MMJ card Wait?

[trickyricky]

I Mailed in my paper work 1-28-09 as of Today(3-22-10), It has not came in the mail yet!! it has been over 4 1/2 Months. Just How far behind is Colorado department of Public Health & Envionment, On Getting the cards out? Thanks, trickyricky

[MysteryBee]

Did you ever get a receipt for you payment? I saw a doc 1/31 and was told or "heard" it's going to take up to 7 months. I've sent my paper work in 2 weeks ago and haven't gotten shit :wtf:

[palerider7777]

i went down to the main office and paid in full and got a recipt.it still took over 4 months to get mine.remember it says they have up to 30 days i believe to deny you.if it's been past that then that means you're approved.atleast thats what i was told by the office.unless something else comes up.

[FarmerSteve]

That's what I was told, but I was told they have 35 days to mail you a notcie telling you that there was a problem.

Is it true that your time starts when they process the application and not when you went to the doc or mailed it in??

[Reenster]

Is it true that your time starts when they process the application and not when you went to the doc or mailed it in??

That is true, I am still waiting for my card (recieved 11/2), however, my husband recieved his the day after Christmas and it was dated 12/22 and his was recieved 9/17. I guess it is not to bad waiting since this way you get around 16 months for your 1 year registration fee.

[denverbear]

sent mine in oct-19 and still have not recieved card...

[TheReleafCenter]

We're working on getting together a rally for all the patients who have yet to receive their cards to head down to the registry. I'll post on here when I have more details.

[Vancefish]

Good news is your yearly "license" card, doesn't start until they actually issue you a card. So every day is like a free day for your $90 "yearly" fee! :thumbsup:

They print the cards just a couple days before you get it. So think of it this way. Once you have the card, you'll have to pay again in ONE YEAR! :D

Where as right now. Who knows how long that fee will last. If the issuing time gets any worse you might see 2 years without paying again.:thumbsup:

[Nosmo33]

As of the end of Dec. 2009 the Registry had a back log of 7,000 approved applications. They have stopped updating changes in their data base as well due to volume. That directly places Care Givers and Patients in potential jeopardy. At this point who knows what the back log is, they are exceeding mandated time frames for rejected applications as well which eventually could create legal issues for both Patients and Care Givers. My application was recieved the last week of Oct. I seriously don't expect my card until some time in May.
This from the Regisry's Budget Change Request dates 12/29/2009:


Without additional resources the division is unable to comply with the constitutional
requirements for processing a medical marijuana application. Failure to keep current
with applications negatively impacts medical marijuana applicants and law enforcement
and sets the Department up for a potential lawsuit.
The Colorado Constitution establishes timeframes for the processing of Medical
Marijuana Registry identification card applications. Without additional resources the
division will be unable to comply with these mandates and the registryâ??s backlog will
continue to grow. While the backlog exceeds the constitutional limit, the division will
focus on evaluating incoming applications, rejecting those that do not meet the legal
requirements, and informing the denied applicants. Tasks such as issuing cards and
entering changes into the database will become lower priorities and the backlog for those
activities will grow. This will mean that patients will not have identification cards and
law enforcement will not have appropriate documentation or a way to verify if an
individual is legally entitled to possess marijuana.
Number of pieces of mail
received daily (Average)
600
Acceptable applications
received daily
(Average)
300
Rejected applications received daily
(Average)
200
Changes received daily
(Average)
100
Approved applications added to database
entry queue â??current backlog 7,000 approved
applications.
Rejected applications returned to
applicant (incomplete application, lack
of documentation for medical condition,
improper payment)
Changes are not being processed
at this time

[Draconian]

So this is probably a dumb question, but do you have to wait until your card is received to get medicine, or can I just go into a dispensary and see an on site doctor there and get my card instantly? I'm confused on what to do... I have medical records of chronic back pain with herniated disk xray and multiple visits.

