UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2019

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___ TO ___

Commission File Number: 000-55418

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

6261 Katella Avenue, Suite 250, Cypress, CA 90630

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(714) 462-4603

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES ¨ NO x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES ¨ NO x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YES  x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)  

¨   Yes     x    No

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates on February 28, 2019 was approximately $429,262,171.

As of November 7, 2019, there were 107,360,577 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

For purposes of this report, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references herein to “KushCo”, “the Company”, “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to KushCo Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements that are not statements of historical fact and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The forward-looking statements are principally, but not exclusively, contained in “Item 1: Business” and “Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about management’s confidence or expectations, and our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “goals,” “sees,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “intends,” “think,” “potential,” “objectives,” “optimistic,” “strategy,” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks and uncertainties in detail under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should carefully review all of these factors, as well as other risks described in our public filings, and you should be aware that there may be other factors, including factors of which we are not currently aware, that could cause these differences. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are made as of the date of this report, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaims any duty, to update such statements, whether as a result of new information, new developments or otherwise, except to the extent that disclosure may be required by law.

PART I

Item 1.   Business

Company and Product Overview

KushCo Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Kush Bottles, Inc.) markets and sells a wide variety of complementary products and services to customers operating in the regulated medical and recreational cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) industries. These products and services include compliant, sustainable and custom packaging products, vape hardware, hydrocarbons and solvents, natural products, stainless steel tanks, custom branded anti-counterfeit and authentication labels, processing supplies, accessories, branding solutions, and retail services focused on CBD mass distribution, industry education and compliance. As a leader in custom and child-resistant packaging, biodegradable offerings, exclusive vape products, and unique product and service offerings, such as our stainless steel tanks and custom branded anti-counterfeit and authentication labels, we combine creativity with compliance to provide the right solutions for our customers.  The ability to source and deliver almost anything a customer needs makes us a one-stop-shop solutions provider.  We also provide custom branding on packaging products, which allows our customers to turn their packaging into an effective marketing tool. Our core products sold are in accordance with Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 1700 of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.  The testing standards for certification meet the stringent requirements as set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”).  By offering a product mix that is compliant with CPSC, we are able to give peace of mind to our customers and reduce liability on their end.

Our products primarily consist of bottles, jars, bags, tubes, containers, vape cartridges, vape batteries and accessories, labels and processing supplies, hydrocarbons, solvents, natural products, stainless steel tanks, and custom branded anti-counterfeit and authentication labels. We maintain relationships with a broad range of manufacturers, which enables us to source a plethora of products in a cost-effective manner and pass such cost savings to our customers. That allows us to offer quick solutions to our customers and ensure that their products will be of superior grade and made with environmentally safe materials. In addition to a complete product line, we have sophisticated labeling and customization capabilities, which allow us to add significant value to our customers’ packaging design processes. Our products are utilized by local urban farmers, green house growers, processors, brand owners, and medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries.

Our services primarily consist of CBD mass distribution services through our partnerships with leading consumer packaged goods (CPG) sales agencies, as well as full spectrum creative, marketing, and branding services through our wholly owned subsidiary The Hybrid Creative.

Bottles. Our pop top bottles meet all of the child resistant requirements as set by the CPSC.  The pop-top bottle is unique to the cannabis packaging world because instead of a traditional push and turn bottle, the pop-top requires a squeeze motion that actually pops the attached top up and open. We carry the bottles in various sizes and colors.   

Bags. We provide an array of packaging solutions in the form of a bag.  The selection of bags we provide includes child resistant exit bags, traditional paper exit bags, and a vast selection of food grade safe foil barrier bags.  All bags are available in stock designs and are fully customizable.

Tubes. We offer a complete line of tubes in two standard sizes, each available in a wide variety of colors. We believe that we are one of the largest suppliers of tubes to the cannabis and CBD industries in the United States. Our focus and investments are made to ensure that we are able to meet the increasing trend towards impermeable casing, substantially extending shelf life for pre-packaging. The tubes have a positive seal for enhanced freshness and are odor tight for secure storage and content privacy.  All tubes are made with food grade, BPA-free, polypropylene in compliance with FDA regulation. We maintain several unique designs in this market that combine tube and closure elements into a single piece that we believe is innovative both in appearance and functionality. We believe that our ability to provide creative package designs, combined with a complementary line of closures, makes us a preferred supplier for many customers in our target market.

Containers. We provide a diverse selection of smaller sized containers composed of either polystyrene, silicone-lined polystyrene or glass. Our silicone-lined polystyrene containers offer durability and convenience by combining the ease of a non-stick silicone lined with the rigidity and clarity of a polystyrene outer layer.

Vape Hardware. We offer a wide selection of vaporizer cartridges in a variety of form factors (510 thread cartridge, pod systems, disposables, etc.) with reservoir materials including polyamide 12 or glass, internal materials consisting of brass or stainless steel, and porous ceramic heating core technology. We also offer a wide selection of batteries to accommodate the cartridges. Battery form factors include button-less inhalation activated batteries and push-button batteries with adjustable voltage settings. All vaporizer cartridges, batteries, and disposable units can be customized for clients, including adjusting colors/finishes, materials, and adding logos and branding per clients’ request. We deliver the vaporizer products directly to clients, unassembled and empty, where the product is subsequently filled and assembled at the client’s place of business by their qualified staff.

Natural Products: We are a distribution platform for products manufactured by Abstrax Tech. Abstrax Tech specializes in botanically derived terpene blends, terpene isolates, water-soluble terpene blends, and diluents, with all products consisting of ingredients from non-cannabis sources. These products are utilized by our customers for a wide variety of applications. These products are ordered through us and drop shipped to our customers by the vendor, where they are then incorporated into finished products by the customer.

Hydrocarbons and Solvents. We provide ultra-pure hydrocarbons and solvents, including but not limited to isobutane, n-butane, propane, ethanol, pre-mixes, custom blends, and dry ice. These substances are essential in the extraction process which produces products that supply the vaping and concentrate sector of the market. We ship these products to customers from nine distribution hubs and strategic vendor partnerships in key markets across the country under a Hazardous Materials (“HAZMAT”) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) compliant structure.

Stainless Steel Tanks. We believe we are the only cannabis industry supplier to offer stainless steel tanks, which have been shown through independent studies to be significantly cleaner than traditional carbon steel tanks, which often leave a trail of contaminants in the cannabis or CBD oil. Our new stainless steel tanks are available in standard LP239 cylinder sizes and are resistant to rust and degradation, are less brittle compared to carbon steel tanks, do not react from exposure to air or moisture, and are pre-cleaned before being filled, providing a cleaner vessel during the extraction process and resulting in a higher quality end product.

Branding Solutions. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hybrid Creative, is a full-spectrum creative agency based in Santa Rosa, California. It serves both cannabis and non-cannabis clients across the U.S., Canada and Europe. The Hybrid Creative’s services include brand strategy, design and marketing, web application development and e-commerce solutions.

Retail Services. Our retail services division focuses on industry education and compliance, as well as building distribution networks of compliant hemp-derived CBD brands across conventional retail channels. Through strategic partnerships with best-in-class sales agencies, this division provides comprehensive retail solutions to leading CBD brands. We believe our partnerships with leading CPG sales agencies is the first large scale go-to-market operation focused on helping compliant CBD brands achieve mass distribution across all consumer channels in legal U.S markets.

Custom Branded Anti-counterfeit and Authentication Labels. Through our exclusive distribution agreement with De La Rue, a global leader in anti-counterfeiting and authentication solutions, we also provide custom branded anti-counterfeit security labels. These labels provide unique IDs to support product serialization and a digital verification system to enable authentication throughout the regulated cannabis supply chain. Our offering provides companies with enhanced packaging, with the most secure visual authentication technology using 3D photopolymer images, unique serialization, e-verification, label tracking, and data capturing capabilities.

Our Corporate History and Background

KushCo Holdings, Inc. (“KushCo”) was incorporated in the state of Nevada on February 26, 2014.  We specialize in the wholesale distribution of packaging supplies and customized branding solutions, as well as the delivery of services, for the cannabis and CBD industries. Our wholly owned subsidiary Kim International Corporation (“KIM”), a California corporation, was originally incorporated as Hy Gro Economics Corporation ("Hy Gro") on December 2, 2010. On October 30, 2012, Hy Gro amended its articles of incorporation to reflect a name change to KIM International Corporation.

On April 10, 2015, we entered into an equity purchase agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Dank Bottles, LLC ("Dank"), a Colorado limited liability company. In exchange for the purchased interests, the Company paid cash consideration of $373,725 and issued 3,500,000 shares of common stock to the sellers of Dank.

On May 1, 2017 we and KBCMP, Inc., our newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Lancer West Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation and Walnut Ventures, a California corporation, pursuant to which each of Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures were merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub as the surviving corporation, resulting in our indirect acquisition of CMP Wellness, LLC (“CMP”), a California limited liability company. Prior to the merger, CMP was owned 100% by Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures. The membership interest in CMP was the sole asset of each of Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures. As a result, CMP became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of us. CMP is a distributor of vaporizers, cartridges and accessories.

On May 2, 2018, we and KCH Energy, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“KCH”), completed our acquisition of Summit Innovations, LLC (“Summit”), a leading distributor of hydrocarbon gases to the legal cannabis industry. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger with Summit, Summit merged with and into KCH, with KCH as the surviving entity.

On July 11, 2018, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the members of Zack Darling Creative Associates, LLC (“ZDCA”), parent of wholly-owned subsidiary, Hybrid Creative, LLC (“Hybrid”), a specialist design agency, whereby we purchased the entire issued membership interest of ZDCA. Following the acquisition, ZDCA operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, with Hybrid continuing to operate as wholly-owned subsidiary of ZDCA.

Recapitalization

On March 4, 2014, the stockholders of KIM exchanged all 10,000 of their common shares of KIM for 32,400,000 common shares of KushCo. The operations of KIM became the operations of KushCo after the share exchange and accordingly, the transaction is accounted for as a recapitalization of KIM, whereby the historical financial statements of KIM are presented as the historical financial statements of the combined entity.

Subsequent to the share exchange, the members of KIM owned 32,400,000 of shares of our common stock, effectively obtaining operational and management control of KushCo. KushCo had no operations prior to the share exchange. As a result of the recapitalization, KIM was the acquiring entity in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The accumulated losses of KIM were carried forward after the completion of the share exchange. Operations prior to the share exchange were those of KIM.

Marketing and Sales Channels

We sell primarily into the business-to-business market, which includes legally operating medical and adult-use dispensaries, growers, processors, brand owners, producers, distributors, and retailers in states with cannabis and CBD programs. We reach our large and diversified customer base through our direct sales force, our user-friendly website, and the strategic use of re-distributors. Our sales, fulfillment and support staff meet with customers to understand their needs and improve our product offerings and services.  We are able to dedicate certain sales and marketing efforts to particular products, customers or geographic regions, when applicable, which enables us to develop expertise that is highly valued by our customers.  In addition, inside and outside sales representatives, marketing managers, and executives oversee the marketing and sales efforts.  Operational personnel work closely with sales personnel and customer service representatives to satisfy customers’ needs through the distribution of high-quality products, on-time deliveries, value-added regulatory insight, and customized branding solutions and other services.

Our marketing activities include brand and logo development, advertising, websites, public relations, newsletters, catalogs and brochures, and all other points of contact with customers and prospective customers. We have ongoing campaigns in each of these areas, which are detailed below.

Branding. We believe that we have built one of the strongest and most recognizable brands in the cannabis and CBD industries. We recognized early on the importance of creating a strong, identifiable and lasting brand that would separate our Company from the competition, and resonate with customers. Our logo, our name, the style of our ads, and all collateral material reflect our “brand image.”

Advertising. We run ads periodically in certain trade publications and on specific websites that reach our target audience. We believe providing ongoing exposure of our brand and product offering enhances the value of our corporate brand.

Public Relations. We have an active public relations program, which has helped build the KushCo brand and position our Company not only as a leader in the industry, but as the company with expertise in compliance issues and depth of understanding into state and local regulations governing the cannabis and CBD industries. This expertise is provided to our business-to-business customers to help them stay compliant and operate within all applicable rules. We believe that we have enjoyed great success in our public relations campaigns, and have appeared in numerous newspaper articles, online videos, digital media outlets, and television reports.

Email Marketing. We maintain a list of our customers and prospects, and we email to them regularly. These campaigns may be seasonally based (such as holiday specials) or may be “news” based to act as a vehicle to communicate important information.  Staying in touch with our customers and our prospects is another key component in our marketing program.

Collateral. We have designed brochures, sales sheets, and catalogs that we use in our sales and marketing programs. These professionally designed and quality-printed pieces have been created using the KushCo brand guidelines, and help promote our Company while serving as useful sales tools.

Sales. We have a team of sales professionals that drive our revenues. These dedicated individuals maintain contact with existing clients and secure on-going orders, as well as have frequent communications with prospective customers.  Our sales team is anchored by Territory Sales Managers (TSMs) that are strategically placed in the field.  Each TSM is based in the region which they service.  We believe this “boots on the ground” approach allows KushCo to develop deep relationships with the key players in each major market.  While the TSMs are out building relationships in the field, they are supported by a Sales Support Specialist (SSS) in our nearest geographical distribution center.  The SSS is responsible for prospecting new leads, coordinating site visits for the TSM, processing routine orders, and managing custom projects for clients.  We believe this hands-on approach is vital in a new emerging market where value-add can be provided through educational and evangelical sales messaging.

Competition. We face competition from dozens of competitors of varying sizes and geographic reach who produce and sell products similar to ours. Our sales could be reduced significantly if our competitors develop and market products and services that are more effective, more convenient, or are less expensive than our products and services.  We believe that we have differentiated ourselves from competitors due to several factors. We have built what we consider to be one of the strongest brands in the industry. We have a physical presence in key states such as California, Washington, Nevada, Michigan, Colorado and Massachusetts which enable us to meet our customers’ demands at a speed that surpasses the competition. We believe we have the highest quality and largest variety of products and services that meet the certification standards for child-resistance as well as our customers’ needs, given our status as a one-stop-shop solutions provider delivering a valuable product and service ecosystem. We believe we offer the best customized branded packaging solutions in the market. Additionally, we believe our size and customer relationships give us significant insight and expertise in our industry. As a result, we have become more than just a supplier to our customers – we have become a trusted partner, with insight and recommendations that help our customers’ businesses grow and thrive. In addition to many short-term competitive advantages, KushCo is committed to continue building its suite of proprietary and innovative products that are exclusive to the company using intellectual property, branding, trademarks, or joint ventures. We currently have three granted patents and several pending patent applications, as well as numerous trademarks.

Customers

We service customers across several industries including all areas of the legal cannabis and CBD supply chains from growers and processors to brand owners, distributors, and retailers. As the industry matures, the size of our largest customers has increased by overall spend as well as the number of items purchased. We believe this trend is likely to continue and will benefit our “one-stop-shop” strategy for our customers’ ancillary needs.

Our larger customers are purchasing an ever-increasing variety of products, reflecting our success in cross-selling additional SKUs. Our ability to cross-sell allows us to secure improved pricing as a result of our increased scale and purchasing power.

We have experienced growth in our large customer base as well as growth in the number of larger customers purchasing $500,000 or more per year. The table below shows our revenue for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018 from adult recreational use states in the U.S., medical use only states in the U.S., Canada and all other countries. 

The table below breaks down full year 2019 and 2018 revenue by product category.

Customer Concentration

We had two customers which accounted for approximately 14% and 10% of revenue, respectively, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019.

