Short Takes

DOCTOR SUSPENDED OVER MARIJUANA PRESCRIPTIONS

SAN DIEGO: A San Diego doctor has been suspended from practice for 15
days and placed on probation for seven years because he failed to
follow established medical standards when prescribing marijuana.

The Medical Board of California also is requiring Robert Sterner to
enroll in a number of medical refresher courses.

The board had accused Sterner, 52, of negligence in issuing medical
marijuana recommendations to two undercover police officers. It also
alleged incompetence, saying he lacked knowledge about the safe use of
cannabis and its therapeutic value.

The board's decision became effective Friday, and the suspension is
scheduled to start July 27.

Sterner has denied the accusations and is preparing an appeal. He said
that he didn't violate standards of care and that authorities are
scrutinizing him because he prescribes marijuana.

He was among a number of doctors targeted in a 2006 sting by San Diego
police and the District Attorney's Office because they seemed to be
issuing a significant number of marijuana recommendations to young
patients who didn't have serious medical conditions, said the medical
board's accusation filed in Administrative Law Court. -D.H.