A Complete Guide to Metrc Tags: All You Need to Know

Do you operate your cannabis business in a state that uses Metrc's track and trace system? If so, you'll have to deal with Metrc tags. But what are they used for? What do they look like?

Since Metrc tags are an integral part of cannabis compliance workflows in states that use Metrc for their track and trace needs, new operators and their workers should equip themselves with extensive knowledge on this topic.

Are you new to the cannabis business world? Do you need to ensure compliance with state regulations and want to make sure your employees are educated on Metrc tags? You've come to the right place!

Below is a comprehensive guide to Metrc tags specifically designed to help you understand what they are, how they work, their importance to your cannabis business, and more. Keep reading!

Introduction to Metrc Track and Trace

Let's start with the good news: more and more states are joining the cannabis industry! This will bring many opportunities for businesses like yours but also means that keeping track of compliance requirements can become more challenging.

Many of these states have chosen Metrc, which stands for Marijuana Enforcement, Tracking, Reporting & Compliance, as their primary track-and-trace solution for the cannabis industry.

This state-mandated software can track the cannabis supply chain from seed to sale. As such, Metrc has been designed for regulators, not operators. That doesn't mean you can't benefit from this system, though. Actually, it's essential to remain compliant. You'll need other tools to streamline your day-to-day operations.

Metrc offers state regulators access to a traceable history of every cannabis product sold in their jurisdiction. For operators, it's mandatory to use this system to track and report their activities in this industry, from cultivation or production to sales.

In other words, you'll be 100% responsible for meeting your state's regulatory and reporting requirements if you're a cannabis business owner.

Which States Use Metrc?

The following states use Metrc as their seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system:

Keep in mind that Metrc is adaptable to states' unique regulatory environments, so each one may have specific requirements and different workflows.

What Are Metrc Tags?

Now that you've learned more about Metrc, it's time to delve into another essential element in this industry: the Metrc tag.

As mentioned before, Metrc tracks and traces each cannabis plant and product in a state—from cultivation to distribution or sale. But how does it do this?

On paper, tracking every item seems simple, but in practice, it’s much more complex. That’s where Metrc tags come in.

Metrc uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to monitor items in real time. These tags are essential for staying compliant with your state's reporting and traceability rules. Operators must attach a Metrc tag to each plant and to product packages (or groups of them). Each tag includes a barcode with a unique identification number (UID) that links directly to your facility’s inventory in Metrc.

With so many tags in a facility, scanning the barcode ensures you're updating the correct item in the system, whether you’re making adjustments, transferring inventory, or preparing for audits.

Now, let's break down how Metrc tags actually work.

Each tag contains an electronic chip that holds encrypted data about the plant or product it’s attached to. When scanned, this data is made visible to inventory managers and regulators during inspections.

To read this data, a Metrc tag scanner is used. These handheld devices emit radio waves that activate the chip, allowing it to transmit its information. That information is then sent to Metrc’s centralized database, where it’s logged and analyzed to track product movement and confirm authenticity.

Since each Metrc tag has a unique identifier, they can only be used once. This makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit tags or manipulate inventory records, which is exactly what regulators want to see.

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What Kind of Metrc Tags Are There?

As mentioned, each state can set slightly different reporting and tracking regulations, even if they have all implemented Metrc. Does this mean that their Metrc tags will be different, too?

Excellent question! And this guide will also answer this.

Metrc tags have different "parts," which are sections with specific details, such as the operator's license number and the application identifier. The location of each piece of information may vary across states.

This means that a Metrc tag in Alabama won't necessarily look the same as one in California or Louisiana. In each state, tags may be slightly different.

However, across most states, Metrc tags typically fall into two categories: plant and package.

Metrc plant tags: They're attached to plants and allow you to trace the ones used to create a product.
Metrc package tags: They're attached to packages, which are containers that hold products from the same lot or groups of multiple containers that hold a single product and have unique identification numbers (UIDs). To ensure Metrc compliance, dispensaries must attach one of these stickers to each unique product package.

Metrc Tags: Plant vs. Package

Both types are similar in several aspects, including the following:

Metrc tags can only be used once, which means they cannot be reused or recycled.
Metrc tags contain barcodes that help designate which plant or product you are working with
Cannabis operators cannot create their own tags. Instead, they must order and purchase them directly from Metrc in order to remain compliant.
Plant and package tags often display similar information, including a 24-digit unique identification number (UID), the facility's name and license number, medical or retail designation, and tag order date.
Metrc RFID tags are color-coded in yellow for medical cannabis and blue for retail or recreational licenses.

