Updated on November 19, 2021. Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer
Getting a Medical Marijuana Prescription in ME
Marijuana was made illegal in the state of Maine back in 1913. Over ten years earlier than many other states banned cannabis in 1927. Massachusetts was the only state to make cannabis illegal earlier, in 1911.
But by 1976, Maine had decriminalized cannabis. That still didn’t make marijuana legal in the state. However, it did mean that possession for personal use (small amounts) and first-time offenses would not result in a lifelong criminal charge. And Maine was the third state in America to decriminalize cannabis.
Medical Marijuana in Maine (2021 Update)
Both medical marijuana and adult-use (recreational) cannabis are legal to use in Maine. And in 2020, the recreational cannabis market had almost $60 million in sales, during the first year of operation.
It was an impressive figure, given that the first sales of recreational cannabis did happen until October 9, 2020. However, the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy reported that the medical cannabis sector reached $250 million in sales in 2020 alone.
In Maine, the medical card is called a ‘certificate.’
FAQs
Who qualifies for medical marijuana in Maine?
In order to apply for a medical card, the patient must be a resident of Maine. The individual must have a valid state driver’s license or government issued photo identification.
Maine has another requirement that is unique to the state. Patients applying for a medical card may not have any drug-related felony offenses on record, for a period of ten years prior to application.
Patients who have been diagnosed with one (or more than one) of the following health conditions are qualified to apply for a Maine medical card:
- Chronic pain (lasting longer than six (6) months) that has been resistant to treatment by other symptom management treatments.
- Severe Nausea
- Seizures
- Severe Muscle Spasms
- Wasting Syndrome (Cachexia)
- Cancer
- Inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS
- Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Nail Patella Syndrome
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Unlike other states, Maine does not consider mental health symptoms other than PTSD as qualifying health conditions. That includes clinical anxiety or depression.
What medical marijuanas are available in ME?
Most states that have also legalized adult-use (recreational) cannabis have a wide assortment of cannabis products available in dispensaries. And Maine is no different.
Patients with a medical card can visit a dispensary to purchase the following cannabis-infused or marijuana products:
- Whole flower (smokable)
- Cannabis vape cartridges
- Edibles
- Concentrates (extracts)
- Topical creams and ointments
- Tinctures
- Pre-rolls
There are many strains of cannabis available at both medical and adult-use dispensaries. Three of the most popular strains of cannabis in Maine include OG Kush, Blueberry, and Tangerine Dream.
How old do you have to be to get a Maine medical card?
You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of application to qualify for a Maine medical card. If you are a minor aged 16-18 who has emancipated, you may also apply independently for your medical card.
Do I need to create my own MMJ patient profile?
In Maine, doctors, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants in good regulatory standing can certify a patient for medical marijuana. The patient gets the certification for medical cannabis after a health check or evaluation by the practitioner. The recommendation from the practitioner allows the patient to register with the Maine Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP).
Patients in Maine must have a bonafide relationship with the referring practitioner. That means more than one appointment, and a health history review before the practitioner can refer you for medical cannabis.
Can I register my child for medical marijuana?
Yes. Parents and legal guardians that are over the age of twenty-one years can help a child register for the medical cannabis program in Maine. And then, the caregiver must apply to become designated as a cannabis caregiver.
How can I become a caregiver for MMJ in Maine?
If you are the legal guardian of a minor, or a dependent adult in your care, you may apply to become a cannabis caregiver in Maine. To become a caregiver in Maine, you must become registered with the Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS). This is done by completing a form and paying a registration fee.
You must be aged twenty-one (21) years or older to become a registered caregiver in Maine. If you plan to cultivate cannabis plants at home for the patients, you must register as a cultivating caregiver on the form.
How do I renew my Maine medical card?
Annual renewal is required to maintain a valid Maine medical card. The renewal must be done with your original referring practitioner, who will have a link to your patient profile.
What if I lose my medical card in Maine?
If you lose your medical card in Maine, you can request a new one. You will be required to fill out the replacement card form, and pay a $10 fee. The card will arrive between 5-10 business days after you have submitted your form and payment. After the first replacement card is issued, subsequent replacement cards will be provided at a cost of $25.
Where do you get medical marijuana in ME?
The state of Maine has medical marijuana dispensaries for patients conveniently located in many cities and towns. There are also recreational retail dispensaries available for non-medical cardholders. But patients can also visit an adult-use dispensary.
Maine is one of the few states that also have reciprocity with other state-run medical cannabis programs. That means if you have your medical card from another state, and valid photo identification, you can also purchase cannabis from a clinical dispensary. The reciprocity agreement that Maine has with other states allows visiting patients to enjoy the same legal protections. People buying medical marijuana in Maine only pay the 5.5% retail sales tax.
Recreational cannabis purchases are subject to a 10% excise tax on top of the sales tax. That means a total of 15.5% tax on all purchases for non-medical cardholders.
When did medical marijuana in ME become legal?
Voters legalized medical marijuana in Maine on November 2, 1999. State Question 2 was placed on the ballot and received 62% voter support. The first medical cannabis dispensary in Maine opened seventeen (17) months later in March 2011.
The History of Medical Marijuana in Maine
Did Maine legalize recreational cannabis to increase tourism? It wasn’t a strong motivating factor in the first year, although sales of recreational cannabis topped $60 million from October 9 to December 31, 2020.
Here are some other moments in the history of legalizing medical marijuana in Maine.
November 1999—Medical marijuana was legalized in Maine when 62% of voters supported the Question 2 initiative on the November 1999 ballot. However, it would take seventeen months before medical cannabis was available for patients.
Source Web 2021: legislature.maine.gov
May 2009—Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed LD 250, which decriminalized small amounts of cannabis. The new legislation made 2.5 ounces or less of cannabis a civil but not criminal offense, with a fine instead of a charge. This applied to first-time offenders and non-violent crimes.
Source Web 2021: norml.org
November 2016—An Act to Legalize Marijuana was renamed Maine Question 1 and included the electoral ballot on November 8, 2016. The ballot was originally blocked, but then the Maine Superior Court intervened and ordered the Maine Secretary of State to reconsider the petition. Gov. Paul LePage had also declined to enact the proposal, which led to a statewide referendum. Question 1 passed with a slim margin of 50.3% of voters supporting the legalization of adult use.
Source Web 2021: ballotpedia.org
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Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP)
Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)
Department Of Administrative & Financial Services
Physical Address:
Burton M. Cross Building
1st Floor Room 109
Augusta, ME 04330
Mailing Address:
Maine Medical Marijuana Program
State House Station #162
Augusta, ME 04333-0162
Phone: (207) 287-3282
Phone: (207) 287-9330
Email: dhhs@maine.gov
Website: Maine Medical Marijuana Program
