UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED | |
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As of May 9, 2023 there were
INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, INC.
FORM 10-Q – QUARTERLY REPORT
MARCH 31, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 24 | |
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2
PART I
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| March 31, |
| December 31, | |||
Assets | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Real estate, at cost: | ||||||
Land | $ | | $ | | ||
Buildings and improvements |
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Construction in progress |
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Total real estate, at cost |
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Less accumulated depreciation |
| ( |
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Net real estate held for investment |
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Construction loan receivable | | | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
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Restricted cash | | | ||||
Investments |
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Right of use office lease asset | | | ||||
In-place lease intangible assets, net | | | ||||
Other assets, net |
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Total assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||
Exchangeable Senior Notes, net | $ | | $ | | ||
Notes due 2026, net | | | ||||
Building improvements and construction funding payable | | | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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Dividends payable |
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Rent received in advance and tenant security deposits |
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Other liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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Commitments and contingencies (Notes 6 and 11) |
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Stockholders’ equity: |
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Preferred stock, par value $ |
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Common stock, par value $ |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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Dividends in excess of earnings |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Total stockholders’ equity |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | | $ | |
See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||
March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Revenues: |
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Rental (including tenant reimbursements) | $ | | $ | | |
Other |
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Total revenues |
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Expenses: | |||||
Property expenses |
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General and administrative expense |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
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Total expenses |
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Income from operations |
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Interest and other income |
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Interest expense | ( | ( | |||
Gain (loss) on exchange of Exchangeable Senior Notes |
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| ( | |
Net income |
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Preferred stock dividends |
| ( |
| ( | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | | $ | | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share (Note 8): |
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Basic | $ | | $ | | |
Diluted | $ | | $ | | |
Weighted-average shares outstanding: |
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Basic |
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Diluted |
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See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A | Shares of | Additional | Dividends in | Total | Series A | Shares of | Additional | Dividends in | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred | Common | Common | Paid-In- | Excess of | Stockholders’ | Preferred | Common | Common | Paid-In | Excess of | Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock |
| Stock |
| Stock |
| Capital |
| Earnings |
| Equity |
| Stock |
| Stock |
| Stock |
| Capital |
| Earnings |
| Equity | ||||||||||||
Balances at beginning of period | $ | |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | ||||||||||||
Adjustment to opening balance upon adoption of ASU 2020-06 (Note 2) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | — | — | | | — | — | — | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of unvested restricted stock, net of forfeitures | — | | — | ( | — | ( | — | | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Exchange of Exchangeable Senior Notes | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of common stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | — | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividend | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock dividend | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | | | — | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at end of period | $ | |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
Net income | $ | | $ | | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
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(Gain) loss on exchange of Exchangeable Senior Notes | ( | | ||||
Other non-cash adjustments | | | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
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Amortization of discounts on short-term investments |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs |
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Changes in assets and liabilities | ||||||
Other assets, net |
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Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities |
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Rent received in advance and tenant security deposits |
| ( |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
Purchases of investments in real estate |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Funding of draws for improvements and construction |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Funding of construction loan and other investments | ( | ( | ||||
Deposits in escrow for acquisitions |
| — |
| ( | ||
Purchases of short-term investments |
| ( |
| — | ||
Maturities of short-term investments |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs |
| — |
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Dividends paid to common stockholders |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Dividends paid to preferred stockholders |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net cash used in financing activities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | | $ | | ||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest | $ | | $ | | ||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||
Accrual for current-period additions to real estate | $ | | $ | | ||
Deposits applied for acquisitions | | | ||||
Accrual for common and preferred stock dividends declared |
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Accrual for stock issuance costs | — | | ||||
Exchange of Exchangeable Senior Notes for common stock | | | ||||
Operating lease liability for obtaining right of use asset | — | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
1. Organization
As used herein, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company” refer to Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any of our subsidiaries, including IIP Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (our “Operating Partnership”).
We are an internally-managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of specialized industrial properties leased to experienced, state-licensed operators for their regulated cannabis facilities. We have acquired and intend to continue to acquire our properties through sale-leaseback transactions and third-party purchases. We have leased and expect to continue to lease our properties on a triple-net lease basis, where the tenant is responsible for all aspects of and costs related to the property and its operation during the lease term, including structural repairs, maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance.
We were incorporated in Maryland on June 15, 2016. We conduct our business through a traditional umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, or UPREIT structure, in which our properties are owned by our Operating Partnership, directly or through subsidiaries. We are the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership and own, directly or through subsidiaries,
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Procedures and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Basis of Presentation. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
This interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Any references to square footage or occupancy percentage, and any amounts derived from these values in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements, are outside the scope of our independent registered public accounting firm’s review.
Management believes that all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. This interim financial information does not necessarily represent or indicate what the operating results will be for the year ending December 31, 2023.
Reclassification. We have combined $
Federal Income Taxes. We believe that we have operated our business so as to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the REIT operating structure, we are permitted to deduct dividends paid to our stockholders in determining our taxable income. Assuming our dividends equal or exceed our taxable net income, we generally will not be required to pay federal corporate income taxes on such income. The income taxes recorded on our condensed consolidated statements of income represent amounts paid for city and state income and franchise taxes and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. The most significant estimates and assumptions made include determination of lease accounting, fair value of acquisition of real estate properties and valuation of stock-based compensation.
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Reportable Segment. We are engaged in the business of providing real estate for the regulated cannabis industry. Our properties are similar in that they are leased to the state-licensed operators on a long-term triple-net basis, consist of improvements that are reusable and have similar economic characteristics. Our chief operating decision maker reviews financial information for our entire consolidated operations when making decisions related to assessing our operating performance. We have aggregated the properties into
Acquisition of Real Estate Properties. Our investment in real estate is recorded at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. Upon acquisition of a property, the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are initially measured based upon their relative fair values. We estimate the fair value of land by reviewing comparable sales within the same submarket and/or region. We estimate the fair value of buildings and improvements as if the property was vacant, taking into consideration current replacement costs and other relevant market rate information and may engage third-party valuation specialists. Acquisition costs are capitalized as incurred. All of our acquisitions to date were recorded as asset acquisitions.
The fair value of acquired in-place leases is derived based on our assessment of estimated lost revenue and costs incurred for the period required to lease the “assumed vacant” property to the occupancy level when purchased. The amounts recorded for acquired in-place leases are reflected as in-place lease intangible assets, net on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis as a component of depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining term of the applicable leases.
The fair value of the above-market component of an acquired in-place operating lease is based upon the present value (calculated using a market discount rate) of the difference between (i) the contractual rents to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining non-cancellable lease term and (ii) our estimate of the rents that would be paid using fair market rental rates and rent escalations at the date of acquisition measured over the remaining non-cancellable term of the lease. The amount recorded for one above-market operating lease is included in other assets, net on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and is amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of rental revenues over the remaining term of the applicable lease.
Sale of Real Estate. When a real estate asset is sold, we evaluate the provisions of ASC 610-20, Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (“ASC 610-20”) to determine whether the asset is within the scope of ASC 610-20, including an evaluation of whether the asset being sold is a nonfinancial asset and whether the buyer has gained control of an asset within the scope of ASC 610-20. In assessing whether the buyer has gained control of the asset, we must determine whether the contract criteria in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) have been met, including 1) the parties to the contract have approved the contract and the contract has commercial substance, 2) we can identify each party’s rights regarding the asset to be transferred, 3) we can identify the payment terms for the asset to be transferred, and 4) it is probable that we will collect substantially all of the consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for the asset to be transferred. If all of the contract criteria have been met, the carrying amount of the applicable asset is derecognized with a corresponding gain or loss from the sale recognized in our consolidated statements of income. If the contract criteria are not all met, the asset transferred is not derecognized and we continue to report the asset in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note 6 “Investments in Real Estate - Property Disposition” for further information.
Cost Capitalization and Depreciation. We capitalize costs associated with development and redevelopment activities and improvements when we are considered to be the accounting owner of the resulting assets. The development and redevelopment activities may be funded by us pursuant to the lease. We are generally considered the accounting owner for such improvements that are attached to or built into the premises, which are required under the lease to be surrendered to us upon the expiration or earlier termination of the lease. Typically, such improvements include, but are not limited to, ground up development, and enhanced HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other building systems.
Amounts capitalized are depreciated over estimated useful lives determined by management. We depreciate buildings and improvements based on our evaluation of the estimated useful life of each specific asset, not to exceed
Determining whether expenditures meet the criteria for capitalization and the assignment of depreciable lives requires management to exercise significant judgment. Project costs that are clearly associated with the acquisition and development or redevelopment of a real estate project, for which we are the accounting owner, are capitalized as a cost of that project. Expenditures that meet one or more of the following criteria generally qualify for capitalization:
8
● | the expenditure provides benefit in future periods; and |
● | the expenditure extends the useful life of the asset beyond our original estimates. |
We define redevelopment properties as existing properties for which we expect to spend significant development and construction costs that are not reimbursements to tenants for improvements at the properties. When existing properties are determined to be redevelopment properties, the net carrying value of the buildings and improvements are transferred to construction in progress while the redevelopment activities are in process. Costs capitalized to construction in progress related to redevelopment properties are transferred to buildings and improvements at historical cost of the properties as the redevelopment project or phases of projects are placed in service. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we reclassified the net carrying value of buildings and improvements totaling approximately $
Provision for Impairment. On a quarterly basis, we review current activities and changes in the business conditions of all of our properties prior to and subsequent to the end of each quarter to determine the existence of any triggering events or impairment indicators requiring an impairment analysis. If triggering events or impairment indicators are identified, we review an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows for the properties.
Long-lived assets are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset to be held and used is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment indicators or triggering events for long-lived assets to be held and used are assessed by project and include significant fluctuations in estimated net operating income, occupancy changes, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, construction costs, estimated completion dates, rental rates, and other market factors. We assess the expected undiscounted cash flows based upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, construction costs, available market information, current and historical operating results, known trends, current market/economic conditions that may affect the property, and our assumptions about the use of the asset, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration. Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value. We may adjust depreciation of properties that are expected to be disposed of or redeveloped prior to the end of their useful lives.
