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Flower & Flower Only Pre-Roll Labeling Requirements

Updated

OVERVIEW

This article outlines California's cannabis labeling requirements, distinguishing between the primary panel (e.g., product identity, net weight, universal symbol) and the informational panel (e.g., UID number, licensee details, packaging date, and government warning). It also details mandatory warnings, presentation standards, and prohibited labeling practices such as misleading claims or child-attractive designs.


PRIMARY PANEL

The part of the label displayed to consumers at retail; typically the front or top of the package.

 

PRODUCT IDENTITY

A generic or common name that describes the item. Examples include flower or pre-roll.

  • Net Weight - List weight in both metric and U.S. customary units (Example: NET WT. 4.0 oz. (113.4 g)

  • Universal Symbol (in black, at least 0.5” X 0.5”) - The California symbol that identifies cannabis and cannabis products. The symbol can be downloaded at www.cdph.ca.gov/mcsb

 

INFORMATION PANEL

Any part of the label that is not the primary panel.

  • UID Number - The UID printed on the label should be the one that was on the Metrc Package Tag that was used in the final step of the production batch process. This Package Tag and corresponding UID number represent the completed production batch manufacturing process, when it became an individual unit and was packaged and labeled.

  • Licensee Name and Phone Number or Website - The licensee name can be either the name of the licensed cultivator or licensee packaging the product and must be a name listed on the license certificate (either the legal business name or the registered DBA)

  • Date of Packaging for Retail Sale - Include month, day and year.

  • Government Warning Statement for Flower and Flower-Only Pre-Rolls - (in CAPITAL, bold letters and at least 6 point font)

“GOVERNMENT WARNING: THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS CANNABIS, A SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS. CANNABIS MAY ONLY BE POSSESSED OR CONSUMED BY PERSONS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER UNLESS THE PERSON IS A QUALIFIED PATIENT. CANNABIS USE WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING MAY BE HARMFUL. CONSUMPTION OF CANNABIS IMPAIRS YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE AND OPERATE MACHINERY. PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION.”

 

OTHER LABELING

May be on either the primary or informational panel.

  • Cannabinoid Content - In percentage.

  • Prop 65 Warning - Must include: yellow or black and white triangle, WARNING (in capital, bold letters), a link to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov and the proper warning. Please see the appropriate link below.

CONSUMER PRODUCT EXPOSURE WARNING

SHORT-FORM CONSUMER PRODUCT EXPOSURE WARNING


DO
  • Display information clearly and legibly.
  • Use English and at least 6 point font.
  • Make sure all labeling information is displayed on the outer layer of packaging Additional product information may be added as long as it is truthful and not misleading.

DON’T (§40410)

  • California County Names - Unless 100% of cannabis in the product is grown in the county, the name of a California county cannot be included on the label.
  • Cannot be Attractive to Children - This includes using cartoons, images popularly used to advertise to children, imitating candy labeling, and using the words “candy,” “candies” or a play on words such as “kandy” or “kandeez” anywhere on the label.
  • Cannot Include False or Misleading Information - This includes anything untrue or unproven, or information that leads consumers to have an inaccurate impression, or the use of the word “organic” anywhere on the label.
  • Cannot Make Unproven Health Claims - Health-related statements, such as claims about a product’s ability to treat or cure disease, may not be made unless there is significant scientific agreement and the claims are supported by a totality of publicly-available peer-reviewed evidence. Anecdotal information and preliminary study results do not meet this criteria. Note: Health-related statements are heavily regulated by the FDA, and cannabis businesses are not exempt from federal prosecution for misleading health statements.
* Note: If cannabis extract or other concentrates are added to the flower or pre-rolls, it is a manufactured product and must follow all CDPH requirements for manufactured cannabis products.

* Visit the CDPH website for more information on the packaging and labeling requirements: www.cdph.ca.gov/mcsb

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