Updated on June 25, 2021. Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer
As of June 6, 2019, medical marijuana patients visiting Maine from other jurisdictions are no longer required to obtain certification from a Maine-based medical provider or to designate a registered caregiver or dispensary in order to obtain medical marijuana.
Due to recent changes in Maine’s medical marijuana rules there is no longer a list of qualifying conditions. Now it’s up to your doctor to decide whether or not you can benefit from the use of cannabis.
If your certified medical marijuana doctor deems that you’re suffering from a chronic or debilitating medical condition and that you have not responded to traditional treatments, then you might be eligible.
As per LD 1539 & LD 238, Qualifying Conditions have been removed from Maine’s Medical Marijuana Program. If a medical professional thinks a Medical Marijuana Treatment Program will benefit the patient’s condition, the medical professional can certify the patient for Medical Marijuana. The provider must be registered from the Division of Licensing & Regulatory Services (DLRS) through Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) to be able to issue certifications for patients.
Man patients suffering from the qualifying conditions below have benefited from a Medical Marijuana Treatment Program.
On December 23rd 2018, LD 1539 & LD 238 were implemented bringing sweeping changes and reforms to Maine’s Medical Marijuana Program.
On June 25, 2013, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was added to the list of approved conditions for medical marijuana use, as per LD 1062.
While the amendment, Question 5, on November 03, 2009, updated the approved qualifying medical conditions to include: cancer, HIV / AIDS, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, nail-patella syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe nausea, chronic intractable pain, severe and persistent muscle spasms including multiple sclerosis, and seizures including epilepsy; in addition to establishing a patient and caregiver registry identification program; and providing instructions for the establishment and operation, of nonprofit dispensaries.
The amendment, Senate Bill 611, on April 02, 2002, increased the maximum amount of usable marijuana a qualified patient may possess, from one and one-quarter to two and one-half (2.5) ounces.
November 02, 1999, Ballot Question 2, was approved, effectively removing all state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana, by patients who have either an oral or written “medical opinion” stating that he or she “may benefit from the medical use of marijuana”, from their medical physician.
