The Past, the Present & the Future

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Hendrick Martensz Sorgh, Farmers Smoking and Drinking in a Tavern, c.1650.

Smoking Farmers

by Hendrick Sorgh, ca. 1650

Smoking Farmers

by Hendrick Sorgh, ca. 1650

Highlights of

The Collection

See the Collection

Making Hashish

Some hash production methods are thousands of years old and have been passed on from generation to generation.

Herman Saftleven, Rhine landscape with many boats, 1649.

Hemp for Shipping

No other natural fibre can withstand the forces of the open ocean and the ravages of salt water as well as hemp is able to.

Golden Age of Medicinal Cannabis

The hundred years between 1837 and 1937 are known as the Golden Age of Medicinal Cannabis.

Cannabis Counterculture

The forbidden cannabis plant became a symbol of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and beyond.

Late 19th century postcard depicting a girl from Brittany (France) making hemp threads.

Growing Hemp

Industrial hemp is one of the oldest agricultural crops on Earth and it has been used to make thousands of different products.

Cannabis Sativa L.

Cannabis Sativa was first classified in 1753 by botanist Linnaeus. In 1783 biologist Lamarck classified a second species: Cannabis Indica.

Old Masters

Our collection contains works by famous 17th century Dutch artists, such as Adriaen Brouwer, Hendrick Sorgh and David Teniers the Younger.

Reefer Madness

A series of anti-marijuana propaganda films and books released in the 1930s helped fuel hysteria about cannabis.

Hemp Lifestyle

Hemp is the key to a sustainable future. The plastic that can be obtained from hemp is lightweight, durable and biodegradable.

20th century statuette of Ma Gu (‘Hemp Maiden’), the Taoist goddess of hemp.

Historic Hemp Culture

Cannabis was (and is) a sacred plant for many people and has historically been used in religious ceremonies in many cultures.

Postcard of an Algerian girl smoking a narghile, early 20th century.

History of Smoking

The museum has a sizeable collection of unusual paintings, prints, drawings and photographs of men and women smoking.

Temporary Exhibition

Discover how hemp is interwoven with traditional Japanese culture.

On display in Amsterdam until March 17th, 2024.

Buy your ticket online More about this exhibition

Temporary Exhibition

This exhibition explores the crossover of two previously controversial topics: cannabis and tattoos.

On display in Barcelona until March 17th, 2024.

Buy your ticket online More about this exhibition

Order our new book

Explore the world of Cannabis through the unique collection of Ben Dronkers and the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum.

A comprehensive illustrated guide to the history of Cannabis.

Buy your copy now More about this book

Amsterdam

Barcelona

It should be on every cannabis lover’s must see list.

Mikki Norris

activist for drug policy reform

Enlightening exhibitions in a beautiful setting.

Michka Seeliger-Chatelain

author and publisher

An exquisite gem encapsulating the essence of cannabis.

Ed Rosenthal

Author and horticulturist

A world class museum, a fitting tribute to the proud history of cannabis.

Chris Conrad

author and expert witness

Beautiful, inspirational, and educational.

Jodie Emery

civil liberties advocate

A space thought out to the last detail.

Francesca Brivio

cannabis spokesperson and activist

Delighted and very impressed.

Howard Marks aka Mr. Nice

author and activist

An educational and elating experience.

Ellen Komp

deputy director of California NORML

The museum is very beautifully done.

Sir Richard Branson

investor and philanthropist

An amazing site, a must-see. I can’t wait to return.

Lilith Dorsey

author and voodoo priestess

Photo: Floris Leeuwenberg.

Hemp-beater De Paauw

Discover the heritage of Holland’s thriving hemp history in this authentically restored windmill, just outside Amsterdam.

Buy your ticket online More about the hemp-beater

Cannabis knowledge

Our museums in Amsterdam and Barcelona are dedicated to the rich history and varied applications of cannabis and hemp, as well as the many opportunities they offer for the future.

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Explore the World of Cannabis

The Past, the Present & the Future

Smoking Farmers

Cannabis history in Europe

Cannabis Japonica: Shinto & the Spirit of 麻

Stay Stoned: Madness, Cannabis & Tattoos

Smoking Farmers

Cannabis history in Europe

Cannabis Japonica: Shinto & the Spirit of 麻

Stay Stoned: Madness, Cannabis & Tattoos

Visitors since 1987. One collection. Two locations.

Highlights of

The Collection

Making Hashish

Hemp for Shipping

Golden Age of Medicinal Cannabis

Cannabis Counterculture

Growing Hemp

Cannabis Sativa L.

Old Masters

Reefer Madness

Hemp Lifestyle

Historic Hemp Culture

History of Smoking

Temporary Exhibition

Cannabis Japonica: Shinto & the Spirit of 麻

Temporary Exhibition

Stay Stoned: Madness, Cannabis & Tattoos

Order our new book

Weed of Wonder

What others say

It should be on every cannabis lover’s must see list.

Enlightening exhibitions in a beautiful setting.

An exquisite gem encapsulating the essence of cannabis.

A world class museum, a fitting tribute to the proud history of cannabis.

Beautiful, inspirational, and educational.

A space thought out to the last detail.

Delighted and very impressed.

An educational and elating experience.

The museum is very beautifully done.

An amazing site, a must-see. I can’t wait to return.

Hemp-beater De Paauw

The beating heart of historic hemp culture

Cannabis knowledge

Plant facts and information

Stay in touch

Museum Newsletter

Explore the World of Cannabis. The Past, the Present & the Future.

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Visitors since 1987.
One collection. Two locations.