10-Q: CannaPharmaRx Faces Liquidity Crisis, Defaults on Lease
Quarterly Report
CannaPharmaRx, Inc. reported a significant working capital deficiency and ongoing defaults on lease and royalty payments, raising substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.
Summary
- Reported a net loss of $2,104,052 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, an improvement from $6,353,369 in the prior year.
- Revenue increased significantly to $566,927 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $25,839 in the same period last year.
- Experienced a substantial increase in gross loss to $1,123,817 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, up from $887,865 in the prior year, primarily due to higher cost of goods sold.
- Cash balance as of June 30, 2025, was critically low at $16,975.
- Working capital deficiency worsened to $27,756,255 as of June 30, 2025, from $24,733,636 at December 31, 2024.
- Accumulated deficit reached $103,288,194 as of June 30, 2025.
- Cash used in operating activities increased to $1,047,844 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from $976,445 in the prior year.
- Entered into a forbearance agreement on June 30, 2025, with Formosa Mountain Ltd. due to defaults on lease payments for April, May, and June 2025.
- Formalized repayment plans for approximately $10 million in debt to Koze and affiliates and $0.7 million to Mr. Tal, effective August 7, 2025, with a revised interest rate of 6% per annum.
- A one-time adjustment of $1,930,000 was made to lease-related rent expense due to a clarification in lease terms with Formosa.
Sentiment
Score: 2
Explanation: While revenue increased and net loss improved, the company faces severe liquidity issues, a substantial working capital deficiency, a massive accumulated deficit, ongoing defaults, a Cease Trade Order, and significant legal liabilities. The going concern warning and material weakness in internal controls indicate a highly precarious financial position despite some operational improvements.
Positives
- Net loss significantly improved to $2,104,052 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, from $6,353,369 in the prior year.
- Revenue increased substantially to $566,927 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $25,839 in the same period last year, driven by sales to Cantek and Adjupharm GmbH.
- Operating expenses decreased by $304,498 to $394,748 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, primarily due to reduced amortization, depreciation, payroll, and professional fees.
- Formalized debt repayment plans with major related-party creditors (Koze, Formosa, Mr. Tal) with a reduced interest rate of 6% per annum, potentially stabilizing future interest expenses.
Negatives
- Substantial doubt about the ability to continue as a going concern due to insufficient cash resources and a significant working capital deficiency of $27,756,255 as of June 30, 2025.
- Accumulated deficit increased to $103,288,194 as of June 30, 2025.
- Gross loss increased to $1,123,817 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, primarily due to a disproportionate increase in cost of goods sold, including a $1,046,203 loss on impairment of inventory.
- Defaulted on lease payments for April, May, and June 2025, leading to a forbearance agreement with the lessor, Formosa Mountain Ltd.
- Failed to make royalty payments to Koze, resulting in a default under the security and royalty agreement.
- Total liabilities increased to $34,046,840 as of June 30, 2025, from $30,645,334 at December 31, 2024, with a significant rise in loans payable to related parties to $9,941,556.
- A Cease Trade Order (CTO) from the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) restricts trading in its securities in Canada, including share issuances and conversions.
- Lack of current insurance coverage since early 2024, exposing the company to uncovered liability claims.
- Identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting due to recent management and staff turnover, leading to inconsistent information and records.
Risks
- Inability to raise additional capital through debt or equity financing, which is critical for continued operations.
- Substantial dilution to existing shareholders if additional equity securities are issued.
- Increased liabilities and future cash commitments from obtaining commercial or related party loans.
- Potential for liability claims for damages and other expenses not covered by insurance due to lapsed or insufficient coverage.
- Uncertainty regarding the lifting of the Cease Trade Order (CTO) by the British Columbia Securities Commission, which restricts trading in securities.
- Ongoing legal proceedings, including lawsuits from Ataraxia Canada, Inc. ($15 million claim), Bristol Capital Investors, LLC ($10.5 million claim), Deloitte LLP, and former executives ($3 million claim), which could result in significant liabilities.
- Risk of Koze exercising its security interest in the subsidiary (2323414 Alberta Ltd.) if forbearance terms are not met or future defaults occur.
- Fluctuations in market conditions and underlying assumptions affecting the fair value of derivative conversion features and obligations to issue shares.
- Currency fluctuations between USD and CAD impacting financial results.
- Dependence on key personnel and the ability to manage growth.
- Risks associated with governmental and environmental regulations, and future legislation regarding the cannabis industry.
- Cybersecurity and cyber-attack risks.
- Material weakness in internal control over financial reporting due to staff turnover and inconsistent record keeping.
