The evidence for beneficial effects of cannabinoids continues to mount, even while research remains difficult. Despite that, the legality of cannabis remains in something of a tangle.
An easy and discreet way to replenish your supply of cannabis products is to grow the raw material yourself. With the help of an online seed bank, it’s actually pretty easy and easy to keep to yourself.
There are some potential pitfalls when ordering cannabis seeds online, from getting the wrong seeds to outright scams. On the other hand, some online seed banks have been in operation for years and have sterling reputations.
If you’re new to buying cannabis seeds online, or are looking for a new source, we can help you find the right online seed bank. Here are the 10 best online seed banks according to our research.
The Best Seed Banks (Online) that Ships to USA
- ILGM Marijuana Seeds - Top Pick
- Marijuana Seeds NL -Best Value
- Crop King Seeds - Best for Beginners
- Seedsman - Best for Medical Growers
- Quebec Cannabis Seeds - Best Quality
- True North
- WeedSeeds Express
- Gorilla Seeds
- Herbies Seeds
- Ministry of Cannabis
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1. I Love Growing Marijuana - Top Pick
Pros
- Free Shipping to all 50 U.S. States
- Guaranteed germination of all seeds
- Guaranteed Delivery or replacement
- Auto flowering and feminized seeds available
- Lots of information on growing and how to grow
- Stealth delivery offered
- Multiple payment methods available
- Offers some popular cannabis strains
- Starter Kits and Guides available
Cons
- Tracking shipments is an additional expense
- Some problems shipping from their California supplier
- Doesn’t list the origin of seeds
Click here to get the best deal on ILGM Marijuana Seeds
Regularly listed as one of the best ways to buy marijuana seeds online, ILGM has been stealth shipping marijuana seeds to the United States for years. They are particularly aimed at providing easy to grow cannabis seeds.
They offer a wide range of marijuana seeds, including high THC varieties. Additionally, they also have a separate store front for high CBD strains of hemp, which may be an option for some people who hesitate to buy marijuana seeds.
If you’re a true connoisseur and are looking for details like the specific breeder of the cannabis seeds for sale, ILGM might not be for you. On the other hand, if this is your first time and you want to dip your toe into the world of home growing without taking the plunge, ILGM could be a good option. ILGM was voted by SFGate and Observer Magazine as America's #1 seed bank in the Seed banks that ship to the US.
2. Marijuana Seeds NL - Best Value
Pros
- Selling cannabis seeds for over 20 years
- Auto flowering and Feminized seeds available
- High CBD strains available
- A range of payments methods to choose from
- You get a few free seeds with every order
- Stealth and Guaranteed shipping available
- Wholesale amounts available
Cons
- Stealth and Guaranteed shipping are extra
- Doesn’t list the origin of the seeds
- Occasionally takes a couple tries for the seeds to arrive
Click here to get the best deal Marijuana Seeds NL
Marijuana Seeds NL has been in operation for over 20 years at this point, which makes it a grandaddy among online cannabis seed banks. In that time, they’ve managed to earn a pretty solid reputation for getting what you paid for.
Their catalogue is large and includes value packs, which are like samplers for different varieties of seeds. This can be helpful, as they have a huge range of high-quality seeds to choose from.
Buying marijuana seeds online is always something of a gamble, so it may be understandable when reviewers say it takes a couple tries to get their seeds. MSNL also offers stealth shipping for an extra fee, which seems to improve the odds of seeds arriving.
3. Crop King Seeds - Best for Beginners
Pros
- Guides and assistance available for beginners
- 80% germination guarantee
- Worldwide shipping available
- Stealth shipping is the default
- Clear and useful infographics
- Multiple payment methods accepted
- Mix and match samplers available
Cons
- Free shipping only on large orders
- Germination guarantee only applies if you use their method
- Uneven customer support
Click here to get the best deal Crop King Seeds
Based in Canada, Crop King Seeds offers stealth shipping worldwide. They offer the usual range of auto flowering seeds, feminized seeds, and high CBD strains.
Like MSNL, they offer sampler packs of different types to help you decide what to grow. That can be helpful, as they have several hundred different strains on offer, like OG Kush, White Widow, and Girl Scout Cookies.
While Crop King Seeds stealth ships to the USA, some customers end up not receiving their seeds. Customer service can be helpful, but it seems like their business supplying dispensaries is taking up more of their time.
4. Seedsman - Best for Medical Growers
Pros
- Hundreds of strains to choose from
- Loyalty programs with rewards
- List strains for treating specific ailments
- Every order is stealth shipped with no extra charge
- A range of payment options
Cons
- For customers in non-legal countries, they are unable to give growing advice
- Marketing certain strains as cures for illness is not scientifically supported
- Limited or no germination guarantee
Click here to get the best deal Seedsman
One of a few seed banks that are based in the United Kingdom, Seedsman walks a fine line, legally selling seeds online while not straying into criminal behavior. While they do have hundreds of strains to choose from, that does end up limiting them in some ways.
Chiefly, Seedsman is not going to be able to offer much help growing your seeds if you’re somewhere that’s illegal. They do have a blog on their website offering some general advice, but they’ll be unable to answer specific questions for most people. Seedsman does ship to the USA, so be sure you have some other expert advice to fall back on.
Seedsman also offers suggestions for strains to treat specific illnesses. They do a rough job of lining up some traits of specific strains with various symptoms, but none of it is truly scientifically supported.
Beyond that, they do offer a huge number of strains to choose from. Stealth shipping is also available without an additional charge.
5. Quebec Cannabis Seeds - Best Quality
Pros
- Guarantee an 80% germination rate
- $10 default shipping fee
- Wide range of auto flowering seeds, feminized seeds, and CBD seeds available
- Variety packs available
- In operation for 15 years
- Well reviewed by home growers
Cons
- Out of a lot of popular strains
- Don’t offer as much growing advice
Click here to get the best deal on Quebec Cannabis Seeds
As you might have guessed, this seed bank is in Quebec, Canada. They ship worldwide, however, and offer stealth shipping as the default.
They have most of the features other seed banks offer in terms of varieties of strains, a guaranteed germination rate, and experience. Quebec Cannabis Seeds also has been very well reviewed, delivering what is ordered and being attentive to customers.
6. True North
Pros
- Stealth shipping
- Loyalty program
- Flat shipping fee, regardless of order size
- Worldwide shipping
- Range of payment options
- Free seeds with every order
Cons
- Guaranteed shipping costs more
- No germination guarantees
- Seeds can be hit or miss, depending on breeder
- Poorly reviewed customer service
Click here to get the best deal on True North
True North seed bank seems to have a bit of a love them or hate them reputation. Many people have had good experiences, while others have had problems.
There is a lot to recommend True North at first glance. They have a wide variety of strains and they charge a single fee for basic shipping, no matter the order size.
They may be a better option if you live somewhere growing is already completely legal. Stealth shipping and no germination guarantee make ordering from them something of a gamble.
7. Weed Seeds Express
Pros
- Stealth shipping by default
- One free reship on failed delivery
- Free seeds with every order
- Regular promotions
- Range of payment options
- Great customer reviews
Cons
- Expensive shipping
- Newer company
Click here to get the best deal on Weed Seeds Express
While Weed Seeds Express is relatively new on the seed bank scene, they are based in Amsterdam, a storied place in cannabis history. And they’ve done a good job of creating a positive reputation in a short time.
Their customer service seems to be pretty good, though it should be noted they have a few limits on their guarantees. Having said that, they do seem to offer some pretty quality cannabis seeds.
While shipping is a tad more expensive, they have a wide range of strains at different prices. On top of that, there are regular promotions, so if you’re unsure you can wait until there’s a sale.
8. Gorilla Seed Bank
Pros
- More than 2 decades of experience
- Wide range of strains, including CBD strains
- Stealth shipping as default
- One free reship
- Search by seed breeder
Cons
- No germination guarantees
- Relatively new
- Prices in British pounds
Click here to get the best deal on Gorilla Cannabis Seeds
Another new seed bank on the block, Gorilla Seed Bank has been operating for just a few years. While it’s obvious the company is enthusiastic about growing cannabis, like a lot of new seed banks it was started as a money-making business and not a hobby shop in a garage.
That translates to a pretty professional approach to things, with responsive customer service and good quality control. They also offer free seeds and offer a variety of promotions.
Gorilla Seed Bank also offers some help to the new grower, including a selection of beginner-friendly strains.
