Cannabis: labels, packaging, and advertising

California sets detailed child-appeal standards for cannabis packaging, labels, and advertising starting January 1, 2028.

The law clarifies what makes cannabis products attractive to people under 21 and gives licensees tools to check compliance before selling products.

What the law does

Defines child-attractive designs to include cartoons, youth-associated celebrities and brands, child-oriented fantasy characters, candy imagery and terms, and certain childlike fonts.
Bars cannabis packaging and labels from imitating or closely resembling noncannabis products primarily marketed to children.
Prohibits cartoon or overly stylized fruit depictions on edible cannabis product and vape cartridge labels, while allowing realistic fruit images that identify ingredients or production regions.
Authorizes the Department of Cannabis Control to regulate additional packaging, labeling, or product characteristics posing heightened risks to children.
Requires the department to provide voluntary compliance-assessment resources, which may include automated advisory tools, guidance, and examples.

Licensed cannabis businesses, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
Producers of edible cannabis products and vape cartridges.
The Department of Cannabis Control.

The automated compliance tool's results are advisory and are not final department decisions.