Rhode Island Cannabis Labeling Laws

Product Packaging and Labeling Requirements
1. Authority and Applicability
a. These product packaging and labeling requirements for
compassion centers are promulgated pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
21-28.6-12(f)(11). These requirements were developed jointly with
DOH.
b. Compassion centers shall have ninety (90) calendar days from the
effective date of these regulations to comply with these
requirements.
c. Any container or packaging containing usable marijuana or
marijuana product, including both retail-retail ready packaging and
product otherwise packaged for the purpose of storage and/or
authorized transport, must:
(1) Protect the product from contamination.
(2) Not impart any toxic or deleterious substance to the usable
marijuana or marijuana product.
(3) Contain the Inventory tracking ID number assigned by the
Medical Marijuana Program Tracking System or, if prior to
the Medical Marijuana Program Tracking System’s
implementation, an inventory tracking ID number generated
from an alternative inventory tracking system approved by
DBR.
(4) Be labeled with the quantity of the product.
d. The remainder of these product packaging and labeling
requirements only apply to retail-ready product packaging and
labeling.
e. Compliance with these product packaging and labeling
requirements shall include the requirement that retail-ready product
complies with the DOH Testing Regulation, once adopted.
f. While a compassion center is permitted to purchase medical
marijuana and medical marijuana products from a Rhode Island
licensed cultivator pursuant to a written contract/purchase order,
including final products that have already been packaged, labeled,
and/or tested, the compassion center is responsible for ensuring
the integrity of the product, compliance of the packaging and
labeling, including particularly that the products have the correct
composition and profiles that are advertised/indicated in the label.

2. Packaging and labeling shall not:
a. Make any false or misleading statements including particularly any
statements regarding health or physical benefits to the consumer
and the composition and profiles that are advertised/indicated in the
label.
b. Resemble the trademarked, characteristic or product-specialized
packaging of any commercially available snack, baked good, or
beverage.
c. Contain any statement, artwork, or design that could reasonably
mislead any reasonably prudent person to believe that the package
contains anything other than medical marijuana or marijuana
product.
d. Contain any seal, flag, crest, coat of arms, or other insignia that
could reasonably mislead any reasonably prudent person to believe
that the product has been endorsed or manufactured by the State
of Rhode Island or any agency thereof or municipality within.

3. Packaging for medical marijuana and marijuana products sold at retail
shall be opaque, light-resistant, and tamper-evident.

4. Packaging and labeling shall not be designed such that it would be
attractive to children. This requires the packing and labeling be in black
and white only, have no animal characters, and does not contain the word
“candy.”

5. Medical marijuana and marijuana products sold at retail must be packaged
in manner that is “child-resistant,” which for purposes of these Regulations
shall mean that the packaging is designed and constructed to be
significantly difficult for children under five years of age to open. Approved
methods include but are not limited to:
a. Solid or liquid marijuana products may be packaged in plastic four
mil or greater in thickness and be heat sealed with no easy-open
tab, dimple, corner, or flap.
b. Liquid marijuana products may also be packaged in a bottle and
sealed using a metal crown cork style bottle cap or other similar
sealing method pre-approved by DBR.

6. For solid edible marijuana products with more than one serving size in the
outer package, each serving must be packaged individually and placed in
a child-resistant outer package.

7. For liquid edible marijuana products with more than one serving in the
package, a measuring cap or dropper must be included in the package
with the product.

8. All medical marijuana and marijuana products when sold at retail must
include a label affixed to the package containing the following information,
prominently displayed and in a clear and legible English language font:
a. The business or trade name of the selling compassion center.
b. Inventory tracking ID number assigned by the Medical Marijuana
Program Tracking System or, if prior to the Medical Marijuana
Program Tracking System’s implementation, an inventory tracking
ID number generated from an alternative inventory tracking system
approved by DBR.
c. Date of final packaging, and, if applicable, the recommended
expiration or “use by” date.
d. Total weight in ounces and grams or volume as appropriate.
Weight and volume must be determined using accurately calibrated
equipment which equipment must also comply with any other
applicable state laws.
e. Total estimated amount of THC and total estimated amount of
CBD.
f. For edible marijuana products, a list of all ingredients used.
g. A statement that discloses all pesticides applied to the marijuana
plants and growing medium during production and processing.
h. If solvents were used, statement that discloses the type of
extraction method, including any solvents, gases, or other
chemicals or compounds used to produce or that are added to the
extract.
i. Any applicable instructions for use and safe storage.

9. All medical marijuana and marijuana products when sold at retail must
include a label affixed to the package containing the following warnings,
prominently displayed and in a clear and legible English language font.
For products other than edibles and topical applications, these warnings
may be on an insert provided with the packaging.
a. “Warning: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit
forming and addictive. The intoxicating effects of marijuana may be
delayed by up to two hours.”
b. “Warning: Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its
influence.”
c. “Warning: There may be health risks associated with consumption
of marijuana.”
d. “Warning: For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of
reach of children.”
e. “Warning: Marijuana should not be used by women that are
pregnant or breast feeding.”
f. “Warning: Do not take this product across state lines.”
g. “Warning: For medical use by a registered patient only. Not for
resale.”
h. “Warning: This product is not certified to be free of contaminants.”
i. For product to be smoked, “Warning: Smoking is hazardous to your
health.”
j. If applicable, a warning regarding use or contact with any nuts or
other known allergens as defined in the federal Food Allergen
Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, as administered by
the federal Food and Drug Administration.
10. Notwithstanding any of the product labeling requirements set forth in §
1.4(H) of this Part, application may be made to DBR for approval to affix a
two inch (2”) by two inch (2”) logo or graphic, which may be colored, for
the purpose of identifying the compassion center selling and/or the
cultivator producing the product.

 

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RHODE ISLAND STATE MARIJUANA REGULATIONS:

dbr.ri.gov/documents/rules/medical_marijuana/230-RICR-80-5-1_Medical_Marijuana.pdf