Medical Card Certification
Illinois Medical Cannabis Card Certification, Guided by a Board-Certified Physician
A thorough, judgment-free evaluation and certification for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program
If you are exploring medical cannabis as part of your care in Illinois, the first step is a certification from a licensed physician. At Sina Medical Direct Primary Care in Frankfort, Dr. Syeda Farheen Ali provides that certification through a careful, unhurried clinical visit, reviewing your qualifying condition, your medical history, and your current treatments before deciding together whether medical cannabis is a reasonable option for you.
This is a real medical evaluation, not a rubber stamp. Because Dr. Ali is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine, she looks at your whole picture, how cannabis might interact with your existing medications, what symptoms you are hoping to address, and what the current evidence actually supports, so you can make an informed, safe decision.
- Same-Day & Next-Day Visits
- No Copays, No Insurance Hassle
- Triple Board-Certified Physician
Certification is a flat one-time fee of $176 per year and includes six months of follow-up care, so you are never left on your own after the paperwork is signed. And as a Sina member, you also gain warm, physician-led primary care with same-day access, wholesale-price labs and medications, and a doctor who knows your name.
What Your Certification Visit Includes
Your visit is a complete clinical evaluation, not a quick sign-off. Here is what Dr. Ali covers.
Review of your qualifying medical condition and records
Full medical and medication history assessment
Screening for cannabis interactions with current prescriptions
Discussion of goals, symptoms, and realistic expectations
Evidence-based guidance on benefits and risks
Physician certification submitted for the Illinois program
Six months of included follow-up care
Answers to your questions in plain, honest language
How Certification Works at Sina Medical Direct Primary Care
Book your visit
Schedule online or reach us directly by text or call. Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available, in person in Frankfort or by secure telemedicine anywhere in Illinois.
Meet with Dr. Ali
You will have an unhurried visit to review your qualifying condition, medical history, and current treatments. Dr. Ali screens for safety, interactions, and whether cannabis is a sensible fit for your goals.
Receive your certification
If medical cannabis is appropriate, Dr. Ali completes and submits your physician certification for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program so you can move forward with your state application.
Stay supported
Your certification includes six months of follow-up care. We check in on how you are responding, adjust guidance, and remain reachable whenever questions come up.
Benefits of Certifying With Sina Medical Direct Primary Care
Real physician evaluation, not a rubber stamp
Triple board-certified doctor reviewing your case
Same-day and next-day appointments
Secure telemedicine anywhere in Illinois
Flat $176 one-time fee, no surprise costs
Six months of follow-up care included
Honest, judgment-free conversations
A doctor who knows your full health picture
What We Treat
Who Should Consider Certification
Illinois residents living with a qualifying medical condition, such as chronic pain, cancer, severe arthritis, PTSD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and others recognized by the state, may benefit from a medical cannabis certification. If you have been managing symptoms that have not responded well to standard treatments, a certification visit is a chance to discuss whether cannabis belongs in your plan.
Medical cannabis is not right for everyone, and that honesty is part of the value here. Dr. Ali will tell you clearly if certification is not appropriate for your situation, and will help you understand safer or more effective alternatives when they exist. The goal is always your health, not a signature.
Meet Dr. Ali
Dr. Syeda Farheen Ali, MD, is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine, and is also certified in menopause and women's hormone therapy. That breadth means she evaluates your certification request in the context of your entire health, not in isolation.
Her approach is evidence-based and deeply personal. She takes the time to understand your symptoms, your history, and your goals, and she is candid about what medical cannabis can and cannot do. You will never feel rushed or reduced to a form.
As the physician behind Sina Medical Direct Primary Care, Dr. Ali offers direct access to a doctor who genuinely knows you, so your certification is one part of a relationship built on trust and continuity, not a one-time transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of medical card certification is this?
This is a physician certification for the Illinois Medical Cannabis Patient Program. Dr. Ali evaluates whether you have a qualifying condition and whether medical cannabis is a reasonable, safe option, then submits the required physician certification if appropriate.
How much does certification cost?
