Part 1: Adapting to Metrc's Seed-to-Sale for Growers

In this 4-part series, RMCC’s CEO, BriAnne will deconstruct the most common Metrc challenges, mistakes, and frequently asked questions by operation-type. 

Each installment will provide actionable tasks and tools to implement into your cannabis business immediately. 

Metrc is the leading state seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system for regulators. 

The following states and regulating bodies currently utilize or will implement Metrc: 

• Alaska's Marijuana Control Board

• California's Department of Cannabis Control

• Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division

• District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA)

• Lousiana's Board of Pharmacy

• Maine's Office of Marijuana Policy

• Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission

• Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

• Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency

• Missouri’s Medical Marijuana Regulatory Program

• Montana Cannabis Control Division

• New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission

• Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board

• Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program

• Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority

• Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

• West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis

Metrc is not your financial software, cannabis ERP, or cannabis dispensary point-of-sale software. Metrc is a tool for regulators to have full transparency into your cannabis business. The state-mandated cannabis tracking software is now the source-of-truth for every activity completed within your cannabis operations from seed-to-sale. 

There are no “guardrails”, “safety nets”, or “safeguards” within Franwell’s Metrc.

If an action occurred within your licensed cannabis operation, the regulators expect you to report the workflow. 

Here are common Metrc mistakes and how to overcome them for growers 

1. The lack of compliantly recording cannabis waste and making the green waste unsable and unrecognizable. 

2. The failure to attach a Metrc Plant UID Tag at the base of each teenage or flowering plant.

3. The failure to maintain compliant batches and heights by growth phase. 

4. Not reconciling physical plants to Metrc within 30 calendar days.

5. Compounding entry errors and improper Metrc training causing the failure of the cannabis business to compliantly correct discrepancies immediately upon identifying the human error. 

Start here 👇🏼

Step #1: Look at your data. Standardize your strains, varieties, batches, and product types. Here is a data standardization guide to get you started. 

Step #2: Begin documenting the logs you currently have and if they satisfy each Metrc touchpoint. You always want a contingency plan or “crash kit” to stay operational if Metrc or your seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system goes down. 

Step #3: Always validate your entries into Metrc. You need  to consider the additional costs of these entry error mistakes such as additional labor and supplies. Rework means you are using more plant tags, time away from other work, and more labor to correct issues.

This is Part 1 of a 4-part series. View the other installments here: 

• Part 2: Adapting to Metrc's Seed-to-Sale for Dispensaries

• Part 3: Adapting to Metrc’s Seed-to-Sale for Extractors & Edible Makers

• Part 4: Adapting to Metrc’s Seed-to-Sale for Transporters & Distributors

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