What You Need To Know About California Marijuana Packaging Laws
As marijuana becomes legal in more states, the need for regulation around its packaging and sale becomes more important. Since regulations vary depending on the state, it's important to be aware of the laws in your area.
In California, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to packaging and selling marijuana. Here is what you need to know about California marijuana packaging laws:
California Marijuana Packaging Laws
1. Released to Distributor as Finished Product
All packaging and labeling must be in finished form before the product is released to the distributor. This means that all required information must be included on the packaging, such as the name and address of the manufacturer, the lot number, and the expiration date.
2. Packaging Must Be Tamper-Evident
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires that all cannabis products be packaged in a way that is tamper-evident. This means that the packaging must be designed so that it is clear if the product has been opened or tampered with in any way.
3. Packaging Must Be Opaque
In order to comply with California state law, all cannabis packaging must be opaque. This means that the product cannot be seen through the packaging.
4. Packaging Must Be Resealable
Marijuana packaging must be resealable. This means that the package can be opened and resealed without damaging the product inside. The majority of people buy marijuana products in smaller quantities than they intend to consume multiple times, so it's important that the packaging can be resealed in order to preserve the product.
5. Packaging Should Be Child-Resistant
The OMCS is highly protective of children's safety when it comes to marijuana. As such, they recommend that all marijuana products be packaged in child-resistant packaging.
Cannabis Labeling Requirements
Apart from packaging requirements, there are also labeling requirements for all cannabis products. These requirements are in place to ensure that consumers are aware of what they are purchasing and the risks associated with consuming marijuana.
The labeling requirements for cannabis products are as follows:
● All information on the label must be written in English.
● The label must be unobstructed and conspicuous, meaning it should be easy to read and understand.
● The primary panel of the label must include the product's identity, the term “cannabis-infused” in a large and easily readable font, and the net weight or volume of the product.
● The label must also include the cannabis product symbol, the amount of THC and CBD content, and the per serving content of any other cannabinoid or terpene ingredients.
● The label must also include the manufacturer's name and address, as well as the lot number and manufacturing date.
● The expiration date must also be included on the label ("best by" or "use by" date).
● For edibles, the suggested storage instructions must also be included on the label.
● The following statements must be included on the label:
○ “SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.”
○ “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.”
○ “FOR MEDICAL USE ONLY.”
○ “IF PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING, CONSULT A PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO USE.”
○ “THE INTOXICATING EFFECTS OF THIS PRODUCT MAY BE DELAYED BY UP TO TWO HOURS.”
○ “THIS PRODUCT MAY IMPAIR THE ABILITY TO DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY, PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION.”
● The unique identifier assigned to the product by the state must also be included on the label.
There is also some specific information that should not be included on the label, such as:
● False claims that the cannabis product was grown in a certain area (California in this case) when it was not
● Any type of content that would attract children to the product, such as cartoon characters or images of children
● Any type of health claim that has not been approved by the FDA
● Other false or misleading claims about the product
Wrapping Up
As you can see, there are a lot of requirements when it comes to California marijuana packaging. However, these requirements are in place to ensure the safety of consumers.
If you are packaging marijuana products for sale in California, make sure that you are familiar with all of the requirements. This will help you avoid any potential problems down the road.
