New York Metrc Item Category and Lab Testing Guidelines

This guide summarizes the official item category definitions and associated lab testing requirements for cannabis products in New York State, as outlined by Metrc and the NY Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

Bulk Item Categories

Each bulk item is categorized by type and whether it requires a strain. Refer to: Item and Category Configuration for New York State Compliance.

Final Form Item Categories

Mapping from BioTrack item categories to Metrc categories. Refer to: Item and Category Configuration for New York State Compliance.

Lab Test Batches and Requirements

Each product type must undergo specific lab tests, varying for medical and adult-use items. The following substances are typically tested. Refer to: Create Lab Samples when a Lab Test Batch "Required Testing" (LTB Option) is required.

• Foreign Matter
• Mammalian Excreta
• Metals
• Microbials
• Moisture Content
• Mycotoxins
• Pesticides
• Potency/Cannabinoid Profile
• Terpenes
• Water Activity
• Solvents (for applicable product types)

Testing applies to:

• Raw Plant Material (Bulk & Each)
• Pre-Rolls (Bulk & Each)
• Kief (Bulk & Each)
• Infused Products (Flower, Pre-Roll, Edible, Non-Edible)
• Concentrates/Extracts (Solvent & Non-Solvent, Bulk & Each)
• Tinctures
• Vape Cartridges

Research & development testing applies to bulk items (marked "Informational Only"). Final form testing is required for retail sale.

Testing Procedures

For Flower:

• Final unit size must be determined before sampling.
• Sample must be placed in final packaging before testing.
• Licensee cannot preselect samples.
• Products must be packaged within 6 months of passing results

For Vape Cartridges:

• Single chamber: individual or bulk oil + cart sampling
• Multi-chamber: each chamber must be sampled separately
• Results joined into a single UID linked to COAs

For Retention Samples:

• Must be representative of the lot
• 35g for non-flower, 54g for flower
• Held until expiration date

Submitting Bulk Samples for Final Form Testing in Flourish:

All inventory must be tested in "Final Form." Though, the batch doesn't have to be completed yet for flower processing. For example, you can make a sample for your pre-rolls based on the estimated lot size ahead of finishing rolling them.

1. Locate bulk package
2. In the Package Action Menu, click "Create Package"
3. In the creation window, select correct final form item (do not choose the source item)
4. Create package for the sample size (refer to NY Sampling Standards)
5. Toggle "Lab Test" on
6. Select the appropriate Required Lab Test attribute
7. Add this to an order and shipment
8. Manifest it within Metrc

Example

Source Bulk Package

• Item Name: Sour Diesel A Bud

• Category: Bud/Flower – Bulk

• Size: 1,500 grams

Goal

You want to create multiple sellable items from a single Source Package while preserving lab testing in METRC.

Target Final Form items

Key concept

• You must first create and test Parent Packages. All production created from these Parent Packages will inherit the lab results in METRC.
• If needed, you may toggle Production Batch ON only when creating the Parent Packages to assign a lot number that syncs to METRC.

1 . Create Parent Packages from The Source Package

Estimate how much material from the Source Package will be allocated to each sellable item.

Parent Package – Eighths

• Item Name: Sour Diesel 3.5g Jar
• Category: Bud/Flower – Each
• Size: 100 EA

Parent Package – Pre-Rolls

• Item Name: Sour Diesel 1g Pre-Roll
• Category: Raw Pre-Roll – Each
• Size: 1,000 EA

Once created, these Parent Packages represent the inventory that will be tested.

2 . Create lab samples from Parent Packages

Take samples from each Parent Package and mark them correctly for testing.

Lab sample – Eighths

• Item Name: Sour Diesel 3.5g Jar
• Category: Bud/Flower – Each
• Size: 5 EA
• Lab Sample Toggle: ON
• Required Testing: Select all applicable options

Lab sample – Pre-Rolls

• Item Name: Sour Diesel 1g Pre-Roll
• Category: Raw Pre-Roll – Each
• Size: 5 EA
• Lab Sample Toggle: ON
• Required Testing: Select all applicable options

3 . Manifest lab samples to the lab

1. Manifest the lab sample packages to the lab.
2. The lab enters COA results directly into METRC.
3. Once completed, the test results are automatically linked to the Parent Packages.

4 . Create production from tested Parent Packages

After lab results are returned, the Parent Packages are approved for use as production sources.

Production rules

• Use the Parent Packages as the source
• Create additional eighths and Pre-Roll at the amount you want to sell
• Do NOT toggle Production Batch ON when creating these new packages. Enabling it at this stage will clear the testing in METRC

5. Sell finished goods

All packages created from the tested Parent Packages will carry the associated lab results in METRC.

Submitting Bulk Samples for R&D in Flourish:

Only "Final Form" inventory will receive a final COA. Samples of bulk material are R&D samples.

1. Locate bulk package
2. In the Package Action Menu, click "Create Package"
3. Select the same item (defaulted)
4. Toggle "Lab Test" on
5. Add this to an order and shipment
6. Manifest it within Metrc

Creating and Shipping Lab Samples Video Tutorials

Creating Lab Samples and Orders Efficiently

Shipping Lab Samples: Step-by-Step Process