Week 32: How to Read Cannabis Product Labels

Cannabis product labels contain essential information for safe, effective use—but only if you know how to interpret them. Unfortunately, labeling practices vary across products and brands, and some labels can be confusing or even misleading.

This guide teaches you how to decode cannabis product labels so you can make informed purchasing and dosing decisions.

Essential Label Information

Quality products should clearly provide:

Total cannabinoid content. Usually expressed in milligrams (mg) for the entire container. Example: "1000mg CBD per bottle."

Per-serving content. How much cannabinoid is in each serving. Example: "33mg CBD per ml" or "25mg CBD per gummy."

Serving size. What constitutes one serving. Example: "1ml" or "1 gummy."

Number of servings. How many servings the container holds.

Spectrum type. Whether the product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate.

Ingredients list. What else is in the product beyond cannabinoids.

THC content. Especially important for legal compliance and those avoiding THC.

If key information is missing, consider it a red flag about product quality.

Understanding Cannabinoid Content

Cannabinoid amounts are expressed in milligrams (mg):

Total versus per-serving. Don't confuse total content with per-serving content. A 1000mg bottle with 30 servings contains about 33mg per serving.

Calculating per-serving. If only total is listed: divide total mg by number of servings.

Comparing products. To compare value, calculate cost per milligram. A $30 bottle with 500mg ($0.06/mg) may be better value than a $50 bottle with 600mg ($0.08/mg).

Active versus total cannabinoids. Some labels show total cannabinoids including precursor forms. Look for active cannabinoid amounts.

Understanding the math helps you compare products and dose accurately.

Decoding Concentration Expressions

Different products express concentration differently:

Mg per container. Most common for tinctures, edibles, and capsules. "1000mg per bottle."

Mg per serving. Directly tells you per-dose content. "25mg per gummy."

Percentage. Sometimes used for concentrates or flower. "20% CBD" means 200mg per gram.

Mg per ml. Common for tinctures. "33mg/ml" means each milliliter contains 33mg.

Mg per weight. Used for topicals and flower. "500mg per ounce."

Being able to convert between expressions helps you compare different product types.

Reading Ingredient Lists

Beyond cannabinoids, ingredient lists matter:

Carrier oils. Common options include MCT oil, hemp seed oil, olive oil. Quality carriers enhance absorption.

Flavorings. Natural versus artificial flavoring is a quality indicator for some consumers.

Preservatives. Some products contain preservatives; others don't. Know what you're consuming.

Additional supplements. Some products add melatonin, vitamins, herbs, or other supplements.

Allergen information. Check for ingredients you may be sensitive to.

Complete ingredient transparency indicates higher-quality products.

Third-Party Testing Indicators

Labels should reference independent testing:

QR codes. Many products include QR codes linking to lab results.

Batch numbers. Products should have batch or lot numbers that correspond to specific test results.

Lab name. Some products indicate which laboratory conducted testing.

"Third-party tested" claims. This language suggests independent verification, but verify by actually checking the COA.

Testing claims without accessible COAs are insufficient. Actually review the test results.

Warning Signs on Labels

Some label characteristics suggest lower quality:

Vague cannabinoid information. "Contains hemp extract" without specific mg amounts is insufficient.

Impossible claims. Labels claiming to treat, cure, or prevent diseases violate FDA regulations and suggest irresponsible marketing.

No testing reference. Products without third-party testing information lack basic quality assurance.

Inconsistent information. Math that doesn't add up (servings × per-serving ≠ total) suggests poor quality control.

Very low prices with high claims. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Learning to spot warning signs helps you avoid low-quality products.

Regulated vs. Unregulated Label Standards

Understanding regulatory context helps:

State-legal THC products. Products sold in licensed dispensaries are subject to state labeling regulations. These typically include comprehensive cannabinoid testing, child-resistant packaging, and standardized format requirements.

Hemp-derived CBD products. Federal regulation of CBD products is less established. Labeling practices vary more widely, making consumer education more important.

FDA oversight. The FDA has not established comprehensive labeling requirements specifically for CBD products, though general food and supplement labeling rules apply.

In less-regulated markets, informed consumers must do more due diligence.

Practical Label Reading Tips

Apply these practices when evaluating products:

Do the math. Verify that total content, serving content, and serving numbers are consistent.

Look up the COA. Don't just trust "third-party tested" claims—actually review the lab results.

Compare multiple products. Understanding how different products present information helps you evaluate any given product.

Ask questions. If labels are unclear, contact the company. Quality companies respond helpfully.

Research the brand. Labels are one piece of information. Company reputation, reviews, and transparency matter too.

Active label reading becomes second nature with practice.

Key Takeaways

• Essential label information includes total and per-serving cannabinoid content, ingredients, and testing references
• Calculate cost per milligram to compare product value
• Learn to convert between different concentration expressions (mg total, mg/serving, percentage, mg/ml)
• Review actual COAs rather than just trusting "third-party tested" claims
• Warning signs include vague information, impossible claims, and inconsistent math
• Labeling standards vary—consumer education compensates for limited regulation

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