Illinois medical marijuana card wait time

Hello everyone. I think it’s ridiculous how little my this takes in our state. Our doctors already confirmed we have a need for this so what takes us sooo long that other states can do in a week?

I have cancer and it’s not terminal thank god-but I do need to manage pain and gain weight etc. the DPH said I can apply for the terminal card. Sigh. I told them no-i expect to be here in six months.

But this is just ridiculous. I thought it was 30 days from when they received the application that they could decide if you are approved or not?? I went to innovative health in Wheaton Illinois.

Timeline: two dr visits first week of May with fingerprints, all forms signed including caregiver.
I called DPH last week of May to confirm that they got application. Guy on phone said they were missing the dr form. Sigh. So called innovative health to email it.
June 6th DPH conformed they received the application.

So what does this mean for when I can expect to get my card from all of you that have been through this? Thank you. I just need to feel better.

newtothis135 said:

Hello everyone. I think it’s ridiculous how little my this takes in our state. Our doctors already confirmed we have a need for this so what takes us sooo long that other states can do in a week?

I have cancer and it’s not terminal thank god-but I do need to manage pain and gain weight etc. the DPH said I can apply for the terminal card. Sigh. I told them no-i expect to be here in six months.

But this is just ridiculous. I thought it was 30 days from when they received the application that they could decide if you are approved or not?? I went to innovative health in Wheaton Illinois.

Timeline: two dr visits first week of May with fingerprints, all forms signed including caregiver.
I called DPH last week of May to confirm that they got application. Guy on phone said they were missing the dr form. Sigh. So called innovative health to email it.
June 6th DPH conformed they received the application.

So what does this mean for when I can expect to get my card from all of you that have been through this? Thank you. I just need to feel better.

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I went though Innovative Express Care and submitted my application on April 21st. I haven't heard anything yet but the standard wait time is 90 days which, is in fact, ridiculous. You'd think with all the checks they are cashing that they would have enough money to hire more people. I'm convinced this whole program is being run in someone's basement. I've lived in Illinois my whole life and I've learned to only expect the bare minimum.

GeorgeSmith said:

Sorry if this was already covered but for people waiting- have you tried CBD for any symptoms? Where are trustworthy places to purchase? Which brands are dependable?

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My son made CBD oils and I drank it and rubbed it on my joints and it did nothing for me. Hope you have better results.

I am new to cannabis. Still waiting for my card. I know I don't want to smoke it, thinking pills or edibles, maybe ointments. Need for psoriatic pain, crps, and insomnia. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have never used anything before except cbd oils that did nothing. Thanks

I think it's here!!

Informed delivery is showing a letter from IDPH. Hopefully it is my card.

If it is, in fact, my card, that puts me at 82 days, which means IDPH is speeding up.

Receipt from IDPH on April 11th
Card in mailbox July 2nd.

I will let you guys know when the mail arrives. I hope this is it!!

Charlie- did you get your card also?

Last Update: Card Came in today. Here's the timeline.

Used : Illinois Medical Cannabis Sign-Up Services INC.

Finger Prints: March 23rd 2018 (Day 1)

Dr. Appt: March 23rd 2018 (Day 1)

Application Submission / Date shown on receipt : April 6th 2018 (+15 Days although this will vary based on if you used a 3rd party or not)

Approval Date : 6/20/2018 (+76 Days)

# Of Days from initial Dr Appt to Approval : 92 Days

Date card was recieved 7/2/2018 :101 Days.

Dispensary Chosen : The Clinic Mundelien

rick_654321 said:

I think it's here!!

Informed delivery is showing a letter from IDPH. Hopefully it is my card.

If it is, in fact, my card, that puts me at 82 days, which means IDPH is speeding up.

Receipt from IDPH on April 11th
Card in mailbox July 2nd.

I will let you guys know when the mail arrives. I hope this is it!!

Charlie- did you get your card also?

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Glad to hear it rick...nothing for me. Still waiting. Keeping my toes crossed!

rick_654321 said:

I think it's here!!

