State Faces Backlog As 56,513 Applied For Medical Marijuana Cards In 19 Months

[+EdwardGlen]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/09/michigan_official_state_faces.html

 

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Community Health has received 56,513 applications for its registry of authorized medical marijuana users in the past 19 months.

 

The department has a policy to approve or deny applications in 15 days. But Melanie Brim, director of the department's Bureau of Health Professions, says the department hasn't been able to do that.

 

Brim discussed the backlog Tuesday at the Michigan Municipal League's annual convention in Dearborn.

 

Michigan voters approved medical marijuana use in 2008.

Related topics: Medical Marijuana

[+RevThad]

The cynic in me wonders if such a statement by the director of the department's Bureau of Health Professions, isn't a backdoor way of putting registrations into question. By this I mean, she states the department isn't able to keep up, and therefore one can assume she means that they are not using due diligence in the process.

 

Causing some doubt, is a step in the direction of more mandates and rules changes by the department. Time to keep an eye out for any proposed changes...

[Wayne'sWorld]

This is great news! More revenue for the general fund means dependency on funding that impacts departmental budgets. I can wait for my card. Keep registering people, they can embrace us or lose our funding during the leanest times Michigan has seen in over 80 years. Think they want to give our money back?

[+RevThad]

This is great news! More revenue for the general fund means dependency on funding that impacts departmental budgets. I can wait for my card. Keep registering people, they can embrace us or lose our funding during the leanest times Michigan has seen in over 80 years. Think they want to give our money back?

Oh they aren't interested in giving any money back, why do you think they are able to cash those checks so quickly, even with the back log? I have seen a couple of denial letters to patients on disability who sent in the $25 check, because they didn't include proof of being on disability, basicly it says that you have up to a year to send the requested proof, or send in another check for the remaining $75, or request a return of the money. All the while that money is earning interest someplace...

[Wayne'sWorld]

Earning interest? The state of Michigan is not in a situation that allows for money to sit idly as it yields today's interest rates. Spending it as fast as it comes in. Does anybody understand what I'm saying about the state, our funds, and dependency? Like feeding a hard core junkie, eventually getting jittery if the money stops flowing into the state's veins.

[mizerman]

This is great news! More revenue for the general fund means dependency on funding that impacts departmental budgets. I can wait for my card. Keep registering people, they can embrace us or lose our funding during the leanest times Michigan has seen in over 80 years. Think they want to give our money back?

They certainly seem to be able to deposit the check within a day or two of receiving our applications!???

 

How do I know this? I always send everything to them certified/registered mail so they have to sign for it AND have been able to see exactly when they deposit/cash my check on-line via our bank account.

 

Having to use "paperwork" (that a 6th grader could easily forge) to prove you are a patient or a caregiver to overzealous law enforcement personnel that doesn't like - nor want - this law...is a recipe for disaster.

 

Until we get the problems corrected in regards to cards being sent out to patients and caregivers in a timely manner, this program is pretty much a joke and a screaming invitation by LEO to totally s-c-r-e-w over someone's life/family.

 

Why can't we get a few politicians to support us on this?

 

 

Mizerman

 

 

p.s. again, there is no reason why any of us should have to wait any longer for our cards from MDCH than what it takes the Secretary of State to issue and send us our driver's licenses in the mail - there is no reason!

[ozzrokk]

They certainly seem to be able to deposit the check within a day or two of receiving our applications!???

 

How do I know this? I always send everything to them certified/registered mail so they have to sign for it AND have been able to see exactly when they deposit/cash my check on-line via our bank account.

 

Having to use "paperwork" (that a 6th grader could easily forge) to prove you are a patient or a caregiver to overzealous law enforcement personnel that doesn't like - nor want - this law...is a recipe for disaster.

 

Until we get the problems corrected in regards to cards being sent out to patients and caregivers in a timely manner, this program is pretty much a joke and a screaming invitation by LEO to totally s-c-r-e-w over someone's life/family.

 

Why can't we get a few politicians to support us on this?

