The Cole Memo

On May 16, 2023, Metrc announced that Illinois planned to award the company a contract for its cannabis seed-to-sale tracking system.

According to a press release issued today by the State of Illinois, the state will transition to Metrc as its new seed-to-sale tracking system for medical and adult-use cannabis sometime this summer. The system will introduce RFID tags to track cannabis plants from seed to sale. Unlike other states, Illinois says cannabis businesses will not be charged for these tags, subject to certain restrictions. The press release also highlighted that Metrc will integrate with point-of-sale systems.

“We look forward to this new partnership with Metrc to ensure Illinois continues advancing the safest and most secure cannabis market,” said Erin Johnson, Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer. “We are eager to work alongside the Metrc team to enhance compliance efficiencies, promote industry and consumer education, and bolster public safety to protect the integrity of the most equitable cannabis market in the country.” 

The state confirmed that BioTrack, the current seed-to-sale system, will remain in place until Metrc launches. According to the press release, Metrc provides seed-to-sale tracking in 27 jurisdictions and has training and implementation support services available for industry participants to help with the transition.

You can read the entire press release from the state below.

Press Release

Previous Coverage

I recently wrote about this topic and another cannabis-system transition that is expected in the future. You can read about it here.

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#278 – Homegrow, Schedule III, and the Future of Cannabis with Madeline Scanlon – The Cole Memo

Cole Preston is joined by Madeline Scanlon for a wide-ranging conversation about homegrow culture, cannabis legalization, Schedule III concerns, and the future of cannabis access in Illinois. Maddie shares details about her new Outdoor Grow Club through High Focus Media, designed to help everyday people successfully grow outdoor cannabis with community support, clones, supplies, and education throughout the season. The conversation also explores regulatory capture, hemp bans, medical cannabis, testing standards, cannabis lounges, certified supply models, and why both Maddie and Cole believe growing your own cannabis remains one of the most important forms of access and autonomy for consumers. Plus, they discuss cannabis beverages, hashmaking, outdoor cultivation myths, and the ongoing push to normalize the plant in Illinois and beyond. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/05/14/e278/

1. #278 – Homegrow, Schedule III, and the Future of Cannabis with Madeline Scanlon 01:08:40
2. #277 – Schedule III, Homegrow, and Interstate Cannabis? Breaking Down the Questions 01:14:23
3. Announcement and Quick Illinois Cannabis News Report 06:26
4. #275 – Illinois Cannabis News 46:33
5. #274 – Illinois Policy Stalls, Data Privacy Concerns, and the Hemp Drink Boom 33:51