Entering a cannabis dispensary is always an other worldly experience. It’s not just the stimulation of the olfactory senses by the strong herby, skunky aroma, but also the bright, colorful and often ‘over the top’ packaging of products that takes one by surprise.
There are a few reasons why cannabis products are packed in a slightly different, ‘excessive’ way compared to other commodities. Most cannabis product manufacturers describe four most common reasons as:
- Clarity
- Contamination
- State Mandates
- Progressiveness
Let’s walk through each of these points in detail to understand what all goes behind designing the packaging of cannabis products.
Table of Contents
Clarity
Cannabis is not your regular department store product. It’s used medically as well as recreationally but with full awareness of its psychoactiveness or intoxicating properties. In the wrong hands, it can cause problems. Which is why in most states you will have to apply for a medical marijuana card online in order to access cannabis.
But, with the evolving market and the growing acceptance of the herb, there are more varieties of products available now than there were a few years ago. While a cannabis bud is pretty distinguishable, other products such as cannabis gummies, tinctures, etc. will require something to help people immediately identify it as ‘cannabis’. This is why you often find bigger fonts, illustrations of marijuana leaf and several disclaimers mentioning ‘THC’ or ‘cannabis’ in a very visible way on the packaging.
Contamination
Cannabis products have expiration dates too. They can degrade easily if not stored properly. For instance, the decarboxylation process naturally happens in cannabis when exposed to light, heat and air which slowly renders essential cannabinoids ineffective. And that’s not all. The biggest problem is the development of molds when exposed to excessive moisture.
So cannabis manufacturers are specified to use air-tight, tamper resistant containers for products that can contaminate easily. In addition to this, they must also employ food-grade material to ensure that nothing toxic is introduced to the consumers.
State Mandates for Packaging
All 50 states of the US have different laws for cannabis sale and use. Some of these extend to the packaging of cannabis products. States provide a long checklist to manufacturers for cannabis packaging. Some of these include:
- Child resistant packaging
- Opaque or translucent containers
- Detailed label (date of expiration, best before date, CBD and THC content, dosage instructions, warnings, etc.)
- No health related statements or claims.
- FDA disclaimer
- Lab Reports (accessible via a scannable QR code or sent along with the product)
The checklist varies from one state to another. So, manufacturers shipping across the US or via a CBD Store, need to ensure that the labeling and packaging requirements successfully meet the requirements of every state.
Progressiveness
The cannabis industry has been called out several times for their ‘excessive’ packaging which is often just plain wasteful. So, keeping up with the progressive times, manufacturers are slowly moving onto recyclable and more green packaging while maintaining clarity and state mandates.
Several brands such as PAX and Henry’s Original are taking the green road. Several dispensaries across the West Coast of the US offer customers options to recycle their cannabis packaging.
Why Is Cannabis Packaging Surrounding by Restrictions?
Two reasons: Federal legalization and psychoactive properties.
So, the federal government’s decision on the legalization of cannabis is still murky. Until there’s an announcement stating the federal legalization of cannabis, it’s not FDA approved or federally legal.
Secondly, cannabis contains THC and other psychoactive components that can alter brain functions, alertness, etc. So, supervision over sale and use of the herb is extremely important. The states play their part by making sure that safety is maintained by ensuring proper packaging.
