Public Health Code Statutory Definition

Michigan adopted the then federal spelling of marihuana as the herb’s statutory definition in the state’s Public Health Code. To change the spelling would have required the Michigan Legislature to pass an act allowing the official spelling of marihuana on Michigan statutes to be changed from ‘marihuana’ to ‘marijuana’. All legal references to and communications about the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, the Michigan Medical Facilities Licensing Act or the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act are required to be spelled ‘marihuana’ by state law.

Michigan’s Official Universal Symbol For Marihuana Products

Michigan has also come up with an official marihuana symbol that’s to be displayed on all state-licensed marihuana products. Established under Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, the symbol they developed consists of a green triangle turned upside with a green background. In the middle of the triangle, there’s a marijuana plant. The words “marihuana product” have to be displayed prominently above the triangle. This universal symbol, which looks similar to the biohazard symbol, must be placed on the label of all marihuana products containing THC that’s sold in Michigan. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the biological compound in marihuana plants that produce psychoactive effects.

A Generic Caution Symbol

Any symbol that is surrounded by a triangle is a generic caution symbol. Like the high voltage symbol, Michigan’s marihuana products universal symbol is designed to alert people that the product can be potentially dangerous to children and others and they should stay away from it. Understanding that products containing THC can be dangerous to some, it is appropriate for the state of Michigan to label products with THC with a symbol that will get their attention and warn consumers that it is necessary to act responsibly when storing the product so it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

More Labeling Details

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has also released other details about the labeling of medical marihuana products. Items containing medical marihuana that are produced in accordance with Michigan’s “Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act” most have some important information on the label in order for them to be in compliance with state laws regarding marihuana. Before marihuana products can be sold or transferred to a provisioning center, the bag or container in which the marihuana product is held must be sealed and have a label with several important pieces of information. The things that must be on the label are:

1. The Date Of Harvest
2. The Licensee’s Name
3. The Producer And Packager’s License Number
4. The Statewide Monitoring System’s Assigned Tag Or Source Number
5. The Package Or Harvest’s Unique Identification Number, If Applicable
6. The Name Of The Strain
7. The Package’s Net Weight And CBD Or THC Concentration
8. The Activation Time Expressed Through A Pictogram Or In Words
9. The Safety Compliance Facility Where Tests Were Performed’s Name
10. The Batch Number Associated With Any Test That Were Done
11. The Date Of Any Test Analysis
12. The Following Warning: “For use by registered qualifying patients only. Keep out of reach of children. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marihuana.”
13. The State’s Marihuana Universal Symbol

Plants or products that do not meet the MMFLA’s definition of “marihuana” do not need to have the universal symbol on their package.

Some Michigan Marihuana Labeling Basics

Michigan has not yet finalized all the rules and regulations governing the labeling of marihuana and marihuana-infused products. However, the state has released some important labeling related information designed to protect the consumer. Proper labeling of all marihuana products is required to be in compliance with Michigan’s laws for selling legalized marihuana products. All marihuana product packaging must have labels that are the appropriate size and have the precise text and images required by Michigan regulations for medical and recreational marihuana related products.

Important Marihuana Packaging Rules

Companies processing and packaging edible marihuana products have to comply with several very specific rules. The packaged edible marihuana product must not have the shape, color, or label that would make it appealing to children 17 years of age or younger. The packaging of edible marihuana products may not have colors, shapes or designs that can be or are associated with cartoons, caricatures and toys. Edible marihuana product packaging must not have markings that will cause them to be easily confused with candy. The word candy or candies cannot be used anywhere on the packaging or labeling of edible marihuana products.

The Legally Required Edible Marihuana Packaging

In order to be in compliance with the marihuana packaging laws in Michigan, all edible marihuana products have to be sold in packages and containers that are child resistant. All edible marihuana products must have a stable shelf-life. The safety of the packaged edible marihuana product must not require temperature or time controls.

These are just a few of Michigan’s important edible marihuana packaging regulations.