NJ is making medical marijuana registration free — for the shrinking group that wants it
New Jersey is making it free to sign up for its medical marijuana program, following a drop in enrollment.
The Garden State is eliminating signup fees for people who register online for a new digital patient card. Anyone who still wants a physical medical marijuana card will have to pay just $10 every two years, down from the previous $50 fee, according to an announcement this week from the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
New Jersey follows in the footsteps of New York, which waived its $50 medical marijuana fee in 2022.
Patient advocates say reducing fees is a step in the right direction but that more can be done to make cannabis affordable for New Jerseyans who use it medicinally, as insurance generally doesn't cover the drug.
New Jersey has added some perks for medical card holders since legalizing cannabis for recreational use in February 2021. Medical users are exempt from the state sales tax and have patient-only hours at dispensaries, some of which offer them special discounts.
But enrollment in New Jersey’s medical program has declined 12% since January 2021, just before marijuana was legalized for those over 21. There are now 88,670 people enrolled in the program, according to state data. New Jersey first legalized marijuana for medical use in 2010.
While full legalization may seem to negate the need for medical marijuana, advocates say these programs can help generate discounts for participants and enable people to access certain types of cannabis products more consistently. The programs also encourage discussions about cannabis use between patients and doctors, according to supporters.
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