Dr. David Allen Becomes Medical Board Target (Part 1)

In a pre-hearing conference before presiding Administrative Law Judge Dian Vorters, the cards of the medical board were laid out for all to see.

(SACRAMENTO) - Since voters approved Proposition 215 here in California, a number of physicians have come under fire from the California Medical Board for their issuance of medical marijuana recommendations. Today December 6th 2013 yet another physician.

Dr. David Allen, who is one of the most respected and outspoken advocates for medical marijuana in the Sacramento area is in the crosshairs.

The first compliant filed is for repeated negligent acts, and the second complaint was filed for failure to maintain records.

When asked about these allegations Dr. Allen vehemently denied any wrong doing whatsoever. Instead Dr. Allen claimed that falsehoods had been perpetuated by the Deputy Attorney General Jannsen Tan along with his investigators, and that these untruths had been concocted. by the department under the guise of evidence.

Additionally Dr. Allen claims that the medical board contacted him in early 2013 to inquire about a patients records.

When his staff asked for the date the patient was seen, the investigator could not provide that, and the doctors office subsequently could not locate the records. Only after the compliant was filed was the date of the patients appointment revealed. Immediately the records were located and produced to investigators, but that was not sufficient. The ball was already in motion by the agency to remove Dr. Allen's medical license. Attempts to reach Jannsen Tan for his comments about this case were unsuccessful.

In a pre-hearing conference before presiding Administrative Law Judge Dian Vorters, the cards of the medical board were laid out for all to see.

With the testimony of 3 medial board investigators,four patients, and expert witness Dr. Palinasime the medical board claimed that it would establish that Dr. Allen was not providing the adequate standard of care for his patients.

Dr. Allen in his defense had produced 50 witness statements and expert witness testimony of his own with MD Laurence Badgely. The highly respected medical marijuana physician was not alone in his fight to keep practicing medicine, over 35 supporters crammed into a small hearing room. Judge Vorters showed strong discretion and was kind enough to allow them all to remain in the room, despite these types of hearings normally being closed to the public. January 21st Dr. Allen is returning to defend his license to practice medicine and issue medical marijuana recommendations.

Eric Salerno is a Salem-News.com writer from Butte County, California. His background is with State and Federal Agencies assisting in recovery efforts in disaster stricken states.

In 2008 he began advocating for medical marijuana in his home state. This journey began after the supervisors in his district of Butte County enacted a moratorium on legal Prop. 215 patients rights to access and grow their own medicine. He was one of only 10 people to show up at the meeting and voice his concerns with their actions.

That year a coalition of mores than 300 residents was formed and a Vote NO on measure A campaign began. These residents of Butte County united to stop the interference of the county.

This campaign was successful with a large voter drive initiative and media campaign securing 55% of the voters saying NO on measure A.

Today Eric works endlessly from Southern California to Northern California advising and implementing political tactics, to ensure every Californian has the right to access legal safe medicine under the law.