Metrc Guidance
This page serves to provide guidance as Metrc launches in the New York market. Please refer back for any updates.
December 17, 2025: Retail ID timelines
[UPDATED] This email reflects changes and inputs from the METRC team.
Retail IDs are required on all distributor-to-dispensary transfers by February 28, 2026. Dispensaries can continue to sell out of their inventory after February 28, 2026, even if that inventory does not have a Retail Item ID on each unit. Any product transferred to dispensaries after March 31, 2026 will have a TestPassed or RetestPassed testing status in Metrc. Dispensaries do not have to return product that does not have a testing status after March 31, 2026.
As New York transitions to the Metrc seed-to-sale system, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has established a staggered implementation timeline that differentiates between upstream operators (Cultivators/Processors/Distributors) and Retailers/Dispensaries. Notably, the OCM has set separate deadlines for when inventory must be entered into the system versus when physical Metrc Retail IDs must be affixed.
Per OCM and Metrc documentation, this guide clarifies the deadlines for Metrc credentialing, inventory entry, and Retail ID requirements through Q1 2026.
Key Date: December 17, 2025
Metrc enforcement:
- All license types must be credentialed in Metrc
- Cultivators, processors, distributors and labs must have all existing inventory entered into Metrc. Microbusinesses must have all existing inventory from their cultivation, processing or distribution facilities entered into Metrc.
- Dispensaries do not need to have all inventory entered into Metrc until January 12, 2026.
Retail ID enforcement:
- Retail IDs are required for inventory transfers from Processors to Distributors only
- Dispensaries can still accept inventory with no Retail ID until February 26, 2026
Key Date: January 12, 2026
Metrc enforcement:
- Dispensaries must have ALL inventory entered into Metrc, before January 12, 2026.
- If Dispensaries do not have all inventory entered in Metrc before December 17, 2026, they will not be able to sell out of new inventory received by Distributors. Dispensaries can physically accept any transfers from Distributors, but in Metrc, Dispensaries will need to leave that product in the Incoming Transfers area until all existing product at a Dispensary facility is entered in the Metrc system.
Retail ID enforcement:
- Dispensaries will be able to sell product even without Retail Item ID affixed to each unit. This will not disrupt any sales for dispensaries. After February 28, 2026, all inventory received will have Retail Item ID on each unit.
Key Date: February 28, 2026:
Retail ID enforcement:
- Retail IDs are required on all inventory transfers from Distributors to Dispensaries. Dispensaries may no longer accept any inventory transfers from Distributors that do not Retail ID affixed
- Dispensaries can still sell existing inventory that does not have Retail ID affixed.
Key Date: March 31, 2026
Retail ID enforcement:
- All inventory sent from Distributors to Dispensaries must have a Retail ID affixed to each unit with associated testing results of either “TestPassed” or “RetestPassed”.
- Dispensaries can still sell product in their inventory that does not have a test status in Metrc, any new product received by Distributors will have either a "TestPassed" or "RetestPassed" testing status in Metrc.
Sources:
https://cannabis.ny.gov/seed-to-sale
https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2025/12/sts-bulletin-10.pdf
Dutchie Metrc Resources, Dutchie Metrc FAQ