Suppliers of cannabis seeds, gardening equipment, fertilizers and grow lamps will benefit from Germany’s decision to legalize cannabis, Dirk Heitepriem of the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) told DW.
Germany partially legalized cannabis in April, relaxing rules to allow adults to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for personal use. Those unable or unwilling to grow plants but looking to legally source the drug can join cannabis social clubs as of July 1. These nonprofit cooperatives may cultivate and distribute cannabis to members under strict conditions.
Compo, a German horticultural supplier, is one of the companies already seeing business picking up after launching a brand-new product line aimed at cannabis cultivators. The Münster-based company, which employs some 1,000 people across Europe, has seen product sales — including special cannabis potting soil and fertilizers — far exceed expectations.
“We project that sales figures will increase even more in the coming year,” said a Compo manager.
Seed sales surge
Due to legal uncertainties surrounding the sale of cannabis seeds in Germany, however, many individuals are turning to foreign seed banks like Barcelona-based Royal Queen Seeds, a major market player. When Germany’s partial legalization came into effect “we had 10,231 orders in one day,” said Shai Ramsahai, president of Royal Queen Seeds.
He said high demand initially overwhelmed his company with thousands of orders but has now stabilized at about 3,000 to 4,000 orders per day. In April, Royal Queen Seeds’ online business grew by “300% and total online revenue was €6 million,” Ramsahai said.
Zamnesia, another big cannabis seed bank operating out of the Netherlands, has also seen a surge in German orders, the company’s general manager, Nick Ave, told DW. “Every year, from about the middle of March until the beginning of June, seed sales go up because people want to start growing their plants. Normally we see an increase of about 30% in seed season, but this year was a 150% increase.”
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