Higher Exchanges

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we sit down with Sammy J to break down what it takes to navigate the cannabis market in 2025. With low or negative growth, tightening margins, and shifting consumer behavior, the landscape is forcing operators to get sharper, leaner, and more strategic. We cover: 📉 Pricing, volume, and profitability in today’s market 🌴 How tourism is shaping cannabis sales i...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we cover: 📈 Bitcoin 2025 recap – key takeaways from the Vegas conference 🗓️ Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference preview – what to expect and who’s attending 🧾 Earnings review – insights and investor signals from the latest quarterly reports ⚖️ BSF update – legal developments and potential implications of the landmark Boies Schiller Flexner lawsuit We had he...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Seth Yakatan, Partner at Katan Associates and Strategic Advisor to Glass House Brands. Known for his candid insights and strong voice on LinkedIn, Seth joins us to unpack the hard truths, overlooked opportunities, and evolving dynamics in the cannabis capital markets. We dive into: Seth’s journey into cannabis investing and how he became one of...

Zachary George joins Higher Exchanges to share the strategic vision behind SNDL’s transformation into a debt-free, cash-rich cannabis leader. We cover: 🌱 Zach’s journey from Wall Street to cannabis 🇨🇦 Canada's retail evolution & market reset 🌍 Germany & global growth opportunities 🇺🇸 U.S. expansion strategy & OTC ambitions 💰 Capital deployment: buybacks, M&A, and long-term...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we’re joined by one of the sharpest minds in cannabis policy and strategy — Hirsh Jain of Ananda Strategy — for a fast-moving, wide-ranging conversation on where growth is actually happening in the cannabis industry. We cover: 🌍 Germany legalizes adult-use cannabis — and what that means for international markets 🌐 Key takeaways from ICBC and the emerging glo...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, strategic advisor and industry veteran Mitchell Osak joins us to unpack what it really means to win in today’s cannabis landscape. We dig into: 🧬 Mitchell’s journey into cannabis & key lessons from other industries 📊 What defines success today: financials, market share, leadership, & geography 🌎 U.S. vs. Canada — who’s setting the pace? 🌿 Hemp vs. c...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia dig into three pressing topics shaping the cannabis industry. 🌱 Planting Salisbury Canyon Ranch We kick things off with a look at LEEF’s landmark cultivation project. With 83-day auto-flowering plants going in the ground, the team is on track for a summer harvest and a second replant this fall. We break down how this lowers COG...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we’re diving deep into the latest cannabis investment trends, exploring key shifts in credit markets, pricing strategies, and hemp sentiment with Colin Ferrian , Portfolio Manager at Poseidon . Topics Covered: 💰 Credit & Lenders – A deep dive into IIPR’s distress, how other lenders are positioning themselves, and whether refinancing moves will create the...

Join us as we sit down with Sam Brill, CEO of Ascend Wellness Holdings , to unpack the latest in cannabis investing and industry strategy. We cover: ✅ Ascend’s strategic evolution and key takeaways from Q4 📊 ✅ Retail expansion and how Ascend is investing for growth in 2025 🏪 ✅ The shift in the cannabis market —from the "Green Rush" to today’s challenges 📉 ✅ How consumer behavior i...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Erich Mauff, Principal at FiSai, to explore the evolving cannabis investment landscape. From his time at Deutsche Bank and Jushi to launching FiSai, Erich shares key lessons learned. We dive into: 📉 Industry Woes: How we went from the “Green Rush” to today’s struggles—politics vs. industry missteps. 🏢 Operators & Survivors: Who’s making i...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we sit down with TerrAscend Executive Chairman Jason Wild and CEO Ziad Ghanem to break down the company’s Q4 and full-year 2024 results . We cover TerrAscend’s key market strategies across New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio , and dive into how the company has been strengthening its balance sheet and tax position . Jason and Ziad also weigh...

This week on Higher Exchanges, we’re joined by Nick Gastevich, aka CannaVestments, Vice President of V. Gastevich Investments, for an in-depth look at cannabis industry earnings. 🔍 Topics Covered: ✅ What are we looking for in these earnings reports? ✅ Deep dive into Tier 1 operators: Green Thumb Industries, Verano, and Trulieve. ✅ The conversation concludes with the guys weighing in on where w...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we sit down with Sammy J, VP of Corporate Development at C21 Investments, to discuss the state of the cannabis industry four years into the Great Cannabis Drawdown. Sammy shares his insights on the key factors behind the market’s decline, including revenue drops, margin erosion, and overspending on growth. We explore the potential catalysts for recovery, from...

