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ELEGANT
EFFECTIVE
ECO-FRIENDLY

The Zenlock Child-Resistant system is the first all-paper rigid box solution in cannabis packaging.

About Zenlock

Zenlock is redefining Child-Resistant with simple, beautiful boxes. Three pre-certified sizes cater to a variety of cannabis products.

The Importance of Child-Proofing Packaging

Young children, typically between the ages of 3 and 5, have a strong desire to explore their surroundings. Their boundless curiosity often leads them to play with, touch, or even taste objects they encounter; however, they may not be aware of dangerous substances or situations, and the consequences can be fatal.

As cannabis legalization for recreational use expands across many regions of North America, it has become more crucial than ever to prioritize child-resistant cannabis packaging as the last line of defense against these curious youngsters.

Cannabis edibles, such as gummies, lollipops, or brownies, are frequently packaged in vivid, bright, and eye-catching designs. The edibles can be indistinguishable from their non-cannabis counterparts. When you combine these two factors, the risk of accidental consumption by children becomes a disaster waiting to happen.

If you’re a cannabis brand working in North America, child-resistance should be a top priority for your packaging. Zenlock’s patented child-resistant packaging is designed to mitigate the risk of children ingesting harmful substances. Our packaging features all-paper mechanisms and is certified under US CPSC 16 CFR 1700.20 and ASTM D3475-17 requirements.

100% Paper

Zenlock’s lithographic printing is the best way to share your brand story on a completely plastic-free package.

Premium

The Zenlock box utilizes a simple drawer container for elegant presentation and a satisfying unboxing experience.

Child Certification

Our all-paper mechanisms are certified under US CPSC 16 CFR 1700.20 and ASTM D3475-17 requirements.

Customizable

Award-Winning

100% Paper

Child-Resistant

Patented

Our Products

Preroll Box

This slender box is designed for large prerolls, vape pens and cartridges.

Vape Box

A medium-sized container for vape pens and cartridges, this box can also hold small preroll sets from standard to king-size.

Large Box

Designed for large preroll sets, this extra large box can hold other large cannabis products including vape pens and edibles.

Eco-Friendly Child-Resistant Packaging

In the world of child-proof packaging, we noticed an overabundance of plastic and excessively complex CR mechanisms. It became clear to us from early on that our CR packaging needed to address these concerns.

We were committed to developing a flexible CR system made only from recyclable materials. Our aim was to create a system that not only maximizes product presentation but is also adaptable to a wide array of cannabis products.

The Zenlock system finds the sweet spot between sustainability, mechanics, and adaptability. Zenlock has been meticulously designed to accommodate the diverse categories within the cannabis industry. Furthermore, the entire box serves as a canvas for branding thanks to strategically placed instructional graphics.

The Zenlock box is constructed using post-consumer recycled paper, establishing itself as the first sustainable CR rigid box system in the industry. Age-appropriate users can intuitively open the two-part mechanism.

Design CR with Zenlock

In addition to our certified boxes, Zenlock can help you design and certify packaging specific to your needs.

Contact us
+1 (408) 321-8869

Unlocking Sustainable CR

After months of research, development, and testing, we designed a versatile system that’s both intuitive and safe.

Zenlock was born from our partner packaging company, Zenpack. No stranger to cannabis packaging, Zenpack has been collaborating with California cannabis companies for the past few years. Thanks to our clients and friends in the industry, we became aware of the 2020 California deadline requiring that all cannabis products must be enclosed in Child-Resistant packaging. Once we understood the legislature, we immersed ourselves in the world of Child-Resistant packaging. We talked to our clients, analyzed samples and familiarized ourselves with testing procedures. 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 flexible CR system to accommodate diverse and specific needs for cannabis products.

Currently, most Child-Resistant mechanisms on the market are physically and cognitively difficult to operate. While inhibiting children is the goal, physically challenging packaging can affect broader accessibility. 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 final 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 with high-quality print finishes. The rigid box also provides structure and stability, giving weight to the premium goods inside. And every Zenlock box is constructed using post-consumer recycled paper—the industry’s first sustainable CR rigid box system.

In May 2021, Zenlock won Third Place in the Plastic-Free Packaging category of The Dieline Awards presented by Adobe.

Child-Proof Cannabis Packaging Case Study

Grassdoor is a certified cannabis retailer based in California. The company was looking for a sustainable, child-resistant packaging supplier for their in-house cannabis brand, Casacanna. Due to the nature of child-resistant regulations in California, customization and modification of existing CR mechanisms can be exhaustive, time-consuming, and costly. Any change to the child-resistant design needs to be resubmitted for approval.

Grassdoor reached out to Zenlock looking for an eco-friendly, child-resistant package design that could showcase their product upon opening. Our packaging engineer came up with a clever magnetic closure lid that allows the packaging to gracefully present the products while retaining the Zenlock all-paper CR mechanism. By doing so, we saved the precious time and money required for a mechanism redesign. Since the core mechanics remain unchanged, it didn’t take long before the package was approved by the CDPH (California Department of Public Health).

In terms of material selection, we opted for special textured paper to achieve a natural, almost leather-like sensation on the packaging surface. Utilizing UV printing techniques, we were able to give the text and logo a crisp and clean finish.

With the help of Zenlock’s design prowess, Casacanna’s Little Joints became the first cannabis product in the retail market with all-paper CR packaging.

Specialized Team of Child-resistant Packaging Designers & Engineers

Zenlock is a collaboration between Zenpack, a leading packaging solutions provider, and Haptik, a strategic branding team. Our journey began in the booming cannabis industry, where we saw a high demand for specialized packaging. In a market saturated with plastic CR mechanisms, we knew it was time for a sustainable alternative.

With our team of designers and engineers, we dedicated 14 months to perfecting our solution, meticulously navigating California’s CR regulations. Our efforts were rewarded with recognition from the Dieline Awards (Plastic Free Category, 2021) and the iF Design Awards (2023).

At Zenlock, our team of expert packaging designers and engineers continues to drive innovation in the cannabis industry. Together, we create sustainable solutions that meet the industry’s unique challenges, ensuring our designs evolve with the cannabis industry’s needs.

Learn about our full suite of CR

Get In Touch

Ask a question, request more info or tell us about your project. We’ll get back to you promptly.

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A full-service packaging provider with the expertise, resources, and experience to create beautiful cannabis packaging.

A strategic branding team focused on designing cannabis packaging that creates lasting impressions.

Breathe easy with Zenlock

Connect with us to see how easy safe can be.

Contact us
+1 (408) 321-8869