In a deal that will close in early 2025, three cannabis seed producers have agreed to merge according to an announcement that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada at MJBizCon, the annual cannabis trade show. The three cannabis genetic companies are Barney’s Farm Genetics, I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM), and Sensi Seeds. 

The Founder of Barney’s Farm Genetics, Derry Brett, will be CEO of the newly formed group. 

Barney’s Farm Genetics is considered a global leader in cannabis seeds. Sensi Seeds is an international seed library, and ILGM is a seed bank and e-commerce platform. 

“Each company will retain its own CEO and management,” a spokesperson for the companies announced. 

Financial details involved in the deal were not disclosed by the spokesperson, who declined to answer. 

In a statement, Derry Brett said, “This is more than a business merger—it’s a game changer, uniting our reputation for prestige genetics with Sensi’s vast library of heritage seed(s) and ILGM’s loyal customer base of home-growing enthusiasts. Once combined, we’ll be able to offer growers the most unique, elevated, and sought-after cannabis genetics on the market.”

The Individual Brands Remain Intact

The newly merged business will be based in the United States, but the three individual brands will remain distinct, the spokesperson said, despite being merged under the same company. 

“There are currently no plans to alter the existing employee structures,” the spokesperson stated.

Two of the brands, Barney’s Farm Genetics and Sensi Seeds, are currently headquartered in Amsterdam, while ILGM is based in Modesto, California. 

The chief executive of ILGM, Ernst Rustenhoven, pointed out that the cannabis genetics brands share a strong sense of community and collaboration.

In a statement, Rustenhoven said, “The global community of cannabis growers are the true beneficiaries of this unique collaboration. By partnering with two prestigious heritage brands like Barney’s Farm Genetics and Sensi Seeds, we’re unlocking a new level of potential that will enrich and expand our catalog of world-class genetics.”

Genetics Brands Exhibiting at MJBizCon

At MJBizCon in the Las Vegas Convention Center, both Barney’s Farm Genetics and Sensi Seeds exhibited as part of The Vault, powered by Voice of the Plant. This area of the trade show is curated by Victorine Deych and Mario Guzman, the creator of the Gelato cannabis strain. Exhibitors in this section are handpicked by Deych and Guzman.

Deych and Guzman shared in an interview that they hope to gather international thought leaders together to connect the community in hopes of pushing cannabis culture forward. 

“Some of these people have been doing it for 40 years, like Sensi Seeds, one of the companies that is going to come and show a ton of support for this. All of our global friends come and … talk about what genetics are great, and what we are planting for the following year,” Guzman said.

The Combined Company Has Plans To Go Public

Brett, the new CEO of the combined company, has plans to take the company public on a U.S. stock exchange once the merger is completed. This is expected to occur in mid-2025, according to his statement.

A spokesperson added that the specific exchange that the combined company plans to list will be announced at a later date.

The major U.S. stock exchanges forbid the listing of plant-touching businesses because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, though legal in many states. Since cannabis seeds are low in THC, they’re not subject to the same regulations that adversely affect cannabis businesses, such as bans on interstate commerce.

Ben Dronkers, founder of Sensi Seeds, said, “This partnership strikes a balance between honoring the legacy market and shaping a brighter future for the cannabis industry. We are devoted to innovation, quality, and preserving the seeds of this rich, diverse, and extraordinary plant.”