Find a Doctor & Get a Medical Cannabis Card in Illinois
In Illinois, the journey towards the legalization of medical cannabis began with the enactment of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act in 2013. This legislation established a framework for patients with qualifying medical conditions to access cannabis for therapeutic purposes under strict regulations. The program was fully implemented in 2014 with the establishment of licensed cultivation centers and dispensaries.
Over the years, Illinois expanded its medical marijuana program to enhance patient access. Several amendments were made to the original legislation, broadening the list of qualifying medical conditions and allowing patients to access medical marijuana through their existing prescriptions. In 2018, the state introduced the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program, offering patients an alternative to opioid prescriptions for pain management. These reforms aimed to address the evolving needs of cannabis patients, and combat the opioid crisis.
In 2019, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act replaced the expiring pilot program and made the medical cannabis program permanent in Illinois. This legislation further expanded the list of qualifying conditions, ensuring that more patients could benefit from cannabis treatment. The program itself is called the Medical Cannabis Patient Program (MCPP) and is administered by the Medical Cannabis Registry Program.
Subsequent reforms included allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify patients, reducing fees for patients and veterans, and eliminating fingerprint requirements. Throughout its history, medicinal cannabis in Illinois has been driven by a commitment to improving patient care and providing relief to individuals suffering from debilitating medical conditions.
Compassionate Clinics of America is pleased to have offered access to medical marijuana cards to patients in Illinois since 2017. We are known for our compassionate, helpful approach to helping registered medical marijuana patients discover the potential of cannabis for multiple medical conditions through continuous education. We help you through every step of the process to obtaining medical marijuana for health and well-being in the state of Illinois.
Is it legal to purchase cannabis in Illinois?
To get a Illinois medical marijuana card, patients must have a debilitating condition defined by the program, get a doctor’s certification through Compassionate Clinics of America, and will need to provide documentation to the Medical Cannabis Patient Program.
Recreational cannabis in Illinois is now legal as well, however, there are several benefits of having your medical cannabis certification in a recreational cannabis state. These include lower taxes, higher possession limits, greater cultivation limits, and legal protection. In Illinois, medical cannabis patients may pay up to 30% less in taxes on cannabis purchases than recreational users.
Do I need a doctor’s certification to get a medical card?
Yes, you need a medical marijuana certification from a doctor to obtain your medical marijuana card in Illinois. Compassionate Clinics of America has been serving residents of Illinois since 2017 with providing holistic services that help people discover medical marijuana for health and wellness.
When you book an appointment with us, you will meet with one of our doctors who are registered to provide certifications in Illinois. After assessing you and seeing whether you qualify, you will be provided with a medical cannabis certification that you can provide to the MCPP during the application process.
How do you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Illinois?
To get a medical marijuana card in Illinois and participate in the Illinois medical marijuana program, Compassionate Clinics of America can provide you with a medical cannabis certification from a qualified doctor who is registered to provide medical certifications in the state of Illinois.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act defines several “debilitating conditions” (commonly known as a “qualifying medical condition”) to be eligible for an Illinois medical marijuana card. These conditions are:
- Autism
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Anorexia nervosa
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
- Cancer
- Cachexia/wasting syndrome
- Causalgia
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)
- Dystonia
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Fibrous Dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Hydrocephalus
- Hydromyelia
- Interstitial cystitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Lupus
- Migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myoclonus
- Nail-patella syndrome
- Neuro-Bechet’s autoimmune disease
- Neurofibromatosis
- Neuropathy
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
- Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
- Residual limb pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Seizures (including those characteristic of Epilepsy)
- Severe fibromyalgia
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Spinal cord disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis)
- Spinal cord injury is damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
- Spinocerebellar ataxia
- Superior canal dehiscence syndrome
- Syringomyelia
- Tarlov cysts
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
What is the process to get a medical marijuana card in Illinois?
