Utah Medical Marijuana Card

Is Medical Marijuana Legal In Utah?

Yes, medical cannabis is legal in Utah in accordance with the Utah Medical Cannabis Act. Utah medical cannabis laws permit persons with qualifying conditions to possess no more than a quantity sufficient to provide 30 days of treatment in accordance with the dosing guidelines issued by their recommending medical provider and may not exceed:

• 113 grams of unprocessed cannabis (flower); and
• 20 grams of total composite THC in other medicinal dosage forms

Utah's medical marijuana laws allow minor patients and visiting patients in the state to also access medical cannabis. However, visiting patients are required to have one or more of the qualifying conditions approved under Utah law. Also, they may only possess cannabis in the forms permitted under Utah law and must possess valid medical marijuana cards issued in their states.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Utah in 2024

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Utah

Utah in 2024 issues medical marijuana cards to persons who fall under the following categories:

• Patients 18 years of age and older
• Parents or approved guardians of minors who are eligible to consume medical cannabis
• Minors under the age of 18 who meet the eligibility requirements to consume medical cannabis
• Adults 21 years of age and older caring for patient cardholders who are unable to procure or consume medical cannabis on their own
• Patients with a Utah qualifying condition that hold a cannabis card from another state may apply for a temporary card while visiting Utah

Except for persons who fall under the category of parents or legal guardians of minors who are eligible to use medical cannabis, you can only get a medical marijuana card in Utah if you have any of the recognized conditions:

• Persistent nausea that is not responsive to traditional treatment, except for nausea related to:
  • pregnancy
  • cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
  • cannabis-induced cyclic vomiting syndrome
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Cachexia
• Alzheimer's disease
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Cancer
• Epilepsy or debilitating seizures
• Multiple sclerosis or persistent and debilitating muscle spasms
• HIV or acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) being monitored and treated by an authorized health therapist, and that has been:
  • Diagnosed by a healthcare provider by the VA (Veterans Administration) and documented in the patient's record; or
  • Diagnosed or confirmed by evaluation from a psychiatrist, masters prepared psychologist, masters prepared licensed clinical social worker or a psychiatric APRN
• A condition resulting in the patient requiring hospice care
• Autism
• A rare illness or condition affecting less than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. and that is not adequately managed despite conventional medication treatment (other than opioids or opiates) or physical interventions
• A terminal illness when the individual's life expectancy is less than 6 months
• Acute pain that is expected to last over 2 weeks for an acute condition, including a surgical procedure, for which opioids may be prescribed for a limited duration
• Persistent pain lasting more than 2 weeks not adequately managed, in the opinion of the medical provider, despite treatment attempts using conventional medications other than physical interventions, opioids, or opiates

Can I Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card In Utah Online?

Yes, individuals with qualifying conditions can apply for medical marijuana cards in Utah online through the Electronic Verification System (EVS) managed by the DHHS. They must meet their medical providers in person for the initial visits (certifications) but may meet them via telehealth consultations for subsequent visits (re-certifications).

How Do I Register With The Utah Medical Cannabis Program?

To register in the Utah Medical Cannabis Program, a person with a qualifying medical condition must first be certified for medical cannabis by a DHHS-licensed medical provider. After certification, they can submit their enrollment application online using the Electronic Verification System. Adults whose medical conditions are not listed in the state-approved list of qualifying medical conditions can petition the Compassionate Use Board to register in the Utah Medical Cannabis Program.

Do I Need To Be A Utah Resident To Get A Medical Marijuana Card?

Yes, one of the requirements for getting a medical marijuana card in Utah is to be a legal resident of the state. However, out-of-state patients with qualifying medical conditions and marijuana cards from their states may apply for temporary medical cannabis cards when visiting Utah.

What Is The Cost Of A Utah Medical Marijuana Card?

The following fees apply to medical cannabis cards in Utah:

• Patient Medical Marijuana ID Card (initial): $15
• Patient Medical Marijuana ID Card (six-month renewal): $15
• Guardian Medical Marijuana ID Card (initial): $68.25
• Guardian Medical Marijuana ID Card (six-month renewal): $24
• Caregiver Medical Marijuana ID Card (initial): $68.25
• Caregiver Medical Marijuana ID Card (six-month renewal): $14
• Non-Utah Resident Medical Marijuana ID Card (initial & renewal): $15

What Do You Need When Visiting A Medical Marijuana Dispensary In Utah?

You must have a Utah medical marijuana card and a valid government-issued photo ID card, such as a Utah driver’s license to be able to purchase medical cannabis at Utah medical cannabis pharmacies. You should also bring cash, as credit cards are not usually accepted. Note that before your first medical cannabis purchase, you will be required to consult with a medical cannabis pharmacist. Some pharmacies require an appointment made in advance for this consultation.

Who Can Prescribe Medical Marijuana In Utah?

Only Utah healthcare practitioners certified as Qualified Medical Providers (QMPs) by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) may recommend medical marijuana to qualified patients in Utah. Note that participation in the Utah medical cannabis program as a medical provider is voluntary, and some healthcare practitioners choose not to become QMPs. If your current provider is not participating in the program, you may consult with other providers covered by your health insurance about their registration status or speak with your provider about a QMP recommendation.

