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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cannabis in Illinois

The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Listed qualifying condition
✓ Yes
LEGAL
2.5 oz per 14-day suppl…
POSSESSION
$100/yr
STATE FEE
14–45 d
TIMELINE
Listed qualifying condition. The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Illinois statute and program

The Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program is the operating authority for Illinois patient certification. The authoritative legal text is: Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705). The program portal is at Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program.

What the evidence says about cannabis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of voluntary muscle control. Symptoms typically include muscle weakness, spasticity, fasciculations, dysphagia, and respiratory compromise. Most patients survive 2–5 years from diagnosis.

For the full evidence base, including the NASEM tier, randomized trial summaries, and symptom-domain breakdown, read the mmjnow Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) page.

How to qualify in Illinois

The Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program requires the following registration steps for a Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patient (or any qualifying diagnosis):

  1. Get a written certification from an Illinois-licensed physician. Any Illinois-licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant authorized to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances may issue a written certification under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act (410 ILCS 130/). The Opioid Alternative Pilot Program (OAPP, expanded under PA 100-1114) allows any patient prescribed an opioid for a medical condition to use medical cannabis as an alternative.
  2. Apply through the Illinois Department of Public Health portal. The patient creates an account in the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Medical Cannabis Patient Registry, uploads a current Illinois driver license or state ID, a passport-style photograph, the physician written certification, and proof of Illinois residency. The application may be submitted online or by mail.
  3. Pay the state registration fee. The Illinois patient registration card fee is $100 per year, $200 for two years, or $250 for three years. Reduced fees of $50 / $100 / $125 apply for patients receiving SSI or SSDI disability benefits, and veterans pay no patient registration fee. Caregivers pay a separate $50 fee and complete a state and federal background check.
  4. Receive the card and purchase from an Illinois dispensary. Illinois medical cannabis patient registry cards are issued within roughly 30 days of complete application. With the card, patients may purchase up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days from any of the licensed Illinois medical cannabis dispensaries (most of which are co-located with adult-use retail). Adult-use is legal statewide for adults 21+; medical patients retain lower taxation, higher purchase limits, and product-availability priority during shortages.
State registration fee
$100
Physician visit (typical)
$200–$350
Certification to card
14–45 days
Out-of-state patients
Not eligible
Minors
Eligible with caregiver

For full Illinois registration steps, fees, and reciprocity rules, see the Illinois cannabis-laws page.

ICD-10 code

A certifying physician documenting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) for the Illinois medical cannabis program will typically record ICD-10 G12.21 or SNOMED-CT 86044005 in the patient's record. The state registry does not itself collect ICD-10 codes in most programs, but the physician's chart is the audit trail if the certification is later reviewed.

Frequently asked questions

Does Illinois list Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis?

Yes. Illinois explicitly lists Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) as a qualifying condition under Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program. A patient with a documented Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis can pursue state-program certification with a physician registered in the state. The qualifying-condition list is published by the state at https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis and may change as regulators add, remove, or refine entries. Inclusion on the list does not guarantee certification — a physician still has to evaluate the patient and decide that medical cannabis is appropriate for that specific case under Illinois rules.

How do I get a Illinois medical marijuana card for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

Step one is finding a physician licensed in Illinois who is registered with Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program and willing to evaluate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) cases. Step two is collecting your records (diagnosis documentation, treatment history, and the ICD-10 code your physician will use) and bringing them to the certification visit. Step three is the physician's certification through the state registry, followed by the patient registration application, state fee, and waiting period before the card is issued. Illinois does not honor out-of-state cards, so the certification process has to originate inside the state. Verify the patient minimum age with the state program before applying. The authoritative source for the current process is the Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program site at https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis; the state updates fees, forms, and physician registration rules periodically.

What does the evidence say about cannabis for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

For Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), evidence is described as limited (a small number of supportive studies, often underpowered or focused on narrow symptom domains). The mmjnow condition page for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) lays out the current evidence base, including the citations underlying that evidence tier — typically the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus reports, federal agency guidance, and peer-reviewed reviews. Evidence quality is independent of state law: a state can list a condition for which evidence is limited, and a state can decline to list a condition for which evidence is strong. Patients deciding whether to pursue medical cannabis for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) should review the underlying evidence (linked on the condition page) and discuss expected benefit, dosing, and risk with a clinician familiar with both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cannabinoid pharmacology. Cannabis is not a substitute for evidence-based first-line treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); the evidence position above describes whether trial data supports its use, not whether it should replace standard care.

Sources

  1. Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705)accessed May 15, 2026
  2. IDFPR: Adult Use Cannabis Programaccessed May 16, 2026
  3. Illinois DPH: Medical Cannabis Patient Programaccessed May 16, 2026
  4. NASEM: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)accessed May 15, 2026
  5. ALS Association: Cannabis and ALSaccessed May 15, 2026