JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli doctor was arrested on suspicion that he took bribes to write recommendations for patients to receive medical marijuana.
The 64-year-old anesthesiologist manages a department dealing with patient pain at a hospital in central Israel, according to police.
An alleged accomplice also was arrested and accused of bringing in the “patients” and cutting the deals. Ten other alleged accomplices also were arrested, according to police.
Patients must obtain a doctor’s recommendation to receive medical cannabis, which is then approved by the Health Ministry.
The doctor allegedly received more than $3,000 per recommendation for a few dozen patients, according to reports.
Over 22,000 Israelis are medically approved to use cannabis, about two-thirds for chronic pain and another nearly one-third for cancer treatments.
