Metrc Bulletin OR_IB_0071 (Oregon) — What Changed
Metrc (Oregon) has released an update that affects how licensed cannabis businesses record waste weight in Processing Jobs. Bulletin OR_IB_0071 was distributed 01/26/2026 and is effective 01/28/2026.
The core change: Metrc now allows you to record waste weights that exceed the total weight of the input materials used in a Processing Job—provided you include an explanatory note.
Updated Metrc Functionality: Allowing Excess Waste Weight
Before this update, many operators ran into workflow friction when a real-world process produced waste that was heavier than the cannabis inputs recorded in the Processing Job. Metrc now supports these scenarios by allowing a waste overage entry.
What Metrc Now Allows
- Licensees can enter a waste weight greater than the total input weight in a Processing Job.
- When the waste weight exceeds the Processing Job input total, Metrc prompts for confirmation and requires documentation.
Required Documentation: Notes Are Mandatory
When recording waste that exceeds total input weight, Metrc requires the user to enter a note explaining why the overage occurred. This note becomes an important compliance record that supports auditability and helps regulators understand the operational reason for the discrepancy.
Why Waste Can Exceed Input Weight (Common Scenarios)
Metrc specifically called out practical examples where waste can legitimately exceed the recorded cannabis input weight due to added non-cannabis materials or liquid absorption.
- Flower washing: Water and retained moisture can increase the weight of material disposed as waste.
- Infused edible production: Ingredients (e.g., sugars, oils, emulsifiers) and absorbed liquids can make disposed waste heavier than the cannabis inputs alone.
Operational Impact for Oregon Cannabis Teams
This update reduces the need for workarounds when real production waste does not align neatly with cannabis-only input weights. For day-to-day operations, that means:
- Fewer blocked workflows: Processing Jobs can be closed out even when waste is heavier than the input total.
- Improved internal documentation: Mandatory notes encourage consistent explanations that align production, QA, and compliance teams.
- Better audit readiness: The note requirement creates a clear rationale for exceptions, helping you defend entries during inspections or internal audits.
What to Train Staff On Immediately
Because the system now permits overages, staff should be trained to write notes that are specific and operationally meaningful (for example, referencing the process step and why additional weight was present), rather than vague statements.
API Update for Metrc Integrations
If you use an integration or in-house software connected to Metrc, the same excess-waste capability is supported through Metrc’s API using these endpoints:
PUT /processing/v2/finishPOST /processing/v2/createpackages
Integration teams should validate that their software properly handles the new behavior and enforces the required note when waste exceeds total input weight.
Compliance Tip: Keep Metrc Records and Packaging Labels Aligned
Processing changes often ripple into downstream workflows (packaging, transfers, retail readiness). Keeping product data and identifiers consistent helps prevent mismatches between what’s in Metrc and what’s on the package.
DistruLabels: Free Metrc-Friendly Labeling Support
DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels. It helps teams produce labels that support Metrc Retail ID compliance by making it easier to generate accurate, consistent label outputs for products moving through regulated workflows.
DistruERP for Larger, Multi-Department Operations
For larger operators that need end-to-end visibility beyond labeling, DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed for complete supply chain management—supporting connected workflows across production, inventory, compliance, sales, and fulfillment.
Where to Get Help
For official Metrc support and documentation, use the Metrc Support portal at Support.Metrc.com. You can also explore state-specific resources at Metrc.com.
