Metrc, California's official track-and-trace system, ensures compliance with California Bureau of Cannabis Control regulations in 2024.
Metrc, short for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting and Compliance, is the mandatory cannabis track-and-trace system used in California. It provides comprehensive seed-to-sale tracking for all cannabis supply chain activities, ensuring a transparent and compliant ecosystem. All licensed cannabis businesses in California are required to use Metrc for inventory management, reporting, and tracking to maintain compliance with regulations set by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), prevent diversion, and safeguard public health and safety.
California has been at the forefront of cannabis legalization, evolving from medical-use in 1996 to adult-use in 2016. The industry has undergone significant changes, culminating in the establishment of the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) in 2021. This consolidation streamlined oversight of the state's complex cannabis market.
To ensure compliance and transparency across the supply chain, California implemented Metrc (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance) as its official track-and-trace system in 2018. Metrc plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of California's cannabis industry by providing real-time tracking of all cannabis products from seed to sale. This system helps prevent diversion, ensures product safety, and facilitates tax collection.
All licensed cannabis businesses in California are required to use Metrc for inventory management, reporting, and tracking. Companies like Distru offer solutions that simplify Metrc California compliance, providing seamless integration and customized solutions for cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. These tools are essential for navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the California Bureau of Cannabis Control and maintaining compliance in 2024 and beyond.
California is a bustling cannabis economy, with cannabis sales thriving. As the premier distribution software company, we have the pleasure of working with some of the premier cannabis distributors, some of whom are listed below.
Metrc (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance), is the state's mandated platform for monitoring the movement of cannabis and cannabis products throughout the commercial supply chain. Implemented by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control (now part of the Department of Cannabis Control), thi
s system ensures comprehensive seed-to-sale tracking.
All licensed cannabis businesses in California are required to use Metrc for inventory management, reporting, and compliance:
The CCTT system plays a crucial role in preventing diversion, ensuring public safety, and facilitating tax collection. It provides regulators with real-time visibility into the cannabis supply chain, supporting the state's efforts to maintain a transparent and well-regulated cannabis market in 2024 and beyond.
If you’re not already using Metrc, you’ll find a list of helpful resources below that can get you started. Once you’re licensed and up and running, take a look at our Seed to Sale software to see how you can streamline your operations and simplify the entire process, saving you time and money.
Metrc California operates on a principle of end-to-end tracking using unique identifiers (UIDs) for every plant and product. Licensees must meticulously report all activities, from cultivation and harvesting to manufacturing, testing, distribution, and retail sales. The system allows for real-time inventory tracking and transaction reporting, ensuring compliance with California Bureau of Cannabis Control regulations. Businesses use the Metrc California login portal to access the system and update their data regularly. Software solutions like Distru offer seamless integration with CA Metrc, simplifying the reporting process and helping businesses maintain compliance more efficiently.
The primary agency overseeing Metrc California is the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), which consolidated the functions of the California Bureau of Cannabis Control, CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing, and the Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch in 2021. The DCC is responsible for licensing, regulation, and enforcement across all segments of the cannabis industry. They manage the implementation of Metrc, ensure proper usage by licensees, and use the data for regulatory oversight and compliance monitoring.
Metrc tags are unique identifiers attached to cannabis plants and products, allowing for precise tracking throughout the supply chain. These tags are part of the seed-to-sale tracking system and are known as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. In California, Metrc tags are used as follows:
With all of this info tracked, at any point in the produce cycle, you can also trace everything back to the exact plant and location it came from.
Metrc package tags
Similar to plant tags, a package tag gets attached to every package. Each package can contain only one type of product and is given a unique 24-digit number to identify it with.
The cost of Metrc tags in California
Plant tags cost 45c each while package tags cost 25c each.
How to purchase Metrc tags
Both plant and package tags are purchased direct from Metrc. Once logged in, you’ll find ‘Tag Orders’ under the Admin menu in the top right hand corner.
Accessing the CA Metrc login portal is a crucial step for cannabis businesses in California. Users can visit the official Metrc website (www.metrc.com/patner/california) and click on the "Log In" button. Licensees receive their credentials after completing the required Metrc training.
Innovative solutions like Distru, a comprehensive cannabis ERP and seed-to-sale software, offer streamlined access to Metrc, simplifying the Metrc CA login process and enhancing user experience. This software goes beyond mere compliance, allowing cannabis businesses to manage inventory efficiently, implement cost control measures, and maintain seamless compliance with Metrc California requirements.
