The Zenlock child-resistant system is the first all-paper rigid box solution in cannabis packaging.
Cannabis was legalized in California in 1996 and became legal for recreational use in 2016. In 2019, the state updated their packaging and labeling laws requiring that all cannabis products must be enclosed in child-resistant packaging. As cannabis is legalized in more states across America, child-resistant packaging laws like the one California put forth will become the standard.
Once we understood the legislation and analyzed competitor samples, the results were clear: too much plastic and too many overly complicated CR mechanisms. Our three design requirements also became clear. We were determined to create packaging using only recyclable materials, we wanted an elevated product presentation, and we needed to build a exible CR system to accommodate diverse and specic needs for cannabis products.
Currently, most child-resistant mechanisms on the market are physically and cognitively dicult to operate; they also contain plastic, making recycling dicult. While inhibiting children is the goal, physically challenging packaging can aect broader accessibility. And for a product with a brief usage lifespan, responsible disposal should be a priority. In response, we designed human-centered packaging featuring a mechanism that is sensitive and discrete without being physically taxing. After multiple prototypes with simple 2-part opening sequences, we landed on the nal Zenlock system that balances graphics and mechanics to be intuitive for adults yet impenetrable to young hands.
The system is designed for key categories in the cannabis industry and easily expands to new product needs. We strategically placed the mechanism and instructional graphics so that the entire box can be used for branding. The rigid box also provides structure and stability, giving weight to the premium goods inside. And every Zenlock box is constructed using only post- consumer recycled paper and recyclable in local curbside programs—the industry’s first sustainable CR rigid box system.
Zenlock is certied under US CPSC 16 CFR 1700.20 and ASTM D3475-17 requirements.
