How to read a cannabis label: THC, CBD and warnings
Last reviewed · Based on official government sources
Every legal cannabis product in Canada has a label set by federal rules. Knowing how to read it helps you understand exactly what you are buying and confirm that it is a legal product. This guide follows Health Canada’s explanation of cannabis labels. It does not describe the effects of any product and makes no health claims.
The standardized cannabis symbol
Products containing more than 10 micrograms of THC per gram must show the standardized cannabis symbol: a red octagon with a white cannabis leaf and the letters “THC.” It appears on the front of the package and is the same in every province and territory.
The health warning
Health Canada says all cannabis products must have a health warning message in a yellow box on the front of the label. Health Canada sets the wording of these messages and updated the list in early 2025. All labels must be in English and French.
THC and CBD amounts
The label shows “Total THC” and “Total CBD” in bold. THC is the main intoxicating compound in cannabis. How the amount is shown depends on the type of product:
- Dried cannabis is shown per gram (mg/g). Health Canada’s example: if a 30 gram package says “Total THC 180 mg/g,” the whole package contains 5,400 mg of THC.
- Edibles are shown as the total in the package. For example, a package of four pieces with 2.5 mg each contains 10 mg in total.
- Extracts, oils and capsules may show an amount per unit, per millilitre, per activation (for vaping devices) or for the whole container.
Some products, such as oral sprays, show the amount per activation, for example “Total THC per activation 8 mg” means 8 mg of THC per spray.
Federal THC limits by product type
The Government of Canada sets maximum amounts of THC for some product types:
- edible cannabis: 10 mg of THC per package;
- cannabis extracts for inhaling: 1,000 mg per container;
- cannabis extracts for swallowing: 1,000 mg per container and 10 mg per unit, such as a capsule;
- cannabis topicals: 1,000 mg per container.
A product that claims more than 10 mg of THC in an edible package is not a legal product. See how to tell a licensed cannabis store.
Other information on the label
- the brand name of the product;
- the excise stamp for your province or territory;
- the class of product, such as dried cannabis, edible cannabis, cannabis extract or cannabis topical;
- the net weight or volume, and the number of units in the package;
- recommended storage conditions;
- the warning “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN / TENIR HORS DE LA PORTÉE DES ENFANTS”;
- the lot number and the packaging date;
- the manufacturer’s name, telephone number and email address;
- the intended use, such as inhalation, ingestion or for use on skin;
- a list of ingredients for extracts, topicals and edibles, with food allergens listed for edibles and extracts;
- a nutrition facts table for edible cannabis.
Health Canada notes that an expiry date and a strain name are optional, so not every product will show them. If you have a concern about a product’s quality, Health Canada suggests contacting the manufacturer with the lot number and packaging date, or reporting it to Health Canada directly.
What you will not see
Federal rules prohibit labels and packages that appeal to young people, that suggest a lifestyle, or that make health or cosmetic claims. Packaging must be plain. If a product makes medical claims or has bright, candy-style packaging, that is a warning sign that it is not legal. See excise stamp and packaging.
Comparing two products
Because different product types show THC in different ways, it helps to convert to the same basis before comparing. For dried cannabis, multiply the mg/g figure by the package weight to get the total. For edibles, the label usually shows the total per package. For oils and sprays, check whether the figure is per millilitre, per unit or per activation. If you are unsure what a label means, ask the store to explain it. This guide does not suggest how much to use.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the THC limit for cannabis edibles in Canada?
- 10 mg of THC per package. A product claiming more than that per package is not a legal product.
- What does mg/g mean on a cannabis label?
- Milligrams of THC or CBD per gram of product. Multiply by the package weight to get the total: a 30 g package with 180 mg/g Total THC contains 5,400 mg of THC.
Sources
Facts in this guide were taken from these official sources, checked October 25, 2026.
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