Infographic: Cannabis Packaging Types

With the widespread legalization of cannabis and CBD products across the U.S., the market is flooded with a variety of offerings, from flowers and edibles to oils and vape cartridges. As the industry continues to grow, one of the most important decisions cannabis businesses face is selecting the right packaging for their products. Whether you’re selling THC or CBD products, the choice of packaging can significantly impact your brand’s success.

Cannabis products come in many forms, each requiring specialized Packaging to maintain product integrity. Without the proper packaging, factors like light, heat, cold, or moisture can compromise the quality of your products, ultimately affecting your customers’ experience. From rigid packaging to flexible options, choosing the right container is crucial for preserving freshness, potency, and overall product appeal.

According to this post, understanding the different types of cannabis packaging available—whether for flowers, edibles, oils, or vapes—will help ensure that your product reaches consumers in the best possible condition, while also enhancing your brand’s image. In the competitive cannabis market, the right packaging can be a game-changer, making your product stand out and building customer trust.

Types of Cannabis Packaging Based On Materials

Mylar Packaging

Durable, airtight, moisture-resistant.
Often used for flower, pre-rolls, and edibles.

Plastic Packaging

Lightweight, durable, and cost-effective.
Used for flower, concentrates, edibles, vape cartridges.

Glass Packaging

Non-reactive, airtight, preserves flavor and potency.
Common for premium flower, concentrates, and edibles.

Paper Packaging

Eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Often used for pre-rolls or small, single-use packaging.

Metal Packaging

Sturdy, airtight, reusable, and recyclable.
Popular for flower, edibles, and dry cannabis products.

Silicone Packaging

Flexible, non-stick, durable.
Common for concentrate containers and accessories.

Wood Packaging

High-end, eco-conscious aesthetic.
Durable and natural-looking packaging.
Can be recycled or repurposed.

Biodegradable Packaging

Biodegradable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics.
Used for cannabis flower, edibles, and other products.

Cardboard Packaging

Lightweight, recyclable, eco-friendly.
Used for secondary packaging like boxes for cartridges, edibles, or pre-rolls.

Types of Cannabis Packaging Based On Features

Child-Resistant Packaging

Mylar Bags with Child-Resistant Zippers: Equipped with safety zippers that are difficult for children to open.
Plastic Containers with Child-Resistant Caps: Bottles or jars with tamper-evident and child-resistant closures.
Glass Containers with Child-Resistant Lids: Special caps that meet child-resistant safety standards.
Vape Cartridge Boxes: Often include child-resistant packaging with a secure, difficult-to-open mechanism.

Re-sealable Packaging

Mylar Bags: Most have zippers or heat-sealed closures that allow for resealing.
Plastic Containers: Some plastic containers come with snap or twist-off lids that can be resealed.
Glass Containers: Many glass jars come with screw-top or twist-off lids for resealing.
Tin Cans: Some tin cans come with resealable lids, although this is less common than other packaging types.

Tamper-Evident Packaging

Mylar Bags with Tamper-Evident Seals: Heat-sealed edges or tamper-proof zippers to show if the packaging has been opened.
Plastic Containers with Tamper-Evident Lids: These containers come with tamper-proof features such as breakable seals or security rings.
Glass Containers: Some glass jars come with a tamper-evident shrink band around the lid.
Vape Cartridge Boxes: Often feature tamper-evident seals for product safety and integrity.

Barrier Packaging

Clamshell Packaging: Common for cannabis accessories such as grinders, lighters, or pipes, providing secure protection and often featuring branding.
Custom Boxes: Used for premium or gift sets, providing secure packaging for multiple cannabis products and accessories.
Cardboard or Kraft Paper Boxes: Eco-friendly options used for packaging accessories, often customizable with branding.
Flexible Pouches: Occasionally used for smaller accessories or disposable items like rolling papers or filters.

Eco-Friendly Packaging

Biodegradable Mylar Bags: Made with environmentally friendly materials, biodegradable alternatives to traditional Mylar bags.
Paper Packaging: Compostable and recyclable, including paper tubes or boxes for pre-rolls or edibles.
Glass Containers: Reusable and recyclable, making them more eco-friendly compared to plastic.
Hemp-Based Packaging: Made from hemp fibers, these options are biodegradable and eco-conscious.

Airtight Packaging

Mylar Bags: Highly effective at preserving freshness, prevents air exposure.
Glass Containers: Provides an airtight seal to preserve potency and flavor.
Plastic Containers: Often available with airtight lids, ideal for cannabis flower or concentrates.
Tin Cans: Provides a strong airtight seal, preserving freshness and preventing contaminants.

Light-Protective Packaging

Pre-Roll Tubes or Pouches: Small, portable packaging designed specifically for pre-rolls, making them easy to carry and consume.
Vape Cartridge Boxes: Compact and easy to carry, designed to protect cartridges and ensure convenience.
Single-Use or Travel-Size Pouches: Often used for edibles or single servings of cannabis products, designed for on-the-go consumption.
Mini Glass or Plastic Containers: Small containers for cannabis products that are portable and discreet.

Protective Packaging

Glass Containers: Protective packaging or padding is often included to prevent breakage during transit.
Silicone Containers (for Concentrates): Designed to be spill-proof and flexible, protecting delicate concentrates during handling.
Rigid Plastic Boxes: Used to protect vape cartridges or fragile cannabis products during shipping.
Foam Inserts: Used in packaging for concentrates or vape cartridges to prevent breakage.

