REGULATORS CITE DOCTOR IN MEDICAL POT CASES

State medical regulators have filed a formal complaint against Molalla
osteopath Dr. Phillip Leveque for "repeated negligence" in authorizing
medical marijuana cards for hundreds of patients he never saw.

The Board of Medical Examiners charged that Leveque signed applications
"without examining the patient, conducting medical tests, maintaining an
adequate medical chart, reviewing possible contraindications or conferring
with other medical care providers."

Leveque, 78, said Wednesday through his attorney that he has requested a
hearing to contest the charges. The board regulates medical practice and
investigates complaints against doctors in Oregon.

Leveque has signed far more medical marijuana applications than any other
doctor in Oregon. He said Wednesday that he has signed about 1,800
applications during the past two years.

Leveque said the board was using him as an example to deter physicians from
authorizing the use of medical marijuana. "They're putting every doctor in
Oregon on notice that if you even come close to what Leveque is doing,
you're in trouble," he said.

"When you're a point man, you get shot at," Leveque said. "And I'm being
shot at."

The board last month ordered Leveque to undergo a psychological and
physical examination to make sure he is fully capable of doing his job.
Leveque had both examinations this month.

The board could fine Leveque, reprimand him or revoke or suspend his
license -- or impose a combination of those penalties. Its final decision
depends on the results of Leveque's medical checkups and the hearing.

Under Oregon's Medical Marijuana Act, residents can apply for a card
allowing them to grow and use marijuana, or cannabis, for medical purposes.
A doctor must verify that the patient has a "debilitating medical
condition" such as cancer, AIDS or severe pain.

The complaint against Leveque cites two unnamed patients.

One, designated Patient A, is a 14-year-old girl with a history of sinus
pain, depression and marijuana use. The complaint charges that Leveque
signed her application for marijuana "without ever examining or speaking
with this patient."

The other, Patient B, applied for a medical marijuana card in August 2000.
Leveque stated on the application that the patient "has a poorly diagnosed
condition which causes nausea, vomitting (sic) and seizures. Cannabis
helps." The board's complaint charges that Leveque relied on a phone call
and a letter from the patient and did not meet him.

In addition, the complaint charges that Leveque had overlooked a letter
from the patient's psychiatrist explaining that the patient had been
diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, took many medications and had a
history of abusing "street" drugs, including LSD, amphetamines and marijuana.

Leveque said he didn't examine Patient B because the man didn't have a
driver's license and couldn't easily get to his clinic.