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A naturally growing plant, cannabis has been around for much of recorded history. And boy, its history has been fraught and filled with controversy. But how (and where) did it all begin?
First used by humans to create rope in the third century BCE, cannabis was also discovered to have medicinal use. Emporer Chen Hung of China is considered one of the first to discover the healing properties of cannabis around 2700 BCE. From the Middle East to India to Greece and everywhere in between, cannabis was used as a treatment for conditions like leprosy, rheumatism, and opiate withdrawal.
It made its first appearance in North America in 1611, when Jonestown colonists brought the marijuana plant to America, making hemp fiber one of their most lucrative exports. Many historians say cannabis played a key role in the founding of the United States.
Since then, the role of cannabis in society has been a hot topic, to say the least.
Despite its controversial nature, cannabis is a quickly growing multi-billion dollar industry today. And without packaging, it would not be as successful as it is. From tins and jars to plastic baggies and premium pouches, the history of cannabis packaging is full of innovations, setbacks, discoveries, and controversies that have shaped its development over time.
So join us for Packaging History 101 and learn about the evolution of cannabis packaging! Chill...there won't be a test.
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Way back when, cannabis was legally sold and used in the United States for medical purposes. Marijuana was originally packaged in airtight tin containers by pharmaceutical companies Park Davis & Company and S.B. Penick & Company (now Pfizer and Siegfried Ltd.). It was discovered that cannabis loses its potency if exposed to light for an extended period of time, so these containers were opaque.
Now available for purchase at apothecaries and general stores, marijuana was packaged in glass or ceramic jars.
The fun couldn't last forever. One of the first U.S laws pertaining to cannabis was drafted: The Pure Food and Drug Act. This regulated the labeling of products that contained cannabis, opiates, cocaine, and alcohol.
With California leading the way, many states choose to classify cannabis products as poison (and label them as such).
During these years, a number of laws and regulations pass in the United States with the goal of regulating (and often demonizing) marijuana.
Notably, the Marihuana Tax Acct passes in 1937, using taxes to effectively make possession or transfer of marijuana illegal throughout the U.S., excluding cannabis for industrial or medical use.
It's official. Cannabis products are criminalized as a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S. with the passing of the Controlled Substances Act, pushing their production, packaging, and use underground. Cheap, portable, and easy to buy, the resealable plastic baggie becomes the packaging of choice.
Penalties for marijuana offenses are increased in many states and at the federal level. Notably, mandatory sentencing and three-strikes pass in the mid-80s, leading to increased incarceration rates and steeper punishments for cannabis-related drug offenses.
California was the first U.S state to label marijuana as a poison in 1907. Now, it does the opposite: With the passing of Proposition 215, California becomes the first U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana. It wasn't until 22 years later that California implemented a system to regulate these products. This meant that for many years, the market was a free-for-all, and so was cannabis packaging.
Washington and Colorado become the first U.S. states to legalize recreational cannabis.
Packaging requirements are now more regulated, often including features like child-resistance, opacity, resealability, and tamper-evident seals.
A growing market arises in the cannabis supply chain for a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) solution called nitrogen gas flush. This packaging technology, already popular in the food industry, blasts the inside of a filled package with nitrogen shortly before sealing it shut. The goal is to displace oxygen, the main culprit of spoilage. This extends the shelf life and potency of the cannabis product sealed within.
As the future of the industry looks bright, cannabis companies begin to explore the possibilities of automating their packaging processes to keep up with demand and streamline operations.
Canada becomes the first G-8 country to legalize cannabis nationwide, opening a brand new lucrative market. And with that, packaging questions to answer regarding regulation.
Because of the patchwork of laws governing packaging in U.S. states and federal laws still on the books prohibiting interstate commerce, large national packaging manufacturers have not really gotten involved in this market. This leaves room for smaller, niche packaging producers to thrive, producing creative, premium packaging that is tailored to their state or locality.
Interest in cannabis packaging machines increases. Manufacturers need to scale up in a big way to keep up with demand, so their outdated, unreliable packaging processes need an upgrade.
Cannabis contract packagers show up on the market, offering specialized packaging services to cannabis companies that would rather outsource their packaging process altogether.
The market share of dried flower products sinks to 26% from 50% just 2 years prior. Instead, edibles grow in popularity as they are an easier, more discrete introduction to the product for new users than smoking a joint. Plastic pouches emerge as the preferred packaging type for edibles, with flexibles comprising about 43% of the market.
Every marijuana initiative on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot passes, legalizing marijuana for medical and/or recreational use in even more U.S. states. One-third of the population now lives in areas with legal recreational marijuana, and a whopping 70% of all states allow medical use.
With widespread legal availability of cannabis, its packaging has matured. No more clear plastic baggies. Instead, cannabis packaging features a premium, sophisticated look designed to destigmatize the product and appeal to consumers that probably never bought a sandwich baggie of weed.
The COVID-19 pandemic affects every industry, including cannabis. As consumers are told to socially distance, smaller packages of product became more popular as most began using at home either instead of in large groups. Additionally, because COVID-19 affects the lungs, inhaled cannabis products see a dip in demand, causing a resultant decrease in demand in packaging made for pre-rolls and joints.
With labor shortages and related issues exacerbated by the pandemic, cannabis manufacturers are increasingly likely to take the plunge into automating their packaging process. Pouch fill and seal machines emerge as one of the most popular packaging automation choices.
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Cannabis cultivation is notorious for being taxing on the environment. Additionally, strict cannabis packaging regulations often result in single-use packaging which creates more waste. As consumers demand more eco-responsibility, a focus on sustainable packaging strategies and materials is now top-of-mind for cannabis manufacturers.
