Hemp-derived CBD and cannabis-derived CBD are both legal in Maine. CBD can also be used as an additive in food or beverages.
Maine passed its first cannabis laws in 1999 when it gave patients the legal right to grow medical marijuana plants. Recreational cannabis was legalized in 2016 under the Marijuana Legalization Act, but a moratorium prohibited the sale of recreational cannabis. Recent legislation has since created a framework, and recreational dispensaries are projected to open in early 2020.
At present, only registered patients can purchase cannabis products, such as cannabis-derived CBD, from state dispensaries.
What is CBD?
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis and the second-most prominent in the plant after THC, which is mostly responsible for producing an intoxicating high. CBD can be sourced either from marijuana or hemp plants and has a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits.
To date, researchers have identified a number of potential applications linked to CBD, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure properties. Further, the chemical has shown promise in treating numerous health conditions, including seizure disorders, mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, chronic pain, and many more.
Most raw cannabis strains on the market today contain small amounts of CBD, especially compared with THC. But since the cannabinoid has gained considerable attention for its wide range of purported therapeutic benefits, more high-CBD strains have recently been cultivated.
Is CBD Legal in Maine?
If you want simple answer to the question then Yes, CBD is legal in Maine! However, there are a few things you should be aware of before you make your purchase.
CBD can be derived from both flowering marijuana and industrial hemp plants. Under the Agricultural Act of 2014, industrial hemp CBD products are legal in all 50 states.
The 2018 Farm Bill re-classified hemp as an agricultural commodity and made its cultivation federally legal. Further, the act removed some forms of cannabis from Schedule 1 status by creating a legal distinction between hemp and marijuana. Hemp is cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, and marijuana refers to cannabis with more than 0.3% THC. This distinction in federal law effectively legalized CBD that is derived from cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, as long as it has been cultivated according to federal and state regulations.
The 2018 Farm Bill legislation does not mean that CBD derived from hemp is universally legal throughout the United States. According to the Farm Bill, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the power to regulate CBD product labeling, including therapeutic claims and the use of CBD as a food additive.
The FDA has declared that hemp-derived CBD may not legally be added to food and beverages, or marketed as a dietary supplement. Although the organization has begun to re-evaluate some of its stances on legal CBD products, the FDA has not revised its regulations. The agency also has been strict in its position against any labeling that could be perceived as a medical claim about CBD.
In addition to the federal regulation of CBD, the Farm Bill also gave states the option to regulate and prohibit the cultivation and commerce of CBD. States may regulate CBD in food, beverages, dietary supplements, and cosmetic products independently, even before the FDA finalizes its policies. Maine has created its own regulations with respect to the use of CBD in food and food products.
Where to buy CBD in Maine
Hemp-derived CBD products, including CBD oil, can be found in a variety of retailers in Maine. Because the state allows CBD to be used as a food or food additive, grocery stores, restaurants, and other food-centric retail stores also sell CBD products.
In addition, you can also shop for CBD online and find verified CBD brands . It’s vital to do your research and ensure you’re purchasing CBD oil or other CBD products from a reputable source — whether that’s an online retailer or a brick and mortar location.
Reputable brands will generally provide you with essential product details, including the form of the CBD (such as oil, capsules, topicals, tinctures, etc.), the quantity of CBD the product contains, other chemicals or ingredients present in the product, and more.
Cannabis-derived CBD can only be purchased from a state dispensary with a medical marijuana card.
If you’re looking for a CBD supplier in Maine, go online.
The United States is slowly becoming more friendly to those who use marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes. There are currently 33 states that have legalized medical marijuana and another ten states in which it’s accessible for recreational use.
Maine is a great place to be if you’re interested in the world of CBD. The Pine Tree State has some of the most progressive marijuana laws in America.
Throughout this article, you’ll learn about the legal atmosphere of marijuana and CBD in Maine, and we’ll point you in the direction of a few trustworthy suppliers both online and in-store.
Buy CBD Oil in Maine:
- Royal CBD Oil — Best CBD Oil Overall
- Gold Bee CBD Gummies — Best CBD Gummies
- CBDistillery THC-Free Pure CBD Oil — Best CBD Isolate Oil
- Industrial Hemp Farms — Best CBD Flower
- Honest Paws CBD Oil For Dogs — Best CBD Oil For Dogs
How to Buy CBD in Maine
You should have no problem tracking down a good source of CBD in Maine. If you are a medical marijuana customer, you should be able to find a good variety of options through your appointed dispensary or caregiver.
If you don’t have a doctor’s recommendation, you can still purchase CBD online — or you may be able to find industrial hemp products in vape stores, head shops, and natural health outlets.
The CBD industry is mostly unregulated in the United States. Therefore, take some time to research CBD companies before you make a purchase.
The Food and Drug Administration has conducted studies that found that certain CBD contains almost 0% CBD or unnecessary heavy metals and solvents.
Therefore, it’s essential that you keep informed to protect yourself from these scam artists.
A Few Tips for Buying Quality CBD in Maine
- Only purchase from suppliers that have had their products tested by a third-party lab. Outside labs can verify that the CBD content matches what the company is advertising and that the product is free from additional solvents and foreign materials.
- Check if the products are labeled as full-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD products can contain other valuable cannabinoids, including terpenes and flavonoids.
- Buy from companies who use CO2 extraction. Some companies use propane or butane to heat the plants to extract the CBD. This can leave behind harmful solvents and decrease the overall quality of the product. CO2 extraction, however, doesn’t require additional solvents or heat.
