Cannabis and Child Resistant Packaging

Child-resistant packaging, CRP, is ubiquitous across almost all industries these days. From food to medicines, there seems to be child-resistant packaging for everything, especially cannabis. As cannabis operators, it is important to understand what child-resistant packaging is and to know your options for appropriate cannabis product packaging.

History of Child-Resistant Packaging

Child-resistant packaging is a type of packaging that is designed to be difficult for children under a certain age to open, but not difficult for adults to use. This type of packaging is commonly used for products that are toxic or harmful if ingested, such as medications, cleaning supplies, and pesticides. The goal of child-resistant packaging is to reduce the risk of accidental poisoning in children.

The use of child-resistant packaging dates back to the 1960s. Initially, it was developed to prevent accidental poisoning due to ingesting medicines and household products, such as cleaning supplies and detergents. Since then, child-resistant packaging has been widely adopted in many industries to help protect children from harm.

It wasn’t until recently that child-resistant packaging has been mandated within the cannabis industry. While the regulations vary from state to state, the common thread is that child-resistant packaging must be used to help protect children from accidental ingestion of cannabis products.

Cannabis and Child-Resistant Packaging

Child-resistant packing and the cannabis industry are linked in many ways. In the United States, all cannabis products must comply with child-resistant packaging regulations laid out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC states that child-resistant packaging must be difficult for children under five years old to open, but still easy for adults to open.

Child-resistant packaging regulations are an important part of the cannabis industry as they help protect children from accidental ingestion. In addition, child-resistant packaging also helps reduce youth access to cannabis products, which is another important goal of the industry.

The requirements for child-resistant cannabis packaging vary from state to state. In some states, child-resistant packaging must include a resealable closure, while other states may require the use of a tamper-evident seal or other features. It is important to follow the specific regulations in your state to ensure that your cannabis products are properly packaged for safety.

In addition to the regulations for child-resistant packaging, many cannabis companies have voluntarily adopted additional safety measures such as using opaque packaging and labeling products with warnings about the risks of using cannabis. These safety measures help further protect children from accidentally ingesting cannabis products.

Types of Child-Resistant Packaging

There are a number of different types of child-resistant packaging available for cannabis. Some of the most common types include resealable closures, tamper-evident seals, and opaque packaging. Additionally, many cannabis companies also label their products with warnings about the risks of using cannabis to further protect children.

The specific types of packaging that are considered child-resistant can vary depending on the state and the type of cannabis product. Some common types of child-resistant packaging for cannabis products include:

Exit Bags

Exit bags are used to hold purchased cannabis products as the adult consumer leaves the dispensary or pharmacy. Child-resistant exit bags are typically made of opaque, tamper-evident materials and have a child-resistant zipper or closure. While the bag is child-resistant, the products inside may not be. Consumers should be cautious with their products once opened if they do not have child-resistant seals or lids.

Blister Packs

Child-resistant blister packs are typically made of plastic and are heat-sealed for child resistance.  Blister packs are mainly used for cartridges and small quantity edibles. The sealed edge is a distinctive way to signify that the cartridge or yummy-looking treat inside is for adults only.

Tubes and Jars

Child-resistant tubes and jars, can be made of glass or plastic and have a child-resistant screw-on or push-and-turn cap. Tubes are used mainly for joints and blunts, while jars are used for flower and larger quantities of edibles. If opened properly, tubes and jars can be reused for a multitude of things, including more cannabis.

Button Locking

Button locking child-resistant packaging uses a locking button to hold close the top and bottom components of the packaging. Button-locking packaging comes in many different shapes and sizes, with the button being on whichever side the operator chooses. This type of CRP is mainly used for vape cartridges.

Tins

Child-resistant tins use a variation of the button-locking system. Most tins have buttons or tabs on either side that must be pressed at the same time to open the product. CRP tins can be used for flower, concentrates, vape cartridges, and especially edibles. They are also great for their potential for reusability and life after the product inside has been consumed.

It is important to note that child-resistant packaging is not childproof. It is just designed to be difficult for children under 5 to open within a reasonable amount of time and still be easy for adults to use.

CRP and Cannabis

No matter what type of child-resistant packaging you choose to use as a cannabis operator, it is important to research the requirements of your specific state. As some states look to require eco-friendly packaging for cannabis products in the near future it would be worth doing some research into packaging manufacturers as well. S10 Labs offers an arrangement of customizable CRP options made from paper. Contact one of our sales representatives today to explore your packaging options.