410 ILCS 130/ Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.

(410 ILCS 130/1)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/5)

Sec. 5. Findings.

(a) The recorded use of cannabis as a medicine goes back nearly 5,000 years. Modern medical research has confirmed the beneficial uses of cannabis in treating or alleviating the pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with a variety of debilitating medical conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS, as found by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine in March 1999.

(b) Studies published since the 1999 Institute of Medicine report continue to show the therapeutic value of cannabis in treating a wide array of debilitating medical conditions. These include relief of the neuropathic pain caused by multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and other illnesses that often fail to respond to conventional treatments and relief of nausea, vomiting, and other side effects of drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, increasing the chances of patients continuing on life-saving treatment regimens.

(c) Cannabis has many currently accepted medical uses in the United States, having been recommended by thousands of licensed physicians to at least 600,000 patients in states with medical cannabis laws. The medical utility of cannabis is recognized by a wide range of medical and public health organizations, including the American Academy of HIV Medicine, the American College of Physicians, the American Nurses Association, the American Public Health Association, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and many others.

(d) Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports and the Compendium of Federal Justice Statistics show that approximately 99 out of every 100 cannabis arrests in the U.S. are made under state law, rather than under federal law. Consequently, changing State law will have the practical effect of protecting from arrest the vast majority of seriously ill patients who have a medical need to use cannabis.

(d-5) In 2014, the Task Force on Veterans' Suicide was created by the Illinois General Assembly to gather data on veterans' suicide prevention. Data from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs study indicates that 22 veterans commit suicide each day.

(d-10) According to the State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan released in September 2017, "The opioid epidemic is the most significant public health and public safety crisis facing Illinois". According to the Action Plan, "Fueled by the growing opioid epidemic, drug overdoses have now become the leading cause of death nationwide for people under the age of 50. In Illinois, opioid overdoses have killed nearly 11,000 people since 2008. Just last year, nearly 1,900 people died of overdoses—almost twice the number of fatal car crashes. Beyond these deaths are thousands of emergency department visits, hospital stays, as well as the pain suffered by individuals, families, and communities".

According to the Action Plan, "At the current rate, the opioid epidemic will claim the lives of more than 2,700 Illinoisans in 2020".

Further, the Action Plan states, "Physical tolerance to opioids can begin to develop as early as two to three days following the continuous use of opioids, which is a large factor that contributes to their addictive potential".

The 2017 State of Illinois Opioid Action Plan also states, "The increase in OUD [opioid use disorder] and opioid overdose deaths is largely due to the dramatic rise in the rate and amount of opioids prescribed for pain over the past decades".

Further, according to the Action Plan, "In the absence of alternative treatments, reducing the supply of prescription opioids too abruptly may drive more people to switch to using illicit drugs (including heroin), thus increasing the risk of overdose".

(e) Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C. have removed state-level criminal penalties from the medical use and cultivation of cannabis. Illinois joins in this effort for the health and welfare of its citizens.

(f) States are not required to enforce federal law or prosecute people for engaging in activities prohibited by federal law. Therefore, compliance with this Act does not put the State of Illinois in violation of federal law.

(g) State law should make a distinction between the medical and non-medical uses of cannabis. Hence, the purpose of this Act is to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their physicians and providers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties, and property forfeiture if the patients engage in the medical use of cannabis.

(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

(410 ILCS 130/7)

Sec. 7. Lawful user and lawful products. For the purposes of this Act and to clarify the legislative findings on the lawful use of cannabis:

(1) A cardholder under this Act shall not be considered an unlawful user or addicted to narcotics solely as a result of his or her qualifying patient or designated caregiver status.

(2) All medical cannabis products purchased by a qualifying patient at a licensed dispensing organization shall be lawful products and a distinction shall be made between medical and non-medical uses of cannabis as a result of the qualifying patient's cardholder status, provisional registration for qualifying patient cardholder status, or participation in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program under the authorized use granted under State law.

(3) An individual with a provisional registration for qualifying patient cardholder status, a qualifying patient in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program, or an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant under Section 62 shall not be considered an unlawful user or addicted to narcotics solely as a result of his or her application to or participation in the program.

(Source: P.A. 100-1114, eff. 8-28-18; 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/10)

Sec. 10. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this Act, shall have the meanings set forth in this Section:

(a) "Adequate supply" means:

(1) 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis during a period of 14 days and that is derived solely from an intrastate source.

(2) Subject to the rules of the Department of Public Health, a patient may apply for a waiver where a certifying health care professional provides a substantial medical basis in a signed, written statement asserting that, based on the patient's medical history, in the certifying health care professional's professional judgment, 2.5 ounces is an insufficient adequate supply for a 14-day period to properly alleviate the patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition.

(3) This subsection may not be construed to authorize the possession of more than 2.5 ounces at any time without authority from the Department of Public Health.

(4) The pre-mixed weight of medical cannabis used in making a cannabis infused product shall apply toward the limit on the total amount of medical cannabis a registered qualifying patient may possess at any one time.

(a-5) "Advanced practice registered nurse" means a person who is licensed under the Nurse Practice Act as an advanced practice registered nurse and has a controlled substances license under Article III of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

(b) "Cannabis" has the meaning given that term in Section 3 of the Cannabis Control Act.

(c) "Cannabis plant monitoring system" means a system that includes, but is not limited to, testing and data collection established and maintained by the registered cultivation center and available to the Department for the purposes of documenting each cannabis plant and for monitoring plant development throughout the life cycle of a cannabis plant cultivated for the intended use by a qualifying patient from seed planting to final packaging.

(d) "Cardholder" means a qualifying patient or a designated caregiver who has been issued and possesses a valid registry identification card by the Department of Public Health.

(d-5) "Certifying health care professional" means a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant.

(e) "Cultivation center" means a facility operated by an organization or business that is registered by the Department of Agriculture to perform necessary activities to provide only registered medical cannabis dispensing organizations with usable medical cannabis.

(f) "Cultivation center agent" means a principal officer, board member, employee, or agent of a registered cultivation center who is 21 years of age or older and has not been convicted of an excluded offense.

(g) "Cultivation center agent identification card" means a document issued by the Department of Agriculture that identifies a person as a cultivation center agent.

(h) "Debilitating medical condition" means one or more of the following:

(1) cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease (including, but not limited to, ulcerative colitis), agitation of Alzheimer's disease, cachexia/wasting syndrome, muscular dystrophy, severe fibromyalgia, spinal cord disease, including but not limited to arachnoiditis, Tarlov cysts, hydromyelia, syringomyelia, Rheumatoid arthritis, fibrous dysplasia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Arnold-Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia, Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), Parkinson's, Tourette's, Myoclonus, Dystonia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type I), Causalgia, CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type II), Neurofibromatosis, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Sjogren's syndrome, Lupus, Interstitial Cystitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Hydrocephalus, nail-patella syndrome, residual limb pain, seizures (including those characteristic of epilepsy), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, osteoarthritis, anorexia nervosa, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Neuro-Behcet's Autoimmune Disease, neuropathy, polycystic kidney disease, superior canal dehiscence syndrome, or the treatment of these conditions;

(1.5) terminal illness with a diagnosis of 6 months or less; if the terminal illness is not one of the qualifying debilitating medical conditions, then the certifying health care professional shall on the certification form identify the cause of the terminal illness; or

(2) any other debilitating medical condition or its treatment that is added by the Department of Public Health by rule as provided in Section 45.

(i) "Designated caregiver" means a person who: (1) is at least 21 years of age; (2) has agreed to assist with a patient's medical use of cannabis; (3) has not been convicted of an excluded offense; and (4) assists no more than one registered qualifying patient with his or her medical use of cannabis.

(j) "Dispensing organization agent identification card" means a document issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation that identifies a person as a medical cannabis dispensing organization agent.

(k) "Enclosed, locked facility" means a room, greenhouse, building, or other enclosed area equipped with locks or other security devices that permit access only by a cultivation center's agents or a dispensing organization's agent working for the registered cultivation center or the registered dispensing organization to cultivate, store, and distribute cannabis for registered qualifying patients.

(l) "Excluded offense" for cultivation center agents and dispensing organizations means:

(1) a violent crime defined in Section 3 of the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act or a substantially similar offense that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted; or

(2) a violation of a state or federal controlled substance law, the Cannabis Control Act, or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted, except that the registering Department may waive this restriction if the person demonstrates to the registering Department's satisfaction that his or her conviction was for the possession, cultivation, transfer, or delivery of a reasonable amount of cannabis intended for medical use. This exception does not apply if the conviction was under state law and involved a violation of an existing medical cannabis law.

For purposes of this subsection, the Department of Public Health shall determine by emergency rule within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly what constitutes a "reasonable amount".

(l-5) (Blank).

(l-10) "Illinois Cannabis Tracking System" means a web-based system established and maintained by the Department of Public Health that is available to the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois State Police, and registered medical cannabis dispensing organizations on a 24-hour basis to upload written certifications for Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participants, to verify Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participants, to verify Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participants' available cannabis allotment and assigned dispensary, and the tracking of the date of sale, amount, and price of medical cannabis purchased by an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant.

(m) "Medical cannabis cultivation center registration" means a registration issued by the Department of Agriculture.

(n) "Medical cannabis container" means a sealed, traceable, food compliant, tamper resistant, tamper evident container, or package used for the purpose of containment of medical cannabis from a cultivation center to a dispensing organization.

(o) "Medical cannabis dispensing organization", or "dispensing organization", or "dispensary organization" means a facility operated by an organization or business that is registered by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to acquire medical cannabis from a registered cultivation center for the purpose of dispensing cannabis, paraphernalia, or related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients, individuals with a provisional registration for qualifying patient cardholder status, or an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant.

(p) "Medical cannabis dispensing organization agent" or "dispensing organization agent" means a principal officer, board member, employee, or agent of a registered medical cannabis dispensing organization who is 21 years of age or older and has not been convicted of an excluded offense.

(q) "Medical cannabis infused product" means food, oils, ointments, or other products containing usable cannabis that are not smoked.

(r) "Medical use" means the acquisition; administration; delivery; possession; transfer; transportation; or use of cannabis to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient's debilitating medical condition.

(r-5) "Opioid" means a narcotic drug or substance that is a Schedule II controlled substance under paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (5) of subsection (b) or under subsection (c) of Section 206 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

(r-10) "Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant" means an individual who has received a valid written certification to participate in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program for a medical condition for which an opioid has been or could be prescribed by a certifying health care professional based on generally accepted standards of care.

(s) "Physician" means a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine and who has a controlled substances license under Article III of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. It does not include a licensed practitioner under any other Act including but not limited to the Illinois Dental Practice Act.

(s-1) "Physician assistant" means a physician assistant licensed under the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 and who has a controlled substances license under Article III of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

(s-5) "Provisional registration" means a document issued by the Department of Public Health to a qualifying patient who has submitted: (1) an online application and paid a fee to participate in Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program pending approval or denial of the patient's application; or (2) a completed application for terminal illness.

(t) "Qualifying patient" means a person who has been diagnosed by a certifying health care professional as having a debilitating medical condition.

(u) "Registered" means licensed, permitted, or otherwise certified by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Health, or Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(v) "Registry identification card" means a document issued by the Department of Public Health that identifies a person as a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver.

(w) "Usable cannabis" means the seeds, leaves, buds, and flowers of the cannabis plant and any mixture or preparation thereof, but does not include the stalks, and roots of the plant. It does not include the weight of any non-cannabis ingredients combined with cannabis, such as ingredients added to prepare a topical administration, food, or drink.

(x) "Verification system" means a Web-based system established and maintained by the Department of Public Health that is available to the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, law enforcement personnel, and registered medical cannabis dispensing organization agents on a 24-hour basis for the verification of registry identification cards, the tracking of delivery of medical cannabis to medical cannabis dispensing organizations, and the tracking of the date of sale, amount, and price of medical cannabis purchased by a registered qualifying patient.

