Utah’s medical cannabis landscape has changed considerably over the last several years. Much of what we knew when the program first launched has evolved. This includes the terminology. If you are new to medical cannabis, you may not understand all the terms you read here on our site. We want to help with a review of four key acronyms we believe every Utah medical cannabis patient should know.
As you read the remainder of this post, we hope you will remember that Beehive Farmacy staff are here to help you make the most of your medical cannabis journey. Our Salt Lake City and Brigham City team members are always available to answer your questions and provide qualified advice.
With that said, here are the four acronyms:
1. Qualified Medical Provider (QMP)
A QMP is a type of medical provider patients can consult with in order to get or renew their medical cannabis cards. When medical cannabis was first launched in Utah, the QMP was the only type of medical provider the state recognized.
In a nutshell, a QMP is a doctor, advanced practice nurse, or orthopedist with prescribing authority in the state, who has also undergone continuing education relating to cannabis as a medicine. To become a QMP, a medical provider needs to submit proof of meeting educational requirements. They must also submit an application and pay an annual fee. Approval leads to state certification.
The main advantage of becoming a QMP is being able to assist a volume of patients equal to 1.5% of the total number of registered cardholders in the state. As things currently stand, a QMP can recommend cannabis to more than 1,000 patients.
2. Limited Medical Provider (LMP)
Within a year or so of the state’s medical cannabis program launching, it became clear that there were not enough QMPs to meet patient needs. The state responded by implementing the LMP program. An LMP is similar to a QMP in the sense of being a medical provider with state prescribing authority. Here is the difference: LMPs have not undergone continuing education and are not certified.
Your primary care doctor could act as your LMP. So could a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. The one downside is that LMPs can only recommend cannabis to a maximum of 15 patients at any given time.
3. Pharmacy Medical Provider (PMP)
The PMP is a state-licensed pharmacist with a specialty in medical cannabis. This individual could work at any pharmacy in the state. But to work at a medical cannabis pharmacy however, the PMP must also undergo continuing education and submit an application for certification.
The PMP’s job is to provide medical cannabis safely and responsibly. PMPs regularly consult with patients before providing medications. They can and should collaborate with medical providers to develop the best plan for each patient.
4. Compassionate Use Board (CUB)
The CUB is a state-appointed board consisting of seven medical professionals with extensive knowledge in medical cannabis. Their job is to review medical cannabis applications from minors and adult patients with non-qualifying conditions. The board can also approve or deny the use of specific medical cannabis devices for special cases.
There are plenty of other acronyms where these four came from. Needless to say that it can take some time for new medical cannabis patients to be fully familiar with the language. If you are struggling to understand things, stick with it. You will become quite fluent in medical cannabis speak over time. We only hope this post has helped you along in your journey.
