This update explains Metrc (Minnesota) Support Bulletin MN_IB_0063, which adds a new cultivator item category called Fresh Frozen Flower effective 06/24/2026. Below is what the new category is for, what data Metrc will require when you create these packages, and the day-to-day operational impacts for cultivation-to-manufacturing transfers and labeling workflows.
Bulletin details and effective date
Bulletin number: MN_IB_0063
Distribution date: 06/10/2026
Effective date: 06/24/2026
Subject: New Item Category – Fresh Frozen Flower
Who is impacted: Minnesota cultivators using Metrc (issued in conjunction with the OCM).
Why this matters: The new category is intended to support wet flower material packaged for transfer to manufacturers for “live” extraction use cases.
What “Fresh Frozen Flower” means in Metrc
Starting 06/24/2026, Minnesota cultivators can select Fresh Frozen Flower as an item category in Metrc when creating packages. Metrc’s intent (as described in the bulletin) is to support compliant tracking of wet flower material that is frozen soon after harvest and then transferred to manufacturing for extraction processes commonly marketed as “live” products.
In practical terms, this category helps distinguish fresh-frozen inputs from dried/cured flower categories, which can reduce downstream confusion during receiving, production intake, and audit reviews.
Operational impact for cultivators and manufacturers
Packaging and transfer workflows
The bulletin explicitly notes that the category “will allow for the creation of wet flower material packages” intended to be transferred to manufacturers for purposes such as live plant extractions (for example, live resin or live rosin). For cultivators, this means you should align your harvest/post-harvest SOPs with how and when material is frozen, how it’s weighed, and how it’s packaged prior to transfer.
For manufacturers, receiving teams should be ready to see (and reconcile) incoming packages categorized as Fresh Frozen Flower, which may affect intake expectations (wet weight vs. dry weight assumptions), storage handling, and production scheduling.
Weight-based category considerations
Metrc states Fresh Frozen Flower is a weight-based category. Day to day, that elevates the importance of consistent scale practices, documented tare procedures, and clear internal definitions of what is being weighed (for example, including or excluding packaging components) so your Metrc weights match physical inventory.
Metrc fields required for Fresh Frozen Flower packages
Per the bulletin, creating Fresh Frozen Flower packages will require the following information in Metrc.
Strain: You must input the strain for the package.
Allergens: You must provide allergen information as required by the category setup in Minnesota Metrc.
Use-by date: You must enter a use-by date, supporting shelf-life controls and reinforcing that this material is managed differently than stable, dried inputs.
Because these fields are required at package creation, operators should ensure the data is available at the point of packaging (not retroactively), including standardized strain naming conventions and a consistent internal policy for determining use-by dates.
How to prepare before 06/24/2026
Update item catalogs and SOPs: Confirm your team understands when to use Fresh Frozen Flower versus other flower or biomass categories, and document the decision rules in your SOPs.
Train packaging and compliance staff: Ensure staff know the required Metrc inputs (strain, allergens, use-by date) so packages are created correctly the first time.
Coordinate with manufacturing partners: Align on receiving expectations for fresh-frozen transfers, including storage requirements and timing, to avoid delivery rejections or intake delays.
Labeling implications and Metrc Retail ID support
New categories often create new labeling moments: package labels may need to clearly communicate what the material is (fresh frozen), along with the compliance data used in Metrc (including use-by dating where applicable). If your operation also deals with retail workflows, staying consistent with Metrc identifiers is critical for traceability.
DistruLabels: DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, and it can help teams maintain consistency with Metrc Retail ID requirements by standardizing how identifiers and required data elements appear on labels.
DistruERP: For larger multi-site or vertically integrated operations, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for end-to-end supply chain management, helping connect cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, sales, and compliance workflows so Metrc-related category changes are easier to operationalize.
Official Metrc resources referenced in the bulletin
Metrc Support portal: Use the full-service support system at https://support.metrc.com. The bulletin notes first-time access may require a username established when logging in, the state selection, your facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn training: Metrc Learn provides interactive training content to improve system proficiency. Access it at https://learn.metrc.com or from within Metrc by navigating to the Support menu and selecting “Sign up for Training.”
Metrc Expert knowledge base: In Metrc, use the widget icon in the lower right-hand corner to open Metrc Expert for step-by-step guides and self-service answers.
Bottom line for Minnesota operators
Effective 06/24/2026, Minnesota cultivators gain a new Metrc item category—Fresh Frozen Flower—built to track wet, frozen flower packages intended for transfer to manufacturers for live extraction workflows. To stay compliant and avoid transfer friction, prepare now by aligning SOPs, ensuring required fields (strain, allergens, use-by date) are captured at packaging time, and tightening label and data consistency across your team.