(y) "Written certification" means a document dated and signed by a certifying health care professional, stating (1) that the qualifying patient has a debilitating medical condition and specifying the debilitating medical condition the qualifying patient has; and (2) that (A) the certifying health care professional is treating or managing treatment of the patient's debilitating medical condition; or (B) an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant has a medical condition for which opioids have been or could be prescribed. A written certification shall be made only in the course of a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship, after the certifying health care professional has completed an assessment of either a qualifying patient's medical history or Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant, reviewed relevant records related to the patient's debilitating condition, and conducted a physical examination.

(z) "Bona fide health care professional-patient relationship" means a relationship established at a hospital, certifying health care professional's office, or other health care facility in which the certifying health care professional has an ongoing responsibility for the assessment, care, and treatment of a patient's debilitating medical condition or a symptom of the patient's debilitating medical condition.

A veteran who has received treatment at a VA hospital shall be deemed to have a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship with a VA certifying health care professional if the patient has been seen for his or her debilitating medical condition at the VA Hospital in accordance with VA Hospital protocols.

A bona fide health care professional-patient relationship under this subsection is a privileged communication within the meaning of Section 8-802 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 100-1114, eff. 8-28-18; 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/15)

Sec. 15. Authority.

(a) It is the duty of the Department of Public Health to enforce the following provisions of this Act unless otherwise provided for by this Act:

(1) establish and maintain a confidential registry of qualifying patients authorized to engage in the medical use of cannabis and their caregivers;

(2) distribute educational materials about the health benefits and risks associated with the use of cannabis and prescription medications;

(3) adopt rules to administer the patient and caregiver registration program; and

(4) adopt rules establishing food handling requirements for cannabis-infused products that are prepared for human consumption.

(b) It is the duty of the Department of Agriculture to enforce the provisions of this Act relating to the registration and oversight of cultivation centers unless otherwise provided for in this Act.

(c) It is the duty of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to enforce the provisions of this Act relating to the registration and oversight of dispensing organizations unless otherwise provided for in this Act.

(d) The Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, or the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall enter into intergovernmental agreements, as necessary, to carry out the provisions of this Act including, but not limited to, the provisions relating to the registration and oversight of cultivation centers, dispensing organizations, and qualifying patients and caregivers.

(e) The Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, or the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may suspend, revoke, or impose other penalties upon a registration for violations of this Act and any rules adopted in accordance thereto. The suspension or revocation of, or imposition of any other penalty upon, a registration is a final Agency action, subject to judicial review. Jurisdiction and venue for judicial review are vested in the Circuit Court.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1172, eff. 1-12-15; 99-519, eff. 6-30-16.)

(410 ILCS 130/20)

Sec. 20. Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund.

(a) There is created the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund in the State treasury to be used exclusively for the direct and indirect costs associated with the implementation, administration, and enforcement of this Act. Funds in excess of the direct and indirect costs associated with the implementation, administration, and enforcement of this Act shall be used to fund crime prevention programs.

(b) All monies collected under this Act shall be deposited in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund in the State treasury. All earnings received from investment of monies in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund shall be deposited in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative charge-backs, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that would in any way transfer any amounts from the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund into any other fund of the State.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/25)

Sec. 25. Immunities and presumptions related to the medical use of cannabis.

(a) A registered qualifying patient is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by an occupational or professional licensing board, for the medical use of cannabis in accordance with this Act, if the registered qualifying patient possesses an amount of cannabis that does not exceed an adequate supply as defined in subsection (a) of Section 10 of this Act of usable cannabis and, where the registered qualifying patient is a licensed professional, the use of cannabis does not impair that licensed professional when he or she is engaged in the practice of the profession for which he or she is licensed.

(b) A registered designated caregiver is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by an occupational or professional licensing board, for acting in accordance with this Act to assist a registered qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the Department's registration process with the medical use of cannabis if the designated caregiver possesses an amount of cannabis that does not exceed an adequate supply as defined in subsection (a) of Section 10 of this Act of usable cannabis. A school nurse or school administrator is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, a civil penalty, for acting in accordance with Section 22-33 of the School Code relating to administering or assisting a student in self-administering a medical cannabis infused product. The total amount possessed between the qualifying patient and caregiver shall not exceed the patient's adequate supply as defined in subsection (a) of Section 10 of this Act.

(c) A registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by an occupational or professional licensing board for possession of cannabis that is incidental to medical use, but is not usable cannabis as defined in this Act.

(d)(1) There is a rebuttable presumption that a registered qualifying patient is engaged in, or a designated caregiver is assisting with, the medical use of cannabis in accordance with this Act if the qualifying patient or designated caregiver:

(A) is in possession of a valid registry identification card; and

(B) is in possession of an amount of cannabis that does not exceed the amount allowed under subsection (a) of Section 10.

(2) The presumption may be rebutted by evidence that conduct related to cannabis was not for the purpose of treating or alleviating the qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition in compliance with this Act.

(e) A certifying health care professional is not subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by the Medical Disciplinary Board or by any other occupational or professional licensing board, solely for providing written certifications or for otherwise stating that, in the certifying health care professional's professional opinion, a patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of cannabis to treat or alleviate the patient's debilitating medical condition or symptoms associated with the debilitating medical condition, provided that nothing shall prevent a professional licensing or disciplinary board from sanctioning a certifying health care professional for: (1) issuing a written certification to a patient who is not under the certifying health care professional's care for a debilitating medical condition; or (2) failing to properly evaluate a patient's medical condition or otherwise violating the standard of care for evaluating medical conditions.

(f) No person may be subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by an occupational or professional licensing board, solely for: (1) selling cannabis paraphernalia to a cardholder upon presentation of an unexpired registry identification card in the recipient's name, if employed and registered as a dispensing agent by a registered dispensing organization; (2) being in the presence or vicinity of the medical use of cannabis as allowed under this Act; or (3) assisting a registered qualifying patient with the act of administering cannabis.

(g) A registered cultivation center is not subject to prosecution; search or inspection, except by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Health, or State or local law enforcement under Section 130; seizure; or penalty in any manner, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business licensing board or entity, for acting under this Act and Department of Agriculture rules to: acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or sell cannabis to registered dispensing organizations.

(h) A registered cultivation center agent is not subject to prosecution, search, or penalty in any manner, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business licensing board or entity, for working or volunteering for a registered cannabis cultivation center under this Act and Department of Agriculture rules, including to perform the actions listed under subsection (g).

(i) A registered dispensing organization is not subject to prosecution; search or inspection, except by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or State or local law enforcement pursuant to Section 130; seizure; or penalty in any manner, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business licensing board or entity, for acting under this Act and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rules to: acquire, possess, or dispense cannabis, or related supplies, and educational materials to registered qualifying patients or registered designated caregivers on behalf of registered qualifying patients.

(j) A registered dispensing organization agent is not subject to prosecution, search, or penalty in any manner, or denial of any right or privilege, including, but not limited to, civil penalty or disciplinary action by a business licensing board or entity, for working or volunteering for a dispensing organization under this Act and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rules, including to perform the actions listed under subsection (i).

(k) Any cannabis, cannabis paraphernalia, illegal property, or interest in legal property that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of cannabis as allowed under this Act, or acts incidental to that use, may not be seized or forfeited. This Act does not prevent the seizure or forfeiture of cannabis exceeding the amounts allowed under this Act, nor shall it prevent seizure or forfeiture if the basis for the action is unrelated to the cannabis that is possessed, manufactured, transferred, or used under this Act.

(l) Mere possession of, or application for, a registry identification card or registration certificate does not constitute probable cause or reasonable suspicion, nor shall it be used as the sole basis to support the search of the person, property, or home of the person possessing or applying for the registry identification card. The possession of, or application for, a registry identification card does not preclude the existence of probable cause if probable cause exists on other grounds.

(m) Nothing in this Act shall preclude local or State law enforcement agencies from searching a registered cultivation center where there is probable cause to believe that the criminal laws of this State have been violated and the search is conducted in conformity with the Illinois Constitution, the Constitution of the United States, and all State statutes.

(n) Nothing in this Act shall preclude local or State law enforcement agencies from searching a registered dispensing organization where there is probable cause to believe that the criminal laws of this State have been violated and the search is conducted in conformity with the Illinois Constitution, the Constitution of the United States, and all State statutes.

(o) No individual employed by the State of Illinois shall be subject to criminal or civil penalties for taking any action in accordance with the provisions of this Act, when the actions are within the scope of his or her employment. Representation and indemnification of State employees shall be provided to State employees as set forth in Section 2 of the State Employee Indemnification Act.

(p) No law enforcement or correctional agency, nor any individual employed by a law enforcement or correctional agency, shall be subject to criminal or civil liability, except for willful and wanton misconduct, as a result of taking any action within the scope of the official duties of the agency or individual to prohibit or prevent the possession or use of cannabis by a cardholder incarcerated at a correctional facility, jail, or municipal lockup facility, on parole or mandatory supervised release, or otherwise under the lawful jurisdiction of the agency or individual.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-19-19; 101-370, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/30)

Sec. 30. Limitations and penalties.

(a) This Act does not permit any person to engage in, and does not prevent the imposition of any civil, criminal, or other penalties for engaging in, the following conduct:

(1) Undertaking any task under the influence of cannabis, when doing so would constitute negligence, professional malpractice, or professional misconduct;

(2) Possessing cannabis:

(A) except as provided under Section 22-33 of the School Code, in a school bus;

(B) except as provided under Section 22-33 of the School Code, on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school;

(C) in any correctional facility;

(D) in a vehicle under Section 11-502.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

(E) in a vehicle not open to the public unless the medical cannabis is in a reasonably secured, sealed container and reasonably inaccessible while the vehicle is moving; or

(F) in a private residence that is used at any time to provide licensed child care or other similar social service care on the premises;

(3) Using cannabis:

(A) except as provided under Section 22-33 of the School Code, in a school bus;

(B) except as provided under Section 22-33 of the School Code, on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school;

(C) in any correctional facility;

(D) in any motor vehicle;

(E) in a private residence that is used at any time to provide licensed child care or other similar social service care on the premises;

(F) except as provided under Section 22-33 of the School Code and Section 31 of this Act, in any public place. "Public place" as used in this subsection means any place where an individual could reasonably be expected to be observed by others. A "public place" includes all parts of buildings owned in whole or in part, or leased, by the State or a local unit of government. A "public place" does not include a private residence unless the private residence is used to provide licensed child care, foster care, or other similar social service care on the premises. For purposes of this subsection, a "public place" does not include a health care facility. For purposes of this Section, a "health care facility" includes, but is not limited to, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care centers, and long-term care facilities;

(G) except as provided under Section 22-33 of the School Code and Section 31 of this Act, knowingly in close physical proximity to anyone under the age of 18 years of age;

(4) Smoking medical cannabis in any public place where an individual could reasonably be expected to be observed by others, in a health care facility, or any other place where smoking is prohibited under the Smoke Free Illinois Act;

(5) Operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while using or under the influence of cannabis in violation of Sections 11-501 and 11-502.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;

(6) Using or possessing cannabis if that person does not have a debilitating medical condition and is not a registered qualifying patient or caregiver;

(7) Allowing any person who is not allowed to use cannabis under this Act to use cannabis that a cardholder is allowed to possess under this Act;

(8) Transferring cannabis to any person contrary to the provisions of this Act;

(9) The use of medical cannabis by an active duty law enforcement officer, correctional officer, correctional probation officer, or firefighter; or

(10) The use of medical cannabis by a person who has a school bus permit or a Commercial Driver's License.

(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the arrest or prosecution of a registered qualifying patient for reckless driving or driving under the influence of cannabis where probable cause exists.

(c) Notwithstanding any other criminal penalties related to the unlawful possession of cannabis, knowingly making a misrepresentation to a law enforcement official of any fact or circumstance relating to the medical use of cannabis to avoid arrest or prosecution is a petty offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, which shall be in addition to any other penalties that may apply for making a false statement or for the use of cannabis other than use undertaken under this Act.

