California Growers Guide to Metrc

Metrc (then operating as Franwell) finalized its contract with the State of California in 2017 and began operating as the state's official track-and-trace system in 2018. California's track-and-trace requirement stems from Proposition 64, which legalized adult-use cannabis in 2016. Oversight is managed by the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), which was established in 2021 to consolidate cannabis regulation statewide. In July 2024, the DCC extended its contract with Metrc for an additional four years, cementing Metrc's continued role in the nation's largest regulated cannabis market.

California is one of the few states where licensees are not required to purchase Metrc tags out of pocket. California provides tags free to licensees, unlike most other Metrc states. However, all licensed cannabis businesses in California are required to use Metrc for inventory management, reporting, and tracking. Costs for licensees primarily come through compliance software and operational overhead rather than per-tag fees.

To read more about costs and requirements in California Metrc, see Metrc's support bulletins and the DCC's track-and-trace resources.

All California cannabis licensees must designate an account manager who is required to complete the CCTT–Metrc Account Manager System Training, available through Metrc's California portal at metrc.com/california. That account manager is then responsible for training each system user, and businesses must maintain an accurate, up-to-date list of all system users. Metrc also offers 24/7 on-demand training through Metrc Learn, with over 200 courses to choose from.

Canix is a California-approved Metrc integrator and full cannabis ERP platform. Built from the ground up for cultivators, processors, extractors, and distributors, we handle the compliance heavy lifting by automatically reporting your data to Metrc so your team can focus on the day-to-day operations. Beyond compliance, Canix gives operators real-time visibility into their entire operation - from plant tracking and harvesting, to cost accounting, order management, and profitability. We've helped hundreds of cannabis businesses streamline compliance and operational workflows. 

1. Perform regular inventory management + reconciliation
2. Train yourself and others on your team
3. Create a culture of compliance
4. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)