BSPK Bespoke Extracts Inc (QB)

Item 1A. Risk Factors

An investment in the Company’s common stock involves a high degree of risk. In determining whether to purchase the Company’s common stock, an investor should carefully consider all of the material risks described below, together with the other information contained in this report before making a decision to purchase the Company’s securities. An investor should only consider purchasing the Company’s securities if he or she can afford to suffer the loss of his or her entire investment.

Risk Related to our Business and Industry

We have a history of operating losses, have a working capital deficit as of December 31, 2022, and we may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.

As of December 31, 2022, we have an accumulated deficit of $23,883,798, a stockholders’ deficit of $672,096, and a working capital deficit of $753,916. We incurred a net loss of $4,116,227 for the year ended December 31, 2022. We may never achieve profitability or generate significant revenues.

We will need to raise additional capital, which may not be available.

We anticipate that we will need to raise additional capital to execute our business plan and maintain and expand our operations. Additional capital may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital, our business may be harmed and we may need to curtail or cease operations.

We have a limited operating history that impedes our ability to evaluate our potential future performance and strategy.

Our business strategy may not be successful and we may not successfully address these risks. In the event that we do not successfully address these risks, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly based on customer acceptance of our products. As a result our period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are unlikely to provide a good indication of our future performance.

Management expects that we will experience substantial variations in our net sales and operating results from quarter to quarter due to customer acceptance of our products. If customers do not accept our products, our sales and revenue will either fail to materialize or decline, resulting in a reduction in our operating income or possible increase in losses.

If we do not successfully develop and commercialize additional products, we could lose revenue opportunities.

Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to expand our product offerings. To that end we have engaged in the process of identifying new product opportunities. The processes of identifying and commercializing new products is complex and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict customers’ changing needs and preferences, our business could be harmed. We have and may 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.  

The success of new products will depend 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 developed by others will not render our products obsolete or noncompetitive.

We may have difficulties managing our Company’s growth, which could lead to higher operating losses, or we may not grow at all.

If we succeed in growing our business, such growth could strain our human and capital resources, potentially leading to higher operating losses. Our ability to manage operations and control growth will be dependent upon our ability to raise and spend capital to successfully attract, train, motivate, retain and manage new employees and continue to update and improve our management and operational systems, infrastructure and other resources, financial and management controls, and reporting systems and procedures. Should we be unsuccessful in accomplishing any of these essential aspects of our growth in an efficient and timely manner, then management may receive inadequate information necessary to manage our operations, possibly causing additional expenditures and inefficient use of existing human and capital resources or we otherwise may be forced to grow at a slower pace that could slow or eliminate our ability to achieve and sustain profitability. Such slower than expected growth may require us to restrict or cease our operations and go out of business.

Loss of our chief executive officer could limit our growth and negatively impact our operations.

We depend upon our chief executive officer, Michael Feinsod, to a substantial extent. The loss of Mr. Feinsod could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We will be required to attract and retain top quality talent to compete in the marketplace.

We believe our future growth and success will depend in part on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled managerial, product development, sales and marketing, and finance personnel. We may not succeed in attracting and retaining such personnel. Shortages in qualified personnel could limit our ability to increase sales of existing products and services and launch new product and service offerings.

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. 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.

Our industry is highly competitive, and we have less capital and resources than many of our competitors, which may give them an advantage in developing and marketing products similar to ours or make our products obsolete.

We are involved in a highly competitive industry where we compete with various other nutraceutical companies which offer products similar to the products we sell. These competitors may have far greater resources than we do, giving our competitors an advantage in developing and marketing products similar to ours or products that make our products obsolete. We may be unable to successfully compete against these other manufacturers.

The COVID-19 pandemic may negatively affect our business.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having widespread, rapidly evolving, and unpredictable impacts on global society, economies, financial markets, and business practices. The continuing impacts of COVID-19 are highly unpredictable and could be significant, and may have an adverse effect on our business, operations and our future financial performance, including by causing delays and constraints in manufacturing and shipping of our products. 

