You’re staring at the bottle in your hand… but you don’t understand the information on the back. It’s time to learn what all that information on the back of your cannabis products means.
Packaging and cannabis labels differ depending on which state you live in. But these labels are important to your health, so don’t ignore them.
This article will teach you about cannabis labels and help you understand them.
What’s on the Bottle?
Most of the time Cannabis products have labels like warnings and nutrition facts… if any apply.
Some cannabis labels include allergy labeling. These warnings say if the product was in a factory with tree nuts or gluten.
It’s required for cannabis companies to put proper labels on their packaging. This includes allergy labels for potential allergens.
Other things that cannabis labels may include are:
- Strain name
- Expiry date
- Legal information
Not all cannabis products will include these labels. And there are others they might have, too.
Warning Labels
All cannabis products must be in a child-proof container. Products with high levels of THC, over 10 milligrams, have a red icon.
The red icon lets people know the product contains high levels of THC. Health-related warnings are often highlighted in yellow.
Strains: Sativa, Hybrid and Indica
There are three major strains of cannabis: Sativa, Hybrid, and Indica.
Indica strains of cannabis products physically sedate the user. Sativa gives you energy. And hybrid strains have a mix of the two.
Canada vs the U.s.
Cannabis label requirements differ depending on your country.
In Canada, the labeling of cannabis products is strictly regulated by the government. The Canadian Health Department regulates the label of these products. Some companies include the expiration date, but many don’t.
In the United States, the laws differ from state to state. The FDA does research and regulates cannabis products.
Expiry Date
Cannabis labels should include the date the product’s packaging date and the date of expiry. The packaging date doesn’t mean that’s when the product was harvested.
Expiration dates on cannabis products aren’t mandatory in Canada, but they’re recommended. The expiry date lets the consumer know how long the substance will stay potent.
Total THC and Thca
Cannabis strain labels sometimes include the level of total THC in the product. Most people look at this number when buying a cannabis product.
The total THC gives the buyer a good idea of the psychoactivity level in the product. High strains of THC have around 18 to 20 percent of total THC.
The raw form of THC is tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA).
THC in it’s rawest form isn’t. If you want the psychoactive effects of THC you must covert it.
The name of this process is decarboxylation.
To make the THC psychoactive, heat it. This is why edibles like cookies and cakes give you a good high.
Cannabis labels tell you the amount of THCA in the product. In turn, you’ll understand the level of psychoactive THC is left once the product is heated.
Cannabis Labels
The laws surrounding cannabis labels differ from country to country as well as state to state. If you want to know your laws in your state, check out your state’s website.
Cannabis products with more than 10 milligrams of THC must have a warning label present. As well, some products have extra labeling detailing possible allergens.
For more articles about cannabis products and labeling, please visit our website.
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