Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana Card in New Jersey

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in New Jersey?

There are 17 qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana treatment in New Jersey.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in New Jersey 2024

The New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program issues medical marijuana cards to applicants diagnosed with one or more of these qualifying medical conditions:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Dysmenorrhea
• Glaucoma
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
• Migraine
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Opioid Use Disorder
• 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 prognosis of less than 12 months to live
• Tourette Syndrome

Does New Jersey Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

Yes. The New Jersey medicinal cannabis law allows for the expansion of the list of qualifying medical conditions. The state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) makes final decisions on adding new qualifying conditions. Members of the public can send petitions for new additions to the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Review Panel. The Panel reviews petitions and makes recommendations to the CRC to approve or deny requests for new qualifying conditions.

Does New Jersey Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

No. Medical providers eligible to recommend medicinal cannabis in New Jersey can only recommend it for medical conditions approved as qualifying by the CRC.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey requires patients applying for its medicinal cannabis program to obtain and provide an Authorizing Provider Statement from a healthcare provider with whom they have a bona fide provider-patient relationship. This provider must also be registered to participate in the New Jersey medicinal cannabis program. The state defines a bona fide provider-patient relationship as one:

• That has been ongoing for at least a year
• That has caused the provider to access the patient for the qualifying debilitating medical condition on at least four visits
• In which the provider has assumed the responsibility of providing ongoing care, treatment, and assessment of the patient

New Jersey only accepts provider statements from the following healthcare professionals:

• Doctors of Medicine (MDs)
• Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs)
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants

A minor applying for a medicinal marijuana card in New Jersey must obtain an Authorizing Provider Statement from a registered pediatric specialist. In addition to registering with the state’s Medicinal Cannabis Program, an eligible healthcare provider must also:

• Hold an active license in good standing with the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners
• Have an active, physical practice in the state
• Have an active, unrestricted Controlled Dangerous Substances registration with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in New Jersey?

In addition to having a qualifying medical condition and obtaining a recommendation from an eligible medical provider, anyone applying for a New Jersey medicinal cannabis card must also be a resident of the state. An out-of-state patient can obtain a non-renewable medicinal cannabis card that is only valid for 6 months if they:

• Consult with a New Jersey healthcare practitioner registered in the state’s medicinal cannabis program
• Have a valid medical cannabis card, or its equivalent, issued by the medical marijuana program of their home state