We may be subject to the risks associated with future acquisitions , which may increase our capital requirements, dilute our shareholders, cause us to incur debt or assume contingent liabilities, and subject us to other risks.

As part of our overall business strategy, the Company may pursue select strategic acquisitions.

Although the Company will assess the risks inherent in a particular target business which it may acquire, this assessment may not result in the identification of all risks that a target business may encounter. Furthermore, some of those risks may be outside of the Company’s control, meaning that the Company can do nothing to control or reduce the chances that those risks will adversely impact a target business.

Any such future acquisitions, if completed, may expose the Company to additional potential risks, including risks associated with:

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law. 

Despite the development of a cannabis industry legal under state laws, state laws legalizing medicinal and recreational adult cannabis use are in conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act, which classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance and makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes, and thus federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis preempts state laws that legalize its use.

A prior U.S. administration attempted to address the inconsistent treatment of cannabis under state and federal law in the Cole Memorandum which Deputy Attorney General James Cole sent to all U.S. Attorneys in August 2013 that outlined certain priorities for the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) relating to the prosecution of cannabis offenses. The Cole Memorandum provided that enforcing federal cannabis laws and regulations in jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing cannabis in some form and that have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations was not a priority for the DOJ. The DOJ did not provide (and has not provided since) specific guidelines for what regulatory and enforcement systems would be deemed sufficient under the Cole Memorandum. On January 4, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions formally issued the Sessions Memorandum, which rescinded the Cole Memorandum effective upon its issuance. The Sessions Memorandum stated, in part, that current law reflects “Congress’ determination that cannabis is a dangerous drug and cannabis activity is a serious crime”, and Mr. Sessions directed all U.S. Attorneys to enforce the laws enacted by Congress and to follow well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to cannabis activities.. It is not yet known whether the Department of Justice under President Biden and Attorney General Garland, will re-adopt the Cole Memorandum or announce a substantive marijuana enforcement policy. Attorney General Garland indicated at a confirmation hearing before the United States Senate that it did not seem to him to be a useful use of limited resources to pursue prosecutions in states that have legalized and that are regulating the use of marijuana, either medically or otherwise. There can be no assurance that the federal government will not enforce federal laws relating to cannabis in the future. The uncertainty of federal enforcement practices going forward and the inconsistency between federal and state laws and regulations presents major risks for our business and operations. Any such change in the federal government’s enforcement of federal laws could cause significant financial damage to us and our stockholders.

Under federal law, and more specifically the federal Controlled Substances Act, the possession, use, cultivation and transfer of cannabis is illegal. It is also federally illegal to advertise the sale of cannabis, or to sell paraphernalia designed or intended primarily for use with cannabis, unless the paraphernalia is authorized by federal, state, or local law. Our business involves the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis and cannabis products, and, therefore, violates federal law. Further, we provide services to customers that are engaged in the business of possession, use, cultivation and/or transfer of cannabis. As a result, law enforcement authorities, in their attempt to regulate the illegal use of cannabis, may seek to bring an action or actions against us, including, but not limited to, a claim of aiding and abetting another’s criminal activities. The federal aiding and abetting statute provides that anyone who “commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal.” 18 U.S.C. §2(a). As a result of such an action, we may be forced to cease operations and our investors could lose their entire investment. Such an action would have a material negative effect on our business and operations.

If the Federal Government were to change its enforcement practices, or were to expend its resources enforcing existing federal laws on those involved in the cannabis industry, such action could have a materially adverse effect on our operations, our customers or the sales of our products up to and including a complete cessation of our business.

It is possible that additional federal or state legislation could be enacted in the future that would prohibit us or our clients from selling cannabis, and if such legislation were enacted, the demand for our products and services, and those of our clients, likely would decrease, causing revenues to decline. Further, additional government disruption in the cannabis industry could cause potential customers and users to be reluctant to use our products and services, which would be detrimental to us. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our business.

Our business is dependent on state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry.

