Labeling Requirements for Manufactured Cannabis Products: What California Licensees Need to Know

Proper labeling of manufactured cannabis products is essential to ensure consumer safety, regulatory compliance, and responsible marketing practices. In California, all manufactured cannabis products must be fully packaged and labeled in their final form before they are transferred to a licensed distributor for regulatory compliance testing. These requirements, established under The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) and the California Code of Regulations, help ensure that consumers understand exactly what they are purchasing, while also reducing the risk of unintended consumption, especially by individuals under 21.

Why Labeling Matters

Accurate and compliant labeling helps consumers make informed decisions; reduces the risk of accidental ingestion, especially by minors; ensures transparency in cannabinoid content and product ingredients; allows regulators and distributors to verify safety before products reach retail shelves.

Manufactured cannabis products intended for retail sale must satisfy all state-mandated labeling rules before they can proceed to a licensed distributor for compliance testing. California imposes detailed standards to ensure transparency, consumer safety, and regulatory consistency.

Key requirements include:

1. Label Placement

• Labels must appear clearly and prominently on both the primary container and any outer packaging. All mandatory information should be easy to read, unobstructed, and placed where consumers can quickly locate it.
• Labels should provide accurate and truthful cannabinoid content; include full ingredient lists, allergen disclosures, and state-required warning; ensure packaging is both tamper-evident and child-resistant

2. Supplemental Labels

• Supplemental labels may be used when additional or corrected information is needed. These labels must comply with formatting rules and cannot cover or interfere with any required regulatory information.
• Ensure packaging is both tamper-evident and child-resistant.

3. Outer Packaging Checklist

California’s guidelines include a comprehensive checklist requiring that the outermost layer of packaging contain:

• The universal cannabis symbol
• All required government warnings
• Batch number and UID
• Manufacturer or company name and contact information
• Proper storage and usage instructions
• THC, CBD, and other cannabinoid content as mandated

4. Cannabinoid Labeling

Accurate cannabinoid disclosure is a central component of compliant packaging. Labels must clearly state:

• Total THC and CBD content (in milligrams)
• Serving size and number of servings, when applicable
• Per-serving cannabinoid amounts for edible products
• Values that match testing-verified results

Feel free to reach out to our team if you need guidance with cannabis labeling, packaging requirements, or compliance obligations. We’re here to help ensure your products meet California’s regulatory standards.

Source: Department of Cannabis Control’s regulations – (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 4, Div. 19);