9 Investigates: Central Florida residents complain about medical marijuana card delays

WINTER PARK, Fla. — There are at least three state agencies with oversight of the state’s new medical marijuana law and signs of stress are already showing.

For weeks, patients have complained about a delay in receiving their medical marijuana cards.

Part of the problem has to do with the sudden rush of patients in the last two months.

In less than two months, Florida has jumped from only 17,000 patients to almost 30,000.

“I am still waiting on my card from the state,” says Winter Park resident Christina Cusack.

“I take eight medications right now to deal with my MS (multiple sclerosis). I’m hoping once I get my card, I will be able to eliminate all of them, but two.”

Cusack was forced to find a new doctor, since her current physician is not one of the 900 doctors licensed by the state for medical marijuana.

Overseeing this growth are three state agencies: the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Attorney General’s Office.

According to the AG’s Office, it has already received seven complaints from patients complaining of fraud.

Of the complaints, some deal with online sellers offering to sell marijuana while others deal with sites that offer marijuana “memberships."

One site, “flacompassionateuse.com,” has a similar name to the former Office of Compassionate Use, which was operated by the Department of Health. The office has since been renamed the Office of Medical Marijuana Use.

Right now, the AG’s Office has received three complaints against “flacompassionateuse.com,” with residents complaining that when they called the number on the site and someone tried to sell them a “$99 Green Membership” for medical marijuana -- asking for “personal information, name, address, phone number, Social Security number, Florida driver’s license, medical conditions and ATM debit card.”

Nine investigates tried to contact the site, but the phone number was disconcerted.

Cox Media Group