Yes. Even in 2024, simple marijuana convictions can still suspend your driving privileges. Utah has come a long way, but a recidivism finding by a judge can still suspend you for six months. See Utah Code 53-3-220.
In 2024 you can’t legally smoke marijuana and edibles are illegal. Utah never has had legal smokeable, combustible marijuana. Outside your home, you can’t just put your pot in any package and you still can’t drive under the influence of marijuana.
Even with a medical marijuana card in Utah, you cannot possess greater than:
(1). More than 113 grams of unprocessed cannabis.
(2). More than 20 grams of total composite THC in all other medicinal dosage forms
Without a medical card, you can never possess marijuana in Utah or cultivate it.
Without a medical marijuana card in Utah, the following penalties applies.
Possession Less than 1 oz Misdemeanor B. 6 months. $1,000
1 oz – 1lb Misdemeanor A. 1 year. $2,500
1 – 100lbs Felony 3. 5 years. $5,000
More than 100lbs Felony 2. 1 – 15 years. $10,000
As of 2024 prior marijuana convictions can still be enhanceable offenses. See Utah Code 58-37-8.
Four or more marijuana convictions in the past 7 years can constitute a felony 3, although in 2024 you rarely see such charges anymore.
Anytime you are outside your home, all medical marijuana must be in appropriate pharmacy packaging. The gross weight of the package must not be more than 10% of the original packaging weight. The marijuana must stay in the original pharmacy packaging with weight, date of purchase, termination date and inventory code.
Bottom Line: You can’t put your medical marijuana in a plastic baggie and call it good. You certainly can’t driver around like that. Legal marijuana packaging is like open containers in cars. They both can’t be opened and used while driving and both must be in their original packaging.
No. It is illegal to cultivate marijuana even for medical purposes.
No. It is illegal to possess marijuana under federal law. All national forests, federal property and federal lands are illegal to possess marijuana. Watch out for those US Post Offices!
Utah Medical cannabis cardholders must visit cannabis pharmacies to purchase marijuana. You cannot purchase marijuana out-of-state. Your Utah marijuana must be purchased in Utah.
Attorney Jake Gunter has been representing people accused marijuana crimes for 20 plus years.
