Metrc (Colorado) Bulletin CO IB 6.25.26 announces changes to potency and R&D lab test batch options and lab test types to improve visibility into Active THC and Total THC for labeling and oversight; this article explains what changes on July 16, 2026 and what cannabis operators and testing facilities should do day to day to stay aligned.
Bulletin summary and effective date (Colorado MED)
Bulletin number: CO IB 6.25.26
Distribution date: 06/25/2026
Effective date: 07/16/2026
What’s changing in Metrc: The single Potency Lab Test Batch is being replaced by two potency batches based on intended product use, two new potency-related Lab Test Types are being added (Total THC and Active THC), the “R&D Testing” batch is being expanded with optional R&D-specific test types, and the “Metals” test batch name is being updated to “Elemental Impurities” to align with current rules.
New Potency Lab Test Batches in Metrc (by intended use)
Change: Metrc will replace the existing single potency lab test batch with two separate potency lab test batch options based on intended use.
• Potency (Inhaled Product)
• Potency (Oral Consumption, Skin & Body Products)
Why this matters for compliance: The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) requires different THC values on regulated marijuana labels depending on intended use, and these new batch options help ensure the right value is captured and reported in Metrc for the right product category.
Potency (Inhaled Product): when to use it
Use this batch for: Products intended to be inhaled.
• Flower (bud/shake & trim)
• Concentrates
• Vaporizer delivery devices
Label alignment called out in the bulletin: Total THC is required on Regulated Marijuana labels with an intended use of Inhaled Product.
Potency (Oral Consumption, Skin & Body Products): when to use it
Use this batch for: Non-inhaled products.
• Beverages
• Topicals
Label alignment called out in the bulletin: Active THC is required on Regulated Marijuana labels with an intended use of Oral Consumption and Skin and Body Products.
New Lab Test Types: Total THC and Active THC
Change: Testing Facilities will see two new Lab Test Types available for reporting within the new potency workflows.
• Total THC
• Active THC
Practical implication: Operators should expect labs to report these values (as applicable) in Metrc based on intended use, and operators should verify that the correct potency batch was selected so the correct THC value is produced for labeling and downstream retail workflows.
Total THC: calculation and components (inhaled products)
What Total THC includes: The Testing Facility calculates and enters Total THC as the sum of the following components.
• Delta-9-THCA (D9-THCA) multiplied by 0.877
• Delta-8-THC (D8-THC)
• Delta-9-THC (D9-THC)
• Exo-THC
• Delta-10-THC (D10-THC)
Formula: Total THC = (% D9-THCA × 0.877) + % D8-THC + % D9-THC + % Exo-THC + % D10-THC
Active THC: calculation and components (oral, skin & body)
What Active THC includes: Active THC is calculated from the “active” THC cannabinoids (and does not include THCA conversion).
• Delta-8-THC (D8-THC)
• Delta-9-THC (D9-THC)
• Exo-THC
• Delta-10-THC (D10-THC)
Formula: Active THC = % D9-THC + % D8-THC + % Exo-THC + % D10-THC
Day-to-day operational impact for Colorado licensees
For cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution teams
Communicate intended use early: When preparing samples and coordinating with your Testing Facility, confirm whether the SKU is intended for inhalation vs oral/skin/body so the correct Potency Lab Test Batch is selected in Metrc.
Reduce relabeling risk: Because Total THC vs Active THC is tied directly to intended use labeling, selecting the wrong potency batch can create mismatched label data and increase rework, label holds, or QA exceptions.
Expect clearer THC fields: These changes are designed to give operators and regulators clearer line-of-sight to the correct THC value required for regulated marijuana labels based on intended use.
For testing facilities
Update internal SOPs: Ensure your Metrc data entry workflows map the correct potency batch to the client’s intended use and that staff understand when to report Total THC vs Active THC.
Be consistent with calculations: The bulletin specifies that Total THC is calculated by the Testing Facility using the stated components and 0.877 conversion factor for D9-THCA.
For retail and packaging/labeling workflows
Align Metrc data to compliant labels: If your label templates reference THC values pulled from your compliance records, verify your internal processes are using Total THC for inhaled products and Active THC for oral/skin/body products as described in the bulletin.
Use a label tool that supports compliance execution: DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels and can help teams operationalize Metrc Retail ID compliance by standardizing label generation from controlled product data.
For larger, multi-site operations: DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for end-to-end supply chain management, helping align inventory, production, QA, sales, and labeling processes with Metrc reporting.
R&D Testing Lab Test Batch updates (more transparency, optional reporting)
Change: Metrc is expanding the “R&D Testing” Lab Test Batch with new optional Lab Test Types so users can see which R&D test group was performed, rather than relying on a single broad R&D category.
Current state noted in the bulletin: The R&D Testing batch currently includes a single test type: “R&D Genetics, Terpenes, Other.”
What this enables: More granular R&D reporting can support internal audits, QA documentation, and program oversight while remaining flexible because the R&D Lab Test Types are optional.
New R&D Lab Test Types available as of 07/16/2026:
• R&D Elemental Impurities
• R&D Homogeneity
• R&D Microbial Contaminants (Bud & Shake/Trim)
• R&D Microbial Contaminants (Infused Product & Non-Solvent Based Concentrates)
• R&D Microbial Contaminants (Remediated Solvent Based Concentrates)
• R&D Pesticides
• R&D Potency (Inhaled Product)
• R&D Potency (Oral Consumption, Skin & Body Products)
• R&D Residual Solvents
• R&D Other
• R&D Total Yeast and Mold Count (Bud & Shake/Trim)
• R&D Total Yeast and Mold Count (Infused Product & Non-Solvent Based Concentrates)
• R&D Total Yeast and Mold Count (Remediated Solvent-Based Concentrates)
Metals Test Batch renamed to Elemental Impurities
Change: The current “Metals” Test Batch will be changed to “Elemental Impurities.”
Practical implication: Update internal terminology in SOPs, training materials, and any integrated reporting references so staff select the correct test batch name in Metrc after the effective date.
Where to get official Metrc help
Metrc Support portal: https://support.metrc.com
Phone: 877-566-6506
Metrc Learn: Use Metrc’s on-demand training via the Support menu in Metrc to reinforce updated testing workflows.
Metrc Expert: Use the in-app knowledge base (widget icon) for step-by-step guidance and system documentation.