9. Herbies Seeds
Pros
- Free seeds with every order
- Stealth shipping as default
- Wide range of strain choices
- Search for seeds by breeder
- Promotions and discounts
- Beginner-friendly strains offered
- Limited germination guarantee
Cons
- No germination guarantees
- Only two payment methods - card and bank transfer
- Prices in Euro
Click here to get the best deal on Herbies Seeds
Like a lot of seed banks shipping internationally, Herbies had some trouble with shipping in the past few years. This was particularly the case when they moved their operations to Spain a couple of years ago.
They’ve managed to step up their customer service since then, though. They have a lot of the same benefits the newer seed banks offer, like free seeds, and beginner-friendly strains.
Herbies doesn’t offer a germination guarantee and only has two methods of payment, so they may not seem like an attractive choice. On the other hand, they seem attentive to their customers and will replace an order once without any additional fees.
10. Ministry of Cannabis
Pros
- 15 years of experience
- Multiple payment methods
- Stealth shipping as default
- 100% feminized seeds
- Offers CBD strains
- Variety seed packs
- Limited seed germination guarantee
Cons
- Limited selection
Click here to get the best deal on Ministry of Cannabis
The Ministry of Cannabis has been around for a few years at this point, so they’re not another new kid on the block. They were early adopters of auto-flowering strains and have introduced a few other strains to the world.
Some reports have their customer service as being somewhat uneven. However, their product seems to be popular. They do offer a limited seed germination guarantee as long as you follow their method.
Beware of Fake Seed Scams Online
The whole cannabis industry is something like the Wild West, with some folks playing fast and loose to make a few bucks. Since marijuana and marijuana growing is such a legal tangle, there’s no real oversight and no regulators keep everyone honest.
A lot of people have tried to cash in on that gray market uncertainty, posing as legitimate breeders and seed banks. These ‘businesses will often ship out poorly stored or damaged seeds, seeds with males mixed in, or just the wrong seeds altogether. That’s when they bother to send anything at all.
That means that reputation is key. Most of the best seed banks have worked hard to create a business-like reputation by treating their customers well.
There are few lists of scam seed banks out there. Reviews like the one you’re reading right now can also be helpful but always a good idea to do some background research before paying for anything.
How to Legally Purchase Cannabis Seeds in the United States
Using and growing marijuana has only recently become legal in many places, of course, but many seed banks have been operating for years or even decades. How can that be?
Of course, there aren’t many seed banks in the United States and the best seed banks in the US tend to focus on local sales. The big guys are in Europe and Canada and have been allowed to operate because of a loophole in the laws in some places.
According to those laws, marijuana seeds can be sold as ‘souvenirs’ or novelty items. You can usually find a legal disclaimer on some seed bank websites that seeds aren’t sold to be grown. That’s also why some seed banks won’t offer germination advice.
In the United States, marijuana remains illegal on a Federal level. Legally, you can’t cross state lines with marijuana seeds. How vigorously those laws are enforced depends somewhat on the administration in office.
To avoid federal criminal charges, many US based seed banks don’t sell online. Even if they do, they can require you to pick up seeds in person at a store.
State laws vary, with some allowing the sale of cannabis products and the home growing of marijuana. Those states include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
Outside of those states, growing seeds is illegal in the United States. Buying and selling seeds might have slightly different laws, so you should check on the legality of buying cannabis seeds in your area.
Conclusion
Marijuana seed banks are booming, as a lot of people realize the ease of home-growing their own. With advancements like auto-flowering seeds, it’s actually easier to grow high-quality marijuana than ever.
You don’t need a grow room or a lot of expertise, just a few seeds and a pot (the other kind). That’s all you need to have a low-stress and reliable source for your med or rec needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do seed banks work in the USA?
In the US, most seed banks offer their products locally. Because cannabis remains illegal on the federal level, shipping seeds across state lines is a crime.
2. How do marijuana laws affect buying cannabis seeds?
Technically, laws against marijuana mean that it’s illegal to ship cannabis seeds to, within, or from the United States. With that said, most people won’t recognize cannabis seeds on sight. That means they can usually pass through the mail system without a problem, as long as they’re not marked as being cannabis products.
3. What types of cannabis seeds can you buy online?
You can buy just about any variety of cannabis seeds online. There are regular seeds, which are unaltered cannabis seeds. Feminized seeds have had all the males removed so that the plant will flower without seeding. Autoflowed seeds are easier to grow and tougher in general. CBD strains are also available from most seed banks.
