It has been somewhat confusing for patients in Utah who would like to discuss Medical Marijuana with a doctor, PA, or NP because the Utah Medical Cannabis Card system is not up and running, dispensaries are not open yet, but Medical Cannabis is already legal. And then there is this weird feeling you get when you think about talking (out loud) about a drug that you grew up thinking was harmful, illegal, addictive, and terrible.
First, take a look at the list of qualifying conditions. You can also call our office or go to my previous article and look over the qualifying conditions. Anxiety and depression, insomnia, migraines, and glaucoma are NOT qualifying conditions in Utah, even though they can be treated in other states.
Pain greater than 2 weeks, not controlled with standard treatment – Persistent Nausea – Alzheimer’s – Crohn’s disease – Ulcerative Colitis -Cancer – ALS -Cachexia (weakness &/or weight loss due to illness) – HIV or AIDS – Epilepsy – Seizures – Persistent muscle spasms – Multiple Sclerosis – PTSD – Terminal Illness – Rare Condition or Condition you feel should be evaluated by the Utah Compassionate Use Board
The vast majority of patients will use pain as a complaint. This has been the case in all other states Medical Marijuana is legal. Utah defines pain qualification as the following.
Pain lasting longer than two weeks that is not adequately managed, in the qualified medical provider’s opinion, despite treatment attempts using: conventional medications other than opioids or opiates: or physical interventions.
For example, a patient has a metal plate in their arm after surgery three years ago and the metal plate causes long-term pain. Ibuprofen and Tylenol do not work well and the patient did physical therapy after the surgery but is still left with some ongoing pain. This pain obviously is longer than two weeks and conventional medications are not effective. In my opinion, This patient would qualify for a Medical Cannabis Card.
I have discussions with orthopedic surgeons who agree that any of their knee replacement or hip replacement patients would qualify even before surgery because their pain is greater than two weeks and because it will require surgery to fix. Even if ibuprofen and Tylenol help the pain, the fact that they need surgery proves that “conventional” medical treatment is not effective for their condition and “physical interventions” did not work.
It gets trickier when the patient has a toothache for three weeks, takes Norco, which helps, but Tylenol does not. Technically this will qualify, but many providers will still not recommend in this case.
This patient has painful migraine headaches, they come on every two-three weeks, last about a day and a half, but the medication they are prescribed does not really help, and this drug is the second one they have tried. The condition has been bothersome for over a year. Do Migraines qualify? No, they do not. But do they qualify for the PAIN associated with the Migraines? Yes.
Translation: The pain is bad and affects life enough that the patient is asking for help from a PA, NP, or doctor.
The Migraine patient has a Pain Disorder (as defined above) because she has pain in her head (anatomical site), she is seeking help (clinical attention), it causes her to miss work or otherwise affects her life, and the pain is not faked (feigned).
If you still don’t know that you would qualify or you are just plain scared about it, please please call me at 801-851-5554 and let’s talk about it. I grew up in Utah and I think I know the feeling. Also, contact the clinic and we will send you a secure form for health questions. Please do not send health information in an email.
Now you can find a provider (hopefully me), and make an appointment. Try either going online to my calendar or calling 801-851-5554.
Once you schedule you will instantly get an emailed link to the secure intake form and consent, and be able to confirm the appointment with your deposit. The total cost of the evaluation and recommendation is $250 paid by credit or debit card at your visit. There is no deposit.
Come prepared to talk about marijuana, cannabis, weed, pot, ganja, hashish, tincture, oil, creams, joints, bongs, dabs, wax, resin, and anything else you want to talk about. Yes, we are comfortable with the whole process and we want you to be too. Destigmatizing Medical Cannabis for you is part of this process.
You should also bring any medical records if we requested to confirm your diagnosis for the qualifying condition.
If you qualify and we decide together that you would like to try Medical Cannabis for your condition, you will get a letter from me THE SAME DAY that will allow you to legally possess and use cannabis in Utah.
After March 1st, Utah requires a 30-day follow-up visit after the initial recommendation. This is included with our initial cost, but may not be with other doctors. Check with your doctor before you go!
