The Cole Memo

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

A press release from the State of Illinois on February 4, 2025, confirmed that the state will transition to Metrc this summer, replacing BioTrack.

According to new implementation documents shared by Metrc, the phased rollout will begin April 1, 2025, with testing labs and transporters, followed by cultivators, infusers, and dispensaries in late April and May.

Licensees will receive state-funded RFID tags, with ordering available April 28. According to Metrc, details of the tag ordering process will be communicated to each licensee over the next few weeks. In-person and virtual trainings will be provided.

Below are key dates and deadlines from the Metrc implementation plan for Illinois:

• April 1, 2025: Credentialing opens for Testing Labs and Transporters
• April 25, 2025: Credentialing opens for all license types
• April 28, 2025: RFID tag ordering begins
• May 25, 2025: All testing must transition to Metrc
• June 17, 2025: Full market migration deadline (all licensees should be migrated to Metrc and operational)
• July 1, 2025: BioTrack system shuts down

For more information, visit metrc.com/partner/illinois or view the full implementation plan provided by Metrc below.

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The Era of Descheduled Cannabis Continues for Another Month in America | E312 – The Cole Memo

Congress has voted to delay the recriminalization of THC, sending the legislation to the President's desk. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/09/01/e312/

1. The Era of Descheduled Cannabis Continues for Another Month in America | E312 21:11
2. Illinois Outdoor Cannabis Rules Put Home Grow Back in the Spotlight | E311 47:27
3. Illinois Cannabis Law Changed: Here’s What You Need to Know | E310 03:55
4. Illinois to Open Medical to All Dispensaries + Allow Outdoor Grows for All | E309 33:02
5. Cannabis Access, Hemp Politics, and the Rise of Flock Cameras | E308 50:45