Decisions as to whether or not the product is right for them
The more innovative the laws, the more convenient they are for potential buyers. Not to mention, they make the process of shopping more stress-free.
Still, if you’re a distributor of cannabis products, knowing laws and requirements is essential. Non-compliance can lead to license cancellation, a hefty fine, and even jail time.
For this reason, we’ve put together a guide on the cannabis packaging and labeling laws in Massachusetts.
How to Know if Products Follow Packaging Regulations
Cannabis packaging and labeling laws are important for both buyers and sellers.
For a seller, it’s important to follow the state-wise laws to avoid any legal punishments for non-compliance with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.
For a buyer, it’s important to know that the product comes from an authentic source. One that’s well aware of the repercussions of not following the regulations. This maintains the legitimacy of a product.
Unfortunately, cannabis is still illegal federally. This means you can only sell cannabis in states that have legalized it and under those state guidelines.
While there are some universal regulations concerning cannabis and its derived products, most states further these regulations with their own guidelines. As such, we will shed light on the unique and common state cannabis packaging laws and regulations.
To begin, here are some common guidelines on cannabis and related products:
The minimum amount or net weight of the package
The license, batch, and serial number of the cultivation facility
Massachusetts Cannabis Packaging Laws and Label Requirements
The Massachusetts state follows strict compliance with laws and regulations for the dispensing of marijuana and derived products. These include:
Universal Symbol
State guidelines require an icon or logo to be the first indicator that separates a cannabis-packaged package from other industries.
To indicate that a consignment holds marijuana, Massachusetts requires a specific symbol on the label of a package or container. Furthermore, the container CANNOT have any depiction of the product, cartoon characters, or images (except for the establishment’s logo).
The universal symbol is mandatory to slap on each cannabis parcel. It features a red triangle crowned over a black text that says ‘Contains THC,’ stamped with a black marijuana leaf in the center.
While the other symbol is optional, it’s equally important. This symbol has the text “Not Safe for Kids” and is enclosed in a red octagon.
The color and size of the symbol are important to avoid confusion and reflect that full compliance is followed in labeling. When used on the marketing layer, the universal and optional symbols/icons must be reproduced in black and red.
Massachusetts also requires a predefined size for both symbols. More specifically, they cannot appear smaller than:
Packing and labeling logo size: 0.5″ x 0.5″
Edible Marijuana Product logo size: At least 25 percent of the servings’ height and width, but not less than 0.25″ x 0.25″
It’s not acceptable in the Marijuana Legalization Act to use a logo that is recreated, distorted, pixelated, and stretched. To follow full compliance, you also cannot change the icon color or use it on a dark background.
Label Requirements
There are two elements to Massachusetts’ label requirements. These include:
Excluding Marijuana Infused Products (MIPs)
The label affixed to the cannabis product should be readable and almost impossible to remove. The label must also contain the information mentioned below:
The name of the registered qualifying patient.
The registration number and name of the registered marijuana dispensary (RMD) that has produced the product. Supplementary information like phone numbers, addresses, and the website link is also useful.
Quantity of usable cannabis in the package.
Packaging date.Packaging date.
Sequential serial/batch number and barcode. These can identify the batch and manufacturing.
THC level and cannabinoid profile.
A statement that the product has been tested for contamination with no adverse findings (105 CMR 725.105(C)(2)).
Additional statement requirement: “This product has not been approved or analyzed by the FDA. Current studies have limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Do not operate machinery or drive when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN.”
Marijuana Infused Products (MIPs)
The RMD is required to affix a label to MIPs with a print size of no less than 1/16 inch and the minimum requirements. On top of that, all labels must include the following:
The registered qualifying patient’s name.
The name and registration number of the RMD that produced the MIP, mailing address, website, and telephone number.
The name of the product.
Quantity of usable cannabis per dose in the product.
List of ingredients, including regulated THC levels.
A batch number, sequential serial number, and barcode.
Directions for use.
