Illinois is one of 36 states allowing the purchase and consumption of cannabis products [for both medical and recreational use](https://www.hellomd.dev/articles/understanding-the-illinois
-weed-rules-and-regulations). Now, anyone 18 or older with a qualifying medical condition can apply for a medical cannabis card – and if you’re 21 or older, you can drop by any retail cannabis shop and pick up the cannabis products of your choice.
It’s easier to buy cannabis on the recreational side in Illinois, but it certainly isn’t cheaper. Illinois state taxes on adult-use cannabis can total thirty five percent on the average purchase, compared to just one percent in sales tax for medical-use buyers.
Here’s why it’s worth pursuing a medical cannabis card in Illinois, along with a look at some of the best products to try.
Cannabis in Illinois: The Road to Legalization
Medical cannabis has been legal in Illinois since 2013, when then-Governor Pat Abbott signed into law the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, which authorized the use of cannabis for a specific set of health conditions.
Last updated in 2019, the list of qualifying conditions is long and broad, including both common conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, and PTSD, as well as rarer ones such as Chiari malformations of the brain and spinal cord, autism, and Tourette Syndrome.
People whose health problems aren’t listed can file a petition with the Illinois Department of Public Health to have the condition added to the list, or for an exemption to get a medical cannabis card.
Adult-use recreational cannabis was approved in 2020, allowing any Illinois resident age 21 or older to buy cannabis flower, edibles, and other products from any state licensed dispensary. Legalization opens doors for new cannabis businesses, but high taxes are prohibitive for small startups and impose a considerable burden on recreational users.
Tax Rates Soar on Recreational Cannabis
Tax rates on recreational cannabis in Illinois are among the highest in the country. Recreational users can expect to pay local and state sales taxes, a cannabis cultivation privilege tax, and an additional flat tax on all cannabis-infused products. There’s also a retail excise tax based on a product’s THC levels.
These taxes can total as much as thirty five percent on top of the cost of your cannabis purchase. But for medical cannabis users, additional taxes on the same products come to just one percent!
Getting a medical cannabis card in Illinois is easy and reasonably affordable. HelloMD is an online service allows you to see a doctor virtually from the comfort of your home and receive your medical marijuana recommendation approval.
If you’re planning on making cannabis a regular part of your life, becoming a medical cannabis patient has its own set of perks, including considerable savings over the long term.
Medical or Recreational? Weighing the Benefits
Along with paying a fraction of the sales tax levied on recreational purchases, a medical cannabis card brings other benefits that aren’t available to recreational users. These include:
Access to the highest quality cannabis, since it’s intended to treat serious health conditions
The ability to legally carry cannabis anywhere in the state without penalty
The option to legally grow up to five cannabis plants for your own consumption. That’s prohibited for recreational use, and violators can face a $200 fine.
A relationship with a licensed medical practitioner who can offer expert information about using cannabis
To get a card, you must be 18 or over, with proof of residency and a state-issued ID. You’ll need to consult with a licensed practitioner, for approval. Then, you’ll create an account in the Patient Registry to choose your dispensary and purchase your card.
The 5 Best Cannabis Products in Illinois
Here are five of the best, courtesy of Verilife, a leading dispensary with multiple locations in Illinois.
Dreamcatcher Hybrid Vape
The Dreamcatcher Hybrid Vape is a high THC cartridge produced by Matter, a Verilife brand specializing in producing the highest quality, greenhouse-grown cannabis to relieve symptoms that aren’t benefiting from other treatments. With a THC content of 79.93%, the Dreamcatcher Vape offers relief from pain, along with relaxation and calming effects that promote sleep.
Green Line OG (flower)
Green Line OG is one of Verilife’s most popular strain, a citrusy, sweet hybrid that offers both relaxation and mental clarity. Green Line OG contains 24.86% THC and 0.06% CBD from its parent strains of Lime Skunk and Ghost OG. Consumers say Green Line OG can promote better sleep, ease pain, and relieve anxiety while keeping the mind focused and refreshed. This limonene-rich strain comes in a 3,5g tin for easy dispensing.
Kosher Dawg Swift Lifts
Kosher Dawg Swift Lifts is a mini pre-roll pack by Verano with a hefty THC content that’s close to 30 percent. This indica-dominant hybrid brings on calming and relaxing effects. It’s a blissful blend with a pungent, earthy aroma, suitable for putting worries at bay and enjoying time with friends.
Consumers say these pre-rolls produce a mellow lasting buzz for experienced cannabis users.
Wild Berry Spots Sour Gummies
Vegan-friendly Wild Berry Spots Sour Gummies combine THC and CBD for a euphoric and uplifting high. These cannabis-infused sour gummy bites are made with emulsified THC at a 1:0 THC to CBD ratio for faster-acting onset and a smooth, relaxing experience. These sour gummies come in a 100 mg 20 pack for use anytime.
Incredibles Pumpkin Pie Chocolates
Incredibles Pumpkin Pie handcrafted chocolates are made from pure THC distillate that ensures consistency and accurate dosing. A full bar of Pumpkin Pie offers 100 mg total THC, and 10 mg THC per piece for blissful relaxation and relief from pain. Consumers love the smooth, calming experience and the pumpkin taste.
Getting your medical cannabis card is easy and private [with HelloMD] (https://www.hellomd.dev/get-started/pennsylvania/). Consult with a qualified practitioner via telehealth to find the right cannabis products for your lifestyle.
