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Christchurch Whakamana cannabis museum on track

Nick James
Michael Mayell
Michael Mayell in front of Shand's Emporium on Manchester St.  Nick James

Cookie Time founder Michael Mayell is transforming two heritage buildings to educate the public on the benefits of cannabis.

Cookie Time founder and cannabis activist Mayell said the Whakamana Museum's goal was to make New Zealanders "the most cannabis-literate people on the planet" and to promote cannabis as a super vegetable, not a harmful drug.

The cannabis museum and education centre, which Mayell calls a "cannabis university", would educate the public through a number of interactive exhibits such as demonstrating the benefits of hemp seeds, what cannabinoids do to the body, and the differences between hemp and marijuana. 

Mayell said that cannabis is the next big industry like or oil and dairy, but it won't destroy the planet.

The museum would be housed in two iconic heritage buildings on Manchester St, Trinity Church and the relocated Shand's Emporium, both of which are over 150 years old. 

Mayell said the church would be a perfect building for lectures due to the shape of the roof in the building which works as a natural amplifier. 

Michael Mayell tour around Christchurch Cannabis museum

The museum would be housed in two iconic heritage buildings on Manchester St, Trinity Church and the relocated Shand's Emporium, both of which are over 150 years old.

 Mayell said the church would be a perfect building for lectures due to the shape of the roof in the building which works as a natural amplifier.