Caregivers vs Dispensaries in Maine

If you are a medical cannabis patient in Maine, understanding the difference between caregivers and dispensaries is important. Caregivers can supply and even sell you cannabis, but dispensaries are bound by tighter governance. Take a closer look at caregivers vs dispensaries below.

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What are Maine caregivers, exactly?

Maine caregivers are individuals who are legally allowed to help medical marijuana holders obtain cannabis. These individuals can serve up to five patients, and they are allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants per patient. The unusual difference between caregivers in ME compared to other states is that caregivers are allowed to sell cannabis to patients.

Many have taken on a caregiver role to create a sort of pseudo-business by selling what they grow and create to medical cannabis patients. Due to the limited laws and regulations on caregivers in the state, many have turned caregiving into an all-out business model.

What is the difference between a caregiver and a dispensary?

A caregiver is an individual who has applied to be a caregiving representative for a medical cannabis patient. This individual is legally allowed to purchase, transport, and supply cannabis to cardholders. By contrast, a cannabis dispensary is a licensed business entity that sells cannabis to either medical patients or adult customers. Dispensaries are required to adhere to stringent testing standards and operational guidelines to ensure the safety of the products they provide.

Are ME caregivers even still a thing?

Yes, even though you may not be seeing as many as there once were. In the beginning, many caregivers enrolled. However, between 2021 and late 2023, the number of licensed medical cannabis caregivers dropped by more than 1300. The major shift stemmed from the rise of the recreational market, which made cannabis accessible to more people.

The state has also considered cracking down on its regulations surrounding caregivers due to cannabis quality testing concerns. In short, caregivers do not abide by the same laws as licensed dispensaries, so many have been able to skirt the usual regulations. Not only does caregiver cannabis not have to be tested, but there are other lacking structural laws in place surrounding transactions as well.

Should you buy cannabis from a caregiver as a Maine medical patient?

It is perfectly legal for a medical cannabis patient in ME to purchase cannabis from a caregiver. However, this is not always the best path to the highest-quality, well-tested cannabis. Cannabis dispensaries are bound by more stringent rules when it comes to products they have on the menu.

Visit Gram’s Five & Dime for Reliably Sourced Medical Cannabis

At Gram’s Five & Dime, we understand how important it can be to know precisely what your cannabis contains and how potent it is. Therefore, we partner with only the best suppliers in the state who openly test their products for potency and purity. Take a look at our menu to explore the cannabis you can count on as a patient.

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