A counterfeit vaping crisis has prompted health officials and industry leaders to recognize the urgency of implementing anti-counterfeiting packaging solutions. Over 800 cases of vaping-related respiratory illness, along with eight deaths, have been reported, with evidence suggesting black-market THC cartridges as the likely culprit.
The inkjet answer
With the ability to print serial data such as bar codes and QR codes, industrial inkjet printers can be the answer to the current health AND intellectual-property crisis represented by counterfeit vape cartridges. Various anti-counterfeiting approaches are already emerging, including smartphone app-integrated verification codes, security inks similar to those on currency, and stamps comparable to those on regulated products like cigarettes and alcohol.
The Prohibition parallel
The comparison to Prohibition-era consumers is instructive — people willingly paid premiums for authenticated products to avoid dangerous counterfeits. Similarly, modern consumers would likely embrace verification methods that ensure product legitimacy and safety.
Industrial inkjet technology offers additional advantages beyond security features, including high throughput, short-run capabilities, and superior resolution for packaging design — crucial competitive factors in the cannabis market.