Record quarterly revenue

Increased retail distribution by over 1,200 stores

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) ("CV Sciences" or the “Company”) announced today its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

Second Quarter 2019 and Recent Financial and Operating Highlights

Record revenue of $16.9 million for the second quarter of 2019, an increase of 36% over the same quarter in 2018;

14 consecutive quarters of sequential revenue growth;

Gross margin improved to 70.9% from 70.8% in the first quarter of 2019;

Retail distribution increased to 4,591 stores as of June 30, 2019, a 39% increase from March 31, 2019;

Broadened retail presence into the food, drug and mass channel and in active discussions for further expansion of the PlusCBD™ Oil brand;

Generated $2.7 million of cash from operations, with total cash balance increasing to $15.7 million at quarter end;

Dismissal of class action suit which was originally filed in 2014;

Announced planned 500% increase in production capacity with addition of new 45,500 square foot facility;

Initiated domestic sourcing efforts, committing to more than 500 acres of U.S. Hemp Production to support future sales;

A first of its type randomized controlled clinical trial utilizing PlusCBD™ Oil was published demonstrating it can improve sleep, help reduce appetite and enhance the quality of life in humans; and

PlusCBD™ Oil used in first study examining clinical benefit of CBD for patients with PTSD.

“We generated 13% sequential and 36% year-over-year revenue growth during the second quarter, driven by significant distribution gains across both new national food, drug and mass (FDM) channel retailers and broadly across our channels of distribution. Year to date, we have more than doubled the number of retail doors where PlusCBD™ Oil products are carried and continue to enjoy a strong pipeline of new distribution opportunities,” stated Joseph Dowling, Chief Executive Officer of CV Sciences. “We have seen a positive response to the innovation we have developed this year, including nine new products launched year to date. We have further innovation scheduled for introduction during the second half of the year and believe there is a significant opportunity to expand our offering within existing retailers, particularly as the FDM channel further develops. To support our anticipated growth, we recently announced a 500% increase in our production capacity.”

“We are particularly encouraged by the regulatory developments we have seen at the state level during the last few months. While there remains ambiguities that continue to impact the CBD landscape on a state by state basis, we have seen positive legislation passed, or in the late stages of passage, in key states across the country. Recent successes in California, Texas and Ohio are just a few examples of the state by state legislative developments that are expanding and strengthening the long-term CBD marketplace. We remain highly confident in the long-term growth of hemp-based CBD and will continue to lead the industry in quality, innovation and both regulatory adherence and support as the market develops,” Dowling continued.

Operating Results - Second Quarter 2019 Compared to Second Quarter 2018

Sales for the second quarter of 2019 were $16.9 million, an increase of 36% from $12.3 million in the second quarter of 2018. Second quarter sales growth reflects the Company's continued organic expansion into all sales channels, including food drug and mass, natural product retail, wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. The Company's retail store count increased to 4,591 stores nationwide at June 30, 2019, up from 3,308 stores as of March 31, 2019.

The Company recognized operating income of $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $3.3 million in the second quarter of the prior year. The decline in operating income is primarily related to additional investment in sales, marketing and R&D activities.

As reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), second quarter 2019 net income was $1.2 million, compared with a GAAP net income of $3.2 million in the same period in 2018. Net income in the second quarter of 2019 was impacted by increased R&D, additional management resources and marketing activities to leverage future growth. Diluted net income per share was $0.01 for the second quarter of 2019 compared to a diluted net income per share of $0.03 for the same period in 2018.

Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2019 was $3.4 million, or $0.03 per diluted share based on weighted average shares outstanding of 120.9 million. This compares with non-GAAP net income of $3.6 million or $0.03 per diluted share based on weighted average shares outstanding of 112.5 million for the same period in 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2019 was $3.6 million or 21.1% of net revenue, compared to $3.8 million or 31.1% of net revenue, in the second quarter of 2018.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss these results today at 4:30 pm EST/1:30 pm PST. The webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at https://ir.cvsciences.com/news-events and at http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=135487. Investors interested in participating in the live call can also dial (855) 327-6837 from the U.S. or international callers can dial (631) 891-4304. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes and will be available through Tuesday, August 13, 2019, by dialing (844) 512-2921 from the U.S. or (412) 317-6671 from international locations, and entering confirmation code 10007305.

About CV Sciences, Inc.

CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) operates two distinct business segments: a consumer product division focused on manufacturing, marketing and selling hemp-based CBD products to a range of market sectors; and a drug development division focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics utilizing CBD. The Company’s PlusCBD™ Oil is the top-selling brand of hemp-derived CBD on the market, according to SPINS, the leading provider of syndicated data and insights for the natural, organic and specialty products industry. CV Sciences, Inc. has primary offices and facilities in San Diego, California. Additional information is available from OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.cvsciences.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risk and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Investor Contact:

ICR

Scott Van Winkle

617-956-6736

scott.vanwinkle@icrinc.com

Media Contact:

ICR

Cory Ziskind

646-277-1232

cory.ziskind@icrinc.com

CV SCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share data)

Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Product sales, net $ 16,854 $ 12,349 $ 31,765 $ 20,419 Cost of goods sold 4,903 3,289 9,255 5,797 Gross Profit 11,951 9,060 22,510 14,622 Operating expenses: Research and development 1,688 442 3,030 596 Selling, general and administrative 9,009 5,321 27,604 10,061 10,697 5,763 30,634 10,657 Operating Income (Loss) 1,254 3,297 (8,124 ) 3,965 Interest expense (income) (1 ) 71 5 120 Income (loss) before income taxes 1,255 3,226 (8,129 ) 3,845 Income tax expense 26 40 26 40 Net Income (Loss) $ 1,229 $ 3,186 $ (8,155 ) $ 3,805 Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 98,633 90,713 98,557 90,613 Diluted 120,929 112,466 98,557 106,291 Net income (loss) per common share Basic $ 0.01 $ 0.04 $ (0.08 ) $ 0.04 Diluted $ 0.01 $ 0.03 $ (0.08 ) $ 0.04

CV SCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share data)

June 30,

2019 December 31,

2018 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,237 $ 12,684 Restricted cash 500 251 Accounts receivable, net 4,688 3,340 Inventory 9,107 7,132 Prepaid expenses and other 8,264 2,059 Total current assets 37,796 25,466 Inventory — 1,418 Property & equipment, net 3,228 2,844 Operating lease assets 3,870 — Intangibles, net 3,783 3,801 Goodwill 2,788 2,788 Other assets 595 585 Total assets $ 52,060 $ 36,902 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 1,371 $ 1,245 Accrued expenses 9,713 2,673 Operating lease liability - current 651 — Notes payable, net 69 474 Total current liabilities 11,804 4,392 Operating lease liability 4,497 — Deferred rent — 1,329 Deferred tax liability 1,065 1,065 Other liabilities 406 — Total liabilities 17,772 6,786 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock, par value $0.0001; 190,000 shares authorized, 98,704 and 94,940 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 10 9 Additional paid-in capital 67,460 55,134 Accumulated deficit (33,182 ) (25,027 ) Total stockholders' equity 34,288 30,116 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 52,060 $ 36,902

CV SCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

Six months ended June 30, 2019 2018 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $ (8,155 ) $ 3,805 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 354 245 Amortization of beneficial conversion feature of convertible debts — 50 Common stock issued for professional services — 62 Stock-based compensation 4,216 1,396 Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement 7,857 — Bad debt expense 32 2 Noncash lease expense 251 — Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (1,380 ) (1,081 ) Notes receivable — 17 Inventory (557 ) 1,200 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (622 ) 14 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,461 (463 ) Deferred rent — 122 Net cash provided by operating activities 3,457 5,369 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of equipment (475 ) (190 ) Tenant improvements to leasehold real estate (29 ) (87 ) Net cash flows used in investing activities (504 ) (277 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayment of convertible debt in cash — (660 ) Repayment of unsecured debt in cash (405 ) (99 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 254 107 Net cash flows used in financing activities (151 ) (652 ) Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 2,802 4,440 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 12,935 2,792 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 15,737 $ 7,232 Supplemental cash flow disclosures: Interest paid, net of interest income $ 9 $ 120 Income taxes paid $ 54 $ 18 Purchase of property and equipment in accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 50 $ —

CV SCIENCES, INC.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

We prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for the United States (GAAP). The non-GAAP financial measures such as net income and loss per share and Adjusted EBITDA included in this press release are different from those otherwise presented under GAAP. We use non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and make financial and operational decisions that are presented in a manner that adjusts from their equivalent GAAP measures or that supplement the information provided by our GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures exclude non-cash compensation expense for stock options and other non-recurring items. When evaluating the performance of our business and developing short and long-term plans, we do not consider share-based compensation charges. Although share-based compensation is necessary to attract and retain quality employees, our consideration of share-based compensation places its primary emphasis on overall shareholder dilution rather than the accounting charges associated with such grants. Because of the varying availability of valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions, we believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation allows for more accurate comparison of our financial results to previous periods. In addition, we believe it useful to investors to understand the specific impact of the application of the fair value method of accounting for share-based compensation on our operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as EBITDA (net income (loss) plus depreciation expense, amortization expense, interest and income tax expense, minus income tax benefit), further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash expenses and other adjustments as set forth below. We use Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it more clearly highlights trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures, since Adjusted EBITDA eliminates from our results specific financial items that have less bearing on our core operating performance.

