Residents of Utah and visitors who intend to use cannabis while there should familiarize themselves with Utah Marijuana laws. Many Utahns are still unaware that Medical Cannabis is legal in Utah, and of those people who are aware, even fewer of them know exactly what is and isn’t legal. At utahmarijuana.org, we work hard to keep you informed, safe, and legal. For the most recent updates to Utah Medical Cannabis law, check out this article where we break it all down. If podcasts are more your thing, listen to this interview with the Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis, Rich Oborn, as he explains the new changes and some of the reasoning behind them.
Though recreational use of marijuana remains illegal throughout Utah, no- or low-THC CBD oil is now legal for all, and the medicinal use of marijuana recently became legal for certain conditions.
Under Utah Marijuana laws, patients can possess:
Patients cannot cultivate their own Medical Cannabis.
Smoking of cannabis is prohibited, as are edible products, such as candies, cookies, and brownies. Medical Marijuana can be vaped.
The following forms of Medical Marijuana are permitted and available from dispensaries in Utah:
Only those medical providers registered with the Utah Department of Health to recommend Medical Cannabis can issue recommendations for Medical Cannabis. To be deemed qualified by the department under Utah marijuana laws, a health care provider must:
Patients must follow these steps to obtain a Medical Cannabis Card:
Possession of any amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor at a minimum unless the possessor is a Medical Marijuana patient. Any sale of marijuana outside of one of the authorized Medical Marijuana dispensaries/pharmacies is a felony.
*updated regularly for accuracy*
Who is Diseree Zacher? [1:53]
Why did Diseree get involved with Medical Marijuana? [4:01]
How does Diseree consume cannabis? [13:08]
Diseree’s advice for someone considering Medical Marijuana [21:03]
Diseree’s thoughts on abstinence for addiction treatment [22:49]
What does life look like for Diseree now? [31:14]
Diseree’s favorite Medical Marijuana strains [32:49]
UtahMarijuana.org
IAmSaltLake.com
Utah in the Weeds Podcast
Dragonfly Wellness
Diseree is a Medical Marijuana patient. Originally from Utah, she began using marijuana for medical purposes within the last year.
While in her 20s, Diseree experienced a variety of symptoms as a result of trauma, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and chronic pain. Her symptoms progressed to an inability to control her extremities, and fibromyalgia.
After becoming bedridden, she was forced to apply for Social Security Disability.
This started her on the path of requiring a number of medications to ease her symptoms: pain medications, stimulants, sleep medications, etc. This included narcotics, and psychiatric/antipsychotic medications. Over time, she required more and more medications, which led to full-blown addiction.
She began the process of attempting to heal her addiction, which then helped clear her head and expose her to all of the mental and physical issues she had.
About three years ago, Diseree began researching Medical Marijuana as an option for relief. Although finding information online was difficult, she learned that different strains can help sleep, anxiety, and pain.
Since using cannabis to treat these symptoms, she was able to reduce her medications from 13 to just a couple. She’s returned to work full time and was recently promoted. She also rides a bike 20 miles a day. She credits this turn around to the cannabis industry.
Diseree primarily consumes edibles and “dabs.” She is unhappy with the product selection in Utah, so she goes out of state for these products. However, Tim mentions that new products are coming onto the market that may satisfy what she is looking for.
Diseree recommends that people who are considering consuming marijuana to educate themselves on the pros and cons of using cannabis. Also, she recommends that you set realistic goals when using cannabis.
Diseree believes that abstinence works. However, she believes that treating addiction with abstinence should be monitored by a professional.
Her belief is that we become addicted because we’re escaping a painful reality. For Diseree, that reality was sexual assault, physical pain, nightmares at night, anxiety, etc.
Now she uses Medical Marijuana, meditation, and yoga to relax and reconnect with her body and mind.
Tim also believes that using cannabis in an addiction or recovery could act as an exit drug. For severe addictions, he agrees that it is important to have a professional helping you through recovery.
Diseree bikes 20 miles a day. She enjoys hiking and being in the outdoors. Also, she is currently the assistant manager for a local restaurant.
Diseree prefers hybrid or indica strains. Wedding Cake is her favorite hybrid strain.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in the “In the Weeds” podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of KindlyMD or UtahMarijuana.org. The personal experiences shared in these episodes are for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or endorsements of any specific treatment.
