Is It Easy to Get Medical Marijuana in Nj

General Info
Age Requirements for New Jersey Medical Marijuana Card
Qualifying Conditions in New Jersey
Cost of Medical Marijuana Card

Medical cannabis has been a life changer for patients all across the country. Instead of relying solely on prescription medications, procedures, and other treatments to manage their health ailments and symptoms, many New Jersey residents use cannabis as an alternative therapy.

To qualify for the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program, residents must meet specific criteria and apply. Once approved, they can safely procure marijuana in various forms to improve their health and overall quality of life. Here's an in-depth view of the process.

In addition to having at least one qualifying medical condition, residents must also be of legal age. The minimum age of acceptance for the NJMCP is 21. Marijuana use and possession are prohibited by anyone under 18 unless they meet all other criteria set forth for legal, medical cannabis patients. Also, minors under the age of 18 must have an approved caregiver to procure and administer their cannabis treatments for them.

Patients may designate up to two caregivers during the registration process if they need assistance obtaining their medicine from a state-approved Alternative Treatment Center. Caregivers must meet the following requirements:

Be a resident of the Garden state
Be 18 years or older>
Pass a criminal background check
Not have a professional medical relationship with the patient
Have government-issued identification

Applicants unable to provide a copy of their government-issued ID may use the most recent copy of a utility bill or documentation from the state's tax division or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Resident Requirements for New Jersey Medical Cannabis Patients

For approval, Garden state medical patients must provide proof of residency with their medical cannabis program applications. Acceptable documents to prove residency status include:

State identification card
State-issued driver's license
Passport – active or expired within the last three years
Military identification card
Utility bill from the most recent 90 days
Credit card statement from the most recent 90 days
Bank statement
Property tax statement from the last year
Mail from a local, regional or federal organization dated within the previous six months

Medical cannabis patient applicants must also provide a passport-style photo of their face without hats, sunglasses, or accessories on a white background. Medical cannabis patient applications submitted without the above documentation will be denied.

To obtain a medical marijuana card in New Jersey, qualifying patients must see an approved New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program, board-certified medical physician for certification of their qualifying health condition. Upon certification approval, applicants receive a unique patient identification number. Anyone living in New Jersey with any of the following health conditions is eligible for a medical marijuana card.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Anxiety
Cancer
Chronic pain
Dysmenorrhea
Glaucoma
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease
Intractable skeletal, muscular spasticity
Migraine
Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
Terminal illness with a prognosis of fewer than 12 months to live
Tourette Syndrome

Many people live with medical disorders that cause persistent symptoms that impact their ability to function and lead everyday and productive lives. New Jersey's Medical Cannabis Program (NJMCP) also allows individuals suffering from opioid use disorder or severe withdrawal symptoms to use medical cannabis to overcome their condition and reclaim their lives.

There are costs associated with becoming a medical cannabis patient in New Jersey. For starters, medical marijuana program application fees are $100. This fee does not cover the cost of seeing an NJMCP registered physician for medical evaluation and certification.
Evaluation and recommendation fees vary, and there are also costs associated with the mandatory follow-up appointments. The average price of each follow-up assessment for New Jersey medical cannabis patients is $100.

New Jersey Reduced Medical Marijuana Card Costs

Cumulative costs and fees associated with obtaining and maintaining valid medical marijuana recommendations in the state of New Jersey may seem a bit challenging and unsustainable for some. The state does offer a reduced fee program to help make medical marijuana patient costs more affordable. To qualify, patients must meet and provide proof of the following:

Be at least 65 years old.
Be a military veteran. Applicants qualifying for reduced medical cannabis treatment cards must furnish a valid DD-214 form.
Be a government benefit recipient of state Medicaid, Medicare, (SSI) social security income or (SSD) social security disability, (TDI) Temporary state disability, or (SNAP) supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Medical cannabis treatment patients must see their certifying physician every 90 days to maintain the right to continue medicating with marijuana. Patients who forgo maintenance medical cannabis health assessments forfeit the right to procure and use cannabis for medicinal treatments. Their registration, however, with the state's medical cannabis program will remain valid until it expires.

To regain access to alternative treatment centers, patients must see an approved New Jersey medical marijuana doctor for an evaluation and complete the renewal process.