Sources and Availability of Products

We purchase products and raw materials from different suppliers from time to time on a non-exclusive basis.  We purchase all products and raw materials from suppliers by purchase order and do not enter into long-term or medium-term agreements with our suppliers to maintain any particular levels of supply capacity.  Our purchase orders are executed on a “spot” basis and contain market pricing, shipment and delivery terms and conditions only.  We believe that we have maintained strong relationships with our suppliers. We expect that such relationships will continue into the foreseeable future, but we can provide no assurances that these relationships will continue. Based on our experience, we believe that adequate quantities of the raw materials which are used to manufacture our products (i.e. plastic resins) will continue to be available at market prices, but we can provide no assurances as to such availability or the prices for such materials.

Research and Development Activities

During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, our research and development activities included the development of a new child-resistant tube and various other products.  Expenses incurred with research and development during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018 were not material. Our costs to develop products have been financed by internal cash flows and not been borne directly by our customers.

Segments

We operate as one operating segment. As defined in ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, who is the chief executive officer, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Over the past few years, we have completed a number of acquisitions. These acquisitions have allowed us to expand our offerings, presence and reach in the cannabis industry. While we have offerings in multiple geographic locations for our products for the cannabis industry, as a result of these acquisitions, our business operates in one reportable segment because the majority of our offerings operate similarly, and our chief operating decision maker evaluates financial information and resources and assesses the performance of these resources on a consolidated basis. Since we operate in one reportable segment, all required financial segment information can be found in the consolidated financial statements.

Employees

As of the date of this filing, we have 217 full-time employees. Our employees work at our facilities located across the U.S. Our relations with employees remain satisfactory and there have been no significant work stoppages or other labor disputes.

Environmental Matters and Government Regulation

The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regulates the material content of direct-contact food and drug packages, including certain packages we sell pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. Certain of our products are also regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) pursuant to various federal laws, including the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Both the FDA and the CPSC can require the manufacturer of defective products to repurchase or recall such products and may also impose fines or penalties on the manufacturer. Similar laws exist in some states, cities and other countries in which we sell our products. We use FDA approved resins and pigments in our products that directly contact food and drug products, and our products are in material compliance with all applicable requirements.

The plastics industry, including us, is subject to existing and potential federal, state, local and foreign legislation designed to reduce solid waste by requiring, among other things, plastics to be degradable in landfills, minimum levels of recycled content, various recycling requirements, disposal fees, and limits on the use of plastic products. In particular, certain states have enacted legislation requiring products packaged in plastic containers to comply with standards intended to encourage recycling and increased use of recycled materials. In addition, various consumer and special interest groups have lobbied from time to time for the implementation of these and other similar measures. We believe that the legislation promulgated to date and such initiatives to date have not had a material adverse effect on us. There can be no assurance that any such future legislative or regulatory efforts or future initiatives would not have a material adverse effect on us.

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. We do not believe that federal or any state laws prohibit us from selling our packaging products to cannabis growers and dispensers. See, however, the risk factors in Item 1A - Risk Factors under the captions “Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and therefore, strict enforcement of federal laws regarding cannabis would likely result in our inability and the inability of our customers to execute our respective business plans,” “States which have not approved any legal sale of marijuana may seek to overturn laws legalizing cannabis use in neighboring states, which if successful, could result in legal action against such neighboring states and have a significant negative effect on our business,” and “We and our customers may have difficulty accessing the services of financial institutions and related financial services, which may make it difficult to sell our products and services.”

Emerging Growth Company

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act.  For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards.  As a result, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

Circumstances could cause us to lose emerging growth company status.  We will qualify as an emerging growth company until the earliest of:

Recent Developments

On September 26, 2019, the Company entered into purchase agreements with accredited investors pursuant to which the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 17,197,570 units (the “Units”), with each unit consisting of one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and a warrant to purchase half a share of Common Stock (each a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”), in a registered direct offering (the “September 2019 Offering”). The purchase price for a Unit was $1.75. The closing of the September 2019 Offering occurred on September 30, 2019 and resulted in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $30.1 million. The aggregate net proceeds from the September 2019 Offering, after deducting the placement agent fees and other offering expenses, was approximately $27.6 million. Subject to certain ownership limitations, the Warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price equal to $2.25 per share of Common Stock. The Warrants are exercisable for five years from the date of issuance.

Corporate and Available Information

Our principal corporate offices are located at 6261 Katella Avenue, Suite 250, Cypress, California 90630 and our telephone number is (714) 243-4311. Our internet address is www.kushco.com. We make available on our website, free of charge, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Our SEC reports can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of our website.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business

We may need additional capital in the future, which could dilute the ownership of current shareholders and we may be unable to secure additional funding in the future or to obtain such funding on favorable terms.

Historically, we have raised equity capital to support and expand our operations. To the extent that we raise additional equity capital, existing shareholders will experience a dilution in the voting power and ownership of their common stock, and earnings per share, if any, would be negatively impacted. Our inability to raise additional capital to finance our operations could materially limit our growth. Any reductions in our available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility (the “Monroe Revolving Credit Facility”) with Monroe Capital Management Advisors, LLC (“Monroe”), or our inability to renew or replace the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility or the senior note (the “New Senior Note”) to HB Sub Fund II LLC (“HB Sub Fund”), when required or when business conditions warrant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, any additional borrowings made by us to finance operations could make us more vulnerable to a downturn in economic conditions, or increases in interest rates on borrowings that are subject to interest rate fluctuations. The amount and timing of such additional financing needs will vary based on among other things, timing of new product launches, investments and/or acquisitions, and the amount of cash flow from our operations. If our resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to issue additional equity or debt securities or to obtain additional financing. If our cash flow from operations is insufficient to meet our debt service requirements, we could be required to sell additional equity securities, refinance our obligations, or dispose of assets in order to meet these requirements. There can be no assurance that any financing will be available to us when needed or will be available on terms acceptable to us. Our failure to obtain sufficient financing on favorable terms and conditions could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospects and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Even if we obtain more customers, there is no assurance that we will make a profit.

Even if we obtain more customers, there is no guarantee that we will be able to generate a profit. Because we are a small company and have limited capital, we must limit our products and services. Further, we are subject to raw material pricing which can erode the profitability of our products and put additional negative pressure on profitability.  If we cannot operate profitably, we may have to suspend or cease operations.

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and therefore, strict enforcement of federal laws regarding cannabis would likely result in our inability and the inability of our customers to execute our respective business plans.

Cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (the “CSA”). Even in those jurisdictions in which the manufacture and use of medical cannabis has been legalized at the state level, the possession, use and cultivation all remain violations of federal law that are punishable by imprisonment, substantial fines and forfeiture. Moreover, individuals and entities may violate federal law if they intentionally aid and abet another in violating these federal controlled substance laws, or conspire with another to violate them. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Coop. and Gonzales v. Raich that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize the sale, possession and use of cannabis, even for medical purposes. We would likely be unable to execute our business plan if the federal government were to strictly enforce federal law regarding cannabis.

In January 2018, the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) rescinded certain memoranda, including the so-called “Cole Memo” issued on August 29, 2013 under the Obama Administration, which had characterized enforcement of federal cannabis prohibitions under the CSA to prosecute those complying with state regulatory systems allowing the use, manufacture and distribution of medical cannabis as an inefficient use of federal investigative and prosecutorial resources when state regulatory and enforcement efforts are effective with respect to enumerated federal enforcement priorities under the CSA. The impact of the DOJ's rescission of the Cole Memo and related memoranda is unclear, but may result in the DOJ increasing its enforcement actions against the state-regulated cannabis industry generally.

Congress previously enacted an omnibus spending bill that includes a provision prohibiting the DOJ (which includes the Drug Enforcement Agency (the “DEA”)) from using funds appropriated by that bill to prevent states from implementing their medical-use cannabis laws. This provision, however, expired on December 7, 2018, and must be renewed by Congress. In USA vs. McIntosh, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that this provision prohibits the DOJ from spending funds from relevant appropriations acts to prosecute individuals who engage in conduct permitted by state medical-use cannabis laws and who strictly comply with such laws. However, the Ninth Circuit's opinion, which only applies to the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Idaho, also held that persons who do not strictly comply with all state laws and regulations regarding the distribution, possession and cultivation of medical-use cannabis have engaged in conduct that is unauthorized, and in such instances the DOJ may prosecute those individuals. 

Additionally, financial transactions involving proceeds generated by cannabis-related conduct can form the basis for prosecution under the federal money laundering statutes, unlicensed money transmitter statutes and the Bank Secrecy Act. The penalties for violation of these laws include imprisonment, substantial fines and forfeiture. Prior to the DOJ's rescission of the “Cole Memo”, supplemental guidance from the DOJ issued under the Obama administration directed federal prosecutors to consider the federal enforcement priorities enumerated in the “Cole Memo” when determining whether to charge institutions or individuals with any of the financial crimes described above based upon cannabis-related activity. With the rescission of the “Cole Memo,” there is increased uncertainty and added risk that federal law enforcement authorities could seek to pursue money laundering charges against entities or individuals engaged in supporting the cannabis industry.

Federal prosecutors have significant discretion and no assurance can be given that the federal prosecutor in each judicial district where we operate will not choose to strictly enforce the federal laws governing cannabis production or distribution. Any change in the federal government's enforcement posture with respect to state-licensed cultivation of cannabis, including the enforcement postures of individual federal prosecutors in judicial districts where we operate, would result in our inability to execute our business plan, and we would likely suffer significant losses, which would adversely affect the trading price of our securities. We have not requested or obtained any opinion of counsel or ruling from any authority to determine if our operations are in compliance with or violate any state or federal laws or whether we are assisting others to violate a state or federal law. In the event that our operations are deemed to violate any laws or if we are deemed to be assisting others to violate a state or federal law, any resulting liability could cause us to modify or cease our operations.

The federal and state regulatory landscape regarding products containing CBD is uncertain and evolving, and new or changing laws or regulations relating to industrial hemp and industrial hemp-derived products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We facilitate the sale and distribution of products containing cannabidiol derived from industrial hemp (“CBD”), a form of cannabis.  The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the “2018 Farm Bill”), which was signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2018, removed the classification of industrial hemp (defined in the 2018 Farm Bill as Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis), which includes industrial hemp-based CBD, as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”).  The declassification of industrial hemp opened the path for broad commercial cultivation of the crop and, among other things, the use of its byproducts in consumer goods, including CBD.

Although industrial hemp has been removed from the list of “controlled substances” under the CSA, some states still classify industrial hemp and its byproducts as a controlled substance under applicable state criminal laws, making the possession, sale, and distribution of any such products illegal under such state laws.  Although many states are implementing changes to their criminal laws in response to the 2018 Farm Bill, there can be no assurance that every state will follow suit.  As a result, applicable state and local laws or regulations regarding industrial hemp-based CBD and products containing industrial hemp-based CBD could restrict any CBD brokerage services we offer in the future or impose additional compliance costs on us or our customers. Violations of applicable laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our operations.

FDA regulation regarding the sale or distribution of products containing CBD could make it difficult for our customers to operate their business, increase their operating costs, and pose additional operational, logistical and security challenges, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The United States Food and Drug Commission (“FDA”) has the authority to regulate the production and sale of hemp pursuant to the United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”), section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (addressing the regulation of biological products). Shortly after the 2018 Farm Bill became law, the FDA issued a statement that any cannabis product, whether derived from industrial hemp or otherwise, marketed with a disease claim (e.g., a claim of therapeutic benefit or disease prevention) must be approved by the FDA for its intended use through one of the drug approval pathways prior to it being introduced into interstate commerce, and that introducing food, beverages, and dietary supplements with added CBD (or THC), regardless of source, into interstate commerce is currently illegal under the FDCA. The FDA has since indicated that it would issue regulations regarding the addition of food, beverages, and dietary supplements containing CBD, and conducted a public hearing on May 31, 2019 to obtain scientific data and information about the safety, manufacturing, product quality, marketing, labeling, and sale of products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds.

Any regulations that the FDA issues in the future relating to the sale of food, beverages, and dietary supplements containing CBD in interstate commerce could make it difficult for our customers to operate their business, increase their operating costs, and pose additional operational, logistical and security challenges, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If commercial cultivation of industrial hemp is deemed to be a violation of federal law, we may be subject to federal enforcement actions, which could adversely affect our business and harm our reputation and brand.

The 2018 Farm Bill empowers the United States Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”) to implement a program to certify state and Indian tribe permitting for the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp.  On October 29, 2019, the USDA released the text of its interim final rule for regulations establishing such a program, which include specific requirements about permitting of cultivators, testing of cultivated hemp, and land maintenance, among other things (the “Interim Rules”).  Such Interim Rules became effective on November 1, 2019 by their terms; however, the USDA has invited public comment on the Interim Rules, in anticipation of final rules to be implemented by the USDA in the future (the “Final Rules”).

Until commercial cultivators of industrial hemp receive permits for production under applicable state and Indian tribe laws that are implemented pursuant to the Interim Rules, any production of industrial hemp by such persons may be deemed to be in violation of federal law.  In addition, any Final Rules implemented by the USDA may be different from the Interim Rules, making industrial hemp more difficult to cultivate and produce in compliance therewith. 

We risk becoming subject to adverse publicity and costly federal enforcement actions should we decide to facilitate the sale and distribution of products containing industrial hemp-based CBD in the United States that is not grown in full compliance with the Interim Rules or the Final Rules (as applicable) and applicable state and/or Indian tribe permitting rules implemented pursuant to the Interim Rules or the Final Rules (as applicable).  In addition, we risk that industrial hemp-based CBD products that we distribute do not fully comply with such Interim Rules or the Final Rules (as applicable), and state or Indian tribe permitting rules, despite the representations of the producers of such products.  We may be required to expend significant resources in defending our company from actions resulting therefrom, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations and divert the attention of management. We may also incur the risk of sustaining considerable damage to our reputation and brand should we become party to federal enforcement actions resulting from the sale and distribution of products containing industrial hemp-based CBD that do not fully comply with the Interim Rules or the Final Rules (as applicable) and applicable state and/or Indian tribe permitting rules implemented pursuant to the Interim Rules or the Final Rules (as applicable).

States which have not approved any legal sale of marijuana may seek to overturn laws legalizing cannabis use in neighboring states, which if successful, could result in legal action against such neighboring states and have a significant negative effect on our business. 

Due to variations in state law among states sharing borders, certain states which have not approved any legal sale of marijuana may seek to overturn laws legalizing cannabis use in neighboring states. For example, in December 2014, the attorneys general of Nebraska and Oklahoma filed a complaint with the U.S. Supreme Court against the state of Colorado arguing that the Supremacy Clause (Article VI of the Constitution) prohibits Colorado from passing laws that conflict with federal anti-drug laws and that Colorado’s laws are increasing marijuana trafficking in neighboring states that maintain marijuana bans, thereby putting pressure on such neighboring states’ criminal justice systems. In March 2016 the Supreme Court, voting 6-2, declined to hear this case, but there is no assurance that it will do so in the future. Additionally, nothing prevents these or other attorneys general from using the same or similar cause of action for a lawsuit in a lower federal or other court.

Previously, the Supreme Court has held that drug prohibition is a valid exercise of federal authority under the commerce clause; however, it has also held that an individual state itself is not required to adopt or enforce federal laws with which it disagrees. If the Supreme Court rules that a legal cannabis state’s legislation is unconstitutional, that could result in legal action against other states with laws legalizing medical and/or recreational cannabis use. Successful prosecution of such legal actions by non-marijuana states could have significant negative effects on our business.

We and our customers may have difficulty accessing the service of banks, which may make it difficult to sell our products and services.

Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by cannabis-related conduct can form the basis for prosecution under the federal money laundering statutes, unlicensed money transmitter statute and the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act. Guidance issued by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCen, a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, clarifies how financial institutions can provide services to cannabis-related businesses consistent with their obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. Furthermore, supplemental guidance from the DOJ directs federal prosecutors to consider the federal enforcement priorities enumerated in the Cole Memo when determining whether to charge institutions or individuals with any of the financial crimes described above based upon cannabis-related activity. Nevertheless, banks remain hesitant to offer banking services to cannabis-related businesses. Consequently, those businesses involved in the cannabis industry continue to encounter difficulty establishing banking relationships. Our inability to maintain our current bank accounts would make it difficult for us to operate our business, increase our operating costs, and pose additional operational, logistical and security challenges and could result in our inability to implement our business plan.

We are subject to certain federal regulations relating to cash reporting.

The Bank Secrecy Act, enforced by FinCEN, requires us to report currency transactions in excess of $10,000, including identification of the customer by name and social security number, to the IRS. This regulation also requires us to report certain suspicious activity, including any transaction that exceeds $5,000 that we know, suspect or have reason to believe involves funds from illegal activity or is designed to evade federal regulations or reporting requirements and to verify sources of funds. Substantial penalties can be imposed against us if we fail to comply with this regulation. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, the imposition of a substantial penalty could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our inability to effectively manage our growth could harm our business and materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Our strategy envisions growing our business. We are actively expanding our product, sales, administrative and marketing operations. Any growth in or expansion of our business is likely to continue to place a strain on our management and administrative resources, infrastructure and systems. As with other growing businesses, we expect that we will need to further refine and expand our business development capabilities, our systems and processes and our access to financing sources. We also continue to hire, train, supervise, and manage a significant number of new employees. These processes are time consuming and expensive, will increase management responsibilities and will divert management attention. We cannot assure that we will be able to:

Our inability or failure to manage our growth and expansion effectively could harm our business and materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

If we do not successfully generate additional products and services, or if such products and services are developed but not successfully commercialized, we could lose revenue opportunities.

Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand our product and service offerings. To that end we have engaged in the process of identifying new product opportunities to provide additional products and related services to our customers. The processes of identifying and commercializing new products is complex and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict customers’ changing needs and emerging trends, our business could be harmed. We have already and may have to continue to commit significant resources to commercializing new products before knowing whether our investments will result in products the market will accept. Furthermore, we may not execute successfully on commercializing those products because of errors in product planning or timing, technical hurdles that we fail to overcome in a timely fashion, or a lack of appropriate resources. This could result in competitors providing those solutions before we do and a reduction in net sales and earnings. 

The success of new products depends on several factors, including proper new product definition, timely completion, and introduction of these products, differentiation of new products from those of our competitors, and market acceptance of these products. There can be no assurance that we will successfully identify additional new product opportunities, develop and bring new products to market in a timely manner, or achieve market acceptance of our products or that products and technologies developed by others will not render our products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive.

Our future success depends on our ability to grow and expand our customer base. Our failure to achieve such growth or expansion could materially harm our business.

To date, our revenue growth has been derived from the sale of our products. Our success and the planned growth and expansion of our business depend on us achieving greater and broader acceptance of our products and expanding our customer base. There can be no assurance that customers will purchase our products or that we will continue to expand our customer base. If we are unable to effectively market or expand our product offerings, we will be unable to grow and expand our business or implement our business strategy. This could materially impair our ability to increase sales and revenue and materially and adversely affect our margins, which could harm our business and cause our stock price to decline.

Our suppliers could fail to fulfill our orders for parts used to assemble our products, which would disrupt our business, increase our costs, harm our reputation, and potentially cause us to lose our market.

We depend on third party suppliers around the world, including in China, for materials used to assemble our products. These suppliers could fail to produce products to our specifications or in a workmanlike manner and may not deliver the material or products on a timely basis. Our suppliers may also have to obtain inventories of the necessary parts and tools for production. Any change in our suppliers’ approach to resolving production issues could disrupt our ability to fulfill orders and could also disrupt our business due to delays in finding new suppliers, providing specifications and testing initial production. Such disruptions in our business and/or delays in fulfilling orders could harm our reputation and could potentially cause us to lose our market.

If significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed on our goods imported into the United States from China or any related counter-measures are taken by China, or if such tariffs are increased, our revenue, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially harmed.

If significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed on goods imported into the United States from China or any related counter-measures are taken by China, our revenue and results of operations may be materially harmed. The Trump Administration has signaled that it may alter trade terms between China and the United States, including by limiting trade with China and/or imposing tariffs on imports from China. Between July and September 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties, ranging from 10% to 25% on a variety of goods imported from China that will potentially be subjected to a 10% tariff until 2019, when the tariffs will increase to 25%. These tariffs apply primarily to our vaporizer and vaporizer accessory products, and as a result, the cost of our products may increase. In addition, any such additional tariffs may also make our products more expensive for consumers, which may reduce consumer demand. We may need to offset the financial impact by, among other things, moving our product manufacturing to other locations where feasible, modifying other business practices or raising prices. If we are not successful in offsetting the impact of any such tariffs, our revenue, gross margins, and operating results may be adversely affected.

Our inability to effectively protect our intellectual property would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively, our revenue, our financial condition, and our results of operations.

We may be unable to obtain intellectual property rights to effectively protect our branding, products, and other intangible assets. Our ability to compete effectively may be affected by the nature and breadth of our intellectual property rights. While we intend to defend against any threats to our intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that any such actions will adequately protect our interests. If we are unable to secure intellectual property rights to effectively protect our branding, products, and other intangible assets, our revenue and earnings, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected.

We also rely on non-disclosure and non-competition agreements to protect portions of our intellectual property portfolio. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, that third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or proprietary knowledge, or that third parties will not independently develop competitive products with similar intellectual property.

If we fail to retain key personnel and hire, train and retain qualified employees, we may not be able to compete effectively, which could result in reduced revenue or increased costs.

Our success is highly dependent on the continued services of key management and technical personnel. Our management and other employees may voluntarily terminate their employment at any time upon short notice. The loss of the services of any member of the senior management team, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nick Kovacevich; our Chief Financial Officer, Christopher Tedford; our Chief Revenue Officer, Jason Vegotsky, our Chief Operating Officer, Rodrigo de Oliveira; or any of the managerial or technical staff may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of product development, our growth strategies and other business objectives. Our future success will also depend on our ability to identify, recruit and retain additional qualified technical and managerial personnel. We operate in several geographic locations where labor markets are particularly competitive, where demand for personnel with these skills is extremely high and is likely to remain high. As a result, competition for qualified personnel is intense, particularly in the areas of general management, finance, engineering and science, and the process of hiring suitably qualified personnel is often lengthy and expensive, and may become more expensive in the future. If we are unable to hire and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, our ability to conduct and expand our business could be seriously reduced.

We face risks associated with strategic acquisitions.

As an important part of our business strategy, we have strategically acquired several businesses, and plan to continue strategic acquisitions, some of which may be material. These acquisitions may involve a number of financial, accounting, managerial, operational, legal, compliance and other risks and challenges, including the following, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations:

Additionally, following any business acquisition, we could experience difficulty in integrating personnel, operations, financial and other systems, and in retaining key employees and customers.

We may record goodwill and other intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheet in connection with our acquisitions. If we are not able to realize the value of these assets, we may be required to incur charges relating to the impairment of these assets, which could materially impact our results of operations.

The Financing Agreement for the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility and New Senior Note each contains financial and operating covenants that may restrict our business and financing activities.

The Financing Agreement and the New Senior Note each restricts, among other things, our ability to:

The financial and operating restrictions and covenants in the Financing Agreement and the New Senior Note, as well as any future financing agreements that we may enter into, may restrict our ability to finance our operations, engage in business activities or expand or fully pursue our business strategies. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by events beyond our control and we may not be able to meet those covenants. A breach of any of the covenants under the Financing Agreement and the New Senior Note, or either lender declaring that a material adverse event has occurred, could result in a default under the Financing Agreement and the New Senior Note, respectively, which could cause all of the outstanding indebtedness under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility and the New Senior Note, as applicable, to become immediately due and payable.

Increases in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt and could reduce our profitability.

A significant portion of our outstanding debt, including amounts under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility, bears interest at variable rates and expose us to interest rate risk. As a result, increases in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt and could materially reduce our profitability and cash flows.

Uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process and potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021 may adversely affect the market value of our current or future debt obligations, including under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility.

On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. As a result, LIBOR may be discontinued by 2021. While there is no consensus on what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of U.S. financial market participants, selected and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York started in May 2018 to publish the Secured Overnight Finance Rate (“SOFR”) as an alternative to LIBOR. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash in the overnight U.S. treasury repo market. At this time, it is impossible to predict whether the SOFR or another reference rate will become an accepted alternative to LIBOR. The manner and impact of this transition may materially adversely affect the trading market for LIBOR-based securities, as well as the applicable interest rate on and the amount of interest paid on our current or future debt obligations, including the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility.

If product liability lawsuits are successfully brought against us, we will incur substantial liabilities.

We face an inherent risk of product liability. For example, we could be sued if any product we sell allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts.

Furthermore, vaporizer products and other similar consumption product manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and sellers have recently become subject to litigation. While we have not been a party to any product liability litigation and do not ourselves manufacture any products, several lawsuits have been brought against other manufacturers and sellers of smokeless products for injuries to health allegedly caused by use of smokeless products. We may be subject to similar claims in the future relating to vaporizer products that we sell. We may also be named as a defendant in product liability litigation against one of our suppliers by association, including in class action lawsuits. In addition, we may see increasing litigation over our vaporizer products or the regulation of our products as the regulatory regimes surrounding these products develop. If such lawsuits are filed against us in the future, we could incur substantial costs, including costs to defend the cases and possible damages awards.

If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit sales of our products. If we are unable to successfully defend future lawsuits against us, we could face at least the following potential consequences:

In addition, while we continue to take what we believe are appropriate precautions, we may be unable to avoid significant liability if any product liability lawsuit is brought against us.

We are subject to cyber-security risks, including those related to customer, employee, vendor or other company data and including in connection with integration of acquired businesses and operations.

We use information technologies to securely manage operations and various business functions. We rely on various technologies, some of which are managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including reporting on our business and interacting with customers, vendors and employees. In addition, we collect and store certain data, including proprietary business information, and may have access to confidential or personal information that is subject to privacy and security laws, regulations and customer-imposed controls. Our systems are subject to repeated attempts by third parties to access information or to disrupt our systems. Despite our security design and controls, and those of our third-party providers, we may become subject to system damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to any number of causes, including cyber-attacks, breaches, employee error or malfeasance, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, service providers, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. It is possible for such vulnerabilities to remain undetected for an extended period. We may face other challenges and risks as we upgrade and standardize our information technology systems as part of our integration of acquired businesses and operations. We have contingency plans in place to prevent or mitigate the impact of these events, however, these events could result in operational disruptions or the misappropriation of sensitive data, and depending on their nature and scope, could lead to the compromise of confidential information, improper use of our systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions and exposure to liability. Such disruptions or misappropriations and the resulting repercussions, including reputational damage and legal claims or proceedings, may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock.

This risk is enhanced in certain jurisdictions with stringent data privacy laws and, as we expand our products, offerings, and operations domestically and internationally, we may become subject to amended or additional laws that impose substantial additional obligations related to data privacy. For example, California recently adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), which provides new data privacy rights for consumers and new operational requirements for businesses. The CCPA includes a statutory damages framework and private rights of action against businesses that fail to comply with certain CCPA terms or implement reasonable security procedures and practices to prevent data breaches. The CCPA goes into effect in January 2020.

There is uncertainty related to the regulation of vaporization products and certain other consumption accessories. Increased regulatory compliance burdens and recent temporary bans on the sales of certain cannabis vaporization products could have a material adverse impact on our business development efforts and our operations.

There is uncertainty regarding whether and in what circumstances federal, state, or local regulatory authorities will seek to develop and enforce regulations relative to vaporizer hardware and accessories that can be used to vaporize cannabis and/or tobacco. Further, it remains to be seen whether current or future regulations relating to tobacco vaporization products would also apply to cannabis vaporization products and related consumption accessories.

There has been increasing activity on the federal, state, and local levels with respect to scrutiny of vaporizer products. Federal, state, and local governmental bodies across the United States have indicated that vaporization products and certain other consumption accessories may become subject to new laws and regulations at the state and local levels. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington have temporarily banned all or certain types of cannabis vaporization products, and several other states and municipalities are considering implementing similar restrictions.

In September 2019, the Trump Administration announced a plan to ban the sale of most flavored e-cigarettes nationwide. At the state level, over 25 states have implemented statewide regulations that prohibit vaping in public places. In January 2015, the California Department of Health declared electronic cigarettes and certain other vaporizer products a health threat that should be strictly regulated like tobacco products, and in September 2019, California’s governor issued an executive order on vaping, focused on enforcement and disclosure. In addition, some cities have also implemented more restrictive measures than their state counterparts, such as San Francisco, which in June 2019, approved a new ban on the sale of flavored nicotine products, including vaping liquids and menthol cigarettes.

The application of any new laws or regulations, including bans on sale, that may be adopted and/or maintained, at a federal, state, or local level, directly or indirectly implicating cannabis vaporization products or consumption accessories could limit our ability to sell such products, result in additional compliance expenses, and require us to change our labeling and methods of distribution, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The scientific community has not yet extensively studied the long-term health effects of the use of vaporizer products.

Cannabis vaporizers and related products were recently developed and therefore the scientific community has not had a sufficient period of time to study the long-term health effects of their use. If the scientific community were to determine conclusively that use of any or all of these products poses long-term health risks, market demand for these products and their use could materially decline. Such a determination could also lead to litigation and significant regulation. Loss of demand for our product, product liability claims, and increased regulation stemming from unfavorable scientific studies on these products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Our operating results, including net sales, gross margin and net income (loss), as well as our stock price have varied in the past, and our future operating results will continue to be subject to quarterly and annual fluctuations based upon numerous factors, including those discussed in this Item 1A and throughout this report. Our stock price will continue to be subject to daily variations as well. Our future operating results and stock price may not follow any past trends or meet our guidance and expectations.

Our net sales and operating results, net income (loss) and operating expenses, and our stock price have varied in the past and may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year in the future. We believe a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control, could cause these variations and make them difficult to predict, including:

Our expenses for any given quarter are typically based on expected sales and if sales are below expectations in any given quarter, the adverse impact of the shortfall on our operating results may be magnified by our inability to adjust spending quickly enough to compensate for the shortfall. We also base our inventory levels on our forecasted product mix for the quarter. If the actual product mix varies significantly from our forecast, we may not be able to fill some orders during that quarter, which would result in delays in the shipment of our products. Accordingly, variations in timing of sales, particularly for our higher priced, higher margin products, can cause significant fluctuations in quarterly operating results.

Due to these and other factors, such as varying product mix, quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year comparisons of our historical operating results may not be meaningful. You should not rely on our results for any quarter or year as an indication of our future performance. Our operating results in future quarters and years may be below public market analysts' or investors' expectations, which would likely cause the price of our stock to fall. In addition, over the past several years, U.S. and global equity markets have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the stock prices of many companies involved in the cannabis industry as well as in and outside our industry. There has not always been a direct correlation between this volatility and the performance of particular companies subject to these stock price fluctuations. These factors, as well as general economic and political conditions may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our stock in the future.

Charges to earnings resulting from the application of the acquisition method of accounting to the various acquisitions may adversely affect our results of operations.

