Let’s start with a definition of RFID. Radio Frequency Identification is a form of wireless communication that incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal or person. Basically, it’s a device that can read information contained in a wireless device or “tag” from a distance without making any physical contact or even requiring a line of sight.
How does RFID pertain to the cannabis industry?
Cannabis regulations require seed-to-sale tracking.That means that cannabis plants are tracked from seeds through planting, harvesting/curing, manufacturing, testing, and packaging before they’re sold in a licensed cannabis dispensary. Being able to incorporate RFID automation products and software helps speed up and simplify the process immensely.
Am I required to do seed to sale tracking?
Every legal cannabis state is required by law to have seed-to-sale tracking software but states with only medical marijuana may or may not be required to have it. However, it’s still useful for tracking and inventory purposes and RFID automation makes it each to accomplish.
I’m still not convinced. Why is it important?
For those who are purchasing cannabis and related products, RFID cloud-based automation scanning adds a level of assurance and confidence that products can be trusted to add to their health and wellness. For cannabis professionals, cloud-based seed-to-sale tracking provides tools to ensure compliance is being achieved and adds data for improved cultivation and profits. For municipal regulators, this RFID tracking allows them to monitor every cannabis product at every stage of the supply chain the same way batch numbers are used on other food and drug items.
How does tracking work?
Labels or tags with identifying barcodes or QR codes are placed on the seed containers. If a grower is using clones, a tag can be hung on the plant itself (some states require this). Some states even require tracking the plants if they move to a different location if they’re being grown inside. Plants can be scanned with a RFID automation product at each milestone and if the harvested plant is processed into vape oil, a tincture, an edible, a topical, or other cannabis product, the code stays with it to ensure the tracking chain remains unbroken.
