United States, cannabis is regulated at both the federal and state levels. To our knowledge, there are to date a total of 38 states, and the District of Columbia, that have now legalized cannabis
in some form, including California, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Florida. Although several states allow the sale of cannabis at the state level, cannabis continues to be categorized as a controlled substance under the Controlled
Substances Act (the CSA) and, as such, cultivation, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis violates federal law in the United States. The inconsistency between federal and state laws and regulations may result in a
loss of the value of our investments and alliances in these businesses.
While state regulation in certain U.S. states may take a
permissive approach to medical and/or adult-use of cannabis, the CSA may still be enforced by U.S. federal law enforcement officials against individuals and companies operating in those states for activity that is legal under state law. If the
United States Department of Justice opted to pursue a policy of aggressively enforcing U.S. federal law against financiers or equity owners of cannabis-related businesses, then Acreage, TerrAscend, Wana and Jetty, for instance, could face
(i) seizure of their cash and other assets used to support or derived from their business activities; and/or (ii) the arrest of its employees, directors, officers, managers and/or investors, who could face charges of ancillary criminal
violations of the CSA for aiding and abetting and conspiring to violate the CSA by virtue of providing financial support to state-licensed or permitted cultivators, processors, distributors, and/or retailers of cannabis.
Based on the advice of our legal advisors, the transaction structure was intended to (i) permit us to remain able to represent that we
comply with U.S. federal criminal law, particularly direct or indirect violations of the Controlled Substances Act; and (ii) ensure that (a) we do not, directly or indirectly, violate Applicable Federal Law; (b) we will not directly
violate U.S. federal law as we do not cultivate, distribute, sell, or possess cannabis in the United States; (c) we do not violate indirect federal law (such as aiding and abetting, conspiracy, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
(RICO) Act) because we do not control or profit from companies that cultivate, distribute, sell, or possess cannabis in the United States; and (d) we do not violate anti-money laundering laws because no funds
will flow from entities that cultivate, distribute, sell, or possess cannabis in the United States to us. In particular, based on the advice of our legal advisors, this will not be impacted in the event that Canopy USA acquires Acreage, Wana or
Jetty, exercises the Cultiv8 Option or converts the TerrAscend Exchangeable Shares into common shares of TerrAscend. While we believe, based on the advice of our legal advisors, that we currently comply, and will continue to comply (in the event
that Canopy USA acquires Acreage, Wana or Jetty, exercises the Cultiv8 Option or converts the TerrAscend Exchangeable Shares into common shares of TerrAscend), with all applicable laws and regulations, there is a risk that our interpretation of
laws, regulations, and guidelines, may differ from those of others, including those of shareholders, government authorities, securities regulators, and stock exchanges. In the event of an aggressive enforcement policy, the United States Department
of Justice could allege that we and the Board, and potentially our Shareholders, aided and abetted violations of U.S. federal law as a result of the Amended Acreage Arrangement, the Floating Share Arrangement, the Wana Option, the
Jetty Options, the Cultiv8 Option, the Strix Warrant or other transactions involving us. In these circumstances, we may lose our entire investment and directors, officers and/or our Shareholders may be required to defend any criminal charges against
them at their own expense and, if convicted, be sent to federal prison. Conversely, in the event Canopy USA acquires Acreage, Wana or Jetty, exercises the Cultiv8 Option or converts the TerrAscend Exchangeable Shares into common shares of TerrAscend
prior to federal permissibility of cannabis in the U.S., Canopy USA will not be in compliance with Applicable Federal Laws; however, based on the advice of our legal advisors, we do not believe this will have a material adverse effect on us if we
continue to hold the Non-Voting Shares.
Violations of any federal laws and regulations could result in significant fines, penalties,
administrative sanctions, convictions or settlements arising from civil proceedings initiated by either the federal government or private citizens, or criminal charges, including, but not limited to, disgorgement of profits, cessation of business
activities or divestiture. This could have a material adverse effect on us, including our reputation and ability to conduct business, the listing of our securities on the TSX, Nasdaq or other exchanges, our financial position, operating results,
profitability or liquidity or the market price of our listed securities. Overall, an investors contribution to and involvement in our activities may result in federal civil and/or criminal prosecution, including forfeiture of his or her entire
investment.
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