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, we have accounted for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we allocated the total purchase price of an acquired company's net tangible and identifiable intangible assets based upon their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over net tangible and identifiable intangible assets was recorded as goodwill. We have incurred and will continue to incur additional depreciation and amortization expense over the useful lives of certain of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition. In addition, to the extent the value of goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite lives becomes impaired, we may be required to incur material charges relating to the impairment of those assets. These depreciation, amortization and potential impairment charges could have a material impact on our results of operations.

If our goodwill or intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings and our ability to borrow under our asset-based Monroe Revolving Credit Facility may be significantly impaired.

Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we review our intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually. Factors that may be considered in determining whether a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets may not be recoverable include declines in our stock price and market capitalization or future cash flows projections. A decline in our stock price, or any other adverse change in market conditions, particularly if such change has the effect of changing one of the critical assumptions or estimates we used to calculate the estimated fair value of our reporting units, could result in a change to the estimation of fair value that could result in an impairment charge. Any such material charges, whether related to goodwill or purchased intangible assets, may have a material negative impact on our financial and operating results. In addition, under our asset-based Monroe Revolving Credit Facility, our lenders have the ability to impose additional reserves, which would reduce our ability to borrow and access to capital to operate our business.

Risks Related to Ownership of our Capital Stock

The trading market for our common stock is limited.

We are quoted on the OTCQX under the trading symbol “KSHB” and are not traded or listed on any securities exchange. The OTCQX is regarded as a junior trading venue. This may result in limited shareholder interest and hence lower prices for our common stock than might otherwise be obtained. In addition, it may be difficult for our shareholders to sell their shares without depressing the market price for our shares or at all. As a result of these and other factors, our shareholders may not be able to sell their shares. Further, an inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling shares of our common stock and may impair our ability to enter into strategic partnerships or acquire companies or products by using our shares of common stock as consideration. If an active market for our common stock does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for our shareholders to sell shares of our common stock.

Our principal stockholders, executive officers, and directors own a significant percentage of our common stock and will be able to exert a significant control over matters submitted to the stockholders for approval.

Our officers and directors, and stockholders who own more than 5% of our common stock, collectively beneficially own a significant percentage of our common stock. This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors often perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling stockholders. These stockholders, if they acted together, could significantly influence all matters requiring approval by the stockholders, including the election of directors. The interests of these stockholders may not always coincide with the interests of other stockholders.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our common stock and do not currently intend to do so for the foreseeable future. We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings for the development, operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Additionally, for so long as any loans under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility or the New Senior Note remain outstanding, we would be required to obtain the prior written consent of Monroe or HB Sub Fund, II LLC (“HB Sub Fund”), as applicable, prior to declaring or paying any cash dividend or cash distribution on any of our capital stock. Therefore, the success of an investment in shares of our common stock will depend upon any future appreciation in their value. There is no guarantee that shares of our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our stockholders have purchased their shares. 

Your percentage ownership will be diluted in the future.

Your percentage ownership will be diluted in the future because of equity awards that we expect will be granted to our directors, officers and employees, as well as shares of common stock, or securities convertible into common stock, we issue in connection with future capital raising or strategic transactions. Our 2016 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards to our directors, officers and consultants. The issuance of any shares of our stock would dilute the proportionate ownership and voting power of existing security holders.

Substantial sales of common stock have and may continue to occur, or may be anticipated, which have and could continue to cause our stock price to decline.

We expect that we will seek to raise additional capital from time to time in the future, which may involve the issuance of additional shares of common stock, or securities convertible into common stock. On June 12, 2018, January 18, 2019 and September 30, 2019, we completed registered direct offerings of an aggregate 31,173,760 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 15,586,880 shares of common stock, and on August 21, 2019, we issued warrants to purchase 1,150,000 shares of common stock in connection with establishment of the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility. The purchasers of the shares of common stock and warrants to purchase shares of common stock from these transactions may sell significant quantities of our common stock in the market, which may cause a decline in the price of our common stock. Further, we cannot predict the effect, if any, that any additional market sales of common stock, or anticipation of such sales, or the availability of those shares of common stock for sale will have on the market price of our common stock. Any future sales of significant amounts of our common stock, or the perception in the market that this will occur, may result in a decline in the price of our common stock.

If we fail to establish or maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our common stock may, therefore, be adversely impacted.

Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources, and systems for the foreseeable future. Annually, we are required to prepare a management report on our internal controls over financial reporting containing our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of August 31, 2019. At such time as we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to provide an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting. Under such circumstances, even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may disagree or may issue a report that is qualified if it believes that our controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed are inadequate.

We have concluded that certain of our previously-issued financial statements could not be relied upon and, as a result, we have restated such previously-issued financial statements, which has led and may lead to, among other things, shareholder litigation, loss of investor confidence, negative impact on our stock price, and certain other risks. 

As discussed in the Explanatory Note, Note 2, “Restatement” and in Note 18, “Quarterly Information (unaudited)” under Item 8 of the amendment to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on April 11, 2019, we concluded that our previously-issued consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the interim periods ended May 31, 2017, November 30, 2017, February 28, 2018, and May 31, 2018, should no longer be relied upon. The determination that these financial statements should no longer be relied upon and our decision to restate these financial statements was made following the identification of errors in the accounting of share-settled contingent consideration paid by us in connection with certain acquisitions. We filed restated financial statements with the SEC for all impacted periods on April 11, 2019.

As a result of these misstatements, we have become subject to a number of additional risks and uncertainties, including unanticipated costs for accounting and legal fees in connection with or related to the restatement, including four shareholder derivative litigations, one class-action lawsuit, and a subpoena by the SEC, as previously disclosed on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 18, 2019. Any such proceeding could result in substantial defense costs regardless of the outcome of the litigation or investigation. If we do not prevail in any such litigation, we could be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs. In addition, as a result of these misstatements, we may continue to be at risk for further government investigations, shareholder litigation, and additional accounting and legal fees in connection therewith, as well as loss of investor confidence in us, and a negative impact on our stock price.

We are remediating certain internal controls and procedures, which, if not successful, could result in additional misstatements in our financial statements negatively affecting our results of operations.

We are in the process of implementing certain remediation actions in response to the above-described financial misstatements. See Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019 for a description of these remediation measures. To the extent these steps are not successful, not sufficient to correct our material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting, or are not completed in a timely manner, future financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results. Any of these matters could adversely affect our business, reputation, revenues, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price, and limit our ability to access the capital markets through equity or debt issuances.

We are involved in an ongoing SEC investigation, which could divert management’s focus, result in substantial investigation expenses, and have an adverse impact on our reputation, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

As previously disclosed on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 18, 2019, on July 11, 2019, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC and a letter from the SEC stating that it is conducting an investigation. The subpoena requests information and documents generally related to the Company’s restatement of its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, and for the three months ended November 30, 2018 and 2017. We have incurred significant legal and accounting expenditures in connection with the SEC’s investigation. We are unable to predict how long the SEC’s investigation will continue or its outcome.

Our recent change in auditing firms may cause additional delays in reporting.

Effective as of August 8, 2019, we changed our independent auditor from RBSM LLP to Marcum LLP. This change in auditors could delay our reports with the SEC. Such delays could result in a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace, which ultimately could adversely impact the market price of our shares, and limit our ability to access the capital markets through equity or debt issuances.

Our obligations to Monroe Capital are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our assets, so if we default on those obligations, Monroe could accelerate the obligations thereunder and exercise remedies including foreclosing on our assets, which would harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and could require us to reduce or cease operations.

On August 21, 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into a revolving credit facility (the “Monroe Revolving Credit Facility”) with Monroe Capital Management Advisors, LLC (“Monroe”), as collateral agent and administrative agent, and the various lenders party thereto (the “Financing Agreement”).  The Financing Agreement provides for a total borrowing commitment of $35 million to be made in the form of revolving loans, subject to a borrowing base, together with the ability by the Company, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Financing Agreement, to increase the size of such commitment to $50 million (the “Monroe Loans”). The Monroe Revolving Credit Facility has a five-year term, maturing on August 21, 2024, and is secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. As a result, if we default on our obligations under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility, or fail to pay the obligations under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility in full upon maturity, Monroe could foreclose on its security interests and liquidate some or all of these assets, which would harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and could require us to reduce or cease operations.

If we default on our obligations to HB Sub Fund, HB Sub Fund could accelerate the obligations thereunder and exercise remedies including rights to collect on those obligations, which would harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and could require us to reduce or cease operations.

On April 29, 2019, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with HB Sub Fund, pursuant to which we issued a senior note to HB Sub Fund in the principal amount of $21.3 million (the “Original Note”). On August 21, 2019, we entered into an Exchange Agreement with HB Sub Fund, pursuant to the terms of which we exchanged the Original Note for a new Senior Note on substantially the same terms (the “New Senior Note”). On November 8, 2019, we entered into a Second Exchange Agreement (“Second Exchange Agreement”) with HB Sub Fund, pursuant to which we amended the New Senior Note (the “Amended Senior Note”). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Senior Note, the maturity date of the Amended Senior Note was extended to April 29, 2021 and the aggregate principal amount of the Amended Senior Note was increased to $24.0 million, and the original issue discount was increased to $1.5 million. If we default on our obligations under the Amended Senior Note, or fail to pay the obligations under the Amended Senior Note in full upon maturity, HB Sub Fund could exercise remedies to enforce such obligations, which would harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and could require us to reduce or cease operations.

In addition, the Amended Senior Note and its terms are subject to that certain Intercreditor Agreement, by and among the Company, HB Sub Fund, and Monroe, dated August 21, 2019, pursuant to which HB Sub Fund has agreed, among other things, that, upon the occurrence of a default or event of default under the Financing Agreement, HB Sub Fund shall not have the right to seek payment on the Amended Senior Note for a period of up to 45 days.

HB Sub Fund has the right to participate in certain offerings by us of debt or equity, which may limit our ability to complete such financing transactions.

Pursuant to the Amended Senior Note, if we enter into any debt or equity issuance, HB Sub Fund has the right to acquire 100% of any debt issuance and 15% of any equity issuance of the company, subject to certain exceptions. Thus, while other holders of our securities will risk suffering a reduction in percentage ownership in connection with a new issuance of securities by us, HB Sub Fund will, through this participation right, have the opportunity to avoid a reduction in percentage ownership.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control. The market price of our common stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to, among other factors:

In addition, if the market for stocks in our industry, or the stock market in general, experiences a loss of investor confidence, the market price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition, or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause the price of our common stock to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and a distraction to our Board of Directors and management.

The application of the “penny stock” rules could adversely affect the market price of our common shares and increase your transaction costs to sell those shares.

The SEC has adopted Rule 3a51-1, which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, Rule 15g-9 under the Exchange Act requires: (a) that a broker or dealer approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks; and (b) the broker or dealer to receive from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased.

In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must (i) obtain financial information and investment experience objectives of the person; and (ii) make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks.

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form sets forth: (A)  the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination and (B) that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction.

Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.

Since our securities are currently quoted on the OTCQX, our stockholders may face significant restrictions on the resale of our securities due to state “Blue Sky” laws.

Each state has its own securities laws, often called “blue sky” laws, which (i) limit sales of securities to a state’s residents unless the securities are registered in that state or qualify for an exemption from registration, and (ii) govern the reporting requirements for broker-dealers doing business directly or indirectly in the state. Before a security is sold in a state, there must be a registration in place to cover the transaction, or the transaction must be exempt from registration. The applicable broker must also be registered in that state. We do not know whether our common stock will be registered or exempt from registration under the laws of any state. Since our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQX, a determination regarding registration will be made by those broker-dealers, if any, who agree to serve as the market-makers for our common stock. There may be significant state blue sky law restrictions on the ability of investors to sell, and on purchasers to buy, our common stock. Investors should therefore consider the resale market for our common stock to be limited, as they may be unable to resell their common stock without the significant expense of state registration or qualification.

In the past, we have conducted private placements with accredited investors pursuant to Regulation D under the Securities Act. We filed Form Ds relating to such private placements with the SEC, but have not made any notice filings with state securities regulators with respect to private placements conducted prior to June 2018. State securities regulators may assess penalties and fines on us in the future based on our failure to make such notice filings.

Rule 144 contains risks for certain shareholders.

Pursuant to SEC Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell their securities provided that: (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding a sale, (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least 90 days before the sale and (iii) if the sale occurs prior to satisfaction of a one-year holding period, we have provided the public with current information at the time of sale.

Persons who have beneficially owned restricted shares of our common stock for at least six months but who are our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding a sale, would be subject to additional restrictions, by which such person would be entitled to sell within any three-month period only a number of securities that does not exceed the greater of either of the following:

Provided, in each case, we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale. Such sales by affiliates must also comply with the manner of sale, current public information, and notice provisions of Rule 144.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2.  Properties

At present, we do not hold title to any real estate property. All of our properties are leased or sub-leased.  We do not have any mortgages, liens or encumbrances against any of our properties.

Our corporate headquarters is located in a 23,500 square foot leased office space at 6261 Katella Avenue in Cypress, California and is subject to a lease that expires in September 2025. Our primary distribution center is located in a leased facility at 11958 Monarch Street in Garden Grove, California, and consists of two facilities, one with approximately 28,800 square feet of office, which is subject to a lease that expires on August 1, 2022 and one with approximately 46,000 square feet of primarily warehouse space, which is subject to a lease that expires in August 2023.

We sub-lease a 13,600 square foot facility in Woodinville, Washington, which is utilized as a fulfillment and distribution center for the Pacific Northwest region. The sub-lease expires January 2020. We also sub-lease a 27,200 square foot facility in Denver, Colorado. The sub-lease for this property expires March 31, 2020.  

As part of the expansion of our operating footprint, we entered into a lease agreement for a 66,300 square foot warehouse distribution center in Worcester, Massachusetts in April 2018 with a four-year lease term that expires in April 2022. We also entered into a lease for a 40,200 square foot distribution center in Taylor, Michigan in May 2019 with a 5-year lease term expiring in June 2024. We intend to use these facilities to service the Northeast U.S. as state-level legalization occurs in these states. We also established a distribution center in Las Vegas, Nevada pursuant to a lease executed in June 2018, which expires in May 2021. The Las Vegas facility is approximately 12,600 square feet of warehouse and office space.

We believe that our property and equipment is well-maintained, in good operating condition and adequate for our present needs and that suitable additional or alternative space will be available in the future on commercially reasonable terms.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.

Item 4.  Mining Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market Information

Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQX, under the symbol “KSHB”.  Our common stock was initially listed on the OTCQB on December 1, 2015 and transitioned to the OTCQX in May 2019.   Any over-the-counter market quotations are based on inter-dealer bid and asked prices, without retail markup, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.

Holders

As of November 7, 2019, we had approximately 160 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Information about our equity compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference to Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.   

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During the year ended August 31, 2019, we granted 333,867 unregistered shares of our common stock for services pursuant to contracts, with an aggregate fair market value of approximately $1.9 million.

During the year ended August 31, 2019, we sold 9,076,664 shares of our common stock and warrants exercisable for 3,238,095 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $5.75 per share, to investors in exchange for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $41.6 million.

On August 21, 2019, in connection with and as a condition to the consummation of the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility, we issued warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $4.25, to institutional investors pursuant to a Subscription Agreement, dated August 21, 2019, by and among the Company and Monroe Capital Management Advisors, LLC.

On August 21, 2019, we entered into a New Senior Note and issued a warrant to purchase up to 650,000 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $4.25, in connection with the exchange of the Original Note for the New Senior Note pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, dated August 21, 2019, by and between the Company and an institutional investor.