(d) Notwithstanding any other criminal penalties related to the unlawful possession of cannabis, any person who makes a misrepresentation of a medical condition to a certifying health care professional or fraudulently provides material misinformation to a certifying health care professional in order to obtain a written certification is guilty of a petty offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

(e) Any cardholder or registered caregiver who sells cannabis shall have his or her registry identification card revoked and is subject to other penalties for the unauthorized sale of cannabis.

(f) Any registered qualifying patient who commits a violation of Section 11-502.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code or refuses a properly requested test related to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis shall have his or her registry identification card revoked.

(g) No registered qualifying patient or designated caregiver shall knowingly obtain, seek to obtain, or possess, individually or collectively, an amount of usable cannabis from a registered medical cannabis dispensing organization that would cause him or her to exceed the authorized adequate supply under subsection (a) of Section 10.

(h) Nothing in this Act shall prevent a private business from restricting or prohibiting the medical use of cannabis on its property.

(i) Nothing in this Act shall prevent a university, college, or other institution of post-secondary education from restricting or prohibiting the use of medical cannabis on its property.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-67, eff. 7-9-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/31)

Sec. 31. Administration to persons with disabilities in park district programs.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this Section:

(1) "Park district" has the meaning as defined in Section 1-3 of the Park District Code. "Park district" includes the Chicago Park District as defined by the Chicago Park District Act, any special recreational association created by a park district through an intergovernmental agreement, and any nonprofit organization authorized by the park district or special recreational association to administer a program for persons with disabilities on its behalf.

(2) "Program participant" means a person with disabilities who is a registered qualifying patient and who participates in a summer camp, educational program, or other similar program provided by a park district for persons with disabilities.

(b) Subject to the restrictions under subsections (c) through (f) of this Section, a park district shall authorize a program participant's parent, guardian, or other designated caregiver to administer a medical cannabis infused product to the program participant on the premises of the park district if both the program participant and the parent, guardian, or other designated caregiver are cardholders. After administering the medical cannabis infused product, the parent, guardian, or other designated caregiver shall remove the medical cannabis infused product from the premises of the park district.

(c) A parent, guardian, or other designated caregiver may not administer a medical cannabis infused product under this Section in a manner that, in the opinion of the park district, would create a disruption to the park district's program or activity for persons with disabilities or would cause exposure of the medical cannabis infused product to other program participants.

(d) A park district may not discipline a program participant who is administered a medical cannabis infused product by a parent, guardian, or other designated caregiver under this Section and may not deny the program participant's eligibility to attend the park district's program or activity for persons with disabilities solely because the program participant requires the administration of the medical cannabis infused product.

(e) Nothing in this Section requires a member of the park district's staff to administer a medical cannabis infused product to a program participant.

(f) A park district may not authorize the use of a medical cannabis infused product under this Section if the park district would lose federal funding as a result of the authorization.

(Source: P.A. 102-67, eff. 7-9-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/35)

Sec. 35. Certifying health care professional requirements.

(a) A certifying health care professional who certifies a debilitating medical condition for a qualifying patient shall comply with all of the following requirements:

(1) The certifying health care professional shall be currently licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all its branches, the Nurse Practice Act, or the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987, shall be in good standing, and must hold a controlled substances license under Article III of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

(2) A certifying health care professional certifying a patient's condition shall comply with generally accepted standards of medical practice, the provisions of the Act under which he or she is licensed and all applicable rules.

(3) The physical examination required by this Act may not be performed by remote means, including telemedicine.

(4) The certifying health care professional shall maintain a record-keeping system for all patients for whom the certifying health care professional has certified the patient's medical condition. These records shall be accessible to and subject to review by the Department of Public Health and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation upon request.

(b) A certifying health care professional may not:

(1) accept, solicit, or offer any form of remuneration from or to a qualifying patient, primary caregiver, cultivation center, or dispensing organization, including each principal officer, board member, agent, and employee, to certify a patient, other than accepting payment from a patient for the fee associated with the required examination, except for the limited purpose of performing a medical cannabis-related research study;

(1.5) accept, solicit, or offer any form of remuneration from or to a medical cannabis cultivation center or dispensary organization for the purposes of referring a patient to a specific dispensary organization;

(1.10) engage in any activity that is prohibited under Section 22.2 of the Medical Practice Act of 1987, regardless of whether the certifying health care professional is a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant;

(2) offer a discount of any other item of value to a qualifying patient who uses or agrees to use a particular primary caregiver or dispensing organization to obtain medical cannabis;

(3) conduct a personal physical examination of a patient for purposes of diagnosing a debilitating medical condition at a location where medical cannabis is sold or distributed or at the address of a principal officer, agent, or employee or a medical cannabis organization;

(4) hold a direct or indirect economic interest in a cultivation center or dispensing organization if he or she recommends the use of medical cannabis to qualified patients or is in a partnership or other fee or profit-sharing relationship with a certifying health care professional who recommends medical cannabis, except for the limited purpose of performing a medical cannabis-related research study;

(5) serve on the board of directors or as an employee of a cultivation center or dispensing organization;

(6) refer patients to a cultivation center, a dispensing organization, or a registered designated caregiver; or

(7) advertise in a cultivation center or a dispensing organization.

(c) The Department of Public Health may with reasonable cause refer a certifying health care professional, who has certified a debilitating medical condition of a patient, to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for potential violations of this Section.

(d) Any violation of this Section or any other provision of this Act or rules adopted under this Act is a violation of the certifying health care professional's licensure act.

(e) A certifying health care professional who certifies a debilitating medical condition for a qualifying patient may notify the Department of Public Health in writing: (1) if the certifying health care professional has reason to believe either that the registered qualifying patient has ceased to suffer from a debilitating medical condition; (2) that the bona fide health care professional-patient relationship has terminated; or (3) that continued use of medical cannabis would result in contraindication with the patient's other medication. The registered qualifying patient's registry identification card shall be revoked by the Department of Public Health after receiving the certifying health care professional's notification.

(f) Nothing in this Act shall preclude a certifying health care professional from referring a patient for health services, except when the referral is limited to certification purposes only, under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/36)

Sec. 36. Written certification.

(a) A certification confirming a patient's debilitating medical condition shall be written on a form provided by the Department of Public Health and shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) the qualifying patient's name, date of birth, home address, and primary telephone number;

(2) the certifying health care professional's name, address, telephone number, email address, and medical, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant license number, and the last 4 digits, only, of his or her active controlled substances license under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and indication of specialty or primary area of clinical practice, if any;

(3) the qualifying patient's debilitating medical condition;

(4) a statement that the certifying health care professional has confirmed a diagnosis of a debilitating condition; is treating or managing treatment of the patient's debilitating condition; has a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship; has conducted an in-person physical examination; and has conducted a review of the patient's medical history, including reviewing medical records from other treating health care professionals, if any, from the previous 12 months;

(5) the certifying health care professional's signature and date of certification; and

(6) a statement that a participant in possession of a written certification indicating a debilitating medical condition shall not be considered an unlawful user or addicted to narcotics solely as a result of his or her pending application to or participation in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program.

(b) A written certification does not constitute a prescription for medical cannabis.

(c) Applications for qualifying patients under 18 years old shall require a written certification from a certifying health care professional and a reviewing certifying health care professional.

(d) A certification confirming the patient's eligibility to participate in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program shall be written on a form provided by the Department of Public Health and shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) the participant's name, date of birth, home address, and primary telephone number;

(2) the certifying health care professional's name, address, telephone number, email address, and medical, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant license number, and the last 4 digits, only, of his or her active controlled substances license under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and indication of specialty or primary area of clinical practice, if any;

(3) the certifying health care professional's signature and date;

(4) the length of participation in the program, which shall be limited to no more than 90 days;

(5) a statement identifying the patient has been diagnosed with and is currently undergoing treatment for a medical condition where an opioid has been or could be prescribed; and

(6) a statement that a participant in possession of a written certification indicating eligibility to participate in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program shall not be considered an unlawful user or addicted to narcotics solely as a result of his or her eligibility or participation in the program.

(e) The Department of Public Health may provide a single certification form for subsections (a) and (d) of this Section, provided that all requirements of those subsections are included on the form.

(f) The Department of Public Health shall not include the word "cannabis" on any application forms or written certification forms that it issues under this Section.

(g) A written certification does not constitute a prescription.

(h) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly submit a fraudulent certification to be a qualifying patient in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program or an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant. A violation of this subsection shall result in the person who has knowingly submitted the fraudulent certification being permanently banned from participating in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program or the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/40)

Sec. 40. Discrimination prohibited.

(a)(1) No school, employer, or landlord may refuse to enroll or lease to, or otherwise penalize, a person solely for his or her status as a registered qualifying patient or a registered designated caregiver, unless failing to do so would put the school, employer, or landlord in violation of federal law or unless failing to do so would cause it to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or rules. This does not prevent a landlord from prohibiting the smoking of cannabis on the premises.

(2) For the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a registered qualifying patient's authorized use of cannabis in accordance with this Act is considered the equivalent of the authorized use of any other medication used at the direction of a certifying health care professional, and may not constitute the use of an illicit substance or otherwise disqualify a qualifying patient from needed medical care.

(b) A person otherwise entitled to custody of or visitation or parenting time with a minor may not be denied that right, and there is no presumption of neglect or child endangerment, for conduct allowed under this Act, unless the person's actions in relation to cannabis were such that they created an unreasonable danger to the safety of the minor as established by clear and convincing evidence.

(c) No school, landlord, or employer may be penalized or denied any benefit under State law for enrolling, leasing to, or employing a cardholder.

(d) Nothing in this Act may be construed to require a government medical assistance program, employer, property and casualty insurer, or private health insurer to reimburse a person for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis.

(e) Nothing in this Act may be construed to require any person or establishment in lawful possession of property to allow a guest, client, customer, or visitor who is a registered qualifying patient to use cannabis on or in that property.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/45)

Sec. 45. Addition of debilitating medical conditions.

(a) Any resident may petition the Department of Public Health to add debilitating conditions or treatments to the list of debilitating medical conditions listed in subsection (h) of Section 10. The Department shall approve or deny a petition within 180 days of its submission, and, upon approval, shall proceed to add that condition by rule in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The approval or denial of any petition is a final decision of the Department, subject to judicial review. Jurisdiction and venue are vested in the Circuit Court.

(b) The Department shall accept petitions once annually for a one-month period determined by the Department. During the open period, the Department shall accept petitions from any resident requesting the addition of a new debilitating medical condition or disease to the list of approved debilitating medical conditions for which the use of cannabis has been shown to have a therapeutic or palliative effect. The Department shall provide public notice 30 days before the open period for accepting petitions, which shall describe the time period for submission, the required format of the submission, and the submission address.

(c) Each petition shall be limited to one proposed debilitating medical condition or disease.

(d) A petitioner shall file one original petition in the format provided by the Department and in the manner specified by the Department. For a petition to be processed and reviewed, the following information shall be included:

(1) The petition, prepared on forms provided by the Department, in the manner specified by the Department.

(2) A specific description of the medical condition or disease that is the subject of the petition. Each petition shall be limited to a single condition or disease. Information about the proposed condition or disease shall include:

(A) the extent to which the condition or disease itself or the treatments cause severe suffering, such as severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, or otherwise severely impair a person's ability to conduct activities of daily living;

(B) information about why conventional medical therapies are not sufficient to alleviate the suffering caused by the disease or condition and its treatment;

(C) the proposed benefits from the medical use of cannabis specific to the medical condition or disease;

(D) evidence from the medical community and other experts supporting the use of medical cannabis to alleviate suffering caused by the condition, disease, or treatment;

(E) letters of support from physicians or other licensed health care providers knowledgeable about the condition or disease, including, if feasible, a letter from a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant with whom the petitioner has a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship;

(F) any additional medical, testimonial, or scientific documentation; and

(G) an electronic copy of all materials submitted.

(3) Upon receipt of a petition, the Department shall:

(A) determine whether the petition meets the standards for submission and, if so, shall accept the petition for further review; or

(B) determine whether the petition does not meet the standards for submission and, if so, shall deny the petition without further review.

(4) If the petition does not fulfill the standards for submission, the petition shall be considered deficient. The Department shall notify the petitioner, who may correct any deficiencies and resubmit the petition during the next open period.