Revenue Recognition. Our leases are triple-net leases, an arrangement under which the tenant maintains the property while paying us rent. We account for our current leases as operating leases and record revenue for each of our properties on a cash basis due to the uncertain regulatory environment in the United States pertaining to the regulated cannabis industry, the limited operating history of certain tenants and the resulting uncertainty of collectability of lease payments from each tenant over the duration of the lease term. Contractually obligated reimbursements from tenants for recoverable real estate taxes, insurance and operating expenses are included in rental revenues in the period when such costs are reimbursed by the tenants. Contractually obligated real estate taxes that are paid directly by the tenant to the tax authorities are not reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, rental revenue recognized included the application of approximately $
Construction Loan. In June 2021, we executed a construction loan agreement with a developer, pursuant to which we agreed to lend up to $
Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approximately $
9
Restricted Cash. Restricted cash relates to cash held in escrow accounts for future draws for improvements for tenants in accordance with certain lease agreements.
Investments. Investments consist of obligations of the U.S. government and certificates of deposit with an original maturity at the time of purchase of greater than three months. Investments are classified as held-to-maturity and stated at amortized cost.
Exchangeable Notes. The liability and equity components of exchangeable debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon exchange, including partial cash settlement, were previously required to be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the issuer’s nonexchangeable debt borrowing rate. The initial proceeds from the sale of our Exchangeable Senior Notes (as defined below) were allocated between a liability component and an equity component in a manner that reflects interest expense at the rate of similar nonexchangeable debt that could have been issued at such time. The equity component represents the excess initial proceeds received over the fair value of the liability component of the Exchangeable Senior Notes as of the date of issuance. We measured the estimated fair value of the debt component of our Exchangeable Senior Notes as of the date of issuance based on our estimated nonexchangeable debt borrowing rate with the assistance of a third-party valuation specialist as we do not have a history of borrowing arrangements and there was limited empirical data available related to the Company’s industry due to the regulatory uncertainty of the cannabis market in which the Company’s tenants operate. The equity component of our Exchangeable Senior Notes was reflected within additional paid-in capital on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the resulting debt discount was amortized over the period during which the Exchangeable Senior Notes were expected to be outstanding (through the maturity date) as additional non-cash interest expense.
In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-06, Debt — Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for convertible debt by eliminating the beneficial conversion and cash conversion accounting models, and convertible debt proceeds, unless issued with a substantial premium or an embedded conversion feature, will no longer be allocated between debt and equity components. ASU 2020-06 also updates the earnings per share calculation and requires entities to assume share settlement when the convertible debt can be settled in cash or shares. We adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022 and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of approximately $
Deferred Financing Costs. The deferred financing costs that are included as a reduction in the net book value of the related liability on our condensed consolidated balance sheets reflect issuance and other costs related to our debt obligations. These costs are amortized as non-cash interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the related obligations.
Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation for equity awards is based on the grant date fair value of the equity awards and is recognized over the requisite service or performance period. If awards are forfeited prior to vesting, we reverse any previously recognized expense related to such awards in the period during which the forfeiture occurs and reclassify any non-forfeitable dividends and dividend equivalents previously paid on these awards from retained earnings to compensation expense. Forfeitures are recognized as incurred. Certain equity awards are subject to vesting based upon the satisfaction of various market conditions. Forfeiture of share awards with market-based restrictions does not result in a reversal of previously recognized share-based compensation expense.
Lease Accounting. We elected the
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The right-of-use asset is measured based on the corresponding lease liability. We did not incur any initial direct leasing costs and any other consideration exchanged with the landlord prior to the commencement of the lease. Subsequently, the right-of-use asset is amortized on a straight-line basis during the lease term. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized office lease expense of approximately $
As lessor, for each of our real estate transactions involving the leaseback of the related property to the seller or affiliates of the seller, we determine whether these transactions qualify as sale and leaseback transactions under the accounting guidance. For these transactions, we consider various inputs and assumptions including, but not necessarily limited to, lease terms, renewal options, discount rates, and other rights and provisions in the purchase and sale agreement, lease and other documentation to determine whether control has been transferred to the Company or remains with the lessee. A transaction involving a sale leaseback will be treated as a purchase of a real estate property if it is considered to transfer control of the underlying asset from the lessee. A lease will be classified as direct-financing if risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control and will be classified as a sales-type lease if control of the underlying asset is transferred to the lessee. Otherwise, the lease is treated as an operating lease. These criteria also include estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the leased facilities, minimum lease payments, the economic useful life of the facilities, the existence of a purchase option, and certain other terms in the lease agreements. The lease accounting guidance requires accounting for a transaction as a financing in a sale leaseback when the seller-lessee is provided an option to purchase the property from the landlord at the tenant’s option. Substantially all of our leases continue to be classified as operating leases and we continue to record revenue for each of our properties on a cash basis. Our tenant reimbursable revenue and property expenses continue to be presented on a gross basis as rental revenues and as property expenses, respectively, on our condensed consolidated statements of income. Property taxes paid directly by the lessee to a third party continue to be excluded from our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Lease amendments are evaluated to determine if the modification grants the lessee an additional right-of-use not included in the original lease and if the lease payments increase commensurate with the standalone price of the additional right-of-use, adjusted for the circumstances of the particular contract. If both conditions are present, the lease amendment is accounted for as a new lease that is separate from the original lease.
Our leases generally contain options to extend the lease terms at the prevailing market rate or at the expiring rental rate at the time of expiration. Certain of our leases provide the lessee with a right of first refusal or right of first offer in the event we market the leased property for sale.
Concentration of Credit Risk. As of March 31, 2023, we owned
The following table sets forth the
For the Three Months Ended |
| ||||
March 31, 2023 | |||||
Percentage of | |||||
| Number of |
| Rental |
| |
| Leases |
| Revenue | ||
PharmaCann Inc. ("PharmaCann") |
| | | % | |
Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. ("Ascend") | | | % | ||
SH Parent, Inc. ("Parallel")(1) |
| | | % | |
Green Thumb Industries, Inc. | | | % | ||
Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. |
| | | % |
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For the Three Months Ended |
| ||||
March 31, 2022 | |||||
Percentage of | |||||
| Number of |
| Rental |
| |
| Leases |
| Revenue | ||
PharmaCann |
| | | % | |
Parallel | | | % | ||
Ascend |
| | | % | |
Kings Garden Inc. ("Kings Garden")(2) | | | % | ||
Columbia Care, Inc. |
| | | % |
In each of the tables above, these leases include leases with affiliates of each entity, for which the entity has provided a corporate guaranty.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, none of our properties individually represented more than
We have deposited cash with a financial institution that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $
3. Common Stock
As of March 31, 2023, the Company was authorized to issue up to
In January 2023, we terminated the previously existing “at-the-market” offering program and entered into new equity distribution agreements with
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we issued
4. Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2023, the Company was authorized to issue up to
12
5. Dividends
The following table describes the dividends declared by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
|
| Amount |
|
| Dividend |
| Dividend | |||||
Declaration Date | Security Class | Per Share | Period Covered | Paid Date | Amount | |||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
March 15, 2023 | Common stock | $ | | January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | April 14, 2023 | $ | | |||||
March 15, 2023 | Series A preferred stock | $ | | January 15, 2023 to April 14, 2023 | April 14, 2023 | $ | |
6. Investments in Real Estate
Acquisitions
The Company acquired the following properties during the three months ended March 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
Rentable | ||||||||||||||||||
Square | Purchase | Transaction | ||||||||||||||||
Property |
| Market |
| Closing Date |
| Feet(1) |
| Price |
| Costs |
| Total | ||||||
Susquehanna Street |
| Pennsylvania | February 15, 2023 |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Boltonfield Street |
| Ohio | March 3, 2023 |
| |
| |
| |
| | (2) | ||||||
Total |
| | $ | | $ | | $ | | (3) |
(1) | Includes expected rentable square feet at completion of construction of certain properties. |
(2) | The tenant is expected to complete improvements at the property, for which we agreed to provide funding of up to $ |
(3) | Approximately $ |
Acquired In-Place Lease Intangible Assets
In-place lease intangible assets and related accumulated amortization as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is as follows (in thousands):
| March 31, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
In-place lease intangible assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Accumulated amortization |
|
| ( |
| ( | |
In-place lease intangible assets, net | $ | | $ | |
Amortization of in-place lease intangible assets classified in depreciation and amortization expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income was approximately $
Year |
| Amount | |
2023 (nine months ending December 31) | $ | | |
2024 |
| | |
2025 |
| | |
2026 |
| | |
2027 |
| | |
Thereafter |
| | |
Total | $ | |
Above-Market Lease
The above-market lease and related accumulated amortization included in other assets, net on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is as follows (in thousands):
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| March 31, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Above-market lease | $ | | $ | | ||
Accumulated amortization |
|
| ( |
| ( | |
Above-market lease, net | $ | | $ | |
The above-market lease is amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rental revenues over the remaining lease term of approximately
Additional Improvement Allowances
In February 2023, we amended our lease with a subsidiary of Ascend at one of our New Jersey properties, increasing the improvement allowance under the lease by $
In February 2023, we amended our lease and development agreement with PharmaCann at one of our New York properties, increasing the construction fund by $
In February 2023, we amended our lease with a subsidiary of Goodness Growth Holdings Inc. at one of our New York properties, increasing the improvement allowance under the lease by $
Lease Amendments
In January 2023, we entered into lease amendments with Holistic Industries Inc. (“Holistic”) at our properties located in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Pennsylvania, which (1) included cross-default provisions applicable to each lease; (2) extended the term of each lease; and (3) provided that
In January 2023, we executed a lease amendment with Calyx Peak, Inc. at our Missouri property, which (1) extended the term of the lease; and (2) provided for
In March 2023, we executed a lease amendment with Temescal Wellness of Massachusetts, LLC at our Massachusetts property, which (1) extended the term of the lease; (2) provided for temporary reduced base rent from April 2023 through January 2024; and (3) increased base rent for the remainder of the term of the lease.