Convenient/On-the-Go Packaging

Pre-Roll Tubes or Pouches: Small, portable packaging designed specifically for pre-rolls, making them easy to carry and consume.
Vape Cartridge Boxes: Compact and easy to carry, designed to protect cartridges and ensure convenience.
Single-Use or Travel-Size Pouches: Often used for edibles or single servings of cannabis products, designed for on-the-go consumption.
Mini Glass or Plastic Containers: Small containers for cannabis products that are portable and discreet.

Branding-Friendly Packaging

Custom Mylar Bags: Highly customizable with printed logos, graphics, and product information.
Custom Glass Jars: Can be printed with unique designs or labels to enhance brand identity.
Plastic Containers with Custom Labels: Plastic jars, bottles, or bags with custom labels for branding and marketing purposes.
Custom Paper Boxes: High-quality, custom-printed boxes are a great option for premium cannabis brands.

Types of Cannabis Packaging Based On Application

Edibles Packaging

Mylar Bags: Often used for edibles due to their ability to keep the product fresh and their flexibility in sizes.
Plastic Containers: Common for candies, gummies, or baked goods, providing a tight seal to prevent air exposure.
Glass Jars: Used for premium edibles or higher-end brands, providing an airtight seal.
Pouches: Lightweight and flexible, they are used for smaller packaged edibles or single-serve products.
Child-Resistant Boxes: Edible packaging must often meet child-resistance standards, making this a common option for gummies, chocolates, and other cannabis-infused products.
Tins or Metal Cans: Used for premium or luxury edible brands, offering a high-quality presentation and airtight protection.

Flower Packaging

Mylar Bags: Highly effective in preserving flower freshness, with options for resealing and child-resistant features.
Glass Jars: Provide an airtight seal, protecting the flower from light and moisture, preserving potency and flavor.
Plastic Containers: Lightweight and cost-effective, though not as ideal for long-term preservation as glass.
Tin Cans: Durable and airtight, often used for premium flower packaging.
Pouches: Flexible, lightweight packaging typically used for pre-ground flower or bulk quantities.
Paper Tubes: Sometimes used for smaller quantities or specific strains, with eco-friendly appeal.

Concentrates Packaging

Glass Containers: Ideal for concentrates such as shatter, wax, and resin. Glass preserves the quality of the product and prevents contamination.
Silicone Containers: Non-stick, flexible, and heat-resistant, making them popular for sticky concentrates like wax or rosin.
Plastic Containers: Used for concentrates, though less common than glass or silicone, and typically lower cost.
Vape Cartridge Boxes: Designed specifically for vape cartridges, providing secure storage and often featuring protective inserts.
Pouches: Sometimes used for smaller amounts of concentrates or bulk, often made with a combination of Mylar and foil to provide a protective barrier.

Pre-Rolls Packaging

Mylar Bags: Customizable with resealable options, ideal for packaging multiple pre-rolls or single units.
Paper Tubes: Small, eco-friendly, and sometimes child-resistant; often used for individual pre-rolls.
Plastic or Glass Jars: Used for packaging bulk pre-rolls or premium products.
Flexible Pouches: Cost-effective for packaging pre-rolls, often with branding and resealable options.
Tin Cans: Often used for premium pre-roll collections or larger quantities, providing protection and a high-end presentation.

Vape Cartridges Packaging

Vape Cartridge Boxes: Custom-designed boxes that securely hold cartridges, often featuring tamper-evident seals or protective inserts.
Plastic Blister Packs: Often used for single vape cartridges, providing easy handling and ensuring protection.
Glass Containers: Sometimes used for high-end, premium vape products, providing elegant packaging while maintaining product integrity.

Topicals & Tinctures Packaging

Glass Bottles: Commonly used for tinctures, as glass maintains the integrity of the liquid and prevents contamination.
Plastic Bottles: Lightweight and less expensive, used for tinctures, lotions, and oils.
Airless Pumps: Common for topicals such as lotions, balms, and creams. These pumps help preserve the product and reduce exposure to air, preventing oxidation.
Dropper Bottles: Often used for tinctures, providing precise dosing and easy application.
Tin or Aluminum Cans: Sometimes used for balms, salves, or other topical cannabis products.

CBD & Hemp Products Packaging

Glass Jars or Bottles: Used for premium CBD flower or CBD oils and tinctures, preserving freshness and providing a high-end feel.
Mylar Bags: Cost-effective for bulk packaging, with odor-proof and moisture-resistant qualities.
Plastic Containers: Common for bulk CBD edibles, topicals, or pre-rolls, with easy-to-manage resealable options.
Pouches: Flexible and convenient, especially for single-serve CBD products such as gummies, capsules, or tinctures.
Paper Boxes: Often used for CBD-based edibles, offering an eco-friendly option that can be printed with branding.

Accessories Packaging

Clamshell Packaging: Common for cannabis accessories such as grinders, lighters, or pipes, providing secure protection and often featuring branding.
Custom Boxes: Used for premium or gift sets, providing secure packaging for multiple cannabis products and accessories.
Cardboard or Kraft Paper Boxes: Eco-friendly options used for packaging accessories, often customizable with branding.
Flexible Pouches: Occasionally used for smaller accessories or disposable items like rolling papers or filters.