Grow Sessions

What works in a craft grow doesn’t always survive commercial scale. In this episode of Grow Sessions, host Mark Doherty speaks with Deron Caplan about the most common—and costly—mistakes in scaling cultivation operations. They break down why commercial facilities fail when HVAC systems are oversized and poorly balanced, how lighting decisions can unintentionally spike latent load and humidity stre...

In this episode of Grow Sessions, Live Long and Process: GMP & the Future of Cultivation , Mark Doherty sits down with Darwin Millard—known as the “Spock of the industry”—to explore how GMP, consistency, and systems-based thinking are shaping not just today’s operations, but the future direction of cultivation and processing as the industry matures. With a mechanical engineering background and...

In this episode of Grow Sessions , Mark Doherty sits down with Josh Turner of Yellowhammer Genetics to explore how genetics, facility design, and evolving regulations are shaping modern cultivation. With a background in organic farming, Josh shares how regenerative techniques can improve plant health and efficiency—and why these methods are often difficult to scale in commercial cultivation enviro...

In this episode host Mark Doherty sits down with Sam Andras, 3rd Act Architecture to explore what Schedule 3 federal oversight means for commercial cultivation facilities—and how growers can get ahead of the transition. From GMP-ready layouts, one-way flow, and choosing the right systems, to data-driven design for indoor operations, Sam breaks down how smart planning protects crops, avoids costly...

Part 2: The Blueprint for a High-Performance Grow Room Welcome to Part 2 of our conversation with Nadia Sabeh, PhD, PE, aka Dr. Greenhouse. In The Blueprint for a High-Performance Grow Room , Mark Doherty picks up where Part 1 : Lights vs. HVAC: The Invisible War Happening Inside Your Canopy left off, focusing on what it truly takes to design a sustainable, high-performance cultivation facility in...

In Part 1 of this episode, Mark Doherty sits down with Nadia Sabeh, aka Doctor Greenhouse, to expose the hidden conflict between high-intensity lighting and the HVAC systems responsible for maintaining balance in controlled environments. Together, they discuss: The Three-Legged Stool of CEA and why lighting, HVAC, and plant biology must be designed as one integrated system How increasing photon de...

In this episode of Grow Sessions, “What’s Really in Your Cannabis: THC Testing & Safety,” host Mark Doherty speaks with Jeff Rawson, founder of the Institute of Cannabis Science (ICS), about the real-world science behind cannabis testing and consumer safety. Jeff shares his journey from academic research as a PhD chemist to cannabis, and how that background shaped the Institute’s mission of in...

In this episode of Grow Sessions, host Mark Doherty sits down with Drew Greco, cultivator and consultant at Greenstar Cultivation Services, for an eye-opening conversation on mastering efficiency at scale in an episode titled "People, Plants and Profits: Mastering Efficiency in Large Scale Operations." From overcoming early construction challenges to implementing cutting-edge cultivation...

In this episode of Grow Sessions , host Mark Doherty talks with Todd Dahn, founder of CannaLive Genetics, about running a small, community-focused cannabis business in Massachusetts. Todd draws from his experience in both the legacy cannabis scene and the music industry, sharing the challenges of navigating Massachusetts’ CCC regulations. A major frustration: the “mold issue.” Cultivators can be p...

In today's episode, guest host Mark Doherty joins Carl Giannone, Co-Founder of Trade Roots in MA, for an insider's perspective on building and operating a vertically integrated cannabis business in one of the most competitive markets. This episode dives into market dynamics, price compression, and strategic decision-making — with a focus on the MA cannabis landscape. Carl provides a over...

On today’s episode of Grow Sessions, "Cannabis Genetics: The Root of Success in Commercial Cultivation," we welcome guest host Zachary Taylor, GM of Cultivation at Bountiful Farms, and Jason Begley, CEO of Zennetix, a leader in cannabis genetics. Success in the cannabis industry starts with understanding the importance of genetics as the foundation of quality cultivation. This episode di...

In this episode of Grow Sessions , Tony Pavlakis sits down with Jim Megerson of Anvil Agrinomics about the complexities of designing efficient indoor cannabis cultivation facilities. Titled “Connecting Your Cannabis Grow: Easy Efficiency with Integrated Systems,” the episode emphasizes the critical need for system integration over siloed approaches. Early collaboration between architects and engin...