Certification is a flat one-time fee of $176 per year, which includes six months of follow-up care. This is separate from the state's own application fees, which are paid directly to the Illinois program.
Do I need to be a Sina member to get certified?
You are welcome to come in for certification, and many patients also join our $89-per-month membership for unlimited primary care, same-day access, and wholesale-price labs and medications. Dr. Ali can walk you through both options during a free meet and greet.
Can I do this by telemedicine?
Yes. We serve all of Illinois through secure telemedicine, as well as in person in Frankfort. If your evaluation is appropriate for a virtual visit, you can complete your certification from home.
Will I definitely be certified?
Not necessarily. This is a genuine medical evaluation. If Dr. Ali determines that medical cannabis is not appropriate or safe for your situation, she will tell you honestly and discuss other options. Your health comes first.
What conditions qualify in Illinois?
Illinois recognizes many qualifying conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, severe arthritis, PTSD, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn's disease, among others. Dr. Ali will confirm whether your condition qualifies during your visit.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Syeda Farheen Ali, MD Triple Board-Certified Physician in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine Last updated: July 2026
The Problem
Why the Traditional System Fails Patients
What an ER or urgent care bills for issues we treat the same day
The average appointment in traditional, insurance-driven care
Of patients delay or skip care over cost, wait times, or access
A flat Sina membership — everything included, no copays, no surprise bills
What's Covered
Everything Included In Your Membership
One flat monthly membership covers comprehensive care across every category below — with no copays, no hidden fees, and direct access to Dr. Ali.
- Unlimited same-day and next-day visits
- Telehealth across Illinois
- Direct text and call access to Dr. Ali
- Annual physicals and preventive care
- Acute and urgent care (flu, UTI, strep, rash, ear infections)
- Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, COPD, sleep apnea)
- Women's health: HRT, menopause care, Pap smears, breast exams
- Men's health: testosterone, preventive care, cardiovascular health
- GLP-1 prescriptions (Semaglutide, Tirzepatide)
- Medical weight loss management
- Labs at wholesale cost (70 to 90 percent off retail)
- Generic medications at cost
- Specialist referral coordination
- Sick Visits
- Cold, Flu & Viral Illness Treatment
- Sore Throat & Strep Testing
- Sinus Infections
- Pneumonia Evaluation & Treatment
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Treatment
- STI Testing & Sexual Health Screening
- Skin Rashes & Minor Skin Conditions
- Minor Lacerations & Wound Care
- Suture/staple Removal
- Muscle Strains & Sprains
- Joint Pain Evaluation
- Ear Wax Removal
- Return-to-Work Clearance Visits
- Stomach Flu & Digestive Illnesses
- Well-Woman Exams, Pap Smear
- Menopause & Perimenopause Care
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)
- Pap Smears & Cervical Cancer Screening
- Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Health Support
- Thyroid Hormone Optimization
- Fatigue & Hormonal Imbalance Treatment
- Weight Loss for Women
- Preventive Women's Health Care
- Men's Preventive Care
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
- Hormone Optimization for Men
- Men's Weight Loss Programs
- Andropause / Male Menopause Support
- Metabolic Health & Energy Optimization
- Physician-Guided Weight Loss Programs
- GLP Therapy (Semaglutide / Tirzepatide)
- Personalized Nutrition Counseling
- Exercise & Lifestyle Planning
- Metabolic Syndrome Management
- Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes
- Ongoing Progress Monitoring
- Bariatric Surgery Referrals When Appropriate
- Diabetes & Prediabetes
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- High Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)
- Thyroid Disorders
- Asthma & COPD
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Sleep Apnea
- Fatty Liver Disease & IBS
- Osteoarthritis & Osteoporosis
- Heartburn & Acid Reflux
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Lifestyle Medicine Counseling
- Sustainable Habit Development
- Disease Prevention & Risk Reduction
- Long-Term Wellness Planning
- Nutrition & Exercise Coaching
- Functional & Root-Cause Focused
- Stress & Sleep Optimization
Healthcare as It Should Be — Personalized, Accessible, Affordable
Join Sina Medical Direct Primary Care and experience healthcare that's personal, preventive, and truly built around you — not the insurance system.