Making Sense of Cannabis Labels In Canada
Bottom line: Look for Total THC and Total CBD to compare strength, the packaged on date for freshness, the lot/batch number for traceability, and the red THC symbol and excise stamp to confirm it’s legal.
What You’ll Always See On A Legal Label
- Product type (dried flower, pre-roll, edible, extract, topical).
- THC and CBD numbers (shown as % or mg/g for flower; mg per piece or per package for edibles).
- Red THC symbol if the product has more than a tiny amount of THC.
- Health warning and child-safety statement.
- Net weight/volume and number of pieces (if any).
- Lot/batch number and packaged on date.
- Storage advice (keep cool, dark, sealed), and licence holder info.
- Excise stamp (shows it’s legal and duty-paid).
THC, Total THC, CBD, Total CBD — In Simple Terms
- THC = amount in the product as it sits in the package.
- Total THC = estimated amount after heating (smoking, vaping, baking). Use this number to compare strength
- CBD and Total CBD follow the same idea.
Quick conversions (for dried flower): mg/g ÷ 10 ≈ %.
Example: 220 mg/g ≈ 22% THC.
Edibles and capsules: shown in milligrams (mg) per piece and/or per package (e.g., “2.5 mg per piece; 10 mg per package”).
Edibles, Extracts And Beverages — Reading The Dose
- Edibles: a package can not contain more than 10 mg THC in total. Packages often say “2 mg × 5 pieces = 10 mg per package”.
- Ingested extracts (e.g., capsules, oils): look for mg per activation (e.g., per capsule). Common max is 10 mg THC per activation.
- Beverages: label shows mg per can/bottle. Follow the same “start low, go slow” rule.
New to edibles? Try 1–2.5 mg THC and wait to feel effects before taking more.
Possession Equivalencies — What Counts Toward 30 Grams
In public, adults can have up to 30 g of dried cannabis or the equivalent. Other products convert to a “dried-gram” amount. Use this table to see how your purchase counts:
| Product Type | Equals 1 g Dried | Easy Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh cannabis | 5 g | 20 g fresh = 4 g dried |
| Edible (solid, ≤ 3% THC) | 15 g | 300 g chocolate = 20 g dried |
| Non-solid (≤ 3% THC), not beverages | 70 g | 210 g topical = 3 g dried |
| Concentrates (> 3% THC), solid or liquid | 0.25 g | 1 g vape cart = 4 g dried |
| Plant seeds | 1 seed | 5 seeds = 5 g dried |
Tip: When mixing formats (e.g., flower + gummies + vape), add up the “dried-gram” numbers to stay within 30 g.
Lot/Batch And Packaged On — Why You Should Care
- Lot/batch number: the maker’s tracking code for that production run. Helpful for quality checks and recalls.
- Packaged on date: when the product was sealed in its final container. For flower, this is your quick freshness hint.
Expiry, Best-Before And Freshness
- Edibles: often show a best-before date (like other foods). “Expiry” wording is less common.
- Flower, extracts and topicals: an expiry date may appear only if the producer has data to support it. Many labels won’t show an expiry date.
Freshness basics: Keep products sealed, cool and out of light. Terpenes and cannabinoids fade faster once opened.
The Red THC Symbol And Health Warnings
- The red symbol tells you the product contains THC above a very small amount.
- Rotating health warnings remind you of key risks and to keep products away from children and pets.
Excise Stamp — Quick Legality Check
- Every legal retail package has a coloured excise stamp that shows duty was paid.
- The stamp normally seals the package. If it looks tampered with, don’t buy or use it.
Fast Label Walk-Throughs (Examples)
Flower (28 g)
- Total THC: 200 mg/g (≈ 20%)
- CBD: <1 mg/g
- Packaged on: 2025-08-01 · Lot: ABC-123
- Counts toward possession: 28 g (of your 30 g)
Gummies (4 pieces)
- THC: 2.5 mg each · 10 mg per package (max legal)
- Counts by weight equivalency (see table), not by THC amount
Capsules (Ingested Extract)
- THC: 10 mg per capsule (“per activation”)
- Package total shown (e.g., 500 mg)
Smart Shopping Tips
- Use Total THC/Total CBD to compare strength between brands and formats.
- Check “packaged on”. For flower, fresher often means more aroma and flavour.
- Look for the excise stamp and THC symbol. No stamp? Skip it.
- Track your 30 g. Use the table above when you buy multiple product types.
FAQ: Canadian Cannabis Labels
How do I turn mg/g into % for flower?
Divide mg/g by 10. Example: 180 mg/g ≈ 18% THC.
Why are there two THC numbers?
“THC” is in the unopened product. “Total THC” estimates what you get after heating. Use Total THC to compare strength.
Do all edibles have 10 mg THC?
No. 10 mg per package is the maximum. Some products have less.
What is a lot/batch number?
A tracking code for that specific run. Useful for quality control and recalls.
Why doesn’t my product show an expiry date?
Some classes don’t require one. Edibles may show a best-before date; many flower/extract products omit “expiry”.