Introduction
As of January 1, 2020, Illinois residents 21 and over can legally purchase and possess up to 30 grams of cannabis flower, 5 grams of cannabis concentrate, and 500mg of THC in cannabis-infused products. Illinois residents can also grow up to 5 cannabis plants at home. Here’s what you need to know about how to get legal weed in Illinois.
To purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary, you will need to show a valid government-issued ID that proves you are 21 or older. If you are a medical cannabis patient, you will also need to show your valid medical cannabis card.
Once you are inside a dispensary, you will be able to browse the various cannabis products that are available for purchase. Dispensaries typically have a wide variety of cannabis flowers, concentrates, edibles, and topicals to choose from.
When you find a product you’d like to purchase, simply bring it to the counter and the budtender will ring it up for you. You will then need to pay for your purchase with cash or credit/debit card. Some dispensaries also offer ATM services on-site if you need to withdraw cash.
Once you’ve made your purchase, you will be able to consume your cannabis products however you’d like. Just remember to consume responsibly and never drive while under the influence of cannabis.
The current legal landscape of cannabis in Illinois
In Illinois, cannabis is legal for medical use and decriminalized for possession of small amounts. The state is currently working on a plan to fully legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use.
The medical cannabis program in Illinois was first established in 2013. Patients with a qualifying condition can receive a recommendation from a licensed physician. Once they have registered with the state, they can purchase cannabis from one of the licensed dispensaries.
Possession of small amounts of cannabis was decriminalized in 2016. This means that possession of up to 10 grams is punishable by a fine of $200, rather than jail time.
The state of Illinois is currently working on a plan to fully legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. If everything goes according to plan, Illinois will become the 11th state to fully legalize cannabis.
How to get legal weed in Illinois
The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has been legalized in the state of Illinois since January 1, 2014. However, the process of obtaining a medical cannabis license can be quite confusing and often intimidating for patients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get legal weed in Illinois:
1. The first step is to obtain a written certification from a licensed physician. The physician must be someone who is currently treating the patient for a debilitating medical condition as defined by the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.
2. Once the patient has obtained a written certification from a licensed physician, they must register with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The registration process can be done online or by mail.
3. After the patient has registered with the IDPH, they will be issued a Patient Registry Identification Card. This card must be renewed every year.
4. Once the patient has obtained their ID card, they can then visit a licensed medical cannabis dispensary to purchase their medicine. Illinois currently has over 50 licensed dispensaries statewide.
We hope this guide was helpful in explaining the process of how to get legal weed in Illinois. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
The future of cannabis in Illinois
It’s been a long time coming, but legal weed is finally a reality in Illinois. Adults 21 and over can now purchase and possess up to 30 grams of cannabis flower, 5 grams of cannabis concentrate, or 500 milligrams of THC in cannabis-infused products. With legalization comes a whole new industry, and Illinois is poised to become a major player in the world of legal weed. Here’s a look at the future of cannabis in Illinois.
The first few months of legal weed sales have been incredibly successful, with dispensaries selling more than $30 million worth of cannabis products in the first three months of 2020. The demand for legal weed is only expected to grow in the coming years, and Illinois is well-positioned to meet that demand. There are already more than 50 dispensaries open for business in the state, and that number is only going to grow.
In addition to dispensaries, Illinois is also home to a number of cultivation facilities and manufacturers. These businesses are essential to the legal weed industry, and they’re already starting to have a major impact on the state’s economy. Cultivation facilities are responsible for growing the cannabis plants that are sold in dispensaries, and manufacturers create cannabis-infused products like edibles and topicals.
The future of cannabis in Illinois is bright, and the state is quickly becoming a leaders in the legal weed industry. With a thriving industry and a growing number of businesses, Illinois is poised to become one of the top destinations for legal weed in the country.
II. Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis in Illinois
The State of Illinois has a number of qualifying conditions that must be met in order for a person to be eligible to receive a medical cannabis recommendation. To qualify, patients must be diagnosed with one of the following conditions by a licensed physician:
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Spinal cord damage with intractable spasticity
Cachexia/wasting syndrome
Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
Sickle cell anemia
Terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than six months
In order to receive a medical cannabis recommendation, patients must first obtain a signed certification from a licensed physician. Patients must then register with the Illinois Department of Public Health in order to receive a medical cannabis card. Once a patient has been approved, they will be able to purchase medical cannabis from one of the state-licensed dispensaries.
III. Applying for a Medical Cannabis Card in Illinois
The process of applying for a medical cannabis card in Illinois is not as difficult as one might think. There are a few simple steps that need to be followed in order to complete the process.
The first step is to obtain a written certification from a licensed physician. The physician must be one who is currently registered with the Illinois Department of Public Health. The written certification must state that the patient has a debilitating medical condition that could benefit from the use of medical cannabis.
The next step is to register with the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. This can be done online or through the mail. The registration process requires the payment of a non-refundable $100 fee. Once the registration is complete, the patient will be issued a medical cannabis card.
The final step is to visit a medical cannabis dispensary. Dispensaries are located throughout the state and can be found online or in the yellow pages. Patients will need to show their medical cannabis card in order to purchase cannabis products.
IV. Purchasing Medical Cannabis in Illinois
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn in 2013. The act legalizes the use of medical cannabis for patients with a “debilitating medical condition” as defined by the law.
The law requires that patients who wish to use medical cannabis must first obtain a written certification from a physician licensed in Illinois. The certification must state that the patient has a debilitating medical condition and that the use of medical cannabis is likely to provide a therapeutic or palliative benefit for the patient.
Once a patient has obtained a certification, they must then register with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Patients must provide IDPH with their name, date of birth, and the name of their certifying physician. Patients will also be required to pay a $100 registration fee.
Once registered, patients will be issued a medical cannabis card which they will need to present when purchasing medical cannabis from an authorized dispensary. Dispensaries will be required to verify a patient’s card and ID before selling them medical cannabis.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act is set to expire on January 1, 2018.
Using Medical Cannabis in Illinois
In Illinois, the use of medical cannabis is legal for patients who have a qualifying condition and a valid medical cannabis card. Qualifying conditions include cancer, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, among others. To get a medical cannabis card, patients must first get a written recommendation from a licensed physician. Patients can then register with the Illinois Department of Public Health, which will issue a medical cannabis card.
Once a patient has a medical cannabis card, they can purchase cannabis from a dispensary. Dispensaries in Illinois are regulated by the state, and they must follow strict guidelines in order to operate. Dispensaries can only sell cannabis to patients who have a medical cannabis card, and they must keep track of all sales.
Patients who use medical cannabis in Illinois must follow all state laws. For example, patients are not allowed to drive while under the influence of cannabis. Additionally, patients are only allowed to purchase a certain amount of cannabis per month.
Medical cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of conditions. If you think you might benefit from medical cannabis, talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.