Utah patients can now access medical cannabis with recommendation letters from their medical cannabis providers after a new law took effect March 25, according to a KUTV report.
To qualify for a recommendation letter, patients must live in Utah and be diagnosed with a qualifying condition, the news outlet reported. Medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants can all provide patients with recommendation letters stating that a patient has been diagnosed with a qualifying condition, and medical cannabis pharmacies must receive independent confirmation from patients’ medical providers stating that the letter is valid. Patients must also present a valid form of photo identification at the medical cannabis pharmacy with the recommendation letter, KUTV reported.
Qualifying patients can continue to access medical cannabis with recommendation letters until Dec. 31, at which point they must obtain a medical cannabis card from the Utah Department of Health, the news outlet reported. In addition, patients accessing the medical cannabis program with recommendation letters must purchase all their medical cannabis products from the same pharmacy until they receive a card.
The change in law is part of House Bill 425, which lawmakers passed in the latest legislative session and which Gov. Gary Herbert signed into law, KUTV reported.
Since patient registration opened March 1, Utah has issued 1,076 medical cannabis cards, according to the news outlet, while 203 medical providers have registered to participate in the program. While there is currently only one medical cannabis pharmacy open in Utah, 13 more are expected to open by the end of the year.
