Marijuana producer Aphria inks deal to raise $80M

Shares in Aphria Inc. fell nearly 10 per cent in early trading as the marijuana producer announced a deal to raise $80 million even as questions swirled about the future of its listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The company announced the bought-deal financing Tuesday that will see it issue more than 11 million shares at a price of $7.25 per share.

Shares in the company were down 79 cents at $7.13 in trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The financing came a day after the TSX issued a staff notice that said U.S. federal law takes precedence over state laws, and issuers that violate the federal marijuana law are not complying with listing requirements.

Aphria said the TSX notice was “extremely broad” and that it was difficult to determine what, if any, impact it could have on its business.

“The objective application of such staff notice by the TSX to any entity engaging in activities related to the cultivation, distribution or possession of marijuana in the U.S. or entities engaging in ancillary services activities may prove to be challenging in determining actual compliance with such guidance,” the company said in a statement.

However, it noted that marijuana is medically legal in 31 states and territories and that the U.S. Congress has prohibited the U.S. Department of Justice from using federal funds to carry out criminal or civil actions against state licensed medical cannabis operators.

The TSX clarification had been anticipated by marijuana companies looking to get a foothold in the U.S. market as well as U.S. companies that want to access capital on Canadian markets.