Future Outlook
The company plans to increase cannabis cultivation capacity at its Cremona facility from 5 to 11 growing rooms and open a second drying and packing room over the next one to two years. It also intends to build and develop a sales network in Germany and Israel and apply for European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP) certification to enable direct shipping to the EU and reduce costs. Management intends to incur debt and/or raise additional equity financing to fund ongoing operations and growth initiatives.
Management Comments
- It is the Company’s intention to incur debt and/or raise additional funding through equity financing to fund ongoing operating expenses.
- Our continued existence depends on the success of our efforts to raise additional capital necessary to meet our obligations as they come due and to obtain sufficient capital to execute our business plan.
- Management assessed that the modification [of promissory notes maturity date] did not result in an extinguishment of debt and has continued to accrue interest on the notes through to the revised maturity date.
- Management has assessed the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome [for former executives' lawsuit] as reasonably possible but not probable.
- Management is currently evaluating the potential effect that the updated standard [ASU No. 2024-03] will have on our financial statement disclosures.
- Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures... and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2025, at reasonable assurance levels.
- Management has concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of June 30, 2025, and that a material weakness existed.
- We are in the process of developing and implementing remediation plans to address the material weakness described above.
Industry Context
The company operates in the Canadian cannabis cultivation sector, aiming to expand into European medical cannabis markets, specifically Germany and Israel. Its strategy to increase cultivation capacity and pursue EU-GMP certification aligns with a broader industry trend of seeking international market access and optimizing supply chains for higher-value medical cannabis exports. However, the significant financial distress and legal challenges highlight the capital-intensive and regulatory complexities inherent in the global cannabis industry, particularly for smaller players.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- The company's severe working capital deficiency ($27.76 million) and accumulated deficit ($103.29 million) are significantly worse than typical industry standards for healthy, growing cannabis companies, which generally aim for positive working capital and profitability.
- The reliance on related-party loans, which increased to $9.94 million, suggests difficulty in securing traditional financing, a common challenge for distressed companies in the cannabis sector.
- The ongoing defaults on lease and royalty payments, leading to forbearance agreements, indicate a severe liquidity crunch that is not typical for well-managed industry peers.
- The Cease Trade Order (CTO) and multiple pending lawsuits (e.g., $15 million from Ataraxia, $10.5 million from BCI, $3 million from former executives) represent substantial legal and regulatory burdens far exceeding those faced by stable, compliant industry participants.
- The reported material weakness in internal control over financial reporting due to staff turnover and inconsistent records is a significant governance issue, contrasting with the robust internal controls expected of publicly traded companies in the industry.
Management Changes
| Role | Previous Person | New Person | Effective Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | NA | Elliot Zemel (Manager of Koze Investments LLC and Formosa Mountain Ltd.) | March 11, 2025 | Appointment led to Koze and Formosa becoming related parties. |
| Former CEO | Dominic Colvin | NA | During 2019 through 2022 | Unpaid salary and expense reimbursement amounts are owed to former CEO Dominic Colvin. |
| Former Officer and Director | Gary M. Cohen | NA | 2014 | Passed away, company took position that obligation to pay $190,000 settlement was discharged. |
| Former Executives | John Cassels and Andrew Steedman | NA | April 2019 through June 2023 | Filed lawsuit for damages and back pay. |
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Control Deficiency | Identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting due to recent management and staff turnover, leading to inconsistent information and records and difficulty in obtaining supporting documentation for transactions. | June 30, 2025 | Indicates a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis, impacting financial reporting reliability. |
| Disclosure Controls Evaluation | Management concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2025, at reasonable assurance levels. | June 30, 2025 | Despite the material weakness in internal controls, management believes disclosure controls are effective for timely and accurate reporting. |
| Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) Disclosure | Adopted ASU 2023-07, disclosing the Board of Directors as the CODM, reviewing financial information on a consolidated basis to assess performance and allocate resources. | April 1, 2024 | Enhances transparency regarding internal decision-making processes and financial reporting structure. |
Legal Proceedings
- Ataraxia Canada, Inc. lawsuit: Alleging breach of contract for $15 million in damages related to the 2018 acquisition of Alternative Medical Solutions Inc. (AMS).
- Bristol Capital Investors, LLC (BCI) lawsuit: Alleging fraud, breach of contract, and negligent misrepresentation for $10.5 million in damages related to the purchase of BCI's interest in Ramon Road Production Campus, LLC.
- Deloitte LLP civil claim: Alleging breach of contract for unpaid professional services from fiscal year 2022.
