How to Read a Cannabis Product Label: Lab Results, Potency, and More

## The Short Answer A regulated cannabis product label contains more information than most consumers know how to parse. For adults 21 and older, the key fields are: licensed producer, batch number, cannabinoid content (THC and CBD), serving size, total servings, testing date, and the COA (Certificate of Analysis) reference. Reading these properly is the difference between informed consumption and guessing. ## The Required Fields (New York) New York regulated cannabis products carry: **Licensed producer and license number.** Verifies the product came from a licensed cultivator/processor. **Product type and strain name.** "Flower / Blue Dream" or "Edible / 1:1 Gummy." **Cannabinoid content.** For flower: THC percent of dry weight. For edibles: milligrams per serving and per package. New York caps single-serving edibles at 10 mg THC; packages are capped at 100 mg total. **Batch number.** Links back to the COA for that production run. **Manufacturing and expiration dates.** Cannabinoids degrade over time; expiration matters. **Warnings.** Standard language on intoxication, driving, pregnancy, and 21+ access. **OCM QR code.** Scan to verify the retailer and product are licensed. ## Reading a Flower Label Key numbers: - **Total THC percent** (on a dry-weight basis). 15-30% is typical for modern flower. - **Total cannabinoids percent.** The sum of all measured cannabinoids; a useful indicator of product complexity. - **Weight.** Common sizes: 1g (half-eighth), 3.5g (eighth), 7g (quarter), 14g (half-ounce), 28g (ounce). Eighths are the most common unit. - **Test date.** Fresh flower tests better; product sitting on a shelf for months may show lower terpene counts than listed. ## Reading an Edible Label Edibles use milligrams, not percentages: - **Per serving.** New York standard: 10 mg THC max per serving. - **Per package.** Standard: 100 mg THC max per package. - **CBD content** (if applicable). - **Serving size.** "Half a gummy" or "one chocolate square", read this carefully. ## The COA (Certificate of Analysis) The COA is the lab report. It shows: - Cannabinoid profile (all detected cannabinoids, not just THC/CBD). - Terpene profile (on premium products). - Microbiological testing (no mold, yeast, bacteria). - Pesticide screening. - Residual solvents (for concentrates). - Heavy metals. COAs are accessible via the QR code on the package, the licensed producer's website, or by asking at the dispensary. If a product's COA is not available, consider whether the product is truly licensed. ## What's Not on the Label Things labels do not tell you: - How the product will feel for you specifically. Individual response varies. - Whether THC percent correlates with quality (it does not, past a certain point). - Terpene content (on many products, especially lower-tier ones). - Harvest date (usually only manufacturing date). ## Compliance - **21+ only.** Verify the retailer via the OCM QR code at [cannabis.ny.gov](https://cannabis.ny.gov). - **Read the serving size.** 10 mg per serving means half a gummy might be 5 mg, one gummy 10 mg. - **Keep packaging until finished.** The label is your dosing reference. ## Where to Go Next Related reading: [cannabis terminology 101](/blog/cannabis-terminology-101-a-glossary-of-terms-every-consumer-should-know), [edibles 101](/blog/edibles-101-how-they-work-dosing-tips-and-what-to-expect), and [how to choose quality cannabis flower](/blog/how-to-choose-quality-cannabis-flower-what-to-look-for). --- *This article is consumer education for adults 21+. Nothing here is medical, legal, or financial advice. Cannabis laws vary by state, always verify your state's current rules and, for health questions, consult a licensed clinician. For regulated New York retail, verify licensing via the OCM QR-code system at [cannabis.ny.gov](https://cannabis.ny.gov).*