Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Utah
Utah has not legalized adult-use cannabis. Recreational possession, sale, and cultivation remain illegal statewide and subject to criminal penalties. Some cities have reduced penalties for small possession, but marijuana remains prohibited outside of the medical program.
Medical cannabis was legalized in 2018 through the Utah Medical Cannabis Act. Registered patients with qualifying conditions may obtain a physician or advanced practice provider recommendation and purchase cannabis from licensed pharmacies. Patients may possess up to a 30-day supply of medical cannabis in approved forms, including flower, tablets, capsules, concentrated oils, liquids, topicals, transdermal patches, and gummies. Smoking cannabis is prohibited, though patients may use vaporization devices for flower and oils.
Home cultivation is generally not permitted. However, patients who live more than 100 miles from a licensed pharmacy may qualify for a limited home-grow exemption, allowing up to six plants for personal medical use.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services oversees patient registration and provider certifications, while the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food regulates cultivation, processing, and testing. Licensed medical cannabis pharmacies dispense products across the state under strict inventory tracking, labeling, and packaging requirements.
Hemp cultivation and hemp-derived CBD products are legal in Utah if they contain no more than 0.3% THC. Products intended for human consumption must be registered with the Department of Agriculture and Food, and intoxicating hemp cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC are restricted.
For cannabis operators, Utah’s medical-only program requires strong compliance. Licensed operators must provide state licensing documentation, tax IDs, ownership disclosures, financial records, and operating agreements when seeking banking or financial services. Because transactions remain cash-heavy, financial institutions require armored transport, reconciled deposits, AML/BSA monitoring, and audit-ready accounting systems. Excise tax and sales tax compliance is also required for all medical cannabis sales.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food oversee the medical cannabis program. For official information, licensing updates, and compliance resources, visit: https://medicalcannabis.utah.gov
%201.svg)
%201.svg)
