Oregon's Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) on Friday announced plans to delay the implementation of cannabis plant batch tagging in Metrc, the state's cannabis tracking system (CTS).
Batch tagging was initially scheduled to begin on January 1, 2024. However, it is now being pushed to April 22, 2024.
Earlier this year, the OLCC Board of Commissioners approved new rules that will allow licensed recreational marijuana producers to use a single tag for tracking a batch of up to 100 cannabis plants.
However, the state's contract procurement process with Metrc hasn't been completed. Once an amended contract with batch tagging is in place, it will take additional time for Metrc and OLCC to bring batch tagging online.
OLCC producers must continue to tag individual plants in Metrc when they reach 36 inches tall or begin flowering, whichever happens first. If a licensee expects to run short of plant tags before January 1, 2024, OLCC recommends placing a plant tag order with Metrc as soon as possible to ensure an adequate supply of tags on hand.
The OLCC understands the last-minute nature of the rule change and doesn't expect licensees to make any expedited "rushed shipment" orders for plant tags before January 1, 2024, even if that means plant tag orders won't arrive until after that date.
When the batch tagging process is finalized, OLCC will provide as much notice as possible to help producers make the transition.
The batch tagging implementation delay will also allow the OLCC to establish an alternative procedure for batch tagging in case new system changes can't be made.
