Moving on up: Illinois medical marijuana sales reached record high in July
CHICAGO Officials posted new forms this week for doctors and patients in the Illinois medical marijuana program to reflect changes in the law, and announced Wednesday that July retail sales reached a new high at $2.9 million.
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation last month extending the pilot program until July 2020 and adding two qualifying health conditions post-traumatic stress disorder and terminal illnesses. Those changes are expected to further drive growth in the program, but wont be reflected in retail sales until next month.
The Illinois Department of Public Health posted updated information on its website Tuesday, including a new form allowing physicians to certify a patients diagnosis without the added requirement of recommending marijuana as medicine. An updated patient application is available, as is new information on how patients who are terminally ill can apply for a medical marijuana card without a fee.
The department also posted updated information for current patients on renewing their marijuana cards and will mail renewal information to registered cardholders 90 days before their cards expire.
New patient identification cards will be valid for three years and cost $300; annual fees had been $100. Veterans and people qualifying for disability benefits can get a reduction in the fee to $150 for three years.
The three-year ID card allows patients to avoid yearly costs of doctor visits and fingerprints, Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Divya Little said. It also allows IDPH to accommodate the increased volume of applications and the significant staff time required to process them, Little said.
But the increased fee pinches the pocketbook of many patients, suburban Chicago patient ...
