Med. Marijuana Patient Red Card Wait: 60 Days & Counting Even Though Check Cashed A Month Ago

[TheBeagle]

Although Colorado Department of Health spokesman Mark Salley says red card renewal time for medical marijuana patients remains under 35 days, we keep hearing different stories. For instance, one patient tells us she's been waiting more than two months for her card despite the fact that the state cashed her check in early October. The woman, who speaks on condition of anonymity, got her first medical marijuana red card in October 2009. She uses cannabis to ease neck and back pain and migraines she's suffered since getting into an auto accident four years ago. According to her, Advil Migraine and other prescription medication addresses her pain, but not the muscle tension in her shoulders that causes her headaches. In contrast, MMJ eases the pain and helps prevent or diminish the severity of future attacks -- plus, it's natural, and that fits better with her lifestyle.

 

Knowing that her card expired during the first week of October, the patient sent in her renewal information, including a doctor's recommendation, via certified mail on September 13. In early October, her check was cashed, suggesting that the card would be in her hands shortly. But no: At this writing, it still hasn't arrived.

 

During the past few weeks, the patient says she's phoned the CDPHE help line three times. The first two occasions, she left messages after being assured she'd be contacted within three business days. However, no calls came. So, for her third attempt, she insisted on chatting with someone right away. At that time, the woman with whom she spoke said her application was still under review and she should hear something within thirty days. That would push her total wait time to three months -- shy of the eight-month delays that struck last year, but far slower than promised.

 

How isolated is this scenario? Consider the case of William Breathes, our medical marijuana reviewer. He sent in his renewal 27 days ago, and when he called the help line this morning, he was told processing time is now a minimum of 35 days, not including mailing time.

 

Yes, his check has already been cashed, too.

 

 

[The Digital Nomad]

This is why the MMMAct has this clause -

 

"If the department fails to issue a card .. after approval, the application and paperwork becomes the card." (my words)

 

Just keep your paperwork organized and uptodate. Interesting how this is also happening in CO, not just Michigan.

 

DN

[Timmahh]

actually, they have that stated on the LARA MMMP site. its there though i cant find it atm, i seen it yesterday.

[The Digital Nomad]

Its the law -

 

b) If the department fails to issue a valid registry identification card in response to a valid application or renewal submitted pursuant to this act within 20 days of its submission, the registry identification card shall be deemed granted, and a copy of the registry identification application or renewal shall be deemed a valid registry identification card.

 

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-333-26429

 

DN

[Timmahh]

thats it.

[The Digital Nomad]

You can see why people have to wait 21 days (check cashed date+20 days) - it is not considered 'legal paperwork' unless you have proof it was submitted/processed over 21 days. A certified mail is proof you sent it in, a cashed check is better because it means they opened it and are process it.

 

DN

[zachw]

You can see why people have to wait 21 days (check cashed date+20 days) - it is not considered 'legal paperwork' unless you have proof it was submitted/processed over 21 days. A certified mail is proof you sent it in, a cashed check is better because it means they opened it and are process it.

 

My two cents: I think that you would only need to show 21 days from the certified mail date, plus evidence of canceled check. The certified date + 20 + 1 day (to get to Lansing) is enough to fulfill the three weeks after submission requirement, while the canceled check shows that the state cashed the application fee and didn't reject the application paperwork.

 

z