Believe it or not recent research shows the demand from the cannabis seed collectors scene for seeds is bigger than for cannabis growing.

In the past cannabis seeds were quietly passed from one friend to another as gifts, but in recent years rare and exotic cannabis seeds have become a sought after status symbol among the younger generation, and with the proliferation of seed varieties available online, a new breed of cannabis seeds collectors and traders has emerged and the market is huge.

Alarming interest in seeds says data

In a recent study by Lancaster Technical College, economics expert, Professor Denzel Krippling found that 79% of cannabis seeds were purchased by collectors for “investment and trading purposes” (which is perfectly legal according to the Trading Hobbies Commission) with only 11% bought for growing (which is illegal in the UK). Nobody is sure where the last 10% are being sold but it’s believed in stoner circles that the government is definitely involved.

In the same study, when collectors were asked why they were buying seeds 98% said that “investing in seeds was a better way to secure their financial future than relying on a dead end job and a UK state pension”. “Figures like these are surpassing the pace of growth that the bitcoin reached in 2013” added Krippling “and it’s not slowing down!”.

In another study by Jack Motta of the UK Cannabis Seeds Collectors Association (UKCSCA), cannabis seeds collecting among British youth has seen a "428% increase" in recent years, with newest entrants to the hobby/profession in the “18-26-year-old age range”. “The dramatic increase in the value of certain strains has really driven prices up and the smart ones are getting on the bandwagon, it’s similar to what happened with the bitcoin” Motta adds.

Typically, cannabis seeds are thought by outsiders to be sold for growing purposes but that's not the case says Motta, "many British youths are turning to cannabis seeds as a way to make a decent living, with some participants making in excess of £3000 per week...and that's far removed from the average apprenticeship salary of £500 per month" he added.

Big money changing hands for cannabis seeds

To get a closer look at this scene we managed to get in and film a private seed exchange or 'seedex' where 4 of the UK's most switched on seed collectors showed and sold their most prized assets. Each brought a selection of their best seeds or "children" as they are known in the scene, and attempted to outdo the other with their quality and pedigree before doing the big cash deals.

23-year-old Seedsman - his seeds buying name - from Burnley (and featured in the video) regularly trades in the cannabis seeds scene. Having started out back in 2012 with a £2.10 investment he's bought wisely and is now trading between 20-30 seeds a week, making over £5000 per month and has been awarded the UKCSCA’s highest mark of seed collection achievement- the Green Blazer. "It’s better than the alternatives" he says "I could train to be a wool dyer in the local mill or just hang out with the local stoners but shifting seeds at a seedex is easy money.” he says.

It's at these underground 'seedexes' where the big money changes hands. Seedsman and his partner Barney, an ex-farmer, have made up to £3000 at such events in a matter of a few minutes. "It all comes down to seed quality and a touch of showmanship" he says, holding up his resin set 'Oracle clone' seed worth around £840 "once a rare seed comes out at a seedex the place goes mental and the bidding starts".

Cannabis seeds experts warn of fakes

Apparently though, seed collecting and dealing isn't as simple as it first appears. The hobby - or profession as many call it - has its pitfalls. Cheap seeds and even lentils or coriander seeds can easily be passed off as something special, so serious collectors carry a Jewellers Loupe Eye Glass to evaluate potential purchases. "I'm never without mine" says Barney, "one dodgy seed buy can see all your profits go up in smoke"… "Some guys even bring scientific kit such as microscopes" he adds, to further limit the risk of copping for an “allspice or a lupine”.

To further understand this, I was interested in how they differentiate seeds and Seedsman says “it's all about the colours and the markings”. The number of tiger stripes or the spread of turtle mottling are used to determine a 'Mud' seed from a 'whitey', names inspired by stoner slang, “...whiteys are bad news, I've had mates blow £370 on a Lidl lentil before so you've got to watch yourself" says Seedsman, however, “there’s nothing like scoring a chonger either!” he added.

Big investors ready to swoop as cannabis seeds value soars

With so much money at stake it's understandable that the investment world is starting to take notice and that's a problem for the likes of Seedsman and Barney, "yeah, we've seen a few city types trying to muscle in and cherry pick the top seeds" Barney says, "but we're a tight group and they'd struggle to infiltrate our circuit" he adds.

This, however, is a position that Mark De Sjamaan, head of alternative investment advice at Gold Man Sachs Finance disputes, "many of our investment managers are already benefiting from the growth in cannabis seeds trading and making steady progress...we expect at least %0.4 of our total client returns coming from the sector by 2019" he adds emphatically.

So in reality it seems the days of underground ‘seedexes’ controlling market prices may be numbered, but for now it's certainly an exciting addition to British entrepreneurial activity and one that we hope continues to flourish and blaze a trail for a new generation of seeds collectors.