On December 3, 2018, Utah lawmakers passed House Bill 3001: Utah Medical Cannabis Act. This legislation replaces Ballot Proposition 2, which was approved by Utah voters in the November 2018 general election.
The Utah Medical Cannabis Act directs the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) to issue medical cannabis cards to patients, register medical providers who wish to recommend medical cannabis treatment for their patients, and license medical cannabis pharmacies. These activities must be implemented by March 1, 2020.
However, the UDOH is working to implement the Utah Medical Cannabis Act as quickly as possible prior to the March 2020 deadline.
Medical Cannabis Program Fact Sheet
Medical Cannabis Cardholders
Medical cannabis treatment will be allowed for patients with certain qualifying medical conditions. The UDOH will begin accepting applications for medical cannabis patient cards by March 1, 2020.
Possession of Medical Cannabis Prior to 2021
Prior to January 2021, under Utah law, patients meeting certain criteria outlined in the Medical Cannabis Act may legally possess medical cannabis without a medical cannabis card. Compliance with the Utah Medical Cannabis Act may not protect patients from liability for violations of federal law or the laws of other states. Questions regarding this provision of the law are best answered by an attorney who can provide legal counsel specific to an individual’s situation.
Medical Cannabis Distribution
The UDOH will begin accepting applications to operate medical cannabis pharmacies by March 1, 2020. This flow chart illustrates the medical cannabis cultivation and distribution process.
Medical Providers
Physicians, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and physician assistants who are licensed to prescribe a controlled substance will be allowed to recommend medical cannabis treatment for their patients. Providers must register as a qualified medical provider through an Electronic Verification System (EVS) established by the UDOH. The EVS will be operational by March 1, 2020.
Cannabis cultivators and processors
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has authority over cannabis cultivation and processing. For more information about cannabis cultivation and processing contact Ashley Lytton at alytton@utah.gov or 801-538-4976.
For more information contact:
Medical Cannabis Program
801-538-6504
medicalcannabis@utah.gov
For media inquiries contact:
Tom Hudachko
Communications Director
801-538-6232
thudachko@utah.gov