MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM MANAGER DISMISSED

An investigation finds numerous problems with how the state office is run.

The manager of Oregon's medical marijuana program has been reassigned after
an internal audit found massive management problems.

Among them: months long backlog processing applications; little
record-keeping or monitoring; no accounting for cash received; and no
process for voiding cards when a patient dies.

The audit was prompted by the discovery that three medical marijuana cards
had been issued on forged doctors' signatures. Auditors could find no
evidence that staff ever verified doctors' signatures, as required by state
rules.

"Oregonians expect our agency's services to meet the highest standards,"
said Bob Mink, director of the state Department of Human Services.
"Unfortunately, our management of this program has fallen short of this goal."

Oregon's Medical Marijuana Act, passed by voters in 1998, allows marijuana
use for patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and other conditions.

It's been just over two years since the first medical marijuana card was
issued.

More than 2,100 Oregonians now hold the cards, which let them grow and
possess small amounts of marijuana. There also is a backlog of 786
applications that have not yet been processed.

Until February, manager Kelly Paige ran the program with only a half-time,
temporary support person.

Auditors said that Paige was given broad decision-making authority and
little formal oversight, even though she had no state management experience
when she was hired.

Among other problems:

There is no process for denying incomplete applications. Applicants to the
program enjoy the same rights as cardholders until an application is
denied. There are now 58 applications with incomplete information.

At least 468 voided cards cannot be accounted for.

The program failed to inform patients of their legal responsibilities. For
example, it does not tell applicants that their cards are considered
expired if they move or change doctors without notifying the state.

Paige could not be reached for comment Monday. Division officials declined
to say whether she would be disciplined because they don't discuss
personnel issues.

But the state's most visible advocacy group said Paige has done a good job.

"If it hadn't been for her we would not have been able to get as many
people on the program as we have," said Stormy Ray, a medical marijuana
patient who organized the Stormy Ray Foundation to help others navigate the
system. "The system is working like we set it up to work."

Mink has ordered the program to implement corrective actions, including
verifying all applications with doctors in writing, hiring permanent
support staff and acting on applications within 30 days.

To learn more:

Information about Oregon's Medical Marijuana Act is available from the
Oregon Health Division at (503) 731-4011, Ext. 640, and from the Stormy Ray
Foundation at (866) 278-6769.

Stormy Ray Foundation Web site: http://www.stormyray.org/

Oregon Department of Human Services Web site: http://www.hr.state.or.us/