The Cannabis Culture Awards 2013 conferred to Frits Bolkestein and Spuiten en Slikken

On Tuesday April 23rd 2013 in Amsterdam, Frits Bolkestein received a Cannabis Culture Award from former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dries van Agt, the founder of the Dutch tolerance policy. Spuiten en Slikken was awarded by Frederik Polak. In his acceptance speech, Bolkestein made an elaborate plea for the legalization and regulation of the cultivation, trade and consumption of cannabis. Read the complete report here.

Cannabis Culture Award winners

All winners
Spuiten en SlikkenSpuiten en Slikken

Spuiten en Slikken

Spuiten & Slikken is an influential BNN programme, and exemplary in opening up discussions about cannabis and its politics to the general public.

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Frits BolkesteinFrits Bolkestein

Frits Bolkestein

Frits Bolkestein is one of the most prominent and successful Dutch liberal politicians, and outspoken advocate of the regulation of drug trade.

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Richard BransonRichard Branson

Richard Branson

Entrepeneur Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, accepted the award on behalf of The Global Commission on Drug Policy.

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Jack HererJack Herer

Jack Herer

Jack Herer (USA, 1939-2010) was the author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes, the 'bible of hemp knowledge', and tireless activist for cannabis and hemp.

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Dries van AgtDries van Agt

Dries van Agt

Dries van Agt (NL, 1931) was Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1977 to 1982 and responsible for the Dutch Tolerance Policy.

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Lester GrinspoonLester Grinspoon

Lester Grinspoon

Lester Grinspoon (USA, 1928) is Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and outspoken proponent of cannabis.

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Global Commission on Drug PolicyGlobal Commission on Drug Policy

Global Commission on Drug Policy

The Global Commission on Drug Policy was represented by Thorvald Stoltenberg and Richard Branson.

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Fernanda de la Figuera accepting the Cannabis Culture Awards 2012Fernanda de la Figuera accepting the Cannabis Culture Awards 2012

Fernanda de la Figuera

The Spanish Fernanda de la Figuera has been a renowned cannabis activist since 1973, when she grew her first crop in Madrid.

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Frederik PolakFrederik Polak

Frederik Polak

Frederik Polak M.D. Psych is considered as the most experienced and respected Dutch psychiatrist in the field of drug use. 

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Todd McCormickTodd McCormick

Todd McCormick

Todd McCormick is a prominent and respected activist for medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp in the United States of America. 

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Thorvald StoltenbergThorvald Stoltenberg

Thorvald Stoltenberg

The Global Commission on Drug Policy was represented by Thorvald Stoltenberg, former defense- and foreign minister of Norway and UN Ambassador.

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Hans-Georg BehrHans-Georg Behr

Hans-Georg Behr

Austrian psychiatrist Hans-Georg Behr (AT, 1937-2010) was a Green Party parliamentarian, history professor and prolific writer.

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Simon VinkenoogSimon Vinkenoog

Simon Vinkenoog

Dutch writer, poet and artist Simon Vinkenoog (NL, 1928-2009) was a lifelong advocate of cannabis legalization and many of his poems refer to the plant.

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Ed RosenthalEd Rosenthal

Ed Rosenthal

The horticulturist, author and publisher, Ed Rosenthal (USA, 1944) was awarded for his achievements in the field of medicinal marijuana.

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Eagle Bill AmatoEagle Bill Amato

Eagle Bill Amato

Eagle Bill Amato (US, 1942 –2005) received the award for his pioneering work on improving and promoting cannabis vaporization. 

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Henk de VriesHenk de Vries

Henk de Vries

Henk de Vries (NL, 1950) is regarded as one of the most important and influential cannabis entrepreneurs in the Netherlands.

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Past events

All awards

Cannabis Culture Awards 2013 in Amsterdam

The ninth edition of the cannabis culture awards was held Tuesday, April 23rd 2013,  in the Bethaniënklooster in Amsterdam to reward the people who have made a significant contribution to the global movement to restore cannabis to its rightful status as an invaluable tool for humanity’s progress.

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Cannabis Culture Awards 2012 statement by Richard BransonCannabis Culture Awards 2012 statement by Richard Branson

Cannabis Culture Awards 2012 in Barcelona

The Cannabis Culture Awards 2012 were awarded in both Amsterdam and Barcelona. In Barcelona, winner Richard Branson stated that legal cannabis could solve Spain’s economic crisis and that the move regarding the Weedpass in the Netherlands was a mistake.

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Cannabis Culture Awards 2012Cannabis Culture Awards 2012

Cannabis Culture Awards 2012 in Amsterdam

The Cannabis Culture Awards 2012 were awarded in both Amsterdam and Barcelona. During a festive and moving ceremony in Amsterdam, two former statesmen, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg and Mr. Dries van Agt, expressed their hope for a future without cannabis prohibition.

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Cannabis Culture Awards 2009Cannabis Culture Awards 2009

Cannabis Culture Awards 2009

"This would never happen in another country - a cannabis event that begins in a monastery and ends in an art gallery, attended by politicians and VIPs - it would be impossible!" exclaims a Swedish visitor at the unveiling of the Cannabis Culture Award 2009.

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Ben Dronkers, Simon Vinkenoog and Green SinterklaasBen Dronkers, Simon Vinkenoog and Green Sinterklaas

Cannabis Culture Awards 2008

Dutch writer, poet and artist Simon Vinkenoog (NL, 1928-2009) accepted the Cannabis Cultuurprijs from Ben Dronkers during the opening ceremony of the Hemp Gallery in 2008.

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Ed RosenthalEd Rosenthal

Cannabis Culture Awards 2007

Internationally respected for his botanical knowledge and his exemplary engagement in the battle for the acceptance of medicinal marihuana, Ed Rosenthal was choosen as a winner in 2007.

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Jack HererJack Herer

Cannabis Culture Awards 2006

Jack Herer's groundbreaking research and his tireless campaining for legalisation of the cannabis plant was rewarded at the Cannabis Culture Awards 2006.

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Eagle Bill AmatoEagle Bill Amato

Cannabis Culture Awards 2005

The Cannabis Culture Awards 2005 choose to honour an enigmatic and inspiring person in the field of medicinal marihuana, the 'Godfather of Vapor' Eagle Bill Amato.

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Henk de VriesHenk de Vries

Cannabis Culture Awards 2004

During the first edition of the Cannabis Culture Awards one of Holland's most succesfull cannabis entrepeneurs was honoured with an award.

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About the awards

Cannabis Culture Awards | introductionCannabis Culture Awards | introduction

What are the Cannabis Culture Awards?

The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum Amsterdam/Barcelona confers the Cannabis Culture Awards to those who have taken a place - whether high or low profile - at the frontline of the struggle for acceptance of cannabis in all of its forms.

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About us

Ben Dronkers and Richard BransonBen Dronkers and Richard Branson

Who organizes the Cannabis Culture Awards?

The Cannabis Culture Awards are an initiative of Dutch entrepreneur and philanthropist Ben Dronkers. Amongst many things, Dronkers is director of the Hash Marihuana & Hemp museums in Amsterdam and Barcelona, which present a permanent exhibition on the history and use of cannabis around the world. Both museums organize and host the award ceremonies.

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In the media

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