Small cannabis businesses tell Maine lawmakers Metrc track-and-trace is costly, time-consuming and error-prone
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
Multiple adult-use operators testified that the state-mandated Metrc track-and-trace system imposes heavy data-entry labor, tag costs and delays that can stall sales; many crop operators use third-party software to integrate with Metrc and expressed concerns about customer support and operational risk.
Maine lawmakers heard more than two hours of testimony from adult-use licensees and caregivers who said the state'mandated Metrc track-and-trace system burdens small operators with labor, tag costs and operational delays.
"I personally spend 30 to 35 hours of my 60-hour work week just on Metrc data input in our manufacturing," Tammy Smith, an adult-use licensee, told the committee. Smith walked the committee through the multiple required tags and data steps for a single manufactured batch and said the tags and labor add up: she estimated annual Metrc-related labor and tag costs of $25,000'2,000 for one manufacturing license.
Several witnesses said clerical errors can block sales until Metrc or OCP resolves tickets. Smith described a software glitch that prevented a product release and delayed $3,600 of wholesale product for two weeks. Kimber Duncan, a general manager at a small cultivator, described Metrc as "clunky" and said the practical fix often recommended by OCP is to adopt third-party middleware such as Canix or Duchy to translate operator systems into Metrc; that solution, she said, adds monthly costs ("around $500 a month and climbs from there").
Matthew Bayless, who said his company was among the first to onboard Metrc, told the committee the system is designed for scale and regulatory tracking, not for small craft operations. "Metrc kills small businesses," he said, arguing the system favors large operators that can afford dedicated compliance staff.
Some witnesses praised Metrc's ability to provide a seed-to-sale chain of custody for adult-use retail customers who want assurance about testing and origin, but most speakers sought either reforms to Metrc's interface, better OCP support and faster problem resolution, or alternative regulatory approaches that preserve traceability while reducing costs on small caregivers.
The committee took the testimony as part of its oversight work and will consider follow-up hearings and possible legislative options or requests for agency action to address customer-service, integration and cost issues raised in the listening session.