The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act establishes a patient registry program, protects registered qualifying patients and registered designated caregivers from “arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege,” and allows for the registration of cultivation centers and dispensing organizations. Once the act goes into effect, “a tax is imposed upon the privilege of cultivating medical cannabis at a rate of 7% of the sales price per ounce.”

Approved Conditions: “Debilitating medical conditions include 40 chronic diseases and conditions: cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, cachexia/wasting syndrome, muscular dystrophy, severe fibromyalgia, spinal cord disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis), Tarlov cysts, hydromyelia syringomyelia, Rheumatoid arthritis, fibrous dysplasia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and post concussion syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Arnold-Chiari malformation and Syringomelia, Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), Parkinson’s Disease, Tourette Syndrome, Myoclonus, Dystonia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type I), Causalgia, CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II), Neurofibromatosis, Chronic inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Lupus, Interstitial Cystitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Hydrocephalus, nail-patella syndrome or residual limb pain; or the treatment of these conditions.”
“Frequently Asked Questions,” idph.state.il.us (accessed Apr. 23, 2014)

PTSD and terminal illness with a diagnosis of less than six months were added on July 1, 2016.

On July 20, 2014, Gov. Quinn signed Senate Bill 2636, which amended the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act to allow children under 18 to be treated with non-smokable forms of medical marijuana for the same conditions orginially approved for adults. An underage patient’s parent or guardian must serve as caregiver, and signatures from two doctors are required. The bill, which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2015, also added seizures, including those related to epilepsy, to the list of approved conditions.

Possession/Cultivation: “Adequate supply” is defined as “2.5 ounces of usable cannabis during a period of 14 days and that is derived solely from an intrastate source.” The law does not allow patients or caregivers to cultivate cannabis.

Updates: Governor Pat Quinn’s Aug. 1, 2013 signing statement explains key points of the law and notes that it is a four-year pilot program.

On Jan. 21, 2014, the Department of Public Health released a draft of the proposed rules for public comments. The proposal included a fingerprint-based criminal history background check and an annual $150 application fee for qualifying patients. The rules also state that qualifying patients and caregivers “are not eligible for a Firearm Owners Identification Card or a Firearm Concealed Carry License.”

On Apr. 18, 2014, the Department of Health released revised preliminary rules that removed from the previous versions the restrictions on gun owners applying for medical marijuana cards. The application fees were dropped to $100 ($50 for veterans and eligible patients on Social Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance, and $25 for caregivers).

On July 1, 2016, Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed SB 10 into law, which extends the state’s medical marijuana program through July 2020 and adds PTSD and terminal illness to the list of approved conditions.