These securities were issued without registration under the Securities Act in reliance on registration exemptions contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering.  The recipients of securities in each such transaction represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were affixed to the share certificates and other instruments issued in such transactions. The sales of these securities were made without general solicitation or advertising.

The Securities Enforcement and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990

The SEC has adopted Rule 3a51-1, which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, Rule 15g-9 requires:

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form:

Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

Not applicable.

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows of our company as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The statements in this discussion regarding industry outlook, our expectations regarding our future performance, liquidity and capital resources and all other non-historical statements in this discussion are forward-looking statements and are based on the current beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report, particularly in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

Overview

We provide customizable packaging products, vaporizers, hydrocarbon gases, solvents, accessories and branding solutions primarily for the cannabis industry. Representative examples of our products include pop-top bottles, vaporizer cartridges and accessories, exit/barrier bags, pre-roll tubes, and other small-sized containers. We sell our solutions predominantly to businesses operating in jurisdictions that have some form of cannabis legalization. These businesses include medical and recreational dispensaries, large and small scale processors, and packaging re-distributors.

We believe that we have created one of the largest product libraries in the cannabis industry, allowing us to be a comprehensive solutions provider to our customers. Our extensive knowledge of the regulatory environment applicable to the cannabis industry allows us to quickly adapt to our customers' packaging requirements. We maintain the flexibility to enter the markets of decriminalized regions by establishing re-distributor partnerships or opening new facilities. We also have the flexibility to introduce new products and services to our vast customer network. We have no supplier “take or pay” arrangements. In addition to these factors, we believe that we offer competitive pricing, prompt deliveries, and excellent customer service. We expect continued growth as we take measures to expand into new markets, invest in our systems and personnel, forge strategic alliances and invest in our own molds and intellectual property.

Acquisitions

CMP Wellness LLC

On May 1, 2017 (“Merger Date”), the Company and KBCMP, Inc., a Delaware corporation and newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Lancer West Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation and Walnut Ventures, a California corporation, pursuant to which each of Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures were merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub as the surviving corporation, resulting in our indirect acquisition of CMP Wellness, LLC (“CMP”), a California limited liability company. Prior to the merger, CMP was owned 100% by Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures. Membership interest in CMP was the sole asset of Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures. As a result, CMP became our wholly-owned subsidiary. CMP is a distributor of vaporizers, cartridges and accessories. Our Board of Directors believed the acquisition of CMP and the product offerings of CMP leveraged our existing product development program and provided us with the possibility of generating near term revenue and operating cash flow, as well as establishing a commercial platform whereby other cannabis industry-support products may be accessed in the future. Going forward, the existing product offering and other product licensing opportunities will be the basis of our long-term product portfolio.

The purchase price for CMP consisted of an aggregate of $1.5 million in cash, unsecured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $0.7 million having a one-year maturity, and an aggregate of 7,800,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.  The purchase price is subject to customary post-closing adjustments with respect to confirmation of the levels of working capital and cash held by CMP as of the closing.  During the one-year period following the closing, the former owners of CMP may become entitled to receive up to an additional approximately $1.9 million in cash, in the aggregate, and approximately 4,740,960 shares of our common stock, in the aggregate, based on the future performance of CMP. On July 16, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,740,960 shares of common stock associated with the contingent equity consideration in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. On May 9, 2019, the Company issued 500,000 shares of common stock associated with holdback shares in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

Summit Innovations LLC

On May 2, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Summit, a leading distributor of hydrocarbon gases to the legal cannabis industry. Pursuant to the terms of the Summit Agreement, Summit merged with and into KCH, with KCH as the surviving entity. The consideration paid to the members of Summit at the closing consisted of cash consideration of $0.9 million, net of cash received, and 1,280,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Cash consideration of $0.2 million and 640,000 shares of common stock were held back by us for a period of 15 months for potential post-closing working capital and/or indemnification claims relating to, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Summit Agreement. The former members of Summit were entitled to receive earn-out consideration of up to an additional 1,280,000 shares of common stock, in the aggregate, based on the net revenue performance of the Summit business during a one-year period following the closing date of the acquisition. On August 13, 2019, we issued an aggregate of 1,146,782 shares of common stock associated with the contingent equity consideration and holdback shares in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. As of August 31, 2019, the Company is holding back the remaining 200,000 shares pending resolution of certain claims.

Hybrid Creative LLC

On July 11, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Zack Darling Creative Associates (“ZDCA”), and its wholly-owned subsidiary The Hybrid Creative, LLC (“Hybrid”), which together operated as a marketing and design agency. Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement with the members of ZDCA, we purchased the entire issued membership interest of ZDCA for an aggregate of $0.9 million in cash, net of cash received, and an aggregate of 360,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Cash consideration of $0.1 million of the cash consideration and approximately 162,000 shares of common stock from the share consideration were held back by us which were subsequently issued in January 2019. The members were entitled to receive earn-out payments consisting of $0.5 million and up to 212,858 shares of common stock, based on the net revenue performance of the Hybrid business during the period September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019. As of February 2019, we determined ZDCA would not meet the minimum earnout target threshold. Accordingly, the fair value of the related contingent consideration was adjusted to zero.

Line of Credit and Long-Term Debt

Gerber Revolving Line

On November 16, 2017, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary KIM International Corporation (“KIM”) as borrowers, and all of the Company’s other subsidiaries, as credit parties, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Gerber Finance Inc., as lender (“Gerber”), effective as of November 6, 2017. The Loan Agreement originally provided a secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Line”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $2.0 million at any time outstanding. Under the original terms of the Loan Agreement, the principal amount of loans, plus the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit, at any time outstanding could not exceed up to 85% of the Company’s eligible receivables minus reserves. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company may also request letters of credit from Gerber. The proceeds of the loans under the Loan Agreement will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Revolving Line has a maturity date of November 6, 2019. Borrowings under the Revolving Line accrues interest at a rate based on the prime rate as customarily defined, plus a margin of 3.0%. On March 8, 2018, the Company and KIM entered into a first amendment to the Loan Agreement with Gerber. Pursuant to the first amendment, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Line at any time outstanding was increased to $4.0 million and the principal amount of loans, plus the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit, at any time outstanding could not exceed the lesser of (i) 40% of the value of certain inventory and (ii) 50% of certain accounts receivable.

On November 9, 2018, the Company and KIM entered into a second amendment to the Loan Agreement with Gerber. Pursuant to the second amendment, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Line at any time outstanding was increased to $8.0 million. Additionally, subject to certain exceptions, the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit, at any time outstanding cannot exceed the lesser of (i) 25% of the value of certain inventory (increasing to 40% upon receipt of certain landlord waivers) and (ii) 50% of certain accounts receivable. In April 2019, the Company obtained a waiver of non-compliance associated with the restatement of our previously filed consolidated financial statements.

On August 21, 2019, the Company used a portion of the loan proceeds under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility to pay in full all amounts due under the Loan Agreement, and the Company has no further financial obligations under the Loan Agreement.

Monroe Revolving Credit Facility

On August 21, 2019, we entered into a revolving credit facility with an aggregate amount not to exceed $35.0 million outstanding at any time between KushCo and its subsidiaries and Monroe, as collateral agent and administrative agent, and the various lenders party thereto. The credit facility also includes an accordion feature that permits us to increase the available revolving commitments under the Credit Facility by up to an additional $15 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. All amounts advanced under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to either 5.25% plus the greatest of: (a) 5.50%; (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%; (c) the quotient of (i) the LIBOR rate, divided by (ii) the difference of 100 percent minus, for any lender, the maximum percentage prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or its successor) for determining reserve requirements of that lender; plus 1.00%; and (d) the Prime Rate; or 8.50% plus the greater of (a) the quotient of (i) the LIBOR rate, divided by (ii) the difference of one minus the stated maximum reserve percentage to be maintained by member banks of the Federal Reserve System for Eurocurrency funding or liabilities; and (b) 1.00%. The Monroe Revolving Credit Facility has a five-year term, maturing on August 21, 2024, and is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Long-term Debt

On April 29, 2019, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor (the “Investor”), pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell, and the Investor agreed to purchase, a senior note (the “Original Note”) in a private placement offering in the aggregate principal amount of $21.3 million with an original issue discount of $1.3 million, and received net proceeds of $20.0 million. The Original Note is a senior unsecured obligation, and unless earlier redeemed, will mature on October 30, 2020. The Original Note does not bear interest, except upon the occurrence of an event of default.

On August 21, 2019, we entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with the Investor in order to amend and waive certain provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the Original Note and exchange the Original Note for (i) a new senior note (the “New Senior Note”) for the same aggregate principal amount as the Original Note and (ii) a warrant to purchase up to 650,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.25.

Similar to the terms of the Original Note, the New Senior Note matures on October 30, 2020, at which time the Company must pay the Investor an amount in cash representing 120% of all outstanding principal, less original issue discount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid late charges. Similar to the terms of the Original Note, the New Senior Note will not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default.

On November 8, 2019, we entered into a Second Exchange Agreement (“Second Exchange Agreement”) with the Investor, pursuant to which we amended the New Senior Note (the “Amended Senior Note”). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Senior Note, the maturity date of the Amended Senior Note was extended to April 29, 2021 and the aggregate principal amount of the Amended Senior Note was increased to approximately $24.0 million and increase the original issue discount to $1.5 million. Upon maturity, we must pay the Investor an amount in cash representing 120% of all outstanding principal, less original issue discount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid late charges. Similar to the terms of the Original Note, the Amended Senior Note will not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default.

Results of Operations

Comparison of Years Ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018

Revenue

Total revenues increased to $149.0 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 compared to $52.1 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018, an increase of $96.9 million or 186%. The increase was primarily attributable to significant organic growth across all markets, including in California following the legalization of adult use cannabis sales on January 1, 2018. Furthermore, vaping product related sales remained strong during the year. In addition, we achieved strong growth in custom branded products as customers seek differentiated brand building solutions in line with regulatory requirements.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was $24.6 million, or 17% of revenue, compared to $13.3 million, or 26% of revenue, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The decrease in gross margin percentage is primarily attributable to a shift in sales mix, increased freight-in charges, and product quality costs, along with the recent China trade tariffs that were enacted during the year. Beginning in June 2019, we implemented a tariff supplement fee billed to our customers.

Operating Expense

Our total operating expenses for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 increased to $69.8 million, or 47% of total revenue compared to $39.9 million, or 77% of total revenue for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018, an increase of $29.9 million or 75%. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) was $72.8 million, or 49%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 compared to $25.7 million, or 49%, in the comparable prior year period, an increase of $47.1 million. The increase in SG&A is due to the expansion of the business, primarily attributed to increased compensation cost, insurance, professional fees, freight-out, and facilities costs. For the year ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, operating expenses included a gain of $1.8 million and a loss of $14.1 million, respectively, related to the change in the fair value of contingent consideration. In addition, our operating expenses for the year ended August 31, 2019 included a gain on disposition of assets of $1.3 million.

Other Income (Expense), net

Interest and Other Income (Expense), net for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was income of $5.7 million compared to income of $0.6 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The increase in other income is attributed to the gain from the change in fair value of warrant liability of $9.3 million, partially offset by a $0.9 million loss from the change in fair value of an equity investment and additional interest expense related to increased credit line capacity and a long-term note payable which was issued in April 2019.

Income Tax Provision

Our tax expense for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was $0.1 million compared to an income tax benefit in the prior year of $1.6 million. We maintained a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets of August 31, 2019 and 2018 excluding a portion relating to indefinite life intangibles. Our current year income tax expense relates to the increase in our deferred tax liability for indefinite-life intangibles. Our prior year income tax benefit is attributable to deferred tax benefits from losses that were realizable against expected future taxable income from the reversal of existing temporary differences.

Net Loss

Our net loss for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was $39.6 million compared to a net loss of $24.3 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. Basic and diluted loss per share for the year ended August 31, 2019 was $0.47 and $0.57, respectively. Basic and diluted loss per share for the year ended August 31, 2018 was $0.37 and $0.37, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At August 31, 2019 and 2018, we had cash of $3.9 million and $13.5 million, respectively and a working capital surplus of $53.3 million and $35.2 million, respectively.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was to $70.2 million compared to $29.9 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The change is primarily attributed to an increase in net loss of $15.3 million, and a $17.8 million increase in net operating assets and liabilities. The change in operating assets and liabilities is primarily attributable to increases in inventory, including related prepayments, and accounts receivable.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was $8.0 million compared to $4.8 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The change is primarily attributed to higher levels of equipment purchases, technology investments and leasehold improvements during the current fiscal year.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 was $68.7 million compared to $47.3 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. The increase is primarily attributed to $19.0 million in proceeds from long-term debt compared to the prior year repayment of $1.9 million. In addition, we received $11.3 million of net proceeds from the line of credit compared to $0.9 million in proceeds in the prior year. Further, cash proceeds from the issuance of common stock decreased $8.4 million to $41.0 million for the year ended August 31, 2019 compared to $49.4 million in the comparable 2018 period.

We manage our liquidity and financial position in the context of our overall business strategy. We continually forecast and manage our cash, working capital balances, and capital structure to meet the short-term and long-term obligations of our business while seeking to maintain liquidity and financial flexibility. We have historically funded our operations primarily through the cash flows generated from our operations, borrowings available under our credit facility and from proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity.

We believe that cash generated from our operations, along with the funds available through debt or equity financings, primarily for the purposes of expanding current operations, making capital acquisitions, or consummating strategic transactions are adequate to fund our financial obligations for at least the next twelve months. Additional equity or debt financing may not be available when needed, on terms favorable to us or at all.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

We do not currently have, and did not have during the periods presented, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, accounts receivable reserves, inventory and related reserves, valuations and purchase price allocations related to business combinations, expected cash flows used to evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets, estimated fair values of long-lived assets used to record impairment charges related to intangible assets and goodwill, amortization periods, accrued expenses, stock-based compensation, contingent liabilities, and recoverability of our net deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Inventory

Our inventories consist of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average cost method. As a designer and manufacturer of products for the cannabis industry, we may be exposed to a number of economic and industry factors that could result in portions of our inventory becoming either obsolete or in excess of anticipated usage. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to meet changing customer requirements, competitive pressures on products and prices, reliability and replacement of and the availability of products from our suppliers. Our policy is to establish inventory reserves when conditions exist that suggest that our inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based upon our assumptions about future demand for our products and market conditions. We regularly evaluate our ability to realize the value of our inventory based on a combination of factors including the following: forecasted sales or usage, product end of life dates, estimated current and future market values and new product introductions. Assumptions used in determining our estimates of future product demand may prove to be incorrect, in which case the provision required for excess and obsolete inventory would have to be adjusted in the future. If inventory is determined to be overvalued, we would be required to recognize such costs as cost of goods sold at the time of such determination. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand could have a significant negative impact on the value of our inventory and our reported operating results. Additionally, purchasing requirements and alternative usage avenues are explored within these processes to mitigate inventory exposure. When recorded, our reserves are intended to reduce the carrying value of our inventory to its net realizable value.

Provisions for excess or obsolete inventory are primarily based on our estimates of forecasted net sales. A significant change in the timing or level of demand for our products as compared to forecasted amounts may result in recording additional provisions for excess inventory in the future. We record provisions for excess or obsolete inventory as cost of sales.

