Cannabis College: Learning for Pleasure

Curious about cannabis and interested in buying seedlings or seeds with exotic names like Afghan, Purple Power, Hollands Hoop, Shiva or Master Kush? Cannabis College is the place to learn everything you have always wanted to know about weed, but never dared ask. The college is a non-profit organisation that started ten years ago in one room with newspaper clippings as information leaflets. Since then, the brochures have become more sophisticated.

Take your time to look at the displays of hundreds of samples of cannabis-related products. Did you know that hemp and cannabis are the same plant? But consumption of hemp will not make you high. Hemp is grown for its fibre whereas cannabis for its narcotic effect.  Snowboards, skateboards and tennis rackets contain hemp or flax fibres. The reason is that hemp absorbes large shocks and reduces the risks of injuries. Hemp is the main component of cordage, paper and nautical equipment. It is also used in building materials and even plastics.

Entrance to Cannabis College

Staff will tell you that over half the amount of grass sold in Dutch coffeeshops is grown in the Netherlands and is known as nederwiet. The general belief is that the THC-content, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in marihuana and hashish, has increased in Dutch-grown nederwiet. Those who oppose the coffeeshop culture believe this statement, while others who argue in favour of liberal drug policies disagree. As media information and government advice is often one-sided, Cannabis College’s goal is to provide the complete story about marihuana and its usage in order to educate people and promote intelligent and informed debates.

If you want to know how cannabis might affect you, try one of College’s electronically controlled vaporizers for a healthier method of cannabis ingestion. Venture to the grow room in the basement, a showcase of bio-organically grown hemp plants, and learn how to look after them.

If ever you have considered growing your own, a visit to Cannabis College is your opportunity to become an expert. You will find everything you need to know in the college’s grow room. Your biggest challenge is the need for quite a bit of equipment and a constant day-night rhythm; otherwise your seedlings will not survive. An additional problem is that only female plants produce weed. The sex of the plants is difficult to determine, but if you spot green buds growing in the armpits of the branches, hanging kind of upside down covered with sort of spikes, like hair, you ARE lucky. You possess a female plant. All right, let the day-night rhythm not deter you. All beginnings are tricky.

Cannabis College is the perfect place to get a complete education on this controversial drug. Like many other popular drugs, marihuana can be both beneficial for some and addictive for others. With the proper knowledge, you will make an informed decision about its use.

After your visit you cannot but conclude that College has never been anything like this before.
WHAT: Cannabis College
WHERE: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 124
ADMISSION: free, but a (compulsory) donation to see the grow room.
OPENING HOURS: 11 am – 7 pm, daily

Quiz to test your cannabis knowledge

Cannabis College

Organically-grown

Hemp plants

photo credits: personal collection