Ensuring Compliance: Nevada’s METRC Requirements for Cannabis Distributors

Cannabis distribution companies must comply with rigorous seed‑to‑sale tracking requirements, mandated by the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB). Since November 1, 2017, all licensed marijuana businesses—including cultivators, manufacturers, testing labs, distributors, transporters, and retail outlets—are required to integrate with the state’s official track-and-trace system, METRC (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance).

METRC’s Core Functions

METRC employs RFID tags and serialized packaging labels to track every plant and product unit from planting through processing, distribution, and retail sale. Licensees must tag each plant and package, enter data for planting, harvesting, testing, transfers, sales, and waste disposal. Distributors, specifically, must generate transportation manifests within METRC that detail vehicle details, origin/destination, agent information, and product weights/quantities.

Distributor Responsibilities

Under Nevada regulation (Reg 13), distributors must:

  • Maintain accurate METRC records for all cannabis products in storage or transit.
  • Generate and carry a manifest for each delivery leg, adjusting inventory records accordingly.
  • Ensure secure, locked, and discreet transport vehicles, with temp‑control for perishable goods.
  • Provide real‑time reporting of accidents, thefts, or unauthorized stops.
  • Submit discrepancies between expected and received inventory upon delivery.

METRC: The Mandatory Track‑and‑Trace System

METRC remains Nevada’s mandated system for cannabis tracking. Other vendors like Canix, Flourish, Distru, and BioTrack offer software that integrates with METRC, providing enhanced reporting, inventory control, ERP, or logistics functionality—not replacements but supplementary tools.

  • Canix connects via METRC Connect, supporting real‑time data syncing and bulk uploads.
  • Flourish and Distru overlay user-friendly interfaces and supply‑chain visibility on METRC back‑ends.
  • BioTrackTHC offers specialized processing/manufacturing tracking in compliance with METRC standards.

Industry Adoption & Efficiency

Most Nevada distributors and stakeholders rely on one of these integrators to reduce manual data entry, minimize tracking errors, and meet rigorous audit standards. For instance, POS systems like Blaze incorporate METRC integration to simplify compliance tasks for retail and delivery services. On the wholesale side, ERP systems like Canix and Flourish bolster transparency through advanced reporting and inventory reconciliation tools.

Compliance Best Practices

Compliance officers recommend best practices such as:

  • Rigorous internal audits to match physical stock against METRC records
  • Strict timely reporting of transfers, waste disposal, and inventory reconciling
  • Training and refresher programs—via METRC or consultants—to ensure staff can operate tagging and manifest systems accurately.

Final Thoughts

In Nevada, distribution compliance revolving around METRC is non‑negotiable. While METRC provides the mandatory data backbone, third‑party tools like Canix, Flourish, Distru, Blaze, and BioTrack improve efficiency and usability. Distributors must ensure rigorous documentation, secure transport, and regular audits. Employing integrated systems can help ensure both regulatory compliance and operational excellence in Nevada’s highly regulated cannabis marketplace.