On August 12, 2019, changes to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program became effective.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act is a permanent program and the “pilot” designation has been removed. The Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Program allows persons who are diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition to register with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in order to obtain access to cannabis (marijuana) for medical use.
DCHD can help assist residents anywhere in Illinois prepare and submit their medical cannabis applications to the state for free.
Please see answers to frequently asked questions below. If you still have a question after reading the information below, please email mcpp@dekalbcounty.org and we will do our best to get back to you within 5 business days as the MCPP email is not monitored daily.
FOR ALL MEDICAL CANNABIS TRACKING SYSTEM LOGIN ISSUES, CONTACT THE STATE HOTLINE: 855-636-3688. DeKalb County Health Department is unable to help you get back into your account.
Contact Us
Phone call appointments only
Phone: 815-748-2489
Fax: 815-748-2491
Email: mcpp@dekalbcounty.org
What will I need for my scheduled phone call appointment?
During your appointment application assistants will help you complete the application.
- State Application Fee (credit/debit card only) – select a one, two, or three year fee (pay online during appointment)
- Proof of Age & Identity- valid, unexpired drivers license or government issued photo ID
- Additional Proof of Residency (if your address does not match the address on your ID)
*Patient can designate a caregiver to assist with the use and purchase of medical cannabis. Caregiver will need to complete an application along with the patient and bring the same documents.
For more information on the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Program visit http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I need help logging into the Medical Cannabis Tracking System?
ALL MEDICAL CANNABIS TRACKING SYSTEM LOGIN ISSUES, SHOULD CONTACT THE STATE HOTLINE at 855-636-3688. DeKalb County Health Department is unable to help you get back into your account, no matter the reason.
How would I be eligible for medical cannabis?
A doctor must approve you. We recommend starting with your primary care doctor. Not all doctors certify people for medical cannabis. Being certified by a doctor is the first step in this process. We cannot point you in the direction of any particular doctor; finding a doctor that certifies people for medical cannabis is your responsibility.
What if I already have a medical cannabis card and are renewing?
Directions can be found on the state website: Qualifying Patient Renewal Instructions (illinois.gov)
What if my card is expired?
If your card is expired, you are not renewing. You will need to apply as a new patient, and follow the “application instructions” link below.
Here is the link to the program you will use to register for the IL medical cannabis program: Illinois Cannabis Tracking System 8.0.35 – Sign On. This process must be done on a computer. This is the site every patient and their doctor uses to submit medical cannabis applications to the state. No other websites are needed for this process.
The first step is to register. Once you are able to login and access the application, fill it out. See application instruction links below.
Application instructions: Qualifying Patient Application Instructions (illinois.gov)
Application instructions with caregiver (a caregiver can purchase medical cannabis for you if you are not able to go to the dispensary): Qualifying Patient Application Instructions With a Caregiver (illinois.gov)
Provider Certification
The provider certification step is the most common cause of difficulty with applications.
Click this link: Qualifying Patient Application Instructions (illinois.gov) and scroll down to “Health Care Provider Certification Upload.” If you follow the steps and do not see a certification number in the drop down, consider this:
- If you have not seen a doctor within the last 90 days to get approved/certified for medical cannabis, there will be no number. See a doctor and get approval for medical cannabis use.
- If it has been more than 90 days from your visit to the doctor where you were approved for medical cannabis, there will be no number. You will need to let your doctor know that they need to re-upload your certification.
- The system matches you to your doctor’s certification by your name, birthdate and social security number. If your doctor’s information doesn’t match what you entered when you filled out the application, the number won’t come up. For example: If you filled out the application as “Nicholas” but your doctor entered “Nick,” it will not come up. If you entered a middle initial for yourself and your doctor didn’t, it will not come up. Contact your doctor to ensure that they got your name, birthdate and social correct.