If you’re unfamiliar with cannabis packaging or just flat out confused. Look no further! Find out in this article what everything means and what to be aware of!

The packaging and labeling standards for legal recreational cannabis products are rigorously regulated by Health Canada. As a result, licensed producers must include a lot of information about their product on the box. While this makes for a cluttered label, it also offers all of the information you need to know about the product you’re purchasing. And, because all labels are the same, if you understand one, you’ll understand them all. Cannabis labels include barcodes and company logos, as well as storage instructions and health warnings. There are also a few unique items that warrant special attention:

Strain Types:

The first thing you’ll notice on the label is the strain of the product. Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid are the three basic types of cannabis. Each strain has its own distinctive traits. If you’re new to cannabis, it’s a good idea to start by learning about the different strains and their effects.

Most strains have distinct aromas, flavours, colours, and effects. An expert user will be able to tell the difference between these strains and narrow down which ones they prefer or benefit from the most.

Dates:

The dates when the product was packaged and when it will expire are the two most crucial dates to check for on a cannabis label. The packaged-on date relates to the time when the product was sealed in its packaging, not when it was harvested. Expiration dates usually allude to when a product’s potency may deteriorate rather than when it becomes unusable. Expiry dates are not a Health Canada requirement, but most licensed producers include this information.

Weight:

Naturally, you’ll want to know how much product you bought, which is why the weight is listed on the label. However, knowing the weight is also vital for legal reasons. Recreational smokers are only permitted to possess and carry up to 30 grams of dried flower on them at any given time under Canadian law.

Keep in mind that the product weight mentioned on the label may be slightly inaccurate, as Health Canada allows dried flowers in packets containing less than 2 grams to have a weight difference of up to 10%. In packages of 2 grams or more, the variance is reduced to 5%. As a result, the goods you receive may differ somewhat from what you ordered.

Warning Labels:

To safeguard children from the dangers of cannabis, each product is packed in child-safe, tamper-proof packaging. Furthermore, because THC is intoxicating, any product containing more than 10 micrograms per gram of THC will have a red icon indicating the presence of THC and a yellow message conveying a health-related warning.

THC & CBD Info

When cannabinoids are heated over 150 degrees Celsius, they become active. Decarboxylation is the term for this procedure. As a result, cannabis has a low level of active cannabinoids in its natural condition. Cannabinoid levels rise when cannabis is decarboxylated, which can happen through heating or processing.

The first digits on all legal packaging labels, “THC” and/or “CBD,” show the active cannabinoid levels in the cannabis as purchased before usage. Because it hasn’t been heated, dried cannabis has a low level of active cannabinoids.

The “Total THC” and “Total CBD” figures should be listed second. These graphs show the active cannabinoid levels in cannabis when it’s ready for consumption. The second and first figures will be the same for oil and capsule products because they have already been processed (and the cannabinoids have been heated).

Licensed Producer:

All cannabis products from licensed producers must contain their company name and contact details, including an email address and phone number, in case you ever need to contact them. A particular harvest or “lot” number will also be on the label to ensure that the cannabis can be traced back for quality control purposes.

It’s crucial to inspect the cannabis you buy to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with, and the warning label should be examined to ensure that what’s inside is exactly what you purchased. Understanding all cannabis labels is critical to making educated choices about the varieties of cannabis you want to consume.