Intro:
Knowing cannabis packaging trends is vital for weed companies to strategize better for the next project.
Thus, we promoted this marijuana packaging trend blog at the beginning of 2023 as soon as we returned to work.
Hoping this blog is effectively helping to get a competitive edge over your competitors and receive long-lasting success in the future cannabis packaging market.
The content includes 7 fact-based predictions and some inductive reasoning to provide new ideas about the marijuana packaging industry for the coming year.
Growing Cannabis Packaging Industry Trend: Market Growth Drivers and Challenges
The cannabis packaging industry is growing as the legalization trend of cannabis spreads globally.
Recent examples: Maryland and Missouri have become the 20th and 21st states that passed recreational marijuana on November 8, 2022, indicating more expansion in cannabis market volume.
The unbroken retail businesses also allowed for the increasing trend of cannabis sales, thus providing positive impacts to the cannabis packaging industry, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the broadened cannabis packaging industry also means more strict regulations governing the packaging and labeling of cannabis products.
Weed companies, no matter recreational or medical cannabis companies, are investing in compliant packaging solutions to ensure they meet the requirements of regulators.
1 Larger Volume of Flower Packaging in Need
Among all cannabis product forms (including dry cannabis, concentrates, edibles, and others), dry cannabis shares a large part of the market and gradually becoming mature.
For example, flower consumers in the United States are shifting to buy a higher volume of products once instead of purchasing a single eight-ounce unit.
Thus, in 2023, although the demand for cannabis flower packaging will still depend on a variety of factors on the whole, it is likely to remain high and profitable.
2 Huge Potential in Vape Packaging
The growth of the vape industry and the increasing popularity of vape products (e.g., iKrusher vape products), especially in the cannabis market, are likely to drive demand for high-quality, robust packaging solutions.
Vape cartridge packaging with specific requirements, such as ensuring vape safety and preserving potency, requires specialized packaging solutions.
As the industry continues to grow, there will likely be increased demand for packaging (like all the other cannabis products) that not only meets these requirements but also enhances the consumer experience.
3 Much More Demands on Sustainable Paper Packaging
Consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious and are looking for products that align with their values.
Packaging made from sustainable materials, such as paper, is becoming more popular as consumers seek to reduce their environmental impact.
Except for consumers, companies will also receive pressure from governments and regulatory bodies to use more sustainable paper packaging. However, the pressure brings benefits.
Furtherly, sustainability is not just a trend but has clear business benefits.
More companies will adopt sustainable practices to reduce their environmental impact, improve brand reputation, and attract environmentally conscious consumers. And to realize these goals, choosing recyclable and biodegradable paper packaging is always the first step.
4 Flexible Barrier Film Packaging Solution Will Be Widely Employed
Besides paper-made cannabis packaging solutions, flexible barrier film packaging (custom mylar bags) is also likely to become widely used.
The films may include polyesters (PET), metalized barrier (METPET/VMPET), aluminum foil (combined with PET, MOPP, and PE), nylon laminations & co-extrusions, polypropylenes, and polyethylene (LDPE, PE, LLDPE).
Flexible barrier film packaging provides a barrier against moisture, light, and air, which helps your products keep fresh and powerful.
Additionally, flexible barrier film packaging is lightweight, easily transportable, and can be printed with high-quality graphics, making it an attractive option for cannabis companies looking to make a strong visual impact.
However, it’s markable to ensure that the packaging is also child-resistant and compliant with regulations in the states where it is sold.
5 Continuous Focus on Child-Resistant Packaging
Child-resistant packaging may become even a must for cannabis products in many jurisdictions and is a critical safety feature to prevent accidental ingestion of cannabis products by children.
Cannabis companies who seek innovative solutions may find new child-resistant locking systems and create more user-friendly designs to grab the public attention.
Moreover, as the cannabis industry becomes more mainstream, there will likely be increased scrutiny from regulators, consumers, and advocacy groups to ensure that products are packaged in a way that is safe and responsible.
This will put even more pressure on companies to adopt child-resistant packaging.
6 Increased Orders in Custom-Designed Packaging
There might also be an increase in demand for custom-designed cannabis packaging in 2023.
Weed companies will look for more ways to stand out and attract consumers as the growing competition increases in the cannabis packaging industry.
Custom packaging, including stylish designs, materials, branding styles, and different layouts, can help companies differentiate their products, increase brand recognition, and provide a premium experience for consumers.
It will still be a powerful tool that allows companies to showcase their products uniquely and memorably.
Additionally, as regulations around packaging continue to evolve, companies may also look to custom packaging to ensure compliance and protect their products.
7 More Tactics on Cannabis Packaging to Prevent Theft and Counterfeiting
The growing demand for cannabis also gives access to theft and counterfeiting.
Cannabis brands who want to protect their consumers and prevent brand reputation losses should require effective packaging methods and labeling solutions.
Here are some tactics you can take:
– Tamper-evident packagings, such as shrink wrap or heat-sealed bags, can help prevent tampering with a clear visual indication if the package has been opened.
– Incorporating unique markings, such as holograms or security labels, into the packaging can help differentiate genuine products from counterfeit ones.
– Implementing track-and-tract technology, such as QR codes or RFID tags, can help track products from the point of production to the point of sale, making it easier to identify and prevent theft and counterfeiting.
Contact Us
Finding a ‘one-stop solution’ paper packaging company for cannabis flowers, concentrates, oil, and vape cartridges? We Marijuana packaging Solution will help.
Please let us know if you are interested in any of these cannabis packaging trends in 2023, and we can share more packaging ideas with you.
The cannabis packaging world is constantly changing, and your brand needs innovations accordingly.
Drop us an email so that we can help with updating everything about your brand packaging.