Metrc (Rhode Island) Support Bulletin RI_IB_0052 explains the current, ongoing method for moving a mother plant into flowering in Metrc without breaking plant genealogy or tag history. This article summarizes what Metrc is requiring, how to execute the workflow inside Metrc, and what it means for day-to-day cultivation operations and downstream compliance.
What the Rhode Island bulletin is telling cultivators
In Metrc, a “mother plant” is expected to remain in a vegetative state for propagation purposes. When a licensee decides a mother plant will no longer be maintained as a mother and will instead be flowered, Metrc is directing operators to recreate that plant as a new planting (with a new plant tag) and then record the original mother plant as destroyed.
The key compliance concept is that you are not directly converting the existing mother plant record into a flowering plant record. Instead, you create a new planting from the mother, move the new planting to flowering, and then virtually destroy the original mother plant record.
Metrc workflow: how to move a mother plant into flowering
Create a new planting from the mother plant record
In Metrc, navigate to Plants > Mother Plants, select the mother plant you intend to flower, and choose Create Plantings.
When creating the planting, enter the required fields in the Create Plantings window.
Batch Name: Use an internal naming convention that will be easy to reconcile in audits (for example, include cultivar, room, and date).
Plant Type: Select the appropriate plant type for the new planting.
Plant Count: Enter 1 (the bulletin’s described process is a one-to-one recreation of the mother plant as a new planting).
Location: Choose the correct physical location where the new planting will be managed.
Planting Date: Use the date that matches your operational event timing and SOP.
After creation, the new planting will appear under Plants > Immature.
Change the new planting’s growth phase to flowering
From Plants > Immature, select the newly created planting and choose Change Growth Phase.
Complete the growth phase change fields carefully, because this is what establishes the flowering plant record that will carry the compliance history going forward.
Plant Count: Confirm the count is correct (1).
Starting Tag: Select the next plant tag you are assigning to represent the flowering plant.
Growth Phase: Select Flowering.
Location: Verify the flowering location is correct.
Change Date: Enter the date the plant is considered to have transitioned to flowering under your SOP.
Once submitted, the plant will appear under Plants > Flowering and can be managed as a standard flowering plant in Metrc.
Destroy the original mother plant record in Metrc
After the flowering plant has been created under a new tag, return to Plants > Mother Plants, select the original mother plant, and choose Destroy.
This step is described in the bulletin as a virtual destruction to reflect that the “mother plant” record has been replaced by the newly tagged flowering plant record.
In the destroy window, record the waste details as instructed.
Waste Method: Select the appropriate method from the dropdown.
Material Mixed: Enter the required material-mixed value (if applicable in your workflow/state configuration).
Destroy Date: Enter the destruction date consistent with your internal documentation.
Waste amount requirement: Waste must be recorded at a value equal to or greater than 0.0001g.
Reason: Select Waste.
Note: Include a detailed note stating the mother plant was virtually destroyed due to its transition to flowering, and reference the new plant tag that now represents the flowering plant.
Practical implications for day-to-day cultivation operations
Your SOP should treat this as a “re-tagging” event
Operationally, this process functions like a controlled identity change: the plant that was previously managed as a mother must be represented under a new planting record and new plant tag before it can be managed in flowering. Cultivation teams should align this workflow with room moves, canopy counts, and internal batch naming conventions to prevent confusion between the old mother record and the new flowering record.
Audit readiness depends on strong notes and cross-references
The destroy note is not a formality. It is the narrative link that explains why a mother plant disappeared (destroyed) while a new flowering plant appeared. Referencing the new tag in the note supports traceability during internal reviews, state inspections, and reconciliation of plant counts by location and growth phase.
Tag and inventory discipline reduce downstream compliance friction
Because the flowering plant now exists under a new tag, downstream processes that depend on accurate plant identity (harvest creation, package creation, transfers, and eventual retail labeling) are cleaner when the growth phase transition is handled exactly as Metrc describes. Teams should ensure the correct starting tag is assigned and that the change date matches the operational event being documented.
Labeling and ERP tools that support Metrc compliance
While this bulletin is about cultivation growth phases, it ultimately supports end-to-end traceability that carries through packaging and retail. DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, and it can help teams stay aligned with Metrc Retail ID compliance by generating labels that reflect the correct, current Metrc identifiers and product details.
For larger operators that need broader workflow control beyond labeling, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed to support complete supply chain management across cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations while keeping compliance data organized and accessible.
Metrc support and training resources referenced in the bulletin
Metrc Support Portal: Access support at https://support.metrc.com (also reachable from within Metrc via the Support area). First-time access generally requires your established username, the correct state selection, your facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn (LMS): Training is available at https://learn.metrc.com. You can also access training from inside Metrc by navigating to Support and selecting the training sign-up option.
