Dr. Joseph J. Starkman of Highland Park allegedly deceived a 79-year-old patient by giving fake medical marijuana eligibility form in exchange of $250. The doctor might lose his license once proven guilty.
An official complaint was filed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The filing stated that Starkman informed the patient that he was eligible for medical marijuana use as treatment for his glaucoma without performing an eye examination, the Associated Press reported.
According to The Tribune, the patient paid the doctor $250 for a 35-minute consultation in his clinic, Integr8 Illinois, located at 1732 1st St. in Highland Park. Afterwards, Starkman told him that he would mail an official certificate that the patient could present to an Illinois licensed cannabis dispensary. In January, the patient received a fake certificate instead.
The Illinois department said the official eligibility form won't released until next month. Doctors are prohibited from certifying patients for medical marijuana use until then.
Starkman didn't respond to requests for comments. IDFPR spokesperson Susan Hofer said the doctor could lose his license and receive charges for multiple violations of the Medical Malpractice Act.
"Patients and physicians should be careful when a business holds itself out exclusively as a 'medical cannabis clinic,'" IDFPR acting Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary Manuel Flores said in a statement Monday. "We will continue to aggressively prosecute people taking advantage of patients who may be eligible for medical cannabis."
In the state of Illinois, qualified patients may possess up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana purchased from an authorized dispensary. Other chronic diseases covered under legislation include cancer, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injury, and more. Illegal possession, sale, and cultivation are subject to a jail term of 30 days to 30 years and a fine of $25,000 to $200,000 in the Land of Lincoln.
