Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum (Amsterdam), Amsterdam

Where else would you find the Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum but in good old Amsterdam, I visited Amsterdam in August 2001 for the first time. After reading about the many attractions there would be available I decided that a trip to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this unique museum. The museum is only a short walk from Central station through Amsterdam notorious Red Light District. We visited the museum on a Saturday afternoon, naively perhaps, I presumed that the Red Light District would only be noticeable at night, but no, as we walked through the narrow streets next to the canals there were many girls standing in windows trying to lure customers into their rooms even at 2pm! The museum front its self is quite narrow but it stands out by having 5 or 6 marihuana plants outside some as over 6ft tall.

Although this museum is small there are many things to look at and do here. The displays take you though the history of marihuana and hemp including the important part it has played throughout the ages both in terms of industry as well as for recreational purposes. It has a vast selection of artefacts showing how the smoking has developed through the ages and around the world, including many differing types of pipes and bongs. There are numerous articles made from hemp in a hands-on part of the museum where you can feel for yourself the strength and quality of the fabric. Although it has been demonised by many countries in recent year including American’s this museum shows how it is important to the rastafarian religion where they see Marihuana described in the bible as the holy plant.

There is also a very interesting section on how many drugs cartels have managed to smuggle Hash through countries where it is illegal. Some which I thought were the best were shoes which had a removable sole so quantities of drugs could be hidden in the heel and sole while the smuggles walked through customs.

One of the most interesting parts of the museum is a live indoor marihuana garden where you can view actual marihuana plants being cultivated. And as if all that isn’t enough when we were there there was a man demonstrating the use of a large ornamental bong, which you were allowed to sample, with a small donation jar near by.

If you are ever in Amsterdam I think this museum is something that you must check out, even just for the novelty value, rather than being interested in the product. The shop has a souvenir section with T-shirts, seeds, and books relating to marihuana and badges.

The Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 130
Amsterdam

Open 11:00 to 22:00 7 days a week

12.50 NLG admission around £3.50

R.K.