Guide to Metrc Processing Jobs in New York

Getting a seat at the table in the Empire State's growing cannabis market can bring in many golden opportunities, but with that appeal comes a need for strict compliance. 

Metrc, recently chosen as the official track-and-trace platform, is the backbone of everything you do. And if you're a cannabis manufacturer, Processing Jobs are a crucial part of this system. 

How you handle Metrc Processing Jobs in New York matters as much as the quality of the products you produce. Although often viewed as only technical steps, they're the official record of the cannabis transformation process: from raw flowers into those edibles, vapes, or concentrates your customers love. 

Getting Processing Jobs right keeps your inventory accurate and helps you maintain transparency across the cannabis supply chain, demonstrating full compliance and integrity in the eyes of regulators. With this in mind, let's talk about how to master them.

Understanding Metrc Processing Jobs in New York

You know you need to file them, but do you understand the full scope of their power? We'll break down what Metrc Processing Jobs are so you can manage them with confidence! 

What is a Processing Job?

Let's start with the basics: what are Processing Jobs in Metrc, and how do they work? 

In simple words, a Processing Job is Metrc's official way of recording the entire production process within a licensed facility. It's how you tell the state, "Hey, I'm taking this raw material and transforming it into something new."

Before the introduction of Processing Jobs, source packages were often left floating in limbo from the start of the production cycle until the moment your products were complete. Metrc would still register them as "active" items when, in reality, they were actively being consumed during manufacturing.

With the new system, you can inform Metrc that a Processing Job is underway and is consuming those source packages, which temporarily removes the materials you're using from your available inventory.

This change is huge! A Metrc Processing Job features an automated function that signals to regulators that your source packages are works-in-progress, preventing compliance red flags during audits.

How Do You Create a Processing Job in Metrc?

Now that you understand the importance of documenting your manufacturing workflows for seed-to-sale tracking, you're probably curious: How do you create one? And what steps are involved in completing a Processing Job in Metrc?

The specific requirements can vary—especially in a state like New York, which is currently transitioning to Metrc—but the process is generally made up of three main stages: creation, start, and completion. 

Below is what you need to do to configure a Processing Job Type:

1. Go to the "Admin" area. 
2. Select the "Processing Job Types" option from the dropdown.  
3. Click "Add Job Types."
4. Enter the required details, such as Name, Category (chosen from the dropdown menu of OCM-created options), and Description of the Processing Job.
5. List the Processing Steps or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
6. Select applicable Attributes (also selection from the OCM-created options). 

Then, to start the Processing Job, you need to: 

1. Return to the "Processing Jobs" area and go to the "Active tab."
2. Click "Start Job."  
3. Select the pre-created Processing Job Type.
4. Give the job a unique name.
5. Select the "Source Package(s)" (inputs) and the quantity being used.
6. Double-check the start date/time and click "Confirm" to create the active job.

Pro Tip: Once you save the Processing Job in pending status, print the work order and physically staple the placeholder tag to your batch. This prevents you from losing track of which tag belongs to which production run. When processing completes, you'll already have that tag on hand to use for the final package creation.

Did you finish processing? These are the Metrc job completion steps you should follow:

1. Find the active job on the "Processing Jobs" grid.
2. Highlight the job and click "Create Packages."
3. Enter the details for the new output package(s), such as Location, Item, Quantity, Package Date, and Production Batch Name or Number.
4. Assign the available Metrc Tag to each output.
5. Mark the "Finish Processing Job" checkbox if the Processing Job is finished. 
6. Click "Create Packages" to complete the creation of the package. 

While you can initiate the Processing Job directly in Metrc, this high-stakes, detail-oriented task is susceptible to errors. The smarter, safer move is to use an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, like Distru. 

Our software streamlines the generation of Processing Jobs by synchronizing data across both platforms, helping you avoid manual errors and ensuring consistency between your internal inventory and the state-mandated tracking system.

Want to optimize this process? Our comprehensive guide on Processing Jobs in Metrc offers detailed information on proper workflow documentation and shows you exactly how Distru can help.

When to Use Processing Jobs

When you perform cannabis extraction and your biomass turns into concentrate, and then that oil becomes a gummy, the product's Metrc identity changes. Given this transformation, what are the compliance requirements for Processing Jobs in New York?

The state requires a transparent record whenever you change the form of cannabis, whether by combining ingredients, extracting cannabinoids, or infusing it into another product. And this is what Processing Jobs provide.

In this sense, you must use a Metrc Processing Job any time you:

• Alter the Product's Physical Form or Chemical Composition: Such as converting flower to oil through extraction, distilling crude oil into a purer isolate, grinding flower into shake, or making specific chemical changes like decarboxylation.
• Change a Product's Category: Such as converting freshly harvested biomass (often tracked by wet weight) into dried, cured flower (tracked by dry weight) or moving a product from an "Inventory" category to a "Waste" or "Destruction" classification.
• Combine Categories: Such as using flowers and concentrates to make infused pre-rolls or mixing distillates and terpenes to formulate a specific vape oil. 
• Mix in Non-Cannabis Ingredients: Such as adding flavoring agents to cannabis to produce edibles or oils, lotions, and glycerin to create topicals or tinctures.

