Illinois medical marijuana card wait time

eakeeper said:

@JimmiP Thanks for your comment. My husband is using a sesame seed size oil orally to help nausea while he is taking chemo. He was told he has 4 - 6 months to live in 2017 and nearly in death bed in 2018. But thanks to RSO, he bounced back and he is still doing well. But he has a very low tolerance to THC. So, he has been getting 1g of RSO (equivalent to 0.25oz of buds) daily treatment by the suppository method. *** When taking a suppository (but you have to stay within external and internal sphincter - which is 1-1/2 inches from the entry point), you don't feel high.

Because he needs 1g (0.25oz of buds) RSO daily, I need all 5 plants and can't afford to mess it up. 1 lb of buds makes 60g RSO, which is 2 months treatment. Since growing from a seed to harvest/drying/curing takes 4-5 months, I need to get a minimum of 2-1/2 lbs of dry buds from the 5 plants. And if you are experienced in growing cannabis, you know it isn't going to be easy.
I am all setup as well. Since we are limited to 5 plants, I have to come up with a creative way to grow the plants. I am thinking about staring 5 plants, but only let 2 or 3 plants to flower and keep the rest in the veggie state longer and keep applying HST/LST to create more bud sites. I can keep 2-3 plants in flowering and follow by 2-3 plants in veggie, I can harvest 2-3 plants every 2 months. Well, this is one of my plans and I don't know if it will work or not, but the perpetual harvest is the goal.

That is why I was so happy to found this thread where IL residents can talk about this and perhaps we can help each other.

And as for growing outdoor, it isn't allowed in IL. Maybe it will change in the future, but in the upcoming year, our cultivation will have to stay indoors.

Here is the article stating this.

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Sorry to hear about your situation if I where you I would do alot of research because you can just clone it and keep 1 mother plant. I know your state has 5 plant minimum though. If you need any help I know of someone in Illinois who can help you out with advice and setting up. Private message me I can give you his information.

hellmutt bones said:

Sorry to hear about your situation if I where you I would do alot of research because you can just clone it and keep 1 mother plant. I know your state has 5 plant minimum though. If you need any help I know of someone in Illinois who can help you out with advice and setting up. Private message me I can give you his information.

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Thank you, I have it all set up and ready to start. I just ordered some seeds and waiting for that as well. I will surely consider your offer and I am sure I can use advice from the experienced grower.

BTW, how do I give 'thumbs up or Thank someone" in this forum? I don't see where I can do that.

JimmiP said:

that is exactly what I was talking about. And I am sorry I did not understand about the suppository situation.
Have you ever cloned any plants? And also were you planning on growing in soil or another medium? I have been growing in a soil mix as of late but am going back to hydroponic for the winter on Jan 1.
Now, outdoor growing is allowed. It will have to be locked behind a fence though. Or even better a locked greenhouse. That's the thing, the plants have to be secured and out of public view. Colorado had something similar. We want them out of view anyway. No one wants to be the target of criminals.

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For cancer treatment using RSO, a protocol is to take 1g of cannabis extracted oil per day for 60 days or until cure. But, my husband has a very low tolerance when it comes to THC. I don't know if you are taking RSO or just smoke or eat edibles only but the person who's been smoking 30 years+ to build up to 1g per day takes 30 days. If at that rate, especially my husband's low tolerance, it will take him many months to get used to 1g per day if that's even possible. So, I researched this issue and found if RSO is given to a person rectally (suppository), 1g or more can be administered without getting high. Also, given suppository, bioavailability is much higher like up to 80% than smoking (up to 30%) or ingesting (up to 15%). That is why I really need to harvest as much as I can so that I can get enough to make the oil.

As for experience; I have grown cannabis million times in my mind, but actual hands-on, I have very little experience. (I helped my daughter live in another state for about 3 years). At that time, I did clone and also germinate seeds too. The clone is free and you know for sure what you are going to grow in the next cycle, but sometimes it is hard to time it if I am going to have 2 stages of growing going at a same time. Also, for cancer treatment, they suggest growing different strains and mix it. This gives entourage effects that work best to treat cancer. So, starting with seed, I can grow multiple different strains rather than cloning just 1 strain. I do read and research a lot and I think I know enough information to start growing, but to put that into practice, I am pretty sure I will run into the brick wall.

I have 2 rooms designated for growing cannabis. 1 room, I have a tent set up. Because of the open layout of the floor, I have to use a tent. Otherwise, I can't block the light completely. Another room is a furnace/storage room, but there is no window. So, this is just perfect as is, except it is pretty small. As I mentioned, I would like to start 5 plants and just switch 12/12/ on 2-3 plants only to start. The rest, I will keep in veggie until after harvest and switch it to 12/12. That way, if I can repeat the same, I can harvest every 2-3 months. (well, that is the hope)
I am going to use the soil to grow. I heard a lot of good things about hydro, but for some reason, I am leaning toward the soil, at least until I get my feet wet first on this new territory of growing cannabis. As far as supplies, I already bought Promix organic soil with mycoactive, perlite and peat moss. I have all the necessary tools and equipment; ppm meter, ph meter and also tester, fabric pots from 3 gal to 7 gal size. Already made scrog - since I decided not to use the net scrog. I am also huge DIYer (LOL), Gnat tapes, All nutritions for growing and budding.. about 10 LED lights from 300watts to 1800watts and a few other kinds of stuff that I think I am going to need. Too bad you are far from where I am. If closer, we can share supplies, seeds or clones, etc. But it doesn't stop us from communicating on regular bases to exchange ideas.

