Your guide to reading cannabis product labels and lab test results
Article written by
Olivia SwannWriter & Digital Marketing Specialist
Content reviewed by
Chris Wood PharmDMedical Reviewer
Buying cannabis products isn’t just about picking a strain or flavor you like — it’s also about knowing exactly what you’re putting into your body.
Cannabis product labels are designed to provide you with specific information, including the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD) in a product and whether it has passed safety testing.
However, label formats vary widely between brands and states. Cannabis is not federally regulated, so there’s no single governing body overseeing cannabis product labeling.
Instead, each state creates its own packaging and labeling requirements. As a result, each brand has its own packaging and labeling styles.
Learn more about how to read labels, what information to look for, and how to interpret third-party testing to make informed cannabis purchases.
Parts of a cannabis product label
There’s typically a lot of information on cannabis product labels, including the name, strain, serving size, cannabinoid content, warning labels, and more.
While some states have specific requirements for cannabis packaging, and certain brands exceed the minimum standards, others lack important information.
Basic product information
Most labels share certain key elements. A basic cannabis product label should include the brand name, product or strain name, total cannabinoids, serving information, and net weight or volume.
For example, edible packaging might list the amount of THC per piece or serving, plus the total THC per package.
Packaging for a pre-roll typically states the strain name, such as Blue Dream, and cannabinoid content.
Net weight or volume
Net weight or volume tells you exactly how much of your product is in the package. Net weight applies to solid products, while net volume applies to liquid products.
Net weight or volume may look like:
- Total grams (g) of flower in a package or pre-roll
- Milliliters (mL) of liquid in a full bottle of tincture
- The total weight of the edibles in a package, which can sometimes contain more than one serving per piece
Knowing the net weight or volume is helpful when calculating your dose.
Total cannabinoids or TAC
A cannabis product label will typically list the total amount of THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids in the full package. In most cases, this will simply be a sum of the cannabinoids in all of the servings.
In some products, manufacturers may list the total active cannabinoids (TAC), expressed as a percentage. Active cannabinoids are those that can be readily absorbed by your body, which means they contribute to the overall effects of a product.
TAC includes other cannabinoids besides THC and CBD, meaning it can give a more complete picture of potency and effects compared with only the THC percentage.
That said, not all manufacturers use TAC on product labels, and the measurement is primarily used for marketing purposes. There’s no scientific evidence supporting an ideal amount of TAC.
Safety information
Reputable cannabis or hemp brands will consistently list important safety information and provide directions on how to find third-party lab test results.
Look for an ingredients list, expiration or “best by” date, lot or batch number, state-required warning icons, and testing information.
Ingredients list
Found mostly on packaging for edibles, tinctures, or topicals, ingredient lists are important if you have dietary restrictions or food allergies.
Check an ingredients list for information about added sugars, flavorings, allergens, or other active compounds.
Expiration and manufacturing date
Cannabis products can degrade (break down) over time. Because of this, labels often include “use by,” “best by,” and/or expiration dates to indicate the freshness and potency of a product.
A manufacturing (MFG) date on a cannabis package indicates when the product was created, formulated, or — in the case of flower — packaged for sale. Always check this before consuming.
Keep in mind that there’s no single industry standard for an expiration or “best by” date. How you store your products at home also matters: exposure to high temperatures and light causes cannabinoids like THC to break down more quickly.
Lot or batch number
A unique lot or batch number links the product back to its specific production batch, which is critical for traceability and recalls.
Warnings
Most cannabis product labels include THC warning symbols, required health warnings, and age restriction icons.
These warnings vary from state to state. For instance, New York uses a triangle THC symbol, whereas Colorado requires a diamond-shaped THC icon.
Testing information
Responsible cannabis brands pay third-party labs to test their products for accurate potency and measures of safety, including the presence of pesticides, mold, heavy metals, and leftover chemicals from processing.
Some product labels list the lab name, test date, and a batch number associated with the test results.
Most reputable brands will also provide instructions on how to find their products’ certificates of analysis (COAs) online.
COAs tell you if products have passed tests for mold, pesticides, and other contaminants, as well as detailed cannabinoid information.
How accurate are cannabis product labels?
Cannabis labels are only as accurate as the testing behind them. Third-party lab testing significantly improves accuracy, but errors can still occur. Results of testing should be interpreted as estimates rather than guarantees.
Some studies have found discrepancies between labeled and actual potency.
Reputable brands will:
- Use state-licensed third-party labs
- Provide clear instructions for how to access lab results
- Consistently test every batch
The bottom line: Reading cannabis product labels is key to safe, effective cannabis use
Although there aren’t yet any nationwide standards for cannabis product labeling, knowing the basics and how to identify safety information is important if you use cannabis.
Beyond clear and consistent labeling, reputable cannabis and hemp brands make it easy for consumers to find the results of third-party testing of their products.
As a consumer, reading and understanding these third-party test results is an excellent way to ensure you know exactly what’s in the products you’re using.
Once you know how to read cannabis labels and test results, you can shop more confidently, better estimate your dose, and verify that products are tested for safety.
Resources
- Accuracy of labeled THC potency across flower and concentrate cannabis products. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12216457/
- Evaluation of dispensaries’ cannabis flowers for accuracy of labeling of cannabinoids content. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10924369/
- How to read an adult-use cannabis label in New York. https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/04/ocm_how-to-read-a-cannabis-product-label.pdf
- Long term stability of cannabis resin and cannabis extracts. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00450610903258144
- Responsible use. https://cannabis.colorado.gov/responsible-use
- The role of time and storage conditions on the composition of hashish and marijuana samples: A four-year study. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0379073818308818
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Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about reading cannabis product labels and lab test results.
