Overview of
Oklahoma cannabis regulations
for packaging
Since 2018 when voters approved medical marijuana in the state, Oklahoma became an attractive hub for running and establishing a cannabis business. Cannabis is illegal for recreational use in Oklahoma, but is legal for medical use with a state-issued license.
It is important to know the laws surrounding cannabis to ensure that the drug is handled in a compliant manner among businesses. Let’s have a look at Oklahoma cannabis packaging & labeling regulation.
Before we dive in, a quick note for licensees. Labeling and regulator compliance is complex , before you take your bag to print you really should consult with a qualified Oklahoma attorney who specializes in regulatory compliance. It will really save you down the road. Dispensaries must document any non-compliance and the reason they rejected it. So if you get your labeling right there will be a paper trail. [1]
General Labeling Requirements
Type Size and Readability
All packaging is subject to compliance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act. Pursuant to this act, all medical marijuana dispensaries reserve the right to reject any product that does not comply with state regulations.
- Make sure all written material is easily readable for consumers.
- It is recommended to use at least a 6-point font.
- All labels should be on the outside of the packaging and not on the inside.[3]
- Packages that are small in nature may use an information panel to display all the necessary information (peel back labels, hangtags, etc.).[4]
Language
ENGLISH
Font
6pt
Child Resistant Requirement
Labels, packages, and containers shall not be attractive to minors and shall not contain any content that reasonably appears to target children, including toys, cartoon characters, and similar images. Packages should be designed to minimize appeal to children.
- Packaging must contain a label that reads: "Keep out of reach of children."
- All medical marijuana and medical marijuana products must be packaged in child-resistant containers at the point of sale or other transfer to a patient, a patient's parent or legal guardian if patient is a minor, or a caregiver.
- Opaque, so you cannot see the contents without opening the container.
Guidelines For Labeling
It is important to follow label specific guidelines to ensure that the product will not be rejected or destroyed due to inconsistent requirements. All medical marijuana product labels must include at least the following information:
- The Oklahoma Uniform Emblem in the manner and form prescribed by the Department
- THC potency
- Terpenoid potency
- Statement: "This product has been tested for contaminants"
- Statement: "Women should not use marijuana or medical marijuana products during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects”
- Statement: "Keep out of reach of children"
Labels for edible medical marijuana products must also meet the requirements set out in OAC 310:681-5-8.1.[5]
Oklahoma Universal Symbol
Like most states that have legalized Cannabis, Oklahoma requires a "universal" warning symbol.
As of this writing, the recommended size for the printed symbol is .06" x .085", and it should not be smaller than ½ inch x ½ inch. Keep the color red with black text. It must be present on all packages..[6]
The warning symbol combines the red and white icon "! Cannabis Leaf" symbol and required text alerting that the product "contains THC not safe for kids or pets"
Edibles
Edibles get their own batch of packaging rules and regulations. In addition to the requirements of other cannabis products. Edibles also must include:
- Name of the food product
- Name and address of the business
- Batch number, and lot code
- Non-cannabis Ingredient list
- Cannabis Ingredient list
- Net quantity, weight, and THC dosage in milligrams per unit
- Any food allergen information
- Federal Nutritional Labeling as required by 21 CFR 101.9
- An additional ingestion warning
Other Packaging Graphics
Oklahoma cannabis products must comply with typical advertising requirements similar to alcohol, and most dietary supplements. Some of these restrictions are no-brainers, such as no deceptive, false or misleading content. But others you might not have considered. Advertising on packaging or otherwise cannot:
- Promote overconsumption of the cannabis product
- Represent that the cannabis product or its use can cure, prevent or protect from any disease "cannot represent that the use of marijuana has curative or therapeutic effects."
- Show any children or other under-age person consuming marijuana.
- Depict anything that could suggest the presence of children or which is appealing to children. That would include showing toys, cartoons, cartoon characters, or similar images.
- The government regulators will also not allow anything they believe is appealing to persons under eighteen.[8]
Printed Packaging
The best way to ensure your packaging is compliant is to hire a competent cannabis attorney in Oklahoma, and once you have your compliance requirements down, come to CarePac to get fully custom, child resistant, and printed packaging. We can print all the symbols, logos and warnings directly on your pouches, to your exact specifications. So you know that every pouch you sell carries the warnings.