Millions of Australians appreciate cannabis for its medicinal effects, so it’s not surprising that interest in growing this plant keeps increasing all over the country. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, keep reading to find out all you need to know about buying weed seeds in Australia in 2023.
Buying marijuana seeds in Australia: laws & options
Changes in Australian legislation took place in 2016, when a new law approved growing cannabis seeds for scientific or medicinal purposes. Laws regarding cannabis possession and seed growth were passed three years later in 2019, but only in the Australian Capital Territory area.
As of January 2020, anyone found in possession of one or two plants can be charged with an offence under the Drugs of Dependence Act. But there are some age based exceptions to this. For example, the act allows individuals who are over 18 years old to cultivate two plants, up to a maximum of four plants per household.
The latest change came in 2021 with the introduction of the Cannabis Legalisation Bill 2021, which only applies to New South Wales. Among other things, this law regulates the sales of cannabis products in this state.
However, legislation on growing and buying seeds is still complex. At the time of writing, buying marijuana seeds for recreational purposes is still illegal in Australia.
Buying domestic
If you're keen on buying domestic, here’s the situation. On the plus side, getting your cannabis seeds from an Australian seed bank means you may receive them faster, and you won’t spend too much on shipping.
However, the main challenge is finding a local seed bank that meets all the criteria for success. By this, we mean a seed bank that sells weed seeds with a high germination rate and with decent yields. The main problem is that as big as the country is, there isn’t much choice available within Australia when it comes to suppliers, so you may only have access to a handful of strains.
Buying online (Importing cannabis seeds)
Again, choosing the right seed bank is the key. Look for an online supplier who is familiar with the characteristics of Australian weather, such as extreme heat, cold, and humidity. Check that they offer seeds that can do well in this climate, especially since outdoor growing is popular because it’s less of an issue in legal terms.
You should also bear in mind that shipping and delivery will take longer, so always plan in advance to make sure the seeds arrive during planting season.
Moreover, getting the seeds into the country without being held by customs can be challenging. We recommend finding an online seed bank that has experience shipping to Australia and has done so successfully before. Otherwise, your seed package may never get to you!
Tip > Check our full range of weed seeds
Is it illegal to buy (medical) cannabis seeds in Australia?
In the Australian Capital Territory, it’s legal to buy medicinal weed seeds from approved suppliers. But it must be noted that this does not apply in other Australian states. This is a breakdown of the situation state by state on cannabis in general:
New South Wales
You may receive a caution if found to have up to 15 grams. You can only get two cautions.
Northern Territory
There is a $200 fine for anyone found with up to 50 grams of marijuana or cultivating up to 2 plants.
Queensland
No criminal charges (but a diversion) if you are found with less than 50 grams of marijuana. But you can only escape criminal charges once.
South Australia
Fines for having under 100 grams of marijuana go from $50 to $150.
Tasmania
For amounts under 50 grams, Tasmania applies up to three cautions in a ten-year period.
Victoria
You may receive up to two cautions as long as you’re not found to have more than 50 grams.
Western Australia
The limit to avoid criminal charges is having or growing less than 10 grams of weed. However, if caught, you will be asked to attend a Cannabis Intervention Session.
We encourage everyone to make their own decisions and be discreet when buying seeds to be grown in Australia.
Buy Cannabis Seeds Australia checklist
There are several things you should check before buying weed seeds from Australia. Here are four important things to add to your checklist.
1. Find a suitable supplier
This is the first and most important step, since finding a reliable supplier can prevent many problems that are usually the result of ordering from an iffy supplier. To find a trustworthy supplier, you will need to do some research on your side, but trust us when we say that this is worth the effort!
So, here are some tips on what to look for when trying to find a suitable supplier:
- Check their website or contact their customer service department to see if they have experience shipping to Australia.
- Read reviews and testimonials from previous customers. If possible, try to find reviews from other customers in Australia. Bonus if they’re also in your state! Usually, you can find reviews in the seed bank’s website, but for additional peace of mind, you will want to check independent reviews, for example on well-known review sites like Trustpilot or in specialized online forums.
- Check that you can pay for your order using your preferred payment method. Some people prefer bank transfers, others are used to paying by card, and we can’t forget that cryptocurrency is gaining popularity among many people who don’t want their payments being tracked.
- Also, if the supplier is outside Australia, check if any fees apply to international payments.
2. Check policies and guarantees
We understand that you can’t wait to have your seeds in your hands and ready to plant. But it’s important to spend some time reading the seed bank’s policies in detail. The main reason to do this is to know what to expect if things go wrong.
A reliable supplier should list their terms and conditions in their website. We recommend reading their policies regarding refunds and shipping. You’ll also want to know what’s the supplier’s stance if a package gets lost – reshipment should be an option. And before ordering, make sure you understand the supplier’s germination and delivery guarantees.
To sum up, read their policies and ask yourself if they’re written to offer customers a smooth experience.
