Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program Update

Per the Illinois Department of Public Health:

“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) would like to start by sincerely apologizing to all patients who were negatively affected by our difficult conversion to our new system. We are continuing to work every day to help patients with errors they are encountering with the new system, and our email response time is back within three business days. Thank you for your patience as we work hard to get the new system to a place where it works seamlessly with all users.

We would like to take this time to clarify some questions we have been receiving since the conversion.

We will no longer be issuing plastic cards. All cards will be printed from the system once the application has been processed. This decision was made in effort to decrease the cost for patients, as they will no longer be paying $25 for the replacement of lost (or stolen) cards or information changes. The dispensaries are all aware of this change and accept paper forms of your medical cannabis card. We are working with our reciprocal states to ensure they know we are now using paper registry cards.

We would also like to clarify renewals/extensions. All notifications regarding upcoming expiration dates of your medical cannabis card will be sent out via email. You will no longer receive a letter in the mail. For you to receive the reminder to renew/extend, please ensure your email is correct in our system. To log in please go to https://etk.icts.illinois.gov/etk-icts-prod/login.request.do. After completing your extension/renewal you should see in your account “extension/renewal completed,” this means you are approved. The day after your card expires the account will reflect the new dates. Patients and caregivers will then be able to print the card with the new effective/expiration dates.

When applying or renewing your medical cannabis card, you will be required to have your doctor certify your debilitating condition. This will be done online. Once your provider has submitted your certification, you will receive an email providing instructions on how to link your application and certification. You will know your application has been completed and submitted successfully once you receive your payment confirmation email. This process does not apply for veterans who submit their veteran records for review by our Medical Cannabis Nurse.

Questions may be emailed to – DPH.medicalcannabis@illinois.gov

Medical Cannabis Program representatives are available by phone at 1-855-636-3688 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.”