While 2020 certainly had its shares of ups and downs for individuals and businesses, it was a year of significant victories for the cannabis industry in the U.S. and internationally.
Higher Cannabis Sales & A Growing Customer Base
Sales in the U.S. grew up to 40% over 2019 as cannabis was deemed an “essential service” during the pandemic across most cannabis states. In Canada, where cannabis was also considered essential, people spent 74% more on legal cannabis during this period.
During the pandemic, the industry noted that new and “canna-curious” users began to purchase cannabis, giving cannabis companies even more reason to find quality, innovative, and compliant packaging solutions that caught the consumer’s eye.
Further Victories for Cannabis
During election season in November, Arizona, New Jersey, and Montana approved recreational cannabis use, Mississippi approved medical cannabis, and South Dakota backed both at the same time.
This year recreational sales also ramped up in states like Illinois and Maine. Internationally, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UN-CND) approved removing cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The industry hopes this move will help boost medical cannabis sales and sales of products and services by plant-touching companies.
A Way Forward
With such change in cannabis, people are learning valuable lessons on every component that goes into the seed-to-sale process.
Here are a few things packaging companies have discovered that new companies and distributors in cannabis states and countries across the world can learn from about packaging:
Materials Sourcing is Important
2020 was a year that people began thinking a bit more critically about materials sourcing, seeing an overall movement towards “buying local”. While many cannabis companies opted to purchase packaging materials from overseas, they could only buy wholesale and without much consultation.
When manufacturers cut corners in cannabis packaging, there is no guarantee that the polymers and films used are of a safe material that will protect the integrity of the cannabis product. Similarly, cutting corners can also negatively impact compliance.
This need to find safe, quality materials at a reasonable price has cannabis companies looking for U.S.-based or locally sourced materials for their cannabis packaging.
Convenience is Key
While child-proofing and resealable packaging are necessary for compliance, the closures on cannabis packaging should not cause barriers for adults to access the product.
Cannabis packaging should be difficult enough to open for a child, but intuitive enough to use by adults, and easy to open, especially for those using medical cannabis for specific medical conditions such as arthritis.
When keeping convenience in mind, cannabis companies will want to explore various childproofing mechanisms to ensure that their packages are safe around children but accessible by their target consumer.
Compliance is a Must
While cannabis laws vary from state to state and country to country, most regulations on cannabis packaging will require packages to be child- resistant, resealable, and opaque in color. Most states will also include that packaging must not imitate the appearance of other non-cannabis products.
Regulated markets will not permit the sale of cannabis that does not meet or exceed these minimum packaging requirements.
Cannabis companies never want to get dinged for compliance, especially before their packages hit the shelves. Therefore, cannabis companies need to work with packaging specialists that understand compliance requirements from state-to-state and country to country.
Sustainability Matters
One common complaint by consumers about cannabis packaging is that it can be excessive, causing more waste than a consumer would prefer.
The cannabis industry is looking to integrate more sustainable solutions into the seed-to-sale process, including more eco-friendly packaging. Some advanced cannabis companies are using hemp-based plastics in their packaging, but this technology is relatively new.
Cannabis packaging companies understand the various pain-points regarding packaging and therefore will offer cannabis companies a variety of films that extend the shelf life of cannabis while giving it the protection it needs.
Competition is Fierce
While they say to never judge a book by its cover, cannabis consumers will glean the quality of the product by the look and feel of the packaging. Just as with any other consumer packaged goods, shelf appeal matters.
Cannabis companies are looking for packaging design that stands out in the “sea of green” by using various colors, graphics, types of films, and packaging designs intended to catch their desired consumer’s eye.
Seed & Seal Packaging Company Offers Solutions
Seed & Seal Packaging Company is a digitally-based flexible packaging company that has experienced its growth alongside cannabis as more states and countries develop their cannabis markets and look for innovative packaging solutions.
Our packaging is manufactured in the U.S.A. and Canada, and complies with cannabis packaging regulations as they appear across states and countries.
Our child resistant packaging for cannabis is available in various films, including high-barrier, specialty, recyclable, and metalized PET films. These films extend the shelf life of cannabis while giving it the protection it needs.
Seed & Seal Packaging Company doesn’t just provide you a product; it provides you a service and a solution that helps you stand out among the “sea of green” in the cannabis industry. Our packaging experts work with you to determine the best type of package and film to represent your contribution to a growing market. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation.
