Maine Patient Guide

Maine is historically one of the more cannabis-friendly states in the US. It is also one of the first to have legalized the plant for medicinal use.

In late 1999, Maine residents voted in favor of a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana, being the fourth state to do so. Since then, Maine has legalized recreational use for adults in 2016 with the Marijuana Legalization Act.

While recreational cannabis was legalized in 2016, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the initial adult-use sales. As a result, recreational dispensaries in Maine did not open their doors until October of 2020.

Although recreational use is legal in The Pine Tree State, many unique perks and benefits come with having a med card. These benefits include:

No excise taxes on cannabis sales,
More freedom to cultivate additional marijuana plants,
Greater access to the network of caregivers throughout the state.

The Medical Marijuana Registry in Maine

The residents of Maine first legalized medical marijuana through a popular referendum in 1999. Then, in 2009, residents again voted on medical marijuana, this time establishing a legal distribution system in the state that was not part of the initial 1999 referendum.

This led to the creation of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP) in 2010. This was the state body responsible for overseeing the medicinal dispensaries throughout Maine, including:

How MMJ registration certifications are to be issued to medicinal dispensaries,
How MMJ registrations are to be issued to legal caregivers or medical professionals, including hospice and nursing facilities,
How medical dispensaries can get MMJ registration cards for their staff and partners,
How MMJ information is to be kept confidential,
How much MMJ registrations will cost,
The enforcement of state MMJ laws.

Since it first opened, Maine's medical marijuana program has steadily grown. The first of the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries opened their doors in 2011, and the state now boasts dozens of large commercial dispensaries and nearly 3,000 registered caregivers.

In early 2019, Maine created the Office of Cannabis Policy, and shifted the MMMP from the Bureau of Business Management to their control. The idea was to consolidate the responsibility for oversight of all aspects of legalized cannabis in Maine — from bolstering an efficient and lawful medical marijuana environment to overseeing and supporting registered patients and producers — into a single government entity.

How Has Maine’s Medical Marijuana Program Changed Since It Was Established?

1999: Maine first legalized the prescription of medical marijuana to patients along with some possession limits. No legal dispensaries were included in legalization legislation, however. It was still unclear how patients could legally obtain medical marijuana.
2009: Ten years later, following a popular referendum, Maine residents voted in favor of Question 5. This ballot question first established the Maine Medical Marijuana Act. In November that same year, Governor Baldacci passed an executive order that established a task force chaired by Brenda Harvey, the Commissioner of the DHHS.
2010: Shortly after this executive order, LD 1811 was passed. This bill by the governor paved the way for additional MMJ rules under the Administrative Procedures Act. Following this legislation, eight medical dispensaries were approved.
2017. Seven years later, Maine passed a new rule that "provides clarification regarding the Department's policies and practices specific to regulating the cultivation, dispensing, and possession of marijuana for medical use."
2018. Following the 2017 rule changes, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court issued a ruling in Gaetan H. Bourgoin v. Twin Rivers Paper Company, LLC that stated Maine employers do not need to cover the cost of medical marijuana certifications in workers' compensation suits. Additional legislation assigned the oversight of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Business Management.

2020: After the Public Health Emergency associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the adjournment of the Maine legislature, no changes were made to the Maine medical marijuana program.
2022: The Office of Cannabis Policy issued regulatory guidance that effectively banned caregivers without a storefront and tobacco license from selling vapes, prerolls, and other items meant for smoking cannabis. Caregivers without a storefront can still sell flower, but no items meant for consuming that flower by inhalation. Caregivers with a storefront and tobacco license were banned from selling these items to patients under 21. The office stated that these rules have been in effect since 2017 because these items are classified as tobacco products. Patients and caregivers are pushing for changes to these rules.

The Office of Cannabis Policy began making rules related to the management of the MMMP in Jan 2022, primarily regarding tracking and tracing products and equipment. However, it quickly decided against such actions following public testimony.

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Who is Qualified for MMJ in Maine?

Age & Residency Status

In Maine, a "qualifying patient" or "medicinal patient" is anyone who has lived in the state for over a month and is registered with the Maine medical marijuana program.

Maine allows residents under the age of 18 to become qualified patients with the approval of a state-approved consulting physician as well as their qualifying physician. However, a parent or guardian must serve as their primary caregiver. In addition, cultivating caregivers in Maine must be at least 21 years old.

In summer of 2019, Maine began offering reciprocity, allowing medical marijuana patients from other states to participate in the Maine medical marijuana program. To find a list of all the states whose MMJ patients are allowed to access medical cannabis in Maine, visit https://www.maine.gov/dafs/omp/medical-use/visiting-patients.

Medical Use | Office of Marijuana Policy (maine.gov)

Qualifying Conditions

Maine does not have a formal list of qualifying conditions for the state MMJ program. Therefore, whether MMJ treatments are appropriate for you is up to your evaluating physician.

Criminal History

Maine residents seeking to register for the medical marijuana program don’t need to undergo a criminal history check.

How Can You Get a Med Card in Maine?

It only costs $99 to get a med card in Maine when using NuggMD. The best part is, you don't even need to leave the comfort of your home to do so. In addition, NuggMD allows Maine patients to receive their MMJ evaluations entirely online using our telemedicine platform.

Med cards in Maine need to be renewed annually. Doing so is also possible (and easy) using NuggMD Maine.

How Long Will Your Maine MMJ Card Be Valid?

Maine MMJ cards are valid for one year. We recommend that you begin your renewal process at least two weeks before your card is set to expire. Doing so will help you to avoid any potential delays or lapses in your MMJ status while the renewal is being processed by the state.

How Do Maine's Cannabis Laws & Regulations Affect Patients?

Maine residents and visitors wishing to partake in the state's medical marijuana program are advised to understand all applicable laws and regulations regarding purchasing, possessing, and using cannabis in the state.

Caregiving Assistance / Designated Provider

If you are a Maine medical marijuana patient that requires a caregiver to help you access the state MMJ program, be sure to review all relevant information about designating and receiving caregiver assistance in the state.

Caregivers should also consider requirements to become a designated provider, including cost, application process, and restrictions regarding number of patients and criminal history.