Capitalized Costs
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we capitalized costs of approximately $
Property Disposition
In March 2023, we sold the portfolio of
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until such time the criteria for recognition as a sale have been met. In addition, as we have not met all of the held-for-sale criteria, land and building and improvements with a gross carrying value of approximately $
Future Contractual Minimum Rent
Future contractual minimum rent (including base rent and property management fees) under the operating leases as of March 31, 2023 for future periods is summarized as follows (in thousands):
Year |
| Contractual Minimum Rent | |
2023 (nine months ending December 31) | $ | | |
2024 | | ||
2025 |
| | |
2026 |
| | |
2027 |
| | |
Thereafter |
| | |
Total | $ | |
7. Debt
Exchangeable Senior Notes
As of March 31, 2023, our Operating Partnership had outstanding approximately $
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we issued
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we issued
The following table details our interest expense related to the Exchangeable Senior Notes (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Cash coupon | $ | |
| $ | |
Amortization of issuance cost | |
| | ||
Total interest expense | $ | |
| $ | |
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The following table details the carrying value of our Exchangeable Senior Notes (in thousands):
| March 31, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Principal amount |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Unamortized issuance cost |
|
| ( |
| ( | |
Carrying value |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Accrued interest payable for the Exchangeable Senior Notes as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $
Notes due 2026
On May 25, 2021, our Operating Partnership issued $
In connection with the issuance of the Notes due 2026, we recorded approximately $
The following table details our interest expense related to the Notes due 2026 (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||
Cash coupon | $ | | $ | | |
Amortization of issuance cost | | | |||
Total interest expense | $ | | $ | |
The following table details the carrying value of our Notes due 2026 (in thousands):
| March 31, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 | |||
Principal amount |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Unamortized issuance cost |
|
| ( |
| ( | |
Carrying value |
| $ | |
| $ | |
The Operating Partnership may redeem some or all of the Notes due 2026 at its option at any time at the applicable redemption price. If the Notes due 2026 are redeemed prior to February 25, 2026, the redemption price will be equal to
The terms of the indenture for the Notes due 2026 require compliance with various financial covenants, including minimum level of debt service coverage and limits on the amount of total leverage and secured debt maintained by the Operating Partnership. Management believes that it was in compliance with those covenants as of March 31, 2023.
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Accrued interest payable for the Notes due 2026 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $
The following table summarizes the principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2023 (in thousands):
Payments Due | |||
by Year |
| Amount | |
2023 (nine months ending December 31) | $ | — | |
2024 | | ||
2025 | — | ||
2026 | | ||
2027 | — | ||
Thereafter | — | ||
Total | $ | |
8. Net Income Per Share
Grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) of the Company in share-based payment transactions are considered participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, are considered in computing basic earnings per share under the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation method for calculating earnings per share when a company’s capital structure includes either two or more classes of common stock or common stock and participating securities. Earnings per basic share under the two-class method is calculated based on dividends declared on common shares and other participating securities (“distributed earnings”) and the rights of participating securities in any undistributed earnings, which represents net income remaining after deduction of dividends accruing during the period. The undistributed earnings are allocated to all outstanding common shares and participating securities based on the relative percentage of each security to the total number of outstanding participating securities. Earnings per basic share represents the summation of the distributed and undistributed earnings per share class divided by the total number of shares.
Through March 31, 2023, all of the Company’s participating securities received dividends or dividend equivalents at an equal dividend rate per share or unit. As a result, distributions to participating securities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 have been included in net income attributable to common stockholders to calculate net income per basic and diluted share.
The
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the performance share units (“PSUs”) granted to certain employees were
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Computations of net income per basic and diluted share (in thousands, except share and per share data) were as follows:
For the Three Months Ended | |||||
March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Net income | $ | | $ | | |
Preferred stock dividends | ( | ( | |||
Distribution to participating securities | ( | ( | |||
Net income attributable to common stockholders used to compute net income per share - basic | | | |||
Dilutive effect of Exchangeable Senior Notes | | | |||
Net income attributable to common stockholders used to compute net income per share - diluted | $ | | $ | | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: | |||||
Basic | | | |||
Restricted stock and RSUs | | | |||
PSUs | — | | |||
Dilutive effect of Exchangeable Senior Notes | | | |||
Diluted | | | |||
Net income attributable to common stockholders per share: | |||||
Basic | $ | | $ | | |
Diluted | $ | | $ | |
9. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Accounting guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2—Includes other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activities, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
The following table presents the carrying value and approximate fair value of financial instruments at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
At March 31, 2023 | At December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Carrying Value |
| Fair Value |
| Carrying Value |
| Fair Value | |||||
Investments(1) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Exchangeable Senior Notes(2) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Notes due 2026(2) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
(1) | Short-term investments consisting of obligations of the U.S. government with an original maturity at the time of purchase of greater than three months are classified as held-to-maturity and valued using Level 1 inputs. |
(2) | The fair value is determined based upon Level 2 inputs as the Exchangeable Senior Notes and Notes due 2026 were trading in the private market. |
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, cash equivalent instruments consisted of $
The carrying amounts of financial instruments such as cash equivalents invested in certificates of deposit, obligations of the U.S. government with an original maturity at the time of purchase of less than or equal to three months, construction loan receivable,
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accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities and market rates of interest of these instruments.
10. Common Stock Incentive Plan
Our board of directors adopted our 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) to enable us to motivate, attract and retain the services of directors, employees and consultants considered essential to our long-term success. The 2016 Plan offers our directors, employees and consultants an opportunity to own our stock or rights that will reflect our growth, development and financial success. Under the terms of the 2016 Plan, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and other awards, will be no more than
A summary of the restricted stock activity under the 2016 Plan and related information for the three months ended March 31, 2023 is included in the table below:
|
| Weighted- | |||
Unvested | Average | ||||
Restricted | Grant Date Fair | ||||
Stock | Value | ||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 |
| | $ | | |
Granted |
| | $ | | |
Vested |
| ( | $ | | |
Forfeited(1) |
| ( | $ | | |
Balance at March 31, 2023 |
| | $ | |
(1) | Shares that were forfeited to cover the employees’ tax withholding obligation upon vesting. |
The remaining unrecognized compensation cost of approximately $
The following table summarizes our RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023. RSUs are issued as part of the Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which allows a select group of management and our non-employee directors to defer receiving certain of their cash and equity-based compensation. RSUs are subject to vesting conditions of the Deferred Compensation Plan and have the same economic rights as shares of restricted stock under the 2016 Plan:
|
| Weighted-Average | |||
Restricted | Grant Date Fair | ||||
Stock Units | Value | ||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | | $ | | ||
Granted | | $ | | ||
Balance at March 31, 2023 | | $ | |
The remaining unrecognized compensation cost of approximately $
In January 2021, we issued
At the end of the applicable Performance Periods, a recipient of PSUs may receive as few as
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during the applicable Performance Periods is negative, the payout of Award Shares is capped at the target number of PSUs, notwithstanding the Company’s outperformance of comparator groups.
The grant date fair values of the PSUs granted in January 2021 and January 2022 were $
| 2021 PSU Award |
|
| 2022 PSU Award |
| ||
Fair Value Assumptions | Fair Value Assumptions | ||||||
Valuation date |
| January 6, 2021 |
| January 7, 2022 | |||
Fair value per share on valuation date | $ | $ | |||||
Expected term | |||||||
Expected price volatility |
|
| |||||
Risk-free interest rate | |||||||
Discount for post vesting restriction |
|
|
The expected share price volatility was based on the historical volatility of our shares of common stock over a period of approximately the applicable Performance Periods. The risk-free interest rate was based on the zero-coupon risk-free interest rate derived from the Treasury Constant Maturities yield curve on the applicable valuation date. The discount for the post vesting restriction was estimated using the Finnerty model.
Stock-based compensation for market-based PSU awards is based on the grant date fair value of the equity awards and is recognized over the applicable Performance Period. For both the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $
As measured as of March 31, 2023, the performance thresholds for the vesting of the PSUs were not met for any of the applicable awards.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Office Lease. The future contractual lease payments for our office lease and the reconciliation to the office lease liability reflected in other liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2023 is presented in the table below (in thousands):
Year |
| Amount | |
2023 (nine months ending December 31) | $ | | |
2024 |
| | |
2025 |
| | |
2026 |
| | |
2027 |
| | |
Total future contractual lease payments |
| | |
Effect of discounting |
| ( | |
$ | |
Improvement Allowances. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately $
Construction Loan. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately $
Environmental Matters. We follow the policy of monitoring our properties, both targeted acquisition and existing properties, for the presence of hazardous or toxic substances. While there can be no assurance that a material environmental liability does not exist,
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we are not currently aware of any environmental liabilities that would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow, or that we believe would require disclosure or the recording of a loss contingency.
Litigation.
Class Action Lawsuit
On April 25, 2022, a federal securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Company and certain of its officers. The case was named Michael V. Malozzi, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated v. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc., Paul Smithers, Catherine Hastings and Andy Bui, Case No. 2-22-cv-02359, and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The lawsuit was purportedly brought on behalf of purchasers of our common stock and alleges that we and certain of our officers made false or misleading statements regarding our business in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), SEC Rule 10b-5, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. According to the filed complaint, the plaintiff is seeking an undetermined amount of damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and other relief on behalf of the putative classes of all persons who acquired shares of the Company’s common stock between May 7, 2020 and April 13, 2022.
