Pop Top Vials: The Complete Guide to 6, 13, 19, 30, 60 & 90 Dram Sizes

Quick Answer

Pop top vials are one of the most widely used cannabis packaging formats, offering child-resistant protection in a convenient, easy-to-use container . Available in six standard dram sizes — 6, 13, 19, 30, 60, and 90 — these versatile vials accommodate everything from small samples to full ounces of flower. The 13 dram vial is the industry standard for 1g flower, while 30 dram is the workhorse for quarter-ounce packaging, and 90 dram handles full-ounce offerings .

What Is a Pop Top Vial?

A pop top vial is a child-resistant cannabis container with a built-in mechanism for opening and closing the lid . They feature an airtight, attached lid that "pops" open when pressure is applied to either side just below the cap .

Key Features

Child-Resistant Closure — The signature pop mechanism requires a specific two-action sequence that's difficult for young children to coordinate but intuitive for adults . These vials are certified under ASTM and CPSC standards.

Airtight Seal — The design creates an airtight seal that locks in aromas and flavors, keeping cannabis fresh and potent . The self-sealing mechanism prevents oxygen from entering the bottle.

Tamper-Evident — Shrink bands and tamper-evident seals can be applied to show if a package has been opened .

Durable Construction — Made from shatter-proof polypropylene (PP) plastic that's lightweight and portable .

Label-Friendly — The consistent shape and smooth surface make pop top vials ideal for automated labeling or direct printing .

Opaque Options — Available in solid colors like black, white, green, and various opaque options to block UV light and meet state compliance requirements .

The Dram Size System

"Dram" is a unit of volume traditionally used in pharmacy and packaging . In cannabis packaging, dram sizes indicate how much product a container will typically hold. While actual capacity depends on flower density and product type, dram gives you a reliable way to match packaging to your menu .

Why Dram Size Matters

• Cost per unit — Oversized containers mean you pay more for plastic and shipping 

• Presentation — A properly filled vial feels substantial; an oversized container looks half-empty 

• Compliance and labeling — Consistent sizes simplify label design, printing, and application 

• Storage and logistics — The right mix keeps shelving and inventory predictable 

Complete Size Guide: 6 to 90 Dram

6 Dram Pop Top Vials — Micro Packs, Minis & Samples

The 6 dram vial sits at the smallest end of the lineup, ideal for compact, controlled portions .

Why Choose 6 Dram:

• Compact footprint for displays and in-store sampling programs 

• Efficient for subtle, discreet packaging 

• Perfect for "try before you buy" programs

13 Dram Pop Top Vials — The Classic 1g Standard

For most dispensaries, 13 dram pop top vials are the default container for 1g flower SKUs .

Why Choose 13 Dram:

• Industry standard for 1g flower packaging 

• Tight presentation with minimal empty space 

• Easy to standardize across stores and teams 

19 Dram Pop Top Vials — Extra Room for Premium Grams

The 19 dram vial bridges the gap between 1g containers and quarter-ounce formats .

Why Choose 19 Dram:

• Extra room for heavier grams that don't sit well in 13 dram 

• Great "differentiator size" for certain SKUs to stand out on the shelf 

• Premium feel with a slightly larger container

30 Dram Pop Top Vials — The Workhorse Quarter-Ounce Container

When most people think about pop top vials, they're picturing a 30 dram .

Why Choose 30 Dram:

• Built for quarter-ounce offerings 

• Tall enough to feel substantial in hand and on shelf 

• Prime candidate for custom labels, tamper-evident bands, and seasonal branding 

60 Dram Pop Top Vials — High-Capacity Half-Ounce Packaging

60 dram vials step up into the half-ounce space for value and bulk offerings .

Why Choose 60 Dram:

• Natural fit for "value" or "bulk" menu items 

• Larger footprint leaves plenty of room for compliance labels and warnings 

• Common for operations packaging both recreational and medical menus 

90 Dram Pop Top Vials — Full Ounce, Bulk & Value Packs

At the top end of the lineup, 90 dram vials are built for full-ounce SKUs and bulk offerings .

Why Choose 90 Dram:

• Designed for full-ounce flower containers for value shoppers 

• Wider and shorter compared to other sizes 

• FDA-compliant materials with airtight, smell-proof seal 

Quick Reference: Dram Size Selection Guide

Terpene Preservation: What the Research Shows

A study conducted by eBottles and The Good Lab tested terpene preservation across various packaging types, including pop top vials .

Key Findings

Polypropylene pop top vials performed poorly in terpene preservation tests .

• All PP containers tested lost terpenes at a rapid rate

• The problem appears to lie with the closure seal — effective seals were not being made 

• Along with moisture loss, terpene loss was dramatic even over shorter test periods 

Terpene Percentage Deviation from Mean :

What This Means for Brands

• Pop top vials with screw-cap closures and foil liners perform better for terpene preservation 

• PET plastic containers performed as well as glass in preserving terpenes 

• The closure seal is critical — not all pop top vials are equal 

How to Use Pop Top Vials

Packaging

Pop top vials can be used to package various cannabis products :

• Loose flower — Fill halfway with buds and seal

• Pre-rolled joints — Place joint in vial and seal

• Edibles — Fill with gummies or candies and seal

• Concentrates — Fill with oil or wax and seal

Sealing

Heat Seal (Shrink Bands) — Shrink bands are plastic bands with perforations that seal pop top bottles . They provide a tamper-evident seal that shows if the package has been opened .

Foil Liners — For better terpene preservation, consider using screw-cap closures with foil liners .

Labeling

Pop top vials must be labeled correctly to comply with state and local regulations :

• Product name

• Weight

• THC content

• Date of manufacture

• Company name, address, and phone number

• Warnings

• Ingredient list

• Directions for use

• Storage instructions

Why Choose PackTHC for Pop Top Vials

Authorized Distributor — PackTHC is an authorized master distributor for premium packaging brands .

All Six Dram Sizes — 6, 13, 19, 30, 60, and 90 dram options in multiple colors.

Wholesale Pricing — Competitive bulk pricing for dispensaries and brands.

Monster Inventory — Ready-to-ship with fast delivery .

Compliance Support — Expert guidance on child-resistant and state requirements.

Trusted by Customers — "Best pricing and Fastest Delivery," "They truly care about their customers!" 

FAQ

What is a pop top vial?
A pop top vial is a child-resistant cannabis container with an attached lid that "pops" open when squeezed on both sides. It features an airtight seal and is available in multiple dram sizes .

What size pop top vial do I need for 1 gram of flower?
The 13 dram vial is the industry standard for 1g flower packaging .

What size vial holds a quarter ounce of flower?
The 30 dram vial is designed for quarter-ounce (7g) flower packaging .

What size vial holds a full ounce of flower?
The 90 dram vial holds up to 1 ounce (28g) of flower .

Are pop top vials child-resistant?
Yes, pop top vials are certified child-resistant under ASTM and CPSC standards .

Do pop top vials preserve terpenes?
Research shows that polypropylene pop top vials with standard pop mechanisms may lose terpenes faster than screw-cap containers with foil liners . Consider your product and storage duration when selecting.

What colors are pop top vials available in?
Available in opaque black, white, green, and clear varieties, plus various colors like yellow, pink, blue, and red .

Can pop top vials be customized with labels?
Yes, the consistent shape and smooth surface make them ideal for automated labeling or direct printing .

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