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Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) and cannabis in Utah

The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Listed qualifying condition
✓ Yes
LEGAL
Up to 30-day supply (11…
POSSESSION
$15/yr
STATE FEE
7–21 d
TIMELINE
Listed qualifying condition. The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Utah statute and program

The Utah Medical Cannabis Program is the operating authority for Utah patient certification. The authoritative legal text is: Utah Code Title 26B Chapter 4: Medical Cannabis Act (Prop 2 of 2018 + HB 3001).

What the evidence says about cannabis and Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)

Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome characterized by severe involuntary weight loss, muscle wasting, anorexia (loss of appetite), and weakness in the setting of chronic illness. Most commonly cancer, HIV/AIDS, end-stage organ failure, and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is distinct from simple starvation: nutritional support alone often fails to reverse the underlying metabolic dysregulation.

For the full evidence base, including the NASEM tier, randomized trial summaries, and symptom-domain breakdown, read the mmjnow Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) page.

How to qualify in Utah

The Utah Medical Cannabis Program requires the following registration steps for a Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) patient (or any qualifying diagnosis):

  1. See a Qualified Medical Provider (QMP) registered with Utah DHHS. Under Utah Code §26B-4-201 et seq. (Utah Medical Cannabis Act, Prop 2 of 2018 as amended by HB 3001), only Qualified Medical Providers (QMPs) — Utah-licensed physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and podiatrists who have completed the 4-hour Utah DHHS qualifying course and registered with the Center for Medical Cannabis — may certify a patient. Qualifying conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS, cachexia, persistent nausea, Crohn’s, epilepsy, MS, PTSD, autism, Alzheimer’s, terminal illness, and chronic pain (with strict opioid-alternative documentation).
  2. Apply through the Utah Medical Cannabis Program portal (EVS). The QMP issues the medical cannabis recommendation through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Electronic Verification System (EVS). The patient then completes the patient registration in EVS with a Utah driver license or state ID and a passport-style photograph.
  3. Pay the $15 state registration fee (or $5 for renewal). The initial Utah medical cannabis patient card fee is $15 (6-month card for the first issuance), renewable at $5. Patients aged 65 and older, terminal patients, and patients with documented hospice care are exempt from the registration fee. The QMP also charges a separate evaluation fee.
  4. Receive the card and purchase from a Utah pharmacy. Utah medical cannabis patient cards are issued within roughly 14 business days of complete application. With the card, patients may purchase up to a 30-day supply (based on QMP-set dosing) from any of the 15 licensed Utah medical cannabis pharmacies. Permitted forms include flower (added 2020), edibles in tablet/capsule/lozenge form only (no gummies or candy-like products), vape products, tinctures, topicals, and concentrates. Utah does not honor out-of-state medical cards.
State registration fee
$15
Physician visit (typical)
$150–$300
Certification to card
7–21 days
Out-of-state patients
Not eligible
Minors
Eligible with caregiver

For full Utah registration steps, fees, and reciprocity rules, see the Utah cannabis-laws page.

ICD-10 code

A certifying physician documenting Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) for the Utah medical cannabis program will typically record ICD-10 R64 or SNOMED-CT 238108007 in the patient's record. The state registry does not itself collect ICD-10 codes in most programs, but the physician's chart is the audit trail if the certification is later reviewed.

Frequently asked questions

Does Utah list Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis?

Yes. Utah explicitly lists Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) as a qualifying condition under Utah Medical Cannabis Program. A patient with a documented Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) diagnosis can pursue state-program certification with a physician registered in the state. The qualifying-condition list is set by state statute or regulation and may change. Inclusion on the list does not guarantee certification — a physician still has to evaluate the patient and decide that medical cannabis is appropriate for that specific case under Utah rules.

How do I get a Utah medical marijuana card for Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)?

Step one is finding a physician licensed in Utah who is registered with Utah Medical Cannabis Program and willing to evaluate Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) cases. Step two is collecting your records (diagnosis documentation, treatment history, and the ICD-10 code your physician will use) and bringing them to the certification visit. Step three is the physician's certification through the state registry, followed by the patient registration application, state fee, and waiting period before the card is issued. Utah does not honor out-of-state cards, so the certification process has to originate inside the state. Verify the patient minimum age with the state program before applying. Confirm the current process with the state regulator before applying, because the rules change.

What does the evidence say about cannabis for Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)?

For Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome), evidence is described as moderate (supportive controlled studies exist but the picture is mixed). The mmjnow condition page for Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) lays out the current evidence base, including the citations underlying that evidence tier — typically the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus reports, federal agency guidance, and peer-reviewed reviews. Evidence quality is independent of state law: a state can list a condition for which evidence is limited, and a state can decline to list a condition for which evidence is strong. Patients deciding whether to pursue medical cannabis for Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) should review the underlying evidence (linked on the condition page) and discuss expected benefit, dosing, and risk with a clinician familiar with both Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome) and cannabinoid pharmacology. Cannabis is not a substitute for evidence-based first-line treatments for Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome); the evidence position above describes whether trial data supports its use, not whether it should replace standard care.

Sources

  1. Utah Code Title 26B Chapter 4: Medical Cannabis Act (Prop 2 of 2018 + HB 3001)accessed May 16, 2026
  2. Utah Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Medical Cannabisaccessed May 16, 2026
  3. Wikipedia: Cannabis in Utahaccessed May 16, 2026
  4. Utah Code Title 58 Chapter 37: Utah Controlled Substances Act (possession penalty schedule)accessed May 18, 2026
  5. Utah Department of Agriculture & Food: Industrial Hemp Programaccessed May 18, 2026
  6. Utah State Legislature bill trackeraccessed May 18, 2026
  7. NASEM: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)accessed May 15, 2026
  8. FDA: Dronabinol (Marinol) prescribing informationaccessed May 15, 2026