How to Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in New Jersey
Both recreational and medical cannabis are legal in New Jersey. Given the underdeveloped state of the Garden State’s recreational market, there are still serious benefits to getting a NJ medical card, including exemption from sales taxes, more dispensary choices, and yes, the ability to appoint a caregiver.
Caregivers are vital to many medical cannabis patients, especially minor patients and those suffering from seriously debilitating conditions. Caregivers–usually a parent or legal guardian–are there to care for sick children and ensure that their medicine is administered correctly. They make medical cannabis accessible to patients who would otherwise have a hard time obtaining or using their medicine. Patients and caregivers have slightly different rights and responsibilities under the law but can do many of the same things. This is to enable caregivers to effectively care for their patients.
If you’re considering becoming a caregiver or you’re a New Jersey patient looking for some help with your medical cannabis, it’s important to know what those rights and responsibilities are. The process of becoming a caregiver in NJ is fairly straightforward.
How to Become a Medical Cannabis Caregiver in New Jersey
Caregiver registration is fairly straightforward in NJ. Caregivers cannot register on their own, meaning that a patient will need to fill out the caregiver registration, either when they register themselves or later on through the state’s portal.
Patients in NJ can choose to designate a caregiver during their initial registration or when they renew their card. There is a “caregiver” portion of the registration form that patients can choose to fill out.
NJ also lets patients add a caregiver through their online portal. When a patient adds a caregiver after their own registration, the caregiver’s card will expire at the same time as the patient’s, even if it’s less than two years.
What is a Medical Marijuana Caregiver (and Who Qualifies in New Jersey)?
In NJ, patients can generally only designate one caregiver. However, if that patient is physically unable to make it to their local medical dispensary, they may designate two caregivers. NJ allows patients to designate caregivers either when they first register for their own medical cannabis card or add them later via a separate registration form. Minor patients must register with a parent or legal guardian over 21 serving as their caregiver. Caregivers who are not the immediate family of the patients they’re caring for will need to submit to a criminal background check.
In order to become a caregiver in NJ, a person must:
- Be at least 18 years old, or over 21 for a minor patient
- Be a permanent NJ resident
- Pass a criminal background check (non-immediate family)
The state no longer charges a registration fee for caregivers. Digital cards are now issued to patients and caregivers for free. If a patient or caregiver still wants or needs a physical card, they may order one for a small $10 fee.
New Jersey Laws for MMJ Caregivers and Their Patients
Designating a Caregiver in New Jersey
In NJ, patients can typically only designate one caregiver at a time. However, patients who cannot physically make it to their nearest medical dispensary can designate up to two caregivers at once.
NJ allows patients to designate caregivers in two separate ways. Patients can designate their caregiver while they’re completing their initial registration or renewal with the state. When a patient designates a caregiver this way, they’re only filling out one set of forms, and their caregiver should be approved at the same time they are. This also helps to keep the renewal schedule of the cards synced up. However, patients can also add a caregiver at any time by filling out another form. Either way, the state no longer charges a fee for this registration unless a patient wants to order a $10 physical card.
Cultivating Cannabis as a Caregiver in New Jersey
Unfortunately, cultivating cannabis at home remains illegal in NJ, even for medical patients. So, it is also illegal for caregivers to cultivate cannabis for the patients in their care. There are efforts underway to change this, especially among medical patients, but for the time being, cultivation remains illegal.
Learn more about New Jersey's cannabis laws and regulations, visit our NJ patient FAQs, or speak with a highly-rated customer service team member for transparent guidance on how to get and use your New Jersey medical card. We can help you designate a caregiver and learn how to get a medical cannabis card in New Jersey quickly and seamlessly.
