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It is with great sadness that Dutch Passion announce the passing of one of their pioneering original breeders, Friedie (‘Freddy’).
Friedie’s genetic legacy are the many legendary strains he was heavily involved with. Including Mazar, Orange Bud, Strawberry Cough, Skywalker, Durban Poison & Frisian Dew. He had an eye for rare genetic detail that was unparalleled in the early, formative years of the Dutch cannabis industry. And the generosity to share all he knew with those around him.
Friedie was a well-loved figure in the international cannabis community and helped establish the foundations of Dutch Passion. His skills, vision and passion for breeding and producing top quality cannabis seed varieties for home growers will never be forgotten.
The founder of Horizon Seed Company, Friedie was especially proud to see the successful start to the Dutch Coffee-shop controlled supply experiment. This allows fully legal, industrial-scale cannabis production in The Netherlands, for the first time, in order to allow legal coffee-shop supply.
From left to right on the picture: Henk van Dalen (Dutch Passion’s founder), his son Tom van Dalen and Friedie in one of the greenhouse modules at the legal Aardachtig grow facility in The Netherlands. Here are a few words from his close friends.
Tribute to Friedie by Henk van Dalen
“Friedie was one of the legendary first-generation cannabis pioneers in the Netherlands. In the early 1980s, he was among the first weed growers and, more importantly, one of the first cannabis seed breeders.
Friedie was one of the first cannabis seed producers to create seeds specifically for home growers—first in the Netherlands, then across Europe, and eventually worldwide. For 35 years, he worked with Dutch Passion, contributing to the research and production of high-quality cannabis seeds.
We believed that by cultivating weed in our own country, legalization could be achieved. Our plan was simple: provide seeds to people who wanted to grow cannabis themselves.
Today, legally produced cannabis is sold in various coffee shops in the Netherlands, and the plant is now legal in several countries worldwide. Friedie dedicated his entire 35-year career to this mission, working with passion and commitment.”
How it all began
“It was the winter of 1982. The three of us sat together for the first time in the kitchen of a small countryside cottage in Friesland.
Friedie, the cottage owner, also had half a hectare of farmland—an important detail. André was a cannabis supplier for the "Kosmos," a spiritual center in Amsterdam. And I was the founder of Dutch Passion.
André had heard about Friedie through a friend—he knew he was involved with cannabis. So, the two of us travelled to Friesland, carrying a selection of high-quality THC-rich cannabis seeds.
There we sat, gathered around the warm wood stove, the kitchen filled with the cozy heat of nearly 30 degrees. The Port flowed, the cannabis kicked in, and the atmosphere couldn't have been friendlier.
I was there for a deal. André had been buying weed from me for the Kosmos, and within six months, our locally grown Nederwiet had completely replaced imported cannabis at the center. The demand for Amsterdam-grown Nederwiet was booming, and we needed to scale up—that's why we had come to see Friedie.
And so it happened… By the following autumn, we harvested our first crop of Frisian outdoor weed. It didn’t go unnoticed. The next spring, more potential growers emerged, and soon, the movement spread like wildfire across the Netherlands.”
The rise of a cannabis revolution
“During those early years, we were fortunate that cannabis cultivation in the Netherlands was tolerated under the 'Windkering' decree. This allowed Friedie to continue growing cannabis and producing seeds under a semi-legal status.
Local officials largely left him alone—but not everyone did. By the second year, theft became an issue. At one point, we had to uproot 50 mature, two-meter-tall plants, transport them by truck, and replant them elsewhere due to a threat of being reported. Unfortunately, the replanting was unsuccessful, proving that outdoor cultivation came with serious risks.
That led us to experiment with indoor growing under artificial light and greenhouse cultivation with controlled heating, blackout systems, and additional lighting. These innovations allowed us to regulate growth, flowering, and seed production while keeping the plants hidden from view.”
The birth of feminized seeds
“In the early 1990’s, we began research into feminized seed production. Thanks in part to Friedie's dedication, Dutch Passion became a global leader in the cannabis seed market.
By 1996, we were able to produce feminized seeds on a large, controlled scale. After the turn of the century, home growers widely adopted feminized seeds, and soon, no seed company was selling regular seeds anymore.
These were incredible years of innovation. Beyond technological advancements, Friedie also developed numerous new cannabis strains, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
I could go on, but I will leave it at this. I am incredibly proud to have worked alongside Friedie for so many years, overcoming challenges with success and joy.
Friedie, all the best!”
In Memory of Friedie, by Tom van Dalen
“It is hard for us to lose one of our oldest family members and dedicated breeders. Friedie created and further developed many Dutch Passion classics. Always with much love and passion. He was the first in Europe to start developing the old school classic Blueberry.
He put this variety on the map for us. Other well-known varieties with Friedie’s signature are Freddy’s Best, Mazar, Brainstorm, Orange Bud, Strawberry Cough, Skywalker, Purple #1, Shaman, Passion #1, Durban Poison and Frisian Dew.
Friedie, you have a special place in my heart. I have fond memories, as a little boy, of the wonderful summers at your farm, looking after the plants with my father and enjoying your large garden and drumming in the barn.
You will always live on in our memories, we will often enjoy a joint of Freddy's Best or one of your other beautiful creations, thinking back to beautiful memories of you.
With gratitude for having known you so closely I give you my last warm greeting.”
Tom van Dalen
The entire Dutch Passion team joins Henk and Tom in saluting Friedie's memory. His dedication, dedication, pioneering spirit, and passion for cannabis have left an indelible mark that will inspire future generations of breeders and growers for many more decades. Friedie was not just a colleague, but a cherished friend and mentor to all who had the privilege of working with him. We will continue his mission with the same love and commitment that he brought to his life's work.
Friedie, you will always be remembered.
