The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has opened the application period for the first of two independent medical pharmacies, a development stemming from House Bill 54 (HB54) passed during the 2025 legislative session.
This initiative aims to expand access to medical cannabis for qualifying patients in rural and underserved areas of Utah, providing an additional avenue for dispensing medical cannabis products. The independent medical pharmacy will operate under UDAF regulations, ensuring patient safety and product quality.
Interested parties are encouraged to review the official application guidelines and requirements. The application period opens on July 1 and will close on July 31, 2025. Applications will undergo several reviews, including the Cannabis Production Establishment and Pharmacy Licensing Advisory Board, which will select the applicant for licensure in October.
Applicants must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of medical cannabis regulations, possess the necessary financial resources, and propose a secure and compliant facility. Specific requirements include being independent, meaning they shall not own a financial interest in a medical cannabis pharmacy nor be owned by an entity that does. The location must be in an area designated as medically underserved and within a county classified as third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class. The applicants must show stability by demonstrating the ability to establish and operate the pharmacy in a rural and underserved area for at least 15 years. A detailed facility plan, including a layout and security plan for the proposed pharmacy, is required. Operational procedures must include comprehensive standard operating procedures for dispensing, inventory management, and patient consultation. Additionally, applicants must provide information on key personnel, including pharmacists and technicians, detailing their qualifications.
The application packet can be accessed at the link here.