Utahns voted to legalize medical cannabis in 2018. Since then, more than 150,000 patients have enrolled, and polls show nearly 90% of voters now support the program. That's a rare consensus in our state. However, nearly a third of those enrolled no longer have an active medical card and are now purchasing cannabis outside Utah's legal medical program.

New peer-reviewed research from Utah's own medical cannabis program confirms this and shows the system is at risk. Unless lawmakers act, patients will continue turning to illicit markets — undermining the very program Utah built to give medical providers and their patients access to safe, medical-grade cannabis products.

Cost and access drive illicit use

Nearly 80% of patients who used illicit cannabis said cost was the primary reason. High prices aren't just about business decisions. They're driven by federal tax law (280E), which inflates costs, and by federal and state rules that restrict operational efficiencies. Add enrollment fees, frequent renewals, long wait times and longer travel distances, and barriers pile up. Unfortunately, many patients find driving to Nevada easier than keeping their card.

Studies show patients don't stop using cannabis they just step outside the regulated program. That's not good for patients, law enforcement or lawmakers who want to preserve a medical-only model.

Original link

Copyright

©420 Intel