisition, manufacture, packaging/labeling, management, transportation, storage, sale and disposal of cannabis or hemp. We are also subject to laws and regulations relating to health and safety, insurance coverage, the conduct of operations and the protection of the environment (including relating to emissions and discharges to water, air and land, the handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous materials and wastes). Additionally, our growth strategy continues to evolve as regulations governing the cannabis industry in the jurisdictions in which we operate become more fully developed. Interpretation of these laws, rules and regulations and their application to our operations is ongoing. No assurance can be given that new laws, regulations and guidelines will not be enacted or that existing laws, regulations and guidelines will not be amended, repealed or interpreted or applied in a manner which could require extensive changes to our operations, increase compliance costs, give rise to material liabilities or a revocation of our licenses and other permits, restrict the growth opportunities that we currently anticipate or otherwise limit or curtail our operations. Amendments to current laws, regulations and guidelines governing the production, sale and use of cannabis and cannabis-based products, more stringent implementation or enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events, including changes in political conditions and/or regimes or political instability, currency controls, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and rates of inflation, labor unrest, changes in taxation laws, regulations and policies, restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation, governmental regulations relating to foreign investment and the cannabis business more generally, and changes in attitudes toward cannabis, are beyond our control and could require extensive changes to our operations, which in turn may result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
While the production of cannabis in Canada is under the regulatory oversight of the Canadian federal government, the distribution and retail sale of adult-use cannabis in Canada falls within the jurisdiction of the provincial and territorial governments. The impact of the legislation regulating adult-use cannabis passed in such provinces and territories on the cannabis industry and on our business plans and operations is uncertain. Certain Canadian provinces and territories have announced certain restrictions that are more stringent than the federal rules or regulations such as retail sale and marketing restrictions, bans on certain types of cannabis products, raising minimum age of purchase and flavor restrictions. For example, Quebec limits the sale of other high THC non-edible cannabis products. In April 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed the provinces' power to enact regulations that are more restrictive than the federal regime. In addition, the distribution and retail channels and applicable rules and regulations in the provinces continue to evolve, and our ability to distribute and retail cannabis products in Canada is dependent on the ability of the provinces and territories of Canada to establish licensed retail networks and outlets. There is no guarantee that the applicable legislation regulating the distribution and sale of cannabis for adult-use purposes will allow for the growth opportunities we currently anticipate and may result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In December 2023, Health Canada released guidance on cannabis products deliberately made with intoxicating cannabinoids other than delta-9-THC. Health Canada defines "intoxicating cannabinoids" as cannabinoids that bind to and activate the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1 receptor) and the guidance includes a list that currently sets out 9 cannabinoids that qualify, however, that list is subject to Health Canada's discretion to revise this list as new evidence becomes available about any of the current listed cannabinoids or any other potential intoxicating cannabinoids. This guidance recommends that cannabis license holders apply the regulatory controls (including limits on the amount of cannabinoids in certain products) currently applicable to delta-9-THC to all other cannabinoids that Health Canada considers to be "intoxicating cannabinoids" in order to minimize the risks of accidental consumption, overconsumption and adverse effects. This guidance comes at a time when various provincial regulators (such as those in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta) are actively evaluating whether to permit the sale of or how to evaluate limits on the levels of certain cannabinoids (such as tetrahydrocannabivarin and cannabinol). Provincial and territorial distributors may take different positions on the sale and distribution of products with various cannabinoids and may decide to ban, limit or implement new guidance on the types of cannabis products permitted for sale in each of their jurisdictions (including in response to Health Canada's guidance on intoxicating cannabinoids) which may result in some or all of our products being viewed as non-compliant with applicable law or non-binding policy guidance.
Furthermore, additional countries continue to pass laws that allow for the production and distribution of cannabis in some form or another. We have some subsidiaries, investments and strategic alliances in place outside of Canada, which may be affected if more countries legalize cannabis. Increased international competition and limitations placed on us by Canadian regulations might lower the demand for our products on a global scale. We also face competition in each jurisdiction outside of Canada where we have subsidiaries, investments and strategic alliances with local companies that have more experience, more in-depth knowledge of local markets or applicable laws, regulations and guidelines or longer operating histories in such jurisdictions.
Regulation - Risk 8
We are subject to certain restrictions of the TSX and Nasdaq, which may constrain our ability to expand our business in the United States.The Canopy Shares are currently listed on the TSX and Nasdaq, and accordingly, so long as we choose to continue to be listed on these exchanges, we must comply with the TSX and Nasdaq requirements or guidelines when conducting business, especially when pursuing opportunities in the United States.
On October 16, 2017, the TSX provided clarity regarding the application of Sections 306 (Minimum Listing Requirements) and 325 (Management) and Part VII (Halting of Trading, Suspension and Delisting of Securities) of the TSX Company Manual (collectively, the "TSX Requirements") to TSX-listed issuers with business activities in the cannabis sector. In TSX Staff Notice 2017-0009, the TSX notes that issuers with ongoing business activities that violate U.S. federal law regarding cannabis are not in compliance with the TSX Requirements. The TSX reminded issuers that, among other things, should the TSX find that a listed issuer is engaging in activities contrary to the TSX Requirements, the TSX has the discretion to initiate a delisting review. Although we believe that we currently comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the TSX Requirements, there is a risk that our interpretation may differ from the TSX and failure to comply with the TSX Requirements could result in a delisting of the Canopy Shares from the TSX or the denial of an application for certain approvals, such as to have additional securities listed on the TSX, which could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the Canopy Shares and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
While Nasdaq has not issued official rules specific to the cannabis or hemp industry, stock exchanges in the United States, including Nasdaq, have historically refused to list certain cannabis-related businesses, including cannabis retailers, that operate primarily in the United States. In connection with our creation of Canopy USA, Nasdaq Regulation indicated its position that companies that consolidate "the assets and revenues generated from activities in violation under federal law cannot continue to list on Nasdaq." Canopy USA exercised its options to acquire Wana and Jetty on May 6, 2024. As of April 30, 2024, Canopy Growth has deconsolidated the financial results of Canopy USA and has a non-controlling interest in Canopy USA as of such date, which will be accounted for as an equity method (fair value) investment until such time as a Stock Exchange Permissibility Date occurs. Based on our discussions with the OCA, we continue to believe that the SEC would not object to the deconsolidation of the financial results of Canopy USA from the Company's financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP now that Canopy USA has acquired Acreage, Wana and the majority interest of Jetty. However, there can be no assurance that the SEC will agree with the Company's accounting treatment of Canopy USA in the future. Failure to comply with any requirements imposed by Nasdaq could result in the delisting of the Canopy Shares from Nasdaq or denial of any application to have additional securities listed on Nasdaq, which could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of the Canopy Shares.
Regulation - Risk 9
Federal law in the United States may impose restrictions on our ability to bank with certain institutions, repatriate funds to Canada or pay dividends to shareholders.The U.S. federal prohibitions on the sale of cannabis may result in us or Canopy USA being restricted from accessing the U.S. banking system, and we or Canopy USA may be unable to deposit funds in federally insured and licensed banking institutions. Banking restrictions could be imposed due to institutions not accepting payments and deposits. We are, and Canopy USA is at risk that any of our and Canopy USA's bank accounts could be closed at any time. Such risks increase our costs and our ability to handle any revenue received. In addition, activities in the U.S., and any proceeds derived thereof, may be considered proceeds of crime due to the fact that cannabis remains federally illegal in the U.S. This may restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends, effect other distributions or subsequently repatriate such funds back to Canada.
Regulation - Risk 10
We may be subject to heightened scrutiny by regulatory authorities.Any future investments, joint ventures or operations in the United States, may become the subject of heightened scrutiny by regulators, stock exchanges and other authorities in Canada and/or the United States. As a result, we may be subject to significant direct and indirect interaction with public officials. There can be no assurance that this heightened scrutiny will not in turn lead to the imposition of certain restrictions on our ability to invest in the United States or any other jurisdiction, in addition to those described herein.
Regulation - Risk 11
We are constrained by law in our ability to market and advertise our products.Our marketing and advertising are subject to regulation by various regulatory bodies in the jurisdictions we operate. In Canada, the development of our business and related results of operations may be hindered by applicable regulatory restrictions on sales and marketing activities. For example, the regulatory environment in Canada limits our ability to compete for market share in a manner similar to other industries. Furthermore, the applicable regulatory restrictions on sales and marketing activities are not always clear, may be subject to interpretation and have in the past, and may in the future, be interpreted or applied inconsistently by the applicable Canadian regulatory agencies, which have broad interpretative and enforcement discretion with respect to such activities. This may result in such restrictions on sale and marketing activities being interpreted unfavorably by a regulatory agency against some market participants, including us, but not others. If we are unable to effectively market our products and compete for market share, or if the costs of compliance with government legislation and regulation cannot be absorbed through increased selling prices for our products, our sales and results of operations could be adversely affected. See "Business – Canadian Regulatory Framework."
Regulation - Risk 12
Anti-money laundering and other banking laws and regulations can limit our ability to access financing and hamper our growth.We are subject to a variety of domestic and international laws and regulations pertaining to money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crime, including the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended and the rules and regulations thereunder, the Criminal Code (Canada) and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by governmental authorities internationally.
In the event that any of our operations or investments, any proceeds thereof, any dividends or distributions therefrom, or any profits or revenues accruing from such operations or investments were found to be in violation of money laundering legislation, such transactions may be viewed as proceeds of crimes under one or more of the statutes noted above or any other applicable legislation. This could restrict or otherwise jeopardize our ability to declare or pay dividends, effect other distributions or subsequently repatriate such funds back to Canada. Furthermore, while we have no current intention to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future, in the event that a determination was made that proceeds obtained by us could reasonably be shown to constitute proceeds of crime, we may decide or be required to suspend declaring or paying dividends without advance notice and for an indefinite period of time.
In February 2014, FinCEN of the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the FinCEN Marijuana-Related Guidance. The FINCEN Marijuana-Related Guidance states that in some circumstances, it may not be appropriate to prosecute banks that provide services to marijuana-related businesses for violations of federal money laundering laws. It refers to supplementary guidance that then Deputy Attorney General Cole issued to federal prosecutors relating to the prosecution of money laundering offenses predicated on Cannabis-related violations of the CSA. It is unclear at this time whether the current or future administrations will follow the guidelines of the FINCEN Marijuana-Related Guidance.
