What You Need to Know Before Smoking Cannabis in Maine

Posted by Toker Grace on Feb 11, 2020 12:24:06 PM

When you think of Maine, chances are you exclusively think of Lobster and Lobster Rolls like most of the New England area. The cannabis industry is expected to generate over $180 billion in revenue over the next decade. Maine is a promising place where prospective facilities manager can distribute medical cannabis. There is also room for the recreational sale of cannabis. Here are a few important factors that potential cannabis business owners and operators and consumers ought to consider when establishing a successful as well as legally sound cannabis dispensary in Maine.

Disclaimer: Cannabis laws vary from upon state. Although these key points are important when choosing to open a dispensary, This article is not legally-binding professional advice. Business owners, investors, and operators must acquire the appropriate legal counsel in the state of Maine when considering opening a dispensary or obtaining a medical marijuana card.

LaPage, The Maine Dissenter

In regards to Cannabis, Maine is fairly new on the scene. This is more than likely due to the Governor of Maine and the King of New England Cannabis Prohibition, Paul LePage vetoing two distinctive bills that would have allowed the medicinal as well as recreational consumption and sales of cannabis in the state. However, the most recent veto was vetoed itself by members of Maine lawmakers. Thanks to this roundabout tactic, LaPage’s green embargo would be no more as of 2019.

Maine, the New Crossroads of Cannabis

Similar to other states that have adopted legislation supporting the medicinal consumption of cannabis, Maine has a list of ailments patients must be afflicted with to be granted a medical marijuana card. Some of these ailments include:

• HIV/AIDS

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Wasting Syndrome
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Insomnia

Moreover, Maine is one of the few states that has explicitly added legislation to honor medical marijuana cards from virtually all the medical marijuana approved states. This type of reciprocity is rare with cannabis as medical marijuana cardholders are often limited to the buds of their home state. Similar to how other states must accept out-of-state issued IDs and records, Maine will accept your MMJ. 

Cannabis Possession Limits in Maine

The limits of cannabis possession in Maine are pretty similar to other states that have legalized cannabis. 

• No more than 2.5 ounces for patients who possess a medical marijuana card

Additionally, adults who are at least 21 years of age can lawfully purchase the following amount of cannabis:

• No more than 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of dry cannabis flowers

Most cannabis consumers will agree that this amount of bud is more than enough.

Cultivating Cannabis in Maine

Maine has also enacted legislation that will allow individuals who are at least 21 years of age to grow cannabis in the privacy of their own homes. They are limited to no more than three mature cannabis plants that must be out of plain sight (i.e., front yard garden.)

Cannabis Businesses and Advertising

Similar to other substances recognized by the state of Maine, there are a handful of restrictions on the types of advertising cannabis businesses are allowed to execute. Cannabis businesses are not allowed to advertise on radio, television, or any other form of medium where ⅓ of the prospective audience is assumed to be under the age of 21 years (i.e., Saturday Morning Cartoons). Additionally, cannabis businesses are not allowed to sponsor entertainment events even if the majority audience is of the legal age of consumption. 

Additional Cannabis Regulatory Information

Getting into the cannabis industry in the state of Maine is a delicate process and requires a tightrope approach to prevent the revocation of licenses or legal action. Be sure to consult with the proper entities when pursuing an interest in providing retail (or medicinal) cannabis products.