A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University has found that cannabis products sold in unlicensed retail shops across New York state often do not include required health and safety labels. The research also noted that many of these products use packaging with colorful, cartoon-like designs that may appeal to children and teenagers.
State law in New York prohibits the sale of cannabis in unlicensed shops and to individuals under 21 years old. Licensed retailers are mandated to provide clear information on product potency, quality, expiration dates, serving sizes, and health warnings. They are also barred from marketing cannabis for medical purposes or targeting minors.
“This study reveals a serious gap in regulation that puts consumers at risk,” said Ryan Sultán, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The increase in unlicensed cannabis retailers follows the broader legalization of cannabis. These outlets are less likely to comply with state regulations, resulting in more unregulated products available to consumers.
“Cannabis labels contain information and imagery that shape the appeal of these products and perceptions of risk,” Sultán added. “This is especially important given the high levels of THC contained in many products, which if not labeled clearly, could lead to unsafe use or sudden and long-term health effects.”
The Columbia team compared 88 cannabis products from both licensed and unlicensed retailers in New York City. The results showed significant differences between the two groups. Only about one out of every thirty unlicensed products had all six required health warnings and safety features mandated by the state; by comparison, about half of licensed products met this standard. Most unlicensed items did not indicate their THC potency or provide dosage guidance. All licensed samples disclosed THC content, with roughly half offering standard dose information.
Researchers also observed mislabeling among many unlicensed goods. Some packages used official-looking symbols from other states—such as California’s universal cannabis symbol—or included inappropriate warnings meant for edible items on non-edible products.
“Misleading or incomplete labels can lead to real harm, because consumers may not know what they’re actually getting,” said Timothy Becker, lead author of the study who was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia’s Department of Psychiatry and is now an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Packaging design was another area of concern identified by the researchers. Nearly all examined packages—from both licensed and unlicensed sources—used bright colors, playful fonts, or cartoon images likely to attract young people’s attention. About one quarter of packages from unlicensed shops featured cartoon characters or graphics; none from licensed shops did so.
“It’s especially troubling to see how many products were clearly designed to catch the eye of kids and teens—that’s a public health concern we can’t ignore,” Sultán said.
The findings were published online in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Authors included Timothy D. Becker, Peter J. Menzi, Mark Olfson, Polina Mosharova, Frances R. Levin, and Ryan S. Sultán—all affiliated with Columbia University—and funding came from grants provided by the National Institutes of Health (R25 MH125775) as well as support from the Koudijs family.
