After voting in 2016 to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana to adults 21 years or older, Maine officially began selling in October! Although there has been a reported $1.4M in sales during the first month, many people are being left out of obtaining their medicine by purchasing recreationally. If you are buying cannabis from a dispensary and using it to treat a medical condition such as pain, anxiety, or insomnia, it is much more beneficial to purchase marijuana with a medical card in hand.
Why? A few reasons; price, access, medical support, and limitations – to name a few.
Medical cannabis prices are lower than recreational prices, and taxation is the name of the game. Maine recreational cannabis sales are subject to a 10% sales tax for products sold. Meaning your $100 purchase could be over $110. A Maine medical card is only $75 which will allow you to circumvent that extra cost!
Maine’s medical program still has the most accessible dispensaries in the state. With the 8 licensed dispensaries and 200 stores run by medical marijuana caregivers, you now have more options than ever to choose where your medicine comes from. While this may seem like a high number, many of these stores are for medical patients only. Recreational sales within an existing medical shop exist, but most of the stock must be reserved for those who use cannabis as a medication. Additionally, individuals over the age of 18 can be medical cannabis patients but must be 21+ to purchase recreationally.
Have you seen the lines outside the recreational dispensaries? Well, wait no more! Medical patients have their own lines to get into and purchase their medicine and are typically MUCH shorter than adults using cannabis recreationally!
When you use any medication, your doctor is aware and is able to coordinate your care accordingly. Medical cannabis is no different. Our practitioners and team of medical assistants are here to help guide you on your cannabis journey to better health. All marijuana is different and finding the medication and ingestion methods (smoking, topicals, edibles…) is right for you and your condition. Using the resources available to you at Canna Care Docs will help you feel better!
In Maine, the possession limit for flower for medical and recreational users are the same, at 2.5oz but regarding concentrates (edibles, tinctures, vape cartridges etc.) adult users can only possess 5 grams, while medical patients can have up to 2.5oz. If you are someone who uses oils, topicals, or edibles you will be unable to purchase more than 5 grams worth of product, so plan accordingly.
Patients can grow cannabis, legally allowing possession of:
Adult Users can grow and possess as well, just with a smaller amount:
Ready to run out and buy some bud? Hold on one second…it’s not ready yet! An overwhelming response of 67% of voters agreed to pass marijuana legalization. So, what’s next? Legislatures at the state level now have the task of writing and negotiating the regulations that will govern the new market. Between the assembly committees, Senate, and House of Representatives they must agree on one set of laws. As of November, 24th 2020 there are two separate bills that must be reconciled and approved to move forward. Senate bill S21, and Assembly Bill A21 are very similar but there are disagreements on the way tax revenue is allocated and the number of licenses issued for new producers. Other important things that must be considered include home grow, workplace drug testing, decriminalization, limits on possession, and more. There is still work to be done!
Furthermore, Governor Phil Murphy has indicated that although he hopes it will take less time, widespread recreational marijuana sales will not take place for at least a year. New Jersey currently has a robust medical program with over 95,000 patients enrolled, but it faces daily challenges that need to be overcome before recreational cannabis takes effect. One of the major issues facing medical cannabis patients today are availability and accessibility.. Having only 13 cultivators in the state means that even without recreational users (and out of state adults) flooding the market, patients already have a difficult time accessing their medicine. It’s documented that some dispensaries regularly run out of product to sell with the current medical demand. Increasing the number of cultivators to grow more cannabis will be essential to operate at the level citizens will be expecting and be beneficial to medical patients as well. But crop cultivation and required operational procedures take time.
Jeff Brown, the New Jersey’s Department of Health’s head of the Marijuana Program has said that “I could say unequivocally that opening up sales even a few months after the election would be a disaster and would really hurt access for patients who need this as medicine. My number one priority is to ensure that the patients have access — that’s going to be our priority first and foremost.”
New Jersey residents can look at other states whose medical programs expanded to recreational users such as Massachusetts and Maine for a general idea of what is to come. Governor Murphy has indicated he wants this to happen within the year but for other states, it took a long time to initiate. Massachusetts started selling in 2018 after a 2016 “yes” vote and Maine only took effect this year after legalizing in ’16 as well!
