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

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

What is the difference between batch tagging and serialization? 

“Batch tagging” while moving downstream is lassoing multiple containers under one tag. 

The term “batch” is a challenging naming convention in Metrc. This is due to the following batch requirements: 

1. Harvest Batch 

2. Manicure Batch 

3. Production Batch 

4. Testing Lot 

All these “batch” or “lot” terms have different meanings. 

While “serialization” is placing one Metrc tag on each individual case or container. 

Clients have said BriAnne “sees the tea leaves in cannabis compliance” because she has seen every Metrc state eventually migrates to serialization tagging by case as the market matures. 

Overall, serialization will take more labor cost. However, in the long run it will be easier to manage inventory cycle counts, rejection flows, and product recalls. 

BOTTLENECKS IN THE CALIFORNIA SUPPLY CHAIN ARE OCCURRING BECAUSE THE TRANSFERS API ROUTE IS INACCESSIBLE.

The lack of an open Transfers API route within METRC will affect every single licensee in the supply chain. At California’s scale and volume of transactions, it is imperative that this API route opens up for the success of the California market on METRC. 

Be warned - Any technology solution that is overselling stating they have automated the building of the METRC manifest is not telling the truth. There are some other available system features to help facilitate this, however, the actual building of the manifest is not automated for anyone in California. Learn more on what API questions to ask Third Party Technology Solutions in this short 5-minute video. 

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

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

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

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

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