Being a MMJ Patient in Maine with a CA issued recommendation & need for a caregiver

Hi folks.

I just moved to Maine from Los Angeles and I'm trying to find my self a caregiver.
I was only able to see one caregiver since I moved here and he didn't accept my recommendation because it was issued in California.

So I'm a little bit consufed right now. I already paid my annual fee for the recommendation which is 10 times more expensive in Maine (300 bucks) compared to California (30 bucks). I talked to Wellness Connection of Maine dispensaries and they told me I can visit their dispensaries with my current recommendation. I also talked to another caregiver who resides in south of Maine (I'm in north) told me I can get my meds with my current recommendation but I need to buy 2 ounces at a time, which costs me around 500 dollars.

Can anyone advise me a reliable caregiver who does not look and act like a former illegal drug dealer?

Where can I get the information that clearly states I can or I can't use my recommendation in Maine?

Thanks in advance.

§2423-D. Authorized conduct by a visiting qualifying patient
A qualifying patient who is visiting the State from another jurisdiction that authorizes the medical use of marijuana pursuant to a law recognized by the department who possesses a valid written certification as described in section 2423-B from the patient's treating physician and a valid medical marijuana certification from that other jurisdiction and photographic identification or a driver's license from that jurisdiction may engage in conduct authorized for a qualifying patient under this chapter.

According to the above, your CA certification should be treated the same as a ME certification, period.

Here is a link to our state's MMJ program, where you will find links to the statute, rules, forms, etc.:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/dlrs/mmm/index.shtml

I suppose the definition of "visiting" could come into play also. If you have moved here permanently you will no doubt have to get a ME certification at some point. Does the CA one have an expiration date? It's an annual re-cert in ME, so I doubt that yours could be honored for longer than that here. You'll have to get a ME one eventually.

My contact number is 9449330 and we could talk about that

Thanks for information tet1953.

tet1953 said:

§2423-D. Authorized conduct by a visiting qualifying patient
A qualifying patient who is visiting the State from another jurisdiction that authorizes the medical use of marijuana pursuant to a law recognized by the department who possesses a valid written certification as described in section 2423-B from the patient's treating physician and a valid medical marijuana certification from that other jurisdiction and photographic identification or a driver's license from that jurisdiction may engage in conduct authorized for a qualifying patient under this chapter.

According to the above, your CA certification should be treated the same as a ME certification, period.

Click to expand...

I was looking exactly for some clarification like this. My CA issued recommendation's expiration date is Jan 2015. So I know that I need to go to doctor at some point but I just arrived to Maine, I'm going into a lot of costs and I don't want to add another batch to my expenses.

If I had to I definitely would have a renewal without choice. But Maine allowed nurse practitioners to give MMJ recommendations so I hope prices will drop soon.

Now I'm getting some friendly replies from friendly caregivers and I'm happier with less worries and reasonable prices.

I got your mail Joselynn I'm gonna give you a call today, thanks for your interest and reply.

Even if you have an out of state cert, a visiting patient needs to have the Maine MMJ physician certification form filled out by the doctor that issued the certification. And it needs to be on special security paper. http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/dlrs/mmm/documents/110104-MMPPhysicianCertification.pdf

Got a link to the part of the statute or a rule that says that?

tet1953 said:

Got a link to the part of the statute or a rule that says that?

Click to expand...

What a great conversation. I agree with Tet just because they have it on the form does not make it law or that would be my assumption..Looks like the form is misleading and wouldn't be the first time. I like hearing the opposing opinions though too, never can be too safe..

tet1953 said:

Got a link to the part of the statute or a rule that says that?

Click to expand...

You posted it.

"who possesses a valid written certification as described in section 2423-B from the patient's treating physician and"

Section 2423-B talks about the maine mmj physician certification form. Every patient in maine needs one to be legal. Doesn't matter if you are a resident or visiting.

"A written certification under this section must be in the "FORM REQUIRED BY RULE ADOPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT" and may not require a qualifying patient's physician to state the patient's specific medical condition."

I believe the intent of this statement is about as clear as a glass of pond water... If the patients conditions match up with our laws I would say that would be "in" form with our law?

