you are right: If they could timely process the applications, everyone would be better off. They did check the doctor names on each and every app for the last 2 years as they were rejecting apps by 2 notable docs with restrictions - one an OBGYN with a mark on her record regarding emergency delivery procedures, though her DEA license remained in tact, and another a surgeon who developed a hand tremor and went into mmj after he had a restriction placed on his license in regards to surgery (he did nothing wrong).

They KNEW and ACCEPTED recs from PAs for a long time. PAs communicated with the DOH about rules and procedures on forms and identified themselves as such. It was a policy change, clear and simple. If not, and you are correct, the entire department should be replaced as they simply failed to do their jobs. Some journalist will eventually run with this info and do an FOI request regarding procedural information requests from physicians offices - then, maybe we'll have a real clue about who knew what and when.