Barcelona (CNA). A Dutch millionaire opened the Hemp Museum Gallery last week in the center of Barcelona. This cannabis museum is designed to explain the story and the usefulness of the plant. At the same time it promotes the use and consumption of cannabis through some messages in favor of its legalization. This museum is the continuation of one located in Amsterdam since 1985, founded by the same millionaire, Ben Dronkers. In Barcelona this museum is set in the Mornau Palacio, in the Gothic district. The museum hosted for the first time the Cannabis Culture Awards which generally take place in Amsterdam but will be held twice this year in order to inaugurate the Catalan capital’s museum.

For the inauguration the British millionaire Richard Branson, owner of the Virgin conglomerate and president of Global Commission of Policies on Drugs, was present along with the mayor of Rasquera, Bernat Pellisa who reiterated that cannabis can help local towns resolve the current economic crisis.

With such a large media attention Dronkers was proud and pleased to show off his work. He has been able to transform the old palace into a new museum. In its various rooms you can see many objects related to cannabis, both artistic and functional, from paintings to pipes, sculptures and film posters. You can also find explanations about the cultivation, and medical and industrial use of cannabis - for example to produce energy, make paper or aid navigation for boats traveling from Europe to America.

According to Dronkers cannabis “will be the penicillin of the future” and can “save the planet” avoiding petrol consumption, the emission of CO2 or logging.

Meanwhile, Branson defended the legalization of these drugs, especially marihuana. According to him they should be considered in the same way as alcohol and tobacco. We should also help people addicted to these substances and not imprison them. He approved the legislation of some…