A small number of doctors have given the go-ahead for about 75 percent of medical marijuana cards issued in the state, raising questions about whether the program is being abused, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported Friday.
The report said 24 doctors certified almost 75 percent of all cardholders from the inception of Arizona’s medical marijuana program in April 2011 to June 2012. In all, 475 doctors certified nearly 29,000 patients in that period.
“A physician that is writing 1,000 to 1,500 certifications each year is not acting in his patients’ best interests,” said Health Services Director Will Humble, adding he suspects such doctors are more likely to cut corners or be in it for the money.
The report noted the largest per capita share of marijuana patients was in Gila County, followed by Yavapai and Coconino counties. It also said one patient and six caregivers had their cards revoked during the period.
“I am a realist,” Humble told The Associated Press. “I absolutely know the program is being abused to some degree. My job is to keep it as medical as I can.”
