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No ID Card, No Medicine for Thousands of Florida Medical Marijuana Patients

Patients recommended for treatment cannot start receiving medication until they get an ID card from the state, which has been delayed because of short staffing.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- Thousands of medical marijuana patients are caught in a catch 22; they have been recommended for treatment, but they can’t start receiving medication until they get an ID card from the state, which has been delayed because of short staffing.

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Lauren Drake’s parents, both in their 70’s, have been recommended for medical marijuana. Drake says getting the recommendation has been far easier than getting the medicine.

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“It took 50 days for an approval. They still haven’t received their cards,” says Drake.

STATE BY STATE: Florida Cannabis News

Christian Bax, the Director of Medical Marijuana Use in Florida, told lawmakers the ID card delay was running 30 days.

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Others, like Drake, say the wait can be two or even three months.

Jeff Sharkey of the Medical Marijuana Business Association says part of the problem is short staffing.

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