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.