For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 6, 2020
Contact: David Heidrich
Director of Engagement and Community Outreach, Office of Marijuana Policy
Bronwyn Flores
Communications Manager, Metrc
AUGUSTA – Today, the Office of Marijuana Policy announced the execution of a six-year contract for marijuana track and trace services with Metrc LLC. OCP will deploy Metrc, the nation’s leading solution for cannabis governance. Metrc is a cloud-based software product which will utilize radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track the growth and distribution of marijuana and marijuana products throughout Maine.
The service will be deployed in Maine’s emerging adult use marijuana program. The state is just months away from legal adult use retail sales, a milestone expected to occur this spring. Following the successful launch of Metrc, OCP and Metrc will shift their focus to introducing the track and trace solution to Maine’s existing medical marijuana program.
“We are excited to partner with Metrc,” said OCP Director Erik Gundersen. “Metrc is an industry leader, and their team is committed to delivering a product that will allow us to proceed with the launch of our adult use program later this spring.”
Over the course of the next several months, OCP and Metrc will engage with industry stakeholders through several avenues to familiarize them with the new system. Starting in mid- to late-March, regional roadshows will be conducted throughout Maine to provide future adult use licensees with a high-level introduction to Metrc and a platform to have their questions and concerns addressed. Following this, Metrc will offer online trainings and evaluations before issuing credentials to prospective licensees. Specific roadshow dates and venues will be announced as details are finalized in the coming weeks.
“We’re excited to partner with the OCP to help launch the state’s adult-use marijuana market,” said Metrc CEO Jeff Wells. “2020 is another significant year for cannabis industry growth, and we look forward to serving the OCP, local cannabis businesses, and the people of Maine.”
With the signed contract in place, Metrc will now serve as the track and trace provider for 13 states and the District of Columbia, including regulatory trailblazers such as Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska. In addition, Metrc is already utilized in New England, serving as the track and trace software for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.
The resulting agreement with Metrc is a six-year contract valued at $540,000. Adult use license holders will be responsible for a $40 monthly license fee to access Metrc’s online system. The fee also supports ongoing industry training and technical support. Plant tag and packaging label fees are $0.45 each and $0.25 each, respectively.
Additional information on the deployment of Metrc to Maine’s existing medical marijuana program and the obligations of registered caregivers and dispensaries will be announced at a later date.
###