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The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program (MCPP) became functional in 2019, allowing qualifying patients to apply for a medical marijuana program in Illinois. Apart from being a state that has legalized medical marijuana, recreational marijuana is also legal in Illinois now.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is responsible for managing all medical marijuana-related matters in the state including medical marijuana patients registry and issuing physical medical marijuana cards.
All of this seems pretty decent on paper. But can you own a gun and have a medical marijuana card in Illinois at the same time?
Well, in order to possess a firearm in Illinois, you must have a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) issued by the Illinois State Police (ISP).
Fortunately, according to the ISP, legal use of cannabis by an adult will not be a factor in the revocation of their FOID cards or CCLs. In other words, having a medical marijuana card doesn’t mean that you’ll have to surrender your FOID card in Illinois.
But having a medical marijuana card does make you ineligible to purchase firearms from a federally licensed dealer, you can have a FOID and a medical marijuana card at the same time but can’t purchase a firearm legally.
Is there any other option? Well technically, yes. If you already have a FOID and a licensed firearm, getting a medical marijuana card afterward won’t nullify your FOID.
This means that you can purchase a licensed firearm first and then apply for a medical marijuana card in Illinois.
Taking My Gun To a Dispensary in Illinois: Is It a Good Idea?
As per Illinois state law, carrying a gun in person or in a moving vehicle is illegal as long as you don’t have a Concealed Carry License (CCL).
The license will allow you to carry a loaded/unloaded handgun as long as you keep the firearm hidden from public view. There are as such no restrictions on carrying a firearm to a dispensary as long as you have a valid CCL.
Consuming CBD Products and Owning a Gun in Illinois
The state of Illinois is quite progressive when it comes to allowing adults (21 years or older) to consume CBD products (not more than 0.3% THC) while owning a gun.
The individuals must have a CCL to carry the handgun around. The state also allows its adult residents to purchase CBD-based products from licensed dispensaries without a medical marijuana card.
Our expert opinion
Over the years, the state of Illinois has taken a rather progressive approach when it comes to in-state marijuana laws and firearms carry regulations.
If you already have a FOID and own a firearm, you’re eligible to apply for an Illinois medical marijuana card considering that you medically qualify for this mode of treatment.
Apart from all of this, it is important to understand that once you have a FOID and a medical marijuana card, you won’t be able to purchase firearms through a federally licensed dealer as marijuana is still labeled as a Schedule I substance on the federal level.
Helpful Resources For Illinois Patients:
Illinois Medical Marijuana Card for Minors
Illinois Medical Cannabis Caregiver Process
Benefits of Getting a Medical Card in Illinois
Illinois Medical Marijuana Card State Process
