Medical Cannabis Patient Counts Down Significantly in New Jersey Since Adult-Use Sales Launch

About 14,000 certified medical cannabis patients in New Jersey allowed their registration to lapse in 2025, according to Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) data outlined by the New Jersey Monitor. As of mid-December, the state counted 51,776 registered medical cannabis patients, which is down from the nearly 130,000 counted in June 2022. 

New Jersey’s medical cannabis market launched in April 2022, and a drop in patient counts commonly follows the rollout of adult-use cannabis sales.  

In New Jersey, dispensaries hold patient-only hours, have special parking for patients, and patients are allowed to skip ahead of recreational users in dispensary lines. Patients also avoid paying excise taxes and can purchase up to three ounces of cannabis per month, while non-patients are limited to one ounce.  

Last year, the CRC reduced the price of a medical cannabis card from $200 to $10 and added a free digital version. Medical cannabis program registration in New Jersey is valid for two years.  

As of December 15, the state counts 3,388 registered medical cannabis caregivers and 1,545 physicians registered to recommend patients to the program.