Everyone talks about the merits of medical cannabis, thus more and more states are now legalizing its use. State-licensed physicians can now prescribe medical marijuana as a treatment for various medical conditions. If you suffer from a condition that qualifies, you may apply for a medical card and legally purchase medical marijuana products from dispensaries.
To be able to apply for a card, you must be certified by a doctor and recommended for the treatment. Afterward, you will be required to apply with the state and await confirmation. Here are X facts that will help you understand how the Utah Medical Cannabis Program works and came into use.
5 Facts About The Utah Medical Cannabis Program
In 2009 the state legislature passed HCR 83 which created an emergency department program for medical marijuana for terminally ill cancer patients and those suffering from severe weight loss or muscle wasting related to HIV/AIDS or neurological disorders. Patients who qualify for medical cannabis use are allowed to cultivate up to six plants for personal use.
1. Medical Marijuana Growing Program
In 2010 the Utah Legislature passed SB 105 which created a state-run marijuana growing program. If a patient is 18 years or older and has an approved chronic debilitating illness and is accepted into the program they are given a card that allows them to purchase seeds/clones of marijuana plants called a “home grow” license. The patient can grow up to six plants, not more than 12 per caregiver, each home-grower does not have to have their own growing facilities but must sign over the materials and all rights associated with the marijuana bud if it is grown in their home.
2. Medical Marijuana Possession Laws
In 2011 the legislature passed SB 73 which modified the law and gave patients who are enrolled in the program a pass to possess one ounce of marijuana. It also mandated that a state website be built to keep track of dispensary inventory and sales. This is called the “Inventory Control and Tracking System”. The ICTS tracks every plant at each grow operation, and every strain, and will track plants through their entire life cycle, from seed to sale by caregiver or dispensary.
3. Medical Marijuana Production
In 2013 the Utah legislature passed SB 259 which created an organized system for producing medical marijuana in accordance with Food and Drug Administration Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceuticals. The law also authorized the Department of Agriculture and Food to oversee local growers that produce high-grade medical marijuana, and track it from seed to sale. The law says that any approved cultivator or dispensary cannot be in violation of state or federal laws regarding illegal drugs. This is the backbone of the current state Health Department’s organization “The Medical Cannabis Facility Licensing Act” known as “The MAF Act”.
4. Medical Marijuana Products
In 2014 Governor Herbert signed SB 73 into law which allows patients access to another whole level of medical cannabis products, called extracts: concentrates, oils, tinctures, and edible infused products like brownies, cookies, and candies.
In December 2014 on the day before Christmas, and under the cover of darkness, Governor Herbert signed SB 259 with more improvements. This bill removed the patients’ need to get a home grow license. Instead, they could buy medical cannabis via home delivery or by going to a dispensary. The dispensaries can deliver it to their door.
5. Compassionate Care
In 2015 Senate Bill 262 was signed by Governor Herbert in June 2015 which says that patients who are low income, or have disabilities and are not able to cultivate their own cannabis can apply for a “compassionate care” program and be provided with free cannabis from the state-run cultivation program called “The Safe Cannabis Production Program”.
The Compassionate Care dispensary program was created in 2015. Anyone between 18-64 years of age can apply to be part of that program. Patients who qualify can purchase cannabis from a dispensary and be eligible for an annual supply at a cost equivalent to the retail price, $90 per 30 days or less. Patients who are enrolled in the Safe Cannabis Production Program are not allowed to participate in the Compassionate Care Program.
Utah has moved forward incrementally. Until the Drug Enforcement Administration or the UN Treaty Office change their stance regarding cannabis on a federal level, it is likely to remain this way. The Compassionate Care program is the closest thing we have to a mainstream government-controlled system at this time. However, their funding is limited, and they are operating on a very small footprint.
Bottom Line
If you are planning on applying for a medical card Provo, make sure that you check the patient requirements and book a consultation with a state-licensed doctor. Without a written recommendation you will not be able to apply for a medical card.