 | |
 The former Christchurch location, closed in April 2020. | |
| Established | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Type | Science, Social History |
| Accreditation | Museums Aotearoa |
| Director | Abe Gray, Michael Mayell |
| Website | cannabis.kiwi.nz |
Whakamana Cannabis Museum is New Zealand's first museum dedicated to the history of cannabis use and culture.[1] It was first opened in October 2013 in Dunedin as part of a project spearheaded by Abe Gray, former deputy leader of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party (ALCP),[2] and Julian Crawford, former ALCP regional spokesperson.
In 2019 Whakamana relocated to Shand's Emporium in Christchurch as a new project directed by Abe Gray and Cookie Time founder Michael Mayell.[3][4]
Under the direction of the 2019 project, Whakamana sought to establish itself as a social club, an authority for cannabis education and events (i.e. lectures by figures in the cannabis industry), and an alcohol-free music venue and eatery producing hemp-based foods.[5] In late 2019, the museum attempted to raise funds via PledgeMe, a crowdfunding platform for New Zealand-based businesses, to help complete restoration of their new site. The campaign failed to raise its minimum target of $1 million NZD, therefore investors were refunded and the campaign was voided.[2]
Following revenue issues and a failure to find suitable investors, the Christchurch location was closed. In 2020, Gray attempted to establish a new site in central Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. As a political hub which houses New Zealand's parliamentary buildings, Gray considered the location to be more effective in the lead-up to the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum.[6] This was ultimately put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023 a fundraiser was held for reopening the Museum in the iconic Hopetoun Alpha heritage building in Central Auckland, with a view to reopening the museum permanently at that location.[7] In 2024 the Museum started weekly social club meet ups at an Auckland waterfront bar and announced that the Museum would re-open permanently in Hopetoun Alpha in mid-2024.
Whakamana was designed to be a national information centre on aspects of the science, history, and legislation surrounding cannabis, with an aim to educate the public and destigmatise adult use of cannabis.[8] It operates within New Zealand's laws and does not sell cannabis.[8] However, Whakamana previous stated they would set up a dispensary provided the law allows it to.[9] A prescribing doctor and dispensary is included in the new Auckland location.
- ^ "Grand Opening for New Zealand's first cannabis museum". Scoop News (Press release). 25 September 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Christchurch Cannabis museum searching for investors after failing to reach funding goal". Stuff. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "WHAKAMANA MUSEUM LIMITED (7469137)". New Zealand Companies Registrar. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:4was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Clock ticking to invest in possibly NZ's first cannabis cafe". Scoop News (Press release). 14 December 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Cannabis museum leaving Christchurch heritage building for capital". Stuff. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ Harris, Katie (6 August 2023). "Auckland cannabis museum opens with a bong, weed prescriptions and DJs set for opening". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Cannabis museum opens in Dunedin". Newshub. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ "Whakamana Press Release". Whakamana. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search