The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has launched a new Seed-to-Sale (STS) Tracking System aimed at improving regulatory oversight and transparency in the state’s cannabis market. The move marks a major milestone in New York’s cannabis regulations and is designed to ensure the full traceability of cannabis products from cultivation to final sale.
Enhancing Regulatory Oversight and Transparency
The STS Tracking System will require all cannabis licensees in the state to use an electronic inventory system that integrates with BioTrack, New York’s designated platform for product tracking. This system will provide comprehensive monitoring from the very first step in the cannabis supply chain—when seeds are planted—to the final transaction in the retail environment.
Key to the system’s functionality, every cannabis product will be tagged with a unique identifier. These inventory tags will be used to track products through every phase: from cultivation, processing, and testing, all the way to packaging and retail. Not only will this enhance the state’s ability to monitor cannabis production, but it will also offer a new layer of accountability and transparency for both adult-use and medical cannabis products.
Support for Cannabis Businesses
To support cannabis cultivators, processors, and microbusinesses, the OCM is covering up to $250,000 in inventory tag purchases. This financial assistance is part of the state’s efforts to help cannabis licensees comply with the new tracking system as they implement the necessary technologies into their operations.
Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director of the OCM, emphasized the importance of this system: “The implementation of the Seed-to-Sale tracking system is a pivotal moment in the evolution of New York’s cannabis industry. This initiative upholds our commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.”
Compliance Requirements and Timelines
Under Section 78 of the Cannabis Law, licensees are required to report product data to the OCM via the BioTrack API, which is now available for integration into cannabis businesses’ existing systems. By January 17, 2025, all licensees must secure a third-party inventory tracking system capable of integrating with this API. This step ensures compliance and strengthens New York’s position as a transparent and regulated cannabis market.
The OCM has committed to providing additional guidance on the integration process, and licensees are advised to work closely with their software vendors to ensure compliance within the stipulated timeframe.
Next Steps for the Industry
The OCM’s rollout of the Seed-to-Sale system highlights New York’s continued efforts to build a secure and well-regulated cannabis market. This system will not only enhance public trust but will also ensure that both adult-use and medical cannabis consumers benefit from a legal and accountable marketplace.
For more information about the NY STS Tracking System (BioTrack), visit Cannabis.ny.gov/seed-to-sale.
