Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Program

On Thursday, July 15, 2021, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 1443 into law. This bill removed the requirement that medical cannabis patients select a single dispensary. Although the requirement to identify a single dispensary was temporarily lifted on June 25, 2021 following the go-live of the new Medical Cannabis Registry system, the signing of this bill into law makes that change permanent.

While the current online application still requires a dispensary selection, patients no longer need to use the online system to change dispensaries and you will be able to purchase cannabis at ANY medical cannabis dispensary regardless of which dispensary is identified in the online system. We are working to have that field removed soon. Medical patient quantity limits will continue to be enforced.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for any issues patients experienced while we adopted the new system. We are actively working to fix any continuing problems and working hard to get back to everyone who contacted us. Thank you for your patience.

Application Resources

New Patient Instructions:

Patient Application With a Caregiver Patient Application Without a Caregiver Terminal Patient Application Minor Application Instructions Terminal Minor Application Instructions Caregiver Application Instructions

Existing Patient Instructions:

Patient Renewal Patient Extension Change of Information Printing a Card or Provisional Letter Changing Dispensary Cancelling a Card

Health Care Professionals:

Registration for Medical Cannabis Patient Program and Opioid Alternative Pilot Program Adding a Waiver Creating a Health Care Professional Certification Amending a Health Care Professional Certification Health Care Professional Certification Renewal Revoking a Health Care Professional Certification

Technical Assistance:

Password Reset Instructions

Important Update for Patients/Applicants

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is converting the existing Medical Cannabis Registry to a new system - Entellitrak. The conversion process will require the current system to go down beginning June 7, 2021. New applicants and current patients will not be able to access the online system to submit applications or change dispensaries until the new system is available on June 22, 2021. Patients whose cards will expire soon after the new system is in place on June 22, 2021 will receive auto-generated emails detailing the process for renewals and extensions.

Entellitrak is already being utilized for registrants in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program. Conversion of the Medical Cannabis Registry system will allow for reduced fees, allowances for lifelong conditions, and the ability for patients to have three caregivers.

The new registry will allow patients to access their online account at any time to check status, submit demographic changes, and make payments using a credit card. Patients will also be able to print their own paper registry cards once approved, eliminating the wait time for a card to be mailed to them from a printing vendor.

The new registry is set to go live on June 22, 2021. Current active patients will receive an email prior to June 22, 2021 with information about where to find additional documentation about the new application procedures. Going forward, all communication from the registry will be through email. If an email address was not given with the current application or has changed and not been updated, these patients will not receive this information. When the new system is live, patients will be able to log in and update their email if necessary. Patients must also mark DPH.medicalcannabis@illinois.gov as safe email to reduce the possibility of system emails going to spam inboxes.

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.

Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program

In August 2013, Illinois became the 20th state to authorize a program for the cultivation and dispensing of cannabis for medical purposes. The Medical Cannabis Registry Program is a statewide program that allows patients access to medical marijuana who meet one of the qualifying conditions. The Illinois Department of Public Health manages the registry by reviewing and processing applications and issuing registry cards to Illinois residents meeting program requirements. IDPH protects patient confidentiality while striving to ensure timely accessibility to cannabis for registered patients.