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Illinois Medical Cardholders Save Big on Taxes

Save 40% or more on cannabis with an MMJ card

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How to get a medical card in Illinois.

  1. 1

    Register online with Leafwell

    It’s quick and easy! Plus all of your data and medical records are secure on our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.

  2. 2

    Discuss medical marijuana with your Illinois doctor

    Book an appointment with a certified physician with Leafwell. This consultation fee is $125 for an examination, subject to change.

  3. 3

    Receive your certificate from Leafwell

    Once you’ve been approved by a physician, you’ll receive instructions for completing the Illinois state website application. In the meantime, your Leafwell physician will submit your details to the state – we recommend you wait 24-48 hours until starting the state side of the process yourself.

    The application fee, payable to the state, is $50 for a 1 year card, $100 for a 2 year card or $125 for a 3 year card. The application fee and the physician’s fee (mentioned above) are separate.

  4. 4

    Apply for a card with the State of Illinois

    You will receive a “Provisional Letter” after 24-48 hours and the official digital card will be issued in approximately 45 days, after the state has processed your application. Please note that there are no more physical cards in Illinois – everything is now digital

    The cost of renewing a medical cannabis certification in Illinois is $125. The state application fees are $50, $100 or $125 for a 1, 2 or 3 year card respectively, and this is separate from the consultation fee.

Benefits of Getting an Illinois Medical Card

You don’t have to have an MMJ card to legally buy cannabis in Illinois now that recreational use is legal, but there are multiple reasons to become a cardholder.

  • Save money on taxes — as much as 30%.
  • Access to products with a higher level of THC.
  • Priority access to more, and better quality, products.
  • Grow cannabis plants at home.

About Medical Marijuana in Illinois

Cannabis in Illinois is legal for recreational and medical use. It became the eleventh state to legalize recreational marijuana on January 1st 2020. However, it is still recommended to obtain a medical marijuana card if possible. Read on to find out about the many benefits.

Unlike many states, a medical cannabis recommendation Illinois generally lasts 3 years for most people. This makes getting an Illinois medical cannabis recommendation and card of immense value. You may use any dispensary in Illinois. In the past, you had to choose a specific one (usually the one closest to you). This is no longer the case.


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How to qualify

To apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois, you must be a legal resident of the state with accepted identification and proof of residence. Patients must be aged 18 or over to qualify for a medical marijuana card in Illinois or have a caregiver who can access cannabis if the patient is a minor or adult who cannot buy/grow for themselves.

  1. Information for caregivers

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    • Illinois medical marijuana caregivers must be aged 21 or over.

Medical Conditions

In Illinois, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana recommendation:

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Possession and Growing

Here are the possession limits in Illinois:

  • Illinois patients may possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis over a 14-day period. Patients may apply for a waiver in order to be allowed to possess more.
  • 30 g recreational as of 01/01/2020 for residents of Illinois. Non-residents may possess up to 15 g.
  • Possession Limit (Concentrates): 500 mg of THC-infused products or 5 grams of concentrate for all Illinois residents, medical or not.
    250 mg of THC-infused product or 2.5 grams of concentrate for non-Illinois residents as of 01/01/2020.

It is legal for a qualifying Illinois medical marijuana patient to grow up to 5 plants in their own household. This limit applies to the whole household, regardless of how many qualifying patients live there.


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Caregivers

Medical Marijuana patients in Illinois can have a caregiver.

Yes, medical marijuana patients in Illinois can have a caregiver. To apply as a caregiver, follow this process:

  1. 01

    Patient must get certified by a physician.

  2. 02

  3. 03

    You will also need to consent to give your fingerprints. You will also need to pay application fees. Don’t forget to provide a passport-style photograph as well.

  4. 04

    If qualified, you will receive a caregiver’s identification card.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an Illinois Medical Marijuana certificate and card cost?

Medical marijuana certificate on its own = $125 at Leafwell

Medical cannabis certificate for minors = $250 at Leafwell

State application fee = $50, $100, and $125 for a 1, 2 or 3- year registry card.

For persons enrolled in federal Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability programs, the state application costs are:

1 Year = $25
2 Years = $50
3 Years = $75

Renewal fee = $125

Plus, now you can sign up with a friend and each save 10% on your consultation with Leafwell.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois?

In Illinois, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana certificate and card:

  • AIDS/HIV
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Amyotrohic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
  • Arnold-Chiari malfrmation and syringomyelia
  • Autism
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Cancer
  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
  • Complex regional pain syndromes types I and II (CRPS I/CRPS II)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Dystonia
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Fibrous dysplasia
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Hydromyelia syringomyelia
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Lupus
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Myasthenia gravis (skeletal muscle weakness)
  • Myoclonus
  • Nail-patella syndrome
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • Residual limb pain
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Spinal cord disease (including arachnoiditis)
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)
  • Tarlov cysts
  • Terminal illness
  • Tourette’s syndrome (TS)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-concussion syndrome
  • Ulcerative colitis
What do I need to know about applying for my Medical Cannabis Card in Illinois online?