KindlyMD does not treat substance use disorder (SUD) and does not advocate for or promote the use of cannabis as a treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) or any other form of addiction. Any discussion of cannabis in relation to addiction recovery reflects the perspectives of the individuals featured in the podcast and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are struggling with addiction or seeking treatment options, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Who is Desiree Hennessy? [0:58]
Looking back to 2016, when Proposition 2 failed [6:18]
Positive aspects of the current Prop 2 law [13:49]
How were the qualifications for Medical Marijuana use determined? [15:31]
How is Utah Patients Coalition providing support to the Compassionate Use Board? [18:35]
How is Utah Patients Coalition funded? [23:33]
How is COVID-19 affecting Utah Patients Coalition? [26:45]
Desiree’s experience with A Perfect Earth Modern Apothecary [33:40]
How can you get involved with Utah Patients Coalition? [37:58]
UtahMarijuana.org
IAmSaltLake.com
Utah in the Weeds Podcast
Utah Patients Coalition
Utah Patients Coalition Facebook Page
Perfect Earth Modern Apothecary
Desiree Hennessy is the director of Utah Patients Coalition. She is a leader in the cannabis space and an advocate for patients and Medical Cannabis in Utah. Utah Patients Coalition is the organization that created and helped pass Proposition 2 (DJ Schanz was the director during that time). The focus of the organization is making it easy for patients to get access to Medical Marijuana and helping them navigate the new laws in Utah.
Desiree got involved in this cause because her son has extreme special needs, particularly experiencing nerve pain. Pain medications and nerve blockers were not helping. Her journey began as an advocate for her family, then recognizing that there are many others who could benefit from Medical Marijuana.
When the initiative started, it had a 78% approval rating. It appeared that the law would pass. However, a Drug Safe Utah campaign was launched in August of that year. With millions of dollars in funding, the campaign was able to charge $6 a signature, compared to the $2 a signature that Utah Patients Coalition was able to charge. The LDS Church, the Utah Medical Association, and about 20 senators and representatives all signed the petition against Proposition 2, which eventually caused it to fail.
By August, Utah Patients Coalition had no money and the approval rating dropped to 48%.
With the current law, having medical providers involved legitimizes it with the medical community. If medical providers were not involved and you could just go to the dispensary on your own, then the law is delegitimized for all medical providers.
The Utah Patients Coalition looked at what was successful for other states. They were also able to get significant wins with the current law.
For example, Utah is the first state to have autism as a qualifying condition. Also, Utah’s pain qualification is easier than other states. For most states, you have to have documentation of pain and you need to have tried other medications. However, in Utah, if you have pain longer than two weeks and nothing else you have tried has helped, then you meet the pain qualification.
Also, for cancer, some states require you to take six months of MRIs and prove to them that you still have your cancer. Utah does not require that.
Anxiety and autoimmune disorders were difficult to pass. The concern was that both conditions are widespread and would be difficult to control who is using Medical Marijuana.
Bipolar disorder was also left off due to doctors claiming that it could cause schizophrenia for some bipolar patients.
Utah Patients Coalition is still pushing for a law without a conditions list.
Desiree actually assisted in reviewing the doctors who were added to the board. She is concerned that the board may be another hurdle and not an ally for patients. If patients are turned down by the board, she recommends letting Utah Patients Coalition know. They can use that data to determine if the board is indeed an ally for patients.
Utah Patients Coalition is currently not generating income. A decision was made to not take money from patients. Also, they are committed to not taking money from the marijuana industry.
They are looking into donors who can help pay for expenses, like maintaining the website. But, they want it to be very clear always that they work for patients. Their main goal is getting patients access to Medical Marijuana.
She feels like it couldn’t have happened at a better time. Legislation sessions were already shut down and most of that work had been completed by the coalition. Also, this gives them time before the summer ramps up for doctors to do prep work.
They have a dispensary in Logan and then they’re going to open up one in Weber County. The location in Weber County should hopefully be opening May first. She was able to visit the pharmacy and do a little Facebook Live. They were able to give her a visitor pass because she’s not a legal patient.
She says they had a good deal on disposable cannabis pens. She heard a lot of patients got those and like those. She was there for a couple of hours watching and talking to the pharmacists and saw a steady stream of patients all day long.
She was worried about Cache Valley having enough demand, but the team at Perfect Earth Modern Apothecary said that they’re getting about 50 patients a day.
They always need volunteers and they have a Facebook page that you can follow for more information.
Who is Mario Enriquez? [2:11]
What was Mario’s first medical marijuana purchase? [3:18]
What did the moment feel like when Mario made his purchase? [4:14]
How Mario go introduced to cannabis [5:49]
Mario’s favorite ways to consume cannabis [10:06]
How the coronavirus pandemic has affected Mario’s day-to-day marijuana usage [12:54]
What is Mario’s next project? [17:05]
Is Tim still seeing new patients? [19:33]
Mario’s plan for 4/20 [25:26]
How you can learn more about Utah Patients for Cannabis and Natural Choices [29:48]
Utah Patients for Cannabis and Natural Choices
Mario is a medical marijuana patient and the president of Utah Patients for Cannabis and Natural Choices. His group helped spearhead the proposition to collect signatures alongside with the Utah Patients Coalition. Also, he was the first patient in the state of Utah to buy medical cannabis.
