Alaska-Specific Labeling Requirements

Every cannabis product sold at a licensed Alaska retail marijuana store must carry a label that meets the requirements set by the Marijuana Control Board (MCB) under 3 AAC 306. These regulations ensure consumers have complete information about what they are purchasing — from potency and origin to safety testing results. Alaska's labeling standards are among the most transparent in the nation, reflecting the state's commitment to consumer safety.

What's on an Alaska Cannabis Label

A compliant Alaska cannabis label must include the following information:

• Metrc tracking tag number — Every product carries a unique Metrc tag linking it to the state's seed-to-sale tracking system. This tag allows regulators and consumers to trace the product back through cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and distribution.
• THC and CBD content — For flower and concentrates, potency is expressed as a percentage of total weight. For edibles and tinctures, potency is listed in milligrams per serving and per package.
• Harvest or manufacture date — Indicates when the cannabis was harvested (for flower) or when the product was manufactured (for edibles, concentrates, and other processed products).
• Cultivator and/or manufacturer name — The licensed business that grew or produced the product. Because all Alaska cannabis businesses are 100% resident-owned, every brand on the label is a local Alaska company.
• Net weight or volume — The total amount of product in the package.
• Ingredient list — For manufactured products such as edibles and tinctures, all ingredients must be disclosed.
• Warning statements — Required health and safety warnings, including statements about keeping the product away from children, not driving while impaired, and potential health risks of cannabis use.
• Testing facility name — The licensed testing laboratory that analyzed the batch for potency and contaminants.
• License number — The producing establishment's AMCO license number.

The Metrc Tag: Alaska's Tracking Backbone

The Metrc tag is arguably the most important element on any Alaska cannabis label. Metrc (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance) is the state-mandated seed-to-sale tracking system that follows every cannabis plant from the moment it is tagged as a seedling through final retail sale. Every transfer between licensed facilities, every laboratory test, and every retail transaction is recorded in Metrc.

For consumers, the Metrc tag provides assurance that the product went through every required step — cultivation by a licensed grower, testing by an independent lab, and sale by a licensed retailer — all within Alaska's regulated supply chain.

How to Read Potency

Potency is the most important number for many consumers, but it is expressed differently depending on the product type:

Flower: THC Percentage

Flower labels show THC content as a percentage of the product's dry weight. A label reading "THC: 22%" means that 22% of the flower's weight is THC. For context, a 1-gram pre-roll at 22% THC contains approximately 220 mg of total THC, though not all of it is absorbed when smoked. Flower in Alaska typically ranges from 15% to 30% THC.

Edibles: Milligrams of THC

Edible labels list THC in milligrams per serving and per package. Alaska regulations cap edibles at 5 mg THC per serving and 50 mg THC per package — more conservative limits than many other legal states. A package of 10 gummies at 5 mg each equals 50 mg total. For new consumers, starting with a single 5 mg serving and waiting at least two hours is widely recommended.

Concentrates and Vape Cartridges

Concentrates typically list THC as a percentage (often 60%–90%+) and may also show total milligrams. A 0.5-gram cartridge at 80% THC contains approximately 400 mg of THC. Because concentrates are significantly more potent than flower, consumers should pay close attention to these numbers.

Terpene Profiles

Many Alaska cannabis labels now include terpene profiles — a breakdown of the aromatic compounds naturally present in the cannabis plant. Terpenes contribute to the flavor and aroma of cannabis and are believed to influence its effects through what researchers call the "entourage effect." Common terpenes include:

• Myrcene — Earthy, musky aroma. Associated with calming, relaxing effects.
• Limonene — Citrus scent. Associated with uplifting, mood-enhancing effects.
• Caryophyllene — Peppery, spicy aroma. The only terpene known to interact directly with the body's CB2 receptors.
• Pinene — Pine-like aroma. Associated with alertness and mental clarity.

For a complete guide to interpreting Certificates of Analysis and understanding potency data, see Reading Lab Results on TryCannabis.org.

Alaska requires all cannabis products to be labeled with Metrc tracking information, THC/CBD content, harvest or manufacture date, cultivator/manufacturer name, and required warnings under 3 AAC 306.

AMCO — 3 AAC 306 Cannabis Regulations