Evolving Regulations Make Marijuana Edibles A Difficult Industry To Navigate

As the marijuana industry takes hold in the U.S., companies have found that the typical consumer is anything but typical. Since the drug has been touted as everything from a medicinal relief to a recreational substance to a performance enhancer, dispensaries are finding that the type of people looking to purchase marijuana cover a wide range of personalities.

Because many of those customers are health conscious, non-smokers, the popularity of edible products containing marijuana has taken off. However, the boom in pot-laced foods has raised concerns about the safety of having such products on the market, making manufacturers' job a balancing act.

Packaging Rules

Companies in states were marijuana is legal have begun to manufacture everything from pot-laced chocolate truffles to marijuana-infused breath mints. But companies dealing in edibles are up against a fast-changing environment that has been forced to adapt to unforeseen risks.

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Several states have adopted packaging laws that require the food to be stored in child-resistant packaging that is deemed as unappealing to children. That means no cartoon characters or, in many cases, no bright, eye-catching displays.

Portions A Concern

Another concern for producers of marijuana-infused foods is overdose. Not only is there a higher probability of a consumer to over-eat chocolate containing THC, but there could be confusion regarding serving size. Because the effects of marijuana can take up to two hours to appear after consumption, lawmakers worry that consumers will continue eating, resulting in an overdose. More and more states are requiring firms to ensure that their portions contain safe amounts of the drug and also make the portion sizes easily identifiable.

A Risky Business

The regulations and risk of future consumer protection legislation has made the pot-edibles industry a difficult one to navigate. So many controls means the process to make and package the goods becomes much more expensive, especially as the rules are continuously being adjusted. Still, as with any blossoming industry, the risks are often outweighed by a large reward – in this case serving a new, fast growing market.

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