Illinois medical marijuana card wait time

mauricem00

Well-Known Member
Hey
Just thought I would share my experience so far getting the medical marijuana card in Illinois.

It took nine phone calls on nine different days to get somebody to answer my call. I was told they received my application August 25, 2017 this was 39 working days ago 7 1/2 weeks total.

The only information they will release to you about your application is the date that they have received it. I did ask approximately how far backlogged they are. I was told 60 working days or 12 weeks until they get to applications. I was told the day they review your application it’s approved or denied that same day. if it’s approved it’s mailed to the DMV and other agencies to be printed and that could take approximately 10 to 14 business days or 3 weeks.

Long story short It’s October 18, 2017 and it takes approximately start to finish according to the secretary 10 to 11 weeks. And they are just falling further and further behind.

1) The state is understaffed and has no sure fire procedure to Efficiently process applications.

2) It is impossible to get a hold of anybody or get any sort of response as to what’s going on with your application.

3) I had to drive almost 3 hours to find a doctor.

I know this is just a pilot program and there’s a lot of kinks to be worked out but there’s plenty of other states that have developed efficient ways to handle those why is Illinois being so stubborn. It doesn’t take over three months to get antidepressants or hard-core pain killers.

Can’t Illinois be good at anything for crying out loud we’re already one of the most laugh at states across the board.

Patience is a virtue I suppose.

Sincerely
A agitated resident of Illinois.
here in nevada it took me one day to get my card and I had to drive 30 miles to a doctor to get a form signed then back to the government office where it took 1/2 hour to approve the application. then a drive to the DMV to turn in paperwork and get my card.maybe illinois should ask nevada to teach them how to run a program.:):):)
 

Beestface

New Member
I received my card today, and could not be happier. I will outline the timeframe and my trip to the dispensary. Before I do that, I want to thank those who were there to support, advise and share. You have all helped me a great deal. Today has been a very good day.

10-02-17 -- Application submitted via USPS
10-03-17 -- IDPH received -- confirming in email dated 11-21-17
11-21-17 -- Email to IDPH at 45 days -- Auto response
11-21-17 -- Email from IDPH noting receipt of application on 10-3-17 as noted above
12-06-17 -- IDPH cashed my check
12-06-17 -- Card states issued this date
12-16-17 -- Card received

75 days from start to finish
10 days (not business) from check cash to receipt of card.

I went to the dispensary in Rockford and they were amazing. I had a consultation and they entered me into the system. There was no paperwork to fill out. A young lady did all of it the data entry. She knew her product line and sent me out with suggestions to address my back pain, as well as something to help me sleet at night. I hope everyone else gets their cards soon.
Bluesboy - thanks for the update. I submitted about a week behind you and my check was cashed about a week behind you. I've got high hopes that I'll be seeing that envelope in my mailbox this week. Thanks for posting all, it's extremely helpful to have a resource for information in this state while they continue to iron out the kinks of this program, so I'm posting in an effort to keep this thread alive for those who follow.

Here's my current timeline:
10/08 submitted
10/10 received by state
11/24 = 45 day mark
12/08 check cashed
12/17 today... waiting...

Wish me luck for this coming week!
 

seadillo

New Member
I submitted online on October 2nd. There is a letter from IDPH in my mail today. Wish me luck as I stalk my mail person. I’ll post when I get the mail.
 
Well, I'm glad I found this forum so I know to quit hoping for my card anytime soon. I mailed everything in on 10/27 so I'm guessing by the time the holidays get added in, I'll be probably around the first of Feb before I get my card. I was really excited thinking the time had to be getting close but I appreciate the reality check here and thanks to those that are sharing their timelines. I'm so ready for something different after all these years of Vicodin and Xanax, they are virtually useless to me at this point but still better than nothing...

I'll post updates when(and if) they come...
 

merryheart

New Member
Hey everyone! Thanks for keeping this thread going. I'm glad it took off. Quick update from me: I got my card in the mail today!

