Doctor Suspended for Issuing 22k Medical Cannabis Certifications in One Year 

A Michigan appeals court has upheld a two-year suspension for a physician who approved almost 22,000 medical cannabis certificates in just one year, the Associated Press reports. During the hearing, Dr. Vernon Proctor refuted the claim that he had approved 22,000 certificates, saying it was closer to 1,000.

During the hearing, an expert said it would have been impossible for Vernon to take the necessary steps to conduct a proper exam for that many patients – about 60 patients a day for seven days a week.

In all, the Board of Medicine said Proctor issued 21,708 medical cannabis certifications between June 9, 2015, and June 8, 2016. According to court documents, the former manager of the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing Medical Marijuana section testified that her office had the responsibility to verify medical cannabis certifications for patient applications, but when her office called Proctor’s office to verify the certifications using the patients’ names and dates of birth, neither he nor his staff was unable to provide such information. The Board of Medicine Disciplinary Subcommittee first requested an administrative hearing in September 2018.

According to the decision, the court found Proctor’s claims that he went to five clinics a day, that each had 20 to 50 patients and that he worked “12 to 14 hours a day seven days a week” unconvincing.

“The judge found that respondent lacked good moral character for issuing a high volume of certificates, which demonstrated a lack of openness, fairness, and honesty to his patients,” the decision says.

The court ultimately found no reason to overturn the suspension ordered by the Bureau of Professional Licensing.