On September 29, 2022, an Amended Class Action complaint was filed under the same Case Number, adding as defendants Alan D. Gold and Benjamin C. Regin, and asserting causes of action under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. According to the Amended Class Action Complaint, the plaintiff is seeking an undetermined amount of damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and other relief on behalf of the putative classes of all persons who acquired shares of the Company’s common stock between August 7, 2020 and August 4, 2022. On December 1, 2022, defendants moved to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint; on January 25, 2023, plaintiff responded to defendants’ motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint; and on March 6, 2023 defendants responded to plaintiff’s answer. It is possible that similar lawsuits may yet be filed in the same or other courts that name the same or additional defendants. We intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously. However, at this time, we cannot predict the probable outcome of this action, and, accordingly,
Derivative Action Lawsuit
On July 26, 2022, a derivative action lawsuit was filed against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. The case was named John Rice, derivatively on behalf of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. v. Paul Smithers, Catherine Hastings, Andy Bui, Alan Gold, Gary Kreitzer, Mary Curran, Scott Shoemaker, David Stecher, and Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc., and was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland. The lawsuit asserts putative derivative claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, and waste of corporate assets against the directors and certain officers of the Company. The plaintiffs are seeking declaratory relief, direction to reform and improve corporate governance and internal procedures, and an undetermined amount of damages, restitution, interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On September 6, 2022, the defendants in this action filed a Consent Motion to Stay the Proceedings, which was granted on October 11, 2022. On September 28, 2022, a second derivative action lawsuit was filed against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. The case was named Karen Drover, derivatively on behalf of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. v. Paul Smithers, Catherine Hastings, Andy Bui, Alan Gold, Gary Kreitzer, Mary Curran, Scott Shoemaker, David Stecher, Defendants, and Innovative Industrial Properties Inc., Nominal Defendant, Case Number 24-C-22-004243, and filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland. The lawsuit asserts putative derivative claims for breach of fiduciary duty, and seeks actions to reform and improve the Company, and an undetermined amount of damages, restitution, interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On October 19, 2022, the parties to both cases filed a Joint Motion to Consolidate Related Shareholder Derivative Actions and to Appoint Lead and Liaison Counsel for plaintiffs, which was granted on December 16, 2022, along with a stay in the lawsuit pending a ruling on the defendants’ motion to dismiss the federal class action lawsuit described above. On April 17, 2023, a third derivative action lawsuit was filed against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. The case was named Ross Weintraub, derivatively on behalf of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. v. Alan Gold, Paul Smithers, Catherine Hastings, Ben Regin, Andy Bui, Tracie Hager, Gary Kreitzer, David Stecher, Scott Shoemaker, Mary Curran, and Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc., Case Number 1:23-cv-00737-GLR, and filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The lawsuit asserts putative derivative claims for breach of fiduciary duty and violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, and seeks an undetermined amount of damages, equitable relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs. Defendants in this action filed a Consent Motion to Stay the Proceeding, which was granted on April 17, 2023. The Company intends to vigorously defend each of these lawsuits. However, at this time, the Company cannot predict the probable outcome of these actions, and, accordingly,
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Kings Garden Lawsuit
In July 2022, one of our tenants, Kings Garden Inc., defaulted on its obligations to pay base rent and property management fees under each of its six leases with our indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, IIP-CA 2 LP, and defaulted on its obligations to reimburse us for certain insurance premiums at the properties incurred by us that are payable by Kings Garden as operating expenses under such leases.
On July 25, 2022, IIP-CA 2 LP filed a lawsuit against Kings Garden. The case was named IIP-CA 2 LP, a Delaware limited partnership v. Kings Garden Inc., a Nevada corporation, CK Endeavors, Inc., a California corporation, and JM Endeavors, Inc., a California corporation, and was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California. The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of contract, declaratory relief, and injunctive relief. On August 2, 2022, the case was amended to be named IIP-CA 2 LP, a Delaware limited partnership v. Kings Garden Inc., a Nevada corporation, CK Endeavors, Inc., a California corporation, JM Endeavors, Inc., a California corporation, Michael King, an individual, Gary LaSalle, an individual, Charles Kieley, an individual, and Laurie Kibby, an individual, and to include claims relating to construction at the expansion project and the property that was under redevelopment as of June 30, 2022 for breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conversion, theft by false pretenses, money had and received, and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1962(c)). The amount related to these project costs reported in construction in progress as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $
On September 11, 2022, the parties to the lawsuit entered into a confidential, conditional settlement agreement pertaining to matters related to the lawsuit. Pursuant to the conditional settlement agreement, as of December 31, 2022, the Company received a total of $
Out of the amounts included in construction in progress at March 31, 2023, we are in the process of investigating additional costs paid of approximately $
On February 14, 2023, Kings Garden filed an Arbitration Demand related to the interpretation of the confidential, conditional settlement agreement between the parties that concerns certain terms governing (along with the relevant lease) the assignment of one of the Kings Garden leases. The Company filed a Response to Kings Garden’s Arbitration Demand, Affirmative Defenses and Counter-Claim on March 1, 2023 (the “Counter-Claim”). Kings Garden filed an answer to the Counter-Claim on March 15, 2023. An emergency hearing was conducted on April 13, 2023, pursuant to which the arbitrator denied Kings Garden’s Motion for Interim Relief, and established timeframes and procedures for the arbitration.
Parallel Pennsylvania Litigation
On February 6, 2023, IIP-PA 8 LLC, as landlord and an indirect subsidiary of the Company, filed a lawsuit against Goodblend Pennsylvania LLC, as tenant, and Parallel, as guarantor, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, regarding the lease and related guaranty for one of the Company’s properties located in Pennsylvania. The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of contract by the tenant and guarantor and ejectment. Goodblend Pennsylvania LLC and Parallel filed preliminary objections to the lawsuit on March 3, 2023. IIP-PA 8 LLC filed its response to Goodblend Pennsylvania LLC’s and Parallel’s preliminary objections on March 23, 2023. On April 25, 2023, IIP-PA 8 LLC filed a motion to compel Goodblend Pennsylvania LLC to pay rent owing under the lease to IIP-PA 8 LLC. A hearing regarding Parallel’s preliminary objections and IIP-PA 8 LLC’s motion to compel payment of rent is scheduled for June 8, 2023.
Parallel Texas Litigation
On February 11, 2023, a subsidiary of Parallel defaulted on its obligations to pay rent under the lease at one of our properties in Texas that is under development. On February 23, 2023, IIP-TX 1 LLC, as landlord and an indirect subsidiary of the Company, filed a lawsuit against Surterra San Marcos, LLC, as tenant, in the Justice Court of Hays County, Texas, regarding the lease, asserting claim for possession. On March 9, 2023 a judgment for possession was entered in favor of IIP-TX 1 LLC, as well as monthly rental amounts due. On March 13, 2023, IIP-TX 1 LLC filed a subsequent lawsuit against Surterra San Marcos, LLC, Parallel and Sunstream
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Opportunities LP (“SAF Entity 1”) in the District Court of Hays County, Texas, regarding the same lease, asserting claims against Surterra San Marcos, LLC, Parallel and SAF Entity 1 for breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, unjust enrichment, fraud and fraudulent inducement, intentional failure to disclose and misrepresentations and conversion, and also requested the granting of a temporary injunction and the appointment of a receiver over the license(s) pertaining to the property’s operations as a regulated cannabis facility.
Green Peak Michigan Litigation
On February 2, 2023, IIP-MI 1 LLC, as landlord and an indirect subsidiary of the Company, filed a lawsuit against Green Peak, as tenant, in 56-A District Court of the State of Michigan, regarding the lease for one of the Company’s properties located in Michigan, asserting claim for possession. On February 22, 2023, IIP-MI 1 LLC filed a subsequent lawsuit against Green Peak and Tropics LP (“SAF Entity 2”) in the 56th Circuit Court of the State of Michigan, regarding the same lease, asserting claims against Green Peak for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and innocent misrepresentation, against SAF Entity 2 for tortious interference with contract, and against both Green Peak and SAF Entity 2 for civil conspiracy. On March 3, 2023, a stipulated order appointing a receiver over substantially all of Green Peak’s assets was entered in the Circuit Court of Ingham County, Michigan.
We may, from time to time, be a party to other legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. Although the results of these proceedings, claims, inquiries, and investigations cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the final outcome of these matters is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Regardless of final outcomes, however, any such proceedings, claims, inquiries, and investigations may nonetheless impose a significant burden on management and employees and may come with significant defense costs or unfavorable preliminary and interim rulings.
12. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and determined that there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to our disclosures in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report. We make statements in this report that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, our statements regarding anticipated growth in our funds from operations and anticipated market and regulatory conditions, our strategic direction, demographics, results of operations, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods which may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or “anticipates” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: rates of default on leases for our assets; concentration of our portfolio of assets and limited number of tenants; the estimated growth in and evolving market dynamics of the regulated cannabis market; the demand for regulated cannabis facilities; inflation dynamics; our ability to improve our internal control over financial reporting, including our inability to remediate the identified material weakness, and the costs and the time associated with such efforts; the impact of pandemics on us, our business, our tenants, or the economy generally; war and other hostilities, including the conflict in Ukraine; our business and investment strategy; our projected operating results; actions and initiatives of the U.S. or state governments and changes to government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies, including the fact that cannabis remains illegal under federal law; availability of suitable investment opportunities in the regulated cannabis industry; our understanding of our competition and our potential tenants’ alternative financing sources; the demand for regulated cannabis facilities; the expected medical-use or adult-use cannabis legalization in certain states; shifts in public opinion regarding regulated cannabis; the potential impact on us from litigation matters, including rising liability and insurance costs; the additional risks that may be associated with certain of our tenants cultivating, processing and/or dispensing adult-use cannabis in our facilities; the state of the U.S. economy generally or in specific geographic areas; economic trends and economic recoveries; our ability to access equity or debt capital; financing rates for our target assets; our level of indebtedness, which could reduce funds available for other business purposes and reduce our operational flexibility; covenants in our debt instruments, which may limit our flexibility and adversely affect our financial condition; our ability to maintain our investment grade credit rating; changes in the values of our assets; our expected portfolio of assets; our expected investments; interest rate mismatches between our assets and our borrowings used to fund such investments; changes in interest rates and the market value of our assets; the degree to which any interest rate or other hedging strategies may or may not protect us from interest rate volatility; the impact of and changes in governmental regulations, tax law and rates, accounting guidance and similar matters; our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT; our ability to maintain our exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940; availability of qualified personnel; and market trends in our industry, interest rates, real estate values, the securities markets or the general economy.
The risks included here are not exhaustive, and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance, including factors and risks included in other sections of this report. In addition, we discussed a number of material risks in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and in Part II, Item 1A below. Those risks continue to be relevant to our performance and financial condition. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on our Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us speaks only of the date on which we make it. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Stockholders and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in the Company’s filings and reports.
The purpose of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to provide an understanding of the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
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Overview
As used herein, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company” refer to Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and any of our subsidiaries, including IIP Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”).
We are an internally-managed REIT focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of specialized properties leased to experienced, state-licensed operators for their regulated cannabis facilities. We have leased and expect to continue to lease our properties on a triple-net lease basis, where the tenant is responsible for all aspects of and costs related to the property and its operation during the lease term, including structural repairs, maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance.
We were incorporated in Maryland on June 15, 2016. We conduct our business through a traditional umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, or UPREIT structure, in which our properties are owned by our Operating Partnership, directly or through subsidiaries. We are the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership and own, directly or through subsidiaries, 100% of the limited partnership interests in our Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2023, we had 21 full-time employees.
As of March 31, 2023, we owned 108 properties comprising approximately 8.9 million square feet (including approximately 1.6 million rentable square feet under development/redevelopment) in 19 states. As of March 31, 2023, we had invested approximately $2.3 billion in the aggregate (consisting of purchase price and funding of draws for construction funding and improvements submitted by tenants, if any, but excluding transaction costs) and had committed an additional approximately $84.5 million to fund draws to certain tenants and sellers for construction and improvements at our properties. Of the approximately $84.5 million committed to fund draws to certain tenants and sellers for construction and improvements at our properties, approximately $26.6 million was incurred but not funded as of March 31, 2023. These statistics do not include a $23.0 million loan commitment from us to a developer for construction of a regulated cannabis cultivation and processing facility in California, of which we have funded approximately $18.4 million as of March 31, 2023.
