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As the legalization of marijuana increases in more countries globally, the cannabis market is also growing rapidly, whether for medical or recreational use. With this growth, brands and cannabis manufacturers need to look for ways to refine the look of their packaging to keep up with the trends.
If you are new to the cannabis packaging industry, then this guide can help you choose the right packaging solutions and machines including filling machines solution and choosing sealing machnes for various cannabis products – from the appropriate container you should use to tips on selecting the right cannabis packaging. So, if you want to know more, keep on reading!
The increasing recognition of cannabis regarding its therapeutic applications and medicinal benefits drives the momentum of the industry. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), cannabis is by far the most cultivated drug. Below are some of the key trends in the cannabis industry.
Contents
Cannabis Packaging Trends
Key Market Trends
- The movement for cannabis legalization is growing stronger.
- Recreational cannabis and beverages are gaining in popularity.
- Investments by angel investors, organizations, and key companies are increasing.
- More doctors are recommending medical marijuana.
- Researchers are now studying new ways on how to use medical marijuana.
- Beers, wines, and spirits are predicted to get involved with low doses of cannabis.
Key Cannabis Branding & Packaging Trends
- Green packing for cannabis products (packaging them in biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable materials)
- The popularity of glass vials with droppers which often requires outer cartons such as tubes, test tubes, pumps, jars, and bottles
- Modernized leafy imagery as icons/logos for faster identifications in stores
- Muted green and brown colors to indicate the natural roots of cannabis products
- Adding legitimacy to cannabis brands by using pharmaceutical or medical symbols and colors
- Using minimalism in brand designs to give businesses a more stylish and modern look
- Putting cannabis education in the spotlight when creating the designs
Different Types of Cannabis Products
Maryjuana Flower (Weed)
- Indicas
- Sativas
- Hybrid
Pre-Roll Joints
Edibles
- Food (Candies, Brownies, Cookies, Pizza Sauce, Potato Chips, Gummies, Chocolates, etc.)
- Beverages (Coffee, Tea, Soda, etc.)
- Capsules
Concentrates
- Hash
- Rosin
- Crystalline
- Butane Hash Oil
- Tinctures
- Cooking oil
- Sift or Kief
- Live Resin
- Shatter Wax
- Honeycomb Wax
- Crumble Wax
- Badder or Budder
- Pull & Snap
- CO2 & BHO Extract Oil
- THC Oil
- Distillates, Crystralines & Isolates
Topicals
- Lotions
- Ointments
- Balms
- Oils
Cannabis Packaging Container Types
Having a remarkable brand is good but having the right container and packaging for storing your cannabis products is even better to ensure your customers’ satisfaction. Your chosen packaging should be more than capable of dressing your cannabis product while preventing any structural damage, quality, and shelf-life issues.
Also, matching your specific product’s physical form with your cannabis packaging will help you portray your notable offerings in eye-catching, dynamic, and protective packaging while complying with the required regulations.
In this section, you will learn the different packaging options for your cannabis products along with the pros and cons of each. There are three main categorizations of cannabis containers and packaging:
- Rigid
- Semi-rigid
- Flexible
Rigid Cannabis Packaging
What are Rigid Packaging Containers?
Rigid packaging types are containers that are hard and with unyielding structures. They are generally made from glass and metal. Examples would be:
- Mason jars
- Glass jars
- Vacuum sealed jars
- Vials
Pros of Rigid Cannabis Packaging
- The majority of rigid containers are made from nonporous materials that are hygienic and easy to clean. This allows for longer shelf lives of your cannabis products.
- They hold the form of your cannabis products well. Thus, creating a consistent presentation of your packages.
- Hard materials will provide your marijuana products with exceptional mechanical protection.
- Glass jars are inexpensive and are good choices when it comes to storing cannabis products. They are airtight and have non-static surfaces so they can keep air and outside contaminants from getting in.
- Vacuum sealed storage containers are better alternatives to mason jars because they create a vacuum seal by pushing all of the air out. This helps in keeping your cannabis product 3 times fresher compared to other storage types.
- They are inert so they are safer choices.
