Two Cannabis Museums in Amsterdam You Don’t Want To Miss
Discover two of Amsterdam's must-see cannabis museums where history, culture and innovation meet in the heart of the city.
For years, Amsterdam has been a prime location for cannabis travellers looking to visit the city's iconic coffeeshops so they can relax in one of the most chilled cannabis friendly destinations on the planet. But beyond the smoke of the famed coffeeshops, there's another side to Amsterdam's cannabis culture that's just as fascinating.
Tucked within the city's charming old streets are two museums dedicated entirely to cannabis and hemp. They don't just celebrate the plant's recreational use, but also explore its history, cultural impact, role in medicine, industry and more.
These two museums are the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum and the Cannabis Museum Amsterdam. Both offering a deeper look at how cannabis shaped human culture, from ancient hemp artefacts that show you its early industrial uses to interactive exhibits teaching us how cannabis interacts with our bodies.
1. Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum
The Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum is the world's first museum dedicated solely to cannabis and hemp, which will forever hold a special place in Amsterdam's cannabis culture. It was first opened in 1987 under the name "Cannabis Info Museum" by cannabis entrepreneur Ben Dronkers and his friend Ed Rosenthal, who wanted to share their personal cannabis collections with the public. However, the museum was quickly shut down by the Dutch Minister of Justice under the guise of promoting illegal activities on the day after its official opening.
However, Ben Dronkers challenged the closure and reopened the very next day, later becoming the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum we know today.
What to See & The Museums Highlights
With two museum locations (the other in Barcelona) and over 9000 cannabis objects gathered from around the world, the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam presents a rich and diverse collection of artefacts that tells you the story from the beginning.
The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum has two locations in Amsterdam. One is the Hemp Gallery, which opened in 2009 and takes you back in time, showcasing the industrial uses of hemp throughout history. Humans have been using hemp for thousands of years, and its strong fibres have allowed us to create essential items for survival, such as textiles, paper, medicines, food, oils, and more.
The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum has managed to preserve this history through displays of old materials and tools made from hemp, as well as rare photographs of hemp's cultivation and industrial use, dating back to the 19th century.
Next is the main museum, which was opened in 1987 and is a short 2-minute walk from the Hemp Gallery. Here, the whole story comes together, showing displays of old propaganda against the plant, how cannabis and medicine go hand in hand, the history of smoking cannabis and much more.
Location, Opening Hours & Price
Located in the heart of Amsterdam's Red Light District, the central location gives visitors a convenient walking distance to many of Amsterdam's other attractions and cannabis-friendly spots.
Address
- Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148, 1012 DV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening hours
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 – 20:00
- Friday to Sunday: 10:00 – 22:00
Price
- Regular Ticket: €9.50
- Group Ticket (from 10 people): €7.60
- Children (0-12 years): Free
A tour of both locations lasts around an hour, and the museum can accommodate groups of up to 60 people.
Why It's a Must-Visit
The Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum is a perfect stop for travellers looking for more than just a recreational cannabis experience, blending history, culture, and the hemp industry all into one accessible location.
Whether you're exploring Amsterdam with friends who are curious about cannabis or prefer a more educational experience, the museum caters to everyone. Its central location also makes it easy to fit smoothly into any cannabis travel itinerary, and the exhibits offer a deep understanding, letting you see the origins of cannabis and hemp, as well as their impact on culture and industry.
2. Cannabis Museum Amsterdam
If you're looking for a more modern experience, the Cannabis Museum Amsterdam offers an immersive adventure through cannabis history. The museum is focused on dismantling the misconceptions of cannabis, driven by the propaganda of the prohibition era, and it does this through showing visitors the true history of the plant.
What to See & The Museums Highlights
When you step into the Cannabis Museum Amsterdam, you will quickly notice that this isn't your average museum visit. Spread across three floors, each space offers a new perspective of the plant, taking you from humans first interaction with cannabis to how hemp is helping innovate modern society.
On the first floor, the journey begins with the origins of cannabis and humanity's earliest interactions with the plant. You'll trace its fascinating evolution through ancient civilisations, global trade routes, and even industrial revolutions, seeing the many uses of the plant across various cultures.
Moving up to the second floor, things become more scientific and a little bit futuristic. Through unique artwork and interactive displays, this floor shows you how cannabis interacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system, explaining its effects, uses, and the complex ways it influences our everyday lives.
Last but not least, the third floor, where you can browse the various displays that highlight cannabis culture today, showing and detailing the multiple ways cannabis is used and enjoyed, from old school Coca-Cola can bongs to modernised dry herb vaporisers.
Altogether, the Cannabis Museum Amsterdam delivers an engaging experience that blends science, education, and history, making it both entertaining and informative.
Location, Opening Hours & Price
A stone's throw away from popular landmarks like Dam Square and the Royal Palace, you can find the Cannabis Museum Amsterdam right in the heart of Amsterdam.
Address
Damstraat 6, 1012JM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Opening hours
- Monday: 09:00 to 22:00
- Tuesday: 09:00 to 22:00
- Wednesday: 09:00 to 22:00
- Thursday: 09:00 to 22:00
- Friday: 09:00 to 22:00
- Saturday: 09:00 to 22:00
- Sunday: 09:00 to 22:00
Price
- Single Day Ticket. €12 (€14.50 instore)
- One Week Pass: €15
- Group Day Ticket (5 People): €50 (€65 instore)
The museum tour lasts around 45 minutes, and the ticket price includes a free goodie bag and 10% off all items in the museum shop.
Why It's a Must‑Visit
The Cannabis Museum Amsterdam is a vibrant, interactive journey that takes you further than the traditional Amsterdam cannabis tour. It turns the story of cannabis into a hands-on experience that's both educational and fun, giving visitors a whole new appreciation for the plant's roots, science, and role in society today.
Conclusion
Amsterdam is full of unforgettable experiences, but visiting its cannabis museums adds a whole new layer of depth to your trip. Both the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum and the Cannabis Museum Amsterdam offer something you won't find anywhere else: a chance to understand the plant's roots, its cultural influence, and how it continues to shape modern life.
Whether you're a veteran cannabis enthusiast or just curious to learn the real history behind the plant, Amsterdam's cannabis museums deliver many mind-boggling insights that will change the way you view the cannabis plant forever.
