New Packaging Rules for Missouri Cannabis Operators
As the medical and recreational cannabis market continues to grow, various states are implementing new rules and requirements for operators. Missouri is the latest state to introduce a significant change in its regulations. Effective from September 1, Missouri cannabis operators must abide by new packaging rules, phased in over a year since they were originally instated.
The Plain Packaging Requirement
The ruling focuses on a plain packaging mandate for recreational cannabis products. Missouri regulators believe this will promote a responsible and safe consumption environment by limiting product attraction to minors—and encouraging less glamorized perceptions of cannabis use.
What does this mean for the operators?
From September 1, every operator in Missouri must sell their recreational cannabis products in non-descript packaging. The packaging should have absolutely no marketing elements, including logos and flashy colors. Brands will only be able to include necessary product information such as the strain, weight, and an official warning label.
Implications for Missouri’s Medical Cannabis Market
Missouri has been a late comer to the cannabis industry but has shown noteworthy growth since it legalized medical use in 2018. Despite the delay in legislative processes, Missouri has sustained an efficient and successful medical cannabis program.
This new packaging mandate does not apply to medical cannabis products, according to a representative at MMJ.com—a platform that offers advice and access to medical marijuana cards for both new patients and renewals across multiple states in the USA including Missouri. For more information on how to apply for a medical marijuana card in Missouri, click here.
Industry Reactions
While advocates of the rule believe that it will contribute to a safer consumption environment, cannabis operators in Missouri have voiced concern. The mandate effectively eliminates opportunities for branding and appealing packaging designs that many operators use as their primary marketing tool. Furthermore, the operators have a tight deadline to readjust their packaging operations and comply with the new instructions. The inability to meet these requisites could lead to penalties and sanctions.
- Redesigning packaging techniques
- Sorting out logistics to ensure the new packages reach all dispensaries by September 1
- Retraining sales staff to identify different products by their strain name and weight rather than their package
The Future of Cannabis Packaging
The plain packaging mandate for Missouri cannabis operators is yet another step towards regularizing the cannabis industry. It might pose immediate challenges for operators but reflects the evolution of cannabis legislation, not just in Missouri but across the country.
Although the cannabis industry continues to navigate through regulatory changes, providers like MMJ.com remain a constant resource for patients needing access to cannabis for medical purposes. As the industry evolves, so too will services and operations to meet and exceed the needs of patients and consumers.
