Cannabis Icons: Mila Jansen
Sweetgrass Botanicals is excited to be hosting the international cannabis pioneer, Mila Jansen, in-store this Thursday May 16th 3pm to 6pm for a meet-and-greet session and book signing event.
Recognized by High Times in their inaugural list of the 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis, Mila is widely considered one of greatest contributors to the modern hash scene - particularly the solventless concentration techniques used in-house at Sweetgrass - via her groundbreaking inventions like the Pollinator and the Bubbleator.
Below is a quick overview of her extraordinary life and contributions to the world of cannabis. For a more detailed account of Mila’s incredible life story, click here for a High Times article written by Sweetgrass Founder Cassandra Purdy. You can also purchase a copy of Mila’s biography, How I Became the Hash Queen, from the book section of our Mercantile.
Mila Jansen’s life is a testament to how passion and resilience can shape an extraordinary career. Born in Liverpool during World War II, Mila’s childhood was marked by frequent moves across England, Indonesia, and the Netherlands due to her father’s job with Shell Oil. These early experiences not only instilled in her a love for travel but also a resilience that would later define her professional and personal life.
Settling in Amsterdam in 1955, Mila’s connection with plants deepened as she worked in greenhouses during her teens. However, life took an unexpected turn when she became pregnant at 18 and left school to raise her daughter, Miloes. During this time, Mila’s first encounter with hashish—then a rare commodity in Amsterdam—occurred, sparking a lifelong interest in cannabis.
A young Mila Jansen
In 1966, leveraging her sewing skills, Mila and a friend opened Kink 22, a boutique that quickly became a hub for Amsterdam’s hippest residents, including celebrities like Tina Turner. The shop was known for its bold fashion statements, such as miniskirts, which were a novelty in Holland at the time. However, the demanding pace of retail led her to transform the boutique into a teahouse in 1967. Named Cleo de Merode, it became a precursor to the city’s famous cannabis coffeeshops. This transition marked Mila’s deeper foray into the cannabis world, as the teahouse became a popular spot for sharing and enjoying hashish among locals and international visitors alike.
The popularity of the teahouse, however, also brought scrutiny. Threats from authorities to take away her daughter due to the illicit activities led Mila to leave Amsterdam for India in 1968, seeking freedom and peace. Crucially, her travels in India exposed her to traditional hash-making techniques, which would later inspire her innovations in cannabis processing.
Mila with Miloes (left) and with a basket of fresh cannabis (right). India, 1968
Returning to Amsterdam in the late 1980s, Mila found the city transformed by a booming demand for cannabis. Seeing an opportunity, she ventured into cannabis cultivation, which was successful until legal troubles prompted her to seek alternative avenues within the industry. This led to the birth of the Pollinator in 1994, a device that revolutionized hash production by mechanically separating trichomes from dried cannabis. The invention of the Pollinator, followed by the development of the Ice-O-Lator bags and the Bubbleator, established Mila as a leading figure in cannabis innovation, earning her the moniker "Hash Queen."
Mila with an early variant of the Pollinator device, 1990s
Her impact on the cannabis industry continued to grow with the opening of the Pollinator shop in 1997, which became a central hub for cannabis enthusiasts and a showcase for her inventions. Despite facing regulatory challenges in 2015 that forced her to move her business, Mila’s legacy in the industry was solidified. She also ventured into hospitality with the Hemp Hotel in 1998, further demonstrating her commitment to promoting cannabis culture.
Mila’s journey came full circle with the creation of Dab-a-Doo in 2013, a competition celebrating cannabis concentrates. This initiative reflected her adaptability and willingness to embrace new trends in the industry. Even as she continues to receive accolades for her contributions to the cannabis world, Mila remains a dynamic and influential figure, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the industry.
Mila Jansen's story is not just about cannabis; it’s about innovation, resilience, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. Her journey from a teenage mother in Amsterdam to a celebrated icon in the global cannabis industry is a powerful reminder of how one person’s passion can ignite change and inspire others across generations.