Maine’s Packing and Compliance Conundrum

MAINE’S PACKAGING AND COMPLIANCE CONUNDRUM

BY DOMINIC D PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KNOT PLASTIC

This isn’t going away anytime soon…

That’s a bold statement, but so true in today’s booming Maine cannabis scene…the demand doesn’t seem to be going away, and the supply is doing its best to gain ground.

That being said, there’s a whole lot of herb to wrap. We’ve come a long way from the roll and lick baggie days, friends. With the increasing regulation of state government and its complex requirements, along with the growing competition requiring more marketing, there are only more layers to come—such are the demands of creating and maintaining a high-quality and caliber of flower, concentrates, edibles, and more.

That’s a big pile we’re starting to create here. Sure, we are looking at livelihoods for the hard-working people of our fair state, alongside friends from beyond. But at what cost to the Earth, our home and provider for the plants?

What can we do to assure that the plant we all admire, respect, and learn from will not create the next mountains of trash from Babylon? This plant, along with its expansive healing properties, teaches us to respect nature and its beings and not to create a waste stream that rivals big beer and tobacco.

Canna-trash blowing down the side of roadways…like fast food wrappers leaving trails of cheap consumption and excess in their wake…

Are there any options to counter that surge? As we increase our foothold in the mainstream wellness industry, will cannabis be an innovative leader and continue to pioneer forward against all odds?

Many believe it can. There are caregivers in Maine taking all of this into account and are each, in their own ways, standing behind their beliefs and contributing to conservation and sustainability.

Companies such as Kind & Co. prefer glass jars both for displaying and retaining the quality of the bud through an extended cure and for the reusability/ recyclability of the packaging. Some manufacturers are expanding their horizons (or foundations) into the realm of bio-friendly packaging, like remotely based design agency Scarlet Fire. Good for your dome and good for your home.

KNOT PLASTIC RY RUSSELL, FOUNDER

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KNOT PLASTIC

So far, there is only one in-state manufacturer that we know of, Knot Plastic, based in Saco, which will soon be introducing child-resistant, pre-roll tubes and 19-dram pop-top containers. Their containers are made of their Knot Plastic,™plant-based alternative products that are 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable. You can check them out at knotplastic.com.

KNOT PLASTIC POP TOP PRE-ROLL JOINT TUBE

For the time being, you will need to seek solutions from other cannabis-friendly hotspots around the country. Here’s a short list of our favorite producers and distributors, utilizing a variety of eco-minded approaches to the challenges that lie ahead for this growing industry. These great folks can help you find your way.

calyxcontainers.com

Calyx Containers: They create protective packaging as purposeful, sustainable, and beautiful as that found in nature. Premium-quality recycled/recyclable concentrate and flower containers, pre-roll tubes, and inventory systems. Based in Massachusetts.

sanapackaging.com

Sana Packaging: Designs and develops cannabis packaging for a circular economy using 100% plantbased hemp plastic, 100% reclaimed ocean plastic, and other sustainable materials. A Colorado company.

sungrownpackaging.com

Sun Grown Packaging: Eco-friendly cannabis packaging made from recyclable and compostable materials. Their printing process uses water-based coatings and soy-based inks, and they source their materials domestically. Founded in Oakland, California.

hemp.press

Hemp Press: The first and only all hemp paper, printing, and packaging company; built from the ground up with sustainability in mind. Based in Washington.

damadistributing.com

Dama Distributing: They are pioneering the development of sustainable and home-compostable compliant packaging for the cannabis and hemp industries. Based in Colorado.

hisierra.com

HISIERRA®: The only certified child-resistant exit bag made from renewable and sustainable plant-based (sugarcane) raw materials. Manufactured in a clean and green, renewable energy, wind-powered, LEED™ certified factory located in the heartland of America. We’ve got a lot of work to do before this issue is resolved. But you know what else is not going away? The perseverance of the cannabis community and our adaptability to the times. The demand for the incredible product being generated here and the need for a solution will drive us where we need to go. Maine will continue to protect its vast beauty and high-quality cannabis for the future to enjoy, as we have, much like the generations before us who started this movement— with their box of baggies and a dream.