Of these properties, we include 103 properties in our operating portfolio, which were 100% leased to state-licensed cannabis operators as of March 31, 2023, with a weighted-average remaining lease term of approximately 15.1 years. Rent collection for our operating portfolio (calculated as base rent and property management fees collected as a percentage of contractually due base rent and property management fees, including an aggregate of approximately $4.2 million of security deposits applied for payment of rent for our leases with Green Peak, Parallel and Holistic) was approximately 98% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, we have fully applied approximately $909,000 of security deposit for payment of rent for one of our leases with Green Peak and fully applied approximately $2.2 million of security deposits for payment of rent for two of our leases with Parallel.
We do not include in our operating portfolio the following properties (all of which were under development/redevelopment as of March 31, 2023, and together are expected to comprise approximately 715,000 rentable square feet upon completion of development/redevelopment):
● | Inland Center Drive in San Bernardino, California; |
● | Perez Road in Cathedral City, California; |
● | 63795 19th Avenue in Palm Springs, California; |
● | Leah Avenue in San Marcos, Texas; and |
● | Davis Highway in Windsor, Michigan. |
Factors Impacting Our Operating Results
Our results of operations are affected by a number of factors and depend on the rental revenues we receive from the properties that we acquire, the timing of lease expirations, general market conditions, the regulatory environment in the regulated cannabis industry, and the competitive environment for real estate assets that support the regulated cannabis industry.
Rental Revenues
We receive income primarily from rental revenues generated by the properties that we acquire. The amount of rental revenues depends upon a number of factors, including:
● | our ability to enter into leases with increasing or market value rents for the properties that we acquire; and |
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● | rent collection, which primarily relates to each of our tenant’s financial condition and ability to make rent payments to us on time. |
The properties that we acquire consist of real estate assets that support the regulated cannabis industry. Changes in federal law and current favorable state or local laws in the cannabis industry may impair our ability to renew or re-lease properties and the ability of our tenants to fulfill their lease obligations and could materially and adversely affect our ability to maintain or increase rental rates for our properties.
Conditions in Our Markets
Positive or negative changes in regulatory, economic or other conditions, drought, and natural disasters in the markets where we acquire properties may affect our overall financial performance.
The success of our tenants in operating their businesses and their ability to pay rent continue to be significantly influenced by many challenges including the impact of inflation, labor shortages, supply chain constraints on their cost of doing business, and the U.S. consumer financial health. Additionally, market dynamics and the regulatory regime in the states where they operate create challenges that may impact our tenants’ businesses and/or decrease future demand for regulated cannabis cultivation and production facilities. The potential impact of current economic challenges on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is subject to change and continues to depend on the extent and duration of these risks and uncertainties.
Market Dynamics in Regulated Cannabis State Programs
States vary significantly in their market dynamics, driven by many factors, including, but not limited to, regulatory frameworks, enforcement policies with respect to illicit, unlicensed cannabis operations, taxation and licensing structures. For example, in California, according to Global Go Analytics, the illicit market for cannabis remains a much larger portion of overall sales in the state, and state and local authorities have assessed significant taxes on regulated cannabis products, both of which have had the impact of significantly limiting the growth and profitability for operators in the state’s regulated cannabis market.
Many states continue to experience significant declines in unit pricing for regulated cannabis products, with that decline more pronounced in certain states than in others, which compresses operating margins for operators. As a result, certain regulated cannabis operators have announced that they are consolidating operations or shuttering certain operations to reduce costs, which if prolonged, could have a material negative impact on operators’ demand for regulated cannabis facilities, including our existing tenants.
Inflation and Supply Chain Constraints
The U.S. economy is experiencing a sustained increase in inflation rates, which we believe is negatively impacting our tenants. This inflation has increased costs for labor and production inputs for regulated cannabis operators, in addition to increasing costs of construction for development and redevelopment projects. Ongoing labor shortages and global supply chain issues also continue to adversely impact costs and timing for completion of these development and redevelopment projects, which are resulting in cost overruns and delays in commencing operations on certain of our tenants’ projects.
Reduced Capital Availability for Tenants and the Company
For the past several months, financial markets have been volatile, reflecting heightened geopolitical risks and material tightening of financial conditions since the U.S. Federal Reserve began increasing interest rates in spring of 2022 and continued uncertainty regarding monetary policy. Driven in part by overall macroeconomic conditions, both capital availability and mergers and acquisitions activity have significantly declined for regulated cannabis operators.
Capital raising activities by U.S. REITs have also experienced steep declines, including significantly reduced capital availability for our company.
Significant Tenants and Concentrations of Risk
As of March 31, 2023, we owned 108 properties located in 19 states. Many of our tenants are tenants at multiple properties. We seek to manage our portfolio-level risk through geographic diversification and by minimizing dependence on any single property or tenant. At March 31, 2023, none of our properties accounted for 5% or more of our net real estate held for investment. See Note 2 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the tenants in our portfolio that represented the largest percentage of our total rental revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
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In July 2022, Kings Garden, a tenant of ours at six properties that we own in southern California, defaulted on its obligations to pay rent. In November 2022, Parallel defaulted on its obligations to pay rent at one of our properties in Pennsylvania, and Green Peak defaulted on its obligations to pay rent at one our properties in Michigan. In February 2023, Parallel also defaulted on its obligations to pay rent at one of our properties in Texas. In March 2023, Green Peak was placed into receivership.
See Note 11 “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information regarding Kings Garden, Parallel and Green Peak.
Competitive Environment
We face competition from a diverse mix of market participants, including but not limited to, other companies with similar business models, independent investors, hedge funds, lenders and other real estate investors, as well as potential tenants (cannabis operators themselves), all of whom may compete with us in our efforts to acquire real estate zoned for regulated cannabis operations. Competition from others may diminish our opportunities to acquire a desired property on favorable terms or at all. In addition, this competition may put pressure on us to reduce the rental rates below those that we expect to charge for the properties that we acquire, which would adversely affect our financial results.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include general and administrative expenses, including personnel costs, stock-based compensation, and legal, accounting and other expenses related to corporate governance, public reporting and compliance with the various provisions of U.S. securities laws. We generally structure our leases so that the tenant is responsible for taxes, maintenance, insurance and structural repairs with respect to the premises throughout the lease term. Increases or decreases in such operating expenses will impact our overall financial performance.
Our Qualification as a REIT
We have been organized and operate our business so as to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Shares of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock are subject to restrictions on ownership and transfer that are intended, among other purposes, to assist us in qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT. In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, the relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to certain exceptions, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock or Series A Preferred Stock or more than 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or any class or series of our outstanding preferred stock.
Results of Operations
Investments in Real Estate
See Note 6 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for information regarding our investments in real estate activity and property portfolio activity during the three months ended March 31, 2023. In March 2023, we sold the portfolio of four properties in California previously leased to affiliates of Vertical for $16.2 million (excluding transaction costs) with a secured loan for $16.1 million with the buyer of the properties. The transaction did not qualify for recognition as a completed sale since not all of the criteria were met. Accordingly, we have not derecognized the assets transferred. All consideration received, as well as any future payments, from the buyer is recognized as a deposit liability and is included in other liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet until such time the criteria for recognition as a sale have been met. In addition, as we have not met all of the held-for-sale criteria, land and building and improvements with a gross carrying value of approximately $3.4 million and approximately $13.9 million, respectively, and accumulated depreciation of approximately $1.4 million as of March 31, 2023, remain on the condensed
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consolidated balance sheet, and the buildings and improvements continue to be depreciated. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we received cash interest payment of approximately $134,000, which has been recorded as a liability as of March 31, 2023.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table sets forth the results of our operations (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended | |||||
March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
Revenues: | |||||
Rental (including tenant reimbursements) | $ | 75,529 | $ | 64,114 | |
Other |
| 538 |
| 390 | |
Total revenues |
| 76,067 |
| 64,504 | |
Expenses: | |||||
Property expenses |
| 5,623 |
| 1,982 | |
General and administrative expense |
| 10,373 |
| 8,777 | |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
| 16,714 |
| 13,868 | |
Total expenses |
| 32,710 |
| 24,627 | |
Income from operations |
| 43,357 |
| 39,877 | |
Interest and other income |
| 2,233 |
| 57 | |
Interest expense | (4,520) | (4,766) | |||
Gain (loss) on exchange of Exchangeable Senior Notes |
| 22 |
| (118) | |
Net income |
| 41,092 |
| 35,050 | |
Preferred stock dividends |
| (338) |
| (338) | |
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 40,754 | $ | 34,712 |
Revenues.
Rental Revenues. Rental revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by approximately $11.4 million, or 18%, to approximately $75.5 million, compared to approximately $64.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Approximately $516,000 of the increase in rental revenues was generated by the properties acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The remaining approximately $10.9 million increase in rental revenues was generated by properties we acquired in prior periods, including contractual rent escalations and amendments to leases for additional improvement allowances and construction funding at existing properties that resulted in adjustments to rent. Rental revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 included the full application of approximately $909,000 of security deposit for payment of rent for one of our leases with Green Peak, the full application of approximately $2.2 million of security deposits for payment of rent for two of our leases with Parallel and the partial application of approximately $1.1 million of security deposits for payment of rent for two of our leases with Holistic in accordance with lease amendments executed with Holistic in January 2023 (see Note 6 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for information). Rental revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 included approximately $5.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of tenant reimbursements for property insurance premiums and property taxes.
Rental revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2023 were negatively impacted by non-collection of rent during the quarter from properties in our operating portfolio totaling approximately $1.8 million (including approximately $1.6 million of contractual base rents and property management fees and approximately $152,000 of tenant reimbursements for property insurance premiums and property taxes) from three tenants, Green Peak, affiliates of Vertical and Parallel.
Other Revenues. Other revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of interest revenue related to leases for property acquisitions that did not satisfy the requirements for sale-leaseback accounting.
Expenses.
Property Expenses. Property expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by approximately $3.6 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to new property acquisitions and additional investment in existing properties which resulted in higher property insurance premiums and property taxes that we paid for our properties. Property expenses are generally reimbursable to us by the tenants under the terms of the leases.