Following the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, FinCEN, along with other federal banking regulators, released the FinCEN Hemp Statement. In June 2020, FinCEN issued the FinCEN Hemp Guidance. The FinCEN Hemp Statement and FinCEN Hemp Guidance provided financial institutions with anti-money laundering risk considerations for hemp-related businesses to ultimately enhance the availability of financial services for, and the financial transparency of, hemp-related businesses in compliance with federal law. The FinCEN Hemp Statement and FinCEN Hemp Guidance do not replace or supersede the FinCEN Marijuana-Related Guidance.
Under U.S. federal law, banks or other financial institutions that provide a Cannabis-related business with a checking account, debit or credit card, small business loan, or any other service could be found guilty of money laundering, aiding and abetting, or conspiracy. As a result, we may have limited or no access to banking or other financial services in the United States and we may be unable to deposit funds in federally insured and licensed banking institutions. Banking restrictions could be imposed due to institutions not accepting payments and deposits. We are at risk that any of our bank accounts and/or the bank accounts of Canopy USA could be closed at any time. The inability or limitation on our ability to open or maintain bank accounts in the United States, to obtain other banking services and/or accept credit card and debit card payments may make it difficult to operate and conduct our business as planned in the United States. Such risks increase our costs and our ability to handle any revenue received. Although multiple legislative reforms related to cannabis and cannabis-related banking are currently being considered by the federal government in the United States, such as the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, there can be no assurance that this or any similar legislation will become law in the United States.
Regulation - Risk 13
We could be adversely affected by violations of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other similar anti-bribery laws.Our business is subject to the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), the FCPA and other similar laws which generally prohibit companies and employees from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. In addition, we are or will be subject to the anti-bribery laws of any other countries in which we conduct business now or in the future. Our policies mandate compliance with these anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. Our employees or other agents may, without our knowledge and despite our efforts, engage in conduct prohibited under our policies and procedures and under anti-bribery laws, for which we may be held responsible. There can be no assurance that our internal control policies and procedures will always protect us from recklessness, fraudulent behavior, dishonesty or other inappropriate acts committed by our affiliates, employees, contractors or agents. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe criminal and/or civil penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Regulation - Risk 14
We must rely on local counsel and consultants with respect to laws and regulations in countries outside of Canada.The legal and regulatory requirements in the foreign countries in which we operate with respect to the cultivation and sale of cannabis, banking systems and controls, as well as local business culture and practices are different from those in Canada. Our officers and directors must rely, to a great extent, on local legal counsel and consultants in order to keep abreast of material legal, regulatory and governmental developments as they pertain to and affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects, and to assist with governmental relations. We must rely, to some extent, on those members of management and our board of directors who have previous experience working and conducting business in these countries, if any, in order to enhance its understanding of and appreciation for the local business culture and practices. We also rely on the advice of local experts and professionals in connection with current and new regulations that develop in respect of the cultivation and sale of cannabis as well as in respect of banking, financing, labor, litigation and tax matters in these jurisdictions. Any developments or changes in such legal, regulatory or governmental requirements or in local business practices are beyond our control. The impact of any such changes may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Regulation - Risk 15
Any rescheduling of U.S. Schedule I cannabis to Schedule III would have an uncertain impact on our business.In August 2023, the HHS recommended that the DEA move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the CSA and on May 16, 2024, the DEA issued a proposed rule to reclassify marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. There can be no assurance that the proposed DEA rule will go into effect in its present form or at all, and the impacts of any such adoption on our business and competitive position are unclear. For example, rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III may be accompanied by additional regulatory obligations as prerequisite to participate in the U.S. market, and it may provide a greater benefit to the businesses of our competitors than our business, including by providing favorable tax treatment to their U.S. operations. The rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III could result in significant volatility in the market for the Canopy Shares. To the extent that market speculation results in an increase in the price of the Canopy Shares, the price of the Canopy Shares could decline significantly thereafter if the DEA fails to act on the recommendation or investor optimism fades.
Regulation - Risk 16
Our business is subject to evolving corporate governance and public disclosure regulations and expectations, including with respect to environmental, social and governance matters, which could expose us to numerous risks.We are subject to changing rules and regulations promulgated by a number of governmental and self-regulatory organizations, including the SEC, Canadian securities regulators, Nasdaq, the TSX and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. These rules and regulations continue to evolve in scope and complexity. In addition, increasingly regulators, customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders are focusing on environmental, social and governance ("ESG") matters and related disclosures. For example, in Canada, we are required to comply with the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, which came into force on January 1, 2024. Under the provisions of this legislation, corporate entities that meet certain criteria are required to examine their supply chains and file public reports to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on measures they have taken to identify, address and reduce the risk that forced labour, prison labour and child labour are used in their supply chains, such report must be submitted before May 31st of each year starting in 2024. Other mandatory ESG-related disclosures include the Conflict Minerals Reporting in U.S. and the Modern Slavery Act in the UK. There are also a number of voluntary reporting schemes that provide a framework to report ESG-related information. Failure to comply with these rules and regulations could have a material adverse effect on the Company's reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.
These changing rules, regulations and stakeholder expectations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and increased management time and attention spent complying with or meeting such regulations and expectations. We may also communicate certain initiatives and goals, regarding environmental matters, diversity, responsible sourcing and social investments and other ESG related matters, in our SEC filings, Canadian public filings or in other public disclosures. These initiatives and goals within the scope of ESG could be difficult and expensive to implement, the technologies needed to implement them may not be cost effective and may not advance at a sufficient pace, and we could be criticized for the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the disclosure. Further, statements about our ESG related initiatives and goals, and progress against those goals, may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. In addition, we could be criticized for the scope or nature of such initiatives or goals, or for any revisions to these goals. If our ESG-related data, processes and reporting are incomplete or inaccurate, or if we fail to achieve progress with respect to our initiatives or goals within the scope of ESG on a timely basis, or at all, our reputation, business, financial performance and growth could be adversely affected.
Regulation - Risk 17
If we are deemed to be an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a result of our unconsolidated interest in Canopy USA and certain other financial assets, we would likely either (i) be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and restrict our activities to comply with the 1940 Act, which may make it difficult for us to continue operating our business or (ii) take actions to consolidate the financial results of Canopy USA into our financial statements, which would likely result in the loss of our listing on the Nasdaq.Under Sections 3(a)(1)(A) and (C) of the 1940 Act, a company generally will be deemed to be an "investment company" for purposes of the 1940 Act if (1) it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities or (2) it is engaged, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, absent the ability to rely on another exclusion under the 1940 Act. Such "investment companies" are required to register and meet other requirements promulgated under the 1940 Act.
As of March 31, 2025, as a result of our unconsolidated interest in Canopy USA and certain other financial assets, we believe we own investment securities having a value of less than 40% of our total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. Accordingly, we do not currently believe that we are an "investment company," as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, if, in the future, this percentage exceeds 40%, absent the reliance on another exclusion, which may not be available and would depend on circumstances at that time, or some sort of relief from the SEC, which likely would not be available, we would be deemed to be an "investment company" for purposes of the 1940 Act. If this were to occur, we would likely either (i) be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and our activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for us to continue operating our business or (ii) take actions to consolidate the financial results of Canopy USA into our financial statements, which would likely result in the loss of our listing on the Nasdaq.
If we were deemed to be an "investment company" under the 1940 Act, our future activities may be restricted, including:
- restrictions on the nature of our investments; and - restrictions on the issuance of securities, each of which may make it difficult for us to conduct our business and raise working capital.
In addition, we may be required to comply with burdensome requirements, including:
- registration as an investment company with the SEC;- adoption of a specific form of corporate structure different from our current operating structure; and - limits on borrowing, extensive compliance program requirements, reporting, record keeping, voting, proxy and disclosure requirements and other rules and regulations to which we are currently not subject.
Compliance with these additional regulatory burdens would require additional expenses for which we have not allotted funds and may hinder our ability to operate our business, and make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we determined to avoid compliance with 1940 Act by taking actions to consolidate the financial results of Canopy USA into our financial statements, we would likely lose our listing on the Nasdaq. As we have previously disclosed, the Nasdaq has advised us that companies that consolidate "the assets and revenues generated from activities in violation under federal law cannot continue to list on Nasdaq". Because cannabis, other than hemp, continues to be categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA, it is illegal under federal law in the United States to cultivate, distribute, or possess cannabis. Accordingly, Canopy USA's activities violate federal law and, if its financial results were consolidated into our financial results, the Canopy Shares would likely be delisted from the Nasdaq.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities4 | 4.6%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
As a result of self-reporting the BioSteel Review, the Company is the subject of a regulatory investigation and inquiry in connection with the BioSteel Review, and it cannot predict the timing of developments, and any adverse outcome of these continuing matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company.Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 2
We are and may become subject to, or prosecute, litigation in the ordinary course of our manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of our products.We may from time to time be subject to litigation, claims, other legal and regulatory proceedings and disputes arising in the ordinary course of our manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of our products, some of which may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Should we face class actions filed against us, plaintiffs in such class action lawsuits, as well as in other lawsuits against us, may seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive damages, which may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. Should any litigation in which we become involved be determined against us, such a decision could adversely affect our ability to continue operating, adversely affect the market price for the Canopy Shares and require the use of significant resources.
Even to the extent we ultimately prevail in litigation, litigation can consume and redirect significant resources. Litigation may also create a negative perception of us and our brands, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Please refer to "Part 1 – Legal Proceedings" under Item 3 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 3
We may be subject to product liability claims.As a manufacturer and distributor of products designed to be topically applied, ingested or inhaled by humans, we face an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims, regulatory action and litigation if our products are alleged to have caused significant loss, injury, or death. In addition, the manufacture and sale of cannabis products involve the risk of injury to consumers due to tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination. Previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from consumption of cannabis products alone or in combination with other medications or substances could occur as described under " – There is limited long-term data with respect to the efficacy, side effects and safety of our products, and future clinical research studies on the effects of cannabis, hemp, cannabinoids and cannabis-based products may lead to conclusions that dispute or conflict with our understanding and belief regarding their benefits, commercial viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance." We may be subject to various product liability claims, including, among others, that our products caused injury or illness, are incorrectly labeled, include inadequate instructions for use or include inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects or interactions with other substances.
