2024 Cannabis Packaging Rules: Key Updates

Here’s what you need to know about the new cannabis packaging rules for 2024:

No labeling cartridges or vaporizers as disposable
Eco-friendly packaging required (25% recycled content for plastic)
‘Use by’ dates now mandatory
Changes to online sales and payment options
New safety measures and hospitality sales limits

Key packaging requirements:

Requirement	Description
Child-resistant	Hard for children to open
Tamper-evident	Shows if package has been opened
Opaque	Not see-through
Measurement	For liquid products with multiple servings

These rules aim to improve safety, reduce waste, and provide clear information to consumers. Cannabis businesses must adapt to these changes to stay compliant and competitive in the market.

Key Changes for 2024

New ‘Use By’ Date Rules

Starting in 2024, cannabis products must have a ‘use by’ date on their packaging. This date shows when the product is still safe to use. The new rules aim to:

Keep consumers safe
Show how long products last

Manufacturers can make the ‘use by’ date longer if their products pass tests for:

Strength
Cleanliness
Water content

Stores can still sell products after the ‘use by’ date, but makers must make sure their products are safe.

Online Sales and Payment Options

The 2024 rules change how cannabis can be sold and paid for online. While we don’t have all the details, cannabis businesses should keep up with these changes.

Stronger Safety Measures

New safety rules are coming in 2024. These rules will help:

Keep consumers safe
Protect public health

Cannabis businesses should follow these new safety rules to build trust with customers.

New Sales Limits for Hospitality

There will be new limits on cannabis sales in hospitality settings in 2024. The exact details aren’t known yet, but businesses should stay informed about these changes.

2024 Rule Changes	What It Means
‘Use By’ Dates	Products must show when they’re safe to use
Online Sales	New ways to buy and pay for cannabis online
Safety Measures	Stricter rules to protect consumers
Hospitality Limits	New limits for selling in hospitality settings

These changes will affect how cannabis is sold and packaged. Businesses should learn about these new rules to stay on the right side of the law.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Rules

Recycled Material Requirements

Starting January 1, 2024, new rules for cannabis packaging focus on using recycled materials. The main points are:

All plastic packaging must have at least 25% recycled content
This applies to all types of packaging, including retail and product packages
The goal is to cut down on plastic waste

Green Packaging Options

Many companies are now offering eco-friendly packaging for cannabis products. Here are some examples:

Company	Product
Custom Cones USA	Pre-roll tubes made from ocean plastic
AssurPACK	AssurTin – a lockable tin made of polypropylene and metal
Dama	Child-resistant containers made from hemp plastic
Dama	Pre-roll tubes that can be composted at home

These new packaging options help:

Reduce waste
Match the natural image of cannabis
Meet new rules
Appeal to customers who care about the environment

By using these eco-friendly options, cannabis companies can:

Follow the new rules
Cut down on waste
Build trust with customers
Stand out from other brands

As more people buy cannabis, it’s important for businesses to think about how their packaging affects the environment. Using eco-friendly packaging can help companies do well and take care of the planet at the same time.

Safety and Tamper-Proof Rules

Child-Resistant Packaging Changes

Child-resistant packaging is key for cannabis products. In California, this packaging must:

Be hard for kids under 5 to open in a lab
Meet specific rules set by the state

The Department of Cannabis Control has a checklist for two types of child-resistant packaging:

Type	Description
Single-use	Child-resistant when new, but not after opening
Multiple-use	Stays child-resistant even after opening and closing

Tamper-Evident Packaging

Tamper-evident packaging shows if someone has opened a product before. It’s required in all states where cannabis is legal. This type of packaging:

Helps businesses follow the law
Shows customers the product is safe
Stops theft
Cuts down on returns

Benefit	How It Helps
Follows Rules	Meets state laws for cannabis packaging
Builds Trust	Customers know the product hasn’t been opened
Stops Theft	Makes it hard to open without leaving signs
Fewer Returns	Customers are less likely to return products

Cannabis companies need to know their local rules to avoid fines. Using tamper-evident packaging can help a business stand out and make customers trust them more.

