7 min read
How to Stay Metrc Compliant in Missouri
In Missouri, the cannabis industry has grown significantly since the state legalized medical marijuana. With this growth comes the responsibility of ensuring compliance with state regulations, specifically the Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance (Metrc) system. Metrc is a state-mandated tracking system designed to monitor the cultivation, processing, and sale of cannabis to prevent diversion and ensure product safety. Compliance with Metrc is mandatory for all licensed cannabis businesses in Missouri, and failure to adhere to these regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines and license revocation.
Missouri legalized medical marijuana in 2018 through Amendment 2, which established the legal framework for the cultivation, production, and sale of medical cannabis. The state’s cannabis regulations are governed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), which oversees the implementation and enforcement of these regulations, including requiring all licensed cannabis businesses to use the Metrc system.
The Importance of Metrc Tags in Missouri
Missouri Metrc tags are essential for seed-to-sale tracking in the state’s cannabis industry. These single-use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags assign a unique identifier to plants and packages, allowing precise tracking throughout the product lifecycle. IndicaOnline’s RFID tracking system offers a non-invasive method for monitoring cannabis plants, whereby growers can track and analyze plant growth efficiently within any cultivation environment by eliminating the need for direct visual inspection.
Plant Tags:
- Include the facility name, license number, and intended use (medical or recreational)
- Show the date the tag was ordered
- Feature a unique ID number for each specific plant
Package Tags:
- Each package contains only one type of product
- Identified by a unique 24-digit number
Key Information for Missouri Metrc:
- Plant tags cost $0.45 each
- Package tags cost $0.25 each
- All Missouri licensees are required to pay a monthly support fee of $40, which covers Metrc support and training services.
- Tags are purchased directly from Metrc through the ‘Tag Orders’ option in the Admin menu.
The Metrc tagging system ensures that at any point in the production cycle, products can be traced back to their exact plant of origin and location—crucial for maintaining compliance with Missouri’s cannabis regulations.
IndicaOnline’s POS system integrates seamlessly with the Missouri Metrc tagging system, streamlining accurate tracking and reporting. Our platform automates much of the tagging and tracking process, reducing the risk of errors and saving time for cannabis businesses across Missouri.
Types of Licenses and Requirements
Missouri issues several types of licenses for the cannabis industry, each with specific compliance requirements. The primary types of licenses include:
- Cultivation License: Allows the holder to grow cannabis plants. There are three tiers of cultivation licenses:
- Microbusiness Cultivation: For small-scale operations focusing on local, small-business development.
- Small Cultivation: Permits the holder to cultivate a specified number of plants, typically up to 2,800 flowering plants.
- Large Cultivation: Allows for the cultivation of more than 2,800 flowering plants.
2. Manufacturing License: Permits the production of cannabis products, such as edibles and concentrates. There are two types of manufacturing licenses:
- Microbusiness Manufacturing: For smaller-scale production.
- Standard Manufacturing: For larger production facilities.
3. Dispensary License: Authorizes the sale of cannabis products to qualified patients. Dispensaries must comply with strict inventory management, sales tracking, and security measures.
4. Testing Facility License: This license allows for testing cannabis products to ensure safety and potency. Testing facilities must adhere to specific standards for sample collection, testing procedures, and reporting results.
5. Transportation License: Permits the transportation of cannabis products between licensed facilities. Transporters must ensure secure transportation methods, proper documentation, and compliance with Metrc tracking.
Lawful Use of Medical Cannabis in Missouri
In Missouri, the lawful use of medical cannabis is regulated by the DHSS. Patients with specific qualifying medical conditions can apply for a medical marijuana identification card, which permits them to purchase, possess, and consume medical cannabis. The qualifying conditions include:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatments
- Chronic medical conditions that cause severe, persistent pain or persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, those associated with multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette’s syndrome
- Debilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- HIV/AIDS
- Terminal illnesses
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Autism with aggressive or self-injurious behaviors
- Neuropathies
- Sickle cell anemia
- Alzheimer’s disease agitation
To obtain a medical marijuana card, patients must follow these steps:
- Certification from a Licensed Physician: The patient must obtain a 30-day certification from a Missouri-licensed physician confirming they have a qualifying medical condition. This certification must be submitted as part of the application.
