How to Understand THC, CBD and Other Cannabinoid Content on Product Labels

The amount of THC and CBD may be one of your top considerations when choosing cannabis products. While you may see some of the cannabis plant’s many cannabinoids referenced on product packaging, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and cannabidiol, or CBD, content must be listed, as these two cannabinoids are primarily responsible for the effects of cannabis.

Even though the information is there to help you make an informed decision, cannabis product labels can be difficult to understand. The THC and CBD content is listed in at least two ways:

1. the amount the product has when purchased 
2. the total amount the product has when it’s heated for consumption 

You’ll see this information represented as different units of measure depending on the product format.

So how do you know how much of each cannabinoid is in the product you’re buying? Read on to learn how to understand the THC and CBD content listed on cannabis product labels.

THC vs. Total THC and CBD vs. Total CBD

While Licensed Producers may call out the cannabinoid content per unit or using another measurement, you’ll always find the THC and CBD content expressed on a product label in at least two ways — as “THC” and “CBD,” and “total THC” and “total CBD.” It’s important to know the difference:

• “THC” and “CBD” refer to the quantity of active cannabinoids contained in the product as purchased. 
• “Total THC” and “total CBD” refer to the levels of active cannabinoids when the cannabis is prepared for consumption. The “total” cannabinoid content numbers are most helpful in predicting the potential potency the product may have when consumed. 

For dried cannabis, there will be a difference between these two content numbers, but for products like edibles or capsules, the numbers will typically be the same. Keep reading to learn why.

Not all cannabis has fully activated
cannabinoid content

Cannabinoids are activated by time and heat. During the drying process, some cannabinoids are activated, which is why dried flower contains a small amount of THC and CBD. Once it’s heated, however, the cannabinoids are activated and increase, allowing them to produce potential effects. This heating process is called decarboxylation. 

Dried flower and products intended for heating
For products that are meant to be heated before consumption, like dried flower, the first numbers (“THC” and “CBD”) will be considerably lower than the “total” numbers because they represent the inactive state of the purchased product. The “total” numbers represent the level of cannabinoids after they’ve been activated through decarboxylation — so, in the case of dried flower, once you’ve lit a joint or switched on your vaporizer.

Ingestible products
In ingestible products, like edibles and capsules, and vape carts filled with distillate, however, the cannabinoids have already been activated through processing and are ready for consumption, so both sets of numbers will typically be the same. (Vapes are not as straightforward: While the distillate in vapes has been fully decarboxylated, full-spectrum oil contains unactivated cannabinoids that will cause the numbers to vary.)

Cannabis oil
For extracts in packaging that dispenses a specific amount, such as an ingestible cannabis oil with a precise dropper or spray top, you’ll see “total THC per activation” and “total CBD per activation,” meaning how much is in each spray or drop.

Every format has its own unit of measure
for cannabinoid content

To ensure the cannabinoid content is listed precisely for each product, it is measured differently depending on the format. Dried flower, extracts, vape cartridges and ingestible oils list cannabinoid content in milligrams per milligram of product, while pre-roll, beverage, topical and capsule content is measured in the total cannabinoid content (in milligrams) per unit and/or per package.

You may also see a “less than” symbol (<) in front of a number — that just means the quantity of the cannabinoid detected in the product is so small it can’t be measured accurately.

Cannabinoid (THC and CBD) labelling guide
per cannabis format

To understand and compare the information on the different product formats, see the breakdown below. Knowing the difference between the numbers will help you understand and compare products, but be aware that cannabinoid content alone doesn’t equate to potential effects. The effects you may experience will vary, depending on variables such as the product category and method of consumption, as well as your genetic makeup, frequency of use, age, sex, current mood and any existing mental health conditions.

DRIED FLOWER

PRE-ROLLS

CAPSULES

INGESTIBLE OILS

CONCENTRATES (RESIN, ROSIN, SHATTER, WAX, HASH, KIEF & SIFT)

CANNABIS TOPICALS

EDIBLES

BEVERAGES

VAPE CARTRIDGES