The Most Influential European Cannabis Executives in 2025

The European continent is the most exciting place on the planet right now
for cannabis policy and industry, especially after Germany implemented the
first provisions of its new adult-use legalization law. In addition to
Germany, cannabis is legal for adult use in Malta and Luxembourg, and most
countries on the continent now have operating legal medical cannabis
industries.

As cannabis policy and regulatory modernization efforts continue to spread
across Europe, opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and industry
service providers are rising. As such, the eyes of the global cannabis
community will continue to be focused on Europe’s emerging legal industry.
Below is a list of the continent’s most influential cannabis executives (in
no particular order).
*Will Muecke – Co-Founder and Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners* [image:
Will Muecke]

Will Muecke is a co-founding managing member of Artemis Growth Partners, an
ESG and impact-oriented private equity platform dedicated to investing 100%
in the cannabis industry on a worldwide basis. Artemis Growth Partners
oversees US $400+ million in mission-driven, discretionary assets under
management (AUM) invested in the global cannabis value chain, including
branded products, distributors, value-added service providers, ancillary
operators and science-driven research and development platforms. Known for
creating value at every step of the investment process, Muecke brings the
principles and practices of world-class governance, strategy and a
relentless focus on improving outcomes for owners to his investing ethos.
*Finn Hänsel – CEO and Founder, Sanity Group GmbH* [image: Finn Hänse]

Finn Hänsel is a pioneering entrepreneur and one of the leading voices in
the European cannabis industry. His work goes beyond entrepreneurship; he
is an advocate for evidence-based cannabis policies, contributing
significantly to the ongoing dialogue about the decriminalization and
legalization of cannabis in Europe. With over 12 years of experience across
various sectors—ranging from consumer goods and insurance to
pharmaceuticals—Hänsel has established himself as a serial entrepreneur
with a proven track record of founding successful companies. He is the
founder of brands like *THE ICONIC*, *Berliner Berg Craft Beer*,
*Sportsecondhand*, *Valmano*, and *Petobel*.

For the past seven years, Hänsel has served as the CEO of *Sanity Group
GmbH*, one of Europe’s most influential cannabis companies. Under Hänsel’s
leadership, Sanity has quickly established itself as a leader in the German
cannabis market, where it maintains a robust distribution network with over
2,000 pharmacies working with approximately 5,000 physicians in Germany.
Sanity is also participating in the Swiss recreational cannabis pilot
program and has announced plans to expand its retail footprint in
Switzerland *plus* enter the recreational pilot in Germany once it is
officially launched by the new government. Sanity currently holds
approximately a 10% share of the German medical cannabis market since the
2024 legal reforms in Germany were launched and most recently received a 21
million CAD investment from Organigram [NASDAQ:OGI] through their purchase
of a minority stake designed to strengthen the partnership between these
two global leaders.
*Alex Rogers – CEO and Executive Producer, International Cannabis Business
Conference* [image: Alex Rogers]

Alex Rogers is a visionary entrepreneur, political activist and the founder
of several influential cannabis businesses over the past 30 years. He is
the mastermind behind the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC)
—the first and largest international business conference producing events
across multiple continents. Having lived in five countries and being a
polyglot, Rogers was naturally positioned to create the leading conference
in Europe. He is renowned worldwide for connecting elite industry leaders
and recently launched the members-only Talman House, created to connect
entrepreneurs who need capital with investors ready to deploy capital in
Europe’s emerging industry. A Magna Cum Laude graduate in Political
Science, his passion is using his influence to shape cannabis policy
globally. Rogers has successfully advocated for progressive cannabis
reform on the global stage and is currently working in Slovenia to help
advocates achieve medical cannabis policy modernization. His foundational
work with legendary pioneer Jack Herer and his incredible influence
globally has cemented Rogers’ legacy as both a successful international
cannabis entrepreneur and a global policy influencer.
*George Bellow – CO-Founder, SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals LTD* [image: George
Bellow]

