DIZPOT, an international packaging company, helps to solve issues related to weights and measures within the cannabis industry with compliant packaging supplies and processes.
What DIZPOT Represents
DIZPOT is highly dedicated to supporting the local community, and is heavily involved in legislative lobbying to enforce good public policy. While the mission at the Arizona Department of Health and Services (AZDHS) is to supply consumers with safe and compliant cannabis products, the intricacies of the industry are not taken into consideration at times.
“We have spent countless hours and funds to help protect cannabis brands that are vigorously keeping their products compliant from state-to-state,” said DIZPOT CEO, John Hartsell. “We believe that it is our duty to be involved in legislation as experts on the matter to help guide this issue as our industry continues to grow.”
DIZPOT ensures its creative packaging preserves products well, with consistent weight, while being involved civically as a wholesale packaging company who cares about regulations that need to be implemented. The team understands the Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Service Division (WMSD) rules need to be followed since the division also handles the inspections of food and beverages and is not going to conform to the industry’s needs. DIZPOT is committed to bettering the cannabis community and does so one package at a time.
Cannabis Packaging Challenges
Before a cannabis product travels to a dispensary and can be purchased by a customer, the product is weighed and processed at a cannabis packaging facility. Whether its glass jars and bottles, plastic vials, mylar bags, pop tops, or tin containers this phase is crucial to ensure the cannabis plant remains fresh and retains potency. Finding ways to stay compliant while also ensuring product quality for consumers is an ongoing struggle for cannabis and packaging suppliers, especially when dealing with organic matter that can degrade and fluctuate in weight.
Cannabis packaging regulations for manufacturers are determined by each state's representation of the national Weights and Measures Division. For Arizona, this is the Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Service Division (WMSD). Recently, this state entity has been issuing fines to cannabis brands and dispensaries for having products with inaccurate weight labels. This is primarily due to the product deteriorating since organic material often has a lower shelf life.
Packaging 101
It doesn’t always come down to packaging design, cannabis branding, eco-friendly packaging, or custom boxes, but instead, what’s inside of the actual packaging that houses the legalized cannabis products. According to the Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Service Division, the weight labeled on the cannabis packaging has to match the weight of the contents in the package.
However, cannabis is still a perishable, organic material and depending on the compliant packaging that is used, the cannabis product may deteriorate over time. If the weight on the label does not correspond with the weight of the products in the package because of incorrect exposure or incorrect humidity levels, the supplier can be charged in contempt of perpetrated consumer fraud even though the weight was correct when leaving the cultivation site.
Even when the cannabis packaging problem may be resolved by using compliant materials, any cannabis brands that are sold in multiple states must check the regulations of each state's Weights and Measure Service Division to ensure that they are truly compliant.
For example, in 2019, the Arizona Secretary of State passed the Smart and Safe Arizona Initiative which authorizes state and local regulations for the sale and production of cannabis products. In addition, there are two rules that are specific to the Arizona cannabis packaging market. First, the product must leave the dispensary in a bag where the contents are not able to be viewed, as well as, the package must be child resistant.
DIZPOT, a retail packaging company, continues to fulfill packaging challenges from state-to-state even as regulations and laws vastly change. With a 12,000 sq. ft. stocking warehouse, and immediate delivery on many items, DIZPOT’s expertise and “Old School Service,” are second to none. To begin discussing your cannabis packaging challenges, call us at (602) 795-4499 or contact us.
