Blog

Illinois is one of the many states that have legalized both recreational and medical marijuana. However, many individuals prefer to purchase a medical marijuana card, so they can reap the benefits that come with the card, such as discounts and access to more potent products. 

In this article, we will go over the steps you can take to obtain medical and recreational marijuana. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/high-angle-shot-of-marijuana-on-wooden-surface-8140279/

Let's dive right in.

Talk to Your Primary Care Provider

If you are interested in obtaining access to medical marijuana, the first step is to talk to your primary care provider.

If you think you may have a health condition that qualifies for a medical marijuana card, your primary care provider can help you decide if the pursuit of a card is a good idea for your unique personal and medical circumstances. Your PCP can also provide a referral to a medical marijuana doctor since most primaries cannot offer a card.

If you know you have a qualifying condition and want to speed up the process, you may skip this step and go directly to a medical marijuana physician. 

Schedule an Appointment With a Medical Marijuana Doctor

Medical marijuana doctors are healthcare professionals who specialize in evaluating a patient's condition and determining whether or not medical marijuana will be a helpful treatment option.

In this appointment, your physician will ask you questions regarding your medical history and personal life. With this information, they will create a patient profile and approval or denial determination.

If your marijuana physician’s expert opinion suggests that marijuana will be beneficial, they will provide you with documented approval. Obtaining a card is not possible without written approval from a registered marijuana provider.

An individual also has the option of scheduling a virtual appointment and applying for an Illinois medical marijuana card online.

Register Your Card

Once you have received a medical marijuana card approval, you will submit an official application to Illinois’ medical marijuana registry. This registry can be found online and is where you will fill out your application and provide proof of doctor approval.

Your medical marijuana card will arrive in the mail within 60 days.

Visit a Dispensary

Once your medical marijuana card arrives in the mail, you may begin shopping at a local dispensary. Of course, recreational marijuana is also available in Illinois, so if you are not interested in a medical card, the above steps can be disregarded. 

In Illinois, a marijuana dispensary is the only place cannabis products may be purchased legally.

To purchase marijuana in compliance with Illinois law, you must follow the regulations listed below.

Individuals that violate marijuana laws are subject to fines ranging from $2,500-$100,000 accompanied by possible jail time.

Additionally, you can purchase marijuana from any dispensary, however; there is no way around purchase limits since your personal information is entered into a database during purchase.

Wrap Up

Medical and recreational marijuana consumption is legal in Illinois.

If an individual would like to purchase medical-grade marijuana, they may do so with a medical marijuana card. Your Illinois medical marijuana card can be obtained by visiting a doctor that is registered with the state to determine a patient's eligibility.

Once deemed eligible, your doctor will provide written documentation of approval which can be submitted to the Illinois marijuana card registry. After the registry approves your card, it will arrive in the mail within 60 days, and you may begin using it at a dispensary. 

To purchase marijuana legally, you must be 21 years old. Individuals under 21 may purchase cannabis with approval from a medical marijuana care provider.

While at the dispensary, recreational consumers may purchase up to 30 grams of flowers.

A medical marijuana patient or care provider may purchase up to two and a half ounces of marijuana within fourteen days.