How to Understand Product Labels on Cannabis Products

Understanding Cannabinoid Content on Product Labels

If you are like most people, you want to understand the cannabinoid content in the products you consider. Every product is different in its variations and levels of cannabinoids, so it’s a good thing that every product label must state its THC and CBD contents.

However, cannabis product labels can be difficult to understand because they list THC and CBD contents in two ways and use different units of measure depending on the product format.

So, how do you know what’s in what you are buying? Read on to learn how to demystify cannabis product contents and labelling.

Every product label lists cannabinoid content levels in two ways.

THC and CBD active content levels are expressed on labels in two ways and it’s important to know the difference. The first reference is a base number, and the second is shown as a percentage. These are listed as “THC” and/or “CBD” and “Total THC” and/or “Total CBD” respectively.

What’s the difference?

“THC” and “CBD” refer to the number of active cannabinoids contained in the product as purchased.

“Total THC” and “Total CBD” refer to the levels of active cannabinoids when the cannabis is prepared for consumption. The “Total” cannabinoid content numbers are most helpful in predicting the potential potency that the product may have when consumed.

When buying dried cannabis formats, there will be a difference between these two content numbers, but when purchasing oil or capsule products, the numbers will be the same. Read on to learn why.

Not all cannabis has fully activated cannabinoid content.

The cannabinoids in cannabis products are only activated through a process called decarboxylation. This is the process of heating the cannabis to a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius or more in order to “activate” the cannabinoids. Dried flower products are not fully activated when purchased, because they are heated in time for consumption. This means there will be a difference in the two numbers on the label for each listed cannabinoid, and typically, the first number will be considerably lower than the “total” number because it represents the inactive state of the purchased product.

In oil and capsule products, the cannabinoids have been activated through processing, and are ready for consumption. Therefore, the two numbers listing cannabinoid content on their packages will be exactly the same.

Every format has its own unit of measure for cannabinoid content.
All of the label content information is intended to be helpful and clear to consumers. To be precise about the cannabinoid content within each product, it is measured differently by format. Dried flower products list cannabinoid content in percentage relative to the total cannabis purchased. Pre-rolls and capsule content is measured in totals per unit, and oil content is listed in milligrams per millilitre.

To understand and compare the information on the different product formats, use the chart below. Understanding product labels and cannabinoid content will help you understand and compare products. Use the information below as a quick reference guide.

Product Labels on Cannabis DRIED FLOWER

Cannabinoid Unit of Measure
% – Percentage of total weight

THC 0.7%
Total THC 14.3%
CBD 0.0%
Total CBD 0.3%

Consumption Information
Sold before decarboxylation so the two stated levels of cannabinoid content will be different

“Total” cannabinoid numbers are the best way to determine the potency potential of the product

Product Labels on Cannabis PRE-ROLLS

Cannabinoid Unit of Measure
mg/unit – Milligrams per individual pre-roll unit

Example:

THC 4.1 mg/unit
Total THC 146 mg/unit
CBD 0.43 mg/unit
Total CBD 26.8 mg/unit

Consumption Information
Sold before decarboxylation so the two stated levels of cannabinoid content will be different

“Total” cannabinoid numbers are the best way to determine the potency potential of the product

Eg. 146 mg/1000mg (1-gram pre-roll) = 14.6%

Product Labels on Cannabis CAPSULES

Cannabinoid Unit of Measure:
mg/unit – Milligrams per individual capsule

Example:

THC 2.5 mg/unit

Total THC 2.5 mg/unit
CBD 0.3 mg/unit
Total CBD 0.3 mg/unit

Consumption Information
Sold in a fully active state, so the cannabinoid content levels will be the same

Each capsule contains a pre-defined amount of active cannabinoids.
The highest dose of THC in a single capsule allowed by Health Canada is 10mg

OILS

Cannabinoid Unit of Measure:
mg/mL – Milligrams per milliliter of oil

Example:

THC 10.3 mg/mL
Total THC 10.3 mg/mL
CBD 11.5 mg/ mL
Total CBD 11.5 mg/mL

Consumption Information
Sold in a fully active state, so the cannabinoid content levels will be the same

Active cannabinoids are blended with “carrier” oils (like MCT) to produce a level of concentration- or potency. Since measurement information on droppers may vary, use caution when free-dosing oils

Products will differ in concentration, and the maximum allowable concentration in an oil is 30mg/mL