Medical & Rec Cannabis & Marijuana Laws in Maine

Is cannabis legal in Maine?

Cannabis is legal in Maine, and the state has a medical marijuana program. Adults over 21 without a medical card can purchase cannabis from a dispensary.

What are the medical marijuana laws in Maine?

Medical cannabis laws in Maine:

1999

The Maine Medical Use Marijuana Program
Although medical cannabis was legalized in 1999, legal access was still highly restricted, and no dispensaries were operational.

2009

Maine voters approved Question 5, which enacted the citizen-initiated bill, “An act to establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act” (LD 975, I.B. 2). The measure created nonprofit dispensaries to help patients get a safe supply of their medicine. It also established a statewide identification card system to protect patients from arrest.

2015

HP0772, LD 1098 (An Act To Ensure Reasonable Accommodations for Children for Whom Medical Marijuana Has Been Recommended), Item 1 allows a medical provider with whom the child has a bonafide relationship to possess and administer marijuana on school grounds.

Recreational cannabis laws in Maine:

2016

An Act to Legalize Marijuana Question 1
Allows those not participating in the state’s medical cannabis program to legally grow and possess personal quantities of cannabis while also licensing commercial cannabis production and retail sales.

2020

Recreational sales begin.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Maine?

The Maine law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

AIDS/HIV
Alzheimer’s Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
Cancer and the treatment of the side effects of chemotherapy Chronic Intractable Pain
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and irritable bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn’s Disease
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 (M.S.)
Severe Nausea

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in Maine?

With Leafwell, you can get your Maine Medical Marijuana Card in 4 simple steps:

Register online with Leafwell to see a Maine physician – It’s quick and easy! Your data and medical records are secure on our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
Book an appointment with a certified physician or nurse practitioner with Leafwell – Leafwell has an experienced team ready to meet with you. This consultation fee is $59 for an examination.
Attend your online appointment and get a medical cannabis certificate from a state-licensed physician – The process is quick, simple, and HIPAA-compliant. Most appointments take 15 minutes or less. They will decide whether you are eligible for a Maine medical marijuana certificate and card and register you with the MMMP (Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program).
Once approved, download your electronic copy of your Maine Medical Marijuana card in minutes – After the consultation, you will receive an email confirming that you’ve been approved. The original certificate, printed on tamper-resistant paper, will arrive by post at your address within seven days. You can buy medicine at any Maine dispensary as soon as you have the physical version. We can also renew your Maine MMJ certificate, and you should begin the renewal process 30 days before your previous medical marijuana card expires.

Get your medical marijuana card

Connect with a licensed physician online in minutes.

Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in Maine?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in Maine, and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in Maine with an MMJ Card?

2.5 oz. flower, 5 gram concentrate for medical marijuana patients and recreational cannabis enthusiasts.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in Maine?

It is legal for medical marijuana patients and recreational cannabis cultivators to grow three mature plants, 12 immature plants, and unlimited seedlings in Maine.

Does Maine accept out-of-state cards?

Medical cannabis patients visiting Maine only need to show their state-issued registry identification card, certificate, or other state-issued documentation of status as a patient to purchase medical cannabis while in the state.

Will my Maine card be accepted in other states?

Yes, some states with medical marijuana reciprocity honor other states’ medical marijuana cards.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

Arizona
Massachusetts
Michigan
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
U.S. Virgin Islands
Utah
Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is acceptable) — just that the state’s medical marijuana laws protect you to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and intend to purchase medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also accountable to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing visiting patients to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

Arkansas
California
Hawaii
West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis cardholders in Maine?

“A school, employer or landlord may not refuse to enroll or employ or lease to or otherwise penalize a person solely for that person’s status as a qualifying patient or a primary caregiver unless failing to do so would put the school, employer or landlord in violation of federal law or cause it to lose a federal contract or funding. This subsection does not prohibit a restriction on the administration or cultivation of marijuana on premises when that administration or cultivation would be inconsistent with the general use of the premises. A landlord or business owner may prohibit the smoking of marijuana for medical purposes on the premises of the landlord or business if the landlord or business owner prohibits all smoking on the premises and posts notice to that effect on the premises.”

Read the complete guide for employers and medical marijuana in Maine here.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in Maine?

Testing cannabis for pesticides, pollutants, heavy metals, and cannabinoid content is mandatory in Maine.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in Maine?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy or another legally designated space to buy cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in Maine?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks, or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals, or other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members’ clubs and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense, generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.

Legal status

Possession limits

State taxes

Cultivation

To apply for a medical cannabis card in the state of Maine