A Cranston doctor has been reprimanded by the state Department of Health for unprofessional conduct and failing to research the medical histories of two teenage girls he prescribed medical marijuana.
Soneath L. Pond, a licensed doctor in Rhode Island since 1999, signed a consent order today agreeing, in essence, that he did not adequately review the two girls' medical records which resulted in the interference of their respective treatments for anorexia and ADHD and anxiety.
The health department's investigation concluded that Pond, who resigned from the facility where he worked reviewing medical marijuana patients "due to concerns over that facility's protocols," violated state minimum standards for practicing medicine and malpractice.
On one occasion, Pond wrote a certification for 16-year-old identified as Patient and recommended that she be issued a medical marijuana card.
Pond did review medical records in her file and talked to her mother, he "failed to perform a full history and assessment of Patient A," which meant he didn't realize she was diagnosed with anorexia and her doctors at Hasbro Children's Hospital had told the patient and her mother that the pot would interfere with her other treatments.
On Patient A's application for the medical marijuana card, Pond noted she suffered from cachexia, not anorexia, and "therefore did not have a valid reason permitted by law for the issuance of the medical marijuana card," the consent order states.
The other girl, Patient B, was diagnosed with ADHD, migraines and anxiety and Hasbro doctors said the marijuana was "contraindicated for her care and interfering with her other treatments." Just like with Patient A, Pond apparently did not go beyond a basic review of Patient B's medical records and a conversation with her mother.
By signing the consent order, Pond agreed to waive his right to appeal the reprimand.
"This recommendation is made in light of [Pond's] cooperation with a related investigation and the changes he made proptly to his standards of practice after being notified by the board," the consent order states. "His resignation from the facility predated notifications of any concerns of the Board."
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