The Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License is a state-issued permit that allows cannabis cultivators to possess up to 500 cannabis plants and 12 ounces of cannabis. Illinois allows you to apply for a state cultivation license from the Department of Agriculture. Which oversees the cultivation of agricultural products in Illinois. You can also apply for a growers license from your local municipality. Local rules and regulations may vary with each jurisdiction creating a different license application process.

A locally issued grower’s license will likely be more restrictive than a state-issued one.Illinois Public Act 097-0482. The Medical Cannabis Act became effective in June 2015. It means that adults can now legally use and purchase medical marijuana in Illinois. Those who want to grow, sell and use medical cannabis in Illinois as a medical marijuana patient must apply for a state license. Those under 21 are still restricted from using and purchasing marijuana.

Who Is Eligible For An Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License?

To apply for this license, potential growers must be at least 21 years old, have no felony convictions in their past 10 years (excluding minor drug possession), and own property where they can grow cannabis as stipulated by the law. Cultivators must pay a $150 annual fee and a $50 non-refundable inspection fee when applying for this license. For more information on the Illinois Medical Cannabis Laws, visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website.

To be eligible for an Illinois medical cannabis growers license, applicants must possess a minimum of 500 cannabis plants. This state limit is intended to prevent cultivators from growing too much cannabis due to a lack of supply and unnecessarily increasing prices for both patients and dispensaries. Applicants must have a safe location capable of cultivating and storing cannabis to meet this requirement.

How Much Cannabis Can A Grower Sell?

Applicants can sell medical cannabis cultivated in Illinois to any state-licensed medical dispensary. Unfortunately, those hoping to become licensed solely to sell cannabis for recreational use are not eligible. State law does not currently allow for the legal recreational use and sale of cannabis.

The Illinois Department Of Agriculture is also responsible for implementing and creating rules surrounding the cultivation of medical cannabis in this state. They also ensure compliance with all regulatory laws related to growers and dispensaries. The department provides environmental conservation guidance, agricultural inspections, and licensing procedures for plants grown under Illinois’s Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.

Where Can You Grow Medical Cannabis?

To obtain a Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License, applicants must have a suitable location where they can grow medical cannabis. The law states applicants must have access to natural light during the day, a separate enclosed structure for growing cannabis, and adequate space for each plant. Also, cultivators must have water accessible to each plant at all times. Applicants should not be within 1,000 feet of schools and daycare centres or 500 feet of another dispensary. They also should not be located in zoned residential properties. Growers must also possess government-issued water usage approval before applying.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License?

The cost for the license is $50,000.00 and includes a $5,000.00 background check by the State Police, payable all applicable taxes and fees required by law, and a $10,000.00 security bond to cover damages to premises or loss of cannabis plants. License applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of $250 and two per cent of gross sales/sales tax paid. For example: if you sell cannabis in St. Louis County for $10,000.00 in gross sales/sales tax. You will also be required to pay $120.00 for two per cent of $1,000.00 or $12.00 per month until the Department of Agriculture receives the license.

Is The Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License Renewable?

Yes! Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License applicants must pay an annual renewal fee of $200. You should to maintain the same number of plants each year they hold their license. For example: If you previously possessed 500 cannabis plants. You would be able to renew your license again with a new application package and retain your prior number of plants.

How Long Does It Take To Get The Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License?

The State of Illinois has five months to approve applications for a medical cannabis growers license. Applicants with a growers license must begin selling harvested cannabis within 120 days, or their cultivation license will be revoked. If applicants can successfully cultivate and harvest their cannabis within the 120-day window, they can continue selling produce legally. The application will become inactive if they have not done so within these time limits. It cannot be reactivated unless a new application is filed and approved by the State of Illinois Department Of Agriculture. This limitation does not apply to applicants seeking an increase in their permitted number of plants.

Conclusion

Obtaining an Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License can be difficult, tedious, and costly. There are also many limitations to those who wish to cultivate and dispense cannabis in this state. This is because it is one of the first states to implement its MMJ regulations. It also requires that growers have a safe place to cultivate their products. So they are not just growing in their homes. The current state law for Illinois Medical Cannabis Growers License holders is not ideal. However, it is a step in the right direction for those hoping to capitalize on this emerging industry. Illinois continues to work on perfecting these laws and hopefully will be able to issue more licenses shortly.