Getting Started with Metrc
What steps do I need to take to gain access into the Metrc system?
To get credentialed into the Metrc system, The STS Administrator for your business must take the following steps:
- Go to Metrc Learn
- Complete the new user registration form.
Note: When signing up, please include your OCM license number and indicate that you are the administrator for the account as illustrated below. This step is critical for Metrc’s system to know that you are the administrator needing to be credentialed for your business.
- Complete the New York New Business Fundamentals training (in Metrc Learn).
- Metrc’s credentialing team will verify your details with OCM.
- You’ll receive your credentialing email granting access (you will need to log in to Metrc within 72 hours of receiving this email); The email will come from [email protected].
- If you do NOT receive this automatic email, please email [email protected] for further assistance.
Must I get credentialed with Metrc even if I’m not operational?
Yes. The individual designated as the STS Administrator will receive credentials to complete initial set up and manage the licensee account within Metrc.
You may designate yourself, or your compliance manager or anyone else you choose to act as your STS administrator to set up your business in Metrc. You are free to change the STS administrator later if needed.
Per regulations, you must utilize an inventory tracking system capable of integrating with the Office’s STS tracking system. To be compliant with this requirement, you must get credentialed in Metrc.
There is no monthly cost to access the Metrc system or maintain Metrc credentials.
To become credentialed into the Metrc system:
- A business owner or administrator must complete the New York New Business Fundamentals Training in Metrc Learn.
- After completing the training, Metrc’s credentialing team will send login credentials.
- The designated administrator must log in and set up the business account, then add additional employees as needed.
Note: If you are not currently operational, you must then note that you are not operational within Metrc through a feature called Operational Exception.
Instructions regarding the Operational Exception process can be found here.
Do Processor Type 3 Branding (PT3B) licenses need to be credentialed in Metrc?
No. PT3B license types do not need to be credentialed in Metrc as they do not have authorization to process or handle cannabis. A licensed processor that is authorized to touch cannabis and their employees must be responsible for tracking all inventory at the licensed processor facility.
Do Provisional Licensees need to be credentialed in Metrc?
No. Provisional licensees are not eligible to be credentialed in Metrc and are not authorized possess cannabis products.
Training & Learning the System
Where can I learn more about Metrc?
You can visit the New York Metrc page to learn more about Metrc and their role as the State’s track-and-trace provider. Additionally, on Metrc.com you will find helpful resources such as blogs, case studies, and guides about Metrc’s system and services. The New York Partner page also houses the latest updates, announcements, and training materials specifically for New York licensees.
Where can I find training materials to learn more about how to use Metrc?
Metrc’s training program includes a robust catalog of courses tailored to the unique responsibilities of both regulators and licensees. These courses are designed to ensure every user—regardless of role or experience level—is equipped with the practical knowledge and tools needed to navigate the Metrc System confidently and compliantly.
Metrc's training tools include:
- Metrc Learn: 100+ self-paced, interactive lessons tailored for function-specific content. Also provides certifications and analytics.
- Metrc Expert: Embedded, function-specific knowledge base with intelligent automation offering real-time answers to questions and links to training and support resources.
- Metrc Sandbox: A secure, non-production environment—separate from the agency testing or live Production environment—for practice and experimentation.
What type of support does Metrc offer?
Metrc provides several support options to help licensees with all software functionality questions and requests. The Metrc Expert knowledge base offers a comprehensive self-help library available 24/7.
If you need additional assistance, credentialed users can contact the Metrc Support Team through the Support Portal at support.metrc.com or by calling 877-566-6506 during business hours.
UID Tags: Ordering, Using & Managing
Is there a limit to how much product can be assigned to a Metrc Package UID?
Yes, no more than one container, not heavier than 100 pounds, per Metrc tag. A single Package UID cannot represent more than 100 pounds of product within one container. If product is stored across multiple containers (for example, multiple containers within a batch or lot), each individual container must have its own Package UID physically attached.
Can one Package UID be used to transfer multiple containers from a distributor to a dispensary if the contents of each container are all from the same batch or lot?
No. Each individual container that is sent from a distribution facility to a dispensing facility MUST have its own Package ID physically attached to the container, even if multiple containers have units from the same batch or lot.
I operate my business at multiple approved locations and am approved for different activities under one OCM license number. How is that reflected in Metrc?
In New York, a single OCM license number may be issued for multiple locations. Each location may be approved for different activities—cultivation, processing, distribution dispensing. In Metrc, each NY license is assigned a suffix to indicate the approved activities at each location. The purpose of this is to ensure that cannabis products are tested prior to reaching the consumer and are accurately tracked for regulatory and reporting purposes.
Examples:
- C – Cultivator
- P – Processor
- D – Dispensary
- DX – Distributor
- Multiple locations will include a number (e.g., C1, C2)
How your licenses may appear in Metrc: OCM-MICR-00-000000 — OCM-issued license number
How this license may appear in Metrc:
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-C1 — Cultivation, Location 1
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-D1 — Retail Dispensary, Location 1
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-DX1 — Distributing, Location 1
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-P1 — Processing, Location 1
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-C2 – Cultivation, Location 2
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-P2 – Processing, Location 2
If I operate multiple approved locations under one license number, must I order physical UIDs specific to each location? For example, if one of my licensed locations is identified in Metrc as OCM-CULT-24-000000-C1 will the physical tags shipped for that location indicate “-C1”?
Yes. Licensees with multiple locations should ensure that they are ordering physical UIDs using the license number for the specific location as it appears in Metrc. Physical UIDs purchased using the license number for one location are not interchangeable with another licensed location.