George Bellow is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of
building organizations and managing operations across multiple countries.
An expert in European medical cannabis distribution, he brings in-depth
knowledge of regulatory frameworks and a valuable network of industry
contacts to SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals. Bellow has excelled in multi-level
distribution, co-developed industry codes of practice with the European
Vending Association, and successfully exited a tech startup, demonstrating
his ability to deliver shareholder value. With leadership experience at
SOMAÍ, Belka VR, UVENCO, and Mili.ru, and credentials including a BBA and
an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and experience in aviation, Bellow is a
visionary leader driving innovation and growth.
*Jamie L Pearson – Founder and President, New Holland Group* [image: Jamie
Pearson]

Jamie Pearson founded and leads The New Holland Group (NHG), a global
consulting firm serving clients in need of expert assistance in
international business development & strategy, operations, branding &
marketing, capital raising, executive coaching, and monetizing IP across
borders. Before NHG, Jamie spent seven years, including three as the
President & CEO, of Bhang Inc. [CSE:BHNG], one of the world’s most-awarded
infused edible brands. She led the global expansion plan, ran the capital
markets division, and was the face of the brand–catapulting Bhang from a
California favorite to a multi-national phenomenon.

Pearson’s clients are among the most influential executives in the
industry, including global brands, MSOs, governments and international
trade associations. Known for her “boots on the ground” knowledge of North
American and European markets, and deep rolodex, she is a popular speaker
at conferences around the globe and sits on the advisory boards of Dope
Drinks, Marley One, Unlock Healthcare, The Cannabis Summit and Hello Again.
Pearson will be the Keynote Speaker at ICBC Barcelona on March 13, 2025.
*Lisa Haag – Founder, MJ Universe GmbH* [image: Lisa Haag]

Lisa Haag, a marketing strategist and the founder of MJ Universe GmbH from
Berlin, has been an active and dedicated contributor to the European
cannabis industry for over a decade, dating back to 2015. Her mission is to
foster collaboration and build bridges across borders, industries and
regulatory frameworks, helping to shape the future of cannabis on a global
scale. In addition to leading MJ Universe, Haag serves as a board member of
the German Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW) where she coordinates
activities in technology, commerce and services. She is also a passionate
supporter of global legalization efforts, working to align industry
practices with regulatory and market needs. Haag’s commitment extends to
empowering others, particularly women in cannabis.
*Constantine von der Groeben – Cofounder and Managing Director, DEMECAN* [image:
Constantine von der Groeben]

With over 10 years of legal and international experience, Constantine von
der Groeben is the co-founder and managing director of DEMECAN, the only
German company that produces medical cannabis domestically. Von der Groeben
has a Master of Laws from New York University and a PhD in International
Law from the University of Cologne. He has also worked as a Referent at the
Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, advising on trade and
investment issues. As a co-founder and managing director of DEMECAN, von
der Groeben oversees the legal, regulatory and business development aspects
of the company, and works with a diverse and passionate team to provide
high-quality cannabis products to patients and pharmacies.
*Peter Homberg – Partner, gunnercooke* [image: Peter Homberg]

Peter Homberg is one of the world’s most knowledgeable and accomplished
cannabis experts. Homberg specializes in life sciences, IP and corporate
law, and M&A transactions. Few people on the planet, if any, possess the
extensive experience in advising on medical cannabis compliance as Mr.
Homberg. He is a prolific speaker at cannabis industry and policy seminars
and conferences, including being a long-time presenter at International
Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) events, and is the author of numerous
articles and other publications on corporate and IP law in the areas of
life sciences and medical cannabis.
*Shai Ramsahai – President, Royal Queen Seeds*

