Although Maine legalized marijuana in 2016, its recreational sales are yet to open, mostly due to the resistance from Maine’s anti-cannabis governor who already vetoed two marijuana sales regulating bills since the official legalization.
Nevertheless, lawmakers’ most recent veto was overturned, and Maine is preparing to launch adult-use sales by the second half of 2020, allowing adults 21 or older to purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of weed for personal use.
In this article, we’ll cover both recreational and medical marijuana laws in Maine; we’ll also highlight the best dispensaries to buy weed in the state and whether or not patients from other states can apply for a medical marijuana card here.
Let’s get started!
Buying Weed Online in Maine: Is It Even an Option?
When weed is legal, but there’s nowhere to buy it from, the emergence of a grey market is a dead giveaway. Although you can’t technically buy weed online in Maine, there are delivery services that will send you “free weed” but charge you for the “delivery service.” As you may guess, the price of the service depends on the size of your order.
Police don’t seem to care, but the legality of these businesses is certainly questionable, so we don’t encourage you to use them. However, if you do, you’re doing this at your own risk.
Some dispensaries offer pre-orders if you’re a medical marijuana patient, meaning that you can order your medicine ahead and pick it up later at a dispensary. However, delivery is not an option with those dispensaries.
A Better and Legal Alternative to Marijuana in Maine
Buying weed online is without a doubt convenient, but we still have at least a few years to wait until the situation starts to look like in Canada. Besides, not every cannabis user responds well to the psychoactive effects of delta 9 THC.
If weed is illegal in your state, or you have a bad experience with delta 9 but appreciate other benefits of cannabis, then you might be interested in trying delta 8 THC.
Ever heard of this cannabinoid?
We’ll explain everything shortly. But first, let’s focus on why some people choose to avoid high-THC cannabis.
Cons of Delta 9 THC from Marijuana
Marijuana has a relatively good safety profile both as a medical and recreational substance. Even the World Health Organization admitted in 2017 that cannabis is a benign substance with no clinically significant side effects.
Most people can enjoy the psychoactive effects of delta 9 THC without any mental discomfort. On the contrary, they usually feel relaxed, giggly, hungry, and euphoric.
That being said, some cannabis users are particularly sensitive to these properties. Namely, their cannabinoid receptors in the brain can easily get overstimulated by higher doses of THC.
In high doses, delta 9 THC may cause the following side effects:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood sugar levels (known as “greening out”)
How does delta 8 THC compare to delta 9? Let’s find out.
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 THC
Delta 8 THC is an analog of delta 9 THC. It has a similar molecular structure but with one subtle difference in the arrangement of its atomic bonds. For delta 8 THC, the double bond is at the 8th chain, while for delta 9 THC, this bond is at the 9th chain. As a result, delta 8 THC is about half as potent as delta 9.
You’d need to take twice as much of delta 8 THC to experience a similar intensity of effects to delta 9 THC in simple terms. Furthermore, delta 8 THC is less likely to get you anxious or paranoid. In fact, these side effects are very uncommon among delta 8 users.
Delta 8 THC also has similar health benefits to delta 9 regarding easing pain, inflammation, stress, nausea, and vomiting. Some studies also show that delta 8 THC can stimulate appetite and protect neurons in the brain against damage.
Pros of Buying Delta 8 THC Online
Delta 8 THC has quickly become a popular product among cannabis aficionados. Often dubbed as “cannabis light” or “diet weed,” delta 8 can be found in various local stores, from Maine’s cannabis dispensaries to head shops to vape stores and even gas stations.
However, the problem with local stores is that most of them sell uncertified d8 extracts that are often mislabeled, and some of them can be contaminated with pesticides, residual solvents, or heavy metals — and there’s absolutely no way to check their safety.
When you buy delta 8 THC online, you can look for lab reports from a third-party laboratory, which will give you insight into the product’s chemical profile and purity. You can also read user reviews and search through social media groups and forums for professional advice from more experienced users. As a whole, these things give you a bigger picture of your potential vendor.
Other benefits of shopping for delta 8 THC online include:
Shipped to Your Door Legally in Your State
Delta 8 THC is (theoretically) legal on a federal level. This means that you can buy it online and have it delivered to you from another state — if that’s where you’ve found the best product for your needs. That’s because hemp-derived delta 8 products contain less than 0.3% of delta 9 THC and thus remain in compliance with the provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill.