If you're transforming the cannabis raw material's structure or classification, there's probably a Processing Job for it.

Examples of Processing Jobs

Need a clearer picture of how to use Metrc for processing in your New York facility? Think about the products you're manufacturing every day.

Take extraction, for example. When you convert raw dried flower into crude cannabis oil, the Processing Job tracks the exact starting weight of the flower, documents the extraction method used, and records the finished weight of the oil, along with any amount of waste generated.

Another great example is edible infusion. If you're making gummies, you're combining pre-tested cannabis oil with non-cannabis ingredients like gelatin or flavorings. The Processing Job captures this entire infusion process, registers the starting oil, and creates the new package of finished gummies.

Metrc Processing Jobs, in every case, document the transformation, account for any resulting material, track the total yield, and establish an unbroken chain of custody for regulatory compliance.

Common Errors in Processing Jobs

Knowing how to create Metrc Processing Jobs is one thing—doing it right is another. The details you put in them are everything, and even little slip-ups can cause huge headaches. 

Unfortunately, errors can quickly snowball into compliance violations that no business wants to face. So, catching mistakes early is your best strategy for maintaining a smooth and audit-ready operation. Let's review the most common ones to watch out for. 

Incorrect Product Categorization

This is a common "fat finger" error. Metrc uses specific categories—like "Flower," "Concentrate," or "Infused Edible"—to classify your cannabis products, and they aren't interchangeable. If you make a batch of gummies but accidentally select "Concentrate," that will misrepresent your entire inventory and completely scramble your tracking and reporting.   

That misclassification makes it almost impossible for you to know exactly what kind of products you have on hand, and it also sends up a red flag for auditors. 

Inaccurate Source Package Information

Your source package is your starting material—the flowers, concentrates, or oil you use up. When generating a Processing Job, you have to tell Metrc exactly which package (and how much of it) is going into production. 

Using the wrong Metrc package tag number, or simply entering a quantity that doesn't match the scale, destroys your inventory's traceability. If the numbers don't line up, the entire chain of custody is broken, and you'll find it difficult to prove where your finished product came from. 

Mistakes in Quantities or Measurements

Production requires precision, especially with weights and counts. A mistake as simple as transposing numbers—typing in 10,000 grams of oil instead of 1,000 grams—can create a massive inventory discrepancy that you'll have to explain. 

Regulators expect your physical inventory to match the Metrc records when they audit your facility. If it doesn't, even if it's just a typo, you have a major issue on your hands. Measurement errors make it look like materials have vanished or magically appeared, raising questions about the accuracy and control of your entire production process.

Not Creating a Processing Job When Required

This is perhaps the biggest violation. As we mentioned above, any activity that alters the physical form or composition of cannabis must be documented with a Processing Job. Without it, you'll basically have an untraceable product that popped into existence without an official record of its transformation. 

If you forget to generate the required Processing Job, you create a gap in your seed-to-sale tracking that can put your license at risk. So, this isn't a corner to cut. 

Improper Documentation of Non-Cannabis Ingredients

For certain products—especially edibles and topicals—you need to use non-cannabis ingredients, such as flavorings, carrier oils, or other additives. New York cannabis regulations require that you accurately document these components within Processing Jobs, listing their type, source, and quantity. 

Failing to list that coconut oil or terpene blend might seem minor, but it can lead to product holds or recalls, damage your brand's reputation, and result in a serious compliance violation. 

Best Practices for Processing Jobs

You know the mistakes to avoid, but is there a way to prevent them? How can you ensure your cannabis business stays compliant with Metrc Processing Jobs? It all comes down to building solid habits. 

And great habits start with clear actions. Here are the cannabis processing best practices you can implement now to guarantee success with your Metrc reporting.

Understand the Transformation Process

Before you even open Metrc, you need total clarity on what you're making. So, map out your cannabis processing workflow, defining every step from the starting material to the final product package. 

You should know exactly what goes in, what happens to it, and what comes out. If you're not clear on the yield, waste, and ingredients before you start the job, the data you enter into Metrc will be inaccurate. 

Outline the process first, then document it.

Maintain Detailed Records

Metrc is the official state report, but you need your own. Your internal documentation is the source of truth, and it allows you to quickly verify every data point in your Processing Jobs. 

Keep comprehensive, physical records (or digital logs) of everything that went into that job—like source package IDs, ingredient weights, scales used, technicians involved, start/end times, non-cannabis ingredient lot numbers, and waste reports. This detailed paper trail protects you during an audit if a Metrc entry is ever questioned.

Verify Proper Categorization

Misclassification is a common trap. Always, always verify that the product category you select for the resulting package in Metrc matches the finished goods you actually made.

Is it a "Concentrate" or an "Infused Edible"? Taking that extra 10 seconds to confirm the category before finalizing the job saves you hours of clean-up later.

Double-Check Quantities and Measurements

The scale doesn't lie, but typos do. Make it a rule to verify the weights of your source packages and the final yield measurements. 

