Medical patients with a registry card may buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower in 14 days and pay minimal taxes while adult?use consumers 21 and older may possess up to 30 grams at any time but pay full excise and sales taxes
Eligibility and Registration
Qualifying Conditions and Doctor Certification for Medical Use
To join the Illinois medical cannabis program a patient must have a qualifying debilitating condition such as cancer PTSD chronic pain or HIV/AIDS and obtain a physician’s written certification. That certification must be submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health with an application fee. Once approved patients receive a Medical Cannabis Patient ID card which they must present at licensed medical dispensaries. Applicants must be Illinois residents and at least 18 years old. Minors require parental consent and follow additional restrictions
Age and Residency Requirements for Recreational Use
Illinois legalized adult?use cannabis effective January 1 2020. Any adult 21 or older may enter a recreational dispensary and purchase cannabis with valid photo ID such as a driver’s license state ID or passport. Residency is not required for adult?use purchases but non?residents face lower possession limits. Out?of?state medical cards are not recognized and all visitors 21 and older are treated as adult?use customers
For local assistance patients can contact us at Mood Shine Cannabis Dispensary?–?Chicago Heights and find our Chicago Heights location on Google Maps
Purchase and Possession Limits
Medical Patient Allowances and Caregiver Rules
Medical patients may purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces (70.87?g) of usable cannabis over any 14?day period. This total includes flower concentrates edibles and other infused products using THC?equivalent conversions. A patient’s certifying physician may recommend a higher amount through a waiver process. Each patient may register one caregiver aged 21 or older who must pass a background check. The caregiver may purchase and transport medicine but may not consume it unless they are also a registered patient. Medical users also may cultivate up to five cannabis plants at home for personal therapeutic use
Recreational Possession Caps and Non?Resident Limits
Adult?use consumers aged 21 and older who are Illinois residents may possess up to 30?g of flower 5?g of concentrate and 500?mg of THC in infused products at any time. Non?residents may possess up to half those amounts: 15?g of flower 2.5?g of concentrate and 250?mg of THC in edibles. Dispensaries enforce these limits on each transaction. Possessing more than the allowed amounts can result in misdemeanor or felony charges. All cannabis in a vehicle must remain sealed in a child?resistant odor?proof container inaccessible to occupants
Taxation Differences
Medical Tax Exemptions and Reduced Fees
Registered medical patients pay only 1?percent state sales tax on cannabis purchases and are exempt from excise and local cannabis taxes. They also pay lower application and renewal fees for their registry cards often ranging from $50–$100 per year with discounts for veterans and seniors. Medical tax exemptions can save patients over 30?percent compared to adult?use pricing
Recreational Excise Rates and Local Sales Taxes
Adult?use purchases incur a state purchaser excise tax based on THC content: 10?percent on products up to 35?percent THC 25?percent on concentrates over 35?percent THC and 20?percent on infused products. On top of that recreational cannabis is subject to the standard 6.25?percent state sales tax and up to 3?percent local cannabis tax. Combined effective rates can range from 20 to 40?percent depending on product potency and local rates
Product Availability
Medical?Only Formulations and Concentrates
Medical dispensaries may offer higher potency formulations or bulk formats not available to adult?use customers. Edibles in the medical program may total up to 21?300?mg of THC over 14 days and concentrates may equal 21.3?g of THC in that span. Medical users have priority access to inventory and dispensaries may reserve stock for cardholders. Registered medical patients also may purchase clones or seeds for home cultivation
Recreational SKU and Potency Restrictions
Adult?use stores must cap each edible package at 100?mg THC and sell concentrates in modest units usually 1?g. All products require child?resistant packaging and must avoid marketing that appeals to children. No live plants or seeds are sold to adult?use customers. Products over 35?percent THC are simply taxed at a higher rate but not banned
Renewals and Compliance
Medical Card Renewal Process and Timing
Medical registry cards expire after one two or three years depending on the fee paid. Patients must submit renewal applications online with updated certification and fees several weeks before expiration. Maintaining an active card requires ongoing physician supervision of the qualifying condition. Caregivers also renew their status on the same cycle. Failure to renew halts medical privileges and may require reapplication
Recreational Law Changes and Recordkeeping
Adult?use consumers do not need to register with the state but must stay informed of rule changes such as updates to possession limits new product types or local ordinances. Dispensaries track each sale in the state’s seed?to?sale system and many maintain customer purchase histories by scanning IDs. Consumers should keep purchase receipts to document legal source and quantities. Illinois law also provides automatic expungement of minor cannabis possession records under 30?g
Medical and adult?use markets share regulations like testing packaging and labeling rules and both are subject to inspections and audits by state agencies. The distinctions in purchase limits taxes product access and compliance requirements reflect Illinois’ approach to separate patient?focused medicine from general adult?use consumption. By understanding these differences consumers can navigate the system appropriately and take full advantage of the benefits allowed under each program.