From staff reports:

A naturopathic physician with offices in Whatcom and King counties has been charged with using his medical license to sell marijuana.

According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the license of Yuel L. Boyce was immediately suspended upon discovery of his activities.

According to the DOH, Boyce “is charged with using his naturopathic license to profit from patients seeking authorization for medical marijuana without providing naturopathic care or treatment.” Boyce also violated the state’s laws regarding medicinal marijuana when he provided the marijuana at the same location that he was was issuing authorizations for medical marijuana.

Boyce’s playing fast and loose with the state’s medical marijuana laws was uncovered during a Bellingham Police Department last January, according to the DOH. It’s alleged that Boyce “didn’t require medical records, or adequately examine, diagnose, and determine whether…patients qualified for medical marijuana.”

Boyce is alleged to have “signed authorizations for each patient before a superficial review of their medical complaints.”

It’s also alleged that Boyce, after receiving a cash payment from patients, distributed “peanut butter cups infused with marijuana.” A DOH investigator interviewed Boyce in mid-September, at which time Boyce is alleged to have admitted that he provided the medical marijuana products to patients.

The naturopathic physician has 20 days to request a hearing with the state’s Board of Naturopathy, and may not practice until these charges are resolved. For more information, visit www.doh.wa.gov.