Mr. Nice, Howard Marks dies at 70
Sadly, today - Monday - we rose reading about the death of the famous activist Howard Marks aka Mr. Nice. Howard died of an inoperable bowel cancer diagnosed in 2014 on Sunday 10th of April, 2016 at the age of 70. He died peacefully, surrounded by the love of his 4 children. The cannabis world mourns the death of this unique character.
The amazing story of Howard Marks
A descendent of pirate Henry Morgan, Howard Marks was born in 1945 in the small village of Kengin Hill, south Wales. He was graduated in nuclear physics and philosophy from the University of Oxford, in which he started to smoke cannabis. Later on, he specialized in international drug trafficking, standing out as a peaceful and wise smuggler - which helped him to avoid tight situations in different occasions.
Mr. Nice was just one of the 43 alias used by Howard, who had 89 telephone lines and 25 different societies at the peak of his career. He had connections with groups like IRA, CIA or MI6 while he was smuggling tons of cannabis and hashish. One of his techniques was using international tours of music bands like Pink Floyd to hide the drug inside the loudspeakers.
Finally, he was arrested by the DEA in 1988 and got a 25-year sentence in the Terre Haute federal prison, Indiana, which was known for being really tough. Thanks to his model behaviour and the aid he gave to other inmates, Howard got off parole in 1995.
Mr. Nice and the legalization of marijuana
In 1996, Howard published an autobiography which quickly became a best-seller, with more than 1 milion units sold and translated into ten languages. After Howard's literary success, a movie based on the book was made in 2010, although, as happens often, it only offered a quick look at Howard's awesome adventures.
After being released from jail, Mr. Nice became a famous activist for the legalization of cannabis, giving speeches all around the globe and even stood as a candidate in the British elections. Being passionate about everything related to cannabis, he associated with his friend Shantibaba in 1998, lending one of his alias to name the seed bank, Mr. Nice Seeds.
Howard Marks had created some time before the Mr. Nice Foundation, so that all the just and important causes received proper attention after his death. When he was told that he had an inoperable cancer, he stated: "It's impossible to regret any part of my life when I feel happy and I am happy now, so I don't have any regrets and have not had any for a very long time".
The Alchimia team wants to honour Mr. Nice, who had the courtesy to visit us at our shop with Shantibaba in February, 2013. Doubtless, a wonderful day that we'll never forget. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace Howard.
