There was some concern about Utah’s electronic verification system (EVS) when regulators first announced it. The concern was reasonable. Thankfully, none of the fears expressed early on have become reality. Utah’s EVS has done exactly what it was intended to do in helping the state’s medical cannabis program comply with legal requirements.
If you have already obtained a medical cannabis card, you have already interacted with the EVS. The EVS is the state’s central online portal for all things medical cannabis. Patients use the system to apply for and renew their cards. Out-of-state visitors use the system to apply for temporary cards. Medical providers and pharmacists access the EVS to give recommendations and follow-up with their patients.
Whether you are a new Utah medical cannabis patient or a seasoned veteran, here are some things you need to know about the EVS:
Where to Find Utah’s EVS
The electronic verification system is accessible only to patients by way of the internet. The easiest way to get to the site is to go to the state’s medical cannabis website. About halfway down the homepage, on the left side, you will see ‘EVS Access’. Click that link and you’ll be redirected to a new page with a direct link to the site.
Incidentally, the EVS is not part of the health department medical cannabis site per se. Rather, it is part of the Utah.gov site’s Utah ID system. It has a direct link you can get to by clicking here. From a practical standpoint, this means the EVS is interconnected to the rest of the state’s ID systems.
You Need a Utah ID Account
Given that the EVS is part of the Utah ID system, you need to have a Utah ID account to access it. This includes out-of-state visitors hoping to get a temporary medical cannabis card prior to arrival. Anyone can create an account simply by clicking on the appropriate link and entering requested information.
Step-By-Step Guides Are Available
The state has published step-by-step guides for using the electronic verification system to apply for or renew medical cannabis cards. You can find those guides on the state’s medical cannabis website by following the EVS Access link on the homepage. There are guides for:
- Adult patients
- Guardians of minors
- Caregivers
- Non-Utah residents
- Qualified medical providers
- QMP proxy users.
Please note that all of the guides are in PDF format, so you will need a PDF reader on your phone or computer to access them. You can also download and save the guides for future use without having to be online.
The EVS Stores Your Information
As a patient, you should also know that the EVS stores your information. It stores the personal information you entered when you applied for your medical cannabis card, along with additional information pertaining to every medical cannabis pharmacy visit you make. Your healthcare provider and pharmacist will have access to this information.
When you visit the Beehive Farmacy in either Salt Lake City or Brigham City, our pharmacist will access your EVS profile as a means to communicate with the QMP (qualified medicial provider) who issued your medical care. Your QMP can access a detailed history of all your purchases when you visit them. Law enforcement may also access this EVS system but only with a warrant.
In Utah, the EVS is a tool for tracking medical cannabis use. It is also a tool for digitally managing medical cannabis cards, dosing recommendations, QMP and pharmacy licenses, and more. Familiarize yourself with what it is and how it works. You will find your experience as a medical cannabis patient better for it.
