Metrc (West Virginia) Support Bulletin WV_IB_0047 (distributed 06/17/2026, effective 07/01/2026) explains how to align Metrc item categories with real-world cannabis products and which Metrc “Lab Test Batch” types to use when submitting samples for compliance and R&D testing. This article summarizes the item product chart, clarifies category-to-testing expectations, and explains what the 07/01/2026 lab test batch updates (including solvents) mean for day-to-day operations.
What the bulletin changes on 07/01/2026
The West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis and Metrc are updating certain Lab Test Batch options to include solvents as part of the available testing groups beginning 07/01/2026.
Effective date: 07/01/2026
Updated Lab Test Batch types (solvents added): Infused Products
Updated Lab Test Batch types (solvents added): Non-Solvent Concentrate
Updated Lab Test Batch types (solvents added): Non-Solvent Infused Flower
Operationally, this matters because using the correct Lab Test Batch type is what keeps test results correctly associated to the right item category and product form in Metrc, which supports accurate compliance reporting and helps prevent test submission delays or rework.
How to interpret the “Item Product Chart” in Metrc
The bulletin’s chart is intended to help operators answer two questions consistently:
• Which Product Item Category should I choose for this product when I create an item in Metrc?
• Which Required Testing Lab Test Batch type should I select when I create a test sample from that item?
In practice, your workflow should be: correctly categorize the item at creation (or when converting/manufacturing), then create a test sample using the Lab Test Batch type that matches that category and product form.
Plant material: item categories and testing batches
Raw plant material
Common production stage/product examples: Raw Plant Material; Bud/Flower (each); Bud/Flower (bulk); Shake/Trim; Shake/Trim (by strain); Shake/Trim (final form)
Metrc Product Item Category: Raw Plant Material
Required Testing Lab Test Batch type: Raw Plant Material
Testing groups shown for Raw Plant Material: Pesticides; Potency/Cannabinoid Profile; Filth & Foreign Matter; Moisture Content; Metals; Microbials; Mycotoxins; Terpenes; Water Activity
Day-to-day implication: if flower or trim is intended for sale or further processing, ensure it is represented as Raw Plant Material in Metrc so your compliance test sample is created under the Raw Plant Material batch type and includes the applicable test groups.
Whole wet plant and fresh frozen
Common production stage/product examples: Whole Wet Plant/Fresh Frozen; Whole Wet Plant
Metrc Product Item Category: Whole Wet Plant
Required Testing Lab Test Batch type: Whole Wet Plant/Fresh Frozen
Testing groups shown for Whole Wet Plant/Fresh Frozen: Pesticides; Potency/Cannabinoid Profile; Filth & Foreign Matter; Metals; Microbials; Mycotoxins; Terpenes
Day-to-day implication: when handling fresh frozen or whole wet material destined for extraction or other processing, selecting the Whole Wet Plant category and the Whole Wet Plant/Fresh Frozen test batch type helps maintain correct chain-of-custody and test result alignment.
Concentrates and extracts: non-solvent vs solvent-based
The bulletin separates concentrates/extracts into two Metrc item categories, which directly drive which Lab Test Batch type should be used for sampling and results reporting.
Non-solvent concentrates/extracts
Metrc Product Item Category: Non-Solvent Concentrate
Examples included in the bulletin: Concentrate (bulk); Concentrate (each); Kief (bulk); Kief (each); Vape Products
Required Testing Lab Test Batch type: Non-Solvent Concentrate
Testing groups shown for Non-Solvent Concentrate: Filth & Foreign Matter; Microbials; Potency/Cannabinoid Profile; Mycotoxins; Metals; Pesticides; Terpenes
07/01/2026 update: Solvents are added to the Non-Solvent Concentrate Lab Test Batch options, expanding what can be selected and reported under this batch type when applicable.
Day-to-day implication: even if a product is labeled “non-solvent,” the correct Metrc category still matters for how labs and regulators interpret the test batch and associated results. The 07/01/2026 update adds flexibility for solvent-related selection/reporting where required by policy or circumstance.
Solvent-based concentrates/extracts
Metrc Product Item Category: Solvent Based Concentrate/Extract
Examples included in the bulletin: Concentrate (bulk); Concentrate (each); Vape Products
Required Testing Lab Test Batch type: Solvent Based Concentrate/Extract
Testing groups shown for Solvent Based Concentrate/Extract: Filth & Foreign Matter; Microbials; Potency/Cannabinoid Profile; Mycotoxins; Metals; Pesticides; Residual Solvents; Terpenes
Day-to-day implication: if extraction involves solvents, ensure the item is created/converted into the solvent-based category so residual solvent testing is clearly represented under the correct batch type and results map cleanly back to the product.
