Adult Use Questions
Patient Questions
Physician Questions
General Questions
Dispensary Questions
Caregiver Questions
Adult Use Questions
This information is provided as a courtesy of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.
Who may purchase cannabis?
Adults 21 years of age or older.
How much may a purchaser possess?
Illinois residents over the age of 21 may legally possess:
- 30 grams of cannabis flower
- 500 mg of THC in a cannabis-infused product
- 5 grams of a cannabis concentrate.
Non-residents over the age of 21 may legally possess:
- 15 grams of cannabis flower
- 250mg of THC in a cannabis-infused product
- 2.5 grams of cannabis concentrate
These totals are cumulative, meaning a person 21 years of age or older may possess a combination of cannabis flower, cannabis-infused products, and cannabis concentrates up to the limit for each category of product.
Can I grow my own?
Only Registered Qualifying Medical Cannabis Patients may grow cannabis at home.
Can I consume cannabis at an on-site consumption lounge?
The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act permits local governments to authorize on-site consumption
lounges. The Department does not license on-site consumption lounges.
Are there rules for how I can transport cannabis in a vehicle?
While a motor vehicle is in operation, cannabis must be in a sealed, odor-proof, child-resistant container. It is a Class A misdemeanor to transport cannabis in any other type of container.
Cannabis cannot be used in a motor vehicle.
Where can I possess and consume cannabis?
- (a) This Act does not permit any person to engage in, and does not prevent the imposition of any civil, criminal, or other penalties for engaging in, any of the following conduct:
- (1) undertaking any task under the influence of cannabis when doing so would constitute negligence, professional malpractice, or professional misconduct;
- (2) possessing cannabis:
- (A) in a school bus, unless permitted for a qualifying patient or caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act;
- (B) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school, unless permitted for a qualifying patient or caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act
- (C) in any correctional facility;
- (D) in a vehicle not open to the public unless the cannabis is in a reasonably secured, sealed container and reasonably inaccessible while the vehicle is moving; or
- (E) in a private residence that is used at any time to provide licensed child care or other similar social service care on the premises;
- (3) using cannabis:
- (A) in a school bus, unless permitted for a qualifying patient or caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act;
- (B) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school, unless permitted for a qualifying patient or caregiver pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act
- (C) in any correctional facility;
- (D) in any motor vehicle;
- (E) in a private residence that is used at any time to provide licensed child care or other similar social service care on the premises
- (F) in any public place; or
- (G) knowingly in close physical proximity to anyone under 21 years of age who is not a registered medical cannabis patient under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act;
- (4) smoking cannabis in any place where smoking is prohibited under the Smoke Free Illinois Act;
- (5) operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while using or under the influence of cannabis in violation of Section 11-501 or 11-502.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;
- (6) facilitating the use of cannabis by any person who is not allowed to use cannabis under this Act or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act;
- (7) transferring cannabis to any person contrary to this Act or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act;
- (8) the use of cannabis by a law enforcement officer, corrections officer, probation officer, or firefighter while on duty; or
- (9) the use of cannabis by a person who has a school bus permit or a Commercial Driver’s License while on duty.
As used in this Section, “public place” means any place where a person could reasonably be expected to be observed by others. “Public place” includes all parts of buildings owned in whole or in part, or leased, by the State or a unit of local government. “Public place” does not include a private residence unless the private residence is used to provide licensed child care, foster care, or other similar social service care on the premises
- (b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the arrest or prosecution of a person for reckless driving or driving under the influence of cannabis if probable cause exists.
- (c) Nothing in this Act shall prevent a private business from restricting or prohibiting the use of cannabis on its property, including areas where motor vehicles are parked.
Patient Questions
How can I get a medical cannabis card and make purchases?
If you live in Illinois and have a qualifying medical condition, you’re eligible to participate in the Medical Cannabis Program. You’ll need to obtain a doctor recommendation for medical cannabis and submit a completed patient application.
Please click here for step-by-step instructions on how to get your Illinois medical cannabis card.
