On January 1, 2020, Illinois legalized adult-use cannabis, allowing people 21 and over access to high-quality cannabis cultivars and other cannabis products from licensed dispensaries. Some may see adult-use legalization as a sign to give up the medical program and not renew their card.
Not so fast...
Having your medical cannabis card is still a viable option in Illinois, as is the case in just about any marketplace. A medical marijuana ID provides cardholders with fringe benefits the recreational market doesn't have access to. They include:
1. Discounted products: Illinois cannabis products can reach over 40% tax. With medical products, patients pay just 1% tax to the state, and any additional local taxes applied
2. Priority: Provisions in the state's cannabis laws grant patient priority over the recreational market
3. Higher possession allowances: Cardholders can hold up to 70.87 grams
4. Home cultivation: Active cardholders can grow their cannabis while consumers on the adult-use market are prohibited
This article will further answer why it's wise to have your Illinois medical marijuana card. We'll also show you how to get your Illinois medical marijuana evaluation with NuggMD in just a few steps and never have to leave home to do so. Not bad for $99, right?
Let's dive into the Illinois market and the perks of being a medical cannabis cardholder.
How to get your Illinois MMJ evaluation with NuggMD
The advantages listed above will be further explained down below. However, just one glimpse of the benefits is likely enough to compel many to hold onto or register for their card.
Now that you've heard about the benefits, let's drop some more good news on you: Becoming a patient is easy. Illinois currently allows patients to get a medical marijuana evaluation from the comfort of their own home.
Getting your Illinois medical cannabis card is fast and straightforward with NuggMD. Just follow the straightforward process:
1. Visit NuggMD.com/Illinois and register your account
2. Input your name, age and Illinois address
3. Submit your medical history -- the more thorough you are, the better your physician can understand your needs
4. Input your payment information
5. Now, relax and wait the NuggMD's virtual waiting room
6. The next available physician will begin your evaluation once they've reviewed your chart.
All NuggMD evaluations are held on their best-in-industry telemedicine platform. Each session is conducted in real-time, with just you and the doctor for a one-on-one session like you would during any other telemedicine appointment. Ask all the questions you have. Patients typically ask about their prognosis, using cannabis as a treatment option, dosing and so much more. Ask away until you have the confidence you need before taking medical cannabis.
Approved applicants will then receive a confirmation email and digital certificate. Be sure to look out for the included instructions to complete your state registration. The state fee will vary between $100 and $250, depending on how many years you choose to register for.
See? Pretty straightforward. Even better, it's not that expensive to get your evaluation with NuggMD -- just $99! Patients who aren't approved receive their evaluation for free, so there's never any risk.
Why it's worth it to get your Illinois MMJ card
As mentioned above, Illinois has plenty of reasons to hold onto your medical card. ID holders are afforded benefits that adult-use consumers aren't allowed. These measures are in place to ensure patients have affordable, accessible medical products at the quantity they need to get through the day. The perks in place help increase cannabis access for the people most in need. In short, these laws help create a pathway for patients to enjoy medical cannabis without getting caught up in the cost and regulations surround the highly competitive, highly taxed recreational market.
Illinois takes its program seriously. Efforts include working with physicians to encourage the recommendation of cannabis to patients searching for an alternative to opioids.
Let's break down the perks some more to demonstrate their benefit. Here are four of the top reasons it's still worth it to have your Illinois medical marijuana card.
You can grow your marijuana
Those with any shade of green thumb can benefit from Illinois' medical cannabis laws. Arguably the biggest perk of the program, home cultivation allows citizens to grow their own medicine, often resulting in lower patient costs.
Keep in mind that only registered patients can grow in Illinois. The choice is unique as most states are either all-in on cultivation, allowing any adult to grow, or ban the practice outright.
Illinois allows patients to grow up to five plants. Seeds and clones can reach up to five inches before counting as part of your five-plant count. Home cultivation seems like a massive win in a state short on product and high on recreational taxes.
Priority service
Patients take priority over the rec market in Illinois. Cardholders receive service first and are guaranteed stock, with stores ensuring they have medicine for patients. The perk is immense, especially during the early days of adult-use sales and the COVID-19 pandemic, where supplies ran low at times.
It was the early days of adult-use that inspired guidelines that require businesses to:
- Ensure that patients can purchase up to 2.5 times the limit imposed on recreational sales up to the legal limit of 2.5 ounces
- Ban the reservation of products for adult use consumers
- Have a minimum of one sales window open for medical customers
Lower taxes
Illinois has some of the highest tax rates on adult-use cannabis, sometimes reaching as high as 25% depending on the type of cannabis product. This isn't the case for medical patients, who have to pay just 1% to the state. Keep in mind that local taxes may apply as well. Still, the discount is steep for medical patients, helping keep costs low for those most in need. With taxes so low, registration fees can be offset with one or two trips to the dispensary.
Higher purchase limits
Medical patients are permitted to get more significant amounts of cannabis to treat their needs. Cardholders in Illinois are allowed to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower every two weeks. This sum can change if a shortage happens at a dispensary. In that case, medical patients are permitted to purchase up to 2.5 times more than what a recreational consumer can buy.
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to an Illinois medical marijuana card. The only advantage Illinois seems to be missing in its MMJ program is clear-cut guidance that prevents employment discrimination based on marijuana drug tests. With perks like this, it's obvious that Illinois' medical marijuana program is the best financial option for patients on a budget. You can visit a NuggMD doctor today to find out if you qualify. You don't even need an appointment! Their customer service is friendly and always ready to help, and they have extended hours for your convenience, from 8am till 10pm daily, including weekends.
About NuggMD
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in California, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia. They have connected over 700,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via their state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. They believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information, visit NuggMD.com/Illinois.
