Illinois patients and caregivers with last names “A” through “L” will be able to apply for the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program through the Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday.

The annual fee for patients is $100, but a reduced fee of $50 is available for or qualifying veterans or individuals who are enrolled in federal disability programs.

Applications can be submitted online or by mail. Applicants must present proof of Illinois residency, age, a photograph of the qualifying patient, physician documentation, fingerprint consent form, selection of dispensary and an excluded offense waiver, if applicable.

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In addition to the basic requirements, an individual must have a debilitating medical condition, such as HIV, cancer or glaucoma, according to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.

The act lists 42 qualifying conditions. A citizen may petition to the Department of Public Health to add a condition or treatment to the list, which is then subject to approval from the department for judicial review.

Beginning Sept. 8, potential dispensary owners will be able to submit applications to establish a business. Zoning restrictions regulate the potential locations for dispensaries and cultivation centers.

Acting Mayor Don Monty said although he would be open to having a cultivation center or dispensary in Carbondale, “there is very little land within the city of Carbondale that would meet the requirements.”

Du Quoin Mayor Rex Duncan has expressed interest in having a location. A Du Quoin site would cover Carbondale residents based on zoning regulations, which allow for 60 dispensaries and 21 cultivation centers statewide.

“We are interested in being a host of a plant,” Duncan said. “The state law is there will be one dispensary and one cultivation center per police headquarters. In District 13, the proximity of a cultivation center lends itself to proper supervision by state police.”