By Rodney Clay Brunson, DO, FASAM
If you have decided to give the NJ MMP (NJ Medicinal Marijuana Program) a try, here are the basic details for qualifying for your card.
If you have any of the qualifying medical conditions, a certifying physician can approve you for a card:
1. Anxiety disorder
2. Chronic pain of visceral organs (any organ in your body that causes pain all the time)
3. Chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorder (unrelenting muscle pain, disc herniations, sciatica, radiculopathies, arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc.)
4. Migraine headaches
5. Tourettes syndrome
6. Seizure disorder including epilepsy resistant to conventional therapy
7. Intractable (will not go away) skeletal spasticity (if resistant to conventional therapy)
8. Glaucoma
9. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
10. Multiple sclerosis
11. Terminal cancer
12. Muscular dystrophy
13. Inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease
14. Terminal illness with a prognosis of less than 12 months to live
15. Severe chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting cachexia, or wasting syndrome which results from the condition or treatment of HIV positive or AIDS
16. Post traumatic stress disorder
The state of New Jersey requires you and your doctor to have at least four sit-down office visits before he/she certifies you. During those visits, you will receive education on how the program and medicinal marijuana work, types and strengths of marijuana, the chemistry of marijuana (CBD, THC, ECT), safety, storage, etc. After the doctor has legitimately established you as a patient, you will receive a certificate of qualification.
Next, visit njmmp.nj.gov to sign up for your card. You will need the following:
1. Driver’s license; If you don’t have one, you can go to the DMV and get a non-driving ID card.
2. 2×2 headshot – no glasses or hats; You can go to CVS or Staples and pay $10 for a passport-size photo. This will be the photo on your official card.
3. A utility bill with your name and address on it.
4. A fourth item is required if you want to apply for the discounts: $80 off $100 registration fee, and a 20% discount on all of your purchases. This can be a copy of a Medicaid card or proof of military service. For retired or Medicare patients, they will use the date of birth on your driver’s license. Disability also gets discounts. Essentially, if you receive help from the government, you should get the discounts.
Once you scan/upload these items and answer all of the questions, NJMMP will verify the information you submitted. You will receive an email confirming you’re submitted information is good, and asking for the $20-$100 registration fee. Once paid, you should receive your card within 10 days.
Now you’re ready to make an appointment for a dispensary visit where you can purchase your product of choice. Safely transport your product to your residence and use it carefully, indoors.
If you have any issues applying for your card, I am happy to help. Or, call Customer Service at (609) 292-0424.
For more information on applying for your card, visit njmmp.nj.gov or nj.gov/health/medicinal/marijuana. You may also call my office at (609) 484- 7000 to set up an appointment. We have openings for new patients. Office locations are 201 Tilton Rd., Suite 12, Northfield and 1076 Rt. 47 S., Rio Grande.