Accounts Receivable Reserves

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We regularly evaluate the collectability of our trade receivables based on a combination of factors, which may include dialogue with the customer to determine the cause of non-payment, the use of collection agencies, and/or the use of litigation. In the event it is determined that the customer may not be able to meet its full obligation to us, we record a specific allowance to reduce the related receivable to the amount that we expect to recover given all information present. We perform ongoing evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits based upon payment history and our assessment of the customer’s current credit worthiness. We continuously monitor collections from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates in the future. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

The sales of products generally do not include a right of return and historically, we have not experienced any significant sales returns.  These estimates are based on the historical facts and circumstances regarding sales orders, analysis of credit memo data and other known factors. If the data we use to calculate these estimates do not properly reflect reserve requirements, then a change in the allowances would be made in the period in which such a determination is made and revenues in that period could be adversely affected.

Valuation of Business Combinations

We record tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in recent business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Amounts paid for each acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the dates of acquisition. We then allocate the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. We also utilize third-party consultants to assist us in estimating the fair value of assets and liabilities. We allocate any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed to goodwill.

We use the income approach, the relief from royalty method (a combination of the income and market methods), and the with and without method to determine the fair values of our identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. The use of these various approaches determines fair value by estimating cash flows attributable to domain names, trademarks and non-competition agreements. We base our revenue assumptions on estimates of relevant market sizes, expected market growth rates, expected trends in product introductions by competitors. We base the discount rate used to arrive at a present value as of the date of acquisition on the time value of money and cannabis industry investment risk factors. For the intangible assets we acquired in connection with prior acquisitions, we used risk-adjusted discount rates to discount our projected cash flows, ranging from 19% to 26%. We believe that amounts so determined represent the fair value at the date of acquisition and do not exceed the amount a third party would pay. Domain names represent established relationships with customers, which provides a ready channel for the sale of additional products and services. Trade names represent acquired product names that we intend to continue to utilize.

Contingent Consideration

We estimate and record the acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration as part of purchase price consideration for acquisitions. Additionally, each reporting period, we estimate changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and recognize any change in fair in our consolidated statement of operations. Our estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration requires highly subjective assumptions to be made of future operating results, discount rates and probabilities assigned to various potential operating result scenarios. Future revisions to these assumptions could materially change our estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration and, therefore, materially affect the Company’s future financial results. A portion of the contingent consideration liability is to be settled with the issuance of shares of common stock once contingent provisions set forth in respective acquisition agreements have been achieved. Upon achievement of contingent provisions, respective liabilities are relieved and offset by increases to common stock and additional paid in capital in the stockholders’ equity section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We record intangible assets at historical cost. We amortize our intangible assets that have finite lives using either the straight-line method. Amortization is recorded over the estimated useful lives ranging from 4 to 6 years.

The Company evaluates intangible assets and long-lived assets for possible impairment periodically and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. This includes but is not limited to significant adverse changes in business climate, market conditions, or other events that indicate an asset's carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the undiscounted cash flows used in the test for recoverability are less than the carrying amount of these assets, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value. The Company evaluates and tests the recoverability of its goodwill for impairment at least annually during its fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more often if and when circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not goodwill may be impaired.

In January 2017, the FASB issued amended guidance that simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amendments in this update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The new standard is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted on goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We adopted the standard beginning with our fiscal 2017 impairment tests.

In fiscal 2019, we conducted a qualitative assessment of the goodwill during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. Upon completion of the annual impairment assessment, the Company determined that no goodwill impairment was indicated.  

The annual impairment testing process is subjective and requires judgment at many points throughout the analysis. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets not previously recorded. Any loss resulting from an impairment test would be reflected in operating income in our consolidated statements of operations.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets, Including Finite-Lived Intangibles.

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, we perform an impairment test for finite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that we may not recover the carrying value of such assets.

Revenue Recognition

We adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), using the modified retrospective method.  As a practical expedient allowed under ASC 606, we applied the new guidance only to contracts that were not completed as of the date of initial application.  We did not record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of September 1, 2019 and did not record any material adjustment to gross revenue for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 as a result of applying the guidance in ASC 606.

Revenue is recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to the customer, or when any performance obligations are satisfied under contract. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for respective goods or services provided.

The Company applies the following steps to recognize revenue for the sale of products that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for the promised goods:

Please see Note 1 to our financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for a more detailed description of our revenue recognition policy.

Business Combinations

We include the results of operations of the businesses that we acquire as of the respective dates of acquisition. We allocate the fair value of the purchase price of our business acquisitions to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Additional information existing as of the acquisition date, but unknown to us at that time, may become known during the remainder of the measurement period, not to exceed 12 months from the acquisition date, which may result in changes to the amounts and allocations recorded.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation (“ASC 718”), which requires fair value measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including restricted stock awards.  We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and for restricted stock using the stock price on the date of the approval of the award.  The fair value is then expensed over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period and the related amount is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Income Taxes. As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate an income tax provision (benefit) in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating the current income tax provision (benefit) together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company recorded a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized. While future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies have been considered in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event the Company determines it would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine it would not be able to realize all or part of the net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

During fiscal 2019, the Company maintained a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely that not will be realized. The net deferred tax liability for fiscal year 2019 represents the portion of indefinite-life intangibles that could not be used as a future source of taxable income to support the realization of deferred tax assets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K) for further discussion.

Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our results of operations in recent years. We cannot assure you that inflation will not adversely affect our business in the future.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We do not use derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio and have no foreign exchange contracts. Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents. We consider investments that, when purchased, have a remaining maturity of ninety (90) days or less to be cash equivalents. We do not believe that a notional or hypothetical 10% change in interest rate percentages would have a material impact on the fair value of our investment portfolio or our interest income.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information required by this item is contained in the consolidated financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are listed under Item 15 of Part IV below.

Item 9.  Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

On August 8, 2019, the Company announced the dismissal of RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) as its independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the dismissal of RBSM.

The reports of RBSM on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

During the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 and through the dismissal date, there were no disagreements with RBSM on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement(s), if not resolved to the satisfaction of RBSM, would have caused it to make reference thereto in its reports on the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for such years.

Also, on August 8, 2019, the Audit Committee approved the selection and engagement of Marcum LLP as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer (who is also the Company’s chairman, secretary and principal executive officer), and our chief financial officer (who is also the Company’s principal financial and accounting officer) to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Thus, in accordance with Rules 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of August 31, 2019 which is the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, and in light of the material weaknesses found in our internal controls over financial reporting, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. The ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures was due to material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting, described below.

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company's financial reporting.  In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have conducted an assessment, including testing, using the criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) (2013).  Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  This assessment included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation.  Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of August 31, 2019. 

Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We previously disclosed in the Explanatory Note to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018 and in Note 2 titled “Restatement” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, reassessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2018. Based on this reassessment using the COSO criteria, management concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2018 because (1) a material weakness related to the accounting, presentation, and disclosure of share-settled contingent consideration, (2) we had inadequate segregation of duties consistent with control objectives and (3) we had a lack of multiple levels of supervision and review. Management concluded that these deficiencies were material weaknesses as defined in the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. These material weaknesses resulted in the misstatement of our financial statements and disclosures for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the interim periods ended May 31, 2017, November 30, 2017, February 28, 2018 and May 31, 2018, as more fully discussed in Note 2 titled “Restatement” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

We have taken significant steps to enhance our internal control over financial reporting and plan to take additional steps to remediate the material weaknesses. Specifically:

Our management will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and is committed to taking further action and implementing additional enhancements or improvements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.

The remediation efforts set out herein will continue to be implemented in our 2020 fiscal year. We believe that the controls that we will be implementing will improve the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. As we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may determine to take additional measures to address the material weakness or determine to supplement or modify certain of the remediation measures described above.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.  Other Information.

On November 8, 2019, we entered into the Second Exchange Agreement with HB Sub Fund, pursuant to which we amended the New Senior Note. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Senior Note, the maturity date of the Amended Senior Note was extended to April 29, 2021 and the aggregate principal amount of the Amended Senior Note was increased to approximately $24.0 million, and the original issue discount was increased to $1.5 million. We also entered into a Limited Consent and First Amendment to Financing Agreement to reflect these developments.

The foregoing descriptions of the Second Exchange Agreement, the Amended Senior Note and the Limited Consent and First Amendment to Financing Agreement are summaries only, do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of these documents, copies of which are attached as Exhibits 10.22, 4.11 and 10.23, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of August 31, 2019. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of August 31, 2019. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of August 31, 2019. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of August 31, 2019. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

Information required by this item will be contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of August 31, 2019. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Financial Statements

August 31, 2019 and 2018

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
KushCo Holdings, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of KushCo Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of August 31, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended August 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 31, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year in the period ended August 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
KushCo Holdings, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of KushCo Holdings, Inc. (the Company) as of August 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 31, 2018, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended August 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for outbound shipping and handling costs in fiscal year 2018.

Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its 2018 consolidated financial statements to correct misstatements.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.  

Larkspur, CA

November 28, 2018, except for the effects of the restatement discussed in Note 2 as to which the date is April 11, 2019.

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Amounts in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Amounts in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

KUSHCO HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 – NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

KushCo Holdings, Inc. (“KushCo” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Nevada on February 26, 2014.   The Company specializes in marketing and selling customized packaging products, vaporizers, hydrocarbon gases, solvents, accessories and branding solutions to customers operating in the regulated medical and recreational cannabis industries. The Company provides custom branding on packaging products, and its testing standards meet the requirements set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Company’s packaging products primarily consist of bottles, bags, tubes and containers. The Company maintains relationships with a broad range of manufacturers and also has sophisticated in-house labeling and customization capabilities. The Company sells a wide selection of vaporizer cartridges with a variety of core materials and heating technologies, as well as a wide selection of batteries to match the cartridges. The Company provides ultra-pure hydrocarbon gases, including isobutene, n-butane, propane, ethanol, pre-mixes, custom blends and other solvents, which are essential in the extraction process. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hybrid Creative, LLC, is a full-service creative agency that serves both cannabis and non-cannabis clients across the U.S., Canada and Europe.

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Kim International Corporation (“KIM”), a California corporation, was originally incorporated as Hy Gro Economics Corporation ("Hy Gro") on December 2, 2010. On October 30, 2012, Hy Gro amended its articles of incorporation to reflect a name change to KIM International Corporation. On March 4, 2014, the shareholders of KIM exchanged all 10,000 of their common shares for 32,400 common shares of KushCo Holdings, Inc. The operations of KIM became the operations of KushCo after the share exchange and accordingly the transaction is accounted for as a recapitalization of KIM whereby the historical financial statements of KIM are presented as the historical financial statements of the combined entity. KIM was the acquiring entity in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The accumulated losses of KIM were carried forward after the completion of the share exchange. Operations prior to the share exchange were those of KIM.

Acquisition of CMP Wellness, LLC

On May 1, 2017, the Company entered into a merger agreement with Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. a California corporation, Walnut Ventures, a California corporation, Jason Manasse, an individual, and Theodore Nicols, an individual, pursuant to which each of Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures were merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub as the surviving corporation, resulting in the Company’s indirect acquisition of CMP Wellness, LLC, a California limited liability company, which prior to the merger, was owned 100% by Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures. CMP Wellness, LLC is a distributor of vaporizers, cartridges and accessories. See Note 3 for a further description of the CMP Wellness acquisition.

Acquisition of Summit Innovations, LLC

On May 2, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Summit Innovations, LLC (“Summit”), a leading distributor of hydrocarbon gases to the legal cannabis industry. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), Summit merged with and into KCH Energy, LLC (“KCH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with KCH as the surviving entity. See Note 4 for a further description of the Summit acquisition.

Registered Offerings

On June 7, 2018, January 15, 2019 and September 26, 2019, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with certain accredited investors in connection with its registered direct offerings. See Notes 13 and 15 for further description of these transactions.

Acquisition of Hybrid Creative, LLC

On July 11, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Hybrid Creative, LLC (“Hybrid”), a specialist design agency. Pursuant to the terms of the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (Agreement”) with the members of Zach Darling Creative Associates, LLC (“ZDCA”), parent of wholly-owned subsidiary, Hybrid, the Company purchased the entire issued member interest of ZDCA. Following the acquisition, ZDCA operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with Hybrid continuing to operate as wholly-owned subsidiary of ZDCA. See Note 5 for a further description of the Hybrid acquisition.

Consolidation of an Entity

In July 2018, the Company invested $1.0 million in the form of a convertible promissory note in a third-party company. The convertible promissory note provides the Company with the option to convert the principal balance of the note, at any time prior to the maturity date, into equity of this entity, representing 100% of the equity interests. As primary beneficiary, the Company consolidated this entity.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws

On August 29, 2018, KushCo Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Kush Bottles, Inc.) filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Charter”) with the Secretary of State for the State of Nevada. The Amended and Restated Charter changed the Company’s name from Kush Bottles, Inc. to KushCo Holdings, Inc. The Amended and Restated Charter became effective on September 1, 2018 and was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 8, 2018.

In June 2019, the Company moved its corporate headquarters from Garden Grove, California to Cypress, California. The address for the Company’s new corporate headquarters is 6261 Katella Avenue, Suite 250, Cypress, CA 90630.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes include the activity of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or retained earnings (accumulated deficit). Significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

References to amounts in these notes to consolidated financial statements are in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise specified.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

Significant estimates relied upon in preparing these consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, accounts receivable reserves, inventory and related reserves, valuations and purchase price allocations related to business combinations, expected future cash flows used to evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets, estimated fair values of long-lived assets used to record impairment charges related to intangible assets and goodwill, amortization periods, accrued expenses, stock-based compensation, and recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance.

Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates if past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate.

The Company is subject to a number of risks similar to those of other companies of similar size and having a focus of serving the cannabis industry, including, the development stage of certain products, competition, limited number of suppliers, integration of acquisitions, substantial indebtedness, government regulations, protection of proprietary rights, and dependence on key individuals.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to consist of cash on hand and investments having an original maturity of 90 days or less that are readily convertible into cash. The Company deploys its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions with highly rated credit and monitors the amount on deposit at the financial institution. The Company has cash deposits held at certain institutions at August 31, 2019 of which $2,630 was in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits. There were no cash equivalents outstanding as of August 31, 2019 and 2018.

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts.  Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis and thus do not bear interest.  Trade accounts receivables are periodically evaluated for collectability based on past credit history and their current financial condition.

The Company maintains reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable and potential sales returns. In aggregate, such reserves reduce our gross accounts receivable to its estimated net realizable value. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and sales return reserve was $1,058 and $477, respectively as of August 31, 2019 and $1,000 and $0, respectively, as of August 31, 2018.

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average cost method. The Company’s inventory consists of finished goods of $43,768 and $11,814 as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company establishes reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, based on prevailing circumstances and judgment based on the Company’s experience. The Company’s inventory reserve was $2,640 and $585 as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company also makes prepayments against the future delivery of inventory classified as prepaid inventory. The Company’s prepaid inventory was $7,134 and $11,019 and was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term, after the asset is placed in service. The estimated useful lives of the property and equipment are generally as follows: computer software acquired for internal use, three to seven years; computer equipment, two to three years; leasehold improvements, three to 15 years or term of lease; and furniture and equipment, one to seven years. Gains and losses from the retirement or disposition of property and equipment are included in operations in the period incurred.  Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Gains or losses resulting from the retirement or sale of property and equipment are recorded as operating income or expenses, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of certain of our financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and liabilities, capital lease obligations and deferred revenue approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s long-term notes payable approximates its fair value based on interest rates available to the Company for similar debt instruments and similar remaining maturities.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. Management evaluates all of the Company’s financial instruments, including warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is remeasured at the end of each reporting period.