[Nosmo33]

No, you don't have to wait to purchase medicine until you get the card.You have 60 days from the time your certification is signed to submit your paper work to the Dept. of Health. The key is you must mail it certified mail or take it in person to the CDPHE. You [B][]must/B]] keep the receipt you receive showing the date of submission. Staple that receipt to your copy of your application and certification and that will serve as your "temp" card until you receive the actual card. You must be able to prove you submitted the paper work in that 60 day period though, if not the paper work will not be accepted after the 60 day time frame elapses.

[Draconian]

No, you don't have to wait to purchase medicine until you get the card.You have 60 days from the time your certification is signed to submit your paper work to the Dept. of Health. The key is you must mail it certified mail or take it in person to the CDPHE. You [B][]must/B]] keep the receipt you receive showing the date of submission. Staple that receipt to your copy of your application and certification and that will serve as your "temp" card until you receive the actual card. You must be able to prove you submitted the paper work in that 60 day period though, if not the paper work will not be accepted after the 60 day time frame elapses.

Thank you very much for the quick reply.

[MysteryBee]

The key is you must mail it certified mail or take it in person to the CDPHE. You [B][]must/B]] keep the receipt you receive showing the date of submission. Staple that receipt to your copy of your application and certification and that will serve as your "temp" card until you receive the actual card.

How long did it take for them to send a receipt? I've been waiting two weeks and have yet to get one...

[Reenster]

CDPHE does not send you a receipt. When you send it certified you get a receipt from the post office, its important to keep it to prove you mailed your application. Also I sent a money order for $90 instead of a check so I would have a proof of payment right away instead if waiting for the check to clear.

[Reenster]

sent mine in oct-19 and still have not recieved card...

Hey Denver keep a close eye on the mail. My son sent his in Oct 17 and got his card a few days ago. Sounds like your should be there soon.

[Nosmo33]

CDPHE does not send you a receipt. When you send it certified you get a receipt from the post office, its important to keep it to prove you mailed your application. Also I sent a money order for $90 instead of a check so I would have a proof of payment right away instead if waiting for the check to clear.

Yes, you're right. I meant if you take it person you recieve a dated receipt when you submit your paper work in person. New patients should submit thier pw either via certified mail or take in person directly to the CDPHE. Both scenarios provide you with proof of submission and a way to track it if necessary.

[Reenster]

Could not agree more Nosmo, I was responding to MysteryBee's comment


How long did it take for them to send a receipt? I've been waiting two weeks and have yet to get one...

[ottistoys]

The wait is up to 8 months now.

[Draconian]

The wait is up to 8 months now.

Does it really matter though? As long as you have the temp receipt you can get meds anyway.....right?

[Reenster]

At this point the longer the better. The wait on our cards is really costing the state money. Instead of us having to pay $90 a year, our first payment actually gives us more like 18 months. Good for my pocketbook, not so good for the state's.

I do not understand why they do not get more staff for CDPHE, it make no sense at all. It is actually costing them money by not throwing a few more staff members at getting rid of the backlog. There seems to be no logic in our political enviroment so why start now.

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

Let me stop the rumors now.

You don't have to send it certified but it is recommended. Just because you have a certified receipt doesn't mean your local po-po is going to accept it. What I do is not only carry a copy of my Dr recommendation & Application, but also my certified mail receipt, along with a print out from the USPS website showing that the letter was received, and a copy of my check I wrote. I have everything scanned & stored on my hard drive. I also keep multiple copies of everything around (one set in my wallet, one in my glovebox, one set in my grow room)

You don't have to have your red "card" (not really a card more like a certificate/permit) to buy/possess meds, but some dispensaries & caregivers are requiring that you have all the certified stuff to cover their butts especially caregivers!

All my patients have provided me with copies of all their paperwork, just like I have - mostly because I "walked" them through the entire process.

And to trickyricky who started this thread - you sent your paperwork in last January 2009 and still haven't received your paperwork or did you mistype something there? If you sent it in this past January 2010, then it's just barely getting close to 2 months. Patience, grasshopper... :rasta:


I Mailed in my paper work 1-28-09 as of Today(3-22-10), It has not came in the mail yet!!

