The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) includes basic requirements for how cannabis goods must be packaged before retail sale. These guidelines apply to all nonmanufactured and manufactured cannabis goods that will be sold at a licensed retailer.
The checklist below will help you verify that your labeling complies with Department requirements. A complete list of requirements can be found here: California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 4, Division 19.
Packaging checklist
Tamper evident
- The cannabis goods package is sealed in a manner that a consumer can tell if the package has been opened (e.g., a plastic seal, a sticker across the lid that is ripped when opened, or a jar with a lid that pops up after opening).
Child-resistant
The following types of packages are considered child-resistant by the Department:
- Any package that has been certified as child-resistant under the requirements of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970s implementing regulations
- A bottle sealed with a pry-off, metal crown, cork-style bottle cap, provided that the bottle contains only one serving
- Plastic packaging that is at least 4 mils thick and heat-sealed without an easy-open tab, dimple, corner, or flap if the package contains a product described in (2) or a product that is only a single-serving
Read our child-resistant packaging guidelines to learn more about what qualifies as child-resistant.
Resealable (for packages that contain more than one serving)
- The package can be closed after each use.
- Examples: a lid, adhesive closure, or box top closure.
Opaque (for edibles only)*
- The package is not transparent; consumers cannot see the product through the packaging.
- *Cannabis beverages may be packaged in glass containers that are clear or any color.
Dos
- Protect products from contamination and exposure to any toxic or harmful substances.
- Use any layer of packaging, to meet the packaging requirements listed above.
Don’ts
- Do not imitate packaging used for products typically marketed to children or persons under the age of 21.
Last revised: March 28, 2023
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