The cannabis market is booming. Recently, Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana with more states sure to follow. To date, there are 33 states that already have legalized medical marijuana.
Most states begin the process of complete legalization by starting with medical marijuana only. As a result, we can only believe that more and more states will legalize recreational use in the coming years.
As cannabis use becomes mainstream, packaging will become an increasingly important aspect in the race to grab consumer attention and secure market share.
What is Cannabis?
With all the noise about marijuana, hemp, and cannabidiol (CBD) these days, it can be hard to keep them all straight. Cannabis is the plant from which all marijuana products are derived from, and there are thousands of different strains to choose from.
“Hemp” is a strain of cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC content by dry weight. Hemp is legal to grow and manufacture on a federal level, unlike marijuana. As a result of its low THC content, the hemp plant is typically used for the production of hemp fiber and CBD.
In this post, we are focusing strictly on marijuana. For more information on CBD packaging solutions, read our Guide to Packaging CBD Products.
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant that is used for recreational or medical purposes. In its natural form, marijuana is the dried flowers/buds of the cannabis plant. The drug contains psychoactive compounds, like THC, as well as other, non-mind-altering active compounds, like CBD. For more information on CBD packaging solutions, read our Guide to Packaging CBD Products.
Various Forms of Marijuana
Cannabis is distributed in many forms. Most often, marijuana is offered as-is, meaning the bud itself is sold. However, marijuana can also be made into edibles, like candy and baked goods, cannabis-infused ingredients, like butter and sugar, or even as drinkable liquids, like beer and wine.
Marijuana Packaging Solutions
In order to preserve marijuana’s freshness, packaging needs to control for light, heat, and air. Marijuana buds tend to be packaged in PET vials and paired with a child resistant closure, just like prescription vials. Typically, these vials are either amber or black PET.
For transparent packaging, the best options are glass, PET, or PETG jars. These can be paired with various continuous thread and child-resistant closures. Manufacturers are using digitally-printed closures with these packaging options to provide clear opening instructions or to promote the brand and logo.
Since marijuana can be infused into almost any type of food, packaging for edibles can vary. However, most edible manufacturers utilize jars, zip pouches, or even flexible packaging, often with a child resistant zipper/closure.
Marijuana Packaging Regulations
Since marijuana is an age-restricted product, and packaging regulations vary from state to state, it is important to understand that the manufacturer is responsible for knowing specifics such as what warnings need to be displayed and what font sizes need to be adhered to on the label.
Click here for more information regarding state regulations on marijuana packaging.
MJS Packaging Solutions
The possibilities are endless when it comes to marijuana products, and MJS Packaging has hundreds of options when it comes to packaging cannabis products!
If your business needs comprehensive marijuana branding and packaging solutions, contact one of our knowledgeable packaging specialists online or call us at (800) 915-2262 to get started.