Ideally, the transition will be smooth and rapid but medical patients should not let their certifications/cards lapse because of this. Medical cannabis users will always have priority over recreational users and will be benefitted in various ways. For example, in states with both medical and recreational cannabis use, patients have seen taxes are lower or nonexistent on their medication, which is already in motion in NJ as the current tax rate is at 4% and will be eliminated by 2022. Other benefits include higher purchase limits for medical users; the ability to grow more at home; shorter lines and access to superior products; and so on. Dispensaries who serve both medical and recreational patients in these states are also able to provide incentives and discounts to patients as well.
The New Jersey recreational cannabis program is a huge step forward towards acceptance of cannabis around the country but do not forget that if you are using cannabis for medical reasons, your card is your best bet in making sure you have access to your medications no matter what!
The 2020 election brought big wins for cannabis, with all of the five state ballot initiatives regarding legalization passing. Both adult-use (or recreational) and medicinal cannabis were legalized in South Dakota; Medicinal cannabis was approved in Mississippi; and adult-use initiatives passed in Arizona, Montana and New Jersey.
Across these states, in different parts of the US, the message was clear: people recognize the benefits of legalization and want access to cannabis in their communities. Implied by the results is another more subtle, but all the more significant message—that the stigma surrounding cannabis is fading as awareness of its effects and medicinal uses grows throughout the country. The following is a breakdown of the ballot initiatives and what their passage means for each state.
While medicinal cannabis was already legal in Arizona, voters in the recent election passed Proposition 207: The Smart and Safe Arizona Act to make adult-use cannabis—or recreational use for ages 21 and over—legal statewide.
Details:
Mississippi voters supported the less restrictive of two cannabis questions on the ballot. Initiative 65 (74%) passed over the Alternative 65A (32%)—the latter of which would have restricted medicinal cannabis to terminally ill patients. The passing initiative legalizes cannabis prescriptions for 22 medical conditions.
Qualifying conditions for a cannabis prescription:
It also allows for medical marijuana prescriptions for conditions “of the same kind or class” to the above, for which a physician believes the benefits of medical cannabis would outweigh any potential health risks.
With the passage of Montana I-90, voters legalized the sale and possession of cannabis for recreational purposes for adults 21 and older. Medicinal cannabis was already approved in Montana in 2004.
Details:
New Jersey legalized medicinal cannabis in 2010. Thanks to the passage of New Jersey Public Question 1, the state now permits the sale and possession of recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older.
Details:
Voters in South Dakota supported two separate ballot questions concerning cannabis legalization—one for medicinal use, and the other for adult-use by individuals 21 and over. Below are a few details on each of those programs.
Medicinal use:
Adult-use:
Regardless of whether recreational cannabis is legal in your state, there are many benefits of obtaining a medical marijuana card. For many states, these include lower costs and taxes for patients, higher potency limits and permission to grow your own cannabis if necessary. Medicinal cannabis is typically not restricted to adults 21 and older, allowing younger patients seeking treatment to obtain the prescriptions they need.
Regulations vary, so check your state laws relating to medical marijuana before you apply.
When you’re interested in taking the next step, set up a virtual or in-person meeting with one of our medical marijuana physicians.
We’ll walk you through the application process, go over the details of your state’s medical marijuana program and applicable laws, and provide you with information about medical cannabis, potential risks, and side effects.
Then a medical cannabis doctor will discuss your medical history with you, treatment options for your qualifying condition, and any questions you have.
So you’ve been curious about medical marijuana for a while, and your adult daughter keeps encouraging you to get a card. Among other benefits, you’ve heard it can be helpful for insomnia and anxiety—two things you struggle with that have worsened throughout the pandemic—but in the back of your mind are a series of nagging questions. Is it really as harmless as they say it is? How difficult is it to apply for a medical marijuana card? And what will people think if they find out?
There’s another reason, too, that you keep putting off the process: as a senior at risk for the virus, you’re still trying your best to stay socially distant. A trip to a medical marijuana clinic isn’t at the top of your priority list.
The truth is, your concerns are all completely valid—that’s why we’re available to address them with you in a virtual consultation through our new telemedicine program. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider setting up a meeting to learn about getting a medical marijuana card.
Scheduling a medical cannabis evaluation via telemedicine means you can meet with one of our licensed practitioners from the privacy and convenience of your own home—or wherever you choose to chat with us! There’s no need to enter our nearest facility, and as a result, you can stay safely distanced from others. You can also have peace of mind knowing that the session is completely private and confidential, with zero chance of bumping into people you know.
