25 Investigates

Pot doc suspended, medical marijuana clinic under investigation in trooper's death

BOSTON — FOX25 Investigates has learned Massachusetts is investigating a group of medical marijuana clinics tied to a pot patient who prosecutors said plowed into and killed a state trooper on the Massachusetts Turnpike in March.

One of the doctors linked to those clinics has already had his medical license suspended, FOX25 uncovered.
State officials suspended the medical license for Dr. John C. Nadolny for improperly recommending patients for medical marijuana.

The state’s physician licensing board found that Nadolny had approved 5,792 medical marijuana patients as of last week.

Nadolny is associated with Canna Care Docs, a group of clinics throughout the state which certifies patients seeking a medical marijuana card.

Canna Care confirms the company is currently under investigation for approving medical marijuana use for David Njuguna, who prosecutors said had marijuana in his system when he hit and killed State Trooper Thomas Clardy as he sat stopped in his cruiser on the side of the Mass pike.

“Canna Care is cooperating fully with the investigation into Mr. Njuguna…Canna Care stands behind its medical staff and insures all state government regulations are complied with,” said Michael Maloney, attorney for Canna Care Docs.

Several nurse practitioners who worked at Canna Care told FOX25 Investigates that they were given the authority to evaluate, diagnose and certify patients for medical marijuana cards – using paperwork that had Nadolny’s name and medical license number.

Massachusetts law requires doctors – not nurses – to have a "bonafide" relationship with a patient before recommending them for medical marijuana.

Gov. Charlie Baker spoke with FOX25 about what we found and said the Department of Public Health, which oversees medical marijuana in the state, has been in “constant contact” with the Board of Registration in Medicine, which suspected Nadolny’s medical license last night.

“I don’t know when DPH was aware of the doctor’s role,” said Baker. “I do know that DPH and the Board of Registration in Medicine trade a lot of data and information so that they can support the work that the Board of Registration in Medicine does.”

Baker said he is still waiting for the results of the state’s investigation into Trooper Clardy’s death.