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General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by approximately $1.6 million to approximately $10.4 million, compared to approximately $8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to approximately $624,000 in litigation-related expense incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2023 related to matters described in Note 11 “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report, higher compensation to employees, the hiring of additional employees and higher public company costs, travel and occupancy costs. Compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 included approximately $4.8 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of non-cash stock-based compensation.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was related to depreciation on properties that we acquired and the placement into service of construction and improvements at certain of our properties.
Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 increased by approximately $2.2 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was due to higher interest rates on our interest-bearing investments.
Interest Expense. Interest expense consists of interest on our Exchangeable Senior Notes and our Notes due 2026. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 included approximately $338,000 and $365,000, respectively, of non-cash interest expense. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by approximately $246,000 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to exchanges of approximately $26.9 million outstanding principal amount of our Exchangeable Senior Notes during the year ended December 31, 2022 and exchanges of $2.0 million outstanding principal amount of our Exchangeable Senior Notes during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Cash Flows
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 |
| Change | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 64,616 |
| $ | 59,884 | $ | 4,732 | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (62,676) |
| (81,094) |
| 18,418 | |||
Net cash used in financing activities |
| (51,408) |
| (20,185) |
| (31,223) | |||
Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| 39,104 |
| 45,024 |
| (5,920) |
Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $64.6 million and $59.9 million, respectively. Cash flows provided by operating activities were generally from contractual rent from our properties, partially offset by our general and administrative expense, property expenses in excess of tenant reimbursements and property expenses at properties that were not leased.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were approximately $62.7 million, of which approximately $101.3 million related to investments in real estate and funding of draws for a portion of the improvement allowances, construction funding at our properties and other investments, partially offset by approximately $38.6 million related to net purchases and maturities of short-term investments. Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were approximately $81.1 million, of which approximately $196.1 million related to investments in real estate and funding of a portion of the improvement allowances, construction funding at our properties and other investments, partially offset by $115.0 million related to maturities of short-term investments.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities of approximately $51.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was the result of dividend payments of approximately $50.8 million to common and preferred stockholders and approximately $568,000 related to net share settlement of equity awards to pay the required withholding taxes upon vesting of restricted stock for certain employees.
Net cash used in financing activities of approximately $20.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was the result of approximately $21.1 million in net proceeds from the issuance of our common stock, offset by dividend payments of approximately
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$38.9 million to common and preferred stockholders and approximately $2.4 million related to net share settlement of equity awards to pay the required withholding taxes upon vesting of restricted stock for certain employees.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements. We expect to use significant cash to acquire additional properties, develop and redevelop existing properties, pay dividends to our stockholders, fund our operations, service our Exchangeable Senior Notes and Notes due 2026, and meet other general business needs.
Sources and Uses of Cash
We derive substantially all of our revenues from the leasing of our properties and collecting rental income, which includes operating expense reimbursements, based on contractual arrangements with our tenants. This source of revenue represents our primary source of liquidity to fund our dividends, interest payments on Exchangeable Senior Notes and Notes due 2026, general and administrative expenses, property development and redevelopment activities, property operating expenses and other expenses incurred related to managing our existing portfolio and investing in additional properties. Because substantially all our leases are triple net, our tenants are generally responsible for the maintenance, insurance and property taxes associated with the properties they lease from us. If a tenant defaults on one of our leases or the lease term expires with no tenant renewal, we would incur property costs not paid by the tenant during the time it takes to re-lease or sell the property.
As of March 31, 2023, we owned 108 properties. Of these properties, the 103 properties in our operating portfolio were 100% leased to state-licensed cannabis operators, with a weighted-average remaining lease term of approximately 15.1 years. Rent collection for our operating portfolio (calculated as base rent and property management fees collected as a percentage of contractually due base rent and property management fees, and including an aggregate of approximately $4.2 million of security deposits applied for payment of rent for our leases with Green Peak, Parallel and Holistic) was approximately 98% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, we have fully applied approximately $909,000 of security deposits for payment of rent for one of our leases with Green Peak and fully applied approximately $2.2 million of security deposits for payment of rent for two of our leases with Parallel.
In July 2022, Kings Garden defaulted on its obligations to pay rent at all of the properties that Kings Garden leases from us. Two of our properties, which were previously leased to Kings Garden, and an expansion project at a property where Kings Garden continues to occupy the property pursuant to a confidential, contingent settlement agreement, were under development as of March 31, 2023. In November 2022, Parallel defaulted on its obligations to pay rent at one of our properties in Pennsylvania, and Green Peak defaulted on its obligations to pay rent at one our properties in Michigan. In February 2023, Parallel also defaulted on its obligations to pay rent at one of our properties in Texas. In March 2023, a receiver was appointed over substantially all of Green Peak’s assets.
See Note 11 “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more information regarding Kings Garden, Parallel and Green Peak.
We expect to incur some property-level operating costs from time to time in periods during which properties that become vacant are being remarketed. In addition, we may recognize an expense for certain property costs, such as insurance premiums and real estate taxes billed in arrears, if we believe the tenant is likely to vacate the property before making payment on those obligations or may be unable to pay such costs in a timely manner. Property costs are generally not significant to our operations, but the amount of property costs can vary quarter to quarter based on the number of property vacancies and whether we have any underperforming properties. We may advance certain property costs on behalf of our tenants but expect that the majority of these costs will be reimbursed by the tenant and do not anticipate that they will be significant to our operations. In addition, for properties that are not leased and are under development or redevelopment, we may make significant additional investments in these properties in order to get them ready for their intended use and to re-lease them.
To the extent additional resources are needed, we expect to fund our investment activity generally through equity or debt issuances either in the public or private markets. Where possible, we also may issue limited partnership interests in our Operating Partnership to acquire properties from existing owners seeking a tax-deferred transaction.
In May 2021, we received an investment grade rating from a ratings agency. We sought to obtain an investment grade rating to facilitate access to the investment grade unsecured debt market as part of our overall strategy to maximize our financial flexibility and manage our overall cost of capital. On May 25, 2021, our Operating Partnership issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes due 2026. The Notes due 2026 are the Operating Partnership’s general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by us and all of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership, and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Operating Partnership’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the Exchangeable Senior Notes. The terms of the Notes due 2026 are governed by an indenture, which requires compliance with various financial
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covenants including limits on the amount of total leverage and secured debt maintained by the Operating Partnership and which require the Operating Partnership to maintain minimum levels of debt service coverage. Management believes that it was in compliance with those covenants as of March 31, 2023. Subject to the terms of the indenture, any new subsidiary of the Operating Partnership will also guarantee the Notes due 2026. In addition, the terms of the indenture provide that if the debt rating on the Notes due 2026 is downgraded or withdrawn entirely, interest on the Notes due 2026 will increase to a range of 6.0% to 6.5% based on such debt rating.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we issued 32,200 shares, respectively, of our common stock upon exchange by holders of $2.0 million of outstanding principal amount of our Exchangeable Senior Notes.
In January 2023, we terminated the previously existing “at-the-market” offering program and entered into new equity distribution agreements with four sales agents, pursuant to which we may offer and sell from time to time through an “at-the-market” offering program (the “ATM Program”) up to $500.0 million in shares of our common stock. As of March 31, 2023, we had not sold any shares of common stock under the ATM Program.
We have filed an automatic shelf registration statement, which may permit us, from time to time, to offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants and other securities to the extent necessary or advisable to meet our liquidity needs.
We expect to meet our liquidity needs through cash and short-term investments on hand, cash flows from operations and cash flow from sources discussed above. We believe that our liquidity and sources of capital are adequate to satisfy our cash requirements. We cannot, however, be certain that these sources of funds will be available at a time and upon terms acceptable to the Company in sufficient amounts to meet our liquidity needs. Our investment guidelines also provide that our aggregate borrowings (secured and unsecured) will not exceed 50% of the cost of our tangible assets at the time of any new borrowing, subject to our board of directors’ discretion.
In recent months, financial markets have been volatile in general, which has also significantly reduced our access to capital. If this environment continues for a prolonged period of time or worsens, this would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our ability to continue to make acquisitions of new properties and fund investments for improvements at existing properties.
Dividends
The Company is required to pay dividends to its stockholders at least equal to 90% of its taxable income in order to qualify and maintain its qualification as a REIT. As a result of this distribution requirement, our Operating Partnership cannot rely on retained earnings to fund its ongoing operations to the same extent that other companies whose parent companies are not REITs can. Our ability to continue to pay dividends is dependent upon our ability to continue to generate cash flows, service any debt obligations we have, including our Exchangeable Senior Notes and Notes due 2026, and make accretive new investments.
The following table describes the dividends declared by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
|
| Amount |
|
|
|
| |||||||
Declaration | Per | Dividend |
| ||||||||||
Date | Security Class | Share | Period Covered | Paid Date | Dividend Amount |
| |||||||
| (In thousands) | ||||||||||||
March 15, 2023 | Common stock | $ | 1.80 | January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | April 14, 2023 | $ | 50,725 | ||||||
March 15, 2023 | Series A preferred stock | $ | 0.5625 | January 15, 2023 to April 14, 2023 | April 14, 2023 | $ | 338 |
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Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2023 (in thousands):
Payments Due | Exchangeable |
|
|
| |||||||||||
by Year |
| Notes due 2026 | Senior Notes |
| Interest |
| Office Rent |
| Total | ||||||
2023 (nine months ending December 31) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,500 | $ | 373 | $ | 12,873 | |||||
2024 | — |
| 4,436 |
| 16,523 |
| 511 |
| 21,470 | ||||||
2025 | — |
| — |
| 16,500 |
| 526 |
| 17,026 | ||||||
2026 | 300,000 |
| — |
| 6,646 |
| 543 |
| 307,189 | ||||||
2027 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 45 |
| 45 | ||||||
Total | $ | 300,000 | $ | 4,436 | $ | 52,169 | $ | 1,998 | $ | 358,603 |
Additionally, as of March 31, 2023, we had approximately $57.9 million outstanding in commitments related to improvement allowances, which generally may be requested by the tenants at any time up until a date that is near the expiration of the initial term of the applicable lease. As of March 31, 2023, we also had approximately $4.6 million outstanding in commitments to fund a construction loan, which the developer is required to complete by December 31, 2023, subject to extension in certain circumstances. The commitments discussed in this paragraph are excluded from the table of contractual obligations above, as improvement allowances generally may be requested by the tenants at any time up until a date that is near the expiration of the initial term of the applicable lease and construction loan funding generally may be requested by the borrower from time to time, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
Supplemental Guarantor Information
In March 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X and created Rule 13-01 to simplify disclosure requirements related to certain registered securities. The amendments became effective on January 4, 2021. Our Notes due 2026 and our Exchangeable Senior Notes are the unsecured senior obligations of our Operating Partnership and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by us and all of our direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. Only the Notes due 2026 and the related guarantees are registered securities under the Securities Act. See Note 7 “Debt” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for a description of certain terms of our Notes due 2026.