All those questions you had about the safety of using cannabis and the process of obtaining a medical marijuana recommendation? We’re here to answer them. In fact, that’s exactly why a consultation might be helpful.
How it works: you’ll “meet” (virtually, of course) with one of our state-approved practitioners, followed by one of our expert team members for a one-on-one education session on medical marijuana, your state’s program, and how to stay compliant. If you’re ready, we’ll help you register with your state and complete your application for a medical marijuana card.
Medical cannabis use has been increasing in the senior population. Why? It’s becoming recognized as an effective way to manage various health issues, such as insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain. As awareness of its potential benefits spreads, the public is becoming more accepting of marijuana use among the elderly—which, in turn, is making more seniors feel open to trying it.
Believe it or not, nearly 30% of seniors take at least five prescription pain medications simultaneously. While we can’t guarantee that cannabis will be the ideal solution for you—just as with any medication, everyone responds differently—you might find a recommendation for medical marijuana to be a natural alternative to one or more of your pain medications, with less undesirable side effects.
In addition to pain, many have found that medical marijuana is helpful for insomnia, mental illness (such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD), Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Plus, unlike most medications, you can choose from many consumption methods, such as smoking cannabis flower, consuming oils sublingually, using a vaporizer, consuming edibles, or using a topical product.
With medical cannabis continuing to spread through the country — and with more and more research pointing to its benefits — the tide seems to be turning. In fact, in the 30+ states that allow medical or recreational use, the fastest-growing demographic of users is adults over 50. The face of who is using this substance is getting older and wiser.
Canna Care Docs is proud to be the largest multi-state medical cannabis evaluation and education center group in the United States. Book an appointment with us online or call (866) 846-2420 today.
Like many of us, you probably had a pre-pandemic to-do list that has been put on the back burner since March. Now, you’re doing your best to stay safe and social distance (read: working from home by day, sweats, and Netflix by night), only going out for trips to the grocery store—and, perhaps, the occasional outdoor dining experience for some sense of normalcy.
If one of those all-but-forgotten to-do’s was getting a medical marijuana card, then you’re in luck: Canna Care Docs is offering telemedicine services to help you get the process started safely and remotely.
Why telemed? Well, for starters…
We’re not talking six feet—you can talk to us from wherever you are (yes, your bedroom counts!). Having your session remotely means you can avoid the crowds, forget the mask, and ensure your own safety while discussing your needs with one of our medical practitioners. With flu season approaching, we understand the need to protect yourself is of the utmost importance.
Let’s face it: our “new normal” still feels anything but normal, and the daily challenges of pandemic life often make it feel like we’re navigating foreign territory. If you’re managing a crazy work schedule, homeschooling your kids or juggling childcare and WFH, visiting a medical marijuana clinic may simply add another task to your already full plate. Scheduling a telemed appointment saves you travel time and allows you to “meet” virtually with one of our licensed practitioners when and where it’s convenient for you (did we mention you don’t have to leave your bedroom?).
Unlike in-person appointments, you don’t have to travel to or even be near one of our medical cannabis clinics. You just have to be near your laptop, iPad, or the device of your choice. In fact, our telemed services aren’t even limited to the states we serve—as long as medical marijuana is legal in your state, you’re welcome to schedule a virtual appointment with us for a medical marijuana card evaluation.
You don’t typically discuss the other prescriptions you’re taking with your friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. Not to mention, there’s still a stigma attached to medical marijuana in many social circles. If, for these reasons, you’re hesitant to enter a cannabis clinic in public—let’s be honest: unlike a doctor’s office, you’d only be there for one reason—we get it. A telemed appointment may be the perfect alternative since it allows you to “visit” us and learn about obtaining a medical marijuana card from the privacy of your home. Just like an in-person visit, the information you share with us in a virtual meeting is confidential.
What to expect: we’ll go over the details of your state’s medical marijuana program and applicable laws, and provide you with information about medical cannabis, potential risks, and side effects. Then a medical practitioner will discuss your medical history with you, treatment options for your qualifying condition, and any questions you have. We’ll guide you through the medical marijuana application process, and if all goes well, help you get on track to receiving your card.
