The Utah medical cannabis community was taken by surprise when The Forest (formerly known as The Cannabist) announced plans to relocate its pharmacy from Springville to Murray by the end of 2024. This decision, which comes after a lengthy back-and-forth with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), has left many patients concerned about the future of their access to medical cannabis in Utah County.
The relocation of The Forest, Springville’s only medical cannabis pharmacy, has sparked fears among local patients who now face the reality of traveling farther for their medicine. Scott Ericson, the COO of Standard Wellness, which owns The Forest, cited Salt Lake County’s higher patient demand and the need for more convenient access in the area as reasons for pursuing the move to Murray. Salt Lake City already hosts three other pharmacies—Beehive Farmacy, Dragonfly Wellness, and BLOC—but Ericson believes that the growing patient base justifies another location to serve the east side of I-15.
Initially, UDAF resisted the relocation, expressing concerns about how it might disrupt patient access in rural areas like Springville. However, Ericson and his legal team pointed out that the existing language in Utah’s Medical Cannabis Program regulations allowed for the move. Despite their reservations, UDAF ultimately approved the relocation. In response, state lawmakers moved quickly in May 2024 to amend the regulations, ensuring that future pharmacy relocations would be restricted to prevent similar disruptions in other communities.
This news has caused significant anxiety among many Springville patients. While Curaleaf, which operates three dispensaries in Utah County (Lehi, Provo, and Payson), remains an option, some patients who prefer to remain anonymous have expressed to Salt Baked City that Curaleaf’s corporate approach lacks the personalized care that smaller, independent pharmacies like the one in Springville offer.
Ericson’s decision is not without merit. Salt Lake City’s urban areas offer more opportunities for growth, with a much larger patient base than rural regions. As of this printing, Salt Lake County is home to 35,635 patients, and Utah County is home to 14,027 patients. For The Forest, relocating to Murray presents a strategic business opportunity to serve more patients, despite the impact on Springville patients. According to Ericson, “Our move to Murray will allow The Forest to serve many more patients from a location that is more convenient than other local options. We also plan to stock products from a wide variety of Utah producers and maintain the most diverse menu of options for patients in Utah.”
Unconfirmed rumors suggest that UDAF may issue an additional pharmacy license in Utah County to mitigate the impact of The Forest’s relocation. Additionally, there is industry speculation that the Center for Medical Cannabis may grant two additional pharmacy licenses in rural areas, with Moab and Vernal being potential destinations. However, these reports remain unofficial, leaving patients uncertain about their future access to medical cannabis. As the 2025 General Session at Capitol Hill approaches, you can rely on Salt Baked City to keep you updated with the latest sticky-icky news as it unfolds.
Until the relocation takes place, patients in Springville will continue to have access to The Forest. This situation underscores the delicate balance between business decisions and patient needs in Utah’s growing medical cannabis landscape. As the industry evolves, Salt Baked City will continue to follow these developments and keep patients informed.