In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we sit down with Scott Grossman, VP of Corporate Development at Turning Point Brands, to dive deep into the state of the regulated cannabis and hemp markets. We explore: ✅ Scott’s role at TPB and how legacy brands like Zig - Zag provide unique market insights ✅ Which states are seeing strong unit growth—and which are struggling ✅ Why cannabis stocks are dow...

Morgan is fresh off the plane from Vegas, and we start the show by asking how Poseidon is approaching investing in cannabis beverages. We discuss opportunities, risks, and ways to get involved. Twenty minutes in, we are joined by Craig "Lewie" Lewis, Founder and CEO of Flyers Cocktail Co ., to explore the fast-growing non-alcoholic and hemp-infused beverage industry. Lewie shares his jou...

Jesse just joined LEEF Brands as Head of Investor Relations and Business Development. LEEF is one of the leading producers of bulk extracts in California, has a dispensary in Palm Desert, and a wellness line called LEEF Organics.  LEEF CEO Micah Anderson joined Jesse and Morgan to discuss his background, the origins of LEEF, and the unique set of fundamental catalysts ahead for the company in 2025...

This week's show starts with a conversation about whether we are seeing signs of the bottom. Jesse and Morgan contrast sentiment with valuations, drawing parallels to the tech bubble and recovery.  Kyle Sherman, CEO of Flowhub, joings the show to talk about his cannabis journey, insights from visiting dispensaries across the U.S., and key trends shaping the industry. We explore price sensitiv...

The first show of 2025 starts with Jesse and Morgan reviewing Senorita Beverages. This is Agrify's first hemp beverage acquisition, and the guys give their thoughts on the two flavors they tried and where they fit in the evolving beverage landscape.  Jerry Derevyanny, Partner at Bengal Capital, joins to discuss what has gone wrong with the MSO model. The guys discuss cracks in the state-led g...

The boys are back for the final show of the year. This week, they discussed what they got wrong in their 2024 predictions and made fresh predictions for 2025. Topics covered include:  - Rescheduling timeline - Boies Schiller Flexner lawsuit - Potential Republican reform - Price compression - Intoxicating hemp - Potential M&A - Dispersion in returns and stock prices - The future of intoxicating...

The guys are back from traveling and eager to share lessons learned from the road. Morgan was in Boston for the Boies Schiller Flexner oral arguments and explained what happened that day and the next steps for the case. Jesse went to MJBiz in Las Vegas and offered his take on sentiment, outlooks, and how intoxicating hemp has penetrated the Nevada market.  The show also covers Verano Co-Founder Sa...

This week's show focuses on the next steps with the Boise Schiller Flexner lawsuit. Oral arguments are on December 5th, and we are joined by Jason Wild, Emily Paxhia, Erik Luna, and Weldon Angelos to dive into the details.  Topics covered:  * Overview of the case. * What's happening on December 5th?  * Key parties involved.  * Benefits of the case versus Schedule III and SAFE Banking. *...

This week's show begins with Morgan and Jesse talking about the evolution of Agrify. A once stale and forgotten business has new life with an investment from Green Thumb Industries and evolution into intoxicating hemp. The guys talk about the path to get here and how it may evolve.  AYR Wellness Interim CEO Steven M. Cohen joins the show and shares his background and vision for the future. We...

This week's show starts with an update on Jesse's experience at Benzinga's California Cannabis Spotlight conference in Anaheim. He explains who attended, what was discussed, and why you can't paint California with one brush. Jesse points out that California operators like LEEF Brands (CSE: LEEF, OTCQX: LEEEF) have transformational catalysts on the horizon and may stand out in 2...

It's been a wild week in cannabis with elections and earnings results. We were joined this week by Dai Truong, Managing Director at Arlington Capital Partners, and Doug Kass, Founder of Seabreeze Partners. The conversation begins with a recap of the elections, emphasizing Amendment 3 failing in Florida and Republicans sweeping the executive and legislative branches. Doug Kass makes a surprise...

With the election just days away, we are happy to have Hirsh Jain, Founder of Ananda Strategy, join us to break down all the races. We start with the Presidential election and handicap the outcome and potential consequences of a Harris or Trump victory.  Cannabis is a state-led growth story, and several new adult-use states are on the horizon, with none more significant than Florida. We assess the...