Higher Exchanges is the number one independent cannabis investing show. Hosted by Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia, the show features candid conversations with top CEOs, operators, and capital allocators shaping the future of cannabis. We break down complex cannabis markets into clear insights you can actually use. Higher Exchanges is powered by Flowhub and features original intro music by Chris Otchy.
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July 29, 20261 hr 5 min
Inside the World’s Largest Cannabis ETF: How Dan Ahrens Picks Stocks
Dan Ahrens, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at AdvisorShares, joins Higher Exchanges for a look inside the world’s largest cannabis ETF. Dan explains how he evaluates cannabis companies, builds positions across the MSOS and YOLO ETFs, and decides when a declining stock represents opportunity versus a broken investment thesis. The conversation also covers the financial metrics that matter most, how management quality and capital allocation influence stock selection, why major holdings carry different portfolio weights, and how Dan manages concentration and downside risk. We also get into swaps, custody, counterparty risk, liquidity, and how uplisting could change the investable universe. Higher Exchanges is hosted by Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia. Powered by Flowhub, book a demo today !
July 17, 20261 hr 23 min
Inside the DEA Hearings with Christian Bax
What really happened inside the DEA’s cannabis rescheduling hearings? This week, Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia are joined by Christian Bax, Senior Attorney at The Lockwood Law Firm, who attended the hearings from start to finish. Christian provides a firsthand look at the arguments presented by both supporters and opponents of Schedule III, what stood out inside the hearing room, and where the rescheduling process goes from here. The conversation also explores what the hearings mean for cannabis operators, investors, and the broader industry as regulatory uncertainty continues. Topics include: • Why the DEA hearings were held and what they were meant to accomplish • The strongest arguments from both sides • Key moments and surprises from inside the hearing room • What happens next in the rescheduling process • What operators and investors should be watching going forward Powered by Flowhub .
June 30, 202658 min
Can Cannabis Grow Again? | Episode 100 with Nick Gastevich
Higher Exchanges celebrates its 100th episode with special guest Nick Gastevich to tackle one of the biggest questions facing the cannabis industry: Can cannabis grow again? After several challenging years for operators and investors, we examine what could drive the industry’s next chapter. From new state markets and same-store sales to hemp regulation, M&A, capital markets, and interstate commerce, we discuss the catalysts that could reshape cannabis over the next five years. In this episode: Celebrating 100 episodes of Higher Exchanges Nick’s biggest surprises and lessons from the past year Where future cannabis growth will come from The outlook for new state launches and same-store sales The impact of intoxicating hemp regulation Whether M&A and industry consolidation are finally accelerating Which companies are best positioned to be long-term winners How capital markets, uplistings, and institutional investors could change the industry What needs to happen for cannabis to become an attractive investment sector again Follow Higher Exchanges for weekly conversations with the leaders shaping the future of cannabis investing. Higher Exchanges is powered by Flowhub .
June 25, 20261 hr 26 min
DEA, Virginia & the Future of Cannabis
The cannabis industry may be entering a very different chapter. In this episode of Higher Exchanges , Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia break down their biggest takeaways from the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago and discuss why the industry’s long-term outlook may be improving—even as public cannabis stocks continue to struggle. They cover: Why this year’s conference felt different Why an uplisting isn’t a magic bullet for valuations How DEA manufacturing registrations could accelerate interstate commerce and international exports Why exports may arrive sooner than many investors expect Virginia’s path toward adult-use legalization Vermont’s interstate commerce legislation Why low-cost production and scale could become major competitive advantages Whether you’re an investor, operator, or simply following the evolution of the cannabis industry, this episode provides practical insights into the trends that could shape the next phase of growth. Higher Exchanges is powered by Flowhub.
May 28, 20261 hr 30 min
Cannabis Rescheduling Is Here. What Happens Next? | Hirsh Jain
Cannabis rescheduling is officially here. Now what? This week, Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia welcome back Hirsh Jain to discuss what Schedule III means for the industry, how states are responding, and what comes next. We cover the upcoming adult-use hearings, interstate commerce, export opportunities, Virginia's latest legalization setback, Pennsylvania's outlook, and which operators stand to benefit most from the next phase of cannabis reform. Topics: • Schedule III implementation • Interstate commerce • Export opportunities • Virginia adult-use • Pennsylvania legalization • MSO winners and losers • Cannabis investing in 2026 Higher Exchanges is powered by Flowhub .
May 14, 20261 hr 4 min
Cannabis Lending After Schedule III with Steven Ernest of Chicago Atlantic
On this episode of Higher Exchanges, Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia sit down with Steven Ernest, Head of Originations at Chicago Atlantic, to discuss how cannabis lending and private credit markets are evolving heading into a potential Schedule III world. Steven gives an update on Chicago Atlantic’s platform today, how cannabis credit has changed over the last 12–18 months, and why periods of industry stress can create compelling opportunities for disciplined lenders. The conversation also explores private credit valuation concerns, collateral structures, institutional capital flows, and what separates stronger operators from the rest of the market. The group dives deep into the potential impact of Schedule III rescheduling, including whether the biggest benefit is tax relief, improved fundamentals, or the psychological shift that could bring new institutional investors into the space. Topics include: - The state of cannabis lending in 2026 - Private credit risk and valuation trends - Real estate collateral vs. cash-flow underwriting - Schedule III and institutional capital - Why cannabis remains a structurally inefficient lending market - The future of banking and commercial credit in cannabis - What the market still misunderstands about cannabis credit A timely conversation with one of the most experienced lenders in the industry. Higher Exchanges is powered by Flowhub.