The DHHS lists medical providers registered with the DHHS as QMPs. This list only includes those QMPs who have authorized the DHHS to post their name, contact information, and specialty on the DHHS website.

The requirements to become a medical provider who may recommend patients for a medical cannabis card include the following:

• Be a Utah-licensed medical doctor (MD), osteopathic physician (DO), physician assistant (PA), advanced practice registered nurse (ARPN), or doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) with a Utah controlled substance license;
• Complete a minimum of 4 hours of DHHS-approved education on medical cannabis;
• Submit an application to the Utah DHHS; and
• Pay a $100 application fee to DHHS

Can A Minor Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Utah?

Minors with qualifying conditions under the Utah medical marijuana program can get provisional patient cards. The state does not issue standard patient cards to patients under the age of 18. Provisional patient cards are issued in conjunction with guardian cards. Note that all provisional patient cards must be approved by the Compassionate Use Board (CUB). Provisional cards are issued in conjunction with guardian cards since minors are required to have parental consent or approval from their legal guardians to use medical cannabis. Guardian cards are issued to the parents or legal guardians of minors.

Can You Get A Medical Marijuana Card At 18 In Utah?

If you are 18 in Utah, the state allows you to obtain a standard patient card. Hence, you can apply for a Utah medical marijuana card without requiring parental consent if you fulfill the eligibility requirements to consume medical cannabis.

How To Renew Your Utah Medical Marijuana Card

A patient's Utah medical cannabis card is valid for 12 months from the date it was issued (Note that Compassionate Use Board patient renewal dates may differ). Patients and their qualified medical providers (QMPs) are required to renew their cards online or when the card expires. Follow these steps to renew your Utah medical marijuana card:

• Verify your Information on the Utah EVS:
  • Visit the Utah Electronic Verification System
  • Log in using your username and password
  • Select “Tracking Inbox” in the top left corner
  • Select “Patient.” Note not to select “New Patient”
  • Select your name
  • Verify the data on the screen is correct and then select the blue “Save and Submit for Certification” button
• Visit your QMP to Renew Your Medical Marijuana Certification: Renewing your medical marijuana certification or recommendation is required for you to renew your medical marijuana card. At the QMP visit, ask the provider to renew or add your certification. Once your certification has been renewed on your EVS account, the status information will change to “Awaiting Payment," and you will get a notification by email.
• Pay the Applicable Fees:
  • Visit the Utah Electronic Verification System
  • Log in using your username and password
  • Select “Tracking Inbox” in the top left corner
  • Choose “Patient”
  • Select your name
  • Select the gray tab labeled Payment (below the blue circles)
  • Click “+New”
  • Select the blue “Click Here to Pay” button
  • Pay for your medical marijuana card using a credit or debit card
  • Upon inputting the required information, you will be redirected to the EVS system

If your status information on the EVS displays “Renewal Complete” or “Awaiting State Review," you have completed the renewal process. If you have a current medical cannabis card, your new card will not be issued until the day following the expiration date of your current card.

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana In Utah?

No, it is illegal to cultivate marijuana at home. Only licensed facilities are allowed to grow cannabis for medical cannabis in Utah.

Does Utah Allow Medical Marijuana Patients To Designate Caregivers?

A caregiver is an individual whom a person with a medical marijuana patient card or a medical cannabis guardian card designates as a patient's caregiver. Patients who are minors or incapable of making health decisions for themselves can designate adults to help them buy and administer medical cannabis.

Under Utah laws, caregivers are required to be at least 21 years old, Utah adults, and be registered with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS). Note that neither the DHSS nor another Utah agency designates caregivers for patients. Caregivers must be designated by patients. They must also have caregiver cards issued by the DHSS. A medical cannabis patient can assign up to two caregivers, and a caregiver may assist up to two registered patients.

Utah Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Medical marijuana purchases with medical cannabis cards issued in other states are no longer permitted in Utah as of July 1, 2021. However, out-of-state patients with qualifying health conditions who are visiting Utah can apply for temporary medical marijuana patient cards with recommendations from state-licensed medical providers.

Are My Medical Marijuana Records Private?

Registered patients' medical marijuana records are kept private in Utah and only disclosed by the DHHS in rare cases. Per Utah Code 26-61a-103, with a warrant from a court judge, state and local law enforcement may access a patient's medical cannabis records for certain information, for instance, during an investigation. Similarly, Utah-licensed medical providers may access medical marijuana records for patients under their care/treatment.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) also protects patients' medical cannabis records. Under the HIPAA Privacy Rules, the disclosure of data from medical cannabis records must comply with strict standards. For instance, an employer may only request access to an employee's medical cannabis records strictly for certain reasons stipulated in the HIPAA Privacy Rules.

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana In Utah?

No. Medical marijuana is not covered by health insurance in Utah.

What Is The Medical Card Limit In Utah?

With a Utah medical marijuana card, a person can purchase an amount of cannabis sufficient for a 30-day treatment based on the dosing guidelines recommended by a medical provider. The quantity may not exceed 113 grams of marijuana flower or 20 grams of total composite THC in other cannabis forms.

Can You Go To A Dispensary Without A Medical Card In Utah?

No Utah-licensed medical marijuana dispensary will sell medical cannabis to anyone who cannot provide a valid DHHS-issued medical marijuana card.