Arvada Doctor Faces Prison Over Medical Pot Registry Cards
ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4) - An Arvada doctor and his former nurse are facing felony charges involving medical marijuana recommendations.
Dr. Lenny Sujdak has already admitted to the state he gave out thousands of prescriptions without even giving examinations. He and his former nurse Debra Gady appeared separately in court Monday to learn about the charges.
Sujdak and Gady each face two felony counts of forging public documents and attempting to influence a public servant (the state) by allegedly selling pre-signed approval medical marijuana forms.
CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger learned an undercover investigator with the North Metro Drug Task Force allegedly purchased a doctor's marijuana recommendation for $100 at the Denver Merchandise Mart in October 2011 at a convention called Hempcon. State records claim it was signed by Sujdak and would enable the buyer to obtain a state medical marijuana registry card.
Colorado Nursing Board disciplinary records claim Gady forged Sujdak's name on the recommendations after performing exams herself.
More than 1,000 registry cards were held up while the state investigated concerns about possible fraud.
Only doctors can give recommendations for medical marijuana due to ailments. But records CBS4 obtained signed by Sujdak say he certified 7,057 medical marijuana patients in one year and did not see or personally evaluate most of them.
Sujdak still practices at an office in Arvada. CBS4 found his license has been restricted and he is not allowed to give recommendations for marijuana. He is also to undergo ethics training, but now he faces the possibility of going to prison.
Sujdak had no comment when asked about the charges outside of court on Monday.
Although Colorado now has recreational marijuana, those with a medical pot registry card can get it if they're between 18 and 21, and can get it for less money.
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