Medical Cannabis Cards in Utah expire after six months. We will send you a reminder one month before it expires to remind you to confirm a renewal visit. Many times the renewal will be offered via telemedicine (zoom video chat). Please note that telemedicine visits are subject to availability and are offered under limited circumstances. Call us at 801-851-5554 to ask about arranging a telemedicine visit.
While you are in ultimate control of what you use and how you use it, we also include education and expertise with delivery methods (oral, inhaled, cooked, creams, tinctures) and dosing help. In my opinion, you should be wary of those that are not willing (or able) to discuss this with you. Don’t you think your medical provider should know a lot about what they are recommending?
You can always get more information at UtahMarijuana.org and join the email list below to get education about cannabis in your email inbox.
Now you know a little more of what to expect with a Utah Medical Marijuana Card evaluation and hopefully, this made you feel a little more comfortable with the process. Please comment below if you have questions or need clarification on anything!
Please visit our dispensary page for a map of all operating Medical Cannabis Dispensaries in Utah.
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The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) initially announced 14 Utah medical marijuana dispensary licenses. We previously wrote about the gap between Medical Cannabis recommendations and actually using cannabis in Utah earlier in the year. News outlets in Utah including KSL also wrote articles about the UDOH dispensary announcement, publishing the locations and businesses that received approval.
As of August 2021, the following Utah Medical Marijuana dispensaries are open to serve patients with Utah Medical Marijuana cards or recommendation letters:
711 S State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 413-6945
https://www.dragonflyut.com/
wellness@dragonflyut.com
Listen to our conversation with Dragonfly Wellness founder Narith Panh here.
Listen to our conversation with Dragonfly wellness associate Vanessa Tall here.
1991 S 3600 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(385) 212-0088
https://beehivefarmacy.co/
info@beehivesown.com
Listen to our conversation with Beehive Farmacy founding partner Bijan Sakaki, here.
10392 South Jordan Gateway
South Jordan, UT 84095
(385) 249-9400
https://www.blocdispensary.com/dispensaries/south-jordan-ut
Hello@blocpharmacy.com
3775 S Wall Ave
South Ogden, UT 84405
(385) 289-1800
https://perfectearthutah.com/
contact@truenorthofutah.com
2150 N Main, Suite 1
North Logan, UT 84341
(435) 554-1444
https://perfectearthutah.com/
contact@truenorthofutah.com
870 West 1150 South, Suite C
Brigham City, UT 84032
(435) 919-0966
info@beehivesown.com
https://beehivefarmacy.co/
580 W 100 N Suite 1
West Bountiful, UT 84010
(801) 695-4480
https://www.wholesome.co/
hello@wholesome.co
Listen to our conversation with two of the minds behind WholesomeCo Cannabis, Chris & Richard, here.
Listen to our conversation with WholesomeCo Cannabis pharmacy agent Pedro Padilla-Martinez here.
Listen to our conversation with WholesomeCo Cannabis pharmacist Mindy Madeo here.
222 N Draper Ln
Provo, UT 84601
(801) 872-7447
https://www.deseret-wellness.com/
DeseretWellness@gmail.com
Listen to our conversation with Deseret Wellness pharmacist Josh Fitzgerald here.
Listen to our conversation with Deseret Wellness marketing president Jeremy Sumerix here.
3633 N Thanksgiving Way
Lehi, UT, 84043
(385) 338-8010
https://curaleaf.com/utah/curaleaf-ut-lehi/info
info.ut@curaleaf.com
484 South 1750 West
Springville, UT 84663
(385) 327-0922
https://gocannabist.com/location/springville/
info@gocannabist.com
757 S 1040 W
Payson, UT 84651
(385) 404-4422
https://www.pure-utah.com/
info@pure-utah.com
1351 Kearns Blvd STE 110-B
Park City, UT
(435) 252-1052
https://www.deseret-wellness.com/
Info@deseret-wellness.com
301 S. Main Street
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 244 4485
https://bloomut.com/
info@bloomUT.com
1624 S Convention Center Drive
St. George, UT 84790
(435) 216-3400
https://www.blocdispensary.com/dispensaries/st-george-ut
Hello@blocpharmacy.com
Utah Medical Marijuana dispensaries can only sell Medical Cannabis products to registered cardholders (letters expired 12/31/20). For help getting your card, our Medical Marijuana clinic, Utah Therapeutic Health Center, can help you find alternatives to your prescription medications for pain management and other qualifying conditions. Reserve an appointment here.
