METRC Waste Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under METRC regulations, what is the minimum weight threshold that typically triggers a required waste entry in the system?
- Any amount of cannabis waste, regardless of weight (Correct answer)
- Only waste exceeding 1 pound
- Only waste exceeding 5 pounds
- Only waste exceeding 10 pounds
Correct answer: Any amount of cannabis waste, regardless of weight
All cannabis waste must be recorded in METRC regardless of weight to maintain complete chain-of-custody.
Question 2: A licensee discovers that a batch of cannabis trim has developed mold and must be destroyed. Which METRC action should be taken FIRST?
- Immediately dispose of the material and then log it
- Create a waste entry in METRC before disposal begins (Correct answer)
- Notify local law enforcement before creating any METRC record
- Transfer the material to a waste disposal company without logging
Correct answer: Create a waste entry in METRC before disposal begins
A waste entry must be created in METRC prior to disposal so that regulators can verify and witness the destruction.
Question 3: When cannabis waste is mixed with non-cannabis waste to render it unusable, what must a METRC licensee record about the non-cannabis material?
- The exact brand and purchase date of the non-cannabis material
- The type and approximate volume or weight of the adulterant used (Correct answer)
- Nothing — only cannabis quantities need to be tracked
- The disposal company's license number only
Correct answer: The type and approximate volume or weight of the adulterant used
Licensees must document the type and approximate amount of material used to render cannabis waste unusable and unrecognizable.
Question 4: Which scenario represents an INCORRECT waste management practice under METRC compliance rules?
- Grinding cannabis waste before mixing with compostable material
- Recording waste weight in METRC after the waste has already been disposed of (Correct answer)
- Having a second employee witness and co-sign waste destruction records
- Storing waste in a locked, limited-access area prior to destruction
Correct answer: Recording waste weight in METRC after the waste has already been disposed of
Waste must be logged in METRC before disposal; post-disposal logging creates a gap in the chain of custody.
Question 5: A cannabis cultivator has plant waste from pruning operations. How should this material be classified in METRC?
- As a finished product transfer
- As a waste entry linked to the originating plant or package (Correct answer)
- As a new immature plant batch
- No entry is required for pruning waste
Correct answer: As a waste entry linked to the originating plant or package
Plant trim and pruning waste must be logged as waste and linked to the originating plant records to maintain traceability.
Question 6: What happens in METRC when a waste package is finalized and disposed of?
- The package tag is reused for the next batch
- The package is closed and its tag is retired from active inventory (Correct answer)
- The tag is transferred to the waste hauler's license
- The system automatically archives the entry after 30 days
Correct answer: The package is closed and its tag is retired from active inventory
Once disposal is confirmed, the METRC package is closed and the associated tag is retired, removing it from active inventory.
Question 7: A state inspector visits a facility and requests waste destruction records. Which combination of documentation should the licensee be prepared to provide?
- Only the METRC waste log printout
- METRC waste entries, destruction logs signed by witnesses, and waste manifests if a hauler was used (Correct answer)
- A verbal account and any available photos
- The vendor invoice from the waste disposal company only
Correct answer: METRC waste entries, destruction logs signed by witnesses, and waste manifests if a hauler was used
Complete waste compliance requires METRC records, signed destruction logs, and any applicable transport manifests as a complete package.
Under METRC regulations, what is the minimum weight threshold that typically triggers a required waste entry in the system?