If a "visiting" patient is not allowed to use their own state's documentation while visiting, what is the purpose of the clause? Is it to, in roundabout legal parlance, to point out that in fact they still have to get Maine certified? That doesn't make sense to me, even for our legislature. That would mean that someone here on vacation for a week would have to get an appointment, get certified etc. either before they come or while they are here, right? It just doesn't make sense to me.
I do, however, see your point about the language. I just don't agree with you about what it means. I'll call and ask tomorrow, although that is not definitive either. That will just be someone's opinion also lol

Let me try again. Just my opinion, of course.

They don't need to be certified in maine, they need their home state doctor to fill out the maine form.

It is spelled out in the rules. I have the security paper, so I can print up the form and send it to a patient if I know they will be visiting. They have their home state doctor fill it out.


2.1.3 Protected conduct by a visiting qualifying patient. A qualifying patient visiting the State from another jurisdiction that authorizes the medical use of marijuana pursuant to a law or regulation of another state or political subdivision may engage in conduct authorized for a qualifying patient by these rules if the following criteria are met:
2.1.3.1 Maine form. The visitor shall possess a valid Maine-approved written physician certification form completed, signed and dated by the visitor’s home-jurisdiction treating physician. The Maine form is available on the division’s webpage at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/dlrs/mmm/index.shtml.

2.1.3.2 Home-jurisdiction certification. The visitor shall possess a valid medical use of marijuana certification issued by the visitor’s home- jurisdiction.

2.1.3.3 Photographic identification. The visitor shall possess a valid photographic identification card or driver’s license issued by the visitor’s home-jurisdiction.

After all that Juju your right!....Which I dont agree with the law... but Thank you for diving me down into it further.. They should make it even easier, can people bring prescriptions from state to state? We are talking about a non-lethal drug...This law is for the BIRDS! Im convinced idiots make our law...But until it changes I will follow it..

JuJu,
Thank you! That really helped!

Tet, What they have to do is prepare ahead and have their doctor fill out their permission slip, which insures most wont be getting Natures Meds in Maine on vacation or not through legal channels anyway....Complete B.S.

I wonder how many out of state patients will be able to drill the law down enough to figure this out before going on vacation? 0

Much clearer now, thanks Juju

Thanks for all the replies guys. I guess I'll have to wait to get legal "again".

If anybody knows any doctors/nurse practitioners who can renew my recommendation for affordable prices, please advise.

[Q u need help ..I can help u.......UOTE="puredata, post: 10624998, member: 880207"]Hi folks.

I just moved to Maine from Los Angeles and I'm trying to find my self a caregiver.
I was only able to see one caregiver since I moved here and he didn't accept my recommendation because it was issued in California.

So I'm a little bit consufed right now. I already paid my annual fee for the recommendation which is 10 times more expensive in Maine (300 bucks) compared to California (30 bucks). I talked to Wellness Connection of Maine dispensaries and they told me I can visit their dispensaries with my current recommendation. I also talked to another caregiver who resides in south of Maine (I'm in north) told me I can get my meds with my current recommendation but I need to buy 2 ounces at a time, which costs me around 500 dollars.

Can anyone advise me a reliable caregiver who does not look and act like a former illegal drug dealer?

Where can I get the information that clearly states I can or I can't use my recommendation in Maine?

Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
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[QUOTEn.Butter, post: 10668612, member: 881042"][Q u need help ..I can help u.......UOTE="puredata, post: 10624998, member: 880207"]Hi folks.

I just moved to Maine from Los Angeles and I'm trying to find my self a caregiver.
I was only able to see one caregiver since I moved here and he didn't accept my recommendation because it was issued in California.

So I'm a little bit consufed right now. I already paid my annual fee for the recommendation which is 10 times more expensive in Maine (300 bucks) compared to California (30 bucks). I talked to Wellness Connection of Maine dispensaries and they told me I can visit their dispensaries with my current recommendation. I also talked to another caregiver who resides in south of Maine (I'm in north) told me I can get my meds with my current recommendation but I need to buy 2 ounces at a time, which costs me around 500 dollars.

Can anyone advise me a reliable caregiver who does not look and act like a former illegal drug dealer?

Where can I get the information that clearly states I can or I can't use my recommendation in Maine?

Thanks in advance........i can

Brother I feel ur strees...If u need help forward me ur email..