DoseCraft
VapeHeatLabTrack and Trace
A regulatory system using software to monitor each cannabis plant and product throughout the supply chain.
Track and trace is a regulatory technology system used to monitor cannabis products throughout the supply chain, from cultivation through processing, distribution, and retail sale. While often used interchangeably with seed-to-sale, track and trace specifically refers to the technology and software infrastructure that makes compliance monitoring possible.
Key Systems
The most widely used track-and-trace system in the US is Metrc (Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance), which operates in over 15 states. BioTrack and Leaf Data Systems are other major platforms. These systems use RFID tags, barcodes, and digital manifests to create an auditable chain of custody for every cannabis product. Each time a product changes hands, the transfer is recorded with timestamps, quantities, and license numbers. Regulatory agencies access dashboards and reports to monitor compliance across their jurisdictions.
Challenges and Evolution
Track-and-trace systems face ongoing challenges including data entry errors, system outages, integration difficulties between different software platforms, and the resource burden on smaller businesses. The cannabis industry has advocated for more standardized, interoperable systems that work across state lines in anticipation of eventual interstate commerce. Despite these challenges, track and trace has been effective at creating transparency in the legal cannabis supply chain and providing regulators with the data needed to enforce compliance.