- Former Executives (John Cassels and Andrew Steedman) lawsuit: Alleging $3 million in damages and back pay; company offered $400,000 CAD each for settlement.
- Cease Trade Order (CTO) by British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC): Issued in 2023 due to failure to file continuous disclosure documents, restricting trading in Canada. Application to revoke filed May 13, 2025.
- Reviewing potential claims against Steven Barber for default of Consulting Agreement.
- Reviewing various claims against Gary Herick, a former officer and director.
Related Party Transactions
- Revenue: $231,608 (3 months) and $231,608 (6 months) from D.N.S. CANTEK 2019 LTD (Cantek), an Israeli limited corporation owned by Koze.
- Professional Fees: $48,456 (3 months) and $126,820 (6 months) to Invictus Accounting Group LLP (Oliver Foeste, CFO's managing partner) for accounting services.
- Professional Fees: $13,187 (3 months) and $47,187 (6 months) to Fabian Vancott (Anthony Panek, director, is a partner) for legal fees.
- Interest Expense on Promissory Notes: $14,206 (3 months) and $28,630 (6 months) to Mr. Amir Tal (control person).
- Interest Expense on Promissory Notes: $462,319 (3 months) and $861,389 (6 months) to Koze Investments LLC (related party since March 11, 2025).
- Lease Expense: $270,940 (3 months) and $532,225 (6 months) associated with the Formosa Mountain Ltd. lease (Formosa became related party March 11, 2025).
- Royalty Expense: $55,599 (3 months) and $55,599 (6 months) to Koze under a security and royalty agreement (CAD $0.20/gram, increasing to CAD $0.40/gram if unpaid).
- Other Expense: One-time adjustment of $1,930,000 to lease-related rent expense with Formosa (6 months).
- Rent: $2,168 (3 months) and $3,213 (6 months) to a company affiliated with Richard Orman (Chairman of the Board).
- Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities: $3,753,755 payable to Formosa for outstanding lease payments, plus $930,347 in accrued interest on unpaid lease payments.
- Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities: $116,008 payable to Invictus Accounting Group LLP.
- Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities: $319,279 payable to Mr. Orman for unpaid directors' fees (2021-2023).
- Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities: $1,690,134 payable to Dominic Colvin (director, former CEO) for unpaid salary and expense reimbursement (2019-2022).
- Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities: $151,725 payable to Fabian Vancott for unpaid legal fees.
- Loans Payable to Related Parties: Totaling $9,941,556, including a $13,502 interest-free loan from PLC International Investments Inc. (Dominic Colvin's company).
- Loans Payable to Related Parties: $7,559,758 in promissory notes to Koze Investments LLC (including $2,550,000 from LTB transaction at 13% p.a., and other advances at 24% p.a.), with accrued interest of $527,251 (LTB) and $1,761,594 (other notes).
- Loans Payable to Related Parties: $1,930,000 promissory note to Formosa Mountain Ltd. (from one-time rent adjustment) at 5% p.a., with accrued interest of $50,292.
- Loans Payable to Related Parties: $438,296 promissory note to Mr. Amir Tal (from LTB transaction) at 13% p.a., with accrued interest of $84,298.
- Convertible Notes: $212,555 owed to Mr. Tal; $68,556 owed to Koze.
- Obligation to Issue Shares: $1,727,065 to Mr. Tal and Koze (each $863,533) as part of the LTB transaction contingent consideration.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Significant dilution risk from potential equity raises. Existing shareholders face substantial uncertainty due to the going concern warning, accumulated deficit, and Cease Trade Order restricting trading.
- Creditors (Koze, Formosa, Mr. Tal): While repayment plans are formalized, the company's precarious financial state means repayment is highly dependent on future capital raises and profitability. Koze holds a security interest in a key subsidiary.
- Employees: Past issues with unpaid salaries to former executives (Dominic Colvin, John Cassels, Andrew Steedman) suggest potential risks for current and future employees regarding compensation.
- Suppliers/Service Providers (Deloitte, Invictus, Fabian Vancott): The company has significant outstanding payables to these parties, indicating payment delays and potential strain on relationships.
- Customers (Cantek, Adjupharm GmbH): While revenue increased, the company's operational and financial instability could impact its ability to consistently supply products and maintain quality, potentially affecting customer relationships.
Next Steps
- Increase cultivation capacity at the Cremona facility from 5 to 11 growing rooms over the next one to two years.
- Open a second drying and packing room at the Cremona facility.
- Build and develop a sales network in Germany and Israel.
- Apply for European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP) certification.
- Incur debt and/or raise additional funding through equity financing to fund ongoing operating expenses.
