34) The "Cannabis Castle"

A Journey Back in Time: Exploring Schoenmakers' Legendary Dutch Stronghold & Sensi Seeds

Near the Dutch town of Nijmegen, on the banks of the Waal River, lies a small village called Lent. At the edge of this village, right next to the dike, a grand villa was built around 1890 by a wealthy local merchant named Wouter Rijnders. The owner of a mill, a brewery, and a factory producing glue and vinegar, Rijnders also set up another brewery in the large basement of his home. Decades later, this magnificent building would become the famousCannabis Castle.

Nevil Schoenmakers acquired theCannabis Castle in the early 1980s. Specifically, he began using the castle as a base of operations forThe Seed Bank in 1984. The Cannabis Castle, located in Lent, near Nijmegen in the Netherlands, has become a legendary place for cannabis cultivation and the creation of new varieties.

Nevil purchased the estate with the money he earned from selling cannabis seeds internationally. Using the château as his base, he was able to focus on improving cannabis genetics and began developing some of the most famous strains in the world. The location, with its expansive cellars and relative isolation, was perfect for the large-scale breeding operations Nevil envisioned.

It was in this context that he truly built his reputation asThe Seed Bank as one of the first and most respected seed banks in Europe and worldwide.

Steven Hager, former editor-in-chief ofHigh Times, coined the name in his now-classic cover story,“Inside Cannabis Castle: The Incredible Story of the Man Who Would be King of Cannabis,” publié en 1987.

Thirty years ago, readers were introduced to the mythical and mysterious seed breeder,Nevil Schoenmakers, who at that time was already running his own company,The Seed Bank, from the manor for about three years. Hager wrote at the time:

" In just a few years, Nevil went from a penniless junkie to a successful entrepreneur. Although he was a skilled and efficient businessman, cannabis was his trade, so things operated a bit differently here than in most businesses. For instance, resinous buds of exotic cannabis were scattered haphazardly around the room, alongside large chunks of hashish and bags filled with seeds.."

Nevil Schoenmakers Nevil was a true pioneer; his seed bank was the first of its kind in the Netherlands and likely in Europe. What was remarkable about his venture was that it operated entirely within the law. Dutch drug laws include an exemption for cannabis if it is cultivated solely for seed production, in accordance with the United Nations' 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which stipulates:

“ This convention does not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes (fiber and seed) or for horticultural purposes.”

Schoenmakers fully took advantage of this exemption and used the château's large cellar to cultivate fantastic new strains, while a small ad inHigh Times did the rest. According to Hager.:

" Every day, letters flooded into Schoenmakers' mailbox, containing wrapped American dollars concealed in carbon paper to avoid detection. The money was used to purchase seeds. Not just any cannabis seeds, but the best and most potent on the market—seeds that would yield gargantuan buds dripping with resin, costing between $2 and $5 each."

Thousands of Americans purchased these seeds.

It didn’t take long before another major pioneer of Dutch cannabis,Ben Dronkers deSensi Seeds, joined forces with Schoenmakers. TheCannabis Castle became the epicenter of Dronkers' empire; Ben's eldest son, Alan, lived there from 1990 to 2007, and it was here that classic strains likeJack Herer etBlack Domina were created in the grow rooms of the château's basement.

The 1990s truly represented a golden age for cannabis in the Netherlands; the industry was flourishing, and government crackdowns from the conservative administration had not yet begun.

Cannabis Castle : An Inside Look with Exclusive Restored Photos

In 1994 and 1995, the Dronkers family invited participants to theHigh Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam the opportunity to visit theCannabis Castle as part of a special tour. I was fortunate enough to participate in one of these unique visits in 1995, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.

The journey from Amsterdam, aboard a luxury coach filled with American enthusiasts, was already memorable in itself. We arrived in the late afternoon, with torches and baskets of fire lining the path to the château's entrance. We were greeted by the staff from Sensi, dressed in 17th-century costumes, complete with powdered wigs and stiff collars. Some carried silver trays adorned with pre-rolled joints and top-quality buds.

The building itself was remarkable for its elegance, adorned with stained glass windows and high ceilings. The rooms featured comfortable sofas and seating, and a collection of Picasso lithographs depicting men and women smoking decorated the walls. There was delicious food, enormous bongs, and likely the very first vaporizers I had ever seen.

Ben Dronkers gave an excellent speech, explaining the importance of theCannabis Castle for creating new strains from genetics sourced around the globe. We were treated to a guided tour of the château's dungeons and admired the fully automated grow rooms, filled with incredible cannabis plants.

I still have a copy of the VHS video from the visit to theCannabis Castle in 1994, which was given to all participants, and it can now be viewed on YouTube. You can watch it here:Video 1,Video 2.

