Packaging for marijuana plays a crucial role in every cannabis enterprise. Without caution, products may get damaged, contaminated, or even stolen. Packaging is vital to a marijuana business, serving practical purposes and acting as a branding tool. This post will explore optimal methods for selecting marijuana packaging.
Packaging Requirements
Each state has its regulations for cultivating, distributing, and selling cannabis, with standard packaging rules in place where cannabis is legal. Distributors must adhere to these guidelines before dispensaries can sell their products.
All products require child-resistant exit packaging to prevent easy opening by children, with packaging that reseals for non-single-use items. Cannabis products must be in child-resistant exit packaging and resealable if not for single use. Solid cannabis-infused edible containers must feature a label indicating the presence of cannabis and THC content per product. If a product contains THC, the label should display a state-required THC warning symbol.
Child Resistance Requirements
Specific packaging guidelines are in place for cannabis-derived products in the United States to prevent unauthorized access. Companies that do not comply face consequences. Most cannabis items demand child-resistant packaging. Glass jars are the ideal solution for cannabis flower and buds to meet child-resistant regulations.
Containers must be heat-sealed, while liquid contents require a metal crown or cork seal, which should be visibly intact. The focus is not solely on child safety, but also on adult accessibility. Containers must be opaque and sealable, ensuring the product is concealed when closed.
Manufacturers must certify compliance with batch or lot numbers for products needing child-resistant packaging. If child-resistant packaging is unnecessary, FDA-approved material certification from the manufacturer is required.
Specifications for Tamper-Evident Packaging
In addition to being child-resistant, cannabis products must be stored in tamper-evident packaging to assure both the retailer and the customer that the product has not been tampered with from cultivation to the shelf.
Cannabis items should have mechanisms in place to indicate any attempted access to the product. If tampering occurs, the packaging should show signs of interference to signal an issue. These tamper-evident features can include a transparent film surrounding the product or an internal foil or paper pouch that needs to be opened to reach the product.
For liquid products, the caps or lids should have a sealed band that clearly shows if they have been opened. If a tape seal is utilized, it should be distinctive enough to prevent resealing without detection.
Compound Concentration and List of Ingredients
Rules and guidelines for recreational and medical cannabis may have slight differences, yet both require similar label features. The outer label of every cannabis concentrate or edible must display the complete ingredient list. The manufacturer or distributor lists these ingredients in descending order by weight. The label should also list active compounds and their specific concentrations.
For instance, packaging for a single-serving cannabis edible should specify the THC content per item. In contrast, products designed for multiple servings should indicate the total THC concentration in the container and the per-serving amount.
Endnote
Federal regulations may be absent, yet numerous states enforce policies on cannabis packaging. As more states legalize cannabis for both recreational and medicinal use, national standards are expected to enhance. It is crucial to comply with these fundamental packaging guidelines to avoid issues with distributors, retailers, and customers, regardless of the location of your product transactions.