At what stage must I assign a unique identifier (UID) number to individual cannabis plants?
Individual plants must be assigned a UID when an immature plant becomes a vegging plant. Prior to that, they can be grouped into immature plant batches, with each plant batch being assigned a digital UID.
Immature plants are seedlings, clones, or tissue cultures.
- Due to the high rate of loss at this stage, cultivators may group immature plants of the same cultivar (strain) into a plant batch and assign an immature plant batch name virtually in Metrc. Then, physically notate the immature plant batch name on the corresponding batch of immature plants.
- A plant batch shall contain no more than 100 immature plants.
- Immature plants in a plant batch must be of the same strain.
- Each immature plant batch must be physically labeled with the corresponding immature plant batch name.
- For each immature plant batch, cultivators will record in the System, at a minimum, the location, date of planting, plant count, and the strain of the corresponding immature plants.
Vegging plant is when a clone or seedling is at least 6 inches or taller. Once at the required height, Cultivators must move the plants to the Vegetative phase and attach an RFID plant UID to one of the lowest branches on the stalk but up out of the growing material.
Can I write the strain name or other identifier of my own on the physical Metrc plant tag?
Yes, there is a field on the back of the Metrc plant tag where licensees can write plant information. You can:
- Write in the field with indelible marker
- Print in that field using a thermal printer or
- Attach a printed sticky label over that field
Cultivation Operations
How will cultivators introduce new genetics?
When you are ready to introduce new genetics into your inventory, you must reach out to Metrc to request an external transfer. Metrc will work with OCM to open a limited window of time for you to introduce new genetics into the system using the External Transfer process.
Testing in Metrc
How do I test my products in Metrc?
Metrc has established distinct testing groups that align with each product type and its required analytes. When submitting a product for testing, you’ll select the appropriate product and corresponding testing group. For instance, a vape product intended for adult-use compliance testing would be submitted under the “AU Inhalable Concentrates” testing group.
In New York, where both bulk oil and the final vape cartridge form (e.g., 1g and 0.5g) require testing for heavy metals, each package must be tested separately. This means both the bulk product and each final form product should undergo their own test, and the final test results should be associated with the corresponding vape cartridge package.
Can licensees test for minor cannabinoids?
Yes, all lab test batches will have optional additional minor cannabinoids. Testing Facilities will have the option to add these minor cannabinoids to each test they complete.
Retail Item ID Requirements
Am I required to use the Retail ID QR Code on cannabis product packaging?
Yes, as part of Metrc’s Seed to Sale system the Retail ID QR Code will be required on final cannabis product packaging. The Retail ID QR Code will satisfy the regulatory requirement in Part 128.5(b)(8) and 128.5(b)(9).
Cannabis Law section 78(2) allows the Cannabis Control Board to promulgate regulations governing the designation and use of a seed to sale system capable of tracking cannabis inventory and transaction data. In turn, 125.8(a) of the New York Code, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) provides that licensees shall use an inventory tracking system as determined by OCM.
Additionally, Part 118(a)(62) of NYCRR provides a definition for “lot unique identifier”, “lot number” and/or “bar codes”. These three terms are defined as “any distinctive combination of letters, numbers, or symbols, or any combination of them, from which the complete history of cultivation, manufacturing, processing, testing, custody, distribution, or recall of a lot of cannabis, medical cannabis product or cannabis product can be determined”.
Taken together, this means that the OCM has selected the Metrc system as the seed-to sale system of record and in order to provide the complete history of the cannabis product, the use of the Retail ID QR Code is required on cannabis product packaging to implement all statutory and regulatory provisions governing seed to sale tracking.
Are Multipacks allowed?
Yes, multipacks are permitted, however each product in the multipack will need to have its own Package UID and test individually as a singular product. Then at the processor facility, they will need to be combined after test passed into one child resistant package with one Package UID. A singular Retail ID will link to the CoA for each product in the multipack.
Costs & Third-Party Integrators
Will there be a price increase in tags (unique identifier) with Metrc?
No, Metrc will charge $0.10 per digital unique identifier (UIDs) per the terms of the existing contract with New York State. Licensees must order Plant, Package, or Retail Item UIDs from the Metrc system based on their license type. Each UID represents a unique inventory item within Metrc.
- Plant UIDs: Identify individual plants; each comes with a physical tag and strap.
- Package UIDs: Identify unique packages or lots; each comes with a physical tag.
- Retail Item UIDs: Identify individual retail units within a Finished Good Package UID; these are digital only in the form of a QR code.
When ordered, Metrc provisions unique UIDs for licensee use. Physical tags are provided by Metrc for Plants and Packages, while Retail Item UIDs can be printed using your existing integrated software or through Metrc directly.
What cost do third-party integrators have to pay with this transition?
Metrc will not charge third-party integrators for transitioning from the BioTrack system to Metrc.
Ongoing Compliance
Do I still have to use a real time electronic inventory tracking system?
Yes. This announcement does not change the requirement that pursuant to 9 NYCRR § 125.8 (a) all licensees must have an electronic, real-time inventory tracking system. And all cannabis inventory must be captured within that system.
Existing regulation requires licensees “utilize an inventory tracking system”; Metrc's System will satisfy this requirement. Similarly, cultivators are required to “have an on-premises based identification system”; Metrc’s System will also satisfy this requirement.
Alternatively, licensees may use a third-party software vendor of their choice to satisfy the regulatory requirement. Third party vendors must be capable of integrating with Metrc via an API.