Cannabis legends: Jack Herer, Mr. Nice, Brownie Mary & Co.

Cannabis history is rich in legendary personalities – from early activists to genetics pioneers and international dealers. Find out who has shaped this scene here. Names like Jack Herer, Mr. Nice or Dr. Raphael Mechoulam stand for movement, genetics and history, from medical activists to notorious smugglers to visionary breeders – the cannabis world has been shaped by true legends. Here are my legends!

Researchers and authors
The scientific side has also produced great names – they laid the foundation for everything we know about cannabinoids. The first medical applications were found early on in the history of cannabis.

Dr. Raphael Mechoulam

The Israeli researcher discovered THC and CBD. Without him, there would be no modern understanding of the effects of cannabinoids.

Discoverer of THC (1964)
Leading the way in cannabinoid research
Scientific role model for the scene
All about Dr. Raphael Mechoulam

Cannabis Legende Dr. Raphael Mechoulam (KI)

Ed Rosenthal

Grow book author and pioneer of indoor cultivation. His books are standard works for growers worldwide.

Author of “The Marijuana Grower’s Handbook“
Long-standing columnist and enlightener
Consultant for cannabis cultivation worldwide
More about Ed Rosenthal

Mel Frank

Co-author of early cult books on cultivation and an active photographer on the scene for decades. His works are legendary.

Co-author of “Marijuana Grower’s Guide“
Photographer of the cannabis scene
Pioneer of cultivation literature
The story behind Mel Frank

Breeders and genetics legends
These people developed strains that are known in every scene today. They revolutionized the market through targeted crossbreeding and variety development.

Nevil Schoenmakers

He founded the world’s first seed bank and was responsible for many legendary varieties.

Founder of “The Seed Bank of Holland“
Breeder of Nevil’s Haze
Shaped the global breeding scene
All about Nevil Schoenmakers

Cannabis Legende Nevil Schoenmakers (KI)

Shantibaba (Scott Blakey)

Together with Nevil and Mr. Nice, he founded Mr. Nice Seeds and developed some of the most famous hybrids ever.

Breeder of White Widow and Super Silver Haze
Co-founder of Mr. Nice Seedbank
World-renowned genetics expert
Read the full story about Shantibaba here

Sam the Skunkman

He collected seeds worldwide – from Asia to North Africa – and stabilized skunk genetics over several generations. In the 1980s, he fled from repressive laws to Amsterdam.

Active since the 1960s
Founder of Sacred Seeds
Later move to Holland
All about Sam the Skunkman

DJ Short

A silent artist who has created one of the most flavorful and consistent varieties in the world with Blueberry.

Developer of “Blueberry“
Active since the 1970s
Master of flavor selection
Word? All about DJ Short

Arjan Roskam

Self-proclaimed “King of Cannabis” and mastermind behind Green House Seeds. His strains have won several cups.

Founder of Green House Seeds
Cup winner with e.g. Super Lemon Haze
Known through documentaries & TV appearances
Read more about Arjan Roskam here

Activists and legalization pioneers

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Without these people, there would be no legalization movement, no medical clearance and no political debate. They have fought, written and inspired thousands.

Jack Herer

Probably the best-known activist, whose book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” became the bible of the legalization movement. A separate variety was named after him.

Author and speaker
Variety namesake (“Jack Herer” cannabis strain)
Advocates of hemp as an industrial product
Read more about Jack Herer here

Cannabis Legende: Jack Herer (KI)

Dennis Peron

Activist from San Francisco whose commitment to AIDS patients got the ball rolling for medical clearance in California.

Founder of the “Cannabis Buyers Club“
Initiator of Proposition 215 (1996)
Paving the way for medical use
The whole story about Dennis Peron

Brownie Mary

Mary Rathbun was a heroine for many patients and also traveled with Dennis Peron in her Cannabis Buyers Club (San Francisco). Her legendary THC-infused brownies became a lifesaver for the seriously ill.

THC brownies distributed to AIDS patients
Worked as a volunteer in hospitals
Symbol of humanity in the scene
All about Brownie Mary

Dealers, smugglers and entrepreneurs

Whether underground or legally in business – these names stand for massive quantities, global thinking and a piece of wild history.

Mr. Nice aka Howard Marks

Once an MI6 agent, later an international smuggler – Howard became a legend through his transformation into a cannabis guru.

Turnover in the millions with cannabis smuggling
Author of “Mr. Nice”
Founder of Mr. Nice Seeds
The whole story about Mr. Nice

Cannabis Legende Mr. Nice, Howard Marks (KI)

Steve DeAngelo

He made Harborside one of the largest and best-known cannabis dispensaries in the USA (comparable to a pharmacy but a little different, more in the post).

Co-founder of Harborside Health Center
Activist for fair cannabis laws
Shaped the modern US cannabis industry
Find out more about Steve DeAngelo here

Rick Simpson

He became famous for the so-called Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), which is said to have helped many seriously ill patients.

Inventor of “Rick Simpson Oil” (RSO)
Disseminated medical knowledge free of charge
Legend among cannabis patients
Story behind Rick Simpson

Pop culture icons

And of course they should not be missing – the faces of pop culture that brought cannabis into the living rooms of the world. US stars in particular are in the cannabis business.

Tommy Chong

His role in Cheech & Chong made him an icon of stoner films and culture. Even convictions could not break his status.

Part of Cheech & Chong
Worldwide stoner cult figure
Convicted several times – never broken
All about Tommy Chong

Cannabis Legende Tommy Chong (KI)

Snoop Dogg

Hardly anyone embodies modern cannabis culture as much as Snoop Dogg. With his brand and attitude towards the plant, he has become a global figurehead of the green lifestyle.

Founder of Leafs by Snoop
Public advocate for legalization
Style-defining in music, media and business
More about Dogg ather Snoop Dogg

Bob Marley

He was more than just a musician – Bob Marley became a spiritual figure in the global cannabis movement. His connection to Rastafari and his messages live on to this day.

Symbolic figure for peace, freedom and ganja
Global ambassador for Rastafarian culture
Namesake of “Marley Natural”
All about the legend Bob Marley

Jim Belushi

The actor turned from entertainer to cannabis farmer. With his Belushi’s Farm, he is committed to medical and spiritual use.

Operator of “Belushi’s Farm“
Documentary series about cannabis cultivation
Committed to legal and medical use
The Grow King in the USA Jim Belushi

Redman

With How High, he was in one of the stoner films and Hollywood weed blockbusters. How High was released in 2001 – the film that made Redman famous outside the rap world, also through the soundtrack to How High.

Hollywood Weed Blockbuster
Songs like “Weed Songs”
Read more about Redman here

Wiz Khalifa

Last but not least, the rapper whose name is inextricably linked to cannabis. His brand Khalifa Kush is cult – just like his open attitude to daily consumption.