Next-Generation Cannabis Genetics: Shaping the Future of Plant Innovation

Christopher Leavitt is a cannabis breeder and tissue culture scientist who founded Voyager Genetics, a clone-only B2B genetics business specializing in servicing commercial medical cultivations. He is based out of Portugal, but works internationally with clients in Thailand, Portugal, South Africa, and the UK. He is the former CSO/COO of Compound Genetics and co-founder at Node Labs in San Francisco, California. His approach to cannabis clone development is unique- combining the use of plant tissue culture techniques and traditional clone selection techniques within the compliant medical framework, while balancing the art and science of breeding exceptional flavors into plants that perform agronomically.

Experienced cannabis industry professional with a strong background in operations, business development, and regulated cultivation environments.

Proven expertise in mother plant management, propagation scaling, GMP-oriented processes, and cross-border project coordination.

Adept at working with government bodies, universities, civil associations, and multidisciplinary teams across Europe and Latin America.

Cannabis Advisor with over a decade of experience establishing and optimizing regulated operations across North America. I live in the crossroads between technical horticultural science and complex regulatory compliance.

Throughout my 12 years in commercial operations, I have guided clients through the requirements of production and commercial best practices across seven U.S. states and Portugal. I specialize in cultivation and post-harvest operations, licensing applications, GMP/GACP standardization, facility design, and the creation of compliance frameworks that reduce risk and ensure ease.

Born and raised in a Dutch greenhouse, Sonny developed a passion for plant cultivation from an early age. Growing up surrounded by horticulture laid the foundation for his deep understanding of plant science and commercial growing operations. Sonny has been consulting growers for years on cannabis cultivation in countries where medicinal cannabis is legalized. His cultivation experience and expertise is strengthened as result of his involvement in trials at Wageningen University.

Sonny holds a master’s degree in plant science from Wageningen University & Research, specializing in greenhouse horticulture. He understands the importance of collaboration between the pharmaceutical, horticultural and hobby industries within the cannabis sector. Through his extensive international network and hands-on experience, he has learned that cultivation expertise is a critical factor in the success of professional growing facilities.