- Application Submission: The patient must submit an application to the DHSS through the Missouri Medical Marijuana Program portal. The application must include the physician’s certification, proof of Missouri residency, and a non-refundable application fee.
- Review and Approval: The DHSS reviews the application to ensure it meets all requirements. If approved, the patient will receive a medical marijuana identification card, which is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
- Purchasing and Possession Limits: Cardholders are allowed to purchase up to a 60-day supply of dried cannabis or its equivalent. The state defines a 60-day supply as no more than four ounces of dried, unprocessed marijuana or its equivalent in other forms.
- Designated Caregivers: Patients who are unable to obtain medical cannabis on their own may designate a caregiver to assist them. Caregivers must also apply for and obtain a medical marijuana identification card and are subject to the same regulations as patients. Patients can designate up to two caregivers.
Missouri Marijuana Taxes
Missouri imposes specific taxes on the sale of marijuana, which differ for medical and recreational use. Understanding these tax structures is crucial for both dispensaries and consumers to ensure compliance with state regulations. Below is a detailed overview of the tax rates, collection processes, and the use of tax revenues.
- State Tax Rate: Medical marijuana sales in Missouri are subject to a 4% state tax, which is applied to the retail sale price of medical marijuana products.
- Revenue Collection: The tax revenue generated from medical marijuana sales is collected by the Missouri Department of Revenue. These funds are earmarked for the Missouri Veterans Health and Care Fund, which supports health and care services for veterans in the state.
- Compliance: Dispensaries selling medical marijuana must ensure they collect and remit this tax accurately to remain compliant with state tax laws.
Training and Support for Metrc Compliance in Missouri Dispensaries
The first step to ensuring Metrc compliance is proper training. All employees involved in the handling, production, and sale of cannabis must be trained on how to use the Metrc system. Here’s a breakdown of how Missouri marijuana facilities and their staff can get trained on the Metrc system:
- Eligibility:
Businesses must request a commencement inspection before signing up for training.
- Metrc Administrator:
Each facility needs a Metrc system administrator, who must be an owner or designated manager. The administrator must pass the “New Business Training Course” and its accompanying test.
- Employee Training:
While not mandatory, all employees planning to use the Metrc system are strongly recommended to take the “New Business Training Course.”
- Sign Up:
Eligible businesses can register for training at www.metrc.com/missouri by clicking the “Schedule Training Now” button.
- The training typically covers the following aspects:
- System Navigation: Understanding how to navigate the Metrc interface, including logging in, accessing different sections, and using various tools.
- Data Entry: Proper procedures for entering data related to cultivation, production, inventory changes, product transfers, and sales transactions.
- Inventory Management: Techniques for managing inventory within the system, including adding, modifying, and tracking inventory items.
- Reporting: How to generate and submit the required reports to the DHSS?
- Compliance Protocols: Understanding state-specific compliance requirements and how to ensure all data and activities meet regulatory standards.
Navigating Metrc Requirements
Staying Metrc compliant in Missouri is essential for the success and legality of any cannabis business. By understanding the requirements, ensuring proper training, and maintaining accurate records, cannabis businesses can meet the complex demands of Metrc compliance. The Missouri DHSS provides extensive resources and support to help businesses stay compliant and operate within the legal framework of the state’s cannabis industry.
Adherence to Metrc regulations offers Missouri cannabis businesses several advantages: By ensuring compliance with state laws, companies can protect themselves from legal penalties such as fines and license revocation; Metrc promotes transparency and accountability, safeguarding business integrity, and by tracking cannabis products from seed to sale, Metrc helps maintain product safety and quality, fostering consumer trust and confidence in the market.
