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Understanding Active vs Inactive Items in Metrc and Canix

Luke
  • Updated

Managing Items across Metrc and Canix can be confusing, especially when dealing with active and inactive statuses. This guide explains what each status means, why inactive items appear, and how Canix helps simplify your workflows.

1. What Are Active Items?

Active Items are:

  • Created directly in Canix or Metrc

  • Available for selection when creating Packages.  

An Active Item is essentially a product record that can be used to associate Packages with the proper category, strain, and unit of measure according to Metrc rules.

2. What Are Inactive Items?

Inactive Items are Items that exist in Metrc and Canix but are not currently active for your facility. They can appear for two main reasons:

  1. Deactivation in Canix or Metrc:

    • Items may be intentionally deactivated by users in either system, making them unavailable for new packages or transfers.

  2. Created Automatically by Metrc on Incoming Transfers (Important):

    • When another facility sends a transfer to your Metrc license, Metrc automatically creates the Item tied to the incoming Package in your facility.

    • This Item is marked INACTIVE by default.

    • This is a Metrc behavior that cannot be changed by third-party integrators or the receiving facility.

⚠ Note: Inactive Items do not show up in the Metrc user interface, but Canix supports viewing these items in the Inactive tab on the Items table.

3. How Canix Helps Simplify This

Because Metrc treats these Items as unique even when they represent the same SKU, it can lead to duplication and confusion for your team. To solve this, Canix provides a Product Catalog feature:

  • Allows you to tie multiple Metrc Items (both Active and Inactive) to one Canix Product.

  • Ensures that inventory for the "same SKU" can be sold, transferred, or reported under a single product in Canix.

  • Reduces manual cleanup and makes it easier for sales and inventory teams to work with consolidated product listings.

4. Key Takeaways

  • Active Items are created in Canix and synced as usable Items in Metrc.

  • Inactive Items can result from manual deactivation or are automatically created during incoming transfers.

  • Metrc assigns different Item IDs to these records, even if names match.

  • Canix’s Product Catalog links active and inactive Items under one Product, ensuring seamless inventory and sales workflows.

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