Maine Medical Marijuana Card

Is Medical Marijuana Legal In Maine?

Yes, medical marijuana is legal in Maine. Maine voters approved Question 2 of the citizen bill on November 2, 1999, legalizing medical cannabis for treating some medical conditions. In November 2009, the state voters approved Question 5 (LD 975) on the ballot, which expanded the qualifying medical conditions for marijuana treatment and permitted the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. The Office of Cannabis Policy (OMP) under the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) administers the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP).

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Maine in 2024

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Maine

Registered medical marijuana patients in Maine in 2024 can legally obtain cannabis products from medical marijuana dispensaries. Furthermore, medical marijuana patients from other states who have valid patient identification cards may purchase cannabis products from dispensaries in Maine. According to Chapter 558-C of the Maine Revised Statutes (the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act), registered medical marijuana dispensaries can dispense up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis products to each patient at once. Per Section 3 of the Rules Governing the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana, the medical conditions that may qualify patients for marijuana treatment include:

• Glaucoma
• Cancer
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Crohn’s disease
• Nail-patella syndrome
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Intractable pain
• Severe nausea
• Cachexia
• Seizures
• Severe muscle spasms

The list is not exhaustive. Passed in 2018, LD 1539, which amended Maine’s medical marijuana law, has left patients’ eligibility for the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP) to the discretion of licensed physicians.

Can I Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card In Maine Online?

Yes, a person can apply for a Maine medical marijuana registry card entirely online. First, they can attend a cannabis evaluation via telemedicine (video call) and get certified for medical cannabis treatment. After certification, they may start and complete the online application through the Regulatory Licensing and Permitting Online Portal.

Do I Need To Be A Maine Resident To Get A Medical Marijuana Card?

Yes, a person must be a Maine resident to get the state's medical marijuana registry card or obtain certification from a state-based medical provider. However, per LD 538, medical marijuana patients visiting Maine can purchase medical cannabis from dispensaries in the state using medical marijuana cards or other cannabis certifications issued in their home states.

What Is The Cost Of A Maine Medical Marijuana Card?

The Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act does not specify the amount that persons with qualifying medical conditions in the state must pay for medical marijuana patient certifications. According to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP), the cost for patient certifications depends on the healthcare provider conducting the medical examination and issuing the certification. The OCP does not charge medical providers for patient certification cards. Persons with qualifying medical conditions who require financial aid may discuss with their healthcare providers to know if they can obtain their medical marijuana cards freely or for lower fees.

On the other hand, medical marijuana caregivers in Maine are required to pay varying amounts as application fees, depending on the number of plants they grow. The cost of medical cannabis caregiver application fees are as follows:

• $240 for caregivers growing up to six mature and 12 immature cannabis plants
• $480 for caregivers cultivating up to 12 mature and 24 immature marijuana plants
• $720 for caregivers growing up to 18 mature and 36 immature marijuana plants
• $960 for caregivers cultivating up to 24 mature and 48 immature cannabis plants
• $1,200 for caregivers growing up to 30 mature and 60 immature marijuana plants

What Do You Need When Visiting A Medical Marijuana Dispensary In Maine?

Registered medical marijuana patients in Maine are required to show their patient certifications and valid government-issued photo identification when visiting dispensaries to buy marijuana. The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) does not capture or store patients’ information under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP). Therefore, medical marijuana dispensaries in the state do not have databases for confirming patients’ registration in the MMMP. Nevertheless, they check patients’ IDs and medical marijuana certifications to ensure that the names on prescriptions match the identifications presented.

Who Can Prescribe Medical Marijuana In Maine?

Medical marijuana patients in Maine cannot legally use cannabis products without consulting with healthcare providers. When a person sees a qualified healthcare practitioner, the practitioner will check whether the patient can benefit from medical marijuana and may recommend it based on their professional opinion. According to the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act, the medical professionals that can legally approve medical marijuana for patients in Maine are:

• Physicians
• Physician assistants
• Certified nurse practitioners

All medical providers must have accounts on the medical cannabis certifications online portal before they can certify patients for medical marijuana treatment. The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) does not maintain a registry of approved medical providers that can recommend medical marijuana treatment in the state.

Can A Minor Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Maine?

The provisions of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act allow persons under the age of 18 to use marijuana products for medical purposes. However, before a medical provider certifies a minor for medical marijuana, they must inform the patient and their parent or legal guardian about the possible risks and benefits of medical marijuana treatment.

Can You Get A Medical Marijuana Card At 18 In Maine?

