Staying Compliant with the
Marijuana Enforcement Division in 2024
Metrc, short for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting and Compliance, is the mandatory cannabis tracking system used in Colorado. It provides end-to-end tracking and tracing for all cannabis supply chain activities, ensuring a closed, legal ecosystem. All licensed cannabis businesses in Colorado are required to use Metrc for inventory management, reporting, and tracking to maintain compliance with regulations, prevent diversion, and protect public health.
The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) oversees all cannabis businesses in the state. To ensure compliance and transparency, the MED mandates the use of Metrc Colorado as the primary inventory tracking system. All licensed medical and retail marijuana businesses in Colorado must use Metrc for regulatory compliance.
Metrc (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance) was established in Colorado in 2011, becoming the industry's leading track-and-trace solution. The system provides a comprehensive history of every cannabis product from seed-to-sale, covering cultivation, production, transportation, and retail sales.
CO Metrc enables state regulators to monitor the entire supply chain through a secure Colorado Metrc login. This robust tracking system supports the state's cannabis regulations, prevents diversion, and protects public health. For Colorado cannabis businesses, maintaining an active Metrc Colorado account is essential for both regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
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Metrc is required for cannabis businesses in Colorado to ensure comprehensive regulatory compliance and maintain the integrity of the state's legal cannabis market. The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) mandates that all licensed cannabis businesses use Metrc's track-and-trace system to monitor every step of the supply chain, from seed to sale.
Key reasons why Metrc is required in Colorado include:
- Preventing diversion: CO Metrc helps minimize the risk of cannabis products entering the illicit market by tracking every plant and product.
- Enhancing market security: The system tightens security within Colorado's regulated cannabis markets, ensuring all products are accounted for.
- Facilitating product recalls: In case of safety concerns, Metrc enables swift and accurate product recalls, protecting public health.
- Documenting chain of custody: Metrc Colorado provides a clear record of product movement throughout the supply chain, enhancing accountability.
- Ensuring accurate tax collection: By tracking all sales, Metrc helps Colorado authorities ensure proper tax revenue accounting.
- Streamlining regulatory oversight: The system eases inspection, auditing, and reporting burdens for both businesses and regulators.
All Colorado cannabis business types must use Metrc, ncluding:
Cannabis Cultivators
Cannabis Manufacturers
Cannabis Distributors and Transporters
Retailers (both medical and recreational)
Testing laboratories
Metrc's implementation in Colorado dates back to 2011, making it the first state to adopt this system. The Colorado Metrc integration has been crucial in supporting the state's pioneering role in cannabis legalization, including the historic launch of adult-use sales in 2014.
For cannabis businesses in Colorado, maintaining an active Metrc Colorado account and ensuring proper Metrc Colorado login procedures is essential for regulatory compliance. This system not only satisfies state requirements but also helps businesses streamline their operations and maintain transparency.By leveraging Metrc, Colorado continues to set the standard for responsible cannabis regulation, ensuring a safe, accountable, and thriving cannabis ecosystem in the Centennial State.
A major part of seed to sale tracking is Radio Identifications Tags (RFID tags). These tags are single-use and attach a unique identifier to plants and packages to track every item individually throughout its lifecycle.
Metrc plant tags: As the name suggests, plant tags are attached to each plant so we can always trace exactly which one a product came from.
Plant tags include:
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 Colorado
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.
Colorado does not allow any alternatives to Metrc for cannabis tracking and compliance. The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) mandates that all licensed medical and retail marijuana businesses in the state must use Metrc Colorado as their exclusive track-and-trace system. This requirement ensures uniformity in reporting and compliance across the state's cannabis industry. While CO Metrc remains the sole approved platform for inventory tracking and regulatory reporting, third-party software solutions like Distru play a crucial role in helping businesses streamline their Metrc compliance.
Distru offers a comprehensive cannabis ERP and seed-to-sale software specifically designed for Colorado cannabis businesses. It integrates seamlessly with the Metrc Colorado system, simplifying the Colorado Metrc login process and enhancing overall operational efficiency. By using Distru alongside Metrc, cannabis operators in Colorado can benefit from advanced inventory management, streamlined reporting, and improved compliance workflows, all while adhering to the state's strict regulatory requirements.
