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