Getting your medical marijuana card in Illinois is an easy, streamlined process that can be completed in four simple steps by qualifying patients. When you work with Compassionate Clinics of America, we don’t only help you with your certification, but we help you through the entire process of getting your medical cannabis card in Illinois as well:
Step 1 – Schedule an appointment with Compassionate Clinics of America
Meet with a licensed physician via telemedicine to discuss using cannabis for one of the state’s qualifying debilitating medical conditions as described above. If you are not an Illinois resident with proof of residency, you will not qualify for the program.
During the consultation, the reviewing physician will ask questions about your medical history and review any relevant medical records. If they consider you eligible, they will complete a Physician Electronic Certification Form on your behalf. Electronic physician certifications can be accessed by the patient when they complete their electronic application to be on the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.
Step 2 – Sign up for an Illinois Cannabis Tracking System Account
You can only complete a Medical Cannabis Card Application Form once your physician has completed the electronic Physician Certification Form.
Do do so, patients must register themselves on the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System (ICTS), in order to submit their application. Once registered, patients will receive an email verifying that they have registered correctly. This email will contain a link to the ICTS, the patient’s username and a temporary password that will need to be reset upon first login.
The Illinois Department of Public Health website also offers helpful registration tips. It tells medical marijuana applicants to register with the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System (ICTS) by choosing the “MCPP Patient Registration” button.
From there, you need to add the requested personal information to register with the ICTS. Only then can you begin an MCPP application.
Applicants must also upload the following documents in their application on the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System:
- 2” x 2” photograph taken in the last 30 days. This does not need to be a passport photo, these can be taken with your smart phone, but must be in “passport photo” style.
- Proof of age and identity. A color photocopy of either an Illinois Driver’s License, Illinois State ID, Commercial Driver’s License, voter ID card, or the photo page of a U.S. passport.
- Proof of that you are an Illinois state resident. This is only required if your address on your Illinois Drivers license or state ID, has not been updated, or you are using a U.S. passport as your proof of age and identity.
- Benefit Verification Letter from the Social Security Administration or DD-214. This is for applicants who are applying with reduced application fees.
- Non-refundable application fee to be paid by credit card
The Illinois Department of Public Health now uses a system called Entellitrak that allows patients to check their online accounts at any time and make payments via a credit card.
Step 3 – Access Your Provisional Letter & Medical Cannabis Card
Upon submission of your online application and, usually within an hour, patients will receive an email that will notify them that their application for an Illinois medical marijuana card is in provisional status, and the patient may login and download this provisional letter.
These letters are good for 6 months, and serve as provisional access to the medical dispensary, while the state reviews the patient application and issues the card.
Once the application has been approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the patient will receive an email, letting them know their application for an Illinois medical marijuana card has been approved, and they can login to their ICTS account and download and print their medical cannabis card. Instructions to print the patient illinois medical cannabis card or provisional letter can be found here: Printing Card or Provisional Letter
Step 4 – Visit a Dispensary Near You to Obtain Medical Marijuana
As of July 2021, medical marijuana patients are no longer restricted to their chosen medical marijuana dispensary and can buy from ANY licensed medical dispensary in Illinois.
Are there benefits to having a medical marijuana card?
There are numerous benefits of having your medical cannabis certification in a recreational cannabis state.
In Illinois, recreational cannabis products are taxed based on the THC concentration or potency of products, ranging anywhere from 10-35%. Products within the medical marijuana program are subjected only to a 1% statewide sales tax on qualifying drugs, meaning that those with a medical card can save up to 35% in taxes.
Other benefits include access to products curated for medical outcomes, higher possession limits, the ability to cultivate cannabis (with strict regulations), and greater legal protection.
How much does it cost to get a medical marijuana card in Illinois?
Costs associated with a medical marijuana card in Illinois include both those to get your medical marijuana certification from Compassionate Clinics of America, and the state fees of getting a card. The costs for Illinois are as follows:
- Qualifying Medical Card Diagnosis (If a qualified diagnosis is needed) $75
- Adult Physician Certification $150
- Adult Renewal Certification $150
- Minor Physician Certification $250
- Allotment Increase (Current Patient)$150
- Follow-Up Appointment ($100)
- Consultation with Cannabis Nurse (90 min) $200
- Patient Follow-Up Consultation with Cannabis Nurse (15 min) $50
Illinois state application fees are:
- 1 year $50 + 2.25%
- 2 Year $100 + 2.25%
- 3 year $125 + 2.25%
For those who are on Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Income, are veterans receiving treatment, etc. state application fees are reduced by 50%.
