Getting Your Medical Card in Illinois
ASCEND Illinois has four locations that offer medical cannabis sales: Collinsville, Springfield (Adams Street), Chicago (Logan Square) and Chicago (Midway)
Becoming an ASCEND medical cannabis patient is a straightforward process. However, patients must meet certain requirements and should be aware of many important details prior to applying. With that in mind, you can explore the links below, or simply hit the apply button if you’re ready to complete your application.
QUALIFYING AS A PATIENT
In order to get a Medical Cannabis (MCPP) or Opioid Alternative Program (OAPP) qualifying patient card, some basic qualifications must be met.
- Must be 18 years or older
- Illinois state resident with proof of residency
- Diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition
- Healthcare Professional Written Certification
- Must not hold a school bus permit, CDL, or be an active duty law enforcement officer, correctional officer, correctional probation officer, or firefighter
There is NO Healthcare Written Certification – physicians must upload proof of qualifying condition to the state directly at etk.icts.illinois.gov
FINAL CHECKLIST
Before submitting an application it’s good practice to double-check that all required documents are accounted for. This will ensure timely processing of the application and avoid easy mistakes. Patient Liaisons are available at our medical dispensaries to assist you with your application.
- Healthcare Professional Written Certification form – Certification is digitally uploaded by the physician at etk.icts.illinois.gov
- Complete & sign the Patient Application – Online application to be completed at etk.icts.illinois.gov
- Application fee – (See the IDPH website for applicable fees)
- Photograph (passport compliant)
- Proof of residency
- Proof of age & identity – Proof of Identity/Residency (valid ID or passport and one proof of residency if your address does not match your ID)
- DD214 (if veteran) – No physician certification is required, patients must upload VA medical records showing treatment for qualifying conditions or DD214, if applicable see IDPH for qualifications.
- Designated caregiver application (if applicable) *
* For parents attempting to access medical cannabis for their children, an additional reviewing physician’s certification is required, with the parent or legal guardian serving as primary caregiver for the patient. OAPP patients cannot have a designated caregiver.
APPLICATION FORMS & INSTRUCTIONS
Applications and forms are completed and uploaded online at etk.icts.illinois.gov
- Qualifying Patient Application
- Designated Caregiver Application Form
- Terminal Illness Application
- Terminal Illness Application for Veterans receiving medical services healthcare at a V.A. Facility
- Instructions for Qualifying Patients under 18 years of age and their Designated Caregiver
- Designated Caregiver Attestation
- Veteran Attestation of Terminal Illness
- Minor Caregiver Attestation
1. HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL WRITTEN CERTIFICATION
Meet with your healthcare professional to discuss the use of medical cannabis for the treatment of your condition. This is an important first step in the application process. Your healthcare professional must complete and mail this form to the IL. Department of Public Health (IDPH). Your appointment must be within 90 days of submitting your application to the department.
2. COMPLETE & SIGN PATIENT APPLICATION FORM
Fill in all parts of the application, choose a medical cannabis dispensing organization and sign the last page. You may also fill out the optional demographic information. If you do not want to designate a caregiver, don’t fill out that section of the application.
Under Illinois’ Compassionate Care Act, Patients must select a dispensary they intend to purchase products from. To select Ascend as your dispensary, complete the form with Ascend location information as follows:
Chicago – Logan Square 2367 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Chicago – Midway 5650 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
Ascend Collinsville 1014 Eastport Plaza Drive Collinsville, IL 62234 District 11 Registry #11-002
Ascend Springfield (Adams Street) 628 East Adams Springfield, IL 62701 District 9 Registry #09-002
3. APPLICATION FEE
Qualifying patients and caregivers may apply for a one, two, or three-year registry identification card. Persons who are receiving Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplimented Disability Income (SSI) and veterans may be eligible for a reduced application fee. (Page 2 of 4 on the Qualifying Patient Application form.) Application Fees are non-refundable. (Check or Money Order to Illinois Department of Public Health)
4. PHOTOGRAPH REQUIREMENTS
- Taken in the last 30 days
- Taken against a plain, white or off-white background or backdrop
- In natural color (Do not use a filter)
- Full-face view directly facing the camera with a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
- At least 2 inches by 2 inches in size
- It’s recommended you use a passport photo vendor to ensure the photograph meets these requirements.
5. PROOF OF RESIDENCY
You will need two items that prove you live in Illinois. The address on each of the documents must match the address on your application. Bank statements, utility bills, state ID, diver’s license and voter ID cards are all acceptable. Check the application for a full list.
6. PROOF OF AGE & IDENTITY
Submit a clear color copy of a valid, unexpired Illinois Driver’s license, Illinois State ID, or the photograph page of a US passport.
7. VETERANS ONLY
Veterans receiving health care at a VA facility do not need to provide a Healthcare Professional Written Certification, but must instead provide medical records from the VA facility for the last 12 months. Once your receive your official medical records, your must submit the medical records wuth your application.
Send in a copy of your DD214 and a check for the applicable application fee (page 2 of 4 on the Qualifying Patient Application form.)
8. CAREGIVER ONLY
Complete the entire caregiver application and send it with the $25 caregiver fee for a one-year card or $75 for a three-year card and all the supporting documents (photo, proof of residency, proof of age and identity, fingerprint consent form, caregiver’s signature). The caregiver application should be sent with your patient application. Instructions for Caregiver Application form.
NEED HELP OF HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you have a question, check with the Division of Medical Cannabis before sending your application. Call the Illinois Department of Public Health at 855-636-3688 or send an email to [email protected].