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/

Comment below with your thoughts and consider supporting my work!

You can support The Cole Memo with a one-time, monthly, or yearly contribution.

Collin Corbett Reflects on Illinois Governor's Race and Election Results | E336 – The Cole Memo

Former independent Illinois gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett returns to The Cole Memo for a post-election conversation about his campaign, the results of the 2026 election, and the challenges facing candidates outside the two-party system. Cole and Collin discuss his campaign's performance, his exclusion from the gubernatorial media coverage, the growing influence of national politics on state elections, and the importance of longer, more substantive political discussions. They also reflect on the broader election results, Governor JB Pritzker's political future, and what might come next for independent political movements. Watch video version and read full show notes here: https://thecolememo.com/2026/11/11/e336/

1. Collin Corbett Reflects on Illinois Governor's Race and Election Results | E336 46:06
2. Damian Fagon on Cannabis Rescheduling, Corporate Control, and Hemp Reform | E335 01:15:34
3. Illinois Election Night: Pritzker Wins, Plus Massachusetts Cannabis Vote | E334 32:32
4. The Future of Hemp: A Farmer’s Perspective with Alex Mootz | E333 01:19:24
5. Federal Cannabis Rescheduling Raises New Questions, Plus Illinois Political Shakeup? | E332 01:03:26