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Cannabis Products Lack Safety Labels, Use Kid-Friendly Packaging, Study Finds

A new study published in the  American Journal of Preventive Medicine  reveals that cannabis products sold in unlicensed retail shops often lack essential health and safety labels, and many feature colorful, cartoon-like packaging designed to attract children. The analysis compared 88 cannabis products from licensed and unlicensed New York City retailers and uncovered striking differences. Only about 1 in 30 of unlicensed cannabis products carried all six of New York State’s required health warnings and safety features, compared to roughly half of licensed products. Most unlicensed products did not list their THC potency, and nearly all provided no dosage guidance. “This study reveals a serious gap in regulation that puts consumers at risk,” said Dr. Ryan Sultan, a Columbia University  child psychiatrist  and co-author of the study, “We need coordinated action at both the state and federal levels to ensure cannabis product safety and to rein in misleading packaging.” By contrast, all licensed products in the sample disclosed THC content and about half included a standard dose indication. Many unlicensed packages even displayed official-looking symbols from other states, for example, California’s universal cannabis symbol, or included warnings about delayed effects meant for edibles, even when the product was not an edible. The researchers note that such mislabeling could give consumers a false sense of security about unregulated products. “Misleading or incomplete labels can lead to real harm, because consumers may not know what they’re actually getting,” said Dr. Tim Becker, Cornell  psychiatrist  and the study’s lead author. “It’s especially troubling to see how many products were clearly designed to catch the eye of kids or teens –that’s a public health concern we can’t ignore.” Another key finding was the prevalence of youth-oriented branding on cannabis packaging. Nearly all of products examined had elements likely to appeal to minors, such as bright, multicolored designs, playful fonts, or cartoon imagery. This trend was even more pronounced in unlicensed items: about 1 in 4 of unlicensed packages featured cartoon characters or graphics, versus 0% of licensed products. In New York, regulations prohibit marketing to minors, making these findings especially alarming. Cannabis use for minors has been associated with  depression ,  ADHD , and  anxiety . About Integrative Psychiatry  is a mental health practice led by Dr. Ryan Sultan. The clinic provides comprehensive psychiatric and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and adults, utilizing a holistic, evidence-based approach tailored to each individual’s unique needs. From  ADHD ,  anxiety , and  depression  treatment to  OCD ,  addiction , and  trauma  therapy, Integrative Psych’s multidisciplinary team provides personalized care to help clients achieve long-term well-being. Social Links LinkedIn Media Contact Full Name:  Ryan Sultan Title:  Integrative Psychiatrist Company Name:  Integrative Psychiatry of Manhattan Website:   https://www.integrative-psych.org