Mylar bags branded with flashy cannabis logos

often nicknamed “Cali packs” after their California-inspired designs have become popular accessories in the cannabis scene. They’re those shiny, resealable pouches that dealers and enthusiasts use to package marijuana, frequently adorned with colorful graphics or even parody branding.

What is the legal status of these empty cannabis packages across Europe? 

Are they just harmless collectibles, or could owning a Cali pack get an individual into legal trouble? This post explores the consumer facing legality of branded Mylar cannabis packaging in major European countries, and whether the bags themselves (without any drug inside) are considered illegal due to their association with cannabis.In the UK, cannabis remains illegal for recreational use, but owning empty cannabis packaging is not in itself a crime. There is no specific law banning Mylar cannabis bags or “Cali packs” as objects. In fact, a cottage industry of custom cannabis packaging has sprung up, with companies openly designing and selling branded Mylar bags to dealers and CBD product vendors. The founder of one such UK packaging company noted, “we’ve never had any trouble with the law because we obviously just make packaging and whatever it ends up containing is none of our business”vice.com. In other words, the bags themselves are completely legal to produce, sell, and buy in the UK says vice.com.

British law does have provisions regarding drug paraphernalia. 

Theoretically, this could include things like cannabis baggies. In practice though, prosecutions under this section are extremely rare – even headshops openly selling pipes or bongs (which clearly could be used for cannabis) are seldom charged. As long as sellers maintain a wink-nod stance (e.g. “for tobacco use only”), the law isn’t actively enforced on retail paraphernalia. For consumers, simply possessing a few empty Cali pack bags at home is not a crime. Even carrying one in your pocket is not an offense per se – though a police officer who finds it might be more inclined to search you for actual drugs.

One area of concern in the UK has been branded cannabis packaging that appeals to children. In 2021, major media highlighted how some dealer packs mimicked kids’ sweets or cereals (for example, “Medicated Nerds” or “Cannabis cookies” in candy-like wrappers). 

The UK does criminalize active promotion of illegal drugs, so openly marketing branded bags as if they were for selling real cannabis could draw legal ire. But buying or owning a few empty Mylar bags with colorful “Cali” designs for personal use or novelty is legal for UK consumers. Just remember: if there’s “something illegal inside”, it’s a different story.