How One European Company Is Flooding America With Cannabis Seeds

While U.S. cannabis companies fight over dispensary licenses, banking reform and federal decriminalization, a quieter revolution is underway—one that’s being seeded, quite literally, from across the Atlantic.

In basements and backyards from New York to Minnesota, U.S. homegrowers are buying more cannabis seeds than ever before. And many of those seeds aren’t coming from California, Oregon or Colorado. They’re coming from places like Barcelona and Amsterdam—courtesy of Europe’s thriving, decades-old seed industry, now taking over the American market.

Among the most prolific players in this silent surge is Fast Buds, a Spanish-born cannabis genetics company that now ships more than 3 million seeds annually, one million of which are headed to the U.S. alone.

“The United States is our second-largest market, contributing around 30% of our global sales… Demand is spread coast to coast. Top states [include]: Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia and New York,” said Eugene Boukreev, head of marketing at Fast Buds, in an exclusive interview with Benzinga. “What sets the U.S. apart isn’t just its size, but its remarkable consistency.”

The Rise Of U.S. Homegrow

More than 30 states now permit some form of home cultivation for medical or adult-use cannabis. As dispensary prices stay high and product quality fluctuates, more Americans are turning to grow tents, LED rigs and online seed orders to take control of their cannabis experience.

A major catalyst came in 2022 when the DEA clarified that cannabis seeds containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight fall under the definition of legal hemp—regardless of the strain or how the plant might grow once cultivated. Because seeds in their dormant state contain only trace, non-activated levels of THC, virtually all cannabis seeds meet the legal criteria for hemp, even if they come from high-THC cultivars. This federal clarification opened the floodgates for international seed banks to ship directly to U.S. customers without violating the Controlled Substances Act.

Fast Buds, launched in 2010 as a two-person operation, has capitalized on the moment. The company now employs over 100 people and operates global offices in Los Angeles, Barcelona, London, Bangkok and Prague. Its logistics network includes domestic fulfillment hubs in the U.S., E.U. and Asia.

Also read: Latino Entrepreneurs Are Thriving In NYC’s Cannabis Market—Here’s The Proof

“By establishing fulfillment hubs in key regions, we’re able to ship domestically—ensuring faster, safer and fully compliant delivery to our customers,” Boukreev said.

Autoflowers: The Underdog Genetics Taking Over

While many legacy growers swear by photoperiod strains—those that require strict light cycles to trigger flowering—Fast Buds built its reputation on a once-dismissed format: autoflowers.

Autoflowering cannabis plants bloom based on age, not light exposure. They’re faster, hardier and easier to grow, traits that make them ideal for hobbyists, northern climates and those chasing multiple harvests per year. While they typically produce smaller yields than photoperiod strains—generally 20–30% less per plant—many growers see the trade-off as worth it for the speed and simplicity they offer.

“In the U.S., the shift toward autoflowers is accelerating, especially among hobbyists and pro growers chasing efficient extract yields,” Boukreev noted.

According to Fast Buds, autoflowers capture up to 60% of the market in short-season regions like northern Europe and the northern U.S., while photoperiods still dominate in warmer climates.

The company recently introduced its first line of feminized photoperiods, but autoflowers remain its bestselling category. Its top five global strains—Strawberry Gorilla, Gorilla Cookies, Purple Lemonade, Lemon Cherry Cookies and Guava Auto—blend high potency with rich terpene profiles, checking the boxes for flavor-obsessed growers.

“The spotlight is shifting away from just THC levels,” Boukreev said. “Growers and consumers alike are seeking out strains that deliver a memorable sensory experience.”

Direct-To-Consumer And The Power of First-Timers

Fast Buds isn’t just growing—it’s evolving. A decade ago, 100% of its revenue came through distributors. Today, nearly 50% of its global sales come from direct-to-consumer orders, driven by a robust e-commerce platform and tailored logistics.

Each year, the company fulfills more than 87,000 direct orders, with customers typically purchasing 5 to 7 seeds per transaction. Incredibly, 70% of those buyers are first-timers, a signal that Fast Buds is expanding beyond veteran growers into a broader, lifestyle-focused audience.

“Our direct-to-consumer channel has become a cornerstone of our business,” Boukreev told Benzinga. “At the same time, our B2B network remains strong, supporting over 1,500 retail partners worldwide, including 62 U.S. locations.”

This hybrid model—deep community engagement with broad market reach—helps Fast Buds future-proof its operations while diversifying its revenue base.

What’s Next For Seeds?

As the global cannabis market continues to mature, genetics are emerging as a high-value, often underappreciated vertical. Cultivars with distinct terpene profiles, unique aesthetics and balanced effects are gaining traction with connoisseurs and casual users.

That demand is especially evident in the U.S., where regulatory gridlock has slowed innovation in other sectors. While operators wait for banking access or interstate commerce, home growers are experimenting and spending.

“Today’s consumers—especially daytime smokers—are looking for flavor, balance and a deeper, more curated experience,” said Boukreev. “That’s exactly where we’re placing our focus: vibrant, terpene-rich, artisanal strains that bring character and complexity to the forefront. People are starting to explore terpene profiles the way wine lovers explore tasting notes—and we love that.”

This trend mirrors broader shifts in global cannabis. In Germany, for instance, a new legalization framework went into effect in April 2024, allowing limited personal cultivation. Germany’s medical cannabis prescriptions rose nearly 10x in one year, from 1.5 to nearly 10 metric tons—signaling rising demand for localized cultivation and reliable genetics.

Fast Buds has positioned itself to ride that wave, both in the U.S. and abroad. With global offices, flexible fulfillment and a growing base of loyal growers, the company may be quietly outpacing many flashier North American brands.

Because while the cannabis industry argues over headlines, seed companies are focused on something more enduring: the roots.

Read next: Cannabis Stays Legal In Germany Following New Coalition Deal

Photos courtesy of Fast Buds