Concentration of Risk

The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. Collateral is not required for accounts receivable. The Company maintains an allowance for its doubtful accounts receivable. This allowance is based upon historical loss patterns, the number of days that billings are past due and an evaluation of the potential risk of loss associated with delinquent accounts. Receivables are written-off and charged against its recorded allowance when the Company has exhausted collection efforts without success. The Company’s losses related to collection of trade receivables have consistently been within management’s expectations. Due to these factors, no additional credit risk beyond amounts provided for collection losses, which the Company reevaluates on a monthly basis based on specific review of receivable agings and the period that any receivables are beyond the standard payment terms, is believed by management to be probable in the Company’s accounts receivable.

The Company purchases products from a small number of suppliers. A change in or loss of these suppliers could cause a delay in filling customer orders and a possible loss of sales, which would adversely affect results of operations; however, management believes that suitable replacement suppliers could be obtained in such an event.

Intangible Assets acquired through Business Combinations

Intangible assets, domain name, trademarks and non-compete agreements that are deemed to have a definite life are amortized over their estimated useful lives and intangible assets with an indefinite life are assessed for impairment at least annually. Quarterly, the Company evaluates the estimated remaining useful life of its intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.

Impairment Assessment

The Company evaluates intangible assets and long-lived assets for possible impairment periodically and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. This includes but is not limited to significant adverse changes in business climate, market conditions, or other events that indicate an asset's carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the undiscounted cash flows used in the test for recoverability are less than the carrying amount of these assets, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value. The Company evaluates and tests the recoverability of its goodwill for impairment at least annually during its fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more often if and when circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not goodwill may be impaired. There was no impairment of intangible assets, long-lived assets or goodwill during the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018.

Valuation of Business Combinations and Acquisition of Intangible Assets

The Company records intangible assets acquired in business combinations and acquisitions of intangible assets under the acquisition method of accounting. The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Amounts paid for each acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the dates of acquisition. The Company then allocates the purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets, including purchased intangibles based on detailed valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. The Company allocates any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired to goodwill.

The Company uses the income approach, the relief from royalty method (both a market and income method), and the with and without method to determine the fair values of its purchased intangible assets. The Company uses the probability-weighted expected return method (an income approach) to determine the appropriate amount of contingent consideration to include in the purchase price for an acquisition. The Company bases its revenue assumptions on estimates of relevant market sizes, expected market growth rates, expected industry trends and expected product introductions by competitors. For the intangible assets acquired, the Company used risk-adjusted discount rates ranging from 19% to 26% to discount its projected cash flows. The Company believes that the estimated purchased intangible asset amounts so determined represent the fair value at the date of acquisition and do not exceed the amount a third party would pay for the projects.

The Company also used the income approach (probably weighted cash flow), as described above, to determine the estimated fair value of certain identifiable intangibles assets including domain names and tradenames. Tradenames represent acquired product names that the Company intends to continue to utilize. The Company used the with and without method to ascertain the fair value of the non-competition agreement.

The Company estimates and records the acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration as part of purchase price consideration for acquisitions. Additionally, each reporting period, the Company estimates the fair value of contingent consideration and recognizes any changes in the fair value in its consolidated statement of operations. The Company estimates of the fair value of contingent consideration requires subjective assumptions to be made of future operating results, discount rates and probabilities assigned to various potential operating result scenarios. Future revisions to these assumptions could materially change the Company’s estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration and, therefore, materially affect the Company’s future financial results. A portion of the contingent consideration liability is to be settled with the issuance of shares of common stock once contingent provisions set forth in respective acquisition agreements have been achieved. Upon achievement of contingent provisions, respective liabilities are relieved and offset by increases to common stock and additional paid in capital in the Company’s stockholders’ equity.

The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes net income (loss) per common share under ASC Topic 260, Earnings per Share (“ASC 260”). Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net earnings by the sum of (a) the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and (b) the potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period. Stock options are potentially dilutive securities; and the number of dilutive options is computed using the treasury stock method.

For the year ended August 31, 2019, net loss is adjusted for changes in fair value of warrants recorded as a liability (see Note 13) and weighted average diluted shares includes dilutive warrants.

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share.

For the year ended August 31, 2018, basic and diluted weighted average shares are the same as the Company generated a net loss for the period and potentially dilutive securities are excluded because they have an anti-dilutive impact. The computation of diluted net loss per share for the year ended August 31, 2019 does not include 4,579 options and 2,045 warrants because their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect on net loss per share. The computation of diluted net loss per share for the year ended August 31, 2018 does not include 646 options and 822 warrants because their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect on net loss per share.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), using the modified retrospective method.  As a practical expedient allowed under ASC 606, the Company applied the new guidance only to contracts that were not completed as of the date of initial application.  The Company did not record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of September 1, 2019 and did not record any material adjustment to gross revenue for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 as a result of applying the guidance in ASC 606.

The Company markets and sells packaging products, vaporizers, hydrocarbon gases, solvents, accessories and branding solutions to customers operating in the regulated medical and recreational cannabis industries.

The Company expenses fulfillment costs as incurred because the amortization period would be less than one year in accordance with the ASC 606 practical expedient.

In accordance with ASC 606, the Company applies the following steps to recognize revenue for the sale of products that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for the promised goods:

A contract with a customer exists when the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer. The contract is based on either the acceptance of standard terms, or the execution of terms and conditions contracts. These contracts define each party's rights, payment terms and other contractual terms and conditions of the sale. The Company applies judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay, which is based on a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience and, in some circumstances, published credit and financial information pertaining to the customer.

Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the goods is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. The Company has concluded the sale of finished goods and related shipping and handling are accounted for as a single performance obligation.

The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which the Company will be entitled to receive in exchange for transferring goods to the customer. The Company estimates the amount of potential refunds at each reporting period using a portfolio approach of historical data, adjusted for changes in expected customer experience, including seasonality and changes in economic factors.

Discounts provided to customers are accounted for as an element of the transaction price and as a reduction to revenue. Discounts were $822 and $465 for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Revenue is presented net of taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities.

The Company’s products are sold at their standalone selling price.

Revenue is recognized when control of the finished goods is transferred to the customer. Control of the finished goods is transferred at a point in time, upon delivery to the customer. The period of time between the satisfaction of the performance obligation and when payment is due from the customer is not significant. Sales returns are estimated based on historical facts and circumstances.

In the following table, product sales are disaggregated as follows for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018:

Warranty Costs

The Company has not had any historical warranty related expenditures from the sales of its products, which if incurred would result in the return of any defective products by customers.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock-based awards in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation (“ASC 718”), which requires fair value measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including restricted stock awards.  The Company estimates the fair value of its stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and its restricted stock using the stock price on the date of the approval of the award.  The fair value is then expensed over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period and the related amount is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Advertising

The Company conducts advertising for the promotion of its products and services. In accordance with ASC Topic 720 Other expenses (“ASC 720”), advertising costs are charged to operations when incurred. Advertising costs were $1,304 and $753 for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under FASB ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate an income tax provision (benefit) in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating the current income tax provision (benefit) together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company recorded a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized. While future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies have been considered in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event the Company determines it would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine it would not be able to realize all or part of the net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

During fiscal 2019, the Company maintained a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized. The net deferred tax liability for fiscal year 2019 represents the portion of indefinite-life intangibles that could not be used as a future source of taxable income to support the realization of deferred tax assets.

Segments

The Company only has a single reportable segment. As defined in ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, who is the chief executive officer, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Over the past few years, the Company has completed a number of acquisitions. These acquisitions have allowed the Company to expand its offerings, presence and reach in the cannabis industry. While the Company has offerings in multiple geographic locations for its products for the cannabis industry, as a result of the Company's acquisitions, the Company’s business operates in one operating segment because the majority of the Company's offerings operate similarly, and the Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company’s financial information and resources and assesses the performance of these resources on a consolidated basis. Since the Company operates in one reportable segment, all required financial segment information can be found in the consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Issued but not yet adopted by the Company

Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, which makes a number of changes meant to add, modify or remove certain disclosure requirements associated with the movement amongst or hierarchy associated with Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of the update. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which provides guidance on accounting for credit losses, including trade receivables. The guidance requires the application of a current expected credit loss model, which measure credit losses based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The guidance requires companies to apply the requirements using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements and required disclosures.

Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, which addresses several aspects of the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions and expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The main provisions of the update change the way nonemployee awards are measured in the financial statements. Under the simplified standards, nonemployee options will be valued once at the date of grant, as compared to at each reporting period end under ASC 505-50. At adoption, all awards without established measurement dates will be revalued one final time, and a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings will be recorded as the difference between the pre-adoption value and new value. Companies will be permitted to make elections to establish the expected term and either recognize forfeitures as they occur or apply a forfeiture rate. Compensation expense recognition using a graded vesting schedule will no longer be permitted. This pending content is the result of the FASB’s Simplification Initiative, to maintain or improve the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements while reducing cost and complexity in financial reporting. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The Company will adopt the ASU effective September 1, 2019 and does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Share (Topic 260). In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Non-controlling Interests with a Scope Exception”. The ASU was issued to address the complexity associated with applying GAAP for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. The ASU, among other things, eliminates the need to consider the effects of down round features when analyzing convertible debt, warrants and other financing instruments. As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and should be applied retrospectively. The Company will adopt the ASU effective September 1, 2019 and does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases (ASC 842). In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring lessees to (i) recognize right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet to represent the right to use the leased asset for the lease term and the obligation to make lease payments and (ii) disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the consolidated income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact of adoption of this updated authoritative guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – FISCAL 2018 RESTATEMENT

In connection with the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements as of and for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2019, the Company identified inadvertent errors in the accounting for certain shared-settled contingent consideration obligations relating to the Company’s acquisition of CMP Wellness in May 2017, Summit Innovations in May 2018, and Hybrid Creative in July 2018. In connection with those acquisitions, contingent equity consideration relating to certain earn-out arrangements were accounted for as equity. Upon further evaluation, the Company determined that the share-settled contingent consideration should have been accounted for as liabilities with fair value changes recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Accordingly, on April 11, 2019, the Company filed Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (the “Amended 10-K”), which restated the Company’s previously issued audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 and unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements as of and for the periods ended May 31, 2017, November 31, 2017, February 28, 2018, and May 31, 2018.

NOTE 3 – ACQUISITION OF CMP WELLNESS

On May 1, 2017 (“Merger Date”), the Company and KBCMP, Inc., a Delaware corporation and newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Lancer West Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation and Walnut Ventures, a California corporation, pursuant to which each of Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures were merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub as the surviving corporation, resulting in the Company’s indirect acquisition of CMP Wellness, LLC, a California limited liability company, which prior to the merger, was owned 100% by Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures. Membership interest in CMP was the sole and only asset of Lancer West Enterprises, Inc. and Walnut Ventures (“CMP Wellness” or “CMP”). As a result, CMP Wellness became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. CMP Wellness is a distributor of vaporizers, cartridges and accessories.

The acquisition consideration consisted of a fixed cash payment of $1,500, unsecured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $771, having a one-year maturity, and an aggregate of 7,800 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. During the one-year period following the closing, the two sellers of CMP were entitled to receive up to an additional $1,905 in cash, in the aggregate, and 4,741 shares of common stock of the Company, in the aggregate, based on the gross profit generated by the CMP product line for the period from May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. Per the terms of the Merger Agreement, post-closing adjustments to CMP’s working capital is directly offset to the unsecured promissory notes payable. Management has estimated that the post-closing working capital adjustments amounted to $104, which resulted in a decrease of the unsecured promissory notes payable from $771 to $667. In accordance with ASC 805, management evaluated the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration based a probability-weighted assessment of the occurrence of CMP reaching certain gross profit earnout targets. The Company initially recorded a contingent liability for the contingent cash consideration of $1,735 and the fair value of the contingent equity consideration of $10,764. Based on information obtained during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2017, the Company revised its estimate of the contingent cash consideration from $1,735 to $1,905, and its estimate of the contingent equity consideration from $10,764 to $11,683.

On July 16, 2018, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,741 shares of common stock associated with the contingent equity consideration in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. On May 9, 2019, the Company issued 500 shares of common stock associated with holdback shares in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

NOTE 4 – ACQUISITION OF SUMMIT INNOVATIONS, LLC

On May 2, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Summit, a leading distributor of hydrocarbon gases to the legal cannabis industry. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement with Summit, Summit merged with and into KCH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with KCH as the surviving entity.

The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805. The fixed purchase consideration paid to the Members of Summit at the closing included the cash consideration, consisting of an aggregate of $905 in cash, net of cash received, $188 in cash held back and the share consideration, consisting of an aggregate of 1,280 shares common stock. The Company held back approximately 640 shares of common stock from the share consideration for a period of 15 months for potential post-closing working capital and/or indemnification claims relating to, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement. The Members may become entitled to receive contingent equity consideration of up to an additional 1,280 shares of common stock, in the aggregate, based on the net revenue performance of the Summit business during a one-year period following the closing.

Fair value of consideration transferred (based on the May 2, 2018 closing price of $5.59) was as follows:

The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

As discussed in Note 2, in connection with the Company’s initial acquisition accounting, the Company inadvertently classified the contingent equity consideration as equity. Given that the earnout arrangements allow for a variable number of shares to be issued depending on how the Summit business performs against the revenue target, the Company should have classified the contingent equity consideration as a liability until the contingency is resolved. Accordingly, the Company has recorded the changes in the fair value of its contingent consideration within its statements of operations.

The following unaudited pro forma financial data assumes the acquisition had occurred at September 1, 2016. Pro forma results have been prepared by adjusting the Company’s historical results to include Summit's results of operations. The unaudited pro forma results presented do not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at September 1, 2016, nor do they indicate the results of operations in future periods. Additionally, the unaudited pro forma results do not include the impact of possible business model changes, nor do they consider any potential impacts of current market conditions or revenues, reduction of expenses, asset dispositions, or other factors. The impact of these items could alter the following pro forma results:

On August 13, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,147 shares of common stock associated with the contingent equity consideration and holdback shares in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. As of August 31, 2019, the Company is holding back the remaining 200 shares pending resolution of certain claims.

NOTE 5 – ACQUISITION OF THE HYBRID CREATIVE, LLC

On July 11, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Hybrid, a marketing and design agency. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement with the members of ZDCA, parent of wholly-owned subsidiary, Hybrid, the Company purchased the entire issued member interest of ZDCA. Following the acquisition, ZDCA operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with Hybrid continuing to operate as wholly-owned subsidiary of ZDCA.

The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805. The fixed consideration paid to the Members of Hybrid at the closing included the cash consideration, consisting of an aggregate of $847 in cash, net of cash received, $82 in cash held back and the share consideration, consisting of an aggregate of 360 shares common stock. The Company held back 162 shares of common stock from the share consideration until January 1, 2019 in connection with certain representations and warranties. The Members may become entitled to receive cash contingent consideration of up to $485, and up to 213 common shares of equity consideration, based primarily on the net revenue performance of the Hybrid business during the period September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019.

The total purchase price (based on the $5.22 July 11, 2018 closing price) was as follows:

The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

As discussed in Note 2, in connection with the Company’s initial acquisition accounting, the Company inadvertently classified the contingent equity consideration as equity. Given that the earnout arrangements allow for a variable number of shares to be issued depending on how the Hybrid business performs against the revenue target, the Company should have classified the contingent equity consideration as a liability until the contingency is resolved. Accordingly, the Company has recorded the changes in the fair value of its contingent consideration within its statements of operations.