The federal Controlled Substances Act classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance and makes cannabis use and possession illegal on a national level. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is the federal government that has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, even for medical purposes, and thus federal law criminalizing the use of cannabis preempts state laws that legalize its use. While there appears to be ample public support for favorable legislative action to legalize cannabis use and possession, numerous factors may impact or negatively affect the legislative process(s) within the various states we have or may in the future have business interests in. Any one of these factors could slow or halt use of cannabis, which would negatively impact our business.

The voters or legislatures of states in which cannabis has already been legalized could potentially repeal applicable laws which permit the operation of both medical and retail cannabis businesses. These actions might force businesses, including our own and those of our clients, to cease operations in one or more states entirely.

We are required to comply concurrently with federal, state and local laws in each jurisdiction where we operate or to which we sell our products.

Various federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines govern our business in the jurisdictions in which we operate or propose to operate, or to which we export or propose to sell our products, including laws and regulations relating to health and safety, conduct of operations and the production, management, transportation, storage and disposal of our products and of certain material used in our operations. Compliance with each set of these laws, regulations and guidelines requires concurrent compliance with other complex federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines. These laws, regulations and guidelines change frequently and may be difficult to interpret and apply. Compliance with these laws, regulations and guidelines requires the investment of significant financial and managerial resources, and a determination that we are not in compliance with these laws, regulations and guidelines could harm our reputation and brand image and have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, it is impossible for us to predict the cost or effect of such laws, regulations or guidelines upon our future operations. Changes to these laws, regulations and guidelines could negatively affect our competitive position within our industry and the markets in which we operate, and there is no assurance that various levels of government in the jurisdictions in which we operate will not pass legislation or regulation or issue guidelines that adversely impacts our business.

Our business is subject to a variety of U.S. laws, many of which are unsettled and still developing, and which could subject us to claims or otherwise harm our business.

We are subject to a variety of state and federal laws in the United States. In the United Stated, despite cannabis having been legalized for medical use in many states, and for adult recreational use in a number of states, cannabis meeting the definition of “marijuana” continues to be categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Following the passage of HB19-1090 in Colorado, we have elected to move into plant-touching operations in addition to non-plant-touching operations. As a public company involved in direct plant-touching activities, we may face additional scrutiny from the U.S. federal government or other regulatory agencies. Such scrutiny, and any investigation of our operations related to plant-touching activities, could have a material adverse impact on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are or will be subject to risks related to unsafe concentration of heavy metals and other contaminants in our cannabis and nutrient products, and associated inconsistent treatment under state law.

Cannabis plants may absorb heavy metals and other contaminants from the soil that they grow in. Nutrient products are made from ingredients that may contain heavy metals and other contaminants. Heavy metals and contaminants are naturally found in the earth’s crust but may also be present as a result of, for example, pesticide use. Some contaminants, like heavy metals, are toxic to humans at even low concentrations. If our raw materials contain contaminants, they may transfer to our products. If the level of contaminants in our products exceeds permissible or safe levels, it may result in loss of inventory and possible harm to consumers of the products, which may expose us, among other things, to monetary losses, product liability claims and reputational risk.

In addition, state regulation of testing for, and permissible levels of, contaminants in cannabis products varies, making compliance difficult and costly.

We will be subject to risks inherent in an agricultural business, including the risk of crop failure.

We will be in the cannabis industry, which is an agricultural process. As such, our business will be subject to the risks inherent in the agricultural business, including risks of crop failure presented by weather, insects, plant diseases and similar agricultural risks that might affect us or our clients.

The cannabis industry and market are relatively new in the United States, and this industry and market may not continue to exist or develop as anticipated or we may ultimately be unable to succeed in this industry and market.

