Metrc Launches Cannabis QR Code Pilot in Canada

Two cannabis businesses in the Canadian province of Alberta – Token Naturals and Plantlife Cannabis – together with US technology company Metrc, are launching a pilot project in Alberta to improve the transparency and safety of cannabis products.

In this public-private partnership, Metrc will employ QR codes, under its Retail ID solution, to provide consumers real-time access to data such as lab test results, certificates of analysis, product origin, potency, authenticity, and supplemental information including photos – ultimately helping consumers to identify legal cannabis products and learn more about them.

In Canada’s regulated cannabis industry, businesses are obliged to meticulously monitor their inventory at every stage of development and production. This is mainly carried out through batch-based tracking using a unique identifier, rather than RFID or plant-by-plant tracking (as is the case in several US states).

However, only a certain amount of information is allowed to be shared with consumers, in order to limit marketing and advertising of an intoxicating product.