Illinois Medical Cannabis

Your guide for understanding and applying for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program

Let Trinity be your resource and guide every step of the way

From pre-application through your first purchase and beyond, Trinity will ensure you're not only in compliance — but that you are also the number one priority each and every visit. We're committed to providing the highest quality care possible in a professional, safe, and educated environment. Below is a quick guide to becoming a Medical Cannabis Patient in the State of Illinois.

Step 1

Talk to your doctor and see if you have a qualifying condition. We have made a handy list of the current list of qualifying medical conditions for getting a medical cannabis card in Illinois.

  • Autism

    Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease

    HIV/AIDS

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

    Anorexia nervosa

    Arnold-Chiari malformation

    Cancer

    Cachexia/wasting syndrome

    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)

    Causalgia

    Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

    Chronic pain

    Crohn’s disease

    CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)

    Dystonia

    Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

    Fibrous Dysplasia

    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)

    Glaucoma

    Hepatitis C

    Hydrocephalus

    Hydromyelia

    Interstitial cystitis

    Irritable bowel syndrome

    Lupus

    Migraines

    Multiple Sclerosis

    Muscular Dystrophy

    objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity

    Spinocerebellar ataxia

    Superior canal dehiscence syndrome

    Syringomyelia

    Tarlov cysts

    Tourette syndrome

    Traumatic brain injury

Step 2

To complete your patient application online, you will need the following:

  1. Online doctor certification (No paper forms)

  2. Personal email address

  3. Proof of Identity (Personal I.D., Driver’s License, or Passport)

    • If your address is current on your personal I.D. or driver’s license, you do NOT need a 2nd proof of residency.

    • If you DO need a second proof of residency, you can use a pay stub, car registration, utility bill, W2, and more.

  4. Photo headshot (We can take one for free) — shoulders to top-of-head.

  5. Debit/Credit card for payments

Veterans with a DD-214 or SSI/SSDI recipients can submit benefit letters to qualify for a reduced fee.

The doctor’s portion is done completely online through etk.icts.illinois.gov

We offer free assistance with online applications. Call us at (309) 863-2135 to schedule an appointment. We will take your passport photo and submit the application. Once the state receives the completed application, you will be issued a temporary card within the next business day. Once the application is accepted, you will be able to print a permanent paper card from the website.

Do you need a caregiver?

Medical Cannabis Program patients can designate up to 3 caregiver(s) to apply for the caregiver card. The caregiver card will allow the person to legally purchase and transport the medicine to the patient. Caregivers need the same required documents the patient needs excluding the doctor's certification. The fee for a caregiver is $25 a year. Opioid patients can NOT have a caregiver.

What about minors?

Minor qualifying patients need a physician certification AND a reviewing physician certification. A designated caregiver must apply, providing all the same documents listed for a patient.

Forfeitures?

Medical Cannabis card holders DO NOT have to forfeit their FOID or Concealed Carry Card.

Apply Online Now

Need Application Help?

Schedule a FREE Application Assistance Appointment at either of our locations:

Need More Help?

Schedule a FREE Patient Consultation. In-person and by phone appointments are available

FAQs

You will find a handy guide to some common questions regarding medical cannabis use in the state of Illinois. As an emerging treatment option, it is important to stay informed and up to date on what is happening, so we always encourage questions.

  • If approved, your registry identification card from the Illinois Department of Public Health will be valid for one year from the date it is issued. You have until the day of expiration to renew your existing registry identification card.

  • Pharmacies can only dispense medications that are prescribed. Marijuana is currently classified by the federal government as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it cannot be prescribed by any health professional. The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act allows doctors to recommend medical cannabis for patients

  • Yes. Qualifying registered patients can grow up to 5 plants at a time.

  • Registered qualifying patients and designated caregivers may possess up to 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis in a 14-day period from the dispensary the qualifying patient identified on their application.

  • A registered qualifying patient may apply for a waiver to possess more than 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis in a 14-day period. The patient’s physician must complete the form included in the Physician Written Certification Form asserting that, based on the patient’s medical history, 2.5 ounces is an insufficient supply for a 14-day period. Veterans can not increase their allotment.

