These are female calyxes and completely normal for female plants.
You are correct, they are indeed seed pods, but unless fertilized with male pollen, will remain empty/seedless.
Masses of these calyxes result in the "buds" we smokers all seek.
The older primordia/pre flowers that occur near the stems mature first and this is why they are much larger and swollen in comparison to the calyxes that are now forming in the new flowers.
Hope this helps, Organoman.