MANUFACTURED CANNABIS SAFETY BRANCH

Packaging and Labeling

The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) and CDPH regulations include requirements for how cannabis and cannabis products must be packaged and labeled before sale. These requirements are in place to ensure consumers are informed about what they are purchasing and to prevent unintended use.

The labeling requirements fall into two categories, depending on where they are placed on the package:

The primary panel is the portion of the label that is most likely to be displayed to the consumer at retail.
The informational panel is any part of the label that is not the primary panel.

Cannabis and cannabis product packaging must be tamper evident, resealable if the product has multiple uses, and child-resistant. It cannot imitate packaging used for products typically marketed to children. In addition, packaging for edibles must be opaque.

During 2019, child-resistant packaging requirements may be fulfilled using either individual product packaging or through exit packaging at retail. Beginning January 1, 2020, all cannabis and cannabis product packaging must be child-resistant.