The Amsterdam Cannabis College

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of John Sinclair on April 2nd, 2024. An iconic figure in the cannabis advocacy community and a beloved friend of the Amsterdam Cannabis College, Sinclair's legacy resonates deeply. His unwavering commitment to cannabis legalization, his profound influence on the arts, and his significant contributions to cultural and political spheres have left an indelible mark. We fondly remember his streaming sessions held right here at the Amsterdam Cannabis College, where his wisdom and passion for the cause shone brightly. As we mourn his loss, we also honor his life and the lasting impact he has had. Sinclair's journey, characterized by passion, creativity, and advocacy, remains a source of inspiration for all. His spirit and accomplishments will continue to guide us in our pursuit of justice and enlightenment.

After a quarter-century of serving as a cornerstone in our community, we are extremely saddened to announce the closure of our beloved venue in the heart of Amsterdam’s Red-Light district.

Over the years, our location has been more than just a building; it has been a meeting place for the international Cannabis community. Unfortunately, due to evolving financial considerations, we have had to make the strategic decision to transition all activities to our online platform.

We are thankful to all those who have supported us, whether by donating their time, effort, knowledge, or financially. You have all helped us further the normalization of Cannabis worldwide.
We especially wish to thank Sensi Seeds for their patronage and support all these years.

While this is sad news, it is important to state that we will carry on our mission to promote Cannabis education. The field of Cannabis is in constant evolution and we feel it is our duty to provide others with the information they need.

Much love from all of us.
The Cannabis College Team

Earlier this month, we put Mandarine Jam [Pink Kush x Lemon Haze] under the microscope to take a look at just how gorgeous it is in extreme close-up. Feast your eyes on those trichomes! 😍

Mandarine Jam is a feminized strain released in 2023 by Sensi Seeds & Fat Beans, under Sensi's Breeding Grounds Project. This collaboration between the two seedbanks has produced some exciting strains that we can't wait to grow in the College garden!

Have you grown this strain before? Let us know how it went in the comments!

📖 Our Book of the Month for November is ''Shattered Lives'' by Mikki Norris and Chris Conrad! 📖

Published in 2004, "Shattered Lives" is a compelling and eye-opening book that sheds light on the devastating impact of the United States' war on drugs. The book focuses particularly on how it affects families, children, and individuals who have been caught up in the criminal justice system due to non-violent drug offenses.

Through a collection of personal stories, "Shattered Lives" offers a poignant and humanizing perspective on the consequences of harsh drug policies. It emphasizes the need for reform and highlights the often heartbreaking collateral damage inflicted upon families and communities. The book aimed to challenge prevailing stigmas and stereotypes associated with drug-related issues and called for a more compassionate and rational approach to drug policy. Norris and Conrad encourage their readers to reconsider the impacts of punitive drug laws on people's lives. Even though the book was published nearly twenty years ago, the book's message is still salient today.

People who are new to growing cannabis can often be overwhelmed by all of the decisions that are required when deciding from the vast variety of seeds that are on offer. A good start is figuring out what your desired effect/ terpene profile/ size of plant is. As well as all of these decisions, there are also different categories of seeds: Regular, Feminized & Automatic Flowering seeds. Read on for a brief rundown of the differences between these categories of seeds.

Regular cannabis seeds are the original and fundamental form of cannabis propagation. These seeds are produced from the union of a male and a female cannabis plant, and as such, they have a roughly-equal chance of developing into either male or female plants, typically a 50-50 ratio. All plants produced from this type of seed are photoperiodic, meaning they require a change in the light cycle to mature into the flowering stage. This variability can make them a preferred choice for breeders seeking to create new strains or growers who are hoping to clone the plants in order to maintain genetic consistency from subsequent grows with a strain they love.

In contrast, feminized seeds are intentionally manipulated to produce only female plants. This is accomplished through a process of inducing a female plant to turn hermaphrodite and develop pollen, which is then used to fertilize another female. The result is seeds that are nearly guaranteed to yield female plants, ensuring a higher production of consumable flowers and eliminating the need to remove male plants during growth. Plants that are produced from feminized seeds are also photoperiodic.

Automatic seeds, also known as auto-flowering seeds, have a different characteristic altogether. These strains have characteristics derived from a special type of cannabis known as Cannabis Ruderalis, which naturally flowers based on age rather than light cycles. As a result, they automatically transition from the vegetative stage to flowering, typically within a few weeks of germination. This trait makes them suitable for growers seeking quicker harvests and simplified light management.

🌿🎃 ''H**pseed I sow, H**pseed grow, [they] that will my true love be, Come rake this h**pseed after me.'' 🎃🌿

Are you yearning for a lover this Halloween? Don't panic, for we have a h**p seed spell you can try!
Thought to have its origins in Pagan rituals, the h**p seed charm is believed to produce a ghostly apparition of one's true love. To perform the charm is relatively simple: at midnight on a particular night, the person wishing to see their true love must sow the seed whilst chanting aloud a short spell three times.