A product liability claim or regulatory action against us could result in increased costs to us, could adversely affect our reputation with our clients and consumers generally, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Please refer to "Part 1 – Legal Proceedings" under Item 3 of this Form 10-K for further discussion. There can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities. Such insurance is expensive and may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage on reasonable terms or to otherwise protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of our products.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 4
We are subject to liability arising from any fraudulent or illegal activity by our employees, contractors and consultants.We are exposed to the risk that our employees, independent contractors and consultants may engage in fraudulent or other illegal activity. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional, fraudulent, reckless and/or negligent conduct or unauthorized activity that violates: (i) applicable laws and regulations; (ii) manufacturing standards and healthcare requirements; (iii) federal and provincial healthcare fraud and abuse of federal, state and provincial laws and regulations; or (iv) laws and regulations that require the true, complete and accurate reporting of financial, personal, medical and/or insurance information or data. It is not always possible for us to identify and deter misconduct by our employees and other third parties, and the precautions taken by us to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with such laws, regulations or standards. If any such actions are brought against us, whether or not we are successful in defending us or asserting our rights, those actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and the curtailment of our operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Any allegation of impropriety alone may have a material reputational impact on our business, which could result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Taxation & Government Incentives2 | 2.3%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
There can be no assurance that we will not become a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 2
Tax and accounting requirements may change or be interpreted in ways that are unforeseen to us and we may face difficulty or be unable to implement and/or comply with any such changes or interpretations.We are subject to numerous tax and accounting requirements, and changes in existing accounting or taxation rules or practices, or varying interpretations of current rules or practices, could have a significant adverse effect on our financial results, the manner in which we conduct our business or the marketability of any of our products. In many countries, including the U.S., we are subject to transfer pricing and other tax regulations designed to ensure that appropriate levels of income are reported as earned and are taxed accordingly. Although we believe that we are in substantial compliance with all applicable regulations and restrictions, we are subject to the risk that governmental authorities could audit our transfer pricing and related practices and assert that additional taxes are owed or that various jurisdictions could assert that we should file tax returns in jurisdictions where we do not file and subject us to additional tax. In the future, the geographic scope of our business may expand, and such expansion will require us to comply with the tax laws and regulations of additional jurisdictions. Requirements as to taxation vary substantially among jurisdictions. Complying with the tax laws and regulations of these jurisdictions can be time consuming and expensive and could potentially subject us to penalties and fees in the future if we failed to comply. In the event that we failed to comply with applicable tax laws, regulations and accounting requirements, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Environmental / Social2 | 2.3%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
We are and may become subject to a variety of privacy and data security laws and contractual obligations, which could increase compliance costs and our failure to comply with them could subject us to potentially significant fines or penalties and otherwise harm our business.Environmental / Social - Risk 2
We are subject to a number of federal, state, and foreign environmental and safety laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities.Our operations are subject to environmental and safety laws and regulations concerning, among other things, emissions and discharges to water, air and land, the handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous materials and wastes, and employee health and safety. Accordingly, we will incur ongoing costs and obligations related to compliance with environmental and employee health and safety matters. In addition, changes in environmental, employee health and safety or other laws, more vigorous enforcement thereof or other unanticipated events could require extensive changes to our operations or give rise to material liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Further, compliance with EU-GMP requires satisfying additional standards for the conduct of our operations and subjects us to ongoing compliance inspections in respect of these standards in connection with our EU-GMP certified facilities. Compliance with safety, health and environmental laws and regulations can require significant expenditures, and failure to comply with such safety, health and environmental laws and regulations may result in the imposition of fines and penalties, the temporary or permanent suspension of operations, the imposition of clean-up costs resulting from contaminated properties, the imposition of damages and the loss of or refusal of governmental authorities to issue permits or licenses to us or to certify our compliance with EU-GMP standards. Exposure to these liabilities may arise in connection with our existing operations, our historical operations and operations that we may undertake in the future. We could also be held liable for worker exposure to hazardous substances and for accidents causing injury or death. There can be no assurance that we will at all times be in compliance with all safety, health and environmental laws and regulations notwithstanding our attempts to comply with such laws and regulations.
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 22/87 (25%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights8 | 9.2%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
The Trust's total ownership interest in Canopy USA is not quantifiable, including whether the Canopy USA warrants issued to the Trust in connection with the first tranche closing of the Trust Transaction are exercised or not, and the Trust may have significant ownership and influence over Canopy USA upon completion of the Trust Transaction.Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
The majority of our assets are the capital stock of our material subsidiaries; therefore our investors are subject to the risks attributable to our material subsidiaries, which generate substantially all of our revenues.The majority of our assets are the capital stock of our material subsidiaries. We conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries, which generate substantially all of our revenues. Consequently, our cash flows and ability to complete current or desirable future enhancement opportunities are dependent on the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to us. The ability of these entities to pay dividends and other distributions will depend on their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and regulations which require that solvency and capital standards be maintained by such companies and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing their debt. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of our material subsidiaries, holders of indebtedness and trade creditors may be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of those subsidiaries before us.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
Future sales or issuances of securities could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our securities.We may issue and sell additional equity securities in subsequent offerings (including through the sale of securities convertible into equity securities and/or in connection with conversions or exchanges to retire outstanding debt). In addition, we are required to issue Canopy Shares pursuant to certain of our agreements. For example, additional Canopy Shares may be issued by us as consideration for the acquisition by Canopy USA of the remaining interests in Jetty, and the number of such additional Canopy Shares is currently not known, is not quantifiable as of the date hereof and may be material. In addition, we may issue additional Canopy Shares to satisfy any deferred payments to the shareholders of Wana, and additional Canopy Shares may be issued under the February 2025 ATM Program from time to time, each of which could result in dilution to our shareholders. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of equity securities or the size and terms of future issuances of debt instruments or other securities convertible into equity securities or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of our securities will have on the market price of the Canopy Shares.
Additional issuances of our securities may involve the issuance of a significant number of Canopy Shares at prices less than the current market price for the Canopy Shares. Issuances of a substantial number of Canopy Shares, or the perception that such issuances could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of the Canopy Shares. Any transaction involving the issuance of Canopy Shares, or securities convertible into Canopy Shares, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to security holders.
Sales of substantial amounts of our securities by our shareholders, including the CBI Group, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for the securities and dilute investors' earnings per share.
Exercises of presently outstanding share options or warrants or conversion of Exchangeable Shares may also result in dilution to security holders. For example, as of May 28, 2025, we had outstanding:
- 26,261,474 Canopy Shares issuable upon conversion of the issued and outstanding Exchangeable Shares.
- 15,483,580 warrants exercisable into 15,483,580 Canopy Shares at an average exercise price of $10.47 per Canopy Share.
- 3,542,716 options exercisable into 3,542,716 Canopy Shares at an average exercise price of $31.08 per Canopy Share.
Exercises of these options or warrants or conversion of the Exchangeable Shares into Canopy Shares will result in dilution to our shareholders. In addition, sales of the Canopy Shares underlying these options or warrants could adversely affect the prevailing market price of the Canopy Shares. A decline in the market prices of the Canopy Shares could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
The Exchangeable Shares have different rights from the Canopy Shares and there may never be a trading market for the Exchangeable Shares.Our shareholders now have the option to convert their Canopy Shares into Exchangeable Shares in accordance with their terms. There are important differences between the rights of the Canopy Shares and the Exchangeable Shares. While each Exchangeable Share is convertible into a Canopy Share, the Exchangeable Shares do not carry voting rights, rights to receive dividends or other rights upon dissolution of Canopy Growth. For example, holders of Exchangeable Shares are not able to exercise voting rights at meetings of shareholders and will not receive distributions if dividends are declared by our Board. The differences between the rights of holders of the Exchangeable Shares and Canopy Shares are significant and may materially and adversely affect the market value of your investment.
Presently, there are no plans to list the Exchangeable Shares on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, and there is not expected to be a market for trading of the Exchangeable Shares. Thus, persons holding Exchangeable Shares will likely have no ability to sell their Exchangeable Shares and will likely have to exchange them for Canopy Shares in order to have any liquidity. In addition, any sale of Exchangeable Shares will require the holder thereof to deliver a certification to us that such holder reasonably believes that such transfer is occurring in compliance with the Canadian take-over bid requirements as though the Exchangeable Shares were voting securities or equity securities of the Company (the "Shareholder Certification").
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 5
Future sales of the Canopy Shares and/or Exchangeable Shares by the CBI Group could cause the market price for the Canopy Shares to fall.The CBI Group holds a significant number of Exchangeable Shares, is not contractually committed to maintaining an equity stake in us nor are they contractually limited from (i) selling their Exchangeable Shares; provided that any sale of their Exchangeable Shares will require the holder of such Exchangeable Shares to deliver the Shareholder Certification or (ii) converting their Exchangeable Shares into Canopy Shares. Subject to compliance with applicable securities laws, the CBI Group may convert some or all of their Exchangeable shares into Canopy Shares at any time and sell some or all of their Canopy Shares underlying such Exchangeable Shares at any time. Such sales, or the market perception of such sales, could significantly reduce the market price of the Canopy Shares. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future public sales of Canopy Shares beneficially owned by the CBI Group or the availability of these Canopy Shares for sale will have on the market price of the Canopy Shares. If the market price of the Canopy Shares were to drop as a result, this might impede our ability to raise additional capital and might cause a significant decline in the value of the investments of our other shareholders.
The intentions of the CBI Group regarding its long-term economic ownership of Exchangeable Shares and/or Canopy Shares are subject to change as a result of changes in the circumstances of the CBI Group or its affiliates, changes in our management and operation and changes in laws and regulations, market conditions and our financial performance.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 6
The CBI Group, our sole holder of Exchangeable Shares, has the ability to convert its Exchangeable Shares into Canopy Shares and accordingly, may be in a position to exercise significant influence over us.The CBI Group may have the ability to exercise significant influence over us if they convert their Exchangeable Shares into Canopy Shares and, if they were to do so, as of May 28, 2025, would hold approximately 12.4% of the issued and outstanding Canopy Shares on a non-diluted basis. Accordingly, in light of such beneficial ownership, the CBI Group is in a position to exercise significant influence over us, including matters affecting shareholders or requiring shareholder approval, such as the election of directors, change of control transactions, amendments to our articles and bylaws and the determination of other significant corporate actions. Additionally, upon potential conversion of the Exchangeable Shares held by the CBI Group into Canopy Shares, the CBI Group's significant voting interest in us may discourage transactions involving a change of control of us, including transactions in which an investor, as a shareholder, might otherwise receive a premium for its Canopy Shares over the then-current market price.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 7
The market price for the Canopy Shares has in the past been volatile and may continue to be volatile and subject to significant fluctuation.The market prices for the securities of cannabis companies, including the Company, have historically been, and may in the future be, subject to large fluctuations. For example, during the period from January 1, 2024 through May 28, 2025, the closing price of the Canopy Shares on Nasdaq ranged from a low of US$0.83 to a high of US$14.88. The market price for the Canopy Shares may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to many factors, including:
- actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations;- changes in estimates of our future results of operations by us or securities research analysts;- changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;- additions or departures of our executive officers and other key employees;- transfer restrictions on outstanding Canopy Shares;- equity issuances by us (including through the sale of securities convertible into equity securities) or resales of Canopy Shares by our stockholders or the perception in the market that such issuances or resales might occur;- significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, investments or capital commitments by or involving us, Canopy USA or our competitors;- increases in speculative trading activity by investors targeting publicly traded cannabis companies, which can further contribute to the volatility of the market price for the Canopy Shares if aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of the Canopy Shares available for purchase;- news reports relating to trends, concerns or competitive developments, regulatory changes or enforcement actions and other related issues in our industry or target markets;- the prospect of actual or perceived future changes to the legal and regulatory regimes that govern our products and our industries and/or government actions, rulings or policies;- changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts or rating agencies;- investors' general perception of us and the public's reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators;- our ability to remediate our material weaknesses and otherwise maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;- our failure to timely file our public filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators;- our failure to comply with the Nasdaq and TSX rules;- reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions, and market rumors or speculation;- general market, economic and political conditions (including rising geopolitical tensions as a result of, among other things, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict);- negative announcements by our customers, competitors or suppliers regarding their own performance; and - the realization of any of the other risk factors set forth herein.
