Pennsylvania’s Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Laws and Requirements

Since the cannabis industry is heavily regulated, it is of utmost importance to follow the state-wise laws of packaging and labeling of Cannabis and its derived products, be it oil, tinctures, concentrate, creams, or even dried strains, etc.

The laws of packaging and labeling determine the fate of the product when it is sitting in the grocery store among so many similar products waiting for their potential buyers. The laws of packaging and labeling enable a buyer to quickly identify the product, get essential information available on the label, and decide whether it should be added to the cart or not. The more the laws are innovative, the more convenience and information is provided to the potential buyer. As a result, this makes the shopping experience more stress-free.

The booming cannabis industry has taken full advantage of the policies of packing and labeling of Cannabis products. These laws focus on conveying essential information to the customer by printing it on the label of each derived Cannabis product.

Every state has its autonomous Cannabis laws and regulations, from harvesting to selling Cannabis-based products and even transporting the Cannabis products across the state lines. With that said, an important factor cannot be missed, i.e., the knowledge of the universal Cannabis packaging and labeling laws.

Yes, it’s true! The slightest negligence or non-compliance to Cannabis packaging Laws and labeling requirements can land the seller into great trouble. And in this particular case, trouble means license cancellation, a hefty fine, or even jail.

Are the Cannabis products in my state following all the packaging regulations?

 The Cannabis packaging and labeling laws are important for both buyers and sellers. For a seller, it is important to follow the state-wise Cannabis packaging and labeling laws in order to avoid any legal punishments upon non-compliance. Whereas, for a buyer, it is important that they know the product in hand is coming from an authentic seller who is well aware of the repercussions of not following the regulations. This maintains the legitimacy of the product.

In fact, in Pennsylvania, only a registered dispensary is allowed to package and sell Marijuana in an envelope or a container mentioning “intended for sale.” The label on all the packaged Marijuana is a must.

The label shall also mention the necessary information like strain type and weight in ounce or units.

Highlighting the strain type on the package is also a very smart law as it gives a quick overview of the chemical profile of Cannabis.

Unfortunately, Cannabis is still illegal federally. So unless you live in a state where Cannabis programs are legal, growing Cannabis and selling the derived products could mean jail. This interprets that Cannabis selling is still a critical matter because it contains psychoactive components, and this is why each state has made its own laws regarding Cannabis products.

Although there are some universal regulations related to Cannabis and its derived products that each state follows, we will shed some light on both the unique and common state-wise Cannabis packaging and labeling laws. However, the main purpose of this article is to educate people about Pennsylvania’s Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Laws and Requirements.

These are the following crucial factors around which State-by-state guidelines on cannabis and cannabis products mainly revolves and may vary:

• The minimum amount or net weight of the package
• The license, batch, serial number of the cultivation facility
• Chemical info (THC, CBD potency)
• Strain info (Indica, Sativa or Hybrid)
• Dates (cultivation, testing, expiry, etc.)
• Necessary Warnings
• Child-proof packaging
• Tamper-proof packaging
• Re-sealable packaging
• Mandatory Universal logo/symbol
• Optional “Not Safe for Kids” logo
• Dimensions and color of the logo
• Other additive or contaminants info on the label

Pennsylvania Cannabis packaging Laws and labeling requirements.

The Pennsylvania state follows strict compliance to the state laws and regulations for the dispensing of Marijuana and derived products. The Pennsylvania state’s caregivers and dispensaries also ensure that the product is being dispensed to a qualifying patient only. In fact, not only patients but Pennsylvania caregivers are also liable to display a qualifying entitlement to buy cannabis products.

Universal Symbol

If we talk about package identification, the icon or logo is the first indicator to separate a Cannabis packed package from the regular ones. To indicate that a consignment holds Marijuana, it is better that all the sellers paste universal symbols to label the packages or containers. 

As per law, the container may not have any depiction of the product, cartoon characters, or images – except the establishment’s logo.

The universal symbol is mandatory to slap on each Cannabis parcel. It features a red triangle crowned over a black-colored text that says ‘Contains THC,’ stamped with a black Marijuana leaf in the center. The other symbol is optional though equally important that says “Not Safe for Kids” and is enclosed in a red octagon.

The color and size of the symbol are very important to avoid confusion and reflect that full compliance is followed in labeling. When used on the marketing layer, both the universal and optional symbols/ icons must be reproduced in black and red.

It is not acceptable in Marijuana Legalization Act to use a logo that is recreated, distorted, pixelated, and stretched. In order to follow full compliance, you are also required not to change the color of the icon or use it on a dark background.

Pennsylvania’s Cannabis labeling and packaging guidelines

As per law, following are the laws followed in Pennsylvania for packaging and labeling of Cannabis.

(a) A grower/processor shall package and label at its facility each form of medical marijuana prepared for sale. The original seal of a package may not be broken, except for quality control testing at a laboratory, for adverse loss investigations conducted by the Department or by a dispensary that purchased the medical marijuana.

(b) A grower/processor shall package the medical marijuana in a package that minimizes exposure to oxygen, and that is:

(1) Child-resistant.

(2) Tamper-proof or tamper-evident.

(3) Light-resistant and opaque.

(4) Resealable.

(c) A grower/processor shall identify each lot of medical marijuana with a unique identifier.

(d) A grower/processor shall obtain the prior written approval of the Department of the content of any label to be affixed to a medical marijuana package. Each label must:

(1) Be easily readable.

(2) Made of weather-resistant and tamper-resistant materials.

(3) Be conspicuously placed on the package.

(4) Include the name, address and permit number of the grower/processor.

(5) List the form, quantity and weight of medical marijuana included in the package.

(6) List the single dose THC and CBD content of the medical marijuana in milligrams (mg).

(7) Contain an identifier that is unique to a particular batch of medical marijuana, including the number assigned to each lot in the batch.

(8) Include the date the medical marijuana was packaged.

(9) State the employee identification number of the employee preparing the package and packaging the medical marijuana.

(10) State the employee identification number of the employee shipping the package, if different than the employee described in paragraph (9).

(11) Contain the name and address of the dispensary to which the package is to be sold.

(12) List the date of expiration of the medical marijuana.

(13) Include instructions for proper storage of the medical marijuana in the package.

(14) Contain the following statements:

This product is for medicinal use only. Women should not consume during pregnancy or while breastfeeding except on the advice of the practitioner who issued the certification and, in the case of breastfeeding, the infant’s pediatrician. This product might impair the ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Keep out of reach of children.

(e) Labeling by a grower/processor of any medical marijuana may not:

(1) Bear any resemblance to the trademarked, characteristic or product-specialized packaging of any commercially available candy, snack, baked good or beverage.

(2) Bear any statement, artwork or design that could reasonably mislead any person to believe that the package contains anything other than a medical cannabis finished product.

(3) Bear any seal, flag, crest, coat of arms or other insignia that could reasonably mislead a person to believe that the product has been endorsed, manufactured or used by any state, county or municipality or any agency thereof.

(4) Bear any cartoon, color scheme, image, graphic or feature that might make the package attractive to children.