Your Guide to Maine Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Maine has a long history with medical marijuana and was among the first group of states to enact marijuana legalization and create dispensaries to sell medical-grade cannabis to patients with debilitating medical conditions.

In 1999, Maine passed a law that made it legal for patients to use and possess marijuana for medicinal purposes. The law was expanded a decade later, in 2009, to allow dispensaries to sell cannabis products to patients. Maine dispensaries are all operated by licensed pharmacists and licensed and regulated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The dispensaries offer cannabis for purchase in a variety of forms including flower, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and topicals.

Until recently, dispensaries were required to be nonprofit entities, and there was only one per Maine DHHS public health district. Also, Maine dispensaries are unique in that they can grow an unlimited number of cannabis plants.

What’s it Like Buying Medical Marijuana in Maine?

Maine residents who are at least 21 years of age with a valid government-issued ID card or driver’s license can purchase as many as 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of recreational marijuana, or a combination of marijuana and concentrate that includes no more than 5 grams of concentrate from adult-use dispensaries. Under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program, medical patients also have a 2.5-ounce purchase limit. The same goes for their primary caregivers.

There are many different dispensaries located throughout Maine, both medical and recreational. However, medical and recreational marijuana may not be sold from the same facility. Before traveling to a dispensary, you should call ahead to check which type of cannabis the dispensary sells.

Medical marijuana card holders visiting a dispensary in Maine will need to provide their patient identification card and their registry ID number to enter. Patients are allowed to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana every 14 days.

Maine's reciprocity agreement allows qualifying patients from certain states to legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana while in Maine. Still, keep in mind that only Maine residents can purchase products from a Maine dispensary—out-of-state patients cannot. Also, it is illegal to cross into Maine from another state with medical or recreational marijuana products.

When in a Maine dispensary, take advantage of the facility's "budtenders," who are knowledgeable about the various products for sale.

For purchase in most dispensaries are an array of cannabis products, usually including flower, pre-rolled joints, edibles of all types, tinctures, vape carts, and concentrates.

A select number of dispensaries offer deliveries, though cannabis can only be delivered to your private residence—not your hotel or rented lodging. Note that consuming cannabis for personal use on public or federal land is illegal and strictly prohibited in the state of Maine. Also, recreational cannabis may only be consumed on private property and out of public view.