Eligible Utah patients can begin using medical cannabis after obtaining a state-issued medical cannabis card. To date, there are more than 100k active cardholders in the Beehive State. Are you looking to join their ranks? If so, there are some things you need to know.
Let us delve into the medical cannabis card itself. The card is a digital document issued by the state after a patient completes an application, visits with a medical provider, and pays the required application fee. Cards are renewed on an annual basis unless a patient’s provider determines that a shorter term is more appropriate.
Those are the basics. Now let us dive into what a medical card is and is not:
It Is a License to Purchase and Possess
The Utah medical cannabis card is like a driver’s license. It is, in effect, a license to purchase and possess medical cannabis. A license allows you to enter any medical cannabis pharmacy in the state of Utah and purchase products for your own medical consumption.
A card also allows you to possess medical cannabis outside of your home. If you were to be stopped for a traffic infraction and the officer noticed a medical cannabis package on the seat next to you, producing your card would demonstrate that you have a legal right to possess that cannabis.
It Is a License to Consume (for most)
Next, a medical cannabis card is a license to consume cannabis – at least for most cardholders. It is not true for all cardholders for the simple fact that two types of cards do not give the holders the right to consume. They are the:
- Caregiver Card – The Caregiver card is intended for adults designated to purchase medical cannabis for a Patient cardholder. The caregiver cannot consume cannabis with that card. A separate Patient card would have to be obtained for consumption.
- Guardian Card – The Guardian card is similar to the Caregiver card. It only grants the parent or guardian of a minor authorized to use medical cannabis the legal right to purchase and possess on the minor’s behalf.
The Patient card is the most common type of medical cannabis card in Utah. It is a license to consume cannabis for medical purposes.
It Is Not a Prescription
The Utah medical cannabis card is not a prescription. Patients do not present their cards and then expect medical cannabis pharmacies to prepare a bottle of pills they take home with them. In fact, sticking with the generally accepted definition of a ‘prescription’ dictates that there are no medical cannabis prescriptions in Utah.
It Is Not a License to Share Medical Cannabis With Others
The medical cannabis card is not a license to share cannabis with others. As a cardholder, it is expected that you will purchase medical cannabis for yourself only. You are not allowed to give what you purchase to anyone else – including people who have their own valid cards.
It Is Not a License to Carry Cannabis Outside of the State
The medical cannabis card is not a license to carry cannabis across state lines. All medical cannabis purchased in Utah must remain within state borders. As a side note, a medical card is also not a license to purchase from illicit sellers or growers. All medical cannabis in Utah must be purchased from a licensed state pharmacy.
Utah’s medical cannabis card is well defined with strict parameters attached to it. If you are an eligible patient who might benefit from medical cannabis, consider working with us to obtain a card. Learn more with BeehiveMed.
