Navigating New York’s Cannabis Packaging Compliance
June 8, 2023
New York made history on March 31st, 2021, becoming the 15th state in the US to legalize adult-use cannabis.
This law allows for a regulated market to grow, process, and sell it and for consumers ages 21+ to grow up to three plants and carry three ounces of cannabis at any given time.
Along with growing, processing, and selling, licensees must adhere to New York’s cannabis packaging laws, meaning that packaging must conform to being child-resistant, tamper-evident, and not able to be degraded by sunlight or oxidation.
New York’s Cannabis Control Board has also proposed amendments for sustainable cannabis packaging, meaning that licensees must submit a packaging sustainability plan to sell products.
Cannabis Packaging Requirements
New York’s cannabis packaging guidelines outline specific requirements for packaging and labeling cannabis products to ensure safety and legality.
Under the guidelines, all cannabis products sold in New York must be packaged in child resistant containers that meet specific Code of Federal Regulations standards.
Labeling of Cannabis Products
The packaging must also include warning statements and labels that accurately indicate the product’s cannabinoid and terpene profile. Additionally, all non-flower products must have a dosage and serving size recommendation.
Other information that will be necessary on labels in New York:
- Nutritional Label
- THC and CBD Content
- Terpene Content
- Expiration Date
- Solvent(s)
- Storage Conditions
- Caution Labels
- Scannable COA’s
In addition, labels cannot claim to be organic or have characters, branding, or pictures that appeal to individuals under 21.
Sustainability Packaging Plan
Cannabis businesses must submit an environmental sustainability program for their packaging, including reuse strategies, compostable or recyclable materials, and recycled content exceeding 25%.
After two years, the program must be revised and submitted again. Retail packages can be reused after sanitation and visual inspection, ensuring they do not pose a risk of unintended exposure or ingestion of products.
The packages must be sanitized and disinfected to remove harmful residue and contaminants. Claims about recyclable or recycled content packaging must comply with existing environmental marketing guidelines.
Adhering to New York’s compliant packaging guidelines is essential for cannabis businesses to ensure compliance with state laws and guarantee the safety of consumers.
Assurpack® is the best cannabis packaging on the market. We help you maintain compliance while also retaining your brand image and values.
Learn about our sustainable, child-resistant packaging options
