Patient FAQ’s

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[su_spoiler title=”How do I (Patient) register to participate in the program?”]
A patient must be assessed by a bona fide registered MMP physician who will certify if the patient has an approved debilitating medical condition to participate in the NJ MMP. The physician must complete an Attending Physician Statement for each individual patient. Upon submission of the statement a unique Patient Reference Number will be produced. The physician will need to provide the patient with this Reference Number along with a copy of the attending physician statement. The patient or their designee will go to http://njmmp.nj.gov and complete the following steps to complete the online registration process:

• Select “Patient Registration” on the left side of the screen of the MMP registry page and carefully read the page of instructions before continuing in the registry.
• Enter all required information as noted by a “red asterisk”.
  • The Patient Reference Number must be included; this is the number that was provided by the physician.
  • Select “Submit” and the Patient Registration page will appear.
  • If applicable, enter primary caregiver information.
    • *Note: If you need or require a caregiver, please review the caregiver portion of the FAQ’s
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    [su_spoiler title=”What if I do not have the ability to access or utilize a scanner?”]
    If you cannot convert documents to digital format, there are entities such as your local library equipped to assist you in preparing your documents so they may be uploaded into our system.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Is there a fee to register?”]
    Yes. The fee for patients and caregivers is $200 each. Patients and caregivers who qualify for the below listed state and federal assistant programs, will be eligible to pay a fee of $20 each; registration period is valid for 2 years.
    • NJ Medicaid Program
    • Current Food Stamp Benefits Card
    • NJ temporary disability insurance benefits
    • Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI)
    • Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD)

    Click to see examples of SAMPLE DOCUMENTS [pdf 4mb]
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    [su_spoiler title=”How do I pay my registration fee?”]
    Once you have received your confirmation email stating your registration fee has been set, you will return to the registry at, njmmp.nj.gov, and select the option on the left hand side that says ‘Payment’. You will then have to enter your information including reference number and submit. Follow the instructions to proceed with your payment.
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    [su_spoiler title=”What are the fee requirements for legal guardians and minor patients?”]
    Designation as a legal guardian for a qualified minor patient exempts you from the application fee. The required fee for a qualified minor patient is $200; however, if the legal guardian or minor patient can provide proof of enrollment in one of the approved government assistance programs, the minor patient may qualify for the twenty ($20.00) dollar reduced application fee.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Will my application be confidential?”]
    A Patient’s application will only be available to your registered physician, the NJMMP staff, and ATC personnel.
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    [su_spoiler title=”What debilitating medical conditions are approved by the program?”]
    A physician must certify that a patient has an approved debilitating medical condition to participate in the Medicinal Marijuana Program. Approved debilitating medical conditions include:

    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Terminal cancer
    • Muscular dystrophy
    • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
    • Terminal illness, if the physician has determined a prognosis of less than 12 months of life.

    The following conditions apply, if resistant to, or if the patient is intolerant to, conventional therapy:

    • Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
    • Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
    • Glaucoma

    The following conditions apply, if severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, cachexia or wasting syndrome results from the condition or treatment thereof:

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

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    [su_spoiler title=”My condition is debilitating but it’s not on that list. What can I do?”]
    As per rules & regulations, the MMP will not accept any petition to add to the approved list of debilitating medical conditions before completing at least two annual reports required pursuant to N.J.A.C 8:64-4.2.
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    [su_spoiler title=”I’m under the age of 18 and have a listed debilitating disease. Can I register?”]
    Patients under the age of 18 that suffer from a debilitating medical condition are considered minor patients and may register with the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP). Minor patients are required to have a legal custodian assume responsibility as their caregiver until they are 18 years of age; in which case the patient will need to re-register as an adult.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Where do I find a doctor who has been approved by the MMP?”]
    If your current physician is not registered with the MMP, speak with them about registering with the Medicinal Marijuana Program. Physicians must be registered with the program in order to certify your eligibility. A list of physicians is available on our website, nj.gov/health/medicalmarijuana. Under the ‘Patient’ tab, select the option that says ‘Find a Doctor’. This will assist the patient in locating a physician in their area.
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    [su_spoiler title=”What is a bona fide physician-patient relationship?”]
    A bona fide relationship is defined as: a relationship in which the physician has ongoing responsibility for the assessment, care and treatment of a patient’s debilitating medical condition whereby:

    • The physician-patient relationship has existed for at least one year; or
    • The physician has seen and/or assessed the patient for the debilitating medical condition on at least four visits; or
    • The physician assumes responsibility for providing management and care of the patient’s debilitating 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 physicians reflecting the patient’s reaction and response to conventional medical therapies.

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    [su_spoiler title=”I possess a medicinal marijuana patient card from another state; may I use it in NJ to obtain medicinal marijuana?”]
    No, to be eligible for the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana program you must:

    • Maintain a bona fide relationship with a New Jersey physician who is registered and approved by the MMP and,
    • Be certified with a debilitating medical condition by the approved NJ physician and,
    • Be a New Jersey resident.

