Veteran Eligibility & Instructions
To be eligible for a medical marijuana card:
Be a resident of the state of Illinois
Have a qualifying medical condition
Be at least 18 years old or older
Not be an active duty law enforcement officer, correctional officer, correctional probation officer, or firefighter. or hold a school bus permit or commercial driver's license.
How to apply for a medical card
STEP ONE
download the paper application below or by visiting the dph.illinois.gov website.
you may also click below to create an account and start the online application instead.
STEP TWO
FILL OUT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION AND provide the following:
Proof of Age and Identity
Submit a clear, color copy of an Illinois Driver’s License, Illinois State ID, or the photograph page of a US passport.
Proof of Residency
If your Driver’s License, Temporary Visitor Driver's License or State ID address matches your application submit one additional proof of residency. If you submit a US Passport as your proof of identity or your Driver’s License or State ID address does not match the address on your application, submit two PROOFS OF RESIDENCY SUCH AS PAY STUB, BANK STATEMENT, UTILITY BILL, ETC. fOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS, CLICK HERE.
STEP THREE
Medical Records
Veterans receiving health care at a VA facility do not need to provide a physician written certification, but must instead provide medical records from the VA facility for the last 12 months.
If you do not go to the va, you must have a physician fill out a written certification for the use of medical cannabis.
You must scan the form and save it as a .pdf document to upload it with your online application or include the original document with your paper application. The certification must be received within 90 days of your application and must show an in-person visit date within the last 90 days.
STEP FOUR
tHE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION MUST BE COMPLETED:
Photograph
A Photograph MUST BE SUBMITTED THAT MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS (pASSPORT PHOTO VENDOR RECOMMENDED):
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
STEP FIVE
Application Fees
a Check or Money Order MUST BE MADE to Illinois Department of Public Health. as a veteran, you receive a reduced fee.
reduced application fee
$50 – One-Year Registry Card
$100 – Two-Year Registry Card
$125 – Three-Year Registry Card
STEP SIX
Caregiver Assistance
DO YOU NEED A CAREGIVER TO ASSIST WITH THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS? IF YES, YOU WILL NEED TO complete the Designated Caregiver Application and submit the required documents with your patient application. Download the application and INSTRUCTIONS below.
STEP SEVEN
After gathering all documents, mail your application to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Medical Cannabis
535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761-0001