For example, reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions, market rumors or speculation could trigger a sell-off in the Canopy Shares. Any sales of substantial numbers of Canopy Shares in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur may cause the market price of the Canopy Shares to decline. In addition, to the extent that other large companies within our industries experience declines in their stock price, the share price of the Canopy Shares may decline as well. Moreover, if the market price of the Canopy Shares drops significantly, shareholders may institute securities class action lawsuits against us. Lawsuits against us could cause us to incur substantial costs and could divert the time and attention of our management and other resources.
Securities markets have a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies have experienced wide fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. Securities of companies in the cannabis industry have experienced substantial volatility often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved. These factors include global economic developments and market perceptions of the industry. There can be no assurance that continuing fluctuations in price will not occur. The market price of the Canopy Shares is also likely to be affected by changes in our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, certain institutional investors may base their investment decisions on consideration of our environmental, governance, diversity and social practices and performance against such institutions' respective investment guidelines and criteria, and failure to meet such criteria may result in limited or no investment in the Canopy Shares by those institutions, which could adversely affect the trading price of the Canopy Shares. There can be no assurance that continuing fluctuations in price and volume will not occur. If such increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue, the trading price of the Canopy Shares may be adversely affected.
In addition, our shareholders may be unable to sell significant quantities of the Canopy Shares into the public markets without a significant reduction in the price of the Canopy Shares, or at all. There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity of the Canopy Shares, nor that we will continue to meet the listing requirements of the TSX or Nasdaq or achieve listing on any other recognized stock exchange.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 8
Investors in the United States may have difficulty bringing actions and enforcing judgments against us and others based on securities law civil liability provisions.We are incorporated under the federal laws of Canada and our head office is located in the Province of Ontario. Some of our directors and officers and some of the experts named in this Form 10-K are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside of the
United States and a substantial portion of their assets and our assets are located outside the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult for investors in the United States to bring an action against such directors, officers or experts or to enforce against those persons or us a judgment obtained in a U.S. court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws or other U.S. laws. In addition, while statutory provisions exist in Ontario for derivative actions to be brought in certain circumstances, the circumstances in which a derivative action may be brought, and the procedures and defenses that may be available in respect of any such action, may be different than those of shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.
Accounting & Financial Operations6 | 6.9%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
The financial reporting obligations of being a public company and maintaining a dual listing on the TSX and on Nasdaq requires significant company resources and management attention.Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
It is not anticipated that any dividend will be paid to holders of the Canopy Shares for the foreseeable future.No dividends on the Canopy Shares have been paid to date. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, for future operations and expansion. Our board of directors has the discretion to declare dividends and to prescribe the timing, amount and payment of such dividends. Such decision will depend upon our future earnings, cash flows, acquisition capital requirements and financial condition, and other relevant factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Further, our Credit Facility and certain other financial arrangements provide for certain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and there can be no assurance that we will declare a dividend on a quarterly, annual or other basis, or at all. We have no plans to pay any dividends, now or in the near future.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
Failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may result in us not being able to accurately report our financial results, which could result in a loss of investor confidence and adversely affect the market price of the Canopy Shares.We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, which is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP (as defined below). Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. A failure to prevent or detect errors or misstatements may result in a decline in the price of the Canopy Shares and harm our ability to raise capital in the future.
If our management is unable to certify the effectiveness of our internal controls or if material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal controls are identified, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of public confidence, which could harm our business and cause a decline in the price of the Canopy Shares. Although we do not currently have any material weaknesses and ineffectiveness to report of the Company's internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, there can be no assurance that we will not identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future.
In addition, if we do not maintain adequate financial and management personnel, processes and controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis, which could cause a decline in the price of the Canopy Shares and harm our ability to raise capital. Failure to accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis could also jeopardize our listing on the TSX and/or Nasdaq. Delisting of the Canopy Shares on any stock exchange would have implications pursuant to our Credit Agreement, including interest rate increases and/or an event of default and reduce the liquidity of the market for the Canopy Shares, which would likely reduce the price of, and increase the volatility of, the price of the Canopy Shares.
We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error or fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues within an organization will be detected. The inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Controls can also be circumvented by individual acts of certain persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. Due to the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected in a timely manner or at all. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results could be materially adversely affected, which could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which in turn could result in a reduction in the price of the Canopy Shares.
In addition, acquisitions can pose challenges in implementing the required processes, procedures and controls in the new operations. Companies that are acquired by us may not have disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting that are as thorough or effective as those required by the securities laws that currently apply to us.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 4
Acreage's last publicly available financial statements expressed doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern, which could have a negative impact on Canopy USA's business, financial results and operations and have an adverse impact on the Company's U.S. strategy, and, ultimately, the Company's financial results and operations, and, in the event Acreage cannot satisfy its debt obligations as they become due, the Acquired Debt may not be repaid and the Company may lose the entirety of its investment.Acreage's last publicly available financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2024 ("Acreage's September 30, 2024 Financial Statements") expressed doubt about Acreage's ability to continue as a going concern. In particular, Acreage's September 30, 2024 Financial Statements state: "[Acreage] had an accumulated deficit as of September 30, 2024, as well as a net loss and negative cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. These factors raise substantial doubt about [Acreage]'s ability to continue as a going concern for at least one year from the issuance of these financial statements." In the event Acreage is unable to continue as a going concern, this would have a negative impact on Canopy USA's business, financial results and operations and have an adverse impact on the Company's U.S. strategy, and, ultimately, the Company's financial results and operations.
On June 3, 2024, the Company closed the Debt Acquisition pursuant to the credit agreement dated as of December 16, 2021, as amended by the first amendment to credit agreement dated as of on October 24, 2022, and the second amendment to credit agreement dated as of April 28, 2023. The Company entered into various agreements in connection with the Debt Acquisition in order to, among other things, acquire the Acquired Debt in exchange for US$69.8 million in cash and the release of approximately US$30.1 million that was held in escrow pursuant to the Option Agreement
As of March 31, 2025, an aggregate principal amount of approximately US$175 million was outstanding pursuant to the Second ARCA, of which approximately US$110 million is owing to the Company and such amount is subordinate to approximately US$65 million owed to the Other Lender.
In view of the foregoing, Acreage's continuation as a going concern is dependent upon its continued operations, which in turn is dependent upon, among other things, Acreage's ability to meet its financial requirements. There is no assurance that Acreage will be successful in its plans to fund its operations and debt obligations as they become due and payable, which for greater certainty includes its debt obligations in favor of the Company in connection with the Acquired Debt. We have recognized a $140 million non-cash fair value adjustment to reduce the fair value of the Acquired Debt to zero as of March 31, 2025. The fair value adjustment was driven by Acreage's current business performance.
In addition, Acreage is currently in default under the Second ARCA and the Lenders have agreed to forebear exercising any remedies with respect to such default until June 1, 2025 while the parties discuss potential solutions, including a potential debt extension. If an event of default continues to occur under the Second ARCA after June 1, 2025, the portion of the Acquired Debt owing to the Other Lender would rank in priority to the portion of the Acquired Debt owing to the Company. Accordingly, in the event Acreage cannot satisfy its debt obligations as they become due, the Acquired Debt may not be repaid and the Company may lose the entirety of its investment. In addition, Acreage may be required to terminate or significantly curtail its operations or enter into arrangements with third parties that may require Acreage to relinquish rights to certain aspects of its business and/or dispose of certain assets, which would have a negative impact on Canopy USA's business, financial results and operations and have an adverse impact on the Company's U.S. strategy, and, ultimately, the Company's financial results and operations.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 5
We may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and may continue to incur losses in the future.We have incurred significant losses in recent periods and have negative operating cash flow for each of our fiscal years since 2019, including the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. We may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability and may continue to incur significant losses in the future. In addition, we expect to continue to invest in our business and incur operating expenses as we implement initiatives to continue to improve our business. If our revenues do not increase to offset these expenses, we will not be profitable. If our revenue declines or fails to grow at a rate faster than our expenses, and we are unable to secure funding under terms that are favorable or acceptable to us, or at all, we will not be able to achieve and maintain profitability in future periods. As a result, we may continue to generate losses. We may not achieve profitability in the future and, even if we do become profitable, we might not be able to sustain that profitability. There is no assurance that future revenues will be sufficient to generate the funds required to continue operations without external funding.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 6
We have been and may in the future be required to write down intangible assets, including goodwill, due to impairment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. We are also subject to the risk of defects or impairment charges related to potential write-downs of acquired assets or goodwill in future acquisitions.We have in the past and may in the future be required to write down acquired assets and intangible assets, including goodwill, due to impairment, which would reduce earnings. We periodically calculate the fair value of our reporting units and intangible assets to test for impairment. This calculation may be affected by several factors, including general economic conditions, regulatory developments, changes in category growth rates as a result of changing adult consumer preferences, success of planned new product introductions, and competitive activity. Certain events can also trigger an immediate review of goodwill and intangible assets. If the carrying value of our reporting unit and other intangible assets exceeds their fair value and the loss in value is other than temporary, the goodwill and other intangible assets are considered impaired, which would result in impairment losses and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. For a discussion of intangible assets and goodwill, see Note 15, "Intangible Assets" and Note 16, "Goodwill" to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
In addition, a defect in any business arrangement, including the acquisitions of Acreage, Wana and the majority interest of Jetty by Canopy USA, may arise to defeat or impair our claim to such transaction, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. It is possible that material changes could occur that may adversely affect management's estimate of the recoverable amount for any agreement we enter into. Impairment estimates, based on applicable key assumptions and sensitivity analysis, will be based on management's best knowledge of the amounts, events or actions at such time, and the actual future outcomes may differ from any estimates that are provided by us. Any impairment charges on our carrying value of business arrangements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Debt & Financing3 | 3.4%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
We may not be able to secure adequate or reliable sources of funding required to operate our business.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
Our Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants that may limit our operating flexibility.Our Credit Facility contains various restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, our ability to transfer or dispose of assets, merge with other companies or consummate certain changes of control, acquire other companies, open new offices that contain a material amount of assets, pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness and liens, enter into new businesses and amend, modify or otherwise supplement or restrict certain terms or conditions relating to our interests in Canopy USA. We therefore may not be able to engage in any of the foregoing transactions unless we obtain the consent of the applicable lenders or terminate the Credit Facility, which may limit our operating flexibility. In addition, our Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets, including our intellectual property, and requires us to satisfy certain financial covenants including certain minimum liquidity requirements. There is no guarantee that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow or sales to meet these financial covenants or pay the principal and interest on any such debt. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that future working capital, borrowings or equity financing will be available to repay or refinance any such debt. Any inability to make scheduled payments or meet the financial covenants on our Credit Facility would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Debt & Financing - Risk 3
We are exposed to counterparty risks and liquidity risks that may impact our ability to obtain loans and other credit facilities on favorable terms.We are exposed to counterparty risks and liquidity risks, including, but not limited to, through: (i) financial institutions that may hold our cash and cash equivalents; (ii) companies that will have payables to us; (iii) our insurance providers; and (iv) our lenders, if any. These factors may impact our ability to obtain loans and other credit facilities in the future and, if obtained, on terms favorable to us. If these risks materialize, our operations could be adversely impacted and the price of the Canopy Shares could be adversely affected.
