What are cannabis packaging requirements? Let's talk about it.

The marijuana industry has expanded rapidly in the United States due to increasing legalization. With this rapid growth comes a need for increased safety measures. There is always much discussion, debate, and modification pertaining to marijuana packaging and labeling and the safety measures that must be followed.

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Different types of packaging can be used to store and sell marijuana products, like glass jars, pop-top vials, and mylar bags. 

Why is proper marijuana packaging important?

Before understanding the important factors to remember when selecting the right packaging solution, let's see why marijuana packaging is crucial.

Marijuana packaging protects the purchased product in a nice and safe wrap and ensures customers are well-informed about important Information relevant to the specific marijuana product.

• Quality marijuana packaging assures that the product doesn't get ruined. 
• It helps the product look attractive and boosts branding efforts. 
• It helps follow the state regulations and guidelines. 

The state regulations for marijuana packaging must be followed meticulously to ensure the responsible and secure distribution of marijuana products. Both manufacturers and dispensaries may face serious consequences for failing to comply with the requirements. It could also lead to a hefty fine or loss of license.

Now, let us understand a few regulations. In the United States, marijuana packaging regulations vary from state to state. Some regulations are unique to individual states or only apply to a few. However, certain requirements for marijuana packaging are consistent across multiple states. These are the ones that address the common industry standards, safety concerns, and consumer protection. Some packaging features like child resistance and opacity are important to understand before choosing a packaging solution for your marijuana product.

Child-Resistant Packaging

More than 20 states now have laws regarding marijuana, and the universal packaging requirements pertain to child resistance. It means that packaging must be designed to make it difficult for children to open or access the amount of harmful contents to use within a reasonable time.

Furthermore, the labeling on single-serve marijuana products must indicate that once the package is opened, it is no longer child-resistant. Products consumed by mouth must have a proper seal to remain child-resistant even after opening. For marijuana, in particular, state-specific packaging regulations must be followed. 

Two main reasons for legislation regarding child-resistant packaging for marijuana are:

• As the number of states legalizing the use of recreational marijuana is increasing, it is becoming easier for consumers to get it, exposing more children to marijuana products. It increases the risk of poisoning due to accidentally ingesting THC, a component in marijuana.

• Companies in the marijuana industry are diversifying their product offerings by introducing popular products combined with marijuana wrapped in colorful and fun packaging that can easily appeal to children. There is a growing concern about children unintentionally consuming marijuana, leading to health emergencies as a result.

Opaque Packaging

Child resistance is not the only thing to consider when choosing the right marijuana packaging solution. Another guideline that may need to be followed is pertaining to visibility. Many states require that the marijuana packaging should be sold in opaque containers – whether pouches or bags. 

Tamper evident 

Some states in the United States have additional requirements that include tamper-evident packaging. It includes California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Nevada. These states have passed laws that require packaging to show evidence if it has been tampered with. When purchasing medical products, customers must know if the packaging has been opened before use. The Food and Drug Administration defines tamper-evident packaging as having one or more indicators or barriers to protect a product from tampering. To fulfill this criterion, manufacturers must show that the package is tamper-proof. For this, they can use a glue seal, an induction seal, or a shrink band.

Resealable Packaging

Medical packaging for marijuana may need to be resealable if the product is made for multiple uses. The package needs to be closed properly after each use to ensure safety. Some of the best ways to do this are to use a lid, a pressure-sensitive adhesive closure, plastic strips with interlocking features, or a screw top. Using resealable packaging also reduces waste. Marijuana packaging used in Alaska, Colorado, and Washington states must fulfill this resealable requirement.

Legal warning messages that must be posted on the package

Many states have specific requirements for labeling and designing marijuana product packaging. It is important to include legal warning messages on product packaging. When adding labels to the product, it is important to include statements that say, 'Sealed for your protection' or 'Do not use it if the seal is broken.' It is done for the safety of the customers. Two main reasons for adding legal warning messages on the packaging for marijuana are

1. Legal warnings will inform consumers about risks, how to use guidelines, and legal requirements related to the product. 
2. Legal warnings also ensure consumers make informed decisions about purchasing a product. Few states, like California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington, require marijuana product packaging to have allergy warnings. It aims to inform consumers about allergens in the product so that consumers suffering from that allergy can avoid that product.