Let me recap my timeline:

September 28, 2017 – T+0 days – Completed my paperwork
October 2, 2017 – T+4 days – My application was received
December 11, 2017 – T+74 days – Application was approved (letter with card was dated on this day)
December 18, 2017 – T+81 days – Received the card in the mail
Total time: 11 1/2 weeks

Good luck to everyone else! Hang in there.
 

BonV

New Member
10/6 submitted paperwork online with payment
10/10 Dr faxed his paperwork
11/28. received response from my inquiry email 11/27 that my application was received and they process in order of receipt. No date specified
12/19. still waiting.. hopeful based on the last week of posts it will come before the end of the year.
 

Urep

New Member
I got my card on December 4th after a 75 day wait from the day the state received my application. I’ve been at the dispensary twice since and it is just great! I am familiar with Cannabis but now the options that I have ro treat my condition are just unreal!!
To the people that got it, I know the awesome feeling and I am happy for you! For those of you waiting.. It looks like the average wait time is about 75 to 80 days..yep that’s Illinois. It’s difficult but all you can do is just wait(trust me, I know how much it sucks!)if you are approved, it will come. Patience is a virtue I guess :roll:
Peace :leaf:
 

Beestface

New Member
Hey all, new news: got an email reply yesterday, 12/21 that my card was out for printing and I should get it in the mail in 10-14 business days. It's tough waiting the last week or so. I had hoped to get it before the holidays - especially after seeing bluesboy's 10 day turnaround time after his check was cashed. Typical Illinois... Process me 2 days after but ship 2 weeks later. If they hit the 10-14 business day window, it's the week of January 8-12! Ugh... I think I chose the worst timeframe to submit - hit Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's delays! Will be sure to post again when it finally arrives.

Hope others out there are receiving cards for the holidays!

Cheers-
 

BonV

New Member
Update: i got my card!!! Issued 12/13 arrived today. (12/26)

Submitted app online 10/6.. Doc submitted his paperwork 10/10.
 
It's a big pet peeve of mine for new users to post a question or comment, specifically a question, before introducing themselves on a new forum, so let me get the apology out of the way. I just want to get this question out and solicit some help. I applied for a card at the end of October and still haven't received it. I, too, got the standard email in response to my query regarding my application ("Your application was received and we CANNOT provide information concerning status of applications"). Here's the history...I mailed my application, with all supporting documentation to the State. A few weeks later, I sent off an email and received a reply that my application was received on October 24th. A couple of weeks later, I sent another email asking if there was anything missing from my application because I had not heard anything. Within a day or two, I received a reply saying if anything was missing from the application I would receive notice in the mail. It was obvious that I wouldn't be able to get information from the state regarding the application, so I turned to another source and that was to check with my bank to see if the check had been cashed by the state. I checked daily, and sometimes multiple times throughout the day, to see if my check had been posted and then nearly two months later I found out the check was cashed. Long story shorter, I still don't have my card. Here's a timeline of the process:
  • 10/18/17 - Application and all supporting documents mailed via USPS
  • 10/24/17 - The date the state received the application
  • 12/15/17 - Check posted
  • 12/27/17 - Nothing...still no card or letter saying something is missing from the application
So, what do you think? Obviously, there is nothing that I can do regarding the processing, but is there a way to check rather than just send an email and get the standard response that I already got, twice? I even signed up for Informed Delivery through USPS so that I can see if something is coming in the mail.

It seems like I'm waiting an unusual amount of time compared to others who have posted here. When I think about it, two months doesn't seem like an excessive amount of time given the number of applications, it being the end of the year, etc., but, on the other hand, it does seem excessively long.

I appreciate and look forward to responses.
 

