What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Medical Cannabis Card In Utah?

16 Conditions To Qualify For A Medical Marijuana Card In Utah

What are the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah? Wondering if you qualify for a medical cannabis card in Utah? If yes, read on to learn more about Utah medical card qualifying conditions.

Medical cannabis is legal in Utah but can only be accessed through a medical marijuana card. Possessing a medical marijuana card not only allows you access and possess cannabis for medical uses, but it also provides unique economic benefits.

But how do you get a medical marijuana card in Utah? 

Utah Medical Cannabis Act which came into effect in December of 2018, says medical cannabis in the state is legal with a medical cannabis card issued by the state and verified by a Qualified Medical Provider.

The Act further states that the Utah resident applying for a cannabis card must have at least one qualifying condition.

If you have a qualifying condition, you can set up a consultation with a Utah Green Team Doctor QMP for approval to get a marijuana card before submitting your online application to the Utah Department of Health’s Electronic Verification System EVS.

Book your appointment today to know if you qualify for the Utah medical marijuana card.

But what are the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah? In this article, we tell you all about the conditions that qualify you for a medical marijuana card in Utah.

What Are Medical Cannabis Card Qualifying Conditions?

“Qualifying conditions” refer to specific medical diagnoses determined by law that cannabis may be used to help manage or alleviate. 

Qualifying conditions are typically determined by laws or a state body – usually the Department of Health. 

Typically, a patient must receive a formal diagnosis of a qualifying condition from an approved healthcare professional before applying for a medical cannabis card.

In Utah, the Medical Cannabis Act states that a patient applying for a cannabis medical card must have at least one qualifying condition and meet in person with a qualified medical provider, such as the Utah Green Team Doctors, to recommend medical cannabis.

The Utah Medical Cannabis Act lists sixteen 16 qualifying conditions. If you are diagnosed by a licensed physician with any of the conditions, you may be eligible for a medical cannabis card upon submitting your application.

Wondering if you qualify for the Utah medical cannabis program? Schedule your appointment today with Utah Green Team Doctor for fast approval.

Consultation with a Utah Green Team Doctor offers a number of benefits, including an informative overview of the medical marijuana program in Utah, a QMP recommendation submitted on your behalf, and answers to all your dispensary, program, and cannabis questions.

Now that you know what a qualifying condition is, what are the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah?

Utah Medical Card Qualifying Conditions

Cannabis in Utah can only be legally purchased and consumed if you have a state-issued medical marijuana card. To get one, you must have proof from a qualified medical provider that you have at least one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah as specified by the Medical Cannabis Act.

Here are the Utah medical qualifying conditions:

1. Chronic Pain

Pain is one of the most commonly approved of all qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah. 

According to the Utah Medical Cannabis Act Section 26-61a-104, chronic or persistent pain is any pain lasting more than two weeks and determined by a qualified medical provider that it is not adequately managed, despite using conventional medications other than opiates and opioids or physical interventions.

If you have chronic pain not responding to conventional treatments, you may be eligible for a medical marijuana card in Utah pending approval by a Qualified Medical Provider. 

You can also qualify for a medical marijuana card in Utah if your pain is expected to last two weeks or longer, i.e., from a surgical procedure.

2. Persistent Nausea

Nausea is the uneasiness of the stomach that causes feelings of sickness and an urge to vomit. However, nausea doesn’t always cause vomiting. Nausea can be a symptom of many underlying conditions or an issue by itself in cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS).

In Utah, persistent nausea that doesn’t significantly respond to traditional treatment, except for nausea related to pregnancy, cannabis-induced CVS, or cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, is a qualifying condition. 

Schedule an appointment today with Green Team Doctors to find out if your nausea qualifies for a medical marijuana card in Utah.

3. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is one reason why many people seek medical cannabis. PTSD, according to the American Psychiatric Association, is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.  

A person with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through flashbacks and nightmares, which may lead to withdrawal, isolation, guilt, and irritability. 

PTSD is very common. It’s estimated that at least 6% of the U.S. population will experience it at some point in their lives.