Informed delivery is showing a letter from IDPH. Hopefully it is my card.

If it is, in fact, my card, that puts me at 82 days, which means IDPH is speeding up.

Receipt from IDPH on April 11th
Card in mailbox July 2nd.

I will let you guys know when the mail arrives. I hope this is it!!

Charlie- did you get your card also?

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oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god I just called and was approved. Card went out this morning! That means I won’t have it by the 4th, but, oh well.

That's great Charlie! I am still on the porch waiting for the mail to arrive haha. This is the longest wait of all. Feels longer than the previous 80 days combined.

Update for my application guys
Called today to make sure they received application and spoke with a nice lady on phone. They had a different address on file but she changed it.
Application submitted through medical cannabis outreach in linconwood April 30, 2018
Application received may 7, 2018
She said about 90 days from application so August 7 is what she said!
August 7 seems like a billions years hopefully it’s sooner

If I do not have any previous medical history, would I be OK with just one Dr appointment? I'm scheduled for a July 5 appointment and they seem to think one Dr visit will be enough.

EZE90 said:

Submitted 4/12, charged 4/16. Think that's a good sign someone on the same line just had their check cashed

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Got my 3 year card today.

Submit 4/12. Charged 4/16. Arrived 7/2.

I didn't call or anything, just waited. Went to Innovative Care in Chicago as they were already my primary care provider anyway.

EZE90 said:

Got my 3 year card today.

Submit 4/12. Charged 4/16. Arrived 7/2.

I didn't call or anything, just waited. Went to Innovative Care in Chicago as they were already my primary care provider anyway.

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Congrats!!

Did you mail it or use online application?

caught red hernandez said:

Congrats!!

Did you mail it or use online application?

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I used Innovative Express Care in Chicago, so whatever method they submit it by. Was charged right away, so would expect them to submit online maybe?

I haven't posted in a long while because I thought my card was on the way. Its been a rough road and I'm feeling sorry for myself.

Here's how it has happened so far:
2/7 - Dr visit and finger prints
3/10 - Card charged by IDPH
5/11 - Recieved letter that fingerprints rejected
5/14 - submitted new finger prints
6/11 - received email that application was approved and card should arrive in 10-14 business days
6/29 - I sent an email asking about status as it was 14 business days and no card
7/2 - I received V.M. from IDPH stating card was returned for a wrong address. I need to call tomorrow (they called at 4:59) and confirm my address so they can resend. They have a photocopy if my driver's license and paystub with my address in it!!

I want to be mad, but after 5 months of waiting, I just don't have it in me. I dont even bother checking Informed Delivery anymore. I know it will come, but I'm just so bummed.

bigdpatch said:

I haven't posted in a long while because I thought my card was on the way. Its been a rough road and I'm feeling sorry for myself.

Here's how it has happened so far:
2/7 - Dr visit and finger prints
3/10 - Card charged by IDPH
5/11 - Recieved letter that fingerprints rejected
5/14 - submitted new finger prints
6/11 - received email that application was approved and card should arrive in 10-14 business days
6/29 - I sent an email asking about status as it was 14 business days and no card
7/2 - I received V.M. from IDPH stating card was returned for a wrong address. I need to call tomorrow (they called at 4:59) and confirm my address so they can resend. They have a photocopy if my driver's license and paystub with my address in it!!

I want to be mad, but after 5 months of waiting, I just don't have it in me. I dont even bother checking Informed Delivery anymore. I know it will come, but I'm just so bummed.

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UPDATE: Just got off the phone with IDPH. Dr. completed the address portion of my application with wrong street number. I need to send in a change of address, pay an additional $25 and wait again until new card is issued. So, it will be another 2-3 weeks.

Holy smokes y’all! I was approved!!! Info to have my card printed has already been mailed. Should have my card within 14 days. I finally got through to a human on the phone! ‭+1 (855) 636-3688‬ Here’s the number if anyone needs it. I’m gonna share my story and timeline. Hopefully it answers a few questions for others. I haven’t been able to find any creditable info on stories like mine so here it goes......

