Governor Gary Herbert officially signed S.B. 121 into law Friday, days ahead of the state's first medical cannabis dispensary to open next week. (Photo: Getty Images)
Now that the Utah State Health Department was awarded 14 medical cannabis pharmacy licenses14 medical cannabis pharmacy licenses to 10 businesses, just who is the average customer shopping for medical cannabis?
Lee Lonsberry, the host of “Live Mic,” talked with Adam Goers, vice president of corporate affairs for Columbia Care, which received a license from the state and will set up a dispensary in Springville, Utah.
On his show this week, Lee said he guessed a number of residents in Springville may be leery upon hearing about marijuana coming to the community.
“Here come the riffraff,” he said.
“This is really for patients,” said Goers. “If you are accessing this life-changing treatment option, it’s probably because you’re quite sick.”
He said the average customer in the company’s New York market is a 57-years-old woman.
“And she’s sick,” Goers said.
He said to dispel any rumors, patients need a real, “bonafide” physician who makes a recommendation on medical cannabis.
“You’re coming to a dispensary that looks more like a specialty doctor’s office,” Goers said. “Our big concern is that we have enough handicap parking spaces out front.”
Will the company’s Springville location add to or subtract from property values in the city? Lee asked Goers.
The pharmacy is located in the city because “community leaders wanted us to be,” he said.
The dispensary will add to property values in the city, he said, because the people working there are “well-paid pharmacists… who require a college degree or an advanced degree.”
The first eight pharmacies are expected to open in March. Another six will open as early as July.