(e) The petitioner may withdraw his or her petition by submitting a written statement to the Department indicating withdrawal.

(f) Upon review of accepted petitions, the Director shall render a final decision regarding the acceptance or denial of the proposed debilitating medical conditions or diseases.

(g) The Department shall convene a Medical Cannabis Advisory Board (Advisory Board) composed of 16 members, which shall include:

(1) one medical cannabis patient advocate or designated caregiver;

(2) one parent or designated caregiver of a person under the age of 18 who is a qualified medical cannabis patient;

(3) two registered nurses or nurse practitioners;

(4) three registered qualifying patients, including one veteran; and

(5) nine health care practitioners with current professional licensure in their field. The Advisory Board shall be composed of health care practitioners representing the following areas:

(A) neurology;

(B) pain management;

(C) medical oncology;

(D) psychiatry or mental health;

(E) infectious disease;

(F) family medicine;

(G) general primary care;

(H) medical ethics;

(I) pharmacy;

(J) pediatrics; or

(K) psychiatry or mental health for children or adolescents.

At least one appointed health care practitioner shall have direct experience related to the health care needs of veterans and at least one individual shall have pediatric experience.

(h) Members of the Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Governor.

(1) Members shall serve a term of 4 years or until a successor is appointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint a replacement to complete the original term created by the vacancy.

(2) The Governor shall select a chairperson.

(3) Members may serve multiple terms.

(4) Members shall not have an affiliation with, serve on the board of, or have a business relationship with a registered cultivation center or a registered medical cannabis dispensary.

(5) Members shall disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest that may have a direct bearing of the subject matter, such as relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or corporations whose products or services are related to the medical condition or disease to be reviewed.

(6) Members shall not be paid but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while fulfilling the responsibilities of the Advisory Board.

(i) On June 30, 2016 (the effective date of Public Act 99-519), the terms of office of the members of the Advisory Board serving on that date shall terminate and the Board shall be reconstituted.

(j) The Advisory Board shall convene at the call of the Chair:

(1) to examine debilitating conditions or diseases that would benefit from the medical use of cannabis; and

(2) to review new medical and scientific evidence pertaining to currently approved conditions.

(k) The Advisory Board shall issue an annual report of its activities each year.

(l) The Advisory Board shall receive administrative support from the Department.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17; 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/50)

Sec. 50. Employment; employer liability.

(a) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit an employer from adopting reasonable regulations concerning the consumption, storage, or timekeeping requirements for qualifying patients related to the use of medical cannabis.

(b) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit an employer from enforcing a policy concerning drug testing, zero-tolerance, or a drug free workplace provided the policy is applied in a nondiscriminatory manner.

(c) Nothing in this Act shall limit an employer from disciplining a registered qualifying patient for violating a workplace drug policy.

(d) Nothing in this Act shall limit an employer's ability to discipline an employee for failing a drug test if failing to do so would put the employer in violation of federal law or cause it to lose a federal contract or funding.

(e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to create a defense for a third party who fails a drug test.

(f) An employer may consider a registered qualifying patient to be impaired when he or she manifests specific, articulable symptoms while working that decrease or lessen his or her performance of the duties or tasks of the employee's job position, including symptoms of the employee's speech, physical dexterity, agility, coordination, demeanor, irrational or unusual behavior, negligence or carelessness in operating equipment or machinery, disregard for the safety of the employee or others, or involvement in an accident that results in serious damage to equipment or property, disruption of a production or manufacturing process, or carelessness that results in any injury to the employee or others. If an employer elects to discipline a qualifying patient under this subsection, it must afford the employee a reasonable opportunity to contest the basis of the determination.

(g) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to create or imply a cause of action for any person against an employer for: (1) actions based on the employer's good faith belief that a registered qualifying patient used or possessed cannabis while on the employer's premises or during the hours of employment; (2) actions based on the employer's good faith belief that a registered qualifying patient was impaired while working on the employer's premises during the hours of employment; (3) injury or loss to a third party if the employer neither knew nor had reason to know that the employee was impaired.

(h) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to interfere with any federal restrictions on employment including but not limited to the United States Department of Transportation regulation 49 CFR 40.151(e).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/55)

Sec. 55. Registration of qualifying patients and designated caregivers.

(a) The Department of Public Health shall issue registry identification cards to qualifying patients and designated caregivers who submit a completed application, and at minimum, the following, in accordance with Department of Public Health rules:

(1) A written certification, on a form developed by the Department of Public Health consistent with Section 36 and issued by a certifying health care professional, within 90 days immediately preceding the date of an application and submitted by the qualifying patient or his or her designated caregiver;

(2) upon the execution of applicable privacy waivers, the patient's medical documentation related to his or her debilitating condition and any other information that may be reasonably required by the Department of Public Health to confirm that the certifying health care professional and patient have a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship, that the qualifying patient is in the certifying health care professional's care for his or her debilitating medical condition, and to substantiate the patient's diagnosis;

(3) the application or renewal fee as set by rule;

(4) the name, address, date of birth, and social security number of the qualifying patient, except that if the applicant is homeless no address is required;

(5) the name, address, and telephone number of the qualifying patient's certifying health care professional;

(6) the name, address, and date of birth of the designated caregiver, if any, chosen by the qualifying patient;

(7) (blank);

(8) signed statements from the patient and designated caregiver asserting that they will not divert medical cannabis; and

(9) (blank).

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a person provided a written certification for a debilitating medical condition who has submitted a completed online application to the Department of Public Health shall receive a provisional registration and be entitled to purchase medical cannabis from a licensed dispensing organization for a period of 90 days or until his or her application has been denied or he or she receives a registry identification card, whichever is earlier. However, a person may obtain an additional provisional registration after the expiration of 90 days after the date of application if the Department of Public Health does not provide the individual with a registry identification card or deny the individual's application within those 90 days.

The provisional registration may not be extended if the individual does not respond to the Department of Public Health's request for additional information or corrections to required application documentation.

In order for a person to receive medical cannabis under this subsection, a person must present his or her provisional registration along with a valid driver's license or State identification card to the licensed dispensing organization. The dispensing organization shall verify the person's provisional registration through the Department of Public Health's online verification system.

Upon verification of the provided documents, the dispensing organization shall dispense no more than 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis during a 14-day period to the person for a period of 90 days, until his or her application has been denied, or until he or she receives a registry identification card from the Department of Public Health, whichever is earlier.

Persons with provisional registrations must keep their provisional registration in his or her possession at all times when transporting or engaging in the medical use of cannabis.

(c) No person or business shall charge a fee for assistance in the preparation, compilation, or submission of an application to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program or the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program. A violation of this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor, for which restitution to the applicant and a fine of up to $1,500 may be imposed. All fines shall be deposited into the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund after restitution has been made to the applicant. The Department of Public Health shall refer individuals making complaints against a person or business under this Section to the Illinois State Police, who shall enforce violations of this provision. All application forms issued by the Department shall state that no person or business may charge a fee for assistance in the preparation, compilation, or submission of an application to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program or the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-98, eff. 7-15-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/57)

Sec. 57. Qualifying patients.

(a) Qualifying patients that are under the age of 18 years shall not be prohibited from appointing up to 3 designated caregivers who meet the definition of "designated caregiver" under Section 10 so long as at least one designated caregiver is a biological parent or legal guardian.

(b) Qualifying patients that are 18 years of age or older shall not be prohibited from appointing up to 3 designated caregivers who meet the definition of "designated caregiver" under Section 10.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/60)

Sec. 60. Issuance of registry identification cards.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Department of Public Health shall:

(1) verify the information contained in an application or renewal for a registry identification card submitted under this Act, and approve or deny an application or renewal, within 90 days of receiving a completed application or renewal application and all supporting documentation specified in Section 55;

(2) issue registry identification cards to a qualifying patient and his or her designated caregiver, if any, within 15 business days of approving the application or renewal;

(3) enter the registry identification number of the registered dispensing organization the patient designates into the verification system; and

(4) allow for an electronic application process, and provide a confirmation by electronic or other methods that an application has been submitted.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules for qualifying patients and applicants with life-long debilitating medical conditions, who may be charged annual renewal fees. The Department of Public Health shall not require patients and applicants with life-long debilitating medical conditions to apply to renew registry identification cards.

(b) The Department of Public Health may not issue a registry identification card to a qualifying patient who is under 18 years of age, unless that patient suffers from seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy, or as provided by administrative rule. The Department of Public Health shall adopt rules for the issuance of a registry identification card for qualifying patients who are under 18 years of age and suffering from seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy. The Department of Public Health may adopt rules to allow other individuals under 18 years of age to become registered qualifying patients under this Act with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Registered qualifying patients under 18 years of age shall be prohibited from consuming forms of cannabis other than medical cannabis infused products and purchasing any usable cannabis.

(c) A veteran who has received treatment at a VA hospital is deemed to have a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship with a VA certifying health care professional if the patient has been seen for his or her debilitating medical condition at the VA hospital in accordance with VA hospital protocols. All reasonable inferences regarding the existence of a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship shall be drawn in favor of an applicant who is a veteran and has undergone treatment at a VA hospital.

(c-10) An individual who submits an application as someone who is terminally ill shall have all fees waived. The Department of Public Health shall within 30 days after this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly adopt emergency rules to expedite approval for terminally ill individuals. These rules shall include, but not be limited to, rules that provide that applications by individuals with terminal illnesses shall be approved or denied within 14 days of their submission.

(d) No later than 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the Secretary of State shall remove all existing notations on driving records that the person is a registered qualifying patient or his or her caregiver under this Act.

(e) Upon the approval of the registration and issuance of a registry card under this Section, the Department of Public Health shall electronically forward the registered qualifying patient's identification card information to the Prescription Monitoring Program established under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and certify that the individual is permitted to engage in the medical use of cannabis. For the purposes of patient care, the Prescription Monitoring Program shall make a notation on the person's prescription record stating that the person is a registered qualifying patient who is entitled to the lawful medical use of cannabis. If the person no longer holds a valid registry card, the Department of Public Health shall notify the Prescription Monitoring Program and Department of Human Services to remove the notation from the person's record. The Department of Human Services and the Prescription Monitoring Program shall establish a system by which the information may be shared electronically. This confidential list may not be combined or linked in any manner with any other list or database except as provided in this Section.

(f) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 100-1114, eff. 8-28-18; 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 101-593, eff. 12-4-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/62)

Sec. 62. Opioid Alternative Pilot Program.

(a) The Department of Public Health shall establish the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program. Licensed dispensing organizations shall allow persons with a written certification from a certifying health care professional under Section 36 to purchase medical cannabis upon enrollment in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program. The Department of Public Health shall adopt rules or establish procedures allowing qualified veterans to participate in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program. For a person to receive medical cannabis under this Section, the person must present the written certification along with a valid driver's license or state identification card to the licensed dispensing organization specified in his or her application. The dispensing organization shall verify the person's status as an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant through the Department of Public Health's online verification system.

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

(c) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall specify that all licensed dispensing organizations participating in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program use the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System. The Department of Public Health shall establish and maintain the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System. The Illinois Cannabis Tracking System shall be used to collect information about all persons participating in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program and shall be used to track the sale of medical cannabis for verification purposes.

Each dispensing organization shall retain a copy of the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program certification and other identifying information as required by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Department of Public Health, and the Illinois State Police in the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System.

The Illinois Cannabis Tracking System shall be accessible to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois State Police.

The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in collaboration with the Department of Public Health shall specify the data requirements for the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program by licensed dispensing organizations; including, but not limited to, the participant's full legal name, address, and date of birth, date on which the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program certification was issued, length of the participation in the Program, including the start and end date to purchase medical cannabis, name of the issuing physician, copy of the participant's current driver's license or State identification card, and phone number.

The Illinois Cannabis Tracking System shall provide verification of a person's participation in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program for law enforcement at any time and on any day.

(d) The certification for Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant must be issued by a certifying health care professional who is licensed to practice in Illinois under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the Nurse Practice Act, or the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987 and who is in good standing and holds a controlled substances license under Article III of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

The certification for an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant shall be written within 90 days before the participant submits his or her certification to the dispensing organization.

