In this episode of Higher Exchanges , we sit down with Ted Lidie , founder of Alien Labs , to talk about building one of California’s most iconic flower brands—and what it takes to scale that success across markets. We cover: 🌱 The Alien Labs origin story and legacy in the 215 era 🤝 Partnering with Connected and navigating Prop 64 🔥 What makes truly great flower—and why it’s harder to grow now 📉 Pricing pressure, quality control, and the reality of California cannabis in 2025 🏜️ Expanding i...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 19
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 in Nevada 🛍️ 2025 consumer spending habits — what’s changed 🌱 Greenshoots: where opportunity is sho...
Jun 19, 2025•-1 sec•Season 3Ep. 18
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 hemp on the agenda, but ran out of time! We'll be back to cover that "soon".......
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 17
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 the most outspoken figures on LinkedIn. A deep look at the Glass House x LEEF Brands partnership, w...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 16
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 ROI Plus, another fun question for Grok.
May 08, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 15
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 global cannabis landscape 📈 U.S. growth markets in 2025 — New York leads, with muted gains expected in...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 3Ep. 14
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. cannabis — which has the edge? 🚀 How to disrupt: quality, cost, or a better business model 📦 Why ta...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 13
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 COGS, increases supply chain control, and sets the stage for higher-quality products and improved margi...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 3Ep. 12
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 next major MSO. 📉 Pricing Trends – Are price degradation rates finally slowing? Can MSOs shift succ...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 11
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 is changing and what strategies companies are using to adapt 🛒 ✅ What Sam is most excited about in 2025 and what k...
Mar 25, 2025•55 min•Season 3Ep. 10
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 it through this downturn, and what mistakes are sinking others? ⚖️ Debt vs. Equity: Tradeoffs of inve...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 9
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 in on shifting consumer trends, including the decline in alcohol consumption and the potential oppor...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 3Ep. 8
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 we go from here...Key takeaways, concerns, and the outlook ahead.
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Season 3Ep. 7
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 value-driven opportunities to possible regulatory shifts with S3, SAFER banking, and the BSF lawsuit...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 3Ep. 6
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 down 95% and the key drivers behind the downturn ✅ What needs to change for the industry to recover and gr...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 3Ep. 5
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 journey into the space, the "aha moment" that led to Flyer’s creation, and the surprising trends—like the fact th...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 4
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: 1. Planting Salisbury Canyon Ranch 2. Advances in extraction technology 3. Out-of-state opportuniti...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 3
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 sensitivity, differences between public and private companies, and how Flowhub’s data drives innovation. Plus, we ...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 growth story, particular challenges facing Florida, and which operators may have the most difficulties ahea...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Season 3Ep. 1
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 hemp, and more... Many thanks to everyone who listened this year, and we look forward to more conver...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 48
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 Sammy Dorf joining Flora Growth as Executive Chairman to accelerarte entry into the THC-infused beverag...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Season 2Ep. 47
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. * Potential outcomes and timelines. Please consider supporting the case. You can donate here: https://atach.org/cons...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 46
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 cover the lost opportunity with Florida's failure to pass Amendment 3, and Cohen explains why AYR is stil...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 45
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 2025. Ascend Wellness (CSE: AAWH, OTCQX: AAWH) CEO Sam Brill joins us and shares his background and how he hopes to evolv...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 44
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 appearance to share his perspective on the industry challenges and the short-term invest-ability of the ...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 43
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 chances that Amendment 3 will be passed and dig into smaller states like North Dakota, South Dakota,...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 41
This week's show has two special guests: Dan Neville, CEO of AFC Gamma, and Brady Cobb, Founder and CEO of Sunburn. The episode begins by discussing the vibes in Florida as we head into the adult-use vote on November 5th. Brady shares his optimism and how they are preparing for the potential adult-use launch. Dan offers his perspective on the Sunshine State, the deals they have done, and what they look for when evaluating Florida operators. Brady drops off, and we dig deeper into the AFC Gamma b...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Morgan and Jesse are back from a busy week at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago. This week's show focuses on what they learned at the event, and they both share their three biggest takeaways. Topics include institutional involvement, hemp, M&A, Ohio, and more. The guys also discuss the Gartner Hype Cycle and how we feel deep in the trough of disillusionment. Investors feel impatient and fatigued, which contrasts with what may be an exciting set of catalysts as we head into ...
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 16 min
With no guests this week, Morgan and Jesse had time to catch up on several topics. The episode starts with an update on a recent X poll about moving off Spaces and how the podcast may evolve. Jesse and Morgan are heading to the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago next week and shared what's on their schedules and how to make the most of the event. It would not be a cannabis podcast without addressing politics, and the guys talk about the Democrat's recent comments. Jesse stumps Morga...
Oct 03, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 48
This week's show begins with a discussion about Senator Wyden's Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act, which proposes more regulation for the hemp industry. Jesse and Morgan review the key points and how they may impact the intoxicating hemp market and legal cannabis business. Grown Rogue's CEO, Obie Strickler, joins the show to share how the company has cultivated a low-cost flower production advantage and expanded to new markets. We review the company's core operations in highly competitive Or...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 37
