Utah Cannabis and Marijuana License

Medical cannabis is legal here. It was legalized in November 2018. The medical act – “Proposition 2” was legalized thanks to 53% of voters and their efforts. In years, the initial “Proposition 2” has undergone some minor changes. Anyways, one of the most important changes was SB 121. So, from then, all the residents have to obtain Utah Cannabis and Marijuana License to be able to legally produce and use it.  According to the document:

• It is possible to dispense its flowers in bottles instead of blisters.
• Doctors should recommend it for treatment to more people than before.

Overall, not much has changed in the rules since then. During the pandemic in 2020, some rules were eased to enable the residents to buy medical marijuana easier.

Remember that adult use is still illegal. Therefore, to own weed, one must have a qualifying condition.

Cannabis regulations

Formal documentation is important to control the field precisely. But, acquiring them is not that easy. Their number is limited at the moment. Besides, the rules are very strict and narrow. Applicants should meet them to get permission.

There are 4 main categories of them. Each of them requires a separate certificate. At the moment, they are the following:

Industrial hemp

First of all, industrial hemp is allowed in all states. To grow industrial hemp for healing reasons, the state requires the following licenses:

• Grower. This, in short, enables applicants to grow hemp.
• Processor. This, in short, allows the processing of hemp for other uses.
• Retail. With retail permission, it is possible to sell the material in specialty retail stores.

Also, the certificates for THC differ from CBD ones. The reason is that CBD is a medicinal product. That is why the rules differ drastically for them.

UT cultivator’s license

The cultivator’s permit allows for the growing, harvesting, drying, trimming, and packaging of weeds. As for now, the particular certificate is available only for eight cultivators. Whether this number will increase in the future is still unknown.

UT cultivator’s permit is issued to the companies below:

• Harvest – Ogden
• Dragonfly Greenhouse – Moroni
• Standard Wellness – Corinne
• Oakbridge Greenhouses- Garland
• Tryke Companies – Tooele
• True North of – Brigham City
• Wholesome Ag.- N. Salt Lake
• Zion Cultivars- Salt Lake

Besides, they will be open for requests when the patients’ number goes up. This way the demand for the product might also rise in the future.

For the renewal, all the applications should be sent to the Department by December 1st. In case the applicants fail to apply, they might be suspended for good.

Utah Cannabis and Marijuana License: Processor’s

It enables applicants to dry, extract, refine, formulate and pack the products. The processor’s certificate is under Rule R68-28.

In contrast to the cultivators, the latter is available at the moment. The application will get approval if it complies with the quality tests.

Generally, the processor’s certificate has two distinct tiers. According to Tier 1, the processor is able to process raw material. Tier 2 enables the packaging and labeling.

Utah Cannabis and Marijuana License: Retail

This type enables its owners to buy relevant products from certified processors and cultivators. It allows particular stores to sell relevant products to card-holding residents. In 2020, 14 dispensaries got UT dispensary permits.

Retailers owners have to hurry and open the stores by the end of 2021. In the current year, another pharmacy is opening its doors. Perhaps, it will be located in a rural area.

Laboratory and Testing for Utah Cannabis and Marijuana License

Lastly, the state issues lab and testing certificates. It ensures that products sold meet the state quality and safety standards. The Production Establishment Board receives and discusses all the applications. It views only those, which meet the conditions below:

• The application length is no more than 100 pages
• It includes correct and relevant information
• Follows all the directions stated by the Board

The fee is $15.000. Also, the applicant must make the payment within 30 days after the Board’s decision.

Medical cannabis

Unlike Idaho, UT legalized healing hemp in 2018. Do remember that only patients with certain diseases can obtain and consume it. In all other cases, its possession is illegal.

Moreover, growing weed at home is not legitimate either. Even qualified residents have no right to grow it at home.

Medical cards

You must meet certain provisions if you want to obtain a medical card:

• Firstly, it is essential to find a qualified health provider and meet him/her in person.
• Secondly, you should open an account online and register.
• After registering online, the qualified doctor will enter the account. He/she will attach his/her recommendation.
• The application payment is available online after the QMP issues the recommendation.

Also, remember that there is a $15 fixed payment to make.  Note that they are valid for a month only. Then, they need renewal. To refresh, the required payment is $5 for six months.

Qualifying conditions

Several health conditions qualify a person as a receiver. So, the state suggests the following:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Persistent and debilitating muscle spasms
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Autism
• Cancer
• Cachexia
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• HIV/AIDS
• Epilepsy or debilitating seizures
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Lasting pain that common medicine cannot soothe
• Nausea irresponsive to traditional treatment

There are still other cases that entitle the person to own an MMJ card. At this point, there is no need to show one of the conditions in the list. For this, the person needs a recommendation of a qualified health provider and a petition directed to the Board.

Besides having a qualifying condition, there are several other points to meet (for instance, being 18 years old and more). Minors need to be represented by their parents or legal guardians.

Who can become a caregiver?

Minor residents should have caregivers. Each is allowed to have two caregivers receive and administer marijuana for them. Letters, in their turn, are entitled to have only two patients.

To be a caregiver a person should:

• Firstly, register on the electronic system.
• Secondly, complete the caregiver’s form.
• Thirdly, submit personal data.
• Lastly, pay for registering in the system.

Generally, the first patient fee is $68.25. The second patient fee is $15.

The application is processed by the local Department of Health. The final decision is issued within 15 days. The expiry date is 90 days. After that, it is still possible to refresh it.

The available forms

According to the UT act, residents are entitled to acquire only the following forms of healing weed:

• Capsule
• Oil
• Gelatinous cube
• Liquid suspension
• Tablet
• Weed flower in special packaging
• Wax or resin

Note that patients in UT cannot smoke weed. It is illegal.

The amount of marijuana to own

The patients get only 30 days’ supply from dispensaries. The amount to own is no more than:

• 113 grams of hemp flowers
• 20 grams of THC in any form and dosages

The qualified health provider determines the dosage and forms.

Rules for non-residents

Non-residents may also obtain healing weed. For this purpose, however, they should register in the EVS. Non-residents get MMJ cards for a limited period. They are valid for 21 days per visit.

Keep in mind that registering in Utah is obligatory. Even if the non-residents have a medical card from another state, they cannot purchase for usage. They still need to register in the EVS and receive their short-term cards.