States with medical cannabis programs on the books tend to be at least somewhat restrictive. They put a variety of restrictions in place in order to control the market. Some restrictions are intended to prevent corporate interests from running roughshod over smaller, local businesses. Unfortunately, it is not working all that well.
To be blunt, state restrictions are not slowing down big cannabis. The poster child for big cannabis is Curaleaf, a company that operates some 150 dispensaries and pharmacies in 19 states. Curaleaf employs 5,500 people.
Four Pharmacies in Utah
Utah’s medical cannabis program is one of the most restrictive in the country. The state has only licensed 15 pharmacies within its borders. State law also requires that all medical cannabis consumed in the state must originate there. The plants must be grown in Utah, processed in Utah, and sold only to Utah pharmacies.
The restrictions were no impediment … Read the rest