There are some differences between both types of Metrc tags, too. These are the most important ones:

Metrc Plant Tags

These tags are used to track cannabis plants from seed to sale.
Metrc plant tags are typically used by cultivators. However, other parties, such as dispensaries, must use them if they grow plants or seedlings for sale.
These tags are attached to plants in the early stages when they're still immature but stay with them throughout the entire growth cycle.
Metrc plant tags allow you to trace plants back to the location they came from at any point in the production cycle.

Metrc Package Tags

These tags are used to track cannabis products and packages once they're finished, so they're assigned after harvest.
Metrc package tags record the history of an inventory batch from end to end, so they contain information about different processes, including testing, adjustments, transfers, contamination, and package creation. As such, they aren't the same as SKU numbers or product barcode labels.
These tags are attached to packages that contain only one type of product.
Metrc package tags are physical stickers with perforations and two portions (top and bottom). Each portion has the UID printed on it. While the larger one (top) is attached to the package, the small one (bottom) is attached to the retail container or manifest paperwork.
While dispensaries typically receive packages with these stickers on, they may still need to order their own package tags if they're required to create child packages from existing ones (split-lotting) for certain workflow scenarios. Some examples may include transfers of packages out of stores with historical sales against them or transactions that involve accepting inventory into one store before distributing a portion of it to another store.

Where Do You Buy Metrc Tags?

Do you feel like you know enough information about Metrc tags? Are you ready to order yours? Here's everything you need to know before doing so.

First, keep in mind that both plant and package tags can only be ordered and purchased from Metrc directly. As mentioned before, you cannot create your own.

To order Metrc tags, your designated Metrc account manager must follow these steps:

Log in to Metrc
Click on "Admin" in the top navigation bar
Click on the "Tag Orders" button
Open the "Current" tab
Go to "New Tag Order"
Fill in all blank fields
Click on "Place Order"
Mark the order as "Received" once you receive your tag shipment to activate them

Make sure to order tags before running out of them! If you don't have enough, you won't be able to package or transfer materials. Also, remember that two businesses cannot share tags because the sticker will be printed with each location's license number. If you run multiple licensed dispensaries, you'll need to order package tags for each one.

Metrc Tag Costs

Let's answer one of the most intriguing questions: how much do Metrc tags cost?

Metrc charges $0.25 per package tag, while plant tags are priced at $0.45. However, this may come with other costs, as some licensees must pay a monthly fee for Metrc support and training.

Note: In California and Illinois, Metrc tags are provided at no cost to licensees by the state. You still have to order them—but you won’t be charged.

Some licensees may also pay a monthly Metrc service fee, depending on state rules.

You can order tags in bulk from Metrc, but orders cannot be canceled once the printing process begins because they're custom-printed for each licensee.

How Many Metrc Tags Do I Need?

The number of Metrc tags your business needs will depend on the scale of your operation—specifically, how many plants you grow and how many packages you create or sell.

For example, if your facility cultivates 60,000 plants, you’ll likely need 60,000 plant tags, as each plant must be individually tagged. But that’s not all—you’ll also need package tags for every batch of product you create, which could significantly increase your total.

To estimate how many tags you’ll need:

Count the number of plants you currently have (or expect to grow)
Determine how many finished product packages you'll need to create
Account for extra tags needed for child packages or split-lotting workflows

The last thing you want is to run out of tags mid-production. Without them, you can’t package or transfer products—halting operations and potentially leading to compliance issues.

That’s why it’s best to assign someone on your team to monitor tag inventory.

Pro Tips for Tag Management:

If you order one sleeve of tags, track how long it lasts and reorder once you've used about 50% of it.
If you order multiple sleeves, only open one at a time and place a reorder when your team reaches the final sleeve.
Always keep extra tags on hand for unexpected child packages or adjustments.

📌 Note: Metrc tags cannot be reused. They’re designed for single use only, and once applied to a plant or package, they’re permanently assigned in the system.

Being proactive with tag inventory ensures you avoid downtime—and keeps your operation running smoothly and compliantly.

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Managing Metrc Packages Through Seed-to-Sale Software

Tracking inventory with Metrc manually can be tedious—and increases your risk of non-compliance.

That’s where Distru comes in. Our powerful ERP software integrates directly with Metrc, syncing data in real time and eliminating double data entry.

With Distru, you can:

Automatically sync package and inventory data with Metrc
Track raw materials and finished goods
Create, split, and transfer packages with ease
Maintain ongoing compliance without the stress

Ready to streamline your compliance workflows?
Book a demo with Distru to see how we can help your cannabis business thrive—while staying 100% compliant.

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