Medical cannabis program basics

Ogden Surgical-Medical Society Conference

Weber State University

​

May 14, 2026

​

Richard Oborn, MPA

Office Director, DHHS Center for Medical Cannabis

Presentation disclaimer

• This presentation highlights parts of Utah medical cannabis laws and provides information that is current as of the date of this presentation.
• While it outlines some Utah laws, it is not meant to be comprehensive.
• A complete copy of the Utah medical cannabis laws and other laws relating to medical cannabis in Utah are available on the Utah Legislature’s website (le.utah.gov)
• This presentation is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be used as legal advice.

Legislative update - program restructuring

• By the end of June 2026, all medical cannabis duties currently performed by the DHHS Center for Medical Cannabis will transition to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF).
• The transition is ongoing, but this presentation will refer to UDAF in place of DHHS.

Cannabis legalization across the U.S.

• 42 states have legalized medical cannabis.
• 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis.
• 8 states have not legalized cannabis.

https://mjbizdaily.com/map-of-us-marijuana-legalization-by-state/

Program growth as of April 2026

Patient counts by small area boundary

Patients by county

Patient age groups

Patient count and qualifying conditions

• Over 100K active medical cannabis cardholders.
• Most common qualifying conditions:
• Persistent pain;
• PTSD;
• Nausea; and
• Cancer.

Becoming a recommending medical provider (RMP)

​

To become an RMP, you must:

• Be a Utah-licensed medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), physician assistant (PA), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), or doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) with controlled substance license
• Complete four hours of continuing medical education specific to medical cannabis through formal or informal sources; and
• Every two years, provide an acknowledgment to UDAF and the Utah Division of Professional Licensing that the education was completed.

​

Recommending medical cannabis to patients

An RMP must:

• Have an initial face-to-face appointment with the patient (renewals can be telehealth).
• Make the recommendation in the setting of a provider-patient relationship.
• Conduct a thorough medical assessment:
• Review the patient’s government issued photo identification.
• Check for contraindications in the controlled substance database (CSD).
• Consider the patient’s qualifying condition.
• Consider the patient’s history of substance use or opioid use disorder.
• Consider the patient’s history of medical cannabis and controlled substance use.

​

Recommending medical cannabis to patients (cont.)

An RMP can either:

• Document assessment in patient’s record and optionally in the electronic verification system (EVS); and
• Submit the recommendation in EVS.

or

• Document the assessment in the patient’s record.
• Complete the Medical Provider Recommendation for Medical Cannabis form and submit the form to a medical cannabis pharmacy.

​

The electronic verification system (EVS)

• EVS is a medical cannabis card application software where RMPs can certify a recommendation for medical cannabis.
• EVS allows providers to recommend medical cannabis without paper, store cannabis treatment records, and to view their patient’s purchase history.

​

RMP recommendation form for medical cannabis

Medical cannabis card application process

*For patients aged 21 years and older

Dosing guidelines

• RMP can include in their recommendation:
• dosage form; and
• dosage amount.
• Including dosing guidelines in the recommendation is optional. If the RMP doesn’t include them, a pharmacist will determine them in consultation with the patient.

Controlled Substance Database (CSD)

• Patients with active medical cannabis cards are in the CSD.
• Access available to licensed practitioners with a controlled substance license.
• A green leaf in the “Patient Warnings” section indicates an active medical cannabis card

Medical cannabis cardholder requirements

• Cardholders may buy, possess, and use medical cannabis products purchased only from Utah-licensed medical cannabis pharmacies.
• Can only purchase what RMP recommended or the state limit every 28 days:
• 113 grams by weight of unprocessed flower; and
• 20 grams of composite THC in all other dosage types.
• Out-of-state products are not allowed.
• Cards are valid for 1 year. Patients must renew their card with an RMP.

Compassionate Use Board (CUB)

• For those who are under age 21 or don’t have a qualifying condition.
• An RMP can petition the CUB on behalf of their patient.
• Must have an intractable condition.
• Condition must substantially impair quality of life.
• Must have tried conventional treatments.

Legal protections for RMPs

• Proper licensure and adherence to state laws prevents:
• Civil or criminal liability
• Licensure sanctions
• These are only applicable regarding recommending medical cannabis.
• If laws are not followed, RMPs may be subject to:
• Denial of an application for a medical cannabis card or EVS access.
• Suspension or revocation of a medical cannabis card or EVS access.
• Penalty or fine.
• Protections do not apply federally.

Legal dosage forms

Patient purchasing

Medical cannabis pharmacies

Medical cannabis pharmacies

• Must have a licensed pharmacist onsite during business hours.
• May only sell cannabis products, medical cannabis devices, and/or medical cannabis education materials.
• Cannot advertise specific products or dosage types to the public but may engage in targeted marketing with a consenting adult.
• Cannot offer samples.
• Must follow product labeling requirements.

​

​

Pharmacy medical provider (PMP) role

• Reviews medical cannabis orders in EVS for patients.
• Provides dosing guidelines for patients as needed.
• Consults with every patient during their first medical cannabis purchase.
• Consults with patients as needed.
• Reviews every medical cannabis transaction.

Legislative updates

Medical cannabis voucher program

• Funds will be provided annually to a nonprofit that will provide eligible patients with monthly $150 vouchers for purchasing medical cannabis at medical cannabis pharmacies.
• Patients must be active medical cannabis cardholders and enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare to apply.

Legislative updates cont.

• UDAF may increase the state fee paid during each medical cannabis purchase.
• UDAF may regulate language on medical cannabis labels describing physiological effects.

Questions?

medicalcannabis.utah.gov

medicalcannabis@utah.gov

(801) 538-6504