Few states, like Alaska, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Guam, Maine, and Vermont, need to mention the specific amount of marijuana in the package. It is important as it will inform consumers about the exact amount of marijuana they are purchasing.

The use of cartoons or graphics on marijuana packaging that resemble candy packs is restricted in California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Oregon. This rule ensures safeguarding children so that they, by mistake, do not consume marijuana products. In some states, there are packaging regulations that restrict each marijuana container to a single non-fluorescent color. Photos and images are restricted; you can only add one small brand logo. 

Few states, like Alaska, California, Guam, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Washington, have laws that require warnings regarding the dangers of smoking and other forms of marijuana consumption to be properly mentioned on the packaging. These warnings aim to educate consumers about the health risks that the consumption of marijuana may cause.

In states like Alaska, Maryland, and Washington, it's necessary for marijuana packaging to display clear identification of the selling establishment's license number. Using this number, consumers can verify the legal aspects related to the product source. It also shows proper transparency in the supply chain.

Regarding requirements by state, there is also a requirement that requires a specific cap style for liquids that contain marijuana. State law says that marijuana-infused products in liquid form need to be sealed. For this, a metal crown, cork-style bottle cap is used.

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Regulatory Complications

Marijuana packaging regulations also bring challenges as they try to balance important safety aspects with ease of business. While child-resistant packaging is necessary to protect children from unknowingly consuming marijuana products, these restrictions can create problems for specific consumers, like senior citizen groups. For this, building an innovative solution and its successful testing can be expensive and time-consuming. Marijuana regulations differ in different states and can lead to fines and disputes, making compliance all the more challenging. 

In some states, packaging restrictions are much stricter, even as they try to bring flexibility to producers in packaging and labeling. 

In some states, there are additional legal requirements for marijuana packaging that vary based on the company's location. It can include criteria such as specific font size required on the package label, double packaging requirements, proper design and branding requirements, and marketing that implies certain health claims. 

Overall, the goals of creating packaging for marijuana products are to ensure general safety, caution, and restriction of young children from accidentally ingesting the medication.

To reach target audiences, cannabis retailers must consistently provide quality products, educate the consumer and grab their attention with the right design. Custom cannabis packaging is crucial to your brand’s success — it’s the first thing customers see, and you want to create a strong first impression.

Primary packaging for the cannabis industry includes bottles, jars, tubes, vials, tins and bags. Freestanding cannabis containers are relatively similar in shape and size across all brands, so it’s essential to set yourself apart from the competition with custom elements. While your custom cannabis packaging doesn’t need to be the loudest, your brand must stand out on the shelf.

Experiment with fonts, colors and the type of primary packaging to create a look that is entirely your own. An eye-catching label or custom print directly on your packaging will increase customer appeal. Create a variety of high-quality products with unique but unified packaging designs. Utilize cohesive branding across all your products to improve brand awareness and build trust in your target customers. The right packaging creates a solid first impression that consumers will remember the next time they go to purchase.

All dispensaries are legally required to lock up their cannabis products for safety and security. Expect your products to be kept behind glass in these environments, and make the most of your restricted real estate. Maximize shelf presence with compact and highly graphic cannabis packaging to create a compelling retail display despite the limited space.

Whether you’re refreshing your brand or starting a new product line, consider surveying the current trends and innovations within the cannabis industry. Incorporate ideas that have worked for others, but don’t be afraid to experiment. The sector’s quick growth and consumer interest make it even easier to push your brand ahead with just a few adjustments to the design.

Due to the continued growth of the cannabis industry, the safety and regulatory labeling laws are also ever-changing. Cannabis products may have different requirements from year to year, and you must update your packaging regularly to meet the new or revised regulations. Different states can also have different labeling requirements, so you must ensure you’re following the correct laws for your state.

