It was the year 2010 when Governor John S Corzine legalized medical cannabis within the state of New Jersey adding to the greenery of the garden state. Since that year, the state has upgraded its laws in order to favor qualifying patients in the best possible way.
However, can a minor get a medical marijuana card in New Jersey? Yes, as long as the patient is accompanied by a designated caregiver.
Eligibility requirements for a medical marijuana card in New Jersey
The state of New Jersey follows the standard eligibility criteria set to determine whether a patient can get access to medical marijuana or not. As per the criteria, the patient must be a resident of New Jersey and must have a valid medical marijuana recommendation from a certified medical doctor. A patient who is not yet 18 can also apply for a medical marijuana card with the help of a designated caregiver.
Qualifying medical conditions
As per the state law, a patient must be diagnosed with one of the following qualifying medical conditions in order to be marked eligible for a New Jersey medical marijuana card,
- AIDS/HIV
- Crohn’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety, Panic Disorders
- Tourette Syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain, Muscle Pain, and Other Types of Pain
- Addiction Treatment
- Epilepsy
- Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Glaucoma
- Headache & Migraine
- Muscular Dystrophy (MD) and Myotonic Disorders
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Palliative Care (Admittance Into Hospice)
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
- Seizures and Seizure Disorders
What exactly is a caregiver?
As per the New Jersey cannabis laws, minor patients who need assistance with cannabis possession and purchase can have a designated caregiver. However, the caregiver must be a resident of New Jersey and have no past record of drug-related felonies.
Medical Marijuana Laws for minors in New Jersey
The medical marijuana laws are similar for both qualifying adult and minor patients within the state. Some of the key points of these laws include,
- Registered patients canât operate a vehicle or any other kind of transportation under the influence of cannabis.
- Smoking cannabis while in public is prohibited.
- Medical marijuana patients do have employment protection, but that doesnât mean that you can defy your employerâs drug testing policies.
Final Note
The state of New Jersey has well-maintained a balance between medical cannabis laws and how to implement them. The state offers quite a flexibility to medical cannabis users and registered caregivers, however, there are certain restrictions to keep in mind as well for the ease of the general public.