The global marijuana industry was estimated to be worth more than USD 13.8 billion in 2018. This is estimated to grow to about USD 66 billion in 2025. The spontaneous growth is attributed to the numerous therapeutic benefits of the plant, which has for years been associated entirely based on its psychoactive effects. Up on the value chain of this industry farmers who grow CBD seeds, harvest the crops and sell to manufacturers who use it to manufacture a broad range of great products.
However, marijuana industry is marred with a broad range legal and regulatory challenges that have to be tackled if the expected growth is to be realized. You might assume that you can grow weed easy, for either recreational or commercial purposes, but there are various factors that must come into play if you are to do that successfully. Here are 5 important factors that you should consider before you can buy cannabis seeds.
What are cannabis seed?
Marijuana/cannabis seeds are sowed to produce the marijuana crop. They come in various strains, but have to be selected with care. You therefore have to understand a broad range of factors to ensure that you get the right growers choice seeds if you are to get the right crops. The moment you get it wrong, then you miss the whole point. The two most common varieties are feminized seeds and standard cannabis seeds.
Feminized Vs. Standard Seeds
Most farmers today prefer feminized cannabis seeds compared to the standard seeds. Their production involves cross-breeding two separate female cannabis plants. How is that even possible? You may ask. Well, it is a tedious process that involves putting the plants under stressful conditions until one turns to be a hermaphrodite. Alternatively, a single female plant can be forced to undergo self-pollination.
Compared to the standard seeds, which are basically the usual/common cannabis seeds, feminized seeds are priced higher because they are complex to produce. They do have a higher likelihood of germinating more female plants, which is usually a plus to some farmers who have to adhere to a strict plant-count.
Factors that determine cannabis seed quality
Most cannabis seeds are sold online. It is however important to understand that before you buy cannabis seeds online, you must understand what attributes to look for. Here are five main factors you need to watch out for.
1. Method of cultivation and growth
Before you choose cannabis seeds, whether standard or feminized cannabis seeds, you must understand how they are grown since they perform better under varied circumstances. If you intend to grow them in the outdoors, for example, then you might want to go for weed seeds that are best at resisting pests and molds.
2. Consider the available space
How much space do you want to use to grow marijuana? Do you know that you can still grow your plants indoors but you have to go for the right seeds? Big plants in this instance will not be recommended because you have limited space. However, you can grow some bushy plants that can produce more buds than having several of other varieties. Indoor planting is especially recommended for regions where there are serious marijuana restrictions; you don’t want to be on the wrong side of the law at all costs.
3. How does the plant smell?
In as much as marijuana is legal in some countries and states doesn’t mean that everyone should know that you have the plants nearby. It is especially important if you are in a state that have legal restriction against marijuana cultivation and use. Going for plants that have pungent marijuana odor may only attract attention. Instead, go for strains that are a bit discrete; the fruity strains are highly recommended. You can however get rid of the odor with ozone machine.
4. Maturity period
How long will the growers choice seeds take to produce ripe buds? This is an important factor to consider because you don’t want the flower to overgrow or picked earlier than expected, which will affected the quality of the cannabinoids in the plant. Check the seeds’ label to understand its flowering cycle or ask the seller if you need more clarification. The shorter the period, the better for you.
5. Expected cannabinoid levels
The cannabis plant is believed to contain more than 100 different chemical compounds, otherwise known as cannabinoids. The two most popular of these are the THC and CBD. While some people want to grow marijuana due to its high THC levels, others want to focus more on the therapeutic benefits, which are best found in CBD seeds. It is therefore important to understand why you want to grow cannabis, whether it is because of therapeutic benefits or recreational.
Conclusion
The final, and very important consideration is to understand whether cannabis is legal. While some states and countries have legalized CBD products, they continue to ban recreational use of cannabis. In the United States, marijuana remains a schedule 9/prohibited substance. You must therefore understand the applicable legal requirements before you buy cannabis seeds online.