The packaging is more than just the container an item is in. The packaging adds additional branding and representation to the company. It is also important for companies to consider what their clientele does with the packaging after, in 2017 the total volume of package waste was about 75.9 million tons. It is also important to understand the regulations set for certain packaged goods such as cannabis, and Oregon has its regulations about it.

“...ALL PACKAGING AND LABELS MUST BE PRE-APPROVED.”

Oregon’s cannabis regulations are slightly stricter than some states, in the sense that all packaging and labels must be pre-approved. What this means, is after understanding all the regulations and guidelines set by the state and choosing packaging and label designs both separately must be approved by the state. Then

and only then may they be used for recreational sale. Below is a general overview of Oregon’s packaging regulations that they have set in place.

OREGON’S PACKAGING REGULATIONS

As mentioned before, all packaging must go through an approval process. All licensees and registrants who package marijuana or hemp for sale need approval through OLCC’s preapproval department. Additionally, all packaging, which is described as any container or protective cover holding cannabis items must protect from contaminates. Not allowing toxic or harmful chemicals to come in contact with the marijuana or hemp product. Lastly, the packaging must meet child-resistance standards.

CHILD-RESISTANT PACKAGING

Child-resistant packaging is a whole beast to tackle in itself and applies to almost all cannabis-related items. The items that are excluded from needing to be in CRP are immature plants and seeds. If the immediate packaging is not child-resistant, the item must be placed into a child-resistant exit package at the point of sale. For the OLCC to consider a package to be child-resistant it must be tested and certified by a third-party firm. Since the OLCC will not test or determine if packages meet the requirements, companies must provide documentation of certification when submitting packing to the OLCC. There are two types of child-resistant packaging that can be used.

The first type of packaging is single-use packages, which are child-resistant until opened by the consumer. This style can be used for cannabis items such as trim, flower, and pre-rolls in the state of Oregon. The second type of packaging is resealable or continual-use packages. What this means is the packaging continues to be child-resistant even after it's been opened for the first time. It continues to stay child-resistant after each use. This type of packaging is for all extracts, concentrates, and cannabinoid products. Anything that is a single serving and usable marijuana uses single-use packaging. Continual-use packaging is for multiple servings like edibles, or topicals, tinctures, and capsules as well.

The state of Oregon goes into more detail on the specifications for all packaging and residents in that state should be aware of the rules and regulations.

*THC Label Solutions provides this document to serve as a guide and not as legal advice. For more information visit Oregon state’s recreational marijuana program at https://www.oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana/Pages/PackagingLabelingPreApproval.aspx