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What the MORE bill means and how it will affect you

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Person Holding Green Cannabis - KAYA Cannabis Packaging

A bill in Congress could end federal marijuana prohibition and help the people most affected by the drug war. Officially, it’s called the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) bill and if passed, could affect millions of Americans.

The MORE bill explained:

The MORE bill was approved by a congressional committee for an official vote by Congress. Its main components are explained below to help further your understanding of this legislation and how it could affect you.

The MORE bill aims:

  • To federally deschedule cannabis: Deschedule can be a misleading word, because we most commonly associate it with a calendar schedule. However, in this case, schedule, or deschedule, is referring to drug classification.

Currently, cannabis is a Schedule I drug, like heroin and meth. Schedule I drugs are not accepted for medical uses and are seen as highly potential for abuse. As a Schedule I drug, researchers are legally restricted from researching cannabis.

This bill is aimed at placing cannabis in a different schedule, where its effects on medicinal and recreational can be better studied.  

  • To provide expungement and resentencing relief: This section of the bill is to help people with marijuana-related convictions who continue to face overwhelming barriers to employment, education and housing.

The hope here is that those who struggle to find employment and housing due to their record, will have greater access to jobs without the felony charge.

  • To impose a five percent federal tax on marijuana sales to support investments in communities most harmed by the drug war: A federal tax on marijuana purchases will be used to rebuild the communities most affected by the drug war. How and when is yet to be defined.
  • To protect immigrants from being denied citizenship over cannabis: Immigrants hoping to make the U.S. their permanent home won’t be denied citizenship based on their cannabis usage.
  • To prevent federal agencies from denying immigrants of public benefits or security clearance due to its use: Immigrants will have access to federal public benefits, even if they’ve used marijuana. Also note that Federal benefits are only offered to legal immigrants, not undocumented immigrants. Each state offers their own set of rules and benefits.

If this bill is approved, it would affect the millions of Americans with marijuana-related convictions and their families.

What’s Next for the MORE Bill?

While it’s historic for a congressional committee to approve a federal marijuana bill, the proposed legislation still has a way to go before becoming law. The next step is for a vote by all of Congress, which should happen before the current congress session ends in January 2021.

Many will closely watch the MORE Bill’s progress through Congress.

Come see us at MJBizCon l December 11-13 2019 Las Vegas

By | Packaging, Packaging Design, Uncategorized
Come see Kaya Cannabis Packaging at Las Vegas MJ Bizcon, Cannabis Packaging Convention

Kaya Packaging is exhibiting at the popular MJBizCon in Las Vegas this week. We will be showcasing our higher standard cannabis packaging along with new products such as glass packaging and labeling services. We are exhibiting at booth C8939 in Central Hall of the Las Angeles Convention Center.

 

MJBizcon takes place December 11 to 13, 2019, during MJBizCon Week where industry leaders converge to mindshare on trends, rules and regulations, and innovation. Kaya Packaging is proud to be a higher standard in cannabis packaging solutions, ensuring to provide growers, dispensaries, and other cannabis related businesses the compliant and certified packaging they need to only meet their business’s needs but also help them thrive and grow.

 

Follow the hashtag #MJBizCon to track and engage on conversations happening on Twitter and Instagram. Follow us on Instagram @kayapackaging and Twitter @kaya_packaging to engage with us while we’re at the conference and get behind-the-scenes footage and info live.

 

We welcome attendees seeking a premium packaging solution for cannabis products to visit Booth C8939 where they can connect with representatives, Noam Temkin and Matt Mardo. Our diverse portfolio of customizable packaging includes child guard exit bags, bud bags, grower bags, resealable bags, and tamper-evident bags.

 

Email Matt@KayaPackaging.com to schedule a meeting with them at the MJBizcon today!

Is CBD Saving Retail? CBD Packaging

Is CBD Saving Retail?

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CBD products are gaining distribution at traditional retailers, including three of America’s largest drugstore chains. Consumers visiting CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid can add CBD-infused topical products to their shopping baskets, along with the usual items on their shopping list.

However, drugstores aren’t selling edibles yet. CVS official, Joe Goode, stated that while they aren’t selling CBD supplements or food additives, they are working with product manufacturers that meet quality standards.

For now, find the following CBD-infused products at select retailers:

  • Creams
  • Sprays
  • Roll-ons
  • Lotions
  • Salves

Consumers seeking edibles will still need to visit local dispensaries.

