Metrc can train you on the technical steps within Oklahoma’s new seed-to-sale. 

However, Metrc cannot train you to fit your business within the OMMA framework. Your business adapts to Metrc, Metrc does not adapt to you, and there will be gray areas in the regulations, your operations, and Metrc functionality. 

Here is an all-too-common theme: Ask Metrc how to accomplish a workflow with regulatory requirements → Metrc tells you to ask OMMA → OMMA, then copy/paste the regulations back to you. 

OMMA’s & Metrc’s responses are not helpful; you probably ask the question because you are studying the regulations. This is where RMCC steps in. RMCC interprets the gray areas between technology, OMMA regulations, and operations to help you adapt your business while utilizing seed-to-sale technology and staying compliant within the OMMA regulatory framework. 

Here are the common mistakes Oklahoma cannabis businesses made in April 2021 during the first onboarding on-to Metrc. 

1. Cannabis businesses relied too heavily on cannabis dispensary point of sale systems or cannabis ERP “automation.” In April 2021, RMCC advised clients to prepare at least 2 - 3 weeks before the go-live date and not rely on technology “automation.” Some clients did not head my counsel, resulting in Point-of-Sale systems saying 48 hours before the (then) deadline they are unable to accomplish the onboarding automatically through their system. 

2. Underestimating the number of hours it will take to implement Oklahoma seed to sale requirements. You should prepare 200-450 hours of labor depending on the number of products in each license. 

3. Inventory managers do not place the physical Metrc package tag with the physical inventory and label the Metrc package tag with the product naming convention. This is a crucial step for inventory cleanliness in your new Oklahoma seed-to-sale system. 

4. Inventory managers not physically counting and verifying Metrc to the third-party seed-to-sale system after onboarding on-to Metrc. The implementation process is only the beginning. Metrc is your seed-to-sale source of truth now. 

5. Transfers between cannabis businesses are now a bottleneck and will take 3 to 5 times to process shipments or intakes. This critical workflow is one area in your cannabis business you need to focus on now to have near-perfect accuracy for ongoing Metrc compliance. 

   
   

Per MJStack, an expert technology evaluation consulting company that provides free services to cannabis businesses, says Oklahoma growers, dispensaries, and processors can anticipate significant confusion in the attempt to learn a new seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system. MJStack recommends working with well-vetted cannabis software solutions that have ample experience in existing Metrc markets. The platform must also understand your team’s needs and how the Metrc-integrated tool helps with Metrc automation and compliance. MJStack cautions if you are looking to upgrade your current inventory system in preparation for Metrc adoption, to give your team at least 6 weeks to fully implement and learn the new platform so that your staff isn't learning how to use 2 new cannabis tracking systems at once. If you are looking for more assistance in evaluating your Metrc-integrated technology solution and technology stack, reach out to MJStack here. 

4 action items can you start today

1. Audit your data standardization within your cannabis dispensary point of sale systems, cannabis ERP, or cannabis seed-to-sale system. Download RMCC’s 38-page Oklahoma metrc guide on how Oklahoma’s seed-to-sale requirements will impact your operation. 

2. Analyze your current inventory to understand how your physical inventory and batches are stored. Consider “first in, first out,” separation of batches, and labeling of products. 

3. Strategize your Metrc package tag strategy with your team. Will you do batch tagging or serialization? There are pros and cons to both workflows. I foresee Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) will advise batch tagging in their OMMA Metrc Beginning Inventory Guide. However, within 3 - 4 years, OMMA will move to serialization. Each mature Metrc state eventually migrates from batch tagging to serialization. Each Metrc state, including Colorado MED, California DCC, Massachusetts CCC, and Michigan CRA have adapted new regulatory requirements to fit the serialization workflow. 

4. Start investigating, identifying, and analyzing how your third-party system will impact Metrc and modify internal documentation such as standard operating procedures or playbooks. Don’t know where to begin? Here is a workshop unpacking all the hidden secrets technology solutions won’t tell you about the lack of automation in their product. 

   
   

So, what’s going on in Oklahoma?

Is Metrc required in Oklahoma? As of Friday, 2/25, Metrc is now the seed-to-sale software in Oklahoma. 

The cannabis industry thought Oklahoma would stop Metrc by the Oklahoma Metrc lawsuit filed by Attorney Ron Durbin. He filed suit against OMMA’s implementation of the seed-to-sale system on behalf of several medical marijuana dispensaries, including Dr. Z Leaf. You can read Metrc’s update here. 

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