Illinois Department of Public Health reports higher Medical Cannabis interest than expected

[September 06, 2014]  LINCOLN - SPRINGFIELD – Since Tuesday, September 2, more than 2,000 people began the application process to register for a medical cannabis identification card through the Illinois Department of Public Health .

“We anticipated a few hundred patients and caregivers would begin registering for a medical cannabis identification card during the first couple of days, but by the end of the Thursday more than 2,000 people had started the application process,” said Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Project Coordinator Bob Morgan. “This is a promising sign that the Program is on track to fulfill its key purpose—alleviating the pain and suffering for thousands of Illinoisans.”

Qualifying patients whose last names begin with A – L have two months (September 2 – October 31) to submit their applications. Patients whose last names begin with M – Z may submit an application from November 1– December 31. Starting January 1, patients and caregivers will be able to submit applications at any time. Applications may be submitted electronically at www.medicalcannab
ispatients.illinois.gov , or through the mail to:

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Medical Cannabis
535 W. Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761-0001

More information about the patient application process can be found online at www.mcpp.illinois.gov  in the Frequently Asked Questions section. For any questions regarding patient and caregiver registration, please contact the DPH Division of Medical Cannabis at
[phone] or [e-mail] 

Additional information on the number of medical cannabis applications and registrations will be available next week.

[Text received; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH]

IDPH continues to implement its Five Year Strategy 2014-2018 to maximize IDPH’s effectiveness, influence and value for promoting wellness, health equity, safety and improved health outcomes. Strategic plan priorities include developing and expanding partnerships; improving data utilization; reducing health disparities; improving regulatory compliance; and branding, marketing and communicating IDPH’s value. http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/
StrategicPlan_Final_2014-2018.pdf