Corporate Activity and Growth5 | 5.7%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
We may decide, or be required, to divest or restructure certain of our interests.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
We may not successfully execute our business strategy.We may be unable to pursue our business strategy in the future at the desired pace or at all. We may be unable to, among other things, identify suitable companies to acquire or invest in; complete acquisitions on satisfactory terms; successfully expand our infrastructure and sales force to support growth; achieve satisfactory returns on acquired companies, particularly in countries where we do not currently operate; or enter into successful business arrangements for technical assistance or management expertise outside of North America.
In addition, the process of integrating acquired businesses, particularly in new markets, may involve unforeseen difficulties, such as loss of key employees, and may require a disproportionate amount of management's attention and financial and other resources. We can give no assurance that we will ultimately be able to effectively integrate and manage the operations of any acquired business or realize anticipated synergies. The failure to successfully integrate the cultures, operating systems, procedures and information technologies of an acquired business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
If we succeed in expanding our existing businesses, such expansion may place increased demands on management, operating systems, internal controls and financial and physical resources. If not managed effectively, these increased demands may adversely affect the services provided to customers. In addition, our personnel, systems, procedures and controls may be inadequate to support future operations, particularly with respect to operations in countries outside of North America. Consequently, in order to manage growth effectively, we may be required to increase expenditures to increase our physical resources, expand, train and manage our employee base, improve management, financial and information systems and controls, or make other capital expenditures. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely affected if we encounter difficulties in effectively managing the budgeting, forecasting and other process control issues presented by future growth.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
We are in the early stages of developing global infrastructure in a new industry and therefore we are subject to many risks common in developing companies.We are in the early stages of developing a global infrastructure to capitalize on the opportunity in the cannabis industry. Accordingly, we are subject to many of the risks common to developing enterprises, including under-capitalization, limitations with respect to personnel, other resources and lack of revenue. Accordingly, investors may find it difficult to evaluate our prospects for success. There is no assurance that we will be successful and our likelihood of success must be considered in light of our stage of operations. Further, we are subject to a variety of business risks generally associated with developing companies. Our ability to manage growth effectively will require us to continue to implement and improve our operational and financial systems and to train and manage our employee base. There can be no assurances that we will be able to manage growth successfully. Our inability to manage growth successfully could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
There can be no assurance that our current and future acquisitions, investments or expansions of scope of existing relationships will have a beneficial impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.We have entered into, and may in the future enter into additional acquisitions or investments with third parties that we believe will complement or augment our existing business. Our ability to complete acquisitions or investments is dependent upon, and may be limited by, the availability of suitable candidates and capital. In addition, acquisitions or investments could present unforeseen integration or operational obstacles or costs, may not enhance our business, and/or may involve risks that could adversely affect us, including by diverting significant amounts of management time from operations in order to pursue and complete such transactions or maintain such relationships. Future acquisitions or investments could result in the incurrence of additional debt, costs and contingent liabilities, and there can be no assurance that future acquisitions or investments will achieve, the expected benefits to our business or that we will be able to consummate future acquisitions or investments on satisfactory terms, or at all. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
The success of our acquisitions depends upon our ability to integrate any businesses that we acquire. The integration of acquired business operations could disrupt our business by causing unforeseen operating difficulties, diverting management's attention from day-to-day operations and requiring significant financial resources that would otherwise be used for the ongoing development of our business. The difficulties of integration could be increased by the necessity of coordinating geographically dispersed organizations, coordinating personnel with disparate business backgrounds, managing different corporate cultures, or discovering previously unknown liabilities. In addition, we could be unable to retain key employees or customers of the acquired businesses. We could face integration issues, including those related to operations, internal controls, information systems and operational functions of the acquired companies and we also could fail to realize cost efficiencies or synergies that we anticipated when selecting our acquisition candidates or these acquisitions could fail to compete successfully and may not produce the anticipated revenues and profits. Any of these items could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or growth prospects.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 5
Our expansion plans into the United States rely upon the continued operations and success of Canopy USA and its subsidiaries and the anticipated benefits of the strategy involving Canopy USA is uncertain and may not be realized; and the fair value of our equity method investment in Canopy USA is volatile.Our expansion plans into the United States primarily rely on the continued operations and success of Canopy USA and its subsidiaries. See "Business – Canopy USA" for additional information regarding Canopy USA and its acquisitions of Acreage, Wana and the majority interest of Jetty, each of which is a subsidiary of Canopy USA.
We cannot provide any assurance that the acquisitions of Acreage and/or Wana, and/or the majority interest of Jetty will be beneficial to Canopy USA or to us in the near term or at all. Furthermore, if Canopy USA fails to realize the intended benefits of any or all such acquisitions, the market price of the Canopy Shares could decline to the extent that the market price reflects those expected benefits.
Achieving the benefits anticipated through Canopy USA depends in part on the ability of Canopy USA to effectively capitalize on its scale, to realize the anticipated capital and operating synergies, to profitably sequence the growth prospects and to maximize the potential of its growth opportunities. The ability to realize these benefits from the acquisitions of Acreage, Wana and the majority interest of Jetty by Canopy USA will depend, in part, on successfully consolidating certain functions and integrating operations, procedures and personnel in a timely and efficient manner, as well as on Canopy USA's ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies. The integration of Acreage, Wana and the majority interest of Jetty by Canopy USA will require the dedication of substantial effort, time and resources on the part of Canopy USA's management which may divert Canopy USA's management's focus and resources from other strategic opportunities available to Canopy USA and from operational matters during this process. In addition, the integration process could result in disruption of existing relationships with suppliers, employees, customers and other constituencies of each entity. There can be no assurance that Canopy USA's management will be able to integrate the operations of each of the businesses successfully or achieve any of the synergies or other benefits that are anticipated.
Operational and strategic decisions with respect to the integration of Acreage, Wana and the majority interest of Jetty are ongoing and have and may continue to present challenges in the future. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of the respective ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the ability of management to maintain relationships with clients, suppliers, employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits. As a result of these factors, it is possible that certain benefits expected from the formation of Canopy USA may not be realized. Any inability of Canopy USA's management to successfully integrate the operations could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of Canopy USA and, ultimately, our business.
Through our ownership in the Non-Voting Shares, we own a non-participating and non-voting interest in Canopy USA and we classify such interest in Canopy USA as an equity method investment. The fair value of our equity investment in Canopy USA is subject to certain assumptions and accordingly such valuation is uncertain and highly volatile. For example, from June 30, 2024 to March 31, 2025, the fair value of our equity investments in Canopy USA and the Canopy USA LPs declined by 78%. A significant reduction in the value of Canopy USA could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and future prospects as a result of our equity and loan receivable interests in Canopy USA.
Production
Total Risks: 13/87 (15%)Above Sector Average
Manufacturing2 | 2.3%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
Our products have in the past and may in the future be subject to recalls.Manufacturing - Risk 2
Our production facilities are integral to our operations and any adverse changes or developments affecting our facilities may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.Our activities and resources are focused on various production and manufacturing facilities. The licenses held by us are specific to individual facilities. Adverse changes or developments affecting any facility, including but not limited to a breach of security, an inability to successfully grow cannabis plants or produce finished goods, unanticipated cost overruns in growing or producing products, an outbreak of a communicable illness or a force majeure event, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Any breach of the security measures and other facility requirements, including any failure to comply with recommendations or requirements arising from inspections by regulatory agencies, could also have an impact on our ability to continue operating under our licenses or the prospect of renewing our licenses or could result in a revocation of our licenses.
All facilities continue to operate with routine maintenance. We bear many, if not all, of the costs of maintenance and upkeep at our facilities, including replacement of components over time. Our operations and financial performance may be adversely affected if we and our facilities are unable to keep up with maintenance requirements.
