Ever found yourself confused by a cannabis label? Understanding cannabis labels can be tricky, but we’re here to simplify it for you.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to read Missouri cannabis labels, so you can inform your next purchase!

What to Look for on Your Cannabis Labels

There’s a lot of information on a cannabis label but the most relevant elements for a casual consumer are the product details and potency. These details can give you an idea of how the product will affect you (you can find more on that here):

  • Product Type/Format: What form the cannabis takes (e.g., flower, edible).
  • Servings/Dose Per Package: How many doses are in the package.
  • Weight: The total weight of the product.
  • Product Name: The name of the product.
  • Potency Analysis: Will include information on the cannabinoids in the product, their strength, and terpenes.

How to read cannabis labels in Missouri.

Terms to Know on Your Cannabis Labels

You’ll see a handful of cannabinoids listed on your product label along with a number indicating the quantity of the cannabinoid in the product.

Here are the main cannabinoids to know:

  • THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol): Is the main cannabinoid responsible for the intoxicating effect (“high” feeling) of cannabis.
  • THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid): The non-psychoactive precursor to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound in cannabis responsible for its psychoactive effects. The amount of THCA listed is very important—this cannabinoid becomes THC when heated (more on that in a minute). So, if the THCA level is high, expect greater psychoactive effects, even if the THC level shown is low.
  • CBD (Cannabidiol): Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t produce a high or result in intoxication. However, it can still have effects on the body and brain.

How to Understand the Potency of Your Product

Now for the numbers! In Missouri, cannabis manufacturers have historically listed THC and CBD quantities as percentages—but labels will now list milligrams per gram (mg/g) as well.

The “right” product and potency level will vary by product and person, but here’s a general guide for gauging the strength of a product:

Potency levels
Moderate: 1 – 100 mg/g (0.1% – 10%) THC
Medium: 101 – 200 mg/g (10.1% – 20%) THC
Strong: 201 – 300 mg/g (20.1% – 30%) THC

Total THC: Converting THCA to THC

When you have a product with multiple cannabinoids, getting your total THC % will make it easier to compare different cannabis products. It just requires a little (simple) math.
First, you’ll need to convert your THCA to THC.

Here’s the formula: Total THC = (THCA x 0.877) + THC

  • THCA: The amount of THCA listed on the label.
  • 0.877: A conversion factor that accounts for the loss of a carboxyl group (CO2) during decarboxylation, since THC is about 87.7% the molecular weight of THCA.
  • THC: The amount of THC listed on the label.

Let’s say you have a cannabis product with the following label: THCA: 20%, THC: 1%

First, convert the percentages to their decimal form: THCA: 0.20, THC: 0.01

Use the formula: Total THC = (0.20 x 0.877) + 0.01 = 0.1854

To convert this back to a percentage, multiply by 100: 0.1854 x 100 = 18.54%

So, the total THC content in the product would be approximately 18.54%.

The More You Know

Deciphering cannabis labels can be easy when you know what to look for. With a solid grasp of THC, THCA, and potency measurements, you can confidently select products to meet your needs.

The more informed you are, the more enjoyable your cannabis experience will be—just remember that potency can vary significantly between refined concentrates, edibles, and unrefined flower.

Stay knowledgeable and happy exploring!