When facing Metrc California login issues, users should first verify their credentials and internet connection. Clearing browser cache and cookies or trying a different browser can often resolve access problems. It's important to check for any system-wide outages or maintenance announcements. If problems persist, contacting Metrc support or consulting with your cannabis compliance software provider (like Distru) can help resolve issues quickly, ensuring uninterrupted compliance reporting and inventory management.
Maintaining secure access to Metrc California is critical for compliance and data integrity. Best practices include using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication if available. Users should never share login credentials and should log out after each session. Regularly updating passwords and using secure internet connections are also crucial.
Metrc is mandatory for most cannabis businesses in California. All state-licensed cannabis operations, including cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and testing laboratories, are required to use this track-and-trace system. The only exceptions are some very small cultivators with "cottage" licenses, who may use alternative tracking methods. Metrc compliance is essential for legal cannabis businesses in the state, as it allows regulators to monitor the entire supply chain from seed to sale. While local jurisdictions may have additional requirements, Metrc remains the primary system for ensuring regulatory compliance at the state level.
Metrc is mandatory for most cannabis businesses in California, including cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and testing laboratories. This track-and-trace system is essential for legal cannabis operations, allowing regulators to monitor the entire supply chain from seed to sale.
In Metrc California, licensees are required to update their data in real-time or as close to real-time as possible. Cultivators must update Metrc within 3 calendar days of any change in the disposition of cannabis plants, while manufacturers, distributors, and retailers must update within 24 hours of completing a transfer, making a sale, or conducting any other reportable activity. These timely updates are crucial for maintaining compliance with California Bureau of Cannabis Control regulations and preventing discrepancies or potential compliance issues.
To streamline this process and ensure uninterrupted compliance, many cannabis businesses turn to software solutions like Distru. Distru offers seamless integration with CA Metrc, allowing for automated, real-time updates and reducing the risk of manual errors or delays in reporting. Its advanced features include real-time synchronization, automated compliance workflows, and error prevention mechanisms. Importantly, Distru provides a robust contingency plan for Metrc outages in California. Through its web browser extension, businesses can continue recording all Metrc-related changes within Distru during system downtime. Once Metrc California is back online, Distru automatically syncs all the changes, ensuring data security and compliance. This capability, combined with Distru's dedicated support for Metrc CA login, allows cannabis businesses to maintain compliance and continue operations without disruption, even during Metrc outages.
In California, Metrc is the state-mandated track-and-trace system, and all licensed cannabis businesses in California are required to use Metrc for official compliance reporting. There are no state-approved alternatives to Metrc for regulatory reporting purposes. However, while Metrc must be used for state compliance, businesses can and often do use complementary software solutions to enhance their operations and simplify their Metrc reporting processes. These solutions, like Distru, offer:
- Streamlined interfaces for data entry and management
- Additional features tailored to specific business needs
- Automated syncing with Metrc to ensure accurate and timely reporting
- Enhanced inventory management and analytics capabilities
These complementary systems can significantly simplify Metrc California compliance by offering user-friendly interfaces, automated workflows, and additional business management tools. They work alongside Metrc, feeding data into the state system while providing expanded functionality for business operations.
Metrc provides various training resources to help California cannabis businesses navigate the system and maintain compliance. These resources include:
Metrc contact information
info@metrc.com
support@metrc.com
Phone: 1-877-566-6506
Official Metrc resources
Official Metrc California information
Metrc California FAQ
Guide: What is Metrc?
Metrc support and training
Government resources
California Cannabis Portal
Cannabis Program - California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Water Boards Cannabis Cultivation - California Water Boards
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) - Measurement Standards
Creating a Cultivation Plan - CDFA
California’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) support desk:
info@cannabis.ca.gov
Phone: 1‑844‑61‑CA‑DCC (1‑844‑612‑2322)
California compliance can be complex and time-consuming for cannabis businesses. Distru simplifies the process by providing a user-friendly, all-in-one solution that seamlessly integrates with Metrc California. Our software is designed to streamline compliance workflows, reduce manual data entry, and provide advanced analytics and reporting features.
Schedule a DemoDistru is more than just a Metrc California integration; it's a comprehensive compliance solution tailored to the unique needs of cannabis businesses in the Golden State. Our software combines robust compliance features with operational tools to help you manage your entire supply chain, including cannabis accounting, ERP, data analytics, and order fulfillment. Designed specifically for California's complex regulatory landscape, Distru empowers cannabis operators to streamline their operations while maintaining full compliance with state regulations.
Key features of Distru include:
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