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Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in NJ (and how much it costs)

This website is informational and cannot diagnose or treat illness or disease. Medical marijuana should be used under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider. This site contains advertisements. If you click a link and make a purchase, MarijuanaMommy.com may receive a commission.

Note: As of March 27th, these conditions were added to the list of qualifying conditions for NJ medical marijuana.

  • Anxiety
  • Migraines
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and opioid use disorder
  • Chronic pain affecting internal organs, including but not limited to pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction

How To Get Medical Marijuana in NJ (Step by step)

Getting MedicaMarijuanana in NJ

If you want medical marijuana in NJ, you need to prove two things to the state first.

  1. That you’re medically messed-up enough to require cannabis.
  2. That you’re privileged enough to afford cannabis. (Because NJ’s MMJ program is the most expensive in the country.)

 

Do I qualify for a medical marijuana card in NJ?  (for adults)

In order to get medical marijuana in NJ, you need to be diagnosed with one of the “qualifying conditions”.

There are three ways of qualifying for medical marijuana in NJ.

Qualifying Conditions

These conditions qualify for medical marijuana.

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Terminal cancer
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis & Crohn’s disease
  • Terminal illness, if the physician has determined a prognosis of less than 12 months of life.
  • Anxiety
  • Migraines
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and opioid use disorder
  • Chronic pain affecting internal organs, including but not limited to pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction

OR

If you have been diagnosed with one of these, AND you are intolerant of, or resistant to traditional treatments, you may qualify.

OR

If you have been diagnosed with one of these, AND you have severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, cachexia or wasting syndrome because of either the condition or because of the treatment of the condition (i.e. chemo), you may qualify.

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

 

If you qualify, I’m sorry because you’ve most likely been through medical hell.  BUT I hope you have the opportunity to try medical marijuana because this medication can be life-changing.

 

Health Insurance & Medical Marijuana

Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover the cost of medical marijuana.

Depending on the doctor, health insurance won’t even cover the cost of the doctor visits required to procure the cannabis prescription.  Every dollar has to be paid out of pocket.

 

How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in NJ?

Since March 28, 2018, any NJ doctor who is allowed to prescribe controlled substances, may also now recommend cannabis. Doctors are no longer required to publically register if they choose to offer cannabis.

If your doctor will not prescribe it, you can visit a doctor listed on the public registry. (Doctors may still choose to be listed on the public registry.)

The prescribing physician must have a “bona fide” patient relationship. Between one to three doctors visits are required to obtain a medical marijuana prescription.  (This is after you’ve been officially diagnosed with a qualifying condition.)

By the time you have your NJ medical marijuana card, you will have spent between $400.00 – $950.00 depending on the physician.

(*A discount is available for patients on public assistance.)

 

Then Cannabis Costs a Bunch More

After you get your card you still have to purchase cannabis and whatever paraphernalia you’ll need to ingest it.  In NJ, medical marijuana is sold in quarter ounce denominations.

The average cost in of a quarter ounce in NJ is $122.00.  Prices vary by the dispensary, and some dispensaries offer discounts for low-income patients.

A doctor may prescribe up to two full ounces per month.  How much cannabis the patient requires varies by patient.

After receiving a prescription, the state requires you to see that doctor every three months in order to have your prescription refilled.

 Read:  How to Apply Medical Marijuana in NJ [Step-by-Step Guide]

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Written by Jessie Gill

Jessie Gill, RN is a cannabis nurse with a background in holistic health and hospice.  After suffering a spinal injury, she reluctantly became a medical marijuana patient then quickly transitioned into an advocate. Her site, MarijuanaMommy.com teaches new patients how and why to use cannabis while challenging the stigma against marijuana use.

Jessie is an established expert in the cannabis industry. She’s spoken at conferences around the country and has been cited by publications such as High Times and Forbes. Her work has been featured on Entrepreneur, Good Housekeeping, MSN, and more. She’s been seen on Viceland and has received international press coverage.

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