If you follow these tips step by step, you are on the right path to a quality CBD supplier.
If you’re feeling confident and ready to buy, look below for some reliable CBD suppliers in Maine!
1. Online Shops
Shopping online is the way to go when it comes to purchasing CBD in Maine. Online suppliers can get your shipment of CBD sent straight to your door in a matter of days.
If you make your purchase online, you can take advantage of bulk discounts or exclusive sales that you likely wouldn’t be able to find in-store.
Convenience is king. You can shop for CBD online anywhere, anytime. Which other stores would allow you to purchase at 1 am in your pajamas?
Comparing products is quick and easy. There are hundreds of CBD products available on the market. It can be difficult to access valuable information about the company when a line is building up behind you.
2. Local Stores
If you would prefer to shop for your CBD from a local store, Maine is a great place to be. Your favorite CBD products can be found easily across the state.
Keep an eye out for recreational dispensaries opening up in Maine. Dispensaries are excellent resources for knowledgeable staff and high-quality products. But beware of fake products when you buying it from local stores
Maine CBD laws
The cultivation of industrial hemp was legalized in Maine in 2009 under LD1159. In February 2019, the state passed additional legislation, LD 630, providing further regulations for the licensing of industrial hemp and the sale of hemp-derived CBD.
LD 630 aligns with the federal definition of hemp as containing 0.3% concentration of THC or less. According to the law, any hemp cultivated, manufactured, or sold within the state must be licensed with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF). The legislation also explicitly states that foods and food products containing hemp or CBD can be sold and marketed for non-pharmaceutical purposes. These products cannot make therapeutic claims, however, unless approved by federal law.
CBD sold in Maine must meet labeling standards.
- All labels must include the ingredients, the amount by weight, and the name, address, and zip code of the manufacturer.
- Labels must not include any health claims, including that hemp, CBD, or the product can diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, injury, or condition.
- If a food product containing CBD is sold in a restaurant, the menu must clearly state the inclusion of CBD and the weight by item.
Cannabis was legalized in 1999 for medical purposes under An Act to Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act. Cannabis was legalized for adult use in 2016 under the Marijuana Legalization Act.
Similar to many states with recreational cannabis legislation, the commerce of recreational cannabis was placed under moratorium to allow time to develop regulations. In June 2019, Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 719 that sets up a framework for the sale of adult-use marijuana, which should become available for retail in early 2020. Until then, CBD derived from cannabis is only available to purchase from state-licensed dispensaries by patients with a medical marijuana card.
Licensing requirements for CBD
Hemp licensing in Maine is handled by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. Applicants must complete their license application between January 1 and April 1 of the year they wish to grow hemp. Applicants must also submit a $100 application fee with their application. If the application is approved, licensees are also responsible for a $500 licensing fee and an additional fee of $50 per acre. Applicants must provide detailed information regarding the boundaries and dimensions of proposed growing sites.
Under Maine law, all industrial hemp must be planted using a certified seed source. These sources must be certified by the Association of Seed Certifying Agencies or another approved standard. Seeds must also come from plants that were tested during the active growing season and found to produce industrial hemp with 0.3% THC content or less.
All hemp licensees must also submit crop samples for testing. The inspection, sampling, or testing of hemp crops can happen at any time the department deems necessary (although licensees are notified prior to inspection). Licensees must allow full and unrestricted access to the crop, and all plants will be tested for THC content. If any crops test above the THC limit of 0.3% percent, they must be destroyed.
Currently, all hemp in the state of Maine must be grown outdoors, although the state is currently working on regulations surrounding the cultivation of indoor hemp.
Is Marijuana Legal in Maine?
Maine has been one of the United States’ leaders when it comes to marijuana laws. Currently, marijuana is legal for both medicinal and recreational use in Maine.
Medical Marijuana
In 1976, Maine became the third state (behind Oregon and Alaska) to decriminalize marijuana. Under these new laws, offenders would receive a fine rather than jail time for possession of a small amount of weed.
Twenty-three years later, Maine once again paved the way toward legal marijuana when it introduced medical marijuana legislation. However, these new laws didn’t outline how patients were going to receive their medication.
In 2009, Maine voters approved the Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative, which established a framework for obtaining medical marijuana through state-approved dispensaries and decriminalized possession of up to 2.5 ounces.
Under these new laws, patients can appoint a dispensary or caregiver to supply them with medical marijuana.
Patients may grow up to six plants in their home as long as they’re in a secure area that’s not visible to the public.
Beyond flowering marijuana plants, patients are also allowed to grow up to 12 non-flowering plants and have up to 8 pounds of unprepared, harvested flower.
How do I get Medical Marijuana in Maine?
If you want to become a medical marijuana patient in Maine, the process is relatively simple.
First, you must:
- Have an eligible medical condition (see below)
- Be able to prove that you’re a resident of Maine with government ID
- Get a doctor’s recommendation
- Complete an application for Maine’s Medical Marijuana Program
Eligible Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Maine:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Anxiety
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Seizures or 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
Final Notes on Buying CBD in Maine
Maine continues to lead the way in the world of recreational and medical marijuana. Marijuana is currently legal for all purposes in The Pine Tree State, and dispensaries should be opening up near you soon.
The key take away from this article is that you should keep yourself informed when it comes to the regulations around CBD. If you take the time to research CBD companies, you have a great shot at avoiding fake products.
In the meantime, shop online for your CBD needs or you can visit to your local suppliers. Just be aware of fake products when you buy CBD from local shops. If you like to order CBD oil or CBD gummies online, links are mentioned below.