{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/taxes/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3734-markdown","title":"Understanding the Illinois Weed Rules And Regulations","slug":"understanding-the-illinois-weed-rules-and-regulations","content":"In Illinois, the established medical marijuana program started eight years ago and with the rollout of the adult-use/recreational program earlier this year, it’s easy to get confused about where and how to get your weed. Let’s break it down a bit.\n\n### Medical Marijuana in Illinois\n\n![Screen Shot 2021-08-24 at 5.02.24 PM.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_08_24_at_5_02_24_PM_46dce24dd1.png)\n\n\nIn 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the [Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act](https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3503&ChapterID=35), overseen in part by the Department of Public Health (IDPH).\n\n### Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Illinois?\n\nPatients 18+, with proof of residency, and an Illinois-issued ID may apply for a Medical Cannabis Registry Card. \n\n### Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois\n\n### The Benefits of Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card in Illinois\n\n- Significant cost savings - as a medical marijuana patient you will save up to 35% on taxes\n- Receive high quality medical advice from an expert Practitioner \n- Access to the safest and best quality cannabis as medicine\n- Legally allowed to carry cannabis without penalty\n- Ability to travel within the state of Illinois with cannabis\n\n### Step 1: Meet with a Medical Practitioner in Illinois\n\nYou'll need to meet with a [Licensed Practitioner](https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis/physician-information) to discuss medical cannabis as a treatment for one of the state-sanctioned [debilitating conditions](https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis/debilitating-conditions). \nYour consult may occur in person, or via telehealth in the comfort of your own home. Is your health condition not on the list? Illinois residents may petition the IDPH to [add to the accepted debilitating conditions](http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis/petition-debilitating-conditions).\n[Registered caregivers](https://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/forms/medicalcannabis-caregiver-application-17-100316.pdf) must be certified for minor patients. Adult patients may also register up to three caregivers to procure cannabis on their behalf.\nReceive your Medical Cannabis Certification from your healthcare Practitioner. This will arrive as a digital file if you were seen by your healthcare professional via telehealth. You will need this certification in order to sign up for the program.\n\n### Step 2:  Create an Account with the Cannabis Registry in Illinois\n\nCreate an account and sign into the [Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Program](https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis) located on the IDPH website, and choose your [designated medical cannabis dispensary](https://www.idfpr.com/Forms/MC/ListofLicensedDispensaries.pdf). You'll need your ID and proof of residency to sign up. If you need help with this application, there’s a [handy how-to](https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis/patient-application-instructions). There is a state-mandated cost to joining the medical marijuana program, there are fees associated with a one, two, or three year term. You can select the length of time for your card before you need to register again. Your medical card will be sent to you in the mail but you will be given your patient information, so you can purchase before your card arriveas.\n\n### Step 3: Purchase Your Cannabis from an Illinois Medical Dispensary\n\nGo online and find a dispensary near you, they are located across the state! Confirm your dispensary’s policies and acceptable methods of payment (many are cash-only) and remember to bring your ID and your new medical cannabis card! Most dispensaries offer pre-ordering and curbside pickup. \n\n### How Much Cannabis can a Medical Patient Purchase in Illinois?\n\nRegistered patients and/or their caregivers may purchase up to 2.5 ounces, or 71 grams of cannabis every two weeks, and may also ask their doctor to authorize a higher amount. \n\n### What are the Costs and Fees for a Consult in Illinois?\n \nDoctors’ fees and online consults vary greatly. Online consultations with [HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/get-started/illinois/) physicians, for example, is $159.\n\nIllinois state registration fees also vary. Patients may buy a card that is [valid for one, two or three years](http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis/MCPP-registry-card-application-fees), with additional caregiver authorizations bumping up the cost. The cards range from $25 to $300.\n\n### Recreational Cannabis in Illinois\n\nAdult-Use Cannabis (also known as Recreational)\nIn 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker legalized adult-use cannabis by signing the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. The program went into effect January 1, 2020. \n\n### Who Qualifies in Illinois?\n\nAny adult 21+ with a valid Illinois-issued ID\n\n### What’s the Age Restriction in Illinois?\n\nYou must be 21 or older.\nFind an [Adult Use dispensary](https://www.idfpr.com/LicenseLookup/AdultUseDispensaries)\nConfirm your dispensary’s policies and acceptable methods of payment (many are cash-only). Most offer pre-ordering and curbside pickup. \nGet registered for the dispensary and purchase your recreational marijuana!\n\n### How Much Cannabis can I Purchase in Illinois?\n\nAdult users may legally purchase up to 30 grams of cannabis without a medical cannabis card. The rec legal limit for cannabis concentrates is 5 grams, and edibles of up to 500mg of THC can be purchased. Illinois visitors are allowed to possess half these amounts. \n\n### TAXES - The Real Kicker in Illinois! \n\nIllinois’ adult-use tax rates are among the highest in the U.S. In fact, many critics credit the insane taxation for keeping Illiniois' robust black market thriving. \n\nOn top of the cannabis costs, recreational marijuana consumers will always pay:\n- a 7% wholesale ‘cannabis cultivation privilege’ tax (per ounce)\n- a retail excise tax ranging from 10% - 25% (depending on THC levels), \n- a flat 20% tax on cannabis-infused products,\n- a 6.25% sales tax, AND\n[Local sales taxes](https://mytax.illinois.gov/_/#1) (depending on county)\n\nThese taxes can easily add up to a 35% tax on every recreational cannabis purchase you make!\n\nHow much do medical cannabis patients pay in taxes?  1% sales tax.\n\nYou read that right. Medical cannabis patients pay only one percent in taxes! It might be worth it put in a little more time and planning into becoming a medical cannabis patient in Illinois state\n\n### Can I Grow My Own Weed in Illinois?\n\nIf you’ve ever considered growing your cannabis, you can absolutely do that, and you can grow up to five plants for personal consumption — but ONLY IF you’re a Registered Medical Cannabis Program patient. Recreational users are prohibited from all home-growing, and can be fined a civil penalty of $200 if caught.