Section 946.201  Application for Registry Identification Card for Qualifying Patients under 18 Years of Age

a)         A qualifying patient under 18 years of age shall register with the Department on forms and in a manner prescribed by the Department.  The designated caregiver shall complete the application for registry identification card for a qualifying patient under 18 years of age. Once the qualifying patient becomes 18 years of age, the patient must submit a full application for a registry identification card as specified in Section 946.200.  Qualifying patients who become 18 years of age during the time period in which their registry identification card is valid may apply for a registry identification card either immediately or during the normal renewal period.  Until that time, the registry identification card shall be subject to the conditions applicable to the registered qualifying patient under age 18.

b)         To qualify for a registry identification card, a qualifying patient under 18 years of age shall:

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

2)         Be diagnosed with any debilitating medical condition listed in Section 946.310 for which medical cannabis may be used to treat or alleviate the pain, nausea or other symptoms associated with the condition or have a diagnosis of terminal illness.

c)         The application for a registry identification card for a qualifying patient under 18 years of age shall include the following:

1)         Two signed written certifications for the use of medical cannabis:

A)        A signed written certification as specified in Section 946.310; and

B)        A signed written certification from a reviewing health care professional indicating that a comprehensive review of the qualifying patient's medical records from other certifying health care professionals treating the qualifying patient has been conducted;

2)         Identify a designated caregiver (custodial parent or legal guardian) who shall complete an application for a caregiver registry identification card as specified in Section 946.200;

A)        A qualifying patient under 18 years of age may identify up to three designated caregivers, at least one of whom shall be the biological parent or legal guardian.  A designated caregiver shall only serve one qualifying registered patient.

B)        If a designated caregiver is not the biological parent or legal guardian, the biological parent or legal guardian shall provide information about why the individual shall be a designated caregiver on a form provided by the Department.

3)         Persons who are the legal guardian for a qualifying patient under 18 years of age shall provide proof of guardianship documentation.

d)         Residency. For purposes of this Part, the qualifying patient under 18 years of age and each of the designated caregivers shall be residents of the State of Illinois.

e)         Each designated caregiver shall provide proof of Illinois residency by submitting the following items with the application for a registry identification card.

1)         A copy of the caregiver's unexpired Illinois Driver's License, State Identification Card issued by the Illinois Secretary of State, or Illinois Temporary Visitor Driver's License; or

2)         The documentation specified in Section 946.200(c)

f)         To apply for a registry identification card for a qualifying patient under 18 years old, the designated caregiver shall submit a completed application to the Department on the required forms, which shall include, at a minimum, the following items:

1)         A written certification for the use of medical cannabis meeting the requirements of this Part, issued by a certifying health care professional who meets the requirements set forth in the Act and dated less than 90 days prior to the application;

2)         A signed written certification from a reviewing health care professional indicating that a comprehensive review of the qualifying patient's medical records from other certifying health care professionals treating the qualifying patient has been conducted.

3)         Proof of Illinois residency of the qualifying patient, as specified in subsection (d);

4)         Proof of identity of the qualifying patient (copy of the qualifying patient's birth certificate);

5)         Proof of the qualifying patient's age.  A copy of the qualifying patient's birth certificate shall fulfill this requirement;

6)         Current digital passport-size photograph of each designated caregiver, as follows:

A)        Taken no more than 30 calendar days before the submission of the application;

B)        Taken against a plain background or backdrop;

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

D)        In natural color; and

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

i)          A designated caregiver for a qualifying patient under 18 years old will not be required to submit a photograph if sufficient justification is provided by the caregiver to establish that a photograph would be in violation of or contradictory to the designated caregiver's religious convictions. If a designated caregiver declares that the use of a photograph is against his/her religious convictions, the designated caregiver will complete an affidavit on a form provided by the Department. The affidavit contains designated areas for a detailed written explanation of the reasons why a photograph is against the designated caregiver's religious convictions; a place for the designated caregiver's signature and date, the designation of the religious sect or denomination involved; space for a minister or other religious leader to apply his/her signature attesting to the explanation the designated caregiver has offered; and the date and official title of the minister or religious leader.

ii)         The affidavit shall be submitted to the Department.  The Director will appoint a committee of three Department employees to review each affidavit.  The committee shall submit a recommendation to the Director for his or her final decision.

iii)        If the designated caregiver meets all other application requirements of this Part, the Department will issue a non‑photo temporary registry identification card, not to exceed 90 days in duration, to allow for medical cannabis use privileges during the determination.

iv)        Upon approval by the Department, a valid registry identification card without a photograph will be issued and can be renewed. The card will be mailed to the designated caregiver's home address.

7)         Designation of the medical cannabis dispensing organization where the designated caregiver will obtain medical cannabis on behalf of the qualifying patient under 18 years of age.

8)         Completion of the Medical Cannabis Parent and Legal Guardian Attestation form.

9)         If applicable, submission of proof of guardianship documentation.

10)         Payment of the applicable application fee (see Section 946.210) by check or money order. If the patient or caregiver is applying online, the Department will accept credit card payments.

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