PTSD that a licensed mental health therapist is treating or that has been diagnosed by a healthcare provider by the Veterans Administration and evidenced by medical records from the V.A. is a Utah medical qualifying condition.

PTSD that has been diagnosed in person or through telehealth by a licensed board-eligible or certified psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist with a master’s level degree, a licensed clinical worker with a master’s level degree, or a psychiatric nurse practitioner (APRN).

4. HIV or AIDS

HIV and AIDS are commonly managed using antiretroviral therapy ART. 

Medical cannabis is not used to treat HIV or AIDS but to manage severe side effects such as nausea and chronic pain.

5. Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease commonly found in the elderly, although it can affect anyone at any age. It is believed that medical cannabis may ease confusion and anxiety related to Alzheimer’s and slow its progression through its potential neuroprotective properties.

6. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a progressive disease that affects motor neurons. This disease causes extreme muscle weakness, difficulty with muscle control, and slurred and nasal speech. 

Eventually, people with ALS may lose motor control and the ability to swallow and even breathe.

ALS is one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah. 

7. Cachexia

This is known as the wasting syndrome. Cachexia occurs when a patient suffers extreme fat, weight,  and muscle loss. 

This syndrome is associated with underlying conditions such as certain cancers, HIV and AIDS, and ALS and is often associated with cancer treatments – chemotherapy. 

8. Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal body cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other body parts or organs. 

While marijuana is not a cancer treatment, it may help soothe the intense side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

9. Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause diarrhea, stomach aches, chronic pain, weight loss, cramps, and bloody stool. 

The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, although researchers think it’s an autoimmune disease.

10. Ulcerative Colitis 

Ulcerative Colitis is another chronic disease that causes colon and rectum inflammation. Ulcerative colitis can cause ulcers on the colon lining, which can bleed and produce pus. 

People with this condition often experience abdominal and rectal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool, weight loss, and fever.

Cannabis is thought to help improve appetite and reduce pain which is one of the reasons ulcerative colitis is one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah.

11. Epilepsy or any Debilitating Seizures

There are many causes of seizures, including epilepsy. While CBD-based medication Epidiolex is approved by the FDA for treating two rare forms of epilepsy, medical cannabis is not yet approved. 

However, active compounds in cannabis, Cannabidiol CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol, are thought to improve seizures.

Book an appointment today to know if you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Utah.

12. Multiple Sclerosis or Persistent and Debilitating Muscle Spasms

MS and debilitating muscle spasms are qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah. Medical cannabis is thought to benefit those suffering from spasms, fatigue, and chronic pain related to M.S. and other disorders.

13. Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and a Utah medical card-qualifying condition. While it has no cure, patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder may seek medical cannabis to improve social interactions and ease anxiety.

14. Terminal Illness

The Utah Medical Cannabis Act states that patients with terminal illnesses may be eligible for medical marijuana when the life expectancy is less than six months.

15. Any Rare Condition That Affects Less Than 200,000 Individuals In The U.S.

Patients with rare conditions not adequately managed despite treatment with conventional medications other than opiates and opioids or physical interventions are eligible for a Utah medical cannabis card.

Conditions affecting less than 200,000 people in the U.S. are deemed rare by the federal government.

16. Conditions Requiring Hospice Care

People with conditions that result in hospice may be eligible for a medical cannabis card in Utah.

Patients with non-qualifying conditions may also petition the Compassionate Use Board; however, approval is on an individual, case-by-case basis.

How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Utah

Now that you know the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Utah, how do you apply for a medical cannabis card? Getting a medical cannabis card is straightforward with our Green Team Doctors qualified medical providers.

If you have a qualifying condition, Green Team Doctors can help you quickly get a medical marijuana card in Utah. 

At Green Team Doctors, we are a coalition of local physicians with a combined experience of more than 300 years practicing medicine.

We are passionate about the war on opioids which is why we are determined to ensure every deserving person gets access to medical marijuana as an alternative way to manage their conditions effectively. 

All you have to do is book an appointment with one of our Green Team Doctors Qualified Medical Providers. 

Most consultations are completed within 30 minutes and approved. If you are not approved, we’ll issue a full refund; no questions asked.

Book your appointment today to see if you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Utah!