In the world of weed, some people follow trends, and others set them. These trailblazers have been changing the game, diving headfirst into the science, activism, medicine, and the business of cannabis to rewrite its story. From breaking ground in research labs to fighting for fair policies and starting businesses that push boundaries, these pioneers have left marks that go way beyond advocacy alone.

This list celebrates eight of the most influential voices in cannabis— people who’ve turned bold ideas into reality and helped transform cannabis from a misunderstood plant demonised during the war on drugs into a powerful agent for change. Their legacies? Far-reaching, deeply inspiring, and definitely worth knowing. Let’s get started: 

1. Damian Marley 

As the youngest son of Bob Marley, Damian Marley is rooted in a legacy of reggae, Rastafarian culture, and, naturally, cannabis. But Damian’s work in cannabis goes beyond his personal connection and Jamaican roots—it’s about changing perspectives, empowering communities, rectifying social injustices, and honouring the plant’s potential to heal.

Marley made waves in the industry by transforming a once-abandoned prison in Coalinga, California, into a massive cannabis cultivation facility with Ocean Grown Extracts. More than a celebrity business venture, it was a statement. What used to be a symbol of confinement now fuels economic growth and liberation, creating jobs in a town that once struggled with massive amounts of debt, unemployment, and poverty. 

Beyond economic renewal and the local impact, Marley’s cannabis brand, Evidence, is on a mission to address the injustices tied to cannabis criminalisation in the first place. Partnering with the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit focused on releasing non-violent cannabis offenders, Evidence donates $1 from each sale to support the cause— “None of us are free until all of us are free.” 

With its packaging styled like police evidence bags, the brand sparks conversations about cannabis’ turbulent history and the people still impacted by outdated laws. Marley’s approach combines activism and artistry, reshaping cannabis’ image from one of restriction to one of redemption.

Marley’s story shows how cannabis can be a force for social justice and change. By repurposing a symbol of confinement into a hub of growth, Marley is leaving a lasting impact on the communities he touches and the industry as a whole. His work reflects a vision of cannabis that isn’t just about profit but about righting wrongs, restoring lives, and using the plant to bring about positive change. His work invites us to rethink what cannabis can do, not just for people, but for communities and causes that need it most.

2. Mila Jansen

Mila Jansen, the “Hash Queen,” is a pioneer whose life and work have left an indelible mark on cannabis culture. Born in Liverpool and raised across several continents, Mila’s journey eventually brought her to Amsterdam in the 1960s, where her short-lived teahouse, Cleo de Merode, became the city’s first unofficial cannabis coffeeshop—a precursor to the iconic cannabis cafes of today. 

In the following decades, Mila’s life took her across the globe, from making charas in the Himalayas to learning hash-making techniques across Asia. Her travels deepened her knowledge of cannabis and reinforced her commitment to innovation, leading her to return to Amsterdam with a mission to bring the highest quality hash-making techniques back home. By the late 1980s, she was cultivating cannabis in Amsterdam on a large scale, operating multiple grow facilities and supporting her family through her passion for the plant. However, after facing multiple police raids, Mila shifted her focus back to hash, drawing from traditional techniques she’d learned abroad.

In the late 1990s, Mila developed The Pollinator as a way to automate dry-sifting, a process traditionally done by hand. Inspired by watching clothes tumble in a dryer, she designed this invention, along with her Ice-O-Lator bags and the Bubbleator, to make hash-making more efficient and accessible, turning Amsterdam into a global hub for hash production. Mila’s creations were innovative but about preserving a craft she believed in passionately for her entire life, regardless of police persecution. 

Today, her contributions inspire hash makers and cannabis enthusiasts worldwide, cementing her status as an icon and a pioneer. For Mila, cannabis is a way of life rooted in tradition, creativity, and a deep respect for the plant’s potential to connect people across cultures.

3. Leila de Lima

Leila de Lima’s story is one of unbreakable spirit, marking her as one of the Philippines’ most fearless advocates for human rights and justice. As a former senator and justice secretary, de Lima emerged as a staunch critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal “war on drugs,” a campaign that sanctioned thousands of extrajudicial killings, targeting the most marginalised communities. 

She quickly became a powerful voice, calling for accountability in a system that showed little mercy. But her resistance came at a high price. Within months of her vocal opposition, de Lima was arrested on fabricated drug charges, based on coerced testimonies later retracted, and began what would become nearly seven years of arbitrary detention.

She spent nearly seven years in prison, which drew widespread condemnation from human rights organisations, lawmakers, and activists globally, with Amnesty International and other groups demanding her release and recognising her as a prisoner of conscience. Despite the physical and psychological toll, including a terrifying hostage incident during her imprisonment, de Lima’s commitment to justice never wavered. She later remarked, “I needed to survive because I don’t want to give my oppressors and persecutors the satisfaction of seeing me broken or destroyed.”

