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Get an Illinois Medical Marijuana Card.
Just $99.

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Best Care, Best Value

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Quick and Easy Process

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Our healthcare providers are available to see you from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week.

Get approved in minutes.
It's quick, easy, and convenient.

How getting an Illinois medical marijuana card works.

  1. Step 1
    quick-steps-1

    Sign Up

    No appointment necessary. Register with Leafwell on any device and consult with a licensed medical practitioner in minutes.

  2. Step 2
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    Get Your Approval

    If the doctor chooses to recommend medical marijuana, your provider will submit your information to the State of Illinois for you.

  3. Step 3
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    Apply to the State

    Register on the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System, complete your application, and pay the applicable fees to the State of Illinois.

  4. Step 4
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    Receive Your Provisional Letter

    A Provisional Letter will be posted in your Illinois Cannabis Tracking System account in 24–48 hours, allowing you to buy medical marijuana.

Have Questions?

See a detailed step-by-step explainer on all the Illinois medical marijuana card requirements.

Learn More

Benefits of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card

Wondering how an Illinois medical marijuana card can transform your medical cannabis experience?

State Product
Benefit Card No Card
Possess Cannabischeckcheck
Use Cannabischeckcheck
Purchase Cannabischeckcheck
Save Up to 30% on Taxcheck
Grow Cannabischeck
Lower Costscheck
Higher Possession Limitscheck
Apply Now

State-Specific Steps

Embarking on your journey to relief in Illinois is simple. Let our caring specialists guide you through the state-specific steps if you're looking to get a medical marijuana card.

  1. Book An Appointment with Leafwell
  2. Get Your Approval from a Leafwell Provider
  3. Apply to the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program
  4. Get Your Provisional Letter

Watch this video on how to get a medical card in Illinois

Best Care, Best Value

Our mission of increasing medical cannabis access means offering the highest-quality service at the best price. Here's what you need to know about the costs associated with an Illinois medical cannabis card.
First-time certification
Renewal certification
$99
Best care and best value
$99
Veriheal
$175
$175
Green Health Docs
$150
$150
Elevate Holistics
$130
$85
HelloMD
$159
$159

03/28/24

What You Pay with Leafwell

Illinois residents that are medical cannabis patients save more with Leafwell. Get your money back if not approved.

label New with Leafwell Renewal with Leafwell Avg. other competitors
Medical marijuana certificate$99$99$150
State application fee$25-$300$25-$300$25-$300
Total$124- $399$124- $399$175- $475
Apply Now

Qualifying Medical Conditions

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act states that qualifying patients must be diagnosed with a “debilitating condition” to be eligible for a medical cannabis registry identification card in Illinois. You may be approved for medicinal cannabis if you have a qualifying medical condition, including:

  • Addiction Treatment
  • AIDS/HIV
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Arthritis
  • Autism/Asperger Syndrome
  • Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
  • Cancer
  • Chiari Malformation (Arnold Chiari Malformation) and Syringomyelia
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Renal Failure
  • Chronic Pain, Muscle Pain and Other Types of Pain
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Cystitis
  • Dystonia
  • Eating Disorders (e.g. Anorexia, Bulimia, Obesity)
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
  • Epilepsy
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Glaucoma
  • Headache & Migraine
  • Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C)
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs)
  • Inflammatory Polyneuropathy
  • Lupus
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Muscular Dystrophy (MD) and Myotonic Disorders
  • Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and Myoneural Disorders
  • Nail-Patella Syndrome
  • Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)
  • Palliative Care (Admittance Into Hospice)
  • Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
  • Peripheral Neuropathy (PN)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  • Seizures and Seizure Disorders
  • Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Spinal Cord Diseases (SCDs)
  • Tarlov Cysts
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Stroke

Convenient, Quality Care When You Need It Most

With Leafwell, you'll be matched up with a highly knowledgeable, empathetic, licensed medical marijuana doctor or provider.

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What You Need to Know

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    Eligibility / Patient

    When you apply for the Illinois medical card, you must enroll in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program (MCPP). Patients must be at least 18 years old to qualify, and those younger must appoint a caregiver who can access cannabis on their behalf.

  • info-icons-1-icon-2.svg

    Caregiver

    Must be 21 years of age or older, be designated by an approved patient before the caregiver can register, and are only allowed to have one registered patient.

  • info-icons-1-icon-3.svg

    Can Minors Qualify?

    Yes, but patients under 18 must select a designated caregiver to assist with the patient’s use of medical cannabis, and minors will need certification from two physicians. Qualifying patients younger than 18 cannot smoke or vape medical cannabis.

