It was a historic day in Boothbay, July 1. The first medical marijuana caregiver storefront, the Pharmers Market, was open for business. Within the first two hours, the market at 638 Wiscasset Road saw 50-75 patients coming to check it out, with as many as 25 in the store at once.

“Everybody was amazed at the variety of products and methods of inhaling, ingesting or absorbing the medicine,” caregiver consultant and Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine Board Member Darrell Gudroe said.

Some of the medications contain isolated or extracted CBD (not the THC that produces the high of marijuana); the CBD provides the pain relief patients need, but not the high most people associate with the recreational use. 

CBD? THC? What’s the difference? Gudroe explained, “CBD ( Cannabidiol ) and THC ( Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol ) are two of many cannabinoids  in marijuana. Hemp contains many cannabinoids including CBD but not THC” and is great for anti-anxiety, anti-inflammation and sleep.

Medication comes in a myriad of forms and methods including salves, balms, body butter, lotions, roll-ons, tinctures, soaps (dye-free, scent-free, or scented – vanilla lavender is one), oils,and in sweets including lollipops and cookies.

Many of the market’s CBD products are FDA-approved, made by friends of Gudroe, including Hippy Chick (Janet Mcallister) Natural Solutions in Guilford, and Healing Harbors in Harpswell. Healing Harbors researches and manufactures infused topicals. Sticky Bud Farms also provides dog biscuits and edibles for humans.

There are also products for dogs and cats in the form of salmon oil drops and, for the dogs, treats in the classic bone shape with peanut butter flavoring. Gudroe said these CBD medicines help the critter members of the family with anxiety and joint pain. Dosage is based on the animal’s weight.

Jan (pronounced Yahn) Martin is the caregiver at the market. He meets with all new patients in the office in the back of the retail space.

In addition to the CBD products that may be purchased by anyone, the market also sells medical marijuana, which can only be purchased  by patients with a medical marijuana card from their doctor who have designated Pharmers Market as their caregiver of choice. This card is presented at the time of intake at Pharmers Market.

“During the intake we tailor the treatment plan to best serve the patient. Some strains have better effects on the body,” Martin said. “We talk about their issues and their treatment options. Medical marijuana can definitely help with the symptoms of arthritis and the side effects of chemotherapy treatments that really tear up the body.”

And regarding the benefits to patients being treated for cancer, most of us know, or sadly, have known, family, friends, or neighbors who gave testimony to the relief medical marijuana gave them – relief they were not able to get any other way.

Martin noted that most patients aren’t interested in smoking medical marijuana because there are so many other ways to absorb or ingest the medicine. Patients using the oils (ingesting the medicine as a vapor) may use one of the glass pipes, pens, or water pipes, also known as dab rigs. Others prefer to take it by eating a sweet or using one of the balms, lotions, or salves.

The third individual at Pharmers Market is Tad Modzelewski, the sole employee of caregiver Martin. Modzelewski assists with patient intake, grooms and harvests the medical marijuana plants Martin is authorized to grow as a caregiver, assists Martin with counter sales and does home consultations. Gudroe, in his consultant status, doesn’t touch the products.

Most of the people who attended the Pharmers Market on July 1 thanked Martin, Gudroe and Modzelewski for bringing these services to the region.  “Our first two hours were a blur,” Martin said of the event. “People had been driving over an hour (one way) to get their products. Being here is a convenience people appreciate.” 

The market also offers the energy drink, Canna Hemp, that comes in flavors including original, blueberry and mango, which do not contain CBD. The beverages do contain 50mg of hemp oil, but not THC. There is also a case of cold Red Bull offered as well, but it was still pretty well stocked as compared to the nearly empty Canna Hemp case.

“We tell people the drinks don’t contain any THC, but they want to buy it anyway!” Gudroe said.

The Pharmers Market is open seven days a week,, noon to 8 p.m. Martin anticipates the hours will be extended in the near future. 

In the not-s0-near-future, the market will be expanding, but not until February 2018, at the earliest. In late January of this year, Maine’s Legislature approved a moratorium on the implementation of laws regarding retail sales and taxing of recreational marijuana. Martin, who owns the entire building at 638 Wiscasset Road, has a phase II in mind that involves the space where Wen’s Diner used to be.

“Ninety-five percent of the feedback we have received has been positive – from the general community to town officials,” Martin said. “We’re happy to be here.”