Medical Marijuana NJ: Where to Get It

According to the CDC, marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug. About 18% or 48.2 million people used it at least once in 2019. The problem is the CDC’s focus is on recreational users and they put forth a negative opinion of the drug. The federal government fails to recognize marijuana’s benefits.

Despite the negative impression of the CDC, there are 104,523 users of medical marijuana in NJ.

If you are wondering where you can get medical marijuana in New Jersey, keep reading. We are going to give you all the information you need on how to obtain medical marijuana from a New Jersey dispensary.

The Law on Medical Marijuana in New Jersey

In February 2021 Governor Phil Murphy signed three bills. These new laws legalize and decriminalize marijuana in New Jersey.

The trick is knowing what you legally can and cannot do because of its conflict with federal law. The federal government still considers marijuana possession and use illegal.

Numerous states, including New Jersey, have legalized regulated cannabis. This means you may purchase the drug legally in a licensed dispensary. The only type of legal dispensary in NJ is for medical marijuana, not recreational.

The state’s rules, regulations, and licensing are overseen by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. All areas of the business from growing to selling are under the commission’s control.

Can My Doctor Prescribe Medical Marijuana?

To certify a patient to receive medical marijuana in New Jersey the doctor must be part of the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP). In order to begin a patient’s registration into the program, there must be a legitimate doctor-patient relationship.

The doctor must have an ongoing responsibility for assessing your condition. That relationship must meet the following requirements:

• Doctor-patient relationship for a minimum of one year, or
• Seen or assessed the patient’s condition for a minimum of four visits, or
• Assume responsibility for the management of the patient’s condition following a comprehensive medical history and physical examination

To participate in MMP the doctor must possess an active Controlled Dangerous Substances Registration. They must also have a medical license in good standing from the State of New Jersey and practice medicine within the state.

Where to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in New Jersey

When seeking medical marijuana in New Jersey, you will need to obtain a medical marijuana card before you can purchase from a dispensary.

Medical marijuana is legalized and used by doctors to treat numerous conditions. Those conditions fall under the categories of including insomnia, chronic pain, and anxiety.

You may qualify if you are in treatment for opioid use disorder. You must be receiving medication-assisted therapy and experiencing chronic, painful withdrawal symptoms. You may receive approval as an adjunct treatment to your current withdrawal regimen.

Doctors of Cannabis has a wide range of conditions our doctors treat with cannabis. To learn about obtaining treatment schedule a consultation to discuss your condition with our doctors.

The cost for an MMP patient to register and obtain an identification card is $100. It normally takes between 2-3 weeks to receive your card in the mail.

Finding a NJ Medical Marijuana Dispensary

You have your medical marijuana card in hand, and just need to locate a dispensary. As of October 2021, New Jersey medical marijuana is available at 23 dispensaries.

• The Apothecarium—55 South Main Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08864; (908) 777-7420
• The Apothecarium—1865 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040; (973) 996-1420
• Ascend Montclair—395 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042; (973) 337-5670
• Ascend Rochelle Park—174 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park NJ 07662; (973) 370-3150
• The Botanist by CCF—1301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401; (609) 277-7547
• The Botanist by CCF—100 Century Drive, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234; (609) 277-7547
• The Botanist—2090 North Black Horse Pike, Williamstown, NJ 08094; (856) 478-3530
• Breakwater Treatment & Wellness—2 Corporate Drive, Cranbury, NJ 08512; (732) 703-7300
• The Cannabist—1692 Clements Bridge Road, Deptford, NJ 08096; (856) 322-2829
• Columbia Care—1062 N. Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360; *856) 213-9445
• Curaleaf—111 Coolidge Avenue, Bellmawr, NJ 08031; (856) 933-8700
• Curaleaf—191 Route 130, Bordentown, NJ 08505; (609) 400-2455
• Curaleaf—4237 Route 130 South, Edgewater Park, NJ 08010; (609) 232-7681
• Garden State Dispensary—59 Main Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724; (848) 999-2005
• Garden State Dispensary—2536 US-22, Union, NJ 07083; (848) 999-2005
• Garden State Dispensary—950 US Hwy 1 North, Woodbridge, NJ 07095; (848) 999-2005
• Harmony Dispensary—600 Meadowlands Parkway, Suite 15, Secaucus, NJ 07094; (201) 356-7268
• RISE Dispensaries—26-48 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 08031; (973) 327-3442
• RISE Dispensaries—45 NJ-4 West, Paramus, NJ 07652; (973) 996-4570
• RISE Dispensaries—196 3rd Avenue, Suite 3C, Paterson, NJ 07514; (973) 440-2717
• Zen Leaf—117 Spring Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201; (908) 280-8642
• Zen Leaf—3256 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648; (609) 212-4351
• Zen Leaf—2100 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753; (732) 860-1492

The above dispensaries service all registered medical marijuana patients in New Jersey.

Purchasing at a New Jersey Dispensary

The cost for medicinal cannabis ranges between $350 to $500 per ounce within the state. There is no coverage under Medicaid or any other health insurance plan for medical marijuana.

Dispensaries in the state are not permitted to sell edibles resembling food. This means no candies, cookies, pot brownies, or other marijuana-infused edibles resembling food.

The good news is that there is a possibility of laws lowering the cost of medical cannabis for New Jersey residents who receive financial assistance for children, senior citizens, and crime victims. Senate Bill S3799, if passed, will require the following organizations to cover the costs of medical marijuana:

• Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO)
• Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program
• Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program
• Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund

If the bill passes the above funds will need to provide assistance with costs, but not cover them in full. The plan is for the programs to reimburse dispensaries directly, with patients paying a copay at the time they pick up their marijuana.

There is also another bill that may require workers’ compensation insurance and personal injury protection coverage to pay the cost of medical marijuana. That bill moved through assembly but is stalled in the Senate. The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that medical cannabis is eligible for workers’ compensation.

Schedule an Appointment to Obtain Medical Marijuana in NJ

There are many conditions that may allow you to obtain medical marijuana in NJ. These include inflammation, chronic pain, neurological disorders, and sleeping aids. If you are interested in obtaining your medical marijuana card call the Doctors of Cannabis at (405) 367-5638 or get started by completing this online form today.