April 23, 20261 hr 34 min
Is Cannabis Finally Investable Again? Rescheduling, GTI, Vireo & C21 Deep Dive
In this Higher Exchanges deep dive, we break down the cannabis sector at a critical moment following 4/20 and renewed momentum around federal rescheduling. Jesse Redmond is joined by Morgan Paxhia and Sammy J to focus on what’s actually changing — and what investors should be paying attention to. Topics Covered: Federal cannabis rescheduling: what just happened and what comes next 4/20 recap and what it says about consumer demand Green Thumb Industries (GTI): best-in-class or fully valued? Vireo Growth: the roll-up strategy and integration risk C21 Investments: a quiet operator worth revisiting Where the real long-term opportunity in cannabis lies Sponsored by Flowhub The all-in-one platform powering dispensaries with POS, inventory, compliance, and ecommerce. If you’re investing in cannabis or tracking the evolution of the industry, this is a clear, focused breakdown of where things stand today.
April 9, 20261 hr 24 min
Finding Alpha in Cannabis: Allocation, Debt, and What Actually Works w/ Jerry Derevyanny
Where can investors actually find value in cannabis today — and how should they be thinking about the space going forward? In this episode of Higher Exchanges, Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia are joined by Jerry Derevyanny, Partner at Bengal Capital, for a wide-ranging conversation on capital allocation, alternative investment strategies, and what separates real operators from the rest. We cover: • Where value is emerging today — concentrated vs. broad exposure and where alpha is coming from • Alternative ways to invest — debt, preferred equity, and real estate vs. traditional equities • What real brand building looks like in cannabis — and how to separate true consumer demand from distribution advantages • Why “Nasdaq isn’t magic” — and what it actually takes to become institutional-quality As the industry evolves, the opportunity set is shifting. This conversation breaks down how experienced investors are approaching cannabis today. Powered by Flowhub .
March 26, 20261 hr 2 min
LEEF Q4 2025 Earnings Review: Inside the Transformation with CEO Micah Anderson
On this episode of Higher Exchanges , we’re joined by Micah Anderson, CEO of LEEF Brands, to break down the company’s fourth quarter and full year 2025 results and what they signal about the next phase of growth. We cover LEEF’s evolution, including the addition of Salisbury Canyon Ranch, and how vertical integration is driving margin expansion, improved consistency, and stronger cash flow. Q4 marked a clear inflection point, with revenue up nearly 40% year-over-year, gross margins reaching 45.5%, and the business generating positive operating and free cash flow. We also unpack the transition from H1 to H2, where margins expanded significantly as LEEF shifted toward internally sourced biomass, and discuss what it means to build a large-scale cultivation asset inside a public company. Finally, we look ahead to what’s next, including expansion plans at Salisbury Canyon Ranch, the recent Mindset Capital investment, and the growing optionality across CBD, interstate commerce, exports, and M&A, along with listener questions on market share and unit economics. Higher Exchanges is powered by Flowhub .
March 12, 202659 min
Inside the World’s Leading Cannabis Company | Curaleaf CEO Boris Jordan on Rescheduling, Capital Markets, and Consolidation
On today’s episode of Higher Exchanges, Jesse Redmond and Morgan Paxhia sit down with Boris Jordan, Chairman and CEO of Curaleaf, the largest cannabis company in the world. We discuss what may be the most important policy and capital markets moment the industry has seen in years. Boris shares Curaleaf’s perspective on federal rescheduling, what it could change for operators, when it may become final, and whether additional catalysts like SAFER banking, uplisting, or even descheduling could follow. We also explore Curaleaf’s evolving strategy around hemp-derived THC. After entering the category in 2018, exiting in 2023, reentering in 2024, and now stepping away again, Boris explains what changed in the regulatory landscape and what conditions could bring Curaleaf back to hemp in the future. The conversation then turns to capital markets and consolidation across the cannabis industry. Following Curaleaf’s recent $500M refinancing, we discuss the improving tone in financing markets, whether deal activity is returning, and where industry consolidation may emerge. Finally, we dive into Curaleaf’s fundamentals, including the balance between U.S. and international growth, sustaining margins through years of price compression, and what investors may be missing when evaluating the largest operator in cannabis. A thoughtful discussion on policy catalysts, industry structure, and the next phase of growth for cannabis. Higher Exchanges is powered by Flowhub. Topics Discussed • Federal cannabis rescheduling and policy outlook • SAFER banking, uplisting, and future catalysts • The future of hemp-derived THC • Cannabis capital markets and financing conditions • Industry consolidation and M&A • Curaleaf’s international growth strategy • Margins and price compression in U.S. cannabis • Curaleaf’s “Built for Growth” strategy
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