WINNIPEG, Feb. 21, 2019 /CNW/ – DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. (TSXV: NINE) (OTCQX: VRNDF) (“Delta 9” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its expansion plans. Highlights include that the Company intends to increase its annual cannabis production capacity to 60,000 kilograms per year by 2022 and the expansion of its retail store network to four stores by the end of the second quarter of, 2019.
“Today we are pleased to provide our long-term vision to transform Delta 9’s Winnipeg based production facilities into one of the largest cannabis production, processing, extraction and distribution centers in Canada” said CEO, John Arbuth not. “Our strategy is to grow our business through organic growth and replicate the proven grow pod technology that has provided our customers with consistent high-quality cannabis.”
Set forth below is a summary of the completed Phase 1 expansion of Delta 9’s Winnipeg production facility and the anticipated Phase 2 and Phase 3 expansions.
Phase 1 – Phase 1 expansion is complete and licensed by Health Canada
- Total production capacity is currently 154 grow pods offering 49,280 square feet of production space on two levels
- Projected total annual cannabis production capacity of 4,224 kilograms of dried cannabis
Phase 2 – 2019 expansion underway
- Total production capacity anticipated to increase by 454 grow pods
- As of February 20, 2019, 65 additional grow pods have been installed in the facility as a part of the Phase 2 expansion.
- Anticipated to provide an additional 145,280 square feet of production space on two levels
- Total annual cannabis production capacity is anticipated to increase to 16,768 kilograms
- Estimated capital costs of approximately $24,000,000, which will be funded from current cashflow
Phase 3 – 2020-2022 expansion plans
- Systematic roll out of 15 modular warehouse buildings covering 480,000 square feet of production space on two levels
- Total production capacity is anticipated to increase by 1,500 grow pods during this period
- Total annual cannabis production capacity is anticipated to increase to 60,000 kilograms of dried cannabis
- Construction of a 30,000 square foot in-house cannabis extraction facility
- Anticipated capital costs of approximately $115,000,000. Delta 9 is currently reviewing its strategic options for funding these expansion costs
The Winnipeg production facility uses proprietary grow pod technology to produce premium cannabis products. Delta 9 was the first company in Canada to develop and deploy stackable, self-contained grow pod technology. The major benefit of these self-contained units is that there is low risk of crop failure. Each grow pod is constructed from a repurposed 320 square foot steel shipping container and can produce approximately 32.5 kilograms of cannabis annually. Management estimates that each grow pod can generate $320,000 in annual revenue from the sale of cannabis produced by each grow pod.
“Delta 9 has over 70 cultivars of cannabis that require a production infrastructure that can grow a wide range of cannabis at scale simultaneously,” said CEO, John Arbuthnot. “Our goal is to continue to successfully execute our organic expansion strategy to meet consumer demand, grow the Company and benefit our shareholders.”
The Company has selected Bird Construction Company Limited (“Bird”) to oversee the design and construction of the Phase 3 expansion. Bird is a premier Canadian construction management firm responsible for a number of large scale pre-engineered industrial facilities in related industries, as well as other state of the art cannabis facilities.
Retail Network update
Delta 9, through its partially-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Lifestyle Cannabis Clinic Inc., opened its first retail cannabis store in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 17, 2018
“We have now seen the benefits of our vertical integration strategy into cannabis retail. Our control of the supply chain has enabled us to meet overwhelming demand at our retail store,” said John Arbuthnot. “Not only have we been able to meet demand at our retail store on a daily basis, we have also honored our commitments for our existing supply agreements and we will begin to make shipments outside of Manitoba in the coming weeks.”
The Company is currently building three more retail outlets in Winnipeg, Thompson and Brandon, Manitoba, and has partnered with a Manitoba First Nation to open a fifth store. Additionally, the Company has prequalified for the Manitoba government’s request for proposals to build additional stores in smaller, rural communities.
About Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.
Delta 9 Cannabis is a vertically integrated cannabis company focused on bringing the highest quality cannabis products to market. Delta 9’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical marijuana pursuant to the ACMPR and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9 owns and operates a chain of retail stores under the Delta 9 Cannabis Store brand. Delta 9’s shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “NINE” and on the OTC under the symbol VRNDF. For more information, please visit delta9.ca.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Company’s future business plans and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: (i) Delta 9’s expansion plans for its Winnipeg production facilities and for its network of retail stores; (ii) Delta 9’s capital raising plans; (iii) Delta 9’s production of cannabis; and (iv) costs for Delta 9’s expansion plans. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including: (i) Delta 9’s ability to raise sufficient capital for its expansion plans; and (ii) Delta 9 obtaining all regulatory approvals, as well as all risk factors set forth in the annual information form of Delta 9 dated May 31, 2018 which has been filed on SEDAR. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.