 

 

Mizerman

 

 

p.s. again, there is no reason why any of us should have to wait any longer for our cards from MDCH than what it takes the Secretary of State to issue and send us our driver's licenses in the mail - there is no reason!

 

 

Only difference is that they CARE if you have a DRIVERS LICENSE and could CARE LESS if we are being arrested,robbed of our meds and posessions or hasseled because we dont have the ACTUAL CARD

[truthBOMB]

well, you heard it from the horse's mouth, the department is backlogged. looks like its the people who suffer. thanks for placing the burden on us, the patients.

 

[dlovas]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/09/michigan_official_state_faces.html

 

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Community Health has received 56,513 applications for its registry of authorized medical marijuana users in the past 19 months.

 

The department has a policy to approve or deny applications in 15 days. But Melanie Brim, director of the department's Bureau of Health Professions, says the department hasn't been able to do that.

 

Brim discussed the backlog Tuesday at the Michigan Municipal League's annual convention in Dearborn.

 

Michigan voters approved medical marijuana use in 2008.

Related topics: Medical Marijuana

FUX the MDCH and pretty much all the state Government they are utterly useless. Why do we pay people to do nothing. this state is so enbedded in mediocrity it's sickening. Look at Detroit schools and all the bankrupt cities they should be embracing medical MJ. Instead they choose to hide and play dumb and say oh it's a bad thing. R u Fuxing kidding me look at What RIchard Lee has done to Oakland California.....WTF is wrong with people in Government in this state.

 

OPEN YOUR EYES....Growing can get some serious revenue and tourism and real estate development going....

[Rob420]

Serve the public or give up your cushy taxpayer funded job. Unacceptable

[westmich]

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/09/michigan_official_state_faces.html

 

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Community Health has received 56,513 applications for its registry of authorized medical marijuana users in the past 19 months.

 

The department has a policy to approve or deny applications in 15 days. But Melanie Brim, director of the department's Bureau of Health Professions, says the department hasn't been able to do that.

 

Brim discussed the backlog Tuesday at the Michigan Municipal League's annual convention in Dearborn.

 

Michigan voters approved medical marijuana use in 2008.

Related topics: Medical Marijuana

 

I feel the irony of the 50,000 number. I remember a debate on this site back in February of 09 or so where people were saying we could get to that number in 5 years and others were saying no way we would ever get to that number. And if you're anything like me you probably know more people that use marijuana without a card/recommendation than those that do so you know we aren't anywhere near the ceiling yet.

[Zombiefied]

I feel the irony of the 50,000 number. I remember a debate on this site back in February of 09 or so where people were saying we could get to that number in 5 years and others were saying no way we would ever get to that number. And if you're anything like me you probably know more people that use marijuana without a card/recommendation than those that do so you know we aren't anywhere near the ceiling yet.

We have not hit 50,000 yet. Still about 20,000 to go actually...

Source

29,336 patient registrations issued.

 

The 50,000 number is from new applications and renewal applications.

[westmich]

We have not hit 50,000 yet. Still about 20,000 to go actually...

Source

 

 

The 50,000 number is from new applications and renewal applications.

 

Ah - did not read the actual article. Wake me up when hit 50,000.

 

EDIT

 

Actually the article is a little misleading as all users comments seemed to have had the same impression. Here is the full article.

The state of Michigan says there's a backlog of applications by people seeking to use medical marijuana.

 

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Community Health has received 56,513 applications for its registry of authorized medical marijuana users in the past 19 months.

 

The department has a policy to approve or deny applications in 15 days. But Melanie Brim, director of the department's Bureau of Health Professions, says the department hasn't been able to do that.

 

Brim discussed the backlog Tuesday at the Michigan Municipal League's annual convention in Dearborn.

 

Michigan voters approved medical marijuana use in 2008.

[tutmansecurityservices]

Its truely unbeliveable that they are that back logged with the amount of money they have coming in for every app and with all the unemployed people that are willing to work for minumin wage.

 

 

I don't get it. they have all the work they could ever want and there is nothing but a surplus of unemployeed folkes in michigan. One would think that this would never be an issue!!!!!!

[MightyMightyMezz]

What is the money used for?