The written certification uploaded to the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System shall be accessible to the Department of Public Health.

(e) Upon verification of the individual's valid certification and enrollment in the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System, the dispensing organization may dispense the medical cannabis, in amounts not exceeding 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis per 14-day period to the participant at the participant's specified dispensary for no more than 90 days.

An Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant shall not be registered as a medical cannabis cardholder. The dispensing organization shall verify that the person is not an active registered qualifying patient prior to enrollment in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program and each time medical cannabis is dispensed.

Upon receipt of a written certification under the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program, the Department of Public Health shall electronically forward the patient's identification information to the Prescription Monitoring Program established under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and certify that the individual is permitted to engage in the medical use of cannabis. For the purposes of patient care, the Prescription Monitoring Program shall make a notation on the person's prescription record stating that the person has a written certification under the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program and is a patient who is entitled to the lawful medical use of cannabis. If the person is no longer authorized to engage in the medical use of cannabis, the Department of Public Health shall notify the Prescription Monitoring Program and Department of Human Services to remove the notation from the person's record. The Department of Human Services and the Prescription Monitoring Program shall establish a system by which the information may be shared electronically. This confidential list may not be combined or linked in any manner with any other list or database except as provided in this Section.

(f) An Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant shall not be considered a qualifying patient with a debilitating medical condition under this Act and shall be provided access to medical cannabis solely for the duration of the participant's certification. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit or prohibit an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant who has a debilitating medical condition from applying to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program.

(g) A person with a provisional registration under Section 55 shall not be considered an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant.

(h) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Department of Public Health shall submit emergency rulemaking to implement the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly by December 1, 2018. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, and the Illinois State Police shall utilize emergency purchase authority for 12 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly for the purpose of implementing the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

(i) Dispensing organizations are not authorized to dispense medical cannabis to Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participants until administrative rules are approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and go into effect.

(j) The provisions of this Section are inoperative on and after July 1, 2025.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/65)

Sec. 65. Denial of registry identification cards.

(a) The Department of Public Health may deny an application or renewal of a qualifying patient's registry identification card only if the applicant:

(1) did not provide the required information and materials;

(2) previously had a registry identification card revoked;

(3) did not meet the requirements of this Act;

(4) provided false or falsified information; or

(5) violated any requirement of this Act.

(b) (Blank).

(b-5) (Blank).

(c) The Department of Public Health may deny an application or renewal for a designated caregiver chosen by a qualifying patient whose registry identification card was granted only if:

(1) the designated caregiver does not meet the requirements of subsection (i) of Section 10;

(2) the applicant did not provide the information required;

(3) the prospective patient's application was denied;

(4) the designated caregiver previously had a registry identification card revoked;

(5) the applicant or the designated caregiver provided false or falsified information; or

(6) violated any requirement of this Act.

(d) (Blank).

(e) The Department of Public Health shall notify the qualifying patient who has designated someone to serve as his or her designated caregiver if a registry identification card will not be issued to the designated caregiver.

(f) Denial of an application or renewal is considered a final Department action, subject to judicial review. Jurisdiction and venue for judicial review are vested in the Circuit Court.

(Source: P.A. 99-697, eff. 7-29-16; 100-1114, eff. 8-28-18.)

(410 ILCS 130/70)

Sec. 70. Registry identification cards.

(a) A registered qualifying patient or designated caregiver must keep their registry identification card in his or her possession at all times when engaging in the medical use of cannabis.

(b) Registry identification cards shall contain the following:

(1) the name of the cardholder;

(2) a designation of whether the cardholder is a designated caregiver or qualifying patient;

(3) the date of issuance and expiration date of the registry identification card;

(4) a random alphanumeric identification number that is unique to the cardholder;

(5) if the cardholder is a designated caregiver, the random alphanumeric identification number of the registered qualifying patient the designated caregiver is receiving the registry identification card to assist; and

(6) a photograph of the cardholder, if required by Department of Public Health rules.

(c) To maintain a valid registration identification card, a registered qualifying patient and caregiver must annually resubmit, at least 45 days prior to the expiration date stated on the registry identification card, a completed renewal application, renewal fee, and accompanying documentation as described in Department of Public Health rules. The Department of Public Health shall send a notification to a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver 90 days prior to the expiration of the registered qualifying patient's or registered designated caregiver's identification card. If the Department of Public Health fails to grant or deny a renewal application received in accordance with this Section, then the renewal is deemed granted and the registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver may continue to use the expired identification card until the Department of Public Health denies the renewal or issues a new identification card.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the expiration date is 3 years after the date of issuance.

(e) The Department of Public Health may electronically store in the card any or all of the information listed in subsection (b), along with the address and date of birth of the cardholder and the qualifying patient's designated dispensary organization, to allow it to be read by law enforcement agents.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 99-519, eff. 6-30-16.)

(410 ILCS 130/75)

Sec. 75. Notifications to Department of Public Health and responses; civil penalty.

(a) The following notifications and Department of Public Health responses are required:

(1) A registered qualifying patient shall notify the Department of Public Health of any change in his or her name or address, or if the registered qualifying patient ceases to have his or her debilitating medical condition, within 10 days of the change.

(2) A registered designated caregiver shall notify the Department of Public Health of any change in his or her name or address, or if the designated caregiver becomes aware the registered qualifying patient passed away, within 10 days of the change.

(3) Before a registered qualifying patient changes his or her designated caregiver, the qualifying patient must notify the Department of Public Health.

(4) If a cardholder loses his or her registry identification card, he or she shall notify the Department within 10 days of becoming aware the card has been lost.

(b) When a cardholder notifies the Department of Public Health of items listed in subsection (a), but remains eligible under this Act, the Department of Public Health shall issue the cardholder a new registry identification card with a new random alphanumeric identification number within 15 business days of receiving the updated information and a fee as specified in Department of Public Health rules. If the person notifying the Department of Public Health is a registered qualifying patient, the Department shall also issue his or her registered designated caregiver, if any, a new registry identification card within 15 business days of receiving the updated information.

(c) If a registered qualifying patient ceases to be a registered qualifying patient or changes his or her registered designated caregiver, the Department of Public Health shall promptly notify the designated caregiver. The registered designated caregiver's protections under this Act as to that qualifying patient shall expire 15 days after notification by the Department.

(d) A cardholder who fails to make a notification to the Department of Public Health that is required by this Section is subject to a civil infraction, punishable by a penalty of no more than $150.

(e) A registered qualifying patient shall notify the Department of Public Health of any change to his or her designated registered dispensing organization. The Department of Public Health shall provide for immediate changes of a registered qualifying patient's designated registered dispensing organization. Registered dispensing organizations must comply with all requirements of this Act.

(f) If the registered qualifying patient's certifying health care professional notifies the Department in writing that either the registered qualifying patient has ceased to suffer from a debilitating medical condition, that the bona fide health care professional-patient relationship has terminated, or that continued use of medical cannabis would result in contraindication with the patient's other medication, the card shall become null and void. However, the registered qualifying patient shall have 15 days to destroy his or her remaining medical cannabis and related paraphernalia.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/80)

Sec. 80. Preparation of cannabis infused products.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, neither the Department of Public Health nor the Department of Agriculture nor the health department of a unit of local government may regulate the service of food by a registered cultivation center or registered dispensing organization provided that all of the following conditions are met:

(1) No cannabis infused products requiring refrigeration or hot-holding shall be manufactured at a cultivation center for sale or distribution at a dispensing organization due to the potential for food-borne illness.

(2) Baked products infused with medical cannabis (such as brownies, bars, cookies, cakes), tinctures, and other non-refrigerated items are acceptable for sale at dispensing organizations. The products are allowable for sale only at registered dispensing organizations.

(3) All items shall be individually wrapped at the original point of preparation. The packaging of the medical cannabis infused product shall conform to the labeling requirements of the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and shall include the following information on each product offered for sale or distribution:

(A) the name and address of the registered cultivation center where the item was manufactured;

(B) the common or usual name of the item;

(C) all ingredients of the item, including any colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives, listed in descending order by predominance of weight shown with common or usual names;

(D) the following phrase: "This product was produced in a medical cannabis cultivation center not subject to public health inspection that may also process common food allergens.";

(E) allergen labeling as specified in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, and the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act;

(F) the pre-mixed total weight (in ounces or grams) of usable cannabis in the package;

(G) a warning that the item is a medical cannabis infused product and not a food must be distinctly and clearly legible on the front of the package;

(H) a clearly legible warning emphasizing that the product contains medical cannabis and is intended for consumption by registered qualifying patients only; and

(I) date of manufacture and "use by date".

(4) Any dispensing organization that sells edible cannabis infused products must display a placard that states the following: "Edible cannabis infused products were produced in a kitchen not subject to public health inspections that may also process common food allergens." The placard shall be no smaller than 24" tall by 36" wide, with typed letters no smaller than 2". The placard shall be clearly visible and readable by customers and shall be written in English.

(5) Cannabis infused products for sale or distribution at a dispensing organization must be prepared by an approved staff member of a registered cultivation center.

(6) A cultivation center that prepares cannabis infused products for sale or distribution at a dispensing organization shall be under the operational supervision of a Department of Public Health certified food service sanitation manager.

(b) The Department of Public Health shall adopt rules for the manufacture of medical cannabis-infused products and shall enforce these provisions, and for that purpose it may at all times enter every building, room, basement, enclosure, or premises occupied or used or suspected of being occupied or used for the production, preparation, manufacture for sale, storage, sale, distribution or transportation of medical cannabis edible products, to inspect the premises and all utensils, fixtures, furniture, and machinery used for the preparation of these products.

(c) If a local health organization has a reasonable belief that a cultivation center's cannabis-infused product poses a public health hazard, it may refer the cultivation center to the Department of Public Health. If the Department of Public Health finds that a cannabis-infused product poses a health hazard, it may without administrative procedure to bond, bring an action for immediate injunctive relief to require that action be taken as the court may deem necessary to meet the hazard of the cultivation center.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/85)

Sec. 85. Issuance and denial of medical cannabis cultivation permit.

(a) The Department of Agriculture may register up to 22 cultivation center registrations for operation. The Department of Agriculture may not issue more than one registration per each Illinois State Police District boundary as specified on the date of January 1, 2013. The Department of Agriculture may not issue less than the 22 registrations if there are qualified applicants who have applied with the Department.

(b) The registrations shall be issued and renewed annually as determined by administrative rule.

(c) The Department of Agriculture shall determine a registration fee by rule.

(d) A cultivation center may only operate if it has been issued a valid registration from the Department of Agriculture. When applying for a cultivation center registration, the applicant shall submit the following in accordance with Department of Agriculture rules:

(1) the proposed legal name of the cultivation center;

(2) the proposed physical address of the cultivation center and description of the enclosed, locked facility as it applies to cultivation centers where medical cannabis will be grown, harvested, manufactured, packaged, or otherwise prepared for distribution to a dispensing organization;

(3) the name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member of the cultivation center, provided that all those individuals shall be at least 21 years of age;

(4) any instance in which a business that any of the prospective board members of the cultivation center had managed or served on the board of the business and was convicted, fined, censured, or had a registration or license suspended or revoked in any administrative or judicial proceeding;

(5) cultivation, inventory, and packaging plans;

(6) proposed operating by-laws that include procedures for the oversight of the cultivation center, development and implementation of a plant monitoring system, medical cannabis container tracking system, accurate record keeping, staffing plan, and security plan reviewed by the Illinois State Police that are in accordance with the rules issued by the Department of Agriculture under this Act. A physical inventory shall be performed of all plants and medical cannabis containers on a weekly basis;

(7) experience with agricultural cultivation techniques and industry standards;

(8) any academic degrees, certifications, or relevant experience with related businesses;

(9) the identity of every person, association, trust, or corporation having any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the cultivation center operation with respect to which the registration is sought. If the disclosed entity is a trust, the application shall disclose the names and addresses of the beneficiaries; if a corporation, the names and addresses of all stockholders and directors; if a partnership, the names and addresses of all partners, both general and limited;

(10) verification from the Illinois State Police that all background checks of the principal officer, board members, and registered agents have been conducted and those individuals have not been convicted of an excluded offense;

(11) provide a copy of the current local zoning ordinance to the Department of Agriculture and verify that proposed cultivation center is in compliance with the local zoning rules issued in accordance with Section 140;

(12) an application fee set by the Department of Agriculture by rule; and

(13) any other information required by Department of Agriculture rules, including, but not limited to a cultivation center applicant's experience with the cultivation of agricultural or horticultural products, operating an agriculturally related business, or operating a horticultural business.

