How to Read a Cannabis Label: THC, CBD, Terpenes, and Testing Info

What Michigan labels include

Michigan requires specific information on cannabis packaging, and the Cannabis Regulatory Agency sets the exact list. You will commonly see:

• The product type, such as flower, concentrate, or edible
• THC and CBD content
• A batch or lot number
• The producer's information
• Warnings and advisories
• Net weight or serving size

If something you expect is missing, ask the budtender before you buy.

What does "total THC" mean?

Total THC counts the THC already in the product plus the THCA that turns into THC when it is heated. Flower and concentrates show it as a percentage of weight, and edibles show milligrams. A gram of flower at 18% total THC holds about 180 milligrams of THC, so a higher percentage means a stronger product.

Higher is not automatically better. Many people prefer a lower number because it is easier to manage, and the terpene profile shapes the experience too. The terpene guide explains how.

CBD and ratios

CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Traditional flower often has under 1% CBD, and some products are built around it. Labels may show total CBD, which counts CBD plus CBDA, or a THC to CBD ratio.

• High THC, low CBD: Stronger and more cerebral for many people.
• Balanced, around 1:1: Many people describe a gentler, more balanced feel.
• High CBD, low THC: Less intoxicating.
• CBD only: Not intoxicating.

CBD does not cancel out THC, but many people find it takes the edge off.

Terpenes on the label

Some labels print the top terpenes with percentages, and some link to a lab report with a QR code. The highest percentage is the dominant terpene. People often associate myrcene with a relaxed feel and limonene with a brighter one, but those are associations, not guarantees. If the label does not show terpenes, ask the budtender what information is available.

Testing information

Michigan requires products sold at licensed stores to be tested by state-licensed labs. Look for:

• The lab name that did the testing.
• The test date.
• The batch or lot number, which lets you trace the product and check for recalls. Keep your receipt.
• What was tested. Typical tests screen for potency, pesticides, microbials such as mold, heavy metals, and, for concentrates, leftover solvents.

Ask your budtender where to find the full results. Some packages have a QR code or a batch number you can look up.

Harvest and freshness

Flower may list a harvest or packaging date. Fresher is generally more pleasant. If there is no date, trust your nose. Flower that smells fresh and aromatic has been stored well, and flower that smells musty or flat has not.

What to look for by product type

• Flower: weight, total THC and CBD, terpene profile, harvest or package date, and testing information.
• Edibles: serving size, servings per package, total milligrams of THC, and ingredients and allergens. Michigan caps adult-use edibles at 10 mg of THC per serving, and a package can hold many servings (a gummy pack can carry up to 200 mg in total), so read both the per-piece and per-package numbers.
• Concentrates: total THC and CBD, the type (rosin, resin, distillate), terpene profile, weight, and testing information.
• Vaporizers: total milligrams of THC, the oil type, the terpene profile, and the hardware it fits.

Red flags

• No THC number, batch number, or testing information
• No producer or license information
• A label that looks handwritten, smudged, or unprofessional
• A potency number that seems impossible
• A package that is open, damaged, or not sealed
• Anything from an unlicensed source

A 30-second label check

1. Find the batch number and test date.
2. Read total THC and decide whether it suits you.
3. Look at the CBD number and the THC to CBD balance.
4. Check the terpenes for the aroma you like.
5. Check the harvest or package date.
6. Ask the budtender about anything unclear.

If you have a health question, talk to a healthcare provider. Olswell staff are not physicians.

Labels at Olswell

Olswell staff can walk you through a label at the counter, and the live menu shows product details before you visit. Inventory rotates by store, so check the store you plan to visit: Adrian, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, or Kalkaska. Orders are placed online and picked up in store, and they are held until the end of the business day.

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Sources: Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency.

Medical Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cannabis products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a healthcare provider before use.

Age Disclaimer: For adults 21 and older only. Must present valid government-issued photo ID. Please consume responsibly.