The following unaudited pro forma financial data assumes the acquisition had occurred at September 1, 2016. Pro forma results have been prepared by adjusting the Company’s historical results to include Hybrid's results of operations. The unaudited pro forma results presented do not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have resulted had the acquisition been completed at September 1, 2016, nor do they indicate the results of operations in future periods. Additionally, the unaudited pro forma results do not include the impact of possible business model changes, nor do they consider any potential impacts of current market conditions or revenues, reduction of expenses, asset dispositions, or other factors. The impact of these items could alter the following pro forma results:

On February 8, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 162 shares of common stock associated with the holdback shares in accordance with the terms of the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement.

As of February 28, 2019, the Company concluded that ZDCA would not meet the minimum earnout target threshold. Accordingly, the fair value of the related contingent consideration was adjusted to zero.

NOTE 6 – CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

Supplier Concentrations

The Company purchases inventory from various suppliers and manufacturers. For the year ended August 31, 2019, one vendor accounted for approximately 40% of total inventory purchases. For the year ended August 31, 2018, two vendors accounted for approximately 56% of total inventory purchases.

Customer Concentrations

The Company has a concentration of credit risk with its accounts receivable balance. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, two customers represented approximately 14% and 10% of revenue, respectively, and approximately 18% and 1% of accounts receivable, respectively, at August 31, 2019. No customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s net revenues for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018.

NOTE 7 – SALE OF RUB

On September 21, 2018, Smoke Cartel, Inc. (“Smoke Cartel”) and the Company entered into an agreement to sell a web domain and inventory related to the Company’s Rolluh-Bowl (“RUB”) product line. The Company received 1,410 shares of Smoke Cartel common stock as part of the consideration for this transaction. The fair value of its equity investment as of September 21, 2018 was based upon the closing stock price of Smoke Cartel.

The following sets forth the calculation of the gain on disposition of assets upon completion of the sale:

As of August 31, 2019, the fair value of the shares of Smoke Cartel were $592 and is recorded in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

NOTE 8 – RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company leased certain California and Colorado facilities from related parties. As of August 31, 2019, the Company no longer leases these facilities. During the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, total rent payments of $35 and $215, respectively, were made to these related parties.

The Company sells certain products and supplies to two related parties. Sales recognized during the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018 from the related parties totaled $1,224 and $254, respectively. Total accounts receivable from related parties as of August 31, 2019 was $465. Further, the Company rents certain warehouse equipment from a related party. During the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, total payments of $285 and $72, respectively, were made to the related party.

NOTE 9 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The major classes of fixed assets consist of the following:

Depreciation expense was $1,549 and $401 for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

NOTE 10 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Intangible assets consist of the following as of August 31, 2019 and 2018:

Amortization expense was $952 and $822 for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The estimated remaining amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years:

The following table summarizes the carrying amount of goodwill as of August 31, 2019 and 2018:

NOTE 11 – ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

NOTE 12 – DEBT

Gerber Revolving Line

On November 16, 2017, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary KIM International Corporation (“KIM”) as borrowers, and all of the Company’s other subsidiaries, as credit parties, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Gerber Finance Inc., as lender (“Gerber”), effective as of November 6, 2017. The Loan Agreement originally provided a secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Line”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $2.0 million at any time outstanding. Under the original terms of the Loan Agreement, the principal amount of loans, plus the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit, at any time outstanding could not exceed up to 85% of the Company’s eligible receivables minus reserves. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company may also request letters of credit from Gerber. The proceeds of the loans under the Loan Agreement will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Revolving Line has a maturity date of November 6, 2019. Borrowings under the Revolving Line accrues interest at a rate based on the prime rate as customarily defined, plus a margin of 3.0%. On March 8, 2018, the Company and KIM entered into a first amendment to the Loan Agreement with Gerber. Pursuant to the first amendment, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Line at any time outstanding was increased to $4.0 million and the principal amount of loans, plus the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit, at any time outstanding could not exceed the lesser of (i) 40% of the value of certain inventory and (ii) 50% of certain accounts receivable.

On November 9, 2018, the Company and KIM entered into a second amendment to the Loan Agreement with Gerber. Pursuant to the second amendment, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Line at any time outstanding was increased to $8.0 million. Additionally, subject to certain exceptions, the face amount of any outstanding letters of credit, at any time outstanding cannot exceed the lesser of (i) 25% of the value of certain inventory (increasing to 40% upon receipt of certain landlord waivers) and (ii) 50% of certain accounts receivable. In April 2019, the Company obtained a waiver of non-compliance with certain covenant violations associated with the restatements described in Note 2. Interest expense during the year ended August 31, 2019 and 2018 was $1,108 and $224, respectively. The Gerber Revolving Line was terminated and repaid in full on August 21, 2019.

Monroe Revolving Credit Facility

On August 21, 2019, the Company entered into a secured asset based Revolving Credit Facility (“Monroe Revolving Credit Facility”) with an aggregate amount not to exceed $35.0 million outstanding at any time between the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Borrowers”) and Monroe Capital Management Advisors, LLC, as collateral agent and administrative agent (the “Agent”), and the various lenders party thereto. The credit facility also includes an accordion feature that permits the Borrowers to increase the available revolving commitments under the Credit Facility by up to an additional $15 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.

All amounts advanced under the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to either:

As of August 31, 2019, the interest rate was 10.7%. The Monroe Revolving Credit Facility has a five-year term, maturing on August 21, 2024, and is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.

The Monroe Revolving Credit Facility also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, including a financial covenant requiring certain minimum availability, and events of default.

The Company incurred closing costs associated with the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility in the amount of $2,602, which were deferred and amortized over the 5-year term of the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility on a straight-line basis. As of August 31, 2019, unamortized deferred closing costs of $2,585 is included in Other assets.

Principal of $12,261 remained outstanding as of August 31, 2019. Interest expense and amortization of debt discount, associated with the Monroe Revolving Credit Facility during the year ended August 31, 2019 amounted to $44 and $17, respectively.

Monroe Warrants

Further on August 21, 2019, the Company entered into a Monroe Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued to the Subscribers (i) a Warrant to purchase up to 500 shares of Common Stock at $0.001 par value per share (the “Monroe Warrants”), at an exercise price of $4.25 per share. The Monroe Warrants have a 5-year term and as such will expire on August 21, 2024. As of August 31, 2019, the Monroe Warrants granted were not exercised.

The Monroe Warrants were classified as equity. The estimated fair value of the Monroe Warrants was $989 as of August 21, 2019 and was computed using the Black-Scholes model.

Long-term Debt

On April 29, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, and the Investor agreed to purchase, a senior note (the “Original Note”) in a private placement offering in the aggregate principal amount of $21.3 million with an original issue discount of $1.3 million, and received net proceeds of $20.0 million. The Original Note is a senior unsecured obligation, and unless earlier redeemed, will mature on October 30, 2020. The Original Note does not bear interest, except upon the occurrence of an event of default.

On August 21, 2019, the Company entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with the Investor in order to amend and waive certain provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the Original Note and exchange the Original Note for (i) a new senior note (the “New Senior Note”) for the same aggregate principal amount as the Original Note and (ii) a warrant to purchase up to 650,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.25. The Warrants have an expiration date of August 21, 2024 and have not been exercised. As of August 21, 2019, the Warrants were reclassified from a derivative liability to equity with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. The fair value of the Warrants was determined using a Black-Scholes model as of August 21, 2019 and was equal to $792.

Similar to the terms of the Original Note, the New Senior Note matures on October 30, 2020, at which time the Company must pay the Investor an amount in cash representing 120% of all outstanding principal, less original issue discount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid late charges. Similar to the terms of the Original Note, the New Senior Note will not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default.

On November 8, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Exchange Agreement (“Second Exchange Agreement”) with the Investor, pursuant to which we amended the New Senior Note (the “Amended Senior Note”). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Senior Note, the maturity date of the Amended Senior Note was extended to April 29, 2021 andthe aggregate principal amount of the Amended Senior Note was increased to approximately $24.0 million and increase the original issue discount to $1.5 million. Upon maturity, the Company must pay the Investor an amount in cash representing 120% of all outstanding principal, less original issue discount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and accrued and unpaid late charges. Similar to the terms of the Original Note, the Amended Senior Note will not bear interest except upon the occurrence of an event of default.

Promissory Notes Payable

As partial consideration for the acquisition of CMP, the Company issued the sellers unsecured promissory notes totaling $771. Management estimated the post-closing working capital adjustments amounted to $104, which resulted in a decrease of the unsecured promissory notes payable from $771 to $667. The promissory notes matured on May 1, 2018 and bore interest at an annual rate of 1.15%. The notes were repaid in full as of August 31, 2018.

NOTE 13 – WARRANT LIABILITY

In June 2018, the Company issued 3,750 five-year warrants to investors in a registered direct offering (the “Offering”). Pursuant to ASC Topic 815, the initial fair value of the warrants of $15,350 was recorded as a warrant liability on the issuance date.  The estimated fair values of the warrants were computed at issuance using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following assumptions: stock price $5.56 volatility 78.1%, risk-free rate 2.74%, annual dividend yield 0% and expected life 5.0 years.

The estimated fair value of the outstanding warrant liabilities was $5,444 and $14,430 as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Increases or decreases in fair value of the warrant liability are included as a component of total other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the respective period. The changes to the liability for warrants resulted in a decrease of $8,986 and $920 in warrant liability and a corresponding gain included in other income for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018.

The estimated fair value of the warrants was computed as of August 31, 2019 using the Black Scholes model with the following assumptions: stock price $3.75 volatility 63.7%, risk-free rate 1.41%, annual dividend yield 0% and expected life 3.8 years. 

NOTE 14 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair value measurements are performed in accordance with the guidance provided by ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or parameters are not available, valuation models are applied.

ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the financial statements are categorized based upon the hierarchy of levels of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supportable by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, equity investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, capital lease obligations and deferred revenue approximate their fair values based on their short-term nature. The carrying amount of the Company’s long-term notes payable approximates its fair value based on interest rates available to the Company for similar debt instruments and similar remaining maturities.

The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration related to the Company's business combinations is recorded using significant unobservable measures and other fair value inputs and is therefore classified as a Level 3 financial instrument.

The Company accounts for its investment in Smoke Cartel at fair value. On September 21, 2018, Smoke Cartel and the Company entered into an agreement to sell the RUB web domain and inventory related to this product line and in exchange, received 1,410 shares of Smoke Cartel common stock (see Note 7 above.) The fair value of its investment as of September 21, 2018 and August 31, 2019 was based upon the closing stock price of Smoke Cartel. The investment was classified as a Level 2 financial instrument.

In connection with the Company’s registered direct offering in June 2018, the Company issued warrants to purchase shares of its common stock which are accounted for as a warrant liability (see Note 13 above.) The estimated fair value of the derivative is recorded using significant unobservable measures and other fair value inputs and is therefore classified as a Level 3 financial instrument.

In connection with the Company’s private placement offering in April 2019, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement, whereby it granted to the Investor participation rights in future financing transactions up to an aggregate of 15% of such transactions (or, except for certain permitted indebtedness, up to an aggregate of 100% of debt issuances). These participation rights were recorded as a derivative liability with estimated fair value determined using significant unobservable measures and other fair value inputs and is therefore classified as a Level 3 financial instrument.

The following table details the fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments, which includes the Level 2 assets and the Level 3 liabilities:

The following table reflects the activity for the Company’s investment in Smoke Cartel measured at fair value using Level 2 inputs:

The following table reflects the activity for the Company’s warrant derivative liability for the June 2018 registered offering measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs:

The following table reflects the activity for the Company’s participation rights derivative liability for the April 2019 private debt offering measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs:

 The following table reflects the restated activity for the Company’s contingent acquisition liabilities measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs:

The fair value of the contingent consideration is evaluated each reporting period using projected financial results, discount rates, and key inputs. Projected contingent payment amounts are discounted back to the current period using a discount rate. Financial information is based on the Company’s most recent internal operational budgets and forecasts. Changes in projected financial results may result in higher fair value measurements. Increases in discount rates and the time to payment may result in lower fair value measurements. Increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation may result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.

NOTE 15 – STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred Stock

The authorized preferred stock is 10,000 shares with a par value of $0.001. As of August 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Common Stock

The authorized common stock is 265,000 shares with a par value of $0.001. As of August 31, 2019 and 2018, 90,041 and 78,273 shares were issued and outstanding, respectively.

On June 7, 2018, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreement with certain accredited investors pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell an aggregate of 7,500 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and warrants to purchase 3,750 shares of Common Stock (“Warrants”) (collectively, the “Securities”), in the Offering. Subject to certain ownership limitations, the Warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price equal to $5.28 per share of Common Stock. The Warrants are exercisable for five years from the date of issuance. The combined per share purchase price for a share of Common Stock and half of a Warrant was $4.80. The closing of the Offering occurred on June 12, 2018 with aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $36.0 million. The aggregate net proceeds from the Offering, after deducting the placement agent fees and other offering expenses, was approximately $33.0 million.

Also, during the year ended August 31, 2018, the Company sold 5,902 shares of its common stock to investors in exchange for cash of $16.4 million.

On January 15, 2019, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 6,476 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 3,238 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering. The securities were offered by the Company pursuant to its shelf registration statement on Form S-3. Subject to certain ownership limitations, the warrants became immediately exercisable at an exercise price equal to $5.75 per share of common stock. The warrants are exercisable for five years from the date of issuance. The combined per share purchase price for a share of common stock and a half of a warrant was $5.25. The offering closed on January 18, 2019 with aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $34.0 million. The aggregate net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the placement agent fees and other estimated offering expenses, were approximately $31.2 million.

Further, during the year ended August 31, 2019, the Company sold 2,601 shares of its common stock to investors in exchange for cash of $10.4 million.

On September 26, 2019, the Company entered into purchase agreements with accredited investors pursuant to which the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 17,198 units (“Units”), with each unit consisting of one share of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and a warrant to purchase half a share of Common Stock (each a Warrant and collectively, the “Warrants”) in a registered direct offering (the “September 2019 Offering”). The purchase price for a Unit was $1.75. The closing of the September 2019 Offering occurred on September 30, 2019 and resulted in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $30.1 million. The aggregate net proceeds from the September 2019 Offering, after deducting the placement agent fees and other offering expenses, was approximately $27.6 million. Subject to certain ownership limitations, the Warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price equal to $2.25 per share of Common Stock. The Warrants are exercisable for five years from the date of issuance.

Share-based Compensation

The Company recorded total stock compensation expense of $13,384 and $3,586 for the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, in connection with the issuance of shares of common stock and options to purchase common stock. Stock compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 

Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) was adopted on February 9, 2016. The Plan permits the grant of share options and shares to its employees and directors for up to 18,000 shares of common stock. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees with those of its shareholders. Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's stock at the date of grant; those option awards generally vest based on three years of continuous service and have 10-year contractual terms.

The Company estimates the fair value of share-based compensation utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is dependent upon several variables such as the expected option term, expected volatility of its stock price over the expected option term, expected risk-free interest rate over the expected option term, and expected dividend yield rate over the expected option term. The Company believes this valuation methodology is appropriate for estimating the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors which are subject to ASC 718. These amounts are estimates and thus may not be reflective of actual future results, nor amounts ultimately realized by recipients of these grants. The Company recognizes compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each award. The following table summarizes the assumptions the Company utilized to record compensation expense for stock options granted during the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018:

The expected term is based on management judgement and reflects expected exercise patterns. The expected volatility is based on management's analysis of historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yields with terms equivalent to the expected term of the related option at the time of the grant. While the Company believes these estimates are reasonable, the compensation expense recorded would increase if the expected life was increased, a higher expected volatility was used, or if the expected dividend yield increased.

Stock Options

During the years ended August 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company issued 10,082 and 7,177 stock options, respectively, pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan. A summary of the Company’s stock option activity during the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2019 is presented below: