The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or the future outbreak of any other highly infectious or contagious diseases, could materially and adversely impact or cause disruption to our tenants and their operations, and in turn our performance, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The extent to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacts our operations and those of our tenants will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the outbreak and containment measures, among others. Furthermore, the impacts of a potential worsening of global economic conditions, acts of war or other hostilities, including the conflict in Ukraine, and the continued disruptions to, and volatility in, the credit and financial markets, supply chains and consumer spending as well as other unanticipated consequences remain unknown.
Our tenants’ ability to pay their rent obligations to us depends, in part, on whether our tenants can continue their regulated cannabis operations and the ability and willingness of consumers to visit dispensary businesses. In the large majority of states that have legalized cannabis, state governmental authorities have recognized both medical-use and adult-use cannabis operations, including supply chain activities such as cultivation, processing, distribution and dispensary activities, as “essential businesses”, allowing them to remain open and operational. While laws and practices vary from state to state, state and local governmental authorities and regulated cannabis businesses have taken additional measures to ensure the safety and well-being of employees, patients and consumers, including but not limited to restrictions associated with social distancing requirements and additional levels of protection for medical cannabis patients with more vulnerability to health complications from COVID-19. Despite these measures, cannabis dispensaries may experience declines in customer traffic or may be required to close in response to new government regulatory orders, which may result from a prolonged outbreak or resurgence of COVID-19 cases, and could have a significant adverse financial impact on certain of our tenants.
Significant Tenants and Concentrations of Risk
As of March 31, 2022, we owned 107 properties located in 19 states. Many of our tenants are tenants at multiple properties. We seek to manage our portfolio-level risk through geographic diversification and by minimizing dependence on any single property or tenant. At March 31, 2022, none of our properties accounted for 5% or more of our net real estate held for investment. See Note 2 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the tenants in our portfolio that represented the largest percentage of our total rental revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Competitive Environment
We face competition from a diverse mix of market participants, including but not limited to, other companies with similar business models, independent investors, hedge funds, lenders and other real estate investors, as well as potential tenants (cannabis operators themselves), all of whom may compete with us in our efforts to acquire real estate zoned for regulated cannabis operations. Competition from others may diminish our opportunities to acquire a desired property on favorable terms or at all. In addition, this competition may put pressure on us to reduce the rental rates below those that we expect to charge for the properties that we acquire, which would adversely affect our financial results.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include general and administrative expenses, including personnel costs, stock-based compensation, and legal, accounting and other expenses related to corporate governance, public reporting and compliance with the various provisions of U.S. securities laws. We generally structure our leases so that the tenant is responsible for taxes, maintenance, insurance and structural repairs with respect to the premises throughout the lease term. Increases or decreases in such operating expenses will impact our overall financial performance.
Our Qualification as a REIT
We have been organized and operate our business so as to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Shares of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock are subject to restrictions on ownership and transfer that are intended, among other purposes, to assist us in qualifying and maintaining our qualification as a REIT. In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, the relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to certain exceptions, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of our outstanding shares of stock or Series A Preferred Stock or more than 9.8% (in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or any class or series of our outstanding preferred stock.