Utah Code § 4-41a-1005

(1) The licensing board shall issue up to 17 medical cannabis pharmacy licenses in accordance with this section including the two medical cannabis pharmacy licenses in accordance with Section 4-41a-1006. (2) (a) The licensing board shall: (i) evaluate each applicant and award the license to the applicant that best demonstrates: (A) experience with establishing and successfully operating a business that involves complying with a regulatory environment, tracking inventory, and training, evaluating, and monitoring employees; (B) an operating plan that will best ensure the safety and security of patrons and the community; (C) positive connections to the local community; (D) the suitability of the proposed location and the location's accessibility for qualifying patients; (E) the extent to which the applicant can increase efficiency and reduce the cost of medical cannabis for patients; and (F) a strategic plan described in Subsection 4-41a-1004(7) that has a comparatively high likelihood of success; and (ii) when awarding a license, use the regions described in Subsection (4)(a) to ensure a geographic dispersal among licensees that is sufficient to reasonably maximize access to the largest number of medical cannabis cardholders. (b) In making the evaluation described in Subsection (2)(a), the licensing board may give increased consideration to applicants who indicate a willingness to: (i) site a medical cannabis pharmacy in an area or population center designated as a medically underserved area or population as determined by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration; and (ii) operate as a home delivery medical cannabis pharmacy that accepts electronic medical cannabis orders. (3) The licensing board may conduct a face-to-face interview with an applicant for a license that the licensing board evaluates under Subsection (2). (4) (a) Through rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the department shall divide the state into at least four geographic regions for locating medical cannabis pharmacies. (b) When creating regions the department shall create regions that allow for a geographic dispersal among licensees that is sufficient to reasonably maximize access to the largest number of medical cannabis cardholders.