Official Site of The State of New Jersey
An Update on Medicinal Cannabis in New Jersey
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission recently reduced registration and renewal fees for the Medicinal Cannabis Program to just $10 for two years. In a few weeks, we will begin rolling out new digital Medicinal Cannabis Program patient cards. These changes prioritize accessibility and convenience for patients. We are taking these and other steps in our continued efforts to ensure the Medicinal Cannabis Program provides quality service for patients.
Digital Medicinal Cannabis Cards & Free Registration
With the introduction of digital medical cannabis cards registration and renewal in the Medicinal Cannabis Program will be free. Additionally, with digital cards, patients can easily carry their authorization on their mobile devices, eliminating the risk of losing or damaging a physical card. This also enhances accessibility, ensuring patients can present their credentials whenever necessary.
Patients can also print out their digital cards to take into the alternative treatment centers. Anyone who prefers to have a physical card generated by the NJ-CRC will pay $10 for a two-year registration.
Clinical Registrant License: A Gateway to Research and Accessibility
The NJ-CRC proposed rules require the research protocols of clinical registrants to be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is designated by an academic medical center. The IRB ensures that the research conducted by clinical registrants is based on sound scientific evidence that can benefit medical cannabis patients. The clinical registrant license will enable medical professionals and organizations to cultivate, manufacture, and dispense medicinal cannabis in the furtherance of understanding the most effective uses and applications of cannabis.
Satisfaction Among Program Participants
In a recent survey of patients conducted by the NJ-CRC, participants overwhelming indicated they are satisfied with the Medicinal Cannabis Program. Of the more than 1,000 patients who responded to the questionnaire, less than 9% reported being unsatisfied with the service they received when they contacted Patient Services at the NJ-CRC. While many respondents shared concerns about the health care provider fees, product prices, and product availability, more than half said they participate in the program to enjoy the lower price they get from regular patient discounts and not having to pay state taxes, and to have access to the strains and products available only to patients.
The Medicinal Cannabis Program is constantly evolving, and the NJ-CRC website is one stop for the latest and most accurate information about the program, enrollment information, a listing of health care providers, a dispensary directory, and links to your patient portal. Existing patients can log into the patient portal to update their status with the program, check authorization from their healthcare provider, monitor their purchase history and allotments, and more.
Coming Soon
Look out for dates for MCP registration clinics in the coming months. Several will be held across the state to provide in-person information about the Medicinal Cannabis Program and to help new registrants sign-up and existing patients renew.
Previous Blog Posts
2025 in Review -- a year of continued growth & equity at NJ-CRC
02/5/2026
In 2025, the Commission continued expanding access to regulated cannabis for patients and consumers across the state, with more than 396 licensed businesses operating in 211 municipalities. New Jersey’s cannabis market continued to mature, generating nearly $860 million in sales during the first three quarters of the year. During the same period, approximately $49.5 million in tax revenue and just over $8 million in SEEF funds were collected. Equity remained central to the Commission’s work in 2025. From licensing and education to data transparency and community engagement, the NJ-CRC took deliberate steps to ensure that the benefits of legalization continue to reach diverse entrepreneurs and communities most impacted by cannabis prohibition, while holding licensees accountable to the standards set forth under the CREAMM Act.
High Hopes: Guiding budding businesses with the NJ-CRC
09/5/2025
Nana Amponsah, business development representative at NJ-CRC, talks about her role, as part of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, in identifying challenges cannabis entrepreneurs face, providing assistance to applicants and new businesses wherever possible, and acting as a liaison between cannapreneurs and other state agencies that provide support. She also explains how NJ cannabis business development differs from other fields, emphasizing the continuous need for support.
Tips for SMART Gatherings This Holiday Season
11/26/2025
The holidays are a time for food, fun, laughter, and connecting with the people who make life sweeter. And as more adults in New Jersey choose to enjoy, or gift legal cannabis during the season, the NJ-CRC has launched its second safe-use campaign, S.M.A.R.T., to help keep celebrations (relatively) stress-free. S.M.A.R.T. is an easy way to remember the basics of responsible cannabis use, especially when travel is constant, roads are chaotic, homes are busy, and curious little ones are wandering.