[denverbear]

At this point the longer the better. The wait on our cards is really costing the state money. Instead of us having to pay $90 a year, our first payment actually gives us more like 18 months. Good for my pocketbook, not so good for the state's.

I do not understand why they do not get more staff for CDPHE, it make no sense at all. It is actually costing them money by not throwing a few more staff members at getting rid of the backlog. There seems to be no logic in our political enviroment so why start now.

you would think that with all the fee's they are collecting they could hire a few more clerks to process the apps....very bad political move I think.
not taking care of business quicker.

[denverbear]

Hey Denver keep a close eye on the mail. My son sent his in Oct 17 and got his card a few days ago. Sounds like your should be there soon.


thanks for the update...now I'm getting excited....

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

Does it really matter though? As long as you have the temp receipt you can get meds anyway.....right?

You can have meds in your possession. It's up to the person selling, if they wish to sell to you.

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

Hey Denver keep a close eye on the mail. My son sent his in Oct 17 and got his card a few days ago. Sounds like your should be there soon.

That's right about the time when things really started to blow-up! So for those who sent in last Oct, it's been little over 5 months. Guessing that for those who sent in Nov, it'll be 5-6; for those in Dec -6-7 months; in Jan - 7-8 months.... Wonder if they'll ever catch up!

[trickyricky]

Thanks for all the reply's, i did mistype, i mailed my paper work in on 11-27-09 (Oct 27th 2009) 4 1/2 months ago. looks like I'll just keep waiting for my card to get here. Thanks to all, Tricktricky

[Draconian]

You can have meds in your possession. It's up to the person selling, if they wish to sell to you.

Care to tell me which places in Denver would be willing to sell to me without the "official" card? You can PM me if you want, thanks.

[TheReleafCenter]

We'll accept a doctors recommendation, and without receipt of sending.

[copobo]

i thought a bunch of money was appropriated for temp staff to get caught up?

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

Care to tell me which places in Denver would be willing to sell to me without the "official" card? You can PM me if you want, thanks.

Sure but you'll need to explain to me how to pm on here. Haven't been able to figure it out.

[lampost]

Sure but you'll need to explain to me how to pm on here. Haven't been able to figure it out.

Up in the green bar at the top of each individual post, over on the right, there's a very tiny "scale" icon next to the post number. Click on that and that is how you give someone +rep, but you can also type a short message as well.

[Reenster]

Care to tell me which places in Denver would be willing to sell to me without the "official" card? You can PM me if you want, thanks.

When I first got my recommendation I thought the place I got my referral was the only way I could get my medication. I sincerely felt most places would only accept the "Red Card". After a few phone calls I found that the majority of the dispensaries will take your Doctor's referral as long as you also show proof on mailing and the state payment of the $90.

I recommend you take a good look on these forums and find the dispensary that seems to fit your needs. Hopefully you will find one convient and affordable. Once you pick the place you feel is best for you call them and confirm exactly what they need to take care of you.

Good luck and good health.

[ColoradoCareMMJ]

Without additional resources the division is unable to comply with the constitutional
requirements for processing a medical marijuana application.

Are they for real!???! Without additional resources? What happend to the 4+ million dollars they have collected for these registration fees? Is that not enough to hire a whole staff to start this thing rolling in a timely fashion? At 4 mil you could hire 50-60 staff members @ 45k per year and have this thing turned around in no time and STILL have enough for all the needless spending the goverment oh so loves...

[Vancefish]

Are they for real!???! Without additional resources? What happend to the 4+ million dollars they have collected for these registration fees? Is that not enough to hire a whole staff to start this thing rolling in a timely fashion? At 4 mil you could hire 50-60 staff members @ 45k per year and have this thing turned around in no time and STILL have enough for all the needless spending the goverment oh so loves...

