Designated Caregivers

Patients may select a designated caregiver to assist with the patient’s use of medical cannabis.  Patients under the age of 18 may have two designated caregivers, if both are parents or legal guardians with significant decision-making responsibility for the patient.  Designated caregivers must be 21 years of age or older and must apply for a Registry ID Card online through the state’s online application portal or by completing and submitting a printed application available online.  The application process and requirements for designated caregivers are consistent with those for patients.  Registry ID Cards for designated caregivers are valid for 3 years and cost $75 if applied for at the same time as the patient and $100 if applied for separately.

A patient’s designated caregiver may purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis from a state-licensed dispensaries.  A patient and his or her designated caregiver are prohibited from purchasing (collectively) more than 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis during any two week period.

Production/Distribution

Medical marijuana is cultivated at one of 19 cultivation centers regulated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  The cultivation centers supply over 40 distribution organizations that sell medical marijuana to patients and are regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.