6. Can Cannabis Packaging Ever Be Sustainable? A Candid Conversation with Women Founders

Can weed be sustainable if the packaging isn’t? That’s the blunt question April Pride poses in this special Clubhouse Clipping of The High Guide. Airing just before World Environment Day, this episode zooms in on the complicated intersection of cannabis and sustainability—specifically packaging. Joining April are three women redefining what it means to create planet-friendly products in a deeply regulated space: Valerie Sakota (Barbari), Blair Brown (Poplar), and Esther Ramirez (Session Goods). From minimum order quantities to misleading “green” labels, they unpack the systemic challenges—and creative workarounds—facing small, female-led cannabis businesses. If you’ve ever felt torn between what’s good for the planet and what your packaging budget allows, this one’s for you.

🔵 Key Takeaways

-Sustainable packaging often requires high MOQs that small businesses can’t afford—yet.

-Most “recyclable” cannabis packaging includes plastic laminates or toxic elements.

-Consumers still judge by looks: 80% of buying decisions are influenced by packaging.

-Brands can share more about why packaging choices are made—transparency builds trust.

-Real sustainability means considering the product’s full lifecycle, from glass emissions to plastic reuse.

Learn more about this episode, including guests and resources on substack:https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/can-cannabis-packaging-be-sustainable

Hosted by April Pride

Sign up for April’s newsletter on Substack at https://aprilpride.substack.com/ or at getsetset.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@getsetset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@getsetset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@getsetset

Get full access to SetSet with April Pride at aprilpride.substack.com/subscribe