New Zealand is a remote country, tucked away down under in the far-flung corner of the globe, and you might think it would be hard to get new strains of cannabis here.
However, as with prohibition in general, the NZ authorities have proven rather ineffective to date at keeping cannabis seeds out of circulation. After all, seeds are conveniently tiny, shipped by regular mail, and it is easy to order them online from home or an internet cafe across town.
Read on for the ultimate guide about cannabis seeds NZ. Weedseedsexpress is shipping to New Zealand!
Is it possible to buy weed seeds in New Zealand?
If you live in New Zealand, you probably know that cannabis has recently been in the spotlight - opinion polls reveal that most New Zealanders support the medicinal use of cannabis, with an increasing number in favor of recreational use of the drug.
Around 13 percent of New Zealanders regularly use cannabis. Possession or any cannabis use is currently illegal, although cannabis-based pain relief can be prescribed by an approved doctor, providing the patient meets strict criteria.
In this climate, you might wonder if it is advisable to break the law by buying cannabis seeds in New Zealand to grow your own strain. Don't worry, our guide to buy cannabis seeds in New Zealand will tell you all you need to know so you can make an informed decision.
Using cannabis in New Zealand
Cannabis is classed as a Category C drug. This means that if you are caught using it, you could be fined or even face the risk of a jail sentence.
However, the fact that it is defined as having a moderate risk means that the police are unlikely to place high levels of resources in searching for offenders. Discretion if using in a public place is a good idea, and in a private location, such as your own home, is even better.
Be aware of the fact that letting someone else use cannabis could also lead to as much as 3 years imprisonment. Besides, it’s illegal to sell cannabis and associated accouterments, such as bongs and pipes.
Common sense is key - smoking at home with the windows shut is fine - wandering around a busy town center with a joint is likely to get you busted. Discretion is the better part of valor when it comes to personal cultivation in NZ.
Don't tell everyone about your plans and blog about it on your social media. Keep things low-key, and you should be fine.
Is it legal to buy cannabis seeds in New Zealand?
It’s currently not legal to buy cannabis seeds in NZ, although this may change if the result of the referendum is in favor of full legislation of the weed. However, it’s possible to buy them on the black market.
For example, Aotea Square in Auckland is a well-known location where seeds can be bought on the street. Yet, there is a big risk that you buy low-quality seeds when you buy them from a street seller.
Buy via an online cannabis seed bank
An alternative to sourcing weed seeds on the street is to buy them from reputable online sources and have them mailed to your address. You can choose the variety and the type you prefer - some varieties of cannabis should be grown outdoors, whilst others can be cultivated indoors.
Over the years, many dubious online sellers have sprung up, which have scammed many customers and damaged the cannabis seeds industry tremendously. Always buy from a seller with a good reputation, such as Weedseedsexpress, Nirvana, or ILGM.
But how can you tell which companies to trust in this market, which is inevitably unregulated? We have got some tips for you.
- Contact the company and see if they respond in a timely manner. High-end customer service is usually a good sign, while a (very late) response is usually a red flag.
- Take your time and do your research. Look for reviews and customer experiences.
- Start with a small order if you aren’t completely sure about the company. If the order arrives safely and the seeds are good, you can always decide to place a bigger order in the future.
What happens if you are caught growing cannabis?
Importing, growing, and supplying cannabis is viewed by New Zealand's criminal justice system as a more serious offense than personal use, and the penalization is accordingly more severe. If caught, you could face a prison sentence of up to eight years.
Even if you are planning to grow weed for personal use, you must be aware of the risk of a criminal record and one of several penalties, such as a $2,000 fine and a two-year sentence or a $2,000 fine.
Someone classed as a dealer will face more serious consequences than someone believed to be in possession of cannabis for personal use.
What is the difference between a dealer and a user in legal terms?
In the eyes of New Zealand law, a cannabis dealer is someone who is in possession of 28 grams or 100 spliffs. If caught with this amount, the crime will be automatically dealt with by the New Zealand Crown Court system.
If you are planning to import or buy cannabis seeds in New Zealand, the risks of getting caught are very low, but they do exist, and it is important to be aware of the possible consequences on your career and personal liberty.
How to reduce the risk of getting caught with cannabis seeds in New Zealand
Hopefully, the law will change in the next few years, so all the following steps won't be necessary. Until then, these tips should help to keep you out of trouble:
- Order your seeds from an internet café. You could also use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)on your home computer.
- Use a fake name - even if you end up getting a visit from Customs about an intercepted packet of seeds, if your name is not on the address, you can simply deny all knowledge of the order. The onus is on the authorities to prove that the package was ordered by you
- Pay in Bitcoin or Cash.
- Consider the volume of mail between certain countries and what is likely to raise suspicion. There typically isn’t a lot of mail going between New Zealand and, for example, Russia, But there is between New Zealand and the EU. Cannabis seeds are completely legal in the EU, so there are plenty of established companies over there. There is also a fair amount of mail from Canada that tends to come straight to New Zealand. For these reasons, it might be advisable to order from the EU or Canadian companies.
- Although established companies ship in a discreet way as a standard, it’s always good to double-check this.
