Section 946.600  Registration for the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program

a)         The Opioid Alternative Pilot Program shall be limited to participation by Illinois residents age 21 and older.

b)         A patient who has been issued a written certification in accordance with Section 946.620 and who seeks to use medical cannabis under the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program shall register with the Department online.

c)         To qualify for the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program, a patient shall:

1)         Be a resident of the State of Illinois, as defined in Section 946.200(c), at the time of application and remain a resident during participation in the program;

2)         Have a signed, written certification meeting the requirements of Section 946.620; and

3)         Pay a co-payment of $10 for the initial 90-day registration for the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program and a co-payment of $10 for each subsequent registration period.

d)         Residency. For purposes of this Part, the patient shall be a resident of the State of Illinois if the individual:

1)         Physically resides in the State of Illinois at the time of registration and throughout the enrollment period.

2)         Proof of Illinois residency by meeting the requirements specified in Section 946.200(c).

e)         To register with the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program, a patient shall submit a completed electronic application to the Department, which shall include, at a minimum, the following items:

1)         Written certification for the use of medical cannabis, meeting the requirements of this Part, issued by a certifying health care professional who meets the requirements set forth in the Act, and dated less than 30 days prior to the registration;

2)         Valid, unexpired Illinois Driver's License, Illinois Temporary Visitor Driver's License, or other State identification card issued by the Illinois Secretary of State in the name of the applicant in accordance with the Illinois Identification Card Act;

3)         Proof of Illinois residency of the qualifying patient, as specified in Section 946.200(c);

4)         Photograph of the patient as follows:

A)        Current digital passport-size photograph, taken no more than 30 calendar days before the submission of the application;

B)        Taken against a plain, light-colored background or backdrop;

C)        At least 2 inches by 2 inches in size;

D)        In natural color; and

E)        That provides an unobstructed front view of the full face. A full-faced photograph must be taken without any obstruction of the applicant's facial features or any items covering any portion of the face.  Prescription glasses and religious head coverings not covering any areas of the open face will be allowed. Head coverings for persons diagnosed and undergoing treatment for cancer are allowed;

5)         Designation of the medical cannabis dispensing organization where the patient will receive  medical cannabis.  Only one medical cannabis dispensing organization may be selected during each 90-day registration for the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program; and

6)         Payment of a registration co-payment of $10 for the initial registration in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program.

f)         An Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant shall not be registered as a medical cannabis cardholder. (Section 62 of the Act)

g)         A patient enrolled in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program who submits an application to the Department for a medical cannabis registry identification card shall cease to be registered with the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program immediately upon submission of the application and associated fee.

h)         Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participants shall notify the Department of changes in the participant's name or address.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 6205, effective April 27, 2021)