High On Culture: Cannabis Museums From All Over The World

Cannabis is an ancient plant and quite possibly mankind's first real cultivar. While we still can't pinpoint its exact origins and how it came to be such an important part of human society, there's a great number of individuals and organisations dedicated to that very cause. In this article, we'll shine a light on the best cannabis museums from around the world—be sure to add them to your next travel itinerary.

What to expect from a cannabis museum

The history of cannabis dates back thousands of years. In fact, this ancient plant has been accompanying mankind for so long that it's difficult for historians and archaeologists to identify its exact origins and how it became such an integral part of human history. The prohibition and stigmatisation of the cannabis plant in recent years obviously hasn't helped, either.

Luckily, a few museums from around the world have taken on the challenge of piecing together cannabis' rich and complex history. From Amsterdam to New York, a handful of venues have preserved everything from books and artwork to pipes and photographs to highlight how central cannabis has been to human society.

In this article, we've taken our time to compile a list of some of the best cannabis museums from across the globe. And while they are all special and different in their own ways, some of the things you're guaranteed to find at these establishments include:

• Passionate and dedicated staff
• Exhibitions packed with information you won't find in regular history books
• Immersive experiences powered by technology, live music, performances, or art
• Ancient artefacts that locate cannabis within a greater context and show the importance of this crop for mankind and our survival

Cannabis museums to visit in 2024

Ready to explore the vivid history of cannabis? Below you'll find our favourite cannabis museums and exhibitions from around the world. If you're a weed lover about to hit the open road, make sure to bookmark these renowned spots.

Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum - Amsterdam/Barcelona

*The Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum

The Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum is the world's oldest and most famous cannabis museum. Founded in 1987 by Ben Dronkers, a world-renowned cannabis entrepreneur best known for founding Sensi Seeds, the museum features an ever-growing collection of pieces of cannabis history. From ancient pipes to bibles printed on hemp and artwork dating from the 17th century, the Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum attempts to reinstate the important role cannabis played in human development. “It is unbelievable that the role played by cannabis is omitted from most history books”, says Dronkers.

The original Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum is located in De Wallen, Amsterdam, though the museum opened a second location in the beautiful Palau Mornau in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter in 2012.

Berlin Hemp Museum - Berlin, Germany

*Berlin Hemp Museum - Berlin, Germany

Berlin's Hemp Museum (or Hanf Museum) was opened in 1994 in the city's historic Nicholas Quarter (Nikolaiviertel). It is Germany's only cannabis museum and features an almost 300-square-metre exhibition that documents the cultivation, harvest, and use of cannabis from a historical perspective. Not only does the exhibition show how cannabis was used in the past, but it also tries to contextualise how its use may change in the future. The entire exhibition is spread over 8 themed rooms, and the recreational use of cannabis takes a notable backseat role in most of the expo. Occasionally, Berlin's Hemp Museum also holds special exhibitions, the last of which celebrated 100 years of famed German cabaret artist, activist, and actor Wolfgang Neuss.

THC NYC - New York, USA

*THC NYC - New York, USA

Located in the heart of SoHo, THC NYC is more than a museum—it offers an immersive experience spread across five floors in a historic building located on Broadway and Howard. From Wednesday to Friday, the venue opens its Green Room, a cannabis-friendly space for people to work, game, network, and, of course, get lit. Then, on Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy THC NYC's full museum exhibition, which combines several completely immersive experiences including an indoor urban park, a guided meditation in an LED-wrapped space, a journey inside cannabis' molecular form, live art, and much more.

Cannabis Museum - Ohio, USA

*Cannabis Museum - Ohio, USA

Ready for a road trip? After visiting THC NYC in New York, hop in a car and hit I-76 West. Eight hours later, you'll be just outside Athens, OH, where you'll find the quaint and simply named Cannabis Museum. The more traditional experience offered by this homey venue is exactly what you'll need to come down from the intensely immersive exhibition at THC NYC. Open from Wednesday to Saturday by appointment only, the cannabis museum in Athens, OH offers an unbiased view into the culture surrounding cannabis and other prohibited plants in America. The entire exhibition contains over 10,000 historical items, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to browse through it.

International Church of Cannabis - Denver, Colorado

*International Church of Cannabis - Denver, Colorado

Colorado is a Mecca for cannabis lovers and home to a bustling weed industry. But did you know that it also houses a real cannabis church? Members of the International Church of Cannabis and Elevation Ministries (the nonprofit organisation behind it) praise the use of cannabis and promote its use, arguing that the plant helps people attain a higher understanding of themselves. The church also holds "the sacrament of cannabis" at 4:20 pm every Friday, inviting people onto its premises to light up. Regardless of whether you want to join the church or not, the beautiful old Lutheran building it is located in (complete with a surrealist-painted interior) makes for a worthwhile visit.

Cannabis Museum - Amsterdam, Netherlands

*Cannabis Museum - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Last but definitely not least on this list of weed museums is Amsterdam's well-known Cannabis Museum. Located on Damstraat in the heart of the Dam Square, the museum serves as an iconic attraction within Amsterdam and draws in thousands of visitors all year round. Like the other museums listed here, Amsterdam's Cannabis Museum is home to a large and fascinating collection of historical artefacts that paint a vivid picture of the history of this ancient plant. To keep up with the times, the museum also features interactive tours for an even more immersive experience. A must-see for any weed lover visiting Amsterdam.

Immerse yourself in “high” culture

While we're still a long way from fully understanding the cannabis plant's rich and complex history, the museums mentioned above do a great job of piecing together what we do know. Next time you're travelling, be sure to add one (or more!) of these cannabis museums to your itinerary and indulge in some true "high culture".

Steven Voser

Steven Voser is an independent cannabis journalist with over 6 years of experience writing about all things weed; how to grow it, how best to enjoy it, and the booming industry and murky legal landscape surrounding it.

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