Compassionate Caregivers of Maine, anyone have any info

Ive been reading about a new organization that help bring patients and caregivers together it called Compassionate Caregivers of Maine . Their website is here:
http://mainemedmarijuana.com/

Im now interested in becoming a registered caregiver, after being so against the current dispensary system it seems like a good choice. The organization charges a fee to caregivers and then helps them w/ getting patients, dealing w/ the state forms, taxes and all that fun stuff.

I dont mind paying a fee for the services they provide given that I can actually get patients from them.

Anyone have any info on the organization?

I spoke with someone at CCM about 6 weeks ago. The individual was difficult to contact and required multiple phone calls to a cellphone voicemail before i got a callback. Six weeks later i have had no contact - to say nothing of patient referrals - from CCM.

before i had to send in the form to get my card, i was using a care provider. a great guy, great pot, great price, but once i realized you had to register to do either grow or use a provider. i went w/ the grow your own method for price purposes. he is willing to travel all over the state at no extra charge. i can get you his name and contact info if you like. all legal and legit.

you could also contact Maine Intergrated Health in Augusta, they have been a wealth of information.

Hey guys,

I'm a caregiver with this group, www.mainemedmarijuana.com. I just joined, they assigned me 3 great patients and I'm doing some volunteering with them. They are a great group of people, they are just stretched REAL thin right now. The reaction has been overwhelming, and they are literally putting their own money into this until they can make some income on caregiver placements to hire help. This on top of their day jobs is a lot of work.

So I'm not suprised to hear in the beginning you had some trouble getting a hold of someone, it is getting better though. They are far and away the best group of caregivers in the state of Maine

I talked with Marty from CCGofME yesterday at the MMJ Expo in Portland. He seemed like a nice guy and remembered talking to me on the phone - had no patients for me though. He also didn't really have any answers to any of my questions (all of which basically come down to "Does MDEA have to abide by the rules set by DHHS in regards to what constitutes a "plant" [according to DHHS rules it's a flowering female only] and "prepared marijuana" [according to DHHS rules dried trimmed buds only]?).

patrick robinson said:

Hey guys,

I'm a caregiver with this group, www.mainemedmarijuana.com. I just joined, they assigned me 3 great patients and I'm doing some volunteering with them. They are a great group of people, they are just stretched REAL thin right now. The reaction has been overwhelming, and they are literally putting their own money into this until they can make some income on caregiver placements to hire help. This on top of their day jobs is a lot of work.

So I'm not suprised to hear in the beginning you had some trouble getting a hold of someone, it is getting better though. They are far and away the best group of caregivers in the state of Maine

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The people at CCM are doing a good job guys, like Patrick said; they are putting in their own time and $ into this. Welcome to RIU Patrick.

Maine Brookies said:

I talked with Marty from CCGofME yesterday at the MMJ Expo in Portland. He seemed like a nice guy and remembered talking to me on the phone - had no patients for me though. He also didn't really have any answers to any of my questions (all of which basically come down to "Does MDEA have to abide by the rules set by DHHS in regards to what constitutes a "plant" [according to DHHS rules it's a flowering female only] and "prepared marijuana" [according to DHHS rules dried trimmed buds only]?).

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Ok so I have been in contact w/ CCM over the last few weeks......good bunch of people. I'll be sticking with this group for the future. When you look at them compared to the other caregivers group in the state its an easy decision. The other group charges a monthly fee w/ no gurantee of a patient referral. So you could go for months of paying a monthly fee and not get a patient. Its an easy decision for me, CCM is the way to go.

I think that its kind of hard for them to answer every question as of now. Gotta remember the system is in its infancy, its gonna take some time for everything to get ironed out within the state bureaucracy.. Also keep in mind that there arent a ton of patients registered in the state yet, and all the applications for patients and caregivers are being handled by a total of 2 people for the state.

From what I can see the people at CCM are working hand in hand w/ the state to help point caregivers in the right direction. They may not the answer to every question right away, but be assured that when they give you an answer it will be legitimate and their info comes from the state itself.

Ink: by "other caregiver group" i assume you are talking about these guys? If so it's kinda like comparing a square and a rectangle. They have some similarities but are not the same thing. CCGofM seems to be strictly about connecting patient and caregivers. MMCM is a trade association looking at lobbying for changes both in the legislative and the rule-making process. It also serves a conduit for connecting patients and caregivers.

