Qualifying for a Medical Marijuana Card in Maine

So you have a condition with symptoms that are difficult to manage, and you feel like you’ve tried everything on the market. Well, besides medical marijuana. 

If you live in Maine, you’re in luck: the regulations are some of the least restrictive, meaning that you may have a good chance of qualifying for a medical cannabis card. 

We’ve outlined everything you need to know about the state laws, the application process, and why you might consider applying for a medical marijuana card in the first place.

Who qualifies for medical cannabis in Maine?

In order to be eligible for medical marijuana use, you must be:

Unlike most states, there are no qualifying conditions to obtain a medical marijuana card in Maine. Instead, it’s up to a medical provider to decide whether you would benefit from medical cannabis use. 

How do I get a medical marijuana card in Maine?

Contact us at Canna Care Docs in Maine to schedule an appointment or book a telemedicine appointment online. You’ll meet with one of our licensed healthcare practitioners, talk to them about your condition(s), and they’ll determine whether medical cannabis is right for you.

Once you’ve been approved, we will mail your certification to you. You can then use this certification to apply for a medical marijuana card in Maine. It’s that easy!

How much does it cost?

The cost of obtaining a medical marijuana card in Maine is $50 for a new application and $50 for annual renewal.

What are the benefits of getting a medical marijuana card in Maine?

Since recreational marijuana was legalized in Maine in 2016, anyone can purchase cannabis by visiting an adult-use dispensary. So why would you bother getting approved for medical use? 

There are several perks of having a medical marijuana card in Maine. The following are just a few of the reasons why it’s beneficial to be a cardholder:

  1. Medical cannabis products aren’t taxed.

Since Maine taxes marijuana at 10%, this can save you a lot of money when you visit the dispensary.

  1. You don’t have to wait until you’re 21.

That’s right — the minimum age to purchase adult-use marijuana is 21, while medical cannabis use is legal for residents ages 18+.

  1. You can legally grow  more cannabis than recreational users.

In the state of Maine, both medical and recreational users can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, including up to 5 grams of concentrate. But the law differs when it comes to possessing and growing your own marijuana plants at home. 

Recreational cannabis users can possess a maximum of:

Medical cannabis users can possess a maximum of:

Interested? We’ll help you get started!

If you think medical marijuana might be the right choice for you, we’re here to help. Contact Canna Care Docs of Maine to schedule an appointment. We’ll answer any questions you may have and guide you through the next steps!

10 Best Marijuana Strains for Anxiety

Dealing with anxiety can feel exhausting, especially when you haven’t found the right treatment methods. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to make living with your symptoms more manageable. 

The challenge is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety disorders. Often, a combination of treatments is recommended, such as therapy and anti-anxiety medication. In addition to their existing treatments, many who struggle with anxiety have found medical marijuana to be helpful.

If you’re familiar with marijuana, you know it can help users “chill out” and feel relaxed. It may come as no surprise that many have found it helpful for relieving symptoms of anxiety. According to a 2019 study, 50% of medical cannabis patients at the time were using it for this reason. 

How does it work? What types of products are most effective? We’ll break down the details so you have all the information you need on using medical marijuana for anxiety.

Cannabinoids: What they do and how it all works

There are over 100 cannabinoids, or compounds that occur naturally, in the cannabis plant. We’re still learning more about how cannabis affects the body. But based on research, cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce various effects. 

The two best-known cannabinoids are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the latter of which is responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana. 
While THC works by binding to the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD doesn’t work the same way. In fact, there’s little information on how CBD affects the body. But here’s what we do know…

CBD vs. THC for anxiety

Whether CBD has psychoactive properties like THC is debated, but one thing is clear – people use CBD to help relieve stress and anxiety without a noticeable “high.” It can even counteract the effects of THC when the two are consumed together. 

In some cases, high levels of THC have even been known to exacerbate anxiety symptoms, like racing thoughts and increased heart rates. For this reason, many of the cannabis strains recommended for anxiety have low levels of THC.
CBD, and even low levels of THC, may be beneficial for treating anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, cannabis should not serve as a replacement for any existing treatments. Talk to your doctor first about whether medical cannabis is a good option for you.

Best marijuana strains for anxiety

Planning to try cannabis for anxiety? Choose a strain that can produce the effects you’re looking for. 

You can always ask the budtender at your medical cannabis dispensary for recommendations  as they do know their products best. But to start, it’s worth checking out one of these top-rated marijuana strains for anxiety relief.

  1. AC/DC

Sativa

Content: 20:1 CBD-to-THC ratio; one of the highest CBD strains available

Effects: Relaxation, happiness

  1. Cannatonic

Hybrid

Content: Low THC, high CBD (up to 17%)

Effects: Relaxation, happiness; anxiety and inflammation reduction

  1. Canna-Tsu

Hybrid

Content: 1:1 THC-to-CBD

Effects: Deep relaxation, increased focus; pain, inflammation and anxiety relief

  1. Grandaddy Purple

Indica

Content: High THC, around 25%

Effects: Stress reduction, full-body relaxation; relief of pain, nausea, and muscle spasms

  1. Haoma

Indica

Content: 1:1 THC-to-CBD

Effects: Relaxation, happiness; helpful for insomnia

  1. Harle-Tsu

Hybrid

Content: High CBD, low THC (usually about 20:1) 

Effects: Relaxation, focus, uplifting feelings

  1. Jack Herer

Sativa

Content: High THC (up to about 19%), almost not CBD

Effects: Happy, uplifting feelings, stress and anxiety reduction

  1. Northern Lights

Indica

Content: High THC (up to about 33%), no CBD

Effects: Deep relaxation, pain reduction, euphoria

  1. Pennywise

Indica

Content: 1:1 THC-to-CBD

Effects: Uplifting feelings, relaxation, mental clarity

  1. Trident

Hybrid

Content: High CBD, low THC

Effects: Increased focus, relaxation, stress and anxiety relief

Interested in medical marijuana for anxiety? Get your card today

If you think medical cannabis could be beneficial for you, we’re happy to help you get started. First, review your state regulations to see if your symptoms are among the qualifying conditions for a medical cannabis card (Leafly has a helpful state-by-state guide). When you’re ready to apply for a card, contact us. We’ll answer any questions you have and help you take the next step!
Can’t meet us in person? That’s OK! Most of our clinics are still offering telemedicine services, so you can meet us from the comfort of your home.