The Ins and Outs of Packaging and Labeling Cannabis Products
Labeling cannabis products properly is the only way to ensure customers are informed about what they are buying and to prevent unintended use.
Packaging
First and foremost, packaging must protect against contamination and cannabis-infused edibles/cannabis concentrates must be in child resistant packaging. This requires packaging made of plastic 2 mil or greater in thickness without any sort of easy open access or packaged consistent with the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Packaging cannot resemble any non-cannabis consumer product that is marketed to people under the age of 21 containing cartoons.
Mandatory Label Information
Labels must include the business or registered trade name and UBI number of both the producer and the processor, the lot number of the product (which must be the same number that appears on the transportation manifest and as reported in CCRS), the net weight in ounces/grams/volume, and the total THC and CBD.
In addition to packaging and labeling requirements, there are also required warnings and symbols.
Required Warnings for Cannabis Products
- Cannabis Concentrates, Useable Cannabis and Cannabis Mix
Warning — May be habit forming
Unlawful outside Washington State
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of cannabis
Smoking is hazardous to your health - Cannabis-Infused Edibles
Warning — May be habit forming
Unlawful outside Washington State
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of cannabis
Caution: Intoxicating effects may be delayed by 2+ hours - Cannabis Topicals
Unlawful outside Washington State
DO NOT EAT (in bold, capital letters)
All cannabis products must display the Universal Symbol (pictured above). The Universal Symbol must be no smaller than three-quarters of an inch in height by three-quarters of an inch in width, point to point.
Both symbols (pictured above) must be the required size to be legible, and readily visible to the consumer. The “Not For Kids” symbol must be no smaller than three-quarters of an inch in height by one-half of an inch in width. This is only required for cannabis-infused edibles.
Retail products must be labeled on the front, principal display panel of the product package and include the applicable required symbols. Symbols must not be on the sides or the back of the packaging. This includes the labeling of liquid cannabis products in mini or full-size bottles.
Variety Packs
Each strain, product, or flavor within the package must have an individual unique identifier number on the product label. Labeling must provide the required details of each item including the product QC testing information and potency. For more information, read our article on party packs.
Examples:
Variety Pack: If the package contains four individual unique items, the packaging must have four individual Universal Product Code (UPC) labels with their own unique identifier number — one for each unique item.
Pre-rolls: If the package contains five strains of pre-rolls, the packaging must have five individual UPC labels with their own unique identifier number — one for each strain.
Infused Edibles: If the package contains three flavors of infused edibles, the packaging must have three individual UPC labels with their own unique identifier number — one for each flavor. All packaging for edible products must be approved by the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
In addition to the above packaging and labeling requirements, a statement disclosing all pesticides applied to the cannabis plants must be available. Each producer or processor must provide product-specific information disclosing all the chemicals, compounds, additives, thickening agents, terpenes, or other substances added to any cannabis concentrate during or after production. This information must be on the packaging or labeling through an internet link, web address, QR code, or printed on the product label for as long as the product is for sale.
Emulsifying agent(s) are also required to be disclosed on the packaging and labeling including any chemicals, compounds, additives, thickening agents, terpenes, or other substances added to any cannabis concentrate during or after production. This information can be disclosed through an internet link, web address, QR code, or printed on the product label.
If you have questions, please contact your enforcement officer. For more information on packaging and labeling requirements please visit:
- Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Resources
- WAC 314–55–105 Cannabis product, packaging, and labeling.
- WAC 314–55–106 Cannabis warning symbol requirement.
For questions regarding edible cannabis product packaging and labeling please email labelapproval@lcb.wa.gov.
