CES awards a «cannabis box», but forbids talking about it

Keep Labs won the’Innovation Award Honoree at CES 2020 with its dedicated cannabis storage and preservation box, but can't pronounce the word «cannabis» at the show.

Indeed, the CTA, the trade group behind CES, warned Keep Labs that it could only exhibit if the company's marketing and product were cannabis-free. CES takes place at Las Vegas, where cannabis has been sold legally since 2017.

A product dedicated to cannabis

Keep is a product designed specifically for cannabis, and it's the first time a cannabis-focused company has won a CES award.

Due to CES guidelines, Keep Labs decided it was not in its interest to exhibit at CES despite winning one of its top awards. The company is currently on the CES website, among other Innovation Award winners, and where the word «cannabis» is used throughout the description.

Keep is a storage system designed for preserving cannabis in a secure location. It could be mistaken for a smart clock radio, with its front clock, but once the lid is opened by a biometric locking system, it reveals several storage compartments for cannabis product(s). With mobile alerts, an integrated scale and an airtight seal, the device is specially designed for storing and securing cannabis.

Cannabis 2.0

The company was founded by two Canadian fathers in search of a safer way to store their children. edibles. Their story may speak to some: one of their friends unknowingly consumed cannabis candy, while it was stored in a container of some sort. This led the founders to try and find a safe place to store cannabis-containing products. Unable to find such a device, venture capitalist Ben Gliksman, a lawyer with 10 years' experience, and entrepreneur Philip Wilkins decided to build their own.

Available in chalk white and slate black, the device boasts a slim, modern look.

Facial recognition keeps the device locked. If someone tries to open Keep, the owner receives a notification on their smartphone. An airtight seal keeps cannabis cool and odor-free. Inside, separate containers keep the box organized. There's even a removable rolling tray and space for accessories. A battery allows owners to use the device anywhere.

This is Keep Labs' first product, and the company is running its own fundraising campaign. Keep is currently available for pre-order for 199$ CAD.