Challenges and Innovations for Cannabis Packaging

The cannabis industry has grown.   Even in states where THC isn’t legal, CBD is popular, and with delta-8 and delta-10 options, it’s a medical option for a lot of people. The one thing that comes with this industry however, is the packaging, as it does require specific packaging.

This isn’t just for protection and freshness of materials. It needs different types of packaging that’s become a major factor in how these items are packaged, especially with tamper-evident items. 

Here, we’ll go over the different considerations and packaging solutions that offer sustainability, and brand options that change the industry for the better. 

Why different Packaging 

As we know, cannabis is a substance that’s only allowed to be sold and used by those over 21, just like alcohol.   Children, if they get into this, might try to eat the cannabis edibles. Which, if you’ve ever been high, poses a major issue for kids. 

With that said, there needs to be certain kinds of packaging that’s child-resistant.    Packaging with twist tops or boxes that require you to pull and get the item out are commonly used. 

Tamper-evident packaging is also used. Quality might suffer, and there are bad people who might try to insert some chemicals into the cannabis, posing a problem for everyone.

With that said, you also need to focus on the branding and packaging for cannabis.   Choosing something that fits the brand, telling customers what it is, while protecting the content is important. Flowers, for instance, are sold in airtight jars because they’re left in dark, dry places. If left in the sun or near water, it causes the cannabis to degrade, and even causes mold to form, which isn’t good.

So yes, you need to consider these factors when creating cannabis packaging that’s innovative and sustainable. 

Innovative Solutions 

Here, we’ll go over some of the different solutions and companies offering a unique type of packaging for you to use.

The first, are pre-roll tubes with child-resistant lines. This tube is super easy to pack, and sustainable. The best part is that these tubes are reusable too, so once you’re done, you bring it back.

There is also the AssurTin, which is from AssurPack, which is a lockable polypropylene tin, which means it’s recyclable. It locks, so children can’t open it. Once a person is done, it can be recycled.   The metal is easily recyclable, and contributes to circular packaging. 

Hemp plastic containers are another one. This is a biodegradable type of plastic that’s easy to compost as well. the containers are child-resistant.   Dama is one that offers pre-roll tubes, bamboo tubes, glass containers, and hemp exit bags, all of which are easy to toss when you’re done.   

Finally, there are lockable flower jars and various exit bags for you to use.   The jars are made with glass and a bioplastic lid. Exit bags are made with sugarcane and other plant—based materials. 

What’s crazy is a lot of these companies are taking the next step. They lower their emissions, and HISIERRA, who is known to make these bioplastic bags and jars, even makes these in wind-powered factories. 

Plant-based packaging and accelerators are also common, and with this style, it removes the bio-based sorts of resins, and it limits pollution. 

There are a lot of different ways to use this, and with more technologies, including nitrogen canning for flower freshness, is being used to prevent the buds from being dried out.  

All of this contributes to good branding, and is a sustainable solution after one’s done using the item.

Cultural Intelligence For International Packaging Design

There’s a lot of things to consider when shipping globally. The costs, but also whether or not your packaging fits the localization of each area. various colors, symbols, and texts can have different meanings around the globe. Though some brands us black in one area for example, they might switch to red and cold, or other bolder colors, because black signifies death in many circumstances. 

Being mindful of what your packaging conveys to others is important. Internal packaging is great for expanding your brand and reach, provided you convey the right sorts of feelings and emotions throughout the packaging, however you can. 

The Adaption of Design 

When building the right packaging with peak cultural intelligence, you want to avoid offensive imagery, because it may convey to other people very inappropriate responses and factors. 

You also might want to align with local traditions, such as using golds to symbolize wealth and luxury.   In Japan for instance, using cartoons and brighter colors works.   

You also might want to respect the rules of typography.  If a culture or area prefers to have more muted colors and likes, adjusting the font so that it’s able to be seen by others in a more positive manner is a great thing. 

Logistics Meets Culture 

Shipping logistics also needs to have this sort of factored nuance added into this. 

