NOTE 21 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

California Operating Licenses

The Company’s subsidiaries have operated compliantly and have been eligible for applicable licenses and renewals of those licenses.

Litigation and Claims

The Company is the subject of lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business from time to time. The Company reviews any such legal proceedings and claims on an ongoing basis and follows appropriate accounting guidance when making accrual and disclosure decisions. The Company establishes accruals for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and it discloses the amount accrued and the amount of a reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued if such disclosure is necessary for the Company’s financial statements to not be misleading. To estimate whether a loss contingency should be accrued by a charge to income, the Company evaluates, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of the loss. The Company does not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable, but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated. Based upon present information, the Company determined that there were two matters that required an accrual as of September 30, 2024.

Beginning November 6, 2024, the Company has filed automatic stays for all litigation where Unrivaled is a party. Refer to "Note 22 - Subsequent Events" for further information. 

People's California, LLC v. Unrivaled Brands, Inc. - On July 19, 2022, People’s California, LLC, the sellers of People's First Choice, filed an action against the Company in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Orange, bringing claims for breach of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing stemming from the Company’s alleged breach of certain agreements with People’s California, LLC. The complaint claims at least $23.00 million in damages. On September 20, 2022, the Company filed a cross-complaint in the matter in November 2021. The Company was seeking a minimum of $5.40 million in damages. On March 6, 2023, the parties entered into a binding term sheet to settle the litigation. On June 28, 2024, the Court denied an ex parte application by People’s California, LLC to enforce the settlement through an approximately $12.93 million judgment. Refer to "Note 12 – Notes Payable" for further details. 

People's California, LLC v. Kovacevich, et al - On August 1, 2022, People’s California, LLC filed an action against certain current and former officers and directors of the Company in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Orange, derivatively on behalf of the Company and listing the Company as a nominal defendant alleging claims for breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, self-dealing, corporate waste, and unjust enrichment. The complaint does not state a specific claim for damages. On March 6, 2023, the parties entered into a binding term sheet to settle the litigation. The litigation is stayed pending final documentation of the settlement agreement.

People's California, LLC v. Carrillo, et al - On July 26, 2024, People’s California, LLC filed an action against certain officers and directors of the Company in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Orange, derivatively on behalf of the Company and listing the Company as a nominal defendant alleging claims for breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing, corporate waste, and unjust enrichment. The complaint does not state a specific claim for damages. Trial in this matter has not been scheduled. 

People's California, LLC v. Carrillo, et al - On August 13, 2024, People’s California, LLC filed an action against certain individuals and companies in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Orange, alleging claims for defamation-libel-per se, intentional interference with contractual relations, negligent interference with contractual relations, intentional interference with economic advantage, and civil conspiracy. The complaint does not state a specific claim for damages. Trial in this matter has not been scheduled. 

1149 South LA Street Fashion District, LLC v. Unrivaled Brands, Inc. - On January 30, 2023, 1149 South LA Street Fashion District, LLC and 1135 South LA Street Fashion District LLC filed an action against the Company and other defendants in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, alleging claims for breach of written contract, breach of written guaranty, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, waste, and declaratory relief. The complaint claims at least $0.58 million in damages. On April 10, 2023, the Company filed an answer to the complaint. On October 31, 2023, the Court granted the Plaintiff’s Application for Right to Attach Order in the amount of $0.50 million.  In doing so, the Court found that the Plaintiffs had demonstrated a probability that they would succeed on the merits of their claims. Trial for this matter is set for April 25, 2025. No additional accrual was required for this matter in the consolidated balance sheet as of  September 30, 2024.

Greenlane Holdings, LLC v. Unrivaled Brands, Inc. - On February 6, 2023, Greenlane Holdings, LLC filed an action against the Company in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, alleging claims for breach of contract, account stated, and unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges damages of $0.40 million. On April 10, 2023, the Company filed an answer to the complaint. On May 28, 2024, a non-jury trial was held in which the Court found in favor of Greenlane and subsequently entered judgment against the Company in the amount of $1.85 million. Accordingly, the Company has accrued $1.85 million for this matter in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024.

WGS Group, Inc. v. Unrivaled Brands, Inc. - On July 17, 2023, WGS Group, Inc. filed an action against the Company in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange Central Justice Center, alleging claims for damages and declaratory relief, breach of security service agreements, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, quantum meruit, violations of business and professional code sections 17200 Et SEQ., declaratory relief regarding successor-in-interest liability, and declaratory relief regarding ultra vires actions imposing personal liability on chief financial officer. Trial in this matter is set for April 14, 2025. Because no conclusion has been formed as to whether an unfavorable outcome is either probable or remote, no opinion is expressed as to the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company.

Dominion Capital LLC and M2B Funding Corp. v. Unrivaled Brands, Inc. - On September 28, 2023, Dominion Capital LLC and M2B Funding Corp. filed an action against the Company in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, alleging claims for breach of written contract. The complaint claims at least $3.03 million in damages. On November 15, 2023, the parties entered into a binding term sheet to settle the litigation. The litigation is stayed pending performance of the terms of the settlement agreement.

No Smoking Allowed Except Turn, LLC v. People’s Riverside, LLC and Unrivaled Brands, Inc. - On July 21, 2023, No Smoking Allowed Except Turn, LLC filed an action against the Company in the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside, alleging claims for damages for breach of contract and negligence.  The complaint alleges damages in excess of $0.60 million. On September 13, 2023, the Company filed an answer to the complaint. Trial in this matter is set for November 15, 2024. Because no conclusion has been formed as to whether an unfavorable outcome is either probable or remote, no opinion is expressed as to the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company.

Glaser Weil Fink Howard Jordan & Shapiro LLP v. Unrivaled Brands, Inc. – On January 19, 2024, Glaser Weil Fink Howard Jordan & Shapiro LLP filed an action against Unrivaled Brands, Inc., in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Orange, alleging claims for breach of contract.  The complaint claims at least $0.28 million in damages.  On March 12, 2024, the Company filed an answer to the complaint.  Because no conclusion has been formed as to whether an unfavorable outcome is either probable or remote, no opinion is expressed as to the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company.

Magee v. UMBRLA, Inc. et al. - The Company is currently involved in a breach of contract action brought by former LTRMN, Inc. (“LTRMN”) employee, Kurtis Magee, which was filed by Mr. Magee in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange, on July 21, 2020. Mr. Magee alleges breach of contract in connection with Mr. Magee’s separation agreement with LTRMN. Mr. Magee amended his complaint to add Unrivaled Brands, Inc. and Buchanan Group, LLC as defendants on January 17, 2024. Trial in this matter is set for January of 2025. The Company believes the likelihood of a loss contingency is probable. Accordingly, the Company has accrued $0.50 million for this matter in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024.

Fusion LLF, LLC v. Unrivaled Brands, Inc. - On June 27, 2022, Fusion LLF, LLC filed an action against the Company, in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Orange, alleging claims for breach of contract, account stated, and right to attach order, and writ of attachment. The complaint claims at least $4.55 million in damages. On August 11, 2022, the Company filed an answer to the complaint. On August 5, 2022, Fusion LLF, LLC filed an application for a right to attach order and writ of attachment, which was denied on December 8, 2022. Trial in this matter is set for July 21, 2025.