Want to automate the packaging of your cannabis product but don't know where to start? Just interested in learning more about cannabis packaging technologies? Download our free eBook: Getting Started with Cannabis Packaging Systems to get the scoop.
Sources:
MJ Wholesale - Marijuana Packaging History
Fresh Stash - History of Cannabis + Packaging
Weedmaps - Cannabis Packaging Comes a Long Way From the Sandwich Bag
What They Think - Cannabis Packaging Market to Triple in Three Years According to Smithers
Rolling Stone - America’s Boom in Illegal Weed
The modern cannabis market has different marijuana products, from dry flower and edibles to tinctures, oils, and much more. Consequently, packaging these various products requires extensive knowledge and care. Not only does cannabis packaging keep products safe and potent, but it also provides companies with great branding opportunities.
Without proper cannabis packaging, your customers may receive goods that don’t represent the effort it took to create them. For this reason, business owners must prioritize packaging to ensure their clients receive flawless products.
Although understanding the different kinds of packaging for cannabis may seem overwhelming, it only requires remembering a few cardinal rules. This article highlights the most popular cannabis packaging products to help you get started.
Before diving into the prevalent cannabis packaging containers available on the market, there are two essential categories of packaging for weed that are crucial for all marijuana companies.
Child-resistant marijuana packaging refers to all weed containers with mechanisms to help prevent children from accessing potentially harmful substances. It has become an essential part of the cannabis industry over the years. Although marijuana laws may differ from state to state, they all have similar compliance packaging regulations, like using child-resistant packaging to safeguard consumers and minors.
Another vital type of cannabis packaging to keep in mind is tamper-evident packaging. Essentially, tamper-evident cannabis packaging refers to weed containers that make unauthorized access to products easily detectable for customers. They are important for ensuring your products are in safe and secure storage. Tamper-evident weed packaging is suitable for all marijuana products. They also help instill a sense of trust and transparency in customers. For this reason, many cannabis packaging items include tamper-evident mechanisms.
Cannabis packaging comes in numerous shapes and sizes. Each packaging item can house specific types of marijuana products. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the most popular cannabis packaging items.
One of the most prevalent types of marijuana packaging is cannabis jars. These packaging items can house various weed products, including marijuana flower, edibles, pre-rolls, and concentrates. Cannabis jars are practical, versatile, and cost-efficient, making them popular among cannabis producers and retailers alike.
Most weed jars have lids that make them smell-proof. As a result, many marijuana retailers gravitate towards them as they can display their products while preventing their legal dispensaries from smelling like a hotbox. Furthermore, they are manufactured using different materials, including glass, plastic, and silicone, to suit the products they house.
Glass and plastic jars are popular with marijuana flower, edibles, concentrates, and pre-rolls. They are often transparent, which allows customers to see the products they want to purchase while still having ample room for branding. On the other hand, silicone jars are primarily used as packaging for concentrates because dabs don’t stick to the walls of the container.
Although there are different types of bags for weed, mylar bags are by far the most popular ones in the market. They are practical and effective cannabis packaging items suitable for handling numerous cannabis products. Mylar bags are packaging pouches made from several layers of laminated plastic and aluminum.
Mylar bags have low Oxygen Transmission Rates (OTR), making them suitable for storing weed products for extended periods. Consequently, they are ideal for housing marijuana flower, edibles, pre-rolls, and concentrate syringes. They are also smell-proof, which helps customers keep their cannabis consumption discreet.
Furthermore, mylar bags come in different types, including Pinch N Slide and Pinch N Pull mylar bags, which have child-resistant features. Similarly, mylar bags can be clustered according to the materials used to manufacture them. Thus, you can get metallic or kraft mylar bags. They are also available in several sizes and come in matte or glossy finishes.
Mylar bags are also known for being excellent custom packaging for cannabis. These items are completely customizable, allowing brands to create personalized labels and logos that make their products unique.
When it comes to packaging joints and blunts, pre-roll tubes are the crown jewel. Simply put, a joint tube is a small cylindrical container designed to keep pre-rolls fresh and safe from physical damage. Many of these cannabis packaging items are also child-resistant and adhere to the packaging compliance laws of virtually all legal states.
Pre-roll tubes, also known as doob tubes, come in a few varieties. They are usually manufactured from glass, plastic, or biodegradable materials. Plastic joint tubes are more common due to their opaque nature and pop top caps. Nevertheless, glass and biodegradable pre-roll joint packaging tubes are equally prevalent.
Glass pre-roll tubes are also quite popular in the market. However, despite their more elegant and modern look, they are more fragile than their plastic counterparts. For this reason, glass pre-roll tubes are more about aesthetics and displaying perfectly rolled joints.
Biodegradable joint tubes are made from components like synthetic polymers, naturally sourced glycerine, and plant-based carbohydrates. They come in black, white, and clear varieties and are the perfect option for sustainable joint packaging.
There are also numerous selections for vape cartridge tubes. These robust cart packaging items protect vaporizer cartridges from physical harm and provide excellent branding opportunities for distillate companies.
Cannabis containers are an effective way to store marijuana products for long periods. Many of them are airtight, which helps extend the shelf life of cannabis goods. These containers are ideal for storing edibles and pre-rolls.
Containers for cannabis come in various styles, materials, and sizes. The most widespread are tin containers because they are sturdy and lock in aromas to keep products fresh. Hence, tin containers offer superior security and durability compared to other products.
Apart from tin containers, you can also find shatter containers and other plastic storage for weed. Most of these cannabis packaging have child-resistant features; thus, learning how to open cannabis packaging is vital to ensure you use them properly.
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