We’ll see how long that lasts, as traditional retailers recognize that cannabis products are a winning ticket. By 2025, the CBD market is predicted to exceed $16 billion, according to research shared by Forbes.

CBD Products are Revitalizing Retail

As cannabis is legalized in more states, the amount of brick-and-mortar retail chains selling CBD products will grow. That growth will benefit both consumers, who say that convenience of location is crucial to where they buy, and retailers, who need the revenue.

Traditional retailers who are struggling to protect their business model from online sales, are looking to cannabis products. Just last year, Cannabis Dispensaries hired more than 121,000 full-time workers, while in 2018, U.S. retailers lost 99,000 jobs and continue to cut jobs in 2019,

Spending at cannabis dispensaries increased to more than $10.5 billion, while big-name retail chains like Sears and Toys R Us filed bankruptcy.  The sales numbers are predicted to grow even more – worldwide spending is forecast to grow 39.1% to $17 Billion in 2019.

The Future is Bright

The future of CBD products in retail is bright. Ironically, it’s the states’ regulations and the federal government deeming cannabis illegal that has helped to create a climate where cannabis sales thrive at brick-and-mortar locations.

If you are wondering where CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are offering CBD-infused products, see the list below.

Where to find CBD-selling drugstores, by state:

  • Alabama (CVS)
  • California (CVS)
  • Colorado (CVS, Walgreens)
  • Illinois (CVS, Walgreens)
  • Indiana (CVS, Walgreens)
  • Kentucky (CVS, Walgreens)
  • Maryland (CVS)
  • New Mexico (Walgreens)
  • Oregon (Walgreens, Rite Aid)
  • South Carolina (Walgreens)
  • Tennessee (CVS, Walgreens)
  • Vermont (Walgreens)
  • Washington (Rite Aid)

 

Are you seeing CBD products in stores near you?

How to Market to Men & Women in the CBD and THC Space, CBD and THC Packaging

How to Market to Men & Women in the CBD and THC Space

By | Uncategorized

Carina Chaz, a 25-year-old entrepreneur who launched a successful beauty business, focuses on healthy living. Her health routine includes using Cann  abis. Chaz is one of many women who prefer cannabis products that include THC. However, most Cannabis brands operating in the THC space market their products to men, while CBD brands target women.

 

A quick review of CBD vs. THC

CBD (Cannabidiol) is found in the plant, cannabis. It’s linked to relieve anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. CBD does not cause a “high,” which is why some people prefer it.

 

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is also found in cannabis. It’s the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that causes people to feel “high”. Most CBD products have removed the THC, while cannabis in its whole form includes both CBD and THC.

 

Are Women interested in THC products?

Women are using CBD products for their calming and nonpsychedelic properties. Just ask celebrity Kristen Bell, who uses CBD to manager her mental health, and Melissa McCarthy who applies CBD oil to help manage pain.  Yet, research shows that women are also using THC cannabis products.

 

One report, by BDS Analytics, found that few consumers use cannabis for a single purpose. Among people using cannabis for pain management, 73 percent of them also enjoy marijuana for recreational and social reasons.

 

Another report by Headset found that men buy only 5% more cannabis than women. Even with numbers showing women’s support, Cannabis brands in the THC space often overlook them and market to a male audience. Part of this is due to the stigma around women using cannabis, but groups and online publications, like Nice Paper, are working to dispel myths and misinformation shaming cannabis.

Kaya - Custom Cannabis Packaging

Women using Cannabis in the THC space

Celebrity Stella Santana, daughter of Santana, recently shared her cannabis preferences in an interview with Nice Paper. Santana said her favorite way to use cannabis is with the besito pen.

Nice Paper features interviews with other women, like entrepreneur Chaz, to de-stigmatize women using cannabis.

Why is THC marketed to men and not women?

One contributing factor to the misrepresentation in marketing could be the lack of representation in the male-dominant leadership of the Cannabis industry.  Despite the success of CBD-products with women and, only 27 percent of cannabis companies have women in executive positions.

 

Another contributing factor is the current federal regulations. Cannabis companies are continually breaking new ground in retail as legalization moves forward. It’s a lot easier to break into a new market with CBD products when marijuana is still stigmatized.