In June 2024, de Lima’s final charges were dropped, fully exonerating her after years of relentless advocacy. She emerged, not defeated, but emboldened, dedicating herself anew to the causes of human rights and dignity, particularly around the drug war’s abuses. Her fight for compassionate drug policy and human rights echoes in every corner of Filipino society, paving the way for activists to continue pushing for humane policies.

Leila de Lima’s legacy as a trailblazer is one of profound courage, symbolising resistance in the face of persecution. Her story serves as a call to action for advocates worldwide, inspiring a new generation to challenge injustice, hold leaders accountable, and fight for a future where no one suffers for defending human rights.

4. Dennis Peron 

Dennis Peron, often called the “Father of Medical Marijuana,” transformed cannabis activism into a profound humanitarian mission. After serving in the Vietnam War, Peron returned to San Francisco with a vision to make cannabis accessible to those who needed it most. In the 1970s, he settled in the Castro District, where he created a cannabis supermarket that sold cannabis openly, providing a safe space for a community reeling from political oppression and the AIDS epidemic. 

As the AIDS crisis ravaged San Francisco, Peron witnessed the therapeutic potential of cannabis in alleviating symptoms for patients suffering from severe nausea and appetite loss. This realisation drove him to open the Cannabis Buyer’s Club in 1994, the country’s first underground dispensary designed solely to provide cannabis to those suffering from chronic illnesses. Located in the heart of the Castro, the club became a haven for patients, many with AIDS, who saw cannabis as their only reprieve from debilitating symptoms. His club was a bold act of defiance against policies that criminalised a medicine he knew was saving lives.

At the height of this era, California was fraught with political tension surrounding cannabis and LGBTQ rights. Peron worked tirelessly to push for legislative change, joining forces with activists like Harvey Milk and Brownie Mary to lobby for policies that would legalise medical cannabis. In 1991, their efforts led to Proposition P, a city ordinance that protected medical cannabis use in San Francisco. This victory fueled Peron’s drive, and in 1996, he helped draft and pass Proposition 215, California’s Compassionate Use Act, making it the first state to legalise cannabis for medical purposes.

Despite his achievements, Peron’s fight didn’t end with legislation. He was shot by police in a drug raid, endured multiple arrests, and faced harsh opposition even within the movement. His uncompromising belief that “all marijuana is medical” eventually put him at odds with recreational legalisation efforts. 

But Peron’s legacy is undeniable: he created a path for patients to access cannabis with dignity, challenging laws and attitudes that saw cannabis as a vice rather than a tool for healing. His work paved the way for the dispensaries and compassionate policies we see today, reminding us that the heart of the movement is—and always should be—about people.

5. Wanda James

Wanda James is a force for justice and change in the cannabis industry. A Navy veteran and the first African American to own a legally licensed dispensary, cultivation facility, and edibles company in the U.S., she has used her platform to spotlight the racial inequities baked into cannabis legislation and the industry. 

The path James has paved is more than business. She aims to set a new standard for representation and reform in an industry where Black and Latino communities have borne the heaviest burdens of cannabis criminalisation but have seen the least of its financial benefits. Today, Black and Latino ownership of cannabis businesses remains startlingly low, with black businesses accounting for less than 2% of cannabis companies, while the number of Black people arrested for cannabis offences remains four times that of white people.

James’ inspiration stems from both personal experience and deep-seated passion. After her brother was imprisoned for cannabis possession, she felt a duty to challenge the systemic injustices that have targeted communities of colour. Through her dispensary, Simply Pure, James provides a platform to raise awareness about these disparities. She frequently mentors young entrepreneurs from historically marginalised communities, licensing her brand to them as a way to empower a new wave of minority-owned cannabis businesses.

James’ advocacy extends beyond business ownership. She’s been at the forefront of federal and state-level campaigns, pushing for legalisation policies that promote equity and acknowledge the harm done by past cannabis laws. 

For her, cannabis is not just an industry—it’s a path to reclaim power for those disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs. Wanda James’ work is a testament to the transformative power of representation, showing that with every new voice and every new entrepreneur she mentors, she’s creating a future where the cannabis industry can be as diverse and inclusive as it should be.

6. Lumír Hanuš

Professor Lumír Hanuš’s name is etched into the history of cannabis research, and his work has transformed our understanding of the plant and its potential to improve human health. As a pioneering Czech chemist, Hanuš was instrumental in the discovery of the endocannabinoid system in the early 1990s—a revelation that identified how cannabinoids interact with receptors in our brain, nervous system, and other vital organs. 

Alongside Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and Dr. Bill Devane, Hanuš helped isolate anandamide, the first known endocannabinoid discovered in 1992, showing how the human body naturally produces its own cannabinoids. 

