Medical Card Reciprocity
Becoming a patient in the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program comes with many benefits, and one of them is the ability to purchase cannabis in other states! Traveling while being a medical patient can be tricky. However, having a medical card can grant you protection and access to benefits outside of your home state. Every state has different regulations. Some offer full medical cannabis program reciprocity, while others may offer partial reciprocity or require special applications for non-resident purchasers.
Knowing the benefits and limitations of your NJ medical cannabis card is the best way to fully utilize what the program can offer you. Understanding reciprocity and out-of-state regulations will help you protect yourself and your access to quality medicine. The legal landscape of cannabis throughout the country is still changing, so it’s best to check the official state websites for updated information about cannabis programs before traveling. Remember that because cannabis is still federally illegal, transporting medicine across state lines violates the law and forfeits state protections.
Here’s a look at our neighboring states and what they can offer to New Jersey medical cannabis patients.
For a complete look at reciprocity across the country, go to veriheal.com/blog/which-states-allow-out-of-state-patients-to-buy-medical-marijuana/.
Connecticut
Connecticut has opened up for recreational sales as of January 2023! Adults 21 and older are able to stop in at their dispensaries to purchase recreationally. However, they do not currently extend reciprocity to out-of-state medical patients.
Maine
Maine currently allows card-carrying out-of-state patients to purchase from their dispensaries. As of 2019, patients need only their home state’s medical card, rather than going through a Maine medical provider. They currently have a 2.5 ounce limit for every 15 days.
Maryland
Maryland does not accept out-of-state patients at this time. However, they are planning to open up for recreational use soon!
Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not currently offer reciprocity, but they are open for recreational cannabis sales. Adults 21 and older can purchase from Massachusetts dispensaries and have up to one ounce in their possession.
New York
New York does not currently accept medical cannabis patients from other states, but this could change in the future. New York has recently opened up for recreational sales, so that is still an option for out-of-state visitors 21 and older.
Pennsylvania
Although Pennsylvania has a medical marijuana program, it does not currently accept out-of-state medical cards. However, with the rapidly-changing landscape of the cannabis industry, we hope to see them consider reciprocity for non-resident patients in the upcoming years!
Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers full medical reciprocity, and they are open for recreational sales. Adults 21 and older can purchase up to one ounce at a time recreationally.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. offers reciprocity to most states in the program, New Jersey included. Patients are allowed to purchase up to 8 ounces within 30 days. Washington D.C. also offers a temporary medical prescription for people who are not registered at all, even for non-D.C residents.
Other Reciprocity FAQs
Does New Jersey allow out-of-state medical patients to purchase?
Yes, but not with an out-of-state card. New Jersey allows patients to hold a temporary card for up to 6 months, and it is not renewable. It is required for the patient to go through a New Jersey medical practitioner to obtain a temporary prescription.
What’s the point of getting a temporary card somewhere else?
It’s important to remember that even if you are a medical patient in your home state, your card doesn’t always grant access to medical cannabis in other states. Some states, like New Jersey, require their own temporary or out-of-state registration. Going through the process of getting a temporary card can be beneficial for when you want to vacation somewhere or even for living somewhere for a short period of time. It’s a sure way to access safe and legal medicine. Purchasing as a medical patient also often has the perk of better pricing.