Washington Labeling Requirements

Washington's cannabis labeling rules are established by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) under WAC 314-55. Every product sold at a licensed retail store must carry a label that provides consumers with accurate, verified information about what they are purchasing. Because Washington separates producer, processor, and retail licenses — with no vertical integration allowed — the label serves as the primary link between the consumer and the supply chain behind the product.

What's on a Washington Cannabis Label

A WSLCB-compliant cannabis label includes:

• THC and CBD content — Potency expressed as a percentage (flower, concentrates) or in milligrams per serving and per package (edibles, tinctures, beverages). This is the single most important number for dosing decisions.
• Harvest date — New rulemaking is adding harvest date labeling requirements, giving consumers transparency into when the cannabis was harvested. This helps consumers assess product freshness, particularly for flower.
• Traceability lot number — A unique identifier linking the product to Washington's seed-to-sale traceability system. This system tracks every plant from cultivation through processing, testing, and retail sale, enabling full supply chain accountability.
• Net weight or volume — The total amount of product in the package.
• Ingredient list — Required for manufactured products such as edibles, tinctures, and beverages. All ingredients, including cannabis-derived ingredients, must be listed.
• Producer and processor information — The names and license numbers of the producer (grower) and processor (manufacturer). Because Washington bans vertical integration, the producer and retailer are always different entities.
• Warning statements — Legally required health and safety warnings, including keeping the product away from children, not operating vehicles while impaired, and that cannabis is for adult use (21+).
• Universal symbol — The WSLCB-mandated universal cannabis symbol, making it immediately identifiable as a regulated product.

How to Read Potency

Potency is expressed differently depending on the product type. Understanding these numbers is essential for proper dosing — especially for consumers new to cannabis.

Flower: THC Percentage

Flower labels show THC content as a percentage of the product's dry weight. A label reading "THC: 22%" means that 22% of the flower's weight is THC. For context, a 1-gram pre-roll at 22% THC contains approximately 220 mg of total THC, though not all of it is absorbed when smoked. Flower in Washington typically ranges from 15% to 30% THC.

Edibles and Beverages: Milligrams of THC

Edible and beverage labels list THC in milligrams per serving and milligrams per package. Washington sets recreational limits at 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package. Always check both numbers to understand total potency. New consumers should start with 2.5 to 5 mg of THC — well below a full serving.

Concentrates and Vape Cartridges

Concentrates list THC as a percentage (often 60%–90%+) and may also show total milligrams. A 0.5-gram cartridge at 85% THC contains approximately 425 mg of THC. These products deliver significantly more THC per dose than flower and should be approached with caution by new consumers.

Tinctures: Milligrams per Dropper

Tincture labels list THC and/or CBD in milligrams per dropper (or per mL) and per bottle. Tinctures allow precise, incremental dosing — easy to increase by small amounts over time.

The Traceability System

Washington operates a comprehensive seed-to-sale traceability system that tracks every cannabis plant from the moment it is started through cultivation, harvest, processing, testing, and retail sale. Every product on a dispensary shelf can be traced back to the specific producer, harvest batch, processor, and laboratory that tested it.

The traceability lot number on the label is the consumer-facing element of this system. If a safety issue is ever identified with a product — such as a failed lab test or contamination — the traceability system allows the WSLCB to identify and recall all affected products across every retail store in the state.

Terpene Profiles

Many Washington producers and processors include terpene information on their labels. Terpenes are aromatic compounds in the cannabis plant that contribute to flavor, aroma, and potentially to therapeutic effects. Common terpenes include:

• Myrcene — Earthy, musky aroma. The most abundant terpene in cannabis.
• Limonene — Citrus scent. Associated with uplifting properties.
• Caryophyllene — Peppery, spicy aroma. The only terpene known to interact directly with CB2 receptors.
• Linalool — Floral, lavender-like scent. Associated with calming properties.
• Pinene — Pine-like aroma. Associated with alertness and mental clarity.

Medical vs. Recreational Labels

Medical products sold to patients with a recognition card carry additional labeling. Higher-potency, DOH-compliant products available to medical patients may exceed the standard recreational limits of 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package. These products are clearly marked and may only be sold to verified medical patients at medically endorsed retail stores.

Child-Resistant Packaging

WSLCB rules require all cannabis products to be sold in child-resistant, tamper-evident packaging that is not attractive to children. These requirements mirror federal standards for child-resistant medication packaging and are enforced through retail compliance checks.

The 37% Excise Tax on the Label

Washington levies a 37% excise tax on all retail cannabis sales. This tax is built into the retail price — it is not added at the register. When comparing prices between products or stores, the excise tax is already reflected in the posted price. Medical patients with a valid recognition card are exempt from both excise and sales tax.

For a complete guide to interpreting Certificates of Analysis and understanding potency data, see Reading Lab Results on TryCannabis.org.

WAC 314-55 governs labeling, packaging, and traceability requirements for all cannabis products in Washington. WSLCB is implementing new harvest date labeling rulemaking. The seed-to-sale traceability system tracks all products from cultivation through retail sale.

Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board