It also turns out that “issuance” of the license is a different step, which has its own defined waiting period.
On the 23rd business day — Sept. 15 — another email from the Board of Pharmacy showed up in the old inbox.
“Your application and supporting documents have been reviewed and approved. A registration card will be mailed out to you,” it said. Then came the kicker: “Please allow up to 21 business days for it to arrive.” (It also included my medical marijuana registration number, which does me no good without the actual card.)
Seriously? I have to wait 21 more business days? That suggests I might not have my card until Oct. 15. And if the experience of a friend in Blacksburg is any indication, it also might not arrive by then. (Because he’s shy about being known as a weed whacker, he shall remain nameless.)
His application was processed and approved Aug. 12. Today is the 29th business day since then. His license is more than a full week late. He’s running out of patience. The poor guy must be jonesing.
Curious about the backlog, I contacted the Virginia Department of Health Professions, of which the Board of Pharmacy is a part. Here’s what I learned from Diane Powers, the department’s spokeswoman:
My friend and I are two of 31,551 adult patients registered with the program, she said. That work out to roughly 3.5 registrants for every 1,000 Virginia residents.
