Is Cannabis Legal In Illinois?

Marijuana is currently legal for both medical and recreational use in Illinois.

Medical
Recreational

Cannabis for Medical Use in Illinois

Illinois passed legislation allowing for the use of medical marijuana in 2013, called the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Under this program, patients with certain debilitating medical conditions are allowed to use and possess marijuana for medicinal purposes. In order to be eligible for the program, patients must obtain a written recommendation from a licensed physician and register with the state.

As of 2021, there were over 217,000 registered medical marijuana patients in Illinois, and the state had licensed over 50 dispensaries to sell marijuana to these patients. In addition to these dispensaries, the state also allows for the operation of licensed production facilities, which are responsible for growing and processing marijuana for sale to patients.

Qualifying Conditions

  • Autism
  • Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Arnold-Chiari malformation
  • Cancer
  • Cachexia/wasting syndrome
  • Causalgia
  • Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
  • Chronic pain
  • Crohn’s disease
  • CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)
  • Dystonia
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Fibrous Dysplasia
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Hydromyelia
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Lupus
  • Migraines
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Myasthenia Gravis
  • Myoclonus
  • Nail-patella syndrome
  • Neuro-Bechet’s autoimmune disease
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Neuropathy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • Residual limb pain
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Seizures (including those characteristic of Epilepsy)
  • Severe fibromyalgia
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Spinal cord disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis)
  • Spinal cord injury is damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Spinocerebellar ataxia
  • Superior canal dehiscence syndrome
  • Syringomyelia
  • Tarlov cysts
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Ulcerative colitis

Recreational Use of Cannabis in Illinois

Illinois legalized the recreational use of marijuana in 2020, making it one of the first states in the Midwest to do so. Under the state’s cannabis laws, individuals over the age of 21 are allowed to possess and use up to 30 grams of marijuana for recreational purposes, and grow up to five plants for personal use. It is illegal to use marijuana in public or to drive under the influence of the drug.

As of 2021, Illinois had licensed over 70 dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana to individuals over the age of 21. These dispensaries are required to follow strict regulations governing the production and sale of marijuana, including rules on labeling and packaging. In addition to these dispensaries, the state also allows for the operation of licensed production facilities, which are responsible for growing and processing marijuana for sale to consumers.

Where Can I Get Cannabis in Illinois?

In Illinois, you can purchase a variety of cannabis or cannabis related products for either medical or recreational purposes from one of it many licensed dispensaries.