¶ TRADE SAMPLE NEWS
New Rules regarding trade samples were implemented January 1, 2026. Specific changes can be found in Compliance Education Bulletin - CE2025-07, Implementation of 2025 Legislative Changes and Technical Rule Amendments.
The Marijuana Compliance Team has created a Trade Sample FAQ which addresses common questions and concerns regarding the Rule updates. Additionally, an updated OLCC Trade Sample Guide is available on our website for a detailed walk-through of creating and tracking samples within Metrc.
¶ Trade Samples
Definition: Typical (ordinary) Trade Samples are samples of products sent by producers, processors, wholesalers, and hemp certificate holders to licensees for purposes of creating product awareness and as a means to generate business. Additionally, trade samples allow for licensees and hemp certificate holders to provide limited samples to eligible worker permit holders as a means of marketing products at trade shows and encouraging prospective Licensee buyers to make a purchase.
Quality control samples are treated as a subset of trade samples. However, licensees who are eligible to distribute these samples (producers, processors) can continue to handle them differently than an ordinary trade sample.
Governing Rules and limits: Trade Samples are covered under OAR 845-25-1330.
Entering information into Metrc:
Any time marijuana is on the road it must have an accompanying Metrc transfer manifest. This includes trade samples.
In Metrc the originating/sending licensee treats trade samples like any other package – every trade sample must be tagged as a package in Metrc and manifested to the destination. When assigning and affixing the UID tag, a licensee or hemp certificate holder must designate samples as trade samples in CTS. Although not required, it is recommended that licensees distributing trade samples create a specific item in Metrc for the trade sample. For example: a producer distributing a trade sample of “Blue Dream Buds” would create a Metrc item of “Blue Dream Buds ‐ Trade Sample.” This makes it clear to the sender, receiver, and OLCC what this item is intended as and that it is not for resale.
- A trade sample only delivery should use the "Transfer" type of transfer from the drop down choices.
- A trade sample that is part of a delivery containing priced items can be included on a "Wholesale Transfer" type transfer using the item cost of $0.01.
The receiving licensee will accept the transfer and adjust the package in CTS with the reason of “Trade Sample.” If the trade sample is given to an employee, the worker permit ID number of the recipient must be entered into the notes section. If a trade sample package is distributed amongst multiple employees, the adjustment entry must include the quantity given to each employee.
Only the recipient of a trade sample should use the “Trade Sample” adjustment reason. Any marijuana item on the road without a transfer manifest would be a serious violation of OLCC rules and potentially of state law. Even if no sample is left behind – for example, a producer with an “exhibit case” to show the same example marijuana items to different retailers – a transfer manifest is still required.
If a licensee travels between multiple licensees showing an “exhibit case” of trade samples these items should be manifested on a circular transfer listing all intermediary stops and may then returned to inventory when the driver returns to the originating facility.
Creating Trade Sample Packages:
Trade sample packages show a suitcase symbol next to the package tag so that shippers and receivers can more easily identify sample packages in their inventory. This designation is required when creating a trade sample package in Metrc.
Additional detailed information regarding the creation of trade samples can be found in the OLCC Trade Sample Guide.
Steps:
- Select the package of product from which you want to create trade samples. Then click ‘New Packages’.
- Fill in the New Package pop-up box. Be sure to check the ‘Trade Sample’ box to identify the package as containing trade samples.
- Once the package is created you will see the Trade Sample symbol next to the package tag.
- Additionally, you can add a column to your Metrc view that will show all trade samples:
- Now when you transfer or receive a transfer you can also see Trade Samples on the manifest. When added to an outgoing manifest you will see:
- Or when receiving an incoming manifest you will see:
- And you can see which packages are Trade Samples on the manifest:
¶ Adjusting Trade Sample Packages in Metrc
The recipient license distributes the trade samples to the worker permit holder receiving the sample. This activity must be recorded as a package adjustment using the reason trade sample. An adjustment note is required to list the worker permit number.
¶ In-House Quality Control Trade Samples
Definition: In-House Quality Control (QC) Samples are samples of a licensee’s own product for internal quality control and product development purposes. QC samples are only for internal quality control and product development purposes of a licensee’s own items. Only producers and processors may provide QC samples to their own employees. The items cannot be consumed on the licensed premises and cannot be resold to another licensee or consumer. In-House Quality Control Samples cannot be transferred via manifest.
Governing Rules and limits: Quality Control Samples are covered as a subsection to the Trade Sample Rules OAR 845-25-1330.
Entering information into Metrc:
Quality control samples should be recorded via an adjustment with the reason of “In‐House Quality Control.” As with ordinary trade sample adjustments, the adjustment note must include the worker permit number of the employee receiving the quality control sample.
Retailers and wholesalers cannot take quality control samples. They can only record ordinary trade samples received from other licensees (see above).
Items that are discarded due to quality control reasons should be adjusted out as waste from Metrc. Do not use the Quality Control adjustment reason for this activity.
Additional information regarding the creation or distribution of quality control samples can be found in the OLCC Trade Sample Guide.
¶ Producer Plant Sampling
Producers may provide limited amounts of immature plants and seeds to worker permit holders who perform work on their behalf.
Governing Rules and limits: These types of Producer Samples are covered under the Trade Sample Rules OAR 845-25-1330(3).
All immature plants and seeds transferred to a worker permit holder must be recorded as a package adjustment under the reason of in-house quality control sample. Plants must first be packaged so the package adjustment can be recorded. Seeds must be packaged as an "each" item in Metrc.
Additional information on distributing immature plants to a producer’s own employees can be found in the OLCC Trade Sample Guide. Samples of this type are not eligible for transport to another license.
A worker permit holder may not exceed the statutory limits on marijuana possession at any time
¶ Wiki Feedback
If you encounter a technical problem or just want to provide general comments regarding your visit to the Oregon Metrc Wiki, we welcome your Feedback.