The Cole Memo

Metrc, the company behind the seed-to-sale tracking system used in several state cannabis programs and soon to be Illinois’ official provider, announced a series of sustainability initiatives in a recent press release.

The company says it has redesigned its plant tags to use 30% less plastic, with a single-layer format that reduces total production waste by 46%. According to Metrc, the changes are expected to divert 185,000 pounds of material from landfills and reduce carbon emissions by 295 metric tons per year. Metrc stated that the new tags began rolling out gradually across Metrc markets in February, with a full implementation expected in the coming months.

Metrc also stated it will eliminate the use of anti-static pink plastic bags in its packaging, replacing them with more sustainable brown paper alternatives. The company estimates this change will remove nearly 11,000 pounds of plastic from the supply chain each year.

In honor of Arbor Day, Metrc announced a donation of 5,000 trees through the nonprofit One Tree Planted, aimed at supporting reforestation in areas affected by wildfires and natural disasters.

The company says it has been working with environmental consulting firm Resource Innovations to evaluate and reduce its environmental impact across key areas, including waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Metrc is also preparing to become Illinois’ new seed-to-sale tracking provider, replacing the state’s current system, Biotrack. You can read more about that transition by clicking here or by going directly to this link: https://thecolememo.com/2025/03/24/time4metrc/

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#258 – The Reality of Being a Craft Grower in Illinois – The Cole Memo

In this episode of The Cole Memo, I will sit down with an Illinois cannabis operator for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to try to build a business in the state’s legal market. Watch video version and read show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/02/08/e258/

1. #258 – The Reality of Being a Craft Grower in Illinois 01:50:16
2. #257 – Illinois Cannabis Sales Drop as Lawmakers Revisit Search Rules 21:58
3. #254 – Announcing the Midwest Cannabis Forum + Other Discussion on Cannabis Policy Today 59:16
4. #256 – Illinois Cannabis Reform 2026: What Advocates Want and What Might Actually Move 01:22:48
5. #255 – Arrests Keep Coming in “Legal” Illinois 01:18:46