Title:
Changes to medical marijuana program coming; all patients must register
Message:
As you may know, last November voters in Maine approved an
MPP-authored expansion to the state’s medical marijuana law that includes
adding a system of medical marijuana dispensaries. Subsequent to the November
vote, the state legislature made further changes to the law. With the program
now moving toward full implementation, it is important for Maine’s medical
marijuana patients to note some major changes to the medical marijuana law.
First, in order to
qualify for legal protection, all patients and caregivers must be registered
with the Health Department by January 1, 2011. This is due to changes
enacted by the legislature, not the initiative. Patients can obtain the
necessary forms from the Division of Licensing and
Regulatory Services medical marijuana page. A program FAQ is
also available.
It is imperative that all patients register by the January 1
deadline, as there will no longer be an affirmative defense available to unregistered
patients. Simply put, this means that all patients must be registered with the
Health Department and in full compliance with the letter of law, including
obeying plant possession limits, in order to be legally protected under Maine’s
medical marijuana program.
Finally, the good news is that eight dispensaries should be opening in the coming months. In addition, the
initiative made several other positive changes, including added qualifying
conditions and civil protections.
Please share this news with any medical marijuana patients
you know in Maine. Thank you for your support!
