The packaging of marijuana products provides a wide range of information to consumers, but deciphering cannabis labels isn’t always an easy task. One thing that makes understanding cannabis labels particularly challenging is the difference in how products are labeled in different regions of the United States. Varying degrees of legality, differences in compliance requirements, and even consumer preferences mean labels on cannabis products in one state won’t necessarily look like those in dispensaries across the country. For example, one thing that sets Massachusetts marijuana labels apart from other states that have legalized cannabis is that all product labels must include Total Active Cannabinoids. And what exactly are Total Active Cannabinoids you might ask?
Total Active Cannabinoids, or TAC, refers to the percentage of total cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, CBN, CBG and CBC in a product. So, for example, if a strain of cannabis is tested at 28% THC and 2% CBD, it would have a TAC of 30%. If an edible product contained 2% THC and 28% CBD, it would also have a TAC of 30%.
Cannabis plants contain over 500 chemical substances. Over 100 of these substances present in cannabis interact with the human endocannabinoid system and are known as cannabinoids. There are five main cannabinoids which are THC, CBD, CBN, CBG and CBC:
Marijuana and cannabis are often used interchangeably, but technically the parts of cannabis plants with high THC concentrations are marijuana. It’s also worth noting that not every cannabis plant will contain all the known cannabinoids.
The first two cannabinoids on our list are the cannabinoids that most people are familiar with. THC is the primary psychoactive component in marijuana. In other words, it’s what gets you high when smoking, vaping, or ingesting cannabis. Next on the list is CBD, which has grown considerably in popularity in America over recent years as a potential non-psychoactive pain reliever and anxiety reducer. Then we have CBN, which is increasingly popular in cannabis gummies because many consumers report finding them helpful for relaxation and sleep. And there’s CBG, often called the “Mother of All Cannabinoids” because it is the precursor to THC and CBD. Lastly there is CBC. CBC is like CBD in that some believe it works as a non-psychoactive inflammation treatment. However, others also have reported some unique properties such as being antibacterial and antifungal. Although CBC and CBD have the same molecular formula, their different molecular structures may be the cause of user reported distinctions.
The potential medical benefits of cannabinoids mentioned above are provided for informational purposes and do not constitute medical advice.
Cannabis product labels in Massachusetts are legally required to list the Total Active Cannabinoids or TAC. It’s important to keep this in mind when shopping for marijuana in MA as an out-of-state visitor. The potency percentage may seem inflated compared to what you’re familiar with back home, but it’s simply a different way to measure cannabis potency. In fact, measuring cannabis potency using TAC could be better since it considers the entourage effect of cannabinoids working together. However, it can also be misleading in some instances because TAC counts all cannabinoids equally, when THC is the only one that is psychoactive. Meaning two products with the same TAC could vary wildly in the intensity of high they offer consumers. Make sure to read labels closely and consume responsibly.
Planning a visit to Beantown or one of the surrounding communities in Massachusetts soon? Make sure to check out our Boston Cannabis Buying Guide and visit our High Profile dispensaries in the Boston area!
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