Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program

In August 2013, Illinois became the 20th state to authorize a program for the cultivation and dispensing of cannabis for medical purposes. The Medical Cannabis Registry Program is a statewide program that allows patients access to medical marijuana who meet one of the qualifying conditions. The Illinois Department of Public Health manages the registry by reviewing and processing applications and issuing registry cards to Illinois residents meeting program requirements. IDPH protects patient confidentiality while striving to ensure timely accessibility to cannabis for registered patients.

Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act

PA 098-0122 – enacted 1/1/2014

Authorized Medical Cannabis Pilot Program; sunset 6/30/2018

PA 099-0775 – enacted 7/21/2014

Added seizure disorders to the definition of “debilitating condition”

Allows persons under age 18 to apply for a medical cannabis registration card

PA 099-519 – enacted 6/30/2016

Extended the pilot program through June 30, 2020

Added PTSD to the definition of “debilitating condition” and added a terminal illness eligibility category

Established a three-year cycle for patient applications

PA 100-0660 – enacted 8/1/2018

Ashley’s Law – Allows caregivers of minor registered patients to administer medical cannabis on school property

PA 100-1114 – enacted 8/28/2018

Established the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program

Provisional access to dispensaries for medical cannabis patient applicants

Removed fingerprinting requirements and eliminated disqualifying criminal offenses

Prohibits organizations from charging a fee to assist patients with application

House Bill 2023 – sent to the Governor 7/12/2019

Will make the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program (and OAPP) permanent

Allows veterans receiving medical services at VA facilities to participate in OAPP

Adds Physician Assistant (PA), Advance Practice Nurses (APN) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) to licensed professions which can issue a certification for medical cannabis for both OAPP and MCPP

Adds new conditions - Autism, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, osteoarthritis, anorexia nervosa, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neuro-Bechet’s Autoimmune Disease, neuropathy, polycystic kidney disease, superior canal dehiscence syndrome and expands Crohn’s disease to include ulcerative colitis

Allows up to three (3) caregivers for adult patients and minor patients (launch date to be determined)

Requires immediate dispensary changes for MCPP patients

P.A. 101-0027 – enacted 6/25/19

Cannabis Regulations & Tax Act (Adult Use Recreational Marijuana) Program

Allows registered medical cannabis patients to grow up to 5 cannabis plants for personal consumption

Senate Bill 0455 – sent to Governor on 6/19/19

Amends Ashley’s Law

Allows Illinois schools to allow a school nurse or school administrator to administer a medical cannabis-infused product to a registered minor qualifying patient

Requires ISBE and IDPH to develop a training program for school nurses

Referral Sources

Monthly Medical Cannabis Patient Program data can be found on the statewide Medical Cannabis Pilot Program website.

Educational Resource - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov

Contact Information

IDPH does not offer onsite assistance, but we are able to answer your questions or process your requests via email.

Medical Cannabis Patient Program - DPH.medicalcannabis@illinois.gov.

Opioid Alternative Pilot Program – DPH.OAPP@illinois.gov

Medical Cannabis Program representatives are available by phone at 1-855-636-3688 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM