The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today proposed amendments to two sections of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Patient Program. The first proposed amendment adds two new qualifications for reduced registration and renewal fees, and the second adds four approved qualifying debilitating conditions.

Along with the previous qualifications for medical card registration and renewal fee reductions, IDPH added five existing income-based programs to the list, including Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid. The following amendment includes those who are experiencing homelessness. Proposed amendments for how to prove these new qualifications were also added. Currently, qualifying patient application fees are $50 for one year, $100 for two years, and $125 for three years. Reduced qualifying patient application fees are $25 for one year, $50 for two years, and $75 for three years.

The second proposed amendment updates the wording for four new qualifying debilitating conditions that were officially announced on Jan. 9, 2025. The four debilitating conditions added to the official list of qualifying conditions were endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and female orgasmic disorder. The four newly added conditions bring the total to 56. Since the announcement, providers have been able to begin certifying patients with those conditions for treatment with medical cannabis. IDPH provided the brief information about each condition below:

Female orgasmic disorder

This is a condition where a female has difficulty reaching orgasm. There may be a wide variety of causes for this syndrome. Data suggests that cannabis can be helpful for women with difficulties or dysfunction attaining orgasm.

Endometriosis

This is a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, which can result in severe pain, scarring, and infertility. Studies show that cannabis is an effective means of treating pain from endometriosis.

Ovarian cysts

This is a broad category covering several different types of cysts (a solid or fluid-filled pocket) that grow on or within the ovary. Medical cannabis would be used to treat the pain associated with these cysts.

Uterine fibroids

These common, benign growths can lead to chronic pelvic pain, which can be treated with medical cannabis.

For questions or comments through 1/20/26, contact Tracey Trigillo by mail at IDPH, 524 S. Second St., 6th Floor, Springfield, IL 62701, by phone at 217- 782-1159, or by email at dph.rules@illinois.gov. For more Illinois cannabis industry news, subscribe to Illinois News Joint’s newsletter here.

For Illinois News Joint reviews, visit here.

To find cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.