As far as questions go - i totally understand that those are questions that are difficult to answer quickly. I did think an organization working with caregivers might be proactive in organizing a sit-down with MDEA and talking to them about their take on DHHS rules.

Maine Brookies said:

Ink: by "other caregiver group" i assume you are talking about these guys? If so it's kinda like comparing a square and a rectangle. They have some similarities but are not the same thing. CCGofM seems to be strictly about connecting patient and caregivers. MMCM is a trade association looking at lobbying for changes both in the legislative and the rule-making process. It also serves a conduit for connecting patients and caregivers.


Spot on, they are different organizations w/ some differences. Im not putting MMCM down at all, I just dont like the idea of paying a monthly fee without any patient referral. I believe the state is forming some kind of committee to help deal with MMJ laws and practices, from what I know both groups will be represented on the committee..

As far as questions go - i totally understand that those are questions that are difficult to answer quickly. I did think an organization working with caregivers might be proactive in organizing a sit-down with MDEA and talking to them about their take on DHHS rules.

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This seems to be the problem here and in other states. I can only say that I personally stay under the federal limits on plant count. I keep it low key and will be staying that way for a while.

If you look at the recent caregiver arrests the last couple included a guy that had 100+ plants and another that wasnt a registered caregiver at all. It seems if you stay smart and follow the rules you will reduce you exposure to potential problems w/ the MDEA.

ink the world said:

It seems if you stay smart and follow the rules you will reduce you exposure to potential problems w/ the MDEA.

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The rules are unclear which makes following them difficult.

Maine Brookies said:

The rules are unclear which makes following them difficult.

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Yeah i get your point, we al have a lot of confusion/questions.....as for the rules they are exactly what you stated in your post earlier.

If the MDEA follows those rules is another story, thats the real problem....its the same in other states too. Im just trying to remain patient and stay under the MDEA radar

MDEA is a state agency, yes? Or are they an extension of the federal DEA? Either way, I believe they'll be hands-off. As a state agency I believe that they would be bound by law to respect the statute. If they are part of the feds, then I believe that Obama's executive order in Oct 2009 would direct them to do the same.

i would not recommend CCM, beafore i became a caregiver i tried to go through CCM, they were very rude, hard to get in touch with and constantly ridiculed me for growing prior to being legal. i would recommend going though another group, or i even know a few patients in need of a caregiver that i cannot take due to being full on patients,

some of the deals they offer caregivers are a bit sketchy at best.....matt what part of the state are you from?

mattisreal420 said:

i would not recommend CCM, beafore i became a caregiver i tried to go through CCM, they were very rude, hard to get in touch with and constantly ridiculed me for growing prior to being legal. i would recommend going though another group, or i even know a few patients in need of a caregiver that i cannot take due to being full on patients,

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Please get in touch with me, I'm looking to pick up a few more patients...

I have been w/ CCM and was not pleased. My caregiver first held up my card by trying to get around paying the fee. NEVER told me what he was doing. HE was NOT A GROWER, did not inform me that HE was not growing until I received my card. There were many bags that he had full of seeds and STILL charged me the same. Said that he was giving me a sample pack of what he had to offer then charged me for it. THEY CLAIM BUY 2 get 1/2 for free but they never have two oz at a time to purchase. So that is also a damn lie. They are not willing to help you grow even though they make claims that they will have growing classes etc. but they never come through. I WAS TOLD BY INE OF THE HEAD MEN THAT IF I GET A CLONE HE WILL NO LONGER HELP........Period. A real showman really not in the business of helping patients treat there illnesses. More in the business of treating people like customers not ailing patients. Maybe there are better caregivers through this company but my personal caregiver through them was one of the founders and really had no clue. I would recommend RESEARCHING these people long before you sign up. If you are new like I was be very careful they take advantage of you not knowing what to expect. A great caregiver will be open, know how the bud is grown, you should not be having seedy meds. Damn I wish I knew this when I started. I see posts on here from his other counterparts.......PATIENTS BE AWARE

Biological Graffity said:

Please get in touch with me, I'm looking to pick up a few more patients...

