Apply for a Utah Medical Marijuana Card Online

Possession of Medical Cannabis Prior to 2021

Prior to January 2021, under Utah law, patients meeting certain criteria outlined in the Medical Cannabis Act may legally possess medical cannabis without a medical cannabis card. Compliance with the Utah Medical Cannabis Act may not protect patients from liability for violations of federal law or the laws of other states. Questions regarding this provision of the law are best answered by an attorney who can provide legal counsel specific to an individual’s situation.

Medical marijuana Patients 18 and older, a parent or legal guardian of a minor patient, and designated caregivers may purchase medical cannabis. Each must have a Utah medical cannabis card.

Utah Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions

According to the state, medical cannabis in Utah is also available to allow residents who suffer from “pain lasting longer than two weeks that is not adequately managed, in the qualified medical provider’s opinion, despite treatment attempts using conventional medications other than opioids or opiates or physical interventions” or have “a rare condition or disease that affects less than 200,000 individuals in the U.S., as defined in federal law, and that is not adequately managed despite treatment attempts using conventional medications (other than opioids or opiates) or physical interventions.”

Conditions qualifying patients for medical cannabis under the Utah Medical Cannabis Program include:

• A rare condition or disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S., as defined by federal law, and that is not adequately managed despite treatment attempts using conventional medications (other than opioids or opiates) or physical interventions.
• A terminal illness when the patient’s life expectancy is less than six months
• An illness requiring hospice care
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Autism
• Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple sclerosis or persistent and debilitating muscle spasms
• Ongoing and debilitating pain
• Persistent nausea that is not significantly responsive to traditional treatment, except for nausea related to:
  • Pregnancy
  • Cannabis-Induced Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome
  • Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that is being treated and monitored by a licensed health therapist and that:
  • Has been diagnosed by a healthcare provider by the Veterans Administration and documented in the patient’s record; or
  • Has been diagnosed or confirmed by the evaluation from a psychiatrist, doctorate psychologist, a doctorate licensed clinical social worker, or a psychiatric APRN

Along with having qualifying medical conditions, a patient applying for the medical cannabis program in Utah must prove their residency with a valid driver’s license or current state identification card. The annual card registration fee is $50 and must be paid when approved. 

If you don’t have one of the qualifying medical conditions listed, your certified physician can appeal to the Compassionate Use Board if they feel your condition can benefit from the use of medical marijuana. 

Laws for Registered Caregivers

Utah has set up a caregiver application process completely online, beginning with the registered patient designating a caregiver on their application. After a caregiver has been named, they must prove they are a Utah resident with a valid driver’s license or current state identification card. The caregiver must also undergo a background check to be approved for the Guardian Card. Once approved, a caregiver license fee of $68.25 must be paid. If the caregiver has two patients, the secondary license is only $15.

Possession and Cultivation

Utah has specific possession laws regarding medical cannabis, reporting a patient is not allowed “more than 113 grams of unprocessed cannabis (raw bud or flower in blister packs),” or “more than 20 grams of total composite THC in all other medicinal dosage forms. There is absolutely no cultivation of cannabis allowed in Utah. 

Application Process for a Medical Marijuana Card in Utah

The application process for any Utah resident looking for a Medical cannabis patient card must be done by completing the following steps: 

• First, you’ll need to meet with a qualified medical provider (QMP) registered with the state of Utah to evaluate your medical condition. Luckily Veriheal can provide you with one so you won’t have to locate a qualified provider yourself. Remember: Don’t start your application process without meeting with your QMP first. 
• Next, go to id.utah.gov and create a Utah ID account. This account allows you to access different state applications all in one place. Here you’ll be able to start your application inside the electronic verification system (EVS). Your QMP will be able to issue your medical cannabis recommendation once your EVS profile is created. There’s a $15 application fee to send the application online to the Utah Department of Health (UDOH).
• After the Utah Department of Health receives and later reviews the application there is a 15 day turnaround time from the date the application is submitted for approval or denial if the patient is 21 years of age or older. The Compassionate Use Board will review applications for patients under 21 years of age and adult patients without a qualifying condition. The turnaround time for those applications are 90 days or less from the date the application is submitted.
• When the application is approved the Utah Department of Health will email your medical cannabis card. 
• After receiving your card you’ll be able to legally purchase medical cannabis products in Utah. To buy marijauna from a medical cannabis pharmacy you need to have your cannabis card along with a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.

How to Renew Your Utah Medical Marijuana Card with Veriheal

To renew your Utah medical marijuana card through Veriheal, you’ll need to schedule a renewal appointment with one of our physicians. They can confirm that you still need medical cannabis for your qualifying condition and help you with the renewal process. We will remind you when it’s almost time for your renewal appointment, or you can reach out to our Customer Service Department so we can assist you and apply a renewal discount for you.

How Long Does a Medical Marijuana Card Last in Utah?

Your first medical marijuana card in Utah will be valid for 90 days. Your second and third renewals are good for 6 months. After that, future renewals will be needed annually.