'Dr Marijuana’ has licence suspended for 'indiscriminately' prescribing patients medical cannabis

Doctor accused of engaging 'in fraud, gross negligence, and professional misconduct'

Anthony Anzalone advertises as 'NJGreenMD' (AFP/Getty)

A physician who called himself “Dr Marijuana“ has been suspended from practising medicine for “indiscriminately” prescribing medicinal cannabis.

Anthony Anzalone has been told by New Jersey‘s board of medical examiners that he must shut down his practice after he was found to have authorised the use of the drug for over 3,000 patients without adequately examining them.

The 66-year-old was one of the first doctors to register with New Jersey’s medical marijuana programme in 2012. He met patients in large groups in conferences held at hotels.

The board said he charged an initial consultation fee of $350 (£273) followed by quarterly fees of $100 (£78) for continued authorisation of the drug.

It alleges he “engaged in fraud, gross negligence, and professional misconduct”.

It said: “In order to expand his patient base and increase his revenues, Dr Anzalone routinely registered patients who would not qualify for the MMP because they lacked a debilitating condition as defined by regulations, or fabricated debilitating conditions to qualify them."

Dr Anzalone, who advertises as “NJGreenMD”, prescribed the drug to 3,250 patients after registering with the state's programme.

“We allege that Dr Anzalone exploited his patients and the MMP for his own gain, completely disregarding the regulations meant to protect patients and promote the efficacious use of medicinal marijuana,” Paul R Rodríguez, acting director of the division of consumer affairs, said.

“By temporarily suspending Dr Anzalone from practising medicine, we are making it clear that we will not allow unscrupulous doctors to enrich themselves at the expense of the safety and welfare of their patients and the public.”

Dr Anzalone’s lawyer, Jef Henninger, said the doctor insisted he was innocent.

He said that his client was "a very popular doctor that takes great care of his patients." He added that Dr Anzalone was "a trailblazer in this industry", and that he "maintains his innocence and looks forward to having his license reinstated at the conclusion of this matter.”

The New Jersey Department of Health will provide assistance to any patients affected by the suspension, the statement said.

Attorney general Gurbir S Grewal said: “State legislatures may relax their laws against marijuana – and many already have – but there are limits to what state law allows, and the public should know that we vigorously enforce those limits to protect public safety and prevent unlawful distribution.”