The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has announced the opening of applications for the first of two independent medical cannabis pharmacies. This development follows the passage of House Bill 54 during the 2025 legislative session.
The initiative is designed to increase access to medical cannabis for patients in rural and underserved areas of Utah, offering another channel for dispensing these products. The pharmacy will operate under UDAF regulations to ensure safety and quality.
“This effort represents a significant step forward in ensuring that qualifying patients have more convenient and diverse options for accessing medical cannabis across Utah,” stated UDAF Commissioner Kelly Pehrson. “We anticipate a highly competitive application process and look forward to welcoming a new independent medical pharmacy to the state.”
The application period begins on July 1 and ends on July 31, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by several entities, including the Cannabis Production Establishment and Pharmacy Licensing Advisory Board, which will make its selection in October.
Applicants must meet specific criteria: they should not have financial ties with existing medical cannabis pharmacies, must propose locations in medically underserved areas within certain counties, demonstrate long-term operational capability, provide detailed facility plans, establish operational procedures, and present qualifications of key personnel.
Interested parties can find application guidelines at https://udafgrants.utah.gov/submit. Submissions are accepted online through this portal. For further assistance, applicants can contact [email protected].
