A Comprehensive Guide to Metrc Tags and Retail IDs for Cannabis Operators

Understanding Metrc Tags and Retail Item IDs in New York’s Cannabis Market

If you're operating in New York’s licensed cannabis market, understanding Metrc RFID tags and the state’s new Retail Item ID requirements is essential for staying compliant and keeping your business running smoothly. Whether you're cultivating, manufacturing, or selling cannabis products, tracking your inventory from seed-to-sale isn't just best practice — it's the law.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Metrc, Metrc RFID tags, Retail Item IDs, and how Flourish Software helps you stay ahead of compliance without breaking a sweat.

What is Metrc? 

Metrc (short for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance) is the official seed-to-sale tracking system (STS) used by many legal cannabis states, including New York, to ensure that cannabis products are produced, tested, transferred, and sold in full compliance with state laws.

It's a cloud-based system that tracks every step of the cannabis supply chain using RFID tags (Metrc tags) attached to plants and products. These tags carry unique identifiers (UID) that help regulators monitor:

• Where cannabis is grown
• How it’s processed
• Where it’s sold

• What happens to any waste or recalls

Metrc isn’t optional. If you’re a licensed cannabis operator in a Metrc-managed state, you’re legally required to use it — which is why understanding how to use Metrc tags and Retail Item IDs properly is essential for compliance.

What Are Metrc Tags? 

Metrc tags are official tracking labels used in the cannabis industry to help state regulators (like New York's Office of Cannabis Management) monitor cannabis products from seed to sale.  Metrc utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to track items in real-time. 

There are two main types of Metrc tags:

• Plant Tags: Used for tracking individual cannabis plants as they grow.

• Package Tags: Used to track cannabis products after harvesting (e.g., pre-rolls, edibles, oils).

Read Metrc's Plant and Package Tagging Guide

What you need to know about plant and package tags:

• Product Classifications and Tag Colors include:
  • Blue - Adult use or recreational cannabis
  • Yellow - Medicinal cannabis
  • Pink- Hemp

• Purchasing Tags: You can purchase tags through the Metrc Portal -> Admin -> Tag Orders
• Multiple License Holders:  Each tag is assigned to a specific license and is non-transferable between licenses.
• Each tag is unique and non-transferable, meaning once it’s assigned to a plant or package, it’s permanently tied to it.

Retail Item IDs: Required for New York

As of late 2025, New York regulators have added an extra layer of compliance: the Retail Item ID — a QR code that must be assigned to every unit of cannabis finished product  (i.e., each jar, vape, or edible pack) before it's sent to distributors/dispensaries.

Note:  While states like Massachusetts have begun adopting Retail Item IDs, they are currently optional — not required. It’s still unclear whether these item-level QR codes will become a standardized or mandatory part of cannabis tracking across all Metrc-regulated states. However, New York's decision to make them mandatory sets a strong precedent that others may follow.

Think of Retail Item IDs like product-level QR codes that allow:

• Easier product intake at retail
• Faster recalls if needed
• Better tracking for public safety
• Access to the product's Certificate of Analysis (COA)
• Seamless scanning and selling at retail — no need for retailers to generate their own labels
  

What Processors and Distributors Need to Know About Retail Item IDs

Bottom line: Retail Item IDs are now a critical part of cannabis compliance in New York. Both processors and distributors must stay on top of these deadlines to ensure their inventory flows smoothly — and legally — into the retail market.

Processors: Responsible for Retail Item IDs on Finished Goods

• Start Date: Beginning November 7, 2025, processors must:
  
  • Get credentialed in Metrc
  • Order both Package UIDs and Retail Item IDs

• Finished Goods Requirement:

  • Only Finished Goods Packages — retail-ready products — can be transferred to distributors

  • Each unit must have a Retail Item ID applied

• Testing: Every product must have an associated test result marked as “TestPassed” or “RetestPassed” before it can proceed.

• Important: Any previously tested product must have updated virtual samples and testing results entered into Metrc before it can be transferred.

Distributors

• Start Date: As of February 1, 2026, distributors can:
  
  • Purchase and apply Retail Item IDs to inventory received from processors without Retail Item IDs
    

• Inventory Review Deadline: By February 15, 2026, distributors should:

  • Identify any products that do not have Retail Item IDs

  • Decide whether they can be sent to retail before the cutoff

• Final Transfer Deadline: By February 28, 2026, all non-RIID-labeled products must be transferred.

  • After this date, only products with Retail Item IDs will be available for dispensary distribution.

• Testing Compliance: By March 31, 2026, all Retail Item IDs must be linked to test results with a “TestPassed” or “RetestPassed” status

Access Metrc's New York State Page

Tagging with Metrc: Visually Breaking Down How It All Works

Let’s break down the journey of a product using Metrc Plant/Package Tags and Retail Item IDs:

How Flourish Software Simplifies Metrc Tag Compliance

Managing thousands of tags and QR codes manually? That’s a full-time job — but not when you're using Flourish.

With Flourish Software’s Metrc integration, you can:

• Automatically generate and assign Metrc Plant and Package Tags

•  Assign, generate, and print Retail Item IDs directly in Flourish's in-app label printer.

  • Easily add Retail Item IDs to your existing Flourish labels for seamless compliance.

• Track product data across all your locations

• Prevent costly compliance errors

• Seamlessly sync your physical inventory with your digital compliance records

• Scan Retail Item IDs into Flourish's Point of Sale software for cannabis retailers.

COA QR Code Labeling Made Easy with Flourish

Several cannabis and hemp-regulating states now require QR codes on product packaging that link to a Certificate of Analysis (COA) or key lab results — and Flourish makes this easy.

With Flourish’s built-in labeling solution, you can:

• Automatically generate QR codes that link directly to COAs
• Seamlessly add QR codes to existing product labels
• Stay compliant in states like New York, Arizona, Maryland, and Minnesota, where COA-linked QR codes are mandatory
• Support both static QR codes and dynamic product pages, depending on the regulation

Whether you operate in THC or hemp markets, Flourish ensures your product packaging meets state-specific COA transparency laws — without slowing down your workflow.

Key Tips for Cannabis License Holders in Metrc States

• Order your Metrc tags early — they’re state-issued and location-specific.

• In New York, only Finished Goods (ready-to-sell products) require Retail Item IDs.

• You can repackage bulk items into multiple final SKUs — just apply new Retail Item IDs for each unit.

• Keep detailed records — Metrc tags and Retail IDs are required for audits.

• Don't use tags from one license at another facility — each tag is tied to a specific license.

Final Thoughts

New York’s Metrc tag and Retail Item ID workflows may seem complex at first, but it’s designed to protect the integrity of the cannabis supply chain — and your business. By understanding how tags and IDs work, and leveraging smart tools like Flourish, you’ll be well-prepared to stay compliant, efficient, and audit-ready.

Ready to see how it all works?

Schedule a personalized demo to see how Flourish helps our operate operate with clarity, adapt to change, and focus on growth.