Behind the Scenes: A Legendary Winter with Ludacris in Amsterdam’s Cannabis Scene
If you’ve ever cultivated cannabis, you’ll know the tension that comes when someone wants a peek inside your grow room. It’s not paranoia—it’s discretion. So when we were contacted in early 2005 by Decon Media in New York with a request to film inside a cannabis grow facility for an upcoming DVD project, we were understandably cautious… but intrigued.
The project? A companion documentary to ‘The Red Light District’—a new album and video release from Ludacris exploring Amsterdam’s most iconic themes: sex, cannabis, and hip hop. After exchanging a few emails, we set up a meeting to discuss what could be possible within the legal framework.
Let’s set the scene: In the Netherlands, cannabis cultivation is tolerated in very limited quantities (typically 3–5 plants, without artificial lighting), and while sale and consumption are decriminalized under strict regulation, commercial growing remains illegal. With that in mind, any filming had to be done carefully and respectfully, showcasing the culture without crossing legal boundaries.
We proposed a visit to one of the most impressive (and discreet) grow rooms we had access to at the time. To round out the Amsterdam experience, we suggested a stop at Interclimax, a live webcam studio located in the heart of the city.
The Shoot – February 2, 2005
That day, Amsterdam was hit with its worst snowstorm in nearly two decades. Over 800 kilometers of traffic jams by mid-morning. But with confirmation from the film crew and Def Jam, we pushed ahead, determined not to miss the opportunity.
The crew was staying at The Grand Hotel in the city center, near the iconic Green House Coffeeshop. As is tradition in Amsterdam, gathering everyone and packing gear took longer than expected, but by late morning, we were on the road—two cars deep, including a fully-loaded van with crew and equipment. Our vehicle? A Volvo S80 loaded with features (minus the remote start. Sorry, Luda..).
As we made our way through the snow, getting closer to our location we’re flanked by police cars more than once, there was some tension in the air. Being high, en route to a grow facility, with Ludacris and two huge bodyguards in the car and Dutch police hovering nearby? Not exactly a relaxing drive. At some point, a motorcycle officer pulled up beside us, glanced into the car, then casually took the next highway exit. Crisis averted.
A Hidden Gem Revealed
We finally arrived. The facility’s enormous industrial doors creaked open, and golden light flooded out. Inside was a room filled wall-to-wall with thriving cannabis plants—an indoor garden that left everyone speechless. Cameras rolled as the crew captured footage for both the documentary and Ludacris’s music video for Blueberry Yum Yum.
Naturally, we rolled a couple of massive joints for the session, one of which made its way into the video (yes, that was real). Halfway through the shoot, the crew had a fierce case of the munchies. We took a snack run, loaded up on classic Dutch treats, and got back to filming.
The final leg of the day took us back into Amsterdam to visit the CamsAtHome offices before the deep freeze set in. Equipment was unloaded, farewells exchanged—and just as we thought the day was winding down, we were hit with a surprise welcome back at Interclimax. Let’s just say: Dutch hospitality doesn’t disappoint.
The Takeaway
That day in 2005 was more than just a film shoot—it was a perfect snapshot of cannabis culture, music, and Amsterdam’s unique vibe. The snow, the smoke, the surreal energy of being in a grow room with Ludacris—it was unforgettable.
You can catch the results of that wild winter day in the Red Light District DVD and the video for Blueberry Yum Yum.