Agreed Bryan! :thumbsup:

However, as with pretty much every government office. SOMEONE has to line their pockets first! :D

I think they are using this as an excuse though. Instead of hiring people to deal with the issue, like the LAW says they have to. They are ignoring the law (as Government usually does). Later down the line I think they plan to make some odd claim like 80% are illegitimate. Thus forcing the state to write more legislation, to reject the bulk of the licenses. While keeping all the fees.:wtf:

[TheReleafCenter]

Are they for real!???! Without additional resources? What happend to the 4+ million dollars they have collected for these registration fees? Is that not enough to hire a whole staff to start this thing rolling in a timely fashion? At 4 mil you could hire 50-60 staff members @ 45k per year and have this thing turned around in no time and STILL have enough for all the needless spending the goverment oh so loves...

Are you for real? They might be taking in money, but that department doesn't get to hire additional staff on its own.

[esbrown1232]

does anyone know wat month's applications they're working on?

[canexplain]

I should know this but ... When you get your docs papers and it has a date, say 030110. Is it good only for a year and then you have to do something again a year from now? Second: If said date was 030110 and you don't send it in for say two months, then it's 050110, when exactly does the year start? The doc date, the day your mail receipt says, the day they ok it which could be in 6 months? Does anyone know? tnx

[1nicegrow]

LOL,
we did and address change and a renewal at same time...got the paer back as wife put wrong date on the change of adress but no card for renewal yet and we did this in late october...long as you got your temps yer fine.







I Mailed in my paper work 1-28-09 as of Today(3-22-10), It has not came in the mail yet!! it has been over 4 1/2 Months. Just How far behind is Colorado department of Public Health & Envionment, On Getting the cards out? Thanks, trickyricky

[Reenster]

It seems they are getting more and more backed up. At least they have asked for funds to hire some more employees. I think it is in direct response to the artical about the woman who waited 5 months for her card and it arrived 2 months after she died. It was glaring that something had to be done.

It took my husband 93 days to recieve his card and he mailed it in Sept. My son's card too 126 days and he mailed it in mid October. My paperwork was recieved on 11/7 and I am still waiting. It is going to take longer and longer until they get some serious help.


I should know this but ... When you get your docs papers and it has a date, say 030110. Is it good only for a year and then you have to do something again a year from now? Second: If said date was 030110 and you don't send it in for say two months, then it's 050110, when exactly does the year start? The doc date, the day your mail receipt says, the day they ok it which could be in 6 months? Does anyone know? tnx
Mar-26-2010 20:33

If I understand your question correctly, you are asking when you have to revisit the Doctor for another recommendations. It is my understanding that you will not have to get another recommendation until your card is ready for renewal. The date on the actual red card will be when they process your application. So if you got your referral in March and you do not get your card till... lets say August, you will not have to revisit the doctor till right before your card expires in August.

Hope that answers your question.

[PufferLungs]

I sent my paperwork in via certified mail back in early October. Did everything according to the rules.

They rejected my application because the notary stamp was slightly obscured when the signature of the notary crossed over the outside edge of the stamp. :mad: The gal signed her own notary and her signature just barely crossed about 1/32" into the very outside edge of the stamp. They denied my application saying the stamp was invalid with a black pen mark across literally 1/32" of the outside edge.

So, I got a new form, dotted all the I's and crossed all the T's AGAIN. Did everything legal and the way I was supposed to do it. I sent it back again within a few weeks and they denied it immediately, saying I had to wait 6 months from the denial to reapply. WTF? I thought that if your application was denied for lack of proof - you had to wait 6 months. WTF is up with denying my app. over a teeny tiny pen mark on a notary stamp - then telling me I have to wait 6 months to reapply?

So, now when I send it back in during the month of May 2010 - I'll bet you anything they deny it - saying the doctors prescription is too old. Start over - go see the doc again - resubmit.