We offer Sezzle payment options to break up the cost into separate, affordable payments.
Can a doctor complete a medical marijuana certification via telehealth?
One of the most unique aspects of how Compassionate Clinics of America provides medical marijuana certifications is by using telehealth to ease the anxiety of visiting the doctor and to make the process easy to complete from the comfort of your own home.
Patients tell us that the process is easy and efficient and that they have thorough conversations with physicians when providing them the medical marijuana certification.
Our support doesn’t stop at helping you get your Illinois medical marijuana card; we remain connected to you, providing you support and education about cannabis for medical purposes on your journey towards health and wellness.
What documents are required when Illinois medical marijuana patients applies for a medical card?
To apply for the Medical Cannabis Patient Program (MCPP), and get an Illinois medical marijuana card you will need the following documents:
- Your completed healthcare professional certification provided by Compassionate Clinics of America
- 2” x 2” photograph taken in the last 30 days. This does not need to be a passport photo, these can be taken with your smart phone, but must be in “passport photo” style.
- Proof of age and identity. A color photocopy of either an Illinois Driver’s License, Illinois State ID, or the photo page of a U.S. passport.
- Proof of Illinois residency. This is only required if your address on your Illinois Drivers license or state ID, has not been updated, or you are using a U.S. passport as your proof of age and identity.
- Benefit Verification Letter from the Social Security Administration or DD-214. This is for applicants who are applying with reduced application fees.
- Non-refundable application fee to be paid by credit card.
For how long is my ID card valid in Illinois?
When you get your medical marijuana card in Illinois, you have the option to obtain a 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year card. Compassionate Clinics of America will provide you with a renewal reminder prior to your Illinois medical marijuana card’s expiry to ensure you’re never without your cannabis.
When can I renew my ID card? What is required for a renewal?
You must renew your Illinois medical cannabis card or extend it before it expires to remain with the Illinois medical cannabis program. You will receive a reminder for renewal from Compassionate Clinics of America and you should receive an email from the state well before the expiration date on your card to remind you to extend it.
To renew your card, you will require a consultation with a physician from Compassionate Clinics of America, however, if you did not receive a three-year card, you may apply for an extension renewal, which is an annual incremental renewal moving your card to a three-year card. In this case, you don’t require new certification from a physician.
The full certification renewal is for patients who have had their card for three years or it has expired. In this instance, you’ll need to book another consultation with one of the Compassionate Clinics of America physicians to obtain a new certification.
When renewing your card, you must select the 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year timeframe.
How long does processing my application take?
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has 30 business days to review complete applications from the date the Department receives them. The Department has 15 days after an application is approved to issue a registry identification card.
Will I get a temporary card while my application is being processed?
Once the application has been approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the patient will receive an email, letting them know their application has been approved. At that point, they can login to their ICTS account and download and print their medical cannabis card. Instructions to print the patient card or provisional letter can be found here: Printing Card or Provisional Letter
I live in another state, can I apply?
To participate in Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Patient Program (MCPP), you must be a resident of Illinois.
Illinois does not participate in the Cannabis Reciprocity program, meaning, you cannot use your medical cannabis card from another state in Illinois.
However, you may be able to use your Illinois medical cannabis card in other states that participate in Cannabis Reciprocity.
Before traveling to a state that offers Cannabis Reciprocity, we recommend you look up the regulations of that state in terms of where you can purchase and use cannabis.
Are registry identification cards from other state medical marijuana programs valid in Illinois?
If you hold a medical marijuana card from another state, Illinois does not permit people to use their out-of-state medical marijuana cards at medical marijuana dispensaries in the state though Cannabis Reciprocity.
Can I use medical marijuana anywhere in Illinois?
In Illinois, you may consume cannabis in your private residence, or outside your residence, however, you must be out of private view. It is not permitted to consume cannabis in public places, such as hospitals, government places, streets and parks.
