Pubdate: Wed, 22 Dec 2010
Source: Aurora Sentinel (CO)
Copyright: 2010 Aurora Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.aurorasentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1672
Author: Brandon Johansson

MORE TROUBLE FOR ACCUSED MARIJUANA DOCTOR

AURORA - An Aurora doctor arrested last summer and accused of doling
out bogus medical marijuana recommendations can no longer practice
medicine amid new accusations he recommended pot for a pregnant woman.

The Colorado Medical Board last month suspended Manuel
Aquino-Villaman's medical license pending the outcome of an
investigation into allegations he recommended medical marijuana for a
pregnant woman.

The new accusations against Aquino-Villaman were first reported on the
Solutions health policy analysis website, a product of the University
of Colorado School of Public Affairs.

According to Colorado Medical Board documents posted on Solutions
website, Aquino-Villaman is accused of writing a medical marijuana
recommendation for a woman who was 28 weeks pregnant -- without
performing a basic physical or even recognizing she was pregnant.

The state accusations are the latest trouble for Aquino-Villaman.

In July, Aurora police arrested him after they say he gave medical
marijuana recommendations to two undercover officers who should not
have qualified.

According to an arrest affidavit filed against Aquino-Villaman, two
separate Aurora police officers went to Aquino-Villaman's office
undercover to obtain medical marijuana recommendations, the first in
February and the second in April.

Aquino-Villaman's lawyer has said the doctor acted appropriately when
he recommended medical marijuana for the two officers and that, based
on what the officers told the doctor, they should have qualified for
medical marijuana.

Aquino-Villaman is charged with attempting to influence a public
servant, namely the director of the state's medical marijuana
registry, and with forgery, alleging he falsified the medical
marijuana recommendation. Prosecutors have also said they plan to
charge him conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

He is set for arraignment in that case in February.
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MAP posted-by: Matt