Explaining the Process of Acquiring a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois (Updated Process - 2023)

Medical marijuana cards in Illinois has many benefits, and in this article, we will talk about getting the card in detail, so you get your own marijuana card easily. Illinois legalized Cannabis on January 1st, 2020, for recreational users. It is the 11th state to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. Even if it is legalized, it is still recommended that you should have medical marijuana card to get your marijuana in Illinois.

There are a lot of benefits to having a medical marijuana card in Illinois which is better than possessing it as a recreational user. Let us dive deep and understand what are those benefits

How do I Apply for a medical marijuana card?

Start by gathering documents; you will need
Required Documents
1. Approval of physician for marijuana treatment which can be obtained by Greenpot MD
2. Proof of residency can be shown by an Illinois driver’s license or state ID card
3. A passport-sized digital photo

The residing veterans of Illinois who receive health services from the Veteran’s Administration facilities are not required to show any physician recommendation. They can show their VA records for 12 months and their application.

Once you gather all the documents, you can start your process. Follow these 3 Simple steps to get your Illinois medical marijuana card.

Steps to get your medical marijuana card with Greenpot MD

1. Fill out an online evaluation form with Greenpot MD that asks you for your basic details. After submitting the form, you can book an online consultation call with licensed doctors at your preferred time.

2. On the consultation call, talk to the doctors about your medical condition and tell them all your medical symptoms and history so they understand your medical health correctly.

3. Once your evaluation is done and you are approved for your card, you will need to register with the state. You can go to the Illinois state website and fill out your applications. After the application, wait for sometimes, and you will receive your medical card over your email

Things to Know About Your Online Appointment With Greenpot MD

Your application is evaluated by one of our licensed doctors, and based on that, the doctor is assigned.

In the appointment, you need to share each detail of your medical history and your ongoing conditions. This will benefit you as the doctors can understand it better to allow you to use marijuana. All the information shared during the appointment is safely preserved as Greenpot MD strictly adheres to HIPAA laws, so you can share everything without worrying about privacy.

Once the doctor is confirmed that your medical condition is appropriate to get marijuana treatment, they will inform you about the process and register you with the state from their side so that you can complete the application with the state from your side.

Eligibility Criteria for Medical Marijuana card

To get your medical marijuana card you need to be at least 18 years old and should register for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program (MCPP).

The patients should be at least 18 years old to get their medical marijuana card. If a patient is younger than that, then a caregiver has to be assigned for the patient to get medical marijuana.

There are also some medical health conditions that you need to qualify, so you get eligible for marijuana treatment.

Qualifying Health Conditions

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Autism
• Cancer
• Cachexia
• Crohn’s disease
• Hepatitis C
• Dystonia
• Fibromyalgia
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Complex regional pain syndromes types I and II
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
• Arnold-Chiari malformation and syringomyelia
• HIV/AIDS
• Hydrocephalus
• Interstitial cystitis
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Myoclonus
• Myasthenia gravis
• Nail-patella syndrome
• Neurofibromatosis
• Parkinson’s disease (PD)
• Post-Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Residual limb pain
• Sjogren’s syndrome
• Spinal cord disease
• Tarlov cysts
• Terminal illness
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-concussion syndrome

Once you are eligible for health conditions you can start applying for the marijuana card.

Benefits of a Medical Marijuana card in Illinois

Illinois medical marijuana card is for those who have certain medical conditions that can be treated with marijuana. This is the best way to enjoy the many benefits that come along with the card.

First, the medical cannabis card gives you a discount on medical purchase and also saves taxes, as the state has provided 30% tax benefits on marijuana purchase. There are also high charges for high THC content, so if you have your medical marijuana card, you will benefit from it.

Medical marijuana patients are also allowed to cultivate marijuana plants up to five plants per household legally. On the other hand, recreational users are not allowed to cultivate in Illinois.

Medical marijuana patients can possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis within 14 days. The patients can even add petitions to access high possession of marijuana.
On the other hand, recreational marijuana users can access less quantity which is 30 grams or 15 grams if the users are non-Illinois.

To enjoy all these benefits, you need to be eligible for a medical marijuana card. So the first step is to be eligible for a medical marijuana card.

Medical Marijuana laws in Illinois

Marijuana is decriminalised in Illinois, but still you may be charged if you possess over the limit stated by Illinois. It is still illegal to possess marijuana in public places, machines, or in vehicles. There are no laws against marijuana in the workplace, and the business can take action against employees for marijuana consumption. On the contrary, Individual businesses can make policies for marijuana.

The best way to have your marijuana is by getting your marijuana card. So start today with Greenpot MD and get your marijuana card.

Caregivers Laws

To be a designated caregiver, you need to apply to the Illinois state portal and complete your application to get your registry ID card.

The registered ID card for caregivers has a validity of three years. If you apply along with the patient’s application, it is $75, but if applied separately, the cost is $100.

Minor patients need a caregiver, and only the caregiver can access the marijuana and provide it to the patient.

Reciprocity states for Medical Marijuana

Illinois does not accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. However, some states accept marijuana cards from other states. Here is the list of medical marijuana cards, so here is the list.

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Maryland
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Missouri
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Puerto Rico
• Pennsylvania
• U.S. Virgin Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington DC

Another vital part of getting your medical marijuana card is understanding if you need a caregiver. Patients below the age of 18 need to have a caregiver. Patients above 18 can take marijuana themselves or need a caregiver.

Cultivations Laws

A medical patient can grow up to five cannabis plants for personal use. This number is fixed regardless of the number of members per house.

Where To Buy Medical Marijuana in Illinois?

In Illinois, one can buy marijuana from a registered dispensary or pharmacy. A legally designated space is also a safe place to buy marijuana in Illinois.

It is vital to carry your card for your medical marijuana purchase to enjoy the benefits. The state has some dispensaries separate for recreational users and patients. The state has also stated that dispensaries should keep the marijuana separately as a priority for medical users in case of shortage.

To choose from a variety of marijuana, you may ask the dispensary staff to get ideas on which can be better for you.