How do I (Patient) register to participate in the program?

The patient’s bona fide physician initiates the patient’s application via online registration. The physician must first register themselves with the NJ Medical Marijuana Program (“NJMMP”) Physician Registry. Once registered the physician must complete an Attending Physician Statement for each individual patient. Upon submission of the statement, a unique Patient Reference Number will be produced. The physician will need to provide the patient with this Reference Number. The patient or their designee will go to http://njmmp.nj.gov and complete the following steps to complete the registration process:

• Select “Patient Registration” on the left side of the screen of the NJMMP registry page.
• Enter all required information as noted by a “red asterisk”.
• The Patient Reference Number must be included; this is the number that was provided by the physician.
• Select “Submit” and the Patient Registration page will appear.
• Complete all required information on the Patient Registration page
• If applicable, enter primary caregiver information
• Read and acknowledge the Patient Certification
• Check the appropriate box indicating that the terms have been understood.
• “Save and Continue”.
• Patients will now be required to upload photographs and documents.

I’m under the age of 18 and have a listed debilitating disease. Can I register?

Patients under the age of 18 that suffer from a debilitating medical condition are considered minor patients and may register with the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program. Minor patients are required to have a legal custodian assume responsibility as their caregiver until they are 18 years of age; in which case the patient will need to re-register as an adult.

Where do I find a doctor who has been approved by the NJ Medical Marijuana Program?

Speak with your primary physician about registering with the NJ Medical Marijuana Program. Physicians must be registered with the program in order to certify your eligibility. As of April 16, 2012 a list of participating physicians was released to aid patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions. This list can assist the patient in locating a physician in their area.

Click here for the list of physicians.

What debilitating medical conditions are approved by the program?

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

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Terminal cancer
• Muscular dystrophy
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
• Terminal illness, if the physician has determined a prognosis of less than 12 months of life.

The following conditions apply, if resistant to, or if the patient is intolerant to, conventional therapy:

• Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
• Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
• Glaucoma

The following conditions apply, if severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, cachexia or wasting syndrome results from the condition or treatment thereof:

• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Cancer

My condition is debilitating but it’s not on that list. What can I do?

After an initial assessment of the program, patients can file a petition with the program once a year.

I possess a medical marijuana patient card from another state; may I use it in New Jersey to obtain medical marijuana?

No, to be eligible for the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program (“NJMMP”) you must:

• Maintain a bona fide relationship with a New Jersey physician who has been registered and approved by the NJMMP;
• Be certified with a debilitating medical condition by the approved New Jersey physician;
• Be a New Jersey resident; and
• Hold a valid patient identification card issued by the NJMMP.

Will my application be confidential?

A Patient’s application will only be available to your registered physician, the NJ Medical Marijuana Program staff, and Alternative Treatment Center (“ATC”) personnel. However, the NJMMP and ATC personnel will use the patients’ application for identity verification purposes only.

What should I tell my employer if I am subjected to a drug test?

A qualifying patient, primary caregiver, alternative treatment center, physician, or any other person acting in accordance with the provisions of act N.J.S.2C:35-18 shall not be subject to any civil or administrative penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, related to the medical use of marijuana as authorized under this act.

Are there any other alternative forms of marijuana offered by Alternative Treatment Centers?

Depending on the Alternative Treatment Center, alternative options of medical marijuana are available as a lozenge (solid oral dosage designed to dissolve or disintegrate slowly in the mouth) or topical formulation (transcutaneous therapeutic marijuana extract). ATCs may not provide food products containing marijuana.

If qualified and approved, are there any restrictions regarding the use of medical marijuana?

Smoking medical 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 medical 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

How much medical marijuana can I get approved for?

Medical marijuana will be packaged in ¼ ounce denominations. The patient’s physician will determine the proper dosage; however, the maximum amount allowed by law is 2 ounces in a 30 day period.

What is a bona fide physician-patient relationship?

A bona fide relationship is defined as a relationship in which the physician has ongoing responsibility for the assessment, care and treatment of a patient’s debilitating medical condition whereby:

The physician-patient relationship has existed for at least one year; or
The physician has seen and/or assessed the patient for the debilitating medical condition on at least four visits; or

The physician assumes responsibility for providing management and care of the patient’s debilitating medical condition after conducting a comprehensive medical history and physical examination, including a personal review of the patient’s medical record maintained by other treating physicians reflecting the patient’s reaction and response to conventional medical therapies.

It is too difficult for me to travel. Can someone help me get medical marijuana?

Yes. A qualified patient can designate a primary caregiver who must register with the NJ Medical Marijuana Program. Your caregiver can assist you with the procedures necessary to obtain your medical marijuana from a selected Alternative Treatment Center.

How do I register my primary caregiver?

All primary caregivers must register with the NJ Medical Marijuana Program (“NJMMP”) and submit to the required fingerprint and background check. This can be completed via the NJMMP website or through the United States Postal Service. Applications will be reviewed and approved upon satisfactory completion.

Is there a fee to register?

Yes. The fee for patients and caregivers is $200 each. Patients and caregivers who qualify for one of the state and federal assistant programs listed below will be eligible to pay a fee of $20 each.

• NJ Medicaid Program
• Receipt of current Food Stamp Benefits
• Receipt of current NJ temporary disability insurance benefits
• Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD)
• This registration is valid for 2 years.

Is medical marijuana covered by Medicaid or any other health plans?

No, medical marijuana is not a covered service under Medicaid or any other health plan.

What are the fee requirements for legal guardians and minor patients?

A legal guardian for a qualified minor patient is exempt from the application fee. The required fee for a qualified minor patient is $200; however, if the legal guardian or minor patient can provide proof of enrollment in one of the approved government assistance programs listed below, the minor patient may qualify for the twenty ($20.00) dollar reduced application fee:

• NJ Medicaid Program
• Receipt of current Food Stamp Benefits
• Receipt of current NJ temporary disability insurance benefits
• Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD)

When my 30, 60, or 90-day certification for medical marijuana expires, do I have to re-register with the program?

No. Patient registration is valid for 2 years. However, upon expiration of your 30, 60, or 90-day certification, you must see your physician for a follow-up visit. Your physician will assess your condition and determine whether to continue your use of medical marijuana for an additional 30, 60, or 90 day period. The physician will be required to log into the registry and update your physician statement.