Founded by Ron Basak-Smith and James Eichner during their time at the University of Colorado Boulder’s MBA program, Sana Packaging is on a mission to revolutionize product packaging in the cannabis industry with its innovative hemp-based solutions.

The idea to address cannabis packaging waste, one of the negative consequences of legalization, led to Eichner and Basak-Smith winning a prestigious university pitch competition. Encouraged by their success, they continued developing Sana Packaging after graduation through a business accelerator program in Spring 2017.

What started as a quest to explore innovative materials and solve simple problems evolved into a purpose-driven company with a clear objective: to design and develop cannabis packaging for a circular economy, minimizing waste and pollution throughout the entire product life cycle.

Today, Sana Packaging is at the forefront of sustainability, offering solutions made from 100% reclaimed ocean plastic and 100% plant-based hemp plastic. Their circular economy approach aims to keep products and materials in use, regenerate the natural world, and draw tangible benefits from sustainable products.

During the early stages of development, Sana created 3D printed prototypes of hemp-based pre-roll tubes and containers. However, finding a willing manufacturer proved challenging due to the relative rarity of hemp-based materials in the packaging industry. Nonetheless, in the summer of 2018, the company launched its first products as part of a six-month pilot program. By January 2019, Sana opened its doors for sales to the wider public, with plans to introduce eight unique products by 2021.

Sustainability remains the driving force behind Sana Packaging’s vision. Eichner believes that the cannabis industry is receptive to their offerings, given its rapid growth and the increasing demand for sustainable products. Although sustainable materials often come at a premium, the industry demonstrates a high willingness to pay for eco-friendly alternatives.

Currently, Sana’s customer base primarily consists of North American clients, with a strong presence in the United States. They also serve customers in Canada, Puerto Rico, and Guam, showcasing their commitment to making a sustainable impact in the cannabis industry.