New Jersey Cannabis Information Portal
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FAQ - New Jersey Medical Marijuana Card

  1. New Jersey Cannabis
  2. Medical Marijuana Card
  3. FAQ

CAN I GET A NEW JERSEY MEDICINAL CANNABIS PROGRAM CARD ONLINE?

Yes, you can get a medical marijuana program card online if you are diagnosed and being treated for a debilitating medical condition that qualifies you for medical marijuana in New Jersey. Consultations with the certifying health care providers can be conducted via telehealth appointments and the application with the state is also done online, by using the online portal.

While the card is issued by the state once every 2 years, healthcare providers' certification must be re-done and re-submitted to the portal every year.

As part of the application process with the state of New Jersey, you will need to provide the following:

  • Reference ID number, to complete the application (this number is printed on the Attending Physician Statement, which is provided to you by the certifying physician)
  • Valid email address and Telephone number, which will be used by the state and the certifying professional to reach you
  • Proof of Identity
  • Proof of New Jersey residency

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFYING CONDITIONS IN NEW JERSEY?

A New Jersey resident may register for a Medicinal Cannabis Program Card if he or she is being treated for a qualifying medical condition:

Approved qualifying medical conditions include:

  • 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
  • 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

CAN I STILL APPLY FOR A MEDICINAL CANNABIS PROGRAM CARD IN NEW JERSEY IF I DON’T HAVE A QUALIFYING CONDITION?

No, if you do not have a qualifying medical condition, you will be denied your application for a medical marijuana card.

HOW SOON WILL I RECEIVE AN ANSWER AFTER PAYING FOR THE CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT?

Your medical provider will give you their advice and recommendations during your consultation. The provider submits your Authorization and dosage to the state and provides you with a copy, for authentication during the online application process.

Physician Process for Patient Certification can be found here (PDF)

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE APPOINTMENT WITH A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER?

During your appointment with a medical cannabis practitioner, it's important to have all necessary documents ready, including proof of identity, proof of residency, and any available documentation about your existing medical conditions. The practitioner reviews your provided information and conducts an evaluation based on the medical and state’s requirements.

ASK ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MONTHLY DOSAGE DURING THE APPOINTMENT. If it needs to be changed, you will need to see a doctor again.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE APPOINTMENT WITH A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER?

If you are approved by the medical practitioner, the practitioner creates an Authorization for Medical Cannabis on the NJ Division of Medical Cannabis Portal. The following information is entered by the doctor in the system about the patient:

  • Approved medical condition
  • The duration of the certification (up to 1 year)
  • Authorized quantity for each 30 days (up to 84 grams/ 3 ounces, or without a limit, if the medical condition is terminal)

A copy of this authorization is given to the patient, to use the registration ID printed on it during the application process.

HOW CAN I PAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CERTIFICATE?

You can pay for your appointment using major Credit Cards. All fees associated with New Jersey State Cannabis will be reflected as charges from BOOKINGPORTAL.ORG on your billing statement.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A MEDICINAL CANNABIS PROGRAM CARD DECISION IN NEW JERSEY?

You cannot enroll in the system until your doctor provides the state of New Jersey with a certification stating you have a qualifying condition for medical marijuana use, and they believe the benefits of using marijuana for symptom relief would likely surpass any health risks. Once approved by the state-licensed certifying health care provider, the certification and the approved dosage amount are digitally submitted to the state by your medical practitioner.

After your doctor has approved your use of marijuana, the state will request further details and documents from you to verify your identity and residence, among other qualifications. Upon receiving the necessary information, the state will assess your eligibility for the medical cannabis card.

Patients may check their status in the portal to see if their application is being processed or under review, or if your card has been printed and in the mail. Once approved, NJMCP cards typically arrive in 7-10 business days.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST TO GET A MEDICINAL CANNABIS PATIENT CARD IN NEW JERSEY?

The cost of the appointment with the doctor is your total cost to be able to obtain a medicinal cannabis patient card in New Jersey. As of 1 March, 2024 New Jersey residents can request Digital Medicinal Cannabis Patient Cards free of charge (New and Renewing). Physical cards are $10.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY? HOW DOES MONEY BACK WORK?

If you do not receive approval for medical cannabis following your meeting with a medical provider, you can receive a full refund for your certification appointment. We cannot provide a refund for your certification appointment if your application for medical cannabis is denied by the state or if you are ineligible to apply as a medical patient.

Cannabis certification appointments are subject to the refund terms of a third-party booking and scheduling service.

DO YOU GUARANTEE A POSITIVE DECISION ON THE ISSUANCE OF A MEDICINAL CANNABIS PATIENT CARD?

The decision of a certifying health care provider is based on the medical condition of the patient. While we cannot guarantee that you will get approved, we guarantee the refund of the money if you meet the qualifications but the appointment does not result in an approval.