What are the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Illinois?
Patients diagnosed with any of the following conditions are eligible to participate in Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Program:
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
- Cancer
- Causalgia
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Crohn’s disease
- CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)
- Dystonia
- Fibrous Dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Hydrocephalus
- Hydromyelia
- Interstitial cystitis
- Lupus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myoclonus
- Nail-patella syndrome
- Neurofibromatosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- 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
- Syringomyelia
- Tarlov cysts
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cachexia/wasting syndrome
Please click here for step-by-step instructions on how to get your Illinois medical cannabis card.
How do I know if I qualify for the medical cannabis program?
To qualify for a patient registry identification card, a qualifying patient must:
- Be a resident of the state of Illinois at the time of application and remain a resident during participation in the program.
- Have a qualifying debilitating medical condition.
- Have a signed physician certification.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
Is a veteran required to submit a written certification from their physician?
No. A veteran who has received treatment at a VA hospital is deemed to have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with a VA physician, if the patient has been seen for his or her debilitating condition at the VA hospital in accordance with the VA hospital protocols.
What is the cost to become a medical cannabis patient in Illinois?
- Annual qualifying patient application fee is $100
- Annual qualifying patient reduced application fee is $50
- For qualifying patients enrolled in the federal Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or the Supplement Security Income (SSI) disability programs, submit a copy of a letter or other documentation form the Social Security Administration identifying the qualifying patient and showing the amount of monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits to be received by the qualifying patient during the current year of application.
- Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214.
- Annual caregiver application fee is $25
- Replacement card fee is $25
- Returned check fee is $35
I have a medical cannabis card from another state. Can I use it to purchase medicine in Illinois?
No. Only Illinois residents can apply for the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program.
How do I find a certified physician?
The Illinois Department of Public Health does not provide a list of doctors and qualified applicants must have a certification from their primary care physician. In order for a physician to certify a qualifying patient for medical cannabis, there must be a bona fide physician-patient relationship. Qualifying patients do not need to see specific doctors and physicians may not accept payment from qualifying patients other than the fee associated with the examination necessary for issuing the written certification.
Do I need to have an Illinois address to qualify for a medical cannabis card?
Yes. All applicants must be a resident of the state of Illinois at the time of application and remain a resident during participation in the program;
Proof of residency – Attach a copy of any two of the following items:
- Pay stub or electronic deposit receipt issued less than 60 days prior to the date of application that shows evidence of the applicant’s withholding for state income tax.
- Valid voter registration card with an address in Illinois.
- A valid, unexpired Illinois driver’s license or other state identification card issued by the Illinois secretary of state.
- Notarized homeless status certification:
- https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a230.pdf
- If you are using this form, you only need this document to prove residency.
- Bank statement, dated less than 60 days prior to application.
- Deed/title, mortgage, rental/lease agreement.
- Insurance policy (homeowner’s or renter’s).
- Medical claim or statement of benefits (from private insurance company or government agency), dated less than 90 days prior to application); Social Security Disability Insurance Statement; or Supplemental Security Income Benefits Statement.
- Tuition invoice/official mail from college or university, dated less than 12 months prior to application.
- Utility bill, including, but not limited to, those for electric, water, refuse, telephone land-line, cable or gas, issued less than 60 days prior to application.
Click here for Medical Cannabis Registry Application.
Will my insurance cover medical cannabis?
No. Insurance will not cover medical cannabis at this time.
How does a veteran qualify for a medical cannabis card?
A qualifying patient who is a veteran and receiving medical care and treatment at a VA hospital must:
- Be an Illinois resident and provide two valid items proving residency.
- Have a qualifying debilitating medical condition.
