Illinois specifies 52 debilitating medical conditions as qualifying for medical marijuana treatment. In addition to these, the state also issues a medical marijuana card valid only for 6 months for any applicant diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less.
The Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act recognizes the following qualifying medical conditions as prerequisite for eligibility for the state’s medical cannabis registration identification card:
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act allows the Illinois Department of Public Health to add new illnesses or medical conditions to the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use. However, as of early 2024, the only additions to this list occurred through a legislative act when Senate Bill 2023 was signed into law on August 9, 2019. The bill added these 11 new qualifying conditions: autism, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, osteoarthritis, anorexia nervosa, Ehler-Danlos Syndrome, Neuro-Behcet's Autoimmune Disease, neuropathy, polycystic kidney disease and superior canal dehiscence syndrome.
The Department accepts petitions to add new debilitating conditions annually between December 1 and December 31. Any Illinois resident can submit a petition for a new condition.
No. Certifying physicians can only recommend medical cannabis for patients diagnosed with one or more of the conditions on the Illinois’ list of qualifying conditions. If a physician or patient believes a debilitating condition should be included on this list, they can submit a petition to add it to the Department of Public Health during the open window in December.
Yes. Illinois’ medical cannabis law mandates an eligible health care provider to certify that the individual applying for medical marijuana access has a debilitating condition recognized as qualifying for medical cannabis treatment. Illinois only accepts certifications provided by state-licensed:
These certifications must be renewed every 3 years (for individuals with 3-year medical cards) or when patients’ medical marijuana cards expire. Furthermore, Illinois requires that the certifying health care provider:
In addition to getting a health care provider certification for a qualifying medical condition, Illinois requires any applicant for its medical marijuana registry ID card to also be a resident of the state. It does not have an age requirement for medical cannabis access. Adults (18 years or older) as well as minors can apply for the Illinois medical marijuana card. A qualifying minor, however, needs the consent of their parent or legal guardian who must also serve as their caregiver.