Regular readers of our blog are familiar with the fact that there are five different types of medical cannabis cards in Utah. Among the least talked about is the Provisional Patient card. Are you familiar with it? Do you know who it is for and how it works?
You can find details about all of Utah’s medical cannabis cards by visiting the state’s medical cannabis website. In the meantime, we have dedicated this post to discussing the Provisional Patient card. It is remarkably different from other medical cannabis cards in several different ways.
Why the Cards Are Necessary
Before getting into the Provisional Patient card, it is important to lay out why cards are necessary at all. Medical cannabis is not a prescription medication in a strict sense. Because it is still a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, Utah medical providers cannot write traditional prescriptions.
A medical cannabis card takes the place of a prescription. It is essentially a license that allows a cardholder to purchase cannabis medicines from a retailer like Beehive Farmacy. Without a valid card, a patient cannot legally purchase medical cannabis in the state.
Minors Need Special Permission
State law makes medical cannabis accessible to all legal adults with qualifying conditions. Minors are not automatically eligible even if they suffer with a qualifying condition. However, a minor’s parent or guardian can petition the Compassionate Use Board for medical cannabis approval.
If the Board okays the request, a Provisional Patient card is issued to the minor. That card gives the minor the legal right to possess and consume medical cannabis. However, they cannot walk into Beehive Farmacy and purchase medicines. So with every Provisional Patient card there is also a companion Guardian card.
Guardian Cards for Adults
The state recognizes that an adult would have to buy medical cannabis for a minor. That adult would be the child’s parent or guardian. Therefore, the state issues Guardian cards along with Provisional Patient cards. The Provisional card goes to the patient while the Guardian card goes to the adult who will be making medical cannabis purchases.
Purchase and possession limits remain the same even when a guardian is making the purchases. It should also be pointed out that the holder of a Guardian card is not given authority to use medical cannabis themself. Guardians who believe they qualify for medical cannabis need to obtain their own Patient cards to consume.
Paying a Visit to the Pharmacy
Regardless of the type of card a customer possesses, visiting the pharmacy can be an interesting experience. State law allows for a variety of delivery methods including vaping, dry heating, tablets and capsules, edibles (like gummies), tinctures and concentrated oils, and topical products.
Cannabis medicines can vary in both strength and cannabinoid-terpene profile. As it turns out, brand name is less important than either of these two factors. We recommend that patients consult with the on-site medical cannabis pharmacist – also known as the Pharmacy Medical Provider (PMP) – on each visit.
One of the pharmacists’ responsibilities is to help patients and guardians understand how medical cannabis works and the best ways to use it based on patient need. They are there to answer questions and offer advice. So if you ever need help with making the most of medical cannabis, do not be afraid to ask.
Utah’s Provisional Patient card is intended to accommodate minors given permission by the Compassionate Use Board to use medical cannabis. If you are an adult with a qualifying condition, you would apply for the standard Patient card.