 

As the CBD market grows, it will pave the way for THC brands to target all genders.

Meet Kaya Packaging at the CWCB Expo in Los Angeles

By | Uncategorized

Kaya Packaging is thrilled to be exhibiting at this year’s Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo in Los Angeles, a conference designed to connect industry leaders to discuss strategies for long-term growth in the space once the hype of the Green Rush has faded. Kaya Packaging is a brand that prides itself on staying ahead of the pack when it comes to trends and regulations in the B2B cannabis space. Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in California, the industry’s year-over-year growth on a local level has been remarkable. As we look to the future, though, there is much speculation about how operators in the cannabis space can effectively scale their businesses—especially with the possibility of federal legalization on the horizon.

With over 35 years of experience in domestic manufacturing, Kaya has made its mark on the industry by providing safe, sustainable, and cost-efficient packaging options. Kaya welcomes attendees seeking a premium packaging solution for cannabis products to visit Booth 628 where they can connect with representatives, TJ Harnden and Matt Mardo. Our diverse portfolio of customizable packaging includes child guard exit bags, bud bags, grower bags, resealable bags, and tamper-evident bags. We will also be offering a limited-time promotion where vendors can receive 10% off the price of our grower bags with the offer code LAEXPO10* when purchasing on the Kaya Packaging website.

Email TJ@KayaPackaging.com or Matt@KayaPackaging.com to schedule a meeting with them at the CWCB Expo today!

*Redemption code only valid for single use. Must be used by September 30, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST. Must be redeemed on www.KayaPackaging.com

Tags: #cwcbexpo #cannabispackaging #customdesign #cannabismeansbusiness #cannabisindustry #cannabiscommunity

The Importance of
Child Resistant Packaging

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Keep Kids Safe

Child resistant packaging isn’t new, it’s been around for decades. And it hasn’t really changed since its introduction in 1970 when the Poison Prevention Packaging Act was introduced. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) administers the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (PPPA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1471-1476. The PPPA requires special (child-resistant and adult-friendly) packaging of a wide range of hazardous household products including most oral prescription drugs.

You know the pill bottles with the screw on cap that requires you to press down while turning or the blister packs that protect each individual dose? Thanks to this law, it became nearly impossible for children to open medicine bottles and other household containers. Adults even struggled with it!

Enter the new age of legal marijuana, and the topic of child resistant packaging comes back into focus. Not only is it the focus, it’s being reinvented. As legal marijuana sales have boomed, the packaging laws have been swiftly addressed along the way.

Although state laws vary, here are the “General Requirements” of packaging legal cannabis for sale:
Cannabis packaging must not resemble any existing packaging that would be attractive to children (no cartoons) and cannot have any references to “candy” i.e. Gummy Bears, Tootsie Rolls, etc.
Cannabis packaging in more and more states must also be Tamper Evident.
Every cannabis package must be in Child Resistant (CR) Packaging, either one-time CR packaging for single serve or continuous CR packaging for multi-doses.
Cannabis packages must be opaque (for infused products).
Cannabis products with multiple servings must be re-sealable and remain child resistant.
No making untrue or misleading health claims on cannabis packaging.

While each one of these packaging rules could be expounded upon, the main idea is to keep children safely away from cannabis. Number four repeats the law introduced in 1970. Every cannabis package must be in Child Resistant (CR)

Packaging. This law means your cannabis package must be legally compliant in order to keep kids from getting into your package of 100 mg THC cookies. These laws are in place to keep children safe. Remember the pill bottle? Well now, we’re talking about marijuana. Whether medical or recreational, cannabis must be kept from children.

Child resistant packaging regulations for cannabis vary from state to state, and they continue to change seemingly as the wind blows. However, the gist of CR packaging regulations remains the same: Keep kids safe.

Cannabusinesses must comply with packaging laws. When in doubt, it’s better for a company to over-comply. Cannabis companies ought to be adding extra measures of safety to ensure their packages meet safety criteria. And it shouldn’t be too difficult. There are many compliant packaging choices available, and the selection is sure to expand.