When new safety and regulatory labeling laws are made, you want to avoid having unusable packaging inventory on your hands. In today’s marketplace, creating quality and affordable digital print has become a significant advantage for various packaging materials. You can order labels in the exact quantities needed for your current supply. When labeling requirements change, update the digital graphics file before your next order — no more label orders with high minimum volumes or high-cost print plates that need constant replacing.

In addition to labeling laws, you must also stay up to date with all rules and regulations for cannabis production and distribution. Legal requirements will differ between states. However, since federal law prohibits cannabis from traveling outside the state where it’s grown, you won’t need to delve into the laws of other states. Take time to occasionally review your state’s legal requirements to ensure your cannabis products remain compliant.

When choosing your custom cannabis packaging, the materials might need to accomplish several legal requirements. Proper seals are often required to protect your product — think of a bottle or bag that can open and close multiple times. Additionally, cannabis packaging designs must also make it immediately evident when someone has tampered with the product. As mentioned above, all dispensaries must keep their cannabis products locked up behind glass, but tamper-proof seals are still necessary to ensure products are safe to sell.

Tamper-proof seals and child-proof seals are significantly different, and many states require your packaging for cannabis-based products to have both. According to the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, the cannabis industrial sector requires all cannabis products to be packaged in child-resistant packaging. Child-resistant cannabis packaging is designed to be significantly difficult for children to open while not making it too challenging for typical adult use.

Many consumers want product packaging that is sustainable. In a survey conducted in , about 83% of respondents said it was “important or extremely important” for companies to design more environmentally friendly products. This sustainable mindset has only grown to encompass everything from the product to its packaging.

Today’s businesses must adopt a more sustainable and environmentally conscious outlook, especially for the cannabis industry. Your audience will notice keywords like sustainable, raw and organic. They will appreciate designs that convey a sustainable mindset, with muted colors and less ink usage. But consumers don’t just want to associate your brand with the idea of sustainability. They want to know your company is doing what it can to make a global impact. They want genuinely sustainable product packaging.

Recyclable packaging materials and less waste during manufacturing are essential factors in many consumers’ buying decisions. That’s why we use green materials for our custom cannabis packaging solutions. When your packaging is designed and constructed with sustainability in mind, you can appeal to more of your target audience.

Take advantage of the industry’s rapid growth, and experiment with your labels and packaging to find the best ways to connect with consumers. Digital print makes it relatively easy to switch up your shelf presentation. Discover what resonates with your audience by adjusting your product personalization and artwork.

Custom cannabis packaging also helps you create the ultimate unboxing experience for your customers. Your cannabis containers should be well protected yet simple enough for the typical adult to open. The right design can also tell your brand’s story at a glance. Build trust with your customers by providing quality products with innovative packaging that conveys your brand identity. Your labels and packaging could be what gets them to choose your cannabis-based product over a competitor’s.

The marijuana leaf has quickly become a stereotypical design element within the cannabis industry. However, it’s often unnecessary to emphasize your cannabis products with such blatant imagery. Most consumers are already aware your product is cannabis-based because that’s what they want. They don’t need stereotypical imagery or a traditional color scheme to let them know what they are buying.

If you can create a design that incorporates the cannabis leaf boldly and uniquely, it might be worth considering to inspire a particular mood. Generally, you will have greater success when you stay away from these designs from the start. The goal is to stand out on the shelf, and avoiding traditional design choices makes it significantly easier to create a strong brand identity in the marketplace.

Choose custom cannabis packaging tailored to your brand’s goals and designed with your customers in mind. Providing quality cannabis products is only part of building a successful business. You also need packaging that appeals to consumers, getting them to pick your brand over all others on the shelf. The ability to customize your cannabis packaging opens the door to more opportunities for customer conversion in one of the world’s most competitive and fastest-growing industries.

At Innovative Packaging Company (IPC), we offer fully customized options for packaging and labels to help you revolutionize the cannabis industry. Our process takes you from the design phase to the final cannabis packaging product, with optimal design services, just-in-time delivery and affordable warehousing solutions. Complete our request a quote form to see what we can do for your business, or contact us online with any questions about cannabis packaging products today.

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