Illinois medical marijuana card wait time

Yes, you have to have one of the qualifying medical conditions.
Yep... you gotta be legit. I've had my Dr for years and I'm a little surprised they are letting people squeeze by with the video conference thing... but hey, if it works - more power to ya'!
 
so is the dr real laid back with the discription of your diagnosis ? Or are seriously jacked up ?
I had to have a legitimate diagnosis and paper work to back it up, my Dr and all the doctors at Northwestern hospital are forbidden to certify for medical cannabis so I had to go another direction but you still need a real diagnosis to one of the illnesses.
 

Marchellammck

Active Member
Yep... you gotta be legit. I've had my Dr for years and I'm a little surprised they are letting people squeeze by with the video conference thing... but hey, if it works - more power to ya'!
Hi! Just to clairify the video conference was a follow up visit to the initial exams. I had my treatment and dr notes for several years back- all legit dx and ppw to back it up.
 

Marchellammck

Active Member
I had to have a legitimate diagnosis and paper work to back it up, my Dr and all the doctors at Northwestern hospital are forbidden to certify for medical cannabis so I had to go another direction but you still need a real diagnosis to one of the illnesses.
And just to piggyback on that/ docs will not be willing to bend the rules or be vague with the dx and risk loosing their license and compromise the integrity of the entire program. So far all the docs I’ve interacted respect this as a medicine and are professionals.
 

Alycat26

Member
It seems that many of us have a common denominator in that our region treating physicians are unable or not allowed for one reason or another to participate in the Illinois Cannabis Program. While all of mine were supportive and some encouraging this as a form of necessary pain control their hands were tied when it came to be the acting physical on required paperwork. Luckily, alternatives have been made available for us. But for individuals who are already dealing with health issues and chronic pain etc, isn't it crazy that we are put in a a situation where we have to jump through more hoops while singing show tunes just to get the opportunity ( as there is no guarantee ) to purchase a few moments of relief? -aly
 

Camanrach

New Member
I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist for PTSD. I didn’t even know that’s what it was. I thought the dreams and flashbacks were just anxiety, but it was getting worse even after my trauma almost 2 years ago. While she said that she’s not certified and quite unfamiliar with the medical marijuana process, she recommended that I go to a clinic. I went to Innovative, gave my letter of recommendation and diagnosis to them. It was a super super easy process. I had one in-door appointment and one video. They even took my insurance so both visits were $50! They got done my background check, took my photo, and I decided to get the 3 year plan. Called on Monday and got approved! Should get it soon! I highly recommend either going to a doctor or psychiatrist, get an official letter of diagnosis and then go to a clinic. Even if when an issue occurs, they take complete care of it without you having to do much of anything! Good luck!
 

AJ Chicago

New Member
Hi! Just to clairify the video conference was a follow up visit to the initial exams. I had my treatment and dr notes for several years back- all legit dx and ppw to back it up.
Same here. The first (and most important) appointment is in person, with all of the required documents to apply. The 2nd (video) appointment is only a follow-up, required by the clinic, not the state.
 

Marchellammck

Active Member
Same here. The first (and most important) appointment is in person, with all of the required documents to apply. The 2nd (video) appointment is only a follow-up, required by the clinic, not the state.
I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist for PTSD. I didn’t even know that’s what it was. I thought the dreams and flashbacks were just anxiety, but it was getting worse even after my trauma almost 2 years ago. While she said that she’s not certified and quite unfamiliar with the medical marijuana process, she recommended that I go to a clinic. I went to Innovative, gave my letter of recommendation and diagnosis to them. It was a super super easy process. I had one in-door appointment and one video. They even took my insurance so both visits were $50! They got done my background check, took my photo, and I decided to get the 3 year plan. Called on Monday and got approved! Should get it soon! I highly recommend either going to a doctor or psychiatrist, get an official letter of diagnosis and then go to a clinic. Even if when an issue occurs, they take complete care of it without you having to do much of anything! Good luck!
I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist for PTSD. I didn’t even know that’s what it was. I thought the dreams and flashbacks were just anxiety, but it was getting worse even after my trauma almost 2 years ago. While she said that she’s not certified and quite unfamiliar with the medical marijuana process, she recommended that I go to a clinic. I went to Innovative, gave my letter of recommendation and diagnosis to them. It was a super super easy process. I had one in-door appointment and one video. They even took my insurance so both visits were $50! They got done my background check, took my photo, and I decided to get the 3 year plan. Called on Monday and got approved! Should get it soon! I highly recommend either going to a doctor or psychiatrist, get an official letter of diagnosis and then go to a clinic. Even if when an issue occurs, they take complete care of it without you having to do much of anything! Good luck!
Congrats! When was your first appointment? I also went to that clinic as I was also dx for PTSD and dealing with life changing anxiety. I Got my records from the doc where I had been treating for almost 10 years. So happy to be getting off the pills I’m on! Bye bye Xanax and all that goes along with it!
 