Let’s take bags for example. Bags for marijuana aren’t just plastic baggies like people used to use. Cannabis bags are legit now. They have evolved into thicker, opaque, high odor barrier, minimal oxygen exchange, puncture-resistant, creatively designed storage options. Bags, often called pouches, can stand up on their own and can include a child resistant zipper closure. Child resistant exit bags offer the perfect solution for convenience and compliance. The sturdy plastic and tight zipper seal lock in the product’s aroma, freshness, and shape while serving as a perfect storage option. Did you know Proctor & Gamble introduced the first child resistant plastic packaging bags with CR zippers for their detergent pods? They’re easy for adults to use, and they include child-proofing features.

Beware though. Watch out for cannabis packaging predators. That’s right, there are some companies selling packaging, touting it to be certified, compliant, and child-resistant, etc., but what they’re offering is a cheap knock-off. It’s important to check certifications and manufacturers. Child resistant packages must be tested by a certified, third party testing facility. Be wary of packages sold overseas that sound too good to be true.

With all the challenges out there regarding cannabis packaging, it’s important to choose the right one for your brand. Cannabis Business Times’ author Brian Maclver asked Illinois-based Cresco Labs’ CIO, Zach Marburger, for his top five considerations when selecting CR packaging.

http://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/the-child-proof-is-in-the-packaging/

Five Considerations When Buying Child-Resistant Packaging

Functionality is key.
Many patients have medical conditions affecting their dexterity. Having packaging options that are not only child-resistant containers (CRCs), but easy to open for adults is key.

Get creative.
Packaging is often the most intimate and memorable experience a patient has with your brand other than consumption. CRC doesn’t mean ugly; let your brand shine through.

Be consistent.
Patients expect a level of consistency when purchasing any product. Changing labels, dosing and other specifics can be difficult for some patients to adapt to.

Solicit feedback and shop around.
Cannabis CRC packaging options evolve daily, so it’s important to make sure you’re always on the lookout for the next best solution.

Be compliant.
Are you 110-percent sure your packaging is CRC certified? Be wary of suppliers who are “almost certified” or are “awaiting certification”; this can land you in hot water.

Marketing Maze of Cannabis

THE MARKETING MAZE OF CANNABIS

By | Uncategorized

As cannabis use has become legalized in more and more states, there are bona fide strengths to acknowledge, opportunities to suss out, and new challenges to face when it comes to branding, marketing, and associated products.

A few things that cannabis has going for it are:
1) that it’s becoming more widely accepted
2) business service offerings have increased
3) consumers are eager to learn more about it.

Newfound opportunities for marketing cannabis include expanding demographics and experiential in-store marketing. Obstacles still include forbidden advertising platforms ongoing health and policy debates.

Since marijuana has taken center stage—with all of its controversy—it has still become increasingly accepted. Companies are offering business, legal, and financial services to cannabis businesses where they didn’t before. Cannabis has proven to be a legitimate and reliable business partner. Subsequently, the general population is curious. Consumers are seeking facts, educating themselves, and becoming experts on the plant.

The cannabis target audience is growing and changing. We thought it was interesting five years ago, when the demographic for cannabis users showed a majority of males aged 35 and up, married, employed, with an upper-class income vs. single, over-grown college freshmen with arrested development and goofy grins. Nowadays, there are plenty of newer additions to the cannabis audience.

A few to note are:
* Creatives; adults who use cannabis to enhance their expressions
* Patients; medical marijuana users
* Parents; replacing their night cap cocktail with a joint
* Millennials; accept the use of cannabis overall

A significant growing target is women. The female user is primarily 30 to 40 years old and hasn’t used the drug before. They are attracted to non-smoking options such as edibles, tinctures, and creams and are appealed to the use of cannabis for stress management and relaxation including meditation.

Experiential marketing is gaining popularity among cannabis sellers. It allows a dispensary to engage shoppers by providing in-store demonstrations and round table discussions. Customers learn more about specific brands and the varieties of products, while sellers learn more about the consumers’ wants.
As the world of MJ products grows along with savvy consumers, marketing messages will need to speak to buyers interested in specific effects. According to BDS Analytics’ top 10 Cannabis Market Trends for 2018, the average number of reasons consumers provide for consuming
cannabis is eight—including everything from “have fun” to “manage anxiety.” This offers brands a wealth of marketing opportunities. For example, the No. 1 brands in select categories in California and Colorado market for specific effects, like sleep and energy.