It's f*cking BS. :mad: I did everything on the up and up. I REALLY DO have a legitimate and ongoing pain issue from a lower spinal fusion surgery. I took a stack of paperwork and MRI discs with me to the doctor - the paperwork I have is in (2) folders 3 inches thick and I have about 2000 MRI pictures on a disc to show the before and after pics. If anybody has legitimate proof - I DO!!

M' Fers at the registry can kiss my M' Fing ASS!! :cursing:

[Nosmo33]

Pufferlungs, You're right, the dept. of health should not be issuing a 6 month denial based on a "mistake" on your application. You're also right about the Dr.'s cert, to resubmit you will need a new certification, otherwise it will be kicked back b/c it must be submitted w/in 60 days of the Dr's signature. I almost think it's time for a class action lawsuit against the CDPHE on the behalf of patients. I'm hearing a lot of folks saying these delays benefits the patients. I personally don't really think so.
As of Thurs., the dept. admits it's 6 months behind at this point. Hell, they were 6 months behind starting about Nov.! How behind are they really at this point? This is setting up yet again all kinds of murky legal scenarios. How many dispensaries are selling to patients who have due to these kinds of delays and situations you've described aren't technically legal? How can Law Enforcement verify Care Giver status if they stopped updating changes in Dec.? Were I as a patient to encounter LE 5 1/2 months after I applied for my card, I have to show them my Certification.They should not have access to that information and would not if I had my card.
This is the link to the entire budget request change from the Registry;

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251605768998&ssbinary=true

It's 25 pages, but interesting reading. I was struck by this in particular,

"While the department was aware that the number of applications was increasing at the time decision items were being prepared, staff hoped that legislative proposals would surface that would help the department manage the workload. At this time, those proposals do not appear to be geared toward reducing the number of applications submitted."

Do people realize once SB-109 is signed and they begin to refer Dr.'s to the Medical Board (and that will happen, make no mistake) any cert's that particular Dr. signed will be automatically denied for the 6 month period, and existing cards will be revoked b/c the Dr. will be under investigation. That's one way to manage the workload isn't it?
Hell, the Dept. is fully aware they are wide open to lawsuits. They fully expect and demand that patients and care givers meet the letter of the law and mandates of Amendment 20, and yet they are not held to the same standards.

[denverbear]

Finally,
Got my card in the mail on friday..the 2nd....sent it in on the 19 oct......5 and a half months but just in time for the convention.....and my new vaporizer

[esbrown1232]

has has anyone who sent their application in late october or early november received their cards yet? i really want to get mine but have been hearing that some people received their and were rejected 6 months after sending it in. i dont want that to happen and just want to know if any october or november applicants have recieved their yet. thanks

[dedliug]

I sent my paperwork in early October. It was kicked back due to the notary being the caregiver or something so it was then re-sent in November.

I received my red card last week.

It is dated 4/20/2010 and good until 4/20/2011 (funny)
So, basically the state is screwing itself out of fees by extending the times from when they process your card.

I read that they are changing this and the date on cards will now be when they RECEIVED your paper work. So if it takes 6 months to get it back, your card will only be good for 6 months.

I know i barely squeezed in before this so it will be interesting to see when it starts being dated differently.

[Reenster]

I read that they are changing this and the date on cards will now be when they RECEIVED your paper work. So if it takes 6 months to get it back, your card will only be good for 6 months.

I know i barely squeezed in before this so it will be interesting to see when it starts being dated differently.

Grats on your card. I got mine and it's dated 4/23 and was recieved 11/2. But my friend that is the least of our worries.

[telephone]

Hi.

I was just wondering if when rejected, the Health Dept just mails (as in standard USPS) back your packet with some sort of explanation as to why it was rejected.

The reason I'm asking is because when I applied for a CO title on my car back in Dec. it had to go thorough the state offices due to an error on my old title.

Long story short, 6 weeks after the state mailing the title it never arrived here or back at the state offices, so a new one had to be made that I got via mail within a week.

My big question is what if this sort of thing happened with a MMR rejection (i.e. lost in the mail) and you got pulled over with medicine (thinking that your card would one day arrive) and LE finds out that you had been sent a rejection (that you never knew about)?

