DOCTOR OKS ALMOST 900 MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS

State Board Is Investigating The Portland-area Physician, Whose Name Also
Was Forged On Seven Applications

PORTLAND - A Portland-area doctor has signed nearly 40 percent of all of
the state's approved applications for medical marijuana users and is under
investigation by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners.

The 77-year-old doctor, whose name was not released by the agency, told The
Register-Guard newspaper of Eugene that he is filling a gap because other
doctors won't participate in the program for fear of prosecution and
professional repercussions.

Many of his patients also are veterans who cannot get help from their
government-employed doctors, he told the newspaper.

Since Oregon's medical marijuana law was approved in 1998, 2,227 Oregonians
have obtained cards allowing them to use medical marijuana. Of the state's
7,000 doctors, 538 have signed paperwork necessary for a patient to get a card.

Only 13 Oregon doctors have signed 10 or more medical marijuana applications.

The Portland-area doctor under investigation signed for 890 patients,
according to the latest state data on the program.

The second most active physician in the state signed for 71 patients.

The 1998 medical marijuana law requires officials to protect the names of
all doctors and patients who participate in the program.

The Register Guard learned of the doctor's identity independently but
agreed not to publish his name because of his concern that he would
inundated with requests for help to enter the program.

The doctor told the newspaper he sees "95 percent" of his medical marijuana
patients and reviews every patient's records before signing applications,
but he does not have a long-term relationship with the patients. He does
not charge for the exams.

Although he has suffered chronic pain from prostate surgery eight years ago
and is barely able to walk, the doctor said he is not enrolled in the
marijuana program himself.

"I am helping people because I am in a similar position," he said. "I can
truly empathize with these people."

Bruce Johnson, a spokesman for the state Board of Medical Examiners, said
he could not comment on whether the agency is investigating the doctor.

But the doctor told the newspaper Thursday that he is under investigation
for not meeting professional standards as an "attending physician."

Mac Prichard, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Human Services, which
oversees the medical marijuana program, said state officials have long been
aware of the disproportionate number of patients served by the doctor.

He said nothing in the marijuana act nor in Oregon law limits the number of
patients a doctor can serve.

Last month, the medical marijuana program's director was demoted after it
was discovered that three signatures on approved applications were forged.
Four forged signature on pending applications also were found.

All seven forgeries were of the Portland-area doctor's name.

The doctor said he discovered the identity of the forger and notified
Oregon State Police. Results of an investigation have been turned over to
district attorneys in Clackamas and Multnomah counties for potential
criminal prosecution, state police spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings said.

An internal audit has since turned up other shortcomings in the program,
including inadequate staff and management problems.