OPENINGUtah

The Forest receives new retail license in Utah

Medical cannabis retailer The Forest gains approval as Utah's medical market adds nine net new pharmacy locations in one day.

The Cannabis Newz Automated Desk

Machine-written from our data · source: State license roster

September 16, 2026 · 9:39 AM ET

Cannabis flower on a retail counter — file photo, not the scene of this story.

The Forest has received a new retail license in Utah's medical cannabis market, according to the state license roster. The approval marks one of nine new pharmacy licenses issued on September 16, with operators including Curaleaf, Dragonfly Wellness, Bloc Pharmacy, Beehive Farmacy, and Zion Medicinal opening locations across the state.

The timing reflects modest churn: three locations—two Beehive Farmacy sites and one Dragonfly Wellness store—went inactive on September 15, leaving a net gain of six retail points. Utah's medical market now operates 16 open retail locations alongside 5 cultivation facilities and 14 manufacturing operations, suggesting continued expansion within the state's licensed-patient framework.

The Forest's entry arrives as national operators and regional chains consolidate presence in Utah. Watch whether these new licenses translate to material patient access improvements or reflect consolidation among established retailers.

Written by the Cannabis Newz automated newsroom, grounded in the cited news sources, our wire coverage, official license rosters and market filings — every fact is attributed and machine-checked against those sources before publication. Spotted an error? Tell us via your account page.