Medical Cannabis

Once the written certification form is completed and submitted by the recommending physician, individuals will need to complete the cannabis card application form either online at the DPH website or printed and mailed to the Illinois Department of Public Health/Division of Medical Cannabis.

In addition to the completed application, applicants will need to submit the following:

• Non-refundable application fee payable by check or money order and made out to the Illinois Department of Public Health (see below for list of fees)
• 2” x 2” photograph taken in the last 30 days (taken against a plain, white or off-white background in natural color, with full-face view directly facing the camera and a neutral facial expression with both eyes open (it’s recommended you use a passport photo vendor to ensure the photograph meets these requirements)
  • A completed copy of the Fingerprint Consent Form (fingerprints must be taken within 30 days of submitting an application), with the following supporting documents attached:
  • Proof of age and identity (a color photocopy of either an Illinois Driver’s License, Illinois State ID, or the photograph page of a US passport
  • Proof of Illinois residency: Proof of residency requires 2 documents that prove you live in Illinois
    • Bank statements,
    • Utility bills,
    • A state ID,
    • A driver’s license
    • A voter ID card.
    • Fingerprint receipt
    • Benefit Verification Letter from the Social Security Administration or DD-214 (*only if applicable – this is for applicants who are applying with reduced fees)

Other Information:

Fees:

Fees for getting a medical cannabis card are:

• $100 for 1 year;
• $200 for 2 years; and
• $250 for 3 years.

Reduced fees are available for veterans or people enrolled in the federal Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability program. Veterans must include a copy of the DD214, and SSDI/SSI recipients should include a copy of a benefit verification letter, dated within the last year.

No fees for patients with terminal illness:
If you have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of no more than 6 months, you can get a registry card that is valid for 6 months. For those with a terminal illness, there are no application fees, and the process will be quicker. If you qualify, after several weeks or even months, the state will issue a registry identification, which will be valid for 1, 2, or 3 years.

Caregivers:

A patient’s caregiver can register to get and transport cannabis to the registered patient. A caregiver must complete the entire caregiver application. They must send it with the $25 caregiver fee and all supporting documents, including:

• Photo,
• Proof of residency,
• Proof of age and identity, and
• Caregiver’s signature.
• The caregiver application should be submitted with the patient’s application.

This is general information relating to qualifying as a medical patient, for the specific qualifying process and criteria a prospective patient should contact their applicable state regulator.