The first day cannabis flower was not available. He decided to purchase cartridges of sativa and indigo.
Because of his past experience with dispensaries, the purchase felt normal. However, when he walked out the door he realized that he was the first person to purchase medical marijuana in Utah. He received a huge reaction of tears, hugs, and happiness from everyone.
Mario started as a recreational user. However, he was diagnosed with a rare condition called ocular albinism at a young age. He also has nystagmus, which makes his eyes move back and forth all the time. That causes constant eye pain all the time.
Along with helping to medicate his pain without pills, cannabis helped him during school stay calm and focused.
Dry flower vaporizers are what’s allowed with Utah law. However, he also enjoys smoking it because you can better experience the flavors.
The pandemic has not changed Mario’s day-to-day usage. In fact, with the increased anxiety that comes with the pandemic, Mario has continued to use medical cannabis to medicate.
Note: anxiety is not a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Utah.
Although medical marijuana is legal in Utah, Mario feels his work is not done. There are still conditions he feels needs to be added to the list of qualifying conditions. Also, patients would like to be able to ignite medical marijuana and consume it in a way that is comfortable for them.
His group is still working with legislators to improve the state of medical marijuana in the future.
Yes, Tim is still seeing new patients. With the coronavirus pandemic, his clinic is practicing social distancing. However, Utah law still requires face-to-face visits so they are making accommodations to do this, including visiting the elderly at their homes.
To schedule an appointment, you can go to https://utahmarijuana.org/clinic or call (801) 851-5554.
Mario was able to get a job working at Perfect Earth Pharmacy in South Ogden. He will be helping out the Logan store on 4/20.
Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UPCNC/.
Blake’s Backstory [1:36]
What Blake Discovered When Testing CBD Products [3:24]
How Blake became the Chief Scientific Officer for Zion Pharmaceuticals [5:33]
What does Blake think about the Medical Marijuana rollout? [9:15]
Zion’s process for producing medicines [12:41]
Where will Zion’s products be sold? [13:35]
What’s the path for recreational marijuana becoming legal in Utah? [20:03]
Prior to Prop 2, did Blake believe a time would come when Medical Marijuana would be available in Utah? [21:59]
Blake’s goal with Zion Pharmaceuticals [24:21]
What is the best blend of cannabinoids for PTSD? [27:47]
What is the best blend of cannabinoids for pain? [28:51]
What is the best blend of cannabinoids for nausea? [29:57]
How can someone learn more about cannabinoids? [30:15]
Blake Smith is the Chief Scientific Officer for Zion Pharmaceuticals. Zion Pharmaceuticals has a cultivation license and they should be ready to grow within the next two to three weeks.
They also have one of the processing licenses, so they can do everything from extraction all the way to making the final product.
Blake’s area of expertise is isolating specific cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes. He worked in pharmaceuticals as a bioanalytical chemist for a long period of time. He then left that and went into academia.
During that period of time, his daughter was diagnosed with a genetic condition that gives her seizures. A parent’s alliance he belonged to at the time suggested CBD products might be able to help her.
Instead of jumping right into providing her with CBD, he tested a number of products in his lab.
What he found was most CBD products were not what the company claimed them to be. CBD companies will tell you what the potency or cannabinoid content is. They’ll say that their products are pesticide free.
However, Blake’s test discovered pesticide and metal residues. He also found the potencies were not consistent with what CBD companies claimed them to be.
It was the wild West. Not all products were bad, but there were a lot of products that were not what they claimed.
These were CBD products found in dispensaries and CBD stores, not on the black market.
Blake got involved with a group that was growing hundreds of acres of industrial hemp. Specifically, he helped identify some issues they were having during that farming process.
Later, they asked him to join as their Chief Scientific Officer.
Their team extracted and processed thousands of pounds, if not tens of thousands of pounds of industrial hemp.
When the legalization of Medical Cannabis was announced in Utah, Zion Pharmaceuticals decided they wanted to shift into making actual medicine. For example, a cancer patient with nausea could be given cannabis to make them feel high. However, the team wanted to start addressing the nausea directly. The cannabinoid Delta-8-THC, which also stimulates dopamine, could be used to help with nausea.
By adding dosing parameters around the medicine, this would become something that doctors should be interested in.
Blake thinks Utah is moving in the direction of what people wanted. Most of his experience with doctors has been fairly positive, but they have no idea how to write a prescription. This is why people like Tim are needed to help during this rollout.
Utah allows for industrial hemp products. The reason why this becomes really, really important to us is because if you look at most marijuana strains, the biggest difference is the total amount of THC and terpene profile. That would be like trying to treat every disease known to man with ibuprofen and Benadryl.