The cannabis industry and market are relatively new, and our success depends on our ability to operate our business successfully and attract and retain clients. In addition to being subject to general business risks applicable to a business involving an agricultural product and a regulated consumer product, we need to continue to build brand awareness of our brand in the cannabis industry and make significant investments in our business strategy and production capacity. These investments include introducing new products and services into the markets in which we operate, adopting quality assurance protocols and procedures and undertaking regulatory compliance efforts. These activities may not promote our business as effectively as intended, or at all, and we expect that our competitors will undertake similar investments to compete with us for market share. Competitive conditions, consumer preferences and spending patterns in this industry and market are relatively unknown and may have unique characteristics that differ from other existing industries and markets and that may cause our efforts to further our business to be unsuccessful or to have undesired consequences. As a result, we may not be successful in our efforts to operate our business or attract and retain clients or to develop new products and services and produce and distribute these products and services to the markets in which we operate or to which we export in time to be effectively commercialized, or these activities may require significantly more resources than we currently anticipate in order to be successful.

We, or the cannabis industry more generally, may receive unfavorable publicity or become subject to negative consumer or investor perception. 

We believe that the cannabis industry is highly dependent upon positive consumer and investor perception regarding the benefits, safety, efficacy and quality of the cannabis distributed to consumers. The perception of the cannabis industry and cannabis products, currently and in the future, may be significantly influenced by scientific research or findings, regulatory investigations, litigation, political statements, media attention and other publicity (whether or not accurate or with merit) both in the United States and in other countries relating to the consumption of cannabis products, including unexpected safety or efficacy concerns arising with respect to cannabis products or the activities of industry participants. There can be no assurance that future scientific research, findings, regulatory proceedings, litigation, media attention or other research findings or publicity will be favorable to the cannabis market or any particular cannabis product or will be consistent with earlier publicity. Adverse future scientific research reports, findings and regulatory proceedings that are, or litigation, media attention or other publicity that is, perceived as less favorable than, or that questions, earlier research reports, findings or publicity (whether or not accurate or with merit) could result in a significant reduction in the demand for our cannabis products or those of our clients, which would affect our business. Further, adverse publicity reports or other media attention regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of cannabis or our products specifically, or associating the consumption of cannabis with illness or other negative effects or events, could adversely affect us. This adverse publicity could arise even if the adverse effects associated with cannabis products resulted from consumers’ failure to use such products legally, appropriately or as directed.

Certain events or developments in the cannabis industry more generally may impact our reputation. 

Damage to our reputation can result from the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including any negative publicity, whether true or not. As we anticipate becoming a producer and distributor of cannabis, which is a controlled substance in the United States that has previously been commonly associated with various other narcotics, violence and criminal activities, there is a risk that our business might attract negative publicity. There is also a risk that the actions of other companies and service providers in the cannabis industry may negatively affect the reputation of the industry as a whole and thereby negatively impact our reputation. The increased usage of social media and other web-based tools used to generate, publish and discuss user generated content and to connect with other users has made it increasingly easier for individuals and groups to communicate and share negative opinions and views in regards to our activities and the cannabis industry in general, whether true or not. We do not ultimately have direct control over how we or the cannabis industry is perceived by others. Reputational issues may result in decreased investor confidence, increased challenges in developing and maintaining community relations and present an impediment to our overall ability to advance our business strategy and realize on our growth prospects.

The cannabis industry could face strong opposition from other industries.

We believe that established businesses in other industries may have a strong economic interest in opposing the development of the cannabis industry. Cannabis may be seen by companies in other industries as an attractive alternative to their products, including recreational cannabis as an alternative to alcohol and medical cannabis as an alternative to various commercial pharmaceuticals. Many industries that could view the emerging cannabis industry as an economic threat are well established, with vast economic and federal and state lobbying resources. It is possible that companies within these industries could use their resources to attempt to slow or reverse legislation legalizing cannabis. Any inroads these companies make in halting or impeding legislative initiatives that would not be beneficial to the cannabis industry could have a detrimental impact on our business or our clients’ business and, in turn, on our operations.

Businesses involved in the cannabis industry, and investments in such businesses, are subject to a variety of laws and regulations related to money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crimes.

