New Jersey is one of the states where cannabis is legal for medicinal and recreational use. Both avenues are regulated by the states Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and each has unique guidelines.
If youre a patient, youre likely more interested in medical marijuana as an alternative treatment.
But where do you begin as a patient in need of medical cannabis?
You can only gain access to medical weed in New Jersey if youre registered with the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program (NJMCP).
How to Get Registered with the NJMCP
To get registered for New Jersey medical marijuana, you must meet special requirements, which are as follows:
- Relationship with a Registered Physician
An established patient-physician relationship is required for you to qualify for the program. You could start by asking your primary care doctor whether they are registered with the NJMCP or if theyd considered joining.
Usually, your doctor will be in a position to guide you further if they arent part of the program themselves.
The NJMCP has criteria to determine an established patient-doctor relationship. One of these must apply for you to be considered a qualifying patient:
- At least four visits where you get assessed for the qualifying medical condition
- A patient-physician relationship that has lasted at least a year
- Your physician has completed an in-depth medical history and physical exam regarding your qualifying condition
- Provide Proof of Residence
Youre considered a New Jersey resident if youve been staying at your permanent residence for over 183 days. You can prove that by providing any of the following documents:
- Any utility bill with your name and current address issued in the past 90 days
- Property tax bills or receipts issued in the past year
- A bank statement or credit union from the past 60 days
- Tax bills and correspondence from the past year
- Federal, state, and local first-class mail from the past six months
- Have a Qualifying Condition
The New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program has a list of specific debilitating health conditions that qualify for treatment with medical marijuana.
You must be diagnosed with one of the qualifying conditions by a healthcare provider registered with the program.
Some of the medical conditions covered by the NJMCP are:
- Chronic pain
- Multiple sclerosis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
- Cancer
- Terminal illness with less than a year of life
- Have a Provider Statement
The healthcare provider qualified to approve you for medical marijuana treatment will get you certified. They will provide you with a document called the Attending Physician Statement, which contains your reference number.
You will need that reference number to apply for your medical marijuana card on NJMCP online registration page.
How to Apply for the Marijuana Card
With a statement of approval from your medical provider, youre one step away from becoming a patient registered with the NJMCP.
What you must do now is apply for the states medical marijuana ID card, which allows you to buy cannabis legally from state-licensed dispensaries.
The application process is straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
- Fill in Your Info
Start your application on NJMCPs online patient verification page. Its a quick process, and all you need is the information on the Attending Physicians Statement.
- Upload a Photo
Youll also need to upload a recent front-facing photograph that shows your features clearly. The guidelines concerning the photo are that it shouldnt contain filters and restrictive elements like a hat or glasses.
- Upload a Government ID
Youll be asked to upload a government-issued ID, which can be any of the following:
- New Jersey County ID card
- Current New Jersey digital license
- Current New Jersey digital non-driver ID card
- US Passport
- Valid US military photo ID card
- Proof of Residence
With a valid New Jersey government-issued ID, youll need to provide another document to support your proof of residence. Without the ID, youll be required to provide two supporting documents to complete the application process.
We mentioned the documents above as a registration requirement.
- Wait for Notification
Once youve submitted the necessary documents, wait for an email notification confirming approval and pay the $200 registration fee.
Conclusion
That sums up the process of getting medical marijuana in New Jersey. You may have to wait a couple weeks for your marijuana card to arrive in your mail.
With that card, you can visit what is known as Alternative Treatment Centers (basically dispensaries) and buy medicinal cannabis.
Disclaimer:
Qrius does not provide medical advice
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India
CBD oil manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 can be legally used in India, for medicinal purposes, only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the same here for the legalities of use in India
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