A statement that the product has been tested for contamination with no adverse findings (105 CMR 725.105(C)(2)). Furthermore, a warning that mentions if there are nuts or other known allergens within the product.
Additional statement requirement: “This product has not been approved or analyzed by the FDA. Current studies have limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Do not operate machinery or drive when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN.”
Packaging Requirements
As per law, marijuana requires packaging in plain, opaque, tamper-proof, and child-proof containers. It cannot have depictions of the product, cartoons, or images other than the RMD’s logo. Edible Marijuana Infused Products (MIPs) shall not bear a reasonable resemblance to any product available for consumption, such as a commercially available candy.
Final Word
Consume marijuana responsibly and follow all the jurisdictions and laws issued by the state to avoid any unwanted circumstances while you enjoy the benefits of the MIPs products. Remember that rules are always made for our convenience, and the whole effort is destroyed if one sets a bad example.
While we are not a cannabis packaging company in Massachusetts, we are right next door in the heart of Connecticut. And we’re more than happy to ship wholesale custom packaging that follows your state’s guidelines. Want to learn more? You can reach out through our Contact Form.
FAQs
Does Custom 420 offer cannabis packaging automation in Massachusetts?
No. Custom 420 only offers custom cannabis packaging nationwide. For packaging automation, you’ll need to seek out other services or manage yourself.
Is Custom 420 a cannabis packaging machine supplier in Massachusetts?
As of this time, Custom 420 does NOT offer cannabis packaging machines.
Since 2016, Maine’s cannabis legalization has allowed for adult-use products. However, Maine cannabis packaging laws have maneuvered alongside the growth of this industry.
Staying in the know-how is critical for this industry. It ensures your cannabis packaging labels are up-to-date and follow legal regulations.
Still, what do you need for cannabis packaging in Maine? And what do new companies know where to start? Our updated guide has you covered!
What to Watch as Laws Change
In this article, we’ll focus on Maine cannabis packaging laws and labeling requirements. This will also give us an idea of the regulations in all the states that allow cannabis for recreational or medicinal use.
Still, laws are constantly changing. As such, it’s essential to keep a close eye on the following as laws change:
Maine follows strict compliance with the state laws and regulations for the dispensing of marijuana products. The Maine state’s caregivers and dispensaries also ensure products are dispensed only to a qualifying patient.
Maine’s Universal Symbol
To indicate that a consignment holds marijuana, Maine State’s Cannabis Labeling requires all the sellers to follow two symbols to label packages or containers:
One is their universal symbol which is mandatory for each cannabis parcel. It features a red triangle over a bed of black-colored text that says “Contains THC,” stamped with a black marijuana leaf in the center.
While the other symbol is optional, it’s equally important. It reads “Not Safe for Kids” and is enclosed in a red hexagon.
The color and size of these symbols are a key factor. They help to avoid confusion and reflect full labeling compliance. The universal and optional symbols/ icons must be reproduced in black and red when used on the marketing layer.
Black (CMYK color scheme): 0, 0, 0, 100
Red (CMYK color scheme): 0, 95, 100, 0
Red (Pantone color scheme): PMS 485
Maine cannabis labeling requirements also follow a predefined size for both logos. These include:
Cannabis Product Label Logo Size: 0.5″ x 0.5″
Edible Cannabis Product Logo Size: At least 25 percent of the servings’ height and width, but not less than 0.25″ x 0.25″
According to the Marijuana Legalization Act, it’s unacceptable to use a logo that’s recreated, distorted, pixelated, and stretched. To follow full compliance, you’re also required not to change the icon color or use it on a dark background.
If you’d like more information, you can use the downloadable versions of these logos on the Maine Govt. website.
Label Requirements
Maine cannabis packaging laws require the following compliance labels on products:
The license number of the product’s manufacturing and cultivation facility, the cannabis store where the product was cultivated (or manufactured) and offered for sale.
A net weight statement.
The batch number.
A universal symbol, identity statement, and health and safety warning labels.
THC potency information of the adult-use cannabis products and the potency of other such cannabinoids or other chemicals and additives in the product.
