In the New York cannabis industry, packaging does more than protect your product. It’s your first impression, your compliance lifeline, and in many ways, your license to operate.
As of 2025, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has rolled out some of the country’s most detailed packaging and labeling regulations. If you're in the business whether you're producing medical flower, selling adult-use vapes, or offering CBD tinctures your packaging decisions carry serious weight.
This guide breaks it all down. No filler. No guessing. Just the essentials every New York cannabis operator needs to stay compliant and competitive under OCM regulations.
More Than a Label: What the OCM Regulates in New York Cannabis
New York cannabis packaging rules aren’t just about what’s on the box they’re about what your brand communicates.
The OCM has made it clear: cannabis packaging must protect public health, prevent youth targeting, and promote environmental responsibility. That translates to three core expectations:
Safety: All cannabis products must be sold in child-resistant, tamper-evident, and fully sealed packaging.
Honesty: Labels must present clear, accurate cannabinoid content, usage instructions, and required warnings. Misleading claims or cartoonish branding? Not allowed.
Sustainability: Packaging must use at least 25% post-consumer recycled plastic, or opt for eco-friendly alternatives like biodegradable materials.
The OCM Packaging & Labeling Guidance outlines exactly what New York cannabis brands must follow.
Medical Cannabis: Accuracy Is Everything
Medical New York cannabis packaging comes with strict rules to ensure patient safety and product transparency. You’ll need to include expiration dates, dosing information, THC content (by volume and per dose), and clearly mark the product as "for medical use only."
But there's also a firm line between medical facts and marketing. OCM regulations prohibit any mention of specific medical conditions on packaging, and terms like “craft” or “organic” are off-limits unless certified.
Font size, legibility, and layout all matter especially for small containers. If needed, the OCM allows for layered or expandable labels to ensure all required information is visible.
For complete packaging requirements, see OCM Part 113 – Medical Cannabis Regulations.
Hemp Products: CBD Rules Are Tightening
Think CBD is less regulated? Not in New York cannabis law.
Whether you're selling cannabinoid hemp tinctures, gummies, or topicals, your packaging must comply with OCM Part 114 – Cannabinoid Hemp Regulations.
Key requirements include:
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A nutrition or supplement facts panel for orally consumed products (per 21 CFR §101)
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Ingredient lists ordered by weight
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Side effect warnings, expiration dates, and batch numbers
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A QR code linking directly to a Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
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Precise listing of CBD, THC (delta-8, 9, 10), and any other marketed cannabinoids in mg
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Only verified terms like “gluten-free” or “vegan” are allowed no greenwashing
Need a checklist? Use the official OCM Cannabinoid Hemp Product Labeling Guide.
Adult-Use Cannabis: High Scrutiny, Higher Standards
Adult-use New York cannabis products face the most intense packaging oversight in the state.
Packaging must be child-resistant and tamper-evident, but the scrutiny goes far beyond materials. Visual design plays a major role, and the OCM bans anything that might appeal to consumers under 21.
That means no neon colors, cartoons, toy imagery, or playful fonts. You can’t use terms like “candy” or display any depictions of cannabis use or paraphernalia.
Every adult-use product must also display:
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The universal cannabis symbol (not as a seal)
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Bolded cannabinoid content (mg/serving and mg/package)
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Total phytocannabinoids as a percentage by volume (for non-edibles)
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Ingredient list, allergens, and usage instructions
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Solvents used in manufacturing (if applicable)
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Nutritional facts or supplement info if applicable, per 21 C.F.R. §101.9 or §101.36
Details can’t be hidden in microtext labels; they must use at least a 6-point font, be in English, and remain visible throughout the package lifecycle. Full rules are outlined in OCM Part 128 – Adult-Use Packaging and Labeling.
Sustainability Isn’t a Trend, It’s an OCM Mandate
The OCM isn’t just encouraging eco-conscious packaging in the New York cannabis space, it’s writing it into law.
All plastic packaging must include at least 25% post-consumer recycled material, and brands are encouraged to consider biodegradable, reusable, or refillable alternatives to reduce waste and carbon footprint.
Eco-friendly practices don’t just keep you compliant, they help position your New York cannabis brand as forward-thinking and values-driven.
Final Thoughts: Stay Informed, Stay Ready
New York cannabis packaging regulations aren’t set in stone they’re constantly evolving. To stay ahead, your team has to be proactive: read every update, attend workshops, and evaluate every packaging choice with OCM compliance in mind.
In this industry, the difference between thriving and getting shut down can be as small as your font size.
Need help keeping up? Bookmark the OCM site, subscribe to regulatory bulletins, and check back here we cut through the noise and break it down clearly.
And now, with Flourish, staying compliant in New York’s tightly regulated market isn’t a chore it’s built right in. From automated label printing to integrated compliance checks, our software handles the details so you can focus on running and growing your business. Simple. Smart. Compliant by Design.
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