MJBiz Buyers Guide: Cannabis Packaging 23 - 6

MJBizDaily Buyers Guide Cannabis Packaging
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" I believe producers should prioritize packaging that not only protects the products but also
resonates with the brand's identity, " said Yasha Shamayeri, marketing director at Leafy Pack in
Costa Mesa, California. " I think those are the top two things they should prioritize. This involves
selecting materials that maintain product freshness and product integrity, while also pertaining to
the aesthetics of their brand's value and their target audience as well. "
OPTIMIZING PACKAGING
A survey from Chicago-based cannabis insights platform Brightfield Group found that 67% of
consumers would pay $1-$3 more for marijuana packaged in N2's nitrogen-sealed cans.
To optimize packaging, suppliers have to consider things such as the effects of UV rays, which can
degrade terpenes and affect the potency, freshness and shelf life of cannabis.
" You have to start with a focus on functional and then work toward your form, " explained Jeremy
Ward, CEO at Green Rush Packaging in Irvine, California. " Going the other way can be very costly
from both a time and money standpoint. As a brand, you want to be thinking of the entire lifecycle
of the product-from transportation to display at the retail level and then ultimately your
customer's needs. "
The customer's branding preferences also play a role in packaging selection, according to Nancy
Gruskin Warner, founder and CEO of Assurpack in Englewood, Colorado.
" A lot of these startup companies come in with very big ideas, " she said. " They want a custom
package, and their volumes aren't there. So, what we try to do is have standard packages, and
then we customize them either through printing or through secondary packages with paperboard
options, inserts and all different kinds of things. "
Rachel Kane, founder and CEO at Sure Lock Packaging in St. Paul, Minnesota, said that the No. 1 rule
of product development is don't rush. " Do consumer testing and make sure that you have production
assessment for scaling and manufacturing in place, " she said. " You can have the most innovative
packaging out there. But if your product is undesirable, consumers will purchase it only once. "
Functionality also includes making packaging that all consumers can use-from seniors to younger
consumers-while still being child-resistant and staying focused on issues such as freshness.
CHILD RESISTANT AND MORE
Making child-resistant packaging is a top concern for cannabis packaging companies. The FDA
reported 2,362 THC exposure cases between Jan. 1, 2021, and Feb. 28, 2022. Of those, 82% of
unintentional exposures affected children.
The California Department of Cannabis Control identifies three types of approved, child-resistant
packaging-or packaging that cannot be opened by children under the age of five:
* Any package that has been tested and certified as child-resistant under the requirements of the
Poison Prevention Packaging Act.
* A bottle sealed with a pry-off metal crown cap or a cork-style cap (for packages containing only
a single serving).
* Plastic packaging that is at least 4 millimeters thick and heat-sealed without an easy-open
corner, flap, dimple or tab.
Keeping children out of cannabis containers isn't the only consideration for packaging designers.
Packages also must be senior-friendly, so that's tested as well by companies such as Cypress,
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MJBiz Buyers Guide: Cannabis Packaging 23

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