Colorado Metrc Certification is essential for all licensed cannabis businesses in the state. Key points include:
- Mandatory for all Colorado cannabis licensees
- Online training modules cover system navigation, inventory tracking, and reporting
- Requires creating a Metrc Colorado account with your MED license number
- Covers plant tracking, package management, transfers, and sales reportingIncludes an assessment to verify understanding
- Takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete
- Basic training is typically provided at no additional charge
- All employees using Metrc should be certifiedOngoing education may be required for system updates
CO Metrc certification ensures businesses can effectively use the state-mandated track-and-trace system. Integration with cannabis ERP software like Distru can help streamline Metrc Colorado compliance alongside daily operations. Maintaining an active, compliant Metrc Colorado account is crucial for operating legally in the state's cannabis industry.
Colorado Metrc Login:
- Access the official Metrc website (metrc.com)
- Select "Colorado" from the state dropdown menu
- Enter your username and password
- Click "Log In" to access your Metrc Colorado account
Password Reset Process:
- On the login page, click "Forgot Password"
- Enter your username and the email associated with your account
- Follow the instructions sent to your email to reset your password
- Create a new, strong password meeting Metrc's security requirements
Remember, maintaining secure access to your Metrc Colorado account is crucial for compliance. If you're using cannabis ERP software like Distru, ensure your team is familiar with how it integrates with the Metrc Colorado login process for seamless operations.
The Metrc Colorado API serves as a crucial link between the state's mandated track-and-trace system and third-party cannabis software solutions. Distru's integration with this API offers Colorado cannabis businesses a seamless and efficient way to maintain Metrc Colorado compliance while streamlining their operations. Through this integration, Distru automatically syncs inventory, sales, and transfer data with CO Metrc, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors. This real-time synchronization ensures that all transactions are accurately reflected in both systems, maintaining compliance with Colorado's strict cannabis regulations.
Distru's Metrc Colorado integration goes beyond basic API connectivity, offering advanced features such as automated reporting, customized workflows, and intelligent error handling, all designed to simplify the complexities of cannabis operations in the Centennial State. By leveraging Distru's robust integration with the Metrc Colorado API, cannabis businesses can focus on growth and innovation, confident in their ability to meet regulatory requirements efficiently and accurately.
Metrc contact information
info@metrc.com
support@metrc.com
Phone: 1-877-566-6506
Official Metrc resources
Official Metrc Colorado information
Guide: What is Metrc?
Metrc support and training
Government resources
Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) website
MED info for Marijuana Licensees
MED applications and forms
Phone numbers by region
See the MED website above to identify your correct jurisdiction.
MED Headquarters - Lakewood: 303-866-3330
Northern Regional Office - Longmont: 303-866-2274
Southern Regional Office - Colorado Springs: 719-570-5622
Western Slope Regional Office - Grand Junction: 970-248-7181
Colorado cannabis compliance can be complex and time-consuming. Distru simplifies this with an all-in-one solution that seamlessly integrates with Metrc Colorado. Our software streamlines workflows, reduces manual entry, and provides analytics tailored to Colorado's regulations. Distru's CO Metrc integration hMetrc Colorado reporting and offering real-time synchronization, Distru allows Colorado cannabis businesses to focus on growth while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Schedule a DemoDistru is more than just a Metrc Colorado integration; it's a comprehensive compliance solution tailored to the unique needs of cannabis businesses in the Centennial 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 to meet the specific requirements of Colorado's pioneering cannabis market, Distru streamlines operations for both medical and recreational businesses. From cultivation management in the Rocky Mountains to retail operations in Denver, our platform supports the diverse needs of Colorado's cannabis ecosystem. With real-time CO Metrc synchronization and automated reporting to the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), Distru empowers your business to maintain compliance effortlessly while focusing on growth and innovation in Colorado's competitive cannabis landscape.
Key features of Distru include:
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