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

has has anyone who sent their application in late october or early november received their cards yet?

Sent mine in Oct 30 or there about, just received it last week also.
Issue/Renew Date: 4/20

Sweeeet! At least it's easy to remember!

[COzigzag]

Issue/Renew Date: 4/20

Sweeeet! At least it's easy to remember!

Too funny! :S2:

[RockyMtnDezL]

Its up to 8-12 month wait, as of last friday, thats from some dude who answers the phone at cdphe...

[Vinceborg2050]

I applied for mine sometime in mid january, and was told 6-8 months

[lampost]

I went to go to Herbal Connections today and after a longer-than-usual delay at the front entrance the guy came back to tell me that I wouldn't be allowed in!! My card application was over 6 months ago and I still didn't have my card! I'd never heard anything about this, but apparently you're not allowed in if you haven't received your card after 6 months... you must wait until you get your card apparently!! This is what Herbal Connections told me although I was already in 2-3 other dispensaries after that 6-month period with no problems.

Anyway, I was bummed and I wasn't able to get my edible to help me sleep tonight. And it's Sunday night and every place else was pretty much closed. So, I moseyed home and grabbed my mail on the way in and sure enough, there was my red card in the mail!!! LOL! Only wish I would've grabbed it earlier! Obviously it was sitting in there since Saturday! Oh well... at least I got it now. I don't really care that it was so late because now I have my card for another year, rather than only the 5-6 more months I'd have it if they gave it to me instantly.

[TurboALLWD]

I went to go to Herbal Connections today and after a longer-than-usual delay at the front entrance the guy came back to tell me that I wouldn't be allowed in!! My card application was over 6 months ago and I still didn't have my card! I'd never heard anything about this, but apparently you're not allowed in if you haven't received your card after 6 months... you must wait until you get your card apparently!! This is what Herbal Connections told me although I was already in 2-3 other dispensaries after that 6-month period with no problems.

Anyway, I was bummed and I wasn't able to get my edible to help me sleep tonight. And it's Sunday night and every place else was pretty much closed. So, I moseyed home and grabbed my mail on the way in and sure enough, there was my red card in the mail!!! LOL! Only wish I would've grabbed it earlier! Obviously it was sitting in there since Saturday! Oh well... at least I got it now. I don't really care that it was so late because now I have my card for another year, rather than only the 5-6 more months I'd have it if they gave it to me instantly.


Nice, wish mine would come some day. I was going to tell you to scrape you're vaporizer "wand" or whatever you call the glass piece. That resin will knock you out :rastasmoke: but an edible works too.

[lampost]

Yeah good thinking. Unlike pipe resin I will smoke vape resin!! Unfortunately, I've retired my Vapor Brothers for the past 6 months. It's been pure bubblers, tubes, and joints... I had a jelly jar half full of roaches, but I threw 'em out because they were basically nasty. Anyway, I still had some UK Cheese from herbal Element... but obviously I'm not sleepin too well:stoned:

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

Congrats on receiving your card.

[HighPopalorum]

I think that backlog will go down soon, as the new licensing authority gets up and running. As I understand it, the Department of Revenue will be doing the licensing now, not CDPHE. There will actually be staff, offices and a budget that comes out of our license fees.

[HighPopalorum]

^^^^^^Foot in mouth! The DoR is going to be handling licenses for dispensaries, but it looks like CDPHE will still make the rules for registry cards. I don't know enough about how those departments work to say anything intelligent here, but there will be more staff and resources.

[MMJinColorado]

My card got here last night after being sent in November 7thish. Feels good to be totallly legal, I had that sinking feeling that they'd randomly deny me on some technicality or something... glad that didn't come to pass.

[COCannabisToker]

I had the same feeling before I got the actual card. I just sent my renewal application in and my current card doesnt expire til July. Hopefully my money order doesnt end up in the pile of the $5 million sitting around.