APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICAL POT PROGRAM PILE UP

Michigan's Medical Marijuana Program is getting 66 applications a day
- - so many that the state health department can't process them
quickly, Michigan's Department of Community Health said today.

The department's latest update said the department since April has
issued 5,873 registrations for patients and 2,440 for caregivers who
dispense marijuana.

Some 10,393 people have applied to grow or receive medical marijuana
since April, the department said in a statement.

Applications are reviewed within 15 days, but the department has been
unable to process all the applications in that time. State law allows
a person to use a copy of the application to serve as valid
identification if a card is not issued within 20 days after it is
submitted for those not informed of a decision by mail, the department said.

The department said it is taking measures to improve the application
process by the end of the month.