Certain contemplated capital expenditures in Canada, including the upgrade of our physical infrastructure, the maintenance and reassignment of cultivation rooms or cannabis storage areas, may require Health Canada approval. There is no guarantee that Health Canada will approve expansions and/or renovations, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Employment / Personnel3 | 3.4%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
We may be unable to attract or retain skilled labor and personnel with experience in our various areas of business, or to obtain adequate equipment, parts and components, and we may be unable to attract, develop and retain additional employees required for our operations and future developments.Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
Canopy USA may divert the attention of our management or impact our ability to attract or retain key personnel.The attention of our management may be diverted from the day-to-day operations of Canopy Growth in connection with the transactions that may be entered into between us and Canopy USA. These disruptions could be exacerbated by delays in completing certain transactions and could result in lost opportunities or negative impacts on performance, which could have a material and adverse effect on our current and future business, operations, financial condition and results of operations or prospects. As a result of the uncertainty, certain of our officers and employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles, which may adversely affect our ability to attract or retain key management and personnel.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 3
We are dependent on our senior management.Our success is dependent upon the ability, expertise, judgment, discretion and good faith of our senior management. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain key employees. Qualified individuals are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. The loss of the services of a member of senior management, or an inability to attract other suitably qualified persons when needed, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to execute our business plan and strategy, and we may be unable to find adequate replacements on a timely basis, or at all. While employment and consulting agreements are customarily used as a primary method of retaining the services of certain employees, these agreements cannot assure the continued services of such individuals and consultants. We do not maintain key-person insurance on the lives of any of our officers or employees.
Further, certain shareholders, directors, officers and employees in our Canadian operations may require security clearance from Health Canada. Under the Cannabis Act, a security clearance cannot be valid for more than five years and must be renewed before the expiry of a current security clearance. There is no assurance that any of our existing personnel who presently or may in the future require a security clearance will be able to obtain or renew such clearances or that new personnel who require a security clearance will be able to obtain one. A failure by an employee to maintain or renew his or her security clearance may impair our operations. In addition, if an employee with security clearance leaves and we are unable to find a suitable replacement who has a security clearance required by the Cannabis Act in a timely manner, or at all, there could occur a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Supply Chain4 | 4.6%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
Canopy USA may impact our third party business relationships.Supply Chain - Risk 2
We rely on third-party testing and analytical methods which are validated but still being standardized.We are required to test our cannabis products, as well as cannabis accessories, in many of our active markets, with independent third-party testing laboratories for, among other things, cannabinoid levels. However, testing methods and analytical assays for cannabinoid levels of detection vary among different testing laboratories. There is currently no industry consensus on standards for testing methods or compendium of analytical assays or standard levels of detection. The detected and reported cannabinoid content in our cannabis and hemp products therefore can differ depending on the laboratory and testing methods (analytical assays) used. Variations in reported cannabinoid content will likely continue until the relevant regulatory agencies and independent certification bodies (e.g., ISO, USP) collaborate to develop, publish and implement standardized testing approaches for cannabis (including hemp), cannabinoids and their derivative products. Until such standardized analytical assays and levels of detection are developed, the existing differences could cause confusion with our consumers, which could lead to a negative perception of us and our products, increase the risk of litigation and regulatory enforcement action regarding cannabinoid content and could make it more difficult for us to comply with regulatory requirements regarding contents of ingredients and packaging and labeling.
Supply Chain - Risk 3
We rely on third-party manufacturers and distributors to manufacture and distribute certain of our products, and those third parties may not perform their obligations.We rely on third-party manufacturers, distributors and other courier services, and may in the future rely on other third parties, to manufacture and distribute certain of our products. If these third-parties do not successfully carry out their contractual obligations or terminate or suspend their contractual arrangements with us, if there is a delay or interruption in the manufacture distribution of our products or if these third parties damage our products, it could adversely affect our revenue and may require significant management attention. As we rely more heavily on third-party manufacturing, our success may be contingent on procuring favorable terms under manufacturing arrangements with license holders. In addition, any damage to our products due to acts or omissions of our third-party distributors, such as product spoilage or improper storage or handling, could expose us to potential product liability, damage our reputation and the reputation of our products or brands or otherwise harm our business.
Supply Chain - Risk 4
We are vulnerable to third-party transportation risks.We depend on fast and efficient courier services to distribute our products to our customers. Any prolonged disruption of this courier service could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Rising costs associated with the courier services that we use to ship our products may also adversely affect our business and our ability to operate profitably.
Due to the nature of our products, security of the product during transportation to and from facilities is of the utmost concern. A breach of security during transport or delivery could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Any breach of the security measures during transport or delivery, including any failure to comply with applicable recommendations or requirements, could also have an impact on our ability to continue operating under our current licenses or impact the prospects of renewing our licenses.
Costs4 | 4.6%
Costs - Risk 1
Our cannabis cultivation operations are vulnerable to rising energy costs and dependent upon key inputs.Costs - Risk 2
We have been and may in the future be required to write down inventory due to downward pressure on market prices, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.At the end of each reporting period, management performs an assessment of inventory obsolescence, prices and demand to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. We also consider factors such as slow-moving or non-marketable products in our determination of obsolescence. As a result of this assessment, inventory write-downs have occurred on a few occasions in the past and may occur from period to period in the future. Continued pricing pressures in the markets in which we operate may result in further inventory write-downs. We have had a series of inventory write-downs due to price compression in the cannabis market. We expect these write-downs to continue as pricing pressures remain elevated. These inventory write-downs have in the past and may in the future have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
Costs - Risk 3
Fluctuations in wholesale and retail prices could result in earnings volatility.The cannabis industry is a margin-based business in which gross profits depend on the excess of sales prices over costs. Consequently, profitability is sensitive to fluctuations in wholesale, retail and supplier prices caused by changes in supply (which itself depends on other factors such as weather, fuel, equipment and labor costs, shipping costs, economic situation and demand), taxes, government programs and policies for the cannabis industry (including price controls and wholesale price restrictions that may be imposed by government agencies responsible for the sale of cannabis), and other market conditions, all of which are factors beyond our control. Our operating income may be materially adversely affected by a decline in the price of cannabis and will be sensitive to changes in the price of cannabis and the overall condition of the cannabis industry, as our profitability is directly related to the price of cannabis. There is currently not an established market price for cannabis and the price of cannabis is affected by numerous factors beyond our control. Any price decline may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Costs - Risk 4
We may be unable to obtain insurance coverage at acceptable rates and there may be coverage limitations and other exclusions which may not be sufficient to cover our potential liabilities.While we have insurance to protect our assets, operations and employees, such insurance is subject to deductibles, coverage limits and exclusions and may not be available or adequate for the risks and hazards to which we are exposed in our current state of operations. For example, certain wholesalers, distributors, retailers and other service providers may require suppliers of hemp products to provide indemnification in connection with such products, which may not be covered by insurance. No assurance can be given that insurance will be adequate to cover our liabilities or will be generally available in the future or, if available, that premiums and deductibles will be commercially justifiable. If we were to incur substantial liability claims and such damages were not covered by insurance or were in excess of policy limits, or if we were to incur such liability at a time when we are not able to obtain liability insurance, our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects may be adversely affected.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 12/87 (14%)Above Sector Average
Competition3 | 3.4%
Competition - Risk 1
We may be unsuccessful in competing in the legal cannabis market in Canada and in international markets.Competition - Risk 2
We face competition from the illegal cannabis market in every market we sell our products.We face competition from illegal market participants that are unlicensed and unregulated, and that are selling cannabis and cannabis products, including products with higher concentrations of active ingredients, using flavors or other additives or engaging in advertising and promotion activities that we are not permitted to. As these illegal market participants do not comply with the regulations governing the cannabis industry, their operations may also have significantly lower costs and they may be able to sell products with significantly higher cannabinoid potencies or which include ingredients that are prohibited by law. The perpetuation of the illegal market for cannabis may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects, as well as the perception of cannabis use.
Competition - Risk 3
The markets that we operate in are increasingly competitive, and we may compete for market share with other companies, both domestically and internationally, that may have longer operating histories and more financial resources, manufacturing and marketing experience than us.The markets for cannabis and hemp are competitive and evolving and we face intense competition from both existing and emerging companies that offer similar products. Some of our current and potential competitors may have longer operating histories, greater financial, marketing and other resources and larger customer bases than we have. In addition, there is potential that the cannabis industry will undergo consolidation, creating larger companies with financial resources, manufacturing and marketing capabilities and product offerings that are greater than ours. As a result of this competition, we may be unable to maintain our operations or develop them as currently proposed on terms we consider acceptable, or at all. Increased competition by larger, better-financed competitors with geographic advantages could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. For example, we may not be able to enter into supply agreements or negotiate favorable prices. In addition, competitive factors may result in us being unable to enter into desirable arrangements with new partners, to recruit or retain qualified employees or to acquire the capital necessary to fund our capital investments.
Given the rapid changes affecting global, national and regional economies generally, and the cannabis and hemp industries in particular, we may not be able to create and maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Our success will depend on our ability to respond to, among other things, changes in the economy, regulatory conditions, market conditions and competitive pressures. Any failure by us to anticipate or respond adequately to such changes could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity, cash flow and operational performance.
In Canada, the number of licenses granted, and the number of license holders ultimately authorized by Health Canada, could also have an impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. We expect to face additional competition from new market entrants that are granted licenses under the Cannabis Act or existing license holders which are not yet active in the industry. If a significant number of new licenses are granted by Health Canada, we may experience increased competition for market share and may experience downward price pressure on our products as new entrants increase production. We also face competition from illegal cannabis dispensaries that are selling cannabis to individuals despite not having a valid license. A significant number of illegal dispensaries are still in operation, providing additional competition.
If the number of users of medical and/or adult-use cannabis increases, the demand for products will increase and we expect that competition will become more intense, as current and future competitors begin to offer an increasing number of diversified products. To remain competitive, we will require a continued high level of investment in research and development, sales and customer support. We may not have sufficient resources to maintain research and development, sales and customer support efforts on a competitive basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Furthermore, the Canadian federal authorization of home cultivation, outdoor grow, and the easing of other barriers to entry into a Canadian adult-use cannabis market, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Additionally, the legal landscape for medical and adult-use cannabis is changing internationally. More countries have passed laws that allow for the production and distribution of medical cannabis in some form or another, and some of these countries may pass laws allowing for the production and distribution of adult-use cannabis as well. Increased international competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Demand1 | 1.1%
Demand - Risk 1
The adult-use cannabis market in Canada has in the past been and may in the future become oversupplied.Sales & Marketing3 | 3.4%
Sales & Marketing - Risk 1
We must rely largely on our own market research and internal data to forecast sales and market demand and market prices, which may differ from our forecasts.Sales & Marketing - Risk 2
We may not be able to supply the provincial purchasers in various provinces and territories of Canada with our products in the quantities or prices anticipated, or at all.A significant component of our current revenues are dependent upon our supply contracts with the various Canadian provinces and territories. There are many factors which could impact our contractual agreements with the provinces and territories, including but not limited to availability of supply, product selection and the popularity of our products with retail customers. If our supply agreements with certain Canadian provinces are amended, terminated or otherwise altered, our sales and operating results could be adversely affected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Our supply arrangements with provincial purchasers, each of which we understand to be substantially similar in all material respects with the supply arrangements entered into with the other license holders in the Canadian cannabis industry, do not contain any binding minimum purchase obligations on the part of the relevant provincial purchaser.