[+RevThad]

What is the money used for?

Anybody have an idea what they are paying the folks in this division of the MDCh? Would be interesting to see how much is going to which categories to run it.

[Bisharoo]

Well, it's our money paying people who work for us, yes? Let's see a printout of just what we're doing with it, then...

Oh, you mean those folks who work for us, paid for by our money, might not want us to know exactly what is going on there? Just sayin'...

[+RevThad]

Think they will have the nerve to ask for a raise in next year's budget, after the elections?

[+420Atheist]

I don't want to sound like I am defending their lack of compassion for the patients but they seem to be improving since they hired the 5 extra people. They are still 100 days out but projecting that they will be caught up by the end of the year.

 

Having 30K plus people in the system will help insure that the MMMJ law becomes a permanent part of the states income.

[+RevThad]

I don't want to sound like I am defending their lack of compassion for the patients but they seem to be improving since they hired the 5 extra people. They are still 100 days out but projecting that they will be caught up by the end of the year.

 

Having 30K plus people in the system will help insure that the MMMJ law becomes a permanent part of the states income.

They have gotten better, and the renewal turn around seems to be where all card issuing should be. That leaves an interesting question in my cynical mind, if they are able to get renewals done in such a timely manner (assuming they are supposed to verify all of the same information), why aren't they getting better on the initial applications? Is it because of the bottleneck or is it because of other more political reasons?

[TajMahal]

They have gotten better, and the renewal turn around seems to be where all card issuing should be. That leaves an interesting question in my cynical mind, if they are able to get renewals done in such a timely manner (assuming they are supposed to verify all of the same information), why aren't they getting better on the initial applications? Is it because of the bottleneck or is it because of other more political reasons?

 

This weekend will be 60 days since they cashed my check for renewal application, I don't see them getting better.

[Budz-4-U]

15 weeks = 105 days this Friday, since they cashed my check.....still waiting. Way past my 20 days. Whatever.

[phaquetoo]

They certainly seem to be able to deposit the check within a day or two of receiving our applications!???

 

How do I know this? I always send everything to them certified/registered mail so they have to sign for it AND have been able to see exactly when they deposit/cash my check on-line via our bank account.

 

Having to use "paperwork" (that a 6th grader could easily forge) to prove you are a patient or a caregiver to overzealous law enforcement personnel that doesn't like - nor want - this law...is a recipe for disaster.

 

Until we get the problems corrected in regards to cards being sent out to patients and caregivers in a timely manner, this program is pretty much a joke and a screaming invitation by LEO to totally s-c-r-e-w over someone's life/family.

 

Why can't we get a few politicians to support us on this?

 

 

Mizerman

 

 

p.s. again, there is no reason why any of us should have to wait any longer for our cards from MDCH than what it takes the Secretary of State to issue and send us our driver's licenses in the mail - there is no reason! +10

 

They need to just hand it over to the s.o.c, we can go there to apply, than they can give us a temp card(like a drivers liscense) they can than send the records and all to the health dept. they can verify dr. records and when that is all done they can send our real card, in the mean time at least we have something saying we are legal pending the receipt of our card from the health dept!

Just a thought!

Peace

FTW

Jim

[phaquetoo]

This weekend will be 60 days since they cashed my check for renewal application, I don't see them getting better.

 

 

did you send in your renewall early? mine expires on 12-1 and im wondering if i should send it in this month or next!

 

Peace

FTW

Jim

[wolfgama]

Yeah with their backlog they are looking at Renewal and just clicking without looking at the paperwork! I got a patient that filed her renewal with change of caregiver. They sent her a card with the same caregiver she had! I had to send in a change and $10 and they sure cashed it and all my other paperwork,(my renewel was received one day before expiration of my card.) They run late so can we! LOL ok, not toying with that one! Been 22 days for my renewal. But I see there is a line! LOL Staying legal is their responsibility not ours. We did our duty now they can do theirs! Should I count the days or spend my time counting colas? I prefer the latter. Remember those workers in the State are also people. Pray for them to do their job correctly and timely. Bless them and then they will bless you back!

Peace and Love and Just Imagine!