Shipping tape and labels also must show to the customer what’s in it, without being offensive. For instance, if the person is from a country that hates excess and void fill, then you have to adjust your packaging in order to fit this market.   You want to make sure that your packaging and shipment is also respectful of the area. if the packaging is printed as being fast in an area, you must make sure that your packaging will stand out, and really shine. 

Examples of This 

A lot of companies use this type of packaging in their products. 

One example is Coca-Cola, which signed different bottles for cultural events. Holi in India had its own specific bottle that really stood out. 

Ikea is another one.   When they market to countries that pride themselves in a smaller look and design, then they will as well, use product packaging that minimizes excessive waste as well. 

Some other companies also will use different packaging based on the area. Starbucks for instance, uses pinks and other vibrant colors for rinks in Japan.   Many companies also look at local flavors that people like, and then build packaging and products around that.

Bringing this all together to culminate into inclusive packaging for all is something companies need to do, and from here, you will be able to create something that will stand out. 

What to Focus On When Putting together This Kind of Packaging 

When building culturally-sensitive packaging, make sure to do the following: 

• Put forth packaging that has fitting fonts for the audience 

• Adjust packaging sizes to compliment minimalism and other trends in the area 

• Add colors that complement the packaging and incite positive emotions in customers 

• Put together graphics that are respectful. 

Do not: 

• Use inappropriate colors (black in China for example) 

• Use plastic or other wasteful materials in areas that do not condone the use 

• Use appropriate font and lettering for the items 

Overall, if you want your cultural sensitivity to be there, staying in place, you need to implement it with international packaging design, in order to create the best packaging experience that you can build for your audience as well too, no matter whom it might be. 

Shape Memory Packaging that Returns Items to their Original Form

 Shape memory materials are becoming popular in packaging experiences. With this, you can create packaging that fits exactly as you want to, and once you’re done with it, it returns to the original type of container. It's a pretty color, because it offers some unique benefits that packaging might not develop otherwise. 

The Process 

How this works is simple. It’s essentially packaging that collapses for storage reasons, but then will expand back up when exposed to light, heat or moisture. While it might be a flat box right now, when the right elements are implemented, it becomes the box that will house the items. 

Again, a simplistic process, but when you have packaging that does this, it can offer worthwhile solutions. 

Applications 

A very common one is reusable shipping containers. If you have a process where people can return the items, then they’ll be able to use this, as it’s reusable, and improves the way in which items get returned, as it can offer multiple uses. 

Another one is expandable retail packaging, where the packaging grows when it’s on retail shelves, but stays pretty small otherwise. again, offers better storage for those moments you need it, until the time is right.

Finally, there’s flexible food solutions, such as food containers that can model and change based on these items inside, and then when you’re one, it returns to the original form. While not common, it’s becoming a means in which companies are able to bring forth packaging that they can enjoy. 

The benefits of This 

With this type of packaging, you reduce the waste by a lot, especially if the items are reusable. A lot of reusable packaging does save the planet, and reduces your carbon footprint. Some companies that have an ecofriendly focus also may mention this, because it offers a wealth of benefits you might not get otherwise. 

It also minimizes the storage space.   For smaller businesses, reduction of this is important, because you’re not wasting time and space trying to accommodate all of these items, but instead keep them all in one place. 

Finally, it enhances the reusability of the items. A lot of times, with this type of packaging, you can encourage reusability of the times, and in turn, will help to improve your overall results. 

So yes, with this type of packaging, you’re offering a more immersive, better experience that will really improve a customer’s overall view of the items inside, and how you as a business handle them. 

The future of This Packaging 

This type of packaging has a lot of unique changes and ways to really stand out and improve the experience of your packaging. 

There's now smart packaging that will automatically reshape the items based on the environmental conditions. So if the packaging gets too warm, or too cold, it can be reshaped to fit the needs of the item that’s inside. 

Overall, this type of packaging does offer an enhanced, functional experience that will really involve and excite many customers. When you have shape memory packaging, you’re not just helping the items get to their original form, you’re also improving the ability of the items inside as well to improve the experience of customers. By doing this, you’re giving them not just a better reusable experience, but also a safer, secure packaging that will in turn, make it even better for all parties that are involved, and really enhance the experiences that you get not just from one package, but from the future packages that use this type of means to protect as well.