- Implement remediation plans to address the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.
- Continue discussions for a potential settlement in the Ataraxia Canada, Inc. lawsuit.
- Vigorously defend against the Bristol Capital Investors, LLC lawsuit.
- Monitor the civil claim filed by Deloitte LLP.
- Await acceptance of the settlement offer to former executives John Cassels and Andrew Steedman.
- Continue efforts to revoke the Cease Trade Order (CTO) with the BCSC.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Company assumed action filed by Ataraxia Canada, Inc. as part of Alternative Medical Solutions Inc. (AMS) acquisition. |
| April 2019 | Beginning of period for which former executives John Cassels and Andrew Steedman claim unpaid salaries. |
| January 2020 | Received correspondence from counsel for Steven Barber demanding payment on Consulting Agreement. |
| April 15, 2021 | Bristol Capital Investors, LLC (BCI) filed a lawsuit against the company. |
| January 1, 2022 | Entered into a 20-year operating lease with Formosa Mountain Ltd. for the Cremona, Alberta facility. |
| August 29, 2022 | Engagement letter signed with Deloitte LLP for fiscal year 2022 Finance Backfill and Diagnostic services. |
| December 9, 2022 | Received an operating license from Health Canada. |
| December 22, 2022 | Received a cannabis license from the Canada Revenue Agency. |
| February 1, 2023 | Entered into a rental agreement for office space in Calgary, Alberta. |
| November 22, 2023 | Closed transaction with LTB Management, LLC to acquire 100 Class B units of LTB. |
| January 18, 2024 | CEBA loan converted to a non-amortizing term loan with 5% interest. |
| February 8, 2024 | Entered into a promissory note with Koze. |
| February 12, 2024 | Entered into a supply agreement with D.N.S. CANTEK 2019 LTD (Cantek). |
| March 5, 2024 | 10,000 shares of Series A Preferred Shares converted into 12,500,000 common shares. |
| March 8, 2024 | Issued 4,895,849 common shares upon cashless exercise of 5,000,000 Common Warrants. |
| March 28, 2024 | Cancelled 2,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Shares. |
| April 18, 2024 | Made an installment payment to Deloitte LLP. |
| May 10, 2024 | Entered into Note A payable agreement. |
| May 31, 2024 | Entered into Note B payable agreement. |
| July 18, 2024 | Deloitte LLP filed a civil claim against the company. |
| August 13, 2024 | Entered into Note C payable agreement. |
| November 22, 2024 | Extended maturity date of promissory notes with Mr. Tal and Koze to December 31, 2025. |
| December 31, 2024 | Principal repayment due date for CEBA loan. |
| January 1, 2025 | Amended lease agreement with Formosa Mountain Ltd. and entered into a $1,930,000 promissory note with Formosa. |
| March 11, 2025 | Koze Investments LLC and Formosa Mountain Ltd. became related parties upon appointment of their managers as directors. |
| March 17, 2025 | Entered into a security and royalty agreement with Koze Investments LLC. |
| May 13, 2025 | Received a follow-up inquiry from BCSC regarding the application to revoke the Cease Trade Order. |
| June 30, 2025 | Effective date of Forbearance Agreement with Formosa Mountain Ltd. due to lease payment defaults. |
| August 7, 2025 | Entered into agreements with Koze and affiliates, and Mr. Tal, to formalize debt repayment plans. |
| December 31, 2025 | Extended maturity date for promissory notes with Mr. Tal and Koze. |
| December 15, 2026 | Effective date for annual reporting periods for ASU No. 2024-03. |
| December 15, 2027 | Effective date for interim reporting periods for ASU No. 2024-03. |
Recommendation
strong sellThe company faces severe financial distress, evidenced by a substantial working capital deficiency, a massive accumulated deficit, and critically low cash reserves, leading to a 'going concern' warning. It has defaulted on key lease and royalty payments, necessitating forbearance agreements with related parties. Multiple significant lawsuits pose substantial financial liabilities. The Cease Trade Order restricts trading, severely limiting liquidity for investors. While revenue increased, it was outpaced by cost of goods sold, and the company relies heavily on related-party financing. The identified material weakness in internal controls further undermines confidence. The cumulative risks and financial instability make this a highly speculative and high-risk investment, warranting a strong sell recommendation.
Keywords
Cannabis, SEC Filing, 10-Q, Financial Report, Going Concern, Liquidity Crisis, Debt Restructuring, Related Party Transactions, Legal Proceedings, Cease Trade Order, Cannabis Cultivation, Canada, Medical Cannabis, CannaPharmaRx
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