On Oudezijds Achterburgwal in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum traces the history and uses of cannabis and hemp through two exhibitions. One focuses on cannabis culture; the other looks at industrial hemp and its role in materials such as textiles, paper and bioplastic. You can see living cannabis plants, historical objects and items made from hemp. An audio guide in several languages adds context to the displays, which cover the plant’s place in medicine, art and everyday life.
Two exhibitions, two perspectives
The museum’s two exhibitions approach the cannabis plant from different angles. One explores cannabis culture and consumption; the other focuses on industrial hemp and the ways it can be processed and used. Together, they show how the plant has been part of daily life for purposes that extend beyond recreational use.
The hemp displays cover materials including textiles, paper, food products and sustainable building materials. Examples such as bioplastic and hemp-based construction material help explain how the plant can be turned into practical goods. The exhibition also includes objects made from hemp, so you can compare finished items with the broader story of its uses.
Objects, plants and historical context
Living cannabis plants are part of the exhibition, alongside historical objects, paintings and prints. The collection connects the plant to medicine, art, spiritual practice, agriculture and trade. Displays also look at cannabis in Dutch history and at the changing laws and attitudes surrounding it.
Some objects show how hemp was used in practical ways across different periods. A Bible printed on hemp paper is among the items noted in the collection; other examples include pipes and artworks. The exhibits also address the plant’s place in public debate, including anti-cannabis propaganda. These details give the displays a historical focus as well as a cultural one.
Getting more from the visit
An audio guide is available in several languages and provides explanations as you move through the displays. It is useful if you want more than a quick look at the objects, particularly when exploring the plant’s different uses and the historical context behind them.
The ticket covers the museum and a separate hemp exhibition space nearby, described as a small museum. The two locations are about two minutes apart on the same street. Check the ticket details for directions between them, and leave time to visit both if you want to see the industrial hemp displays as well as the cannabis-focused exhibition.
FAQ
What does the museum cover?
Its two exhibitions explore cannabis culture and the industrial uses of hemp, including the plant’s roles in medicine, art, trade and material production.
Are there real cannabis plants on display?
Yes. The museum includes living cannabis plants alongside historical objects, artworks and items made from hemp.
Does one ticket cover both locations?
Yes. One ticket includes the museum and a separate hemp exhibition space nearby, about two minutes away on the same street.
Is there an audio guide?
Yes. An audio guide is available in several languages.