  • A designated caregiver is a person who is selected by a qualifying patient as the person authorized, on the qualifying patient’s behalf, to possess, obtain from a certified medical cannabis dispensary, dispense and assist in the administration of medical cannabis. Caregivers must enroll in the program. A designated caregiver is issued a medical cannabis registry identification card that allows him/her to possess up to 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis on behalf of their patient. It is not legal for caregivers to consume, by any means, medical cannabis that has been dispensed on behalf of a registered qualifying patient.

  • It may be appropriate in certain circumstances to inform law enforcement that you are a participant in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act and offer to show your registry identification card. However, you should always consult with your own private attorney to discuss the protection of your rights. At this time, marijuana (cannabis) is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal statute. For that reason, participation in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program may not protect participating patients or caregivers from potential criminal liability under federal laws.

  • No. Only registry identification cards issued through the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Medical Cannabis are valid in Illinois.

  • No. The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act only applies in Illinois.

  • No. Using medical cannabis is prohibited in a school bus, on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school, in any correctional facility, in any motor vehicle, in a private residence used at any time to provide licensed child care or other similar social service care on the premises and in any public place where an individual could reasonably be expected to be observed by others. A public place includes all parts of buildings owned in a whole or in part, or leased, by the state or local unit of government. A public place does not include a private residence unless the private residence is used to provide licensed child care, foster care or other similar social service care on the premises. Using medical cannabis is also prohibited in a health care facility or any other place where smoking is prohibited by the Smoke-free Illinois Act and knowingly in close physical proximity to anyone under the age of 18.

  • Read the official state resources for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program:

    https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis/medical-cannabis-patient-program-frequently-asked-questions.html

    http://www.idph.state.il.us/HealthWellness/MedicalCannabis/MedicalCannabisFAQ.pdf

Illinois State Medical Cannabis Law

In August of 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a law called the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. The Act effectively gave access for qualifying patients to medical cannabis that is both grown and distributed through state-licensed facilities.

The Act grants access to patients who are living with any of the qualifying medical conditions, such as cancer, Parkinson's disease, seizures, or HIV/AIDS.

Since then, there have been a number of updates. Check out the timeline for additional details.

For even more resources, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, as well as the Illinois Department of Health

    • Authorized Medical Cannabis Pilot Program; sunset 6/30/2018

    • Added seizure disorders to the definition of “debilitating condition”

    • Allows persons under age 18 to apply for a medical cannabis registration card

    • Extended the pilot program through June 30, 2020

    • Added PTSD to the definition of “debilitating condition” and added a terminal illness eligibility category

    • Established a three-year cycle for patient applications

    • Ashley’s Law – Allows caregivers of minor registered patients to administer medical cannabis on school property

    • Established the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program

    • Provisional access to dispensaries for medical cannabis patient applicants

    • Removed fingerprinting requirements and eliminated disqualifying criminal offenses

    • Prohibits organizations from charging a fee to assist patients with application

    • House Bill 2023 – sent to the Governor 7/12/2019

    • Will make the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program (and OAPP) permanent

    • Allows veterans receiving medical services at VA facilities to participate in OAPP

    • Adds Physician Assistant (PA), Advance Practice Nurses (APN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) to licensed professions which can issue a certification for medical cannabis for both OAPP and MCPP

    • Adds new conditions - Autism, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, osteoarthritis, anorexia nervosa, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neuro-Bechet’s Autoimmune Disease, neuropathy, polycystic kidney disease, superior canal dehiscence syndrome and expands Crohn’s disease to include ulcerative colitis

    • Allows up to three (3) caregivers for adult patients and minor patients (launch date to be determined)

    • Requires immediate dispensary changes for MCPP patients

    • Cannabis Regulations & Tax Act (Adult Use Recreational Marijuana) Program

    • Allows registered medical cannabis patients to grow up to 5 cannabis plants for personal consumption

    • Amends Ashley’s Law

    • Allows Illinois schools to allow a school nurse or school administrator to administer a medical cannabis-infused product to a registered minor qualifying patient

    • Requires ISBE and IDPH to develop a training program for school nurses