Hemp has high concentrations of cannabinoids, such as CBG and CBB, which have been shown to help with neuropathy.
Utah is pretty forward thinking in allowing industrial hemp, knowing that there is no difference between industrial hemp and marijuana except for the THC content. Zion is focusing on providing specific cannabinoids for very specific therapeutic purposes.
Zion grows marijuana, then extracts it just like they would anything else. They also have a hemp extraction process, so that they can find very interesting genetics on the hemp side, extract those, isolate their cannabinoids, and supplement them into the medical market.
Zion’s products are available to any pharmacy that wishes to sell them. Zion is not a pharmacy, so they rely on pharmacies to buy their products.
Some pharmacies want to only carry their own products. However, if pharmacies are really doing this for the benefit of patients, they’d want to offer a variety of products for a variety of conditions.
Also, people who are experienced users run into “walls,” where they don’t get the same effect every single time from their product. For example, avid smokers of marijuana like to try different things. If a pharmacy is only carrying their own products, they are denying the patient the ability to choose from a wide variety of products that they might help them.
Blake believes that Utah will move to recreational when we have an extremely solid medical program first to show that we’re responsible about how we think about medicines. There is never going to be a quick transition. He believes that if we don’t do this responsibly, Utah will add even more restrictions rather than opening things up.
Yes. While at University of Utah, he talked with lots of doctors. He says most doctors were pretty open to medications that help their patients as long as it meets the criteria of (1) they know it is safe, (2) they know the efficacy, and (3) they know what the dosing should be.
Blake’s goal is to determine what specific cannabinoids do and see how they can use them for therapeutic purposes. They are following a good process and they are focusing on safer extraction methods.
A combination of CBC, CBN, THC, Delta-8, and Delta-9. A combination between Delta-9 and Delta-8. He would then add CBN to help relax. CBC will help activate the endocannabinoid receptors.
Blake recommends low levels of THC and Delta-9. He would also add CBG, CBD.
Blake recommends Delta-8, CBD, and CBG.
There is lots of information out there. Some are good and some are bad. But there are scientific papers.
Zion is also performing studies on cannabinoids.
Who is Narith Panh? (00:00)
What does the community mean to Dragonfly Wellness? (03:56)
What experience does Narith have with marijuana outside of his work with Dragonfly Wellness? (06:55)
What are Narith’s favorite ideas for the Utah marijuana system? (07:40)
What kind of products can we expect from Dragonfly? (15:33)
What problems does Narith see with the Utah system from the perspective of a pharmacy? (22:34)
What are Narith’s suggestions for people who want to get medical marijuana in Utah? (29:42)
How do I get in touch with Narith, Dragonfly Wellness, or the podcast in general? (46:15)
UtahMarijuana.org
DragonflyUT.com
Utah in the Weeds Podcast
Narith Panh is the son of Cambodian refugees who came to America. He’s also passionate about cannabis, and the Chief Strategy Officer at Dragonfly Pharmacy. Dragonfly has been a hot topic of discussion on Utah in the Weeds for weeks, so it only made sense to bring him on to chat about the current medical marijuana situation in Utah.
The short answer: everything. Narith, and many members of his team, are immigrants who are first-generation Americans. The Utah community welcomed their family with open arms, and now they want to give back.
Narith recalls patients who cried tears of joy after getting their medical cannabis and witnessing for themselves just how impactful and beneficial it can be for them. That, he says, is what it’s all about.
Since his girlfriend’s family lives in California, he often finds himself traveling back and forth. As such, he has experience in the recreational market in California, which has given him an insight to the pros and cons of their system. He uses this knowledge to provide the best possible service for patients from Dragonfly and, indeed, from the Utah medical marijuana system as well.
Narith is passionate about cannabis. He wants to expand on some of the things that can make Utah the best medical marijuana state in the country. One of the things he cites as a huge fundamental advantage of the Utah system is the ability for producers to bring CBD into the cannabis ecosystem – essentially allowing products that are a mixture of CBD and THC. These two compounds are synergistic and work together to maximize the user’s experience.
However, in many states, producers are forbidden to mix the two chemicals. But not in Utah. This brings down the end user’s cost significantly, since the license for producing CBD costs $2,000 per year, whereas the license for producing THC is $100,000 per year. Being able to couple CBD products with THC brings costs down significantly across the board, which means a smaller financial burden on patients.
Another key concept that Narith is interested in is the seed-to-sale tracking method the state is mandating for all sellers of marijuana. This system requires that each marijuana plant is tagged when it reaches 8 inches tall. Then, once it’s processed into flower, it’s tagged again. Then again as an oil, and so on until it is sold as a finished product (for example, a THC cartridge).
