This update applies to Metrc (Illinois) and changes how cannabis operators create Transfer Manifests by requiring employee transporter validation and proper transporter selection during manifest creation. Below is a clear breakdown of Metrc Support Bulletin IL_IB_0026 (distributed 02/04/2026; effective 02/16/2026), what is changing in the Metrc workflow, and what it means for day-to-day shipping operations.
What Metrc Bulletin IL_IB_0026 Changes in Illinois
Illinois regulations require that drivers moving regulated cannabis product be properly credentialed. To align manifest creation with those requirements, Metrc is updating the Transfer Manifest workflow so the person entered as the transporter is validated using an Illinois-issued transporter ID.
In practice, this means two things must be true when you build a manifest:
- The driver’s Illinois-issued transporter ID must already be recorded in Metrc.
- The manifest must use the correct transporter selection fields so the transporter is identified properly on the Transfer Manifest.
New “Employee ID” Field: Transporter Validation During Manifest Creation
When creating a new Transfer Manifest, Metrc now includes an Employee ID field in the transfer window. This field is used to validate that the employee being entered as the transporter is an authorized/validated transporter (i.e., associated with a transporter credential that Illinois expects for compliant transport activity).
How the Employee ID verification works
During manifest creation, the origin facility enters the driver’s employee ID into the Employee ID field and selects Verify. When the Employee ID is successfully validated, Metrc displays a verified indicator (shown in the bulletin as a green checkmark) confirming the employee can be used as the transporter for that manifest.
This validation step is intended to reduce noncompliant transporter assignments and help ensure the driver selected for transport is tied to the required Illinois transporter credential.
Transport #1 Field: Only Select a Transporter
The bulletin also clarifies correct use of the transporter selection area on the manifest: in the Transport #1 field, it is important that only a transporter is selected.
Operationally, this is a data-quality and compliance control. If the wrong type of person or record is selected (for example, a non-transporter employee), it can create compliance exposure, slow down releases, and increase the chance that a manifest is rejected or flagged during review.
Practical Impact for Illinois Cannabis Operations
1) Driver onboarding must include transporter IDs in Metrc
Before your team can create compliant Transfer Manifests, each driver’s Illinois-issued transporter ID must be added in Metrc. If the transporter ID is missing or not set up properly, the origin facility may be unable to validate the driver during manifest creation, creating last-minute shipping delays.
2) Origin facilities need the driver’s Employee ID before building the manifest
The bulletin specifically notes that the origin license must know the employee ID of the driver transporting the product. This affects day-to-day dispatch: scheduling a pickup now includes confirming the correct driver identity (Employee ID) ahead of time so the manifest can be created without rework.
3) Fewer “workarounds,” more standardized compliance
By requiring validation and correct transporter selection, Metrc is pushing Illinois workflows toward a more standardized approach. For operators, this typically means fewer avoidable manifest errors, fewer shipping interruptions, and clearer accountability for who transported regulated inventory.
Related Compliance Note: Labeling and Metrc Retail ID Readiness
While this bulletin focuses on transport/manifests, most compliance teams manage shipping and labeling together to avoid downstream issues at receiving and retail. DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, including workflows that help teams stay aligned with Metrc Retail ID requirements when labeling retail-ready items.
For larger operators that need end-to-end operational control beyond labeling and manifests, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed to support complete supply chain management across cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations.
Metrc Support and Training Resources Referenced in the Bulletin
Metrc Support Portal
Metrc directs users to the support portal at https://support.metrc.com/. First-time access typically requires your username, state selection, facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn (Training)
Metrc Learn provides interactive training on system functionality. The bulletin references the platform at https://learn.metrc.com/ and notes you can also access training registration inside Metrc under the Support menu (for example, “Sign up for Training,” depending on your interface).
Metrc Expert (In-app knowledge base)
Metrc Expert is available inside the Metrc system as an in-app knowledge base (opened via the widget icon in the lower right corner of the interface) for quick, contextual guidance.
Effective Date and Who Should Act Now
This change is effective 02/16/2026 in Illinois. Cannabis operators should confirm transporter IDs are recorded for all applicable drivers and align dispatch procedures so the correct Employee ID is available before manifest creation and the Transport #1 field is populated only with a transporter.