We use Adjusted EBITDA in communicating certain aspects of our results and performance, including in this press release, and believe that Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed in conjunction with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliation, can provide investors with greater transparency and a greater understanding of factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations than GAAP measures alone. In addition, we believe the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in making period-to-period comparison of results because the adjustments to GAAP are not reflective of our core business performance.

A reconciliation from our GAAP net income (loss) to non-GAAP net income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 is detailed below:

Three months ended

June 30, Six months ended

June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 (in thousands, except per share data) Net income (loss) - GAAP $ 1,229 $ 3,186 $ (8,155 ) $ 3,805 Stock-based compensation (1) 2,125 361 4,216 1,396 Common stock issued for professional services (2) — 62 — 62 Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement (3) — — 7,857 — Payroll expense associated with employment settlement (4) — — 934 — Net income - non-GAAP $ 3,354 $ 3,609 $ 4,852 $ 5,263 Diluted EPS - GAAP $ 0.01 $ 0.03 $ (0.08 ) $ 0.04 Stock-based compensation (1) 0.02 — 0.04 0.01 Common stock issued for professional services (2) — — — — Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement (3) — — 0.07 — Payroll expense associated with employment settlement (4) — — 0.01 — Diluted EPS - non-GAAP $ 0.03 $ 0.03 $ 0.04 $ 0.05 Shares used to calculate diluted EPS - GAAP 120,929 112,466 98,557 106,291 Shares used to calculate diluted EPS - non-GAAP 120,929 112,466 120,273 106,291

_____________

(1) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and warrants awarded to employees, consultants and non-executive directors based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

(2) Represents common stock issued for professional services.

(3) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to accelerated vesting of RSU's and the modification of certain stock options associated with the settlement agreement with our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

(4) Represents accrued payroll and related benefits associated with the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

A reconciliation from our net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 is detailed below:

Three months ended June 30, 2019 Three months ended June 30, 2018 Consumer

Products Specialty

Pharma Total Consumer

Products Specialty

Pharma Total (in thousands) Net income (loss) $ 2,248 $ (1,019 ) $ 1,229 $ 3,553 $ (367 ) $ 3,186 Depreciation 168 — 168 117 — 117 Amortization — 9 9 — 9 9 Interest expense (income) (1 ) — (1 ) 71 — 71 Income tax expense 26 — 26 40 — 40 EBITDA 2,441 (1,010 ) 1,431 3,781 (358 ) 3,423 Stock-based compensation (1) 2,090 35 2,125 361 — 361 Common stock issued for professional services (2) — — — 62 — 62 Adjusted EBITDA $ 4,531 $ (975 ) $ 3,556 $ 4,204 $ (358 ) $ 3,846

A reconciliation from our net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 is detailed below:

Six months ended June 30, 2019 Six months ended June 30, 2018 Consumer

Products Specialty

Pharma Total Consumer

Products Specialty

Pharma Total (in thousands) Net income (loss) $ (6,483 ) $ (1,672 ) $ (8,155 ) $ 4,223 $ (418 ) $ 3,805 Depreciation 336 — 336 227 — 227 Amortization — 18 18 — 18 18 Interest expense (income) 5 — 5 120 — 120 Income tax expense 26 — 26 40 — 40 EBITDA (6,116 ) (1,654 ) (7,770 ) 4,610 (400 ) 4,210 Stock-based compensation (1) 4,137 79 4,216 1,396 — 1,396 Common stock issued for professional services (2) — — — 62 — 62 Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement (3) 7,857 — 7,857 — — — Payroll expense associated with employment settlement (4) 934 — 934 — — — Adjusted EBITDA $ 6,812 $ (1,575 ) $ 5,237 $ 6,068 $ (400 ) $ 5,668

_________________

(1) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and warrants awarded to employees, consultants and non-executive directors based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

(2) Represents common stock issued for professional services.

(3) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to accelerated vesting of RSU's and the modification of certain stock options associated with the settlement agreement with our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

(4) Represents accrued payroll and related benefits associated with the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer.