FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A physician must certify that a patient has an approved debilitating medical condition to participate in the Medicinal Marijuana Program. Approved debilitating medical conditions include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain
• Dysmenorrhea
• Glaucoma
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
• Intractable skeletal spasticity
• Migraine
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired 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

As of January 2019, opioid use disorder qualifies as a standalone debilitating medical condition for the MMP so long as the patient is also undergoing medication-assisted therapy (MAT).  Therefore, opioid use disorder patients are eligible for medicinal marijuana if they suffer from chronic, painful withdrawal symptoms or as an adjunct treatment to their current MAT regimen. 

Yes. If you experience any trouble using a mobile device with registration, please contact the customer service unit.

Currently, edibles are available for all qualifying patients under A20, Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act.

No.

The Department is committed to providing that option in the future.

Yes. The fee for patients and caregivers is $100 each. Patients and caregivers who are senior citizens, military veterans, or who qualify for the below listed state and federal assistance programs will be eligible to pay a fee of $20 each. The registration period is valid for 2 years.

• NJ Medicaid Program
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
• NJ Temporary Disability Insurance benefits (TDI)
• Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD)

Review examples of sample documents.

Designation as a legal guardian for a qualified minor patient exempts you from the application fee. The required fee for a minor patient is $100; however, if the guardian qualifies for a reduced registration fee, the minor patient would also qualify for the reduced fee. Minor patients may have up to two caregivers.

If your current health care practitioner is not registered with the MMP, speak with them about registering with the Medicinal Marijuana Program. Health care practitioners must be registered with the program in order to authorize your eligibility. A list of health care practitioners is available on our website, nj.gov/health/medicalmarijuana. Under the ‘Patient’ tab, select the option that says ‘Find a Doctor’. This will assist the patient in locating a health care practitioner in their area.

This is not effective as of yet. We are waiting for the new commission.

Yes. A qualified patient can designate a primary caregiver who must register with the NJ Medicinal Marijuana Program. Your caregiver can assist you with the procedures necessary to obtain your medicinal marijuana from a selected Alternative Treatment Center.  If someone is only driving you to the Alternative Treatment Center and does not need to assist you inside, it is not necessary to sign up a caregiver.

No, medicinal marijuana is not a covered service under Medicaid or any other health plans in the State of New Jersey.

The Department notes that smoking medicinal marijuana falls within the definition of “smoking” as set forth in the Smoke Free Air Act at N.J.S.A. 26:3D-57, and is therefore subject to the provisions of the Smoke Free Air Act.

Patients may not,

• Operate, navigate, or be in control of any vehicle, aircraft, railroad train, or stationary heavy equipment vessel while under the influence of marijuana.

Patients may not smoke medicinal marijuana,

• On a school bus or public form of transportation.
• In a private vehicle unless the vehicle is not in operation.
• On any school grounds, in any correctional facility, at any public park or beach, at any recreation center.
• Any area pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13.

Medical marijuana will be packaged in 1/4 or 1/8 ounce denominations. The patient’s health care practitioner will determine the proper dosage; however, the maximum amount currently allowed by law is 3 ounces in a 30 day period unless the patient is terminal in which case the amount is unlimited.

Being a registered patient in the Medicinal Marijuana Program does not mean that you do not have to comply with your employer’s drug testing policies. You should be familiar with your employer’s policies on drug testing and know how it applies to you. Questions about employer policies should be directed to your human resources department.