One of the earliest accounts of the spell was found in 1714 in John Gay's 'The Shepherds Week', where a young village girl misses her true love and so casts the spell on a Midsummer's Eve. By the 19th century, the spell, albeit a simplified version, had become part of common knowledge and could be heard being chanted by schoolgirls across Europe. This simple version of the poem now only contained the quoted lines above. Although Gay's reference was the first, perhaps the most famous account of the poem was in Robert Burns' 1785 poem 'Halloween':

"H**p-seed I saw thee,
An' her that is to be my lass
Come after me, an' draw thee
As fast this night."

Although in England the h**p seed love spell was cast on Midsummer's Eve, in many parts of Ireland and Scotland the night to see ghosts was on Halloween (of course!) The spell is not without its risks though, as, allegedly, a group of girls in Cornwall in 1965 found out. Within a year of casting the spell, they all ended up dying mysteriously. According to the people of Guernsey, after reciting a spell, the young maiden must ''immediately run into the house to prevent her legs being cut off by the reaper's sickle''.

So, to those of us who are looking for love this Halloween, how much are you willing to risk?

One of the most well-known personalities in occult circles, the international cult figure Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) wrote frequently about the psychoactive effects of various mind-altering substances. He took hashish, o***m, ether, he**in, co***ne and pe**te and avidly believed that he could control any of their effects with his mind. On hashish, he wrote:

''The action of hashish is as varied as life itself ... I can get fantastic visions, or power of mind analysis, or spiritual exaltation, or sexual excitement of various kinds, or ravenous hunger, or vigour of imagination...'' - A. Crowley, 1920

Do you agree with Crowley's assessments of hashish? Do you think it is possible to control its effects? Let us know in the comments!

Thank you to the Hash, Ma*****na & H**p Museum for kindly loaning us a copy of the Hashish Club Vol.1, which is a part of their museum collection. Quotation taken from page 251 in The Hashish Club Volume 1: An Anthology of Drug Literature.

The trichomes on this bud look incredible! 😍

This microscope image of 'Purple Berry Muffinz', one of the latest strains from Sensi Seeds Breeding Grounds collaboration with Humboldt Seed Company , was taken earlier this month at the College. Check out our post from last month to see the plant this was taken from!

🌿 In Loving Memory of Alberto Pires 🌿

Last month the world lost a true pioneer of cannabis advocacy, Alberto Pires, who left us at the tragically young age of 45. The Cannabis College joins the rest of the cannabis community in mourning the loss of a remarkable soul who dedicated his life to the cause we hold dear.

As co-founder of the Cannadouro – Porto International H**p Fair and the visionary behind the Planet Sensi grow and head shops, Alberto was a key figure in the Portuguese cannabis and h**p scene and his contributions to the cannabis culture in Portugal will continue to educate and inspire. He also played a pivotal role as the commercial director of Cannadouro and Cannadouro Magazine, whilst also owning and nurturing Planeta Sensi since 2009.

We are hosting the ‘Halloween: Trick or Treat Sesh’ presented by Trichome Science and Sensi Seeds.

Get ready for a spooky and deliciously fun Halloween! This year, we’re hosting a one-of-a-kind Cannabis Halloween Trick or Treat event with a twist—edibles! Join us for an evening of treats, tricks, and a touch of the extraordinary.

🎃 Event Details 🎃
Date: Sunday October 29th, 2023
Time: 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Cannabis College
Costumes Encouraged: We love creativity! Dress up in your spookiest, funniest, or most outrageous costume. The coolest costume wins a prize.
Edibles Delight: Our treat bags are unlike any other! We’ve prepared a delightful assortment of treats, from gummies to chocolates and more.
Trick or Treat: Wander through our Halloween-decorated space and visit different “treat stations” where you’ll find an array of goodies. You might also encounter some fun tricks along the way, so be prepared for a few surprises!
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bud): If you have a favorite strain, feel free to bring it along to share with others.
Safety First: We prioritize the safety and well-being of our guests. Please consume responsibly and designate a sober driver if needed. This event is for adults 21 and older only.
RSVP: To ensure we have enough treats for everyone, please dm by October 20th, 2023 us or Trichomescience

We can’t wait to celebrate Halloween with you in a uniquely elevated way. Come for the treats, stay for the spooky vibes, and leave with unforgettable memories.
Costumes, cannabis, and candy—what more could you ask for? Get ready for a Halloween night that’s bound to be a real scream!

See you on the 29th!

We just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to Plagron for their recent delivery! A few weeks ago they were kind enough to drop off a selection of their soils and fertilizers for our garden.

Plagron is a renowned Dutch company specializing in horticultural solutions. Established in 1992, they are leaders in producing premium substrates, nutrients, and additives for indoor and outdoor cultivation. Plagron's commitment to quality and sustainability has made them a frequent recommendation by us at the College and a trusted choice among growers worldwide.