How to Read a Cannabis Label
THC, Total THC, CBD, net weight, packaged-on date and the warnings: a field-by-field guide to what a Canadian cannabis label tells you.
Tyler Lemieux
October 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Canadian cannabis labels pack a lot of information into a small space. Once you know what each field means, the label is the best tool you have for choosing a product and dosing it sensibly.
The cannabinoid numbers
This is the part that matters most.
For dried flower and pre-rolls
Flower shows cannabinoids as a percentage by weight, usually in two forms:
- THC: the THC that's already active in the product
- Total THC: the THC available once the product is heated (smoked or vaped)
Raw flower contains mostly THCA, which turns into THC with heat. That's why Total THC is usually much higher than plain THC. Total THC is the number to compare. The same goes for CBD and Total CBD.
A flower labelled Total THC 20% contains about 200 mg of THC per gram.
For edibles, drinks and capsules
These show milligrams, both per package and usually per unit, for example 10 mg THC per package, 2.5 mg per piece. That makes dosing far more precise. In Canada an edible package can't contain more than 10 mg of THC.
If you're new, look for 2.5 mg of THC or less per piece.
For vapes and concentrates
These are usually shown in mg per gram or mg per unit. Concentrates are much stronger than flower. A cartridge can easily be several times the THC concentration of a typical flower.
THC vs. CBD goes deeper on what the two cannabinoids do.
Other fields worth checking
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Product class | Dried cannabis, edible, extract, topical, etc. |
| Net weight or volume | How much product is in the package, which is useful for the 30-gram limit |
| Packaged-on date | Fresher is better, especially for flower and pre-rolls |
| Lot number | Identifies the batch |
| Terpenes (sometimes) | The main aromatic compounds, listed by some producers |
| Indica / sativa / hybrid (sometimes) | A rough growing category, not a reliable guide to effects. See Indica vs. Sativa |
The warnings
You'll usually see a health warning message in a highlighted box and a standardized cannabis symbol indicating the product contains THC. They're there to make cannabis products easy to recognize, which matters a lot when kids or guests are around.
Reading a label in 20 seconds
- What format is it? Inhaled acts in minutes; eaten acts in up to two hours.
- How much THC per unit or per gram? Lower is a better starting point.
- How much CBD? An equal or higher amount of CBD is a gentler choice.
- When was it packaged? Recent is better.
- How much is in the package? Useful for budgeting, dosing and possession limits.
Comparing products
When you're browsing online, look for listings that show THC and CBD for every product. Creator's Choice lists both on its flower, pre-roll and edible pages.
