When I first heard about the Weedmaps Museum of Weed, I assumed it would be a ‘gram-friendly version of marijuana history that skipped right past the sad stuff and went right to “woah, dude” territory.
I was wrong. While there are plenty of psychedelic selfie opportunities available throughout the tour, especially near the beginning, this museum is not just about the fun things. These exhibits aren’t just beautiful—there’s real substance behind them.
Beyond the ‘60s-themed VW bus and the trippy Reefer Madness funhouse, each exhibit was thoughtful and well-researched. Past the photo-friendly sections, there were vintage newspaper articles written by Harry J. Anslinger, the main public figure behind marijuana prohibition, and a short biography about him.
Each room was artfully designed for maximum emotional effect. The policing exhibit, with imposing SWAT officers lined up against reflecting mirrors, was nerve-wracking to walk past. There were also immersive reproductions of famous cannabis landmarks onsite, including a picture-perfect representation of California’s first marijuana dispensary, as well as a period-accurate AIDS ward.
I’d say, though, that the most engaging exhibit was the final room. The huge interactive displays that explained the difference between terpenes and different types of concentrates could have kept me there for another hour.
The highlight was the Entourage Effect display, where I rearranged colorful blocks to see an abstract visual representation of how they interacted with the human nervous system. The Museum of Weed manages to demystify even the most complicated parts of cannabinoid science.
The Museum of Weed is closed now, but I hope its legacy will live on. It may reopen in the future, but the dates and locations are still yet to be confirmed (according to the Weedmaps representative I spoke with). I know I’ll be stopping by for more honest drug education when it returns.
