EDMONTON, Feb. 19, 2019 /CNW/ - Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. ("Fire & Flower" or the "Company") (TSXV: FAF) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Fire & Flower Inc. ("F&F"), has entered into agreements (the "Agreements") with two of the initial 25 applicants that have been selected by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (the "AGCO") to apply for cannabis Retail Operator Licences in the East Region of Ontario.

Both of the applicants have submitted their Retail Operator Licence and Retail Store Authorization applications. Following receipt of the Agreements, the AGCO has advised the applicants that their applications will proceed to the eligibility phase of review, where they will be assessed for current and ongoing compliance with the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulations.

The Agreements provide F&F with licensing and consulting fees as well as an option to purchase each of the applicant's interest in the retail locations after the expiry of the lottery process, subject to approval by the AGCO. Development of the retail stores is underway to meet the AGCO's timeline for opening by April 2019.

"These agreements represent another important step in Fire & Flower's mission to introduce our elevated education-based approach to adult-use cannabis retail to Ontarians", said Trevor Fencott, Chief Executive Officer of Fire & Flower. "They represent a strong vote of confidence in Fire & Flower's best-in-class expertise to assist these applicants to develop and operate a highly regulated business within an aggressive timeline."

Fire & Flower currently operates retail cannabis and accessory stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan and has a wholesale cannabis supply business in Saskatchewan. As part of its growth strategy, the Company intends to continue applying for licences for retail shops in Alberta, Saskatchewan and in all provinces that allow private cannabis sales, including Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba.

About Fire & Flower

Fire & Flower (TSXV: FAF) was founded by leading legal cannabis entrepreneurs in Canada, with significant combined experience in launching premium, successful businesses with extensive experience in the legal cannabis space. The Company provides customers with expertly curated product selection and a best-in-class, education-driven customer experience. Fire & Flower has provincial licences to operate seven cannabis retail stores in Alberta, two cannabis retail stores in Saskatchewan, and a wholesale cannabis supply business in Saskatchewan, and is pursuing additional licences to operate stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. To learn more visit: www.fireandflower.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the granting of a Retail Operator License and Retail Store Authorization to each of the applicants, the approval by the AGCO of the Agreements, any licensing and consulting fees to be paid to F&F and the opening of the retail stores by April 2019. Management of the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Various material factors and assumptions are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking statements. Those material factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to the Company, including data from publicly available governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of the retail cannabis industry which the Company believes to be reasonable. However, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics, such data is inherently imprecise. While the Company is not aware of any misstatement regarding any industry or government data presented herein, the retail cannabis industry involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors.

Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and which may cause the Company's actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including those risks identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's filing statement dated February 6, 2019 as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

SOURCE Fire & Flower Inc.

For further information: Media Relations Contact: Nathan Mison, Vice President, Government and Stakeholder Relations, [email protected], 780-951-1106