Following the grand victories of both medical and recreational legalization, producers and processors have been presented with other challenges: ensuring their packaging is child-resistant. One of the apparent hurdles is how each state regulates labeling and packaging, where laws and regulations differ from state to state. Ultimately, state regulators’ main goal is to prevent CBD and THC-related products from falling into the hands of children and to combat illicit operations that are plaguing the market.
The most common regulation for packaging is none other than the child-resistant packaging requirement. In states such as Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon and Washington, it is mandated that all packaging for products ranging from flowers, concentrates to edibles and vaporizers have to be child-resistant (CR) certified or to include CR components to prevent easy-access by minors.
CR-TESTED: AN EXPENSIVE & RIGOROUS PROCESS
While all would agree that CR packaging is an appropriate measure to prevent abuse and misuse from children, the certification and testing process for child-resistant packaging is indeed a costly one for producers and processors:
- The usual cost to test whether a product is CR certified is about $8,000
- It requires a sample unit of 400-500 packaging products for a single child-resistance testing
In fact, the testing process itself proves to be very specific and stringent:
- First, a federally approved test lab invites 50 children as panels for the testing process – 30% between 42-44 months, 40% between 45-48 months and 30% between 49-51 months.
- Each child is given a sample package and instructed on how to open them within 5 to 10 minutes, with the permission to use their teeth.
- If the results turned out to be inconclusive, one or more groups of 50 children (up to a maximum of 200 children) will be invited for additional testing.
Keeping children out of the packaging or containers is not the only consideration. It must be senior-friendly as well:
- 100 seniors with age ranging from 50-70 years old are tested individually.
- 90% of the seniors tested must succeed in opening and closing the packaging or container within a five-minute and a one-minute test.
It really does pay to pass.
ENTER THE AGE OF CUSTOM CR PACKAGING
Knowing the best solution for your brand’s child-resistant packaging requirements involves understanding the laws and regulations of the state(s) that one is operating.
Understand this: There is no universal packaging solution that covers an entire range of products in the market.
There are, however, specific types of custom CR packaging solutions that should provide some inspiration to producers and processors in finding what is best to effectively market their unique product categories.
FLOWER PACKAGING
CR MYLAR BAGS
Customized smell-proof and tamper-proof food-grade mylar bags with air lock zipper that comes in standard sizes that hold volumes from 1g up to 28g of flower. Various printing and finishes available to choose from. Some retail stores even use a larger size CR mylar bags as exit bags.
CR JARS / CR CONTAINERS
Customized smell-proof and tamper-proof containers that offer ideal moisture control to ensure a longer shelf life. Usually made with plastic or glass material and with customizable lids (induction foam liner insert).
PRE-ROLL PACKAGING
CR JOINT TUBES
Plastic child-resistant pop-up tube that comes in standard stock sizes for 0.3g – 2g pre-rolls. Choose from either direct-to-tube print customization or manual apply labels for branding.
CR MULTIPACK TINS
A luxury option perfect for a high-end, premium multipack. Customization such as printing, emboss and debossing are available per request with the manufacturer.
CR MULTIPACK BOX
An environmentally friendlier alternative that does not require sacrificing premium and style. There is more freedom in creative designs with a plethora of printing and finishes to choose from.
VAPORIZER PACKAGING
CR PLASTIC TUBES
Made with plastic materials, it is the easiest and most straightforward packaging solution for 510 cartridges and disposables. Custom branding usually available through direct-to-tube printing or with a printed vinyl wrap.
CR PREMIUM BOX
Equipped with a simple CR mechanism or a button and a Thera-molded EVA foam insert, it is fully customizable into any shapes and sizes to hold any range of vape products like cartridges, batteries, pods, and disposables.
CONCENTRATE PACKAGING
CR CONCENTRATE CONTAINERS
Custom-molded smaller sized glass jars that can hold up to a gram of extracts or concentrates with child-resistant lids. Customization is available on both the jar and the lids.
EDIBLE PACKAGING
CR MINT TINS / CR CANDY TINS
Made with non-toxic metal materials like aluminum. The child-resistant lock on the lid prevents any accidental consumption by children.
About Canna Brand Solutions
Canna Brand Solutions is an innovative custom packaging supplier and an official CCELL Distributor. We are a wholesale cartridge, battery, and packaging supplier, and more. Our passion to build lasting relationships with our partners motivates us to exceed your expectations, helping you grow your brand in this ever-evolving global industry.
With our deep experience in manufacturing and the cannabis industry, we offer adaptive custom packaging solutions, in-house design, and industry expertise to Cultivators, Extractors, Operators & Retailers.
