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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#269 – Inside Springfield: How Lobbying Really Works – The Cole Memo

In this episode, Cole sits down with longtime lobbyist Mark Peysakhovich to unpack how policy actually gets made behind the scenes in Springfield. With over 30 years of experience, Mark shares his journey from immigrating to the United States to becoming a key figure in state legislative affairs, working across cannabis, hemp, healthcare, and more. The conversation goes far beyond cannabis, diving into how lobbying really works, why “just explaining the facts” is rarely enough, and how competing interests shape the laws that impact everyday people. From the fight over hemp to the realities of legalization, this episode offers a candid look at power, policy, and the gap between intention and outcome. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/03/27/e269/

1. #269 – Inside Springfield: How Lobbying Really Works 02:17:07
2. #268 – Cocaine Cash in Illinois? + Latest Cannabis Policy Updates 42:07
3. #267 – Illinois Odor Laws, Hemp Ban Pushback, Indiana Eyes Legalization 39:36
4. #266 – The UIC Lab Scandal and Cannabis Law Confusion in Illinois 44:39
5. #265 – Arrested during Michigan Weed Run, Illinois Lawsuits, and a Market Shakeup 43:21