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How to Stay Metrc Compliant in Ohio 2024

July 19, 2024

House Bill 523, which became law on September 8, 2016, legalized marijuana for medical use in Ohio. The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program allows patients with certain medical conditions to buy and use medical marijuana. To be eligible, a patient needs a recommendation from a doctor licensed in Ohio and certified by the State Medical Board. 

The State Medical Board of Ohio approves doctors who can recommend medical marijuana and determines which medical conditions qualify for it.  In August 2017, the Ohio Department of Commerce contracted Metrc, a company that tracks marijuana grown in Ohio from its cultivation as a plant to its final sale in stores.

For dispensary owners in Ohio, following the Metrc system is essential because Metrc tracks marijuana from seed to sale, ensuring every step is monitored and meets state regulations. This guide provides key information to help you stay compliant in 2024.

Licensing and Certification for Cannabis Businesses in Ohio 2024

Obtaining the proper licensing and certification is crucial for any cannabis business operating in Ohio. The state of Ohio has established a comprehensive framework for the regulation of medical marijuana, which includes specific licensing and certification requirements. 

Types of Licenses

Ohio offers several types of licenses for cannabis businesses, including:

This allows the holder to grow medical marijuana and to deliver or sell it to licensed processors. It can be issued as either a Level I or Level II cultivation license, regulated by the Ohio Department of Commerce (ODC).

  1. Level I Medical Cannabis Cultivation License Permits the licensee to operate an initial cultivation area of up to 25,000 square feet.
  2. Level II Medical Cannabis Cultivation License Permits the licensee to operate an initial cultivation area of up to 3,000 square feet.

Licensed cultivators wishing to expand their cultivation areas beyond these limits must submit expansion requests for approval.

An Ohio medical cannabis processor license permits a business to purchase medical marijuana from licensed cultivators, process it into products for patients, and sell them to licensed dispensaries. Ohio provides three types of processor licenses: standalone processors, plant-only processors (cultivators who also process), and vertically integrated processors (who manage both cultivation and processing)

This allows a testing laboratory to acquire medical cannabis from licensed cultivators, processors, and retail dispensaries and to conduct testing on it.

This authorizes the holder to acquire medical cannabis from licensed processors and dispense or sell it to qualified patients.

The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) explains how many dispensary licenses a company can apply for under the 10(B) program:

  • Level I medical marijuana growers with a license can apply for 3 dispensary licenses at locations they choose.
  • Level II medical marijuana growers with a license can apply for 1 dispensary license at a chosen location.
  • Existing medical marijuana dispensaries with a license can apply for 1 dispensary license at a chosen location as long as they are independent of growers or processors.

Certification Requirements

In addition to obtaining a license, cannabis businesses in Ohio must also meet specific certification requirements:

  • Employee Training and Certification: All employees must complete a state-approved training program covering topics such as cannabis laws, safety procedures, and customer service.
  • Regular Updates: Regularly update the system, including growth stages and product transformations.

Proper training is essential for all employees using the Metrc system. Training ensures staff understand how to input data accurately, generate reports, and comply with all regulatory requirements.

Metrc offers a range of training programs designed to cater to different levels of user expertise, from basic system navigation to advanced reporting techniques. These programs are structured to provide a thorough understanding and hands-on experience with the Metrc system.

Key Components of Metrc Reporting

  • Seed-to-Sale Tracking: All cannabis plants and products must be tracked from planting to their final sale. Each plant and product is assigned a unique identifier (UID) used throughout its lifecycle.
  • Inventory Reporting: Businesses must report inventory changes, including adding new plants, product transformations, and inventory adjustments. This helps ensure all cannabis products are accounted for, and discrepancies are identified quickly.
  • Sales Reporting: Sales transactions must be reported in real time, including details such as the type and quantity of products sold, the date and time of the sale, and the recipient of the products. This helps maintain an accurate record of all cannabis sales.
  • Transport Reporting: Any movement of cannabis products between locations must be reported, including details about the transportation method, the origin and destination of the products, and the personnel involved in the transport.
  • Security Measures: Implement robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access to cannabis products and the Metrc system. This includes ensuring physical security at the dispensary and maintaining cybersecurity for your Metrc account.

Dispensaries order their plant and package tags directly from Metrc, the cost of which is already covered by their license fees. Metrc uses technology to track marijuana products as they move through the system, including special tools and computer programs to manage how marijuana is supplied, prevent theft, and find ways to improve the system.   

Metrc employs tagging to monitor marijuana plants and packages, ensuring accurate tracking from cultivation to sale; it includes: 

  • Plants

There are two stages for plant tagging: young and flowering. Up to 100 young plants can be grouped under a single tag, with each group assigned a unique identifier. Once the plants enter the flowering stage, each plant receives an individual unique tag. The cost for each young plant tag is $0.45.

  • Packages

Packages consist of various items such as young plants, harvested marijuana, lab samples, and other related items. Each package receives its own unique tag, with each tag costing $0.25.

RFID Technology

Metrc utilizes RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology to enhance tracking accuracy. RFID tags allow for real-time tracking of cannabis products, providing an additional layer of security and compliance.

Businesses must ensure their RFID readers and software are compatible with Metrc. RFID technology helps reduce the risk of theft and loss by providing precise location data for each tagged item. To ensure the success of your cannabis business, it is essential to maintain a comprehensive view of your inventory—IndicaOnline offers an RFID inventory scanner that provides an immediate and thorough overview of your dispensary, allowing a complete 360-degree view of inventory across all locations.

Simplify Metrc Compliance with IndicaOnline

Staying Metrc compliant in Ohio in 2024 requires a thorough understanding of the system and adherence to all regulatory requirements. By ensuring accurate reporting, using proper tracking technology, and maintaining up-to-date records, cannabis businesses can avoid penalties and operate smoothly within the legal framework.

Since the Metrc system tracks your cannabis inventory, it is essential to select a point-of-sale (POS) system that integrates seamlessly with it. The optimal POS partners will provide tools for managing and monitoring your Metrc account, ensuring full control. For example, IndicaOnline offers a robust POS system that is fully integrated with Metrc, aiding dispensaries in maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with ease.