Cons of Rigid Cannabis Packaging
- Depending on your location, you may need to package some naturally clear rigid containers in additional exit bags. This is because of regulations that disallow the use of transparent packaging.
- For concentrates and oil cannabis products, the shapes of rigid cannabis containers can cause problems on the accessibility of the products inside. Customers might have a difficult time getting out every last bit of the product.
- There are rigid containers that can shatter or break easily like glass. Containers with cracks will be prone to contaminations.
- If you are using masons and preserving jars, you must keep them away from sunlight. Store them in dark and cool places to preserve the smoke’s quality longer.
- Vacuum sealed storage containers are more expensive compared to other storage types.
Semi-Rigid Cannabis Packaging
What are Semi-Rigid Packaging Containers?
These containers will hold the form of the products inside well unless you exert adequate pressure on them. They are not rigid but are not flexible either.
Examples are the following:
- Tin/aluminum cans
- Cardboard boxes
- Thermoformed plastic containers (e.g. plastic tubs and cups)
- Paper tubes
Pros of Semi-Rigid Cannabis Packaging
- These containers are tough but are quite flexible.
- They provide good transparency allowing your customers to view the cannabis product inside.
- They usually come in high gloss surfaces to create an excellent commercial aesthetic.
- They don’t tear, break, or shatter so they are robust against handling and wears.
- They are much lighter compared to rigid containers so transporting and storing them are cheaper.
- You can easily cast the majority of semi-rigid container materials into molds. Thus, giving your marijuana product and brand excellent customization options.
- Plastic containers are perfect as on-the-go storage choices.
- They are very affordable and are easy and faster to produce.
Cons of Semi-Rigid Cannabis Packaging
- Although plastic containers are affordable options, they are only meant for temporary storage. Most of them are not airtight so they cannot protect the products inside that much from air, heat, and light.
- Unlike rigid containers, most semi-rigid cannabis containers are made of plastic. The quality of plastic will degrade over time so beware of old inventories.
- Most semi-rigid containers can be easily scratched without proper handling. This can lead to an unappealing presentation.
- You cannot easily reuse or recycle some of these containers. Consumers who are environmental advocates will regard them as pollutants.
- Specific semi-rigid materials are combustible, especially when you store them near oils and solvents.
- Plastic materials can turn yellow after some time, leading to distortions in the appearance of the packaging.
Flexible Cannabis Packaging
What are Flexible Packaging Containers?
Flexible cannabis containers are made of yieldable materials. Their shapes change when filled with the product and sealed. Examples are the following:
- Aluminum foils
- Plastic films
- Bags
- Pouches
- Sachets
- Envelopes
It can also be a combination of the above containers and will usually have a thickness within the range of 13-75 micrometers. Moreover, flexible cannabis packaging types are normally vacuum-sealed
Pros of Flexible Cannabis Packaging
- These types of packaging are readily available.
- They are lightweight and you can stack them easily in your storage.
- They are cheaper to transport compared to rigid and semi-rigid containers.
- Flexible packaging containers made of parchment paper are the most ideal ones for packaging concentrates. This is because they have silicone surfaces that oils will not stick to.
- Vacuum-sealed flexible containers are airtight so they can preserve the flavor and aroma of buds.
- They are recyclable so your consumers can use them for other purposes after consuming the product.
- They are unbreakable and flexible so cross-contamination is not a serious issue compared to the previously mentioned packaging formats.
- They provide great printing capabilities because you can print on flexible materials without purchasing separate labels for your products.
- They are ergonomic and so are easy to manipulate and handle.
- They can package your marijuana products without leaving any extra spaces inside. Thus, eliminating unnecessary spaces during storage, shipment, and display on the shelves.
- You will have a lot of customization options for creating a great brand and to make your flexible containers easier to use for your consumers.
Cons of Flexible Cannabis Packaging
- You can only use some flexible cannabis containers for storing concentrates. This means that they will not be adequate for the majority of cannabis product types.
- Flexible containers with lower quality are thinner so they are easier to be tampered with and damaged during handling and transport.