Don’t forget to browse our blog for more helpful info like what a Medical Cannabis pharmacy is like and how to find your just-right dose. For more about Utah Medical Cannabis pharmacies, visit our dispensary page.
Have a recommendation for Medical Marijuana from a qualified medical provider in Utah? Then you can use cannabis legally. Yes, Prop 2 was passed by the voters in Utah in 2016 and the government passed H.B. 3001 the Utah Medical Cannabis Act shortly thereafter. You need to have one of the qualifying medical conditions and must have the cannabis in an appropriate form and quantity.
In 2016 Utah voters passed Proposition 2 (Prop 2) essentially legalizing Medical Cannabis (marijuana) for use by qualified patients in Utah. This spurred the legislature and other influential groups, led by the Utah Patient Coalition, to negotiate a new law to give patients access to Medical Cannabis. Three years later, The Utah Department of Health is almost ready to open the doors of the first private cannabis pharmacies (dispensaries) and issue Medical Cards! They have been working very hard for you to get the medicine that the voters decided you deserve.
But wait! People still have so many questions and the Utah system is not completely built out yet. Patients are still having trouble finding providers willing to recommend cannabis and there is still very little education out there on how and what to use, what the science is, and where to go to find information. That is why Utah Patient Coalition works closely with the Utah Department of Health to help simplify the basics and answer some of the most common questions people ask.
Right now there are very few qualified medical providers in Utah that are willing to recommend cannabis to their patients. Also, Insurance won’t cover the medical visit or the cannabis product so people will have to pay out of pocket for everything. There are more patients in need than willing providers and patients do deserve providers who are educated and helpful.
There are 15 Qualifying Conditions (26-61a-104) in the current law that will allow you to keep and use cannabis.
First, you must find a willing provider in Utah to see. There aren’t many so don’t be afraid to call the Utah patient coalition for assistance or call your doctor and see if they can refer you to a cannabis specialist. To my knowledge, there are very few, but slowly growing number in the Salt Lake Valley. Some already have a reputation as “marijuana mills.” Most are lacking in education and may just be ready to make money on the new and emerging Utah cannabis market.
Because no one in medicine has any formal training in Medical Cannabis, you should try and find a provider that has some type of qualification. Look for a member of national organizations, like the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, or the American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association. Many doctors in Utah only treat pain patients, so a call to their clinic to confirm your eligibility is a good idea.
Comment below if you would like UtahMarijuana.org to compile a list of Utah cannabis doctors and rank them based on conditions treated and special qualifications!
You will need to get and bring a copy of the records from your existing doctor’s office that shows you actually have the qualifying condition. Otherwise, most providers will not be willing to recommend a Medical Cannabis Card. Some offices allow this information to be uploaded before your visit to make sure you qualify.
As a patient, you should be seeing a doctor, PA, or APRN that is knowledgeable and helpful and who cares about you getting the best information for your complaint. Ask around and get a recommendation for a good cannabis provider that knows about dosing and delivery systems for your condition. Sometimes it’s worth driving a little way in order to see someone good.
Between Medical Cannabis Recommendation and Actually Using Cannabis in Utah is an article that will guide you through the next steps of Utah Medical Cannabis. Once you get a recommendation, then you have a couple of choices in Utah now.
You can choose to transport cannabis from a recreational state like Colorado or Nevada to Utah. This is federally illegal, but growing your own plant (many are 8’ tall) is difficult and could be against the law in your area. The new dispensary in Wendover, Nevada is open now.
You could also wait until March 2020 and get an official Medical Card to shop at one of the local cannabis pharmacies (dispensaries).
I’d love to hear your comments on where you think the dispensaries are needed as well.
I went to a qualified medical provider, brought my medical records, got a recommendation for Medical Marijuana, and now I have a recommendation letter, but there is nowhere in Utah to purchase cannabis! What do I do?
