Apply for Your Maine Medical Marijuana Card
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How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Maine Step By Step
Maine’s certification process for medical marijuana use differs from that of most other states in a few ways. To obtain medical cannabis, for example, you do not need to register with the state’s Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP) unless you are a caregiver. That being said, qualifying patients can voluntarily register with the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP), the MMMP’s overseeing department, to obtain a registry identification card.
The process for obtaining a registry ID card in Maine has been streamlined over the years, but if you are having trouble with your application, the Sanctuary is here to assist. The following is a step-by-step guide to navigating the application process for the state’s medical marijuana program.
Step 1: Identify Your Qualifying Condition
The first step toward obtaining your registry ID card in Maine is to claim at least one qualifying condition from the OCP list. When Maine’s MMMP was launched, there was a comprehensive list of health conditions to which potential medical marijuana patients could refer.
That list includes the following conditions: cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer’s disease, nail-patella syndrome, a chronic disease or medical condition (or its treatment) that produces intractable pain, or a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition (or its treatment) that produces cachexia, severe nausea, epilepsy and seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms.
However, as a result of the 2018 marijuana laws, the MMMP no longer maintains a set list of conditions for Maine residents interested in the Maine Medical Marijuana Program. Instead, the state has left MMMP eligibility up to the medical professionals performing these assessments.
Step 2: Meet with a Licensed Physician
Patients registered with MMMP in Maine do not receive physical cards. Instead, the general practitioner who writes a patient’s recommendation creates an account with the state’s Medical Marijuana Certifications Services system and digitally issues the patient’s certification.
Furthermore, Maine no longer keeps a list of licensed healthcare professionals who can certify patients for medical marijuana treatment. You’ll need to consult your current physician, seek recommendations from family and friends, or conduct some research to find a medical professional for your MMMP assessment.
Your qualifying physician will submit your application to the OCP and create an account for you in the state’s services system. A background check and proof of age and residency (such as a Maine driver’s license) will be required in addition to your written recommendation. Medical records may also be requested by the state to support your qualifying condition.
Following the submission of your application, the OCP will send you a confirmation email with payment instructions. Cards are valid for one year at licensed dispensaries.
The OCP website has more information about the application process. Caregivers must go through a similar process when applying for an MMJ card.
Need Help Obtaining a Maine Medical Marijuana Card?
If you are new to the application process for a Maine MMJ ID card and are unsure where to begin, the Sanctuary Wellness Institute can help. Maine patients with qualifying conditions are regularly connected with medical marijuana doctors who can certify them for medical marijuana.
Contact us today to learn more about how you can obtain a medical cannabis card and begin visiting dispensaries as soon as possible. With your official Maine medical cannabis card, you could soon be purchasing edibles, CBD products, and other adult-use cannabis items from Maine dispensaries.