Namaste Technologies in Collaboration with High Tide Announces Entrance into the Direct-to-Consumer Recreational Cannabis Market at CannMart.com using its Proprietary VendorLink Marketplace

As of today, starting in the province of Saskatchewan, recreational customers can purchase cannabis products at CannMart.com without a prescription. 

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Namaste Technologies Inc. ("Namaste" or the "Company") (TSXV: N) (FRANKFURT: M5BQ) (OTCMKTS: NXTTF) and High Tide Inc. ("High Tide") (CSE:HITI) (OTCQB:HITIF) (FRA:2LY) today announced that wholly-owned subsidiaries of each corporation recently entered into a CannMart Marketplace Agreement pursuant to which High Tide, via Canna Cabana (SK) Inc. as a licensed retailer by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, will make recreational cannabis products available online exclusively on CannMart.com as a licensee under Namaste's VendorLink platform for an initial term of one year, subject to renewals (the "Agreement"). Upon launch, approximately 40 products designated for recreational use will be available to Saskatchewan-based customers, with weekly inventory changes and product additions to follow. 

The Agreement marks Namaste's entrance into the direct-to-consumer recreational cannabis market via CannMart.com by using its new marketplace solution, VendorLink, to facilitate the sale of cannabis products by licensed retailers. For High Tide, the Agreement accelerates its growth plans in the province and expands its customer reach based on CannMart's established e-commerce business. Customers within the designated region will be able to shop a diverse catalogue of recreational cannabis products without the need for a prescription. Conversely, CannMart's medical customers in Saskatchewan will have the ability to select and purchase both medical and recreational products. 

"This is a landmark moment for Namaste. I've been grateful for the opportunity to put all the pieces together to deliver on the mission that Namaste committed to shareholders over the past years. We've finally reached the point where they can start to see the fruition of that mission: to provide the technology and infrastructure for Canadians to order cannabis safely and reliably no matter where they are," said Meni Morim, Chief Executive Officer of Namaste Technologies. "There are so many choices in the cannabis marketplace and we have worked tirelessly to integrate our machine-learning technology into the selection process for consumers and let retailers focus on what they do best – provide the best in-store experience and let us do the heavy lifting online. Canada is the first step and I am excited about what's coming next," added Mr. Morim.

"This Agreement brings together two complementary enterprises that are focused on the Canadian cannabis consumer and providing safe and convenient access to residents across Saskatchewan. We are excited to work with Namaste and their new VendorLink service to activate a substantial e-commerce sales channel under Canna Cabana," said Raj Grover, President and Chief Executive Officer of High Tide. "As the province with the most business-friendly regulatory framework, Saskatchewan offers us the opportunity to leverage our strength as a large cannabis retailer through strategic partnerships like this one. Further, this arrangement is nicely aligned with High Tide's goal of achieving sustainable growth via significant revenue opportunities, without burdening the company with additional infrastructure or capital costs," added Mr. Grover.

"Everyone talks about AI, e-commerce, UI/UX and other technology when it comes to online shopping.  We live and breathe e-Commerce technology and know what matters: the customer, the vendors, and how they find each other. Our marketplace, VendorLink, is a matchmaker, much like Uber, Airbnb and Amazon are," said Chad Agate, Chief Technology Officer of Namaste Technologies. "We've taken our proprietary technology developed over the years and delivered an experience where basket size averages reach $135, which is more than the current industry average for both in-store and online purchases. This is the mark of successfully pairing consumers with products," added Mr. Agate.

This initiative is part of Namaste's overarching goal to increase its total addressable market, as well as offer customers a frictionless buying experience on CannMart.com. Licensed cannabis retailers across Canada interested in joining VendorLink and expanding their customer base by establishing themselves on CannMart.com can join the experience by registering their interest at https://cannmart.com/sell-on-cannmart.

About High Tide 

High Tide is a retail-focused a retail-focused cannabis corporation enhanced by the manufacturing and distribution of cannabis lifestyle accessories. Its premier Canadian retail brand Canna Cabana spans 34 locations in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, with additional locations under development across Canada. High Tide has been serving cannabis consumers for over a decade through its numerous lifestyle accessory enterprises including e-commerce platforms Grasscity.com and CBDcity.com, lifestyle and licensed entertainment brand manufacturer Famous Brandz, and its distribution divisions RGR Canada and Valiant Distribution.

High Tide's strategy as a parent company is to extend and strengthen its integrated value chain, while providing a complete customer experience and maximizing shareholder value. Key industry investors in High Tide include Aphria Inc. (TSX: APHA) (NYSE: APHA) and Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB).

For more information about High Tide Inc., please visit www.hightideinc.com and its profile page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Namaste Technologies

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Namaste Technologies is a leading online platform for cannabis products, accessories, and responsible education. The Company's 'everything cannabis store', CannMart.com, provides medical customers with a diverse selection of hand-selected products from a multitude of federally-licensed cultivators, all on one convenient site. The Company also distributes licensed and in-house branded cannabis and cannabis derived products to recreational consumers in Canada through a number of provincial government control boards and retailing bodies and online in Saskatchewan. Namaste's global technology and continuous innovation address local needs in a burgeoning cannabis industry requiring smart solutions.  

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CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Namaste's goal to increase its total addressable market, its potential plans in the future via VendorLink or otherwise and its plans to add new products for sale. These statements are only predictions and are made as of the date of this news release. Various assumptions were used in developing the forward-looking statements throughout this news release which management believed to be reasonable at the time such statements were made, including management's perceptions of Namaste's standing in the online marketplace for cannabis products, the expected interest of vendors to sign up on VendorLink and the Company's ability to increase its product offering, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, without limitation: risks relating to the Company's ability to execute its business strategy and the benefits realizable therefrom, and risks specifically related to the Company's operations. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's annual information form which has been filed under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE Namaste Technologies Inc.