Where is it legal to buy cannabis seeds in Europe?

Most of the European population enjoy the legal right to buy and own cannabis seeds. It’s only when they are germinated that some countries may take a dim legal view of your horticultural passion. Cannabis seeds themselves don’t contain THC, meaning that you can’t get high from them. You can buy them online or in person in most countries without breaking any laws.

Cannabis seeds shipping and cultivation legislation in Europe

Cannabis rules differ from country to country in Europe. Some countries allow limited home growing, others tolerate it. In countries including UK, France, Scandinavia & Ireland you can buy cannabis seeds, but you are not officially allowed to germinate them. In countries such as Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland & Spain you can (or soon will be able to) grow small numbers of cannabis plants for personal use.

While we ship our original seeds across the European continent, we advise our customers to reassure themselves local applicable laws and regulations before germination. Dutch Passion cannot be held responsible for the actions of those who act against laws and regulations that apply in their locality. Cannabis seeds should be kept as collectible souvenirs by anyone in an area where cultivation of cannabis is not legal.

Below you can see the list of European countries which Dutch Passion can ship online orders to. If your country isn’t mentioned then you will be able to buy them from one of the Dutch Passion International resellers.

Many growers prefer to buy the freshest cannabis seeds direct from the Dutch Passion vault. But there are also numerous established cannabis seed resellers in most countries. The complete list of approved Dutch Passion cannabis seed resellers is essential reading if you prefer to buy your weed seeds locally.

Can I buy weed seeds in the Netherlands?

Yes, you can buy cannabis seeds in The Netherlands. Though many are still surprised to hear that using it is still only decriminalised/tolerated, rather than fully legalised. The famously relaxed Dutch cannabis laws were the result of a 1972 ruling that placed cannabis in the category of less dangerous drugs. Cannabis can be bought at coffeeshops across country, up to 5g is decriminalised. Amsterdam coffeeshops have been a major tourist attraction bringing in millions of holidaymakers over the decades.

Are cannabis seeds legal in the United Kingdom?

Yes. You can buy cannabis seeds from a head shop or seed reseller in person. Likewise, you can buy them online directly from seed banks such as Dutch Passion. However germinating and growing cannabis seeds remains, frustratingly, against the law unless you have a Home Office License. That said, certain regional Police Forces take more liberal views than others. You may escape with a warning (no arrest or criminal record, but confiscation of your plants) if you are growing a small number of plants. Medical cannabis is legal, though almost impossible to get on the NHS.

Am I allowed to buy cannabis seeds in France?

Yes. Similar to the UK you can buy cannabis seeds online or in a shop. But germinating them remains illegal. That said, France has a booming homegrown cannabis scene and the penalties for growing a small number of plants don’t deter everyone.

Is it legal to buy cannabis seeds in Germany?

Yes. In Germany you can buy and own cannabis seeds. New legislation announced in 2023 will soon allow growers to have up to 3 plants and 50g of dry buds (final details may change), possession up until 25g is allowed.

Can I legally buy cannabis seeds in Italy?

Yes, you can buy and own cannabis seeds in Italy. Cannabis in Italy is legal for medical and industrial uses, although strict regulations are in place. Recreational use of cannabis is decriminalised. Possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use is viewed as a minor civil infraction. Recent court rulings have effectively established legal protection for anyone with a small, personal home grow.

Are marijuana seeds legal in Spain?

Marijuana seeds are legal in Spain. Furthermore, the use of cannabis as well as personal cultivation is permitted.

What is the legal status of cannabis seeds in the Czech Republic?

You can buy and own cannabis seeds in the Czech Republic. Medical cannabis use has been legal since 2013. Recreational cannabis use remains illegal but has been decriminalised since 2010 (for up to 15g). 5 plants or less may be grown for personal consumption.

Are cannabis seeds legal in Poland?

Cannabis seeds can be bought in Poland. Medical cannabis use was made legal in 2018. Recreational use remains illegal, though prosecutors have had the right (since 2011) to drop charges against those with only personal quantities of weed.

Cannabis legislation forecasts for 2024

The demand for cannabis in Europe remains as high as ever. Home growing continues to be the most cost-effective way of producing the highest quality supply, whether growing with feminised seeds or autoflower seeds.

The main expected progress for European cannabis laws in 2024 will probably come from Germany when its new laws will give German citizens the legal right to grow and use cannabis. This will be a major step forward for one of Europe’s most populous countries. Hopefully, the bold move in Germany may ease the obvious political reticence to liberalise cannabis laws in countries such as UK, France & Sweden where progress remains painfully slow.

France and the UK are badly in need of overhauled cannabis laws, but no major progress is expected in either country. The real winners from this government intransigence are the black-market growers who continue to operate in a completely tax-free environment, reaping huge year-on-year profits. No doubt some of this revenue finds its way into illegal activities.

The Netherlands is expected to see further expansion of its controlled coffeeshop supply system. Work began in 2023 and will continue for another couple of years. Selected growers across the country have been chosen to supply coffeeshops with legally grown and tightly regulated cannabis production licenses.

Should this system improve public safety and boost tax revenues, as everyone expects, The Netherlands could eventually be the first European country to nurture a fully legal commercial grow/supply environment along the lines of Canada. Hopefully Dutch Passion will have more exciting news to share in 2024 regarding the Dutch controlled coffeeshop supply experiment.

In the USA more states are expected to enact their own medical/cannabis legalisation in 2024. Hopefully legalisation at a federal level is seen in the coming years. Elsewhere in the world it seems that progress towards medical/recreational legalisation remains steady. When viewed over the last decade or two, cannabis laws in general continue to become more liberal even if progress seems on the slow side.