Utah's HB203 Advances, Scaling Back Medical Cannabis Expansion Plans

25 February 2025

Utah's House Bill 203, aimed at expanding the state's medical cannabis program, advanced through the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after significant amendments. The bill now proposes adding two new medical cannabis pharmacies, a reduction from the initially proposed 25, and has removed the creation of a medical cannabis ombudsman. These changes came in response to opposition from conservative groups and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost, emphasized the importance of addressing patient needs and improving access within the state's medical cannabis framework.