No, but only because Maine does not issue medical marijuana cards. Qualifying patients in the state can access medical marijuana simply by obtaining patient certifications from their physicians. These certifications are available for minors and adults. When a minor turns 18, they can obtain this certification from their physician without requiring the consent of their parent or legal guardian.

How To Renew Your Maine Medical Marijuana Card

According to the provisions of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act, a patient certification is valid for the duration specified by the healthcare provider that recommended the medical marijuana treatment. Nevertheless, all medical marijuana patient certifications in Maine expire after one year. A registered medical cannabis patient in Maine may renew their certification by booking an appointment with a qualified medical provider. The medical provider may issue a new patient certification if they consider medical marijuana to still be beneficial to the patient.

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana In Maine?

Yes. The provisions of Section 2423-A of the Maine Revised Statutes permit registered medical marijuana patients in the state to grow up to six mature cannabis plants, 12 immature cannabis plants, and an unlimited number of marijuana seedlings at home. Registered medical marijuana patients, who are 18 years or older, may grow marijuana plants themselves or designate caregivers to cultivate marijuana plants on their behalf. However, medical marijuana patients under the age of 18 cannot grow marijuana plants by themselves at home.

According to Section 2423-A of the Maine Revised Statutes, the parents or legal guardians of minors using medical marijuana may designate caregivers to cultivate cannabis plants on behalf of their wards. Caregivers are allowed to grow a maximum of 30 mature cannabis plants, 60 immature cannabis plants, and an unlimited number of seedlings. Per the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act, medical marijuana cultivation areas in the state must be enclosed and locked to restrict access by unauthorized persons.

Maine: Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In A Recreational Marijuana-Legal State

The following are the benefits of having a medical marijuana card in Maine:

• Marijuana cardholders may be able to purchase cannabis products at lower costs. Typically, they pay lower taxes on marijuana purchasers than recreational cannabis consumers
• With a medical marijuana card, a person can access dispensaries that are exclusive to only medical marijuana patients in the state
• Having a medical marijuana card provides legal protection, and may not be subject to prosecution for lawfully possessing or using medical marijuana
• Unlike recreational cannabis users, medical marijuana cardholders may not be denied certain privileges by employers or landlords for being qualified medical cannabis patients

Does Maine Allow Medical Marijuana Patients To Designate Caregivers?

According to the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act, medical marijuana caregivers are persons that provide care for registered medical marijuana patients and assist them with the preparation and/or administration of cannabis products. Per Section 2423-A(2) of the Maine Revised Statutes, they may cultivate marijuana plants on behalf of their patients and dispense cannabis products to them. Medical marijuana caregivers in Maine must be 21 years or older and have no past convictions for drug-related offenses. They are required to register with the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) and obtain caregiver registry identification cards before they can legally operate in the state. The OCP does not automatically assign caregivers to patients but allows registered medical marijuana patients to name their caregivers. The provisions of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act do not limit the number of patients that a medical marijuana caregiver in the state can oversee.

Maine Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Maine medical marijuana cards and physicians' certifications are acceptable in some states that have medical marijuana reciprocity. Similarly, medical cannabis cards issued in the following states are currently permissible in Maine-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries, subject to certain requirements:

• Arizona
• Alaska
• Illinois
• Connecticut
• New York
• Montana
• Washington D.C
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Utah
• New Jersey
• New Hampshire
• Michigan
• Massachusetts
• Florida
• Arkansas
• Illinois
• Hawaii
• Washington
• Vermont
• North Dakota
• Nevada
• Missouri
• Minnesota
• Maryland
• Iowa
• California
• Oklahoma

Are My Medical Marijuana Records Private?

In Maine, like any other health record, certain information in medical marijuana patients' records must be kept confidential. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provisions apply to patients' medical cannabis records and require that such records be kept private to ensure. However, there are exceptions. For instance, a patient's medical cannabis records may be disclosed to law enforcement agencies when it is in the public's interest. Employers can also access their employees' medical cannabis records in certain instances.

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana In Maine?

No, medical marijuana expenses are not covered by health insurance in Maine.

What Is The Medical Card Limit In Maine?

The Maine medical marijuana registry card allows a person to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per transaction.

Can You Go To A Dispensary Without A Medical Card In Maine?

Caregivers need valid medical marijuana registry cards to enter Maine-licensed dispensaries. However, qualifying medical cannabis patients with certifications from state-based medical providers can visit licensed dispensaries in Maine without medical cannabis cards.