Prairie State Wire

The State of Illinois has finalized a contract with Metrc to implement a new seed-to-sale system for its medical and adult-use cannabis programs. The system is designed to enhance the state's cannabis industry and regulatory framework by utilizing RFID tags, which facilitate accurate data entry. The state will cover the cost of these tags for cannabis businesses, subject to certain conditions.

Erin Johnson, Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer, expressed optimism about the partnership with Metrc: “We look forward to this new partnership with Metrc to ensure Illinois continues advancing the safest and most secure cannabis market.” She emphasized that the collaboration aims to improve compliance efficiencies and public safety while maintaining an equitable market.

Mario Treto, Jr., Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, highlighted consumer benefits: “We are confident that consumers will appreciate the new features and resources we are developing with Metrc, including a comprehensive catalog of legal products available in licensed dispensaries.” He noted that these tools would streamline consumer access to desired products.

The agreement includes additional services such as reporting tools for industry trend analysis. This initiative reflects Illinois' commitment to modernizing its cannabis sector while prioritizing health inspections and reducing manual audits.