dash7man

Member
You should call and find out what's going on with your application. I just called and mine began to be processed on monday. The nice lady on the phone said count 30 business days and the card should be in the mail box.
I called this morning. The lady said I was approved yesterday and my information was sent to the printer! So happy!

Application received by the state 12/29, Day 77 today.
 

Tophy2018

Member
12/29 application received by the state
Approved today, 3/16! Day 78, exactly 11 weeks, what a snail’s pace system. But almost there. The nice man at DPH said it might be sent out today or Monday. The card may arrive just before I go on a short vacation out of state, but I’m sort of hoping the delivery is slow so I won’t be tempted to take anything on the plane, but that’s probably the subject of a different forum lol. Anyone get theirs in under a week? Hang in there everyone.
 

dash7man

Member
12/29 application received by the state
Approved today, 3/16! Day 78, exactly 11 weeks, what a snail’s pace system. But almost there. The nice man at DPH said it might be sent out today or Monday. The card may arrive just before I go on a short vacation out of state, but I’m sort of hoping the delivery is slow so I won’t be tempted to take anything on the plane, but that’s probably the subject of a different forum lol. Anyone get theirs in under a week? Hang in there everyone.

The lady I spoke to told me the same thing. Today or Monday.
 

Camanrach

New Member
Congrats! When was your first appointment? I also went to that clinic as I was also dx for PTSD and dealing with life changing anxiety. I Got my records from the doc where I had been treating for almost 10 years. So happy to be getting off the pills I’m on! Bye bye Xanax and all that goes along with it!
I went December 20th. So approximately 80 days. And I tried Prozac which made me vomit like crazy. Ambilify only made me feel extremely bloated and really depressed me (which is really bad since I also have bipolar 1) so I stopped taking meds for the PTSD since it was just making things worse. Have had to deal with night terrors, extremely disturbing dreams, flashbacks when the weather is grey and around 40-50 degrees (which is literally Chicago weather for most of December - April give or take)... it’s just been hell. I also tried street bud but A) I had no strain options, B) all the stains given to me had side effects of paranoia, which is the last thing I need, and C) I have no clue if it’s even safe to smoke. So I’m so so happy to have a place where I know the bud is safe and I have the right and effective options for treatment. What’s more, I’ve heard that they actually guide you on how to balance marijuana with your daily life. I am so relieved that I’ll be working with both my psychiatrist and the dispensary specialists to have a more stable life. For now, I’ll stick to it medically - I’m not ready for recreational use quite yet. I’m praying this works out for me because it’s seemed hopeless. But there is in fact a light at the end of the tunnel :)
 

cghlnn

Active Member
Applied online through innovative express before Christmas.
Application received 12/29
Sent email to dph today (day 74)
Got the auto reply, then an hour later got another email asking for full name, dob and address. Sent that to them
A couple hours later got the “your application has been received and will be processed in the order it was received, don’t contact us, etc.”
I guess that means they havened got to my application yet? I was hoping after 74 days they would at least be processing it by now? This wait sucks!
I'm 29th too n I got a call sayingine was being processed yesterday!!
 

Flyhigher

Active Member
I called this morning. The lady said I was approved yesterday and my information was sent to the printer! So happy!

Application received by the state 12/29, Day 77 today.
Happy for you. I should be getting approved by Monday or Friday of next week I'm hoping .
 

Flyhigher

Active Member
So just an update. I called the money order place to check the status and they cashed it on the 14th of March and they presented it to the company on the 12th of March. Going to call Monday or Tuesday to bug them one last time. Hopefully I have good news then lol
 
So just an update. I called the money order place to check the status and they cashed it on the 14th of March and they presented it to the company on the 12th of March. Going to call Monday or Tuesday to bug them one last time. Hopefully I have good news then lol
Judging by when my check was cashed you might still be waiting a bit. My card came about 2 weeks after the check cleared.
 
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