GET YOUR MMJ CARD

Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois

Talk to a licensed doctor today and get approved or get your money back, 100% guaranteed.
Card Benefits

Wondering Why You Should Get Your Medical Card?

Having your medical marijuana card in Illinois can change everything.
Possession

Recreational users can only buy one ounce at a time every two weeks, while medical users can buy 2.5 ounces every two weeks. If you are a medical marijuana patient and need a higher possession limit, you may apply for a waiver that will allow you to possess more at home.ase medical cannabis products.

Cultivation

Medical users may grow up to five plants at their residence. Additionally, this cannabis does not count towards your possession limit! If you attempt to cultivate without a medical marijuana card, you may face legal penalties.

Age Limit

Recreational cannabis is only legal if you are at least 21 years old. However, if you have a qualifying medical condition and a doctor believes that cannabis may benefit your health condition you can get your medical card at 18 years old. If you are a minor, you’ll have to get a parent or guardian to apply for you.

Holistic Healthcare

Medical marijuana can offer a more holistic approach, minimizing the reliance on pharmaceutical drugs and other medications that may lead to dependency or adverse reactions.

Patient Support

Your doctor can help you understand dosage recommendations, potential side effects, and any interactions with other medications. Also, they are there to ensure you have a safe and effective experience with medical marijuana.

Savings

Medical patients save money on taxes at the dispensary. Recreational marijuana is subject to higher tax rates. In Illinois, cannabis is taxed based on THC percentage in addition to sales and municipality taxes.

How To Get Your Card

Getting your MMJ card in Illinois is simple with PrestoDoctor.

Book an appointment with PrestoDoctor

Speak to a doctor at PrestoDoctor and get approved for your Illinois medical marijuana card online. 

The appointment with our certified medical cannabis doctors is only $109.99 (for a 3 year recommendation). If you are not approved, you will get your money back!

Get approved for your MMJ card

Upon receiving a recommendation from the certified doctor, complete the Patient Registry Application available on the Illinois Department of Health’s website.

Next, you will need to pay the Illinois state registration fee. This is found within your patient portal. 

Start visiting licensed dispensaries!

Once approved, you will be able to print and download your medical marijuana card from within the Illinois registration portal.

Once you’ve printed out your card, you may start visiting dispensaries and use the benefits that come with having your medical marijuana card!

Get Your Card Today

Same-day appointments available 7 days a week!

Required Documents:

You’ll need the following documents to apply for your Illinois MMJ card:

**Keep in mind, state law prohibits people with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), School Bus Permit, or those currently employed as: Law Enforcement, Correctional Officer, Probation Officer, or Firefighter from getting their medical card.

Proof of Identity

The following are acceptable proof of identity:

Proof of Residency

If your current address does not match the address on your proof of identity, you will need to provide proof of residency:

**For a full list of acceptable proof of residency documents, click here.

Doctor Approval (we provide this after your appointment)

After approval, you must apply with the Illinois state portal with the following:

Qualifying Conditions

In order to obtain a medical marijuana card in Illinois, it is crucial to meet the qualifying medical conditions set forth by the state. To be eligible for a medical marijuana card in Illinois, individuals must have one or more of the following qualifying medical conditions:

**If you want to recognize a condition that has not yet been added to this list, you can go to the state Department of Public Health website to fill out a Petition to Add Debilitating Conditions.

**Patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a 6-month life expectancy can apply for an expedited medical cannabis card.

**Additionally, if you are qualified for the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program (OAPP) you may be eligible. If you are over the age of 21, an Illinois resident, and have a medical condition for which an opioid medication has been prescribed or could be subscribed, this may make you eligible for medical marijuana in Illinois.

FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Illinois' Medical Program.

Once you are certified and approved by the doctor, you will then need to complete the application through the state website, also known as the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System. You will need the following items:

  • Completed physician certification (you receive this from the doctor post appointment)
  • A passport-style photo taken within the last 30 days (this can be done with a smartphone but must be clear and have a plain background)
  • A color copy of EITHER: Illinois Drivers License, Illinois State ID card, or passport

 

Click here to go to the Illinois website to submit your patient application.

Only qualified registered Illinois Medical Cannabis patients may grow up to five (5) cannabis plants over five (5) inches tall within their residence. 

Anyone without an Illinois Medical Cannabis card caught growing cannabis may be subject to felony charges.

Patients must be 18 years or older to get an Illinois state recommendation from PrestoDoctor. If you are under 18, you must apply with a caregiver.

The cost for your doctor appointment with PrestoDoctor is $109.99. This is for a 3 year recommendation.

You’ll only be billed if you are approved for your medical marijuana card. In the event of a denial, rest assured, there is no charge, as we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.

Note that the state charges a separate application fee.

  • $50 for a 1-year card
  • $100 for a 2-year card
  • $125 for a 3-year card
  •  

You are able to apply for a shorter application length, and extend your state as needed – within the three year time frame of your approval from our recommendation. 

Unfortunately, you may not apply for a medical marijuana card in Illinois if you have any of the following:

  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
  • School Bus Permit
  • Currently employed as: Law Enforcement, Correctional Officer, Probation Officer, or Firefighter

Medical documentation is encouraged, however it is not required. It is up to your physician to decide if you have a qualifying medical condition.

