Seed germination is critical for crop establishment, but storage conditions can significantly alter germination success. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been valuable for fiber, grain, and medicinal uses since its domestication in central Asia. Despite this, modern agronomic studies, particularly on seed germination, have been limited due to legal restrictions. We assessed 21 hemp cultigens (cultivated plant types, both registered cultivars and unregistered breeding lines) bred for grain, fiber, or dual-purpose uses, evaluating the influence of seed provenance and functional type on germination rates. We compared commercially sourced seeds with feral seeds collected in Wisconsin, United States. Germination rates declined markedly from 57% in year one to 12% in year two for commercial seeds, likely due to high humidity in storage. Significant variation occurred among cultigens, with grain-type seeds generally outperforming fiber-type seeds. Seed provenance influenced germination, with seeds from Canada exhibiting higher rates than those from Italy, Poland, and Serbia; Chinese cultigens showed variable performance across years, likely reflecting genetic adaptation and handling practices. Feral seeds, initially less viable, demonstrated comparable performance to commercial seeds in long-term trials, highlighting their potential value for breeding programs. Our study underscores the importance of optimal seed storage conditions and selecting high-germination cultigens for effective hemp cultivation. Enhanced storage practices and the inclusion of feral genetics could significantly improve seed viability and crop yield, aiding the development of robust hemp production systems.