Why a Universal Symbol for Cannabis?

As individual U.S. states and the federal government approach full legalization of cannabis for adults, a universal symbol for cannabis products is essential to ensure the protection of public health and safety. In the absence of federal standardization, states have adopted widely differing regulations for cannabis product labeling and packaging.

A truly universal symbol on cannabis packages ensures that Americans of all ages and backgrounds can correctly identify and exercise caution with cannabis products, which is critical for preventing the accidental ingestion of cannabis by adults and children. Unfortunately, prior to 2022, there was no standard symbol for regulators to adopt, leading to a proliferation of ironically-named "universal" symbols in legalized jurisdictions around North America.

The International Intoxicating Cannabis Product Symbol (IICPS)

The need for a truly universal cannabis product symbol led David L. Nathan, MD and collaborator Eli Nathan to design the International Intoxicating Cannabis Product Symbol (IICPS) in 2021. The IICPS is a standardized, universal cannabis product symbol that was vetted and approved as consensus standard ASTM D8441 by ASTM International through a unanimous vote of over 200 international professionals and experts from the public and private sectors. In the United States of America, the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) mandates use of consensus standards, so the IICPS is poised to become the national cannabis product symbol of the United States when cannabis is legalized at the federal level.

The IICPS was first adopted by the state of Montana on January 1, 2022. Since then, New Jersey, Vermont, Minnesota and South Dakota have all incorporated the IICPS design into their state symbols, making the IICPS the most widely adopted cannabis product symbol in the United States. The U.S. federal government and several states have included the IICPS in proposed legislation and rulemaking, and it is currently under consideration in numerous jurisdictions.

Features of the IICPS (included in the infographic available for download below):

• Incorporates a cannabis leaf – the graphic element most associated with cannabis – into the internationally-compliant standard triangular caution sign (ISO 3864) using “Warning Signal Yellow” (ISO 3864-4/ANSI Z535.1, Pantone 109 C, Hex #ffd100) and a black border, creating an instantly familiar symbol for all cannabis product packages.
• Large leaf with well-separated leaflets remains clear at greatly reduced dimensions.
• Absence of text (e.g., “THC”) inside the triangle complies with existing international caution sign standards and avoids linguistic & jurisdictional ambiguity and prevents the need for future changes in the symbol as cannabis science and policy evolves.
• For all but the smallest containers, the recommended minimum width of the IICPS is 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).
• Multiple file formats (e.g., PDF, SVG, and PNG) are available in perpetuity for public use worldwide, royalty-free, and at no cost. The only stipulation to its use is that the symbol itself not be modified.
• Optional text under the IICPS enables authorities having jurisdiction to identify contents, regulatory jurisdiction, warnings, or other information.
• A yellow outline is added when the IICPS is used against a dark background.

Comparison of All Cannabis Product Symbols Currently in Use
(as of April 2025)