Metrc Retail ID is a universal QR code affixed to product packaging on individual cannabis items by manufacturers or cultivators (Brands). These QR codes contain information about the product, its origin, and lab results. Retail ID is option in some Metrc states but required in others.
This article provides an overview of Metrc Retail ID for retailers/dispensaries. Cultivators, manufacturers, and distributors should refer to this article instead.
Table of contents
- How does it work?
- What's the benefit?
- How Retailers Leverage Metrc Retail ID with Dutchie
- What Dutchie retailers need to do
- Manage retail IDs in Dutchie
How does it work?
- Brands set up products and packages in Metrc as usual, selecting the package for labeling with “Test Passed” results.
- Brands select their preferred option, download serialized labels, print and affix labels to each item and repackage using current transfer process.
- Distributors seamlessly move product through the supply chain without additional scanning.
- Retailers receive package(s) in Metrc, scanning each Metrc package with Retail ID codes to complete transfer and check out, syncing QR codes with Dutchie POS inventory.
- Consumers can scan QR codes for product information, certificates of analysis (COAs), ingredients, and more.
What's the benefit?
- Efficiency: QR code labeling eliminates the need for extra POS stickers. Faster product intake and verification. Reduces manual data entry errors. Speeding up transactions for a better customer experience.
- Compliance: Ensures products are legal, lab-tested, and safe for consumption. Improves compliance and increases market confidence. Validates legal product to deter illicit activity. Protects brand reputation and bottom line.
- COA visibility: Allows real-time access to item-level product data in a single scan. Builds consumer confidence with validation of lab testing.
- Product review and effects reporting: Amplifies voice of consumer data with access to direct product review and effects reporting. Improves public health with ability to track product effects directly in the app.
How retailers leverage Metrc Retail ID with Dutchie
Metrc Retail ID integrates seamlessly with Dutchie Backoffice and Dutchie Register, offering a more efficient workflow.
Receiving Inventory
When you select a pending transfer, Dutchie POS automatically fetches the QR IDs from Metrc and makes them scannable in the Register. To receive inventory with QR codes:
- Navigate to Inventory: In Dutchie Backoffice, go to Products > Inventory.
- Initiate Receive: Click the Receive Inventory button.
- Select Manifest: Choose the relevant manifest from the Pending transfers dropdown.
- Identify retail ID packages: In the "Items received" section, items with a QR code icon next to the package indicate the package has Retail IDs.
- Complete Receiving: Once all items are scanned and show a green checkmark, click Receive.
Scanning QR Codes at the register
Metrc Retail ID streamlines the checkout process, making it quicker and more accurate for budtenders.
When using Retail ID, Dutchie automatically sends the QR ID to Metrc upon sale completion, ensuring real-time compliance reporting.
- Select Customer: Select the customer's card from the Guestlist page.
- Add Items to Cart: Scan each Metrc QR code (or a barcode printed from Dutchie POS if needed) to add items to the customer's cart.
- Complete Transaction: Tap the Checkout button and finalize the transaction as you normally would.
What Dutchie retailers need to do
To enable and fully utilize Metrc Retail ID in your Dutchie operations, follow these setup steps:
Enable Metrc Retail ID in Dutchie
- Go to Settings > Integrations > Metrc > Settings.
- Set Use Retail ID to Yes.
- Click Save.
After enabling Retail ID, fetch Retail IDs for your existing inventory. See Manage retail IDs in Dutchie.
Required permissions in Dutchie
Users must have these permissions in Dutchie to work with Retail IDs:
- In the Dutchie Backoffice, navigate to Settings > Users.
- Select a user or permission group.
- Under Inventory > Retail ID, enable the following permissions:
- Generate Retail IDs – Allows user to create Retail IDs in Metrc (typically a supplier's responsibility, but may be necessary in some cases for retailers)
- Print Retail IDs – Allows user to print labels with Retail ID QR codes (typically a supplier's responsibility, but may be necessary in some cases for retailers)
- View Retail IDs – Allows user to see associated Retail IDs for packages
- Fetch Retail IDs – Allows user to manually pull Retail IDs from Metrc
Required permissions in Metrc
Users must have these permissions in Metrc to work with Retail IDs:
- In Metrc, navigate to Admin > Employees.
- Select an employee responsible for managing inventory.
- Set each of the following permissions to Manage:
- Packages Page: Product Labels
- Transfers Menu: Licensed & External
- Transfers Menu: Templates
- Save changes and repeat for each additional employee who manages inventory.
- From Admin > Employees, select the employee whose API key is used as the main key for the Dutchie/Metrc integration and set the Admin Menu: Employees permission to Manage.
- Save changes.
Generate a new API key and enter it into Dutchie for each employee with updated permissions.
Acquire a 2D Scanner
A 2D scanner is required for scanning QR codes. Dutchie recommends the following scanners:
- Zebra H-6672 (2D, wired only)
- Zebra DS2208
- Zebra CS6080
- Zebra CR6080
- Zebra DS2278 2D Barcode Scanner
Many scanners have configuration options for caps lock. For use with Metrc Retail ID, make sure your scanner is configured with caps lock off.
