Zachary Bellman - Future Supply-Chains of Medicinal Plants: From the Garden to the Blockchain...

Modern supply chains for medicinal plants are undergoing a transformation through digital integration and advanced technology. The shift involves implementing sensors and blockchain systems that track every stage from cultivation and processing to distribution. By recording this ledger, stakeholders can ensure transparency, verify quality and safety, and address systemic issues such as biopiracy and supply chain fraud. Technological advances like robotic harvesters and AI-driven data analysis allow for precision farming, which improves yield and consistency. However, this digitalization raises complex questions about corporate interests, regulatory oversight, and the unintended evolution toward a data-driven surveillance model.