This bulletin applies to Metrc (Colorado) and announces new system functionality to accurately report decontamination of regulated marijuana plant material after a failed contaminant test, effective February 2, 2026 (Bulletin CO_IB_1.12.2026_Decontamination).
What Colorado changed in Metrc (effective 2/2/2026)
Metrc, working with the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), is adding a dedicated Decontaminate workflow so operators can record decontamination activities directly on failed-test packages and maintain clearer regulatory visibility into what occurred and when.
The key system change is role-based by license type:
- Cultivation facilities: A Decontaminate button will appear in the Metrc Packages grid, and the existing Remediate button will be removed.
- Manufacturing facilities: Manufacturing operations will continue to have access to Remediation functionality.
Decontamination vs. remediation under Colorado rules
Colorado rules allow licensees to address certain contaminant failures through either decontamination or remediation, depending on what is done to the product and whether the product type changes.
- Decontamination: Neutralization or removal of dangerous substances/contaminants from regulated marijuana without changing the product type after a failed test.
- Remediation: Neutralization or removal of dangerous substances/contaminants from regulated marijuana while changing the product type after a failed test.
The bulletin directs operators to the Colorado Marijuana Rules (1 CCR 212-3) for the governing requirements.
How to record decontamination in Metrc (Packages grid)
When regulated marijuana plant material fails state-required testing and you intend to decontaminate it, Metrc expects the action to be recorded directly on the associated package.
At a high level, the workflow described in the bulletin is:
- Select the failed-test package in the Packages grid.
- Click Decontaminate.
- In the action window, enter the Method, Date, and Steps taken, then submit Decontaminate Packages.
Operationally important: the bulletin states that decontamination must be performed on the entire Production Batch, not just a portion. That means day-to-day planning must align your physical processing, batch definitions, and Metrc package/batch structure so the decontamination record matches what happened to the full production batch.
What changes in package status and history
After submission, Metrc will update the package status to Decontaminated. The steps taken entered during the process will also appear in the package history, supporting clearer documentation for internal QA and regulatory review.
Retesting is required after decontamination
Following decontamination, the package must be retested in accordance with Colorado requirements. Once the testing facility reports results, Metrc will update the package status to either:
- Retest Passed, or
- Retest Failed
For day-to-day operations, this means production scheduling and inventory availability should account for the time between decontamination, sample submission, and the posting of retest results—because inventory may remain restricted until the retest outcome is posted.
New Metrc transfer types for microbial control, decontamination, and remediation
The bulletin also explains new transfer-type options intended to improve transparency when regulated marijuana is moved to another licensed facility for:
- Microbial Control Step (prior to testing)
- Decontamination (after a failed test)
- Remediation (after a failed test)
Microbial Control Step is defined in the bulletin as a post-harvest process intended to reduce microbial contaminants in a production batch, performed prior to testing, consistently for certain batch types/strains/uses, and documented in the business’s SOPs.
The bulletin states MED will add Microbial Control Step transfer types on February 2, 2025. Because the rest of the bulletin focuses on a 2026 effective date, operators should confirm availability and timelines in Metrc and with MED if anything appears inconsistent in your environment.
Transfer types to use (affiliated vs. unaffiliated)
When transferring for these purposes, select the transfer type based on whether the receiving facility is under common ownership/control (affiliated) or not (unaffiliated):
- Affiliated (Microbial Control Step): Prior-to-testing transfers between commonly owned/controlled facilities.
- Unaffiliated (Microbial Control Step): Prior-to-testing transfers to a separate, non-affiliated licensee.
- Affiliated (Decontamination): After-failed-test transfers between commonly owned/controlled facilities.
- Unaffiliated (Decontamination): After-failed-test transfers to a separate, non-affiliated licensee.
- Affiliated (Remediation): Transfers for remediation from cultivation to a commonly owned/controlled manufacturer.
- Unaffiliated (Remediation): Transfers for remediation from cultivation to a non-affiliated manufacturer.
Practically, this affects how dispatch teams, compliance managers, and receiving teams select transfer reasons in Metrc and how SOPs describe third-party services (e.g., microbial reduction or decontamination services). Choosing the correct transfer type supports accurate reporting and reduces the risk of misclassification during audits.
Practical implications for Colorado cannabis operators
This bulletin is not just a button change—it alters how cultivation and manufacturing teams should document post-failure actions in Metrc.
- Cultivation compliance workflows will change: Cultivators should expect to use Decontaminate (not Remediate) when the product type is not changing. Training should reflect the new terminology and system behavior.
- Batch integrity matters: Because decontamination must apply to the entire production batch, operational decisions about how batches are defined and packaged can directly impact compliance flexibility after a failure.
- Status-driven inventory controls: Teams should align internal hold/release procedures with Metrc statuses like Decontaminated, Retest Passed, and Retest Failed so product is not inadvertently sold or transferred in the wrong compliance state.
- Transfers need better categorization: Using the correct Microbial Control Step, Decontamination, or Remediation transfer type (and affiliated vs. unaffiliated) becomes part of accurate chain-of-custody documentation.
Packaging, labeling, and Metrc Retail ID considerations
Decontamination and retesting can create operational pressure to relabel quickly and correctly—especially when packages are split, transferred, or prepared for retail after a compliance event. To support accurate, compliant labeling tied to Metrc data, DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, including workflows that help businesses stay aligned with Metrc Retail ID requirements.
For larger, multi-department operations that need end-to-end visibility from cultivation/manufacturing through distribution and retail readiness, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for complete supply chain management.
Where to find official guidance and system help
For the underlying regulatory requirements, refer to the Colorado Marijuana Rules (1 CCR 212-3) and MED guidance published by the Colorado Department of Revenue.
For Metrc system support and training resources referenced in the bulletin, use:
- Metrc Support (support.metrc.com)
- Metrc Learn and Metrc Expert (available within Metrc training resources)
