As the legal cannabis market continues to expand and evolve, it’s important for regulators to have a system in place to ensure compliance with regulations and to ensure the safety and quality of cannabis products for consumers. That’s where track and trace comes in.
We’ll be diving into what track and trace is, the difference between “seed to sale” and “track and trace”, and what systems are currently being used in the industry.
We’ll also take a look at the specific systems, Metrc and Biotrack, and examine what they track and which states currently use them.
What is Traceability in Cannabis?
Traceability is the ability to track the movement of a product or material through the supply chain. In the cannabis industry, traceability refers to the process of tracking the growth, harvest, quality testing, transportation, and sale of cannabis and cannabis products from seed to sale.
This includes assigning unique identification numbers to plants, tracking batches of material, recording test results, and tracking transportation manifests and sales. Traceability also includes generating unique ID numbers for medical patients and providing detailed analytics for regulatory agencies and law enforcement to ensure compliance with state laws.
What is Track and Trace?
Track and trace is used by regulators to keep track of key compliance data information about cannabis products. The “track” aspect of track and trace refers to the ability to track every aspect of the production process. The “trace” aspect of track and trace refers to the ability to trace any information that may have caused issues during the production process.
What is the Difference Between “Seed to Sale” and “Track and Trace”?
Seed to sale is a term that is often used in the cannabis industry to refer to the entire process of growing and selling cannabis products, from the planting of the seed to the final sale of the product. This includes all aspects of the process, such as cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sales.
Seed to sale is often used interchangeably with track and trace, as it also involves the tracking and monitoring of cannabis products throughout the entire production process to ensure compliance with state regulations.
What is a Track and Trace System?
A Track and trace is a system used by regulatory bodies in the cannabis industry to monitor and enforce cannabis compliance with regulations for cannabis products.
These systems, provided by companies like Metrc and BioTrack, allow for the tracking and tracing of cannabis products from seed to sale, ensuring compliance with state regulations and ensuring the safety and quality of the products for consumers.
These systems also allow for the efficient resolution of any issues that may arise during the production process, such as bad cannabis or fraud. The track and trace software is used by states to monitor and inventory tracking system.
What Does Metrc Software Track?
Metrc tracks every action impacting the status of a plant or the creation of cannabis-based products. This includes when plants are harvested, packaged, and combined with other plants in the production of oils, edibles, or concentrates.
Metrc tracks the origin, testing results, handling, and chain-of-custody information of these plants and cannabis-based products, making it visible and traceable by regulators.
What Does Biotrack Software Track?
Biotrack software tracks a wide range of information related to the cultivation, processing, transportation, and sale of cannabis products.
This includes data points such as inventory management at each stage of the operation, compliance reporting, tracking of waste and destruction, transport manifests, real-time product recalls, and customized labels.
Additionally, the software also includes features such as security standards and the ability to automatically report required data to state systems.
What States Have Implemented Track and Trace Systems to Monitor the Cannabis Industry?
In the cannabis industry, many states have implemented a track and trace system to monitor and enforce compliance with regulations for cannabis products.
Below is a list of states and the track and trace software provider that has been chosen by each state to monitor and track cannabis businesses in their jurisdiction:
- Alaska (Metrc)
- Arkansas (Biotrack)
- California (Metrc)
- Colorado (Metrc)
- Connecticut (Biotrack)
- Delaware (Biotrack)
- District of Columbia (Metrc)
- Florida (Biotrack)
- Guam (Metrc)
- Hawaii (Biotrack)
- Illinois (Biotrack)
- Louisiana (Metrc)
- Maine (Metrc)
- Maryland (Metrc)
- Massachusetts (Metrc)
- Michigan (Metrc)
- Minnesota (Metrc)
- Mississippi (Metrc)
- Missouri (Metrc)
- Montana (Metrc)
- New Mexico (Biotrack)
- Nevada (Metrc)
- New Jersey (Metrc)
- New York (Biotrack)
- North Dakota (Biotrack)
- Ohio (Metrc)
- Oklahoma (Metrc)
- Oregon (Metrc)
- Rhode Island (Metrc)
- South Dakota (Metrc)
- Virginia (Biotrack)
- West Virginia (Metrc)
How Do Seed to Sale Software and Track and Trace Systems Work Together?
Seed to sale software works in conjunction with track and trace systems to provide a comprehensive system for monitoring and enforcing compliance with regulations for cannabis products.
The software allows for the tracking of cannabis products from the moment the seed is planted, all the way through the cultivation, manufacturing, and retail sales process. This includes data points such as inventory management at each stage of the operation, compliance reporting, tracking of waste and destruction, transport manifests, real-time product recalls, and customized labels.
The data collected by the seed to sale software is then integrated with the track and trace system, which allows regulators to monitor and ensure compliance with state regulations. The track and trace system also allows for the efficient resolution of any issues that may arise during the production process, such as bad cannabis or fraud. Together, these systems provide a comprehensive and effective way to ensure the safety and quality of cannabis products for consumers.
The Importance of Transparency and Accountability
The use of track and trace systems and seed to sale software in the cannabis industry is crucial for ensuring compliance with regulations and for protecting the safety and quality of cannabis products for consumers. These systems provide transparency and accountability throughout the entire production process, from seed to sale, and allow for the efficient resolution of any issues that may arise.
With more states adopting track and trace systems, it’s increasingly important for cannabis businesses to understand how these systems work and how they can be used to their advantage.