Manage retail IDs in Dutchie
Here's an overview of the actions dispensaries can take to manage retail IDs in their Dutchie inventory:
QR code icons
QR icons appear in various places in Dutchie Backoffice to help you identify packages that have Retail IDs:
- On the Inventory page, click the cog wheel to enable a Retail ID column which will show a QR icon for each package that has Retail IDs. This column is sortable so you can group Retail ID packages together.
- On the Inventory page, you can also click the More filters button and toggle Show only packages with retail ID.
- On package detail pages, a package that has Retail IDs will have a QR code icon next to its product name.
Scan to search
Scan a Retail ID QR code to search for it in the Inventory table.
Check QR codes
The Check QR codes option to the Actions' dropdown in inventory prompts users to scan any Retail ID QR code.
Successful scan: If the QR code belongs to one of our package groups, it will display in a table on the modal with additional options to “scan another”, “open package details”, or “preview Metrc ID”.
Failed scan: If the QR code DOES NOT belong to one of our package groups, users will be given troubleshooting steps. If you click “Preview Metrc ID” and it belongs to a package that has not been received, contact the supplier for guidance to send it back or adjust the package.
Manage retail IDs - Generate, Print, View, and Fetch
You can generate retail IDs, print QR code labels, view retail IDs associated with a Metrc package, or fetch retail IDs from Metrc from the Manage retail IDs screen:
- Go to Products > Inventory.
- Click the ellipsis (...) next to a package and select Manage Retail IDs.
Or, use the checkboxes to select multiple packages, then select bulk Actions > Manage retail IDs. - You'll then see four options: Generate Retail ID, Print Retail ID labels, View Retail IDs, and Fetch Retail IDs
Generate Retail IDs
This feature is intended for cultivators and suppliers, who are responsible for generating Retail IDs labeling products with Retail ID QR codes before sending them to retailers.
Print Retail ID labels
Though dispensaries/retailers have the ability to print retail IDs in Dutchie, this is primarily a feature for suppliers. If any items you received from a supplier have damaged or missing QR codes, we generally recommend asking the supplier to provide labels instead of printing them yourself, as you won't be able to easily identify which unique QR code to reprint.
Each Retail ID QR code label is unique. If a customer buys two of the same product, budtenders must scan each one individually. Do not reuse or rescan QR code labels on multiple units of a product.
- From the Manage Retail IDs screen, select Print Retail ID labels and click Next.
- Under Printer settings, select a Label. Make sure the label template has the Inventory | Retail ID QR code field.
- Select a Printer.
- Fill in the Qty To Print field for each package. Note that you can't print more labels than the specified amount in the Existing QR IDs column
- Click Print labels.
View Retail IDs
From the Manage Retail IDs screen, select View Retail IDs and click Next.
This will show all sold retail IDs associated with the package you selected, along with the last printed date, sold date, and receipt number (if the item's QR code was scanned to ring it up).
You can only view retail IDs for one package at a time. If you selected multiple packages from the Bulk actions menu, you won't see the View Retail IDs option.
Fetch Retail IDs
If retail IDs have already been generated in Metrc for your selected package(s), fetch the existing retail IDs and pull them into your Dutchie inventory instead of generating new retail IDs. Use this option to pull in retail IDs after enabling Retail ID in Dutchie, or if a supplier generated more QR codes in Metrc after you received the package in Dutchie.
- From the Manage Retail IDs screen, select Fetch Retail IDs and click Next.
- A confirmation message will show the number of retail IDs successfully fetched for each package.
FAQs
Am I required to scan the Retail ID on the package at the Register?
No, scanning Retail IDs to transact is not a compliance requirement. You can still scan the main Metrc tag or internal barcode instead the Retail ID QR code.
Why is it recommended to scan the Retail ID?
When you scan the Retail ID QR code at the Register, Dutchie will send the associated ID in the sales data to Metrc, and will capture the sold date and receipt number of the sale that you can review on the inventory package.
To review sold dates and receipt numbers:
Look up the package in Products > Inventory.
Click the ellipsis (...) next to the package and select Manage Retail IDs.
Select View Retail IDs, which shows columns for sold dates and receipt numbers.
Items added to carts and sold without scanning the Retail ID QR code will not be reflected in View Retail IDs.
Why do I get errors when scanning the QR code in a cart?
Enabling Retail ID in Dutchie does not automatically fetch existing Retail IDs from Metrc. Go through your existing inventory and fetch existing Retail IDs before attempting to scan QR codes into a cart. You can fetch in bulk by selecting multiple packages, then Bulk actions > Manage Retail IDs > Fetch Retail IDs.
How do I process returns for Retail ID products?
You can process returns for Retail ID products using the standard returns workflow. Scanning the original Retail ID QR code is no longer required for returns.
Related content
Metrc Retail ID: Cultivator, manufacturer, and distributor guide