In 2013, the state of Illinois approved the Medical Cannabis Patient Program, which allows patients with specific qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana within legal dispensaries within the state.
The Qualifying conditions for Illinois cannabis patients are:
- Autism
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Anorexia nervosa
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
- Cancer
- Cachexia/wasting syndrome
- Causalgia
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)
- Dystonia
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Fibrous Dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Hydrocephalus
- Hydromyelia
- Interstitial cystitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Lupus
- Migraines
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- 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)
- 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)
- Spinal cord injury is 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
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
But, as of January 1, 2020, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act provided for the controlled legalization of adult-use cannabis in Illinois, also known as recreational consumption. The benefits of becoming a medical marijuana patient instead of accessing recreational dispensaries are numerous. This includes saving up to 30% on medical marijuana purchases and a more curated selection of cannabis products.
Accessing medical cannabis in Illinois begins with securing a medical marijuana card. Once you are approved for your medical marijuana card, you can enter and purchase cannabis in any Illinois dispensary.
Follow these four easy steps to obtain your Illinois medical marijuana card with online Telehealth provider HelloMD:
Step 1. Register with HelloMD
The easiest way to secure your medical marijuana card in Illinois is to register through HelloMD. It takes less than five minutes and ensures that the process will be quick and easy to obtain your card.
All you need to do is create a login, give some basic information and book a consultation!
Alternatively, patients can register to the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System (ICTS) here and fill out the information to register and then complete an application.
Step 2. Talk to Your Practitioner
At the time of your HelloMD consultation, you’ll speak to your practitioner over live video for 20-30 minutes. With a growing list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Illinois, you will have a high probability of securing a card after your consultation. An added bonus with HelloMD, if you’re not approved, you don’t pay.
If approved, your medical status online will show as "approved."
Step 3. Register with Illinois State
Once you receive an approval certification from a HelloMD Practitioner, you’ll need to register your HelloMD certification in the Illinois online Medical Cannabis Patient Program.
Note: Health care providers’ certifications are only valid for 90 days from the date of the telemedicine examination.
Next, you’ll have to pay an application fee from the state. You can find a list of application fees here.
Step 4. Purchase Medical Cannabis in a Legal Dispensary in Illinois
Once you’re registered and approved, you will receive a temporary medical cannabis card number. This can be used to purchase marijuana while you wait for your physical card.
Now you have to look for a nearby dispensary, chat with the on-site pharmacist to find the right cannabis product, make a purchase, and enjoy.
Consult these popular legal weed shops in Illinois for help.
Get Your Medical Card with HelloMD
It’s easy to get your medical document with the online Telehealth service HelloMD. Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed practitioner and start purchasing medical cannabis today.
