Utah: Medical cannabis cards available, dispensary opens

Great news! Utah residents can now apply for medical cannabis cards and safely obtain lab-tested medical cannabis.

The Utah Department of Health started accepting medical cannabis applications on Sunday — which was its deadline. Meanwhile, the first medical cannabis “pharmacy” opened its doors on Monday in Salt Lake City. Thirteen more are expected to open in the coming weeks or months.

To receive a medical cannabis card, patients must have a certification from a healthcare provider who is registered to recommend cannabis. Tutorials on the process are available on the department’s website.

Utah’s voters approved a medical cannabis initiative in November 2018. The measure was replaced by the legislature with a compromise bill that December.

In February, Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed a bill to make a number of changes, including:

• allowing flower to be dispensed in child-proof bottles, not just blister packs;
• allowing physicians to recommend to more patients; and
• changing the law to avoid criminalizing patients with cannabinoids in their system who aren’t impaired.

Many thanks to the Libertas Institute and everyone who has worked so hard to bring compassionate access to Utah and to keep improving on the program.