Apply Now

What You Need

You’ll need to provide the following to apply for a medical marijuana card in Illinois:

  • info-icons-2-icon-1

    Medical Marijuana Recommendation

    Approval from a licensed healthcare provider — after approval, your details will be submitted directly to the State of Illinois program.

    Illinois-residing veterans who receive health services from Veteran’s Administration (VA) Facilities are not required to obtain approval from a physician.

  • info-icons-2-icon-2.svg

    Proof of Identity

    Illinois Driver’s License or IL State ID, or Passport or Out-of-State ID with (1) proof of residence.

  • info-icons-2-icon-3.svg

    Proof of Illinois Residence (Optional)

    Acceptable proof of residence is anything that shows your current address, such as:

    utility bills, bank statements, current property tax statements, voter registration cards, and health insurance documents.

Get Started

Next Steps After Approval

Congrats on getting your medical certification! You’re almost there, but there are a few more steps to complete to get your Illinois Medical Marijuana Card. Let’s dive in!

  • Before You Start: What You’ll Need
    • A credit or debit card for payment
    • A valid photo ID
  • Complete Application:  Complete the state side of the application process by registering with the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System. Your ‘Health Care Professional Certification’ number will take up to 24–48 hours to appear.
  • Submit Payment: Immediately after submitting payment to the state, you will be directed back to the “Patient Registration” tab. Your status will show “SOS Check” until your card is ready.
  • Start Shopping: You can access your provisional letter within 48 hours and use that to shop. (Click on Initial Application under “Tracking Inbox” and you will see “Provisional Letter” to print out and use.)

How to Renew Your Card

The process for renewing your medical marijuana card in Illinois is almost identical to when you apply for the first time—except you’ll save time by already having a Leafwell account. You’ll still talk with a Leafwell provider, apply to the State of Illinois for marijuana treatment, and repeat all steps through the state website to renew your card for medical marijuana in Illinois. You can read a step-by-step breakdown of renewing through the Illinois medical marijuana program on our Illinois renewal page.

Legal Topics

  • An Illinois resident with a medical cannabis card can possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis per 14-day period. With a waiver from a doctor, this limit can be increased.
  • Medical cannabis card holders are afforded some employee protection
  • An individual is ineligible for a medical card if they are:
    • An active duty law enforcement officer
    • A correctional officer
    • A correctional probation officer
    • A firefighter
    • An active school bus permit holder or commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder.
  • Illinois medical cannabis patients only pay the state sales tax of 6.25% and local taxes of up to 3.5%.
  • Cultivating cannabis in Illinois is only legal for those with a medical cannabis card who are over 21 years old. Registered medical marijuana patients can grow up to five mature plants at a time.

Caregivers

Patients under 18 or those unable to manage medical cannabis themselves may select a designated caregiver to assist with the patient’s use of medical marijuana.

Caregivers must apply for a registry ID card online through the state of Illinois’ online application portal or by completing and submitting a printed application, available online.

Registry ID cards for caregivers are valid for up to three years, and the card fee varies depending on the length of the card and whether your patient already has an active medical marijuana card.

As of 2018, Ashley’s Law allows minor patient cardholders access to medical marijuana-infused products at school or on a school bus. Only a registered caregiver may administer these products to the student. Must be 21 years or older.

Caregivers must:

  • Agree to assist with a patient’s medical use of cannabis
  • Keep their registry identification card in his or her possession at all times when engaging in the medical use of cannabis.
  • Not been convicted of an excluded offense.
  • Have one registered qualifying patient.

Reciprocity

Illinois does not have medical marijuana reciprocity, which means you cannot use another state’s medical marijuana card in Illinois. However, anyone over 21 can legally purchase marijuana products in the state.

That said, other states and territories recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. Your Illinois medical cannabis card can be recognized/used in:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas *
  • Hawaii *
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey *
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma *
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • U.S. Virgin Islands *
  • Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
  • Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

FAQs

How much does an Illinois Medical Marijuana certificate and card cost?

An online consultation for an Illinois medical marijuana card costs $99 and includes a 3-year certification. You’ll only be charged if approved. Plus, now you can sign up with a friend and each save 10% on your consultation.

Patients will also pay a separate application fee to the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program.

Here’s an overview of the fees:

  • $99 Initial certificate from Leafwell
  • $99 Renewal certificate from Leafwell
  • $198 Minor certifications (includes 2 certificates)
  • State application fee*
    • 1 year: $50
    • 2 years: $100
    • 3 years: $125 (Recommended to match certification)
    • Reduced fees are available for those enrolled in Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability programs: $25/1 year; $50/2 years; $75/3 years.

*State fees are not included with Leafwell fees and are paid directly to the state.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois?

In Illinois, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana certificate and card:

What do I need to know about applying for my Medical Cannabis Card in Illinois online?