You must be a legal resident of the state of Maine over the age of 18 with a valid Maine state ID. If you are under the age of 18 and are seeking a medical marijuana card, you are able to do so with a parent/guardian’s consent and a physician referral
To apply for a medical cannabis card in Maine you must first make an appointment with Canna Care Docs. We offer easy online booking at www.cannacaredocs.com or you can book by giving us a call at 866-846-2420
During your appointment, you will meet directly with a knowledgeable provider who will decide if medical cannabis is right for you. Upon a recommendation from our medical cannabis practitioners, you will receive a written certification form from your medical cannabis provider.
Each patient will receive one on one assistance navigating the Maine Medical Marijuana program process and qualified patients will receive a physician’s certification valid for 12 months.
What Documents do I need to apply for a Medical Cannabis Card in Maine?
To apply for a medical marijuana card in Maine you must provide a valid state ID, proof of residency, and a signed certification (obtained from Canna Care Docs)
Acceptable ID
Acceptable Proof Of Residency
Yes, a Medical Marijuana patient in Maine or their caregiver can grow up to three mature plants, 12 immature plants, and an unlimited number of seedlings.
Yes, Maine accepts out of state medical cards from the following states:
You must be a legal resident of the State of Pennsylvania over the age of 18 with a recent diagnosis of a qualifying condition.
Approved patients will have access to over 80 dispensaries throughout the state and may purchase up to a 30 day supply at a time.
To apply for a medical cannabis card in Pennsylvania you must first make an appointment with Canna Care Docs. We offer easy online booking at www.cannacaredocs.com or you can book by giving us a call at 866-846-2420
To prepare for your appointment you will want to collect your medical records pertaining to the qualifying condition you wish to treat with Medical Cannabis.
During your appointment, you will meet directly with a knowledgeable provider who will decide if medical cannabis is right for you. Upon a recommendation from our medical cannabis practitioners, you will receive a written certification form from your medical cannabis provider.
Each patient will receive one on one assistance navigating the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana program process and qualified patients will receive a physician’s certification valid for 12 months.
We prefer records, but they are not required.
No form of growing cannabis is legal in Pennsylvania for medical cannabis patients.
Yes, minors can obtain a card for medical cannabis in Pennsylvania upon application, consent from a parent/guardian, and medical recommendation from their doctor.
Yes, medical marijuana patients in Pennsylvania can have a caregiver. An individual 21 years of age or older, unless authorized by the department, can serve as a medical cannabis caregiver in Pennsylvania. Caregivers must register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and follow the instructions to complete a criminal history background check with the State of Pennsylvania’s authorized vendor.
In order to register as a patient’s caregiver, you must have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or PA state-issued ID card. If the patient is already registered, you will need the patient’s name, date of birth, and patient ID number.
You cannot be a caregiver if you have been convicted of a criminal offense relating to the sale or possession of drugs, narcotics, or controlled substances within the last five years. Caregivers may provide care for up to five patients.
To apply as a caregiver, follow this process:
In April 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed the Medical Marijuana Act into law. The Medical Marijuana Program is for Pennsylvania residents who suffer from at least one of the following 23 serious medical conditions and have received a patient certification by a practitioner registered with the program.
You must be a legal resident of the state of Delaware over the age of 18 to apply for a medical cannabis card in Delaware.
An applying patient must have a qualifying condition per the Delaware Department of Health and medical records from within the last year confirming the diagnosis
Approved patients will have access to 6 dispensaries throughout the state and may purchase up to 3 ounces every 15 days.
To apply for a medical cannabis card in Delaware you must first make an appointment with Canna Care Docs. We offer easy online booking at www.cannacaredocs.com or you can book by giving us a call at 866-846-2420
To prepare for your appointment you will want to collect your medical records pertaining to the qualifying condition you wish to treat with Medical Cannabis.
During your appointment, you will meet directly with a knowledgeable provider who will decide if medical cannabis is right for you. Upon a recommendation from our medical cannabis practitioners, you will receive a written certification form from your medical cannabis provider which will be mailed to you directly.
Each patient will receive one on one assistance navigating the DE MMJ program process and qualified patients will receive a physicians certification valid for 12 months
A valid/current Delaware Driver’s License or ID. Medical records from within the last year confirming the qualifying diagnosis.
Yes, minors can get apply for a medical cannabis card in Delaware. Directions can be found here: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/medmarcaregiver.html
No, medical cannabis patients in Delaware are legally NOT allowed to grow any cannabis.
