Michigan Cannabis Labeling Update:
Since this blog first went live, updates have been made to the Michigan Cannabis Labeling Requirements. Last year, R 420.403(7) in the Marijuana-Infused Products and Edible Marijuana Product Rule set was updated to include the following: “The producer shall label all marijuana-infused products with all of the following: “The name of the marijuana-infused product that includes a product modifier such as ‘marijuana product,’ ‘THC product,’ or ‘cannabis product’ using the same or larger font than the product name.”
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency of Michigan has provided the following steps that need to be taken for packaging that needs to be updated to follow current compliance:
- Repackage the products into new, compliant packaging.
- Place non-transparent stickers on the package to clearly label the product as a marijuana product, THC product, or cannabis product using the same or larger font as the words commonly used in the product name.
- Place non-transparent stickers on non-compliant portions of the packaging for marijuana-infused products.
- Voluntarily destroy the non-compliant product.
More information regarding this topic, including examples of non-compliant products, can be found on the Michigan State Website. Those looking to contact Whitlam directly regarding next steps can request a quote here.
Original: With Michigan legalizing cannabis recreationally, the market has grown along with various products. Products comes the need for a Michigan cannabis label company, and Whitlam Group’s rich history in the labeling and rapidly growing cannabis industry is a perfect match.
Cannabis Legalization History
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. This sparked a trend that spread throughout most of the United States since. As more states are legalizing, the medical cannabis market has grown more than 310% globally within the past 4 to 5 years.
In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Since then, other states have joined them, including Whitlam Group’s home state of Michigan.
It was in 2019 when the cannabis packaging market in the U.S. was valued at $101.48 billion. By 2025, this market is expected to reach $297.51 billion. This is a 22.59% growth rate within 6 years.
Green Packaging
One trend we have noticed to be popular within the cannabis market is green packaging. Green packaging uses materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable.
Cannabis is promoted as on all-natural solutions, so ensuring the packaging is eco-friendly is important to promote an image of environmental consciousness. Some eco-friendly solutions include:
- Using green, amber, or blue glass bottles to keep products potent longer with UV filtering abilities
- Using less packaging waste by cutting unnecessary shipping and packaging materials
- Using sustainable materials such as hemp, cotton, glass, and recycled materials
- Using earth-friendly materials such as renewable, recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable
- Non-toxic design methods such as plant-based dyes and inks, embossing, and etching, biodegradable adhesives
Compliance Needs
Making sure your packaging has shelf-appeal while complying with packaging laws is important when designing the right packaging solutions. While creative design is important for image appeal, complying with regulations and requirements is important for brand trust.
Before designing your packaging product, it is important to check with your state regulations and other requirements for cannabis. It is important that before starting packaging production you share the regulations and requirements with your packaging manufacturer.
Labeling requirements for cannabis products vary in each state, but there are general labeling requirements for all cannabis products. Products with more THC have more pronounced testing and labeling requirements than products that are more marijuana-based.
One requirement for cannabis labels is that they must include the potency of marijuana and concentrates. This information can be displayed in two ways on a label. One way is to have the font be no smaller than 10-point font, bold, framed, and in a font that is at least two sizes bigger than the other label text. The second way is to have the font be no smaller than 10-point font, bold, framed and highlighted with a bright noticeable color.
Michigan Cannabis Labeling Requirements
When displaying the percentage levels for cannabinoids on labels it should be shown by the range and appear from lowest to the highest concentration. All marijuana-infused products must also have a potency statement.
Learn more about laws and regulations on labeling and selling marijuana in Michigan.
Michigan Cannabis Label Company
Whitlam Group is currently servicing multiple cannabis and CBD clients for their label and packaging needs. Our team has been in the label industry for years and has a reputation for superb service. Our history working in the automobile and food industry gives us a strong understanding of regulations and requirements. Also, our team understands the importance of packaging and label design. Making a perfect fit for a Michigan cannabis label company to work with. If you want your product to attract and engage users, we can help.
Creative Design
When designing cannabis packaging, you must first know who your audience is. The cannabis market is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, though. Different demographics find different benefits from THC and CBD. Each consumer group is also split between using for health and wellness or recreational purposes.
There is also a growing market for dogs as well. Reports indicate cannabis products for pets could reach a $1 billion industry by 2022.
It is important to create a design that will appeal to the demographic you want to target. If you are targeting different demographics, it is important to keep your design appealing to all. To keep your design sophisticated and appealing, here are a few design characteristics to keep in mind:
- Clean shapes and sleek package designs
- Sharpe and clean edges
- Bright colors
- Embossing, stamped gold/silver foil, and frosted glass
- High-quality, intelligent brand marketing aimed at professionals
- Focus on medicinal-friendly logs
Users should be able to distinguish between recreational and medicinal cannabis products. It is important to ensure your design is appealing to consumers, and they can tell the difference between medicinal and recreational products by the packaging design.
Here are some design options that are associated with different demographic groups:
Luxury
A luxury design can be used for an upscale look. This can attract a more mature, discerning demographic. We see some design aspects with a luxury look include foil accents, subdued color palettes, simplified shapes, clean lines, and elegant typography.
Natural
This design trend showcases the natural aspect of cannabis products. This design can be used when targeting the more health-conscious demographic. Some ways you can create a natural design in your packaging and labels is by using earthly colors like greens and browns and also using words/language that have a more natural feel, such as “whole,” “raw,” and “organic.” For more information on other natural solutions, read above on green packaging.
Minimalist
A minimalist design can give your brand a stylish, contemporary look that is subtle but still communicates the quality of your product. A minimalist design can be portrayed as boring or plane, but there are a few techniques that you can be creative with this type of design that can be very appealing.
Making sure only to use 2 or 3 colors and clean geometric shapes is known to be appealing and eye-catching. This design can attract younger and new customers.
Health
Medical cannabis is legal in more states than recreational cannabis is, which means there are more opportunities to tap into the medical cannabis market. Taking advantage of the medical aspect of your product by using medical or pharmaceutical symbols and colors can add legitimacy to your business and appeal to medical users. Highlighting the health benefits by adding statements like “pain relief” or “anti-inflammatory” can also appeal.
How can Whitlam Group Help With Your Cannabis Labeling?
Whitlam Group is a Michigan cannabis label company with a marketing and in-house graphics team. We can help you design an outstanding label that appeals to the demographic you are trying to target for your cannabis products. Contact us today for more information and help to get started with your cannabis labeling needs.