COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Dec. 31, 2023

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Text Block]

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Provisions

The Company's current known provisions and contingent liabilities consist of the following as of March 31, 2024:

		Legal disputes			Sales tax			Total
Balance as at December 31, 2023	$	2,962		$	2,538		$	5,500
Payments/Settlements		(7	)		(168	)		(175	)
Additional provisions		1,007			158			1,165
Foreign currency translation		101			-			101
Balance as at March 31, 2024	$	4,063		$	2,528		$	6,591

The legal disputes balance as of March 31, 2024, relate to the settlement of a contractual dispute involving the Company. It involves a former shareholder of ACA Mueller, an entity that was part of the Company's acquisition of FGH in December 2022, who filed a statement of claim against a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company in the Constance Regional Court in Germany. In March 2024, the Constance Regional Court in Germany ordered the Company to pay the plaintiff $3.0 million plus interest thereon at a rate of 5% above the prime rate since September 6, 2020 in addition to 83% of the legal fees. The Company has since filed an appeal. While the Company believes that this claim is without merit, at this time the Company believes it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the Company is able to reasonably estimate the loss of $4.1 million, including $1.0 million of interest accrued in the three months ended March 31, 2024. As a result, without acknowledgement (explicitly or implicitly) of any amount of liability arising from this claim, the Company recognized a provision of $4.1 million to reflect the value of the claim. This dispute is covered under an indemnification agreement between the Company and the former Chief Executive Officer and shareholder of FGH. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself through appropriate legal proceedings. The $4.1 million is recorded within contingencies and within indemnification receivables on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial position.

The settlement of legal disputes in 2024 related to the settlement of an action brought against the Company in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice by Gerardo Andres Garcia Mendez claiming that the Company was obligated to issue 3,000,000 common shares (pre-splits) to him for a purchase price of $0.05 per share as a result of alleged consulting services he performed in 2019. In December 2023, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Garcia Mendez pursuant to which the Company will pay less than $0.1 million to Mr. Garcia Mendez to settle the dispute. The payment was made in January 2024. The amount was recorded within contingencies on the consolidated statements of financial position and expense on the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2023.

On April 30, 2024, a group representing the sellers of Just Brands LLC to Flora in February 2022 brought an action against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York claiming that the Company failed to promptly issue additional shares in accordance with a specific formula set forth in the securities purchase agreement after the two-year anniversary of the closing, which occurred on February 24, 2024. The plaintiffs claim that they are entitled to 182,889 common shares and $38.0 million to complete the acquisition of Just Brands LLC. The Company has assessed the claims and concluded that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and that the Company is able to reasonably estimate the loss based on the fair value of 632,484 common shares of the Company. As at March 31, 2024, this value is $1.5 million and has been recorded in the contingent purchase considerations on the unaudited condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position.

The Sales tax relates to estimated amounts owed to certain jurisdictions in the Unites States for sales from the Company's JustCBD operations. The ending balance is recorded within contingencies on the unaudited condensed interim consolidated statement of financial position, and additions to the provision as a reduction of revenue on the unaudited condensed interim consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

Legal proceedings

The Company records liabilities for legal proceedings in those instances where it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss and where liability is probable. The Company is engaged from time-to-time in various legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of all the proceedings and claims against the Company is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation. Based on information currently known to the Company and after consultation with outside legal counsel, management believes that the probable ultimate resolution of any such proceedings and claims, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, taken as a whole as at March 31, 2024.

On November 1, 2023, Just Brands filed an Emergency Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief in the Southern District of Florida against the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the "Department") stemming from stop sale orders issued by the Department whereby the Department prohibited Just Brands from selling and moving most of its products. Relying on Florida Statute Section 581.217, which includes the definition of "attractive to children," the Department determined Just Brand's product could not be sold or moved because the products were manufactured in the shape of humans, cartoons, or animals; in a form that bears a reasonable resemblance to an existing candy product; and containing color additives. The Court ruled in favor of the Department and that Order was being appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Since then, the Department has initiated an Administrative Action claiming Just Brands moved product outside the State of Florida in violation of the stop sale orders. The statute provides for a penalty of up to $5,000 per violation. The Department sought to assess penalties on what they claimed to be a total of 215,154 violations (one for each package). The Company disputed their claim and intended to vigorously defend against this action. The Company has not accrued a liability as of March 31, 2024. The total value of inventory impacted by the stop sale orders was $1.9 million at March 31, 2024. On May 7, 2024, Just Brands and the Department agreed to a settlement and general release, whereby Just Brands will remove the products subject to the stop sales orders from the state of Florida, pay the Department $60,500 to reimburse the Department’s attorney’s fees, and accept a five-year revocation of its food permit in the state of Florida. By signing the release, Just Brands waived, settled and released all claims it had or might have against the Department.

