Maine Cannabis Packaging Laws | Updated 2024 Guide

August 30, 2024 | Cannabis Packaging Law State Guides
Maine State Cannabis Packaging

Since 2016, Maine’s cannabis legalization has allowed for adult-use products. However, Maine cannabis packaging laws have maneuvered alongside the growth of this industry.

Staying in the know-how is critical for this industry. It ensures your cannabis packaging labels are up-to-date and follow legal regulations.

Still, what do you need for cannabis packaging in Maine? And what do new companies know where to start? Our updated guide has you covered!

What to Watch as Laws Change

In this article, we’ll focus on Maine cannabis packaging laws and labeling requirements. This will also give us an idea of the regulations in all the states that allow cannabis for recreational or medicinal use.

Still, laws are constantly changing. As such, it’s essential to keep a close eye on the following as laws change:

  • Child-proof packaging
  • Tamper-evident packaging
  • Re-sealable packaging
  • Mandatory universal logo/symbol
  • Optional “Not Safe for Kids” logo
  • Dimensions and color of the logo
  • The minimum amount or net weight of the package
  • The license number of the cultivation facility
  • THC potency info
  • Other additive or contaminants info on the label

Maine’s Adult-Use Cannabis Packaging Laws

Maine follows strict compliance with the state laws and regulations for the dispensing of marijuana products. The Maine state’s caregivers and dispensaries also ensure products are dispensed only to a qualifying patient.

Maine’s Universal Symbol

To indicate that a consignment holds marijuana, Maine State’s Cannabis Labeling requires all the sellers to follow two symbols to label packages or containers:

Maine Universal Logo

One is their universal symbol which is mandatory for each cannabis parcel. It features a red triangle over a bed of black-colored text that says “Contains THC,” stamped with a black marijuana leaf in the center.

Maine Not Safe for Kids Optional Logo

While the other symbol is optional, it’s equally important. It reads “Not Safe for Kids” and is enclosed in a red hexagon.

The color and size of these symbols are a key factor. They help to avoid confusion and reflect full labeling compliance. The universal and optional symbols/ icons must be reproduced in black and red when used on the marketing layer.

  • Black (CMYK color scheme): 0, 0, 0, 100
  • Red (CMYK color scheme): 0, 95, 100, 0
  • Red (Pantone color scheme): PMS 485

Maine cannabis labeling requirements also follow a predefined size for both logos. These include:

  • Cannabis Product Label Logo Size: 0.5″ x 0.5″
  • Edible Cannabis Product Logo Size: At least 25 percent of the servings’ height and width, but not less than 0.25″ x 0.25″

According to the Marijuana Legalization Act, it’s unacceptable to use a logo that’s recreated, distorted, pixelated, and stretched. To follow full compliance, you’re also required not to change the icon color or use it on a dark background.

If you’d like more information, you can use the downloadable versions of these logos on the Maine Govt. website.

Label Requirements

Maine cannabis packaging laws require the following compliance labels on products:

  • The license number of the product’s manufacturing and cultivation facility, the cannabis store where the product was cultivated (or manufactured) and offered for sale.
  • A net weight statement.
  • The batch number.
  • A universal symbol, identity statement, and health and safety warning labels.
  • THC potency information of the adult-use cannabis products and the potency of other such cannabinoids or other chemicals and additives in the product.
  • THC and CBD amount and its information per serving of the adult-use cannabis products, and for the derived edibles (gummies, tinctures, oils, etc.), the number of servings per package.
  • The amount of marijuana concentrate per serving in all adult-use cannabis products is measured in grams, and the amount of marijuana concentrate per package is measured in grams.
  • A list of ingredients and possible allergens and a recommended use date or expiration date on adult-use marijuana products.
  • Detailed information on gases, solvents, or chemicals used in marijuana extraction.
  • A nutritional fact panel for all the edible marijuana products.
  • A user guide with complete instructions on the usage of the products.
  • Any other relevant information required by the department by rule.

Packaging Requirements

All adult-use cannabis products must include the following guidelines:

  • Adult-use marijuana and its derived products must be packed in child-proof, tamper-proof, and re-sealable packaging at the point of sale.
  • A multi-serving liquid package must be sealed with a child-resistant cap with an integral measurement component.
  • Adult-use marijuana and its derived products must be packed in an opaque packaging or container. This must clearly mention that the package contains harvested cannabis.
  • All the packages must have Maine’s Universal Symbol for Adult Use of Marijuana.
  • All the packages must conform to all other necessary or applicable standards and requirements adopted by rule by the department.

Packaging and Labeling Prohibitions

Beyond requirements, it’s just as important to ensure you understand the prohibitions of Maine’s cannabis packaging laws. These include:

  • The package cannot deceptively be labeled or packed. Furthermore, it cannot be designed to attract those under 21 years old.
  • A package labeled or packed in violation of federal trademark law or regulation or in a manner that would cause reasonable consumer confusion as to whether the harvested marijuana was a trademarked product.
  • A package labeled or packed in violation of any other labeling or packaging requirement or restriction imposed by rule by the department.
  • Obscure identification of information on the label or use of deceptive labels is prohibited. To worry less about logos, use the downloadable versions of the universal symbols on the Maine Govt. website.
Maine's Recreational Cannabis Packaging

Maine’s Medical Cannabis Packaging Laws

Established in 1999, the Maine Medical Marijuana Act (LD 975) is one of the oldest in the country. Since its inception, its regulations for packaging and labeling have changed significantly. While similar to the state’s adult-use laws, Maine’s medical marijuana packaging and labeling requirements have a few minor differences. These laws are divided into the following four sections:

1.) Packaging Requirements

Cannabis sold in a retail transaction must follow guidelines under §2429-A. As such, products must be packaged:

  1. Child-resistant and tamper-evident with obvious markings that the product contains cannabis;
  2. Placed in an opaque packaging or container with a signifier that the product contains cannabis;
  3. If the product is a cannabis multi-serving liquid, it must be packaged with a built-in measurement feature and a child-resistant cap, and;
  4. Compliant with any applicable requirements and restrictions imposed by Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy.

2.) Packaging Prohibitions

Beyond these requirements, retailers are also prohibited from:

  1. Developing labels or packaging that violates federal trademark laws or regulations, or in a way that confuses consumers as to whether or not the product contains marijuana;
  2. The creation of labels or packaging that appeals particularly to a person under 21 years of age;
  3. The use of false or deceptive labels to obscure identifying information;
  4. The incorporation of labels that depict a human, animal, or fruit, and;
  5. Compliant with any applicable requirements and restrictions imposed by Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy.

3.) Labels

Medical cannabis in Maine must have labels that clearly identify the products:

  • Contaminants
  • Cannabinoid profile (or potency)
  • Verification of a cannabis testing facility

Off that last point, this rule only applies to cannabis testing facilities that operate per section 2423-A, subsection 10. All other cannabis testing facilities are inapplicable for label use.

4.) Educational Materials

If your business supplies cannabis to a qualifying patient, you must provide educational materials on the use of cannabis in printed or electronic form at the time of the transaction. Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy will publicly release the minimum content of these educational materials.

Final Word

When it comes to Maine cannabis packaging laws, there’s a lot of room to cover. Naturally, it may be overwhelming for you to take on this task. However, that’s where we come in.

Custom 420 offers fully compliant marijuana packaging for the state of Maine. This includes simple containers (i.e. mylar bags) to customizable labels that fit your brand identity.