In response to the massive growth of the cannabis industry, state governments have passed laws to ensure the safe and legal use of cannabis. To protect their businesses, business owners must follow legal requirements for labeling and packaging cannabis products and avoid future penalties.
Packaging labeling requirements
Entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry must follow the Colorado Code of Regulations when labeling their products. This gives buyers the information they need to make well-informed decisions about the product and its use. All packaging for marijuana products must meet the following requirements:
- Present all required product information
- The font size of all text cannot be smaller than 1/16th of an inch
- The text must be in English
- All text is fully visible and not blocked in any way
- The label is unappealing to minors
- Labels must be easy to read and include all necessary information
- Exit packages must not be transparent and easily opened by a child
People who sell marijuana must keep a certificate that proves each container of marijuana is child-resistant. This aims to protect children from accidentally accessing the package holding cannabis.
What not to put on cannabis packaging
Some states have passed laws legalizing the use of cannabis for medical or recreational purposes. However, it is still illegal at the federal level in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not allowed its medical use. As a result, certain claims or information should not be on cannabis packaging, including:
- False or misleading statements
- Health benefit claims
- Symbols, designs or features that could cause confusion with other products
- Use of the term “candy” on the label of containers of marijuana
In 2012, Colorado legalized marijuana, paving the way for other states to follow suit. However, the government strictly controls the use and sale of marijuana. And if someone does not follow the rules, they may face serious consequences, such as fines or license revocation. Therefore, sellers must follow all legal requirements, including labeling their packages properly.