Cresco Labs Closed Acquisition of Hope Heal Health, Inc., Launched First Day of Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in Massachusetts

Cresco Labs (CSE:CL) (OTCQX:CRLBF) is one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the United States. The company announced that it has closed the previously announced acquisition of Hope Heal Health, Inc. (“HHH”) after receiving regulatory approval for change in ownership granted by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (“CCC”). HHH holds licenses for cultivation, product manufacturing, and retail operations in Massachusetts, with the ability to obtain up to two more retail licenses in the state. HHH currently operates a cultivation and manufacturing facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, adjacent to its Fall River Dispensary.

Cresco is built to become the most important company in the cannabis industry by combining the most strategic geographic footprint with one of the leading distribution platforms in North America. Employing a consumer-packaged goods (“CPG”) approach to cannabis, Cresco’s house of brands is designed to meet the needs of all consumer segments and includes some of the most recognized and trusted national brands including Cresco, Remedi and Mindy’s, a line of edibles created by James Beard Award-winning chef Mindy Segal. Sunnyside*, Cresco’s national dispensary brand, is a wellness-focused retailer designed to build trust, education and convenience for both existing and new cannabis consumers. Recognizing that the cannabis industry is poised to become one of the leading job creators in the country, Cresco has launched the industry’s first national comprehensive Social Equity and Educational Development (SEED) initiative designed to ensure that all members of society have the skills, knowledge and opportunity to work in and own businesses in the cannabis industry.

The close of Cresco’s acquisition coincides with the launch of recreational cannabis sales at the HHH dispensary. The license enables the Company to continue serving its existing medical-use customer base and begin serving the fast-growing adult-use market through the retail and wholesale distribution of Cresco’s house of brands. Massachusetts recorded nearly $450 million in the first year of cannabis sales, according to the CCC.

Cresco Labs CEO and Co-founder Charlie Bachtell, commented, “In our pursuit of achieving the most strategic geographic footprint in the U.S., we are thrilled to begin serving adult-use customers and continue serving medical patients in Massachusetts. Since we originally entered an agreement to acquire HHH in late 2018, we’ve worked with HHH to build a reputation of quality and consistency in what is now the largest adult-use market in the Northeast. Now that we’ve officially closed the acquisition, we’re stepping into a fully operational, vertically integrated business that is immediately accretive with both positive EBITDA and cash flow. We look forward to building out our retail presence under the Sunnyside* brand (pending approval), as well as our wholesale channel and growing our market share as we’ve done successfully in other states.”

There are more than 40 adult-use dispensaries in the Massachusetts market that the Company may now begin distributing its full suite of products to, including Cresco, Remedi, and Mindy’s Edibles. The Fall River dispensary is located less than 20 miles from downtown Providence, RI directly off an Interstate exit and the Company expects adult-use sales to reflect a strong customer base both in the local community and with the Massachusetts tourism market.