On May 31, 2023, Maria Beatriz Fernandez Otero and Sara Cristina Jacome De Torres brought an action against the Company in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice claiming that the Company is obligated to issue 500,000 common shares (pre-splits) each for a purchase price of $0.05 per share. The plaintiffs claim that they are entitled to such shares as compensation for alleged consulting services performed. The Company disputes their claim and intends to vigorously defend against this action. The Company believes that an unfavorable settlement in this matter is remote, and, as such, has not accrued a liability as of March 31, 2024.

On May 31, 2023, Ramon Ricardo Castellanos Saenz and Miriam Ortiz brought an action against the Company in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice claiming that the Company is obligated to issue 1,500,000 common shares (pre-splits) each for a purchase price of $0.05 per share. The plaintiffs claim that they are entitled to such shares as compensation for alleged consulting services performed. The Company disputes their claim and intends to vigorously defend against this action. The Company believes that an unfavorable settlement in this matter is remote, and, as such, has not accrued a liability as of March 31, 2024.

In connection with the Company's acquisition of FGH, the Company's current CEO and the former Chief Executive Officer of FGH, together with certain affiliated entities under his control, entered into an agreement pursuant to which they agreed to indemnify the Company for certain potential liabilities of FGH and its subsidiaries, up to a maximum of $5.0 million. In addition to the matter regarding the former shareholder of ACA Mueller, discussed above, the following actions are pending as of the date hereof:

On February 3, 2023, an action was brought in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice by Nathan Shantz and Liberacion e Inversiones S.A. against various parties including Clifford Starke, the Company's current CEO and FGH's former Chief Executive Officer, and FGH. The statement of claim alleges that, prior to the closing of the Arrangement, 8,831,109 FGH shares purportedly owned by the plaintiffs were wrongfully transferred to third parties, in part through alleged unauthorized steps taken by Mr. Starke. Plaintiffs seek, among other things, a declaration that they are the rightful owners of the shares or, in the alternative, damages. Against FGH, they claim a declaration that, by virtue of the alleged unauthorized transfer of shares, FGH acted oppressively and seek damages in the amount of $4.0 million. The defendants have brought motions to stay the proceedings on the grounds that the Ontario court lacks jurisdiction over the claim. In the event FGH should incur any losses in connection with this matter, such losses are to be indemnified by Mr. Starke subject to the maximum threshold of the indemnity agreement. The Company believes that an unfavorable settlement in this matter is remote, and, as such, has not accrued a liability as of March 31, 2024.

The total amount claimed against the former entities of FGH currently exceeds the maximum $5.0 million of the indemnification agreement. However, the Company is estimating the likelihood of loss in these cases will not exceed $4.1 million.

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies are possible liabilities arising from past events which, by their nature, will only be resolved when one or more future events not wholly within our control occur or fail to occur. The assessment of such contingencies inherently involves the exercise of significant judgment and estimates of the outcome of future events. Management assesses loss contingencies related to legal proceedings, tax or other regulatory actions pending against the Company, as well as unasserted claims that may result in such actions. The Company, its legal counsel and other subject matter advisors evaluate the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims or actions as well as the perceived merits of the nature and amount of relief sought or expected to be sought, when determining the amount, if any, to recognize as a provision or assessing the impact on the carrying value of assets. The Company recognizes legal expenses on contingency and provision matters when incurred.

An indemnification arrangement exists when one party has contractually agreed to reimburse another party for losses incurred because of circumstances that existed prior to the arrangement. The Company and its legal counsel assess whether a legal agreement exists and the maximum potential loss to be reimbursed.

Provisions

The Company's current known provisions and contingent liabilities consist of termination benefits and legal disputes.

Thousands of United States dollars		Termination benefits			Legal disputes			Sales tax		Total
Balance as at December 31, 2022	$	183		$	3,030		$	1,831	$	5,044
Payments/settlements		(183	)		(98	)		-		(281	)
Additional provisions		-			8			707		715
Foreign currency translation		-			22			-		22
Balance as at December 31, 2023	$	-		$	2,962		$	2,538	$	5,500

The termination benefits related to contractual termination benefits owed to a former board member of the Company, a consultant and a former member of the management team. The amounts were recorded within contingencies on the consolidated statements of financial position and $nil expense (2022 - $0.4 million) on the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

The legal disputes from 2022 relate to the settlement of two contractual disputes involving the Company. The first involves a third party that entered into a conditional share grant arrangement dated April 2, 2019 with Franchise Cannabis Corp and Rangers Pharmaceuticals A/S - two entities that were part of the Company's acquisition of FGH in December 2022. In January 2023, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with this third party pursuant to which the Company issued 16,250 common shares of the Company, valued at $0.1 million, to the third party to settle the dispute. The provision balance as of December 31, 2022 reflected the value of the Company's shares as of the date of the settlement agreement. The second dispute involves a former shareholder of ACA Mueller, an entity that was part of the Company's acquisition of FGH in December 2022, who filed a statement of claim against a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company in the Constance Regional Court in Germany. While the Company believes that this claim is without merit, at this time the Company believes it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the Company is able to reasonably estimate the loss of $3.0 million. As a result, without acknowledgement (explicitly or implicitly) of any amount of liability arising from this claim, the Company recognized a provision of $3.0 million to reflect the value of the claim. This dispute is covered under the indemnification agreement between the Company and the former Chief Executive Officer and shareholder of FGH as discussed in Note 10. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself through appropriate legal proceedings. Both of the above amounts are recorded within contingencies and $3.0 million within indemnification receivables on the consolidated statements of financial position and $nil (2022- $0.1 million) is recorded as expense on the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