Congratulations on navigating the early cannabis system in Utah. Medical Marijuana is legal for you right now, but under a transition clause in the law and no dispensaries will be operational until at least March 2020.
That means all “legal” cannabis must be transported across state lines from Nevada or Colorado or could be flown in from Washington, California, or another state that has legalized marijuana. This transport is both widespread and is federally illegal under any circumstances, however. The “most” legal way to possess is to grow your own, but plants can get 8’ tall and are difficult and time-consuming to grow. Good medical-grade cannabis is highly technical to produce.
There were approximately 130 dispensary applications submitted prior to the deadline of December 3, 2019, and any day now there will be 14 dispensary awards announced. Subscribe below to be the first to know where those dispensaries will be opening!
There is limited information out there on what will be required to get into the dispensaries and what types of products are offered. UtahMarijuana.org has relationships with the best growers and producers and they have informed us that there may be some dispensaries with a limited supply of certain medical-grade products, especially early in the process.
That means for a few months, you may need to travel to specific dispensaries to buy cannabis. But the Department of Health is working hard with producers to make sure everyone has access to what patients need.
Based on what Utah has published and what other states require, you will need to apply for a Medical Cannabis Card through the Utah database once your doctor/provider has entered your approval into the system. It will likely cost around $50 for the card fee with the State.
Remember to bring a government-issued ID and cash to your visit. Dispensaries will not take credit or debit cards because cannabis is still federally outlawed. All products will need to be paid for with cash; every dispensary I have been in out of state has an ATM in the back for you if you forget.
Here are the types of products you can expect to buy in dispensaries in Utah. The law focuses on medical forms of products so remember you will not be able to buy “edibles.” I know there will not be brownies, but the “liquid suspension” could include liquid formulations you can drink.
Raw cannabis flower WILL BE AVAILABLE in dispensaries; I have confirmed that with growers. This is the list of legal product types:
PATIENTS MAY NOT SMOKE MARIJUANA (NO JOINTS), MAY NOT BUY EDIBLES – CANDIES, COOKIES, BROWNIES ETC. IN THE STATE. THESE ARE NOT PERMITTED UNDER THE LAW.
If you weren’t interested so far, this might boggle your mind. I will make this brief and write a more detailed post for those interested. But you should know that your recommending provider needs to know enough about your condition and Medical Cannabis to recommend the type and dose you should be taking. If not, you will need to call or meet with a state-registered physician or pharmacist, who has access to your records, to decide on how much you can take and yes, how much you can buy.
You can buy up to a one-month supply based on those recommendations. For example, if your provider recommended no more than 40mg of THC per day, then you would qualify to purchase 1,200 mg of THC in one go. Only a few of you will run into a state cap on purchases.
Utah allows you to possess no more than 56 grams by weight (2 oz.) of unprocessed cannabis flower; or a number of cannabis products that contain, in total, no more than 10 grams (10,000mg) of total composite THC. To put this in perspective, I recently saw a lab breakdown of the highest THC content in a strain that I have ever encountered. It came in at 32% THC dry weight. To simplify, 1 gram (1,000 mg) of this dry cannabis flower has 320mg of THC in it. So you could legally possess 31 grams (1.1 oz) of this strain. Although this particular strain would be considered a “unicorn,” you should at least consider this when buying Medical Cannabis at any dispensary.
Another popular way to use cannabis is by vaporizer cartridge or tincture. With the vaping lung scare of 2019, vaping concentrates has become less popular, but the ease of use, dosing accuracy, immediate effect, and discrete nature without odor make vaping the most prevalent delivery method for cannabis
You can possess no more than a one-month supply of up to 113 grams with no more than 10 grams of total composite THC. Cartridges can be 90% THC so a 1 gram cartridge can have 900 mg of THC. Therefore you could own 11 of them.
So, a patient may not transport more than that or have more than that in their possession. And it must be in medicinal dosage form, which means in one of the forms listed above.
We know what to expect with card registration, possession, and use of Medical Cannabis in Utah. We also know how much cannabis you can legally possess and in what form.
Sign up to be notified immediately when I find out where the dispensaries will be located and what specific products or strains will be offered in March!
