The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) is introducing a new comprehensive medical cannabis platform Monday.
“The medicinal cannabis registry has been in use for ten years,” said NJCRC Deputy Executive Director Kelly Anderson-Thomas.
She noted they inherited it from the Department of Health
“In addition to being easier to navigate, the new platform will give patients access to their purchase and enrollment history and will allow new applicants to track their application process,” Anderson-Thomas added.
By logging into their accounts, patients can check the status of their ID card application status, view their healthcare practitioner’s authorization, and view their purchase history. They can also add or change caregivers without calling the NJCRC. Patients can purchase medical cannabis at a medicinal cannabis dispensary with just authorization from their doctor or nurse practitioner. They currently must wait to receive their ID card in the mail.
The current registry will cease operation today, Thursday, September 8th. However, the NJCRC said the impact on patient services would be minimal during the transition.
“Our customer service unit will be available through the transition period to assist patients with account needs as usual and … answer questions about the new platform,” noted Anderson-Thomas. “Instructions for how patients can set up their new accounts will also be on our website.”
The New NJCRC Medical Cannabis Platform
Patients with applications and renewals in process should complete them or call customer service for assistance. Applications and renewals that are incomplete will need to be restarted on the new platform.
During the transition:
- Terminal patients who need account services between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on September 9th, should call the Medicinal Cannabis Program customer service line. The number is 609-292-0424.
- Patients will be limited to up to one ounce of cannabis products at dispensaries until Monday, September 12th.
- The Medicinal Cannabis Program’s customer service line will be unavailable from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. until Monday, September 12th, while the staff is in training.
- Patients do not need to set up their account until it is time to renew, or they would like to access their purchase or status history or change their ATC.
NJCRC Executive Director Jeff Brown noted in a recent webinar the New Jersey medical cannabis program has about 130,000 patients. Patients can access 27 medical cannabis dispensaries operated by 12 companies. Only two are owned by locals.