The reason this is so important can be highlighted with the problem in 2019 with black-market THC cartridges causing severe illness in dozens of people. As it turns out, almost all of those bad vape cartridges were traced back to one source, but it took months of hard investigative work. With the seed-to-sale system in Utah, a bad cartridge could be traced back to its origin, production halted, and a recall issued in a matter of hours.
First, let’s clear up one thing. Dragonfly Wellness is not a dispensary. In fact, Narith personally hates the word “budtender”, because it implies a more casual “slinging” of product, rather than a true medical consultation coupled with the sale of marijuana.
Dragonfly Wellness is a pharmacy. It specializes not only in selling marijuana products and devices, but also in medical advice, dosing, and patient care when it comes to cannabis.
Another couple of misconceptions to clear up: First, getting marijuana flower will not be a problem. It’s the most popular form of marijuana by a considerable margin, and will be available. However, an open flame cannot be used to smoke the flower. Instead, it will have to be puffed through what’s called a dry herb vaporizer. Dragonfly offers a wide selection of dry herb vaporizers, from entry-level handheld puffers to state-of-the-art heavy-use systems like The Volcano.
The other misconception to be cleared: No, marijuana flower will not be sold in blister packs. State legislators were considering forcing producers to package flower in blister packs (similar to how you might find over-the-counter pills) with the safety of patients in mind, but they found it would have only been a burden on both patients and businesses, with no added safety to users. So, thankfully, they scrapped it. Your flower will come how it’s supposed to: in jars.
As for the products that Dragonfly will be offering, expect to find a dazzling array of marijuana products. Everything from an already highly-recommended 25-to-1 tincture (that is, 25 mg CBD to 1 mg THC), to capsules, to edible gelatin cubes, to topicals, to the almighty flower, is available. They also have a wide selection of consumption devices so you can get the marijuana experience you need.
Dragonfly Wellness also has something you can’t get in a typical dispensary: a medical consultation. When you enter Dragonfly Wellness, you’ll have a meeting with a pharmacist, either out on the floor or in a private office. He or she will walk you through marijuana use and help you pick out the proper dosage and consumption method. The goal here is to get patients the most effective cannabis experience possible, without going overboard.
Narith’s biggest issue, currently, is all of the confusion and misinformation. Dragonfly has to turn away dozens of people every day who come into the pharmacy thinking that a letter of recommendation from their doctor is enough. It’s not. In order to gain access to the pharmacy, you need a valid medical marijuana card, which you can only get through an evaluation by a licensed medical professional (such as Tim Pickett).
It’s no one’s fault that this misinformation was spread. After all, this entire medical marijuana system was built from nothing in, really, under a year. In governmental terms, that’s lightspeed. It’s expected that there will be a few hiccups. Thankfully, Dragonfly is doing all they can in order to accommodate as many people as possible. In fact, they’re risking it all for their patients.
Last week, Tim touched on the fact that Dragonfly was taking on a huge risk by opening so early in the rollout. Narith explains that there is a very direct reason for that. It wasn’t them jumping the gun. On the contrary, they understood the risks and knew that the first few weeks would be rocky. But they could not, he says, delay the care their patients so desperately need in order to protect their own financial interests.
Is it tough right now? Definitely. Narith makes it clear, however, that seeing the tears of joy roll down the first-ever Utah medical marijuana customer’s face makes it all worth it. That’s what Dragonfly Wellness is all about.
House Bill 425 made it possible for Dragonfly Wellness to take letters of recommendation for cannabis use from doctors in lieu of a medical cannabis card while the card system suffers from logjam. At the time of this podcast, HB425 had not yet been passed.
At the time of this podcast’s recording, Narith says that patients should not wait until House Bill 425 clears. This is because, even if it passes with no problems, it will still take some time for the change to be implemented. That seed-to-sale tracking system that was mandated by the government does not yet have the ability to process, verify, and approve letters of recommendation. Software changes will have to be made, which will take time.
So, Narith says, patients should continue to go through the current medical card system with a doctor’s evaluation. That would ultimately be the fastest way to get their cannabis.
Narith also makes a point to note that Dragonfly Wellness is not trying to rock the boat. As the first cannabis pharmacy opened in Utah, it’s all eyes on them. They will be strictly adhering to every law that applies.
For example, Dragonfly is not allowed to make suggestions about which doctors to use. Dragonfly is also not allowed to sell merchandise or advertise on the radio. In fact, Narith would not have been allowed to appear on a video version of this podcast, because he was wearing his Dragonfly Wellness uniform. Doing so would, under state law, constitute an advertisement.
Dragonfly won’t toe the line on any of these rules. They’re the only cannabis pharmacy in the state, so they’re not going to risk forsaking their patients by getting shut down.