\n\n### The Final Low-Down...on Medical Marijuana in Illinois\n\nAt first glance, it may seem like a no-brainer that recreational cannabis in Illinois is less complicated, if not more expensive. While there’s some truth here — walking into a dispensary and scoring weed is pretty easy, and doesn’t require a lot of time or planning. However, if you’re someone who’s serious about medicinal cannabis, you should consider becoming a medical marijuana patient.\n\nFirstly, consulting with a physician is always a good idea when you’re introducing a new medication into your regime, even something as seemingly straightforward as cannabis. Your doctor can coach you on different, and potentially more effective, methods of delivery. You can also get advice on dosing, as well as expert input about any risks or potential interactions with other medications. \n\n### Need Your Medical Marijuana Card?\n[HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/get-started/) can help you with online virtual medical consultation and get your medical card fast, easy and private.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.7699115044247788,"src":"/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/ee604/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.png","srcSet":"/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/69585/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.png 200w,\n/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/497c6/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.png 400w,\n/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/ee604/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.png 800w,\n/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/f3583/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/58556/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/61e93/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.webp 200w,\n/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/1f5c5/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.webp 400w,\n/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/58556/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.webp 800w,\n/static/b2294e530668c02e5455d6e75a235472/99238/eadceccef061b7df66bdafd9923cdad4.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2175-markdown","title":"Problems with California’s Medical Marijuana Regulations","slug":"problems-with-californias-medical-marijuana-regulations","content":"### MMRSA - It Has Issues\r\n\r\nThe Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) was the much needed update to medical marijuana policy in the state of California. MMRSA puts new regulations of the sizes of plots, pesticide standards, organic status availability, and quality assurance standards. MMRSA also provides the frame work for different types of licenses related to marijuana growth and manufacturing, as well as the allowance for for-profit marijuana production. Another major aspect of MMRSA is the implementation of a taxation system that would bring in local and state tax revenue from the medical marijuana industry. Individual cities also were required to submit ordinances by March 1st if they wanted to set restrictions and maintain control over medical marijuana regulation in their borders. \r\n\r\nThe major problem with MMRSA, however, is a dramatic increase in the cost of cannabis and manufactured products that contain marijuana. The act outlines a new mandatory distribution level that will add extra steps, and cost, to the production of all different kinds of marijuana products. The new required distributers will be the middle men between each step in the process as a form of external management, essentially doubling the amount of steps needed to get marijuana products to market. Distributers are projected to ask for about 15-35% of the value of the cannabis product as a fee for each management step. The cost of distributers fees, in addition to the cost of the added steps, is going to lead to a dramatic mark up on the cost of cannabis products. \r\n\r\n### Skyrocketing Cost of Marijuana\r\n\r\nThe skyrocketing price of marijuana production will only be exacerbated by an extra 15% tax mark up. The exorbitant prices will put a great strain on the patients that use marijuana as medicine everyday and could also bar people from seeking out marijuana for treatment. The added steps can also add time to marijuana processing, creating situations where people may not get the medication they need in a timely manner. Another potential issue is the room for the illegal marketplace to grow under the stress of the overpriced legal market. \r\n\r\nThis could be potentially detrimental to the many patients that benefit from medical marijuana everyday and the industry as a whole. Its not too late, however, to work to fix this problem. If you’re a California resident you can contact your local representative by following these steps:\r\nGo to this [CA government website](http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/) to find your local representative & reach out to your local representatives by email, phone, or an in person meeting to voice your concerns about the mandatory distribution step outlined in MMRSA. \r\n\r\nInterested in asking a question about this article? Go to [HelloMD Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) and ask one of our doctors and community. \r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/47148237@N06/14669459877/in/photolist-omhPm2-dKkUmw-jPvVXv-oPjAyR-e8WfNC-8tAE2V-7nbVUm-7MzmN1-yDGpZ-cXN5MQ-pdtSbN-dJ3779-jRpm4h-pfvMA8-8NZJHH-pftMx3-ab3Ma8-qzfUbY-osVoFw-oprmjn-os8FtU-7pxZhL-hG5fSV-cJ673U-7pxZky-ptDMWD-nVBGrW-5XuyUi-9DG3AD-pNx6qm-6PbdHi-vqpcC-3QrJJF-5XyDZf-jRnQ9P-8Qbyp3-7pxZeh-vDpqN-4vxRpC-bWuXnX-oki2x-rgpD18-6L2ztT-qojJRi-amrhMe-5rHgnb-hXMZLt-nzgy1x-rv2yck-oc5nDY)\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/14b42/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.jpg","srcSet":"/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/f836f/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.jpg 200w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/2244e/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.jpg 400w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/14b42/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.jpg 800w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/47498/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.jpg 1200w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/54ac5/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/58556/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/61e93/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.webp 200w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/1f5c5/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.webp 400w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/58556/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.webp 800w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/99238/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.webp 1200w,\n/static/84d4d45bd94fc8f7b43692460f3ab79d/5e0b8/6e87837b714c2c613fd243b493f05c56.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5814,"name":"Taxes","slug":"taxes","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}