Get Certified in Minutes
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Get Certified in Minutes
Money-Back Guarantee If Not Approved
Apply for Your Illinois Medical Marijuana Card Online
Pay only $99 for the appointment – and get your money back if you’re not approved!
Benefits of Getting a Card
Wondering how a medical marijuana card in Illinois can transform your cannabis experience?
State-Specific Steps
1
Book an Appointment with Leafwell
Speak to a Leafwell healthcare provider to get approved for an Illinois medical marijuana card online.
The consultation costs $99 and the certification is valid for 3 years. You’ll get your money back if you’re not approved.
2
Get Approved for Medical Marijuana
Once approved, your Leafwell healthcare provider will submit your information to the State of Illinois.
We’ll also send instructions for completing your medical card application with the state.
But sit tight: We recommend waiting 24 to 48 hours after your appointment before starting your state application.
3
Complete an Application with the State of Illinois
Register on the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System, complete your application, and pay the applicable fees to the State of Illinois.
Application fees for IL medical cards are currently:
- $50 for one year.
- $100 for two years.
- $125 for three years.
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.
4
Receive Your Provisional Letter
A Provisional Letter will be posted in your Illinois Cannabis Tracking System account within 24 to 48 hours.
This letter will allow you to purchase medical marijuana products at licensed dispensaries.
The State of Illinois can take up to 90 days to fully approve your application. When that happens, you’ll receive an official digital medical marijuana card. Physical cards are no longer issued in the state.
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See a Doctor NowWhat You Need to Know
Apply NowEligibility / Patient
When you apply for the 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.
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.
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.
What You Need
You’ll need to provide the following to apply for an Illinois MMJ card:
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.
Proof of Identity
IL Driver’s License or IL State ID, or Passport or Out-of-State ID with (1) proof of residence.
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.
Cost Information
Save more with Leafwell and get your money back if not approved.
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
- Sign in to Leafwell or register as a renewal patient here.
- Speak to an Illinois-licensed provider online.
- Once approved, the provider submits your certification directly to the state using the last 4 digits of your SSN.
- Complete the state application by registering with the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System and paying the state’s fee. Your ‘Health Care Professional Certification’ number can take up to 24-48 hours to appear.
- After submitting payment to the state, you will receive an email notification. You can continue to use your current card until it expires.
- Please note: The new expiration date will not be shown on your account until after the current card expires.
- Once it expires, you will be able to print or download your updated card the next day.
Legal Topics
- Medical cannabis cardholders 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.
- The following individuals are ineligible for a medical card:
- Active duty law enforcement officers
- Correctional officers
- Correctional probation officers
- Firefighters
- Active school bus permit holders or commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders.
- 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 medical cannabis cardholders over 21 years old. Registered 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 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 they don’t recognize other states’ medical marijuana cards. 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:
- 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.
States that have recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older but do not accept out-of-state cards include:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota (currently only tribal dispensaries)
- Missouri
- Montana
- New York
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington
FAQs
Click here for more Frequently Asked Questions about Illinois.
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:
- Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Arnold-Chiari Malformation
- Autism
- Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
- Cancer
- Causalgia
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
- Chronic Pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (CRPS II)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Dystonia
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Fibrous Dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- Hydrocephalus
- Hydromyelia
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Lupus
- Migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myoclonus
- Nail-Patella Syndrome
- Neuro-Behcet’s Autoimmune Disease
- Neurofibromatosis
- Neuropathy
- Opioid Dependence
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
- Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- Residual Limb Pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Seizure Disorders
- Severe Fibromyalgia
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Spinal Cord Disease (Including but not limited to Arachnoiditis)
- Spinal Cord Injury (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 (TS)
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Any terminal illness
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:
- Register with Leafwell and speak to an Illinois-licensed healthcare provider online. Consultations cost $99 and you’ll only be charged if approved.
- Get approved, and the provider will submit your certification to the state using the last four (4) digits of your SSN.
- Register with the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System, complete the state application, and pay the state card fee.
- 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?
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a medical marijuana card in Illinois.
Minor patients may apply with consent from a custodial parent or legal guardian.
Caregivers must be 21 or older.
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:
- Patient Application With a Caregiver
- Minor Application Instructions
- Caregiver Application Instructions (adding a caregiver for patients with an active card)
- Caregiver Card Fees
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.
- Click here (https://etk.icts.illinois.gov/) and click on MCPP Patient Registration.
- Complete the requested information and click ‘Register.’
- You’ll be sent an email notification with a temporary password.
- Log back in with the temporary password and you’ll be able to change it to something memorable by clicking ‘My Account’, then ‘Password.’
- Click ‘+New MCPP Patient Registration.’
- Complete the rest of the information required.
- You can choose to get a card for 1, 2, or 3 years (your certificate from Leafwell is valid for 3 years).
- 1 year = $50, 2 years = $100, 3 years = $125
- If you need a caregiver, you can add their information under the caretaker tab (click for more detailed instructions on this process).
- Complete your personal information. Your name must match what the doctor entered. No middle names, or initials.
- Upload your proof of identity.
- You can upload proof that you are eligible for reduced fees if relevant.
- At the bottom of the terms and conditions, you can type your name into the box to act as a digital signature.
- Click ‘Save.’
- You then need to attach the Healthcare Professional Certificate.
- Click on the ‘Provider Certification’ tab.
- There is a blank text box. Click on the ‘+New’ button and it will open a dropdown. Your certification number should be there.
- 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.
- Click on the Health Care Professional Certification Number drop-down box.
- 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.
- Pay for your application and finalize your application.
- You will be directed back to the “Patient Registration” tab. Your status will show “SOS Check” until the card is ready.
- 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.
- 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.
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