Cannabis Business in Utah

Medical Marijuana in Utah

Utah is one of the states that allow the medical use of cannabis products. The Utah Center for Medical Cannabis, managed by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), allows qualifying patients to purchase a 30-day supply of cannabis products from licensed pharmacies with a doctor's recommendation. Patients must obtain a medical cannabis card by getting a recommendation from a medical provider and applying through the Electronic Verification System.

Working in a Utah Medical Cannabis Facility

Individuals who work in a Utah medical cannabis establishment must obtain an agent card from the DHHS. The types of agent cards available are based on the type of establishment:

• Courier Agent: Operates at a medical cannabis courier
• Pharmacy Agent: Operates at a medical cannabis pharmacy
• Production Agent: Operates at a medical cannabis processor, cultivator, or independent testing laboratory

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, submit an application through AIMS, pay a fee, and pass a background check. There is an extended visitor policy that allows applicants who are waiting for their application to be reviewed to handle cannabis while being supervised by a carded agent.

Industrial Hemp and CBD in Utah

Utah allows for the cultivation, processing, and sale of industrial hemp and hemp-derived CBD products. Utah's industrial hemp program is overseen by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF).

Industrial Hemp

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances and allowed for commercial production. Utah adopted the federal guidelines and created the Hemp and Cannabinoid Act, which gave the UDAF authority to develop the state's industrial hemp production plan.

• Cultivation: As of May 2022, the USDA licenses and regulates hemp cultivators in Utah. Growers must obtain a USDA license to grow and store their own hemp. They are also required to apply for a UDAF cannabinoid processor license if they want to receive or store hemp from other sources.
• Processing: The UDAF issues four tiers of industrial hemp processor licenses based on the activities the licensee will be conducting. Applicants must submit an application, FBI criminal history report, and other supporting documents through the AIMS platform. Tier 1 licensees can conduct all processing activities, including extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and sales of raw hemp materials.
• Transportation: A transport manifest is required for all industrial hemp that is being transported in Utah.
• Retail: Retailers must obtain a Utah Hemp Retail Permit through the UDAF.

CBD

• Legality: Hemp-derived CBD is legal in Utah. Marijuana-derived CBD is only legal for registered medical marijuana patients.
• Product Restrictions: The sale of smokable hemp flower and CBD-infused edibles and beverages is prohibited.
• Registration and Labeling: All CBD products must be registered with the UDAF. Products must include specific labeling information, including ingredients, net weight, suggested use, and batch number.

Utah Industrial Hemp and CBD Business Licensing Fees

The fees for industrial hemp and CBD businesses in Utah are as follows: