Over a thousand people in Illinois get a medical cannabis card every month. The steps below will show you how to become one of them.
Determine you qualify
Be an Illinois resident
Have a qualifying condition
Note: As of August 28, 2018, background checks and fingerprints are no longer required for applicants
Physician Certification
A doctor licensed in Illinois must sign your certification form that says you are his or her patient and that you suffer from one of the qualifying conditions. If you need help finding a doctor, contact us.
APPLICATION
Fill out a paper copy (and one for a caregiver)
Or, Apply Online
Caregiver
Not everyone needs to assign a Caregiver, but having one can be useful for those who want someone else to be able to purchase cannabis on their behalf. Learn more here.
Questions? Shoot us an email – we’re here to help.
Over a thousand people in Illinois get a medical cannabis card every month. The steps below will show you how to become one of them.
Determine you qualify
Be an Illinois resident
Have a qualifying condition
Note: As of August 28, 2018, background checks and fingerprints are no longer required for applicants
Physician Certification
A doctor licensed in Illinois must sign your certification form that says you are his or her patient and that you suffer from one of the qualifying conditions. If you need help finding a doctor, contact us.
Application
Fill out a paper copy (and one for a caregiver)
Or, Apply Online
Caregiver
Not everyone needs to assign a Caregiver, but having one can be useful for those who want someone else to be able to purchase cannabis on their behalf. Learn more here.
Questions? Shoot us an email – we’re here to help.
Qualifying Conditions
Qualifying Conditions
There are a number of conditions diagnosed from patient-reported symptoms, rather than clinical test results, and which afflict many for decades before being diagnosed. Here are some reasons why you probably qualify for a card, even if you don’t think you do.
POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME
Contact sports. Car accident. Anyone who has suffered a concussion can suffer life-long consequences, often with a delayed onset of symptoms. If you have nausea, dizzyness or headaches, it is likely a doctor will diagnose you with PCS and qualify you for medical cannabis.
SPINAL CORD INJURY
This condition applies to people with any number of back issues, including not only a herniated disc but also to a condition as common as a bulging disc. If you suffer from regular back pain you likely can be diagnosed with spinal cord injury and qualify for a medical cannabis card.
SEVERE FIBROMYALGIA
Fatigue, numbness, burning sensations, chronic, general pain. These symptoms devastate quality of life but can only be diagnosed as severe fibromyalgia by an understanding doctor, rather than a clinical test result, which will qualify you for a cannabis card.
PTSD
PTSD applies to any survivor of physical or psychological trauma, whether in war or at home. Anxiety, sleeplessness and depression are the most common symptoms. PTSD can be diagnosed with a single psychological evaluation, qualifying you for a medical cannabis card.
Ready to find a doctor? Contact us for help.
Caregivers
Caregivers
A caregiver is someone designated by a patient to purchase cannabis either with the patient or on their behalf. Caregivers can accompany patients inside the dispensary or come alone to purchase without the patient. Regardless, caregivers have all of the privileges of purchasing and possessing cannabis as patients do. In order to qualify, caregivers must:- Be at least 21 years old
- Only serve this role for a single patient
FOR VETERANS
If you are a veteran receiving care from a Veterans Affairs facility, you will not need a physician to sign any forms on your behalf. Go to the Release of Information office at your VA and request your last year of medical records (you will have to submit VA Form 10-5345a to authorize this, but there will be no charge) as well as VA Form DD214 to certify your dates of service and condition of discharge. Include all of these documents with your application and submit by mail.
For more information on receiving your records, please go to the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center website.
FOR MINORS
The Parent or Guardian of a qualifying minor will have to fill out the Application for Minors and will also need a to acquire a second, reviewing physician’s approval. Go to the Forms Page for the complete set and reach out to us with any questions.
TERMINAL ILLNESS
Anyone who has received a diagnosis of terminal illness, with a prognosis of less than 6 months of life, will have their application processed in no more than 2 weeks, will not require fingerprinting and will have their application fee waived. This application must be completed on paper and mailed in. Instructions and the form are here.