In Episode 8 of Two Tokens Short, hosts Robert De La Rosa and Mitchell Newberger sit down with Jonathan Napoli, founder of VanGarden and The Hempest, to explore the evolving intersection of cannabis cultivation, automation, and artificial intelligence.
Jonathan shares his 30-year journey from hemp retail pioneer to operating one of the most advanced indoor cannabis facilities on the East Coast. The conversation dives deep into the business realities, regulatory chaos, and technological frontiers of the cannabis industry—from vertical farming and environmental sensors to AI-driven yield optimization.
Together, they unpack the economic pressures facing growers, the lessons from over-saturation and regulation, and how AI tools are being used for everything from branding and compliance to climate control and fertigation management.
The episode offers a grounded look at the future of agriculture tech, data in cultivation, and the enduring resilience required to thrive in a high-stakes, high-regulation market.
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