- Determining if a Patient is Qualified
- Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Maine
- How to Get a Maine Medical Marijuana Card: 2 Steps
- How to Get Your Medical Records
- During the Consultation
- Secure Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
Figuring out how to get a medical card in Maine can be a bit confusing. For example, Maine’s official platform, the Medical Use of Marijuana Program, provides a lot of information, but it is dense and difficult to comb through. Additionally, their website doesn’t spell out a step-by-step process that interested patients can use to secure their medical marijuana card.
The good news is we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll show you the exact steps that you need to take to receive your medical marijuana certification in the state of Maine.
1. Determining if a Patient is Qualified
The first qualification you need to know when finding out how to get your medical card in Maine is that you must be a resident in the state. However, you can purchase cannabis from medical dispensaries within the state (after 2020) without being a state resident, as Maine now recognizes medical certifications from 25 different states. The conditions approved for visiting patients are highlighted on the map below:
Source: Maine Office of Marijuana Policy
To be an independent medical marijuana-certified patient in Maine, you must be 18 years of age or older. For patients younger than 18, a parent must register as their primary caregiver.
2. Qualifying Conditions for a Maine Medical Marijuana Card
The next step involves determining whether you have one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maine. To be eligible, a healthcare provider will have to diagnose you with one of these conditions. It must be documented in your medical records.
The full list of qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana certification in Maine can be viewed in Maine medical marijuana law and includes such diagnoses as:
- Chronic Pain
- ALS
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C (active form)
- HIV
- PTSD
- Seizure Disorders
- Severe Muscle Spasms
- Severe Nausea
While many of these conditions are specific and particular, Legislation (LD 1539) approved on July 9, 2018, amends the state law so that a physician at his or her sole discretion may recommend cannabis to any patient for which he/she believes it will benefit. The new law takes effect 90 days after the close of the 2018 special legislative session.
The doctor that recommends you for certification does not have to be the same doctor that diagnosed you with the original condition.
3. How to Get A Maine Medical Marijuana Card: 2 Steps
Now let’s break down the exact steps you need to secure your medical marijuana card in Maine. Again, this process is quite simple compared to other states.
Step #1: Find a Physician
Finding a physician is essential in the process of how to get a medical card in Maine, but keep in mind, that there are some differences between the medical marijuana program in Maine and programs that exist in other states.
In Maine, you do not receive your Medical Marijuana certification from the State of Maine. Instead, your physician is responsible for evaluating you, analyzing your medical history, determining if your medical history qualifies you, and registering you for the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP).
The first step toward receiving your certification is to meet with a doctor willing to examine you and recommend the MMMP. However, this can be a bit difficult, as not all physicians agree with or are required to enter qualified patients into the program.
Fortunately, here at Heally, we specialize in connecting qualified patients with doctors who are open to CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) and support local medical marijuana programs. We’ll connect you with a physician specializing in medical marijuana certification in Maine, making it simple when asking how to get a medical card in Maine.
Sometimes, your medical marijuana card may be issued within hours of your visit with your physician.
Step #2: Consult with the Physician
Once you’ve connected with a qualified Maine medical marijuana physician, then comes your actual appointment.
If you have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition for a medical card in Maine, there are a few pieces of documentation that you will need to make sure that you bring to your consultation to get a medical card in Maine. These include:
- Proof of residence & mailing address in Maine – This will be a driver’s license or a passport for most. An official document that confirms that you reside within the state.
- Payment – Using Heally, your total cost will be $79 per year for the consultation and certification. You only pay if you are approved for your Maine medical marijuana certification. Medical marijuana cards in Maine last for one year.
- Social security number – Providing your social security number is a requirement for certification.
- A copy of your medical records – You will need to provide that you meet the qualifying conditions when you meet with your physician to get a medical card in Maine.
How to Get Your Medical Records
You can secure copies of your medical records from your doctor or have them delivered to your physician on the Heally platform from your existing general practitioner via fax or email (this requires that you submit a Medical Release Form).
If you do not have copies of your medical records, it is unlikely that your physician will be able to approve your certification on the same day as your visit, so you would not be able to get a medical card in Maine. Federal law states that all healthcare providers must issue patients a copy of their medical records within fifteen days of submitting a formal request.
During the Consultation
During your consultation, you’ll discuss several topics with your physician, including:
- How medical marijuana can relieve your symptoms?
- Any side effects you may experience from its use.
- Information on cannabis strains, dosage, and consumption considerations.
Once approved, your doctor will be able to certify and register you with the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program and print your license to buy from local dispensaries. If you can provide all of the necessary information during your visit with your physician, you could be purchasing medical marijuana from the dispensary that same day.
Secure Your Maine Medical Marijuana Card Today
Heally makes it easy to get started when you’re trying to find out how to get a medical card in Maine. Click here to begin the process, speak with a Maine medical marijuana doctor, and find the relief you’ve been searching for today!
