Top 5 Mistakes Cannabis Brands Make with Their Packaging (And How to Avoid Them)

If it’s done well, cannabis packaging builds credibility, communicates your values, and helps your products shine on crowded shelves. If it’s executed poorly, it can cost you time, money, and opportunities. Packaging mistakes are more common than you might think, and they can have serious consequences. The good news is that every one of them is preventable with the right approach.

In this blog, we’ll break down the five most common packaging mistakes cannabis brands make and show you how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Ignoring Compliance Details

Missing warning labels, forgetting universal cannabis symbols, or neglecting child-resistant features might seem minor in the moment, but the consequences can be major.

The risk: Products that don’t meet compliance standards are at risk of recalls, fines, and being pulled from dispensary shelves. Beyond the financial hit, non-compliance can damage your credibility with both customers and regulators. That’s a reputation that’s tough to rebuild.

How to avoid it: Work with a packaging provider who understands the regulations and stays ahead of changes. At Vertical Supply, we track evolving state requirements and build compliance directly into your packaging design. That way, your brand stays protected, your products stay on shelves, and your customers stay confident in what they’re buying.

Mistake #2: Overcomplicating Design

When it comes to cannabis packaging, less really is more. A common mistake brands make is cramming too much into their design. Instead of standing out, this approach often backfires.

The risk: Overcomplicated packaging frustrates customers, reduces shelf impact, and can make your product feel less professional. If people struggle to read the label or can’t quickly understand what the product is, they’re more likely to move on to a competitor with a cleaner, more trustworthy look.

How to avoid it: Focus on clarity. Use clean fonts that are easy to read, prioritize the most important information, and embrace white space to give your design room to breathe. Your packaging should reflect your brand identity without overwhelming it. 

A polished, simple design not only looks better on the shelf but also communicates confidence and professionalism.

Mistake #3: Using Low-Quality or Non-Compliant Materials

Your packaging should protect your product and reinforce your brand, not undermine it. But too often, cannabis companies cut corners with cheap plastics, flimsy closures, or materials that don’t meet state requirements.

The risk: Low-quality packaging can lead to damaged products, leaky containers, and tampered goods. Even worse, using non-compliant materials can trigger regulatory violations. You’ll end up with fines, product recalls, and a negative perception that makes customers think twice about trusting your brand.

How to avoid it: Invest in durable, certified, and sustainable materials that balance safety with your brand’s goals. That means packaging that:

• Meets child-resistant and tamper-evident requirements

• Holds up during shipping and storage

• Aligns with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly solutions

At Vertical Supply, we help brands choose materials that not only check every compliance box but also elevate their look and feel.

Mistake #4: Inconsistency Across Product Lines

A common mistake cannabis brands make is treating every SKU as a separate design project, resulting in packaging that looks mismatched or disconnected.

The risk: Without visual cohesion, you weaken brand recognition and make it harder for customers to connect the dots between products. Retailers may also hesitate to feature inconsistent packaging because it disrupts shelf organization. Plus, if your brand doesn’t look unified, it can feel less reliable.

How to avoid it: Build a packaging system that scales. Establish core design elements, such as a consistent color palette, logo placement, and typography, and apply them across all products. This ensures each SKU has its own identity while still fitting seamlessly into your larger brand family.

We help brands create packaging systems that are flexible enough for growth but consistent enough to build recognition.

Mistake #5: Forgetting the Customer Experience

Cannabis brands can overlook the user experience, leading to packaging that’s frustrating, confusing, or impractical.

The risk: Packaging that’s hard to open, unclear about dosage, or inconvenient to store creates unnecessary barriers for your customers. That frustration can show up in negative reviews, customer complaints, and fewer repeat purchases. In a competitive industry, that’s a risk no brand can afford.

How to avoid it: Design with the end user in mind. Focus on packaging that’s intuitive, easy to reseal, and clear about how the product should be used. Dosage information should be front and center, and closures should balance compliance with convenience. When your packaging feels thoughtful and functional, customers notice, and they reward you with loyalty.

A great customer experience starts the moment someone picks up your product.

Smarter Packaging Builds Stronger Brands. Team Up With Vertical Supply.

Cannabis packaging plays a bigger role than many brands realize. By putting compliance first, keeping design clean, investing in quality, building consistency across product lines, and prioritizing the end user, your packaging can become one of your brand’s greatest strengths.

At Vertical Supply, we partner with cannabis businesses to eliminate these pain points and deliver packaging that’s compliant, functional, and on-brand. Because when your packaging works smarter, your brand stands stronger.
Contact Vertical Supply today to create solutions that protect your product, impress your customers, and build lasting trust.