⚠️ Disclaimer: This page reflects our personal experience in Illinois and is provided for informational purposes only. Cannabis laws, regulations, and availability vary by location. This is not legal or medical advice. Always follow your local laws and consult qualified professionals.

Getting Our Medical Cannabis Cards

The path to getting our medical cannabis cards took patience — but we were determined. I applied as Brad’s caregiver, and he applied as the patient.

In our case, the first step was receiving a diagnosis that matched the state’s approved conditions list. From there, we contacted a clinic called Innovative Express, which helped guide us through the application process. Brad’s doctor sent over his medical records, and we paid the required fees (around $300 at the time, plus processing).

It took about six weeks for Brad’s card to arrive.

Once we had our cards, we selected a dispensary — Midway Dispensary — and completed the state registration process. This included fingerprinting and a 36-hour waiting period before we could shop.

At that time in Illinois, patients were limited to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks. Your state may have different rules, limits, and procedures.

Learning to Navigate the Options

When we began making oil, we found that 1 ounce of flower yielded about 6–7 grams of oil in our process. Brad initially used approximately 1 gram of high-THC oil per day. Strains like Bubba Kush and Gorilla Glue were common options available to us.

Later, we added a high-CBD, low-THC strain (Harle-Tsu, about a 15:1 CBD-to-THC ratio) after reviewing Brad’s bloodwork and discussing it together. While we make no claims, we personally felt that combining CBD with THC offered a more balanced experience for Brad. The idea of cannabinoids working synergistically — sometimes called “the entourage effect” — came up often in our reading.

Everyone’s experience is unique. We found the learning curve steep at first, but asking questions helped a lot. We spoke with dispensary staff, read online forums, and joined Facebook groups like Cannabis Oil Success Stories, where members shared their personal experiences with various conditions and strains. (At the time, that group had over 170,000 members.)

Other Dispensary Products We Saw

Beyond raw flower, our dispensary carried:

• Edibles (gummies, chocolates)

• Tinctures and sublingual oils

• Vape cartridges

• Topical salves and rubs

• Suppositories

• Wax and concentrates

Most dispensaries also offered discounts, especially for veterans, low-income patients, or on certain days of the week. We always recommend asking — everyone we met was very kind and helpful.

 

⚠️ Note: This was simply our experience in Illinois. Your state may have different requirements, processes, and products. When in doubt, check your state’s cannabis program website, speak to your doctor, or consult a licensed cannabis provider who can walk you through the process.