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I am a legal patient w/ card looking for new caregiver. Was going to switch tomorrow but want to look around at a couple other caregivers. Please contact me 899-1029

happysus said:

I have been w/ CCM and was not pleased. My caregiver first held up my card by trying to get around paying the fee. NEVER told me what he was doing. HE was NOT A GROWER, did not inform me that HE was not growing until I received my card. There were many bags that he had full of seeds and STILL charged me the same. Said that he was giving me a sample pack of what he had to offer then charged me for it. THEY CLAIM BUY 2 get 1/2 for free but they never have two oz at a time to purchase. So that is also a damn lie. They are not willing to help you grow even though they make claims that they will have growing classes etc. but they never come through. I WAS TOLD BY INE OF THE HEAD MEN THAT IF I GET A CLONE HE WILL NO LONGER HELP........Period. A real showman really not in the business of helping patients treat there illnesses. More in the business of treating people like customers not ailing patients. Maybe there are better caregivers through this company but my personal caregiver through them was one of the founders and really had no clue. I would recommend RESEARCHING these people long before you sign up. If you are new like I was be very careful they take advantage of you not knowing what to expect. A great caregiver will be open, know how the bud is grown, you should not be having seedy meds. Damn I wish I knew this when I started. I see posts on here from his other counterparts.......PATIENTS BE AWARE

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Wow, sorry that you ran into a lame caregiver; thats a shame. All the problems that you describe are on the caregiver, CCM doesnt supply meds. or have any kind of control over price or quality; they simply help patients and caregivers get together from everything Ive seen.

Ive had some dealings with CCM and.I actually think that I heard your story when I met with them. They told me a very similar story and said they were going to have to screen caregivers more because of the problem. I kow of no "deal" or anything like that, I have never paid any kind of fee nor have I ever been asked to. Ive actually got more than a couple requests for patients through them, all of which I had to decline. House shopping right now and just cant be a solid enough caregiver for any more patients until the whole ordeal is done with.

I can tell you that they as an organization arent going to give out growing direction due to the fear of being then considered a "collective" in some way, which is still illegal in Maine. They and the other organization are walking a very fine line as far as the state laws are concerned.

Youre expectations of a caregiver are in line man, they should know everything about their meds that there is to know.......you should get in contact with a couple guys in this thread, I know from other threads they have good genetics in place. ....good luck man, the caregiver you dealt with is a scumbag, there are good caregivers out there.

Monthly Caregivers Meeting upstairs at the Empire on Congress St. in Portland, held by the Compassionate Caregivers of Maine group.

Info and Sign Up HERE.

When I get back to Maine, I'll be attending. This, and Marijuana State University, too!

happysus said:

I have been w/ CCM and was not pleased. My caregiver first held up my card by trying to get around paying the fee. NEVER told me what he was doing. HE was NOT A GROWER, did not inform me that HE was not growing until I received my card. There were many bags that he had full of seeds and STILL charged me the same. Said that he was giving me a sample pack of what he had to offer then charged me for it. THEY CLAIM BUY 2 get 1/2 for free but they never have two oz at a time to purchase. So that is also a damn lie. They are not willing to help you grow even though they make claims that they will have growing classes etc. but they never come through. I WAS TOLD BY INE OF THE HEAD MEN THAT IF I GET A CLONE HE WILL NO LONGER HELP........Period. A real showman really not in the business of helping patients treat there illnesses. More in the business of treating people like customers not ailing patients. Maybe there are better caregivers through this company but my personal caregiver through them was one of the founders and really had no clue. I would recommend RESEARCHING these people long before you sign up. If you are new like I was be very careful they take advantage of you not knowing what to expect. A great caregiver will be open, know how the bud is grown, you should not be having seedy meds. Damn I wish I knew this when I started. I see posts on here from his other counterparts.......PATIENTS BE AWARE

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Hi Happysus, really sorry to hear you had a bad experience with a caregiver that was referred to you from the CCM network. If you are OK with sending me a PM to discuss the experience, I would love to get some additional feedback from you. I have been personally working with CCM for a year now and the group is constantly trying to improve and steer clear of shady caregivers like the one you mentioned. But is certainly possible that one slipped through the cracks. Did you speak to them on the phone after this all occurred? As a site mod on the forums for CCM, I have personally had to delete a few accounts for some lousy "caregivers"... sucks to do but there is always a few bad seeds out there.

PotPharm, we look forward to meeting you at one of the future meetings!