THC and CBD amount and its information per serving of the adult-use cannabis products, and for the derived edibles (gummies, tinctures, oils, etc.), the number of servings per package.
The amount of marijuana concentrate per serving in all adult-use cannabis products is measured in grams, and the amount of marijuana concentrate per package is measured in grams.
A list of ingredients and possible allergens and a recommended use date or expiration date on adult-use marijuana products.
Detailed information on gases, solvents, or chemicals used in marijuana extraction.
A nutritional fact panel for all the edible marijuana products.
A user guide with complete instructions on the usage of the products.
Any other relevant information required by the department by rule.
Packaging Requirements
All adult-use cannabis products must include the following guidelines:
Adult-use marijuana and its derived products must be packed in child-proof, tamper-proof, and re-sealable packaging at the point of sale.
A multi-serving liquid package must be sealed with a child-resistant cap with an integral measurement component.
Adult-use marijuana and its derived products must be packed in an opaque packaging or container. This must clearly mention that the package contains harvested cannabis.
All the packages must have Maine’s Universal Symbol for Adult Use of Marijuana.
All the packages must conform to all other necessary or applicable standards and requirements adopted by rule by the department.
Packaging and Labeling Prohibitions
Beyond requirements, it’s just as important to ensure you understand the prohibitions of Maine’s cannabis packaging laws. These include:
The package cannot deceptively be labeled or packed. Furthermore, it cannot be designed to attract those under 21 years old.
A package labeled or packed in violation of federal trademark law or regulation or in a manner that would cause reasonable consumer confusion as to whether the harvested marijuana was a trademarked product.
A package labeled or packed in violation of any other labeling or packaging requirement or restriction imposed by rule by the department.
Obscure identification of information on the label or use of deceptive labels is prohibited. To worry less about logos, use the downloadable versions of the universal symbols on the Maine Govt. website.
Maine’s Medical Cannabis Packaging Laws
Established in 1999, the Maine Medical Marijuana Act (LD 975) is one of the oldest in the country. Since its inception, its regulations for packaging and labeling have changed significantly. While similar to the state’s adult-use laws, Maine’s medical marijuana packaging and labeling requirements have a few minor differences. These laws are divided into the following four sections:
1.) Packaging Requirements
Cannabis sold in a retail transaction must follow guidelines under §2429-A. As such, products must be packaged:
Child-resistant and tamper-evident with obvious markings that the product contains cannabis;
Placed in an opaque packaging or container with a signifier that the product contains cannabis;
If the product is a cannabis multi-serving liquid, it must be packaged with a built-in measurement feature and a child-resistant cap, and;
Compliant with any applicable requirements and restrictions imposed by Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy.
2.) Packaging Prohibitions
Beyond these requirements, retailers are also prohibited from:
Developing labels or packaging that violates federal trademark laws or regulations, or in a way that confuses consumers as to whether or not the product contains marijuana;
The creation of labels or packaging that appeals particularly to a person under 21 years of age;
The use of false or deceptive labels to obscure identifying information;
The incorporation of labels that depict a human, animal, or fruit, and;
Compliant with any applicable requirements and restrictions imposed by Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy.
3.) Labels
Medical cannabis in Maine must have labels that clearly identify the products:
Contaminants
Cannabinoid profile (or potency)
Verification of a cannabis testing facility
Off that last point, this rule only applies to cannabis testing facilities that operate per section 2423-A, subsection 10. All other cannabis testing facilities are inapplicable for label use.
4.) Educational Materials
If your business supplies cannabis to a qualifying patient, you must provide educational materials on the use of cannabis in printed or electronic form at the time of the transaction. Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy will publicly release the minimum content of these educational materials.
Final Word
When it comes to Maine cannabis packaging laws, there’s a lot of room to cover. Naturally, it may be overwhelming for you to take on this task. However, that’s where we come in.
Custom 420 offers fully compliant marijuana packaging for the state of Maine. This includes simple containers (i.e. mylar bags) to customizable labels that fit your brand identity.