Can I apply to be a caregiver for someone else using medical marijuana in Illinois?
Becoming a designated caregiver for someone in the medicinal cannabis program in Illinois involves taking on the responsibility of assisting and supporting a registered patient throughout their cannabis journey.
As an adult caregiver, you play a crucial role in ensuring that the patient has access to the necessary cannabis treatments and assistance in managing their condition.
To become a caregiver, you must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, and register with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Designated caregivers are responsible for purchasing and handling medicinal cannabis products on behalf of the patient, assisting with dosage management, and providing overall support and care.
It is essential to maintain open communication with the patient’s healthcare provider, follow all legal guidelines and regulations, and prioritize the well-being and needs of the individual you are caring for.
A medicinal marijuana patient can have up to three caregivers.
Will I lose my FOID card if I apply for a medical cannabis card?
In Illinois, the Illinois State Police (ISP), who are responsible for issuing Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) cards, have stated that they will not revoke FOID cards solely based on a person’s legal use of medical cannabis. This means that, in practice, you are unlikely to lose your FOID card solely because you have a medical cannabis card.
However, it’s important to note that this does not protect Illinois residents from potential federal enforcement, since the use of cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Therefore, while you may not lose your FOID card at the state level, you could still potentially face federal consequences for possessing a firearm as a medical cannabis user.
So, while the state of Illinois might not revoke your FOID card if you have a medical marijuana card, the conflict between state and federal laws creates a legal gray area. It’s recommended to seek legal advice to fully understand the potential risks and legal implications.
When does the physician certification expire?
Depending on how long your medical marijuana certification is good for, your certification may expire within one, two, or three years. To apply for an extension to three years, one will not need a new certification from a physician. However, if a patient is renewing after three years or the certification has expired, a new physician’s medical marijuana certification is required. You will receive a reminder for renewal from Compassionate Clinics of America well before your certification is set to expire.
Connect with us at Compassionate Clinics of America today to get your medical marijuana certification and medical marijuana card in Illinois. We take a compassionate, holistic approach to your care as you walk the path towards health and wellness through plant medicine.
What activities can I enjoy surrounding cannabis in Illinois? Are there opportunities for cannabis tourism in Illinois?
Illinois has emerged as a hotspot for cannabis enthusiasts seeking unique and engaging weed tourism experiences. With the legalization of recreational cannabis, the state has witnessed a surge in opportunities for patients, enthusiasts, and visitors to explore the world of cannabis in various ways.
Dispensaries have become a central hub for weed tourism in Illinois. The diverse array of product offerings allows enthusiasts to curate their cannabis experience based on individual preferences and needs. Visitors can immerse themselves in the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis consumption, while medical cannabis patients can access products tailored to their therapeutic requirements.
Cannabis-themed tours and events have also gained traction, catering to those eager to delve deeper into the culture, industry, and history of cannabis. Guided tours take participants through cultivation facilities, showcasing the journey from seed to sale. Attendees gain insights into the cultivation process, extraction methods, and the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into creating top-tier cannabis products.
In addition to tours, cannabis-focused events and workshops offer educational experiences, covering topics like responsible consumption, cooking with cannabis, and the science behind different strains.
Here are some Illinois-based cannabis experiences to learn more about:
- Herbal Notes is Chicago’s premier THC-infused food experience by Manny Mendoza, who won on the show Cooked With Cannabis which was on Netflix. Guests are treated to Michelin-star quality meals infused with THC and CBD.
- The Smoke Easy is a cannabis consumption lounge where everyone is welcomed. It can be found in the back of the Mundelein RISE Dispensary location, 45 minutes from downtown Chicago.
- Chi High Tours is a Chicago cannabis bus tour with tour packages that celebrate different aspects of Chicago culture from jazz, comedy, or the history of Chicago. Each cannabis-infused tour is led by guides who offer how-to segments on rolling a cone, accurately judging THC tolerance, or understanding terpenes.
We always encourage medical cannabis patients to participate in safe consumption in designated areas when participating in Illinois-based cannabis events.
