Marijuana Packaging: How to Choose the Best Option

Factors to consider:

• Target audience
• Established brand guidelines
• Storage requirements (varies state to state)
• How to protect the cannabis product from damage
• How to keep the product as fresh as possible

With so many components marijuana growers and distributors must think about, it can seem overwhelming.

Thankfully, you don’t have to navigate these waters alone. We’ll dive deep into the different packaging options, go over how to keep your cannabis fresh, and how to keep track of legal guidelines.

Why the Right Packaging Is Important

Choosing suitable packaging for your marijuana is an essential decision for many reasons.

Chiefly, this will help ensure your marijuana bud maintains its freshness and potency, making it last for longer.

As a marijuana grower and distributor, providing clients with quality products is critical. Choosing the best packaging for your products is necessary to achieve a high-quality final product. Packaging that lets moisture in can cause mold and mildew to develop, which can degrade cannabis flower.

Packaging also needs to adhere to the guidelines laid out by each state. State guidelines may dictate the type of packaging you use for your products. For example, one state may say the packaging needs to be resealable, which may change the type of container you use to package your weed.

The proper packaging can also prevent tampering of the product and prevent those who are underage from getting into something they should not be accessing.

Marijuana Packaging Options

When it comes to packaging marijuana, there are many options available. Each offers its own pros and cons, and you’ll need to weigh them to decide what will work best for your company.

Popular cannabis storage containers include:

• Glass jars. Although they may not be the most practical option, glass jars can look lovely and high-class. Glass jars offer air-tight and smell-proof properties and are easy for consumers to continue to use after they’ve purchased their weed. Plus, they are reusable and recyclable, which can be appealing to many environmentally conscious users. However, many states require opaque packaging, which glass jars may not offer. They also don’t offer the best protection from light, which can degrade cannabis over time. Weed stored in glass jars can retain its freshness for about a year if the jar itself is stored correctly (away from the light and in a dark, cool place.)
• Mylar bags. Mylar bags are one of the most, if not the most, popular options when it comes to packaging cannabis. These bags air-tight, gas-tight, and don’t let smell through, all of which are important when storing cannabis. They are also resealable, opaque, and reusable, all of which many states require for cannabis packaging. Finally, Mylar bags are very durable. They don’t tear easily and can stand up to freezing, as well as repeated reuse. Producers can trust their product is well-protected while it is being delivered. When stored correctly in Mylar bags, weed can last up to two years. 
• Borosilicate tube jars. Borosilicate (commonly known as Pyrex) offers many of the same benefits as glass jars. However, they are typically cheaper to purchase and can work with different types of lids. They may not be the best option to use in states that require a lot of information and disclaimers on marijuana packaging, as they have limited space to offer. Like Mylar bags, weed stored in borosilicate tube jars can stay fresh for up to a year if stored correctly.

Weed users are often told to select a storage container that isn’t too large–choosing a container that has a lot of extra room invites air in, which can harm your cannabis. This is something to keep in mind as you choose your marijuana packaging, especially considering many users will use your packaging to store their weed between uses.

Choosing the Right Marijuana Packaging for Your Products

It is challenging for many businesses to figure out what packaging to use. Keeping track of the benefits of each type and what all needs to be included in the packaging is a huge job. Plus, the right package is essential in keeping your product fresh for customers and growing your company’s reputation.

Consider working with packaging professionals that specialize, or at least have experience in, the marijuana industry. They can talk with you about your goals, help you choose the right type of packaging for your weed, and ensure your design remains state-compliant while also reflecting your brand.

Designing Your Marijuana Packaging

Once you have chosen your container, it’s time to design your package. There are many companies out there that specialize in creating custom marijuana packaging. They can not only help you create the best-branded packaging, but they can also help ensure your packaging is compliant.

Summary

Choosing the right packaging for your weed is key. At the same time, there’s a lot to consider. You want to make sure your packaging:

• Keeps your weed fresh and potent
• Is compliant with each state’s packaging requirements
• Is recognizable as part of your brand

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is the type of packaging you’ll use. Glass jars, Mylar bags, and Pyrex tubes are three of the most common options. Specifically, Mylar bags are quickly growing in popularity thanks to the many benefits they offer.

It can easily feel overwhelming to look at all of the available marijuana packaging options. However, with a bit of knowledge, there’s nothing to fear. While it may appear complicated on the surface, packaging cannabis correctly is entirely possible.