Cannabis for medical use was approved on November 2, 1999 by 61% of voters and became effective on December 22, 1999
The act removed state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess an oral or written “professional opinion” from their physician that he or she “might benefit from the medical use of marijuana.”
The law does not establish a state-run patient registry.
Conditions Approved for Use of Medical Marijuana in Maine
- Epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures
- Glaucoma
- Multiple sclerosis and other disorders characterized by muscle spasticity
- Nausea or vomiting as a result of AIDS or cancer chemotherapy
Cannabis Quantities Allowed
Possession: patients or their primary caregivers may legally possess no more than one-and-a-quarter (1.25) ounces of usable marijuana,
Cultivation: patients or their primary caregivers may legally cultivate no more than six marijuana plants, of which no more than three may be mature.
Those patients who possess greater amounts of marijuana than allowed by law are afforded a “simple defense” to a charge of marijuana possession.
The bill was amended in Senate Bill 611 which became effect on April 2, 2002. This amendment increased the legal amount of useable marijuana a person may possess to two-and-a-half (2.5) ounces of usable marijuana.
A further Amendment, approved on November 3, 2009 by 59% of voters updated the approved list of conditions to:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Nail-patella syndrome
- Chronic intractable pain,
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Severe nausea
- Seizures (epilepsy)
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms
- Multiple sclerosis
This amendment also instructs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a registry identification program for patients and caregivers and stipulates provisions for the operation of nonprofit dispensaries.
02/02/2010 Update on Medical Marijuana for Minors in Maine
Back to Medical Marijuana state laws
Politicians are 10 years behind the times when it comes to pot use. People have been fighting for a long time against cannabis and hemp prohibition with some movement going on now. Still too slow for those caught up in the jail system for possessing a little weed. Our freedoms have been trampled on by folks who know nothing about how beautiful marijauna can be for someones life, if one learns about growing cannabis. Keep up the good work.
[...] task force tasked with implementing the newly-expanded medical marijuana law in Maine say they are facing a daunting task, despite that the expansion, which includes the setting up of [...]