

The report released to lawmakers found that 12 physicians were responsible for 50 percent of the current 108,000 medical marijuana "red cards" as of March.


The vast majority of red-card holders, 94 percent, got referrals after complaining of "severe pain," according to the audit. One percent of patients got a referral because they had AIDS or HIV, 3 percent were cancer patients, and 1 percent had glaucoma, according to the audit.

Auditors said that the Department of Public Health and Environment, which oversees the medical marijuana registry, has not referred physicians to the Colorado Medical Board for investigation since January 2011. Auditors recommended that the department increase its oversight by revising its physician certification form so that doctors explain why they're making a recommendation and attest that they don't have ties to any medical marijuana business.

Auditors accused the health department of "weak controls" over the doctors recommending pot.


The result, they said, is a broad perception that medical marijuana cards go to people who aren't sick.


Department officials agreed to strengthen oversight of recommending physicians. The department also agreed to work with the state medical board to identify risk factors that signal potentially inappropriate doctor referrals—another audit recommendation.


However, auditors asked whether the state's current system of having marijuana patients designate a single dispensary as their medical pot provider should be changed now that pot is legal without a doctor's recommendation.

"A new approach may be warranted for ensuring that marijuana providers are not producing more marijuana than is needed by patients with legitimate medical needs," auditors wrote. "The requirement for patients to affiliate with dispensaries may no longer make sense with the legalization of recreational marijuana."


Finally, auditors faulted the health department for charging patients more than needed to run the program. The health department's cash fund ended the 2012 fiscal year with a $12 million surplus, money that came from individuals paying $35 annual fees. The cash fund isn't intended to be a money-maker for the health department, just to cover the costs of running the marijuana program.





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