Cannabis Sustainable Packaging Council
We define sustainable packaging as packaging that is beneficial, safe, and healthy for individuals, communities, and the environment. Sustainable packaging has been manufactured from sustainable materials using energy from renewable sources. The packaging should remain safe and effective throughout its life cycle, after which its component materials should be fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable, thus creating a closed loop of manufacturing and usage. Truly sustainable packaging should still be able to meet the business market's requirements in terms of cost, performance, and safety.
Mission
The Sustainable Cannabis Packaging Council is a membership-based collaboration that utilizes the power of industry officials to make cannabis packaging more sustainable. Our mission is to bring sustainable packaging stakeholders together to catalyze actionable improvements to packaging systems and lend an authoritative voice on issues related to packaging sustainability. Specifically, we aim to create state-by-state policies that will offer tax incentives to businesses who adopt a sustainable packaging model.
Goals
To establish ourselves as the definitive experts and go-to group for sustainable cannabis and hemp packaging policy for lawmakers, regulators, media, and cannabis consumers.
Create state-by-state policies that will offer tax incentives to businesses who adopt a sustainable packaging model
Our Partners
VS Strategies
VS Strategies is the policy and public affairs consulting affiliate of Vicente Sederberg LLP, the nation's preeminent cannabis law practice. The two firms are independent, but we work closely and collaborate frequently on client projects and other strategic initiatives.
VSS is not just another lobbying and public relations firm that decided to jump into the cannabis space. We are experts in cannabis policy and advocacy, and we have an unparalleled track record in these fields. For more than a decade, our team members have been changing minds and changing laws, rolling back prohibition policies and advancing the cannabis industry in a dynamic and responsible manner.
Mitchell Colbert
Mitchell Colbert is a lifelong sustainability and cannabis advocate, who has worked for multiple campaigns to legalize cannabis in California and at the world’s largest dispensary, Harborside. Mitchell currently serves as Head of Social and Environmental Impact for Vessel where he advocates for cannabis waste recycling around the US. Before joining Vessel’s team, Mitchell ran his own lobbying firm, Full Spectrum Strategy, where he advocated on behalf of Firefly Vapor in California, Colorado, and Canada for cannabis waste (specifically vape waste) to be easier to recycle. His efforts resulted in regulatory and statutory changes in Colorado which allow for legal cannabis consumer waste recycling for the first time since legalization, and a relaxing of regulations in California.
Mitchell’s expertise on cannabis vape waste issues earned him the title, “the national vape waste guru” from one Colorado regulator. He has spoken at numerous conferences around the US on cannabis waste and vape waste issues, both as a panelist and as a moderator. Mitchell is a prolific journalist with over a hundred articles in over a dozen outlets, and is a published cannabis researcher who has studied medical cannabis recommending doctors in California. Recently, Mitchell was part of a team of experts who helped the National Cannabis Industry Association write a whitepaper on cannabis sustainability which is a blueprint to help the industry become more environmentally sound.
In addition to his work with Vessel, Mitchell is the Executive Director of Green Aid and the Ethical Data Alliance (EDA), a project of Green Aid which is using blockchain to better protect cannabis data and further scientific research. He also lectures for Oaksterdam University, where he recently began to teach a budtender training course he created.
NisonCo PR
NisonCo is a leading PR agency that has worked with over 140 cannabis companies since 2013 and established itself as a go-to source for reporters who cover the legal and medical cannabis industries. Centered around advocacy, NisonCo has been heavily involved in legislative campaigns, voter drives, and shaping policy to be more equitable and inclusive.
NisonCo’s founder Evan Nison is on the board of NORML and SSDP (Students for Sensible Drug Policy) and received one of the pens used to sign the New York medical marjiuana and adult-use legalization laws. NisonCo has also been promoting sustainable cannabis packaging in the media on a pro or low-bono basis since 2008.
