Please note: These common errors and best practices may not apply in your state, so it is important to follow your state’s specific rules and regulations. 

Managing cannabis operations involves a lot of moving parts, especially when it comes to transferring products between licensed facilities. As part of staying compliant with state regulations, creating an accurate Transfer Manifest in Metrc is crucial. Even small errors in the process can lead to delays, rejections, or worse, compliance issues that could have negative impacts on your business. In this blog, we’ll explore some common errors made relating to Transfer Manifests and offer best practices for avoiding these pitfalls. 

Common errors in Transfer Manifests 

Creating a Transfer Manifest seems straightforward, but it can be easy to make mistakes that may cause significant delays or compliance complications. Some common errors include: 

• Incorrect package on the manifest – It’s essential to double-check that the correct packages are listed to avoid inventory discrepancies. 

• Incorrect package quantity – The quantity on the manifest should match the actual inventory to prevent rejection. 

• Incorrect wholesale price – This could lead to financial discrepancies and compliance risks. 

• Wrong item name or category – Ensure all items are correctly labeled according to Metrc’s system to maintain proper tracking. 

• Packages physically left off the manifest – Forgetting to list a package can result in serious delays and compliance issues. 

Best practices for avoiding mistakes 

1. Double-check your packages 
   Before submitting a Transfer Manifest, always verify that every package is correctly listed. This includes ensuring the package ID, item name, quantity, and category match what’s physically present. Confirm that no packages are missing from the manifest, as any unlisted items cannot legally be transported. Currently, up to 500 packages can be placed on a Transfer Manifest through Metrc. 

2. Verify pricing and sales information 
   If the transfer involves wholesale pricing, verify that the listed price is accurate. Additionally, make sure that no sales are associated with the packages being transferred. If a sale has already been made on a package, it should not be included in the transfer. If only a portion of a package is being transferred, repackage the remaining product under a new tag to avoid issues. 

3. Use the correct transfer type 
   Based on your state of operation, Metrc provides several transfer types to fit specific needs. Please note: These Transfer Type Names do not apply in every state, so it is important to follow your state’s specific rules and regulations. 
   • Affiliated Transfer: For transfers between businesses with the same ownership. 
   • Lab Transfer: When sending samples to a testing facility. 
   • Unaffiliated Transfer: For transfers to a license outside of the same ownership. 
   • Waste Transfer: For disposing of product at a licensed waste facility. 

Selecting the correct transfer type ensures the process flows smoothly and compliance requirements are met. 

4. Utilize transfer templates 
   For businesses making frequent transfers, Transfer Templates can save time and reduce the risk of errors. You can pre-fill the template with standard details such as the receiving license, planned route, and driver information. All you’ll need to add for each transfer are the package details and estimated time of delivery (ETD). This feature can be accessed directly in Metrc under the “Templates” option.  

5. Quick entry and CSV upload 
   Metrc offers several tools to speed up the manifest creation process, such as Quick Entry and an enhanced Data Import feature for CSV uploads. Using a barcode scanner, you can easily add packages to a manifest through Quick Entry, streamlining the process. The Data Import feature for CSV uploads allows you to bulk add packages, quantities, and prices in one go, further enhancing efficiency. 

6. Check lab test data 
   Lab test batches should correspond to the correct product category (e.g., concentrates vs. raw plant material). If the data isn’t correct, reject the transfer and return it to the originating facility for correction. This step ensures product quality and compliance with state testing requirements. 

7. Ensure accuracy during receiving 
   When accepting a transfer, always inspect the physical packages before the transport driver leaves. Make sure the quantities match the manifest and verify that no unauthorized products have been included, and nothing has been left out. If any discrepancies arise, it’s important to reject the transfer in Metrc immediately. 

What to do if a transfer goes wrong 

Even with all the best practices in place, mistakes can still happen. If an issue arises after the product has left your facility, it’s better to reject the transfer. Once a manifest is created and a transfer is in progress, the product will no longer exist in either the origin or destination license until the transfer is complete. 

When rejecting a transfer, ensure the proper notation is made on the driver’s copy of the manifest. This product should then be returned to the originating facility for correction. 

Leverage Metrc resources for support 

Metrc offers a range of resources to help users navigate the system effectively.  

• Access Metrc Learn for interactive training designed for all skill levels. 
• Navigate to Metrc Expert directly in our system for personalized, AI-powered support and faster, more accurate responses to your questions.  
• Visit Support.Metrc.com for help with technical issues or account questions. 

Creating accurate Transfer Manifests in Metrc is a vital part of maintaining compliance in the cannabis industry. For businesses that make frequent transfers, leveraging tools like templates, Quick Entry, and the Data Import feature for CSV uploads can save time and improve accuracy. By following these best practices, you can ensure that transfers go smoothly, inventory tracking is efficient and accurate and be better equipped to avoid costly errors to keep your business compliant in a rapidly evolving industry. 

Please note: These common errors and best practices may not apply in your state, so it is important to follow your state’s specific rules and regulations