🌍 In which countries is the sale of cannabis seeds legal?
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The demand for cannabis seeds is growing worldwide – but the legal situation is a patchwork.
Some countries allow trade openly, others only with restrictions – and in many countries we are on thin ice.
🟢 Countries where sales are legal or largely tolerated
| country | status | Special features |
|---|---|---|
|
🇳🇱 Netherlands |
✅ Legal/Tolerated | Sale in shops, but cultivation remains a grey area |
| 🇬🇧 Great Britain | ✅ Legal for collectors | "Not for germination" – clear labeling required |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | ✅ Sale allowed, but only for collector purposes | No advertising for cultivation allowed |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ✅ Completely legal | Sale, cultivation, possession – everything regulated |
| 🇺🇸 USA | ⚠️ Federal ban, but state-dependent | E.g. legal in CA, CO, OR, MA |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ⚠️ Gray area | Buying from abroad allowed, selling problematic |
⚠️ Countries with a restrictive or unclear situation
| country | status | note |
|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | ❌ Illegal | Possession & sale punishable |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | ❌ Illegal | High penalties possible |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | ⚠️ Inconsistent | Sales possible, but heavily regulated |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | ❌ Illegal | No legal trade, not even for collector purposes |
📦 Be careful when trading online
Many international shops (e.g. from Spain or the Netherlands) ship worldwide –
often with the note: “For research or collector purposes only”.
However, as soon as the website mentions something about THC content, effects or flowering time, things get tricky – especially in Germany.
Shipping is often tolerated de facto , but not legal de jure. Large brands in particular should proceed with caution.
✅ Conclusion
Anyone who wants to sell seeds legally needs:
- a good legal advisor ,
- a crystal clear disclaimer ,
- and ideally a location abroad .
It can be worthwhile for breeders and brands to create a legal “gateway” to other EU countries – for example, Spain, the Netherlands or Portugal.
Next on “Backroom Talk”:
Legal Jungle Deep Dive: How to sell seeds in Germany without violating the KCanG.