# Robots and Regulations: Transforming the Cannabis Industry

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2025-09-05
- Length: 1h 17m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry

## Summary

Nohtal Partansky, CEO and founder of Sorting Robotics, explains how his background at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Moxie project informed the design of automated cannabis manufacturing systems. He details the development of three key products: Jiko, an injection system for pre-rolls; Stardust, an external coating machine; and Omnifiller, a vape cartridge filler. Partansky discusses the unique material handling challenges of cannabis, such as stickiness and potency preservation, and the regulatory complexities of patenting and banking in a non-federally legal industry. He emphasizes a rapid, customer-centric design philosophy that allows Sorting Robotics to iterate quickly and maintain a competitive edge against black market operations.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=8) Introduction and News Recap
- [23:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=1397) Introduction: Nohtal Partansky and Sorting Robotics
- [25:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=1534) From NASA JPL and Moxie to Trading Card Automation
- [33:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=1997) Designing Jiko, Stardust, and Omnifiller for Cannabis
- [40:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=2412) Patenting, Banking, and Regulatory Hurdles
- [47:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=2859) Market Competition and Customization Strategies
- [53:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=3212) Rapid Prototyping and Design Philosophy
- [1:02:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-05-robots-and-regulations-transforming-the-cannabis-industry#t=3731) ROI, Spillage, and Industry Maturation

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Sorting Robotics (company)
- Moxie (product)
- Jiko (product)
- Stardust (product)
- Omnifiller (product)
- Rokus Order (product)
- Broker Robotics (company)
- eBay (company)
- Figure (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Ubtech (company)
- Teradine (company)
- Universal Robots (product)
- Kawasaki (other)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Onshape (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [334 - Sabrina Clebnik is pioneering an incredible cannabis brand in Clebby's and the packaging is exquisite!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-12-23-334-sabrina-clebnik-is-pioneering-an-incredible-cannabis-brand-in-clebbys-and-th) (People of Packaging)
- [125 - Happy 4/20! Cannabis Round Table with Sustainable Packaging professionals!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-04-20-125-happy-4-20-cannabis-round-table-with-sustainable-packaging-professionals) (People of Packaging)
- [When Production Overtakes Prototyping: Materialise’s Next Phase of AM](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-10-13-when-production-overtakes-prototyping-materialises-next-phase-of-am) (Additive Snack)
- [Sara Naab On Going From Idea to Funding to One of the Bay Area's Most Innovative Life Sciences Co's](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2019-11-07-sara-naab-on-going-from-idea-to-funding-to-one-of-the-bay-areas-most-innovative) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [311 - Beyond Beers: How THC Drinks Are Disrupting the Beverage Market w/ Josh and Shea from Green Street Beverages](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-05-20-311-beyond-beers-how-thc-drinks-are-disrupting-the-beverage-market-w-josh-and-sh) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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