The Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum in Barcelona is the world’s largest museum that solely focuses on cannabis. The museum, which opened its doors in 2012, explores the history of cannabis and hemp, including their medicinal, cultural, industrial, and recreational uses.
The museum is located in a medieval palace in the Gothic Quarter, where it occupies eight rooms, each dedicated to a different aspect of the plant’s history.
The first room is dedicated to the plant’s biology, illustrated by a collection of scientific prints and photos. Another room is dedicated to the use of cannabis in medicine, with glass cabinets containing a collection of old medicine bottles.
In another room, there is a large collection of cannabis pipes from Europe, Africa and Asia and a collection of old Dutch masterpieces which feature people smoking marihuana.
Another room showcases the various uses of hemp in shipbuilding and the textile and rope-making industries, and its role in the colonization of the Americas.
Other sections of the museum explore religious and cultural uses of marihuana as well as its importance in popular culture from the sixties to the present day. Another section explains issues relating to legalization and the so-called War on Drugs.
With more than six thousand exhibits on display, the museum gives a very balanced insight into the use of the cannabis plant in all its forms and will be of interest to anyone who is interested in learning more about the subject.
The museum’s audioguide is also very good and includes lots of interesting details about the use of cannabis, Barcelona and the building where the museum is located. For example, did you know there is evidence that William Shakespeare smoked weed? Or that Miguel de Cervantes lived near the Cannabis Museum while writing his famous novel Don Quixote?
Palau Mornau
Another compelling reason for visiting the Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum is to visit the building in which it is housed.
Palau Mornau is a sixteenth-century Gothic palace that was originally built for the Santcliment family, a noble family of the era. During the eighteenth century, the palace was purchased by Josep Mornau, who was a commissioner in the Spanish army and after whom the building was named.
During the early 20th century, Palau Mornau was owned by Joan Nadal, who refurbished the house in the Modernista style, which was popular at the time and for which Barcelona is famous.
After years of neglect, by the start of the twenty-first century, the building had fallen into disrepair when it was purchased by Ben Dronkers, the owner of the Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum in Amsterdam. Dronkers spent a decade restoring the building and converting it into a museum, which opened its doors in 2012.
The building features notable Modernista elements such as decorative ceilings and the grand staircase leading up to the first floor and is included in the Ruta del Modernisme, a tourist route that visits the most interesting Art Nouveau buildings in Barcelona.
Visiting the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum
Time needed to visit the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum
You should allow between forty-five minutes and an hour to visit the museum.
Information in English?
The standard ticket includes an audio guide, which is available in six languages, including English and Spanish. There is also a free leaflet available, although you will have to ask for that if you want it.
What I liked about the audioguide is that it doesn’t force you to follow a specific route around the museum. Instead, as you make your way around the museum, you’ll find small numbered tiles on the wall next to selected exhibits. When you scan the tiles, the audioguide tells you about the item you are looking at. You can then decide if you want to listen to more in-depth information on related topics.
Location & how to get to the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum
The Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum is located in Barcelopna’s Gothic Quarter, close to Las Ramblas and the Port Vell harbour.
Address: Carrer Ample, 35
The nearest metro stations are Jaume I and Barceloneta, on line 4 (yellow line) and Liceu, on line 3 (yellow line).
The museum is on the route of our self-guided walking tour of the Gothic Quarter.
Opening Times
| Day | Times |
| Monday – Sunday | 11:00 to 20:00 |
Tickets
| Ticket | Price |
| Regular ticket | €9 (online price €8,10) |
| Children (0 to 12 years) | FREE |
Barcelona Pass
Barcelona Pass holders get a 10% discount when purchasing tickets to the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum online.
Free entry days
Unlike some of Barcelona’s museums, the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum doesn’t offer free entry on Sunday afternoons or the first Sunday of each month.
The temporary exhibition on the ground floor and museum shop can be visited free of charge.
Other attractions nearby
- The Gothic Quarter
- Basilica of La Mercè
- Barcelona Central Post Office
- The Columbus Monument
- Barcelona Wax Works Museum
Map
Carrer Ample, 35, Barcelona
