Obtaining or renewing a medical marijuana card in Maine has never been easier. The arrival of the internet has made almost anything possible, including getting your hands on an application (or renewal application) for your medical marijuana card. The online application process is fast, easy, and the most efficient way to go about getting your MMJ card in Maine.
In order to apply or reapply for a medical marijuana card, you have to meet certain criteria. The criteria could include anything from filling out a form, to updating your patient information, and so on. Read below to understand how you can apply or reapply for an MMJ card in Maine.
What are the Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card in Maine?
In Maine, the following conditions are likely to qualify you for a medical marijuana recommendation: Alzheimer’s disease, ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease, cachexia or wasting syndrome, cancer and the treatment of the side-effects from chemotherapy, chronic, intractable pain, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and irritable bowel diseases (IBDs), Nail-Patella syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seizures including those caused by epilepsy, severe and persistent muscle spasms including those caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), and severe nausea.
These conditions are generally the same in most states that have a medical marijuana program. But if you don’t qualify, don’t worry. The best part about Maine is they legalized recreational use back in 2016, so you can still purchase marijuana if you don’t meet the medical criteria.
Will I be added to a public database once I have my Medical Marijuana Card in Maine?
As soon as you are given your medical marijuana card, you are added to the Maine Medical Use Marijuana Program. However, the database is not public. Therefore, you have to trust they have you in the system. Even if you lose your card while possessing marijuana, agents of the system can double verify.
What is the History of Medical Marijuana laws in Maine?
Back in 1999, Maine voters approved Ballot Question 2, which removed state-level criminal penalties for the use, possession, and cultivation of marijuana by patients with a medical need and an oral or written medical opinion stating that the patient may benefit from the medical use of marijuana. In 2002 the Senate Bill 611 (SB 611) was introduced, increasing the amount of usable cannabis a patient is allowed to carry to 2.5 ounces. This was again a big win for medical marijuana users in Maine.
In 2009 the voters approved Question 9, which included a wider number of conditions in which cannabis could be recommended. This was excellent news for avid medical marijuana users. In 2013 LD 1062 was introduced, adding PTSD to the list of conditions. Finally in 2016, both recreational and medical marijuana dispensaries were open for business.
Though adult-use marijuana was legalized in Maine in 2016, the state itself did not establish regulations for commercial sales until 2019, when Governor Janet Mills signed LD 719. Though opening was delayed due to COVID-19, sales began October 9, 2020.
Can I Apply for my Medical Marijuana Card Online in Maine?
Telemedicine for medical cannabis is legal in Maine; therefore, many services are accessible via telehealth in Maine. Long gone are the days of having to get a doctors consultation in person!
How Old do I Have to be to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Maine?
In order to apply for a medical marijuana card in Maine or be a caretaker, you must be at least 18 years of age. If a person below the age of 18 is in need of medical marijuana, a doctor could allow a caregiver to purchase for that patient.
How Do I Get a Medical Marijuana Recommendation in Maine?
There are some very simple steps involved to obtain a medical marijuana card in the state of Maine. This process is nearly identical in almost every state that has a medical marijuana program!
First and foremost, you’ll need an online account with a website that has a tele-doctor. You’ll then be asked to complete a brief questionnaire of personal and health information, and to either take or upload a photograph of yourself. This is a fairly standard method to confirm your identity. You will need a smartphone, computer, or tablet that has a reliable and secure internet connection with a working camera to be seen by these doctors.
Once you have found your prince/princess, you will then be taken to a virtual waiting room where you’ll be in contact with a provider for a video chat in a short period of time. After this, You will receive a text message to your cell phone that will tell you if the provider is ready to see you. During the video chat, this provider will assess your health situation to determine if you are eligible for a medical marijuana certification.
As soon as you are approved for a medical marijuana card, you’ll be sent a copy of your recommendation letter via email. Once you log that into the state, or your doctor does it for you, a physical copy of the card will be sent your way!
What Documents do I Need to Show?
You will need the following documents for your online visit: a photo ID (e.g., driver’s permit/license, state ID, or U.S. passport), proof of address (e.g., utility bill, mortgage, rental lease, bank statement), and medical records (e.g. patient history, doctor’s notes, prescription information/history, imaging/scan results). Once you collect these documents, you’re one step closer to getting your card.
Can I get an MMJ Card for my child in Maine?
In Maine, you can get a medical marijuana card for a minor with parental/guardian consent. Medical marijuana has been proven to be effective for many conditions suffered by children. Therefore, it is more than reasonable to be the caregiver for your child.
Because medical marijuana patients in Maine are allowed to have a caregiver, you can apply by completing the following application form: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/omp/sites/maine.gov.dafs.omp/files/inline-files/OMP_MMMP_Form-001_Application-Caregiver.pdf. In order to apply you must be at least 18 years of age and have no background of any qualifying drug offense. It is also required that you be registered with the Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) by submitting a completed form and required registration fee.
How Much Does a Maine Medical Marijuana Recommendation and Card Cost?
The recommendation letter costs $69, and the state application fee is non-existent in Maine. However, the renewal fee is again $69. It is very common in most states to have a registration and renewal fee at the same price.
Can I Renew my Maine Medical Marijuana Card Online?
Absolutely! You can renew your medical marijuana certification and card online. If you’re a returning patient, all your information is stored in the HIPAA-compliant platform, and the process is generally quick and easy.
How Often do I Need to Renew my Maine Medical Marijuana Card?
The Maine medical marijuana recommendations are valid for one year. Generally, you will receive a reminder email one month before your card is expired to make sure you have plenty of time to submit your renewal application. This is also pretty typical among other states with medical marijuana programs.
How Much Cannabis can I Possess in Maine with an MMJ Card?
In Maine, you may possess the following amounts of medical marijuana with a valid MMJ Card: 2.5 ounces of flower and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.
Can I Grow Marijuana in Maine with an MMJ Card?
Yes! You green-thumbed, green-lunged people! In Maine, a medical marijuana patient or caregiver can grow up to three mature plants, and twelve immature plants, along with an unlimited number of seedlings. This is unrestrictive compared to medical programs in other states.
How do I Buy Medical Cannabis in Maine?
Once you have a recommendation letter, you can buy cannabis in Maine at a licensed dispensary or through a licensed delivery service. Some states don’t have a delivery service, so if you are a Maine resident, this is an extra benefit.
Is a Maine Medical Marijuana Card valid in other states?
Some states accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards, which is called reciprocity. Alaska, California, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington are states that have adult use programs, but do not accept out-of-state cards. Hawaii, Arkansas, and Oklahoma are states that require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for the duration of their stay. Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C all allow out-of-state medical cards.
Maine’s Medical Marijuana Program:
Maine is a state with one of the best medical marijuana programs in the country. They have so many outlets that allow medical patients to get the care they need to be able to function and live their lives. Once other states start to hop on board the marijuana train, we can only hope for more medical marijuana programs like this, and less like incredibly strict programs such as Louisiana’s.
Additional Resources:
At The Weed Blog we strive to produce the latest online news resources regarding marijuana. We also review various strains of cannabis and their edible counterparts. We are committed to helping you find valuable information about marijuana on our website. With marijuana laws constantly changing, learn from us what you can do to promote activism in your area. Otherwise, consider these other top-tier articles regarding cannabis:
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