History Of The Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum In 1 Minute

In the 17th century, the plant made its way to Northern Europe where it was used to create durable ropes and sails, advancing naval technology and allowing the Dutch to quickly amass large fleets of powerful ships. Cannabis’ role in Dutch and world history, Dronkers and Rosenthal believed, had been too frequently ignored – a fact that they were eager to amend. A week after the museum opened, it was forced to close because of a personal order from the Dutch Ministry of Justice. Dronkers successfully contested this decision and a week later reopened the project.

The museum began as a relatively small enterprise, displaying items from Dronkers’ personal collection. Over the years, its inventory has steadily grown to over 12,000 pieces, illustrating humanity’s multifaceted relationship with the plant. Its exhibitions trace the history of cannabis by presenting diverse sets of objects, including pipes, medical equipment, propaganda, and Dutch Golden Age paintings. In 2009, the museum decided to divide its collection over two sites and opened an adjacent gallery that was dedicated to the hemp industry. Three years later, its interior was completely renovated and then reopened by the Dutch Minister of Education, Science and Culture, indeed symbolizing a sea-change in culture’s perception of cannabis.

📅 Open daily 10am-10pm.