In November 2017, Governor LePage vetoed a bill to tax and regulate recreational cannabis sales, citing conflicts with federal law.LePage's veto was overturned by the state legislature on May 2, 2018, allowing the bill to become law.

Sales were projected to begin in spring of 2020, though the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the timeline.

After Maine citizens voted to legalize recreational cannabis in November 2016, Maine dispensaries were allowed to sell recreational cannabis products starting October 9, 2020. That year, Maine recorded over $111 million in medical marijuana sales. Currently adult use marijuana sales are taxed at 10 percent.

You can read more about laws in Maine Medical Marijuana Law.

Recreational Cannabis Laws in Maine

In the U.S. state of Maine, marijuana (cannabis) is legal for recreational use. It was originally prohibited in 1913. Possession of small amounts of the drug was decriminalized in 1976 under state legislation passed the previous year.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Maine

On November 2, 1999, Maine legalized medical marijuana when 62% of the populace voted yes on Question.

The Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP) exists to ensure and facilitate an efficient, responsible and legal medical cannabis environment within the State of Maine. It provides compliance oversight, processes, guidelines and support to registered participants involved in the cultivation, processing and selling of medical cannabis and products containing it.

As of June 6, 2019, medical cannabis patients visiting Maine from other jurisdictions are no longer required to obtain certification from a Maine-based medical provider or to designate a registered caregiver or dispensary in order to obtain medical cannabis.

What are the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maine?

As mentioned earlier, there are no qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maine. Often, a Maine MMJ doctor will consider certifying a patient for medical marijuana if they are ailing from:

A chronic disease that causes severe, debilitating psychiatric disorders.
Or a chronic illness whose prescription medication could cause psychological or physical dependence.
Below are medical conditions that may qualify for a medical marijuana card in Maine:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Alzheimer’s disease
Anorexia
Arthritis
Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
Cancer
Chronic pain
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
HIV/AIDS
Huntington’s disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Multiple sclerosis
Muscle spasms
Nausea
Neuropathy
Parkinson’s disease
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Seizures
Severe migraine
Sickle cell anemia
Spinal cord injury
Terminal illness

This list is not exhaustive, so if your medical condition does not appear on the above list, you may still qualify for cannabis treatment. Be sure by scheduling an appointment with one of our medical marijuana doctors in Maine and get assessed online for your medical marijuana eligibility.