3. Select a strain
When selecting which strain to buy, it’s important to decide where and how it will be grown. For example, some strains are more likely to thrive outdoors under intense heat or humidity. If you're or can’t grow them outdoors or in greenhouses, you may want to look into cannanis seeds that produce compact buds.
It’s also worth remembering that Australian law differentiates between growing conditions. Cultivating in artificial conditions such as indoor lighting or hydroponics is considered a more serious offence than having an outdoor crop.
Generally speaking, we recommend going for autoflowering weed seeds, as these are more resistant to extreme weather conditions and to mold, fungus, or pests.
We know it can be daunting to read through dozens of strain descriptions, especially if you’ve never grown your own cannabis before. Here are 3 strains we recommend for Australian growers, and which you can find in our online seed bank.
- Sour Diesel is known as one of the best weed strains to reduce anxiety and improve ADHD symptoms. This Sativa-dominant variety carries 19% THC and 0.4% CBD. The resulting effect is appreciated by anyone looking to go about their daily activities with confidence. Moreover, Sour Diesel is considered a classic that be grown by anyone, even if they don’t have previous experience. Harvests are plentiful when grown indoors, outdoors, and in greenhouses – just beware of the strong odor.
- Jack Herer, which is rated best for anxiety and energy. This Dutch strain was created a few decades ago using Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis strains to give you a great balance between calm and energy. This is due to a THC content of 19%, small CBG amounts, and 0.1% CBD. Jack Herer is an autoflowering seed that does well in Australia, whether it is indoor, outdoor, or in a greenhouse. This is a beginner-friendly strain that is ready for harvest in approximately 10 weeks.
- Blue Dream is loved by growers in Europe and North America, so it’s only a matter of time before it gets a fan base among Australian growers too. This is a potent Sativa-dominant strain similar in THC – CBD ratio to Jack Herer. Blue Dream flowers in under 2 months in Mediterranean, tropical and arid climates typical in some parts of Australia.
4. Purchase and wait
After you’ve selected the right strain, it’s only a matter of buying it and waiting for it to be delivered. You can pay using your preferred payment method, and you should receive confirmation of purchase soon after, usually via e-mail.
When it comes to shipping, a reputable seed bank will give you the option to track and trace your package, so you can check where your seeds are every step of the way.
Bear in mind that shipping times to Australia are notoriously long when compared to other parts of the world, and even more so since 2020 due to lower numbers of commercial routes and mail processing backlogs.
Has anyone been caught importing seeds into Australia?
Weedseedsexpress has been shipping top-quality cannabis seeds to customers in Australia for a long time. So far, none of our customers has had any problems getting caught or cautioned for buying from us.
However, we know of a few seed shipments that never arrived to some of our Australian customers. Because the peace of mind of all our customers is essential to us, we offer a delivery guarantee. So, if for any reason you never receive your order, we will issue a refund, or we’ll apply our reshipment policy.
Weed Seeds Australia - Best to buy
At Weedseedsexpress we have a fabulous selection of quality seeds that grow well in Australia. If you have already tried the strain we recommended in section 3 above, here are another 10 great strains you will enjoy growing.
- AK-47 autoflower - Best for beginners
- Super Silver Haze - Best for advanced
- Ghost Train Haze - Best Sativa
- Bubba Kush - Best Indica
- Acapulco Gold - Best for outdoor
- Girl Scout Cookies - Best for indoor
- Bruce Banner autoflower - Best autoflower
- Godfather OG - Best high THC
- ACDC - Best high CBD
- Gorilla Glue - Best Hybrid
Here’s what you need to know about growing the top 10 best seeds for Australian growers.
1. AK-47 autoflower - Best for beginners
This amazing, award-winning strain is the best choice for first-time growers who want good results with minimal effort.
Growing
This autoflowering version of AK-47 seeds can be ready to harvest in a little over 2 months. Once planted, these seeds require very little maintenance, so they are ideal for beginner growers. Because this strain is very resistant to fungus, temperature changes, and disease, you can easily grow it indoor, outdoor, and in greenhouses.
Smell, taste and effect
As its name suggests, AK-47 is the real deal. Expect a strong incense-like smell and a potent effect thanks to its 15% THC content, which is moderated with 1.5% CBD. This strain has a musky and rather sweet taste. The effect is a balanced mood that makes you feel relaxed and at the same time energized.
2. Super Silver Haze - Best for advanced growers
Another award-winning strain that delights weed lovers in Europe and North America, where it has become increasingly popular since the 1990s.
Growing
This is a mostly Sativa strain that has the best of Northern Lights, Skunk and Haze varieties. Although it can be cultivated indoors, in greenhouses, or outdoors, this plant is best suited to expert growers, since Super Silver Haze requires a specific diet, plenty of light and warmth.
Smell, taste and effect
High THC levels of around 21% mean that Super Silver Haze has a strong and durable cerebral high effect. This strain brings out the euphoria and creativity inside you and is the go-to strain for an intense experience. Its smell / taste profile is like citrus, herbal, and slightly spicy.