The offer and sale of the Exchangeable Senior Notes and the related guarantees were not and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and instead were issued in reliance upon an exemption from such registration. Unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act, the Exchangeable Senior Notes and the related guarantees may be offered and sold only in transactions that are exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and the applicable securities laws of any other jurisdiction.
As a result of the amendments to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, subsidiary issuers of obligations guaranteed by the parent are not required to provide separate financial statements, provided that the subsidiary obligor is consolidated into the parent company’s consolidated financial statements, the parent guarantee is “full and unconditional” and, subject to certain exceptions as set forth below, the alternative disclosure required by Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X is provided, which includes narrative disclosure and summarized financial information. Accordingly, separate consolidated financial statements of our Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors have not been presented.
Furthermore, as permitted under Rule 13-01(a)(4)(vi) of Regulation S-X, we have excluded the summarized financial information for the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors because the combined assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the Operating Partnership and the Subsidiary Guarantors are not materially different than the corresponding amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements, and management believes such summarized financial information would be repetitive and would not provide incremental value to investors.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the required GAAP presentations, we use certain non-GAAP performance measures as we believe these measures improve the understanding of our operational results. We continually evaluate the usefulness, relevance, limitations, and calculation of our reported non-GAAP performance measures to determine how best to provide relevant information to the public and thus such reported measures could change.
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Funds from Operations, Normalized Funds from Operations and Adjusted Funds from Operations
Funds from operations (“FFO”) and FFO per share are operating performance measures adopted by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. (“NAREIT”). NAREIT defines FFO as the most commonly accepted and reported measure of a REIT’s operating performance equal to net income (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, depreciation, amortization and impairment related to real estate properties, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures.
Management believes that net income, as defined by GAAP, is the most appropriate earnings measurement. However, management believes FFO and FFO per share to be supplemental measures of a REIT’s performance because they provide an understanding of the operating performance of our properties without giving effect to certain significant non-cash items, primarily depreciation expense. Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance with GAAP assumes that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time. However, real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions. We believe that by excluding the effect of depreciation, FFO and FFO per share can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods. We report FFO and FFO per share because these measures are observed by management to also be the predominant measures used by the REIT industry and by industry analysts to evaluate REITs and because FFO per share is consistently reported, discussed, and compared by research analysts in their notes and publications about REITs. For these reasons, management has deemed it appropriate to disclose and discuss FFO and FFO per share.
We compute normalized funds from operations (“Normalized FFO”) by adjusting FFO, as defined by NAREIT, to exclude certain GAAP income and expense amounts that we believe are infrequent and unusual in nature and/or not related to our core real estate operations. Exclusion of these items from similar FFO-type metrics is common within the equity REIT industry, and management believes that presentation of Normalized FFO and Normalized FFO per share provides investors with a metric to assist in their evaluation of our operating performance across multiple periods and in comparison to the operating performance of other companies, because it removes the effect of unusual items that are not expected to impact our operating performance on an ongoing basis. Normalized FFO is used by management in evaluating the performance of our core business operations. Items included in calculating FFO that may be excluded in calculating Normalized FFO include certain transaction-related gains, losses, income or expense or other non-core amounts as they occur.
Management believes that adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) and AFFO per share are also appropriate supplemental measures of a REIT’s operating performance. We calculate AFFO by adjusting Normalized FFO for certain cash and non-cash items.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, FFO (diluted), Normalized FFO and AFFO, and FFO, Normalized FFO and AFFO per diluted share include the dilutive impact of the assumed full exchange of the Exchangeable Senior Notes for shares of common stock. As a result, for purposes of calculating FFO (diluted), cash and non-cash interest expense of the Exchangeable Senior Notes was added back to FFO, and the total diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding increased by 102,210 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which were the potentially issuable shares as if the Exchangeable Senior Notes were exchanged at the beginning of the period.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, FFO (diluted), Normalized FFO and AFFO, and FFO, Normalized FFO and AFFO per diluted share include the dilutive impact of the assumed full exchange of the Exchangeable Senior Notes for shares of common stock. As a result, for purposes of calculating FFO (diluted), cash and non-cash interest expense of the Exchangeable Senior Notes was added back to FFO, and the total diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding increased by 507,181 shares, which were the potentially issuable shares as if the Exchangeable Senior Notes were exchanged at the beginning of the period.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the performance share units (“PSUs”) granted to certain employees were not included in dilutive securities as the performance thresholds for vesting of the PSUs were not met as measured as of March 31, 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, 102,333 shares issuable upon vesting of the performance share units (“PSUs”) were dilutive, as the performance thresholds for vesting of these PSUs were met as measured as of March 31, 2022.
Our computation of FFO, Normalized FFO, and AFFO may differ from the methodology for calculating FFO, Normalized FFO and AFFO utilized by other equity REITs and, accordingly, may not be comparable to such REITs. Further, FFO and AFFO do not represent cash flow available for management’s discretionary use. FFO, Normalized FFO and AFFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income (computed in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of our financial performance or to cash flow from operating activities (computed in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to pay dividends or make distributions. FFO, Normalized FFO and AFFO should be considered only as supplements to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as measures of operations.
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The table below is a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to FFO, Normalized FFO and AFFO for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Net income attributable to common stockholders |
| $ | 40,754 |
| $ | 34,712 |
Real estate depreciation and amortization |
| 16,714 |
| 13,868 | ||
FFO attributable to common stockholders (basic) |
| 57,468 |
| 48,580 | ||
Cash and non-cash interest expense on Exchangeable Senior Notes | 69 | 334 | ||||
FFO attributable to common stockholders (diluted) | 57,537 | 48,914 | ||||
Litigation-related expense | 546 | — | ||||
(Gain) loss on exchange of Exchangeable Senior Notes | (22) | 118 | ||||
Normalized FFO attributable to common stockholders (diluted) | 58,061 | 49,032 | ||||
Interest income on seller-financed note(1) | 134 | — | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 4,829 |
| 4,379 | ||
Non-cash interest expense |
| 326 |
| 307 | ||
Above-market lease amortization | 23 | 23 | ||||
AFFO attributable to common stockholders (diluted) | $ | 63,373 | $ | 53,741 | ||
FFO per common share – diluted | $ | 2.04 | $ | 1.86 | ||
Normalized FFO per common share – diluted | $ | 2.06 | $ | 1.86 | ||
AFFO per common share – diluted | $ | 2.25 | $ | 2.04 | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic |
| 27,949,747 |
| 25,620,253 | ||
Restricted stock and RSUs | 171,741 | 110,457 | ||||
PSUs | — | 102,333 | ||||
Dilutive effect of Exchangeable Senior Notes | 102,210 | 507,181 | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted |
| 28,223,698 |
| 26,340,224 |
(1) | Amount reflects the non-refundable interest paid on the seller-financed note issued to us by the buyer in connection with our disposition of a portfolio of four properties in southern California previously leased to affiliates of Vertical, which is recognized as a deposit liability and is included in other liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2023, as the transaction did not qualify for recognition as a completed sale. |
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions.
We continually evaluate the estimates and assumptions we use to prepare our consolidated financial statements. Our critical accounting estimates are defined as accounting estimates or assumptions made in accordance with GAAP, which involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty or subjectivity and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. The following critical accounting estimates discussion reflects what we believe are the most significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. This discussion of our critical accounting estimates is intended to supplement should be read in conjunction with the more complete discussion of our accounting policies and procedures included in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Procedures and Recent Accounting Pronouncements” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Lease Accounting
We account for our leases under ASC 842 “Leases”, which requires significant estimates and judgments by management in its application. Upon lease inception or lease modification, we assess the lease classification of both the land and building components of the property. The determination of lease classification requires the calculation of the rate implicit in the lease, which is driven by significant estimates relating to the unguaranteed residual value of the assets at the end of the non-cancelable lease term.
Acquisition of Rental Property, Depreciation and Impairment
All of our acquisitions of rental properties to date were accounted for as asset acquisitions and not business combinations because substantially all of the fair value is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets (i.e., land, buildings, and related intangible assets). The accounting model for asset acquisitions requires that the acquisition consideration (including acquisition costs) be allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed on a relative fair value basis.
We exercise judgement to determine key assumptions used in each valuation technique. For example, we are required to use judgment and make a number of assumptions, including those related to projected growth in rental rates and operating expenses, anticipated trends and market/economic conditions. The use of different assumptions can affect the amount of consideration allocated to the acquired depreciable/amortizable asset, which in turn can impact our net income due to the recognition of the related depreciation/amortization expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income.
We depreciate buildings and improvements where we are considered the owner for accounting purposes based on our evaluation of the estimated useful life of each specific asset, not to exceed 40 years. Determining whether expenditures meet the criteria for capitalization and the assignment of depreciable lives requires management to exercise significant judgment.
The determination of whether we are or the tenant is the owner of improvements for accounting purposes is subject to significant judgment. In making that determination, we consider numerous factors and perform a detailed evaluation of each individual lease. No one factor is determinative in reaching a conclusion. The factors we evaluate include but are not limited to the following:
● | whether the lease agreement requires landlord approval of how the improvement allowance is spent prior to installation of the improvements; |
● | whether the lease agreement requires the tenant to provide evidence to the landlord supporting the cost and what the improvement allowance was spent on prior to payment by the landlord for such improvements; |
● | whether the improvements are unique to the tenant or reusable by other tenants; |
● | whether the tenant is permitted to alter or remove the improvements without the consent of the landlord or without compensating the landlord for any lost utility or diminution in fair value; and |
● | whether the ownership of the improvements remains with the landlord or remains with the tenant at the end of the lease term. |
When we conclude that we are the owner of improvements for accounting purposes using the factors discussed above, we record the cost to construct the improvements as our capital asset.