In November of 2018 I was arrested on possession charges. Ugh. If there is one piece of advice I can give, don’t drag your feet on this! If you smoke and have just been putting off applying do it now! I could’ve saved myself a whole lotta court and lawyer costs. Anyway.

Fast forward to March 10th, 2018. I went into a Cannibus coalition to apply before I received my 410 probation on April 3rd, 2018. I applied that day but, it was a Saturday so I’m still not sure when all my paperwork was actually mailed. There I had my fingerprints taken, application fee, picture taken, ID copy and Dr.’s prescription mailed out.

Silence until Saturday June 2nd, 2018 when I received a letter saying they needed a color copy of my ID. The Coalition had mailed them a black and white copy. So I immediately on Saturday June 2nd, emailed them a picture of the front and back of my ID and mailed them a copy aswell. I attached a copy of the letter they sent me to the email and the mailed copy. Their letter stated I had until June 27th to get them the color copy.

Within moments I received an automated email back stating they received my email but to busy to answer questions.

Silence again. June 27th came and went. I start getting nervous that being on probabtion would cause my application to be denied.

Saturday June 30th I sent an email asking if they had received my documents and inquired on the status of my application.

Monday July 2nd they responded to my email asking me to verify my date of birth and address. I immediately responded.

As of 10am today, June 3rd, I hadn’t received a reply. So, I started calling. The first 3 times I called I sat on hold for 10 minutes or so and then the phone rang. However, I was sent to an answering machine that told me to call back later and hung up. On the 4th call I sat on hold for 10 minutes or so. The phone started ringing just as before but, this time a man answered!! Yippee! My heart was pounding. Moment of truth! I gave him my date of birth, name and address. He said “looks like you were approved. We just mailed out your info to have your card printed. Expect it within 14 days.”

The wait is finally over!! Hopefully my story helps put some of your minds at ease! Go get your card now. Don’t wait like me.

Total wait time so far: 115 days

All right ladies and gentlemen, another success story. Card in hand today. It was a total of 87 days from their receipt date of April 11th until today, July 5th. It’s been a long wait, but we’re off to the races.

For those of us that have our cards - what dispensary are you using?

My first go was to Dispensary 33. They were super busy and selection is smaller. Prices also high in my opinion.

I was paying $300oz before I got my card for great bud. Can't get close to that at D33.

Anyone use MedMar? Seems like they have way more product and some bulk options. Or anyone know where the best prices in the city are?

Hi, everyone. For those still chomping at the bit like I was:

4/18: Submitted application on-line. Credit card charged immediately for 3 year card. I compiled/completed application myself and got the certification from a doctor whom is treating me for the qualifying illness.

7/5: Received card!! Interestingly, medcardclock hit the nail on the head with their estimate for me.

I resisted the urge to call during this wait period, largely because I seemed to have been in the time frame that most of you have endured. If I hit the 90 day mark though, I would've called to inquire.

I chose MedMar Chicago for my dispensary at the time of my application yet this was before the dispensary in my neighborhood, Greengate Compassion Center (Rogers Park) opened. I went to MedMar today. They seem to have the most expansive selection yet their prices seem to be slightly hire then others in the region. I have been to dispensaries before in states where recreational use is legal and Amsterdam so I kind of knew what to expect experience/atmosphere wise. However, I still was pretty nervous. One of the reasons I am a qualifying patient! Ha, at least I can laugh at myself, I guess. Anyway, medmar was a good experience. My budtender was very nice and helpful though I already knew what I wanted for the most part. As pleasant an experience as this was (sweating and anxiety aside) I called Greengate thereafter to make the dispensary switch not only because they are in my neighborhood but because they seem to have a larger selection of oil cartridges for vaping which I prefer and their edible selection is great too. Also, slightly cheaper. Maybe save $15-$20 a purchase. Best of luck to everyone and I hope you all find relief in this program. We are finally legal!!