Illinois is one of 36 states allowing the purchase and consumption of cannabis products [for both medical and recreational use](https://www.hellomd.dev/articles/understanding-the-illinois
-weed-rules-and-regulations). Now, anyone 18 or older with a qualifying medical condition can apply for a medical cannabis card – and if you’re 21 or older, you can drop by any retail cannabis shop and pick up the cannabis products of your choice.
It’s easier to buy cannabis on the recreational side in Illinois, but it certainly isn’t cheaper. Illinois state taxes on adult-use cannabis can total thirty five percent on the average purchase, compared to just one percent in sales tax for medical-use buyers.
Here’s why it’s worth pursuing a medical cannabis card in Illinois, along with a look at some of the best products to try.
Cannabis in Illinois: The Road to Legalization
Medical cannabis has been legal in Illinois since 2013, when then-Governor Pat Abbott signed into law the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, which authorized the use of cannabis for a specific set of health conditions.
Last updated in 2019, the list of qualifying conditions is long and broad, including both common conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, and PTSD, as well as rarer ones such as Chiari malformations of the brain and spinal cord, autism, and Tourette Syndrome.
People whose health problems aren’t listed can file a petition with the Illinois Department of Public Health to have the condition added to the list, or for an exemption to get a medical cannabis card.
Adult-use recreational cannabis was approved in 2020, allowing any Illinois resident age 21 or older to buy cannabis flower, edibles, and other products from any state licensed dispensary. Legalization opens doors for new cannabis businesses, but high taxes are prohibitive for small startups and impose a considerable burden on recreational users.
Tax Rates Soar on Recreational Cannabis
Tax rates on recreational cannabis in Illinois are among the highest in the country. Recreational users can expect to pay local and state sales taxes, a cannabis cultivation privilege tax, and an additional flat tax on all cannabis-infused products. There’s also a retail excise tax based on a product’s THC levels.
These taxes can total as much as thirty five percent on top of the cost of your cannabis purchase. But for medical cannabis users, additional taxes on the same products come to just one percent!
Getting a medical cannabis card in Illinois is easy and reasonably affordable. HelloMD is an online service allows you to see a doctor virtually from the comfort of your home and receive your medical marijuana recommendation approval.
If you’re planning on making cannabis a regular part of your life, becoming a medical cannabis patient has its own set of perks, including considerable savings over the long term.
Medical or Recreational? Weighing the Benefits
Along with paying a fraction of the sales tax levied on recreational purchases, a medical cannabis card brings other benefits that aren’t available to recreational users. These include:
Access to the highest quality cannabis, since it’s intended to treat serious health conditions
The ability to legally carry cannabis anywhere in the state without penalty
The option to legally grow up to five cannabis plants for your own consumption. That’s prohibited for recreational use, and violators can face a $200 fine.
A relationship with a licensed medical practitioner who can offer expert information about using cannabis
To get a card, you must be 18 or over, with proof of residency and a state-issued ID. You’ll need to consult with a licensed practitioner, for approval. Then, you’ll create an account in the Patient Registry to choose your dispensary and purchase your card.
The 5 Best Cannabis Products in Illinois
Here are five of the best, courtesy of Verilife, a leading dispensary with multiple locations in Illinois.
Dreamcatcher Hybrid Vape
The Dreamcatcher Hybrid Vape is a high THC cartridge produced by Matter, a Verilife brand specializing in producing the highest quality, greenhouse-grown cannabis to relieve symptoms that aren’t benefiting from other treatments. With a THC content of 79.93%, the Dreamcatcher Vape offers relief from pain, along with relaxation and calming effects that promote sleep.
Green Line OG
Green Line OG is one of Verilife’s most popular strain, a citrusy, sweet hybrid that offers both relaxation and mental clarity. Green Line OG contains 24.86% THC and 0.06% CBD from its parent strains of Lime Skunk and Ghost OG. Consumers say Green Line OG can promote better sleep, ease pain, and relieve anxiety while keeping the mind focused and refreshed. This limonene-rich strain comes in a 3,5g tin for easy dispensing.
Kosher Dawg Swift Lifts
Kosher Dawg Swift Lifts is a mini pre-roll pack by Verano with a hefty THC content that’s close to 30 percent. This indica-dominant hybrid brings on calming and relaxing effects. It’s a blissful blend with a pungent, earthy aroma, suitable for putting worries at bay and enjoying time with friends.
Consumers say these pre-rolls produce a mellow lasting buzz for experienced cannabis users.
Wild Berry Spots Sour Gummies
Vegan-friendly Wild Berry Spots Sour Gummies combine THC and CBD for a euphoric and uplifting high. These cannabis-infused sour gummy bites are made with emulsified THC at a 1:0 THC to CBD ratio for faster-acting onset and a smooth, relaxing experience. These sour gummies come in a 100 mg 20 pack for use anytime.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie handcrafted chocolates are made from pure THC distillate that ensures consistency and accurate dosing. A full bar of Pumpkin Pie offers 100 mg total THC, and 10 mg THC per piece for blissful relaxation and relief from pain. Consumers love the smooth, calming experience and the pumpkin taste.
Getting your medical cannabis card is easy and private [with HelloMD] (https://www.hellomd.dev/get-started/pennsylvania/). Consult with a qualified practitioner via telehealth to find the right cannabis products for your lifestyle.