Beestface

New Member
It's a big pet peeve of mine for new users to post a question or comment, specifically a question, before introducing themselves on a new forum, so let me get the apology out of the way. I just want to get this question out and solicit some help. I applied for a card at the end of October and still haven't received it. I, too, got the standard email in response to my query regarding my application ("Your application was received and we CANNOT provide information concerning status of applications"). Here's the history...I mailed my application, with all supporting documentation to the State. A few weeks later, I sent off an email and received a reply that my application was received on October 24th. A couple of weeks later, I sent another email asking if there was anything missing from my application because I had not heard anything. Within a day or two, I received a reply saying if anything was missing from the application I would receive notice in the mail. It was obvious that I wouldn't be able to get information from the state regarding the application, so I turned to another source and that was to check with my bank to see if the check had been cashed by the state. I checked daily, and sometimes multiple times throughout the day, to see if my check had been posted and then nearly two months later I found out the check was cashed. Long story shorter, I still don't have my card. Here's a timeline of the process:
  • 10/18/17 - Application and all supporting documents mailed via USPS
  • 10/24/17 - The date the state received the application
  • 12/15/17 - Check posted
  • 12/27/17 - Nothing...still no card or letter saying something is missing from the application
So, what do you think? Obviously, there is nothing that I can do regarding the processing, but is there a way to check rather than just send an email and get the standard response that I already got, twice? I even signed up for Informed Delivery through USPS so that I can see if something is coming in the mail.

It seems like I'm waiting an unusual amount of time compared to others who have posted here. When I think about it, two months doesn't seem like an excessive amount of time given the number of applications, it being the end of the year, etc., but, on the other hand, it does seem excessively long.

I appreciate and look forward to responses.

I'm in the same boat as you. I think they're just extra slow over the holidays...

I submitted Oct 10, and my check was cashed Dec 8 - two full months for them to even start on it. I emailed a week after my check was cashed and and a couple days later got a response of "you're approved and it should arrive in the mail in 10-14 BUSINESS days." Which meant 2-3 more weeks, including delays for Christmas and New year's holidays... I'm looking at January 8-12 which makes it a full month after check cashed.

I was pretty excited after seeing others post here, but it seems like the process can vary from person to person, and we just have to be patient.

I'm still obsessively checking informed delivery too, hoping it'll make it to me sooner. You could always send another email, but you probably won't get a more specific response than whether you're approved and a timeline. Hang in there!
 
Thanks for the info Beestface. I don't want to send another email cuz i'm afraid to jinx the whole thing. I'm weird like that.

I kinda came to the reality that it will be mid to late January when I get the card. I'll tell you one thing, though. I'm driving straight to the dispensary!
 

Beestface

New Member
Thanks for the info Beestface. I don't want to send another email cuz i'm afraid to jinx the whole thing. I'm weird like that.

I kinda came to the reality that it will be mid to late January when I get the card. I'll tell you one thing, though. I'm driving straight to the dispensary!
Hang in there! My card showed up in the mail yesterday, 21 calendar days after my check was cashed by the state. I was hopeful that I'd get it quickly after reading others timelines on here, but was prepared to wait another week or so after emailing idph... I think they always tell you a longer time so that you won't bother them again ;)

Anyways, if you get yours in a similar timeframe, should only be another week or so. Almost here!

I managed to make it to the dispensary before close on Friday and even got a free new patient welcome pack with some samples in it to try some new things.

Good luck! I'm sure it will show up soon!
 

Corso312

Well-Known Member
I gotta ask... Why so happy for a card? You can't grow shit ( legally) what's the big deal about giving this broke ass state any money?
 

Redbass12

New Member
Hey everyone
Looking for advice. I sent all required information/forms on Oct 18th. It’s been 76 days. Should I send an email requesting status or is it gonna take a couple more months to get anyway and not waste my time?
 
I went to cannabis outreach in Pekin on 10/8. The application got mailed on 10/10. Still waiting patiently. Just signed up for informed deliver, thanks for that guys. Will keep you updated.
 

Redbass12

New Member
I hope mine comes sooner than later. I really want to stop taking codiene but have no other choice until the wonderfully screwed up state of Illinois gets their crap together and gets it to me.
 
Just to post an update, I mailed my stuff in on 10/27 and my check cleared today so I'm guessing I'm probably about 3 weeks out still from getting the card in hand...but it's nice to finally see something happen after 9 weeks of nothing...at least I know they are working on it now!
 
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