How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Maine [2024 Guide]
Medical marijuana was first legalized in Maine in late 1999. This made Maine the fourth state to legalize MMJ in the US. The state would go on to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016, following the passing of the Marijuana Legalization Act.
It took some time for recreational sales to begin in Maine, due in part to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first recreational dispensaries opening their doors to the public in October 2020.
Despite recreational cannabis being legal in Maine, there are still many unique benefits and perks of becoming a medical marijuana patient. Specifically:
- MMJ patients do not pay excise taxes on marijuana sales,
- MMJ patients enjoy fewer limitations on cannabis cultivation,
- MMJ patients have access to the network of caregivers found in Maine.
Currently, there are over 250 dispensaries in the state, giving medical and recreational consumers a wide array of options when purchasing cannabis.
How Do I Become a Medical Cannabis Patient in Maine?
Like many cannabis-friendly states, Maine makes it easy to enroll in the state MMJ program and become a medical patient.
1.) Obtain a medicinal cannabis evaluation by a state-licensed doctor
First and foremost, you'll need a medical evaluation (and certification) to become an MMJ patient in Maine. Using the NuggMD telemedicine platform, you can be evaluated in Maine online and from the comfort of your home for only $99!
2.) Wait for your evaluating physician to mail your MMJ certification
Once you've been approved for MMJ use, your evaluating physician will ship your certification to the Maine medical marijuana program. You will also receive a copy in the mail.
3.) Use your MMJ certification at a Maine cannabis dispensary
You're good to go as soon as you receive your Maine MMJ certification! With your med card in hand, you're allowed to visit any ME dispensary to purchase medical marijuana products.
While recreational marijuana is legal in Maine, medical patients have greater access to cannabis products. They are also exempt from Maine's 10% excise tax on recreational cannabis sales.
How Do I Renew a Med Card in Maine?
MMJ licenses in Maine are valid for one year. The renewal process is the same as your initial registration. However, we recommend that you try to renew your ME med card within 30 days of your current card's expiration date. This gives the state plenty of time to process your renewal, so you can avoid any potential lapses in your patient status.
To renew, you’ll need to be re-evaluated by a qualified physician in the state of Maine.
Who Qualifies for Medical Cannabis in Maine?
Anyone that has lived in Maine for over a month and is registered with the state MMJ program is eligible to purchase medical marijuana in the state.
Minors are allowed to become med patients in Maine. However, their patient status must first be approved by a consulting physician alongside their evaluating physician. In addition, minor patients must also have one of their parents or guardians serve as their primary caregiver.
What Are the Qualifying Conditions to Get a Med Card in Maine?
Unlike many other states, there is no definitive list of qualifying medical conditions in Maine. Instead, it is at the discretion of the evaluating physician to determine if a patient would benefit (and, therefore, should be certified) from medicinal cannabis treatments.
How to Find a Maine Medical Marijuana Doctor for an MMJ Evaluation
Some Maine patients may not be able to find an evaluating physician in their local area. As a result, they may find themselves in situations where they need to drive long distances or wait up to two months for their medical marijuana evaluations.
Thankfully, Maine patients can easily connect with state-licensed doctors on NuggMD without ever having to leave their living rooms!
Evaluations on NuggMD are entirely remote, thanks to our industry-leading telemedicine platform. So long as ME residents have access to their medical records and an internet connection, they can be certified for MMJ use quickly, privately, and from the comfort of their own home. These may include:
- Patient charts
- Current prescriptions
- Physical therapy records
- Medical test results
- Hospital records
To get started, all you need to do is visit NuggMD Maine.
Get Your Medical Cannabis Recommendation Online: The NuggMD Process
Remote medical marijuana evaluations work in the same way as an in-person examination. Here's how the process works with NuggMD:
- Sign up on NuggMD
Complete a 30-second questionnaire, upload all available medical records, and choose your payment method (you’re only charged if you are approved for medical cannabis).
- Connect with your evaluating physician
Spend a few minutes in our private virtual waiting room. Once your evaluating physician has an opportunity to review your medical records, you’ll be connected for a secure one-on-one evaluation.
