- California’s AB 2249 prohibits cannabis packaging that appeals to minors and sets some specific requirements for brands to follow.
- The new packaging laws take effect in 2028, but brands should begin preparing for compliance now.
The recreational cannabis space continues to evolve in California, with Governor Newsom signing AB 2249 into law back in August. The new legislation creates stricter rules aimed at ensuring cannabis doesn’t have “youth appeal.”
In the case of this bill, “youth” is defined as anyone under the age of 21. It prohibits the use of cartoons, depictions of underage folks, mythical or legendary characters like “unicorns, wizards, or dragons,” images of products typically marketed to children, like candy, certain typography styles associated with products aimed at kids, or celebrities primarily associated with media for minors.
