Apply for a minor patient/guardian card

Patient information

    Who is a minor patient?

    Minor patients are teenagers or children younger than 18 years who have a medical cannabis card. They are also called provisional patients. The Compassionate Use Board (CUB) reviews and approves all medical cannabis card applications for minor patients.

    Who is a medical cannabis guardian?

    A medical cannabis guardian is the parent or legal guardian of a minor patient. Guardians manage their child’s medical cannabis account and buy medical cannabis for them.

    How to apply for minor patient/guardian cards

    You’ll apply for a guardian card in the electronic verification system (EVS). The EVS is an online database that holds all of the medical cannabis cards, recommendations, and purchase data for patients and medical providers. You must register in the EVS to apply for a medical cannabis card. Your child’s information is included in the guardian application. 

    You’ll meet in-person with your child’s medical provider after you submit your application. Find a medical provider who specializes in medical cannabis near you.

    Your child’s medical provider will submit a petition to the Compassionate Use Board (CUB) for you after you submit the medical cannabis application. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will send you an email with the CUB’s decision after they review your child’s application.  

    You’ll get your own medical cannabis guardian card when your child gets their minor patient card. Use your guardian card to buy medical cannabis for your child.

  1. Go to the EVS.

    Click the "Log in" button on the EVS.

    You'll sign in to UtahID before creating an EVS account.

    New users: Follow the steps at UtahID to create your UtahID account.

    Estimated timeline: 5 minutes
  2. Create an account in the EVS.

    Look at the pictures under the “visual help” heading to see how to create an account in the EVS. The guardian will complete the registration. You will add the minor patient details in the application.

    Estimated timeline: 5 minutes
  3. Submit your minor patient/medical cannabis guardian application in the EVS.

    Look at the pictures under the “visual help” heading to see how to fill out and submit your medical cannabis application in the EVS.

    Estimated timeline: 5 minutes
  4. Meet with your child’s medical provider in-person. 

    Their provider will complete a medical assessment to figure out if medical cannabis is a good treatment option for your child. If it is, they’ll submit a certification in the EVS that verifies your child meet the qualifications to get a medical cannabis card. They’ll also send a request for the CUB to review your child’s medical cannabis application. 

    Find a medical provider near you.

    Estimated timeline: varies based on scheduling
  5. The CUB will review your child's application.

    Once your application has been reviewed, you'll receive an email with the CUB's decision or a request for follow up.
    Estimated timeline: varies based on CUB
  6. Download your minor patient/medical cannabis guardian cards from the EVS. You can print or save your card to your device.

    You must show your card and valid ID each time you go to a medical cannabis pharmacy or get a medical cannabis delivery. Find a pharmacy or home delivery service.

    Look at the pictures under the “visual help” heading to see how to download your medical cannabis card from the EVS. 

    Estimated timeline: 5 minutes
  7. Meet with a medical cannabis pharmacist.

    You will meet with a medical cannabis pharmacist before your first medical cannabis purchase. This can be in-person at a medical cannabis pharmacy or through a video or phone call if the pharmacy has that option. Call the pharmacy to see if you need to schedule an appointment to meet with the pharmacist. 

    The pharmacist will talk with you about your child’s medical condition, symptoms, and health history to provide recommendations for products and amounts to try. They will also answer any questions you have. 

    Estimated timeline: varies based on pharmacy
  8. Buy medical cannabis.

    You can buy medical cannabis after you meet with the pharmacist. After your first purchase, you can buy from any Utah medical cannabis pharmacy or get home delivery.

    Estimated timeline: varies based on pharmacy
  9. Your medical cannabis card will last for 1 year.

    Your provider may choose a shorter expiration date if they feel that will be best for your child’s medical condition. You can see your card’s expiration date in the EVS. 

    Estimated timeline: 1 year