Marijuana legalization has long been a popular and controversial topic in the United States. Over the last few years, however, laws and regulations have started changing and marijuana has been decriminalized and even legalized in a few states. With this change in culture rippling throughout the country, the marijuana industry has grown rapidly and it shows no sign of slowing down. More and more entrepreneurs are seeing the benefits of selling cannabis, but many might not realize just how important it is to be compliant with marijuana packaging and labeling laws and regulations.
Let’s take a look at three of the most important things to know about marijuana packaging and labeling compliance:
- Laws vary depending on your location
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, but various states have made certain exemptions; some permit the use of medical marijuana, others have decriminalized marijuana, and a few have completely legalized the drug. Since each state has individual legislation for the sale, use, and possession of cannabis, laws and regulations can be vastly different depending on where your business is located. In order to ensure that you are doing everything by the book, figure out what legislation has been passed in your state. Marijuana packaging and labeling restrictions could impact how you run your operation, and failure to properly adhere to these restrictions could be costly.
- Laws and regulations are constantly changing
In addition to compliance laws and regulations differing depending on your location, they also tend to change frequently. The cannabis industry is still in its infancy, and plenty of changes should be expected until the country is able to set a universal standard for marijuana packaging and labeling compliance. Businesses must ensure that their packages are tamper-proof, child-proof, and up to date. Since marijuana is a drug, safety is a huge concern. Changes to regulations will continue to occur, so be sure to understand when changes are made that could impact your business.
- You need marijuana packaging and labeling solutions in order to succeed in this industry
Just like with any business, the cannabis industry relies on technology to streamline processes, boost productivity, and maximize profits. When it comes to marijuana packaging and labeling, business owners must utilize a combination of software, hardware, and supplies to succeed; there are a variety of options to choose from! Even if your operation doesn’t currently require a robust marijuana packaging and labeling solution, the technology you need could change over the next few years due to the fickle industry.
A feature-rich label printing automation software solution, like BarTender from Seagull Scientific, is one of the best ways to stay up to date on compliance. This software allows you to modify templates on the fly, so the labels you print are always accurate. The software should be paired up with label printers, like those from Zebra Technologies and Epson, that offer on-demand printing, complete control over the entire process, and other nice features like color printing. Automatic applicators and durable labels are also essential to creating a powerful solution that gives you complete control over packaging and labeling.
The cannabis industry still has a lot of growing to do, so marijuana packaging and labeling compliance will likely do a lot of changing. Understanding the ins and outs of your state’s specific laws is the first step toward building the ideal solution for your business. The technology behind packaging and labeling is just as important; a powerful, durable, and efficient solution can help keep you ahead of the curve.