How to get in touch with Narith and Dragonfly Wellness:
Go to DragonflyUT.com and subscribe to the newsletter for the fastest information
Follow Dragonfly Wellness on Facebook and Instagram
How to get in touch with the podcast:
Call Tim’s office at 801-851-5554
Visit Tim’s clinic websites at UtahTherapeutic.clinic and UtahMarijuana.org
Email the show directly at UtahInTheWeeds@gmail.com
Who is David Sutherland? (00:00)
What was David’s monthly drug routine like after his car accident and rehab? (04:00)
How did David make the journey from all those drugs to solely cannabis? (06:00)
What does David envision his life would be like without cannabis? (13:20)
What would David say to patients who are afraid of getting off painkillers? (15:37)
How does Chris compare his largely non-medical experience with cannabis to David’s medical one? (18:00)
As one of the first people ever to use it, what are David’s thoughts on Utah’s medical marijuana system? (22:10)
For Tim, how has the system been on the provider side? (31:48)
How can I get in touch with Tim and the Utah in the Weeds podcast? (36:05)
UtahMarijuana.org
DragonflyUT.com
Utah in the Weeds Podcast
David Sutherland is the first-ever cardholder for medical marijuana in Utah. He comes on the show today to share his story with cannabis, and his experience with the new medical marijuana system in Utah.
David works for the state doing IT work. Eight years ago, he was involved in a car accident that left him with a concussion, burst vertebrae, a broken sternum, and nine shattered ribs. After two years of intense physical therapy and rehabilitation, he was left with permanent chronic back pain and ongoing muscle spasms.
David had to use a back brace for months. He went through approximately 200 vicodin per month, and was on a daily dose of gabapentin, Celebrex, and a slew of antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and muscle relaxers.
David had obviously heard of the medical benefits of marijuana before. He noted feeling primarily excited about getting off of painkillers, but also nervous. For him, and indeed for many in his situation, a life without painkillers can seem daunting, or even impossible.
He was worried about how his family might react when it comes to his cannabis use. And of course, because he started his cannabis use before medical marijuana was legal in Utah, and therefore was in violation of federal and state law, he was apprehensive about conflicts with law enforcement.
David got his start in treating his pain with cannabis about four years ago, when he went on a camping trip to Colorado. Despite his tragic accident, it seemed as though luck had not yet abandoned him. He won a Powerball lottery to the tune of about $10,000, and decided to cash it in and spend some at one of Colorado’s recreational dispensaries.
That seemed to do the trick, and David spent the next 8 to 10 months weaning himself off of the prescription drugs in favor of a cannabis-based solution.
It’s a good thing he did, too, because as soon as his doctors discovered that he had been using marijuana, they cut him off of the prescriptions. Believe it or not, that’s the standard move for someone who wants to experiment with cannabis as a pain treatment.
Tim Pickett touches on just how harmful this philosophy can be when trying to find the best treatment for someone with chronic pain. For a patient, going cold turkey from opioids and antidepressants can be a death sentence.
The reason many doctors do this, he explains, boils down to two key factors. First, many doctors are still uneducated about the benefits and science behind marijuana. Second, since many doctors are simultaneously medical professionals and business owners, they want to limit their liability when it comes to illegal drug use.
The solution, then, is both education and a legal framework that allows patients to decide whether or not they want to try marijuana to manage their pain, and to provide a safe context for which they can switch from opioids to cannabis. The latter is now in the works in Utah.
Before his transition to cannabis, David was depressed and suicidal. Day-to-day life was not only physically grueling, but mentally exhausting as well.
Now, with cannabis, David feels more clear-headed, energized, and calm than he ever was on traditional medications.
The prevalence of stories like these speaks to the undeniable benefit that marijuana can have for those with chronic pain.
David would speak to his own experience. Many of those who are afraid of getting off of painkillers are really just afraid of the pain itself. David would reassure them that cannabis can not only be a perfect substitute for painkillers, but that it can actually be better at managing pain than opioids.
David argues, and Tim agrees, that while painkillers lessen the pain, they don’t eliminate it. It’s always there. Cannabis, similarly, lessens the pain, but it also takes your mind off it. David compares it to putting the pain in a box and placing it to the side. It’s not like cannabis completely erases pain; nothing does. Rather, it prevents the pain from bothering you.
While Chris, having not been in an accident as severe as David’s, can’t really comprehend what it’s like to go through the kind of physical pain, rehab, and drug use that characterizes a lot of medical marijuana journeys, he can certainly see the remarkable impact it has on those with chronic pain.
As someone who has used and enjoyed recreational marijuana, Chris wants to see less stringent requirements on who can get access to it. He points out that it’s the patient, not the doctor or the government, who experiences the pain. Therefore, it should be the common philosophy that the patient has the right to say whether or not they want to try cannabis.
