How To Get a Maine Medical Marijuana Card
If you are new to cannabis and considering the medical kind over the adult-use version then there are some things you will want to know.
Firstly, there are many places to apply online for a medical marijuana card. If you reside within the State of Maine then this site is one of the most affordable options: https://www.mainemedicalcertifications.com/ ($49/Year as of 2023)
If you don’t reside within the State of Maine then you will have to consider whether your state of residence does allow medical marijuana to be sold. Many states do not currently provide a medical card. But if you reside in one of the states that provides medical cards then here is another affordable option: https://cheapmedcards.com/
As of the publishing of this article, there are two kinds of medical cannabis that can be purchased legally within the State of Maine:
With a valid medical marijuana card from any issuing state, you can purchase cannabis from a medical dispensary here in the State of Maine. Currently the State of Maine allows out-of-state customers to purchase medical marijuana with any valid out-of-state or Maine medical card and a valid form of identification.
Adult-Use marijuana dispensaries are now plentiful here in Maine and especially here in Kittery, Maine. Anyone over 21 can purchase medical cannabis with a valid I.D.
Medical marijuana dispensaries are not allowed to sell adult-use
Here in Maine medical and adult use must be sold from separated facilities.
A medical cannabis dispensary within the State of Maine is allowed to sell to those clients with a valid medical card (from any state). Medical dispensaries cannot sell to anyone without a valid medical card and I.D.
What is the difference between adult use and medical marijuana?
There are differences to be considered;
From the OCP, State of Maine – “Maine is home to both a medical cannabis program and an adult use industry. The medical program serves patients, while Maine's adult use industry services consumers 21 years of age and older.”
Those who choose to go the medical route are typically adults with medical conditions ranging into the serious ailments such as arthritis and neuropathy. You can view the medical requirements from the State of Maine on the OCP (Office of Cannabis Policy) website; https://www.maine.gov/dafs/ocp/medical-use). Each state will have its own defining guidelines in regards to who is eligible to receive a medial cannabis card.
At a medical dispensary you will encounter staff members who have experience helping people manage pain with THC. The medical dispensary is generally a calmer place without the crowd of young people who are only looking to get high. Staff are willing to listen carefully to your personal experience in a more private setting with others who have their own medical afflictions. A busy adult-use store can be much more fast paced and many patients will feel uncomfortable asking for advice in this setting.
Since adult use requires no medical card for purchase. If you are over 21 with a valid I.D. then you can shop freely at any adult-use cannabis shops within the State of Maine (https://www.maine.gov/dafs/ocp/adult-use).
The adult-use cannabis stores tend to be very crowded presently but as time goes by and more places open for business, this may change. You will also be with a much younger, hip crowd. Some older adults may not find this shopping situation as comfortable as the medical stores.
Medical marijuana has been legal in the State of Maine since 2019 however licensed caregivers were allowed to begin selling in 2017 from their homes to those with valid medical cannabis cards. Adult use was recently licensed in late 2020. The first stores just opened in 2022. This has given the medical dispensaries a lot more experience in developing lasting relationships with growers and resellers of all cannabis-related products. You will likely find a wider range of carefully cultivated products in a medical store.
Many of the products you will find in medical dispensaries will be tested for mold and other contaminants since they deal with people who have serious medical conditions. Mold is a serious health concern for anyone who inhales cannabis smoke in flower form. There are types of mold that grow on marijuana plants that can be extremely dangerous to smokers; https://weedmaps.com/learn/cannabis-and-your-body/smoking-moldy-weed . (We do not mean to claim that adult-use cannabis is untested. The State of Maine is now conducting testing from all marijuana dispensaries to help ensure the product is mold free. They are testing adult-use dispensaries as well as medical.) But in neither example will you find that every product has been tested.
Edibles do not have the same health concerns with mold as in the case of smoking flower, though as with any product you consume, packaging and sanitary preparation conditions are imperative. It is also important to look closely at product expiration dates.
The State of Maine has stringent product labeling requirements and state inspectors from the OCP visit all dispensaries regularly specifically looking at product labeling. Any products that are not labeled properly are removed from the shelves by the OCP. They also look at all aspects of both kinds of stores to help ensure consumer safety.
Especially if you are a first time user of THC products there will be questions you need answered. At medical stores we have heard and answered these questions before. And since our customer base is incredibly loyal, we get feedback continuously and strive to stay abreast of what works for people and what does not.
Medical cards cost money. In some states that can be very expensive. We know of one local state where you have to have seen the prescribing doctor for at least 6 months and had a certain number of office visits before the doctor can prescribe. This makes it very expensive to get a card in that state because in addition to paying for the doctor visits, you will pay the state for the med-card. But many states that have legalized medical cannabis allow you to use affordable online options for med cards.
The cost to obtain a med card is a strong consideration. Research the laws in your own state before proceeding. If medical use is not allowed in your state then you will want to seek out the adult-use dispensaries rather than medical.
If you live in a state that allows medical marijuana then the online options may be the most affordable way for you to go. The other benefit besides pricing is that the online providers can get your digital card to you within hours of your application. No lengthy wait for a card to come in the mail.
Dispensaries within the State of Maine are allowed to accept the digital version of a valid medical card. You can just show it on your phone to buy legally.
Whether you are a Maine resident or a tourist from another state, you can legally purchase products here in Maine as long as you are at least 21 years of age and have a valid identification such as a drivers license or passport.
Smoking marijuana is no longer your only resource for the pain management benefits of THC. Edible THC products are quickly outpacing the sales of smokable THC products; something to consider if you are a first-time buyer. Edible marijuana products now come in a wide range including capsules you just swallow with no flavor, THC infused candy, baked goods, tinctures and an ever-growing array of edible products.
Check our menu frequently to see what new edible products we carry!
The staff of Your Green Thumb Caregivers, LLC