There are three simple steps to seeing a Leafwell provider in Illinois to obtain your medical marijuana card:

  1. Create a Leafwell account using a valid email address and choosing a password. You’ll then be asked to complete a brief questionnaire of personal and health information and to either take or upload a photograph of identification (Leafwell is required by law to verify your identity). You will need a smartphone, computer, or tablet with a reliable internet connection and a working camera to be seen by a Leafwell provider.
  2. Next, you will be taken to the virtual waiting room where you’ll be connected Leafwell provider for a video chat (i.e., a virtual doctor’s visit). (You will receive a text message to your cell phone when the provider is ready to see you.) During the video chat, the provider will assess your health situation to determine if you qualify for a medical marijuana certification.
  3. If you are approved for a medical marijuana card, you’ll be sent a copy of your certificate letter via email.
How old do I have to be to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois?

You must be at least 18 years of age in order to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois. Caregivers must be over 21 years of age.

Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Illinois?

Yes, medical marijuana patients in Illinois can have a caregiver. To apply as a caregiver, follow this process:

  1. Patient must get certified by a physician.
  2. Caregiver must complete the following application form: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/forms/medicalcannabis-caregiver-application-17-100316.pdf
  3. You will also need to consent to give your fingerprints. You will also need to pay application fees. Don’t forget to provide a passport-style photograph as well.
  4. If qualified, you will receive a caregiver’s identification card.
How do I apply for the state program in Illinois?

Note: The Illinois State website changed on June 22, 2021. If you notice any errors in our instructions, please let us know at support@leafwell.com.

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

  • A digital photograph (taken within the last 30 days – passport style)
  • Proof of age and identity (e.g., IL driving license, state ID, or passport with proof of state residency)
  • A credit card to pay for the state application

If applicable:

  • A Benefit Verification Letter (or DD214)

Getting Your Illinois Medical Marijuana Card

  1. Click here (https://etk.icts.illinois.gov/) and click on MCPP Patient Registration
  2. Complete the requested information and click ‘Register’
  3. You’ll be sent an email notification with a temporary password
    1. Log back in with the temporary password and you’ll be able to change it to something memorable by clicking ‘My Account’, then ‘Password’
  4. Click ‘+New MCPP Patient Registration’
  5. Complete the rest of the information required
    1. if you are applying as a minor, click here for more detailed instructions 
    2. if you are applying with a terminal condition, click here for more detailed instructions
  6. You can choose to get a card for 1, 2 or 3 years (your certificate from Leafwell is valid for 3 years)
    1. 1 year = $50, 2 years = $100, 3 years – $125
  7. If you need a caregiver, you can add their information under the caretaker tab (click for more detailed instructions on this process)
    1. For more information for caregivers, click here
  8. Complete your personal information. Your name must match what the doctor entered. No middle names, or initials.
  9. Upload your proof of identity
  10.  You can upload proof that you are eligible for reduced fees if relevant
  11. At the bottom of the terms and conditions, you can type your name into the box to act as a digital signature
  12. Click ‘Save’
  13. You then need to attach the Healthcare Professional Certificate
    1. Click on the ‘Provider Certification’ tab
    2. There is a blank text box. Click on the ‘+New’ button and it will open a drop down. Your certification number should be there.
      1. Please note: If your certification is not displayed, ensure that there are no middle names or initials on your state application! The name needs to be as it appeared on your original Leafwell registration.
  1. Click on the Health Care Professional Certification Number drop-down box.
    1. Your certificate number will be auto-populated in the drop-down box and start with PC. Our providers aim to get your certificates uploaded within 24 hours. If the certificate does not appear within 48 hours, please contact support@leafwell.com.
  2. Pay for your application and finalise your application
  3. You will be directed back to the “Patient Registration” tab. Your status will show “SOS Check” until the card is ready.

  4. Click on Initial Application under “Tracking Inbox” and you will see “Provisional Letter” to print out.  This can be used to legally purchase cannabis until your digital card is ready. It typically is available 24-48 hours after you complete your application.
    1. Here are the instructions for printing your letter
  5. Once the state has fully processed your approval, which can take up to 45 days, you can access your digital card.

Additional Instructions
Qualifying Patient Application Instructions
Qualifying Patient Application Instructions with a Caregiver

In addition to contacting Leafwell, free help is available for patients through participating local health departments. Click here for a list of participating locations.