An incoming cannabis package has a quantity discrepancy. The receiver needs to establish what arrived, keep it in the appropriate physical status, and follow the receiving and correction procedure for that license. A purchase-order shortage and a state inventory adjustment are related records, but they are different decisions.
This guide explains one specific source: Illinois Metrc bulletin IL_IB_0003, redistributed June 25, 2025. It does not establish a receiving procedure for every Metrc jurisdiction.
What the Illinois bulletin says
The bulletin says Illinois does not approve accepting partial packages. It describes rejecting the whole package, or accepting the whole package and then adjusting down with a reason or repackaging damaged units for return. It also describes receiving damaged product and then handling destruction or a newly manifested return. Rejection therefore is not the only possible response to damage. Follow the applicable procedure, including required documentation and permissions. Read the Illinois bulletin, especially pages 3 and 5–9.
Do not generalize this into “accept every shortage and adjust it away,” or “reject every damaged delivery.” Establish the facts with the supplier and compliance owner before choosing the permitted action. An unexplained over-count, wrong package identity, failed test or suspected tampering needs investigation; a free-text note does not itself authorize an adjustment or release stock for sale.
Keep the commercial and regulatory questions separate
Consider an illustrative order for 100 units. The manifest lists 100; the receiver finds 96 intact units and four damaged units.
There are several facts to preserve:
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