Shai Ramsahai is a cannabis industry veteran and entrepreneur who grew up
with Royal Queen Seeds (RQS) and uses his intimate knowledge to guide the
company’s international expansion. As the son of RQS Founder Boy Ramsahai,
Shai has worn many hats at the company, starting as a seed packager and
working his way up through roles such as sales representative, online
ordering support, European sales team manager, and, ultimately, president.
Shai now heads RQS and oversees its global expansion, leveraging his
insight into diverse business cultures and mentalities to negotiate
strategic partnerships and lead international RQS management teams. Under
his leadership, RQS has grown along with several groundbreaking moves
including taking over NYC Time Square on 4/20, joining forces with Mike
Tyson for a Tyson 2.0 x RQS collaboration, and opening a flagship location
in Thailand. RQS’s front-running position in the world of seeds and
genetics has catapulted Shai firmly into the spotlight as one of the most
influential executives globally. Originally from Holland, he now calls
Malaga, Spain, home. In his free time, Shai enjoys spending time with his
two daughters, exercising, unwinding on the beach, and discovering new
places around the world.
*Kai-Friedrich Niermann – Cannabis Lawyer, KFN+* [image: Kai-Friedrich
Niermann]

Kai-Friedrich Niermann is characterized by his outstanding expertise and
diverse practice in the cannabis industry. With a broad range of expertise
in cannabis and business law, he provides comprehensive legal support to
companies and individuals. From contract drafting and company formation to
day-to-day legal support, he assists cannabis companies with customized
solutions in all legal matters, including white-collar criminal law where
necessary. Niermann is also the author of the blog canna-biz.legal, where
he positions himself as an expert in the thriving cannabis business.
Canna-biz.legal not only provides insights into the legal status of
cannabis in Germany and Europe today, but also current developments and
offers resources for businesses and interested parties. Niermann’s deep
understanding of the complex legal framework in this sector makes him a
sought-after contact.
*Anna-Sophia Kouparanis – Co-Founder, Bloomwell Group*

Anna-Sophia Kouparanis is co-founder of German cannabis holding company
Bloomwell Group, as well as founder of medical cannabis wholesaler Ilios
Santé GmbH, making her the first woman in Germany to launch such a business.
The Bloomwell Group closed a seed funding round of over $10 million in
2022, the highest publicly known seed investment for a medical European
cannabis company to date.
*Sergio Bejar Martinez – CEO, Blimburn Seeds and BBG Projects* [image:
Sergio Bejar Martinez]

Sergio Bejar Martinez, CEO of Blimburn Seeds and BBG Projects, is a
renowned pioneer in the European cannabis industry, based on his 20+ years
of experience in wholesale seed distribution, music, fashion, journalism,
event organization and e-commerce ventures. He has built, operated,
consulted and exited from multiple successful ventures, establishing
himself as a respected figure in global cannabis. Based out of Barcelona,
Martinez Is the CEO of Blimburnseeds.com, a leading cannabis seed retailer,
and of BBG Projects, a leading seed wholesale company. Martinez’s deep
understanding of how to monetize global trends positions him as a key
player with decades of experience in Europe’s nascent and emerging seed
markets.
*Jürgen Bickel – Managing Director and Co-Founder, STORZ & BICKEL* [image:
Jürgen Bickel]

Jürgen Bickel is the Managing Director and co-founder of STORZ & BICKEL, a
manufacturer of high-quality medical vaporizers based in Tuttlingen,
Germany. The brand’s most famous device, the VOLCANO, was the first
medically certified cannabis vaporizer worldwide and remains the gold
standard among physicians, researchers, and consumers. Jürgen Bickel holds
a degree in civil engineering and, prior to starting at STORZ & BICKEL,
managed a development aid project for drinking water supply in Peru for 5
years. His experience in planning and organizing large-scale projects was
of great benefit to him as Managing Director of STORZ & BICKEL, and
together with Markus Storz, he established the successful, globally
operating brand.
*Sita Shubert – Secretary General, European Medical Cannabis Association* [image:
Sita Schubert]

Sita Schubert is an accomplished attorney with extensive expertise in
facilitating market access for international enterprises and start-ups such
as Tilray Europe, across Germany and Austria. Her comprehensive knowledge
spans product launches, approval transfers, clinical trials, regulatory
compliance and business practices. Schubert excels in steering products
through every stage—from development and approval to production
and marketing. As a consultant, she offers invaluable support in
establishing companies and start-ups, ensuring smooth market access. She
has designed and led the “Road Map from Science to Business” mentoring and
training program, which prepares future management to navigate complex
industry landscapes effectively.

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