UT gov signs medical cannabis bill increasing dispensaries, licensing couriers

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Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, as expected, signed a bill that will increase the number of medical marijuana dispensaries from seven to 14, with additional growth possible depending on market demand.

Utah legislators unanimously passed the legislation during a recent special session called by the Republican governor to scrap a state-run MMJ distribution system.

The measure includes a provision for home delivery of MMJ and boosts the business opportunities for a program scheduled to launch as soon as March 2020.

Here are some details from the bill:

  • State regulators will issue up to 14 dispensary licenses, eight in a first round and six in a second phase to be completed by July 1, 2020.
  • The state will be divided into at least four geographic regions, with at least one license for each geographic region.
  • Regulators will be allowed to issue additional dispensary licenses if warranted by market demand.
  • Regulators also may increase the number of cultivation licenses from eight to as many as 15 if needed to balance supply and demand.
  • Couriers will be licensed for home delivery.

– Associated Press and Marijuana Business Daily