Kentucky Chooses Metrc for Cannabis Industry Track-and-Trace Contract

Kentucky is partnering with cannabis compliance and tracking company Metrc for the state’s upcoming medical cannabis program’s first track-and-trace contract. The program, like other medical cannabis programs in the U.S., requires operators to closely track each plant and the resulting products from seed to sale.

Metrc said in a press release that the company’s track-and-trace platform “will bring transparency to ensure regulatory compliance, help combat the illicit market, and safeguard the health and well-being of Kentucky’s patients.”

“As Kentucky works to establish its medical cannabis market, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch the state’s first-ever track-and-trace program. Our team at Metrc looks forward to working alongside the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to build a regulatory framework that will create a marketplace with the strongest foundation, where patients are guaranteed safe consumption and licensees are provided an environment to thrive.” — Metrc CEO Michael Johnson, in a statement

The contract between Kentucky and Metrc will be the cannabis compliance company’s 25th government contract, the company said.

While government contracts are Metrc’s primary focus, the business also recently began servicing operators in the cannabis industry directly, MJBizDaily reported.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) signed the state’s medical cannabis legalization bill into law last April; under the law, registered cannabis patients will be able to access cannabis edibles and concentrates — but not smokable products — starting in January of next year. Beshear had previously signed an executive order allowing some individuals with severe medical conditions to possess cannabis.