Higher Exchanges

Higher Exchanges
  • 4.7 (15)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Higher Exchanges is a weekly cannabis-investing conversation hosted by Jesse Redmond, the Head of Investor Relations and Business Development at LEEF Brands, and Morgan Paxhia, Co-Founder of Poseidon. 

  1. Cannabis Schedule III Breakdown: What It Means for Policy, Capital Markets, and Investors

    5D AGO

    Cannabis Schedule III Breakdown: What It Means for Policy, Capital Markets, and Investors

    This is a line-in-the-sand moment for legal cannabis. In this episode of Higher Exchanges, Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia break down the Schedule III announcement alongside policy expert Hirsh Jain and capital markets veteran Scott Grossman. We unpack what just happened, why it matters, and what could come next for cannabis policy and markets. We cover:  • A clear overview of the Schedule III news and first reactions  • What changes on the policy side — including CBD and Medicare implications, and potential state and federal follow-ons  • What this means for capital markets — institutions, uplisting potential, lending rates, and what makes a rally sustainable  • A forward-looking close: what each of us is most excited about heading into 2026 This is the most significant policy development for cannabis since Colorado legali

    1h 15m
  2. 2025 Cannabis Investing Review & 2026 Preview

    DEC 11

    2025 Cannabis Investing Review & 2026 Preview

    We’re fresh back from MJBiz and breaking down everything: the people we saw, the energy on the floor, standout moments, and yes—Jesse’s run-in with the “Angry” hot chicken. Each of us shares the surprises that caught our attention this year, along with our biggest learnings from the conference. From there, we shift into a forward-looking conversation about 2026: what to expect, how the hemp ban reshapes TAM, why Curaleaf exiting the hemp category matters, and which opportunities emerge (like CBD + Medicare) as others fade. We explore what the market might be missing—especially around enforcement, potential stays, capital flows, pricing, and state-level catalysts—and close with a conversation about what still excites us about working in this industry.

    1h 38m
  3. What the Hemp Is Going On? — with Whitt Steineker

    NOV 21

    What the Hemp Is Going On? — with Whitt Steineker

    Today on Higher Exchanges, Jesse and Morgan sit down with Whitt Steineker, Partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, to break down the major regulatory shifts impacting hemp, cannabis, and the broader U.S. market. We cover: What just happened to the U.S. hemp market — why it happened, what it means, and when enforcement may hit.How new hemp rules affect state-licensed cannabis — potential opportunities, risks, and implications for federal reform.The future of industrial hemp — genetics, farming incentives, infrastructure needs, and whether this resets the narrative around American hemp production.The divide in D.C. between intoxicating hemp and legal cannabis, why it exists, and how these sectors might align to drive federal change.Whitt also shares how Bradley is advising clients through this moment — and what he expects to see in both cannabis and hemp policy over the next 12 months.

    1h 8m
  4. Q3 Earnings Review with LEEF Brands CEO Micah Anderson

    NOV 5

    Q3 Earnings Review with LEEF Brands CEO Micah Anderson

    In this episode, we sit down with Micah Anderson, CEO of LEEF Brands (CSE: LEEF | OTCQB: LEEEF), to break down the company’s Q3 2025 financial results and what’s driving its turnaround story. LEEF delivered a standout quarter with revenue up 24% year-over-year to $8.4M, gross margins doubling to 45%, and the company generating positive adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow for the first time. We discuss the key drivers behind that performance — from the first successful harvests at Salisbury Canyon Ranch in California to the rapid launch of LEEF’s extraction lab in New York. Topics we cover: • The execution behind Salisbury Canyon Ranch and New York — LEEF’s two 2025 strategic goals — and how they are reshaping cost structure and margins. • The operational levers behind a 23-point margin expansion: how much came from vertical integration vs. new market mix. • How LEEF is maintaining cost discipline with operating expenses down 12% YoY while growing topline performance. • The company’s approach to managing 280E taxes and its stance on accruing vs. paying UTP. • Why LEEF added Bitcoin to its corporate treasury, and how Micah views Bitcoin allocation versus other growth investments like expansion or scaling SCR. • Plans for the next phase: expanding cultivation at Salisbury Canyon Ranch to 187 acres, scaling production in New York, and evaluating new state entries every 12–24 months. After Micah joins, we broaden the discussion with a look at the Q3 earnings season across cannabis, including Verano and Jushi. We dig into trends like margin compression, limited catalysts until 2026+ in key states, and how efficiency and vertical integration are separating strong operators from those treading water. A grounded, data-driven discussion on execution, cost control, and strategy in a tough market — plus a look at where real growth may come next.

