The state of Illinois is currently transitioning to Metrc track-and-trace for regulatory traceability. In this article, we break down the timeline, and what it means for cannabis business operators across the supply chain.
Metrc Traceability In Illinois
This year, the network of states using Metrc for regulatory traceability continues to expand.
Right now, the state of Illinois is transitioning from their previous track-and-trace provider, BioTrack, to Metrc.
This change means that in order to stay compliant all licensed cannabis businesses in the state will need to transition their software, workflows, and inventory into the Metrc system.
Since compliance can make or break any cannabis business, it’s critical to stay on top of the transition, and set your team up for success.
Read on for details on the ongoing transition, and what it means for Illinois cannabis businesses.
The Illinois-Metrc Timeline
At Cultivera, we’ve seen these changes happen before. Already the most common regulatory traceability platform, the adoption of Metrc in Illinois comes as no surprise to the industry.
Improving on past transition timelines, Metrc is using a tiered release schedule for onboarding Illinois businesses.
The process, spread out over three months, is meant to encourage a smoother, more efficient migration with minimal interruptions to operations.
As a result, each license-type is being onboarded based on the following timeline:
- In Phase 1, Transporters and Testing Laboratories gained access to Metrc and began the transition process.
This phase lasted from April 1 – 18. - During Phase 2, Cultivation Centers, Craft Growers, and Infusers gained access to Metrc and began the transition process.
This phase lasts from April 25 to May 25. - Finally, Phase 3 began on April 25, 2025, when retail Dispensaries gained access to the Metrc platform to begin onboarding.
This lasts until June 17th. - As of July 1st, 2025, Metrc will be the state’s official inventory track-and-trace system.
By the end of Phase 3, all licensees should have inventory tagged and recorded in Metrc.
Ultimately, this means that all cannabis operators in Illinois will need to be fully migrated to the Metrc track-and-trace system by June 17th, 2025.
This migration includes completing all configurations and relevant workflows, including lab adjustments, inventory migration, and traceability tags.
Metrc Transition Checklist
As leading Metrc-integrated seed-to-sale software providers, our experts here at Cultivera have helped businesses manage state traceability transitions many times before.
Over the years, our team has assisted businesses facing these changes in states like Washington, California, and Oklahoma.
To help operators optimize success, we’ve also developed various resources and guides to better understand this critical regulatory system.
To get started, here are the key steps for Metrc traceability transitions:
1. Access & Onboarding
The first step of transition is to gain access to the Metrc system.
At this point, all license types besides retail Dispensaries should already have done this.
Once in the system, business operators should take time to review all Metrc processes and procedures, and prepare teams for go-live.
It’s also important to learn what Metrc does and does not do. Prepare your team for Metrc limitations with our Introduction To Metrc, Part Two.
One of the many benefits of software solutions like Cultivera is our reliable, compassionate support team.
Our experts guide you through each step of your transition, to set your team up for success.
2. Tags & Training
The Metrc transition timeline in Illinois means that as of June 17th, all inventory should be tagged and recorded in the Metrc system.
This means that all plants and packages will need Metrc RFID Tags by then.
Metrc traceability tags are unique identification tags used to track products within the legal cannabis industry from seed to sale.
These tags use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to keep track of each product and package.
Metrc tags must be attached to each and every plant and product for any licensed cannabis operator to remain compliant with their state traceability requirements.
Learn more about ordering tags in this documentation from Metrc.
Why use seed-to-sale software with regulatory traceability?
For better success during this transition, team members are encouraged to review all educational materials, such as those in “Metrc Learn.”
It’s also valuable to take advantage of other resources available from the state, Metrc, and third-party integrators like Cultivera.
3. Inventory
Once tagged, the final step is to ensure all inventory workflows to enter products and packages into Metrc are complete.
It’s important to note that the last day Transporters should be receiving and transporting BioTrack packages is June 10.
As a result, all tested Biotrack inventory needs to be transferred to dispensaries before that date.
This is because Dispensaries will not be able to receive BioTrack packages after June 10th.
For this reason, it is recommended that all leftover BioTrack-tracked packages with test results be sold before the June 17th deadline.
On the other hand, unprocessed packages without test results should be re-tagged and converted to Metrc.
Dispensaries will be given time to sell through as much of their BioTrack-tracked inventory as possible. However, eventually all inventory will need to be tagged and transitioned to Metrc.
Ready For Metrc Traceability?
The Department of Cannabis Regulation in Illinois has released a variety of informative resources and documentation, including guides and weekly updates available here.
For more useful information, take a look at some of these resources from team Cultivera, or book a demo right now for a one-on-one walkthrough.
Still have questions about Metrc or regulatory traceability? Give us a shout!
