16. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal proceedings

Verano

On January 31, 2022, the Company entered into the Arrangement Agreement with Verano, pursuant to which Verano was to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Vireo Growth pursuant to a Plan of Arrangement. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement, holders of Vireo Growth Shares would receive 0.22652 of a Verano Subordinate Voting Share, subject to adjustment as described below, for each Subordinate Voting Share held, and 22.652 Verano Subordinate Voting Shares for each Multiple Voting Share and Super Voting Share held, immediately prior to the effective time of the Arrangement.

On October 13, 2022, Vireo Growth received a notice of purported termination of the Arrangement Agreement (the “Notice”) from Verano. The Notice asserted certain breaches of the Arrangement Agreement, including claims the Company’s public filings and communications with respect to its business and ongoing operations were misleading and that the Company breached its representations to Verano under the Arrangement Agreement. Verano also claimed, as a result of such breaches, it is entitled to payment of a $14,875,000 termination fee and its transaction expenses. Vireo Growth denies all of Verano’s allegations and affirmatively asserts that it has complied with its obligations under the Arrangement Agreement, and with its disclosure obligations under US and Canadian law, in all material respects at all times. The Company believes that Verano has no factual or legal basis to justify or support its purported termination of the Arrangement Agreement, which the Company determined to treat as a repudiation of the Arrangement Agreement.

On October 21, 2022, Vireo Growth commenced an action in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against Verano after Verano wrongfully repudiated the Arrangement Agreement. The Company is seeking damages, costs and interest, based on Verano's breach of contract and of its duty of good faith and honest performance.

On November 14, 2022, Verano filed counterclaims against the Company for the termination fee and transaction expenses described above.

On July 31, 2023, the Company filed a requisition for adjournment of its application filed July 14, 2023, and set for hearing on July 31, 2023, to compel Verano’s compliance with document production based upon the Company’s belief that Verano was engaging in tactics to delay the litigation. 

Throughout 2023, the Company served 4 lists of documents, reviewed document production from Verano, and prepared for examinations for discovery. 

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On May 2, 2024, the Company filed the Summary Trial Application the Supreme Court of British Columbia for summary determination. The Company is seeking substantial damages, specifically US $860.9 million, as well as other costs and legal fees, based on Verano’s breach of contract and of its duty of good faith and honest performance.

On June 19, 2024, Verano filed the Preliminary Suitability Application seeking orders dismissing the Summary Trial Application on the basis that certain issues in the action are not suitable for summary determination. The Preliminary Suitability Application is in the process of being scheduled

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Due to uncertainties inherent in litigation, it is not possible for Vireo Growth to predict the timing or final outcome of the legal proceedings against Verano or to determine the amount of damages, if any, that may be awarded.  The damages sought will be significant and material given that Verano’s breach left the Company in a vulnerable position resulting in the Company being constrained in its ability to fund growth initiatives that were desirable and that its competitors were able to undertake, most notably in Minnesota and New York markets.

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Lease commitments

The Company leases various facilities, under non-cancelable finance and operating leases, which expire at various dates through September 2041.