In Maine, there is not a list of specific qualifying medical conditions. It is permissible for certified providers to approve potential medical marijuana patients for a MMJ card based on any condition they deem treatable by the plant properties. To qualify for a medical cannabis card, a resident must show proof of residency with a valid driver’s license or valid identification card.

First, schedule a consultation with a licensed physician through FadeMD. The evaluation takes about 10-15 minutes to get approved for medical cannabis use.

Once approved, fill out an application with the state of Maine. Full instructions on the state application process can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/ocp/medical-use/applications-forms/registryidentificationcard-instructions

You'll need the following documentation to complete the state's online application:

1.  If the applicant has had a prior license in the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Program, including a prior caregiver registration, a caregiver assistant registration, or a dispensary assistant registration, have that registration number and the access number available.

3.  An electronic copy of the applicant’s State issued photographic identification issued by the state in which they currently reside.

4.  An electronic 2x2 photo with a clear image of your face. Do not use filters commonly used on social media. Do not digitally change your photo. Have someone else take your photo. Use plain white or off-white background. A high-resolution photo that is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated.

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To become a caregiver in Maine, applicants must be at least 21 years old, able to provide proof of residency, and have no felony convictions. Caregivers need to submit a medical use application with the OMP, with approvals or denials typically processed within 30 days. Additionally, caregivers must undergo a criminal background check, costing $31.

The cost for a registry identification card varies, ranging from $240 to $1,200, depending on the number of plants the caregiver cultivates. The maximum allowance for a registered caregiver is 30 mature plants and 60 immature plants. Caregivers are also permitted to receive fair compensation from patients for any expenses associated with cultivating cannabis on their behalf.

To renew your Maine medical marijuana card with FadeMD, schedule a renewal appointment with one of our physicians. They will confirm your continued need for medical cannabis and guide you through the renewal process. We'll remind you when your renewal appointment is approaching, or you can contact our Customer Service Department for assistance and to apply a renewal discount.

A medical marijuana card in Maine is valid for up to one year, and you must renew annually to keep it current.

According to the OMP, patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of a combination of marijuana and marijuana products, along with no more than 5 grams of marijuana concentrate. Both medical marijuana patients and caregivers are permitted to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and six plants simultaneously without facing penalties. Moreover, caregivers can serve up to five patients at a time, cultivating up to six plants per patient.

Recreational marijuana users in Maine aged 21 or older may grow up to three mature cannabis plants, 12 immature plants, and an unlimited number of seedlings for personal use. However, these limitations do not apply to the cultivation of marijuana for medical use by a qualifying patient or registered caregiver under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.

The Justice Department proposed a new rule to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which would ease federal restrictions on cannabis if approved. This reclassification would not legalize or decriminalize marijuana nationwide but would place it on the same regulatory level as ketamine and anabolic steroids. Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The proposed change would recognize marijuana as having "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."

The proposal initiates a months-long comment and administrative period before any changes take effect. This follows President Biden's 2022 request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Justice Department to review marijuana's classification. HHS found credible scientific evidence supporting marijuana's medical use. The notice of proposed rulemaking reflects the attorney general's agreement with HHS's recommendation. President Biden hailed the move as "monumental," emphasizing marijuana policy as a priority of his administration, which has also worked to pardon those convicted of simple possession.