- Wait for your MMJ certification to be processed by the Maine medical marijuana program and your certificate mailed to you.
Your doctor will submit your certification to the state’s medical cannabis program. Your certificate will be mailed to you once you’re approved. You’re then eligible to begin shopping for medical cannabis at one of the state’s approved dispensaries.
And that's it!
What to Expect When Talking to a Maine Medical Marijuana Doctor on NuggMD
Your virtual evaluation with NuggMD will work just like a traditional physical examination. Your evaluating physician on NuggMD will ask about your medical history, symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as any medications or medical treatments you are currently on.
We recommend uploading your medical records to help give your doctor as much information as possible, allowing you to get more out of your evaluation (and to do so faster).
If you have any questions about medical marijuana, using cannabis as a treatment method, or the condition for which you’re seeking treatment, we suggest you write them down beforehand so you remember to ask your doctor.
Don't be afraid to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your NuggMD doctor. They are there for your benefit and are always happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Cannabis in Maine
New to medical cannabis? Keep scrolling for some of the most common cannabis questions our medical practitioners receive.
What Types of Cannabis Products Are Available in Maine?
There are no restrictions on the types of cannabis products available in Maine. ME med patients can find nearly every marijuana product available in state dispensaries. Caregivers without a storefront and tobacco license are restricted from selling prerolled cannabis products and vapes, but can still sell flower.
What Does Marijuana Feel Like?
Marijuana makes most people feel relaxed, uplifted, and thoughtful. These effects may vary depending on the product, strain, and the individual consumer, with the most common effects generally being:
- Reduced energy / increased relaxation,
- Fits of laughter,
- Altered sense of time's passing,
- Lack of concentration,
- Brief lapses in memory,
While uncommon, it's also possible for some patients to feel negative symptoms or experience a "bad trip" after using cannabis. Typically, this happens when you consume too much or too high of a dosage. In many cases, a patient may only feel uncomfortable or slightly anxious. To avoid potentially distressing side effects like paranoia or nausea, remember: always start low and go slow.
If you’re new to cannabis, consult with your doctor about recommended doses. While many packages recommend 10mg of THC as a single dose, that may not work for everyone. For some consumers, 10mg isn’t enough to feel any effects. For others, a 2.5mg dose is enough to feel overwhelmed. Again, it's wisest to start low and work your way up. It's always better to take too little than to take too much.
You may find that the length of time it takes to start feeling the effects of marijuana vary, especially with different products. For example, it may take as little as 15 minutes to feel the effects after smoking, but up to several hours with an edible. Likewise, the duration of effects from cannabis can vary, with edibles lasting longer than smoking or vaping.
Some new patients find a lot of value in having a close friend or family member sit and spend time with them the first few times they smoke, vape, or consume edibles. It's best if your “weed sitter” also has experience with marijuana, although this is not a strict requirement.
What If My Dose Is Too High?
Almost everyone has had this experience, and there's no need to fret or feel embarrassed. While the side effects of too strong a dose can be uncomfortable for a short time, feelings of anxiety, nausea and other unwanted effects typically fade in a few hours or less and are rarely cause for concern. However, if you feel overwhelmed, there are steps you can take to help sober up quickly.
And if you wish to lower your prescribed marijuana dosage, contact your evaluating physician.
Have More Questions About How to Get Your Med Card in Maine?
If you have additional questions, visit our complete Maine medical cannabis FAQs or check out one of our other Maine-specific patient resources.
- Maine Cannabis Laws & Regulations
- Maine Patient Guide
- Qualifying Conditions in Maine
- Benefits of Getting a Med Card in Maine
- How to Become a Caregiver in Maine
If you need any extra help, you can always reach out to the customer service team at NuggMD! Our support staff is always willing to help you with any questions or concerns you may be having about medical marijuana treatments.
We know the evaluation and registration process can feel overwhelming or confusing. Luckily, our customer service team answers hundreds of inquiries every day. They've got the experience to help you overcome any stumbling blocks you might encounter along the way.
NuggMD has helped over 1,000,000 patients connect with their medical marijuana doctor from the comfort of home since 2016.
