Rhode Island Marijuana Packaging Regulations: What You Need to Know

Rhode Island marijuana packaging regulations are evolving as the state refines its approach to cannabis safety, transparency, and consumer protection. Business owners need to understand these packaging rules to stay compliant in the Ocean State’s growing cannabis market.

Legal Framework Governing Packaging and Labeling

Rhode Island’s cannabis packaging and labeling regulations are established under the authority of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), as outlined in the Rhode Island Cannabis Act.

These regulations apply to both medical and adult-use cannabis products and can be found in the Rhode Island Code of Regulations (230-RICR-80-05-1.5).

Rhode Island Cannabis Packaging Regulations

Rhode Island’s packaging regulations focus on protecting consumers and promoting safe cannabis use. All cannabis products must follow these guidelines:

• Child-resistant to help prevent accidental ingestion.
• Tamper-evident to show if the package has been opened or changed.
• Opaque to prevent visibility of the product.
• Resealable when not intended for single use.
• Not attractive to minors, avoiding cartoon characters, bright colors, or playful designs.

These standards help maintain product integrity and reduce risk for households, especially those with children or pets.

Rhode Island Cannabis Labeling Requirements

Cannabis labeling guidelines aim to provide consistent product information across all cannabis items. Each label must include:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content per serving and per package.
• Serving size and total number of servings.
• Full list of ingredients and allergens.
• Manufacturing date, batch number, and expiration/use-by date.
• Required warnings:
  • “Keep out of reach of children.”
  • “For adult use only.”

These rules help consumers make informed decisions and promote transparency in the legal cannabis market.

Updated Labeling Guidelines

Rhode Island has recently introduced a new set of labeling guidelines for all cannabis products, requiring specific warnings, formatting standards, and important contact information. These updates support safety, especially for consumers with limited cannabis experience.

All product warnings must be printed in bold text, using no smaller than 8-point font in Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica.

To begin, all retail-ready cannabis products must have the following statement, preceded by the term “Warning”:

• “This product contains cannabis. Store securely locked away from children.”
• “It is unlawful to transport this product outside of Rhode Island.”
• “Cannabis use may impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle or machinery.”
• “Consumption while pregnant or breastfeeding may be harmful.”

Specific Product Warnings

Further exact warnings depend on the type of cannabis product and may look as follows:

• For products meant to be smoked or vaporized:
  WARNING: This product contains cannabis. Store securely locked away from children. It is unlawful to transport this product outside of Rhode Island. Cannabis use may impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle or machinery. Consumption while pregnant or breastfeeding may be harmful. Smoking and Vaping is hazardous to your health.
• For cannabis-infused edibles and ingestible products:
  WARNING: This product contains cannabis. Store securely locked away from children. It is unlawful to transport this product outside of Rhode Island. Cannabis use may impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle or machinery. Consumption while pregnant or breastfeeding may be harmful.
  • Effects of this product may be delayed.
• For cannabis-infused topical products:
  WARNING: This product contains cannabis. Store securely locked away from children. It is unlawful to transport this product outside of Rhode Island. Cannabis use may impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle or machinery. Consumption while pregnant or breastfeeding may be harmful.
  • For Topical Application – Do Not Eat or Smoke.

Note that the statements “Effects of this product may be delayed” and “For Topical Application – Do Not Eat or Smoke” are boldened and with a 1pt font increase. This is how the statements need to appear on packaging.

In addition to the above warnings, all packaging must include two required statements, printed in at least 6-point font and placed anywhere on the package where it fits best:

• American Association of Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222
• The cannabis in this product has been tested by a regulated cannabis testing facility and has passed all required contaminant tests.

THC Warning Symbol Update

One of the most significant updates to Rhode Island’s cannabis packaging laws is a reduction in the required size of the universal THC warning symbol.

Previously, this symbol had to match the size of the brand logo, often leading to oversized or awkward designs that compromised branding. Now, the symbol only needs to be 1 inch by 1 inch, and it must appear on the front or most prominent part of the package.

This adjustment creates a major opportunity for cannabis companies to improve brand presentation while still complying with safety standards. Smaller warning labels mean cleaner designs, better logo visibility, and more flexibility in packaging aesthetics.

Proposed Changes to Rhode Island Marijuana Product Packaging

Rhode Island is reviewing its cannabis packaging laws to better reflect the needs of a growing market.

One proposed update focuses on easing Rhode Island marijuana packaging color restrictions, which currently require neutral tones to reduce appeal to minors. If this change is approved, cannabis brands can use a broader range of colors in their designs, as long as they avoid fluorescent or neon shades.

This shift could give businesses more room for creative branding while still meeting safety standards.

Regulators are also considering the use of QR codes on packaging. These codes would give consumers access to detailed lab results, cannabinoid profiles, and other key product information.

In addition, upcoming changes may expand labeling rules to include a wider range of cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD. This would offer a more complete view of each product’s chemical makeup.

Together, these updates are meant to modernize Rhode Island cannabis packaging and labeling guidelines, supporting both consumer transparency and industry growth.

Compliance Deadlines and Enforcement

Once new rules are finalized, licensed cannabis businesses will have a 90-day period to update existing products and meet the new requirements. During this transition, all packaging (whether updated or from older stock) must follow Rhode Island cannabis packaging standards and be submitted for approval before sale.

The Cannabis Control Commission monitors compliance closely. Products with non-compliant packaging can face enforcement actions, including fines, delayed product launches, or removal from dispensary shelves.

Final Word

Adhering to Rhode Island’s cannabis packaging and labeling regulations not only ensures legal compliance but also promotes consumer safety and trust.

Are you a cannabis business in Rhode Island ready to develop your cannabis packaging? Not sure where to begin?

Custom 420 Supply offers fully compliant cannabis packaging and labeling, following Rhode Island’s strict guidelines. If you’d like to learn more, we invite you to reach out through their contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)