State regulators could strip a Highland Park doctor of his license over an alleged violation of the state's medical marijuana law.
Dr. Joseph Starkman last year told a 79-year-old patient he was qualified to use marijuana due to a previous glaucoma diagnosis and then charged the patient $250 for the sham paperwork, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said in a Monday release.
Starkman did not perform the eye exam on the patient, regulators allege. Illinois’ Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act only permits a physician who has a bona fide physician-patient relationship and is treating the patient’s qualifying debilitating medical condition to certify them for use of medical cannabis.
Furthermore, while regulations for growing, dispensing and registering patients for the legal use of medical cannabis were approved by a legislative committee on July 15, no licenses have been issued for growing or dispensing cannabis and no physician certification forms will be available until next month.
The IDFPR said Starkman established himself and his business as a cannabis clinic, doing business as "Integr8 Illinois," at 1732 1st St. in Highland Park, according to the state complaint.
A message seeking comment was left with Starkman's office on Tuesday. The complaint against him is the first in the state since medical marijuana became legal in Illinois.