We expect purchase orders to be primarily driven by end-consumer demand for our products and the relevant provincial purchaser supply at the relevant time. Accordingly, we cannot predict the quantities of our products that will be purchased by the provincial purchasers, or if our products will be purchased at all. Provincial purchasers may change the terms of the supply agreements at any time during the supply relationship including on pricing, have broad rights of return of products and are under no obligation to purchase our products or maintain any listings of our products for sale. As a result, provincial purchasers have a significant amount of control over the terms of the supply arrangements.
Sales & Marketing - Risk 3
The inability of our customers or suppliers to meet their financial or contractual obligations to us may result in disruption to our supply chain and operations and could result in financial losses.We have exposure to several customers who are license holders and, at least some of these customers are experiencing financial difficulties. In addition, we also face exposure to our third-party hemp, cannabis products and non-cannabis product suppliers who may face financial difficulties, which would impact our supply of cannabis products and non-cannabis products. We have in the past, and may in the future, have disruptions in our supply chain and need to take allowances against and need to write off receivables due to the creditworthiness of these customers.
Further, the inability of these customers to purchase our products could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Brand / Reputation5 | 5.7%
Brand / Reputation - Risk 1
We, or the cannabis industry more generally, may receive unfavorable publicity or become subject to negative consumer perception.Brand / Reputation - Risk 2
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. Consumers in the cannabis market have demonstrated a degree of brand loyalty, but suppliers must continue to adapt their products in order to maintain their status among customers as the market evolves. Our continued success depends in part on our ability and our suppliers' ability to continue to differentiate the brand names we represent, own or license and maintain similarly high levels of recognition with target consumers. Trends within the cannabis 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.
Regulations have recently been and are likely to continue to be enacted in the future that would make it more difficult to appeal to consumers or to leverage the brands that we distribute, own or license. For example, the Canadian federal regulatory regime requires plain packaging on cannabis products in order to prohibit testimonials, lifestyle branding and packaging that is appealing to youth. The restriction on the use of logos and brand names on cannabis products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects, as it may be difficult to establish brand loyalty.
Furthermore, even if we are able to continue to distinguish our products, there can be no assurance that the sales, marketing and distribution efforts of our competitors will not be successful in persuading consumers of our products to switch to their products. Some of our competitors have greater access to resources than we do, which better positions them to conduct market research in relation to branding strategies or costly marketing campaigns. Any loss of consumer brand loyalty to our products or in our ability to effectively brand our products in a recognizable way could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue to sell our products and maintain our market share, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Brand / Reputation - Risk 3
There is limited long-term data with respect to the efficacy, side effects and safety of our products, and future clinical research studies on the effects of cannabis, hemp, cannabinoids and cannabis-based products may lead to conclusions that dispute or conflict with our understanding and belief regarding their benefits, commercial viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance.Research in Canada and internationally regarding the benefits, commercial viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis, hemp or isolated cannabinoids (such as CBD and THC) inhaled in dietary supplements, food or cosmetic products remains in early stages. There have been relatively few clinical trials or other controlled studies on the potential benefits of cannabis, hemp or isolated cannabinoids in dietary supplements, food, or cosmetic products and there is limited long-term data with respect to efficacy, side effects and/or interaction of these substances with human or animal biochemistry. As a result, our products could have unexpected side effects or safety concerns, the discovery of which could lead to civil litigation, regulatory actions and even possibly criminal enforcement actions. In addition, if the products we sell do not or are not perceived to have the effects intended by the end user, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See also "–We are and may become subject to, or prosecute, litigation in the ordinary course of our manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of our products", "–We may be subject to product liability claims." and "–Our products have in the past and may in the future be subject to recalls."
The statements made by us, including in this Form 10-K, concerning the potential benefits of cannabis, hemp and isolated cannabinoids are based on published articles and reports and therefore are subject to the experimental parameters, qualifications and limitations in such studies that have been completed. Although we believe that the existing public scientific literature generally supports our beliefs regarding the benefits, commercial viability, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis, hemp and cannabinoids, future research and clinical trials may cast doubt or disprove such beliefs, or could raise or heighten concerns regarding, and perceptions relating to, cannabis, hemp and cannabinoids, which could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products with the potential to lead to a material adverse effect on business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, undue reliance should not be placed on such literature.
Brand / Reputation - Risk 4
The controversy surrounding vapes and vaporizers and vaporizer products and government regulations of vapes and vaporizers and vaporizer products may materially and adversely affect the market for vapes and vaporizer products and expose us to litigation and additional regulation.There have been a number of highly publicized cases involving lung and other illnesses and deaths that appear to be related to vapes and vaporizer devices and/or products used in such devices (such as vape or vaporizer liquids). During this time, the focus has been on vapes and vaporizer devices, the manner in which the devices were used and the related vape and vaporizer device products - THC, nicotine, other substances in vapes and vaporizer liquids, possibly adulterated products and other illegal unlicensed cannabis vape and vaporizer products. Some provinces, territories and municipalities in Canada have taken steps to prohibit the sale or distribution of vapes and vaporizers, restrict the sale and distribution of such products or impose restrictions on flavors, substances and concentration of substances used, or use of such vapes and vaporizers, however some Canadian provinces have already taken steps to reduce such restrictions.
Cannabis vapes and vaporizers in Canada are regulated under the Cannabis Act, Cannabis Regulations and other laws and regulations of general application. Negative public sentiment may prompt regulators to decide to further limit or defer the industry's ability to sell cannabis vapes and vaporizer products, and may also diminish consumer demand for such products. For instance, Health Canada enacted regulations that place stricter limits on the advertising and promotion of vaping products and make health warnings on vaping products mandatory, although such regulations explicitly exclude cannabis and cannabis accessories. Health Canada and the province of Quebec are seeking to limit the flavors of inhaled cannabis extracts. The Cannabis Regulations prohibit promoting a cannabis extract or associated cannabis accessories in a manner that could cause a person to believe that it has the flavor of a confectionery, dessert, soft drink or energy drink. These actions, together with potential deterioration in the public's perception of cannabis containing vaping liquids, may result in a reduced market for our vaping products. There can be no assurance that we will be able to meet any additional compliance requirements or regulatory restrictions, or remain competitive in face of unexpected changes in market conditions.
Litigation pertaining to vapes and vaporizer products for nicotine is ongoing and that litigation could potentially expand to include our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity, cash flow and operational performance.
Brand / Reputation - Risk 5
Future research may lead to findings that vaporizers, electronic cigarettes and related products are not safe for their intended use.Vaporizers, electronic cigarettes and related products were recently developed and therefore the scientific or medical communities have had a limited period of time to study the long-term health effects of their use. Currently, there is limited scientific or medical data on the safety of such products for their intended use and the medical community is still studying the health effects of the use of such products, including the long-term health effects. If a consensus were to develop among the scientific or medical community that the use of any or all of these products pose long-term health risks, market demand for these products and their use could materially decline. Such a development could also lead to litigation, reputational harm and significant regulation. Loss of demand for our products, product liability claims and increased regulation stemming from unfavorable scientific studies on vaporizer products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
In addition, the FDA may assert jurisdiction if a vaporizer is promoted for an "intended use" that involves the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, or treatment of disease. Our vaporizer products may also be subject to additional regulation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which has in the past overseen recalls of vaporizer devices. We continue to monitor our regulatory obligations and may adjust our product claims and marketing accordingly.
In the United States, our advertising is also subject to regulation by the FTC under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The FTC requires that all advertising, including for vaporizers, be truthful, not misleading, and substantiated by reliable evidence. We continue to be subject to general FTC advertising standards, and depending on the nature of the claims made, vaporizer marketing could fall within the scope of FTC oversight. If the FTC were to bring administrative proceedings, the Company would be required to incur expenses to defend its labeling and could be required to develop additional supporting evidence or to change its advertising and labeling. To date, we have not received any FTC requests.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 9/87 (10%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment2 | 2.3%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Our business may be impacted as a result of increased rates of inflation.Economy & Political Environment - Risk 2
We may be negatively impacted by challenging global economic conditions and the evolving regulatory landscape in the United States.Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow may be negatively impacted by challenging global economic conditions.
A global economic slowdown would cause disruptions and extreme volatility in global financial markets, increased rates of default and bankruptcy and declining consumer and business confidence, which can lead to decreased levels of consumer spending. These macroeconomic developments could negatively impact our business, which depends on the general economic environment and levels of consumer spending. As a result, in the event of a global economic slowdown, we may not be able to maintain our existing customers or attract new customers, or we may be forced to reduce the price of our products. We are unable to predict the likelihood of the occurrence, duration or severity of such disruptions in the credit and financial markets or adverse global economic conditions. Any general or market-specific economic downturn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
Additionally, the U.S. has imposed and may impose additional quotas, duties, tariffs, retaliatory or trade protection measures or other restrictions or regulations and may adversely adjust prevailing quota, duty or tariff levels, which can affect both the materials that we use to package our products and the sale of finished products. For example, the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on goods produced in Europe may impact products that we import from Germany in connection with our Storz & Bickel products sold in the U.S. The imposition of such tariffs, if not suspended or repealed, may increase the cost of our Storz & Bickel products, which could lead to reduced margins and decreased consumer demand. While our core business is more insulated from the effects of tariffs, measures to reduce the impact of tariff increases or trade restrictions, including geographical diversification of our sources of supply, adjustments in packaging design and fabrication or increased prices, could increase our costs, delay our time to market and/or decrease sales. The uncertainty related to whether and when tariffs will be imposed make measures to mitigate the impact of tariffs more costly and difficult to plan. Other governmental action related to tariffs or international trade agreements has the potential to adversely impact demand for our products and our costs, customers, suppliers and global economic conditions and cause higher volatility in financial markets. While we actively review existing and proposed measures to seek to assess the impact of them on our business, changes in tariff rates, import duties and other new or augmented trade restrictions could have a number of negative impacts on our business, including higher consumer prices and reduced demand for our products and higher input costs.
Further, the Trump Administration has established the Department of Government Efficiency, which implemented a federal government hiring freeze and announced certain additional efforts to reduce federal government employee headcount and the size of the federal government. It is unclear how these executive actions or other potential actions by the Trump Administration or other parts of the federal government will impact the DEA or other regulatory authorities. These budgetary pressures may reduce the DEA's ability to perform its responsibilities. If a significant reduction in the DEA's workforce occurs, the DEA's budget is significantly reduced or a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the DEA to timely reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA to a Schedule III controlled substance under the CSA, which could have an adverse impact on the Company's U.S. strategy, and, ultimately, the Company's financial results and operations.
