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New York's cannabis regulations require all licensed operators to use Metrc for seed-to-sale traceability. Meeting this mandate is table stakes. Strategic operators utilize this compliance requirement as an opportunity to develop systems that enhance margins, prevent costly errors, and scale operations efficiently.
Flourish Software is a certified Metrc integration partner providing enterprise cannabis software for cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail operations in New York. Our platform handles state compliance automatically while delivering the operational intelligence serious operators need to compete and grow.
New York's adult-use market launched under the Office of Cannabis Management with a phased licensing approach. The state issues licenses for cultivators, processors/manufacturers, distributors, retailers, microbusinesses, testing laboratories, and event organizers. Microbusiness licenses allow vertically integrated operations, which is where Flourish's full-spectrum platform delivers the most value — a single system covering cultivation through point of sale, with every transaction synced to Metrc in real time.
This guide serves licensed operators and applicants navigating New York's Metrc requirements and the broader operational systems needed to succeed.
New York Metrc Integration
Metrc Portal Access
Essential Resources
Metrc Portal Access (Three Separate Logins)
- ny.metrc.com — Application and daily operations
- support.metrc.com — Technical support requests
- learn.metrc.com — Mandatory training modules
Flourish Resources
- Flourish Hub — Office hours, training videos, implementation support
- New York Beginning Inventory Guide
- Managing Metrc Tags with Flourish
Support Channels
Flourish Support: support@flourishsoftware.com
Weekly Office Hours: View schedule on Flourish Hub
Getting Started with Metrc
How to Access Metrc
- Receive a license from the OCM.
- Complete your mandatory Metrc Learn training.
- Check your email for the login credentials Metrc provides (check spam filters).
- Register at ny.metrc.com following the instructions in that email.
License Configuration and Facility Alignment
When you log into Metrc, you'll see a license dropdown in the top-right corner. Each Metrc license corresponds to a specific facility and activity type. Ensure your facilities are fully aligned in Flourish — if you need an additional facility deployed to match Metrc, contact support@flourishsoftware.com (one-day turnaround).
Verify that license numbers match exactly, including suffixes. For example:
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-C1 — Cultivation, Location 1
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-D1 — Retail Dispensary, Location 1
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-DX1 — Distribution, Location 1
- OCM-MICR-00-000000-P1 — Processing, Location 1
Metrc Tags in New York
Purchasing and Receiving Tags
Purchase plant, package, and retail ID tags through the NY Metrc Portal. Tags typically take about a week to arrive. We recommend keeping several months of supply on hand and buying in bulk to save on shipping. Tags are assigned to each Metrc license — if Metrc splits your license into multiple Metrc licenses, you'll need to order tags for each one.
Plant and package tags are physical tags that will be mailed. Retail ID tags are digital — you purchase an allotment and draw down from it as you create finished goods.
Do not accept tags in Metrc until you physically receive them. Log into Metrc, navigate to the Tag Order screen within the correct license, and click "accept" to confirm delivery.
Using Tags
Any time you create inventory or plants within Flourish, the application prompts you to select a tag. When you select it, Flourish assigns the inventory or plant to that tag and records it in Metrc automatically.
Store tags securely and keep them in sequential order — don't unroll them. Keep a separate set aside for exceptions.
Generating Retail IDs
Retail IDs are only generated within the Processing License. Use the "Create Package" action to convert a package to a new one and select the "Finished Goods" flag. This generates the Retail IDs for each unit within the package.
Inventory by License Type
Cultivation Licenses
Bulk flower, trim, and kief stored by weight. Clones, seeds, and tissue culture. All plants.
Processing Licenses
All inventory types are permitted.
Distribution Licenses
Each-based items ready for retail sale only. Bulk inventory is not allowed. Inventory must be tested and must have a Retail ID assigned.
Retail Licenses
Each-based items ready for retail sale only. Bulk inventory is not allowed. Inventory must be tested and must have a Retail ID assigned.
Shipping and Receiving
Moving Inventory Between Licenses
All inventory must be on a Metrc Manifest. The workflow in Flourish:
- Create an Order within Flourish (manually, via spreadsheet upload, or synced from a third-party platform)
- Add the order to a shipment
- Register the shipment as a Transfer Manifest
- Open the Transfer Template in Metrc
- Review and register the Transfer in Metrc
Receiving Inventory
All incoming cannabis inventory must arrive through a Metrc inbound transfer manifest. Flourish matches the PO with the incoming transfer for streamlined receiving.
Testing Inventory
Create samples ahead of time or split them from source inventory during order creation. Toggle "Lab Sample" on when allocating, ensure the correct Lab Test Batch is selected, add to a shipment, sync to Metrc as a transfer template, then review and register in Metrc.
Key Regulations in New York
Metrc Item Configuration
Flourish has imported all Metrc categories into your instance. Do not create items directly in Metrc — Flourish pushes items to Metrc and can push an item to multiple licenses, keeping the system consistent.
