Change is in the air in Illinois’ cannabis market. The Prairie State is transitioning from BioTrack to Metrc as its official seed-to-sale traceability system, which will impact all licensed cannabis businesses – particularly dispensaries. In this blog, we’ll outline the key differences between BioTrack and Metrc, the timeline for the Metrc Illinois implementation, and exactly what Illinois cannabis retailers need to do to ensure a smooth transition and stay compliant.
Metrc, which stands for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance, is a cannabis traceability system. It tracks cannabis products from cultivation all the way through the final sale in a dispensary or retail store. Metrc allows state regulators complete visibility into the cannabis supply chain, enabling them to monitor compliance and prevent illicit activities. Metrc is already in use in over 20 states to ensure transparency and operational efficiency within the cannabis market.
While BioTrack and Metrc serve the same function of tracking cannabis products and ensuring compliance, they differ in several key areas – particularly in their system design and how they interact with point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Let’s break down the key differences between these two seed-to-sale tracking systems.
Metrc and BioTrack both offer user interfaces designed to streamline the tracking and reporting process. However, the layout and user experience vary between the two systems. Retailers may find differences in how information is displayed, how users interact with the system, and how tasks like inventory tracking and compliance reporting are executed.
Metrc uses RFID (radio frequency identification) tags for tracking cannabis products. These unique tags allow for real-time product tracking throughout the supply chain. For retailers, you simply need to keep the tags that come on the products provided by your vendors.
On the other hand, Biotrack uses barcodes to identify and track cannabis products. Both systems serve the same purpose.
Both Metrc and BioTrack are capable of real-time data tracking. As a retailer, you need to ensure that all data is entered and updated as transactions occur. While both systems are designed to facilitate timely reporting, the way they handle updates and enforcement varies slightly based on each compliance system’s POS integration.
Unlike BioTrack, Metrc does not offer a point-of-sale platform, so retailers must integrate their POS system with Metrc’s API to manage sales and compliance data. You do have the flexibility to choose any POS that integrates with Metrc.
Metrc and BioTrack both have built-in compliance workflows that help ensure regulatory compliance. These include processes for inventory tracking, product transfers, and sales reporting. While the compliance functions are similar, the specific processes and steps within each system will differ.
As of July 1, 2025, Illinois will use Metrc as its official seed-to-sale traceability system. Prior to July 2025, BioTrack was the state’s seed-to-sale traceability system of choice.
The transition from BioTrack to Metrc is being carried out in phases. Retailers will begin the process in April 2025. Here’s what the timeline looks like:
Retailers must be ready to integrate their POS systems with Metrc during this period, so it’s crucial that you coordinate with your software vendor to meet the migration deadline.
Here’s a breakdown of the steps you’ll need to take during this transition:
The switch to Metrc will mean several changes for your daily operations. For instance, all product shipments must be accompanied by Metrc manifests. This means you’ll need to verify shipments against the manifest and ensure all products are correctly tagged in the system. Metrc also requires that only tagged inventory be sold, and all sales must be accurately recorded in real time.
You’ll also need to implement processes for regularly reconciling inventory to ensure it aligns with Metrc’s data. This might require additional reporting steps, especially during the initial transition phase.
Here at Cova, we have extensive experience with Metrc integrations in multiple states. Our advanced integration with Metrc Connect ensures faster, more reliable syncing of inventory, sales, and compliance data between your POS system and Metrc. We also offer real-time compliance tracking to help you stay prepared for audits and future regulatory changes. Finally, our expert onboarding team will support you through the entire transition process, from setup to staff training and implementation.
While this transition may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be difficult. We’re ready to help you no matter where you’re at in the process – just reach out for a personalized Metrc-readiness review at the link below. You can also schedule a free demo to see exactly how Cova’s Metrc-integrated POS can help improve your Illinois retail operation!