Cannabis Landmarks: The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum and the Last Working Hemp Mill

The landmarks most tied to cannabis culture include the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam's Red Light District and its sister museum in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, plus the last working hemp mill on Earth, just outside Amsterdam. Add in the big gatherings, like 420 festivals, California's Emerald Cup, Seattle Hempfest and Spannabis, and you've got a full itinerary for any curious weed traveler.

If you're a curious traveler looking for something new, dive into this world and check out places where cannabis is more than a plant: it's part of the local identity and a big part of the draw. Get ready for a trip packed with discoveries and experiences you won't forget.

The rise of cannabis tourism

Cannabis tourism has turned into a booming industry with a wide range of experiences for weed lovers. What used to be an under-the-radar niche is now a global trend, with festivals, competitions, gatherings and vacations built around people who enjoy the herb.

• 420 festivals: These celebrations of cannabis culture are booming worldwide. From Europe to North America, places like the US, Canada, Mexico and Jamaica host festivals where people can enjoy good music, food, art and, of course, quality weed in a safe, festive setting.
• Cups and competitions: The Emerald Cup in California is a hub of the cannabis industry, drawing growers, entrepreneurs and experts from all over the world. It's not just a top-tier competition; it's also a chance to learn, network and have a good time.
• Trips for activists: If you want your trip to mean more than kicking back, events like Seattle Hempfest offer a platform for cannabis advocacy. It mixes politics with live music, rousing speeches and great street food.
• Luxury beach vibes: Want to chill at an all-inclusive beach resort while you enjoy your herb? The Bright Side Festival in Jamaica offers an exclusive tropical experience, with shows on the Caribbean shore and weed-themed tours, like visits to Bob Marley landmarks.
• Spannabis: Billed as the world's biggest cannabis fair, Spannabis in Barcelona is the full package: expos, competitions, music, art and food. It also hosts a world conference covering the latest in cannabis science, medicine and policy.

From buzzing festivals to luxury getaways, cannabis tourism has something for everyone, making it an exciting option for travelers looking for something different. Dive into this growing world and take your sense of adventure up a notch.

The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam and Barcelona

In 1987, visionary cannabis entrepreneur Ben Dronkers, together with his colleague Ed Rosenthal, opened the Cannabis Info Museum in Amsterdam's iconic Red Light District. The idea was to share his fascinating personal cannabis collection and his deep passion for the plant, and the museum opened its doors as a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

The Dutch government quickly pushed back, arguing it promoted illegal activity, and shut it down just one day after it officially opened.

Determined to stand his ground, Ben Dronkers successfully challenged the closure and reopened the museum the very next day. That's how the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum was born, and it's been a pillar of the cannabis scene ever since.

In 2009, a second location opened on the same canal to show off even more of the museum's collection. The Hemp Gallery is dedicated to the rich history and many uses of hemp, from paper and candles to high fashion and design.

The Barcelona cannabis museum

In an exciting twist, the museum later expanded to Barcelona. On May 9, 2012, with big names like Sir Richard Branson and cultural anthropologist Josep Fericgla in attendance, the Barcelona Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum officially opened.

Set in the stunning Palau Mornau, in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, the museum is a modernist palace devoted to cannabis.

Today the museum doesn't just house a unique collection covering every side of cannabis; it also works as an educational hub, supporting scientific research and sharing useful information about cannabis and hemp through exhibits and educational programs.

Dive into this fascinating look at cannabis and discover a world of knowledge at the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum.

Visit the world's last working hemp mill

Get a feel for the history of industrial hemp by visiting the only working hemp mill left in the world, just 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) from downtown Amsterdam, in the picturesque countryside of the Zaan region.

For centuries, this one-of-a-kind Dutch windmill did a crucial job: pounding and softening tough hemp fibers that were then used to make rope and sails for ships crossing the world's oceans.

The Dutch landscape used to be dotted with hemp mills, but today the Paauw mill is the only one that has stood the test of time. Here you can dive into the story of industrial hemp, from growing it in the fields to processing it at the mill and beyond. It's the past coming to life right in front of you.

What can you do on a visit?

On your visit, you're free to explore this captivating piece of Dutch hemp culture at your own pace. The miller will walk you through how the mill works, while an eye-opening film shows the decade-long rebuild of the mill and how industrial hemp played a vital role in people's lives centuries ago.

The mill is open to the public every Saturday, thanks to a partnership between Stichting Zaanse Pakhuizen, the nonprofit in charge of the rebuild, and the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum, which developed the exhibit. Dive into this unique experience and discover hemp's legacy at the hemp mill.