Highland Park Doctor Accused of Issuing Fake Medical Cannabis Eligibilty Form

A Highland Park doctor faces allegations of issuing a fake medical cannabis eligibility form to a 79-year old patient. According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Dr. Joseph Starkman met with the patient for 35 minutes and promised to mail him a certificate for use at an Illinois licensed cannabis dispensary based on a previous glaucoma diagnosis.

Starkman did not perform an eye exam on the patient according to officials and was allegedly paid $250 by the patient for his services. In reality, physician certificate forms are not available yet and Illinois-license physicians are not legally able to certify patients for the purchase of cannabis. No licenses have been issued for growing or dispensing cannabis in Illinois. Starkman faces a possible license revocation, suspension, fine or probation.

Doctor could lose license over fake cannabis eligibility form, www.chicagotribune.com, July 28, 2014