Exclusive Interview with Alan Dronkers of Sensi Seeds

Alan Dronkers : The genetics bank [seed bank] and the maintenance of the genetic collection are still located there, and are now managed byHempFlax, not far from the château. Since my departure in 2007, Sensi Seeds is still located in the château, but no one lives there anymore.

AD : The law changed in 1998, making cultivation and breeding more complicated. Fortunately, a permit allowed the genetic collection to be maintained. Seed production had to be relocated and adapted to a new method, but it never ceased.

AD : Watch the video. Everyone who matters in the cannabusiness world—including people who are succeeding today in the United States—was there, along with heroes who are no longer with us. The château had a massive impact, and its repercussions are still felt today. It was, and still is, a very special place. After my departure, it was restored and is still well-maintained. TheCannabis Castle was the starting point and gathering place for many important strains, which are still cultivated and cherished today, or which have served as the foundation for new developments.

AD : I have many fond memories of the various characters who came to visit and the culture and information we shared. It was a hub for cannabis cultivation, just like theHash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum. The dreams and the beginning ofHempFlax, our hemp business were born there. It’s kind of a place of roots, and it wasn’t just the clones that took root well there.

Anecdotes and Known Stories about the Cannabis Castle and Nevil Schoenmakers

1. The 1990 DEA Raid: In 1990, Nevil Schoenmakers was arrested in Australia at the request of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The US authorities accused him of drug trafficking, as he was selling cannabis seeds in the US through his company, The Seed Bank. Nevil’s arrest sent shockwaves through the cannabis community, but he was eventually released on bail. He then returned to the Netherlands, where he continued to develop cannabis strains. This event highlighted the tensions between the Netherlands’ permissive laws and the US’s repression.

2. Complex Relationships with Ben Dronkers: Although Nevil Schoenmakers and Ben Dronkers were pioneers in the cannabis industry and worked together for a while, their relationship deteriorated over time. There were disagreements over breeding methods and the direction the industry should take. Some say that the differences in vision between Nevil, who was more focused on genetic innovation, and Ben, who was more interested in business expansion, contributed to the breakup of their partnership. This only added to the mystique and history of Cannabis Castle as the epicenter of the nascent industry.
3. Breeding Experiments at the Edge of Legality: Nevil Schoenmakers conducted daring experiments at the Cannabis Castle, often pushing the boundaries of legality. He used rigorous breeding techniques to cross cannabis strains from different regions of the world, such as Afghanistan, Colombia, Thailand, and Mexico. Some of these strains became classics, such as “Northern Lights” and “Haze.” The castle’s basement, nicknamed “Nevil’s Cellar,” was known for being filled with plants and sophisticated growing equipment, and this was where the genetic crosses were made.
4. The Creation of Hybrid Haze: One of Nevil Schoenmakers’ most significant contributions to cannabis is the creation of the “Haze” strain. Working with the “Haze Brothers” in California, Nevil crossed landrace strains to develop “Haze,” a strain known for its energizing effects and complex flavor profile. This strain is still highly sought after today and has influenced many other modern strains.
5. Legendary Visits and Famous People: The Cannabis Castle has hosted many high-profile visitors, including activists, journalists, breeders, and influential figures in the cannabis world. Steve Hager, then editor-in-chief ofHigh Times, visited the castle and wrote the article "Inside Cannabis Castle: The Incredible Story of the Man Who Would be King of Cannabis," which solidified Nevil's reputation as the king of cannabis. The castle was also a meeting place for influential figures in the global cannabis movement, a place where ideas were exchanged and alliances were formed.

Criticisms and Controversies

• Criticisms of Breeding Practices: While many have praised Nevil's breeding techniques, some critics have argued that his methods can be risky, particularly when it comes to stabilizing new strains. Some strains developed at Cannabis Castle have been unstable at times, with significant variation between plants. This has led to debates within the growing community about the balance between innovation and reliability.
• Impact on Cannabis Culture and Laws: Some critics argue that the Cannabis Castle's activities, while pioneering, brought unwanted attention to the nascent cannabis seed industry, particularly from US and international authorities. Others believe that the castle played a crucial role in demonstrating the commercial potential of cannabis cultivation, which helped pave the way for later developments in cannabis legalization.

Conclusion

LeCannabis Castle and Nevil Schoenmakers played a pivotal role in the history of cannabis, not only as breeding pioneers but also as iconic figures during a time of great innovation and relative freedom in the cannabis industry. The stories and anecdotes surrounding the castle continue to inspire and fascinate cannabis enthusiasts today, highlighting the importance of preserving this legacy for future generations.

Source inspiration: HERE