- Vacuum-sealed flexible containers compress the products a lot. This can damage the structure of the products which can affect the herb’s quality.
Cannabis Packaging & Labeling Regulations/Requirements
Cannabis Packaging Regulations
Child-Resistant Packaging
You should package all cannabis products in child-resistant containers or place them inside child-resistant exit bags. Some cannabis products, such as cannabis-infused food and drinks, can attract children and may cause intoxication.
Liquid Unit Measuring Device
Liquid-ingestible cannabis-infused products are recommended to contain a device or mechanism to measure a product’s single-unit/single-serving portion. This is because of accidental cases of over-ingestion partly due to unclear information regarding the proper dosage for edibles.
Opaque Packaging
Opaque packaging for cannabis products is a requirement in most states that legalized cannabis due to several reasons:
- They make cannabis products appear less appealing to adolescents.
- They can help in limiting ingestion by children below 7 years old.
- They help protect your cannabis products from degradation caused by exposure to light.
Opaque packaging containers are those that are opaque by composition and those that are translucent but have an opaque casing.
Not Appealing to Minors
You should not use cannabis packaging that attracts minors including those that portray cartoon figures, images, or objects that primarily appeal to minors.
A minor is a person below 18 years of age for medical marijuana and below 21 for cannabis products intended for adult use. The packaging is said to primarily appeal to minors if its attractiveness exceeds its general attractiveness to consumers of legal age.
Avoid Packaging That is Similar to Commercial Products
There are a lot of states that prohibit adult-use and medical cannabis packaging that resembles commercially available beverages, snacks, baked goods, and candies. This is to limit the appeal of cannabis products to children and prevent accidental intake.
Cannabis Labeling Regulations
Font Type & Size
All required information should be legible with heights of 1/16 inch based on the lower case letter “o”
Common Name of the Product
You should include the usual or common name of the product on the label in bold. Add “cannabis” too.
Licensee Name & Their Contact
Include the licensee’s name along with the business’s email address or phone number for receiving inquiries and product complaints.
The Contents’ Net Quantity
You should include the total volume or weight of the finished product. Do not include the packaging container’s weight. You might need packaging machines that allow marijuana weighing for this purpose.
License number & Batch Code
You should include the manufacturer of the finished products’ license number and the product’s batch code for tracking purposes.
List of Ingredients
List all ingredients by their common names in descending order by weight based on their dominance on the product. Do this for all concentrates and cannabis-infused products containing one or more ingredients not obtained from cannabis.
Allergen Labeling
Add information about allergens for concentrates and ingestible cannabis-infused products meant to be eaten, digested, or swallowed.
Nutrition Facts
Add Nutrition Facts for cannabis products that are taken orally.
Cannabis Facts
Include a panel for Cannabis Facts that includes the following:
- The Effective THC percentage concentration and other cannabinoids weight by weight (for flowers) or weight by volume (for non-activated concentrates).
- The amount of Active THC content in milligram along with other cannabinoids.
Contaminant Testing Statement
Include a statement of conformity to compulsory contaminant testing.
Universal symbol
Include a universal symbol (a visual warning) indicating that your product contains THC.
Warning Statements
Add warning statements on your labels whether your product is psychoactive, for adult use, medical use, etc.
Avoid Misleading Statements
Do not include untruthful statements in your labels. Health claims for instance.
Recycling Cannabis Packaging
The overwhelming packaging and labeling regulations that cannabis packagers need to comply with has resulted in a lot of waste created by the industry. This is why most packagers use recyclable materials for storing their products to promote a greener alternative. Below are the ways that consumers can recycle cannabis packaging.
Through Recycling Programs
There are some communities that offer recycling programs for used cannabis packaging containers though the requirements and restrictions may vary from place to place. Consumers can check the code in the recycling symbol at the bottom of the cannabis containers to determine if the material is recyclable or not.
Through Charitable Organizations
Consumers can search for charitable organizations accepting old containers as donations. These organizations will either use the old containers themselves or send them to countries that need medical supply containers. Some also recycle the containers to generate profit.