3. Ghost Train Haze - Best Sativa
Ghost Train Haze gets our hands down recommendation for anyone who enjoys growing Sativa-dominant strains. A rare variety with 30% THC content!
Growing
This is a good option for growers with some previous experience or who can recreate the growing conditions that this strain needs to flower. Suitable for indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse growing as long as you can provide a hot and dry environment.
Smell, taste and effect
This powerful strain has a pungent smell and a complex taste dominated by spicy notes. Ghost Train Haze delivers what it promises, an uplifting effect much like jumping on a train to an unknown destination … it will take your mind away from stressful thoughts, for sure.
4. Bubba Kush - Best Indica
A feminized variety with a strong Indica component of 80% and a must-have for growers looking to start gaining experience cultivating classic strains.
Growing
Bubba Kush is known for its beginner-friendly profile. This Californian strain has a shorter-than-average flowering period that allows you to harvest it in as little as 8 weeks. Growing this variety is easy indoors, outdoors, or in a greenhouse.
Smell, taste and effect
Bubba Kush has an earthy and sweet aroma and a pleasant taste of chocolate and cinnamon. Expect a powerful sedative and feel-good effect, a bubbly wave of happy emotions that make this strain the ideal bedtime choice.
5. Acapulco Gold - Best for outdoor growing
Acapulco Gold is a highly-sought after and hard-to-get strain with excellent medicinal potential and a legendary history dating back to ancient Mexico.
Growing
Rated as one of the best strains for outdoor growing, Acapulco Gold will be very appealing to Australian growers who live in areas with a subtropical climate. When cultivated outdoors, this plant grows tall and produces plentiful harvests.
Smell, taste and effect
With its 80-20 Sativa / Indica ratio and 23% THC content, Acapulco Gold has a pleasant mood-enhancing effect that does the trick to take the edge off social situations. This strain has a sweet and fruity flavor and an earthy and decidedly strong fragrance.
6. Girl Scout Cookies - Best for indoor growing
Girl Scout Cookies is an autoflowering variety that does well indoor, in sunny outdoor settings, and in greenhouses. Moreover, it doesn’t require any special skills, so it’s great for beginner growers.
Growing
Beginner growers love Girl Scout Cookies. This autoflowering strain does well when cultivated indoors and is very forgiving of little things that first-time growers often miss. It’s a sturdy variety that also thrives in hydroponic cultures.
Smell, taste and effect
This Indica strain has a powerful aroma and a predominantly sweet taste. THC levels are around 20% and a 0.5% touch of CBD result in deep relaxation and openness to experience. This variety goes straight into your head and delivers a powerful sensory experience.
7. Bruce Banner autoflower - Best autoflower
Unique in many ways, Bruce Banner is the top autoflowering strain for new growers interested in cultivating a balanced Indica/Sativa variety.
Growing
This tall strain loves organic fertilizer and if fed the right way, it can grow indoor, outdoor, or in greenhouses. A versatile variety that works well in Australian weather conditions.
Smell, taste and effect
As you would expect from a plant with 25% THC, Bruce Banner delivers a quick cerebral and physical high that fills you with energy. It has a beautiful fruity taste reminiscent of berries, plus a pungent smell.
8. Godfather OG - Best high THC
This is a hybrid variety developed in California that is now acclaimed as one of the best high-THC strains out there.
Growing
Godfather OG is a sturdy strain with good resistance to disease and to the elements. It can be successfully grown by both expert and beginner growers in all settings.
Smell, taste and effect
Don’t let the 30% THC intimidate you. Godfather OG has a complex, woody and mature scent with touches of grapefruit and sandalwood in its flavor. Like a great wine, but in weed form!
9. ACDC - Best high CBD
Valued for its high CBD content and anxiety-reducing properties, this hybrid strain features a 40-60 Indica / Sativa mix.
Growing
A good high-CBD choice for growers with some experience. ACDC thrives indoors and outdoors, but requires a watchful eye to ensure it’s not affected by pests or disease.
Smell, taste and effect
This is a fragrant sweet and juicy variety with an earthy and woody touch. The combo 20% CBD – 3% THC alleviates stress, anxiety, pain with a focused and uplifting effect.
10. Gorilla Glue - Best Hybrid
Gorilla Glue is an acclaimed hybrid strain that appeals to novice growers and high-THC enthusiasts. A must-have for Australian growers!
Growing
This is an easy-to-grow autoflowering strain that flowers quickly indoors, in greenhouses, or outdoors given warm and sunny weather is there.
Smell, taste and effect
Those sticky buds carry high THC levels of 26%, which produce the mighty euphoria you need to feel confident in social situations. Gorilla Blue has a fruity and woody smell with an earthy/diesel flavor.
Tips and things to consider when buying marijuana seeds in Australia
When buying cannabis seeds in Australia, always do your research and choose a seed bank who has experience shipping to this country. Place your order in advance, so seeds reach you within planting dates. And for extra peace of mind, always choose for a tracked shipment.
Now, all you need to do is visit the Weedseedsexpress website and fill your shopping cart with quality seeds..