Cannabis Dispensaries and Seed Banks: What’s the Difference?

The evolution of the cannabis industry has led to the establishment of many cannabis dispensaries and seed banks around the globe. While both types of businesses work with cannabis, they share huge differences. So, keep reading to find out what they are and why they are different from one another.

What Is a Cannabis Dispensary?

Cannabis buds and scale

A dispensary is a location that sells recreational or medical cannabis. Dispensaries also sell other marijuana products such as tinctures, edibles, concentrates, and smoking devices. Some dispensaries may also sell marijuana seeds, but this is uncommon.

Most dispensaries have well-educated staff that educates you on the different products. The staff is knowledgeable about the aromas, flavors, and effects of strains. However, the budtenders may have little knowledge about growing cannabis.

There are two types of dispensaries: medical cannabis dispensaries and recreational, adult-use cannabis dispensaries. Both of these establishments specialize in distributing the final product—cannabis buds and other consumables.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

If you are a CBD lover, you’ll enjoy medical dispensaries; however, these dispensaries require a valid medical card to purchase any cannabis products. Common products at medical dispensaries include cannabis and hemp flowers, tinctures, topicals, and CBD creams. In most states, only adults of 18 years and above who have a valid medical card can access medical marijuana.

Recreational Cannabis Dispensaries

Recreational dispensaries are great for individuals who enjoy psychoactive cannabinoids. To buy recreational marijuana in the US, you must be 21 years of age or older and possess a valid ID. The best part is that you do not need a medical card to purchase marijuana products from a recreational dispensary.

What Dispensaries Offer

Dispensary shelves are full of cannabis products. These products are usually divided into sections based on strains type (Indica, Sativa, Hybrid) and product type. Common products you’ll find include:

Cannabis and hemp buds
Concentrates (Shatter, wax)
Edibles (Baked goods, candies)
Pre-rolls (Joints, blunts)
Topicals (Creams, oils)

What Is a Marijuana Seed Bank?

Cannabis Seeds and plant A seed bank is catered toward cannabis growers rather than users. Seed banks specialize in selling—you guessed it—cannabis seeds. They buy cannabis seeds in bulk from breeders (or breed their own), store them, and then sell them to growers.

Like dispensaries, their staff is usually knowledgeable about the aroma, flavor, and effects of various marijuana strains. However, seed banks also tend to know a great deal about the structure, yield, preferred climate, and other growth traits of cannabis strains.

Although you can find seeds in both dispensaries and seed banks, it is preferable to buy seeds from seed banks, as they tend to offer a wider selection of seeds and can provide advice about which strain will best suit your needs.

What Seed Banks Offer

Feminized Seeds

Marijuana seed banks not only specialize in storing and selling cannabis seeds. Some marijuana seed banks also feminize seeds to reduce the possibility of developing male plants. Furthermore, seed banks develop autoflower seeds and other specialized varieties to make the cultivation process easier for growers.

Access To Many Strains

Unlike dispensaries, seed banks typically offer a diverse selection of seeds, including Indica, Sativa, and hybrid varieties available in regular, feminized, and autoflowering form. You’ll find purple strains, high-yielding strains, old-school strains, and just about anything else you’d like to grow. Whether you’re a beginner grower or a large-scale cannabis farmer, most reputable seed banks will have a strain that is ideal for you.

Cannabis Dispensaries and Seed Banks: The Bottom line

While you may see cannabis dispensaries and seed banks as merely sales points, they deal with much more than that. They help preserve, spread, and sell strains of marijuana around the world. Both of these types of businesses are essential in sharing the love of the plant.

Greenpoint Seeds is a well-known marijuana seed bank that offers a wide selection of strains to choose from. We breed all our seeds in-house, ensuring that they are of the highest quality. Also, growers can get recommendations from our knowledgeable staff about the traits of each strain.

Contact us for more information about our products and services. While you’re here, check out our collection of regular and feminized marijuana seeds.

What are your thoughts on cannabis dispensaries and seed banks? Let us know in the comment section below.