He also explains that, contrary to the way some medical professionals act, using marijuana to treat pain is not a new concept by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, medical marijuana has been used in parts of the United States for decades. We should use this fact, as well as more education, to remove the stigma around marijuana, so more people can experience the benefits that David has.
David’s outlook on the medical marijuana system in Utah is very optimistic. As an example, he delves into his experience at the Dragonfly marijuana pharmacy:
Despite official dosing recommendations made by Tim, which should have enabled David to skip this step, the pharmacist still elected to have a meeting with David to discuss his dosing and delivery method. David explains that while this wasn’t necessary for him, dosing advice could be essential to someone with less experience in marijuana use, and whose doctor did not give dosing advice.
The meeting, he said, consisted of the pharmacist asking about his prior marijuana use, listening to David’s needs, and taking his words and thoughts into account.
David did mention that there was a rather startling lack of measurement on some of the tinctures, such that the buyer would have to calculate for themselves how many droppers to take in order to get the correct dose. This could be particularly difficult for those preoccupied with pain and illness, or the elderly.
He describes the prices as reasonable, and maybe even cheaper than Colorado recreational products. The podcasters attribute some of this to the fact that, in Utah, medical marijuana products are not taxed. Instead, there’s a $3 transaction fee on purchases of any size, whether you’re buying $5 worth of product or $5,000.
David expresses his gratitude that the Utah system appears to be patient focused, rather than profit focused. This ensures that patients truly get the product they need at a reasonable price.
Tim’s phones have been ringing nonstop. There was clearly a lot of pent up demand for medical marijuana in Utah, and we’re now seeing a massive influx of inquiries about it. There are over 100 phone calls a day at Tim’s comparatively small practice, so it’s no surprise that the system is a little backed up.
There are tons of applications waiting to be approved. Compared to the number of people who want them, medical marijuana card issuing has been extremely slow.
Tim points out that this represents a problem for Dragonfly pharmacy, which is ultimately a business. They could have waited a few weeks before opening, but chose to get in early. Now that the system is backed up, business is only trickling in. It’ll likely be a few weeks or months before business at Dragonfly is in full swing, which means they could go under before they even really get started.
Despite the issues with the system, the podcasters all agree that the government should stick with the current system and wait for the logjam to break up before making any confusing adjustments.
To get in touch, use the following methods:
How did the podcast get started? (00:00)
Why are many doctors hesitant to get on board with marijuana? (05:46)
What can people expect from this podcast? (07:29)
What is the current state of medical marijuana in Utah? (10:43)
What is Tim, as a medical marijuana expert, going to be bringing to the podcast? (14:52)
Are you going to be able to show patients how to use marijuana? [15:48]
Why do so many say there’s no medical use for marijuana? (22:00)
How can one go about getting medical marijuana? How will the pharmacies work? (26:55)
If I have questions about medical marijuana, or I am a cannabis professional and want to come on the show, how do I reach out? (35:37)
Leafly.com
UtahMarijuana.org
UtahMarijuana.clinic
IAmSaltLake.com
Utah in The Weeds Twitter
The Utah in the Weeds podcast is the brainchild of experienced podcaster Chris Holifield and veteran medical marijuana consultant Dr. Tim Pickett, PA-C. Chris and Tim had recently spoken on the 420th episode of Chris’s other podcast, I Am Salt Lake, and the two had such rapport that they decided to start a new podcast altogether, dedicated to the use of marijuana in the great state of Utah. Enter, Utah in the Weeds!
Marijuana has a history of being demonized. From social stigma around anything marijuana-related to fears of marijuana use leading to heroin addiction, many people shy away from marijuana entirely. We seek to break down those walls by demystifying some misconceptions about marijuana and shining some light on the benefits medical marijuana could have for millions.
It’s not just us, either. In fact, certain schools around the country have introduced degrees related to marijuana. The marijuana industry is constantly changing, and one of the most noticeable changes is its legitimization in the professional and educational world.
We want to bring more and more professionals from the marijuana industry onto his other podcast, I Am Salt Lake. However, doing so would require a rebrand, we decided to bring that idea to life with a brand-new podcast, Utah in the Weeds, where listeners can expect everything cannabis! From interviews with cannabis professionals to demonstrations of use, we are looking to inform Utah about everything there is to know about marijuana.
At the time the podcast was recorded, the first medical marijuana pharmacy was just about to be opened, barring a passing inspection by the government. Calling them pharmacies is little more than an attempt to legitimize the medical marijuana industry, and a more apt name might be “dispensaries.” However, that is a minor gripe compared to the huge benefit that the legalization of medical marijuana would have for the population of Utah.
Ultimately it will be the role of an educator. I want to bring on cannabis professionals, authors, pharmacists, and doctors to discuss the ins and outs of the medical marijuana industry. I also plan to perform direct education by demonstrating some of the practical concepts in marijuana, such as growing and usage.
