Why Manufacturers Should Take Responsibility for Child-Resistance
Since we started selling packaging and indeed since cannabis became legal regulations surrounding safety, especially regarding child-resistant packaging, have been important. Dispensaries across the country must comply with these regulations or face stiff fines and god forbid ingestion of cannabis product by children. The most common method of compliance is the use of exit bags – child-resistant plastic bags that are provided to customers when they purchase cannabis products.
As you all well know I’ve been a cannabis consumer for many years prior to legalization and a medical patient since 2014. My perspective on this subject comes from an expert level of understanding of logistics and costs of these products, as well as a long history of interacting with them as a consumer.
This blog is intended to give rise to a conversation about shifting the responsibility of child resistance to the manufacturer of cannabis products. A blog written by someone who profits from the sale of these exit bags, about how this shift would reduce costs and risk of regulatory violations and benefit everyone in the supply chain, from producers to consumers.
The Role of Child-Resistance in Cannabis
Cannabis Products, in many cases, are not readily consumable. Cannabis flower for example, won’t do anything to you if you simply eat it out of the bottle. Edibles on the other hand are often ready to consume, come in the form of everyday snacks and candies, and can contain massive amounts of active cannabinoids.
To prevent accidental ingestion, regulations require child-resistant packaging for most or all cannabis products, especially edibles. When a manufacturer does not properly take responsibility for this requirement, dispensaries must meet it by providing an additional layer of protection through exit bags, which are often cumbersome and costly, not to mention the majority are simply destined for a landfill.
Exit bags are intended to safeguard consumers after their purchase. Beyond that, they are intended to remove liability from the state. Especially with products that aren’t readily consumable, they represent peace of mind for the general public. They also introduce logistical challenges:
- Increased costs: Dispensaries must absorb the cost of purchasing, stocking, and providing exit bags to every customer.
- Contribute to waste: While exit bags are reusable and P3 exit bags are recyclable, The majority of exit bags are not making it into their second life. These plastic bags are flowing directly into landfills and oceans
- Risk compliance issues: I can personally tell you from experience that budtenders to not know what to do when it comes to exit bag compliance. If a dispensary forgets to package a product, they aren’t aware that a product requires the additional protection. or the customer removes the product from the bag in-store, they could face regulatory violations or huge fines or potential loss of license
Given these challenges, Theere’s an opportunity for manufacturers to step in and help.
Why Manufacturers Should Take Responsibility
By taking responsibility for child resistance, manufacturers can remove the liability from dispensaries. On many levels this benefits everyone from consumers to producers.
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Cost Savings for Dispensaries
Exit bags represent a recurring cost that adds up quickly. By eliminating the need for these bags a manufacturer can realize a higher margin on their sale leading to a bigger order for manufacturers.
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Compliance Simplification
Dispensaries face strict regulations and failure to comply with laws can result in fines, penalties, and even loss of license. Budtenders don’t know the intricacies of child resistance and can’t tell on the floor which items are certified or not. Many are selling non-CR products out the door without added protection leaving huge liability problems. By making their products child-resistant themselves, manufacturers can remove this potential for violation.
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Consumer Convenience and Perception
Child-resistant designs of individually packaged products are typically more convenient and aesthetically pleasing than generic exit bags. It also communicates a commitment to safety and professionalism to consumers, potentially increasing brand loyalty.
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Environmental Impact
The cannabis industry is increasingly scrutinized for its environmental impact, particularly regarding packaging waste. Exit bags are top contributors to the waste stream. The addition of plastic not only leaves the end consumer feeling negatively about the purchase, but drastically increases the amount of waste per transaction. If manufacturers invest in reusable or recyclable child-resistant packaging, the entire industry moves closer to sustainability goals. A shift of this type also helps manufacturers tap into the massive and growing market of eco-conscious consumers..
Moving Forward: A Collaborative Approach
It is clear that shifting the responsibility of child-resistant packaging from dispensaries to manufacturers could save money, simplify compliance, and help reduce the environmental impact of cannabis packaging. However, this change will require a collaborative effort between manufacturers and dispensaries.
Dispensaries will need to take responsibility for advocating for child resistance. By selecting for products that are themselves child-resistant, retailers can push for market change. Take for example the two bottles above. Both are 1000 mg syrups, ready to consume. Both are delicious and effective I can tell you personally.
The non-CR bottle on the right requires additional packaging and is too small for municipal recycling systems to handle. It is made of a polymer that is not recyclable in the P3 system and therefore destined for the landfill or ocean. Heaven forbid a child gets their hands on this bottle and drinks this syrup.
On the other hand the bottle on the left comes with a child resistant lid. This saves you money but more importantly it saves the headache of forcing a customer to take excess baggage, removes the chance for violations by budtenders, and significantly reduces the environmental impact of the transaction. Not only that but this glass bottle is readily recyclable in any municipality’s system.
Manufacturers have an opportunity to enhance their brand by prioritizing safety and investing in child-resistant packaging. The listed savings and protection from liability alone should be in your pitch deck every time you sell.
Together the industry can reduce costs, minimize our footprint, and promote consumer safety all while ensuring that cannabis products remain out of the hands of children.
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