The cannabis excise stamp and legal packaging
Last reviewed · Based on official government sources
Legal cannabis in Canada comes in plain, child-resistant packaging with an excise stamp, a standardized THC symbol and a health warning. These features are one of the simplest ways to tell a legal product from an illegal one. This guide explains each one using Government of Canada information.
What the excise stamp is
An excise stamp is a sticker on the package that shows federal excise duty has been paid. Health Canada says it shows that the product came from a seller licensed by Health Canada.
Each province and territory has its own stamp, in its own colour, so the stamp also tells you which jurisdiction the product was meant to be sold in. For example, the Government of B.C. says legal products sold in B.C. carry a green B.C. excise stamp. Health Canada says certain low-THC products (under 10 micrograms of THC per gram) and prescription cannabis products do not need an excise stamp.
If a product you are offered has no stamp, or the stamp is for a different province, that is a strong sign it did not come through the legal system in your area.
Checking the package before you buy
When you pick up a product, look for the stamp and check that it matches your province or territory. A package that looks opened, or a stamp that looks damaged or altered, is a good reason not to buy it and to tell the store.
Other required packaging features
Government of Canada information describes these features of legal cannabis packaging and labels:
- Child-resistant packaging that is hard for young children to open (plants and seeds are an exception).
- Plain packaging without images or features that make it appealing to young people.
- The standardized cannabis symbol: a red octagon with a white leaf and “THC,” on products above 10 micrograms of THC per gram.
- A yellow health warning box in English and French.
- Total THC and Total CBD amounts in bold.
- A nutrition facts table on edible products.
See how to read a cannabis label for what the information on the label means.
Packaging that points to an illegal product
The Government of Canada says an illegal product may have:
- packaging, or a name, that looks like a popular brand of candy or snack food;
- products that look like candy that might appeal to children, such as gummy bears;
- flashy promotions or celebrity endorsements;
- packaging that is not child-resistant;
- no excise stamp, no standardized THC symbol, or no health warning in English and French;
- an edible that claims more than 10 mg of THC per container.
The Government of Canada says illegal cannabis is not tested or quality controlled, may contain harmful contaminants, and may carry THC and CBD information that is unknown, misleading or false.
Why it matters
The Government of Canada says legal cannabis is quality controlled, tested for contaminants and for the accuracy of its THC and CBD levels, and can be recalled if there is a safety or quality issue. If there is a problem with a legal product, the lot number on its label lets it be traced. Illegal products have none of these protections. If you are buying in a store, the store should be on your province’s official list. See how to tell a licensed cannabis store.
A quick product checklist
Before you buy, check that the package has:
- an excise stamp for your province or territory (unless it is a very low-THC or prescription product);
- the red standardized THC symbol on the front, for products above 10 micrograms of THC per gram;
- a yellow health warning box in English and French;
- Total THC and Total CBD amounts;
- child-resistant packaging (plants and seeds are exceptions);
- a nutrition facts table, if it is an edible;
- a lot number and packaging date.
If any of these are missing, do not buy the product.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the cannabis excise stamp mean?
- It shows that excise duty has been paid and, according to Health Canada, that the product came from a seller licensed by Health Canada. Each province and territory has its own stamp colour.
- Do all legal cannabis products have an excise stamp?
- Nearly all do. Health Canada says certain low-THC products (under 10 micrograms of THC per gram) and prescription cannabis products are exceptions.
- Why does the excise stamp colour differ between provinces?
- Each province and territory has its own coloured stamp, which shows where the product is intended to be sold. A stamp from a different province is a warning sign.
Sources
Facts in this guide were taken from these official sources, checked October 25, 2026.
Related guides
How to read a cannabis label: THC, CBD and warnings
What the parts of a legal cannabis label mean, how THC and CBD amounts are shown, and the federal THC limits for edibles, extracts and topicals.
How to tell a licensed cannabis store from an illegal one
Official ways to check that a cannabis store or website is licensed in your province, and the warning signs governments say point to an illegal seller.
Storing cannabis safely around children and pets
Health Canada's advice on storing cannabis away from children and pets, provincial storage rules, and what to do if someone may have eaten cannabis by accident.