“After an extensive investigation involving law enforcers from 11 counties, the Medical Board of California — led by doctors who learned nothing about cannabis in medical school and never employed it in clinical practice — decided in April 2004 to discipline the state’s foremost authority in the field of cannabis therapeutics. Tod Mikuriya, MD, was put on probation for five years, subjected to supervision by a ‘practice monitor,’ and fined $75,000 for the cost of his own prosecution. Instead of accepting the punishment, the Berkeley-based psychiatrist has gone to great expense to appeal the decision. ‘It’s the principle of the thing,’ says Dr. Mikuriya without irony.” (02/12/06)