New York Cannabis Packaging Guide
New York's OCM enforces strict packaging rules including a 25% PCR plastic mandate for standard licenses, QR codes linking to Certificate of Analysis, rotating health warnings, and significant design restrictions. PLMA Regulations adopted Dec. 2025 with six-month transition through June 2026.
Packaging Requirements
New York Compliance Rules
Physical Packaging
- Child-resistant: Must meet federal Poison Prevention Packaging Standards (16 CFR §1700.15 and §1700.20). Retain certificate of compliance from supplier.
- Tamper-evident: Packaging must clearly show if it has been opened
- Fully sealed: Product must be fully enclosed and sealed before sale
- Resealable: Multi-serving products must be resealable
- No harmful materials: Packaging materials may not impart harmful substances to product
- 25% PCR plastic mandate: Required when converting conditional license to standard license
- Sustainability reporting: Environmental Sustainability Packaging Program required; annual metrics reporting begins after Dec. 31, 2025
Labeling Requirements
- Universal cannabis symbol: OCM-approved symbol — Square (min 1.25" height), Vertical (min 0.5" width), or Horizontal (min 0.5" height). Upper left area within top 25% of visible space.
- THC content: Milligrams per single serving and per total package of total THC (THC + (THCA × 0.877))
- CBD content: Milligrams per single serving and per total package of total CBD (CBD + (CBDA × 0.877))
- QR code: Linking to Certificate of Analysis — REQUIRED
- Rotating health warnings: Randomly distributed so each warning appears on approximately equal numbers of labels
- Processor information: Identification, license number, and contact information
- Lot/batch number, ingredients list, expiration date, storage conditions
- Minimum 6-point font. All required labeling must be in English.
Design Restrictions — Strictest in Northeast
No neon colors, cartoons, bubble letters, toy imagery, or playful fonts. Words "candy" or "kandy" prohibited unless it is a specific cultivar name. No medical claims — terms like "craft" or "organic" prohibited unless certified. No depictions of cannabis use or product consumption. Type 3 Branding License ($2,000) allows white-label packaging without owning a processing facility.
THC Limits
Cannabinoid hemp edibles: 1 mg THC per serving, 10 mg per package (15:1 ratio). Adult-use edibles: Per OCM product category guidelines.
For New York Operators
Compliant Products
Every order ships with compliance documentation for your state. These products meet New York's packaging requirements.
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Factory-direct, OCM-compliant packaging for New York operators. Compliance documentation ships with every order.
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