Metrc (Ohio) Support Bulletin OH_IB_0086 (distributed 04/16/2026) outlines two Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) changes operators must understand: a renamed bulk item category in Metrc and updated expectations for Item Brand status/activation as it relates to payment submission and brand management.
What changed in Metrc Ohio and when
Bulletin: Metrc Support Bulletin OH_IB_0086
State oversight: Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC)
Category name change effective: 04/16/2026
Item Brand functionality change effective: 04/17/2026
Product/Item Category Update: “Bulk Non-Inhalable (weight based)”
Effective April 16, 2026, Ohio DCC is renaming the Metrc item category previously called Bulk Liquid/Powder Soluble to Bulk Non-Inhalable (weight based). The goal is to make it clearer how processors should record bulk inventory that is tracked by weight and is not intended to be packaged as an inhalable product.
What this category is intended for
In Ohio Metrc, Bulk Non-Inhalable (weight based) is intended to cover bulk-form inventory that may be in-process or in a final bulk form for testing, as long as it is tracked by weight and is non-inhalable.
• Soluble liquid or powder intended to be mixed with liquid and administered orally
• Infused liquid or powder that will be processed into tablets, capsules, or pills
• Infused liquid edibles such as honey or syrup
• In-process items not yet portioned into countable units/pieces
What is explicitly excluded
The DCC notes that Bulk Non-Inhalable (weight based) does not include items that meet Ohio’s definition of a cannabis beverage. Operators should ensure beverages are categorized using the appropriate beverage category required by Ohio’s rules and Metrc configuration.
Impact on existing inventory in Metrc
No licensee action required for existing items: The DCC will update any existing inventory currently categorized as Bulk Liquid/Powder Soluble to the new Bulk Non-Inhalable (weight based) category in Metrc.
Day-to-day operational implications for processors
Item creation and naming: When creating new items for bulk, weight-based, non-inhalable intermediate or test-ready materials, select Bulk Non-Inhalable (weight based) going forward to avoid misclassification.
Batching and production workflows: If your SOPs previously instructed staff to use Bulk Liquid/Powder Soluble, update internal documentation and training to match the new category name so production teams pick the correct category at item creation.
Testing and status clarity: Because this category is designed to capture both in-process and final bulk forms for testing, it can reduce confusion during QA sampling and lab submission when the material is not yet in final, countable retail units.
Ohio Metrc Item Brand Updates (effective 04/17/2026)
Effective April 17, 2026, Ohio users should expect changes to how Item Brand status behaves in Metrc, aligning industry use of Item Brand functionality with DCC’s updated guidance, including expectations tied to payment submission.
New Item Brand submissions become active automatically
New behavior: When submitting a new Item Brand in Metrc (Ohio), the Item Brand will automatically become Active.
Previously paid or in-use brands remain functional
No disruption expected: Item Brands that already have a prior payment and appear in Paid or In Use status will remain active and functional for operators.
How to activate existing “NotPaid” Item Brands
If you have Item Brands that were created previously but are currently in NotPaid status, Metrc indicates you can update them to Active within the Item Brand area.
Workflow in Metrc: Select the Item Brand (or multiple brands) in the grid, choose Edit Item Brands, then save the changes to update the brand(s) to Active.
Bulk editing note: Metrc supports editing multiple Item Brands at the same time by selecting multiple entries before clicking Edit Item Brands.
Important compliance notes for Ohio operators
Item approval still applies: Items remain subject to the existing Metrc Item Approval process as currently required by Ohio DCC. Activating an Item Brand does not remove or bypass item approval requirements.
Follow DCC guidance: Metrc emphasizes reading the DCC guidance on Item Brand process updates in full, since the compliance expectation is set by the regulator, not just the system behavior.
No API impacts: Metrc states there are no API impacts associated with these Item Brand functionality changes, which means integrators and tech stacks should not expect endpoint or schema changes solely due to this bulletin.
How these updates affect daily workflows
Inventory accuracy and audit readiness
Correct category selection is a common audit focal point because it impacts inventory reporting, product type restrictions, and downstream packaging/testing decisions. The category rename reduces ambiguity for bulk, weight-based non-inhalable materials, but operators still need to apply the category consistently for new items.
Brand management and speed of item setup
Auto-activating newly submitted Item Brands can reduce administrative delay when setting up new products, but operators should still ensure internal brand approval processes, trademark/label reviews, and regulator-required approvals are completed as needed before products enter the market.
Labeling and Retail ID execution: Distru tools to support compliance
Once items and brands are correctly set up in Metrc, day-to-day compliance often depends on correct labeling at packaging and at retail. DistruLabels is a 100% free tool that helps operators generate compliant packaging and retail labels, supporting accurate label output for workflows that require Metrc Retail ID alignment (for example, printing labels that match the inventory you are packaging and selling).
For larger multi-department operations that need full supply chain visibility (cultivation/manufacturing inventory, production, sales, fulfillment, and compliance workflows), DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for complete operational and compliance management across the business.
Official Metrc resources referenced in the bulletin
Metrc Support Portal
Metrc directs users to the support portal at support.metrc.com for assistance. First-time portal access may require your state selection, facility license number, and an email to set a password.
Metrc Learn (training)
Metrc Learn provides interactive training on system workflows. Access it at learn.metrc.com or from within Metrc via the Support menu (for example, selecting “Sign up for Training” where available).
