Medical cannabis is available for purchase throughout the state of Utah by qualified individuals with valid medical cannabis cards. But did you know that the Utah medical card is not the only thing you would need to buy medicines at a medical cannabis pharmacy? You need two more things.
In order to buy medical cannabis, you need:
- A medical provider’s recommendation
- A Utah medical cannabis card
- A valid Utah photo ID
We will explain everything you need to know in the following paragraphs. In the meantime, we hope you will consider BeehiveMed if you live in the Salt Lake City or Brigham City areas and are preparing to get a Utah medical card for the first time.
1. The Medical Provider’s Recommendation
Medical cannabis is treated like any other prescription drug in the state of Utah. It has its indicated uses, just like antibiotics and prescription anti-inflammatory drugs. This is to say that medical cannabis is not a wonder drug capable of fixing everything that might be wrong with you.
Ensuring that it is used only by patients who will benefit from it is the whole idea behind the medical provider’s recommendation. As a potential new patient, you would have to visit with a medical provider who can confirm a qualifying condition and determine that medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment for you.
Utah medical providers can be doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and podiatrists with prescribing authority in the state. They can also be licensed as Qualified Medical Providers (QMPs) or act as Limited Medical Providers (LMPs).
2. The Utah Medical Cannabis Card
You already know you need a Utah medical cannabis card to purchase products from state-licensed pharmacies. But you cannot get a card without first visiting the medical provider. The card is essentially a license to buy, possess, and use medical cannabis to treat a qualifying condition.
Utah issues several types of cards. We have written about this topic elsewhere on our website. Check out some of our other blog posts to learn the details about each type of card. Most medical cannabis users will apply for the Patient Card. This is the card issued to legal adults with qualifying medical conditions who do not rely on others to obtain medicines on their behalf.
Also note that medical cannabis cards in Utah are good for one year. Near the end of the year, you will need to visit your medical provider to get another recommendation for renewal. You might not have to visit in person, however. State law provides for telemedicine visits under certain circumstances.
3. A Valid Utah Photo ID
Finally, you will need a valid Utah photo ID in order to purchase medical cannabis. You’ll need to show both your ID and medical cannabis card at the time of purchase – regardless of whether you step inside a pharmacy, use a drive-through window, or receive your medicines via home delivery.
The photo ID requirement isn’t a big deal for most patients given that one must have a valid UtahID account to register with the medical cannabis electronic verification system (EVS). Nearly every adult with a UtahID account has a valid photo ID issued by the state.
Now you know what it takes to purchase medical cannabis in Utah. If you’ve been thinking about applying for a card but don’t know how to get the process started, do not hesitate to contact us. The BeehiveMed team is here to help in whatever way we can. There is nothing about the medical cannabis program to worry about.
