8. Related Party Matters

K2C, Inc.

In June 2014, our subsidiary entered into an independent contractor agreement with K2C, Inc. (“K2C”), which is wholly owned by the Company’s former Executive Chairman and Co-Founder, Mr. Cosmas N. Lykos, pursuant to which the Company paid K2C a monthly fee for services performed by Mr. Lykos for the Company. The agreement expired on June 1, 2017 and was automatically renewed for one year pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The monthly fee under the agreement was $10,000 and increased to $20,000 effective April 1, 2017.

In February 2018, the Company entered into a separation and release agreement with K2C, which provided for a lump sum payment of $180,000 and the immediate vesting of 900,000 shares of restricted common stock granted on January 18, 2018, 325,000 shares of restricted common stock granted on October 20, 2015, and 125,000 options granted on November 21, 2014, in exchange for a release of claims and certain other agreements. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recognized additional stock-based compensation expense of $112,270 for these restricted stock and option awards.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, total expense incurred under this agreement was $-0- and $220,000 (including the previously discussed lump sum payment), respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, no expense was incurred under this agreement. Under the separation agreement, Mr. Lykos was allowed to participate in the Company’s health, death and disability insurance plans for six months subsequent to K2C’s separation.

Emerald Health Sciences

On February 1, 2018, the Company entered into an Independent Contractor Agreement with Emerald Health Sciences, pursuant to which Emerald Health Sciences agreed to provide such services as are mutually agreed between the Company and Emerald Health Sciences, including reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the Independent Contractor Agreement. These services can include, but are not limited to, corporate advisory services and technical expertise in the areas of business development, marketing, investor relations, information technology and product development. The Independent Contractor Agreement has an initial term of 10 years and specifies compensation which is agreed upon between the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Emerald Health Sciences’ Chairman, CEO and President on a month-to-month basis. The fee due under this agreement is payable on a monthly basis; however, if the Company is unable to make payments due to insufficient funds, then interest on the outstanding balance will accrue at a rate of 12% per annum, calculated semi-annually. Under this agreement, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred expenses of $150,000 in each period. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred expenses of $300,000 and $250,000, respectively.