We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Strains & products
  • Industry
  • Growing
  • Health
  • Science & tech
  • Leafly USA
  • Podcasts
  • Learn
Politics

Houston, We Have a Labeling Problem

Sara DilleyPublished on July 6, 2015 · Last updated July 28, 2020

When you walk into a dispensary to purchase edibles, you expect the THC quantity advertised to be correct, right? Of course you do. Unfortunately, you might be wrong.

According to a study released by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), only 17% of 75 products tested were correctly labeled. Of those falsely labeled, 23% were under-labeled (less THC than advertised) and 60% were over-labeled (more THC than advertised). All products tested were acquired from medical dispensaries in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

When suppliers under-label their products, like some that advertised 100 milligrams (mg) THC but were tested and found to contain only 2-3 mgs each, it creates a real problem for patients. With less THC than advertised, patients are spending more without reason, and may not get the necessary relief of their symptoms. Over-labeling holds more potential danger as patients may accidentally ingest drastically higher quantities of THC than they anticipated. This could lead to a host of side effects including anxiety, paranoia, and even acute psychosis.

The medical industries in California and Washington have been under-regulated with little to no product testing enforcement, which is a departure from the tightly-regulated recreational industries in Colorado and Washington. This means that producers control labeling with little to no enforcement. We hope to see this change soon, as medical patients need protection, too.

We can’t stress enough how paramount it is to accurately label products in both the medical and recreational sectors. As the cannabis industry continues to grow, it’s crucial that products be correctly labeled and advertised. It’s dangerous to both consumers and patients to take more than the recommended dose of THC, and it’s wrong to overcharge them on a falsely advertised product.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
CaliforniadispensariesedibleshealthLab testingregulationsWashington
Sara Dilley
Sara Dilley
Sara is a photographer and photo editor.
View Sara Dilley's articles

The latest in Politics

  • How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products image
    How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products
    Leafly Staff
  • Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers image
    Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers
    David Downs
  • Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025 image
    Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025
    David Downs
  • Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0 image
    Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0
    David Downs
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.