Cannabis pharmacies could owe Utah officials between $50,000 and $69,500 each year for their operating licenses, and each medical marijuana purchase at these businesses could pump another $3 into state coffers.
These potential fees and many more are part of the Utah Department of Health’s plan for offsetting the costs of regulating medical cannabis in the state. The agency on Tuesday held a public hearing about the proposed fees — which are projected to bring in a collective $1.4 million in revenue the first year and about $2.2 million the second.
Rich Oborn, who heads the health department’s Center for Medical Cannabis, said the agency set the fees with an eye toward breaking even on the marijuana program.