Is getting a card difficult in Illinois?.
I deal with pain and IBS....

Anyone have difficulties? Please share experiences

Bigballin85 said:

Is getting a card difficult in Illinois?.
I deal with pain and IBS....

Anyone have difficulties? Please share experiences

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Used to be back in 2017 when we applied.. had to get the fingerprints, which cost money and waiting. After that, another period of time waiting for IL to process the application and waiting for 3 months.

Now, I think you do not need the fingerprint and faster process.

Are doctors denying applications constantly?

See attached... I read somewhere else that we don't need the fingerprint anymore, but this article said we do. So, I am not sure now.

let Me ask you this.....do you go to the mm doctor and get a diagnosis or do you go to the mm doctor with a list of ailments diagnosed from a previous non mm doctor?

I know Illinois added pain and ibs to their list of qualifying conditions

Bigballin85 said:

let Me ask you this.....do you go to the mm doctor and get a diagnosis or do you go to the mm doctor with a list of ailments diagnosed from a previous non mm doctor?

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I am assuming it's up to your doctor. But in order to get your MM card, the state requires a doctor to sign off on your condition and the doctor has to be registered with the state and must be a medical doctor. When you apply this online, it has the pull-down menu to select your doctor and not all doctors listed under. Also, you need to attach the form that signed by the doctor as well.

The last was updated in 2019

Bigballin85 said:

let Me ask you this.....do you go to the mm doctor and get a diagnosis or do you go to the mm doctor with a list of ailments diagnosed from a previous non mm doctor?

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You could go to a cannabis clinic if you like to spend your money or your regular Dr wouldn't sign.

Dr's only certify your diagnosis. Some Drs refuse. If my Dr had refused I'd be asking him whether my diagnosis was real if he's not willing to sign a paper to the state that it is indeed my diagnosis.
Some Drs claim the corporation won't allow them to sign. Some are telling the truth, some are lying about that to pass the blame.

Myk63 said:

You could go to a cannabis clinic if you like to spend your money or your regular Dr wouldn't sign.

Dr's only certify your diagnosis. Some Drs refuse. If my Dr had refused I'd be asking him whether my diagnosis was real if he's not willing to sign a paper to the state that it is indeed my diagnosis.
Some Drs claim the corporation won't allow them to sign. Some are telling the truth, some are lying about that to pass the blame.

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Are cannabis clinic doctors the route to take assuming you have one of the qualifying conditions?

My regular doctor refused to talk to me about this. She literally would simply not respond. I had to take my test results with the diagnosis stated on it, to the marijuana doctor. I think this is the standard now for Illinois. I would start by contacting one of the dispensaries, they seem to have the process figured out.

Starchild1956 said:

My regular doctor refused to talk to me about this. She literally would simply not respond. I had to take my test results with the diagnosis stated on it, to the marijuana doctor. I think this is the standard now for Illinois. I would start by contacting one of the dispensaries, they seem to have the process figured out.

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Did u get your card??

Are the dispensary doctors pretty easy to work with?

Bigballin85 said:

Did u get your card??

Are the dispensary doctors pretty easy to work with?

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I did get my card. I searched g**gle for marijuana doctor near me, there was only 1. I took all my test results to him but he needed something from my regular doctor with a "Diagnosis" stated on it. She wouldn't acknowledge anything related to marijuana. Wouldn't even answer questions. So I had to endure a bunch of new tests just to get the official diagnosis's. Once I had that, the marijuana doctor had no problem signing off.

The despensary people prefer you speak to them first. They know all the ins and outs. They also help you with the application process.

Bigballin85 said:

Did u get your card??

Are the dispensary doctors pretty easy to work with?

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There are no dispensary doctors, least in my city. My boss' wife has fibro and has been on all kinds of medicine and nothings really helped, she went back to her doctor a couple months ago and her regular doctor recommended to try pot and she was able to print off the card that night. This was like november, she got her actual card beginning of january. My own doctor is completely against it though, and would much rather prescribe me opiates for my constant back pain than to ever prescribe me herb which actually helps. Been at kind of a loss since then, no way I can travel to peoria or chicago just to see a doctor that might let me get it.

I imagine the process is fairly simple assuming you have a condition and not a stubborn doctor.

HolyAngel said:

There are no dispensary doctors, least in my city. My boss' wife has fibro and has been on all kinds of medicine and nothings really helped, she went back to her doctor a couple months ago and her regular doctor recommended to try pot and she was able to print off the card that night. This was like november, she got her actual card beginning of january. My own doctor is completely against it though, and would much rather prescribe me opiates for my constant back pain than to ever prescribe me herb which actually helps. Been at kind of a loss since then, no way I can travel to peoria or chicago just to see a doctor that might let me get it.

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That’s a shame your doc is so stubborn. Pretty pathetic but what do they care?? I have tension and pain problems... and want nothing to do with opiates..

Why can’t you travel to Peoria or Chicago?

HolyAngel said:

There are no dispensary doctors, least in my city. My boss' wife has fibro and has been on all kinds of medicine and nothings really helped, she went back to her doctor a couple months ago and her regular doctor recommended to try pot and she was able to print off the card that night. This was like november, she got her actual card beginning of january. My own doctor is completely against it though, and would much rather prescribe me opiates for my constant back pain than to ever prescribe me herb which actually helps. Been at kind of a loss since then, no way I can travel to peoria or chicago just to see a doctor that might let me get it.

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I imagine if you found a doc with a more liberal approach ... you would be able to get it