The Power of the List
Celebrating the people who make cannabis science great (again)
In this issue, we present The Cannabis Scientist Power List 2020 – our index of the most influential people in cannabis analysis and R&D.
The List was developed in two stages. In stage one, we invited readers to nominate those who they felt deserved recognition. In stage two, a jury of noted cannabis scientists (who prefer to remain anonymous) selected their top picks from the slate of nominees; their rankings were combined to provide the final Power List.
We make no claims that this is a definitive list – there can be no such thing. You may not all agree with who is on the list – let alone the order of the two Top 20s. So why make a list at all? In the immortal words of Kool and the Gang, it’s a celebration! We want to shout from the rooftops about the diversity, innovation and talent found within your ranks – whether big names or unsung heroes.
And who are our chosen few? We eschewed bland bios and instead invited our Power Listers to tell you about themselves in their own words – and we’ve been bowled over by their wit, wisdom and passion for the field. We only have room for a tiny taster in print, and I urge you to visit thecannabiscientist.com to read the full profiles.
To whet your appetite, here are a few favorite quotes:
“Do what you yourself consider scientifically important. Try to disregard (politely) what others believe that you should do to advance your scientific field.” – Raphael Mechoulam
“I’m motivated by the absolutely amazing people I meet in the cannabis industry, as well as the medical cannabis patients that benefit from legal cannabis as a medicine. Their spirit, enthusiasm and strength motivate me daily.” – Scott Kuzdzal
“I hope, in the future, cannabis and cannabinoid-related public policy, education, and patient care will be guided by evidence; dialogue will be driven by data, not by politics or personal belief.” – Ziva Cooper
“It is much easier to build successful start-ups if you are focused on something that can change the world. From pharmaceuticals to food to a cleaner environment, cannabis cannot be ignored.” – Kevin McKernan
To all those who participated, our sincere thanks. To those who made the List, our hearty congratulations. And to our readers: enjoy!
I’d love to hear your thoughts – good or bad – on the Power List at [email protected].
After studying biology at Imperial College London, I got my start in biomedical publishing as a commissioning editor for healthcare journals, and I’ve spent my career covering everything from early-stage research to clinical medicine. Attracted by the creativity, talent and passion of the team, I joined Texere Publishing in 2014, where I’m now Associate Content Director and Editor of The Cannabis Scientist.
