cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Program Manager Dismissed





Medical Marijuana Program Manager Dismissed
Posted by FoM on June 12, 2001 at 12:20:32 PT
By Tracy Loew, Statesman Journal
Source: Statesman Journal
The manager of Oregon’s medical marijuana program has been reassigned after an internal audit found massive management problems. Among them: months long backlog processing applications; little record-keeping or monitoring; no accounting for cash received; and no process for voiding cards when a patient dies.The audit was prompted by the discovery that three medical marijuana cards had been issued on forged doctors’ signatures. Auditors could find no evidence that staff ever verified doctors’ signatures, as required by state rules.
“Oregonians expect our agency’s services to meet the highest standards,” said Bob Mink, director of the state Department of Human Services. “Unfortunately, our management of this program has fallen short of this goal.”Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Act, passed by voters in 1998, allows marijuana use for patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and other conditions.It’s been just over two years since the first medical marijuana card was issued.More than 2,100 Oregonians now hold the cards, which let them grow and possess small amounts of marijuana. There also is a backlog of 786 applications that have not yet been processed.Until February, manager Kelly Paige ran the program with only a half-time, temporary support person.Auditors said that Paige was given broad decision-making authority and little formal oversight, even though she had no state management experience when she was hired.Among other problems:• There is no process for denying incomplete applications. Applicants to the program enjoy the same rights as cardholders until an application is denied. There are now 58 applications with incomplete information.• At least 468 voided cards cannot be accounted for.• The program failed to inform patients of their legal responsibilities. For example, it does not tell applicants that their cards are considered expired if they move or change doctors without notifying the state.Paige could not be reached for comment Monday. Division officials declined to say whether she would be disciplined because they don’t discuss personnel issues.But the state’s most visible advocacy group said Paige has done a good job.“If it hadn’t been for her we would not have been able to get as many people on the program as we have,” said Stormy Ray, a medical marijuana patient who organized the Stormy Ray Foundation to help others navigate the system. “The system is working like we set it up to work.”Mink has ordered the program to implement corrective actions, including verifying all applications with doctors in writing, hiring permanent support staff and acting on applications within 30 days.To learn more:Information about Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Act is available from the Oregon Health Division at (503) 731-4011, Ext. 640, and from the Stormy Ray Foundation at (866) 278-6769.Stormy Ray Foundation Web site: http://www.stormyray.org/Oregon Department of Human Services Web site: http://www.hr.state.or.us/Note: An investigation finds numerous problems with how the state office is run.Source: Statesman Journal (OR)Author: Tracy Loew, Statesman JournalPublished: June 12, 2001Copyright: 2001 Statesman JournalContact: letters statesmanjournal.comWebsite: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/Related Articles:Audit: Pot Program Failed To Follow Its Own Rules http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10029.shtmlOregon's MMJ Used Mostly To Treat Severe Painhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7750.shtmlOregon Offers Help on Marijuana Ruleshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7716.shtml 
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on June 12, 2001 at 19:37:15 PT:
Kelly is doing a good job with over 2000 people
Until February, manager Kelly Paige ran the program with only a half-time, temporary support person.Auditors said that Paige was given broad decision-making authority and little formal oversight, even though she had no state management experience when she was hired.Come on what does the Gov't expect! Kelly had over 2000 people to keep track of with one part time helper. Sounds like this was a set up with the cards stacked against her. 
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