Guide to Metrc Retail ID

In this article:

• Overview of Metrc Retail ID 
  • Metrc Retail ID Workflow
  • Consumer Experience of Retail ID
• Canix Retail ID Integration
  • Generate Metrc Product Labels in Canix
  • Package Eligibility for Retail ID 
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    • Why can't I generate Retail IDs for Packages that are yet to be tested?

    • Why can't I generate Retail IDs for Child Packages that came from a Source Package that has Retail IDs?

    • I edited the landing page in Metrc's 1A4 app. Will the changes be reflected on the Retail IDs generated in Canix?

Overview of Metrc Retail ID

Metrc Retail ID is a unique QR code assigned to each individual cannabis product unit. This code links that specific item to detailed information stored in Metrc – such as its origin, lab testing results, Certificate of Analysis (COA), and other compliance data.

In the Metrc system, Retail IDs are managed under the “Product Labels” functionality.

Each QR code is unique and serialized to a single item. Retailers and distributors can use the same code throughout the supply chain: scanning the QR code at inventory intake and again at point-of-sale checkout to track that exact item.

This eliminates the need for applying new stickers or doing manual relabeling when packages are broken down into retail units – the one Retail ID per item stays with it from distribution to the final sale.

When someone scans a product’s Retail ID code with a smartphone, they can instantly verify the product’s authenticity and see its test results and ingredients in a Metrc-provided web page. 

Metrc Retail ID Workflow 

Below is a high level workflow of how Metrc Retail ID Works. Operators generate a tag, and can label a product with a Retail ID as it becomes a Finished Good. 

This Retail ID follows the product through the Supply chain, until eventually reaching the consumer, where it may be scanned for Product info. 

Example Retail ID Workflow

The below example shows how Retail IDs are generated for specific steps in the Supply Chain. Once the package is labeled with a Retail ID, it should be a Finished Good and ready to sell.  

The advantage of Retail ID is that it child packages can then be re-packaged into separate boxes, without having to re-label. 

The individual units can be assigned to different packages without being re-labeled. 

If the units are re-packaged into different packages from their original source package, there will not be a specific association for the individual units to their new child packages. This is not an issue, and is the expected behavior. 

Workflow from Manufacturer / Brand -> Distributor

Workflow from Distributor -> Retailer -> Sale

Consumer Experience for Retail ID

Once a consumer purchases a product labeled with a Retail ID QR code from a retailer or dispensary, they can scan the QR code with their mobile phone camera and gain access to detailed product information, including COA and testing information.

Since the COA document is linked directly through the QR code based on data housed in the Metrc system, this allows real-time access to item-level product data in a single scan.

Canix Retail ID integration

Canix offers an integration to allow the printing and generation of Retail ID labels directly in Canix's dynamic label printer. This makes it easy to integrate Retail IDs directly onto your existing Canix labels.

Generate Metrc Retail ID Labels in Canix

For instructions on how to Generate Metrc Retail IDs (also called Product Labels) in Canix, please see the video and step by step guide below:

1. Please verify that your Metrc API key has permissions for Retail ID! If the user associated to your Facility Key does not have permissions to generate Retail IDs in Metrc, you will also get an error message when generating IDs in Canix.
2. Select the Packages you need to generate Metrc Product Labels for
   • Packages must be in "TestPassed" or "RetestPassed" status to generate Metrc Product Labels.
     • This restriction may be lifted by Metrc in the future
   • If a Package has been split from a Package that already has Retail IDs, generation of Retail IDs will not be allowed on the child package.
     • This restriction may be lifted in the future
3. Choose a Label Template with "Metrc Product Label" selected:
4. Select "Download" Labels, and specify the # of Metrc Product Labels to generate per Package. Errors will be shown for any invalid tags:
5. Download your labels and print as normal:

Package Eligibility for Retail ID

Not every package can have a Retail ID generated.  There are two important restrictions for what packages can have a Retail ID:

• Packages must be in "TestPassed" or "RetestPassed" status to generate Metrc Product Labels.
  • This restriction may be lifted by Metrc in the future
• If a Package has been split from a Package that already has Retail IDs, generation of Retail IDs will not be allowed on the child package.
  • This restriction may be lifted in the future

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why can't I generate Retail IDs for Packages that are yet to be tested?
  • Retail IDs are only designed for packages that are Finished Goods, so they should be tested at this point
• Why can't I generate unique Retail IDs for Child Packages that came from a Source Package that has Retail IDs?
  • This is the way that Retail ID is designed. Instead of generating a NEW Retail ID, you would instead generate more "QR codes" for the Child Packages, from the Source Package.  
  • I.e, you can print additional Metrc Retail IDs (Metrc Product Labels), from the Source Package.
  • Note - This does not mean that any re-labeling will be required at the Child Package stage

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• After you generate Product Labels (Retail IDs) for a Source Package, if you add more child packages can you generate more Retail ID Product Labels? 
  • Yes. You can generate more Retail IDs for the Child Packages at any time.
• If you generate child packages BEFORE generating Retail IDs, can you still generate a Retail ID for the source package? 
  • Yes. You can generate a Retail ID for the source package even if you've already generated child packages. 
• What is the difference between Retail ID, Retail Item ID, and Metrc Product Label? 
  • Metrc Product Label - Not the same thing as a Retail ID. A compliance label across different markets, that may be generated from the Metrc UI
  • Retail Item ID - New York's name for Retail ID. The same thing as Retail ID, but for New York. 
  • Retail ID - The individual QR code that's on both the parent package and the child package. 
• Do licensees have to purchase Retail IDs? 
  • In New York, yes. The cost of each Retail Item ID (the same thing as Retail ID, but in New York), is 10 cents. 
• What does a Metrc Product Label Look Like? 

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