Never guess. Using integrated tools that sync your scale readings directly can eliminate manual errors, but if you're entering data by hand, have a second person double-check it.

Catching a transposed number before completing your Processing Jobs keeps you safe from a significant inventory discrepancy and the compliance questions that follow.

Document Production Methods

Metrc allows you to add detailed notes to a Processing Job, so why not use them? Be sure to describe your methods (like infusion or extraction techniques), batch-specific parameters (such as solvent type or oven temperature), and any unusual events.

This documentation provides important context for the regulator and for your future self. If someone ever asks how you made something, you'll have a clear, documented answer that supports the story your Metrc entry tells.

Distru's Best-in-Market Metrc Integration for New York Operators

Overseeing cannabis compliance directly in Metrc is tedious and prone to errors. What if you could manage all those Processing Jobs without the constant tab-switching and hassle? That's why we built Distru! 

Our powerful, cannabis ERP software takes the frustration out of Metrc, letting you handle all your inventory, tracking, and reporting in one place.

How Distru's Integration Helps New York Operators Stay Compliant and Efficient

Imagine logging the production of your infused pre-rolls or gummies in one system, with every step automatically syncing to Metrc in the background. Sounds like a dream, right? Not anymore—that's a reality thanks to our robust Metrc integration!

When using Distru, you can create and manage entire Processing Jobs—even complex ones with multiple outputs—right from your production dashboard, eliminating manual data entry, which is where most errors creep in.

We handle the sync and validation for you. Not only do you drastically cut down on mistakes like miscategorization or quantity errors, but you also gain hours of your week back. This means your team spends less time dealing with dual-entry paperwork and more time producing and gaining a competitive advantage in New York's demanding market.

Distru helps you avoid compliance nightmares while supporting your efforts to build a smarter operation. Want to see how this works? We've laid it all out in our Metrc integration guide.

R&D Testing and Processing Jobs

As a processor, Research and Development (R&D) testing is the preliminary step you take to perfect your product formulas before committing to a full production run. It's an additional measure for quality control that ensures your final goods meet your expectations and are safe. 

But how do you handle these small, experimental batches in the state's tracking system? Should they be recorded as formal Metrc Processing Jobs in New York? We'll find out.

How R&D Testing Works with Processing Jobs

R&D serves as your internal quality check at various stages of a Processing Job. This is different from mandatory compliance testing because it's for your own information and is usually performed before a product is ready for official submission.

You can use R&D testing at any point within the life cycle of a Processing Job—to assess your incoming source materials (like flowers for potency before infusion), check intermediates (like crude oil for consistency before distillation), or test a small sample of your final product for contaminants at the end. 

When using Metrc, every gram must be accounted for, even your experimental batches. Sampling for R&D doesn't remove your obligation to track that material. In fact, the state requires you to report various processes that transform cannabis through the Processing Jobs functionality, including those related to research and development.

Documenting R&D Testing in Metrc New York

To ensure full accountability for these internal quality checks, the OCM created a specific category—"Splitting a Batch for R&D Testing"—which you must select when separating a portion of a batch for informational, non-compliance R&D purposes. 

While the physical act of setting aside the material for R&D is logged in Metrc with a Processing Job, the test sample package itself must still be created independently using the "Submit for Testing" button. This action generates a unique package tag for the sample sent to the lab.

In summary, when performing R&D testing in New York, you'll likely engage in two distinct, but related, Metrc processes: 

1. Initiating a Processing Job using the "Splitting a Batch for R&D Testing" category to log the physical removal of the material from your main batch. 
2. Creating a Test Sample Package using the "Submit for Testing" button to generate the unique tag required for submission to the lab.

By following these steps, you keep your preliminary quality checks in adherence with New York's tracking rules. Just keep in mind that R&D testing results entered in Metrc don't alter the compliance testing status of your source package. These tests are separate and won't trigger regulatory workflows in Metrc.

Best Practices for R&D Testing and Processing Jobs

When it comes to R&D testing and cannabis processing, best practices include: 

• Developing a comprehensive testing plan before production starts.
• Using only licensed, third-party testing facilities.
• Keeping meticulous records of what you tested, when, and why.
• Establishing clear procedures for handling non-conforming products that fail R&D.
• Using R&D testing as a tool to continuously optimize your production yields and processes.

More than just checking boxes, implementing these practices is how you refine your recipes and ensure you create consistent, high-quality products. It also shows regulators that you're diligent even in your experimentation. 

Conclusion

Mastering Metrc Processing Jobs in New York helps you move from just keeping up to actually thriving in such a competitive market—it's the foundation of your compliance and the key to true cannabis manufacturing optimization.

While Processing Jobs may seem confusing at first, getting them right translates to less stress, more transparency, and a business built to last. And this is exactly what we built Distru for!

Our solution turns compliance from a constant burden into a powerful, strategic asset. Distru's seamless Metrc integration simplifies those tedious job entries, guaranteeing accuracy and saving you hours of your valuable time. 

Let us show you a better way to manage your production, so you can stop fighting the software and start growing your business. Schedule a demo with Distru today! 

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