The Legacy of Dank of England: The Culture, The Vision The Movement!
In the vibrant streets of North London, a movement was born. One that would go on to redefine cannabis culture in the UK and beyond. Dank of England, founded by the visionary Screech alongside his late partner Black the Ripper, started as a humble yet potent idea that would grow into a cultural powerhouse. Now, a decade later, they’ve not only carved a name for themselves in the cannabis world but have fundamentally shifted the way the UK—and the world—views the plant.
We caught up with Screech (co-founder) and Iron Barz, a key member of the Dank of England collective, at Spannabis 2025 in Barcelona, where the buzz around their brand continues to grow. From their beginnings in the underground cannabis scene to the current boom in medical cannabis, the duo shared their story, their ambitions, and their vision for the future of the cannabis movement.
Screech photographed at DOEBNC, 2025, Spannabis
The Birth of Dank of England: Cannabis as Culture
Screech, whose deep London accent paints a vivid picture of the city’s streets, explained the roots of Dank of England: “I founded Dank of England with my late partner, Black the Ripper (Rest in peace), a legendary figure in the grime scene," he shared. "Black was already one of the most respected names in UK music – a pioneer in the grime movement – and together, we saw a gap in the market for a cannabis brand that truly represented the culture we came from.”
Screech photographed at DOEBNC, 2025, Spannabis
Back in the early 2010s, the UK’s cannabis scene was confined to the shadows of the black market. “There was no cannabis culture like what you saw in America or even Amsterdam,” Iron Barz adds. “It was all about your basic strains like ‘cheese’ and nothing more. But when we got a taste of the exotic flavors from Amsterdam, we knew we had to bring that to the UK.”
It was this passion for quality cannabis—and the desire to bridge the gap between music, street culture, and the plant—that led to the birth of Dank of England. Their mission wasn’t just about selling weed; it was about creating a brand that was deeply embedded in the fabric of UK culture.
Norf London
In the heart of North London, the Dank of England collective’s roots run deep, with Screech and his team acknowledging the key figures who helped shape the UK cannabis scene, all of whom grew up in close proximity before launching their now-iconic brands. “So from North London, me, Black the Ripper (rest in peace), Shout to Tenco Stacks, shout to Jack the Plug, shout to K Cali-X, shout to Natch from Nature Boys as well,” says Screech, reflecting on the shared history. “Shout to Smokes QC Farms, bro. The English boys went out to Cali and took over. Top of the Cali game.” He continues, emphasizing the undeniable bond between them.
Iron Barz photographed at DOEBCN, 2025, Spannabis
Changing the Game and the Rise of Dank Culture
Screech credits their success to timing and the sheer authenticity of their approach: “We were one of the first to show the UK what real cannabis could look like,” he said. “In 2012-13, Instagram was just starting to blow up, and we started posting pictures of what we were smoking—those exotic Amsterdam genetics. People went crazy.”
From the start, Dank of England wasn’t just a cannabis company—it was a community. “We toured the UK in a 1950s VW camper van, filled with merch, and went from city to city meeting people, connecting with the fans,” recalls Iron Barz. “It wasn’t just about the weed—it was about making sure people felt part of the culture. That’s why we’ve lasted this long. The community we built is what kept us alive.”
The duo recalls a time when cannabis use was still heavily stigmatized in the UK. Dank of England played a critical role in challenging those perceptions, normalizing cannabis use, and turning it into something that could be proudly embraced, rather than something to hide.
Pioneering the Medical Cannabis Landscape in the UK
As the UK’s cannabis laws continue to evolve, Dank of England is shifting their focus to the medicinal cannabis sector. “We’ve always understood what the people want—what the culture wants. But now, we’re bringing that same energy to the medical space. We want to make sure that medicinal cannabis is just as high-quality as what you’d find on the black market,” Screech explained.
With medical cannabis legalized in the UK in 2018, but access still limited, Dank of England is working to bridge the gap. “We went to Canada, smoked hundreds of samples, and we’re now bringing the best to the UK,” Screech said, visibly proud of their international efforts.
Iron Barz echoed that sentiment: “The medical scene was so separated from street culture. But now you’ve got figures like Big Nasty and Nines coming in, representing the culture, and it’s shifting the game.”
To help realize this vision, Dank of England has partnered with Cantourage, a company revolutionizing the medical cannabis market. Cantourage is committed to providing high-quality cannabis at fair prices, tackling the problem of expensive therapies for out-of-pocket patients. They source cannabis globally—from Jamaica, Uruguay, New Zealand, and more—ensuring a variety of top-tier flowers while passing on cost advantages to patients.
Dank of England’s collaboration with Cantourage brings them to launching DOE Medical, a platform aimed at giving UK patients access to premium medical cannabis legally, while breaking down barriers between street and medical markets.
The DOE medical team is working behind the scenes, traveling the world to QC flower. Over 100 facilities have opened their doors to DOE Medical, and our QC team has personally visited these facilities, checked cultivation processes, and identified a handful of facilities we will be working with to bring the best quality flower in late 2025 and 2026. Quality and patients are our main focus as we enter the market.
Keeping Black the Ripper’s Legacy Alive
For Screech, the brand’s roots in music run deep, and their mission isn’t just about cannabis—it’s about cultural legacy. The untimely passing of Black the Ripper left a void in the cannabis and grime scenes, but Screech and his team are ensuring that his influence lives on.
“We’re working on releasing an album from Black the Ripper this year, along with some unreleased tracks,” Screech said. “He was such a massive part of our journey, and we want to make sure his voice continues to resonate with the next generation.”
Music and cannabis have always gone hand in hand in the UK, and Screech is committed to making sure this connection endures. “Cannabis culture and music are intertwined. We’ve always believed that. And we’re going to push that even further with new projects.”
Global Expansion: Dank of England Goes International
While Dank of England’s influence is firmly rooted in the UK, they have their sights set on the world. Their global ambitions are already taking shape with plans to make a splash in New York and beyond.
“We’re ready to take this movement global,” said Screech. “We’re already active in Barcelona, London, and Amsterdam. Now, we’re bringing the culture to New York, and we’re going worldwide. Off the Rip is going to be huge, featuring legendary guests and reviewing the best strains from across the world—from the USA to Thailand, even Argentina and Uruguay. We’re taking cannabis culture to every corner of the globe.”
Cannabis Culture in the UK vs. the US: A Tale of Two Worlds
Screech and Iron Barz don’t shy away from discussing the differences between cannabis culture in the UK and the US. While the US has a more established and regulated cannabis market, the UK’s scene is still playing catch-up.
“The US has it easy. You walk into a dispensary, pick what you want, and that’s it,” Screech said. “But in the UK, it’s been a struggle. But that’s changing, and DOE Medical is our answer to that. We’re committed to providing the UK with the best medicine.”
The Future of Dank of England
Looking ahead, the future of Dank of England is looking dank.. From the expansion into the medicinal market to new strains on the horizon, they’re far from slowing down.
“We’re not stopping,” said Screech. “This is just the beginning. We’re here to change the way people think about cannabis, to make it easier for people to access quality medicine, and to keep pushing the culture forward.”
As Dank of England continues to make waves in the cannabis industry, they remain at the forefront of cultural and social change, blending music, activism, and cannabis into a movement that is reshaping the world’s perception of the plant. Whether it’s through the legacy of Black the Ripper, the launch of DOE Medical, or their global ambitions, one thing is clear: Dank of England is lighting the way for a new era of cannabis culture.
To find out more about Dank of England and their new medicinal cannabis platform, visit www.doemedical.com, and DOE Medical IG, Cantourage Clinic
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