High Tide - 40-F annual report

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 40-F

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☐ Registration statement pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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or

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☒ Annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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HIGH TIDE INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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N/A

(Translation of Registrant's name into English (if applicable))

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Alberta, Canada

(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

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5990

(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number (if applicable))

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N/A

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number (if applicable))

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Unit 112, 11127 – 15 Street N.E.

Calgary, Alberta

Canada T3K 2M4

(403) 770-9435

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(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

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CCS Global Solutions, Inc.

530 Seventh Avenue, Suite 508

New York, New York 10018

(800) 300-5067

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(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code)
of agent for service in the United States)

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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. None

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Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. None

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For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:

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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

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The number of common shares of the issuer outstanding as of October 31, 2023 was 71,021,233

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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

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Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.                                            ☐

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† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.                                 ☐

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

High Tide Inc. (the “Corporation,” “Registrant,” or “High Tide”) is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is a Canadian issuer eligible to file its annual report (“Annual Report”) pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act on Form 40-F pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system (the “MJDS”) adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Corporations common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) under the trading symbol “HITI”.

In this annual report, references to “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Corporation,” the “Registrant,” or “High Tide”, mean High Tide Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this MD&A, and in the documents incorporated by reference in this MD&A, constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (together “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of Applicable Securities Laws and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this MD&A. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect Management’s expectations or beliefs regarding future events. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”,  “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements  that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the negative of these terms or comparable terminology.

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Forward-looking statements in this MD&A herein include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

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Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Although Management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable in light of, among other things, its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that Management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements, as forward looking statements may prove to be incorrect. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or

projection contained in the forward-looking statements. Importantly, forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A and in documents incorporated by reference are based upon certain assumptions that Management believes to be reasonable based on the information currently available to Management, including, but not limited to, the assumptions that:

By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although Management believes that the expectations reflected in, and assumptions underlying, such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Management to predict all of those factors or to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the 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 statement. Some of the risks that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements in this MD&A and in documents incorporated by reference herein include:

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FUTURE ORIENTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This MD&A, and documents incorporated by reference herein, may contain FOFI within the meaning of Applicable Securities Laws and analogous U.S. securities Laws, about prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows, based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action, which FOFI is not presented in the format of a historical balance sheet, income statement or cash flow statement. The FOFI has been prepared by Management to provide an outlook of the Company’s activities and results and has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” and assumptions with respect to the costs and expenditures to be incurred by the Company, capital expenditures and operating costs, taxation rates for the Company and general and administrative expenses. Management does not have, or may not have had at the relevant date, firm commitments for all of the costs, expenditures, prices or other financial assumptions which may have been used to prepare the FOFI or assurance that such operating results will be achieved and, accordingly, the complete financial effects of all of those costs, expenditures, prices and operating results are not, or may not have been at the relevant date of the FOFI, objectively determinable.

Importantly, the FOFI contained in this MD&A, and in documents incorporated by reference herein are, or may be, based upon certain additional assumptions that Management believes to be reasonable based on the information currently available to Management, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: (i) the future pricing for the Company’s products, (ii) the future market demand and trends within the jurisdictions in which the Company may from time to time conduct the Business, (iii) the Company’s ongoing inventory levels, and operating cost estimates, and (iv) the Company’s net proceeds from the ATM Program and connectFirst Credit Facility. The FOFI or financial outlook contained in MD&A, and in documents incorporated by reference herein do not purport to present the Company’s financial condition in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and there can be no assurance that the assumptions made in preparing the FOFI will prove accurate. The actual results of operations of the Company and the resulting financial results will likely vary from the amounts set forth in the analysis presented in any such document, and such variation may be material (including due to the occurrence of unforeseen events occurring subsequent to the preparation of the FOFI). The Corporation and Management believe that the FOFI has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting Management’s best estimates and judgments as at the applicable date. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks including the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Assessment”, FOFI or financial outlook within this MD&A, and in documents incorporated by reference herein, should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the FOFI, or financial outlook contained in this MD&A, and in documents incorporated by reference herein. Except as required by Applicable Securities Laws, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update such FOFI.

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NOTICE TO UNITED STATES READERS -
DIFFERENCES IN UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN REPORTING PRACTICES

The Registrant is permitted, under the MJDS, to prepare this Annual Report in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. The Registrant has historically prepared its consolidated financial statements, which are filed as Exhibit 99.2, and incorporated herein by reference, to this Annual Report on Form 40-F, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, which are subject to Canadian auditing and auditor independence standards. Financial statements prepared in IFRS may differ from financial statements prepared in United States GAAP (“U.S. GAAP”) and from practices prescribed by the SEC. Therefore, the Registrant’s financial statements filed with this Annual Report may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  

Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this Annual Report are in Canadian dollars. The exchange rate of Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars, on January 26, 2024 based upon the closing rate published by the Bank of Canada, was U.S.$1.00=CDN$1.3449. Bank of Canada exchange rates are nominal quotations and are not buying or selling rates. These rates are intended for statistical or analytical purposes. Rates available from financial institutions will differ.

PRINCIPAL DOCUMENTS

The following documents have been filed as part of this annual report on Form 40-F:

A. Annual Information Form

The Registrant’s Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this annual report on Form 40-F, and is incorporated by reference herein.

