Kelsey Breton for Higher Growth Search

You may have heard of Metrc. You may have seen job opportunities calling for Metrc-certified candidates. And with the growing need for Metrc specialists, you may have wondered how you can open up job opportunities by gaining a Metrc certification.

The process is straightforward. We’ll explain here how you can get Metrc certified in four simple steps.

But First, Know Your Metrc Basics

As cannabis becomes legal in more states, the government’s need to track and ensure the safety of the product grows as well. With that, the Metrc tracking system has quickly become one of the government’s most trusted tools and businesses’ most reliable systems for gathering data and remaining compliant.

Metrc stands for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance and is a cloud-based, government-mandated track-and-trace software. The platform is designed to track cannabis from the beginning of the supply chain to the end, popularly coined “from seed-to-sale.”

The majority of legalized states require all licensed cannabis industry businesses, both in the recreational and medical space, to submit data to the Metrc system to comply with tracking obligations. Each state has its own regulations, so be sure to check your state’s requirements. The Metrc website’s Partners Page conveniently provides detailed information for states currently using the Metrc system.

How Metrc Works

With the purpose of ensuring all cannabis growth and sales are legal, safe, and up to industry standards, Metrc’s main functions are to:

Monitor, within a given state’s industry, where cannabis products and plants are located, transferred, and sold (or even destroyed)
Track the weight and location of each plant and product
Maintain record of each transfer of ownership

Regardless of a company’s role in the supply chain—whether it’s farming, testing, distribution, or retail—every business involved in the cannabis lifecycle is required to obtain Metrc certification and track activity to remain legally compliant.

How Can I Become Certified

Most states that require the use of Metrc also require proof of completed Metrc training when an individual or business applies for a cannabis distribution license. If your state does not require the training upon license application, businesses still need to access the certification to remain compliant.

Which is where you come in.

As a Metrc-certified employee, you can provide an employer with the critical certification that will keep the business compliant.

Metrc Certification in 4 Simple Steps

Contact the Metrc team via their website to receive information on attending the Metrc webinar. You’ll learn terminology, workflow, and gain an overall understanding of how the platform works.
Additional tip: You can access Metrc’s YouTube channel for additional resources and guidance in the process.
Take a multiple-choice test administered by Metrc, approximately 40 questions.
Once your test results are processed (and you’ve earned a passing score), you’ll be certified to use the Metrc system at your job site.
To “register” you as a Metrc-certified employee, your employer is required to enter your information into the Metrc system using your worker permit number, email, and occupational role as part of compliance guidelines.

Most companies use integrated software to link the point of sale (POS) system to the Metrc database, which is where you’ll track all transactions occurring at your facility.

Once you’re Metrc certified, and depending on your role, you’ll be responsible for tracking your transactions in the database to maintain legal compliance.

And what’s a benefit of gaining this certification? It’s an industry credential that can give you an edge for gaining more job opportunities and growing your career.

At Higher Growth Search we help cannabis employers find Metrc-certified applicants who will help bring their businesses into compliance. Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help you find the right person for this critical role.

In 2019 public health officials began to warn the public of harmful vape-related respiratory illnesses, and in just a few months some states had declared a public health crisis. Thanks to Metrc track-and-trace software, government officials were able to identify where and in what quantity dangerous vaping products were being sold.

Today, Metric has become the standard for helping cannabis suppliers identify potentially dangerous cannabis products and keep them off the market.

What is Metrc

Metrc stands for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance, a government-mandated software to facilitate track-and-trace efforts within the cannabis industry. The cloud-based platform’s key function is to track products within the industry, from “seed-to-sale.”

Metrc was created in 2011 in Colorado when governments were challenged to implement comprehensive frameworks that effectively monitored and enforced cannabis regulations. Metrc is now the recognized way to ensure that consumers obtain regulated, certified marijuana products through legitimate enterprises.

To operate within the legal framework of sales in the U.S., cannabis suppliers must now register with the government to track their compliance metrics. Cannabis companies in over 20 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Guam, use Metrc.

Most legalized states mandate all licensed distributors to submit data to the Metrc system on a daily basis to meet their compliance obligations. Regulations vary from state to state, but the Metrc website makes it easy to stay informed with your state’s regulations through the “States” page, such as this example from Alaska.

Through close monitoring, the Metrc database allows officials to keep cannabis products safe, legal, and regulated. Each supply chain function is required to log information into the software, which collects data such as:

Inventory Tracking – monitored in real-time, and inventory status is reported from seed to sale.
Tracing – should any concerns arise, such as health issues, tracing allows licensees to be notified.
Data Trends – allow for analyses to determine noncompliant behavior and assess risk.
Reports – provide data that can be used to share with the public, update stakeholders, or use in the event of a criminal case.

How Can I get My Employees Certified

Once you receive a permanent distribution license, you have five days to complete the Metrc training. With the vast landscape of Metrc software, five days is not much time to get the lay of the land. Fortunately, you can access information and study materials before receiving your license, and you can obtain certification with three simple steps:

Contact Metrc to receive an invitation to an introductory webinar. You can also access the Metrc YouTube channel for additional training materials.
Take a multiple-choice assessment, approximately 40 questions. Upon passing, you’ll be administered a unique vendor API (Application Programming Interface) key to access the Metrc system.
Contact your point of sale (POS) software vendor and provide your license number and API key to register your operation with the Metrc database. From here, you’ll have access to track and manage your entire cannabis cultivation operation.

The Benefits of Metrc for Business Owners

Metrc was created with the consumer in mind to ensure that cannabis that is sold is safe and regulated. But the Metrc system also offers great benefit to business owners.

For starters, government regulation is a great step toward destigmatizing cannabis use and promoting integrity within the industry.

Additionally, Metrc software allows businesses to integrate with various POS systems. This integration facilitates organization, simplifies order processing, and allows companies to perform regular audits and avoid fines for oversights.

Hire for Metrc Certification

While obtaining your certification requires a bit of preparation, the true work begins once you’re certified. Many cannabis suppliers are bringing in compliance officers to help their businesses adhere to Metrc requirements.

Getting set up within Metrc requires a complete audit of inventory, and government regulations require 100% reporting accuracy. Therefore, hiring an employee who’s dedicated to Metrc reporting and integration is a great way for cannabis companies to confidently navigate this reporting system, remain compliant, and avoid missteps.