Research shows what’s possible. Cultivation determines what’s practical.

That idea sits at the center of Episode 28 of the GroShow Podcast, as the conversation looks at how cannabis research moves from the lab into commercial cultivation and where that translation still has challenges.

In this episode, Riley is joined by Max Jones, one of Canada’s leading cannabis researchers at the University of Guelph, alongside Grodan Crop Specialist Chad Rigby, to explore how research around tissue culture, clean plant systems, and emerging breeding approaches connects to real-world production.

Rather than staying theoretical, the discussion stays grounded in the realities growers deal with every day. The conversation touches on managing disease pressure, preserving long-term genetic health, and understanding what concepts like uniformity and genetic stability actually look like once plants are scaled across rooms and cycles.

Max shares insight into how tissue culture and clean plant programs are being evaluated within the industry — not as quick fixes, but as foundational systems for protecting genetics and reducing hidden risk over time. The episode also looks at newer breeding approaches, including polyploid breeding and F1 hybrids, with a clear distinction between what is currently proven and what is still being explored.

A recurring theme throughout the conversation is alignment. Research and cultivation cannot exist in silos. When scientific insight lines up with how a facility actually operates, growers gain clearer expectations, better decision-making, and fewer surprises from run to run.

For cultivators interested in how research is shaping the future of cultivation without losing sight of execution, this episode offers a practical way to think about new ideas, emerging tools, and where they realistically fit into commercial systems.

Listen to the full episode below: