Medical Cannabis in Utah Grows, But Affordability Hit by New Law

20 May 2025

Utah’s medical cannabis program has crossed a major threshold this year, with more than 100k patients now officially enrolled. But just as the program celebrates its growth, newly enacted legislation is threatening to make access harder, especially for lower-income patients.

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, patient enrollment in the state’s medical cannabis program rose 20% from last year, totaling 100,144 active patients as of April 2025. The majority—over 85%—use cannabis to manage chronic pain, underscoring the treatment’s essential role in long-term healthcare for thousands of Utahns.

This milestone comes seven years after voters approved the medical marijuana initiative in 2018. With nearly $600 million in total sales and monthly transactions exceeding $15 million, the program has become a significant piece of Utah’s healthcare and business landscape. Patients are increasingly turning to vape products and cartridges, which now outsell traditional flower—a shift that reflects evolving consumer preferences and potentially broader demographic uptake.

However, Senate Bill 64, signed into law earlier this year, has stirred controversy among patients, advocates, and small-scale providers. The bill bans the once-popular “card drive” clinics—temporary certification stations often set up near pharmacies that offered discounted consultations for around $100. These clinics were especially crucial for low-income Utahns who struggle with the standard $200 certification fees.

Supporters of the new law, including Sen. Evan Vickers and Rep. Walt Brooks, argue that eliminating these pop-up models helps preserve the program’s medical integrity and curbs the perception of recreational use. But critics see the move as a step backward.

What This Means for Utahns:

• Patients: Those who relied on pop-up clinics for affordable certification may now face steeper costs. However, broader eligibility for recommending providers could allow more patients to obtain cannabis through their primary care physicians—a potentially more convenient option if those providers choose to participate.

• Medical Providers: With 993 qualified cannabis prescribers in the state, and recent reforms allowing any controlled-substance-authorized provider to certify cannabis use, there’s opportunity for greater integration of cannabis treatment into general medical care.

• Cannabis Businesses: The continued rise in patient numbers and the expansion to 17 licensed pharmacies may drive demand for both products and services. However, the restriction on nearby certification clinics could limit outreach and growth among newer patient segments.

• Recreational Advocates and Researchers: While medical use enjoys growing support, Utah remains cautious on full legalization. A recent poll shows 52% of voters favor recreational cannabis, but state leaders, including House Speaker Mike Schultz, remain publicly opposed. Still, the data provides insight into shifting public opinion and a potentially changing legal landscape.