A sweeping set of new Ohio marijuana regulations governing packaging, labeling and single-serving products took effect today, September 11, establishing new disclosure requirements, packaging restrictions and testing standards for products sold at licensed dispensaries.
The rules, adopted by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, apply to cultivators, processors and dispensaries and establish detailed requirements for marijuana packaging intended for direct customer sale. The regulations were filed in final form earlier this month.
Under the new rules, packages must prominently display the product’s net weight or volume, its state-approved product variation name, Ohio’s universal THC symbol and the Division of Cannabis Control seal. Edibles must also be identified as either “cannabis-infused” or “marijuana-infused.”
Labels for marijuana flower must include information such as the cultivator, harvest and packaging dates, strain name, approved range of THC content, testing laboratory and testing date. They must also disclose CBD, CBDA and THCV levels, along with at least the three most prevalent terpenes.
Manufactured marijuana products face additional requirements. Labels must include the manufacturing and packaging dates, an expiration date of no more than one year after manufacturing, the intended method of administration and detailed cannabinoid information, including THC, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, THCA, CBD, CBDA and THCV.
The regulations also require a lengthy warning statement informing consumers about potential impairment, medication interactions, pregnancy-related risks and restrictions on driving. Among the required language is the statement that “THC degrades over time.”
Products intended for smoking, combustion or vaporization must carry an additional warning stating that “Smoking and vaporization is hazardous to your health.” Edibles and beverages must warn that their effects and impairment may be delayed.
Products made using hemp-derived ingredients must disclose that fact on the label and identify the business that produced the hemp-derived ingredient. Manufacturers must also disclose the extraction method and any solvents, gases or other chemicals used in producing the ingredient.
Separate rules taking effect today prohibit packaging and labeling that is false or misleading, attractive to children, contains child-oriented cartoon or fictional characters, depicts marijuana consumption, makes health-related claims or disparages a competing product.
Ohio is also implementing new requirements specifically for what regulators call single-serving units. State rules define raw single-serving units as dried marijuana wrapped in rolling paper, while infused units combine dried marijuana with marijuana extract and are also wrapped in rolling paper.
Before those products can be sold, the marijuana used to manufacture them must first satisfy state testing requirements. Finished production lots are limited to 10,000 units and must undergo additional testing that includes microbial contaminants, mycotoxins, moisture, heavy metals, pesticides, cannabinoid potency and terpenes. Residual-solvent testing is also required when a solvent-based extract is used in an infused product.
Single-serving product labels must identify the processor, manufacturing and packaging dates, ingredients and additives, testing information and the materials used to make the rolling paper or other consumable portions of the product.
The rules are part of Ohio’s continuing implementation and consolidation of regulations governing its medical and adult-use marijuana markets.
