A Peek Into The Future of Cannabis Labeling

In the cannabis market, labeling and regulations always go together. Cannabis labeling regulations vary from one state to the other all around the United States. 

Having similar labeling regulations across states can be a great relief for cannabis retailers and brand owners. The standards can cover the type of information offered on the contents in the container, its origin, and directions for use while protecting the customers. Having such standards universally can benefit both the manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, just as the universal Nutrition Facts for foods.

Introduction of specific symbols on cannapackaging

These thoughts are what drove David L. Nathan, MD, and his son Eli Nathan to develop a Universal Cannabis Information Label (UCIL) and Universal Cannabis Product Symbol (UCPS). Dr. Nathan is a Distinguished Member of the American Psychiatric Association and the founder and board president of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR).

The UCIL covers product weight, dosage size, cannabis strain, product form, health warnings, and THC/CBD percentage. Its design also includes a quick-response code that links to online product and safety data.   

UCPS is based on a well-known caution design; a yellow triangle that encloses a cannabis leaf. The information will still be well communicated if the symbol is printed in black and white if color printing is unavailable. 

“While designing our labeling standards, we listened to stakeholders and made improvements to the UCIL and UCPS based on positive input,” Dr. Nathan explains. “Given the limits of label printing, we rejected colorful choices for the UCPS and UCIL, opting instead for a black-and-yellow design for the UCPS that is easily adaptable for black-and-white printing.”

Why should there be a universal cannabis label or symbol?

According to Dr. Nathan, in his many travels, he has gathered that there are divergent viewpoints and interests on almost every aspect of cannabis legislation. However, he has noted that there is a major agreement on the importance of accurate labeling of legal cannabis goods.

He further noted that the jumble of varied state standards has resulted in some poor packaging designs that don’t meet the interests of the industry and the general public. “With the UCIL and UCPS, we seek to enhance labeling standards and eliminate the confusion, which will be even more important after interstate cannabis commerce is licensed by federal legalization,” says Dr. Nathan.

Dr. Nathan states that they have contacted key decision-makers in numerous states’ cannabis regulatory agencies. According to him, their ideas have been received with enthusiasm but may take time to implement since the government needs to deliberate.

How close are these regulations to implementation?

According to Dr. Nathan, the legalization may be accompanied by some kind of federal regulation. He hopes that the federal regulations will include labeling and packaging requirements for compliant cannabis packaging.

President Joe Biden, a former drug warrior, is for decriminalization rather than legalization, which may be the most significant barrier to federal legalization. However, the 2:1 majority of American voters are pushing for immediate legalization.   

This is a rare instance of reconciliation among Republican and Democratic politicians in Congress, and their numbers could rise as contenders for office realize that legalization is a winning topic. Given the recent legalization of marijuana in multiple states, Dr. Nathan believed that the process would gain momentum in 2021 and be completed within one year.