(e) An application for a cultivation center permit must be denied if any of the following conditions are met:

(1) the applicant failed to submit the materials required by this Section, including if the applicant's plans do not satisfy the security, oversight, inventory, or recordkeeping rules issued by the Department of Agriculture;

(2) the applicant would not be in compliance with local zoning rules issued in accordance with Section 140;

(3) one or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has been convicted of an excluded offense;

(4) one or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has served as a principal officer or board member for a registered dispensing organization or cultivation center that has had its registration revoked;

(5) one or more of the principal officers or board members is under 21 years of age;

(6) a principal officer or board member of the cultivation center has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this State, any other state, or the United States;

(7) a principal officer or board member of the cultivation center has been convicted of any violation of Article 28 of the Criminal Code of 2012, or substantially similar laws of any other jurisdiction; or

(8) the person has submitted an application for a certificate under this Act which contains false information.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/90)

Sec. 90. Renewal of cultivation center registrations.

(a) Registrations shall be renewed annually. The registered cultivation center shall receive written notice 90 days prior to the expiration of its current registration that the registration will expire. The Department of Agriculture shall grant a renewal application within 45 days of its submission if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) the registered cultivation center submits a renewal application and the required renewal fee established by the Department of Agriculture by rule; and

(2) the Department of Agriculture has not suspended the registration of the cultivation center or suspended or revoked the registration for violation of this Act or rules adopted under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/95)

Sec. 95. Background checks.

(a) The Department of Agriculture through the Illinois State Police shall conduct a background check of the prospective cultivation center agents. The Illinois State Police shall charge a fee for conducting the criminal history record check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the record check. In order to carry out this provision, each person applying as a cultivation center agent shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the Illinois State Police for the purpose of obtaining a State and federal criminal records check. These fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint records now and hereafter, to the extent allowed by law, filed in the Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases. The Illinois State Police shall furnish, following positive identification, all Illinois conviction information to the Department of Agriculture.

(b) When applying for the initial permit, the background checks for the principal officer, board members, and registered agents shall be completed prior to submitting the application to the Department of Agriculture.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/100)

Sec. 100. Cultivation center agent identification card.

(a) The Department of Agriculture shall:

(1) verify the information contained in an application or renewal for a cultivation center identification card submitted under this Act, and approve or deny an application or renewal, within 30 days of receiving a completed application or renewal application and all supporting documentation required by rule;

(2) issue a cultivation center agent identification card to a qualifying agent within 15 business days of approving the application or renewal;

(3) enter the registry identification number of the cultivation center where the agent works; and

(4) allow for an electronic application process, and provide a confirmation by electronic or other methods that an application has been submitted.

(b) A cultivation center agent must keep his or her identification card visible at all times when on the property of a cultivation center and during the transportation of medical cannabis to a registered dispensary organization.

(c) The cultivation center agent identification cards shall contain the following:

(1) the name of the cardholder;

(2) the date of issuance and expiration date of cultivation center agent identification cards;

(3) a random 10-digit alphanumeric identification number containing at least 4 numbers and at least 4 letters that is unique to the holder; and

(4) a photograph of the cardholder.

(d) The cultivation center agent identification cards shall be immediately returned to the cultivation center upon termination of employment.

(e) Any card lost by a cultivation center agent shall be reported to the Illinois State Police and the Department of Agriculture immediately upon discovery of the loss.

(f) An applicant shall be denied a cultivation center agent identification card if he or she has been convicted of an excluded offense.

(g) An agent applicant may begin employment at a cultivation center while the agent applicant's identification card application is pending. Upon approval, the Department shall issue the agent's identification card to the agent. If denied, the cultivation center and the agent applicant shall be notified and the agent applicant must cease all activity at the cultivation center immediately.

(Source: P.A. 102-98, eff. 7-15-21; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(410 ILCS 130/105)

Sec. 105. Requirements; prohibitions; penalties for cultivation centers.

(a) The operating documents of a registered cultivation center shall include procedures for the oversight of the cultivation center, a cannabis plant monitoring system including a physical inventory recorded weekly, a cannabis container system including a physical inventory recorded weekly, accurate record keeping, and a staffing plan.

(b) A registered cultivation center shall implement a security plan reviewed by the Illinois State Police and including but not limited to: facility access controls, perimeter intrusion detection systems, personnel identification systems, 24-hour surveillance system to monitor the interior and exterior of the registered cultivation center facility and accessible to authorized law enforcement and the Department of Agriculture in real-time.

(c) A registered cultivation center may not be located within 2,500 feet of the property line of a pre-existing public or private preschool or elementary or secondary school or day care center, day care home, group day care home, part day child care facility, or an area zoned for residential use.

(d) All cultivation of cannabis for distribution to a registered dispensing organization must take place in an enclosed, locked facility as it applies to cultivation centers at the physical address provided to the Department of Agriculture during the registration process. The cultivation center location shall only be accessed by the cultivation center agents working for the registered cultivation center, Department of Agriculture staff performing inspections, Department of Public Health staff performing inspections, law enforcement or other emergency personnel, and contractors working on jobs unrelated to medical cannabis, such as installing or maintaining security devices or performing electrical wiring.

(e) A cultivation center may not sell or distribute any cannabis to any individual or entity other than another cultivation center, a dispensing organization registered under this Act, or a laboratory licensed by the Department of Agriculture.

(f) All harvested cannabis intended for distribution to a dispensing organization must be packaged in a labeled medical cannabis container and entered into a data collection system.

(g) No person who has been convicted of an excluded offense may be a cultivation center agent.

(h) Registered cultivation centers are subject to random inspection by the Illinois State Police.

(i) Registered cultivation centers are subject to random inspections by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Health.

(j) A cultivation center agent shall notify local law enforcement, the Illinois State Police, and the Department of Agriculture within 24 hours of the discovery of any loss or theft. Notification shall be made by phone or in-person, or by written or electronic communication.

(k) A cultivation center shall comply with all State and federal rules and regulations regarding the use of pesticides.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/110)

Sec. 110. Suspension; revocation; other penalties for cultivation centers and agents. Notwithstanding any other criminal penalties related to the unlawful possession of cannabis, the Department of Agriculture may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, issue cease and desist orders, refuse to issue or renew a registration, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department of Agriculture may deem proper with regard to a registered cultivation center or cultivation center agent, including imposing fines not to exceed $50,000 for each violation, for any violations of this Act and rules adopted under this Act. The procedures for disciplining a registered cultivation center or cultivation center agent and for administrative hearings shall be determined by rule. All final administrative decisions of the Department of Agriculture are subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law and its rules. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1172, eff. 1-12-15.)

(410 ILCS 130/115)

Sec. 115. Registration of dispensing organizations.

(a) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue up to 60 dispensing organization registrations for operation. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may not issue less than the 60 registrations if there are qualified applicants who have applied with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The organizations shall be geographically dispersed throughout the State to allow all registered qualifying patients reasonable proximity and access to a dispensing organization.

(a-5) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules to create a registration process for Social Equity Justice Involved Applicants and Qualifying Applicants, a streamlined application, and a Social Equity Justice Involved Medical Lottery under Section 115.5 to issue the remaining available 5 dispensing organization registrations for operation. For purposes of this Section:

"Disproportionately Impacted Area" means a census tract or comparable geographic area that satisfies the following criteria as determined by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, that:

(1) meets at least one of the following criteria:

(A) the area has a poverty rate of at least 20% according to the latest federal decennial census; or

(B) 75% or more of the children in the area participate in the federal free lunch program according to reported statistics from the State Board of Education; or

(C) at least 20% of the households in the area receive assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or

(D) the area has an average unemployment rate, as determined by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, that is more than 120% of the national unemployment average, as determined by the United States Department of Labor, for a period of at least 2 consecutive calendar years preceding the date of the application; and

(2) has high rates of arrest, conviction, and incarceration related to sale, possession, use, cultivation, manufacture, or transport of cannabis.

"Qualifying Applicant" means an applicant that: (i) submitted an application pursuant to Section 15-30 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act that received at least 85% of 250 application points available under Section 15-30 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act as the applicant's final score; (ii) received points at the conclusion of the scoring process for meeting the definition of a "Social Equity Applicant" as set forth under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act; and (iii) is an applicant that did not receive a Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization License through a Qualifying Applicant Lottery pursuant to Section 15-35 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act or any Tied Applicant Lottery conducted under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

"Social Equity Justice Involved Applicant" means an applicant that is an Illinois resident and one of the following:

(1) an applicant with at least 51% ownership and control by one or more individuals who have resided for at least 5 of the preceding 10 years in a Disproportionately Impacted Area;

(2) an applicant with at least 51% of ownership and control by one or more individuals who have been arrested for, convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for any offense that is eligible for expungement under subsection (i) of Section 5.2 of the Criminal Identification Act; or

(3) an applicant with at least 51% ownership and control by one or more members of an impacted family.

(b) A dispensing organization may only operate if it has been issued a registration from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules establishing the procedures for applicants for dispensing organizations.

(c) When applying for a dispensing organization registration, the applicant shall submit, at a minimum, the following in accordance with Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rules:

(1) a non-refundable application fee established by rule;

(2) the proposed legal name of the dispensing organization;

(3) the proposed physical address of the dispensing organization;

(4) the name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member of the dispensing organization, provided that all those individuals shall be at least 21 years of age;

(5) (blank);

(6) (blank); and

(7) (blank).

(d) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall conduct a background check of the prospective dispensing organization agents in order to carry out this Section. The Department of State Police shall charge a fee for conducting the criminal history record check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the record check. Each person applying as a dispensing organization agent shall submit a full set of fingerprints to the Department of State Police for the purpose of obtaining a State and federal criminal records check. These fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint records now and hereafter, to the extent allowed by law, filed in the Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases. The Department of State Police shall furnish, following positive identification, all Illinois conviction information to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(e) A dispensing organization must pay a registration fee set by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(f) An application for a medical cannabis dispensing organization registration must be denied if any of the following conditions are met:

(1) the applicant failed to submit the materials required by this Section, including if the applicant's plans do not satisfy the security, oversight, or recordkeeping rules issued by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation;

(2) the applicant would not be in compliance with local zoning rules issued in accordance with Section 140;

(3) the applicant does not meet the requirements of Section 130;

(4) one or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has been convicted of an excluded offense;

(5) one or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has served as a principal officer or board member for a registered medical cannabis dispensing organization that has had its registration revoked; and

(6) one or more of the principal officers or board members is under 21 years of age.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-98, eff. 7-15-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/115.5)

Sec. 115.5. Social Equity Justice Involved Medical Lottery.

(a) In this Section:

"By lot" has the same meaning as defined in Section 1-10 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

"Qualifying Applicant" has the same meaning as defined in subsection (a-5) of Section 115.

"Social Equity Justice Involved Applicant" has the same meaning as defined in subsection (a-5) of Section 115.

"Social Equity Justice Involved Medical Lottery" means the process of issuing 5 available medical cannabis dispensing organization registrations by lot, conducted by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, for applicants who are either: (i) Social Equity Justice Involved Applicants; or (ii) Qualifying Applicants.

(b) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall conduct a Social Equity Justice Involved Medical Lottery to award up to 5 medical cannabis dispensing organization registrations by lot in accordance with Section 115.

