Maine: The State of Best Medical

Marijuana?

The Dispensary Experts: http://www.thedispensaryexperts.com

Introduction

Maine, an idyllic Atlantic state, decriminalized the possession of marijuana and allowed the prescription of

marijuana for medical purposes as far back in time as 1999.

Maine and Medical Marijuana

• As compared to some of the other states, the situation seems to be pretty well-managed in Maine.

• Medical marijuana prescription and dispensation are managed in very systematic manner in Maine.

Medical Marijuana and the Federal Government

• However, constant battle of authority with the Federal Government and frequent situations of non-compliances with Federal possession laws ensued.

• It was in 2009 that the first Obama administration allowed patients to use medical marijuana so long as the rules of their home states were complied with.

This resulted in people-initiated act called Maine Medical Marijuana Act being drafted and passed by the legislature.

Operations of Medical Marijuana in Maine

• The operations of medical marijuana in Maine are overseen by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

• In its current form, this law allows patients with debilitating and chronic conditions to use medical marijuana as prescribed by the authorized medical practitioner.

As of late, various revamps are introduced in the medical marijuana prescription and consumption services in Maine.

• The recent developments saw the registered medical practitioners in Maine (along with a few nurse with great track record) being given priority to issue prescription to patients (whom they already treat) online.

• Maine was the fifth state to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell marijuana.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Maine: What You Need To Know

• In the first year of implementation, only 8 dispensary licenses were issued, one on each of the 8 districts.

• However, this number went up with the successful execution of dispensary plans.

• The #1 reason dispensary applications were approved was strictly because of the inclusion of an outstanding business plan, specifically written for dispensaries.

• If you need a business plan, tips on writing a dispensary specific business plan, or want to actually get to use the one we have used to open 16 dispensaries, you can download it here.

• The Division of Licensing and Regulatory Services (DLRS), a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services looks over the issuance of marijuana dispensaries in Maine, as well as subsequent compliance with the rules.

• In January 2015, the various dispensary license fees and patient fees were brought down by 20%.

Current Fee Structures as of February 2015

• Dispensary Registration - $12000

• Dispensary Moving - $4000

• Caregiver (Per each patient) - $240

• Employee (Caregiver and Dispensary) - $20

• Change/Renewal/Reissue - $8

• Mandatory Annual Background Check - $31 (if unchanged)

• The new system, developed and employed by the DHHS, Maine is truly the best of its kind in the country.

• It even provides privacy to the practitioners, patients and dispensaries just as any healthcare service should.

Conclusion

• If you are looking for more information regarding the dispensary application process in Maine, visit the Maine State webpage.

• If you need some dispensary business plan tips or to download our personal “done for you” plan we use for our dispensaries, we’ve done all the work for you here.