Leo Sandoval studied computer science at UC Santa Cruz and spent five years building compliance and inventory software for California dispensary chains, including two of the first METRC-integrated point-of-sale systems in the state. He left development when he realized the most useful thing he could do for small operators was not build another platform but explain, in plain language, which tools actually work and which ones are selling promises. At California Bud, Leo covers cultivation technology, compliance platforms, AI applications in cannabis, supply chain software, and the gap between what technology companies pitch at MJBizCon and what a farmer in SoHum actually needs. He is based in Santa Cruz and still writes code on weekends.