(c) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules through emergency rulemaking in accordance with subsection (kk) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to create a registration process, a streamlined application, an application fee not to exceed $5,000 for purposes of this Section, and limits on the number of entries into the Social Equity Justice Involved Medical Lottery, as well as any other measures to reduce barriers to enter the cannabis industry. The General Assembly finds that the adoption of rules to regulate cannabis use is deemed an emergency and necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

(d) Social Equity Justice Involved Applicants awarded a registration under subsection (a-5) of Section 115 are eligible to serve purchasers at the same site and a secondary site under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, subject to application and inspection processes established by the Department. The licenses issued under this Section shall be valid for 2 years after the date of issuance and shall renew in the manner proscribed by the Department.

(e) No applicant may be awarded more than one medical cannabis dispensing organization registration at the conclusion of the lottery conducted under this Section.

(f) No individual may be listed as a principal officer of more than one medical cannabis dispensing organization registration awarded under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-98, eff. 7-15-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/120)

Sec. 120. Dispensing organization agent identification card.

(a) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall:

(1) verify the information contained in an application or renewal for a dispensing organization agent identification card submitted under this Act, and approve or deny an application or renewal, within 30 days of receiving a completed application or renewal application and all supporting documentation required by rule;

(2) issue a dispensing organization agent identification card to a qualifying agent within 15 business days of approving the application or renewal;

(3) enter the registry identification number of the dispensing organization where the agent works; and

(4) allow for an electronic application process, and provide a confirmation by electronic or other methods that an application has been submitted.

(b) A dispensing agent must keep his or her identification card visible at all times when on the property of a dispensing organization.

(c) The dispensing organization agent identification cards shall contain the following:

(1) the name of the cardholder;

(2) the date of issuance and expiration date of the dispensing organization agent identification cards;

(3) a random 10 digit alphanumeric identification number containing at least 4 numbers and at least 4 letters; that is unique to the holder; and

(4) a photograph of the cardholder.

(d) The dispensing organization agent identification cards shall be immediately returned to the dispensing organization upon termination of employment.

(e) Any card lost by a dispensing organization agent shall be reported to the Illinois State Police and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation immediately upon discovery of the loss.

(f) An applicant shall be denied a dispensing organization agent identification card if he or she has been convicted of an excluded offense.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1172, eff. 1-12-15.)

(410 ILCS 130/125)

Sec. 125. Medical cannabis dispensing organization certification renewal.

(a) The registered dispensing organization shall receive written notice 90 days prior to the expiration of its current registration that the registration will expire. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall grant a renewal application within 45 days of its submission if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) the registered dispensing organization submits a renewal application and the required renewal fee established by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rules; and

(2) the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has not suspended the registered dispensing organization or suspended or revoked the registration for violation of this Act or rules adopted under this Act.

(b) If a dispensing organization fails to renew its registration prior to expiration, the dispensing organization shall cease operations until registration is renewed.

(c) If a dispensing organization agent fails to renew his or her registration prior to its expiration, he or she shall cease to work or volunteer at a dispensing organization until his or her registration is renewed.

(d) Any dispensing organization that continues to operate or dispensing agent that continues to work or volunteer at a dispensing organization that fails to renew its registration shall be subject to penalty as provided in Section 130.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/130)

Sec. 130. Requirements; prohibitions; penalties; dispensing organizations.

(a) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall implement the provisions of this Section by rule.

(b) A dispensing organization shall maintain operating documents which shall include procedures for the oversight of the registered dispensing organization and procedures to ensure accurate recordkeeping.

(c) A dispensing organization shall implement appropriate security measures, as provided by rule, to deter and prevent the theft of cannabis and unauthorized entrance into areas containing cannabis.

(d) A dispensing organization may not be located within 1,000 feet of the property line of a pre-existing public or private preschool or elementary or secondary school or day care center, day care home, group day care home, or part day child care facility. A registered dispensing organization may not be located in a house, apartment, condominium, or an area zoned for residential use. This subsection shall not apply to any dispensing organizations registered on or after July 1, 2019.

(e) A dispensing organization is prohibited from acquiring cannabis from anyone other than a cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, another dispensing organization, or transporting organization licensed or registered under this Act or the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. A dispensing organization is prohibited from obtaining cannabis from outside the State of Illinois.

(f) A registered dispensing organization is prohibited from dispensing cannabis for any purpose except to assist registered qualifying patients with the medical use of cannabis directly or through the qualifying patients' designated caregivers.

(g) The area in a dispensing organization where medical cannabis is stored can only be accessed by dispensing organization agents working for the dispensing organization, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation staff performing inspections, law enforcement or other emergency personnel, and contractors working on jobs unrelated to medical cannabis, such as installing or maintaining security devices or performing electrical wiring.

(h) A dispensing organization may not dispense more than 2.5 ounces of cannabis to a registered qualifying patient, directly or via a designated caregiver, in any 14-day period unless the qualifying patient has a Department of Public Health-approved quantity waiver. Any Department of Public Health-approved quantity waiver process must be made available to qualified veterans.

(i) Except as provided in subsection (i-5), before medical cannabis may be dispensed to a designated caregiver or a registered qualifying patient, a dispensing organization agent must determine that the individual is a current cardholder in the verification system and must verify each of the following:

(1) that the registry identification card presented to the registered dispensing organization is valid;

(2) that the person presenting the card is the person identified on the registry identification card presented to the dispensing organization agent;

(3) (blank); and

(4) that the registered qualifying patient has not exceeded his or her adequate supply.

(i-5) A dispensing organization may dispense medical cannabis to an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant under Section 62 and to a person presenting proof of provisional registration under Section 55. Before dispensing medical cannabis, the dispensing organization shall comply with the requirements of Section 62 or Section 55, whichever is applicable, and verify the following:

(1) that the written certification presented to the registered dispensing organization is valid and an original document;

(2) that the person presenting the written certification is the person identified on the written certification; and

(3) that the participant has not exceeded his or her adequate supply.

(j) Dispensing organizations shall ensure compliance with this limitation by maintaining internal, confidential records that include records specifying how much medical cannabis is dispensed to the registered qualifying patient and whether it was dispensed directly to the registered qualifying patient or to the designated caregiver. Each entry must include the date and time the cannabis was dispensed. Additional recordkeeping requirements may be set by rule.

(k) The health care professional-patient privilege as set forth by Section 8-802 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply between a qualifying patient and a registered dispensing organization and its agents with respect to communications and records concerning qualifying patients' debilitating conditions.

(l) A dispensing organization may not permit any person to consume cannabis on the property of a medical cannabis organization.

(m) A dispensing organization may not share office space with or refer patients to a certifying health care professional.

(n) Notwithstanding any other criminal penalties related to the unlawful possession of cannabis, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, refuse to issue or renew, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may deem proper with regard to the registration of any person issued under this Act to operate a dispensing organization or act as a dispensing organization agent, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, for any violations of this Act and rules adopted in accordance with this Act. The procedures for disciplining a registered dispensing organization shall be determined by rule. All final administrative decisions of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation are subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law and its rules. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(o) Dispensing organizations are subject to random inspection and cannabis testing by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois State Police, the Department of Revenue, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, or as provided by rule.

(p) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules permitting returns, and potential refunds, for damaged or inadequate products.

(q) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue nondisciplinary citations for minor violations which may be accompanied by a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per violation. The penalty shall be a civil penalty or other condition as established by rule. The citation shall be issued to the licensee and shall contain the licensee's name, address, and license number, a brief factual statement, the Sections of the law or rule allegedly violated, and the civil penalty, if any, imposed. The citation must clearly state that the licensee may choose, in lieu of accepting the citation, to request a hearing. If the licensee does not dispute the matter in the citation with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation within 30 days after the citation is served, then the citation shall become final and shall not be subject to appeal.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-98, eff. 7-15-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/135)

Sec. 135. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14. Repealed by P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/140)

Sec. 140. Local ordinances. A unit of local government may enact reasonable zoning ordinances or resolutions, not in conflict with this Act or with Department of Agriculture or Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rules, regulating registered medical cannabis cultivation center or medical cannabis dispensing organizations. No unit of local government, including a home rule unit, or school district may regulate registered medical cannabis organizations other than as provided in this Act and may not unreasonably prohibit the cultivation, dispensing, and use of medical cannabis authorized by this Act. This Section is a denial and limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1172, eff. 1-12-15.)

(410 ILCS 130/145)

Sec. 145. Confidentiality.

(a) The following information received and records kept by the Department of Public Health, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Department of Agriculture, or Illinois State Police for purposes of administering this Act are subject to all applicable federal privacy laws, confidential, and exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, and not subject to disclosure to any individual or public or private entity, except as necessary for authorized employees of those authorized agencies to perform official duties under this Act and the following information received and records kept by Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and Illinois State Police, excluding any existing or non-existing Illinois or national criminal history record information as defined in subsection (d), may be disclosed to each other upon request:

(1) Applications and renewals, their contents, and supporting information submitted by qualifying patients and designated caregivers, including information regarding their designated caregivers and certifying health care professionals.

(2) Applications and renewals, their contents, and supporting information submitted by or on behalf of cultivation centers and dispensing organizations in compliance with this Act, including their physical addresses. This does not preclude the release of ownership information of cannabis business establishment licenses.

(3) The individual names and other information identifying persons to whom the Department of Public Health has issued registry identification cards.

(4) Any dispensing information required to be kept under Section 135, Section 150, or Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rules shall identify cardholders and registered cultivation centers by their registry identification numbers and medical cannabis dispensing organizations by their registration number and not contain names or other personally identifying information.

(5) All medical records provided to the Department of Public Health in connection with an application for a registry card.

(b) Nothing in this Section precludes the following:

(1) Department of Agriculture, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or Public Health employees may notify law enforcement about falsified or fraudulent information submitted to the Departments if the employee who suspects that falsified or fraudulent information has been submitted conferred with his or her supervisor and both agree that circumstances exist that warrant reporting.

(2) If the employee conferred with his or her supervisor and both agree that circumstances exist that warrant reporting, Department of Public Health employees may notify the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation if there is reasonable cause to believe a certifying health care professional:

(A) issued a written certification without a bona fide health care professional-patient relationship under this Act;

(B) issued a written certification to a person who was not under the certifying health care professional's care for the debilitating medical condition; or

(C) failed to abide by the acceptable and prevailing standard of care when evaluating a patient's medical condition.

(3) The Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may notify State or local law enforcement about apparent criminal violations of this Act if the employee who suspects the offense has conferred with his or her supervisor and both agree that circumstances exist that warrant reporting.

(4) Medical cannabis cultivation center agents and medical cannabis dispensing organizations may notify the Department of Public Health, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or Department of Agriculture of a suspected violation or attempted violation of this Act or the rules issued under it.

(5) Each Department may verify registry identification cards under Section 150.

(6) The submission of the report to the General Assembly under Section 160.

(b-5) Each Department responsible for licensure under this Act shall publish on the Department's website a list of the ownership information of cannabis business establishment licensees under the Department's jurisdiction. The list shall include, but shall not be limited to, the name of the person or entity holding each cannabis business establishment license and the address at which the entity is operating under this Act. This list shall be published and updated monthly.

(c) Except for any ownership information released pursuant to subsection (b-5) or as otherwise authorized or required by law, it is a Class B misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine for any person, including an employee or official of the Department of Public Health, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, or Department of Agriculture or another State agency or local government, to breach the confidentiality of information obtained under this Act.

(d) The Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois State Police, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall not share or disclose any existing or non-existing Illinois or national criminal history record information. For the purposes of this Section, "any existing or non-existing Illinois or national criminal history record information" means any Illinois or national criminal history record information, including but not limited to the lack of or non-existence of these records.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-98, eff. 7-15-21; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

(410 ILCS 130/150)

Sec. 150. Registry identification and registration certificate verification.

(a) The Department of Public Health shall maintain a confidential list of the persons to whom the Department of Public Health has issued registry identification cards and their addresses, phone numbers, and registry identification numbers. This confidential list may not be combined or linked in any manner with any other list or database except as provided in this Section.