Although marijuana is legal and booming in states like California, Washington, and Colorado, and it’s becoming more widely accepted than ever before, that doesn’t mean it’s an automatic green light for advertisers. Digital and tech platforms, like Instagram, Facebook, and Google have “just said NO” ensuring marijuana brands are not allowed to advertise, even in states where it is legal. Also, many main stream media outlets are still forbidding cannabis ads. All the while, the health debate is alive and well. Some experts won’t budge when it comes to touting the risks of using cannabis, while others argue the opposite. This mixed messaging muddies the voice of marketers and hinders clarity and credibility.

From its early stages, we’ve watched the tiny bud of cannabis business mature into an explosive consumer marketplace. While the current climate of cannabis marketing potential is both challenging and promising, ultimately, acceptance for the industry remains constant and growing, along with marijuana sales. Go ahead marijuana, bring on the madness—this marketer isn’t worried.

Weed is the new wonder drug

Is Weed the New Wonder Drug?

By | Uncategorized

Like many plants, the Cannabis plant has a history of medicinal use dating back thousands of
years across many cultures. The use of medical cannabis is controversial, since it is listed as a
‘Schedule 1’ controlled substance under federal U.S. drug policy. While a number of medical
organizations have requested removal of cannabis from the list, there are others that oppose it.

Regardless of legal controversies, medical marijuana is trending. The use of cannabis to treat
illnesses has progressed substantially in the last decade. Doctors across the globe are finding
success using it to treat a variety of illnesses. Most of the United States have adopted medical
cannabis laws allowing patients to access medical marijuana. However, each state has its own
unique list of approved conditions. Check this state-by-state guide to see what condition is
approved in what state. Here is a list of ailments that are among the most commonly approved
for use of medical marijuana:

  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Chron’s Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDs
  • Insomnia
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Nausea
  • Neurodegenerative Disease
  • Pain
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • PTSD

Lung Cancer

Naturally, you’d assume that smoking marijuana is bad for you, because well, cigarettes. However,
a well know expert pulmonologist and professor of medicine at UCLA, Dr. Donald Tashkin, has
been studying the effects of smoking cannabis for over 30 years. He was hired by the National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to prove that smoking cannabis is linked to lung cancer, but
Tashkin and his team found the exact opposite. “The THC in marijuana has well-defined antitumoral
effects that have been shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of cancers in animal models
and tissue culture systems,” says Dr. Tashkin, “thus counteracting the potentially tumorigenic
effects of the procarcinogens in marijuana smoke.” In fact, he says, marijuana smokers are less
likely to contract lung cancer than an individual who doesn’t smoke at all.

Weed vs. Opioids

According to a new study by University of Georgia researchers, approved medicinal cannabis
laws have brought a dramatic reduction in opioid use.
Dr. Ethan Russo, a board-certified Neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher, offers an
extremely convincing argument that the use of cannabis on its own, or in conjunction with
opioids can reduce opioid dosages patients require along with the severity of opioid-induced
side effects.

Can weed help resolve the current opioid epidemic? Dr. Russo certainly thinks so. “THC and
CBD compounds have pain-relieving properties,” explains Russo in the interview. “When used in
conjunction with opiates they help lower the opiate dosage needed, prevent development of
tolerance to and withdrawal from opiates, can rekindle the opiate analgesic effect without additional
opiate dosage, and there’s no evidence of clinically relevant adverse drug to drug interaction
between cannabinoids and opioids.” There are also no cannabinoid receptors in the area of
the brain that regulates respiratory function, which is why it’s impossible to overdose and stop
breathing when using marijuana. This is a major difference between opiates and cannabis and
the main reason why one can kill you and the other can’t.

Side Effects

Treatments such as Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRI’s – the drugs on the market for PTSD –
have a number of brutal side effects, including insomnia, weight gain, impotence and suicidal
thoughts or tendencies. Marijuana has the potential to help with the trauma, but without the
harsh side effects.

Oncologists.

Even though the majority of oncologists do not feel informed enough about medical marijuana
and its clinical utility, most discuss medical marijuana with their patients and nearly half recommend
it. This, according to a published study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Eye-Opening Truth.

There are vast examples of people who are using pot to manage and treat debilitating and even
life-threatening illnesses. Countless testimonials of everyday folks can’t be ignored. Quotes like
“cannabis saved my life” are growing in number, and these are from people who have no interest
in recreational use marijuana. So, yes, it’s becoming more and more evident that weed could very
well be the new wonder drug.