SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation – 22nd Century Group, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “22nd Century Group” or the “Company”) is a Nevada corporation publicly traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “XXII.” 22nd Century Group is a tobacco products company with sales and distribution of the Company’s own proprietary new reduced nicotine tobacco products authorized as Modified Risk Tobacco Products by the FDA. Additionally, the Company provides contract manufacturing services for conventional combustible tobacco products for third-party brands.

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States ("U.S.") Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) as contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

In the opinion of management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the Company for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results or trends that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared using U.S. GAAP, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, certain components of equity, sales, expenses, and related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity and Capital Resources – These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

The Company has incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception and expects to incur additional losses until such time that it can generate significant revenue and profit in its tobacco business. The Company had negative cash flow from operations of $6,970 and $37,332 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and an accumulated deficit of $385,558 and $378,707 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,279.

Given the Company’s projected operating requirements and its existing cash and cash equivalents, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through one year following the date that the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are issued.

In response to these conditions, management is currently evaluating different strategies for reducing expenses, as well as pursuing financing strategies which include raising additional funds through the issuance of securities, asset sales, and through arrangements with strategic partners. If capital is not available to the Company when, and in the amounts needed, it could be required to liquidate inventory, cease or curtail operations, or seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws or similar state proceedings. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to raise the capital it needs to continue operations. Management’s plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern through one year following the date that the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are issued.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Other Significant Risks and Uncertainties

Other Significant Risks and Uncertainties - The Company is subject to a number of risks, including, but not limited to, the lack of available capital; the possible delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq; future covenant non-compliance with respect to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility giving rise to an event of default; unsuccessful commercialization strategy and launch plans for the Company’s products or market acceptance of the Company’s products; risks inherent in litigation, including purported class actions; and protection of proprietary technology.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications – The Company has revised the presentation and classification of Excise taxes on products, net which was previously recorded in Cost of goods sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Reverse Stock Split

Reverse Stock Split – On April 2, 2024, the Company effected a 1-for-16 reverse stock split of its common stock in order to regain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing requirements. Fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share, which resulted in the issuance of a total of 118,207 shares of common stock to implement the reverse stock split. All share and per share amounts, and exercise prices of stock options, and warrants in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to give effect to this reverse stock split.

Warrants

Warrants - The Company accounts for stock warrants as either equity instruments, derivative liabilities, or liabilities in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (ASC 480) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815) depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own ordinary shares and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. 

Warrants that the Company may be required to redeem through payment of cash or other assets outside its control are classified as liabilities pursuant to ASC 480 and are initially and subsequently measured at their estimated fair values. For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, the warrants are required to be recorded as a component of Capital in excess of par value at the time of issuance. For additional discussion on warrants, see Note 5 and Note 10.

Deemed dividends associated with anti-dilution or down round provisions (commonly referred to as “ratchets”) represent the economic transfer of value to holders of equity-classified freestanding financial instruments when these provisions are triggered. These deemed dividends are presented as a reduction in net income or an increase in net loss available to common shareholders and a corresponding increase to Capital in excess of par value resulting in no change to shareholders’ equity (deficit). During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, total deemed dividends were $445 and $4,034, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 of $367 and $367, respectively, resulting from equity offerings (see Note 10).

Debt Issued with Detachable Warrants

Debt Issued with Detachable Warrants - The Company considers guidance within ASC 470-20, Debt (ASC 470), ASC 480, and ASC 815 when accounting for the issuance of debt with detachable warrants. As described above under the caption “Warrants”, the Company classifies stock warrants as either equity instruments, derivative liabilities, or liabilities depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. In circumstances in which debt is issued with detachable warrants, the proceeds from the issuance of the debt are first allocated to the warrants at their full estimated fair value with a corresponding debt discount. The remaining proceeds, as further reduced by discounts (including those created by the bifurcation of embedded derivatives), is allocated to the debt. The Company accounts for debt as liabilities measured at amortized cost and amortizes the resulting debt discount from the allocation of proceeds, to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected term of the debt instrument pursuant to ASC 835, Interest (ASC 835).

Embedded Derivatives

Embedded Derivatives – The Company considers whether there are any embedded features in debt instruments that require bifurcation and separate accounting as derivative financial instruments pursuant to ASC 815. Embedded derivatives are initially and subsequently measured at fair value. With the exception of the bifurcated embedded conversion option as described in Note 6 “Debt”, the embedded derivatives associated with the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinated Note are not material.

Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts

Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts - Debt issuance costs and discounts associated with the issuance of debt by the Company are deferred and amortized over the term of the related debt. Debt issuance costs and discounts related to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility and Subordinated Note are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the related debt and are amortized to Interest expense using the effective interest method over the period from the date of issuance to the maturity date, whichever is earlier. The amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts are included in Debt related charges included in interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Note 6 “Debt” contains additional information on the Company’s debt issuance costs and discounts.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - The Company reviews all long-lived assets to be held and used for recoverability, when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on the ability to recover the carrying value of the assets from the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest expense) of the related operations. If these cash flows are less than the carrying value of such assets, an impairment loss for the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded. The Company determined that there were no impairment indicators during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

Gain and Loss Contingencies

Gain and Loss Contingencies – The Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, the Company, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling the matter, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. If, at the time of evaluation, the loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is not both probable and estimable, the matter will continue to be monitored for further developments that would make such loss contingency both probable and estimable. When a loss contingency related to a litigation or regulatory matter is deemed to be both probable and estimable, the Company will establish an accrued liability with respect to such loss contingency and record a corresponding amount of related expenses. The Company will then continue to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of any such accrued liability.

In accordance with ASC 450-30, Gain Contingencies, gain contingencies are recognized when earned and realized, which typically will occur at the time of final settlement or when cash is received. Insurance recoveries may be realized earlier than cash receipt if a claim and amount of reimbursement is acknowledged by the insurance company that payment is due and collection is probable.

The Company maintains general liability insurance policies for its facilities. Under the terms of our insurance policies, in the case of loss to a property, the Company follows the guidance in ASC 610-30, Other Income —Gains and Losses on Involuntary Conversions, for the conversion of nonmonetary assets (the properties) to monetary assets (insurance recoveries). Under ASC 610-30, once the recovery is deemed probable the Company recognizes an asset for the insurance recovery receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with corresponding income that is offsetting to the casualty losses recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. If the insurance recovery is less than the amount of the casualty charges recognized, the Company will recognize a loss whereas if the insurance recovery is greater than the amount of casualty loss recognized, the Company will only recognize a recovery up to the amount of the casualty loss and will account for the excess as a gain contingency. Business interruption insurance is treated as a gain contingency.

Refer to further discussion of all commitments and contingencies in Note 12.

Severance charges

Severance charges - From time to time, the Company evaluates its resources and optimizes its business plan to align to changing needs of executing on its strategy. These actions may result in voluntary or involuntary employee termination benefits. Voluntary termination benefits are accrued when an employee accepts the related offer. Involuntary termination benefits are accrued upon the commitment to a termination plan and when the benefit arrangement is communicated to affected employees, or when liabilities are determined to be probable and estimable, depending on the existence of a substantive plan for severance or termination.

The following table summarizes the change in accrued severance liabilities, presented within Other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Balance at January 1, 2024	$	386
Cash payments		(64)
Balance at March 31, 2024		322
Cash payments		(73)
Balance at June 30, 2024	$	249

The following table summarizes the classification of severance charges on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Sales, general, and administrative	$	—	$	569	$	—	$	569
Total severance charges	$	—	$	569	$	—	$	569

Income Taxes

Income Taxes - For interim income tax reporting, due to a full valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets, no income tax expense or benefit is recorded unless it is related to certain state, local, or franchise taxes, or an unusual or infrequently occurring items. The tax effects of unusual or infrequently occurring items, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, are reported in the interim period in which they occur.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, or ASC 326 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, effective January 1, 2023 under a modified retrospective approach. Under the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) model, the Company immediately recognizes an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the life of the financial asset at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. Estimated credit losses are determined by taking into consideration historical loss conditions, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Changes to the expected lifetime credit losses are recognized each period. The new guidance applies to the Company’s trade receivables and contract asset balances. Due to the nature of business operations and contracts with customers, the Company has historically not experienced significant bad debt expense or write-offs and as a result, the adoption of ASC 326 did not have a material impact to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. In connection with the adoption of ASC 326, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $118 with an offsetting cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2023.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Elected or Adopted

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740)-Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The ASU requires additional quantitative and qualitative income tax disclosures to allow readers of the consolidated financial statements to assess how the Company’s operations, related tax risks and tax planning affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. If the ASU is not listed above, it was determined that the ASU was either not applicable or would have an immaterial impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.