Getting to Know Metrc in Maryland

After July 1, 2023, medicinal and recreational marijuana will be legal for use in the state of Maryland for all adults aged 21 and over. Previously, cannabis was illegal to possess for recreational use in the state of Maryland. All marijuana licensing and regulations are overseen by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC). The MMCC compiles data reports, creates fact sheets and answers frequently asked questions. Metrc has been designated by the MMCC as their mandatory marijuana inventory tracking system. All marijuana growers, processors and providers must use Metrc in Maryland to track plants from seed to sale.

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Is Metrc required for all cannabis businesses in Maryland?

The MMCC requires that all cannabis businesses be registered and using Metrc’s track and trace system. This applies to all medical marijuana commercial licensees including:

Cultivators

Manufacturers

Distributors and Transporters

Microbusinesses

Retailers and Non-Retail storefronts

Labs and more

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.

Why does Maryland require Metrc tracking?

Metrc is the most prevalent track and trace system in the cannabis industry. It helps both businesses and state regulators track products, improve compliance and discourage improper market behaviors. The main goals of implementing Metrc in Maryland are to:

Help minimize diversion to the illicit market.

Tighten security of regulated cannabis markets.

Simplify product recall.

Document chain of custody.

Ensure proper tax revenue accounting.

Ease inspection, auditing, and reporting burdens

What is Metrc, exactly?

Metrc is now the leading track-and-trace solution in the cannabis industry. Established in 2011 in Colorado, the system provides state regulators with a traceable history of every single cannabis-based product sold in their jurisdiction—from cultivation and production to transportation and the final retail sale.

Since it’s required as part of virtually everything you do, Metrc will sit at the core of your daily operations. Staying compliant is a complex and critical part of operating a cannabis business in Maryland.

In case you’re wondering where the name came from, Metrc is an acronym for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance.
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What Are Metrc Tags?

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.

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:

Facility name

License number

Whether it’s for medical or recreational use

Date the tag was ordered

A unique ID number for that plant

Whether it’s for medical or recreational use

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 Maryland
‍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.
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Does Maryland allow any Metrc alternatives?

No, there are no Metrc alternatives allowed in Maryland at all. Every cannabis business, recreational or medical, must use Metrc and remain compliant at all times.

That said, they do allow third party applications, like Distru, to help you stay compliant and streamline your workflow. We don’t replace Metrc, we leverage automation and a more user-friendly interface to make those Metrc tasks easier to manage.
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Key resources for Metrc compliances in Maryland

Metrc contact information
   info@metrc.com
   support@metrc.com
   Phone: 1-877-566-6506

Official Metrc resources
   Official Metrc Maryland information
   Metrc Maryland FAQ
   Guide: What is Metrc?
   Metrc support and training

Government resources
   Official Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission website
   The MMCC OneStop Portal, used for:
      -  Maryland state licenses
      -  Forms
      -  Certificates
      -  Permits
      -  Applicants; and
      -  Registrations
   MMCC frequently asked questions
   MMCC Licensee Guidance
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Maryland's MMCC contact information:
   info@cannabis.ca.gov
   Phone: 410-487-8100 or 1-844-421-2571
   Compliance and Enforcement: enforcement.mmcc@maryland.gov
   Cannabis Laws and Regulations: policy.mmcc@maryland.gov
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Distru's Maryland Cultivator Directory 2024

Looking for a licensed cannabis cultivator near you? Check out our directory, loaded with some of the best cultivators Maryland has to offer!

Check Out Our Directory ➜

Distru's Maryland Dispensary Directory 2024

Looking for a great cannabis dispensary near you? Check out our directory, loaded with some of the best dispensaries Maryland has to offer!

Check Out Our Directory ➜

FAQs

Why do so many states use Metrc?

Metrc is a cannabis traceability solution providing end-to-end supply chain tracking and reporting for governmental regulatory bodies and cannabis operators.

Metrc allows real-time tracking and tracing of cannabis. Licensees are able to attach unique, serialized tags or UIDs (unique identifiers) to every plant and/or package. A cannabis plant is then tracked all the way from seed to final sale to consumer using these tags which accompany the plant throughout its lifecycle.
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Does Maryland use Metrc?

Yes, it is mandatory for all cannabis licensees to use the CCTT-Metrc system to record, track, and maintain information about their cannabis and cannabis product inventories and activities. This includes:

Cultivators

Manufacturers

Distributors and Transporters

Microbusinesses

Retailers and Non-Retail storefronts

Labs and more

For more information, visit the MMCC website.
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What does Metrc Stand for?

Metrc is an acronym for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance
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How do I get a Metrc certificate in Maryland?

To become Metrc certified, you must attend Metrc training sessions and pass a 40 question multiple choice test about the software functionality and terminology.

You can go to the Metrc Maryland partner website to access the training schedule. You will need a license or application number to attend the Metrc training sessions. If you need to submit or renew an application, go to the MMCC website.

Once certified, you can apply for different API endpoints that your company needs, like Plants, Plant Batches, Strains, Rooms, Harvests, etc, by requesting the API keys from Metrc. You will need to pass the sandbox API test for each endpoint to get production API access.

Overall, the process looks like this:

Attend Metrc training sessions

Request Metrc API keys

Take and pass sandbox tests

Get production API access

What’s the status of Distru in Maryland?

Distru is currently serving Maryland cannabis operators, as well as operators all across the United States - with software being provided to 275+ companies. Distru has been operating for over 6 years offering cannabis licensees software to streamline supply chain and compliance
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Getting to Know Metrc in Maryland

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