We evaluate our real estate assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a given asset may not be recoverable. We evaluate our real estate assets for impairment on a property-by-property basis. Indicators we use to determine whether an impairment evaluation is necessary include:
● | deterioration in rental rates for a specific property; |
● | deterioration of a given rental submarket; |
● | significant change in strategy or use of a specific property or any other event that could result in a decreased holding period, including classifying a property as held for sale, or significant development delay; |
● | evidence of material physical damage to the property; and |
● | default by a significant tenant when any of the other indicators above are present. |
When we evaluate for potential impairment our real estate assets to be held and used, we first evaluate whether there are any indicators of impairment. If any impairment indicators are present for a specific real estate asset, we then perform an undiscounted cash flow analysis and compare the net carrying amount of the real estate asset to the real estate asset’s estimated undiscounted future cash flow over the anticipated holding period. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flow is less than the net carrying amount of the real estate asset, we perform an impairment loss calculation to determine if the fair value of the real estate asset is less than the net
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carrying value of the real estate asset. Our impairment loss calculation compares the net carrying amount of the real estate asset to the real estate asset’s estimated fair value, which may be based on estimated discounted future cash flow calculations or third-party valuations or appraisals. We recognize an impairment loss if the amount of the asset’s net carrying amount exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value. If we recognize an impairment loss, the estimated fair value of the asset becomes its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis would be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset. If a real estate asset is designated as real estate held for sale, it is carried at the lower of the net carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell, and depreciation ceases.
Our undiscounted cash flow and fair value calculations contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate future cash flow and property fair values, including determining our estimated holding period and selecting the discount or capitalization rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flow. Estimating projected cash flow is highly subjective as it requires assumptions related to future rental rates, tenant allowances, operating expenditures, property taxes, capital improvements, and occupancy levels. We are also required to make a number of assumptions relating to future economic and market events and prospective operating trends. Determining the appropriate capitalization rate also requires significant judgment and is typically based on many factors including the prevailing rate for the market or submarket, as well as the quality and location of the properties. Further, capitalization rates can fluctuate resulting from a variety of factors in the overall economy or within regional markets. If the actual net cash flow or actual market capitalization rates significantly differ from our estimates, the impairment evaluation for an individual asset could be materially affected.
For each property where such an indicator occurred, we completed an impairment evaluation. After completing this process, we determined that for each of the operating properties evaluated, undiscounted cash flows over the holding period were in excess of carrying value and, therefore, we did not record any impairment losses for these properties for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation cost for all share-based awards requires an estimate of fair value on the grant date and compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service vesting period, which represents the requisite service period. The grant date fair value for compensation programs that contain market conditions, like modifiers based on total stockholder return (a “market condition”), are performed using complex pricing valuation models that require the input of assumptions, including judgments to estimate expected stock price volatility, expected life, and forfeiture rate. See Note 10 “Common Stock Incentive Plan” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for further discussion the assumptions and estimates.
Impact of Real Estate and Credit Markets
In the commercial real estate market, property prices generally continue to fluctuate. Likewise, during certain periods, the U.S. credit markets have experienced significant price volatility, dislocations, and liquidity disruptions, which may impact our access to and cost of capital. We continually monitor the commercial real estate and U.S. credit markets carefully and, if required, will make decisions to adjust our business strategy accordingly.
Interest Rate Risk
As of March 31, 2023, we had $300.0 million principal amount of Notes due 2026 and approximately $4.4 million principal amount of Exchangeable Senior Notes outstanding at fixed interest rates, and therefore, if interest rates decline, our required payments may exceed those based on current market rates. It is possible that a property we acquire in the future would be subject to a mortgage, which we may assume.
Impact of Inflation
The U.S. economy is experiencing a sustained increase in inflation rates. We enter into leases that generally provide for fixed increases in rent. During times when inflation is greater than the fixed increases in rent, as provided for in the leases, rent increases may not keep up with the rate of inflation.
Seasonality
Our business has not been, and we do not expect our business in the future to be, subject to material seasonal fluctuations.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our Exchangeable Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.75% per annum until maturity and our Notes due 2026 bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.50% per annum until maturity, and collectively are the only debt we have outstanding.
Our investments in short-term money market funds, certificates of deposit and short-term investments in obligations of the U.S. government with an original maturity at the time of purchase of greater than three months are less sensitive to market fluctuations than a portfolio of long-term securities. Accordingly, we believe that a significant change in interest rates would not have a material effect on condensed consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management has evaluated, under supervision of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2023 because of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as described below.
Notwithstanding this material weakness, the Company has concluded that no material misstatements exist in the consolidated financial statements as previously filed and included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2023 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three-month period then ended, in conformity with GAAP.
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
We have determined that we did not design and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting related to management’s review and approval of requests for funding disbursements for improvements at the Company’s properties. Specifically, management’s controls are not designed at an appropriate level of precision to prevent or detect a material misstatement in a timely manner.
This control deficiency did not result in a misstatement of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, this control deficiency could result in misstatements of interim or annual consolidated financial statements and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement that would not be prevented or detected in a timely manner. Therefore, management has concluded that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness.
Remediation of Material Weakness
We are committed to the continuous improvement of our internal controls over financial reporting. We immediately commenced measures to remediate the identified material weakness. We have provided additional training to personnel regarding policies and procedures around construction projects and the necessary approvals of requests for funding disbursements in connection with qualifying property improvements at our properties. Our remediation efforts also include (1) enhancing the design of existing procedures and controls over the review and approval of funding requests for improvements; (2) providing additional training and developing tools to implement and monitor our policies and procedures; and (3) supplementing existing resources with the engagement of third-party construction consultants.
While we believe that the efforts taken to date for remediation are appropriate and reasonable steps to remediate the material weakness, the material weakness will not be remediated until the enhanced controls have been implemented for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing and monitoring, that the new and enhanced controls are designed and operating effectively. We may conclude that additional measures, including resources, are necessary to remediate the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, which may necessitate additional evaluation and implementation time. We may also modify certain of the remediation efforts described above.
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Other than the material weakness discussed above, there have been no changes in our system of internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a description of our legal proceedings, see Note 11 “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation” to our condensed consolidated financial statements, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations. Except to the extent updated below or to the extent additional factual information disclosed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relates to such risk factors, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The risks as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
We and our tenants may have difficulty accessing the service of banks and other financial institutions, which may make it difficult to contract for real estate needs.
Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by cannabis-related conduct can form the basis for prosecution under the federal money laundering statutes, unlicensed money transmitter statute and the Bank Secrecy Act. Previous guidance issued by FinCEN clarified how financial institutions can provide services to cannabis-related businesses consistent with their obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. However, this guidance does not provide any safe harbors or legal defenses from examination or regulatory or criminal enforcement actions by the DOJ, FinCEN or other federal regulators. Thus, most banks and other financial institutions in the United States do not appear to be comfortable providing banking services to cannabis-related businesses, or relying on this guidance, which can be amended or revoked at any time by the executive branch. In addition to the foregoing, banks may refuse to process debit card payments and credit card companies generally refuse to process credit card payments for cannabis-related businesses. Prior to the DOJ’s announcement in January 2018 of the rescission of the Cole Memo and related memoranda, supplemental guidance from the DOJ directed federal prosecutors to consider the federal enforcement priorities enumerated in the Cole Memo when determining whether to charge institutions or individuals with any of the financial crimes described above based upon cannabis-related activity. It remains unclear what impact the rescission of the Cole Memo will have, but federal prosecutors may increase enforcement activities against institutions or individuals that are conducting financial transactions related to cannabis activities. The increased uncertainty surrounding financial transactions related to cannabis activities may also result in financial institutions discontinuing services to the cannabis industry.
Consequently, those businesses involved in the regulated cannabis industry continue to encounter difficulty establishing banking relationships, which may increase over time. Our inability to maintain our current bank accounts would make it difficult for us to operate our business, increase our operating costs, and pose additional operational, logistical and security challenges and could result in our inability to implement our business plan.
The terms of our leases require that our tenants make rental payments via check or wire transfer. Only a small percentage of financial institutions in the United States currently provide banking services to licensed cannabis operators. The inability of our current and potential tenants to open accounts and continue using the services of banks will limit their ability to enter into triple-net lease arrangements with us or may result in their default under our lease agreements, either of which could materially harm our business and the trading price of our securities.
In addition, for our tenants that are publicly traded companies, securities clearing firms may refuse to accept deposits of securities of those tenants, which may negatively impact the trading and valuations of such tenants and have a material adverse impact on our tenants’ ability to finance their operations and growth through the capital markets.
In addition, federal money laundering statutes and Bank Secrecy Act regulations discourage financial institutions from working with any organization that sells a controlled substance, regardless of whether the state it resides in permits cannabis sales. While the United States House of Representatives has passed the SAFE Banking Act, which would permit commercial banks to offer services to cannabis companies that are in compliance with state law, it remains under consideration by the Senate, and if Congress fails to pass the SAFE Banking Act, the Company’s inability, or limitations on the Company’s ability, to open or maintain bank accounts, obtain
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other banking services and/or accept credit card and debit card payments may make it difficult for the Company to operate and conduct its business as planned or to operate efficiently.
Federal and state banking regulators closed two U.S. banks in March 2023, and another U.S. bank in May 2023, with which we have no banking, financing or other business relationships, precipitating financial industry and capital markets turmoil centered on concerns about the stability and solvency of other banks and financial institutions and the attendant risk they may be closed and/or forced by governmental agencies into receivership or sale. The failure of other banks and financial institutions, if it occurs, could have a material adverse effect on our or our tenants’ liquidity or consolidated financial statements if we or our tenants have placed cash and cash equivalent deposits at such banks or financial institutions or have lending relationships with those banks.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we issued 32,200 shares of our common stock upon exchange by holders of $2.0 million of outstanding principal amount of our Exchangeable Senior Notes. Such shares of our common stock were issued in reliance on Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit |
| Description of Exhibit |
|
10.1+ | |||
31.1* | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ||
31.2* | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | ||
32.1* | |||
101INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | ||
101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | ||
101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | ||
101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | ||
101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | ||
101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | ||
104* | Cover Page Interactive Date File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
* Filed herewith.
+ | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2023. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Smithers | |
Paul Smithers |
| |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
| |
(Principal Executive Officer) |
| |
|
| |
By: | /s/ David Smith |
|
David Smith |
| |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| |
(Principal Financial Officer) |
| |
Dated May 9, 2023
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