James Loud Podcast

Episode 150 of the James Loud Podcast!In this milestone episode, James sits down with Kyle Loucks, the inventor and founder of RollPros, to talk about engineering, automation, and how precision machinery is transforming the pre-roll category. Kyle built RollPros with a mission to solve one of the industry’s toughest challenges—producing perfectly packed pre-rolls at scale while maintaining the consistency and quality of hand-rolled products.RollPros’ flagship machine, the Blackbird, has become one of the most respected pre-roll systems in the market, used by operators around the world to produce thousands of premium cones with remarkable accuracy. James has used the Blackbird extensively in his own production workflow, and in this episode he and Kyle break down why the machine stands out—from compression control and fill consistency to the engineering philosophy that went into designing it.Kyle shares the story of inventing the RollPros system, the problem-solving that went into building a reliable high-volume solution, and how thoughtful engineering can elevate product quality rather than compromise it. The conversation dives into manufacturing innovation, scaling production without losing craftsmanship, and what the future holds for automation in modern cultivation and product development.If you’re interested in cultivation, pre-roll production, engineering solutions, or scaling quality products in a competitive market, Episode 150 delivers a fascinating look behind the machines powering today’s industry.Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for long-form conversations with growers, engineers, founders, and innovators shaping the future of plant culture.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow RollPros:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rollpros/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with David and Jane Sandelman, the innovators behind Cannatrol. Their company has become widely known for bringing scientific precision to one of the most misunderstood parts of the growing process: post-harvest drying and curing. Instead of relying on guesswork, Cannatrol systems use controlled temperature, humidity, and vapor pressure dynamics to stabilize moisture levels and preserve quality.David, an engineer with decades of experience in environmental control technology, originally developed the Cannatrol system to solve a common problem growers face—how to consistently dry and cure plants without losing aroma, structure, or potency. Alongside Jane, the company has helped both small craft growers and large facilities rethink how curing works by focusing on measurable moisture science rather than traditional trial-and-error methods.In this conversation, James, David, and Jane go deep into the science of moisture control, vapor pressure deficit, terpene preservation, and the critical role curing plays in final product quality. They break down why traditional drying rooms often fail, how controlled environments can dramatically improve consistency, and why post-harvest handling may be the most overlooked factor in producing top-tier flower.If you’re interested in cultivation science, post-harvest technology, drying techniques, or the future of controlled environment agriculture, this episode delivers a fascinating deep dive into the technology changing how growers approach the final stage of production.🎙️ Subscribe to the James Loud Podcast for in-depth conversations with growers, breeders, engineers, and innovators shaping the future of plant cultivation.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Cannatrol:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannatrol/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Amanda Geritano, brand builder and executive at Packs Los Angeles, to talk legacy culture, scaling a premium pre-roll brand, and navigating today’s rapidly evolving adult-use market Amanda has been instrumental in building Packs into one of the most recognizable blunt and pre-roll brands in the space, known for its proprietary hemp wraps, signature glass tips, and bold red drip branding. Originally rooted in New York’s legacy scene, Packs expanded into multiple states through strategic licensing partnerships—balancing authenticity with large-scale growth. In this conversation, Amanda breaks down what it really takes to maintain quality while entering new markets, the challenges of automation vs. hand-rolled production, and how buyer psychology shapes today’s shelves.The discussion dives deep into pre-roll innovation, manufacturing technology, white labeling, brand knockoffs, expansion strategy, and the future of ready-to-consume products. From New York to Colorado to emerging markets across the country, Amanda shares firsthand insight into what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry is headed next.If you’re interested in cultivation, branding, pre-roll production, market expansion, or the business side of plant culture, this episode delivers real game from someone who’s built at scale.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Packs:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packs.us/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

In this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Mark of Greenshock Farms, one of Northern California’s legendary growers and breeders. With over two decades spent farming in the mountains of Mendocino County, Mark has helped build Greenshock Farms into a respected outdoor cultivation team known for organic sun-grown practices, deep respect for nature, and an award-winning portfolio of plants and genetics.Mark shares his personal journey—from learning to grow in the wilds of California to refining a craft that’s earned Greenshock multiple accolades at major regional competitions. Their commitment to natural soil, integrated pest management, and letting the sun do the work reflects a philosophy rooted in harmony with the land rather than shortcuts or chemicals.This conversation explores the tough lessons, the evolution of outdoor growing, and what it takes to consistently produce vibrant genetics year after year. Whether you’re passionate about heritage techniques, sustainable farming, or the stories behind the growers who helped define California’s outdoor scene, this episode delivers deep insight straight from one of the people shaping that legacy.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Greenshock Farms:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenshockfarmsProduced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.

On this episode of the James Loud Podcast, James sits down with Barney from Green Dawg Cultivators, one of Northern California’s respected legacy cultivation crews. Founded in 2014 in Sacramento, Green Dawg built its reputation by combining rare genetics, craft indoor techniques, and consistent quality — growing from a small collective into a globally recognized brand known for its deep catalog and collaborations across the industry.Barney shares stories from the early days, the evolution of modern genetics culture, and what it really takes to stay relevant in a fast-moving market where trends change overnight. The conversation dives into production philosophy, scaling without losing authenticity, and how legacy operators adapted as the industry transitioned from underground roots to regulated business.If you’re interested in cultivation, breeding, entrepreneurship, or the real history behind today’s most talked-about flavors and brands — this episode is packed with perspective from someone who lived it.Follow James Loud:Instagram: https://instagram.com/JamesLoudInstagram: http://instagram.com/jamesloudpodcast/Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-loudFollow Barney:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barneyhasagreendawg/Produced by Gears and GritInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gears.and.grit/About the James Loud Podcast:Hosted by award-winning breeder, author, and innovator James Loud, the show explores the art, science, and culture of modern plant genetics, sustainable cultivation, and community storytelling. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James brings decades of experience, creativity, and insight to every episode.In 2024, the show was honored as Podcast of the Year by the International Industry Awards for its commitment to education, storytelling, and innovation. Each week features voices from across the creative and agricultural worlds — all united by passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship.Join us on this award-winning journey as we explore the future of cultivation, creativity, and culture.