(KTRS) – About 3,600 patients in Illinois can now legally purchase medical marijuana.

The Illinois Department of Public Health confirms that 300 more patients were approved to take part in the pilot medical marijuana program–that is a larger increase than in recent months. The first dispensaries in the state started selling cannabis on November 9.

The health department said that about 29,300 people have started the patient registration process. Of those, almost 4,600 have submitted a complete application.

Qualifying patients pay an annual fee of $100 for a marijuana card and need a doctor’s written certification.

The Associated Press contributed to this report