Labeling and Information Rules

Required Label Information

Cannabis packaging labels must include specific details for safety and legal reasons. Most states require:

A note saying the product has cannabis and is for adults 21 and over
A warning for pregnant or breastfeeding women not to use it
A list of what’s in the product, including the type of cannabis
How much the product weighs or how much is in it
How much THC and CBD is in each serving and the whole package
A warning about possible risks, like feeling dizzy or confused
A note saying the FDA hasn’t checked or approved the product

Some states have extra rules for things like edibles or creams.

Label Must Show	What It Means
Product Name	What the cannabis item is called
Weight/Amount	How much is in the package
Ingredients	What’s in the product
THC/CBD Amounts	How strong the product is
Warnings	Possible risks of using the product
FDA Note	The product isn’t FDA-approved

Digital Product Information

Many cannabis companies now use digital ways to give more details about their products:

QR codes that link to websites with more info
Websites with full details about products
Apps that let you scan barcodes to see product info

This digital info helps people learn more about what they’re buying. It also helps companies follow the rules and build trust.

Digital Info Type	What It Does
QR Codes	Links to more product details
Websites	Shows full product information
Mobile Apps	Lets you scan products for info

State-Specific Rules

New York’s Packaging Rules

New York has set its own rules for cannabis packaging. These rules are different from other states. Here’s what New York requires:

Requirement	Description
Child-Resistant	Packages must be hard for children to open
Tamper-Evident	Packages must show if someone has opened them
Opaque	Packages must block light
Sealed	Packages must keep out dirt and germs
Safe Materials	Packaging can’t pass harmful things to the product

New York also wants packaging to be good for the environment:

No plastic
At least 25% recycled content

Colorado’s New Rules

Colorado has changed its cannabis packaging laws. While we don’t have all the details, here are some key points:

Area	Changes
Materials	New rules about what can be used for packaging
Labels	Updates to what must be on product labels
Safety	New ways to keep products safe from misuse

If you work with cannabis in Colorado, make sure you know these new rules.

Effects on the Cannabis Industry

Challenges for Businesses

The 2024 cannabis packaging rules bring big changes to the industry. Businesses must follow these new rules, which can be hard. Here are some main issues:

Challenge	Description
Cost	New packaging designs and materials can be expensive
Supply Chain	Finding new suppliers or changing deals with current ones
Production	Changes might slow down making and selling products

To deal with these issues, businesses can:

Make packaging that’s good for the earth
Create new designs that customers like
Find ways to save money on packaging

New Packaging Ideas

The 2024 rules are making companies think of new ways to package cannabis. Here are some new ideas:

New Idea	What It Does
Packaging that breaks down	Uses materials that don’t hurt the earth
Better child-safe packaging	Makes it hard for kids to open but easy for adults
Clear labels	Gives more info about what’s in the product

These new ideas help businesses:

Follow the rules
Keep products safe
Tell customers more about what they’re buying

As the cannabis business grows, we’ll likely see more new packaging ideas. Companies that follow the rules and think about safety and being clear can do well in this changing market.

What Companies Can Do	Why It Helps
Use earth-friendly materials	Follows rules and makes customers happy
Make safe, easy-to-use packaging	Keeps kids safe and makes products easy to use
Give clear product info	Builds trust with customers

Conclusion

The 2024 cannabis packaging rules bring big changes to the industry. These changes focus on:

Safety
Being good for the environment
Following the rules

As the cannabis business grows, companies need to:

Keep up with new rules
Use packaging that’s good for the earth
Make labels clear
Make sure kids can’t open packages

By doing these things, companies can:

Follow the rules
Make customers trust them
Help the earth

Here’s a quick look at what companies should do:

Action	Benefit
Use earth-friendly packaging	Follows rules, makes customers happy
Make safe, easy-to-use packages	Keeps kids safe, easy for adults to use
Give clear product info	Builds trust with customers

As time goes on, we’ll likely see new ideas for cannabis packaging. Companies that follow these key points will do well as the business grows.