Delaware does not recognize the validity of out-of-state medical marijuana cards or physician’s certificates/recommendations.
The Delaware Medical Marijuana Act was approved and signed by Governor Jack Markell on May 13, 2011. It took effect on July 1, 2011. The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) implemented the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) on July 1, 2012. The first registration cards were issued to qualified patients and their designated caregivers in September 2012. As of June 30, 2013. Delaware’s first Dispensary open June 2015.
The decision to come to Canna Care Docs was a 2-year long process. After my 4th spinal surgery in 2012, I became fully disabled. In June of 2018, I was still recovering from my fifth back surgery and still using a walker. As time & my tolerance to my pain meds grew, so did the dosages. I was taking 100mg of extended-release morphine twice a day along with breakthrough pain meds & muscle relaxers.
That wasn’t all. I was also prescribed immediate and extended-release Xanax along with meds like Prazosin, Trazodone, & a few others to treat my PTSD after some trauma in my young adulthood left me struggling to cope.
The Nurse Practitioner at my psychiatrist’s office was the clinician that prescribed my Xanax for me. He gave me his blessing & encouraged me to seek out medical cannabis as an option, but unfortunately due to the way the law was written, he couldn’t sign the application for me. Fortunately for me, he sent me to CannaCare. That’s when & where I became a patient. I got lucky.
My cannabis ended up being so therapeutic for me that 4 months later in November, I was able to successfully taper off that Morphine completely. I have made progress that nobody could’ve fathomed, despite some of the same barriers patients are dealing with today. I am compelled to tell anyone that will listen that there are alternatives to the treatments that have more often than not failed them.
My only regret was not coming to Canna Care Docs SOONER! The compassion from this company supersedes anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. I’m so grateful, & I can’t wait for each patient to have an amazing experience!
You must be a legal resident of the State of Massachusetts with a valid state ID, be 18 years or older, and be previously diagnosed with a qualifying condition.
In Massachusetts, you can possess the following amounts with a valid MMJ Card:
Access to all recreational and medicinal dispensaries or delivery services in the state of Massachusetts.
To apply for a medical cannabis card in Massachusetts you must first make an appointment with Canna Care Docs. We offer easy online booking at www.cannacaredocs.com or you can book by giving us a call at 866-846-2420
To prepare for your appointment you will want to collect your medical records pertaining to the qualifying condition you wish to treat with Medical Cannabis.
During your appointment, you will meet directly with a knowledgeable provider who will decide if medical cannabis is right for you. Upon a recommendation from our medical cannabis practitioners, you will receive a written certification form from your medical cannabis provider which will be mailed to you directly.
In Massachusetts, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana recommendation and card:
“Debilitating” is defined in the Regulations as “causing weakness, cachexia, wasting syndrome, intractable pain, or nausea, or impairing strength or ability, and progressing to such an extent that one or more of a patient’s major life activities is substantially limited.”
To apply for a medical marijuana card in Rhode Island you must provide a valid state ID, proof of residency, medical records, and a signed certification (obtained from Canna Care Docs)
Acceptable ID
Acceptable Proof Of Residency
Medical Records
Yes, in order for our providers to make a medical cannabis recommendation they must be able to get a full understanding of your medical history. This allows our practitioners to make an informed recommendation for medical cannabis.
A personal caregiver is someone who has agreed to assist with a registered patient’s medical use of marijuana. Caregivers must be 21 years of age and are required to register with the DPH online. Qualifying patients are allowed two caregivers and caregivers are only allowed, one patient. Caregivers may transport patients to a dispensary, transport marijuana from a dispensary on their behalf, and/or cultivate marijuana for a patient who has obtained a hardship cultivation registration.
In order for a minor patient to qualify for medical cannabis in the state of Massachusetts, they must be suffering from Cancer, Epilepsy, or a life-limiting illness likely to result in death in 2 years
A debilitating medical condition that may not lead rapidly to death can be certified if BOTH doctors the benefits outweigh the risks.
Yes. The law allows an individual over 21 years of age to grow up to six plants in their home.
Important Restrictions
Yes and No. As Massachusetts’s allows the sale of recreational marijuana, out of state residents over the age of 21 are allowed to purchase up to 1oz of usable cannabis. Out of state medical patients are unable to purchase and take advantage of the medicinal program within Massachusetts.
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