(b) Within 180 days of the effective date of this Act, the Department of Public Health, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and Department of Agriculture shall together establish a computerized database or verification system. The database or verification system must allow law enforcement personnel and medical cannabis dispensary organization agents to determine whether or not the identification number corresponds with a current, valid registry identification card. The system shall only disclose whether the identification card is valid, whether the cardholder is a registered qualifying patient or a registered designated caregiver, the registry identification number of the registered medical cannabis dispensing organization designated to serve the registered qualifying patient who holds the card, and the registry identification number of the patient who is assisted by a registered designated caregiver who holds the card. The Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Illinois State Police, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall not share or disclose any existing or non-existing Illinois or national criminal history record information. Notwithstanding any other requirements established by this subsection, the Department of Public Health shall issue registry cards to qualifying patients, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue registration to medical cannabis dispensing organizations for the period during which the database is being established, and the Department of Agriculture may issue registration to medical cannabis cultivation organizations for the period during which the database is being established.

(c) For the purposes of this Section, "any existing or non-existing Illinois or national criminal history record information" means any Illinois or national criminal history record information, including but not limited to the lack of or non-existence of these records.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/155)

Sec. 155. Review of administrative decisions. All final administrative decisions of the Departments of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation are subject to direct judicial review under the provisions of the Administrative Review Law and the rules adopted under that Law. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/160)

Sec. 160. Annual reports. The Department of Public Health shall submit to the General Assembly a report, by September 30 of each year, that does not disclose any identifying information about registered qualifying patients, registered caregivers, or certifying health care professionals, but does contain, at a minimum, all of the following information based on the fiscal year for reporting purposes:

(1) the number of applications and renewals filed for registry identification cards or registrations;

(2) the number of qualifying patients and designated caregivers served by each dispensary during the report year;

(3) the nature of the debilitating medical conditions of the qualifying patients;

(4) the number of registry identification cards or registrations revoked for misconduct;

(5) the number of certifying health care professionals providing written certifications for qualifying patients;

(6) the number of registered medical cannabis cultivation centers or registered dispensing organizations; and

(7) the number of Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participants.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/162)

Sec. 162. Market research study. The Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer shall conduct a market research study on or before January 1, 2022. The study shall evaluate the ownership demographics of licensees and applicants for licenses under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-98, eff. 7-15-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/165)

Sec. 165. Administrative rulemaking.

(a) Not later than 120 days after the effective date of this Act, the Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall develop rules in accordance to their responsibilities under this Act and file those rules with the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

(b) The Department of Public Health rules shall address, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) fees for applications for registration as a qualified patient or caregiver;

(2) establishing the form and content of registration and renewal applications submitted under this Act, including a standard form for written certifications;

(3) governing the manner in which it shall consider applications for and renewals of registry identification cards;

(4) the manufacture of medical cannabis-infused products;

(5) fees for the application and renewal of registry identification cards. Fee revenue may be offset or supplemented by private donations;

(6) any other matters as are necessary for the fair, impartial, stringent, and comprehensive administration of this Act; and

(7) reasonable rules concerning the medical use of cannabis at a nursing care institution, hospice, assisted living center, assisted living facility, assisted living home, residential care institution, or adult day health care facility.

(c) The Department of Agriculture rules shall address, but not be limited to the following related to registered cultivation centers, with the goal of protecting against diversion and theft, without imposing an undue burden on the registered cultivation centers:

(1) oversight requirements for registered cultivation centers;

(2) recordkeeping requirements for registered cultivation centers;

(3) security requirements for registered cultivation centers, which shall include that each registered cultivation center location must be protected by a fully operational security alarm system;

(4) rules and standards for what constitutes an enclosed, locked facility under this Act;

(5) procedures for suspending or revoking the registration certificates or registry identification cards of registered cultivation centers and their agents that commit violations of the provisions of this Act or the rules adopted under this Section;

(6) rules concerning the intrastate transportation of medical cannabis from a cultivation center to a dispensing organization;

(7) standards concerning the testing, quality, and cultivation of medical cannabis;

(8) any other matters as are necessary for the fair, impartial, stringent, and comprehensive administration of this Act;

(9) application and renewal fees for cultivation center agents; and

(10) application, renewal, and registration fees for cultivation centers.

(d) The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation rules shall address, but not be limited to the following matters related to registered dispensing organizations, with the goal of protecting against diversion and theft, without imposing an undue burden on the registered dispensing organizations or compromising the confidentiality of cardholders:

(1) application and renewal and registration fees for dispensing organizations and dispensing organizations agents;

(2) medical cannabis dispensing agent-in-charge oversight requirements for dispensing organizations;

(3) recordkeeping requirements for dispensing organizations;

(4) security requirements for medical cannabis dispensing organizations, which shall include that each registered dispensing organization location must be protected by a fully operational security alarm system;

(5) procedures for suspending or revoking the registrations of dispensing organizations and dispensing organization agents that commit violations of the provisions of this Act or the rules adopted under this Act;

(6) application and renewal fees for dispensing organizations; and

(7) application and renewal fees for dispensing organization agents.

(e) The Department of Public Health may establish a sliding scale of patient application and renewal fees based upon a qualifying patient's household income. The Department of Public health may accept donations from private sources to reduce application and renewal fees, and registry identification card fees shall include an additional fee set by rule which shall be used to develop and disseminate educational information about the health risks associated with the abuse of cannabis and prescription medications.

(f) During the rule-making process, each Department shall make a good faith effort to consult with stakeholders identified in the rule-making analysis as being impacted by the rules, including patients or a representative of an organization advocating on behalf of patients.

(g) The Department of Public Health shall develop and disseminate educational information about the health risks associated with the abuse of cannabis and prescription medications.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1172, eff. 1-12-15.)

(410 ILCS 130/170)

Sec. 170. Enforcement of this Act.

(a) If a Department fails to adopt rules to implement this Act within the times provided for in this Act, any citizen may commence a mandamus action in the Circuit Court to compel the Departments to perform the actions mandated under the provisions of this Act.

(b) If the Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Financial and Professional Regulation fails to issue a valid identification card in response to a valid application or renewal submitted under this Act or fails to issue a verbal or written notice of denial of the application within 30 days of its submission, the identification card is deemed granted, and a copy of the registry identification application, including a valid written certification in the case of patients, or renewal shall be deemed a valid registry identification card.

(c) Authorized employees of State or local law enforcement agencies shall immediately notify the Department of Public Health when any person in possession of a registry identification card has been determined by a court of law to have willfully violated the provisions of this Act or has pled guilty to the offense.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/173)

Sec. 173. Conflicts of law. To the extent that any provision of this Act conflicts with any Act that allows the recreational use of cannabis, the provisions of that Act shall control.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/175)

Sec. 175. Administrative hearings.

(a) Administrative hearings involving the Department of Public Health, a qualifying patient, or a designated caregiver shall be conducted under the Department of Public Health's rules governing administrative hearings.

(b) Administrative hearings involving the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, dispensing organizations, or dispensing organization agents shall be conducted under the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's rules governing administrative hearings.

(c) Administrative hearings involving the Department of Agriculture, registered cultivation centers, or cultivation center agents shall be conducted under the Department of Agriculture's rules governing administrative hearings.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1172, eff. 1-12-15.)

(410 ILCS 130/180)

Sec. 180. Destruction of medical cannabis.

(a) All cannabis byproduct, scrap, and harvested cannabis not intended for distribution to a medical cannabis organization must be destroyed and disposed of pursuant to State law. Documentation of destruction and disposal shall be retained at the cultivation center for a period of not less than 5 years.

(b) A cultivation center shall prior to the destruction, notify the Department of Agriculture and the Illinois State Police.

(c) The cultivation center shall keep record of the date of destruction and how much was destroyed.

(d) A dispensary organization shall destroy all cannabis, including cannabis-infused products, that are not sold to registered qualifying patients. Documentation of destruction and disposal shall be retained at the dispensary organization for a period of not less than 5 years.

(e) A dispensary organization shall prior to the destruction, notify the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Illinois State Police.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(410 ILCS 130/185)

Sec. 185. Suspension revocation of a registration.

(a) The Department of Agriculture, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Department of Public Health may suspend or revoke a registration for violations of this Act and rules issued in accordance with this Section.

(b) The suspension or revocation of a registration is a final Department action, subject to judicial review. Jurisdiction and venue for judicial review are vested in the Circuit Court.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; 98-1172, eff. 1-12-15.)

(410 ILCS 130/190)

Sec. 190. Medical Cannabis Cultivation Privilege Tax Law. Sections 190 through 215 may be cited as the Medical Cannabis Cultivation Privilege Tax Law.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/195)

Sec. 195. Definitions. For the purposes of this Law:

"Cultivation center" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.

"Department" means the Department of Revenue.

"Dispensing organization" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.

"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, or public or private organization.

"Qualifying patient" means a qualifying patient registered under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/200)

Sec. 200. Tax imposed.

(a) Beginning on the effective date of this Act, a tax is imposed upon the privilege of cultivating medical cannabis at a rate of 7% of the sales price per ounce. The proceeds from this tax shall be deposited into the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Fund created under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. This tax shall be paid by a cultivation center and is not the responsibility of a dispensing organization or a qualifying patient.

(b) The tax imposed under this Act shall be in addition to all other occupation or privilege taxes imposed by the State of Illinois or by any municipal corporation or political subdivision thereof.

(Source: P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/205)

Sec. 205. Department enforcement.

(a) Every person subject to the tax under this Law shall apply to the Department (upon a form prescribed and furnished by the Department) for a certificate of registration under this Law. Application for a certificate of registration shall be made to the Department upon forms furnished by the Department. The certificate of registration which is issued by the Department to a retailer under the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act shall permit the taxpayer to engage in a business which is taxable under this Law without registering separately with the Department.

(b) The Department shall have full power to administer and enforce this Law, to collect all taxes and penalties due hereunder, to dispose of taxes and penalties so collected in the manner hereinafter provided, and to determine all rights to credit memoranda, arising on account of the erroneous payment of tax or penalty hereunder. In the administration of, and compliance with, this Law, the Department and persons who are subject to this Law shall have the same rights, remedies, privileges, immunities, powers and duties, and be subject to the same conditions, restrictions, limitations, penalties and definitions of terms, and employ the same modes of procedure, as are prescribed in Sections 1, 1a, 2 through 2-65 (in respect to all provisions therein other than the State rate of tax), 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 (except provisions relating to transaction returns and quarter monthly payments, and except for provisions that are inconsistent with this Law), 4, 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5i, 5j, 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11a, 12 and 13 of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act and Section 3-7 of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act as fully as if those provisions were set forth herein.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/210)

Sec. 210. Returns.

(a) This subsection (a) applies to returns due on or before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. On or before the twentieth day of each calendar month, every person subject to the tax imposed under this Law during the preceding calendar month shall file a return with the Department, stating:

(1) The name of the taxpayer;

(2) The number of ounces of medical cannabis sold to a dispensing organization or a registered qualifying patient during the preceding calendar month;

(3) The amount of tax due;

(4) The signature of the taxpayer; and

(5) Such other reasonable information as the Department may require.

If a taxpayer fails to sign a return within 30 days after the proper notice and demand for signature by the Department, the return shall be considered valid and any amount shown to be due on the return shall be deemed assessed.

The taxpayer shall remit the amount of the tax due to the Department at the time the taxpayer files his or her return.

(b) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, Section 65-20 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act shall apply to returns filed and taxes paid under this Act to the same extent as if those provisions were set forth in full in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 101-27, eff. 6-25-19; 101-593, eff. 12-4-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/215)

Sec. 215. Rules. The Department may adopt rules related to the enforcement of this Law.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/220)

Sec. 220. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 99-519, eff. 6-30-16. Repealed by P.A. 101-363, eff. 8-9-19.)

(410 ILCS 130/900)

Sec. 900. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/905)

Sec. 905. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/910)

Sec. 910. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/915)

Sec. 915. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/920)

Sec. 920. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/925)

Sec. 925. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/930)

Sec. 930. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/935)

Sec. 935. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 130/997)

Sec. 997. Severability. The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)

(410 ILCS 130/999)

Sec. 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect on January 1, 2014.

(Source: P.A. 98-122, eff. 1-1-14.)