Flower & Cultivation

Rescheduling isn’t just a tax story. It’s also a technology story. As FDA-style oversight and GMP expectations come into play, spreadsheets, tribal knowledge, and handwritten logs won’t cut it. David Sandelman explains how sensor-driven grow rooms, automated post-harvest systems, and integrated compliance platforms can help cultivators protect margins and survive the next wave of consolidation.

Heavy metals can find their way into cannabis through water, soil, fertilizers, and even aging equipment—yet most growers don’t realize how easily contamination can occur. Researchers are just beginning to understand how the plant interacts with metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead, but cultivators can take practical steps now to minimize risk. From input testing and pH management to smarter irrigation practices, here’s what every grower should know to keep crops compliant and consumers safe.

MJBizCon panelists said AI offers major promise in cultivation, but only after operators fix environmental inconsistencies that undermine data and automation.

Cannabis cultivators often celebrate yield, but volume alone doesn’t guarantee profitability. Many grows unknowingly scale losses because key expenses — overhead, indirect labor, and material consumption — aren’t accurately tracked. When cost visibility is missing, even high-performing strains can drain margins. In today’s tight market, operators need precise cost intelligence, not guesses. Knowing the real cost per gram helps cultivators eliminate waste, refine their product mix, and build a more resilient, profitable operation.

For decades, terpenes dominated the discussion around cannabis flavor and fragrance. But new research shows the real story lies deeper, in trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that give each cultivar its unique aroma and effects. From lab mapping and enzymatic chemistry to the cold-chain preservation techniques borrowed from agriculture, a new generation of scientists and cultivators is uncovering the plant’s hidden potential and learning the path to premium flower begins long before harvest and continues all the way to the shelf.

Nutrient deficiencies are among the most common — and costly — problems in cannabis cultivation. From nitrogen shortages to micronutrient lockout, imbalances can quietly erode plant health, diminish quality, and cut yields. This practical guide explains how to identify visible symptoms, correct underlying causes like pH imbalance or improper EC, and restore plants to peak performance. Whether you’re growing in peat, coir, or rockwool, these science-backed solutions can help keep your crop thriving from veg to flower.