- Provide a copy of his or her U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs official hospital medical records requested on VA form 10-5345. If you have received care for your debilitating medical condition for more than 5 years at a VA facility, you must mark “OTHER” on VA Form 10-5345 under “INFORMATION REQUESTED” then specify that you are requesting information about the treatment of your debilitating medical condition for the most recent 12-month period. Under “PURPOSE(S) OR NEED FOR WHICH THE INFORMATION IS TO BE USED BY INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM INFORMATION IS TO BE RELEASED” write “personal medical purposes.” Under “NAME AND ADDRESS OF ORGANIZATION, INDIVIDUAL OR TITLE OF INDIVIDUAL TO WHOM INFORMATION IS TO BE RELEASED” write your address. Once you receive your official medical records, you must submit the medical records with your application.
- Provide a copy of his or her DD214 or equivalent certified document indicating character and dates of service.
- Complete the fingerprint-based background check and not have been convicted of an excluded offense.
- Submit a non-refundable application fee with the signed Registry Identification Card Application to the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Medical Cannabis.
How do I transfer to Columbia Care Illinois?
Per the Illinois Department of Public Health, patients wanting to change their dispensary will now be able to do that themselves online for both the MCPP and OAPP programs. Requests are no longer to be sent to IDPH. Following are the procedures for both programs:
Opioid Alternative Pilot Program
Patients registered in OAPP can now sign in with their User Name and Password via medicalcannabispatients.illinois.gov
The current dispensary is listed in the “Patient Information” on the Patient Registration page. They would need to simply click on the arrow in the dropdown box to see an alphabetical list of all dispensaries. Once one is selected, they will scroll down to the very bottom and click on the “Save” button.
Medical Cannabis Patient Program
Log into medicalcannabis.illinois.gov
Those who have an account in the system will log in with their User Name and Password. “Online Services” will be in the upper right corner and once opened, “Change Dispensary” should be selected under “Activities”, then “Start”. The current dispensary will be displayed with an alphabetical list of all dispensaries below that to select for the change. Anyone with provisional access will need to print another letter showing the new dispensary.
Patients who have never set up an online registration will need to do that in order to have a contact with a User Name and Password in the system. Once that is done, a dispensary change can be submitted as above.
An additional benefit to this process is that patients will now be registered at their new dispensary within an hour of the change instead of the previous 24-hour wait time.
Please note that as of January 6, 2020, IDPH will no longer accept paper or email requests for dispensary changes. It must be done online.
How do I extend my medical cannabis card?
If your medical cannabis card expires soon, you’ll need to apply for an extension as soon as possible. The Department of Public Health will send you an extension form in the mail 60-90 days before your expiration date. Extensions cannot be submitted online, so you’ll want to keep a close eye out for the mailed form.
When filing your extension, you are not required to obtain a new doctor recommendation or submit fingerprints, but it is critical that you submit your extension request more than 10 days before the expiration date on your card. If your card expires before you’ve filed for an extension, you will need to complete a full patient application, including the doctor certification.
Please note that 3 years after your original card was issued, you will need to resubmit a full patient application with up-to-date residency documentation, doctor certification, and fingerprinting, and photo.
For more information on extending your Illinois medical cannabis card click here.
Is there a number I can call in the case of an adverse event?
If you are suffering from an adverse event after consuming a cannabis product, call 911 and/or your recommending physician.
How do I select the right product for me?
Columbia Care offers a range of products designed to meet the unique needs of individual patients. If you’re new to medical cannabis, we encourage you to seek advice from your recommending physician and discussing any questions you have with the dispensary staff before making a purchase. When trying any cannabis product for the first time, it’s important to begin with a small dose until you know how the product affects you.
How does vaporization differ from smoking?
Vaporization involves heating cannabis at a low temperature, which allows the material to produce a mist without actually burning. Inhaling cannabis vapor provides fast-acting symptom relief while removing some of the potentially harmful components produced when smoking.
Physician Questions
How can physicians become eligible to certify patients for medical cannabis in Illinois?
A physician may be a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine and must have a current controlled substances license under Article II of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. No other licensed profession (including dentists) may recommend a qualifying patient for medical cannabis use.
What are the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Illinois?