This discovery has revolutionised medical science since understanding the presence of a natural cannabinoid system in the human body that interacts with cannabis compounds opens a lot of doors to therapeutic applications of cannabis for conditions ranging from epilepsy to the side effects of cancer treatments. 

Hanuš’s advocacy extends beyond the research, though. Speaking worldwide, he emphasises that while cannabis is no miracle drug, it is an extraordinary tool for managing symptoms for many patients. His mission has been to bridge the gap between rigorous scientific research and public understanding of cannabis’ true medicinal properties, often facing legal and social hurdles. Despite the stigma around cannabis, Hanuš remains vocal about its benefits, particularly in settings like Texas, where he recently urged lawmakers to expand access to medical cannabis for those who could benefit.

Professor Hanuš’s work serves as a cornerstone for modern cannabis science, and his relentless dedication to cannabis research continues to inspire scientists and advocates globally. His legacy is one of scientific breakthroughs and social advocacy, reminding us that the road to progress is often paved by those willing to question the status quo for the benefit of humanity.

7. Raphael Mechoulam

Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, known as the “Father of THC,” transformed the field of cannabis research in 1964 with his groundbreaking discovery of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. This discovery was pivotal, as it revealed that cannabis affected the body in unique ways, setting the stage for future research into its therapeutic potential. 

Years later, Mechoulam’s work led him to collaborate with Professor Lumír Hanuš to uncover the first endocannabinoid, anandamide. Structurally similar to THC, anandamide highlighted how the body naturally produces its own cannabinoids—a revelation that brought the endocannabinoid system (ECS) into focus.

The discovery of the ECS was revolutionary, showing that cannabinoids play an intrinsic role in regulating processes like pain, mood, and immune response. This system has since become central to understanding cannabis and how cannabis-based treatments may support conditions such as chronic pain and epilepsy. 

Despite Israel’s complex legal stance on cannabis, it has emerged as a global leader in cannabis research, thanks in large part to Mechoulam’s influence and Israel’s science-driven approach, which has allowed for clinical studies that remain restricted in many countries.

Mechoulam’s legacy is a testament to the power of scientific curiosity. His work has laid a foundation for the global medical community, inspiring new studies and therapies that harness the ECS and cannabinoids. Through his discoveries, Mechoulam has redefined cannabis from a controversial substance to a potential cornerstone of modern medicine.

8. Rick Simpson 

Rick Simpson’s journey from patient to cannabis advocate began with a personal crisis. In 1997, after suffering a severe head injury that left him with chronic dizziness and tinnitus, Simpson turned to cannabis when conventional treatments failed to bring relief. This experience opened his eyes to the potential of cannabis as a medicine, sparking a passion that would drive him to explore the plant’s therapeutic properties even further. But it wasn’t until 2003, when he was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer, that Simpson’s advocacy took a bold turn.

Inspired by a study suggesting cannabis could inhibit tumour growth, Simpson developed a highly concentrated cannabis oil. After applying it directly to his cancerous lesions, he claimed that within days, his skin spots disappeared—a powerful moment that strengthened his belief in cannabis as a healing agent. 

Simpson began producing and distributing what he called “Rick Simpson Oil” (RSO), sharing it with people in need, often free of charge. He had a vision of cannabis as accessible medicine for all, particularly for patients suffering from cancer, chronic pain, and other debilitating conditions.

Simpson’s work, however, didn’t come without challenges. In 2009, authorities confiscated thousands of his cannabis plants, halting his production and forcing him to make a difficult decision. Determined to continue his advocacy, Simpson eventually relocated to Croatia, where he could safely promote RSO’s benefits and educate others on its preparation. Despite legal obstacles and a stroke in 2018, Simpson remains an unwavering voice for cannabis medicine, helping to inspire a global movement around the potential of cannabis oils.

Rick Simpson’s legacy is about giving patients hope and challenging the boundaries of traditional medicine. His journey reminds us of the power of personal experience to drive change, and his work with RSO continues to ignite conversations about the need for open-minded, science-backed exploration into cannabis as a therapeutic tool.

Conclusion

All eight of these cannabis trailblazers are much more than influencers. They’re catalysts of change, each reshaping how we understand, use, and legislate cannabis. From challenging stigmas and breaking down barriers to advancing medical research and fighting for social justice, their contributions have paved the way for a future where cannabis can be so much more than a controversial plant. Each person on this list has made it possible for us to shift our perspectives worldwide and look at cannabis through a different lens. One that acknowledges the plant as a force for healing, equity, and community.

As we continue to watch cannabis evolve, these pioneers remind us of the diverse and powerful ways one plant can inspire innovation, advocacy, and even revolution. Their legacies urge us to stay informed, compassionate, and motivated to push for meaningful progress, bridging past challenges with a future full of potential.