The Bulldog Celebrates 50 Years at Mary Jane Berlin as Global Cannabis Industry Grows

BERLIN — Few names in cannabis carry the global recognition of The Bulldog. Founded in Amsterdam and synonymous with cannabis culture for generations, the company has grown into an internationally recognized brand spanning hospitality, lifestyle products, and genetics through Bulldog Seeds. At Mary Jane Berlin 2026, Honeysuckle sat down with Chantal de Vries of The Bulldog and Danielle Albek of Bulldog Seeds to discuss the show's explosive growth, the evolving global cannabis market, and celebrating a milestone 50 years in business.

One Brand, Multiple Divisions

While The Bulldog and Bulldog Seeds each have distinct focuses, de Vries explained that they operate under the same umbrella.

"We're one company with different divisions," she said. "I'm responsible for the main brand and all of the events, while Danielle is involved with Bulldog Seeds."

Together, the two divisions represent both the cultural legacy of The Bulldog and its continued investment in cannabis genetics.

Mary Jane Berlin Has Become a Global Destination

For both women, this year's Mary Jane Berlin surpassed expectations.

"It's been incredibly busy," said de Vries. "There are many more people than we expected. The festival outside is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and everyone is very relaxed. It's a wonderful event."

Having participated in nearly every edition of Mary Jane, the team has watched the event evolve into one of the world's largest cannabis gatherings.

"I think it grows every single year," added Albek. "It's one of the biggest cannabis shows now. We see so many friends from the United States and people traveling from all over the world. We're proud to be here, and a big shout-out to the organizers for making this happen."

Building an International Icon

Long before cannabis legalization expanded across Europe, The Bulldog had already become a destination for visitors traveling to Amsterdam. Today, that legacy continues to resonate around the world.

"People recognize our logo immediately," said de Vries. "Almost everybody has been to The Bulldog or knows someone who has. They have a memory connected to it. Whenever we attend a trade show, people tell us they've visited and want our products."

That familiarity has helped transform The Bulldog from a famous Amsterdam coffee shop into one of the industry's most recognizable global brands.

"It's a very strong logo," she said. "It creates a very strong brand."

Cannabis Events Continue to Evolve

As the international trade show calendar expands, Mary Jane Berlin has established itself alongside the industry's biggest events.

"Mary Jane is definitely one of the biggest in Europe now," Albek said. "In the United States you have events like CHAMPS and MJBizCon, and Spannabis has always been important in Europe."

She also reflected on Spannabis' recent move from Barcelona to Bilbao.

"You can't really compare it to Barcelona because everyone was used to going there," she said. "When you change locations, you have to build something new. But they're doing a good job, and the quality of the visitors was excellent."

Like many companies operating internationally, Bulldog Seeds is closely following regulatory developments across both Europe and North America.

"Everybody is waiting to see what happens," Albek said when discussing the U.S. market. "Changes in legislation affect the entire industry."

Still, after decades in cannabis, adaptability has become part of the business.

"In this industry, things can change every day," she said. "Not only in the U.S., but across Europe as well. One day something is legal, the next it isn't. That makes things challenging, but we're fortunate to have a close-knit industry where people work together and help each other navigate different regulations."

Looking Toward the Next 50 Years

While many companies at Mary Jane Berlin were unveiling new products, The Bulldog was celebrating something even more significant: its 50th anniversary.

The company recently marked the occasion with a celebration attended by employees, longtime partners, family, and friends.

"It was one big celebration," de Vries said. "We had around 600 people there. It was amazing to celebrate everything we've accomplished together."

Now, the focus shifts toward the future.

"We're looking toward the next 50 years," she said. "A lot is changing in Europe, and much of it is changing for the better. We're excited to see what the future brings."

As legalization expands and Europe's cannabis market continues to mature, The Bulldog remains one of the industry's most recognizable ambassadors—combining five decades of history with an eye firmly fixed on what's next.

For more, visit https://thebulldog.com/