No, Illinois has legalized recreational marijuana for anyone at least 21+ or older. 

However, without a medical marijuana card in Illinois there will be higher tax rates and lower purchase amounts.

Yes, you must be a resident of Illinois with proof of residency to get an Illinois medical marijuana card.

To find a list of PrestoDoctor' recommended Illinois dispensaries, click here.

Recreational users can only buy 1 ounce at a time every two weeks, while medical users can buy 2.5 ounces every two weeks.

If you are a medical marijuana patient and need a higher possession limit, you may apply for a waiver that will allow you to possess more at home.

This can be helpful for patients who are unable to make frequent trips to the dispensary or are located far from a dispensary.

Once you submit your application with all of the above paperwork, you will receive a provisional registration letter. In the meantime, you can print this out and use it to purchase medical cannabis at a licensed dispensary. This letter will be valid for up to 90 days, or until your application is either approved or denied. However, it usually takes the Illinois Department of Health up to 30 days to review card applications and make their decision.

If you’ve been approved, you’ll receive a digital copy of your medical marijuana card.

Yes, your card will expire depending on if you paid for one, two, or three years. You can renew your card for a one year period without having to see a doctor again and get a recertification.

After three years, or after this one year period, you will need to have a full recertification renewal. So, this means you will have to see a doctor again to update your certification.

Prestodoctor can help you recertify your medical marijuana card in Illinois. We can do this even if you didn’t get your original certification with us. The process is the easy, fast, and private.

More Information On Illinois

Once you are certified and approved by the doctor, you will then need to complete the application through the state website, also known as the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System. You will need the following items:

  • Completed physician certification (you receive this from the doctor post appointment)
  • A passport-style photo taken within the last 30 days (this can be done with a smartphone but must be clear and have a plain background)
  • A color copy of EITHER: Illinois Drivers License, Illinois State ID card, or passport

 

If your current address does not match the address on your identity document, then you will also need to provide proof you are an Illinois resident. For proof of residency, you’ll need one of the following items; documents must match the name and address on your application:

  • Pay stub or electronic deposit receipt issued less than 60 days prior to the application, which shows evidence of the applicant’s withholding for State income tax
  • Valid voter registration card with an address in Illinois
  • Valid, unexpired Illinois driver’s license or other State identification card issued by the Illinois Secretary of State
  • 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 public (government) agency, dated less than 90 days prior to application) or
  • 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
  • Notarized Homeless status certification (if you are using this form you only need this single document to prove residency)

 

Click here to go to the Illinois website to submit your patient application.

Additionally, there is a non-refundable government fee that must be paid as part of the application process.

Once your application is complete, you will receive a provisional registration letter. In the meantime, you can print this out and use it to purchase medical cannabis at a licensed dispensary. This letter will be valid for up to 90 days, or until your application is either approved or denied. However, it usually takes the Illinois Department of Health up to 30 days to review card applications and make their decision.

If you’ve been approved, you’ll receive a digital copy of your medical marijuana card.

Illinois Medical cannabis renewals come in two forms:

  1. Extension Renewal: For patients who did not initially opt for a three-year card and wish to continue with the program, an incremental yearly renewal is available. No doctors visit is needed for this extension.

  2. Full Recertification Renewal: Patients who have held their cards for three years or whose card has expired must undergo a full recertification renewal. This involves visiting a doctor for an updated online certification and additional documentation.

The state of Illinois sends courtesy email reminders approximately 45 days before the expiration date for extension renewals and five months before the expiration date for full recertification renewals.

If you’ve had a 6-month Terminal Illness Registry Card, do not initiate a Terminal Illness application; instead, submit a qualifying patient application. For assistance, contact 855-636-3688 or email [email protected].

After each three-year cycle, submit a new online application with a new photo and documentation to extend your registry identification card. 

  • In Illinois, smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis is illegal:
    • In close proximity to anyone younger than 21 years of age, even if on otherwise approved private property
    • On any private property of which the owner (person, business, landlord, college) does NOT approve of use
    • In any public place, including parks, beaches, open garages, front porches, outdoor stairwells, etc.
    • In/on any motorized vehicle, including boats and motorcycle
  • You may NOT possess cannabis:
    • On any federal land within Illinois, such as national park service areas
    • In section 8 government-funded housing
    • In parks, recreation areas, wildlife areas, or playgrounds owned (in whole or part), leased, or managed by the state
    • Traveling across state borders

To qualify as a designated caregiver, an individual must:

  • Be a resident of the State of Illinois at the time or application and remain a resident during participation in the program
  • Serve only one registered qualifying patient
  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Pay an application fee

Patients diagnosed with six months or fewer to live by a licensed physician, qualify for a free Terminal Illness Registry Card and may designate a caregiver free-of-charge.

Qualifying patients under 18 years of age may identify two designated caregivers. There is no fee for the first designated caregiver.

Caregivers are allowed to retain their CDL- driver’s license and/or school bus permit.

Caregivers cannot use medical cannabis. In addition, they cannot grow, possess, or distribute medical cannabis.

The state of Illinois does not accept out-of-state medical cards.

However, some states accept Illinois medical cannabis cards. For a complete list click here.

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