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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D