Empowering Growth
through Plant Wisdom
Enhancing Life
Fostering Excellence in Plant Science Education through Scholarships
Universal Plant Medicine Association (UPMA) is a non-profit organization that offers scholarships to post-secondary students pursuing studies in agriculture, horticulture and plant medicine disciplines. Our organization is dedicated to supporting and empowering students in these fields through financial assistance.
Empowering Students and Advocating for Plant Medicine at UMPA
We are fueled by our passion for plant medicine and our commitment to a greener and healthier future. We provide scholarships to post-secondary students in plant science disciplines, empowering the next generation of professionals.
Through knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration, we foster innovation and advocate for the transformative power of plants. Our work is driven by the belief that plant medicine can enhance human health, environmental sustainability, and overall well-being, creating a brighter tomorrow for all.
Empowering Change Through Plant Medicine Innovation and Education
Universal Plant Medicine Association
is a charity organisation dedicated to advancing the field of plant medicine and promoting its immense potential for human health, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. Through our scholarships, initiatives, and collaborative efforts, we empower students, foster knowledge sharing, and drive innovation in plant science, and related disciplines.
With a focus on inclusivity and diversity, we strive to create a global network of like-minded individuals and organizations, united in our commitment to harnessing the power of plants for a greener and healthier world. Join us on this transformative journey as we cultivate growth, nurture partnerships, and make a meaningful impact together.
Our Vision:
To cultivate a global network of passionate and knowledgeable plant medicine advocates, researchers, and practitioners. We envision a future where scholarships recipients become leaders in the field, driving innovation, cultural preservation, and ethical practices in plant-based healing. Through their work, these scholars will contribute to the emergence of a harmonious world where the profound wisdom of plant medicine is cherished, shared, and leveraged to address diverse health challenges and promote ecological stewardship.
Our Mission:
To support and empower individuals committed to the study, research, and application of plant-based medicines. Through scholarships, we aim to facilitate access to education, training, and resources, enabling aspiring scholars to explore, preserve, and advance the field of plant medicine. Our program seeks to foster innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in the realm of botanical healing, ultimately contributing to the well-being of communities and the planet.
To build resilient communities and livelihoods through plant medicine development.
Board of Directors
Brendon Roberts
Founder & President, UPMA || Founder & President, GanjaPapa Solutions Inc.
Brendon Roberts, Founder and President of the UPMA is a distinguished authority globally in plant science. He has held senior management roles in horticulture, cannabis crop production, quality assurance, and facility operations throughout corporate Canada and beyond. His expertise spans plant breeding and genetics, phytopharmaceuticals, and International plant agriculture development. This experience drives his commitment to advancing the science and innovation of controlled plant medicine and substances. Brendon is also an alumni of the prestigious Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, with an emphasis in International Plant Agriculture Development. He considers himself a modern extensionist who excels in knowledge translation and transfer, particularly in the global food, plant medicine, and herbalism industries. Brendon is frequently invited to speak at agricultural and cannabis conferences, radio talk shows, symposia, workshops, podcasts, and forums across the Global North and Global South regions.
Micheal Di Nardo
Co-Founder & Vice President, UPMA || Founder & President, Raw Acres Inc.
Micheal Di Nardo, Co-Founder and Vice President of the UPMA brings his wealth of expertise as a seasoned botanist with a decorated history of success working in the farming industry. His expertise extends to business development, horticulture, medicinal plants, project planning and management. Michael is also an alumni of Canada’s ivy league Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, with a specialization in Plant Agricultural Sciences. His area of emphasis extends to ’tissue culture’, sustainable organic agriculture, and biopharmaceuticals as demonstrated at Raw Acres Inc. Micheal produces high quality organic cannabis inflorescences and value-added hand-crafted products (hemp extract muscle cream, lip balm, cannabis chipped roots tea bags) for the phytopharmaceuticals industry.
Stephanie Harpur
Co-Founder, Treasurer & Secretary, UPMA || Founder and CEO of Cahoots Cannabis
Stephanie, Co-Founder, Treasurer & Secretary of the UPMA, brings a unique brand of women in cannabis. She has a wealth of expertise in planning, developing, executing, and managing multi-million-dollar cannabis operations from the ground up, in the British Columbia Canada. She once served as Brendon Roberts former boss in the cannabis industry, on a 290 acres licensed Cannabis facility operation. Stephanie, with her family farming background spans from a heritage of 150+ years of active participation in the agricultural industry. Stephanie also specialized in agricultural real estate for 12 years selling farms and ranches. She is a powerful force for women advocacy in agriculture and plant medicine for executive level roles in these sectors.
Chris Morton
Marketing Director, UPMA || Founder & Principle, Topsite Canada
Chris, Member At-Large of the UPMA, brings a dynamic skill set in website designing and development with a history and proven track record of SEO, advertising and marketing campaign success in the United Kingdom, North America and the international community. The Employment Coordination Committee of Guelph, Wellington, Canada, proudly presented Topsite Canada an award for recognizing their efforts in the community by providing valuable training experiences and employment opportunities, in the year 2022. Topsite is the mastermind in breathing life into the UPMA theoretical conceptualization, in a pragmatic, engaging and user-friendly experience for our community members alike.
Regulatory & Compliance Committee
Alan Mayo
Founder of Cannabis Quality Management Consultancy || Leader in Pharmaceutical Regulations and Cannabis Legalization
Alan Mayo is a distinguished expert in the realm of global pharmaceutical regulations and cannabis legalization. With a career rooted in pharmaceutical quality management systems, he has masterfully transitioned his expertise to the rapidly evolving cannabis industry. His profound understanding of quality management systems and regulatory compliance has positioned him as a pivotal figure in shaping the landscape of medicinal cannabis.
During his time at Zenabis Ltd, Alan’s visionary leadership was instrumental in achieving EU-GMP and elevating the company to a position of prominence in the cannabis sector. His tenure was characterised by an unwavering commitment to quality and adherence to regulatory standards. Now as the founder of his quality management consultancy, he expertly assists cannabis enterprises in achieving EU-GMP certification, ensuring the production of safe and efficacious medical cannabis products.
Alan’s motivation is deeply rooted in a commitment to overturning the misconceptions surrounding cannabis. He firmly believes in the transformative powers of plant medicine and is committed to challenging any misconceptions. His dedication to enhancing patient access to high-quality cannabis products is driven by a conviction that cannabis offers significant medical relief and can be a catalyst for tranquillity and well-being.
A leader, innovator, and mentor, his approach is not just about compliance and quality; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence and setting new standards in the cannabis industry. He is a catalyst for change, paving the way for a future where cannabis is recognized for its therapeutic potential and accessibility.
Legal Committee
Dr. Dale Hunt
Founder and CEO of Breeder’s Best || Senior Patent Attorney at Hunt IP Law Firm || Renowned Expert in Plant Science and Cannabis Legal Affairs
Dr. Dale Hunt, PhD, JD, is an accomplished plant scientist, U.S. patent attorney and cannabis lawyer. As the founder of Hunt IP Law Firm and CEO of Breeder’s Best, he brings over two decades of experience globally safeguarding environmentally conscious inventions and plant varieties through his practice, offering guidance and expertise on patent protection, genetic licensing and IP matters relating to a wide range of fields and industries. Dr. Hunt has garnered recognition in numerous national media outlets and news articles for his insightful expertise in patenting and marijuana, as well as being highly coveted as a distinguished speaker, contributing his knowledge at prominent events such as the Marijuana Business Convention and the Emerald Cup.