    1h 5m
  5. Cannabis Done Right with Jetty CEO Ron Gershoni

    OCT 23

    Cannabis Done Right with Jetty CEO Ron Gershoni

    In this episode of Higher Exchanges, we sit down with Ron Gershoni, CEO and co-founder of Jetty Extracts — one of California’s longest-standing cannabis brands — to explore what it takes to build, protect, and scale a cannabis brand in today’s challenging market. We cover: 🚀 Jetty’s founding story and lessons from a decade of brand building💨 From the first vape to solventless, pre-rolls, and product innovation🛡 How Jetty navigated “Vape Gate” and built consumer trust through clean products🌱 The Clean Cannabis initiative and raising standards across the industry📊 California market dynamics: growth, price compression, and consolidation🍃 OCAL certification, organics, and addressing California’s pesticide problemA must-listen conversation for anyone curious about how durable brands endure and scale in cannabis.

    59 min
  6. Minnesota's New Era with Aaron Edelheit

    OCT 9

    Minnesota's New Era with Aaron Edelheit

    Minnesota just launched adult-use cannabis sales — and the market could quickly become one of the most lucrative in the U.S. Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia sit down with Aaron Edelheit, CEO of Mindset Capital, to unpack why Minnesota’s cannabis rollout is so unique and what it means for operators, investors, and policy watchers. In this episode: Minnesota’s cannabis history and the adult-use rolloutThe massive cultivation gap (60,000 sq. ft. available vs. 2 million needed)Why Green Thumb, Vireo, and Grown Rogue are best positioned to benefitCross-border demand from prohibition statesHemp beverages in liquor stores (15–20% of sales!) and how they fit inHemp vs. cannabis: what each industry can learnAaron’s insights on investing, capital markets, and the ETF TOKEWhether you’re an operator, investor, or consumer, this episode offers sharp insights into how Minnesota could reshape the future of U.S. cannabis.

    1h 16m

  7. SEP 19

    The Future of Intoxicating Hemp with Tucker Johnson

    What’s really driving the rise of intoxicating hemp—and where is it headed next? In this episode, we sit down with Tucker Johnson, whose career spans CFO roles at Lil Wayne’s cannabis company and the Emerald Cup, Head of Finance & Cannabis Lead at British American Tobacco, and consulting for top hemp operators. Tucker brings a rare perspective from both mainstream finance and the front lines of cannabis. We dig into: 🌿 The 2018 Farm Bill — how it created today’s intoxicating hemp loophole and what might change. 🤠 Texas — 8,000+ smoke shops, a vetoed hemp ban, and Gov. Abbott’s new executive order reshaping the market. 🏝️ Florida — hemp as a de facto adult-use market, where tourists and consumers choose between black market, medical cannabis, and hemp products. 🔮 What these state experiments tell us about the national future of hemp. If you want to understand the fast-changing hemp landscape and its impact on cannabis, this conversation is a must-listen.

    1h 20m

  8. SEP 5

    Building Momentum with Aaron Miles, CIO of Verano

    Join us on Higher Exchanges for an insightful conversation with Aaron Miles, Chief Investment Officer of Verano Holdings Corp., as we dive into the evolving landscape of the cannabis industry. With over 20 years of financial expertise, he shares how Verano continues to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.  Q2 2025 Financial Highlights We break down Verano’s latest performance: a 9% year-over-year revenue dip to $202M, with a projected 7% decline for 2025. With 157 dispensaries nationwide, $403M in debt, $69M in cash, and a 28% drop in operating cash flow, Aaron unpacks the strategies behind these numbers and how Verano is positioned to resume growth as key new states flip to adult use.  Answering Top Listener Questions Aaron tackles your burning questions: Will Verano bring back wholesale by state reporting? What’s the latest on the Vireo lawsuit? And how is Verano positioning itself for the future of interstate commerce in cannabis? Managing the Chaos Beyond the numbers, we explore how Aaron stays grounded in the high-pressure world of cannabis. From psychedelics and meditation to creative outlets like Music for Mushrooms, discover the tools that help us manage the chaos of cannabis investing.  To learn more about East Forest and his Music for Mushrooms documentary, visit: https://eastforest.org/ Think Harder

    1h 16m
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4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Higher Exchanges is a weekly cannabis-investing conversation hosted by Jesse Redmond, the Head of Investor Relations and Business Development at LEEF Brands, and Morgan Paxhia, Co-Founder of Poseidon. 

Information

  • Creator
    Higher Exchanges
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Higher Exchanges
  • Show Website
    Higher Exchanges

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