Moving Between Maine and Florida: How the Clinic's Two Processes Differ

Plenty of Maine residents spend part of the year in Florida, and plenty of Florida patients end up here. Relief Clinic sees both. The Maine office opened in 2015 in Auburn, and the Florida offices followed in 2018, in Summerfield and Gainesville. The same owner runs all three, but the process in each state is not identical.

This post compares what Relief Clinic publishes for each state. It does not cover state law or tell you which card is valid where. For those questions, ask the clinic and check with the official program in your state.

Medical records: Maine no, Florida yes

In Maine, the clinic says plainly that medical records are not required. You bring your Maine driver's license or State ID, and that is the main item.

Florida is different. The clinic's Florida information asks for records, so if you are visiting that office, plan ahead and request them from your doctor before your appointment. If you are used to the Maine process, this is the step most likely to catch you off guard.

What the visits cost

Maine pricing is the lower of the two. The visit is $39.99 in person or $43.99 by telemedicine. The clinic accepts cash and all major credit cards.

Florida pricing is listed at $99 for a first visit, $99 for a 6-month visit and $99 for a 1-year visit. A patient transfer is $80. The clinic's Florida price list says patient fees include basic vital signs, an appropriate physical exam and a review of your health problems and concerns.

There is also a Florida state application fee of $77.75, which is paid to the state rather than to the clinic. A caregiver card is $77.75 as well. Keep that fee separate in your head from the visit price, so your total does not surprise you.

• Maine: $39.99 in person, $43.99 by telemedicine.
• Florida: $99 for a first, 6-month or 1-year visit, $80 for a patient transfer.
• Florida state application fee: $77.75, paid to the state.

Where and when you see someone

In Maine, the Auburn office at 216 Center Street is open for in-person visits Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 3:30pm and Fridays from 10:00am - 2:30pm. Telemedicine runs seven days a week, 10:00am - 8:00pm.

In Florida, the Summerfield office is at 16810 US-441, Suite 502, Summerfield, FL 34491. Its phone number is (352) 661-1272. It keeps longer weekday hours on some days, such as Monday and Friday evenings, and is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The Gainesville office is by appointment, at (352) 787-0640. The clinic's website carries the current Florida schedule. Check it or call before you go.

The Florida side also offers service in Spanish, which the clinic lists as a language of its Florida location.

The mental health forms

In Maine, patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD or another mental health condition complete a HIPAA form and a PCL-5 questionnaire. If you are moving between states, ask the Florida office what it requires for your situation, because the Maine instructions are written for Maine.

One clinic, two states: a patient's view

Carol Anderson, who started with Relief Clinic in Florida, wrote this on Google:

“Exceptional. Acquisition of my first med marijuana card began with an MMTC relief clinic in Florida several years ago. Welcoming and patient, they walked me through the process and I have stayed with them ever since. When I relocated to Maine 3 yrs ago, I was able to stay with them still. Highly recommend.”

Her experience shows that a patient can stay in the same clinic's care across both states. It is not a promise about how a card or an approval carries from one state to the other. That is a question for the clinic and the state program.

A practical plan for people who split the year

• Tell the clinic up front that you spend time in both states, and ask how it handles that.
• Keep your Maine driver's license or State ID current for Maine visits.
• Request your medical records early if you need a Florida visit.
• Budget for the Florida state application fee on top of the visit price.
• Write down which office you need, because Maine and Florida have different phone numbers, hours and prices.

Keep the two states separate

The most common mistake is to assume the Maine process works everywhere. It does not, and the reverse is true as well. The clinic's Maine page and its Florida page describe different requirements, so read the one that matches the state you are in.

For Maine questions, text Relief Clinic at (207) 241-2815. If you are not sure which office or which process applies to you, start there and say so, and the clinic will point you in the right direction.