Metrc (New York) bulletin NY_IB_0013 (distributed 04/28/2026; effective 05/13/2026) explains how licensees must track Buyer’s Club event product movement in Metrc using a dedicated transfer type, then reconcile inventory after the event (including specific instructions for returning samples to a retailer facility and recording employee sampling).
Bulletin purpose and what changed in Metrc
This bulletin introduces a dedicated Buyer’s Club event transfer type in Metrc so Buyer’s Club activity is clearly separated from standard transfers. The state’s intent is to keep inventory, chain of custody, and post-event records accurate for regulated sampling activity.
Before the event: designate packages as Trade Samples
Step 1: apply the Trade Sample designation in the Packages grid
Where to do this: Navigate to the Packages grid in Metrc.
What to select: Select the Package UID(s) you intend to bring to the Buyer’s Club event.
What to apply: Apply the Trade Sample designation to each applicable package before creating any transfer.
Product eligibility requirements for Trade Sample packages
Finished goods only: The bulletin instructs that product being designated as a trade sample must be a Finished Good package.
Testing status: The package must have a testing status of TestPassed or RetestPassed prior to transfer creation.
Physical labeling: Finished products must also be designated as a trade sample on the physical packaging of each cannabis product.
Moving product to the event: create an Outgoing External Transfer
Step 2: use the Buyer’s Club event transfer type
Navigation path: Go to Transfers > External in Metrc.
Action: Open the Outgoing tab and select New Transfer.
Transfer type: Select the Buyer’s Club event transfer type from the available options.
Destination fields: Create the outgoing transfer to the event location by entering the Buyer’s Club event name in Destination Name and the event address in Destination Address.
Address accuracy requirement: The bulletin notes the destination address is currently a free-form text entry, and the licensee is responsible for ensuring the address is accurate at the time the transfer is created.
Manifest contents: Add all applicable Trade Sample packages to the transfer manifest.
Finalize: Save and submit the transfer.
After the event: post-event reconciliation in Metrc
Complete the external transfer to keep inventory accurate
Locate the transfer: Return to Transfers > External and find the outgoing Buyer’s Club event transfer.
Required reconciliation step: Complete the external transfer to finalize the transaction in Metrc.
Inventory impact: Confirm that all transferred packages have been removed from your active inventory. The bulletin warns that failure to complete the external transfer can lead to inaccurate inventory records.
Bringing inventory back to a New York retailer facility
The bulletin provides a specific pathway for returning event-related samples to a physical Retailer facility location, and it also makes clear that you must coordinate this return with the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) before bringing anything back into the facility.
Create a dedicated “Buyers Club Samples” item
Where to do this: Go to Admin > Items and create a new item titled “Buyers Club Samples”.
Category: Set the category to Variety Pack.
Unit of measure: Set the unit of measure to Each.
Description: Use “Buyers Club Event Samples”.
Obtain OCM direction before returning product
OCM approval step: Email OCM requesting to bring samples into the retail facility, and wait for instruction.
Record the return as an External Incoming Transfer (per OCM instruction)
Transfer type: Bring the item back in via an External Incoming Transfer, selecting “Buyers Club Samples” as the External Incoming Transfer Type.
Transportation details: Include Planned Route, Transport, Vehicle, Driver, and Package information as required for the incoming transfer record.
How to package assorted units in Metrc: For package information, use the “Buyers Club Samples” item and include the quantity of all assorted samples in one Package UID.
Units count: Set the number of units equal to the total number of assorted units combined into that one package.
Do not mark as finished goods: The bulletin instructs not to select Finished Goods for this incoming transfer workflow.
Register then complete: Select Register Transfer, then select Complete.
Package UID and location: Select an available Package UID for the event sample package(s) and include the package location, then select Complete Transfer.
Adjusting the returned package for employee sampling at retail
When employees sample product at the retailer facility, the bulletin instructs licensees to reduce the quantity in Metrc using a package adjustment tied to the correct reason code and documentation.
Where to adjust: Go to Packages > Active and select the Buyers Club Sample package.
Action: Select Adjust.
Quantity entry: Enter the quantity the employee is sampling, using a negative (“-”) quantity to reduce the package.
Adjustment reason: Select “Employee Trade Sample” as the action reason.
Required note: Enter the employee name who is consuming the sample in the Required Note field.
Adjustment date: Use the date the sample was provided.
Finalize: Select Adjust Packages.
Practical compliance implications for day-to-day operations
Inventory accuracy depends on closing the loop after the event
Metrc recordkeeping risk: If you do not complete the outgoing external transfer after the event, Metrc will continue to reflect those packages as “in transit” or otherwise misaligned with your on-hand inventory, which can cascade into audit findings, variance investigations, and operational confusion.
Be precise with event destination data
Free-form address field: Because the Destination Address field is not constrained, teams should standardize how they enter event addresses internally (and verify the address before submission) to reduce preventable errors that are difficult to correct after the fact.
Who can and cannot use this workflow (per bulletin guidance)
Distributors: The bulletin states distributors can participate in the Buyer’s Club workflow.
Cultivators: The bulletin states cultivators cannot participate because trade samples must be finished goods and tested.
Processors and returns: The bulletin indicates processors should plan to bring only the amount they intend to give away to the event, and should not expect to bring extra product back into Metrc afterward.
Transportation limitations still apply
Vehicles: The bulletin states only vehicles approved for cannabis delivery with OCM can be used to physically transfer product for Buyer’s Club events.
Labeling, Retail ID readiness, and tools that help
Because the bulletin ties the Metrc “Trade Sample” designation to physical packaging labeling, operators should ensure their packaging workflows can reliably produce compliant labels for samples and retail-facing inventory. Clean label data also supports downstream scanning, internal controls, and Metrc Retail ID expectations where applicable.
DistruLabels: Distru offers DistruLabels as a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels. For operators navigating sample labeling and consistent identifiers, it can help streamline label output and reduce mistakes that lead to Metrc and retail ID compliance issues.
DistruERP: For larger, multi-site, or higher-complexity operations, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed to support end-to-end supply chain management, including inventory controls, order operations, and compliance-minded workflows that complement Metrc tracking.
Metrc support resources referenced by the bulletin
Metrc Support: Submit and track cases via the Metrc Support portal or call 877-566-6506.
• Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. ET–10 p.m. ET
• Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. ET
• Sunday, voicemail or portal only
Metrc Learn: Metrc’s on-demand training platform for interactive education on system functionality and workflow efficiency.
Metrc Expert: The in-app knowledge base accessible from the widget icon in the lower right of the Metrc interface.
Metrc.com: Visit metrc.com for state partner pages, training links, and other program resources.