Investments in the U.S. cannabis industry are subject to a variety of laws and regulations that involve money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crime, including the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA Patriot Act, other anti-money laundering laws, and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by governmental authorities in the United States. In February 2014, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) of the Treasury Department issued a memorandum (the “FinCEN Memo”) providing guidance to banks seeking to provide services to cannabis-related businesses. The FinCEN Memo outlines circumstances under which banks may provide services to cannabis-related businesses without risking prosecution for violation of U.S. federal money laundering laws. It refers to supplementary guidance that Deputy Attorney General Cole issued to U.S. federal prosecutors relating to the prosecution of U.S. money laundering offenses predicated on cannabis-related violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and outlines extensive due diligence and reporting requirements, which most banks have viewed as onerous. The FinCEN Memo currently remains in place, but it is unclear at this time whether the current administration will continue to follow the guidelines of the FinCEN Memo. Such requirements could negatively affect our ability and the ability of our clients to establish and maintain banking connections.

We may be unable to seek the protection of the bankruptcy courts.

There is an argument that the federal bankruptcy courts cannot provide relief for parties who engage in cannabis or cannabis-related businesses. Recent bankruptcy rulings have denied bankruptcies for cannabis dispensaries upon the justification that businesses cannot violate federal law and then claim the benefits of federal bankruptcy for the same activity and upon the justification that courts cannot ask a bankruptcy trustee to take possession of, and distribute cannabis assets as such action would violate the federal Controlled Substances Act. Therefore, due to our cannabis-related business, we may not be able to seek the protection of the bankruptcy courts and this could materially affect our financial performance and/or our ability to obtain or maintain credit.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

There is a limited trading market for our common stock, and investors may find it difficult to buy and sell our shares.

Our common stock is not listed on any national securities exchange. Accordingly, investors may find it more difficult to buy and sell our shares than if our common stock was traded on an exchange. Although our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB, it is an unorganized, inter-dealer, over-the-counter market which provides significantly less liquidity than the Nasdaq Capital Market or other national securities exchange. Further, any significant trading volume in our common stock may not be sustained. These factors may have an adverse impact on the trading and price of our common stock.

The market price of our common stock is, and is likely to continue to be, highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.

The market price of our common stock is highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors that are beyond our control, including:

Our common stock is considered a “penny stock” and is subject to additional sale and trading regulations that may make it more difficult to buy or sell.

Our common stock is considered a “penny stock” and securities broker-dealers participating in sales of our common stock are subject to the “penny stock” regulations set forth in Rules 15g-2 through 15g-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act. 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.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future.

We have paid no dividends on our common stock to date and we do not anticipate paying any dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. While our future dividend policy will be based on the operating results and capital needs of the business, we currently anticipate that we will retain any earnings to finance our future expansion and for the implementation of our business plan. A lack of a dividend can further affect the market value of our common stock and could significantly affect the value of any investment in the Company.

Our chief executive officer beneficially owns the majority of the voting power of our shareholders.
 

As the managing member of the holder of our outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock, our chief executive officer, Michael Feinsod, has 51% of the voting power of the Company’s shareholders.  As a result, Mr. Feinsod has the ability to control all matters submitted to shareholders, and his interests may differ from those of other shareholders.

Additional stock offerings in the future may dilute then-existing shareholders’ percentage ownership of the Company.

Given our plans and expectations that we will need additional capital and personnel, we anticipate that will need to issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible or exercisable for shares of common stock, which may include including convertible notes, preferred stock, stock options or warrants. The issuance of additional securities in the future will dilute the percentage ownership of then-current stockholders.

The rights of the holders of common stock may be impaired by the potential issuance of preferred stock.

Our board of directors has the right, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting, dividend, conversion, liquidation or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power and equity interest of the holders of common stock, which could be issued with the right to more than one vote per share, and could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control. The possible negative impact on takeover attempts could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

Failure to achieve and maintain internal controls in accordance with Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

Our management has determined that we do not have effective disclosure controls and procedures, or internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important in the prevention of financial fraud. If we cannot produce reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, and there could be a material adverse effect on our stock price.