Salt Lake City, UT: Republican Gov. Gary Herbert has signed legislation into law, House Bill 425, expediting medical cannabis access to certain patients with a doctor’s authorization.
Under the new law, which took immediate effect, patients who possess a written authorization from their physician may legally access medical cannabis products from a licensed provider without further delay. The rule change permits patients who possess a valid recommendation, but are still in the process of waiting for a state-issued registration card, to have immediate access to cannabis.
To date, state regulators have issued just over 1,000 identification cards to qualifying patients.
Separate provisions in the bill establish a “legal dosage limit” for medical cannabis products that shall not exceed 20 grams of THC per single dose. The language further mandates that a patients’ 30-day supply of “unprocessed cannabis” should not exceed 113 grams by weight.
The state’s first medical cannabis provider began operations in early March. The law allows for a total of 14 retail providers in the state.
For more information, contact NORML State Policies Coordinator Carly Wolf.