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    [su_spoiler title=”It is too difficult for me to travel. Can someone help me get medicinal marijuana?”]
    Yes. A qualified patient can designate a primary caregiver who must register with the NJ Medicinal Marijuana Program. Your caregiver can assist you with the procedures necessary to obtain your medicinal marijuana from a selected Alternative Treatment Center. If someone is only driving you to the Alternative Treatment Center and does not need to assist you inside, it is not necessary to sign up a caregiver.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Is medicinal marijuana covered by Medicaid or any other health plans?”]
    No, medicinal marijuana is not a covered service under Medicaid or any other health plans in the State of New Jersey.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Where will a qualifying patient be able to smoke medical marijuana?”]
    The Department notes that smoking medicinal marijuana falls within the definition of “smoking” as set forth in the Smoke Free Air Act at N.J.S.A. 26:3D-57, and is therefore subject to the provisions of the Smoke Free Air Act.

    Patients may not,

    • Operate, navigate, or be in control of any vehicle, aircraft, railroad train, or stationary heavy equipment vessel while under the influence of marijuana.

    Patients may not smoke medicinal marijuana,

    • On a school bus or public form of transportation.
    • In a private vehicle unless the vehicle is not in operation.
    • On any school grounds, in any correctional facility, at any public park or beach, at any recreation center.
    • Any area pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-13.

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    [su_spoiler title=”How much medicinal marijuana can I get approved for?”]
    Medical marijuana will be packaged in 1/4 ounce denominations. The patient’s physician will determine the proper dosage; however, the maximum amount allowed by law is 2 ounces in a 30 day period.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Can I switch my Alternative Treatment Center?”]
    Yes. You may switch to any operational ATC online at any time. You must return to the registry at http://njmmp.nj.gov, and select the option on the left hand side titled ‘Change ATC’. You must enter your information and your reference number and submit. A patient’s ATC selection is not restricted by their geographic location. You may choose any operational center but you may only be registered with one ATC at a time.

    A patient or caregiver is not required to return or update their MMP identification card to complete this process. The registry will do this automatically. After switching ATC’s, the patient and caregiver (if applicable) will be eligible to purchase medicinal marijuana from the new ATC.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Do I have to be registered with a specific ATC to purchase medicinal marijuana or can I go to any ATC provided I’m an approved MMP cardholder.”]
    You must be registered with a specific ATC to purchase your medicinal marijuana. An ATC will not be able to see your information in the system if you are not registered with them.
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    [su_spoiler title=”You must be registered with a specific ATC to purchase your medicinal marijuana. An ATC will not be able to see your information in the system if you are not registered with them.”]
    If a registered patient or registered primary caregiver becomes aware of the theft, loss or destruction of his or her registry ID card, he or she shall notify the MMP within 24 hours after the discovery of the occurrence of the theft, loss, or destruction. The fee to apply for issuance of an ID card replacement is $10.00. If you receive government assistance, and it was verified and approved upon registration, you will qualify for a fee of $5.00.
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    [su_spoiler title=”If I add a caregiver after registering with the MMP, do I need to get a new ID card?”]
    Yes. To add a caregiver after you have already been approved for the program, you will visit http://njmmp.nj.gov and select “Patient Registration”. You must return your original MMP ID card to us by certified mail, because you will be issued a new card with your caregiver information on it. Once the caregiver is approved, they will be required to pay the registration fee of $200 or $20, if eligible for government assistance. Your caregiver’s effective period will begin upon their approval date and expire with the patient’s listed expiration date, regardless of the two year period.
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    [su_spoiler title=”When my 30, 60, or 90 day certification for medicinal marijuana expires, do I have to re-register with the program?”]
    No. Patient registration is valid for 2 years. However, upon expiration of your 30, 60, or 90 day certification, your physician must re-assess your condition and determine whether to continue your authorized use of medicinal marijuana for an additional 30, 60, or 90 day period. The physician will be required to log into the registry and update your physician statement.
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    [su_spoiler title=”If my 30, 60, or 90 day certification is expired, will I be able to purchase medicinal marijuana?”]
    No. A patient must have a current certification in order to make an appointment or purchase medicinal marijuana at their Alternative Treatment Center.
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    [su_spoiler title=”What should I tell my employer if I am subjected to a drug test? “]
    A qualifying patient, primary caregiver, alternative treatment center, physician, or any other person acting in accordance with the provisions of act N.J.S.2C:35-18 shall not be subject to any civil or administrative penalty, or denied any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a professional licensing board, related to the medical use of marijuana as authorized under this act.

    The Program recommends that a patient be familiarized with act N.J.S.2C:35-18 and refers to legal consultation for the applicability concerning this matter.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Can I switch from my current MMP physician to a new MMP registered physician without having to re-register?”]
    Yes, MMP physicians have the ability to accept a registered patient who is currently under the responsibility of another MMP physician. The process is completed by the desired physician through the registry. If your desired MMP physician is unfamiliar with this process they may find the directions under the “Physician Tab” on this website or by clicking HERE.

    Note * Patients must be cardholders to complete physician transfers.
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    [su_spoiler title=”Will I receive a credit on my 2 year registration period for the time lost from the issue date of my ID card to my first Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) appointment to receive medicinal marijuana?”]
    The Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) will adjust and prorate the registration fee to qualifying patients who re-register. The reduced fee will apply to patients who have paid the registration fee and did not receive medicinal marijuana for a period of time after receiving their MMP ID card. The fee reduction will be applied at the time of re-registration and will be calculated for the time period a patient did not have access to an Alternative Treatment Center.
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