Lincoln Park Urgent Care Opens Door to Patients Seeking Medical Marijuana Card

Medical marijuana dispensaries are beginning to open around Chicago, which is good news for patients with debilitating medical conditions that may be able to lessen their symptoms with cannabis use. However, despite the fact that medical marijuana is now legal and available, many patients are finding it difficult to get certified due to myriad of reasons including reluctant doctors and state paperwork. Innovative Express Care, a primary and urgent care clinic in Lincoln Park, recently expanded their service offerings to include medical marijuana certification so more patients may have access to the treatment.

“I’ve witnessed many patients with severe medical conditions and pain benefit from the legal use of cannabis,” said Rahul Khare, MD, president and founder of Innovative Express Care. “This is still new to the medical community however, so some doctors are reluctant to sign the certification for patients due to the lingering stigma surrounding marijuana and the fact that this isn’t something that was covered in medical school. Our goal is to simplify the process by offering convenient, quality care for patients who may benefit from the use of medical marijuana.”

Innovative Express Care makes it easy for qualified patients to apply for the medical marijuana card by walking them through a simple three step appointment process and submitting all necessary paperwork to the state of Illinois. There are currently 39 state approved medical conditions for the use of cannabis. The most common conditions seen at Innovative Express Care include cancer, crohns’s disease, glaucoma, severe fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Tourette’s syndrome.

“I suffer from Crohn’s Disease and have severe abdominal pain that often hinders my ability to do daily tasks,” said Anthony Parker, a 49-year old from Chicago. “I began seeking my card right away when medical marijuana became legal, but it took me awhile to even start the process of certification because my long-time doctors did not want to sign the application. I have used cannabis on a few occasions and it helped control my symptoms but the fact that it was illegal prevented me from using it on a regular basis.”

Patients who are seeking the medical marijuana card should call Innovative Express Care for an initial screening that will take place via the phone. Following that step, qualifying patients may schedule an appointment, the first of two that will take place before an application can be signed and submitted.

Innovative Express Care was established to deliver convenient, quality care to patients. The clinic provides urgent care services to patients seven days a week, and communicates with primary care physicians to ensure continuity of care. Many patients also turn to Innovative Express Care for their primary care needs, citing convenience and personal attention as a key differentiators that sets the clinic apart from other medical providers. Assisting patients who are seeking a medical marijuana card is yet another way that Innovative Express Care delivers on its promise to change the way healthcare is delivered.

“As a physician, I want to help patients achieve optimum health and quality of life. If the regulated use of medical marijuana can help someone continue their career, enjoy family and live without severe side effects that make each day a struggle, I’m in full support,” said Khare.

A step-by-step breakdown of what is needed to obtain a medical marijuana certificate and information about fees associated with the process can be found on the Innovative Express Care web site.

For more information about urgent care, primary care and other services offered at Innovative Express care, visit www.innovativeexpresscare.com or call (773) 270-5600.