CBD and THC Label Regulations and Requirements
Cannabinoids are a category of chemical compounds present in the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the most widely used and heavily studied cannabinoids.
Because of it’s possible health benefits, CBD has gained tremendous popularity as consumers use it for medicinal purposes. THC, on the other hand, is the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, resulting in a “high” when consumed recreationally.
In 2023, cannabis has been legalized in more parts of the world than ever before. As a result, there’s is a urgent need for regulations and requirements when labeling CBD and THC products. These regulations and requirements are needed in order to properly protect and educate potential consumers.
Consumers will need to know exact information regarding content, recommended usage, and dosage in order to safely use or consume their CBD and THC product. All this information comes from the product’s label.
Let’s discuss the different regulations and requirements for labeling CBD and THC products, the importance of them, as well as the consequences for noncompliance.
Regulations and Requirements
Because accurate labeling on CBD and THC products is essential for the safety and well-being of the consumer, the United States and Canada have demanded brands to follow strict labeling regulations.
However, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still in the process of creating an official framework for CBD and THC label regulations. In the meantime, they’ve kept close eyes on the industry, even issuing out warning letters to various companies that have included misleading information on their products.
The current FDA regulations require that CBD products not be marketed on their labels as a dietary supplement. CBD labels must also include a succinct list of ingredients, recommended dosage amounts, as well as CBD concentration amount.
In addition to this, the FDA requires brands to only make health claims on their labels about their CBD product if its backed up by strong scientific research.
Health Canada, the Canadian department responsible for it’s national health policy, requires all cannabis brands to clearly label their product with all ingredients, THC and CBD content, recommended dosage, and product type.
Here are some critical requirements for CBD or THC labels:
Product Name: The name of the CBD or THC product should not be misleading or confusing in any way, but should clearly inform consumers on what type of product this is. For example, is the product an oil, a capsule, or an edible? What is the cannabis strain?
CBD or THC Content: Somewhere on the label should be a clear explanation of how much CBD or THC concentration is in the product. This should be expressed as either a percentage or milligrams per serving. Again, brands should strive to make this as clear and simple as possible so as to protect the consumer.
List of Ingredients: All ingredients must be included on the label. If there are any potential allergens, this should be clearly stated.
Testing and Certifications: There should be an indication on the label that the product has been tested for safety and effectiveness and that it met all necessary standards.
Expiration Date and Batch Number: Label should clearly state the date of expiration for the product. The label should also include a batch number for traceability purposes.
Health Warnings: CBD and THC labels should have clear health warnings in readable text for consumers. It should be clear, never confusing, and should indicate any potential health issues such as “keep out of reach of children" or “consult with a physician before using while breastfeeding or pregnant'“.
Clearly, there’s a lot that needs to fit on your label. In addition to all this regulatory information, your product’s label also has to have the fun stuff: artwork, logo, graphics, etc.
Perhaps your team is starting to become fearful of a potential cluttered or crammed label?
There’s no need to fear, shrink sleeves are here.
Shrink sleeves offer 360 degree label real-estate so your team can maximize every inch of your product’s container for all the above information as well as the attractive and persuasive elements as well.
Ask us for a quote and samples pertaining to your exact CBD or THC project.
The Importance of Proper CBD AND THC Labeling
Proper labeling of CBD and THC products is critical for the safety and well-being of the public. It’s only with a product label that a consumer can know important information such as CBD or THC concentration, health warnings, how-to-use instructions, etc.
Without proper labeling, consumers are left in the dark and at risk for over-consumption, allergic reactions, or improper use.
Proper CBD and THC labeling also protects consumers from misleading or false health claims made about the product. As stated earlier, regulations require that any health claims made on a label need to be backed by strong scientific evidence.
There have been quite a few CBD and THC brands fined for including misleading or false health claims on their label. The reason this can be dangerous is because misleading or false information regarding health could deceive a consumer into taking the product for a health related ailment, while neglecting to seek the proper medical supervision as well.
And lastly, proper CBD and THC labeling is crucial for those in the healthcare or research field that need to know precise measurements, ingredients, etc. Without the proper labeling information, there will be insufficient tests and assessments, which ultimately could have negative effects for patients.
Consequences For Noncompliance
Now that we’ve seen the regulations for labeling THC and CBD products, and we’ve also see the importance or reasons for proper labeling of THC and CBD products, let’s discuss the consequences for failure to comply.
The consequences can be severe for brands that fail to comply with the above regulations and requirements for labeling their products.
Fines, legal action, and permanent damage to brand reputation are all expected consequences for a brand that chooses noncompliance. In 2019 alone, the FDA sent 15 warning letters to THC and CBD brands that failed to comply to the above regulations and requirements or had inadequate testing of their products.
Health Canada will actually fine, revoke licenses, invoke criminal charges against CBD or THC brands that refuse to comply with the above label regulations and requirements. An Ontario cannabis producer was actually fined $50,000 for label noncompliance and failure to keep proper records.
Improper labeling or just overall refusal to comply can damage the reputation of the CBD and THC market. If consumer’s are dealing with improper labeling, they have reason to be fearful and not purchase products within this industry.
But more important than any legal repercussions or industry reputation is the danger of potentially harming consumers.
As discussed earlier, proper labeling protects the public from dangers such as over-consumption, misuse, allergic reactions, and more. Consumer’s are put at risk when CBD or THC brands fail to comply with the label regulations and requirements put in place.
Creating a CBD or THC Label that Complies with Regulations and Requirements
If you’re a CBD or THC brand, there is clearly a lot at stake when it comes to creating your product’s label.
We’re here to help.
We’ll take you through each step of your product’s label creation. From meeting all the required information, to creating a stunning and enticing design, to the actual print and application of labels to your containers, Tango’s got you covered.
Step 1. Schedule a packaging consultation with one of our packaging experts. We’re happy to help you find what works best for your specific product.
Step 2. We’ll send you complimentary samples of each option.
Step 3. We’ll provide you with a quote.
Schedule your complimentary consultation by filling out our contact form, emailing us at info@tangopackaging.com, or calling (844) 33-TANGO [82646].