Illinois is a critical player in cannabis reform, but beneath the surface lies an issue impacting thousands of medical patients: a restrictive licensing system that creates barriers to care.
In Illinois, the excise tax, which is an additional state tax placed on specific items, can be up to 25% to purchase cannabis products at some dispensaries. This is in addition to the 6.25% state sales tax.
However, medical marijuana cardholders in the state are exempt except for a 1% state retailer occupational tax only when shopping at a medical dispensary, according to USA Today.
Here’s the catch: with only 55 licensed medical dispensaries compared to over 200 adult-use dispensaries, patients are often forced to shop at recreational facilities closer to their homes, resulting in them paying higher taxes and missing out on specialized support services.
And even if patients can make it to a medical dispensary, since insurance doesn’t cover cannabis, it can still be a financial burden to those who need it to manage symptoms.
Medical Patients Left Behind
Despite efforts to expand access, all new licenses have been granted to recreational dispensaries for the past six years, according to Anou Khot, founder of Socíale dispensary. This leaves no new options for medical patients.
“The application process to obtain or renew a medical cannabis card can also be a discouraging and detailed process, requiring patients to rely on their medical dispensary as a key resource in this process,” she says. “This daunting method, as well as the required physician’s certification, can deter some patients from joining or staying in the program.”
All in all, the current system for medical cannabis in Illinois is falling short in several key areas:
- The cost of medical cannabis. Since cannabis isn’t covered by insurance, patients need to cover the entire cost every time they make a purchase. This can be very costly for those who rely on cannabis regularly.
- A difficult application process. The medical patient application process isn’t user friendly and can be costly for those who live on a budget, discouraging potential patients from entering and remaining in the program.
- Limited medical dispensary access. With medical dispensaries unevenly distributed across the state, this forces patients living in rural areas to travel long distances to get their medication.
“The state is failing the medical cannabis system by not increasing the number of licensed retailers that can sell to medical cannabis patients,” says Khot. “This is further compounded by inconsistent product quality and the limited availability of specialized products like tinctures or capsules that many medical patients need.”
Necessary Policy Changes
To improve the situation for medical cannabis patients in Illinois, Khot explains that several policy changes are necessary:
- Expanding access to dispensaries. Policy changes should allow medical patients to access cannabis at medical tax rates from adult-use dispensaries.
- Lowering taxes for medical cannabis. Given the rising costs of recreational cannabis, more affordable pricing structures for medical products are crucial.
- Streamlining the application process. With the current process being quite burdensome, streamlining medical cannabis card applications would make it more accessible to potential patients.
- Reforms to address supply shortages. Expanding the variety of medical products and focusing on those with specific cannabinoid profiles would better meet the diverse needs of medical patients.
Advocating for Medical Patients
As an adult-use dispensary owner in Illinois, Khot is currently working to raise awareness about the disparity between medical and recreational cannabis access through advocacy, education and community engagement.
“I actively engage with lawmakers to advocate for reforms that would prioritize medical patients, such as improving access to adult-use dispensaries with medical licenses and pushing for reduced tax rates and more affordable pricing for medical users,” she says. “Additionally, I collaborate with industry groups to amplify the voices of medical cannabis patients, helping to highlight the need for legislative changes.”
Whether you are a dispensary owner, medical patient or simply an advocate in Illinois, Khot suggests taking several actions to raise awareness and push for policy changes:
- Engage with local lawmakers. Publicly sharing your concerns for medical patients at community meetings and in industry forums can help create momentum for change.
- Collaborate with advocacy groups. Working together with advocacy groups like the Illinois Cannabis Trade Association, The Illinois Medical Cannabis Alliance, and NORML can help ensure that the voices of medical patients are heard.
- Educate the public and industry professionals. Dispensary owners and staff should be trained to understand the nuances of medical cannabis use and they should encourage open conversations that help reduce stigma.
- Utilize the power of social media. Use your social media platforms and blogs to share stories and experiences from medical patients. By raising awareness through these channels, it can generate broader public support, which can drive policymakers to take action.
Khot doesn’t plan on halting her advocacy anytime soon. In fact, she’s got some plans for the future.
“I plan to host patient-centered events and public awareness campaigns to highlight the challenges faced by medical cannabis patients, fostering a better understanding of their needs and encouraging others to advocate for change,” she says. “Together, these efforts can help create a more informed and compassionate cannabis policy that benefits both medical and recreational users in Illinois.”
