PERTH PRODIGY TO DUTCH DETOUR
Born in Perth, Australia in 1956 to Dutch parents, Nevil Schoenmakers developed a fascination with genetics early in life—even breeding parrots before turning to cannabis. In 1976, he moved to the Netherlands, where his curiosity evolved into a full-scale breeding project. Unlike many contemporaries who saw cannabis only as smoke, Nevil treated it as a genetic puzzle waiting to be solved.
THE SEED BANK RISE
By 1983–84, Nevil founded The Seed Bank of Holland, widely recognized as the first true commercial cannabis seed company. Operating from a Dutch estate nicknamed the “Cannabis Castle,” he cataloged, bred, and distributed hybrids on a global scale, pioneering the formalization of cannabis genetics.
MAIL-ORDER REVOLUTION
The Seed Bank’s full-page ads in High Times transformed the underground. What had once been whispered clone trades became international catalogs. American and European growers suddenly had direct access to elite hybrids like Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze—ushering in a new era of global cultivation.
THE GENETICS VAULT
Nevil preserved and recombined foundational stock from California, including Skunk #1, Haze lines, and Northern Lights. By adapting these genetics for high-intensity discharge (HID) indoor lighting, he helped launch the indoor revolution. His NL#5/Haze hybrid became his signature contribution, renowned for its potency and adaptability.
KING OF CANNABIS
In 1987, High Times formally crowned Nevil the “King of Cannabis.” By 1988–1990, Seed Bank hybrids were dominating the Cannabis Cup, solidifying his reputation across Amsterdam coffeeshops and grow rooms worldwide. His work bridged hobbyist enthusiasm with professional-scale cultivation.
GREEN MERCHANT STORM
In 1990, U.S. federal authorities launched Operation Green Merchant, targeting hydroponic shops and seed customers. Nevil was arrested in Australia on a U.S. warrant, largely based on testimony from distributor Ray Cogo. While extradition efforts were initiated, they ultimately failed, and Nevil avoided facing trial in the United States.
THE SENSI MERGER
Under legal pressure, Nevil sold The Seed Bank and its genetic archive to Ben Dronkers, merging with Sensi Seeds. This move preserved his collection while ensuring his hybrids remained available in the Dutch market, embedding them permanently into the catalogs that shaped the 1990s.
MR. NICE ERA
In the late 1990s, Nevil joined forces with breeder Shantibaba and famed smuggler-turned-author Howard Marks to form Mr. Nice Seedbank. Together they released enduring icons such as Super Silver Haze, Black Widow (the original White Widow), and Nevil’s Haze—cementing his influence on the next generation of breeders and cultivators.
WHY HE MATTERS
Nevil transformed cannabis breeding in three critical ways: (1) Industrializing access by turning clone-only elites into shippable seeds. (2) Empowering indoor growers with HID-ready hybrids designed for consistency. (3) Preserving genetic archives that continue to serve as the rootstock for countless cultivars through Sensi and Mr. Nice.
LAST CHAPTER
Nevil Schoenmakers passed away in Western Australia on March 30, 2019, at the age of 62. From the “Cannabis Castle” to the global seed trade, his catalogs seeded generations of growers. More than commerce, his work defined culture, setting the foundation for the modern cannabis gene pool.
YOUTUBE VIDEO
Presented by Nugg Notes
Sources:
Hager, Steven. “Inside Cannabis Castle: The Incredible Story of the Man Who Would Be King of Cannabis.” High Times, Mar. 1987.
• Hennings, Trevor. “Remembering Nevil Schoenmakers, Founder of the First Cannabis Seed Bank.” Leafly, 28 July 2020.
• “30 Years of Sensi Seeds – An Interview with Ben Dronkers.” Sensi Seeds, 28 Nov. 2020 (updated).
• “DEA Holds 119 in Crackdown on Indoor Pot Growing.” Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 1989.
• “Black Widow.” Mr. Nice Seedbank, strain profile (on the original White Widow lineage).
• Black, Bobby. “Cannthropology: The Original King of Cannabis.” Leaf Nation, 1 Mar. 2022.
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