16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Matters
From time to time, the Company has been, and may again become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business, including the initiation and defense of proceedings related to contract and employment disputes. It is the Company's opinion that these claims individually and in the aggregate are not expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2021, the Company was sued in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas related to a Promissory Note & Asset Acquisition Rights Option ("Note & Option") with TGC Systems, LLC ("Total Grow"). The case was dismissed and the parties submitted the matter to arbitration pursuant to the arbitration clause of the Note & Option. Among other claims, Total Grow alleged that the Company was liable to Total Grow for failing to consummate the acquisition of Total Grow by the Company. The Company asserted counterclaims for repayment of $1.5 million in principal loaned by the Company to Total Grow pursuant to the Note & Option, plus interest and certain costs. In July 2023, the arbitrator rendered an arbitration award denying all of Total Grow's claims and defenses and awarding the Company more than $2.0 million in total, consisting of principal, interest, and certain costs. Total Grow voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in October 2023. In February 2024, the Company received $0.3 million from the bankruptcy proceedings, which it recorded as a recovery on the $1.5 million Note & Option. The remainder of the Note & Option, which were fully reserved, were written off during the year ended December 31, 2024.
There can be no assurance that future developments related to pending claims or claims filed in the future, whether as a result of adverse outcomes or as a result of significant defense costs, will not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company believes that its assessment of contingencies is reasonable and that the related accruals, in the aggregate, are adequate; however, there can be no assurance that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Indemnifications
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company makes certain indemnities under which it may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. As of December 31, 2024, the Company did not have any liabilities associated with indemnities.
In addition, the Company, as permitted under Colorado law and in accordance with its amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, in each case, as amended to date, indemnifies its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences, subject to certain limits, while the officer or director is or was serving at the Company's request in such capacity. The duration of these indemnifications varies. The Company has a director and officer insurance policy that may enable it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company accrues for losses for any known contingent liability, including those that may arise from indemnification provisions, when future payment is probable. No such losses have been recorded to date.