The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals across the country, and New Jersey is unfortunately highly affected by the opioid crisis. In recent years, healthcare workers, leaders, and even community members have rallied to provide accessible support to those battling opioid use disorder (OUD).
In some cases, some states have legalized medical marijuana to treat various conditions and symptoms. Many of those states have also legalized recreational cannabis, though this is a shorter list. New Jersey has implemented several measures, including allowing marijuana as a supplementary OUD treatment. In this article, we explore the relationship between opioid use disorder and marijuana use to better understand OUD treatment options available to residents of New Jersey.
Cannabis legalization and opioid use disorder in New Jersey
Cannabis vs. marijuana
While most people use “cannabis” and “marijuana” interchangeably, the New Jersey State Constitution makes a legal distinction. Cannabis refers to the plant’s Latin name, Cannabis sativa, and is used to describe regulated products, which are grown, bought, and sold in licensed stores. Under New Jersey law, both recreational and medicinal cannabis are legal. The state refers to unregulated and illicit products as marijuana—but this term has a controversial history related to racial disparities in drug policy and law enforcement.
In February of 2021, New Jersey became the 14th state in the nation to legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 and over. While the state legalized medical cannabis in 2010, this new law allowed for non-medical uses as long as the residents using cannabis are over 21 and buy from an approved and regulated dispensary. Unlike many other states that have legalized recreational marijuana use, New Jersey has a strict ban on personal cultivation of the plant; instead, only approved institutions may cultivate and distribute cannabis.
It is currently legal for New Jersey residents to possess up to six ounces (or 170 grams) of cannabis, and it’s available in various forms. Flower, oils, edibles, and resins are all approved for sale and use, but the substance can only be used in private areas, and landlords have the right to prohibit use on rental properties.
Medical cannabis requirements in NJ
New Jersey set strict guidelines under the Medicinal Cannabis Program. To qualify for the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program (NJMCP), patients must meet the following:
- Be a New Jersey resident
- Have a bona fide relationship with a healthcare provider registered in the program (at least one year or four visits for the medical condition)
- Be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by that registered New Jersey healthcare provider
Once a patient is in the program, they can legally make medicinal cannabis orders fulfilled by licensed Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) or dispensaries in New Jersey. They are eligible to get up to 84 grams of cannabis each month.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved cannabis as an official treatment for any medical conditions. In states where it’s legal to use cannabis for treatment, state law determines which medical conditions qualify for their medicinal cannabis programs. New Jersey’s qualifying medical conditions include:
- Cancer
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Migraine
- Multiple sclerosis (M.S.)
- Chronic Pain
- Anxiety
- Glaucoma
- Muscular dystrophy
- Seizure disorder
- Crohn’s disease
- Opioid use disorder (OUD)
Patients in New Jersey with one of these conditions can discuss their options for using medicinal cannabis with their healthcare providers. New Jersey has a directory of healthcare providers participating in the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program to help you get started.
Cannabis and OUD
Individuals seeking opioid use disorder treatment can start their journey with medical or recreational cannabis if they would like, and the state of New Jersey has, at least partially, signed off on this endeavor. Additionally, those who are already taking part in suboxone treatment for OUD can supplement their treatment with cannabis, but it should be discussed with all medical professionals overseeing treatment in an effort to find a healthy and effective plan. Dispensaries in New Jersey have even been allowed to advertise that their product can be used to help with issues of opioid addiction and misuse.
However, there are conflicting reports on whether cannabis can effectively help treat OUD. One twenty-year study found that there was no evidence that cannabis use reduced opioid use among those with OUD. Another review of studies into cannabis for OUD treatment found inconsistent evidence that cannabis helps OUD patients with withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or OUD treatment retention. More research would be necessary to prove that cannabis can help treat OUD.
One 2019 study suggests that cannabidiol (or CBD), a non-intoxicating component of cannabis, can reduce an individual’s opioid cravings during abstinence and lead to less anxiety when exposed to common triggers. Another study, published in 2024, looked at rates of opioid prescription and fatal overdoses in states with recreational cannabis laws, medical marijuana laws, and no such laws. The researchers in this study found no significant difference between opioid use in states with legal marijuana and those without, suggesting that, at large, legalizing marijuana doesn’t miraculously lessen the effects of the opioid epidemic.
As the body of research surrounding cannabis use and its impact on the opioid epidemic grows, addiction treatment professionals will be better able to serve those seeking opioid treatment. For the moment, the general medical consensus is that, while cannabis cannot treat opioid use disorder on its own, it may lead to higher success rates when used as a supplement to FDA-approved opioid use disorder treatments, such as Suboxone or methadone treatment.
Accessible, evidence-based OUD treatment
Patients dealing with OUD deserve the best possible treatment without extra delays or barriers. With Ophelia, you can get comprehensive, personalized OUD treatment from the comfort of your own home. We help patients manage OUD with medications for addiction treatment (MAT) that are effective, convenient, and offer immediate relief compared to other treatment options. Explore treatment today.
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