How to read and understand a cannabis product label

This symbol is required on the front of cannabis products that contain more than 10 micrograms per gram of THC.

The label needs to have the brand name of the product.

It can also have a small brand element, such as a logo.

The excise stamp tells you that the product came from a Health Canada licence holder. However, certain low-THC cannabis products (under 10 micrograms per gram) or prescription cannabis products don't need excise stamps. Each province and territory has a different coloured cannabis excise stamp.

The front of a label must display the total quantity or concentration of THC (Total THC) and CBD (Total CBD) contained in the product.

It can be presented in different ways. For example:

• Amount by weight: If a 30-gram package of dried cannabis says "Total THC 180 mg/g", that means that the entire package contains 5,400 mg of THC (180 mg multiplied by 30 g)
• Amount by unit: If a package of 4 pieces of edible cannabis says "Total THC per unit 2.5 mg", it means that the entire package contains 10 mg of THC (2.5 mg multiplied by 4 pieces)
• Total amount: If a package of edible cannabis says "Total THC 10 mg", that means that the entire package contains 10 mg of THC
• By activation: If an oral spray says, "Total THC per activation 8 mg", it means that 8 mg of THC will be dispensed per spray

Using cannabis can put your health at risk. As such, all cannabis products must have a health warning message in a yellow box on the front of a product label. Health warning messages include important information about the effects and risks of cannabis. In early 2025, Health Canada updated its list of messages, which were informed by the latest scientific evidence on the risks of using cannabis, public opinion research with diverse Canadians on message impact, and a peer-review process by international scientific experts.

A. Class of cannabis product

The class of cannabis needs to appear on the product label. Classes of cannabis can be:

• dried cannabis (such as dried flower or pre-rolls)
• fresh cannabis
• cannabis plants
• cannabis plant seeds
• edible cannabis (such as candy, chocolate, cookies or beverages)
• cannabis extracts (such as infused pre-rolls, oil/tinctures, vape liquids, kief, hash, resin, rosin, wax or shatter)
• cannabis topicals (such as creams, ointments or bath bombs)

B. Net weight and number of units

The product label has to contain:

• net weight or volume: this includes the net weight or volume per package and per unit, if applicable
• units: the number of individual pieces found inside the package (such as 10 chocolates, 10 capsules or 10 seeds)

C. Recommended storage conditions

The product label needs to indicate recommended storage conditions such as temperature, light conditions or humidity to ensure the product's quality.

D. Warning statement

All product labels need to indicate "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN / TENIR HORS DE LA PORTÉE DES ENFANTS".

E. Lot number and packaging date

The product label will contain the lot number and the date when the product was packaged.

F. Contact information

The product label includes the manufacturer's name, telephone number and email address. You can use this to contact them if you have concerns or complaints about:

• a problem or quality issue
• an unwanted side-effect

Include the lot number and the packaging date of the product for reference.

You can also report quality issues or unwanted side-effects to Health Canada directly.

G. Intended use

Some types of cannabis products have a specific intended use that needs to appear on the label (dried cannabis versus a cannabis topical).

The product label includes how it's intended to be used or consumed, for example:

• inhalation (dried, certain cannabis extracts)
• ingestion (cannabis edibles)
• for use on skin (cannabis topicals)

List of ingredients are required on the product label of:

• cannabis extracts
• cannabis topicals
• edible cannabis

Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight. This means that a product contains more of the first ingredient, and less of the last ingredient on the list of ingredients.

There are additional requirements for certain classes of cannabis, such as:

• edible cannabis must list food allergens, the presence of gluten and added sulphites
• cannabis extracts must list food allergens

A nutrition facts table is required on the product label of edible cannabis.

Although not required by Health Canada, the manufacturer can include additional information on the product label, such as:

• additional warnings or precautions
• expiry date
• cannabis strain name