There are infinite ways to package your pre-rolls in today’s market, from tins, child-resistant designs, customised styles, and everything in between!

However, the one pre-roll packaging item that has been around since the beginning and remains the industry’s most popular pre-roll packaging is, without a doubt, the pre-roll tube.

The pre-roll tube appeals to cannabis consumers and businesses alike because of the following:

• low cost
• functionality
• wide range of styles and colours

When purchasing pre roll tubes, you must consider the following questions:

Which regulations govern compliance in your state?

Not all pre-roll tubes are child-resistant, and even those that claim to be so may not be certified under the ASTM D-3475 standards.

Compliance with child-resistant packaging has become increasingly important as state cannabis regulators focus on keeping cannabis out of the hands of minors.

Nowadays, some markets are more stringent, and not every state has the same compliance measures to follow.

According to ASTM standards, quality control must test a package with 100 children under the age of five, and a passing grade requires that 85 of the 100 children are unable to open the product without a demonstration, and 80 of the 100 children are unable to open the product even with a demonstration.

Equally important, at least 90 out of 100 adults between 50 and 70 can successfully open the pre-roll tube.

It’s not uncommon to come across child-resistant pre-roll tubes that also appear to be adult-resistant, making them nearly impossible to use.

What kind of aesthetic are you aiming for with your brand?

For example, are you a high-end cannabis brand, or do you want to be as affordable as possible? Your aesthetic and overall branding heavily influences the type of tube you select.

Companies can customize their pre rolled cones with a wide range of branding options by using pre-roll stickers, direct printing, and shrink wrap, making it easier for cannabis brands to personalize pre-rolls.

In addition, many markets also have labelling requirements to remain compliant. For example, THC percentages, health warnings, net weight, and THC warnings are all required by some.

The transparency of the packaging is also essential to consider, as translucent packaging is prohibited in several states. While showcasing a product within a clear package is desirable for cannabis companies, doing so may not be possible in some markets.

Cannabis must be kept in opaque packaging in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Oregon.

Many states require cannabis products to be tamper-evident. However, pop-top pre-roll tubes are usually not tamper-evident on their own, so manufacturers must include a tamper-evident mechanism.

Tamper evident pop-top tubes can be made in two ways.

The first is with tamper-evident shrink bands, and the second is with a paper sticker.

A tamper-evident band is similar to a shrink sleeve, but a smaller clear plastic band goes around the cap or lid rather than a sleeve.

This is then tightly wrapped around the lid/cap, making it impossible to open the container without ripping the tamper-evident band off the lid.

Doing so would enable customers to determine whether or not the products have been tampered with. The second method uses a paper sticker that goes over the lid or cap to make a pre-roll tube tamper-evident.

To open the lid, you must rip off the cap paper sticker. Turning the cap is enough to tear that sticker, so if done correctly, the customer does not even have to spend energy pulling the seal off.

Many businesses will make the error of using plastic stickers instead of paper stickers. Plastic stickers are complicated to tear and can be removed and reapplied to the container with minimal residue.

This does not provide tamper evidence because a person could easily lift the sticker, tamper with the contents, and then reapply the sticker without the consumer noticing.

A paper sticker, on the other hand, will easily rip if the sticker is removed and reapplied to the container. This indicates whether or not the container has been tampered with.

What size joints are you going to load into the tubes?

Regarding pre-roll tubes, there are different kinds of materials and tops used. Let’s take a quick look at the most common ones today.

Glass Pre-Roll Tubes

Screw-top glass tubes

These are available in various styles. In addition, child-resistant screw-tops are available in multiple colours.

These pre-roll tubes are also child-resistant since they have a push-and-turn lid, similar to many child-resistant medication bottles.

Aluminium screw-top glass tubes

These are also available in various colours. These are popular options in lenient markets with lax child-resistance compliance requirements or for companies willing to add secondary packaging/child-resistant measures to the tube.

For example, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont are among the states that do not currently require child-resistant pre-roll packaging.

If your market has child-resistant restrictions, but you still want to use the unique aesthetic of these tubes, you can keep in compliance by adding other child-resistant packaging measures such as exit bags.

Cork-top glass tubes

Cork Tubes are sleek and sophisticated, providing a luxurious smoking experience.

These tubes are visually appealing and the most airtight option available, but they are not child-resistant. The cork stopper is the tube’s only sealing mechanism, and it is simple enough that even a child could open it.

If your state requires child-resistant containers for pre-rolls, some brands will place these cork-top tubes in child-resistant boxes or bags to comply with your market.

Plastic Pre-Roll Tubes

Currently, there are three versions of this reclaimed plastic tube. Most are child-resistant and opaque, making them suitable for even the most stringent markets.

The first choice is a traditional pop-top tube.

The second option has a lid that requires users to align the cap’s edges with the dots to open it. It’s similar to what some medications, such as aspirin, require.

The third tube is similar to the second but slightly broader and shorter.

These tubes provide excellent opportunities for compliance while also assisting in the cleanup of the world’s most fragile ecosystem!

Companies frequently use cheap and brittle plastic to make pop-top tubes, resulting in a broken hinge that prevents users from storing their pre-roll for future use.

It can ruin a user’s entire experience, making the pre-roll feel cheap. So instead, these environmentally friendly pop-tops are child-resistant and opaque, making them legal in even the most stringent cannabis markets.

More tips beofre you roll…

When it comes to choosing the best pre-roll tubes for your products, here are the three things you need to consider:

Custom Printed Pre-Roll Packaging and Labelling

Custom printing, labelling, and other add-ons allow you to personalise your products.

Look for a supplier that offers digital printing, pad printing, traditional labels, tamper evidence, and other custom printing and labelling solutions to deliver unique custom packaging for your business.

Long-Lasting materials

Look for suppliers that produce pre-roll tubes made of plant-based hemp plastic, reclaimed ocean plastic, and other environmentally friendly materials.

Strive to improve and optimise your product offering as the marijuana industry’s pioneering sustainable packaging brand by using materials designed to help heal the environment.

This ensures that all your products are compliant, environmentally friendly, and contribute to developing a positive brand image.

Locally sourced and made

Investing in local resilience has never been more critical than now. Source your pre-roll tubes from suppliers committed to supporting domestic agriculture and manufacturing.

If environmental stewardship is essential to your company, check suppliers that will provide you with sustainable pre-roll packaging wholesale solutions that you and your customers will appreciate.