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Your Guide to Illinois Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Since 2014, Illinois residents have been able to legally purchase medical marijuana thanks to the Illinois Department of Public Health. To ensure that its medical cannabis patients receive high-quality, safe, and effective marijuana for their medical conditions, the state regulates the production and sale of cannabis.
The success of the medical marijuana program, as well as growing knowledge about cannabis’s therapeutic value, has resulted in the expansion and improved accessibility of medicinal marijuana statewide.
Although recreational cannabis is legal in Illinois, medical marijuana card holders have access to a wider array of products with higher THC concentrations than recreational consumers. Cannabis dispensaries also have knowledgeable staff who believe in the medical use of cannabis and can recommend adult-use cannabis products that will best meet your treatment needs.
Understanding the distinctions between Illinois’ recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplaces will empower you to use the best products available to control the symptoms of your debilitating condition(s).
Where Can You Buy Illinois Medical Marijuana?
There are already more than 50 dispensary establishments in Illinois. The Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office keeps an up-to-date list of all authorized dispensaries. Be sure to call ahead before going to one because not all dispensaries provide therapeutic products.
The following are some of the best dispensaries in Illinois for eligible patients with medicinal cannabis cards:
- EarthMed in Addison
- Verilife in Arlington Heights
- Sunnyside in Buffalo Grove
- Rise Medical and Recreational in Canton
- Sunnyside in Champaign
- Maribis in Chicago
- Mission Dispensary in Chicago
- 3C Compassionate Care Center in Joliet
- Trinity MMJ in Peoria
- Ascend in Springfield
With an MMJ card, you can buy Illinois medicinal cannabis from any certified dispensary in the state. Every 14 days, your medical marijuana card will allow you to obtain and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis.
What’s it Like Buying Medical Marijuana in Illinois?
Dispensaries in Illinois have been open for eight years. Their well-established norms and practices foster the relaxation of their customers. To buy products from them, simply go through their check-in process and produce a printed copy of your marijuana card as well as photo identification to validate your eligibility.
To acquire medical cannabis products in Illinois, you must be at least 21 years old. Non-residents are not permitted to enter Illinois dispensaries, cannabis businesses/retailers, or cultivation facilities. They are also not eligible to participate in the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program (MCPP).
Your information will be recorded by dispensaries in compliance with the state’s purchase and possession regulations. Keep in mind that they may segregate their therapeutic items, which come in a wider range, from their recreational products.
Dispensaries are organized similarly to pharmacies. Typically, the products are exhibited behind a counter. The dispensary personnel will be on hand to assist you and to discuss the goods with you. They will only sell items derived from plants grown in accordance with strict quality and safety requirements.
Illinois dispensaries are manned by competent and trained individuals who can advise you on medical marijuana strains and delivery systems. You will receive items with clearly labeled THC and/or CBD content, manufacturer names, and terpene concentrations.
Tips for Purchasing Medical Marijuana Products
Medical marijuana patients and their approved caregivers can now visit any dispensary in Illinois, thanks to a 2020 amendment to Illinois medical marijuana policy. However, before visiting a dispensary, you should always call ahead or check their website to confirm they provide medical-grade items.
Some dispensaries only sell marijuana for recreational purposes. While you can still buy from them, their variety will be limited and their THC levels will be lower.
Most dispensaries publish daily product menus on their websites. Once you’re familiar with a certain strain and delivery method, you can check to see if it’s in stock before visiting a dispensary.
Illinois law currently prohibits the transportation of marijuana goods.
Cannabis flowers, sweets, vapes, concentrates, topical gels & creams, pre-rolls, and tinctures are all available in Illinois dispensaries. Because they are not required to stock specified products, the selection will differ at every dispensary.
You are exempt from certain sales taxes on medicinal marijuana purchases as a cardholder. In the event of cannabis shortages, Illinois prioritizes its medicinal marijuana supply as a result of in-state cultivation rules.
Need Help Applying for an Illinois Medical Marijuana Card?
The state of Illinois has revised its cannabis regulations in order to broaden access to cannabis and simplify the application process for medical marijuana cards. The state, however, does not keep a list of qualified marijuana doctors or obligate local physicians to certify individuals for medicinal marijuana.
The Sanctuary can assist you in locating a healthcare physician who can assess your qualifying condition(s) and discuss cannabis’s potential for your treatment. We can then help you obtain an Illinois medical marijuana card and submit a winning application.