With Leafwell, applying for an Illinois medical marijuana card online is simple. Here’s what to expect:

  1. Register with Leafwell and speak to an Illinois-licensed healthcare provider online. Consultations cost $99 and you’ll only be charged if approved.
  2. Get approved, and the provider will submit your certification to the state using the last four (4) digits of your SSN.
  3. Register with the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System, complete the state application, and pay the state card fee.
  4. Once the state application fee is paid, you can access your provisional letter, which can be used as a temporary card while your application is being processed. Your digital card will be available to download as soon as your state application is approved.

How old do I have to be to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois?

Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Illinois?

Yes, medical marijuana patients in Illinois can have a caregiver.

Caregiver Requirements:

  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Agrees to assist with a patient’s medical use of cannabis and keep their registry identification card in their possession at all times when engaging in the medical use of cannabis.
  • Has not been convicted of an excluded offense.
  • Caregivers can only have one registered qualifying patient. Patients can have up to three caregivers.
  • Caregivers can also be patients.
  • There is no separate caregiver application. The patient must add the caregiver information to their state application after approval.
  • Caregivers will need to submit a photo taken within the last 30 days (passport-style), proof of identity, and proof of residency.
    • Photo: taken in the last 30 days, against a plain white background, natural color (no filters), full-face view w/neutral facial expression, and both eyes open, at least 2×2 in. size
    • Proof of Identity: Illinois Driver’s License, State ID, or photograph page of US passport
    • Proof of Residency: If your ID address matches the application, then submit ONE other form of residency. If your address does not match or you submit a passport, then submit TWO forms of residency.

State Resources:

How do I apply for the state program in Illinois?

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

  • A digital photograph (taken within the last 30 days – passport style)
  • Proof of age and identity (e.g., IL driving license, state ID, or passport with proof of state residency)
  • A credit card to pay for the state application

If applicable:

  • A Benefit Verification Letter (or DD214)

Getting Your Illinois Medical Marijuana Card

State regulations require you to submit a state application within 90 days of your Leafwell approval. Failure to meet this deadline necessitates an additional consultation and new certification, as mandated by the state.

  1. Click here (https://etk.icts.illinois.gov/) and click on MCPP Patient Registration.
  2. Complete the requested information and click ‘Register.’
  3. You’ll be sent an email notification with a temporary password.
    1. Log back in with the temporary password and you’ll be able to change it to something memorable by clicking ‘My Account’, then ‘Password.’
  4. Click ‘+New MCPP Patient Registration.’
  5. Complete the rest of the information required.
    1. if you are applying as a minor, click here for more detailed instructions.
    2. if you are applying with a terminal condition, click here for more detailed instructions.
  6. You can choose to get a card for 1, 2, or 3 years (your certificate from Leafwell is valid for 3 years).
    1. 1 year = $50, 2 years = $100, 3 years = $125
  7. If you need a caregiver, you can add their information under the caretaker tab (click for more detailed instructions on this process).
    1. For more information for caregivers, click here.
  8. Complete your personal information. Your name must match what the doctor entered. No middle names, or initials.
  9. Upload your proof of identity.
  10.  You can upload proof that you are eligible for reduced fees if relevant.
  11. At the bottom of the terms and conditions, you can type your name into the box to act as a digital signature.
  12. Click ‘Save.’
  13. You then need to attach the Healthcare Professional Certificate.
    1. Click on the ‘Provider Certification’ tab.
    2. There is a blank text box. Click on the ‘+New’ button and it will open a dropdown. Your certification number should be there.
      1. Please note: If your certification is not displayed, ensure that there are no middle names or initials on your state application! The name needs to be as it appeared on your original Leafwell registration.
      2. Click on the Health Care Professional Certification Number drop-down box.
      3. Your certificate number will be auto-populated in the drop-down box and start with PC. Our providers aim to get your certificates uploaded within 24 hours. If the certificate does not appear within 48 hours, please contact support@leafwell.com.
  14. Pay for your application and finalize your application.
  15. You will be directed back to the “Patient Registration” tab. Your status will show “SOS Check” until the card is ready.
  16. Click on Initial Application under “Tracking Inbox” and you will see “Provisional Letter” to print out.  This can be used to legally purchase cannabis until your digital card is ready. It typically is available 24-48 hours after you complete your application.
    1. Here are the instructions for printing your letter.
  17. Once the state has fully processed your approval, which can take up to 90 days, you can access your digital card.

Additional Instructions
Qualifying Patient Application Instructions
Qualifying Patient Application Instructions with a Caregiver

In addition to contacting Leafwell, free help is available for patients through participating local health departments. Click here for a list of participating locations.

Discover Our Partners Across Illinois

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