Question 'bout seeds

IS it illegal to buy, sell, or posess just the marijuana seeds by themselves?
and how long will it usually take to sprout. Ive tried putting them in moist paper towell but they never seem to grow. Is there something wrong with my seeds? What should they look like as far as color and every thing? I dont know anything about the strain. It was just regular $10 a dime shit.

depends on where u are

sounds like maybe that was immature weed,(immature seeds cant grow)
hard to say with bag seed like that
suggest you order some
and get decent start at least
for ten bucks klozit king hook you up with starter packs
http://seedbank.klozitking.com/index.php