Illegal Cannabis Products Appeal to Children
Fake Dispensaries Endanger Children
Unregulated dispensaries and the black market products they carry avoid the legally mandated state regulated packaging and labeling restrictions which are built to block underage access.
These packaging rules aren’t cosmetic. They’re engineered to reduce youth appeal and accidental ingestion.
Additionally illegally operating retail stores are also not age restricted like licensed operators - so anyone at any age can go inside and purchase cannabis.
Since they don’t operate under any state restrictions, they do not have purchase limits, which means a child can purchase an unlimited amount, bypassing the daily limit enforced in legal dispensaries.
What Are the Regulations for Legal Packaging?
Legal cannabis adhere to these 5 primary regulations:
Child-Resistant: Legal products come in packages that resist opening by young children and show evidence if opened. Many states require resealable, child-resistant exit bags for multi-dose items.
Plain or Restricted Branding: Bans on cartoons, mascots, and candy-look-alike designs reduce appeal to minors. Licensed brands calibrate color, fonts, and imagery to comply with marketing restrictions.
Universal THC Symbols & Warnings: Standard icons and statements make risks clear. Edibles often carry per-serving potency and a total THC count to discourage overconsumption.
Batch/LOT Numbers + COA Access: The batch number ties your package to verifiable lab results. QR codes or links provide direct proof of testing.
Ingredients & Allergens: Gummies, chocolates, beverages, and tinctures list ingredients and potential allergens—critical for dietary needs and drug-interaction checks.