International Operations2 | 2.3%
International Operations - Risk 1
Investments outside of Canada are subject to the risks normally associated with any conduct of business in foreign countries, including varying degrees of political, legal, regulatory and economic risk.International Operations - Risk 2
We are subject to risks relating to our current and future operations in emerging markets.We have operations in various emerging markets. Such operations expose us to the socio-economic conditions as well as the laws governing the cannabis industry in such countries. Inherent risks with conducting foreign operations include, but are not limited to: high rates of inflation; extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates, military repression; war or civil war; social and labor unrest; organized crime; hostage taking; terrorism; violent crime; expropriation and nationalization; renegotiation or nullification of existing licenses, approvals, permits and contracts; changes in taxation policies; restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and changing political norms, banking and currency controls and governmental regulations that favor or require us to award contracts in, employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, the jurisdiction.
Governments in certain foreign jurisdictions intervene in their economies, sometimes frequently, and occasionally make significant changes in policies and regulations. Changes, if any, in cannabis industry policies or shifts in political attitude in the countries in which we operate may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to, but not limited to, restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, currency remittance, importation of product and supplies, income and other taxes, royalties, the repatriation of profits, expropriation of property, foreign investment, maintenance of licenses, approvals and permits, environmental matters, land use, land claims of local people, water use and workplace safety. Failure to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices could result in loss, reduction or expropriation of licenses, or the imposition of additional local or foreign parties as joint venture partners with carried or other interests.
We continue to monitor developments and policies in the emerging markets in which we operate and assess the impact thereof to our operations; however, such developments cannot be accurately predicted and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Natural and Human Disruptions5 | 5.7%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
In the past, we have identified conditions and events that raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and it is possible that we may identify conditions and events in the future that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
We are unable to control Canopy USA.By virtue of the Company holding Non-Voting Shares and the implementation of the Reorganization Amendments and the Additional Reorganization Amendments, we are unable to control Canopy USA. In these circumstances, we will not have the power to control, direct or exercise decisive influence over Canopy USA. There are no guarantees that Canopy USA's interests will align with the interests of the Company or the interests of our shareholders. As a result, Canopy USA's board of managers could take actions that are contrary to the interests of the Company or our shareholders, including preventing Canopy USA from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to the Company or our shareholders.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 3
We are subject to risks inherent in an agricultural business, including the risk of crop failure.We grow cannabis, which is an agricultural process. As such, our business is subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, including risks of crop failure presented by weather, insects, plant diseases and similar agricultural risks. Although we primarily grow our products indoors under climate-controlled conditions, we also have certain outdoor cultivation capacity and there can be no assurance that natural elements, such as insects and plant diseases, will not interrupt our production activities or have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 4
Natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, boycotts and geopolitical events or acts of terrorism could adversely affect our operations and financial results.The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, unusually adverse weather, pandemic or epidemic outbreaks, of highly communicable diseases or viruses, boycotts and geopolitical events, such as civil unrest in countries in which our operations are located and acts of terrorism, or similar disruptions could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. These events could result in physical damage to one or more of our properties, increases in fuel or other energy prices, the temporary or permanent closure of one or more of our facilities, the temporary lack of an adequate workforce in a market, the temporary or long-term disruption in the supply of products from suppliers, the temporary disruption in the transport of goods, delay in the delivery of goods to our facilities, and disruption to our information systems. Such events could also adversely impact consumer sentiment, reduce demand for consumer products like ours and cause general economic slowdown. These factors could otherwise disrupt our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
In February 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States and the European Union imposed various economic sanctions against Russia. Such sanctions may result in restrictions on the sale of oil or other energy resources from Russia to other countries and could result in an increase in our global shipping expenses, reduce our sales, or otherwise have an adverse effect on our European operations. Additionally, escalation by Russia beyond Ukraine and into other countries within the region could also reduce our sales and have a negative effect on our European operations.
Moreover, future events could cause global financial conditions to suddenly and rapidly destabilize, and governmental authorities may have limited resources to respond to such future crises. Future crises may be precipitated by any number of causes, including natural disasters, geopolitical instability, changes to energy prices or sovereign defaults. Any sudden or rapid destabilization of global economic conditions could adversely impact our ability to obtain equity or debt financing or make other suitable arrangements to finance our projects and would likely have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, growth prospects and the value of the Canopy Shares.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 5
Our business may be negatively affected by climate change, weather conditions and the availability of natural resources.There is growing concern that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, water levels, weather patterns, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. In the event that such climate change has a negative effect on agricultural productivity, we may be subject to decreased availability or less favorable pricing for certain commodities that are necessary for our products. Unfavorable growing conditions can reduce both crop size and crop quality. In addition, there is an increased focus by foreign, federal, state and local regulatory and legislative bodies regarding environmental policies relating to climate change, regulating greenhouse gas emissions, energy policies, and sustainability. Increased compliance costs and expenses due to the impacts of climate change and additional legal or regulatory requirements regarding climate change or designed to reduce or mitigate the effects of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions on the environment may cause disruptions in, or an increase in the costs associated with, the running of our manufacturing facilities and our business, as well as increase distribution and supply chain costs.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 6/87 (7%)Below Sector Average
Innovation / R&D1 | 1.1%
Innovation / R&D - Risk 1
We are subject to risks and uncertainty regarding future product development.Trade Secrets4 | 4.6%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
We are subject to risks related to the protection and enforcement of our intellectual property rights, and we may be unable to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights.Trade Secrets - Risk 2
Our intellectual property rights may be invalid or unenforceable under applicable laws, and we may be unable to have issued or registered, and unable to enforce, our intellectual property rights.The laws regarding intellectual property rights relating to cannabis and cannabis-related products, and the positions of intellectual property offices administering such laws, are constantly evolving, and there is uncertainty regarding which countries will permit the filing, prosecution, issuance, registration and enforcement of intellectual property rights relating to cannabis and cannabis-related products.
Specifically, we have sought trademark protection in many countries, including Canada and the European Union. Our ability to obtain registered trademark protection for cannabis and cannabis-related goods and services (including hemp and hemp-related goods and services), may be limited in certain countries outside of Canada and Europe, where laws on the legality of cannabis use are not uniform, and trademarks cannot be obtained for products that are "contrary to public policy or accepted principles of morality." Accordingly, our ability to obtain intellectual property rights or enforce intellectual property rights against third-party uses of similar trademarks may be limited in certain countries.
Moreover, in any infringement proceeding, some or all of our current or future trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights or other proprietary know-how, or arrangements or agreements seeking to protect the same for our benefit, may be found invalid, unenforceable, anti-competitive or not infringed. An adverse result in any litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of our current or future trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and could put existing intellectual property applications at risk of not being issued. Any or all of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
We cannot offer any assurances about which patent applications, if any, will issue, the breadth of any such patent or whether any issued patents will be found invalid or unenforceable or which of our products or processes will be found to infringe upon the patents or other proprietary rights of third parties. Any successful opposition to future issued patents could deprive us of rights necessary for the successful commercialization of any new products or processes that we may develop.
In addition, there is no guarantee that any patent or other intellectual property applications that we file will result in registration or any enforceable intellectual property rights or the breadth of such protection. Further, with respect to any patent applications that we file, there is no assurance that we will find all potentially relevant prior art relating to such applications, which may prevent a patent from issuing from such application or invalidate any patent that issues from such application. Even if patents do successfully issue, and cover our products and processes, third parties may challenge their validity, enforceability or scope, which may result in such patents being narrowed, found unenforceable or invalidated. Furthermore, even if they are unchallenged, any patent applications and future patents may not adequately protect our intellectual property rights, provide exclusivity for our products or processes or prevent others from designing around any issued patent claims. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to prevent competition from third parties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Trade Secrets - Risk 3
We may be subject to allegations that we are in violation of third-party intellectual property rights, and we may be found to infringe third-party intellectual property rights, possibly without the ability to obtain licenses necessary to use such third-party intellectual property rights.Other parties may claim that our products infringe on their intellectual property rights, including with respect to our operation of our business, including our development, manufacture and sale of our goods and services, may be found to infringe third-party intellectual property rights. There may be third-party patents or patent applications with claims to products or processes related to the manufacture, use or sale of our products and processes. There may be currently pending patent applications, some of which may still be confidential, that may later result in issued patents that our products or processes may infringe. In addition, third parties may obtain patents in the future and claim that use of our inventions, trade secrets, technical know-how and proprietary information, or the manufacture, use or sale of our products infringes upon those patents. Third parties may also claim that our use of our trademarks infringes upon their trademark rights. Such claims, whether or not meritorious, may result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, legal fees, result in injunctions, temporary restraining orders, other equitable relief, and/or require the payment of damages, any or all of which may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. In addition, we may need to obtain licenses from third parties who allege that we have infringed on their purported rights, whether or not such allegations have merit. Such licenses may not be available on terms acceptable to us, and we may be unable to obtain any licenses or other necessary or useful rights to such third-party intellectual property.
Trade Secrets - Risk 4
We receive licenses to use some third-party intellectual property rights, and the failure of the owner of such intellectual property to properly maintain or enforce the intellectual property underlying such licenses, or our inability to obtain or maintain such licenses, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.We are party to licenses granted by third parties, that give us rights to use third-party intellectual property that is necessary or useful to our business. Our success will depend, in part, on the ability of the applicable licensor to maintain and enforce its licensed intellectual property against other third parties, particularly intellectual property rights to which we have secured exclusive rights. Without protection for the intellectual property we have licensed, other companies might be able to offer substantially similar products for sale, or utilize substantially similar processes or publicity and marketing rights, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Our success will also depend, in part, on our ability to obtain licenses to certain intellectual property that we believe are necessary or useful for our business. Such licenses may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our products or services, as well as have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Any of our licensors may allege that we have breached our license agreements with those licensors, whether with or without merit, and accordingly seek to terminate our applicable licenses. If successful, this could result in our loss of the right to use applicable licensed intellectual property, which could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our products or services, as well as have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
Cyber Security1 | 1.1%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
We may experience breaches of security at our facilities or fraudulent or unpermitted data access or other cyber-security breaches, which may cause our customers to lose confidence in our security or data protection measures and may expose us to risks related to breaches of applicable privacy and data security laws, regulations and requirements.See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.