This article explains the Metrc (New York) support bulletin NY_IB_0014, which updates how licensees must use Item Brands in Metrc. It covers what is changing, key dates, which items and license types are impacted, how to add and assign Item Brands in the Metrc UI, and what API integrators need to know.
Summary of the New York Item Brand requirement
Effective date: Metrc Item Brands become a required field starting 05/15/2026 for applicable items created going forward.
What items are affected: The requirement applies to final form, count-based items where the quantity type is Each.
Who must comply: The requirement applies to all facility types using Metrc in New York except Testing Labs.
Update (dated 07/09/2026): Any licensee performing processing activities must also retroactively update previously created applicable items to include Item Brand information by 08/08/2026.
What “Item Brand” means in Metrc
In Metrc, an Item Brand is a standardized brand value you create and then associate to items. New York’s guidance makes this data field mandatory for applicable, retail-facing “Each” items so records align with OCM expectations and support consistent product identification across inventory, sales-related workflows, and compliance review.
Practical operational impact for day-to-day compliance
Item setup becomes more structured: Teams can no longer rely on Item Name alone to communicate branding for applicable products; the Item Brand field must be populated.
Data cleanup workload for processors: If you perform processing activities, you must plan time to edit previously created applicable items and add the correct Item Brand before the 08/08/2026 deadline.
Downstream accuracy: Accurate Item Brands help prevent internal confusion when multiple SKUs share similar names, and they reduce the likelihood of compliance issues caused by inconsistent product identification across records.
SOP updates and permissions: You may need to update SOPs and role responsibilities so staff who create or edit items can also maintain Item Brands consistently.
How to add Item Brands in Metrc (Admin)
• Navigate to the Admin menu.
• Select Item Brands.
• Select Add Item Brands to create a brand entry.
Brand entry method: Enter Item Brand names one at a time, then create/save the brand.
How to update existing Items to include an Item Brand
Important: The bulletin notes that items previously created must be updated to include Item Brand information (and the 07/09/2026 update specifically adds an 08/08/2026 deadline for licensees performing processing activities).
• Navigate to the Admin menu.
• Select Items.
• Choose the item from your facility’s item list.
• Select Edit Items.
• Select the appropriate Item Brand and associate it with the item.
• Add or refine the item description if it was not completed previously.
• Select Save Items to finalize changes.
How to create new Items with Item Brands (going forward)
• Navigate to the Admin menu.
• Select Add Item.
Fields to complete (as listed in the bulletin): Item Name, Item Category, Unit of Measure, Item Brand, THC content, Unit Weight, Public Ingredients, and Allergens.
• Select Create Items.
Metrc API note: retrieving Item Brands (GET /items/v2/brands)
For API integrators supporting New York operators, Metrc provides an endpoint to retrieve active Item Brands for a facility.
Endpoint: GET /items/v2/brands
Purpose: Retrieves a list of active item brands for the specified facility (by license number).
Key parameter: licenseNumber (the facility license number whose active brands you want to return).
Optional parameters: pageNumber and pageSize (the bulletin notes pagination is disabled by default, and enabling it requires a pageSize value not exceeding 20).
Example request: GET /items/v2/brands?licenseNumber=123-ABC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=10
Example response fields shown in the bulletin: Data (brand Id, Name, Status), Total, TotalRecords, PageSize, RecordsOnPage, Page, CurrentPage, TotalPages.
Support and training resources referenced by Metrc
Metrc Support portal: Use https://support.metrc.com or access it from within Metrc using the Support dropdown in the navigation toolbar.
First-time portal access note: Metrc indicates you will need a username established during login, your state and facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn: Metrc’s training platform is available at https://learn.metrc.com with facility-specific learning programs and courses.
API Support: Metrc lists API support at api-info@metrc.com.
Labeling and Retail ID readiness: DistruLabels and DistruERP
DistruLabels: DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels. For operators navigating Metrc data requirements (including Metrc Retail ID workflows), having a reliable labeling tool helps ensure product labels can be produced accurately and consistently as item records and product details evolve.
DistruERP: DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for larger operations that need complete supply chain management across purchasing, production, inventory, fulfillment, and compliance-related workflows that connect to systems like Metrc.
