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![]() The former Christchurch location, closed in April 2020. | |
Established | 2013 |
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Location | Auckland, New Zealand |
Type | Science, Social History |
Accreditation | Museums Aotearoa |
Director | Abe Gray |
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 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 when Abe Gray and Cookie Time founder Michael Mayell formed a partnership to grow the concept.[3][4]
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], and 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. On August 9th 2024 the Museum was officially re-opened by Auckland Central Member of Parliament and Green Party Co-Leader Chloe Swarbrick in a ribbon cutting ceremony[8].
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.[9] It operates within New Zealand's laws and does not sell cannabis.[9] However, Whakamana previous stated they would set up a dispensary provided the law allows it to.[10] A prescribing doctor and dispensary is included in the new Auckland location.
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