Sustainable Cannabis Packaging, Steps to Consider According to New York Regulations

Recently, New York regulators unveiled proposed marijuana packaging and labeling rules that include provisions aimed at bolstering sustainability in the industry state recreation.

As part of its Sustainability Program, New York State requires cannabis companies to incorporate "at least 25% post-recycled consumer content into their packaging and communicate each year key indicators on the implementation of their sustainability initiatives. ”

After the state's Cannabis Control Board (CCB) proposes initial rules and accepts public comment; New York's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is "screening comments and working on revised regulations that will resubmit for CCB approval once all comments have been evaluated," said Lyla Hunt , Deputy Director of Public Health at the OCM. and campaigns.

"I just want to highlight the balance between the wide range of critical public policy objectives in publishing packaging and labeling regulations," Hunt added. “We are really excited to shake things up and be ahead here on the environmental front. We are truly excited to be working to help continue these good efforts. »

As Benzinga previously pointed out, the proposed packaging and labeling regulations for marijuana products, with strict provisions, must not be appealing to children . This means that the packaging must be childproof, tamper-proof and non-toxic.

In addition, each package of cannabis, edibles or concentrates will bear the universal state approval symbol containing a yellow THC flower within a triangle, with a 21+ symbol in a red circle above the new York State Logo. The status label confirms that the product is authorized and legitimate after undergoing laboratory testing.

Since the state began issuing conditional adult marijuana licenses to growers and processors, regulators have issued updated guidelines as they become available to licensees, Hunt said. "When we sought to develop regulations in the New York market, we always sought to learn from other states and incorporate best practices [and] lessons learned."

As the Cannabis Business Times reported, "In more mature western markets, some cannabis operators have already implemented sustainability standards themselves that could serve benchmark for new markets."

Hunt concluded, "With packaging, labeling, marketing and advertising, it's a confluence of factors that we try to balance. We want to make sure that there is a range of products that appeal to consumers, but not those under 21, to protect public health and safety and...