Infused products: infused flower vs finished infused products
Infused flower (solvent-based) and non-solvent infused flower
Metrc Product Item Category: Infused Flower
Examples included in the bulletin: Infused Flower (bulk); Infused Flower (each)
Required Testing Lab Test Batch type: Infused Flower
Testing groups shown for Infused Flower: Filth & Foreign Matter; Metals; Microbials; Mycotoxins; Pesticides; Potency/Cannabinoid Profile; Solvents; Terpenes
Metrc Product Item Category: Non-Solvent Infused Flower
Examples included in the bulletin: Infused Flower (bulk); Infused Flower (each)
Required Testing Lab Test Batch type: Non-Solvent Infused Flower
Testing groups shown for Non-Solvent Infused Flower: Filth & Foreign Matter; Metals; Microbials; Mycotoxins; Pesticides; Potency/Cannabinoid Profile; Terpenes
07/01/2026 update: Solvents are added to the Non-Solvent Infused Flower Lab Test Batch options, expanding what can be selected and reported under this batch type when applicable.
Day-to-day implication: properly distinguishing infused flower categories helps ensure the correct test batch type is used and that labs return results in a way that matches how the product is represented in Metrc.
Finished infused products
Metrc Product Item Category: Infused Products
Examples included in the bulletin: Dermal Patch; Liquid Tincture; Pill; Topicals
Required Testing Lab Test Batch type: Infused Products
Testing groups shown for Infused Products: Filth & Foreign Matter; Microbials; Potency/Cannabinoid Profile; Metals; Mycotoxins; Terpenes; Pesticides
07/01/2026 update: Solvents are added to the Infused Products Lab Test Batch options, expanding what can be selected and reported under this batch type when applicable.
Day-to-day implication: if you manufacture multiple infused SKUs, aligning every finished good to the Infused Products category and sampling under the Infused Products batch type reduces mismatches between what was produced, what was sampled, and what the lab reports back.
R&D testing in Metrc: selecting testing groups
R&D testing selection rule in the bulletin: R&D testing is performed by testing group (for example: Metals, Pesticides, Solvents, etc.).
What permittees can do: When creating a test sample for R&D, the permittee may select any and all R&D Testing Lab Test Batches that are applicable.
Practical takeaway: use R&D options intentionally and consistently so internal trials (new processes, remediation experiments, formulation changes) still produce traceable results in Metrc without confusing compliance testing records.
Practical implications for West Virginia operators
Item setup accuracy matters more than ever: The item category chosen in Metrc drives which Lab Test Batch type is appropriate and how results are expected to map back to inventory.
Expect updated solvent-related options starting 07/01/2026: Teams responsible for sampling, compliance, and lab coordination should be trained to recognize the expanded solvent selection in Infused Products, Non-Solvent Concentrate, and Non-Solvent Infused Flower.
Cross-team coordination reduces rework: Cultivation, manufacturing, QA, and compliance should align on product definitions (raw vs whole wet, solvent vs non-solvent, infused flower vs infused products) so Metrc data matches actual production and lab submissions.
Labeling and Retail ID support: DistruLabels and DistruERP
Even when item categories and testing are correct, operators still need packaging and retail labels that match what’s in Metrc, including accurate identifiers used at the point of sale and during audits.
DistruLabels: DistruLabels is a 100% free tool for creating compliant packaging and retail labels, and it can help teams keep label data aligned with Metrc Retail ID compliance by generating clear, consistent labels from standardized product data.
DistruERP: For larger operations that need end-to-end supply chain management (cultivation, manufacturing, inventory, sales, and compliance workflows), DistruERP is Distru’s comprehensive Cannabis ERP platform designed to support scalable operations alongside Metrc requirements.
Metrc support and training resources referenced in the bulletin
Metrc Support portal: Access support at https://support.metrc.com (also reachable from within Metrc via the Support menu). First-time access typically requires your username, state, facility license number, and a valid email to set a password.
Metrc Learn training: Metrc Learn provides interactive training. From within Metrc, navigate to Support and select Sign up for Training.
Metrc Expert: Use the Metrc Expert icon inside the system to search topics and get guided help for the specific workflow you are performing.
