Metrc (New York) Bulletin NY_IB_0008, distributed 02/12/2026 and effective 02/26/2026, adds new item category options for cannabis beverage products: Infused Liquid Edible - Bulk and Infused Liquid Edible - Each. This article explains what changed in Metrc, how the related lab test batches work for medical and adult-use, and what New York operators should update in day-to-day item setup, testing, and labeling workflows.
Bulletin summary: what changed in New York Metrc
Metrc, in coordination with the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), introduced additional item categories intended for beverage-style products. The bulletin also confirms the availability of associated testing batch types tied to these product categories so operators can align lab submissions and compliance testing with the correct Metrc category.
- Bulletin Number: NY_IB_0008
- Distribution Date: 02/12/2026
- Effective Date: 02/26/2026
- Subject: New Item Categories - Infused Liquid Edible - Bulk & Each
New Metrc item categories for infused beverages
The bulletin adds item category options that can be used for beverage products in Metrc. In practice, these categories help ensure that packaged beverages and beverage-related inventory are tracked under the right product type and routed into the correct testing workflows.
Infused Liquid Edible - Bulk (informational only)
This category is intended for bulk, intermediate, or pre-packaging forms of infused liquid edible product. The bulletin labels this as informational only, which generally signals it is used for tracking and classification rather than representing the final, consumer-ready unit.
Infused Liquid Edible - Each / Final Form
For consumer-ready beverages and other “each” units, New York operators should expect to use the final form category and the corresponding final-form testing batch. This is typically the category that best matches retail-ready items that will be labeled and sold.
Required lab test batches and panels (Medical vs Adult-Use)
The bulletin outlines which lab test batch names are associated with infused liquid edible products for both the medical and adult-use programs, along with the required testing panels. Operators should align their sampling and lab submissions to the correct test batch type in Metrc to reduce the risk of testing status issues, transfer delays, or downstream sales disruptions.
Medical: Infused Liquid Edible testing batches
- Medical Infused Liquid Edible - Bulk (Informational Only): Metals, Microbials, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, Potency/Cannabinoid Profile, Solvents
- Medical Infused Liquid Edible - Final Form: Metals, Microbials, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, Potency/Cannabinoid Profile, Solvents, Terpenes
Adult-Use: Infused Liquid Edible testing batches
- AU Infused Liquid Edible - Bulk (Informational Only): Metals, Microbials, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, Potency/Cannabinoid Profile, Solvents
- AU Infused Liquid Edible - Final Form: Metals, Microbials, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, Potency/Cannabinoid Profile, Solvents, Terpenes
Operationally, the biggest takeaway is that final-form infused liquid edibles include terpenes in the required testing list per the bulletin’s table, while bulk entries are described as informational only but still mapped to defined panels.
Practical implications for day-to-day cannabis operations
These category additions affect how New York operators should configure items, create packages, and route product into compliant testing states in Metrc.
Item creation and catalog cleanup
Businesses producing or selling infused beverages should review their existing item catalog and confirm that beverage SKUs are categorized correctly. Using the new category can improve consistency in reporting, testing alignment, and downstream integrations that rely on Metrc product category types.
Packaging, “each” units, and inventory accuracy
Because beverages are typically sold as discrete units, operators should ensure that retail-ready packages align to the appropriate each/final-form classification so labeling attributes (like volume and serving information) are captured consistently and can be supported during audits.
Testing workflow alignment
On or after the effective date (02/26/2026), teams should confirm that the correct lab test batch type is selected when submitting infused liquid edible products for compliance testing. Choosing the wrong testing batch can create avoidable rework, delays, or mismatches between the product form and the expected test panel.
Metrc item category data (TPI) and what it means for integrations
The bulletin includes TPI (API) details relevant to integrators and operators using third-party software connected to Metrc. The endpoint GET /items/v2/categories retrieves item categories, including the newly available infused liquid edible category type.
Endpoint: GET /items/v2/categories
Purpose: Retrieve the list of item categories available in Metrc.
Permissions required: None (as stated in the bulletin).
Common parameters:
- pageSize (optional): Number of records per page. The bulletin notes pagination is disabled by default; when enabled, values should not exceed 20.
- licenseNumber (optional): If provided, returns categories for the specified license number; if omitted, returns all item categories.
Example fields shown for “Infused Liquid Edible”: The response example highlights compliance-relevant requirements commonly used by item creation screens and integrations, including RequiresUnitThcContent, RequiresUnitVolume, RequiresServingSize, RequiresPublicIngredients, and RequiresAllergens. For beverage operators, these fields matter because they indicate that item records are expected to carry THC-per-unit content, volume, serving size, public ingredients, and allergen information for compliant product definition and labeling.
Labeling and Metrc Retail ID: where DistruLabels fits
Accurate item setup and packaging data in Metrc only works if it carries through to packaging and retail labels. DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, and it can help operators consistently print labels that support Metrc Retail ID compliance by ensuring the right product attributes (like volume, potency content, servings, ingredients, and allergens) are represented in the label workflow.
For larger New York operators who need deeper controls beyond labeling, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for end-to-end supply chain management across manufacturing, distribution, inventory, and compliance operations.
Metrc support and training resources referenced in the bulletin
If your team needs help implementing the new categories or troubleshooting item setup and testing workflows, the bulletin points to these resources:
- Metrc Support: Submit and track cases via the Support portal or call 877-566-6506. Hours: 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: On-demand training accessible directly or via the Support drop-down in Metrc.
- Metrc Expert: In-app knowledge base accessible via the widget icon in the lower right of Metrc.
- Metrc.com: State partner page resources, including training links and FAQs.
To stay compliant, New York operators should plan to implement the updated categories by the effective date and ensure item records, testing batch selection, and labeling workflows are aligned for infused liquid edible beverage products.
