Utah medical marijuana cardholders climb to almost 70,000

Three years after Utah launched its medical cannabis program, the initiative is rolling along.

By the numbers: Nearly 70,000 Utahns hold medical marijuana cards as of April 1. That's a 45% increase from the same time last year, Richard Oborn, director of the Center for Medical Cannabis at the state health department, told Axios.

• The program generated $118.7 million in medical cannabis sales in 2022, he added.

What they're saying: "There are a lot of people that have been learning more about medical cannabis as a treatment, and they have exhausted other treatments," Oborn said.

• He also attributes an increase in providers who are able to recommend the product to patients.

Between the weeds: The top qualifying conditions for eligible cardholders is persistent pain, followed by nausea and cancer, per a state health department report.

What's next: Major changes to state-level cannabis policy through SB 137 will allow Utahns more accessibility to medical cannabis.

• Under the law, set to take effect May 3, a medical marijuana provider will be able to recommend cannabis to no more than 1.5% of cardholders at a time, or 900 patients, instead of the previous cap of 275.
• Cardholders can renew their cards once a year, rather than every six months.