12 states have already banned the sale of THC because they consider it a legal grey area. So currently, you won’t order delta 8 THC from Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah.
Receive in 2-3 Days with the Convenience of Shopping at Home
Shopping for delta 8 THC online is more convenient than finding a store with such products locally. Not only do you get access to hundreds of different products without leaving your house — potencies, formulations, flavors, and sizes — but you can also count on fast delivery times. Delta 8 THC companies usually deliver their products within 2-3 business days, which isn’t that long considering that you’re getting a certified and safe extract.
Another benefit of buying delta 8 THC online is the lower prices. With no middleman involved, online stores can offer better prices on their products on top of discounts, coupon codes, and reward programs.
No Anxiety as Seen with Delta 9 THC
Delta 8 THC is not as potent as delta 9. For that reason, it also has a lower incidence of triggering anxiety and paranoia. Many sensitive cannabis users turn to delta 8 THC from weed because they can enjoy its cognitive benefits without feeling edgy.
Lasts Longer than Delta 9 THC from Marijuana
Although it’s less potent than delta 9, and its effects are delayed, delta 8 THC tends to last longer than marijuana. On top of that, the appetite stimulation is more pronounced than with delta 9, which may be of a particular benefit for people with eating disorders.
Best Delta 8 THC Online Vendors
The delta 8 THC space is a novel and unregulated market. Since there’s no standardization regarding the quality and labeling of such products, it’s the customer’s responsibility to research any company selling delta 8 THC extracts. You need to look into parameters provided in the product’s certificate of analysis (COA), consider how the hemp was farmed, and what extraction method was used to produce it.
Here are our top 2 picks for the best delta 8 THC online vendors if you’re in a rush. At WeBeHigh.com, we’re dedicated to reviewing new products on the market to give our users an unbiased overview of the cannabis industry — reviewing the best and the worst products out there.
Area52
Area52 is a company that was launched in California by a group of scientists, biotechnologists, and hemp growers with a mission to provide health-conscious consumers with high-quality delta 8 THC extracts. The company believes that delta 8 THC is a versatile tool for improving productivity and has plenty of cognitive benefits.
Area52 specializes in delta 8 THC distillate, infusing into traditional cannabis formats, including tinctures, gummies, and vape carts. Their products come from organic hemp and are gently extracted using a multi-step filtration process to maximize the yields and maintain the highest purity. For that reason, Area52 admits their extracts are slightly more expensive than the competition, but the integrity of testing and quality ingredients makes them worth their price.
Products offered by Area52:
- Delta 8 THC Tincture: 1200 mg, Vanilla-flavored
- Delta 8 THC Gummies: 25 mg each, non-GMO, vegan, low-sugar, assorted fruity flavors)
- Delta 8 THC Vape Cart: 900 mg – Pineapple Express, Berry Gelato, Granddaddy Purple
Finest Labs
Finest Labs is a good choice for beginners and those interested in low-strength delta 8 THC products. The company offers similar products to Area 52 — tinctures, gummies, and vape carts — but in slightly lower concentrations. This, in turn, translates into a lower cost per product. Finest Labs is the best company if you’re just getting started with delta 8 THC. Their products are tested at different production stages to ensure that the potency and purity match the product’s description on the label.
Products offered by Finest Labs:
- Delta 8 THC Tincture: 500 mg, Berry flavored
- Delta 8 THC Gummies: 25 mg each, assorted fruity flavors
- Delta 8 THC Vape Cart: 900 mg – Strawberry Cough
Buying Weed Locally in Maine
Maine is a great place to be if you want to buy weed somewhere near you. There are already many dispensaries across the state, where you can get high-quality products and learn from experienced staff if you have any questions about using weed as a beginner.
Best Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries in Maine:
| Name | Address |
| Wellness Connection of Maine | 31 Maine Ave, Gardiner, ME |
| Theory Wellness: South Portland Recreational Cannabis Dispensary | 198 Maine Mall Rd Suite, ME |
| HI-LO Dispensary | 435 Maine St, Portland, ME |
| Sweet Relief | 1 Priest Rd, Northport, ME |
| Canuvo | 4 Wellspring Rd, Biddeford, ME |
Is Weed Legal in Maine?
