Can you get a medical marijuana card for arthritis in Maine?
Very likely. Maine doesn't limit certification to a fixed list — providers can recommend cannabis for conditions they believe it will help. That includes patients with arthritis when the provider agrees it's appropriate.
Yes. Maine has no fixed condition list; providers may certify any patient whose diagnosis they believe may be eased by therapeutic or palliative cannabis use.
About arthritis
Moderate evidence. Arthritis-specific trials are few, but arthritis pain falls under chronic pain, where the National Academies found substantial evidence of benefit. Many patients prefer topicals for joint pain.
Symptoms Maine patients most often hope to ease:
- Ongoing joint pain in the knees, hips, hands or back
- Stiffness after rest or first thing in the morning
- Pain that interrupts sleep
- Reduced ability to walk, grip or exercise
- Reliance on pain relievers that cause side effects
Read more: medical marijuana for arthritis.
How to get certified in Maine
- Book a visit with a Maine-licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant who certifies patients for medical cannabis.
- Have a full medical-history assessment, either in person or by live video. In-person is required if you don't give your primary care provider's contact details.
- Get your written certification on tamper-resistant paper, which the provider may also send as a matching digital image.
- Keep the certification with you and show it at medical dispensaries or to a registered caregiver.
- If you want someone else to grow for you, sign a caregiver designation form. You may also grow at home within the plant limits.
Maine allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a Maine-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: No state fee (OCP does not charge for patient certifications)
- Card lasts: Up to 1 year (term set by the provider)
- Processing: Certification is issued by the provider at the visit; there is no state application to process
- Patient limit: Up to 8 pounds of harvested cannabis
- Home grow: 6 mature plants, 12 immature plants and unlimited seedlings
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: Yes
See the full Maine cost breakdown and Maine program overview.
Arthritis in nearby states
- Arthritis in New Hampshire
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for arthritis?
How long does certification take in Maine?
Can I renew online in Maine?
Sources
- Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Program
- OCP Frequently Asked Questions
- Certification Process
- Visiting Patients
- 22 MRSA §2423-B - Medical provider certification
- 22 MRSA §2423-A - Authorized conduct
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.