Underground Cannabis Archives
Ben Dronkers
Ben Dronkers and his love for the cannabis plant and his rebellious sprit would help him in creating
one of the world's largest cannabis seed companies the Sensi Seed Bank. In the early 1970s, Ben opened a clothing shop in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. He would make regular trips to
Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan to purchase textiles for his business. This is where he learned
about the cannabis plants versatility. With his textiles he also acquired cannabis seeds from the local farmers.
Collecting cannabis seeds became one of Bens
passions. He collected cannabis seeds from central and southeast Asia and would bring
them back home to the Netherlands. Ben started cultivating these seeds in order to learn more about the growth process of this very special plant. Collecting different cannabis strains Ben started crossing and breeding them to develop and promote new characteristics. In the 1980s
Skunk #1, Haze and Afghan #1 arrived in
Amsterdam from the United States.
Ben was one of three Dutch cannabis cultivators
who were granted access to these hybrids, which
are considered to be an important blueprint in
the development of European hybrids. Ben was arrested a few times for the cultivation and possession of cannabis. Those few times in prison urged him to have a good look at the law.
Ben found that cannabis seeds did not fall under
cannabis prohibition. Just the cannabis plant and
it wasn't illegal to sell cannabis seeds. Ben reasoned that the production process should not
be illegal either.
A lawyer confirmed this insight and in 1985
the Sensi Seed Club also known as the Sensi Connoisseurs' Club was founded. the Sensi
Seed Club opened its first shop in Amsterdam in 1986 which sold cultivation equipment and books on the cannabis culture. Ben took over the Seed Bank in 1991 he combined his two companies
and the Sensi Seed Bank was founded. Within
ten years the twenty or so strains offered in the
Sensi Seed Banks catalog had increased to
almost forty.
​
Ben also opened the Hash Marijuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam in 1985.
​The Hempflax company was opened in 1993 to promote the industrial qualities of Hemp.
​
The Hemp Gallery was opened in 2008 near the
museum, as an extension of the Hash Marijuana
& Hemp Museum.
​
A second museum opened in 2012. The Hash Marijuana & Hemp Museum in Barcelona Spain.
​
It truly is amazing everything Ben Dronkers has
accomplished for the love of cannabis. His legacy
will last a lifetime.​
