J Nayer Hardin: Riding The Rails Of Change

Laying The Tracks To Freedom And Cannabis Reform

In a world where activism often lives in silos, J. Nayer Hardin stands out as a rare force of fusion blending technology, environmental healing, and social justice into one powerful movement. She’s not just a cannabis advocate. She’s not just a tech innovator. She’s a visionary who saw the future decades ago and decided to build it herself. From Harlem classrooms to international hemp forums, Hardin’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and unapologetic truth-telling. If you’ve never heard of her, it’s time you did.

The Computer Underground Railroad: Tech As Liberation

In 1984, long before “digital divide” became a buzzword, Hardin founded the Computer Underground Railroad Enterprises (CURE); a cyber extension of the original Underground Railroad. Her mission? To use computers as tools of freedom for marginalized communities. Inspired by Mother Clara Hale, who urged her to bring tech education to Harlem, Hardin trained over 3,000 students in computing, data analysis, and environmental awareness. She called it “digital emancipation,” and for many, it was exactly that. Her personal turning point came on July 7, 1977, her self-declared “Emancipation Proclamation Day”, when she began working full-time in computing. That date still marks the heartbeat of her mission.

Hemp As Medicine, Soil Saver, And Peace Plan

Hardin’s advocacy for hemp and cannabis goes far beyond legalization. She’s a champion of phytoremediation: using hemp to clean toxic soil and air. Her environmental blueprint includes planting hemp alongside mushrooms, thistle, and sunflowers to detoxify polluted land. She’s also a vocal supporter of hempcrete and 3D printing with natural materials, pushing for sustainable housing and infrastructure. Her work with Takashi Okanuma of the Japan Hemp Association helped shape the Kyoto Hemp Forum, where she spoke about hemp’s role in peace-building and climate recovery. For Hardin, cannabis isn’t just a plant, it’s a tool for healing trauma, rebuilding communities, and restoring ecosystems.

Inventor of the CompUrest: Healing Through Innovation

After suffering from computer-related injuries, Hardin co-invented the CompUrest device, a patented ergonomic solution (US Patent No. 5,188,321) that healed her within 30 days. The device became a cornerstone of her tech training, helping others avoid the physical toll of long hours at the keyboard. Her approach to innovation is deeply personal: solve the problem, share the solution, and empower others to do the same.

Publishing, Organizing, And Global Collaboration

Hardin has co-authored and published seven books covering topics like: Medical cannabis and holistic healing; Climate change and free energy; Systemic injustice and environmental racism. She helped organize the Million Marijuana March in Los Angeles (1999) and her work has appeared in forums from MIT Solve to grassroots community events, always with the same message: liberation through knowledge, healing through nature, and justice through action.

In an era of climate crisis, digital surveillance, and systemic inequality, Hardin’s work feels more urgent than ever. Her 3-Step Climate Solution Dance is a blend of clean energy, hemp remediation, and community empowerment. It also serves as a roadmap for activists, educators, and innovators alike. She’s proof that one person, armed with vision and grit, can change the world. What’s more, she’s still doing it, one blog post, one workshop, one seed at a time.