Repurposing the Used Containers
For cannabis containers that can’t be recycled, consumers can repurpose them by converting them to organizers for items around their house or garden. Depending on the size of the used cannabis container, consumers can use them to organize small objects such as screws, nails, thumbtacks, and paperclips.
Tips for Choosing the Right Cannabis Packaging
Choosing the right packaging container for your cannabis product is important to preserve its flavor, smell, texture, and potency. Your cannabis packaging should be able to minimize, and prevent as much as possible, the exposure of your product to air, moisture, humidity, and temperature.
In this section, you will get some important things you need to know when deciding on the right packaging container for your cannabis products. This is to ensure that your brand will stand out from the competition and your products will have a long shelf life without any degradation in their quality.
3 Key Things to Consider When Choosing Your Cannabis Packaging
Determine your target market.
This is the first thing you need to be certain about to guarantee that you will choose a packaging that matches not only your products but your target market.
Are you planning to attract experienced consumers who are searching for top of the line products or price-conscious ones? You should address the needs and wants of your target consumers on your packaging.
Consider how your cannabis packaging will affect your brand’s appearance.
Take into account how the materials and style of your cannabis packaging will influence the aesthetic of your brand. Try experimenting on different lid types, colorful containers, and various prints to help you stand out from the competition.
If you are aiming for experienced consumers, glass might be a better option than plastic. Glass containers give a classy look to your brand. But if you are aiming for budget consumers, you can increase their savings by going for less expensive packaging containers.
Determine the budget you should have for your cannabis packaging.
Your allocated budget for your cannabis packaging with respect to your products’ retail price is important to make sure that you will still gain a reasonable profit. It will depend on how much packaging you will be needing compared to how much cannabis you will package inside each container.
5 Important Reminders Before Deciding on Your Cannabis Packaging
- When packaging dried marijuana flowers, use airtight containers. If not, your product will continue to dehydrate. Once the water content of your dried flowers drops below 7%, the cannabis flower will lose its volatile terpene oils very quickly. Thus, losing its potency and aroma.
- Do not use flexible packaging containers in storing cannabis flowers because the product might get crushed during transport and handling. If you insist on using flexible containers, use stand-up pouches instead.
- Rigid cannabis packaging containers are ideal for packaging cannabis flowers as well as their trichome heads because they can protect them against crushing.
- Some oils that cannabis produces, like limonene, can dissolve plastics. The residue will then be deposited on your cannabis product. So it is better to avoid plastic materials as much as possible.
- You can add small desiccant packs inside your cannabis edible containers to prolong their shelf life. Desiccant packs will help absorb any moisture inside the container.
Suggested Packaging for Various Cannabis Products
Cannabis Flower
- Glass jars
- Borosilicate Glass Tube Jars
- Smell-Proof Stand Up Bags/Pouches
Pre-Rolls
- Pre-Roll Pouches/Bags
- Clear Tubes
- Pop-Top Containers
Cannabis Edibles
- Tube Jars
- Resealable Bags
Cannabis Concentrates
- Borosilicate Glass Containers
- Polystyrene Containers
- Acrylic Containers
- Silicone Containers
Custom Cannabis Packaging
With the ever-changing cannabis packaging regulations, cannabis businesses need to find a way to adjust to these changes. One is by creating custom cannabis packaging. The growing market for cannabis also caused companies to shift to marijuana machines that use the latest technologies to keep up with the demands of different customer segments.
It is now clear that automation of the cannabis packaging process by incorporating auto packaging machines in cannabis lines is needed for faster bulk productions. Automated.
marijuana packaging machines make it easier to customize your cannabis packaging to accommodate different product types. These machines can produce hermetic seals that are airtight to prolong the shelf life of your products.
You can talk to us if you are looking for cannabis packaging supplies so that we can discuss your specific needs for your cannabis packaging machine. We can install your desired machine accessories such as weed augers and cannabis weighers according to your preferences.
Choose Levapack and our professionals will help you create can filling machines and can sealing machines for your unique custom cannabis packaging! We will help you improve your brand reach while still conforming with the necessary cannabis packaging regulations.
By the way, are you looking for the top marijuana/cannabis packaging companies out there? Check out our list below:
