Cannabis seeds can be stored for 5 years

In the UK cannabis seeds are sold as ?collectables? only, which basically means one can buy, own and collect many different varieties. Many people are collecting cannabis seeds in the hope that the law changes and it becomes legal to grow your own like in several American states and Spain to mention a few places with sensible cannabis laws. By collecting them now will many believe it will preserve the genetics for the future. Here we come up against the issue of storage because cannabis seeds are a foodstuff and just like any foodstuff they are subject to degradation due to oxidisation. They are also susceptible to accidental germination due to high moisture levels. So how can we collect cannabis seeds and preserve them for possible future use without them degrading or even worse germinating on their own.

A seed is a living thing so what existing methods are available to preserve living things? Refrigeration is one method. When we buy fruit and vegetables we often put them in the fridge because it slows down the life cycle and prevents decay. The same can be done with cannabis seeds. By placing them in refrigerated storage it will prolong their life.

"Drugs are very much a part of professional sports today, but when you think about it, golf is the only sport where the players aren?t penalized for being on grass. ?"  Bob Hope

First we need to get hold of an airtight container, something like a Tupperware box or a film canister (something that will block out light as well as air is the better choice of container). In the bottom of the container we want to place a desiccant. A desiccant is a substance that absorbs moisture. We would have seen these often when buying electrical equipment. Little bags of silica gel or pellets are often stored in the packaging to absorb moisture during shipping and storage. If silica gel is not obtainable then a few grains of rice can have a similar desired effect. Place the marijuana seeds inside a plastic bag or envelope and place in the container with the desiccant. Special seed envelopes can be obtained from seed saver organisations.

Temperature and relative humidity are the most important factors affecting seed quality during storage, with relative humidity the most important. Cannabis seeds and marijuana seeds are known as ?hypocrisies? in that they absorb moisture from wet atmospheres and dry out in dry atmospheres. It is reckoned that seed storage lifetimes are doubled for each 1% decrease in moisture content.

Here is a table outlining what happens at different moisture levels:

40-60% - germination occurs.

18-20% - heating may occur.

12-14% - fungi can grow on and in seeds.

    8-9% - insects can become active and reproduce.

Heating is caused by the respiration of fungi and bacteria in and on the seed and of insect populations which may build up rapidly in a moist environment. High temperature and high moisture will kill cannabis seeds rapidly as will micro organism and insect invasions.

It is also claimed seed storage life is doubled for each 5⁰C reduction in storage temperature. Refrigeration to at least 5⁰C is desirable although this is slightly warmer than domestic fridges. At 5⁰C and below insects become inactive. The cooler the temperature the longer the seed will last. This rule apparently applies to temperatures below freezing.

If the above method of storage is adhered to then it has been reported that cannabis seeds will still germinate with a high success rate after 5 years.

So people, get collecting and storing cannabis seeds then hopefully within 5 years the UK government (or the government where you live) will have implemented sensible and workable cannabis laws that will relieve them of unnecessary administration, unnecessary criminalisation of non criminals and a nation of happy smiley people. A real vote winner if you ask me!

I reckon society and state could find a way to a solution to this issue and if a bold government followed the proactive approach like the Dutch then there would be a lot more voters willing to support them in their next election.