Maine currently allows adults to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. Adults may also cultivate their own cannabis, up to 6 mature plants. In 2018 retail marijuana stores are anticipated to open in Maine. Sen Roger Katz anticipates a summer of 2018 open. Maine has offered medical marijuana since 1999.
At a Glance
At a Glance
Medical Marijuana Program: Yes
Adult Use / Recreational MMJ: Yes
Pediatric: Yes
Home grow: Yes, patients may possess no more than 6 mature plants.
Possession limit: Two and one-half ounces
Reciprocity: Yes
Legislation: Ballot Question 2, Senate Bill 611
Estimated # of registered patients: 46,423 (voluntary registry)
Types of Cannabis permitted for use: All
Legislation & Important Dates
Legalization & Important Dates
• November 02, 1999, Maine voters approved Ballot Question 2, effectively removed all state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana, by patients who have either an oral or written “medical opinion” stating that he or she “may benefit from the medical use of marijuana”, from their medical physician.
• April 02, 2002, Senate Bill 611 – increasing the amount of usable marijuana a patient may possess, from one and one-quarter to two and one-half (2.5) ounces.
• November 03, 2009 – Question 5 – approved qualifying medical conditions to include cancer, HIV / AIDS, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, nail-patella syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe nausea, chronic intractable pain, severe and persistent muscle spasms including multiple sclerosis, and seizures including epilepsy. Question 5 also contained instructions for establishing a registry identification program for patients and caregivers, while also stipulating provisions for the operation of nonprofit dispensaries, by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• June 26, 2013, LD 1062, added Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• 2016 – Voters approved a ballot initiative legalizing marijuana for adults and establishing a regulated marijuana market like alcohol
• February 2018 – priority license applications granted; general license applications will be accepted.
Types of Licenses
Types of Licenses
• Retail marijuana store licenses;
• Retail marijuana cultivation facility licenses;
• Retail marijuana products manufacturing facility licenses;
• Retail marijuana testing facility licenses;
• Retail marijuana social club licenses
Associated Fees
Associated Fees
Registered dispensary fees
• Certificate of registration application fee – $15,000
• 7.4.2 Registration renewal fee – $15,000
• Identification card fee – $25 (principal officer, board member, and employe)
• Identification card renewal fee – $25
• Background check fee – $31 (for each principal officer, board member, and employee)
• Change of location fee. – $5,000
Applicants must submit an application fee of $15,000 for each district dispensary included in the application for the application to be considered by the panel. Unsuccessful applicants are assessed a $1,000 fee, and refunded $14,000.
• $15,000 registration renewal fee
• $5,000 for each change of the dispensary’s physical location
Retail marijuana store license:
• license fee of $250-$2,500;
• non-refundable application fee of $10-$250
Retail marijuana cultivation facility license:
• license fee of $10-$100 per 100 square feet;
• non-refundable application fee of $10-$250
Retail marijuana products manufacturing facility license:
• license fee of $100-1,000;
• non-refundable application fee of $10-$250
Retail marijuana testing facility license:
• license fee of $500;
• non-refundable application fee of $10-$250
Retail marijuana social club license:
• license fee of $250-$2,500;
• non-refundable application fee of $10-$250
Qualifying Conditions
Qualifying Conditions
• Cancer,
• HIV/AIDS,
• glaucoma,
• hepatitis C,
• Crohn’s disease,
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
• nail-patella syndrome,
• Alzheimer’s disease,
• cachexia or wasting syndrome,
• severe nausea, chronic intractable pain,
• irritable bowel syndrome,
• severe and persistent muscle spasms including multiple sclerosis, and seizures including epilepsy.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
How to Become A Medical Marijuana Patient
How to Become A Medical Marijuana Patient
1. First, you need a signed Physician’s Statement from a physician, currently licensed to practice medicine in Maine
2. To qualify, a patient needs to be diagnosed by a physician as having one of the debilitating medical conditions that are specifically identified in the law:
3. Patients must be 18 years of age, and be a Maine resident.
4. The Maine Patient Registry is optional, however, patients interested in registering should visit the Maine Department of Health and Human Services:
• If you choose to register, the application form must be completed and signed by the patient or the patient’s parent or legal guardian.
• The physician certification form must be completed by a physician who has a bona fide patient-physician relationship with the patient.
• The physician will give the patient a signed and dated original certification form, printed on tamper-resistant paper
• The physician shall determine the expiration date of the certification. The physician can use a period of 12 months or less, based upon his or her professional judgment.
• Patients must attach a copy of their Maine driver’s license to the application. If the patient has no driver’s license, another Maine-issued photo identification card will be accepted. * Note: No photo identification card is required for a hospice patient or a nursing home resident.
• The Maine Patient Registry fee is $0 — Maine Medical Marijuana Program Application Form — patients who voluntarily register with the Department, MUST attach a copy of their physician certification form to their application for a registry identification card.
• For caregivers, the fee is $300 per patient, with a limit of five patients — if the caregiver is not growing, the fee is waived.
• If the patient is a minor, or an adult with a court-appointed guardian or a durable power of attorney, Section 2 — MMMP Application Form, must be completed. A copy of guardianship or durable powers of attorney must be attached to the application.
Caregivers
Caregivers
Yes, the primary caregiver is a person providing care for the registered patient. The caregiver must be 21 years of age or older. The caregiver can never have been convicted of a disqualifying drug offence. Patients can name one or two primary caregivers. (Only one person may be allowed to cultivate marijuana for a registered patient).