Marijuana consists of hundreds of components that benefit your health. One cannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD) offers many of marijuana’s benefits without a high. Because of this difference, a lot of laws focus on the psychoactive cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis medicine that mainly has CBD doesn’t always fall under a medical marijuana program. Maine’s hemp industry and marijuana laws give patients options to medicate with CBD.
A CBD product’s legal regulations depend on its THC content. If it has more than 0.3 percent THC, it counts as marijuana. Meanwhile, CBD medicine with under 0.3 percent THC falls under hemp legislation. Although both these items come from the cannabis plant, they have very different rules that pertain to them.
CBD medicine that the law considers marijuana falls under medical and recreational laws. Medical marijuana program patients and adults over 21 can buy it. This kind of CBD has stricter regulations than hemp-based CBD. Only dispensaries can sell it. As of October 2018, Maine does not have any operational recreational dispensaries. But, adults over 21 can grow up to six plants at home.
On the other hand, retail shops can sell hemp CBD without these restrictions. Everyone has the opportunity to buy hemp-derived CBD products from natural health and specialty stores. The government analyzes each crop to ensure that it has no more than 0.3% THC, and then it goes to a shop near you.
While you can buy recreational and hemp CBD without a medical marijuana card, we recommend joining the program. The medicine sold at dispensaries goes through a rigorous vetting process. As a cardholder, you also get support from a certified doctor. You could qualify for a medicinal cannabis ID if you have a condition like:
To discover the full list of eligible health issues, visit our Maine Qualification guide.
If you decide to get certified for medical marijuana use, you can visit any doctor authorized to practice medicine in Maine for a recommendation. Once you get your physician’s permission, you can register for the program online. Non-residents enrolled in their home state’s programs can get a temporary card during their stay in Maine.
CBD medicine regulated by Maine’s medical cannabis program has more restrictions. But, it also tends to have a higher quality than recreational and hemp CBD. To decide on the best treatment for your needs, visit a marijuana-trained doctor today.