Yes, both recreational and medical use of marijuana is legal in Maine. However, they are subject to different regulations. Here we explain everything you need to know about buying weed in Maine.
Medical Marijuana Laws in Maine
Maine legalized medical marijuana in 1999, but the medical marijuana patient registry and card system were launched 10 years later, in 2009.
Patients can register with the Maine Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP) voluntarily. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services will then issue a registry ID card for qualified patients. If you don’t want to register with the MMMP, you must first acquire a written certification from a qualified physician. This document will entitle you to purchase marijuana from one of the state-licensed dispensaries.
Who Can Buy Medical Marijuana?
Only adults who are 21 years of age or older can apply for a medical marijuana card in Maine. However, minors can be accepted to join the MMMP with parental consent, proving parental status or at least legal guardianship. Also, the parent of a legal guardian must apply for the caregiver status to legally buy weed in Maine from medical dispensaries.
Patients who register with the MMMP must have a chronic or debilitating condition or disease that hasn’t responded well with conventional treatments.
Qualifying conditions include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Anxiety
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Consistent seizures or muscle spasms
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nail-patella syndrome
- Nausea
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Recreational Marijuana Laws in Maine
Maine legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2016. Since then, adults can buy weed from one of the state-licensed recreational dispensaries.
Who Can Buy Recreational Marijuana?
Individuals aged 21 or older can possess up to 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of weed. In addition, adults can legally grow up to three mature marijuana plants and 12 immature plants. There are no limits concerning seedlings.
Once recreational dispensaries enter the market, adults 21 years of age or older with a valid ID will be able to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of weed per transaction. It’s one of the highest purchasing limits in the US.
Can You Smoke Weed in Public?
Recreational and medical marijuana consumption is limited to private properties, out of public view. Adults who choose to violate that law can face a fine of up to $100. Maine has been considering the allowance of social cannabis clubs where adults could safely consume their weed, but the new legislation currently bans social clubs throughout the state.
Can You Grow Your Own Weed as a Recreational User in Maine?
If you’re 21 or older, you’re allowed to cultivate up to 3 flowering marijuana plants as long as each plant is kept out of public view. The grower must also take all necessary measures to keep their plants away from anyone under legal age.
In addition, each plant must have a label containing the following details:
- Grower’s name
- Grower’s Maine driver’s license number
Please note that plants cultivated for recreational purposes fall into a different category than marijuana grown for medical use.
Traveling with Weed in Maine
When it comes to transporting marijuana, the rules in Maine are similar to other recreational states. You can legally transport marijuana accessories and up to 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis provided that you keep it sealed in a child-proof container every time the vehicle is in use.
Exporting marijuana across state lines is strictly prohibited. As a matter of fact, getting caught exporting weed from a state where cannabis is legalized in some form may result in jail time. Violators face severe fines, prison time, and criminal charges on their record. Thus, the cons definitely outweigh the potential pros of such actions.
What About CBD Hemp Oil in Maine?
CBD hemp oil is legal on a federal level since President Trump’s signing of the 2018 Farm Bill. The new law removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, reclassifying it as an agricultural crop. Today, hemp farmers can grow their plants for research and industrial purposes, and commercial use. Hemp can be used to produce food, clothing, ropes, construction materials, biofuel, paper, and health supplements like CBD extracts.
CBD hemp oil in many local stores in Maine, including cannabis dispensaries, pharmacies, head shops, vape stores, and organic health outlets. However, since the market is still unregulated, the best way to find high-quality CBD oils is to look for a trustworthy online vendor. In addition, shopping for CBD online is more convenient and provides you with more research tools than local errands.
Key Takeaways on Buying Weed in Maine
Cannabis is legal in Maine for both medical and recreational purposes. Adults aged 21 and over are allowed to purchase marijuana from one of the adult-use dispensaries. However, buying online isn’t an option for now unless you plan to order your weed ahead from the dispensary’s website and pick it up later. Marijuana deliveries are reserved exclusively for medical marijuana patients.
If you’re looking for a legal alternative to buying weed online in Maine, consider trying out delta 8 THC. This analog of delta 9 THC is less potent, provides a smoother cognitive experience, and is legal on a federal level.
Where do you buy your weed in Maine? Do you have a medical card or grow your own plants?