Medicinal Cannabis Card FAQ

Qualifying medical conditions:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Anxiety

Cancer

Chronic pain

Dysmenorrhea

Glaucoma

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease

Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity

Migraine

Multiple sclerosis

Muscular dystrophy

Opioid Use Disorder

Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune 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

Reducing pain signaling

Decreases nausea and vomiting

Increases appetite

Treats anxiety, depression, mood instability, bipolar, panic attacks, migraines/seizures

Treats insomnia

Decreases inflammation

Reduces gastrointestinal symptoms

Relaxation

Elevates mood

Increases energy

Treats chronic pain

Increases focus and creativity

Improve quality of life, reducing pharmaceutical agents, reducing disability, and increases activity

A medical cannabis card allows patients to obtain a higher THC content, increased possession amounts, better quality products, there is less stigma on marijuana use, and bigger discounts compared to recreational use. There are also no sales taxes, but you may incur a municipal tax of up to 2%.

Make sure you have all your medical documents available to be evaluated by the provider. Meet with the provider to get qualified. If qualified, you will receive your Authorizing Provider Statement certificate that will include your reference ID number and a registry ID number. To complete your application, you need to set up your account 

by creating a username and password in the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program patient portal. 

https://njmcp.crc.nj.gov/web/#/home/createAdultPatientUser

It can take up to 30 days for NJ state to process the application, then 7-10 business days to receive your card. Obtaining a digital card may be sooner, sometimes less than 48 hours.

Medical cannabis card NJ state registration fees can range from $0 to $100. Also depending on if you are requesting a physical card.

Every 2 years a renewal is required in NJ. Renewal reminders are sent 60 days before the current ID expires.

You can get up to 84 grams (3 ounces) of cannabis for every 30-day period, compared to recreational users, who can only purchase 28.35 grams (1 ounce). Terminally ill patients have no limits.

Marijuana is generally well tolerated in most individuals. Marijuana may cause adverse effects such as anxiety, dizziness, red eyes, dry mouth/eyes, cough/bronchitis, sedation, dysphoria, reduces coordination, panic attacks, increased hunger, and increased heart rate. Long term use may decrease short term memory. Chronic use may increase risk for anxiety and depression. There are mixed studies that indicate increase in risks for psychosis and schizophrenia if the person is already predisposed.

It is highly unlikely to overdose on marijuana, a possible lethal dose would be using 600 kilograms of marijuana within 15 minutes.

Marijuana can cause a low to moderate dependency. There is minimal withdrawal symptoms, which may be irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness, usually resolving in 5-10 days.

Drug interactions:

May increase warfarin/coumadin levels

May increase serum levels of SSRI, tricyclics, antipsychotics, beta blockers, and opioids

May increase liver enzymes if used with valproate

Contraindications:

Active psychosis

Severe cardiovascular, liver, or kidney disease

THC may exacerbate arrhythmias