This article summarizes Metrc (Maryland) Industry Bulletin MD_IB_0121 (distributed 03/30/2026), which explains how Maryland cannabis licensees must remake items currently assigned to discontinued Metrc item categories, then discontinue the old items by April 30, 2026 to avoid Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) enforcement. It covers how to find impacted items in Metrc, how to recreate them in valid categories (including naming rules and potential MCA approval), and how operations can keep working with existing packages tied to discontinued items.
What Metrc Maryland requires (and the April 30, 2026 deadline)
Metrc and the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) are directing licensees to correct any Metrc Items that use discontinued item categories.
Key requirement: Items using discontinued categories must be remade into valid, current item categories, and the old (noncompliant) Items must be discontinued in Metrc by April 30, 2026.
Operational risk after the deadline: After April 30, 2026, MCA may revoke Items that remain in discontinued item categories.
Context from Metrc guidance: Metrc Industry Bulletin #69 emphasized that any package created after the implementation of Adult Use item categories must be properly categorized. This bulletin focuses on cleaning up Items that still exist under categories that are no longer valid in Maryland.
Which item categories are discontinued in Maryland (and what to use instead)
When remaking an Item, select the correct current category that replaces the discontinued one. The current Maryland item category list is maintained in Metrc Expert (see the Maryland FAQs and package guidance in the knowledge base).
Capsule/Chewable Gel for Oral Admin: Use Infused Edible (Capsule Only).
Edible for Oral Admin: Use Infused Edible.
Kief: Use Concentrate (Each).
Lozenge: Use Infused Edible.
Oils for Oral Admin: Use Tincture for Oral Administration.
Solution for Oral Admin: Use Tincture for Oral Administration.
How to identify existing Items in discontinued categories in Metrc
To find Items that need to be remade, use the Items grid in Metrc and filter by Category.
Where to look in Metrc
Navigation path: In Metrc, go to the Admin area on the main navigation toolbar, then select Items from the drill-down menu.
How to find impacted Items: In the Items grid, use the filter on the Category column and filter for each discontinued category (for example, “Kief” or “Edible for Oral Admin”). Any results indicate Items that should be remade into a current category.
Export your impacted Item list before you change anything
Recommended workflow: After filtering the Items grid for a discontinued category, use the grid’s export function to export the filtered list. Keeping an export per discontinued category helps operators track what needs to be recreated, what has been approved (if applicable), and what has already been discontinued.
Best practices for remaking Items (to avoid production and sales disruptions)
Remaking an Item is more than a data cleanup task: it affects manufacturing, testing submissions, transfers, retail setups, and internal naming conventions. Metrc and MCA’s goal is that new packages are created under valid categories, while legacy packages remain traceable and usable through sell-through.
Create the new Item before discontinuing the old Item
Best practice: Create the corrected Item first, confirm it is usable (including any required MCA approval), then discontinue the old Item. This sequencing reduces the risk of interrupting day-to-day workflows.
New Item Names must be different from previously used names
Metrc requires the new Item Name to differ by at least one character from any previously used Item name. Plan ahead so your team can clearly distinguish the corrected Item from the legacy Item during manufacturing, picking, and sales configuration.
Practical naming approach: Add or remove a character, or take the opportunity to clarify the name (for example, adding dosage form, cultivar, flavor, pack size, or “AU”/“Adult Use” where appropriate to your internal conventions).
State approval considerations: If the corrected category is one that requires MCA approval, recreate the Item in the correct category and wait until MCA approves it for use. After approval, discontinue the old Item(s) to prevent teams from selecting the wrong version during production or package creation.
How to discontinue the old Item (and what “discontinue” really means)
Discontinuing an Item is a permanent system action, so operators should treat it as a controlled change.
Important system behavior: Discontinuing an Item removes it from the Items grid and it cannot be reinstated. If an Item is discontinued in error, the only fix is to recreate it (and obtain any required MCA approval) before it can be used again.
Where to discontinue the Item in Metrc
Navigation path: Go to Admin > Items, locate the legacy Item that uses the discontinued category, then click the discontinue option (the “X” action) on the far right of the Item row.
What happens to existing packages tied to a discontinued Item
Discontinuing an Item does not invalidate historical inventory that was already created under that Item.
Packages remain operational: Existing packages made with a discontinued Item can still be submitted for testing, transferred, sold from, and repackaged.
How to keep using a discontinued Item for allowed actions
Metrc workflow tip: When submitting for testing, transferring, registering sales, or repackaging inventory associated with a discontinued Item, use the Same Item checkbox in the applicable Metrc action screen so the system can proceed with the discontinued Item reference where allowed.
Day-to-day operational implications for Maryland licensees
Manufacturing and packaging: Teams should ensure any new production runs and any new package creation use the newly remade Items in current categories. Otherwise, you risk creating additional noncompliant records that must be cleaned up and could be subject to MCA revocation after the deadline.
Testing and transfers: If you have legacy packages tied to discontinued Items, you can continue normal workflows (testing and transfers) by selecting Same Item where prompted, while ensuring all new Items/packages are created correctly going forward.
Retail operations and product catalogs: Discontinued and remade Items can create duplicate-looking SKUs in downstream systems. Align naming conventions and make sure your POS/product catalog mappings point to the correct, current-category Item for new inventory.
Labeling and Retail ID readiness: As you remake Items and standardize naming and categories, confirm your labels and retail-ready identifiers remain consistent with Maryland rules and your Metrc data. DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, and it can help teams stay organized as they update Item records and maintain Metrc Retail ID compliance during sell-through of legacy inventory and launch of corrected Items.
Scaling beyond cleanup projects: Larger operators managing frequent catalog changes, multi-department handoffs, and high transaction volume may benefit from a full ERP approach. DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for end-to-end supply chain management, helping align purchasing, production, inventory, sales, and compliance workflows alongside Metrc.
Metrc resources for Maryland operators
If you need help locating impacted Items, understanding category requirements, or completing the remake and discontinue process, Metrc provides multiple support channels.
Metrc Support
How to contact: Submit and track a case via the Support portal or call 877-566-6506.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. ET–10 p.m. ET.
Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.
Hours: Sunday, voicemail or portal only.
Portal access note: First-time portal users typically need a username (established when logging in), the respective state, the facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn
Metrc Learn is Metrc’s on-demand training platform with interactive instruction on workflows and features. Access it directly or from the Support drop-down in Metrc (registration is required if you have not used it before).
Metrc Expert knowledge base
Metrc Expert is available inside Metrc via the widget icon in the lower right corner. It includes step-by-step guides and the up-to-date Maryland item category references mentioned in this bulletin.
Metrc.com
Metrc’s state partner pages compile state-specific training links, FAQs, and related guidance at metrc.com.