Production Batches
The production batch flag in Metrc indicates you are creating a new batch of inventory. This triggers testing requirements and removes any current test results from the package.
Processing Jobs
Processing jobs are defined processes for creating inventory in Metrc. Flourish streamlines processing job workflows and tracks both cannabis and non-cannabis inputs for full cost visibility.
Retail Item ID Compliance
New York requires Retail Item IDs — product-level QR codes — on all finished goods entering distribution and retail. Flourish automates the assignment, generation, validation, and printing of Retail Item ID QR codes for every lot and SKU, linking directly to the corresponding Certificate of Analysis.
Licensing for New York Operators
The OCM grants licenses based on the specific type of cannabis activity your business intends to undertake. If your business plans to engage in multiple activities, you may require more than one license. New York's microbusiness license allows vertically integrated operations — cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail — under a single license, making it one of the most operator-friendly structures in the northeast. Even though Microbusinesses are "one license," Metrc treats each business activity as a separate Metrc license.
All approved license holders must implement and maintain compliance with Metrc. Flourish is a certified Metrc integration partner and handles this compliance layer automatically. Dive deeper into how we support each licensed activity on our solutions pages:
Cultivation
Track your entire cultivation lifecycle from seed to harvest. Real-time growth analytics and automated compliance reporting for New York.
Learn moreManufacturing
Manage processing jobs, track inputs and outputs, and maintain batch-level traceability.
Learn moreRetail Dispensary
Integrated point-of-sale with compliance reporting, purchase limits, and age verification.
Learn moreMicrobusiness
A single platform for vertically integrated operations across cultivation, manufacturing, and retail.
Learn moreDistribution
Manage wholesale distribution, track compliance shipments, and maintain audit trails.
Learn more"It’s such a huge difference—going from manual reporting and label printing headaches to streamlined workflows in Flourish."
Beck Rourke-Mooney
Director of Operations & Head of Sales
Launching & Scaling Your New York Cannabis Business
A complete guide for New York cannabis operators covering compliance planning, operational system selection, equipment specifications, and scaling strategies.
Download GuideResources & Regulatory Links
Official Regulatory Resources
- Office of Cannabis Management — Primary regulatory authority for New York cannabis operators
- OCM Seed-to-Sale Page — Official compliance requirements
- OCM Seed-to-Sale FAQ — Official regulatory guidance
- Metrc New York Portal — Metrc requirements in New York
Flourish Resources for New York Operators
- Flourish Hub — Office hours, training videos, community
- Flourish Help Documentation — Complete product documentation
- Comprehensive Guide to Metrc Tags and Retail IDs
- Why Metrc Alone Doesn't Keep You Compliant
- Why Operators Switch From Metrc To Flourish
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Metrc in New York?
Yes. All licensed adult-use and medical cannabis operators in New York are required to use Metrc for seed-to-sale traceability. This is mandated by the Office of Cannabis Management and applies to all license types — cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and microbusinesses.
How do I get Metrc training?
Metrc provides mandatory training modules through learn.metrc.com. You must complete this training before receiving system access. Flourish also offers weekly office hours and training resources through the Flourish Hub to help operators navigate both Metrc and Flourish together.
Am I required to purchase additional hardware for Metrc compliance?
No. Metrc operates as a web-based system requiring only an internet connection and a web browser. Metrc uses RFID serialized tags for tracking plants and packages, which you purchase directly through the Metrc portal. No additional software downloads or hardware purchases are required beyond the tags themselves.
How does Metrc's track-and-trace system work?
Metrc uses RFID tags assigned to individual plants and packages to track cannabis from cultivation through retail sale. Every movement, transformation, and transfer is recorded in the system. Licensed operators must report key activities including harvests, packaging, transfers between facilities, lab testing, and retail sales.
What are Retail Item IDs and do I need them?
Retail Item IDs are product-level QR codes required in New York for all finished goods entering distribution and retail. They are digital tags generated within the Processing License when you create a "Finished Goods" package. Flourish automates this process — when you flag a package as finished goods, the system generates and assigns the Retail IDs automatically.
How does Flourish simplify the use of Metrc?
Flourish is a certified Metrc integration partner. Our platform syncs compliance data to Metrc in real time, so your team works in one system instead of toggling between Flourish and Metrc. Tag assignments, inventory movements, harvest records, transfer manifests, and sales data all push to Metrc automatically. This eliminates dual data entry, reduces errors that trigger audit flags, and gives you operational reporting that Metrc alone does not provide.
How do I assign my Metrc administrator?
Your Metrc administrator is assigned during the initial registration process after receiving your license from the OCM. The administrator manages user access, tag orders, and facility settings within Metrc. If you need to change your administrator after initial setup, contact Metrc support at support.metrc.com.
Ready to Scale Your New York Operations?
Talk to a Flourish specialist about how we can streamline your compliance and operations.
