MN Cannabis Q&A: Entering Seeds into Metrics once you get your 30-day window...
- Carpfish Creative
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
You should bring all seed genetics into Metrc as packages of seeds, then only “plant” (convert) portions of those packages into immature plant batches as you need them, leaving the rest in inventory as seeds for later use.
Big picture
In MN, all beginning inventory must be in Metrc within your first 30 days as either plants or packages.
Seeds enter Metrc only as packages, not as plants.
Plants always start in Metrc as “immature plant batches” created from those seed packages.
You are allowed to keep seed packages in inventory and draw down from them over time; only the seeds you actually plant need to be turned into immature plant batches.
Step-by-step: how to set it up
1. Enter all seeds during the 30‑day window
For each strain you currently possess in seed form, do this before your 30 days ends:
Create an external incoming transfer in Metrc to bring in your seeds as packages (this is the required method for beginning inventory seeds).
For each strain/lot, create a package with:
Item: something like “Cannabis Seeds – [Strain]”
Quantity: total number of seeds you physically have for that strain
Unit of measure: each/units (as per your items setup)
Package tag: Assign a unique Metrc package tag and physically label that seed container with that tag.
If you want to keep genetics separate (e.g., different breeders or lots of the same strain), give each its own package/tag now.
Result: after day 30, Metrc shows all your seed genetics as active packages, but none are planted yet.
2. Plant only what you want now
When you’re ready to start a run of a particular strain:
Go to the Packages grid, select the seed package for that strain, click Create Plantings.
In the Create Plantings window:
Plant type: Immature
Immature batch name: best practice is “Strain + planting date” (e.g., “Gelato 4.10.26”).
Quantity: the number of seeds you are actually germinating this time (e.g., 25 out of a 100‑seed package).
Strain: select the strain.
Location/room: your nursery/veg room.
Planting date: actual date you plant.
Metrc will then:
Create an immature plant batch for that strain/planting,
Reduce the quantity of seeds left in the original package by the number you just planted.
Your remaining seeds stay as a seed package in inventory, visible and compliant.
3. Use the remainder later
Whenever you want to plant more of that strain in the future (after your 30‑day window has closed):
Repeat the Create Plantings action from the same seed package, using a new batch name and planting date, and the quantity you’re planting that round.
Do this until the seed package quantity goes to zero.
Because the genetics were brought in during the initial window, you are not invoking the “new genetics” workflow; you’re just drawing down an existing, authorized seed package over time.
Key compliance points for MN
MN guidance: “All plants must enter the system as immature plant batches, whether sourced from clones or seeds. Seeds will be brought in via packages.”
You have 30 days from credentialing to get all existing seeds into Metrc; after that, new genetics require the specific “New Genetics Workflow” and OCM approval.
If you plan on storing seeds (not planting them immediately), they should remain as seed packages in inventory and not be converted into immature plants until actually planted.
Make sure the physical labels on your seed containers match the Metrc package tags and descriptions.
Practical tips with 100+ strains
Create a simple naming convention for items and packages, e.g.,
Items: “Seed – [Strain] – [Breeder]”
Package tag description or internal note: include lot info and count.
If a strain has a large number of seeds, consider splitting into multiple packages (by lot or storage container) to give you more flexibility and cleaner audit trails later.
Keep a simple spreadsheet mirroring your Metrc seed packages: tag, strain, breeder, quantity, storage location. It makes later plantings easier to plan and explain during inspections.
New Genetics Workflow (Entering seeds after 30 days)
For seeds acquired or added after the 30‑day window:
Request approval from OCM
All requests to bring in new genetics (seeds/clones) must be approved by the Office of Cannabis Management.
You email OCM (address in MN_IB_0056 and the guidance memo) describing the genetics, source, and that you want the “New Genetics” external transfer type enabled.
OCM/Metrc enable “New Genetics” transfer type
The external transfer type “New Genetics” is disabled by default and is only turned on for you if OCM approves the request.
Create an Incoming External Transfer in Metrc
Go to Transfers → External → Incoming → New Transfer.
Set Type = New Genetics.
Planned Route field:
If bought seeds from a commercial seed seller: “Bought from seed seller. Verified by the Metrc Admin.” (language from the bulletin).
If it’s your own internal genetics (e.g., seeds you created): the route can simply state they came from the cultivator, per bulletin examples.
Enter the item, quantity of seeds, and other required info, then submit/receive the transfer so it becomes a seed package in Metrc.
Plant from that package like normal
Once the package is created, you convert seeds to immature plant batches using Create Plantings from the package.
From there, they move through veg/flower/harvest the same as genetics you entered in your initial 30‑day window.
Practical implications for you
You cannot just “late‑enter” old seeds after day 30 without using the New Genetics process and OCM approval; the beginning‑inventory path is closed.
Strategically, you want all legacy / “must‑keep” genetics into Metrc during the 30‑day window so you avoid needing New Genetics approval for them later.
After 30 days, treat any additional/unlisted strains as new genetics and plan on:
Emailing OCM with strain details and source,
Waiting for them to authorize New Genetics external transfers on your account,
Then creating the external incoming transfer and seed package as described.
If you tell me whether these “after 30 days” seeds are (1) truly new purchases from a seed seller, or (2) older legacy packs you just didn’t enter, I can help you script the exact email language to OCM that fits your situation.
Need help from our nerds to get this squared away the right way out of the gate?
Then we should talk!
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