Colorado Cannabis Industry Adopts ‘Use-By’ Labeling Requirements

Graham Abbott

1 year ago

Colorado cannabis officials have adopted an industry regulations package that includes new cannabis storage requirements and “use-by” labels for cannabis product packaging.

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Officials with Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) have approved new rules for the state cannabis industry, including new “use-by” labeling requirements for cannabis products, according to a Cannabis Business Times report.

The regulations package, approved on December 1, also carries rules allowing for medical cannabis to be redesignated for circulation in the adult-use marketplace. The redesignation rule will take effect next month on January 1, 2023, while the new “use-by” package labeling requirements — which also includes new demands for cannabis product storage conditions — will take effect one year later, on January 1, 2024.

“Beginning January 1, 2024, all regulated marijuana products must be labeled with a use-by date and storage conditions prior to sale to a patient or
consumer. Licensees are encouraged to conduct shelf-stability testing to establish appropriate use-by dates for products, however, if a Licensee chooses not to conduct testing, a 9-month use-by date will apply.” — MED news release excerpt

The new regulations follow months of “extensive” engagement between MED representatives and cannabis industry stakeholders, according to the report.

“As in previous years, the MED tackled significant topics during this year’s rulemaking session. While much of the MED’s rulemaking is legislatively driven, we appreciate how the MED’s rulemaking design provides opportunities to hear from and collaborate with our diverse set of stakeholders,” MED Senior Director Dominique Mendiola said in a statement. “The significant contributions of our team and members of the public have been critical to informing both regulatory updates and improvements to existing rules and processes.”

The rules package also extends Colorado‘s cannabis social equity designations, addresses license transfers for cannabis delivery companies, boosts worker safety considerations, adds new security requirements amid an increase in cannabis industry burglaries, and more.

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