Crime & Traffic
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Cannabis products, also known as "marijuana" or "weed" are legal in Illinois as of January 1, 2020. However, there are many rules and restrictions about the use of cannabis. People who need medical cannabis can get a card that allows them to avoid some restrictions, like growing their own plants at home.
To qualify for a medical cannabis card, you must:
- Be an Illinois resident when you apply and throughout your participation in the program,
- Have a debilitating qualifying medical condition, and
- Have a healthcare professional electronically submit a certification for the use of medical cannabis (with exceptions for veterans).
Individuals with a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or those who are active duty law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, or firefighters cannot possess a medical cannabis card. This is due to federal regulations related to drug use and testing for individuals in these roles.
Learn more about the medical cannabis program (MPC) on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website.
Note: Although Illinois state law offers protections for medical cannabis users, it is important to remember that cannabis is still illegal under federal law. This means there are no protections at the federal level, especially for those who must undergo federal drug testing or work in federal jobs.
Qualifying medical conditions
To qualify for a medical cannabis card, you must be diagnosed with a debilitating condition.
See the IDPH list of debilitating conditions. Illinois residents can petition IDPH to add debilitating conditions to the list.
Conditions that could have opioids prescribed
You also qualify if your doctor certifies that you have a medical condition for which opioids have been or could be prescribed. This only applies to patients 21 years old or older. Learn more about the opioid alternative pilot program (OAPP) and how to register.
Terminally ill patients
If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of no more than 6 months, you can get a registry card. This will be valid for 6 months. There are no application fees, and the process will be quicker. If you qualify, the State will issue a registry ID. Learn more about the application process for terminally ill patients.
Health care provider certification
To get a medical cannabis card, you must have your debilitating medical condition certified by a certifying health care provider who is treating you for the condition. A certifying health care provider includes:
- A Medical doctor (MD),
- A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO),
- A Registered Nurse-Full Practice Authority (APRN-FPA),
- An Advance Practice Nurses (APN), or
- A Physician Assistants (PA).
Your provider must complete the certification online before you can upload it to your application. If you do not see a certification available to upload, contact your doctor.
Veterans receiving treatment at a VA facility must submit the most current year of medical records. You will not be asked to upload a health care provider certification. This is because VA doctors are federal employees, and they generally do not provide cannabis recommendations due to federal laws against cannabis.
Note: Many health care providers are licensed under the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which prevents them from prescribing marijuana. In those cases, you will need to seek the help of a provider licensed to administer marijuana. Your current provider may be able to refer you to one.
Application
Apply for the medical cannabis program through the IDPH. You must apply online. You will have to create an account, complete an application, and submit the following:
- Proof of Identity,
- Proof of Illinois residency,
- A photo of yourself, and
- The required fee.
IDPH has different application instructions depending on the type of applicant. Review the instructions that apply to you. If you are unsure which program you should apply for, talk to your health care provider.
Proof of identity
You will be required to provide information about your identity and upload a document for proof of identification. These may be:
- State driver’s license,
- State ID card,
- Passport , or
- Other forms of identification. If you provide an alternative form of identification, it’ll be up to IDPH to decide whether to accept it.
Proof of residency
If you use a driver’s license or state ID as proof of identity and the address on these documents matches the address on the application, you will not need to upload separate proof of residency. Otherwise, you will have to upload a document that proves you live in Illinois. The address on the document must match the address on your application.
Examples of documents that you can use as proof of identity include:
- Pay stubs or electronic deposit receipts
- Bank statements
- Credit card statement
- Utility bills
- Deed , mortgage , rental agreement
- A valid voter ID card
- W-2 from the most recent tax year
A complete list of acceptable documents will be available in your application portal.
Photo
You must upload a passport-like photo. It must be against a plain, white backdrop with nothing in the background. Do not use a picture of your driver’s license, state ID, or passport.
Fees
Refer to this table to see the fees to apply for a medical cannabis card.
Reduced fees are available for veterans. There are also reduced fees for recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Disability , Illinois Teacher’s Retirement System Disability, or Illinois State Universities Retirement System Disability. You will be required to upload documentation.
You may also be required to pay a separate fee to the health care provider.
Special rules for minors
Patients under 18 years of age do not need to submit a photo or a fingerprint background check. They do need two separate health care professional certifications: one to provide a certification and one to review it. They must designate at least one caregiver.
The patient will be given a special card with certain restrictions. Once the patient turns 18, they can apply for an adult card. They can apply right away or during the normal renewal period. Designated caregivers may only purchase medical cannabis-infused products from registered dispensaries. Other types of medical cannabis products are not allowed.
A parent or guardian can administer medical cannabis-infused products to the student on school premises or on a school bus. This must be authorized by a school district, public school, charter school, or nonpublic school. Both the student and the parent or guardian must have registry ID cards.
Caregivers
A patient’s caregiver can register to get and transport cannabis to the patient. Patients can have a maximum of three caregivers. You will be asked about adding caregivers when you apply or renew your participation in the cannabis program. Patients with an active card can also add a caregiver following these instructions. Refer to this table to see the fees associated with caregiver applications.
Caregivers will need to complete the caregiver information section of the application and upload the following:
- A photo,
- Proof of residency,
- Proof of age and identity, and
- Signed copy of the caregiver attestation form.
If applying on behalf of a minor, follow either the minor caregiver application instructions or the terminal minor caregiver application instructions.
Renewing your application
If you want to continue participating in the medical cannabis program, you need to submit an extension renewal or full recertification renewal application before your card expires.
An extension renewal is for patients who did not purchase a three-year card when they first registered and want to continue participating in the program. You do not have to submit a health care professional certification for this extension.
A full recertification renewal is for patients who have had their card for three years or those whose card has expired. To complete this renewal, you will need to visit your healthcare provider for an updated online health care professional certification.
You will have to fill out a new online application and submit a new phone and other documentation after every three-year cycle.
Learn more about extending or renewing your medical cannabis card.
Getting help with your applications
Get free help with completing your application from a certified local health department (LHD). Your local health department can help qualifying patients with their initial applications, renewal applications, and extensions.
More information about MPC
For more information about the medical cannabis program (MPC) and how to apply, visit the IDPH website. You can also talk to representatives from the medical cannabis program by phone at 855-636-3688, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
For questions about the medical cannabis program, you can email IDPH at [email protected].
If you have questions about the opioid alternative pilot program, you can email IDPH at [email protected].
Where can I buy cannabis?
You can buy cannabis at any medical cannabis dispensary . Visit the Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer of Illinois website for a list of dispensaries licensed to sell cannabis in Illinois, including those that serve medical patients.
Cannabis use while on probation
Starting January 1, 2024, a person on probation, conditional discharge, or supervision cannot be ordered to avoid using any substance prescribed by a medical provider or authorized by the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act unless:
- The person is participating in a problem-solving court, or
- The person has gone through a validated clinical assessment, and the treatment plan includes alcohol or cannabis testing.
Worried about doing this on your own? You may be able to get free legal help.
