One Michigan doctor certified 11,800 marijuana patients in a year

Marijuana plant (Getty Images)

LANSING, Mich. – A state audit says one physician was able to certify more than 11,800 Michigan medical marijuana patients in one year.

The audit released Thursday criticized the state's medical marijuana program for not verifying doctor certifications to combat potential fraud. Auditors found 22 other physicians who certified nearly 47,000 applicants, an average of eight per work day.

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The state says it began randomly auditing doctor certifications in late September.

Under Michigan law, 211,000 patients registered with the state are growing their own marijuana or obtaining it from 37,000 designated caregivers who supply a limited number of people. Patients can legally use marijuana if they have a "debilitating medical condition" such as cancer and or a disease with side effects such as seizures or severe and chronic pain.