OpenTHC: BioTrack Compliance Engine Crash Course

It's a discussion and then a live drawing and explanation of how the BioTrack compliance reporting system works.

Overview of BioTrack

• Purpose: BioTrack is a centralized compliance reporting system for cannabis regulation used in several states (e.g., New York, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois) and territories like Puerto Rico.

• In New Mexico, the CCD overlooks BioTrack.

• Centralized System: All data from cannabis businesses is entered into a centralized database that the government uses for compliance and regulatory purposes. This system is API-driven and interfaces with various applications.

Key Components

1. Licenses:

• Cannabis businesses (growers, processors, retailers, etc.) are categorized into license types, which determine their operations.

• Examples include cultivation, processing, retail, waste management, and lab testing.

2. Data Flow:

• Businesses input data into BioTrack directly via the state portal or through third-party software that integrates with BioTrack's API.

• Data includes inventory, harvest details, transactions, and facility-specific information (e.g., plant location, strain type).

System Functions

• Unique Identifiers: BioTrack generates unique IDs for inventory and transactions. These IDs are critical for labeling and tracking products through the supply chain.

• Reporting: Regulators use BioTrack to generate reports on inventory, harvests, and business operations.

• Third-Party Software: Many businesses use alternative front-end solutions (e.g., Greenbits, Confident Cannabis) to input and manage their data more efficiently.

Challenges and Limitations

• System Reliance: Connectivity issues or downtime can disrupt operations, delaying inventory labeling and data updates.

• Data Constraints: BioTrack has limited capacity for handling additional data sets, such as comprehensive lab results or newly discovered cannabinoids.

• Integration Gaps: Not all third-party software solutions integrate seamlessly with BioTrack, leading to inefficiencies in data sharing.

Future Topics

• Comparison with other compliance systems like METRC.

• Discussion on bespoke systems used in specific regions (e.g., Vermont, Canada).

• Exploration of distributed and federated systems for cannabis compliance.