From NASA to Cannabis: How Tissue Culture Helped a Plant Scientist Find Her Voice

For Hope Jones’ first cannabis job, she served as chief science officer for a grower in Arizona. But as a newbie to the industry, she lacked the confidence to speak out against veterans making easy-to-avoid mistakes, despite her expertise. As frustration built, she saw an opportunity to bring clean-tissue culture to an industry struggling to get solid genetics. Today, the plant biologist operates two companies – a consulting firm focused on plant health and an R&D company that develops tissue-culture genetics. <p>In this episode, Hope shares:</p> <ul> <li>How she realized the need for better genetics in cannabis.</li> <li>How her experience as a staff scientist at NASA helped her build her self-confidence.</li> <li>Why good business partners need more than common goals to succeed.</li> <li>Why tissue culture is a solid starting point for quality biomass to support the entire cannabis supply chain.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Who is Hope Jones?</strong></p> <p>Hope Jones is a veteran plant scientist who immersed herself in the plant world long before jumping into cannabis. Her experience includes staff scientist at NASA, where she helped grow plants in outer space; a tenure at the University of Arizona’s world-renowned Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, where she used her extensive micropropagation skills and knowledge to rescue endangered plant species; and a stint as a bartender, which she credits for her ability to connect with people. She launched her first cannabis company, Phoenix-based Emergent Cannabis Sciences, in 2016, and her second, Superior Phenos, in 2020.</p>