Official Site of The State of New Jersey
A Guide to the Medicinal Cannabis Program for Healthcare Practitioners
Healthcare providers who wish to prescribe medicinal cannabis for patients must be registered with the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s Medicinal Cannabis Program. Eligibility for enrollment in the program includes:
- being a doctor of medicine (MD), doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), physician assistant, or nurse practictioner
- holding an active license in good standing with the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners;
- possessing an active, unlimited Controlled Dangerous Substances registration with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs; and
- having an active, physical practice within the state.
Healthcare providers must hold a bona fide relationship with any patient they wish to register. The healthcare provider must be providing ongoing assessment, care, and treatment of the patient’s medical condition (from the approved conditions list). To register a patient in the Medicinal Cannabis Program, one of the following must be satisfied:
- The healthcare provider-patient relationship must have existed for at least one year.
- The healthcare provider has seen and/or assessed the patient for the medical condition on at least four visits.
- The healthcare provider assumes responsibility for providing management and care of the patient’s 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 Healthcare Providers reflecting the patient’s reaction and response to conventional medical therapies.
The current Medicinal Cannabis Program (MCP) is made possible through the enactment of New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (CUMMA) and the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act.
FAQs
Approved qualifying medical conditions include:
- 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
Yes. Opioid use disorder is a qualifying medical condition under the program. Patients may be eligible for medicinal cannabis to treat the opioid disorder itself, or for the associated chronic, painful withdrawal symptoms.
While medicinal cannabis treatment is not covered by any health plan in New Jersey, recommendations can be considered during a covered office visit related to the qualifying medical condition the patient is being treated for with medicinal cannabis – similar to a provider writing a prescription during a regular visit.
No, you cannot authorize medicinal cannabis for you or someone in your family. You will need a healthcare provider that is registered with the program.
Healthcare providers may use telemedicine to conduct an evaluation, to make a diagnosis, and to manage the treatment of their patient’s qualifying condition(s).
The Jake Honig Act sets the maximum amount of usable cannabis a patient may be dispensed at 3 oz (84 grams) in a 30-day period. As their healthcare provider, you determine their proper dose within and up to that limit.
Terminally ill patients are the exception and have no limits.
You decide how often the patient requires a new authorization.
Yes. You can edit your patient's authorized allotment at any time by logging into the portal.
A healthcare practitioner may add medical office staff to their registry account through the “Add User” function after log-in. A new user ID and temporary password will be generated when a new user is added and saved.
Email the Medicinal Cannabis Program at medcannabis@crc.nj.gov, or call 609-292-0424 to help you get your log-in credentials.
Enter your log-in ID and use the “Forgot my password” link on the log-in page.
Yes. A registered healthcare practitioner in the Medicinal Cannabis Program can authorize cannabis use by a registered minor patient.
If the registered healthcare practitioner is not trained in the care of pediatric patients, they must obtain written confirmation that the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefits from the medical use of cannabis to treat or alleviate symptoms associated with their medical condition (from the approved medical conditions list) from a healthcare practitioner trained in the care of pediatric patients following their review of the minor patient’s medical record or examination of the minor patient. The written confirmation is due at the time the Attending Healthcare Provider Authorization is executed in order for the application to be reviewed.
The authorizing healthcare provider must also explain the risks and benefits the medicinal use of cannabis to the minor patient and to the minor patient’s parent or legal custodian, and the explanation documented in the patient’s medical record.
The pediatric healthcare provider does not need to be registered with the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program in order to provide that written confirmation.
Register the patient with your practice, with their registry ID. The transfer will be automatic. Select the "Patient Transfer" option to search for the registered patient. You will need either their registration ID number or you can search by name, date of birth, and last four digits of their social security number.
You can call (609) 292-0424 with your request. You may also email your request to medcannabis @crc.nj.gov. Include your name, specialty, Healthcare Provider License Number, phone number and practice location in your email.
No. Healthcare practitioners must hold active credentials issued in New Jersey, and have a physical office in the state.
Yes. The NJ-CRC has “Education Toolkits” that are available for immediate download. You may also request to receive materials at no charge by filling out a Safety Material Order Form.