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