Cannabis Packaging Regulations by State

Prepare for Cannabis to Take Off

The demand for cannabis packaging is growing as more states put legal cannabis laws on the books, and the federal government eyes legalization. According to Forbes, the legal cannabis industry is  predicted to reach $43 billion by 2025. Additionally, the news report reveals that by 2025, 42% of US cannabis demand is projected to be met by legal purchases in regulated markets. This trend has widened the opportunities for label and packaging converters to explore new applications and revenue streams.

Attitudes about cannabis continue to evolve. As acceptance of medical marijuana rises and more states jump on the legal cannabis market wagon, the industry continues to spiral upward. A Grand View Research study projects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.2% from 2023 t0 2030. 
 
According to the DEA, cannabis is one of the most grown plants in the world. The market is going to get more saturated as states relax their laws. We recommend cannabis brands start looking at their packaging options early in their business process. Our team of flexible packaging experts will help guide you through this emerging industry.

Understanding Child-Resistant Packaging

Cannabis packaging regulations change often. The rules on packaging vary from state to state, but one thing remains nearly universal — child resistance. These regulations are designed to help protect children from accidentally ingesting cannabis products. This is increasingly important as the market for these products has expanded beyond the cannabis flower to include topicals, concentrates, soaps, edibles and more.

Cannabis packaging regulations change often. The rules on packaging vary from state to state, but one thing remains nearly universal — child resistance. These regulations are  designed to help protect children from accidentally ingesting cannabis products. This is increasingly important as the market for these products has expanded beyond the cannabis flower to include topicals, concentrates, soaps, edibles and more.

Lawmakers tend to focus heavily on edibles since children may confuse them for candy. Child resistance is a safety standard set by laws passed in the 1970s to prevent children from ingesting harmful chemicals. If state lawmakers aren’t immediately requiring child resistance, it’s only a matter of time before they will.

Here’s some information to help you choose the right flexible packaging material provider for your legal cannabis goods. Many packaging manufacturers seem to zero in on the zippers and other enclosures, but it’s only one part of the story. If packaging manufacturers are using a child-resistant closure with a film that’s easy to tear, they will still fail child-resistant standards.

Not all so-called “child-resistant” packaging is created equal. For maximum protection, consider choosing certified child-resistant packaging where the entire package has been evaluated and tested using the Consumer Product Safety Commission's standards.

Child-resistant labs use participants ranging from 42 to 51 months of age, evenly distributed by gender, to test the packaging. Senior adults also participate in the testing. The goal is to ensure children stay out, but seniors can get in. Children attempt to open the package by pulling various parts of the bag with their hands and teeth. Knowing that your legal cannabis flex packaging has undergone this rigorous testing will help give you peace of mind that you are protecting young lives.