CAN I RENEW MY NEW JERSEY MEDICINAL CANNABIS PROGRAM PATIENT CARD WITH YOU IF I WAS SEEN BY A DIFFERENT DOCTOR LAST YEAR?

Yes, renewing your medical cannabis program patient card can be done by any qualified health care provider, who is licensed by the state of New Jersey and registered with the NJ Medicinal Cannabis Program to certify cannabis patients.

WHY GET A MEDICINAL CANNABIS PROGRAM CARD IN NEW JERSEY?

In New Jersey, having a medical marijuana card enables you to legally buy and consume medical-grade cannabis products and save money in the process. There are various reasons to get medical-grade cannabis versus the recreationally-accessible “adult-use” cannabis, with some of which are:

Purchase Limits: Doctors or healthcare practitioners can prescribe up to 84 grams (3 ounces) of cannabis for medicinal purposes for every 30-day period. This full prescription can be purchased in one transaction.

Recreational users are capped at the equivalent of 28.35 grams or 1 ounce of usable cannabis at a time.

Patients and Dispensaries: Dispensaries provide a more tailored approach to medical patients, by offering:

  • Additional “medical patient only” shopping hours, when recreational users are not allowed in,
  • Reservation of products in advance, ensuring product availability,
  • Lab test results (Certificate of Analysis) for all medical cannabis products,
  • Patient-only checkout lines for patients and caregivers.

Money Savings: Medical cannabis users pay no sales tax on marijuana in NJ, while recreational-use purchase is subject to a 6.625% sales tax. In the course of a year, a medicinal card can save the New Jersey patient over $1,000 in sales tax expenses.

HOW LONG IS A MEDICAL CANNABIS CERTIFICATE IN NEW JERSEY GOOD FOR?

In New Jersey, there are two separate renewal schedules for the medical marijuana authorization and the state-provided cannabis card:

  1. The certification and dosage recommendation, provided by a healthcare professional lasts for one year, requiring annual renewal. (One year is the maximum duration of a controlled and targeted substance prescription.)
  2. The medicinal cannabis program card issued by the state remains valid for two years, necessitating renewal every two years.

The date of your card's expiration is listed on the front of the card. The earliest a patient can be recertified is 60 days before the expiration date of the current registration.

To renew the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program Card, a patient must:

  • Visit a healthcare practitioner to have their condition recertified and to receive a reevaluated new dosage Authorization, resubmitted to the state,
  • Update any other information in the online portal to the extent it has changed from the previous year.
  • Upload a current proof of ID and residency

CAN I USE MY NEW JERSEY MEDICINAL CANNABIS PROGRAM CARD IN OTHER STATES?

Fourteen states and territories offer some forms of medical marijuana card reciprocity or allow patients from New Jersey to obtain a temporary out-of-state card while visiting:

  • Arkansas
  • Hawaii
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • Washington D.C.

The following states offer legalized adult (recreational) use of cannabis:

  • Alaska

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Connecticut

  • Delaware

  • Illinois

  • Maine

  • Maryland

  • Massachusetts

  • Michigan

  • Minnesota

  • Missouri

  • Montana

  • Nevada

  • New Jersey

  • New Mexico

  • New York

  • Oregon

  • Rhode Island

  • Vermont

  • Virginia

  • Washington

  • Washington D.C.

Note: According to the Federal law, possession of cannabis is illegal, and so is traveling with it across the state lines.

WILL HEALTH INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF MY NEW JERSEY MEDICINAL CANNABIS PROGRAM CARD?

No. Since cannabis is considered a Schedule I substance, it is illegal at the federal level. This fact bars cannabis from coverage by health insurance.

Note: Once medical cannabis is rescheduled by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as a Schedule III or higher, then it may be officially included in the health insurer’s drug formulary list and/or paid for using Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Unit then health insurance doesn't cover it.

CAN I GET A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD IN NEW JERSEY WITHOUT A STATE ID?

Yes, alternative proof of identity and residency is required, such as utility bills, bank statements, or pay stubs.

To qualify for a NJ medicinal cannabis program card, you must prove your identity and residency. Typical accepted documents are: New Jersey drivers license and New Jersey ID card.

\ To apply without a government-issued photo ID, it's advisable to provide two documents from the following list, organized from the most commonly used to the least commonly used:

  • Utility Bill (gas, electricity, water, sewer, landline, mobile phone, cable, television, or internet) issued within the last 90 days before applying.
  • Bank statements from the three months leading up to your application, showing your name and address.
  • Three consecutive pay stubs with your name and New Jersey address (scanned into a single PDF).
  • Correspondence from the IRS or NJ Division of Taxation from the last year, displaying your name and address (e.g., 1099 Statements, 1098 Forms, W-2s, but not 1040 Forms or 1095 Forms).
  • Official letters from federal, state, or local government received within 90 days before applying, indicating your name and address (e.g., documents from the Social Security Administration, jury summons, court notices, or property tax bills).
  • The deed or title to your home.