This article explains Metrc (Minnesota) Support Bulletin MN_IB_0057 (distributed 03/17/2026, effective ongoing) and what it means for licensees selling “deli style” cannabis flower: the required Metrc item category, how to create deli-style bulk packages, and how to properly record variable-weight retail sales in Metrc and your POS.
Bulletin scope and why it matters
“Deli style” sales change how flower inventory is categorized and tracked because the retail quantity is determined at the counter, not pre-packaged in fixed weights.
Primary compliance goal: Ensure bulk flower intended for deli-style retail is clearly distinguished in Metrc so transfers, inventory, and sales are traceable and consistent with Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) expectations.
What “deli style” cannabis flower means in Minnesota
In the bulletin, “deli style” refers to dispensary sales where cannabis flower is sold directly from a bulk flower batch and weighed out on demand.
Consumers or patients may request different amounts (within their allotment), and the budtender weighs the requested quantity at the time of sale and records that exact quantity as the sale quantity.
Required Metrc item category for deli-style bulk flower
Minnesota OCM added a new Metrc item category specifically for this workflow.
Required category name: “CANNABIS FLOWER DELI-STYLE (BULK)”.
All cannabis flower that will be sold to the end consumer or patient as deli style must be in this Metrc item category.
Transfer expectation: Cannabis flower intended for deli-style sales must be transferred to dispensaries using the deli-style item category.
Repackaging requirement: Bulk cannabis flower purchased under any other category must be repackaged into “CANNABIS FLOWER DELI-STYLE (BULK)” before being sent for retail deli-style sales.
Creating deli-style (bulk) packages in Metrc
To create a deli-style package, the item must exist under the new deli-style item category first.
System action: Repackage the bulk cannabis flower in Metrc into a package that uses the “CANNABIS FLOWER DELI-STYLE (BULK)” item category so the retail-ready bulk package is correctly categorized for deli-style selling.
Practical implication: Operations that previously used a general flower category for bulk transfers will need to adjust item setup and repackaging workflows so retail bulk flower is not sitting in the wrong category at the dispensary.
TRA note: Retailers can bring deli-style cannabis into “CANNABIS FLOWER DELI-STYLE (BULK)” from a Tribal Regulatory Authority (TRA). Per the bulletin, retailers should not have to repackage into a deli-style package when receiving from a TRA in this manner.
Recording deli-style retail sales from bulk packages
Once the deli-style bulk package is at the dispensary and ready to sell, the sale is recorded like other products, with one key difference: the quantity sold should match the exact weight the consumer requested and the budtender weighed out.
For example, if the customer requests 3.5 grams, the quantity sold is entered as 3.5 grams. If the customer requests 7 grams, the quantity sold is entered as 7 grams.
POS integration consideration: You may need to coordinate with your third-party POS/integrator to ensure your system supports variable-weight sales from a single bulk package while still reporting the correct quantities to Metrc.
Day-to-day operational impacts for licensees
Inventory accuracy: Deli-style workflows create frequent, small inventory decrements from one bulk package, making daily reconciliation and staff consistency critical.
Receiving and transfer discipline: Because Minnesota requires the deli-style category for retail bulk flower, receiving teams should verify item categories at intake to avoid downstream rework and compliance risk.
Packaging at time of sale: Even though the inventory source is bulk, the consumer-facing unit is created at the counter. Your procedures should ensure the weighed unit is packaged and labeled consistently with Minnesota rules and your internal SOPs.
Audit readiness: Proper use of the deli-style category helps explain why retail quantities vary transaction-to-transaction and supports clear traceability from bulk package to retail sales activity.
Retail labeling and Metrc Retail ID support
Because deli-style sales create on-demand, variable-weight units at checkout, labeling needs to keep up with real-time selling and Metrc reporting, including any Metrc Retail ID requirements your workflow and state rules trigger.
DistruLabels: DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, designed to help operators generate labels that align with Metrc-driven retail workflows, including Metrc Retail ID compliance needs.
DistruERP: For larger multi-department operations that need end-to-end supply chain management (cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and compliance workflows), DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform.
Metrc support and training resources referenced in the bulletin
Metrc Support Portal: Access support at https://support.metrc.com or via the Support dropdown inside the Metrc system. First-time portal access requires a username (established when logging in), the state selection, your facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn: Metrc Learn provides interactive training organized by facility-specific programs and courses. Access it at https://learn.metrc.com.
In-system resources: Use the Support dropdown in Metrc to find additional educational guides, manuals, and other reference materials.
