We’re approaching the six-month mark since Utah’s medical cannabis pharmacies first opened their doors to patients in March. On August 16, Richard Oborn, Director for the Center of Cannabis at the Utah Department of Health, reported the state had 8,261 active cardholders participating in the program – not including the 6,041 who are still using Unique Recommendation Letters.
With patient participation driving Utah’s medical cannabis program, many are still wondering when cultivation and processing will catch up in speed.
“Every time I visit the pharmacies it’s a crapshoot what they are going to have available,” said Gannon O’Malley, resident of Salt Lake City and Utah medical cannabis patient. “I have been loving all of the products I’ve tried so far, especially Dragonfly’s flower, but not knowing what you’re going to get makes it hard not to rely on other sources.”
Until a recent Health and Human Services Interim Committee meeting, held on August 19 by state officials and Legislators, much was unclear about the participation of those who were awarded licenses from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) to supply the state’s cannabis flower and products.
While addressing legislators during last week’s meeting, Cody James, manager of Industrial Hemp and Medical Cannabis at UDAF, reported that all eight cultivators who were awarded licenses by the state were operational.
According to James’ report, although all state cultivators have begun operation, and are on track with state-imposed start date policies, a majority have yet to meet the estimated cannabis biomass projections they reported to UDAF when they applied for state licenses.
Cultivars are required to give a monthly, and yearly estimate of how much cannabis biomass they will produce for Utah patients. On average, each grower is forecasting to produce 150 to 300 lbs. of cannabis per month, or a 1,200 lb. annual harvest. Only one has reached their monthly goal so far, while others are still struggling to find their rhythm.
According to James, licensees are experiencing growing pains that range from startup cost and finding grow site locations, to hiring staff. Not to mention setting roots during a pandemic. The product demand from patients has also played a factor “that nobody was expecting,” he added.
Product testing is performed by the state and has also been slowed due to the COVID-19, causing a delay in products reaching pharmacy shelves. During the virtual meeting on Capitol Hill on Aug. 19, James announced another private facility has come onboard to assist the state.
“We wanted to be as quick as we could with testing, but we also needed to follow the rules and make sure products were safe,” James said. “Having a private company help with these tasks has taken some pressure off of the state.”
Utah’s medical cannabis program is broken-down into three divisions: cultivation, processing, and pharmacy. Each plays a role in supplying Utah patients, and each is dependent on the other to function.
Licenses for these operations were awarded last year, and those who were selected have had their hands full with startup responsibilities.
James has been working with the state’s medical cannabis program since it began in 2017. Earlier this year, he took over the role of the state’s cannabis czar at UDAF after Andrew Ridgy abruptly left the position in March to pursue a startup health care app.
“I’ve been working with the state and the Department of Agriculture for 15 years now,” said James during an interview with Salt Baked City. “I have always been known as somebody that can come in and fix programs, so I jumped at the chance to come in and help start this one. I think we have done a good job so far.”
Other notable proposed statutory changes were reported from UDAF during the medical cannabis session, which included modifications to the definition of cannabinoid products and the definition of cannabis concentrates to contain any product that includes cannabinoids extracted from naturally occurring biomatter.
This will allow the department to regulate cannabinoids that are extracted from material other than cannabis. This decision was spurred by several licensed processors in the state who expressed interest in using certain cannabinoids to produce others; for example, converting CBD into THC.
“We are fully expecting that there’re going to be several changes to this program almost yearly for probably ten years or more,” James said. “I don’t know if it’s ever going to plateau as far as not moving forward educationally and with information that comes to be.”
The department is also proposing that legislators adjust the definition of total composite THC to include Delta-8 THC.
Testing procedures are also being revised, according to the department. This is an attempt to minimize the cost of testing while maintaining high product standards and procedures.
Changes would create three testing categories: cannabis plant products, cannabis concentrates, and cannabis products. Each category would have different testing requirements, and test results would be applied to derived products where possible.
To listen to the full recording of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee meeting held August 19, follow the link to the Utah State Legislature website, or watch our exclusive interview with Cody James later this week.