B. Audited Annual Financial Statements

The Registrant’s consolidated audited annual financial statements, including the reports of the independent registered public accounting firm with respect thereto, are attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this annual report on Form 40-F and is incorporated by reference herein.

C. Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The Registrant’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the twelve-month period ended October 31, 2023 is attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this annual report on Form 40-F, and is incorporated by reference herein.

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The information provided in the section entitled Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting in the 2023 MD&A filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this Annual Report on Form 40-F is incorporated by reference herein.

MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The information provided in the section entitled Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting in the 2023 MD&A filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this Annual Report on Form 40-F is incorporated by reference herein.

ATTESTATION REPORT OF THE REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Registrant’s registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.  Under Section 3 of the Exchange Act, as a result of enactment of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”), “emerging growth companies” are exempt from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which generally requires that a public company's registered public accounting firm provide an attestation report relating to management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting. The Registrant qualifies as an “emerging growth company” and therefore has not included in, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report such an attestation report as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There has been no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

NOTICES PURSUANT TO REGULATION BTR

None.

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CODE OF ETHICS

The Registrant has adopted a written “code of ethics” (as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC), entitled “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” (the “Code”). This Code applies to all members of the Board of Directors, officers, employees, consultants, contractors, and agents of the Corporation and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide. Adherence to this Code is a condition of employment with or providing services to the Corporation.

The Code is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.8 to this Annual Report on Form 40-F. The code may also be obtained upon request from High Tide Inc.’s head office at #112, 11127 - 15th Street NE, Calgary, AB T3K 2M4, or by viewing the Registrant’s web site at https://hightideinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Schedule-F-Code-of-Ethics-Final.pdf

All amendments to the code, and all waivers of the code with respect to any director, executive officer, or principal financial and accounting officers, will be posted on the Registrant’s web site within five business days following the date of the amendment or waiver and any amendment will be provided in print to any shareholder upon request.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE

Our Board of Directors has established the Audit Committee in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act and Rule 5605(c) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules for the purpose of overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our annual financial statements.

The Audit Committee is comprised of Nitin Kaushal (Chair), Arthur Kwan, and Christian Sinclair. Our Board of Directors has determined that the Audit Committee meets the composition requirements set forth by Section 5605(c)(2) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, and that each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as determined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. All three members of the Audit Committee are financially literate, meaning they are able to read and understand the Registrant's financial statements and to understand the breadth and level of complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Registrant’s financial statements.

Our Board of Directors has determined that Nitin Kaushal:

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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Tabular disclosure of the amounts billed to us by our independent auditors for each of our last two fiscal years ended October 31, as Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees, is made on page 65 of the Annual Information Form, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report.

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PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PROVIDED BY

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee Charter sets out responsibilities regarding the provision of non-audit services by the Registrant’s external auditors and requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve all permitted non-audit services to be provided by the Registrant’s external auditors, in accordance with applicable law.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Registrant currently has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table lists as of October 31, 2023, information with respect to the Registrant’s known contractual obligations in Canadian dollars:

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NASDAQ CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Registrant is a foreign private issuer and its common shares are listed on the NASDAQ.

NASDAQ Rule 5615(a)(3) permits a foreign private issuer to follow its home country practice in lieu of the requirements of the Rule 5600 Series, the requirement to distribute annual and interim reports set forth in Rule 5250(d), and the Direct Registration Program requirement set forth in Rules 5210(c) and 5255; provided, however, that such a company shall comply with the Notification of Material Noncompliance requirement (Rule 5625), the Voting Rights requirement (Rule 5640), have an audit committee that satisfies Rule 5605(c)(3), and ensure that such audit committee’s members meet the independence requirement in Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(ii).

The Registrant has reviewed the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements and confirms that except as described below, the Registrant is in compliance with the NASDAQ corporate governance standards in all significant respects:

Shareholder Meeting Quorum Requirement: The Registrant does not follow Rule 5620(c). Under Rule 5620(c) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, a listed company that is not a limited partnership must provide in its by-laws for a quorum of not less than 33 1/3% of the outstanding shares of the company's common voting stock in respect of all meetings of the holders of its common stock. The Registrant’s Bylaws provide that a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of Shareholders is two persons who are, or who represent by proxy, Shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who hold, in aggregate, at least twenty five percent of the votes attached to the outstanding Common Shares. This quorum requirement is consistent with the laws, customs, and practices in Canada.

Further information about the Registrant’s governance practices is included on the Registrant’s website.

BOARD DIVERSITY MATRIX

The table below reports self-identified diversity statistics for the Board of Directors of the Registrant as required by NASDAQ Rule 5606.

Board Diversity Matrix (reporting year ended October 31, 2023) (as of January 29, 2024)

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MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

UNDERTAKING

The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the SEC staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the SEC staff, information relating to: the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.

CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

The Registrant has previously filed with the SEC a written consent to service of process on Form F-X. Any change to the name or address of the Registrant’s agent for service shall be communicated promptly to the SEC by amendment to the Form F-X referencing the file number of the Registrant.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information relating to the Registrant may be found on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com and on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system at www.sec.gov.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

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