In today's episode of Grow Sessions, host Tony Pavlakis speaks with Timo Bongartz, CEO of Cannavigia, for an insider's perspective on the cannabis industry's evolving global ecosystem. This episode dives into cannabis cultivation, regulation, and technological innovation — with a special focus on the European market. Timo provides a comprehensive overview of Cannavigia's cuttin...

It’s a new season of Grow Sessions, and we’re excited to chat with Jordan Isenstadt of Marino Public Relations about the unique challenges of cannabis PR in an episode titled "Building a Buzz - Public Relations in the Cannabis Industry." Jordan dives into the complexities of federal restrictions and state-by-state legalization, explaining how these factors shape cannabis PR strategies. A...

Join us for an inspiring conversation on Grow Sessions with Kris Artz, founder of Rhythm of Life Cannabis, as he shares his journey as a cannabis entrepreneur. Discover how he overcame the hurdles of launching a cannabis business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the construction of a hybrid greenhouse to bring his dream to life. Kris opens up about a devastating fire that destroyed his facili...

In this episode of Grow Sessions Chris Day and Jill Reddish from the GCNC (Global Cannabis Network Collaborative) join us to share their passion for building a stronger, interconnected cannabis industry around the globe. In an episode titled “Global Perspectives: Building Bridges in the Cannabis Industry,” we discuss the power of collaboration and how the GCNC and its members are working together...

Today on Grow Sessions we navigate the complex waters of legal cannabis with a unique perspective with Carl Giannone and Jesse Pitts, Co-Founders of Trade Roots Cannabis in MA. Their journey begins with Jesse's incarceration for cannabis-related offenses—a pivotal moment that would inspire their commitment to transforming the industry through legitimate means. Tune in for an episode titled “T...

Join us for an exciting new episode of the Grow Sessions, featuring special guest Matthew O'Boyle from VALERE Architects, in an episode titled, "Efficiency by Design: Optimizing Your Grow Room for Maximum Yield."  This episode explores the common mistakes and pitfalls that growers should avoid when constructing a cannabis cultivation facility. Matthew highlights the crucial importan...

In this episode of Grow Sessions, we're excited to host Tony Gallo from Sapphire Risk Advisory Group as he delves into essential security procedures and onsite risk assessments, in an episode titled "High Stakes: Security Tips for Cannabis Facilities." Join us as we learn how a tailored security systems can save you money, safeguard your property, and address common issues in your f...

In our most recent episode of Grow Sessions, we have the pleasure of hosting Dave Barton from Thermidor for a lively discussion on the ever-changing global cannabis market in an episode titled "Global Cannabis Insights – Cannabis in the EU and Beyond." Dave delves into a variety of topics within the cannabis industry, from the growing medicinal market to advancements in the European Unio...

In today's episode of Grow Sessions, Jason Hadley from FILTR teams up with Tony to delve into the intricacies of microbial control in the cannabis industry with a focus on creating clean spaces for your cannabis facility in the segment titled " Clearing the Air: Cultivating Clean Spaces for Your Cannabis Facility.” As the cannabis industry experiences increasing legalization and regulati...

Join us on the latest episode of Grow Sessions as we dive into the world of insurance with Michael DeNault from World Insurance. In this episode, titled “Insuring Growth: Navigating Risk in the Cannabis Industry,” we unravel the complexities of insurance requirements and surprisingly find it quite intriguing. Insurance, who would've thought! In this episode, we will dissect insurance needs of...

In our first episode of Grow Sessions, Season 4, we have the pleasure of speaking with Betsey Morem and Mark Waller, Co-Founders of Morem & Waller CPAs. Join us for an enlightening conversation that revolves around the vital role that accounting practices play in the ever-evolving cannabis industry, highlighting the importance of compliance for all cannabis businesses. As the industry continue...

Prepare yourself for an electrifying edition of Grow Sessions because we are thrilled to have a special guest with us today! Joining us is Wendy Campbell from Jage Media / MJ Unpacked , and she is about to spill all the secrets to a successful trade show season in an episode titled "Mastering Your Trade Show Strategy for Success." If you've recently returned from the excitement of M...

In today's episode of Grow Sessions, we  explore the world of cannabis and its evolving standards. Joining us is our guest David Vaillancourt, a renowned expert from The GMP Collective. Good Manufacturing Practices, commonly referred to as GMPs, play a crucial role in ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to strict quality standards. These practices are not...