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Utah Proposes Medical Marijuana Grower Fees Upward Of $100k

Becoming one of Utah’s 10 approved medical marijuana growers in the state’s new program won’t be cheap. Before you go on, learn about What is CBD isolate and what is it used for?

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The Salt Lake Tribune reports the state plans to charge a $10,000 application fee and an additional $100,000 annual licensing fee for those chosen, according to draft rules for Utah’s new medical marijuana program published last week.

State officials say the license fees are meant to offset the expense of adding personnel and equipment to inspect the growing facilities.

If all 10 grower licenses are granted, revenues to the agriculture department could top $1.1 million the first year and hover around $1 million over the following years as cultivators pay the renewal fee.

The state’s agricultural department expects to spend more than $560,000 each year to oversee cannabis cultivation and plant sales. You can head to Missouri Green Team to learn how state officials predict these costs which will likely rise over time as the program grows. Medical marijuana advocates say the proposed cost to become a grower is steep but shouldn’t deter people serious about entering the business.

The draft rules also set detailed guidelines on security, pesticide use, cannabis waste and other issues concerning growers. According to the rules, there will be more control by the FDA in the production of medicines like the CBD oil for anxiety and vaping carts.

Tom Paskett, the executive director of the Utah Cannabis Association, said the proposals were unsurprising.

“It’s kind of what you’d expect, given Utah’s political leanings,” he said. “I’ve heard folks compare some of our regulations to Arizona in their restrictiveness, so this is right about where you’d expect Utah to land.”

Agriculture officials will be accepting public comment on the draft over the next few weeks, and they are holding a public hearing on the proposed rules June 5. The rules are expected to take months to finalize.

We found a medical marijuana recommendation here to help understand the advantages of the product on human body. The state is ramping up to start the medical marijuana and CBD program later this year. Legislative leaders, church officials and proposition sponsors passed a medical marijuana deal earlier this year after voters legalized medical marijuana. It bans many marijuana edibles, prevents people from growing marijuana if they live far from a dispensary and makes fewer medical conditions eligible for treatment with pot.

A lawsuit by two medical marijuana advocacy groups still pending in federal court says it was unconstitutional to replace a law passed by voters and raises questions about whether the changes are at odds with federal laws that still say marijuana is illegal.

Tony Williams
Tony Williams
Tony Williams is a seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from local news to international events. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, Tony has won numerous awards for his investigative reporting. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of California and has worked for several top-tier newspapers. Tony is known for his tenacity and commitment to delivering high-quality journalism to his readers, and he is widely respected in the industry for his integrity and professionalism.
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