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Technology Meets Cannabis: Innovation & Compliance
(September 16, 2025) — Jean Smith-Gonnell and Cole White of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP examine how technology is transforming cannabis businesses. The cannabis industry is evolving at record speed, and technology sits at the center of that shift. From cultivation to retail, state-licensed operators are using automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to boost efficiency, cut costs, and reinforce compliance. Yet innovation also introduces unique challenges because cannabis remains federally illegal. This patchwork of state rules means every new technology must be carefully calibrated to regulatory frameworks.
How Technology Shapes Cultivation and ManufacturingEfficient production underpins the cannabis supply chain. Growers and processors must maintain consistency, meet strict testing standards, and operate with thin margins. New AI and automation technology allows cultivators and manufacturers to streamline these processes, increase yields, and strengthen compliance documentation.
AI-enabled canopy monitoring is a prime example. Monitoring plant health manually is labor-intensive. With AI-driven technology, sensors collect daily data on CO₂, humidity, and temperature, using machine learning to detect microclimate changes and early threats. Cable-suspended robots like Neatleaf's Spyder continuously scan crops, offering real-time analytics and reports showing yield gains up to 20%. This technology reduces crop loss, improves consistency, and creates data logs for compliance inspections
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