Starting in March 2025, cannabis retailers and delivery services across California will be required to display and provide a new Cannabis Health & Safety Brochure at the point of sale, offering consumers valuable information about the risks and implications of cannabis use. This initiative is part of Senate Bill 540 (SB 540), which was signed into law in 2023 to improve consumer education and enhance cannabis product safety through updated labelling and educational tools.

What’s in the Brochure?

The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has released a sneak peek of the upcoming brochure, which focuses on key areas of cannabis safety:

• High-Potency Products: The brochure warns consumers about the risks of higher-THC products, including their potential to increase dependency and adverse effects.
• Mental Health Risks: It addresses links between cannabis use and mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and more severe outcomes such as psychosis or suicide in some individuals.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: The brochure highlights the risks cannabis poses to developing babies and breastfeeding infants, urging pregnant and breastfeeding individuals to avoid use.
• Minors and Young Adults: Special attention is given to cannabis' potential long-term effects on brain development in individuals under 25.

Designed as a single-page document, the brochure offers concise, accessible information with sections like “Effects of Cannabis Use” and “Edibles: Start Low, Go Slow” to promote safer consumption practices.

Mandatory Display and Distribution

Retailers and delivery services must comply with the following requirements by March 1, 2025:

• Prominently display the brochure at physical and online points of sale.
• Offer a printed copy to all first-time customers.

This ensures that new and existing cannabis users have access to important safety information before making purchases.

Consumer Safety Meets Evolving Science

The educational brochure is one component of the broader changes introduced by SB 540, which also requires updated product labeling by July 1, 2025, to incorporate evolving scientific knowledge about cannabis risks. To maintain relevance, the brochure and labeling requirements will be reviewed and updated every five years starting in 2030.

By incorporating the latest research, California aims to empower consumers with accurate and actionable information, addressing gaps in public awareness about cannabis-related risks. The DCC, in consultation with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), will oversee these updates to ensure they reflect advancements in cannabis science and communication best practices.

A Public Health Milestone

California’s approach to cannabis regulation has long focused on balancing consumer access with safety and education. SB 540 builds on existing frameworks like Proposition 64 and the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) by emphasizing informed decision-making.

Designed to provide clear, usable information for seasoned cannabis consumers and those new to the space, this initiative ensures that every Californian has access to essential safety information. As the DCC prepares for full implementation, the Cannabis Health & Safety Brochure sets a precedent for consumer education in the cannabis industry.

Stay tuned for more updates as this law takes effect in 2025.