In 1936, the movie “Reefer Madness” was released. Largely considered a propaganda film, the plotline chronicled its main character’s descent into madness due to his marijuana addiction. After being “rediscovered” in the 1970s – a decade sometimes synonymous with recreational drug use – Reefer Madness gained new life as satire with certain groups of people, in particular among cannabis policy reform advocates.

Fast forward to today, and to quote the iconic Bob Dylan lyric, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” As we discuss in L&NW’s first Cannabis Labels feature (page 66), we are in the midst of sweeping marijuana legislation reform that’s taking place across the nation. Ten US states have already enacted laws regulating weed much the same way alcohol is treated, while 27 states have bills in the works that legal cannabis advocates hope will be put to a vote in the near future.

For the labels and packaging industry, when it comes to cannabis, the future is now. While cannabis products that contain certain amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound in cannabis that produces the “high”) are only available for purchase OTC in “legal states,” already legal in all 50 states are products that contain CBD as its primary ingredient. (CBD is Cannabidiol, the compound of the plant that is said to reduce conditions such as inflammation and anxiety).

Jim Benetin, director of US Tape & Label’s new Canna Pack division, likens this new and emerging market as something of a “Wild West.” Many new cannabis product brand owners are needing many, many labels. Keeping with the Western theme, some may even call it something of a “Gold Rush” with several label converters scrambling to get in on the action.

As Benetin says, this new market has been borne “in the shadow of the digital press.” Much like the craft beer market and other craft industries, SKU proliferation is synonymous with cannabis, as are short runs. Thus, digital printing and cannabis labels are a perfect match.

It wasn’t mere coincidence that we put our first cannabis label feature in our annual digital printing issue. With so many digital suppliers nowadays, the latter article was a joint effort, with L&NW associate editor Greg Hrinya and I teaming up to compile information on the many machines available in the market today. Greg alone, however, puts his finger on the pulse of the digital market in interviewing quite a few key players for this “Digital Printing Update” that is well worth a read.

Before concluding, I’d be remiss if I didn’t extend an enormous thank you to Greg. On Juy 9, 2019, I was in a serious car accident. The kind of crash that many don’t walk away from much less survive. I am extremely fortunate to be here writing this Editor’s Note. While I was out, Greg took my place and put together two great issues of this magazine. While doing so, he also filled in for me not only here at the office but also at our most important industry events, Labelexpo Europe among them (coverage starts on page 70). Greg, on behalf of the entire L&NW family and readership, THANK YOU.


Steve Katz, Editor
[email protected]
Twitter: @LabelSteve