This update applies to Metrc (Illinois) and changes how cannabis operators create transfer manifests by requiring employee transporter validation using an Illinois-issued transporter ID. Below is a plain-language breakdown of what changed, when it takes effect, and what it means for day-to-day manifest creation and compliance workflows.
Metrc Illinois bulletin summary and effective date
Bulletin: IL_IB_0026
Subject: Creating Transfer Manifests with Transporter Licenses
Distribution date: 02/04/2026
Effective date: 02/09/2026
Metrc is updating the transfer manifest workflow to better align with Illinois requirements by ensuring that the person listed as the transporter is validated using a state-issued transporter identifier.
What’s changing for Illinois transfer manifests in Metrc
When an Illinois licensee creates a transfer manifest, Metrc now expects the driver/transporter to be validated using an Illinois-issued transporter ID that is associated with an employee record in Metrc. The intent is to reduce the risk of listing non-qualified staff as transporters and to strengthen documentation for regulated transport activity.
New “Employee ID” validation step during manifest creation
During manifest creation, Metrc includes an Employee ID field in the transfer workflow. This field is used specifically to validate that the employee being entered as the transporter is an approved/validated transporter for Illinois purposes.
Operationally, the workflow is:
- Enter the employee’s ID in the Employee ID field during manifest creation.
- Select Verify to confirm the employee is validated for transporter use.
- Proceed only after the system indicates the employee is verified.
If the employee cannot be verified, the most common root cause is that the employee’s Illinois-issued transporter ID has not been added to Metrc yet (or the wrong employee ID was entered).
Transporter selection: only use a transporter in “Transport #1”
Metrc also clarifies the expected use of the transporter field on transfer manifests: only a transporter should be selected in the “Transport #1” field. In practice, this means facilities should avoid selecting a general employee record that is not transporter-validated when populating transporter information for the manifest.
Lab test sample transfers: transporter details no longer required
Metrc updated the Lab Sample Transfer type in connection with the employee validation changes. For Illinois operators, it is no longer required to add transporter, driver, and vehicle information when creating a Lab Sample Transfer.
This change can reduce administrative work for sample movements, but it also makes it more important to select the correct transfer type. If the movement is not truly a lab sample transfer, using the wrong type could create compliance risk or documentation gaps.
Practical compliance implications for day-to-day operations
For most Illinois operators, this bulletin changes who needs to be involved before a manifest is created and what information must be on hand at dispatch time.
- Pre-load transporter credentials in Metrc: Each employee who will drive regulated transfers should have their Illinois-issued transporter ID correctly entered in Metrc before they are scheduled for deliveries or pickups.
- Dispatch needs the correct employee ID: The originating facility creating the manifest must know the correct employee ID for the driver to complete the verification step without delays.
- Fewer last-minute manifest edits: If transporter IDs are missing or incorrect, manifests may stall at creation time, causing shipment delays and increasing the chance of errors under time pressure.
- Training and SOP updates: Update internal SOPs so staff know the difference between the employee record, employee ID verification, and the transporter field requirements, especially for teams that rotate drivers.
Helpful Metrc support and training resources
If you need clarification on workflow changes or cannot verify an employee ID, Metrc provides multiple support channels:
- Metrc Support Portal: https://support.metrc.com
- Metrc Learn training: https://learn.metrc.com
Metrc also offers an in-app knowledge base via Metrc Expert (accessible from within the Metrc system).
How Distru can support compliant labeling and operations
While this bulletin focuses on transporter validation and manifest creation, compliant operations typically require consistent execution across inventory, packaging, and retail labeling.
DistruLabels: free compliant cannabis labels (including Metrc Retail ID needs)
DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels. For operators managing packaged goods and storefront-ready items, it helps support Metrc Retail ID compliance by producing clear, standardized labels that match the data your team is maintaining in Metrc and your internal systems.
DistruERP: cannabis ERP for end-to-end supply chain management
For larger or multi-department operations that need deeper control over purchasing, production, inventory, sales, and fulfillment, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for complete supply chain management while supporting compliance-driven workflows.
