By any measure, the cannabis industry is still booming across North America, especially in US states that have recently legalized recreational use. Still, does this degree of market expansion have a downside you’re not seeing?

The answers depend on who you ask, but generally speaking, today's biggest challenge in the cannabis industry is complying with all sorts of regulations at both the state and federal levels.

Adding to the confusion, even states with similar laws about cannabis cultivation can have widely different packaging regulations.

Overall, you can be confident that the cannabis industry is trending in the right direction, a financially lucrative direction, that is!

Yet, there are still once-in-a-lifetime opportunities out there for entrepreneurs and startups brave enough to enter the space.

_{Photo credit: Naewmna}

Indeed, one of those opportunities is positioning your company to appeal to the "eco-friendly" consumer demographic. So, if you’re new to the cannabis industry, how can you differentiate yourself in a market that's already very competitive?

The answer is to make your products stand out with environmentally sustainable practices and promote them as such.

Changing the packaging materials used in prerolls is a prime example of how you can earn a quick win as long as you understand the dynamics of the cannabis market right now.

What's eco-friendly packaging?

To understand what eco-friendly packaging is, we have to go over the current lay of the land. State marijuana packaging requirements demand that cannabis companies ship their product in tamper-resistant containers.

Really, the proper term is tamper-evident since you can also use a sticker across the package to show when it's been tampered with.

Cannabis packaging is also supposed to be child-resistant as well, which makes sense. No one wants minors to get their hands on legal cannabis products because they're meant for responsible consumers who know the health risks.

That's why the container must also be resealable to keep it out of the hands of minors. We promise that it isn't only to tamp down marijuana odors; resealable containers have a real purpose.

Another common packaging regulation is the requirement to use opaque pouches when using the product multiple times (e.g., edibles). So, if you want to sell cannabis-infused caramels, you don't have much choice but to use single-use plastics.

But on the other hand, eco-friendly packaging is a fairly straightforward concept, although it is a relatively new trend in the cannabis industry. As we said before, compliance is a huge concern for US cannabis cultivators because the laws are incredibly intricate and challenging to follow.

As a result, many cannabis cultivators rely entirely on single-use plastic packaging harmful to the environment. That's what it all boils down to, state marijuana packaging requirements forcing the hand of the cannabis industry to settle for unsustainable business practices to go to market faster.

Honestly, we believe the time is now to make a change and redefine how the cannabis industry thinks about packaging products.

What's the cannabis industry’s influence on the environment?

Think again if you think the cannabis industry does not affect the environment because the product is organic, think again! Studies show that the impact is noteworthy, and cultivating cannabis can be equally as harmful as growing any other cash crop like wheat and corn.

But it may surprise you that the most significant effect on the environment isn't pesticide use; it's the sheer amount of energy needed to grow marijuana indoors. Even a relatively modest cannabis-growing operation can have an enormous carbon footprint because you have to grow marijuana under tightly controlled conditions.

On the other hand, the risk of pesticide contamination is real when growing cannabis, especially since consumers will most likely smoke the product.

All of these problems come back around to growing marijuana indoors. Ideally, you would want to grow cannabis outdoors or in a greenhouse. Still, until US state laws catch up, you'll have to get creative to truly promote yourself as an environmentally sustainable, eco-friendly cannabis company.

Types of eco-friendly preroll packaging

The e-commerce industry has already popularized the concept of sending packages made from recycled materials. The alternative is to use some sort of easily recycled plastic, paper material, or fabric.

The implication for eco-friendly cannabis brands is this: come up with an inventive way to package prerolls, and you can disrupt an entire industry.

But logistically speaking, it would be a nightmare to try to make cannabis prerolls by hand and then try to ship them manually too. Not only would the process take forever, but it probably doesn't comply with regulations.

That's where an automated preroll machine that also helps with preroll packaging comes into the equation. The idea is to get away from single-use plastic packaging, adopting sustainable practices instead.

Benefits of eco-friendly packaging

Having said that, what's the benefit of taking the time to create eco-friendly pre-rolled tubes and another packaging? 

Well, for starters, your target market – cannabis consumers, aged 21-to-35 years old - want eco-friendly brands, and in fact, they are starting to demand them more and more.

Pre-rolled cones packaged inside of preroll tubes made of recyclable glass are a win-win for everyone, but you can't make them without an automated preroll machine like ours.

Nowadays, consumers are more likely to buy from brands they believe share their values, particularly the millennial cohort. Without a doubt, the cannabis community's values are distinguishable although slightly related to the market for environmentally-friendly products.

Besides, being eco-friendly and sustainable doesn't mean you have to ditch compliance laws. In fact, it's the opposite. You can stay compliant and be sustainable at the same time.

Notwithstanding, you could also grow into an industry-leading, eco-friendly cannabis brand faster than you think.

Ultimately, customers will reward you for your investments by returning and promoting your company's values to friends and family.

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