Arizona Recreational: How to Buy Compliant Packaging
On Tuesday November 3rd, 2020, the voters in the State of Arizona passed a ballot initiative legalizing cannabis, or marijuana, for recreational use. With this ballot measure comes a number of new regulations that relate to packaging, in addition to the measures that will be enacted in Arizona in the coming months. Unlike Missouri, Arizona has an existing medical marijuana program. Readers are cautioned to be sure that they are reading new recreational rules when doing research, as the old medical regulations are significantly less strict than the new recreational ones.
As with many states, Arizona’s regulations on packaging fall into three categories:
- Required Language,
- Design Prohibitions, and
- Technical Requirements
Let’s check them out one by one.
Required Language
The ballot measure in Arizona is intended to have additional regulations and is, therefore, unspecific in the warnings that will be required on packaging for recreational marijuana sales. The measure merely states that containers must be clearly and conspicuously labeled and have accurate warnings regarding the use of marijuana or marijuana products. Based on other states, it is safe to expect warnings concerning impaired driving and the operation of heavy machinery. Additionally, it is safe to expect warnings related to breastfeeding and pregnancy. Finally, one should also expect a regulation requiring warnings about delayed onset, at least in the case of edibles.
Design Prohibitions
The new recreational marijuana law in Arizona contains a number of prohibitions on the design of your cannabis packaging. First, you may not package or label marijuana or marijuana products in a false or misleading manner. Next, you may not manufacture or sell marijuana or marijuana products that resemble the form of a human, animal, insect, fruit, toy, or cartoon. Finally, there is a prohibition on selling or advertising marijuana or marijuana products with names that resemble or imitate food or drink brands marketed to children, or otherwise advertise marijuana or marijuana products to children.
Technical Requirements
The new law in Arizona has two technical requirements that marijuana packaging must meet. It is important to note that these requirements may be satisfied by an exit-package. First, the product must leave the dispensary in an opaque package so that it may not be viewed. Secondly, the package must be child-resistant. Child-resistant is defined as being designed or constructed to be significantly difficult for children under five years of age to open, and not difficult for normal adults to use properly. Arizona operators should look for a CR certificate from packaging providers.
Please visit the complete Arizona rules here. Additionally, you should note that there will be more regulations promulgated related to recreational marijuana packaging in Arizona.