Patients diagnosed with any of the following conditions are eligible to participate in Illinois’ Medical Cannabis Program:
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
- Cancer
- Causalgia
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Crohn’s disease
- CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)
- Dystonia
- Fibrous Dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Hydrocephalus
- Hydromyelia
- Interstitial cystitis
- Lupus
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myoclonus
- Nail-patella syndrome
- Neurofibromatosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- 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
- Syringomyelia
- Tarlov cysts
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cachexia/wasting syndrome
Please click here for step-by-step instructions on how to get your Illinois medical cannabis card.
General Questions
What does science say about medical cannabis?
Medical cannabis has been studied extensively by the scientific community and a great deal is known about the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant. Americans for Safe Access has some great resources available online for patients and doctors who want to learn more about the science of medical cannabis, including a selection of booklets on the use of medical cannabis to treat specific conditions. We also recommend this article by Dr. Sanjay Gupta at CNN who writes about how he became a strong supporter of medical cannabis after researching the issue in depth. Columbia Care is committed to providing our patients with up to date research and development.
Where does the cannabis come from?
All medical marijuana at Columbia Care is produced in Illinois at a licensed manufacturing center. All licensed manufacturing centers in IL are carefully regulated by the IL Department of Public Health and must follow strict guidelines to ensure product safety. Dispensaries may not acquire marijuana products from any source other than the licensed and regulated facilities.
Do you have any employment opportunities available?
Interested in a job in the medical marijuana industry? We are one of the fastest growing providers of medical marijuana and jobs in medical cannabis in the country, so we’re always looking to hire qualified individuals. Check out our full listing of jobs or apply online here.
Thanks for your interest.
Do you offer internships?
We are not currently offering internships.
Dispensary Questions
I’ve never been to a medical cannabis dispensary. How does it work?
A medical marijuana cannabis dispensary is a simple, secure facility designed to provide access for patients to receive their medicine in a safe, welcoming environment. Qualified patients or their caregivers must present their state-issued ID cards at the door. No one else is permitted to enter the establishment other than registered employees attending to the facility. Once inside, patients are greeted by an employee who is trained to answer questions about the medicine and will helps the patient find the right product based on the patient’s individual health needs. The patient or caregiver then makes their selection, purchases the medicine, and exits. Security staff monitor events inside and outside the facility.
Why should I choose Columbia Care as my dispensary?
- Quality:We pride ourselves on selecting only the finest medical marijuana products and offering the best quality and value to you, our patients.
- Comfort: Our facilities are carefully designed to create a comfortable experience for our patients and caregivers. Our dispensaries will feature wide halls, cozy seating, beautiful plants and art, spacious restrooms, and wheelchair accessibility.
- Customer Service: Our staff is friendly, attentive, and highly knowledgeable. We will work hard to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for all our visitors and we’ll do everything we can to make your patient experience a pleasant one.
What do I need to submit with my application?
Click this link for 10 tips to successfully complete your medical cannabis patient registry application: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/publications/publicationsohpmtop10medicalcannabis.pdf
Applications may be completed online at: https://medicalcannabispatients.illinois.gov or submitted by mail to:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Medical Cannabis
535 W. Jefferson St. Springfield, IL 62761-0001
What forms of payment do you accept?
At present we accept cash.
Caregiver Questions
What is a caregiver?
A designated caregiver is a person who is selected by a qualifying patient as the person authorized, on the qualifying patient’s behalf, to possess, obtain from a certified medical cannabis dispensary, dispense and assist in the administration of medical cannabis. Caregivers must enroll in the program. A designated caregiver is issued a medical cannabis registry identification card that allows him/her to possess up to 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis on behalf of their patient. It is not legal for caregivers to consume, by any means, medical cannabis that has been dispensed on behalf of a registered qualifying patient.
How do I apply to be a designated caregiver?
Complete the designated caregiver section application here at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/forms/caregiver-application-form-080814_0.pdf
Can a caregiver have more than one patient?
No. A caregiver may only serve one patient.
Can a caregiver also be a registered qualifying patient?
No. A caregiver may not be a registered qualifying patient.