Despite the availability of recreational cannabis, many patients seeking reprieve from their medical conditions wonder how to qualify for medical marijuana in NJ.

In truth, unlike recreational marijuana, medical cannabis works better to alleviate many symptoms of debilitating conditions. But to access medical marijuana in New Jersey, patients must have a valid NJ medical marijuana card.

So, what qualifies for a medical card in NJ?

To begin with, a diagnosis with an NJ medical marijuana condition is a must besides New Jersey residency.

Indeed getting a medical marijuana card in NJ is a process. For example, patients should expect an appointment with an NJ medical marijuana doctor and register with the NJMMP during their application. 

Still, getting a medical card in NJ is easy. Patients can have marijuana evaluations (a necessary step) with NJ medical marijuana doctors online through video calls. Also, registering with the NJMMP is online. Meaning patients do not have to leave their homes, let alone their couch, during the application.

What qualifies for a medical card in NJ? NJ Medical Marijuana Conditions.

If you’re wondering how to qualify for a medical card in NJ, then going over the medical marijuana conditions is the first step.

Remember, NJ medical marijuana doctors only recommend medical marijuana to patients diagnosed with these medical conditions:

The list of qualifying conditions for a medical card in NJ has grown over time. For instance, anxiety, migraines, chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, and chronic visceral pain are new additions to the list.

Common Conditions For Medical Cannabis In NJ

A while back, state statistics listed the following as the most common medical conditions for which medical cannabis is recommended in New Jersey:

  1. Intractable skeletal spasticity (40%)
  2. Chronic pain (21%)
  3. PTSD (9%)
  4. Inflammatory bowel disease (8%)
  5. Terminal cancer (6%)

If you are suffering from any of these conditions, book an appointment with an NJ medical marijuana doctor online.

How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In NJ

Patients diagnosed with an NJ medical marijuana condition must enroll with the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program (NJMMP) to get the NJ medical marijuana card.

Get more details on how to get a medical marijuana card in NJ.

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How to Qualify For Medical Marijuana: NJ Medical Marijuana Card Requirements

For a successful medical card application, patients should have the following NJ medical marijuana card requirements on hand:

  • A photograph, not more than 60 days old that’s taken against a white background. Additionally, the photo should have a full-face view, with the patient directly facing the camera with both eyes open and neutral facial expression.
  • Government-issued photo I.D. For example, current NJ driver’s license, NJ county I.D., or NJ Non-Driver’s I.D. issued by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.
  • Proof of New Jersey residency. For instance, a utility bill not older than 90 days from the application date. Most importantly, if the patient’s current government identification is expired or doesn’t reflect their current physical address, they must supply two proofs of New Jersey residency.
  • Caregiver photograph. (If applicable.)
  • Caregiver government-issued I.D. (If applicable.)
  • Caregiver proof of New Jersey residency. (If applicable.)
  • Proof of government assistance. For example, SNAP, Medicaid, or SSD. (If applicable)
  • Proof of veteran status. (If applicable.)

Getting Marijuana In New Jersey

Patients that qualify for a medical card in New Jersey will get an NJ medical marijuana card after a successful application and approval by the NJMMP.

Medical marijuana products in New Jersey are available at the following approved and operational Alternative Treatment Centers:

  • Apothecarium Philipsburg
  • Columbia Care
  • Compassionate Care Foundation, Inc. (The Botanist)
  • Ascend Montclair
  • Garden State Dispensary
  • Breakwater Alternative Treatment Center
  • Harmony Dispensary 
  • Curaleaf NJ, Inc
  • Rise
  • Zen Leaf

NJMMP rules let patients buy and possess up to three (3) ounces of medical marijuana within thirty (30) days.

Additionally, medical cannabis patients may not operate any vehicle under the influence of marijuana. That also applies to aircraft and marine vessels.

Moreover, patients can’t use cannabis in public places. Smoking of medical marijuana falls under the Smoke-Free Air Act at N.J.S.A. 26:3D-57 and is subject to the provisions of the Smoke-Free Air Act.

Do you still need a medical card in NJ?

New Jersey decriminalized 6 ounces of marijuana and less for adults aged 21 and above. Going to an NJ dispensary and buying marijuana without having to go through a registration process is alluring. So, do you still need a medical card in NJ?

Here are some reasons a medical card in New Jersey is advantageous over recreational cannabis:

  1. Lower age limits for medical marijuana. Recreational cannabis in NJ is reserved for adults aged 21 and over, while the minimum age for medical weed is 18.
  2. Reduced taxes on medical marijuana in New Jersey. New Jersey aims to bring taxation of medical cannabis to 0% in 2022. Consequently, this would make medical cannabis way cheaper compared to recreational weed.
  3. Patients can use their NJ medical cards in states with reciprocity. But, recreational users can’t buy or use weed if the state they travel to hasn’t legalized recreational weed.

How To Qualify For Medical Marijuana In NJ: Questions

Do you have some unanswered questions on how to qualify for medical marijuana in NJ? Perhaps these are the answers:

Yes, PTSD and anxiety are recent additions to the list of qualifying conditions for a medical card in NJ. As a result, patients can lawfully get medical marijuana for anxiety and PTSD in New Jersey.

Do I need a medical card to buy at a dispensary in New Jersey?

No, you don’t need a medical card to buy cannabis from NJ dispensaries. However, this only applies to recreational marijuana. To purchase medical cannabis, you must produce an NJ medical marijuana card.

Can you get fired for having a medical card in New Jersey?

No, you cannot get fired for having a medical card, according to NJ marijuana law. Still, using marijuana at work or being intoxicated in the workplace is prohibited, and your employer may take action if you do so. Interestingly, no New Jersey resident can be penalized for failing a marijuana drug test.

Contact the New Jersey Division of Medical Marijuana:

Mailing address:

Department of Health

P. O. Box 360

Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

Phone: 609-292-0424

Email: Through the contact form.

Website: https://njmmp.nj.gov/