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how much does a medical marijuana card cost in Illinois

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Whether it’s products, medical cards, or even doctor’s appointments, the price of marijuana fluctuates significantly from state to state. Today, let’s focus on the cost of cannabis in the Land of Lincoln.

 

So, how much does a medical marijuana card cost in Illinois? What about the cannabis doctor’s appointment? Let’s talk. 

Understanding Cannabis in Illinois

As of 2020, both medical marijuana and recreational cannabis are legal in Illinois! 

 

Those with qualifying medical conditions can get medical marijuana cards throughout Illinois, either online or in person. (But, we’d argue that online is best.) 

 

Medical marijuana patients can have up to 2.5 ounces of product at a time, and they can even grow up to five plants at a time right at home. 

 

On the other hand, recreational consumers cannot cultivate marijuana at all. They can also only have up to 15 grams of flower at a time. 

 

However, one of the biggest differences between medical marijuana and recreational cannabis is the tax rates. 

Get your card, get better weed, save more money.

Having an MMJ card means paying less for your top-shelf bud -- and getting more of it.

Medical Marijuana vs. Recreational Cannabis Tax Rates

Medical marijuana patients only pay the standard 1% sales tax on their products. Along with that, there are no additional excise taxes for registered medical cannabis patients. 

 

This is far from the same for recreational consumers, though. 

 

The state charges recreational consumers with extremely high tax rates on cannabis products. Let’s break them down for you. 

 

As a rec consumer, you’ll have to pay: 

 

  1. State Excise Tax (based on THC content and product type):

    • 10% tax on cannabis flower or products with 35% THC or less.

    • 20% tax on cannabis-infused products (e.g., edibles).

    • 25% tax on products with more than 35% THC (e.g., concentrates).

  2. State Sales Tax:

    • A 6.25% general sales tax applies to all recreational cannabis purchases.

  3. Local Taxes:

    • Depending on location, municipalities and counties can impose additional sales taxes, typically ranging from 3% to 3.75%

We know… it’s a lot. That’s why medical marijuana cards in Illinois are always the way to go. That being said, let’s cover the cost of an IL MMJ card to compare. 

How Much Does a Medical Marijuana Card Cost in Illinois?

Instead of trying to calculate how much you’re going to pay in taxes each time you go to an Illinois dispensary, why not get a medical card instead and know what you’ll pay every time? 

 

Here’s how much a medical marijuana card costs in Illinois — including when you turn to Elevate Holistics. 

MMJ Doctor’s Appointment 

To get a medical card in Illinois, you have to be approved by a qualified medical marijuana doctor.

 

You cannot go to just any healthcare provider for this, and, unfortunately, the visit will not be covered by health insurance.

 

That being said, your medical marijuana evaluation could cost anywhere from $150-$200 depending on where you go. 

 

Thankfully, Elevate Holistics offers online appointments for your Illinois medical marijuana card at just $130. 

 

And, with us, there are no hidden fees or added costs. 

Medical Marijuana Card Cost 

Next, you’ll need to pay the state fee to register with the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program

 

You can choose between getting a card that’s valid for one year, two years, or three years. And, of course, these vary in price. According to the state’s medical marijuana program:

 

  • An Illinois MMJ card valid for one year costs $50.

  • A two-year card costs $100. 

  • A card valid for three years costs $125. 

While these prices may seem a bit steep up front, your card will quickly pay for itself after a few trips to the dispensary. This is simply because of how much money you’ll save on taxes! 

Don’t wait in line — get approved online.

Having an MMJ card means paying less for your top-shelf bud -- and getting more of it.
how much does a medical marijuana card cost in Illinois

How Much Does Medical Marijuana Cost in Illinois?

The actual price of medical cannabis in Illinois is going to depend on the products you buy, the potency, and where you’re shopping from. 

 

The average price of an ounce in the Land of Lincoln is between $200-$300, while your typical eighth goes for between $25 and $35

 

Of course, you’re going to find medical marijuana products that are both cheaper and more expensive than these ranges. And this is based on the brand, how high the THC percentage is, the type of product itself, and even where you’re at in Illinois. 

 

Thankfully, you can always check out a dispensary’s prices online before shopping there to see if their cannabis costs align with your budget. 

Getting Your Illinois MMJ Card in Minutes Online

Whether you’re interested in getting a card for the first time or you’re hoping to renew before your card expires, Elevate Holistics is here to help you out. 

 

Our online process is quick, simple, and incredibly convenient. You can speak to our doctors from the comfort of home, either over the phone or computer. And, the appointments only take a few minutes, so they don’t disrupt your busy schedule. 

 

If it’s time to start saving money on your plant-based products, all you have to do is click the button below to book your IL appointment. 

 

Psst! During checkout, make sure to use the code BLOG5 for an exclusive discount just for being a blog reader. 

Full money-back guarantee — risk free.

Save money on every purchase you make when you have a medical card in Illinois.

Get Your MMJ Card Right From Home

Elevate Holistics’ process is quick, affordable, and done entirely online. It’s never been so easy.

About the author

Aspen Noonan isn’t your average CEO, and she’s not trying to be. As the powerhouse behind Elevate Holistics, Aspen is on a mission to make medical marijuana access easier, faster, and way less intimidating. What started with answering phones and scheduling appointments turned into building one of the most trusted telehealth platforms in cannabis. She's certified through Cannabis Training University and Healer.com, but her real education? Listening to patients and living it herself. Aspen isn’t just running a company. She’s helping lead a movement. A cannabis patient, mom, and fierce believer in plant medicine, she’s working to normalize weed in a world that still whispers about it. Her take? If you can unwind with a glass of wine, you should be able to do the same with cannabis. No shame, no stigma, no side-eye. Inside the business, Aspen runs a tight ship built on the strong foundation already in place. She’s focused on making patients happy, improving systems, and finding smarter ways to work. Since taking the reins at Elevate Holistics, she’s streamlined turnaround times, improved tech, and introduced a four-day workweek to support team balance and performance. She believes burnout is out. Balance is in. And when teams feel good, they do great work. Outside of Elevate, Aspen mentors other entrepreneurs (especially women breaking into crowded spaces), helps patients feel seen and empowered, and occasionally jumps on a podcast to speak the truth about cannabis and leadership. You may have heard her on Getting Elevated with Aspen Noonan (CannaBlogger’s Corner) and The Healing Plant: Cannabis Myths vs. Medical Miracles (Life Conversations with a Twist) -  insights that dive deep into plant medicine, leadership, and breaking stigma. She also trained Arlee Riveland, now CEO of Craft Telemedicine, and she’s just getting started. Aspen’s not here to follow rules. She’s here to rewrite them. For healthcare. For cannabis. For women in business. And for her daughter, who she hopes sees every day that purpose, power, and balance can all belong in the same life.
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