Plant Tagging Requirements
Every cannabis plant in Arizona must be tagged with a METRC plant tag at the immature plant stage. Tags must remain on the plant until harvest and cannot be reused.
Package Tracking
Every package of cannabis or cannabis product must have a unique METRC package tag. Packages must be created in METRC before physical transfer and must match exactly what is in the package.
Transfer Manifests
All cannabis transfers between licensees require a METRC manifest. The manifest must be created in METRC before the transfer begins and the receiving licensee must accept it within the required timeframe.
Reporting Deadlines
Arizona requires METRC entries to be completed within 24 hours of the activity. Late entries are a violation even if the underlying activity was compliant. Set up daily METRC reconciliation procedures.
Waste Disposal Logging
All cannabis waste must be logged in METRC before disposal. The waste must be rendered unusable and unrecognizable before disposal. Failure to log waste is one of the most common ADHS violations.
Inventory Reconciliation
Physical inventory must match METRC records at all times. ADHS can request a reconciliation at any inspection. Discrepancies of any size trigger an investigation and potential violations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is METRC and why is it required in Arizona?
METRC (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance) is the state-mandated seed-to-sale tracking system for all cannabis licensees in Arizona. ADHS uses METRC data to monitor inventory, detect diversion, and verify compliance. All licensees must use METRC — there are no alternatives.
What are the most common METRC errors Arizona dispensaries make?
The top METRC errors are: (1) failing to create packages before physical transfer, (2) late entries (beyond 24 hours), (3) incorrect package weights, (4) failing to log waste before disposal, and (5) not accepting incoming transfers within the required window.
What happens if my METRC inventory doesn't match my physical inventory?
Any discrepancy between METRC records and physical inventory triggers an ADHS investigation. Even small discrepancies are taken seriously because they can indicate diversion. ADHS may issue a Notice of Violation, require a full inventory audit, and assess fines up to $10,000.
How long do I have to enter a METRC transfer?
Arizona requires METRC transfers to be entered within 24 hours of the activity. For incoming transfers, the receiving licensee must accept or reject the transfer in METRC within 24 hours of physical receipt.
Does CannaLogIQ help with METRC compliance?
CannaLogIQ provides plain-English explanations of Arizona's METRC requirements, nightly alerts when METRC rules change, and compliance courses covering METRC seed-to-sale tracking. We don't integrate directly with METRC software, but we ensure you understand every requirement.
