Does childproof packaging lock medical marijuana patients out?

For many medical marijuana patients, even after procurement, accessing the products they need can prove very difficult. This problem could be attributed to the child resistant packaging of these products. Some of this child-resistant packaging has proven not user-friendly for many medical marijuana users. Read on as we examine the extent to which this is a fact among medical marijuana users and the potential implications.

Medical marijuana was a revelation as it helped many patients cope with various types of incurable diseases. It is particularly beneficial because there is no risk of long-term side effects. Using the right brand with the required THC to CBD ratio can be all a patient needs and there is a relief. Unfortunately, the type of packaging used for such products does not seem to take into account the disabilities of the patients who will be using the product. Most states require medical marijuana products to be sold in child-resistant packaging. A step that presents the end user with more problems than solutions.

There are different forms of medical marijuana products to meet the needs of patients. Some products are solid and come in capsules, while others are liquid and come in bottles and other containers. Such types of containers have special packaging forms. This is due to the nature of the products it contains, but it can sometimes prove to be a major obstacle. A patient suffering from chronic pain and seizure disorders is bound to have problems with a childproof lock when they need their medication. Likewise, blister packs with foils that need to be peeled off can damage the product, leading to more complaints.

The medical marijuana product packaging problem spans a wide range of products. The packaging used differs from brand to brand. While some brands are much easier to access, others are very challenging, resulting in consumers having to switch brands most of the time. Some vapes come with special push-down-and-twist caps, which many openly find very heavy. Some consumers attempting to open such products damage or spill the product. Some child resistant packages are either too short to grasp with fingers or require a great deal of patience and dexterity to open.

Some medical marijuana patients will struggle to identify with the issues others face with cannabis packaging. This is because there is a lack of consistency in cannabis packaging from state to state in the United States. As such, cannabis packaging in some states may favor everyone, while others may only favor agile users.

California, for example, legalized medical marijuana over 25 years ago, but its packaging restrictions are very problematic. Other states that followed in their footsteps did the same in terms of regulations. Surprisingly, after legalization in 2016, regulations aimed at reducing children’s resistance to recreational products were quickly passed. This can be attributed to recreational marijuana being more popular and making more money.

John Hartsell, co-founder and CEO of DIZPOT, a nationwide supplier of cannabis and hemp, agrees that the lack of regulation is a problem. He explained that there is a lack of standard packaging for cannabis in the US, which has caused the problem at hand. Chris Driessen, CEO of SLANG Worldwide, a company that deals in branded packaged cannabis products, agrees that the lack of regulation is a problem. He explained that packaging is one of the banes of existence and regulations will help make it user-friendly.

Different regulations in different states result in additional costs for manufacturers and they struggle with unnecessary complexities. The greatest complexity is still that the products must be safe enough to protect children and accessible enough for older users. The additional materials used to create these child resistant packages also increase the price of such products. The lack of federal legalization of medical marijuana means regulation could be an issue for some time.

Producers also always need to be on the lookout as the demands and regulations in the cannabis industry seem to be changing on a daily basis. Childproof and patient-friendly containers require a lot of thought and commitment from such manufacturers. Some manufacturers tend to conduct tests with seniors and children to determine how accessible and child-safe their products are. This method has proven to be very useful for assessing how user-friendly products are, although it lengthens production.

While it’s true that some medical marijuana packaging is very problematic, some still need it. Groceries, for example, need a lot of child safety. Because children tend to find such products attractive and want to be pampered with them. Therefore, it is important to have such products in child-resistant containers. However, the gap has yet to be closed.

Custom dispensary packaging is required for most medical marijuana products. It saves the cost of plastic and materials needed to produce child resistant packaging and prevents user discomfort. Proper execution could be exactly what producers in the cannabis industry see as the answer to all of their packaging woes. It must be said, however, that nothing significant can be done without the right laws and regulations.

bottom line

To understand potential issues with medical marijuana packaging, we must be willing to see from both sides. While it is important that products are safe and kept away from children, accessibility for those who need them should not be neglected. The responsibility lies in the hands of regulators and manufacturers to find a permanent solution. Current regulations vary from state to state, meaning nothing is fully settled yet. Until proper regulation is in place, manufacturers and consumers alike will continue to experience such inconveniences.

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