When they hit shelves later this year, legal cannabis products in New York can’t be labeled “organic.” Advertising is allowed, but actors can’t be under age 25, and terms like “chronic” and “sticky buds” are explicitly barred. Branded apparel is fine, but only in adult sizes.

And the use of mascots? Banned.

What You Need To Know

  • The Cannabis Control Board advanced a detailed set of regulations related to the packaging, labeling and marketing of cannabis products

  • Many rules are aimed at protecting minors, including child-resistant packaging and a ban on advertising near schools and playgrounds

  • Products must be labeled with a new universal symbol and information on potency, ingredients and usage instructions
  • The state expects the first legally licensed dispensaries to be up and running by the end of the year

The state’s Cannabis Control Board released a detailed set of industry rules and regulations Wednesday, designed to tightly control the packaging, labeling and marketing of legal cannabis once it becomes more widely available later this year.

The rules are largely aimed at protecting consumer safety and keeping cannabis out of the hands of minors. In addition to child-resistant packaging, the industry must take pains to target only adults with its products, which cannot be made “attractive” to children. 

The rules go into some detail over what “attractive” might entail when it comes to packaging and advertising, like the use of cartoons, toys or candy – including, per the regulations, variants in spelling like “kandy” or “kandeez.”

Billboard advertising is also prohibited, and ads cannot be placed within 500 feet of a school, playground, park or library.

“The first goal is to maintain safety and quality,” said Lyla Hunt, deputy director for public health and campaigns at the Office of Cannabis Management. 

“The second goal,” she told cannabis board members, “is to inform consumers about what it is they’re consuming.”

To that end, products must be labeled with a new universal symbol developed by state officials and detailed information relating to potency, ingredients and usage instructions.

Prominent warnings are also required, including a notice on edibles that “effects of this product may be delayed by four or more hours.”

New York officials said the rules were developed in consultation with other states that have legalized adult-use marijuana.

Regulations “were crafted based on numerous discussions with subject-matter experts in those states,” Hunt said, “building off of best practice and lessons learned over many years.”

The regulations will now undergo a 60-day public comment period before they are finalized.

State cannabis officials have said they intend for the first adult-use cannabis dispensaries to open by the end of the year.