Just one month ago, Metrc announced its new contract with the state of South Dakota to support the regulation of the state's medical cannabis market. This marks Metrc's 20th government contract to date nationwide for the implementation of its cannabis track-and-trace systems. The system helps states with data collection and regulatory oversight, and enables growers to easily track all activities impacting the status of the plant. Californian grower Hey Bud gives an insight into how they use the system in their cultivation facility through every stage of the plant's life.
Clones
Operations Manager Kevin takes us through the life of a Metrc tag in a cultivation facility, starting in the office. "The first step is that all clones are going to make their way into the inventory as a package tag, which can associate more than 100 plants with them. Once we move on to the actual plants, however, they are only allowed to be in batches of 100. You start by creating your plant on the computer and selecting your package tag. Enter in all the appropriate information and you are ready to add the tag in your clone room to the trays.
"The tag we have now put on our tray represents 200 plants. As we have 50 clones per tray, it means there are four trays here. So that unique identifying number needs to be listed on all four of the trays, so you remain compliant with the Department of Cannabis Control."
Veg room
Then we move on to the next stage of life, which happens in the veg room. It is then time to transition the package tag to a fullblown plant tag, Kevin explains. "The batch number is now limited to 100 plants. By selecting the source batch in the Metrc system, you are going to create your plantings. Make sure you select the next available plant tag that you have in front of you. In our facility, the clones are now transplanted into coco blocks, where they are going to remain for the next few weeks to life. The tags are now transitioned to the plants here, with each tag representing up to 100 plants."
Flower room
Now the plants are reaching their final stage in the production cycle. In the flower room, each individual plant has its own tag attached to it. "Once they are going to be harvested, they will be created into a harvest batch. Then they will all lose their individual plant tag and be assigned one batch inside Metrc."
For more information:
Hey Bud
www.heybudcannabis.com