As a cannabis manufacturer, you understand the importance of producing high-quality products that are safe and compliant. Part of ensuring your products meet all safety regulations is using child-resistant packaging when necessary. This blog post provides everything you need to know about child-resistant packaging for cannabis, including why and how to choose the right solution for your business. By understanding the cannabis packaging requirements in various states, as well as the options available, you can ensure your products are securely packaged and ready for the market.
Why You Need Child-Resistant Packaging for Cannabis Products
There are two main reasons for legislation regarding child-resistant packaging for cannabis. First, as more states legalize the use of recreational marijuana, it’s becoming more accessible to consumers. Unfortunately, as a result, more children are exposed to marijuana products, increasing the risk of them ingesting THC. In 2016, there were 187 recorded instances of children accidentally ingesting cannabis edibles in the U.S. This number increased to over 3,000 in 2020.
Second, companies are experimenting with and expanding their product lines to include popular cannabis products that happen to be appealing to children. This includes edible bakery items like cookies and brownies, gummies or lollipops that look like candy, and drinks that come in brightly colored, fun packaging that kids can easily mistake for a regular beverage. The result is more children accidentally consuming marijuana and experiencing adverse effects.
What Happens If a Child Ingests Cannabis Products?
Although the long-term effects of marijuana on children are still unknown, the short-term risks include drowsiness, difficulty breathing, confusion, and increased heart rate. A child may experience seizures, neurological impairment, and breathing issues that require hospitalization in more severe cases.
The extent to which consuming cannabis affects a child depends on their age and the amount of THC in the product they consume. Smaller and younger children are more likely to experience adverse reactions, especially if they ingest edibles with significant amounts of THC.
The Solution to the Problem: Child-Resistant Packaging for Cannabis
Some states have passed legislation regarding cannabis packaging and labeling to minimize the risk of children consuming marijuana products by accident.
These states require child-resistant cannabis packaging:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Washington
These states require cannabis labels to highlight the amount of THC in each product:
- Alaska
- California
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Vermont
These states prohibit the use of cartoons or similar graphics on packaging (designs cannot resemble candy):
- California
- Colorado
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Oregon
These states require cannabis labels to display warnings regarding consumption:
- Alaska
- California
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Washington
These states require cannabis packaging to be tamper-evident:
- California
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nevada
These states require cannabis packaging to be resealable:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Washington
What is the Meaning of Child-Resistant?
According to the federal Poison Prevention Packaging Act, child-resistant packaging must be:
- Difficult for those under five years of age to open
- Sealed with a pry-off metal crown bottle cap
- Sealed with a plastic packaging that’s a minimum of 4 millimeters thick, and/or
- Heat-sealed without an easy-open tab, dimple, corner, or flap
Additionally, the labeling on single-serve cannabis products must state that the package is no longer child-resistant after opening. Orally-consumed products must be sealed in packaging that remains child-resistant even after opening.
How to Make Child-Resistant Packaging Accessible to Seniors
When selecting child-resistant packaging, it’s important to keep the older generation in mind, as more senior citizens are turning to cannabis products for medicinal and recreational purposes. While child-resistant packaging is critical to keep kids safe, it can be difficult for seniors to open. The goal is to make your products accessible to this population without compromising safety. Fortunately, at Green 420 Pack, we’ve found the ideal solution for child-resistant packaging that’s senior-friendly.
Where to Find Child-Resistant Containers for Cannabis Products
Whether your state requires you to package your marijuana products in child-resistant packaging or you want to be on the safe side regardless, you need child-proof containers. At Green 420 Pack, we have all of your tamper-evident and child-resistant packaging solutions. Each product type requires unique packaging to appeal to your target consumer but not to children. We make that happen with a wide variety of cannabis packaging supplies and multiple custom designs options to ensure your products end up in the right hands, including:
- Child-Resistant Pill Packer Bottles, Closures, and Droppers
- Child-Resistant Pre Roll Tubes
- Tamper-Evident Blister Packaging
- Tamper-Evident Mylar Bags
So, if you’re manufacturing cannabis products–whether they be edibles, topicals, concentrates, or flowers–it is vitally important that you invest in child-resistant packaging. Not only will this keep your products safe and inaccessible to children, but it could also save you from severe legal penalties. Green 420 Pack offers a wide variety of child-resistant containers for all sorts of cannabis products. Contact us today to learn more and purchase the perfect packaging for your needs!