If you’re a professional in or around the cannabis industry in Utah, please reach out! You can call at 801-841-5554 or email me at tim@utahtherapeutic.com!
We think so, but this is something we’re still unsure of. In Utah, you’re not allowed to use an open flame to consume your medical marijuana, meaning you must ingest it in the form of an edible or vaporize it using a special tool called a dry-herb vaporizer. Some vaporizers allow you to dial in an exact temperature in order to ignite and release different unique sets of cannabinoids.
Igniting marijuana flower at one temperature will release a completely different set of cannabinoids than another temperature, since each group of cannabinoids have different combustion points. This allows the user to customize their marijuana experience and fine-tune it to their exact needs!
This goes back to the fact that misinformation about marijuana has been spreading like a bad plague for decades. As children, many of us were told that marijuana is a gateway drug and leads to heroin use. We were constantly reminded that it could land you in jail and is, therefore, nothing but bad news.
Part of the problem is the strict dichotomy of the way people think about marijuana and its relation to the medical field. Many people favor legalizing marijuana because they want safer, more trustworthy solutions to ailments than some of the drugs currently dished out by the medical industry. By the same token, however, the medical field has now been charged with the herculean task of introducing medical marijuana to those same people. The result is a ton of misinformation about marijuana, which causes confusion and slows down the process of change.
But things are changing. People are being educated about its benefits, and the truth is coming to the surface. We’ve seen in the last few years just how much progress has been made, with 11 states legalizing recreational marijuana for those over 21 years old, and 33 states allowing the use of medical marijuana.
Here’s the basic process for obtaining marijuana in the state of Utah: First, you’ll need to go online and pre-register for a medical marijuana card as a patient. Then, you’ll meet with your doctor, who must be a qualified medical cannabis consultant, and get approval from them to receive your card.
You’ll only get approved for a card if your doctor finds your condition to qualify for treatment with medical marijuana. After the appointment, and if you get approved for a card, one will be emailed to you. Then, you’ll go to a pharmacy and purchase your marijuana.
Here’s where things can get confusing. When you enter the pharmacy, you’ll typically meet with the pharmacist, who will help determine the dosage you need. If you got your card through Tim, however, you’ll be able to skip this step, since Tim gives dosage recommendations as a service. Only one or two providers in the entire state, Tim predicts, will have the knowledge and experience in cannabis to provide dosing recommendations.
To get in touch, you have a number of options, including:
It’s finally here! Utah is opening the registration process for Utah Medical Marijuana Card patients on Sunday, March 1st. Here is everything you need to know.
First, patients must have a recommendation letter from a qualified medical provider in Utah. These are PAs, NPs, and physicians who are registered with the Department of Health.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LETTER, READ MY ARTICLE ABOUT FINDING A PROVIDER AND BECOMING A QUALIFIED PATIENT.
Once a patient has this recommendation, starting on Sunday, March 1st, at 9:00 am, patients may go online to the Department of Health Website and register through the EVS (Electronic Verification System).
That process includes registering for an account and filling out personal information on the patient and their health condition. There will also be information for guardians who will need to register for patients under 21, or unable to care for themselves. These patients will also need a companion or guardian card.
Patients will pay $15 to the Utah Department of Health for the card to be processed.
A Qualified Medical Provider (QMP) will then go online and complete the recommendation and certification for the Medical Marijuana Card to be approved. During this phase of the process, QMPs may recommend dosing guidelines in the patient’s chart in order to allow patients to purchase a 30-day supply of Medical Marijuana for their condition.
If the medical provider does not list dosing guidelines for the patient’s condition, the patient will need to meet with a pharmacist or state-employed physician to again review the medical records and condition and receive dosing guidelines.
Patients with UtahMarijuana.Clinic or Tim Pickett, PA-C will have dosing guidelines listed in the state EVS system and will be able to bypass meeting separately with a pharmacist.
Patients will receive the card in digital form, by email. It may take up to 15 days to review and issue a Utah Medical Marijuana Card after receiving the completed application. For patients without an email address, they will need to contact the Utah DOH directly for instructions, the card will be mailed.
Patients who are under 21 or unable to care for themselves, who require guardian cards or Utah Compassionate Use Board approval will get their cards within 90 days (3 months), depending on the Compassionate Use Board. Please speak with your medical provider about this process.
Bring the card photo on a phone, or a printed version, and a valid ID with you to the Utah Medical Marijuana pharmacy (dispensary) on or after March 2nd to purchase Medical Marijuana in Utah. There will be two dispensaries open in March, and 6 more by June 2020. The rest of the 14 dispensaries won’t open until late 2020, as the patient population grows. Find a list of Utah dispensaries and their locations here.
