Track and trace item categories

Selecting the correct item category is a critical step when creating an item in the track and trace system. Use the guidance to identify the category that best matches your cannabis goods and create clear, descriptive item names that support accurate inventory tracking and product identification.

Last reviewed: October 30, 2026

Explore track and trace item categories

Creating an item in track and trace

When creating an item in the track and trace system, select the item category that best matches your cannabis good and assign it an item name. Selecting the correct item category streamlines the cannabis good’s supply chain process. If you select a mismatched item category, you could experience:

• Missing regulatory compliance tests
• Delays in laboratory test results
• Supply chain disruptions, including inventory that can’t be transferred

Cannabis goods discovered by Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) staff at retail with a passing Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a mismatched item category may be considered adulterated and misbranded, and subject to embargo, recall or both.

Licensees that process, manufacture, distribute or sell cannabis goods with a mismatched item category may be subject to a citation and fine or another form of compliance action.

Selecting an item category that matches your cannabis goods

The information can help you identify the item category that best matches your cannabis goods. First, determine if your cannabis good is nonmanufactured or manufactured, then find the item category that best describes the cannabis good you are making or packaging.

See California Code of Regulations (CCR), title 4, section 15000. Definitions. for information about cannabis goods.

Not all track-and-trace categories will be available to all users. Only categories applicable to your license type will be displayed and available for selection within the track and trace system.

Nonmanufactured item categories

Nonmanufactured item categories should be used for bulk flower, bulk shake and cannabis goods that contain only cannabis, leaf, pre-roll filter tips or paper. Categories appropriate for kief, infused flower and infused pre-rolls can be found in the manufactured item categories section.

Nonmanufactured item categories include:

• Leaf
• Shake
• Flower
• Non-infused pre-rolls

Visit nonmanufactured item categories for information.

Manufactured item categories

Manufacturers and microbusinesses authorized to manufacture cannabis products cannot transfer products to a distributor for regulatory compliance testing unless the cannabis products are in their final form and packaged and labeled for retail sale.

Manufactured item categories include:

• Concentrates
• Edibles
• Infused cannabis
• Infused pre-rolls
• Animal cannabis products

Visit manufactured item categories for information.

Crafting an item name that describes your cannabis or cannabis product

The item name is a unique, descriptive label the licensee creates to identify an item. It should be specific to the cannabis goods you are creating an item for. DCC recommends developing a naming convention that uses clear and consistent ordering criteria such as brand name, item category, unit volume or weight, flavor, strain or other identifiable descriptors.

Here are a few examples of item names crafted for the ABC brand using the following naming convention: [Brand name] [product type] – [unit volume or weight] – [strain, flavor or other identifiable descriptor]

Scenario 1: packaged flower

A licensed processor is packaging Blue Dream flower into 3.5-gram individual containers for the ABC brand. Using the naming convention referenced, the processor crafted the following item name: ABC flower – 3.5g – Blue Dream

Scenario 2: bulk flower

A licensed cultivator is packaging bulk Blue Dream flower in 10-pound increments for the ABC brand. Using the naming convention referenced, the cultivator crafted the following item name: ABC flower – 10lb – Blue Dream

Scenario 3: infused pre-roll

A licensed manufacturer is making infused pre-rolls for the ABC brand. Each individual package includes three 0.5-gram pre-rolls made with Blue Dream flower and infused with bubble hash. Each package of infused pre-rolls weighs 1.5 grams. Using the naming convention referenced, the manufacturer crafted the following item name: ABC infused pre-roll – 1.5g – Blue Dream bubble hash 3pk

Scenario 4: integrated vaporizer

A licensed manufacturer is making integrated vaporizers with distillate extracted from Blue Dream plant material for the ABC brand. Each integrated vaporizer will contain 1.0 gram of distillate. Using the naming convention referenced, the manufacturer crafted the following item name: ABC integrated vaporizer – 1.0g – Blue Dream distillate

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Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about track and trace item categories.

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