Nevil Schoenmakers: Genetics, seed banks, breeding – The “King of Cannabis”

Nevil Schoenmakers – Many people know Jack Herer, Mr. Nice or Arjan Roskam – but without Nevil Schoenmakers, most of today’s strains would probably not even exist. The Australian-Dutch breeder was the first to set up a professional seed bank and preserve the genetic diversity of cannabis at a time when it was almost lost. Today you will find out who Nevil was, how he created the world’s most legendary strains – and why some called him the “King of Cannabis“! Back to all cannabis legends.

Nevil Schoenmakers: The silent revolutionary

Nevil was born in Perth, Australia, in 1956. He emigrated to the Netherlands at a young age for health reasons. It was there that he discovered the medicinal effects of cannabis and soon began to study the plant intensively.

His aim is to create genetically stable, high-performance varieties that can be grown anywhere in the world.

In 1984, he founded the Seed Bank of Holland – the first commercial cannabis seed bank in the world (tip: you can find our cannabis database with 2,400+ varieties here). From here, strains such as Northern Lights, Haze, Skunk #1 and G13 were systematically bred and distributed for the first time.

• Born in Australia in 1956, later NL citizen
• Founder of Europe’s first cannabis seed bank
• Breeder of many legendary strains such as Haze, NL, G13

Nevil who? 5 things you should know

1. He was celebrated as the “King of Cannabis” in High Times
2. He protected genetics during global cannabis prohibition
3. He worked closely with Howard Marks (Mr. Nice)
4. He was prosecuted by the US DEA, but fled to Europe
5. He later lived in seclusion in Australia – until his death in 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yXfkZh8TLs

The Seed Bank of Holland: Nevil’s legacy

Seed Bank of Holland

The Seed Bank of Holland was more than a store – it was a gene bank, a laboratory and a sanctuary for endangered genetics. Nevil collected landraces from Asia, South America and Africa and combined them with stable genes from the USA. His varieties were the first to be systematically bred for potency, yield and stability.

He later sold the bank to Arjan Roskam (Green House Seeds), with whom he was also involved in the development of White Widow.

• First real cannabis seed bank in the world
• Conservation & hybridization of rare landraces
• Basis for today’s breeding programs & hybrids

Read more here! Sensi Seeds, seeds, story & videos:

• Seed Bank of Holland

Legendary varieties: Nevil’s influence

Almost every modern cannabis strain has Nevil’s signature somewhere. His best-known strains – some of which he bred alone, some with partners – are still cult to this day and form part of many modern crosses:

• Northern Lights – high potency, short flowering time
• Haze – mentally activating, long high
• Skunk #1 – commercial classic
• G13 – shrouded in myth, genetically unique
• White Widow – legendary medical hybrid

The “King of Cannabis” and the escape from the DEA

In 1985, High Times magazine published an article about Nevil in which he was celebrated as the “King of Cannabis”. However, this also got him into trouble: The US DEA pursued him as part of “Operation Green Merchant”. He was arrested in Australia in 1990 and later fled back to the Netherlands.

The trial dragged on for years, but Nevil was ultimately never extradited. He slowly withdrew from the public eye, but remained legendary in the scene.

• Celebrated as cannabis king by High Times
• Prosecution by US authorities over seeds
• Not extradited – process never ended

Nevil Schoenmakers in today’s scene

Even though he increasingly retired after 2000, Nevil remains one of the most important figures in today’s grow and medical scene. Without his work, there would hardly be any stable medical strains with a clear effect profile. He made a decisive contribution to cannabis being taken seriously in scientific and breeding terms.

He inspired breeders such as Shantibaba and Soma Seeds, coined Greenhouse, Sensi Seeds and many modern hybrids. His life shows: Science, passion and civil disobedience can change worlds.

• Inspiration for modern breeding & research
• Basis of many currently approved types of medicine
• Paving the way for legal genetics programs

Grow on! 25 years after his retirement …

Even 25 years later… still growing!

Nevil in Germany?

In this country, too, much is based on Nevil’s work. Strains such as Northern Lights and Haze are used in medical products. Today, patients who receive cannabis on prescription benefit directly from its cultivation. The clarity and consistency of these strains is crucial for medical dosage and effect.

• NL & Haze as medicinal varieties also in DE
• Standardized effect thanks to stable genetics
• Basis for pharmaceutical cannabis products

That was Nevil Schoenmakers: Any questions?

Nevil was not a speaker, not an activist, not a showman. He was a botanist, a nerd – and a visionary. His work secured a future for cannabis in medicine, research and culture. He saved genetics when they were under threat – and changed the world with every new plant.

Whether you grow cannabis, consume it or use it medicinally: You have something to thank Nevil for.

1. Founder of modern cannabis cultivation
2. Protectors of genetic diversity
3. Legend with a silent, lasting effect

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

Cannabis history is rich in legendary personalities – from early activists to genetics pioneers and international dealers. Find out who shaped this scene here. Names like Jack Herer, Mr. Nice or Shantibaba – the cannabis world has been shaped by real legends. Here are my legends!

• Cannabis legends