Have you ever wondered how to sell your homegrown weed seeds? In most states and countries, you can’t just sell seeds that you cultivated. You need to use legal ways to distribute and sell your products like a local seed bank or through your own seed bank business. And if you like the idea of starting your own cannabis seed bank, then we’ll guide you. Here are steps on how to start a cannabis seed bank on your own.
Steps How to Start a Cannabis Seed Bank on Your Own?
Imagine selling the seeds you’ve grown in your garden in your very own seed bank? With your own business, you can also sell other seeds grown by other growers or suppliers. And why stop there? Aside from cannabis seeds, you can also sell growing equipment and supplies like growing soil, lighting, humidifiers, growing pots, growing tents, and cabinets.
1. Understand the Rules About Growing and Sale of Cannabis Seeds in Your Area
Before you even start planning for your cannabis business, it’s safe to check and recheck cannabis growing and sale rules and regulations. Is medical and recreational cannabis legal in your area? Is the cultivation of cannabis allowed?
If you are unsure about the legality of marijuana in your location, consult a cannabis local office, or use resources online. Take note that rules change, and it’s possible for regulations to change without any notice.
2. Plan Your Cannabis Seed Bank Business
After a careful understanding of the legalities of growing cannabis in your area, it’s time to focus on how your cannabis seed bank will operate. The very first thing to consider is whether you want to establish an actual seed bank (a physical store) or an online seed bank.
If You Want a Physical Seed Bank
Consider the following as you plan and set up your physical seed bank business.
1. Location (interior and exterior)
It’s important to consider the location of your physical seed bank. Take note of the proximity to frequented areas like hotels, casinos, shopping centers, restaurants, and tourist destinations. Check if there are rules or ordinances regarding the construction of a seed bank in an urban area. You might come across some rules like the establishment that must be located away from schools, playgrounds, parks, churches, hospitals, and other specific areas.
A part of considering your business location is the actual structure where you will conduct business. Are you considering leasing a storefront, or are you using your own property? Will you be constructing a store from scratch or renovating a commercial property?
Other things to consider would be the exterior and interior design of your establishment. Should you hire a professional to design your store, or are you doing the designs yourself? Consider putting emphasis on what your customers are looking for and what they want in a seed bank shop. Also, take note of seed bank interior designs of competitor stores.
Your seed bank must look professional yet inviting with a secure storefront. An area must be set up indoors where customers can wait, check out the products you offer, and where they can get more information about cannabis.
Consider high-class seed banks and dispensaries in Nevada if you want a professional, chic and modern interior design. Or you may want a fun, educational style seed bank just like what you’ll get from Canadian and European seed banks.
2. Products
Do you plan on selling homegrown seeds? Or do you wish to sell different kinds of seeds and strains? Research on the strains and types of seeds that your customers are looking for. Consider the most popular strains, seeds that growers in your area.
It’s important to maintain the quality of your products. Consider partnering with growers and breeders in your area to offer organic or local variety strains. It’s also a good thing to check out international seed banks to provide good quality imported seeds.
Other products that you can sell other than seeds include growing equipment, tools, and supplies. You can also sell guide books, growing bibles, and other helpful books for beginner growers.
3. How Your Business will Operate
You need to consider exactly how your business will operate as you need to include these details in your business permit application. Take note of the hours of operation, how customers can order your products, how payment goes, how the products will be packaged, and if you are going to provide home deliveries.
Almost all successful physical cannabis seed banks have an online store. This online site will help you take orders from customers locally abroad if you plan to offer your products internationally. There are many more considerations in stating how your physical seed bank business will operate, and the more detailed your description is, the better.
4. Manpower
Do you intend to hire a budtender, a shop worker, and security personnel? If so, then you need to consider your worker’s salary, benefits, and additional compensation. Consider staffing, your worker’s different job descriptions, and more.
5. Security
Consider security equipment and personnel in your cannabis seed bank. All seed banks operate in cash, and thus, these businesses are very prone to robberies and other crimes. An efficient security system is not just for your protection but also for your customers’ safety as well. And the more your customers feel secure in your establishment, the more they are likely to buy from you again.
If You Want an Online Seed Bank
Suppose you prefer an online seed bank rather than a physical one. For this kind of business, you need knowledge and skills to set up an online seed bank site. Consider the following:
1. Your Business Domain
Website domains may be purchased online. Domains ensure that you’re the only one to use a certain URL to help your customers find you easily. Also, check out local laws regarding the registry of all cannabis online sites. In some states and countries, only regulated online businesses will be allowed to operate.
2. The Products You Want to Sell
As with actual seed banks, consider the type of products you wish to sell. Do you sell all types of seeds, popular cannabis strains, or strains grown abroad? Do you plan to offer international deliveries, stealth shipment, or regular/local shipment only?
3. The Payment Methods that You Accept
Unlike physical cannabis seed banks, online seed banks are able to accept other forms of payment like a credit card, bank transfers, money transfers, checks, cash, and Bitcoin. Consider these very popular payment options in your own cannabis seed bank.
4. The Delivery Methods You’re Using
Consider the most common delivery methods from where you’re located, such as express delivery and regular deliveries. Meanwhile, some online seed banks also provide stealth shipment. For an additional fee, seed banks ship seeds inside special containers that look like regular objects. This way, your orders won’t be seized as it passes through security and border patrol.
5. The Price of Your Products and Delivery/shipment
Base your product pricing from rates offered locally. You may check out how much other seed banks are asking; make sure to check prices locally and internationally. Consider too the price of shipment locally and abroad.
6. Online Marketing
You must consider professional, expert online marketing to help you reach more customers. Online marketing will make you stand out in Google, so your potential customers will easily locate you.
3. Register Your Business and Get a License
Now that you know clearly what your business would be, it’s time to secure a license for it. The requirements you need to secure a license depends on where you’re located. You also need permits for the distribution of other products as well as a health or sanitation permit if you plan to erect your own cannabis seed bank. Cannabis business requirements vary and may change without any announcements.
4. Talk to Other Seed Banks and Retailers
Get to know your competition, other seed banks, and retailers in your area. Check out how they run their business, the variety of products that they offer, and many more. Now that you know how to start a cannabis seed bank, you may now start planning for your seed bank business. Keep a positive attitude and consider all the steps to start your business. Surely, success won’t be too far behind.