Pubdate: Fri, 04 Dec 2009
Source: Lansing State Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2009 Lansing State Journal
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/uc45fODd
Website: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/232
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

10,398 SEEK MICHIGAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA PERMITS

LANSING -- Michigan medical marijuana regulators say  they've been
deluged with applications from patients  and caregivers and face a
five-week backlog in  processing them.

State voters approved medical marijuana use a year
ago.

The state Department of Community Health said today  it's received
10,398 applications since starting April  6.

It's issued 5,873 patient registrations and 2,440  caregiver
registrations while denying 1,867, mainly  because of missing
information.

An average of 66 applications arrive daily. The  department says it
reviews applications within 15 days  but workers are behind in issuing
cards.

Officials say staffers now are processing applications  from late
September and hope to speed the process by  year's end.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D