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How to Qualify for a Medical Cannabis Card in New Jersey

March 8, 2023

The Garden State recently expanded the legal use of marijuana. In 2021, the CREAMM Act* planted the seed for adult residents and visitors over 21 to purchase recreational cannabis. But medical use has been allowed for certain New Jerseyans for over a decade (since 2010).

Even with the new law in effect, there are still many benefits to becoming a medical marijuana cardholder in New Jersey. We’ll explain those advantages below. Or, if you already know you’re looking for where to get a medical cannabis card in NJ—we’ll cover that, too.

In this guide, My Virtual Physician lays out the steps to get your medical cannabis card as a New Jersey resident.

Medical Cannabis Card Vs. Recreational

With two modes to choose from to get your marijuana, why would you pick the medical route when you can simply walk up to the counter and purchase adult-use marijuana?

We can think of a few reasons, including:

  • Possession limits: Increased from 1 ounce to 3 ounces when you have a medical cannabis card.
  • Reduced costs: Sales and excise taxes are waived only for medical cannabis cardholders.
  • Age: Recreational use is not available for those under 21, but medical cannabis can be approved for any age deemed appropriate by caregivers and doctors.
  • Legal Protections: Employers, landlords, and schools cannot discriminate against medical marijuana patients simply for having cardholder status.

Check out more differences between medical cannabis and recreational use in New Jersey in the table below.

Medical Marijuana Cardholder Recreational Use (Adult Use)
Legal Protections
  • Employment discrimination based on cardholder status
  • Requires employers to consider medical explanation in the event of a positive drug test result
  • Housing protections
  • School enrollment protections
  • Landlords may limit the use of cannabis on property
Quantity Allowed in Possession
  • Up to 84 grams(3 ounces) every 30-days
  • Maximum of 1 ounce in possession
  • Up to 28.35 grams or 1 ounce of cannabis per transaction
  • Up to 4 grams of cannabis concentrates
  • Up to 1000mg of ingestible cannabis-infused products
Home Cultivation
  • Not currently permitted
  • Not currently permitted
Price and Taxes
  • No sales or excise tax as of July 1, 2022
  • 6.625% NJ Sales Tax plus excise fee of ⅓ of 1% plus possible local taxes
Age Requirement
  • 18+
  • Under 18 with approved caregiver
  • 21+

Clearly, it can be advantageous to pursue medical marijuana patient status. Plus, if you’re using marijuana to treat symptoms of an underlying illness, you’ll want the medical knowledge, guidance, and support of your doctor to help monitor your condition and treatment.

How to Qualify for a Medical Cannabis Card in New Jersey

Not everyone will qualify for a medical cannabis card in NJ. There are only specific medical conditions approved for using marijuana to manage symptoms. Before you apply, check the list to make sure you have a qualifying medical condition, such as:

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Cancer
  • ALS
  • Anxiety
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV or AIDS
  • Chronic Pain
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • IBS or Crohn’s Disease
  • Muscle spasms
  • Migraine
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Opioid Use Disorder
  • Seizure Disorder or Epilepsy
  • Terminal Illness (less than 12-month prognosis)
  • Tourette’s Syndrome

Do you have one of the above debilitating medical conditions that you would like to treat with medical marijuana? If so, you are one step closer to getting your medical cannabis card in New Jersey.

Getting Your Medical Cannabis Card in New Jersey

Before you apply with the state of New Jersey, there are some things to know about how to get your medical cannabis card. First, you’ll need a bona fide relationship with your doctor authorizing the use of marijuana as a treatment for your diagnosis.

In New Jersey, that means that you need one of the following from the doctor who signs on the dotted line to get your card:

  • A physician-patient relationship that has lasted at least one year
  • At least four doctor visits to manage your qualifying medical condition
  • A comprehensive medical history with a physical exam and an in-depth review of your medical record

My Virtual Physician is an affordable online healthcare provider who can help you manage your debilitating medical condition and we’d be happy to establish a bona fide relationship with you to assist in getting your card. If you’d like to begin establishing this relationship today, click below to start.

Once you’ve met one of the above criteria with your doctor, the rest of the process to get a medical cannabis card in New Jersey is simple and requires only three steps.

  1. Physician’s Certification
  2. Registration with New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission
  3. Payment

Step #1: Physician’s Certification

A doctor’s evaluation is required in order to qualify for medical cannabis in New Jersey. During your visit, your healthcare provider will determine whether your medical condition meets the criteria in the law and whether medical cannabis is a good treatment option.

After your visit with your bona fide doctor, your provider will submit your physician certification to the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program (NJMCP). This must be done before you apply for registration with the state.

If you’ve already established a bona fide relationship with our doctors and would like to start the process of getting your medical cannabis card, simply fill out our online intake form here to get your card now.

Step #2: Medical Cannabis Card Application

After you’ve been established with your doctor and he has completed your certification, it’s your turn to submit your information to the Medicinal Cannabis Program. To do this, you’ll need to set up an online account through the patient portal. Here, you can do the following:

  • Submit initial registration
  • Update your documents
  • Check the status of your application
  • Review your authorization period
  • Pay for your card
  • Reach patient services
  • Renew your card
  • See state lab strain test results

My Virtual Physician (or another bona fide doctor of your choosing) will provide a reference number and registry ID number that you’ll need to begin the registration process.

Step #3: Paying for Your Medical Cannabis Card

The cost of getting a cannabis medical card in New Jersey varies greatly, depending on the provider you choose to establish your bona fide relationship with. My virtual Physician’s standard charge for medical marijuana consultations is $115.

Since New Jersey may require up to four visits to establish that relationship, the cost of your medical visits will likely increase. Review our current pricing for standard visits to determine your up-front physician costs for these additional appointments.

The state of New Jersey also charges for its registration services. When you register online with the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program, you’ll be prompted to make your payment in the state portal. The current fees are $50 per applicant, and your card will be good for two years.

Discounts are available for residents who meet one of the following, reducing fees to $20 per application:

  • 65+ Years of age
  • Veterans
  • Participate in government assistance programs

That puts your total cost for a NJ medical cannabis card at between $165 to $315 for a two-year period, depending on your situation.

Take the First Step Now

Start the process to get your medical card for cannabis in New Jersey by setting up your first visit with My Virtual Physician to establish a bona fide patient-doctor relationship. If you’ve already got that, fill out our intake form to complete your final physician consultation today.

 *Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act 

Get Your Medical Cannabis Card Now

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