The additional legal dispute in 2023 related to the settlement of an action brought against the Company in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice by Gerardo Andres Garcia Mendez claiming that the Company was obligated to issue 3,000,000 common shares (pre-splits) to him for a purchase price of $0.05 per share as a result of alleged consulting services he performed in 2019. In December 2023, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Garcia Mendez pursuant to which the Company will pay less than $0.1 million to Mr. Garcia Mendez to settle the dispute. The payment was made in January 2023. The amount is recorded within contingencies on the consolidated statements of financial position and expense on the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

The Sales tax relates to estimated amounts owed to certain jurisdictions in the Unites States for sales from the Company's JustCBD operations. The opening balance was acquired during the February 24, 2022 acquisition of JustCBD, with additional provision for estimated amounts due on sales subsequent to the acquisition. The ending balance is recorded within contingencies on the consolidated statement of financial position, and additions to the provision as a reduction of revenue on the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

For the sales tax provision and 2023 matters with accruals recorded as discussed above, it is at least reasonably possible that a change in the estimated liability could occur in the near term. Such changes in the Company's judgment could continue to change until the matters are ultimately resolved.

Legal proceedings

On November 1, 2023, Just Brands filed an Emergency Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief in the Southern District of Florida against the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the "Department") stemming from Stop Sale Orders issued by the Department whereby the Department prohibited Just Brands from selling and moving most of its products. Relying on Florida Statute Section 581.217, which includes the definition of "attractive to children," the Department determined Just Brand's product could not be sold or moved because the products were manufactured in the shape of humans, cartoons, or animals; in a form that bears a reasonable resemblance to an existing candy product; and containing color additives. The Court ruled in favor of the Department and that Order is being appealed to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Since then, the Department has initiated an Administrative Action claiming Just Brands moved product outside the State of Florida in violation of the Stop Sale Orders. The statute provides for a penalty of up to $5,000 per violation. The Department seeks to assess penalties on what they claim to be a total of 215,154 violations (one for each package). The Company disputes their claim and intends to vigorously defend against this action. The Company believes that it is too early in the proceedings to determine an outcome, and, as such, has not accrued a liability as of December 31, 2023. The total value of inventory impacted by the stop sale orders was $1.6 million at December 31, 2023.

On May 31, 2023, Maria Beatriz Fernandez Otero and Sara Cristina Jacome De Torres brought an action against the Company claiming that the Company is obligated to issue 500,000 common shares (pre-splits) each for a purchase price of $0.05 per share. The plaintiffs claim that they are entitled to such shares as compensation for alleged consulting services performed. The Company disputes their claim and intends to vigorously defend against this action. The Company believes that an unfavorable settlement in this matter is remote, and, as such, has not accrued a liability as of December 31, 2023.

On May 31, 2023, Ramon Ricardo Castellanos Saenz and Miriam Ortiz brought an action against the Company claiming that the Company is obligated to issue 1,500,000 common shares (pre-splits) each for a purchase price of $0.05 per share. The plaintiffs claim that they are entitled to such shares as compensation for alleged consulting services performed. The Company disputes their claim and intends to vigorously defend against this action. The Company believes that an unfavorable settlement in this matter is remote, and, as such, has not accrued a liability as of December 31, 2023.

Management contracts

The Company is party to management contracts with certain of its executive officers. As at December 31, 2023, these contracts would require payments totaling approximately $1.0 million to be made in the event that such executive officers are terminated (i) "without cause" or (ii) within twelve months following a "change in control" (as such terms are defined in the management contracts). The Company is also obligated to make payments to certain individuals upon termination "without cause" of approximately $1.0 million pursuant to the terms of these contracts. As a triggering event has not taken place, these amounts have not been recorded in these consolidated financial statements.

Shared services and space commitment

The Company had an agreement in 2021 and through March 2022 to share general and administrative, promotion, corporate development, consulting services, and office space with other companies with monthly payments and a minimum commitment of CAD 45,000. This agreement could be terminated by either party giving at least 90 days' prior written notice (or such shorter period as the parties may mutually agree upon) to the other party of termination. These services were provided by 2227929 Ontario Inc which was a related party. This agreement expired by its terms on March 14, 2022.

TruHC Pharma GmbH [Member]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Text Block]

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company does not have commitments or contingencies as at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company does not have commitments or contingencies as at December 31, 2023 and 2022.