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Details About the Medical Marijuana Process

Before applying to the program directly, first time applicants need a patient ID or reference number from a certifying physician. The doctor must be board-certified and an active NJMCP medical cannabis provider. To receive authorization and a patient ID number, patients must undergo a medical history and health evaluation to determine the risks and benefits of cannabis for their medical needs.

A follow-up appointment is necessary for the physician to review the applicant's records and drug test results to determine whether cannabis is a credible treatment option for them and patient medicinal cannabis limits. During the second visit with a MMJ doctor, when approved, patients are required to designate an Alternative Treatment Center to register with.

After the follow-up appointment, the state has 30 days to review and approve or deny medical cannabis patient applications. Notifications are sent to patients by email, informing them of their status and any additional steps they need before approval, such as paying the necessary licensing costs. After approval, physical medical cannabis cards are mailed out and typically received by patients within two weeks.

Denials are common; in many cases, the state allows applicants to amend their applications. However, additional fees may be required.

Locate New Jersey Dispensaries

The Garden State is currently home to 24 medical cannabis dispensaries, also known as Alternative Treatment Centers. Patients must designate an alternative treatment center to register with during the application process. Click our New Jersey dispensary locator to find the nearest alternative treatment center.

Patients are prohibited from going to dispensaries in the state they are not registered with. However, the state does not prohibit them from changing their designated cannabis treatment center. There is no cost for patients to change or update their alternative treatment center registration, and they can do so as often as they want, at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Marijuana in New Jersey

New Jersey is one of a few states that streamlines the medical marijuana application and certification processes, so patients have faster access to medicinal cannabis. The New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program is by no means new. But laws regarding medical cannabis change often, leaving many people and potential patients uncertain about the process. Below are the most common questions patients have about medical cannabis in New Jersey.

How to Find a Reputable Medical Marijuana Doctor in New Jersey

To become patients, applicants must have a preexisting professional relationship with a qualified doctor registered with the NJMCP. They must either have a one-year medical relationship with or have seen a physician at least four times regarding their qualifying medical condition prior to applying.

New Jersey residents can also qualify by going to a qualified medical marijuana doctor for a comprehensive medical and health evaluation. These requirements are often a source of confusion for many potential applicants. Fortunately, our Find a Doctor Locator makes finding a qualified cannabis treatment recommendation and evaluation doctor fast and easy. Simply click the link to find the nearest Garden state medical marijuana doctor near you.

How Long Are Medical Marijuana Recommendation Cards Valid?

New Jersey medical marijuana recommendation cards are valid for two years. Patients must have an evaluation with a medical marijuana physician to review medical records and pay the renewal fee to prevent interruptions in their medical cannabis treatments for an additional two years.

New Jersey Marijuana Patient Limits on Different Types of Medical Cannabis Products

New Jersey medical cannabis patient limits vary, but the cap is set at 3-ounces or 85 grams of marijuana every 30 day period. Some patient limits are lower, depending on their unique health considerations. Dosage allotments are determined by the authorizing physician.

Patients with terminal conditions or under hospice treatment are excluded from standard marijuana dosage allotments. The New Jersey Medical Cannabis Patient program doesn't mandate patient consumption methods. Patients can medicate with marijuana in liquid, solid, or concentrated forms.

Can Medical Patients Cultivate Marijuana in New Jersey?

Unfortunately, the state does not allow adults, patients, or caregivers to grow or cultivate cannabis.

Is Recreational Cannabis Allowed?

The Garden decriminalized the use of cannabis for adults over the age of 21. Marijuana limits for recreational use are much lower and capped at 1-ounce or 28 grams in either concentrate, liquid, or solid form.

Why Choose Marijuana Doctors

Marijuana Doctors is the leading network for all things medical cannabis. Our strict standards ensure patients have access to professional and compassionate marijuana-approved physicians so they can get the information, authorizations, and guidance they need to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis.

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Thanks to recent scientific and medical research advances, medical cannabis is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Patients all across the state and country use cannabis to ease their symptoms and transform their lives for the better. Anyone experiencing bothersome health concerns associated with any qualifying medical conditions approved by the NJMCP should consider how cannabis can provide relief. All it takes is an official medical marijuana evaluation for diagnosis to start the process.

Marijuana Doctors is here to offer guidance and support to the medical marijuana community. Our network connects potential and current patients with friendly, knowledgeable, and qualified marijuana physicians so they can get started on their cannabis journey for optimal health and wellness.

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