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How to Register with the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Registry

Once a licensed cannabis physician in Illinois certified you with the diagnosis, then you should register with the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Program. The process is as follows.

Complete and submit your application to the IDPH’s Medical Cannabis Program along with the required state fee. After submission, the state will review your application. Upon approval, IDPH will issue a temporary medical marijuana (MMJ) card, which you can use within 24 hours. Your permanent card will arrive within 4 to 6 weeks. This enables you the legal access to medical cannabis in Illinois.

Registering with the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Registry is essential to obtain your medical marijuana card and legally access medical cannabis under Illinois law.

Medical marijuana is legal in Illinois. The state recognizes a wide range of qualifying medical conditions, and you can apply for a medical marijuana card to legally access therapeutic cannabis.

Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Illinois

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) offers a regulated medical cannabis program to support residents diagnosed with serious, chronic or debilitating medical conditions. Eligible individuals can obtain a Medical Marijuana Card to legally access to medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries across the state.

Applicants should first review the qualifying medical conditions defined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This article provides you a detailed guidance of the eligibility criteria required under Illinois regulations.

Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois

To be eligible for a medical marijuana card in Illinois, you must meet several state-defined requirements. 

• Live in the state of Illinois and provide proof of residency.
• Confirmed diagnosis of a medical condition approved under Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient program
• Not hold a school bus driving permit or a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Not be currently employed in active public safety roles including firefighting, law enforcement and correctional services.

If you meet all these requirements, you may proceed with the next steps in medical marijuana card application process.

Qualifying Medical Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois

Illinois recognizes a broad range of medical conditions that may qualify a patient for a medical marijuana card. The list of qualifying conditions may be updated over time as medical research evolves and as petitions are reviewed by state authorities. As of 2025, 56 medical conditions are listed under the Illinois Medical Marijuana program. This list includes a wide range of medical condition that may make you eligible for a medical marijuana card.

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Arnold-Chiari malformation
• Autism
• Cachexia/Wasting Syndrome
• Cancer
• Causalgia
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
• Chronic Pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II (CRPS)
• Dystonia
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
• Fibrous Dysplasia
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Hydrocephalus
• Hydromyelia
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.
• Lupus
• Migraines
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• 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
• Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
• Severe Fibromyalgia
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Spinal Cord Disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis)
• Spinal cord injury
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia
• Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
• Syringomyelia
• Tarlov Cysts
• Terminal Illness
• Tourette Syndrome

Cost of an Illinois Medical Marijuana Card

The cost of an Illinois medical marijuana card varies based on the card’s duration.

• One year: $50
• Two years: $100
• Three years: $125

If you qualify for a reduced fee, the cost of the medical card is as follows.

• One year: $25
• Two years: $50
• Three years: $75

When applying, you should consider both the duration of the card and the associated cost to determine the most suitable option.

Documents Required for the Illinois Medical Marijuana Card

Once you received physician certification, the next step is submitting an application through the state medical cannabis program. The required documents are,

1. A medical marijuana certification from a licensed Illinois healthcare provider.
2. A recent passport-style photo taken within the last 30 days.
3. Illinois Driver’s License, Illinois ID card, or Passport as the proof of identity.
4. Documents showing Illinois residency, such as a voter registration card, deed/title, mortgage statement, rental or lease agreement, bank statement (dated within 90 days), current insurance policy, medical claims or statement of benefits, utility bills (issued within 60 days), or a W-2 from the most recent tax year.
5. Payment for government fees, which vary depending on the card’s duration and eligibility for reduced fees.

Approval timelines may vary depending on application completeness and state processing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Marijuana in Illinois