Other states’ legalization of marijuana has had a huge impact on Pennsylvania residents. Pennsylvania has not taken any steps to legalize possession or personal use of marijuana.  Neighboring state’s legalization and lax federal enforcement has resulted in Pennsylvaniauthorities engaging in a heightened enforcement atmosphere, not relaxed one.For example, recently a suburban Philadelphia doctor and his…

On every professional license application, the applicant must truthfully answer all prior criminal arrest and conviction questions. Prior criminal contacts range from minor shoplifting offenses, illegal drug possession offenses, to driving under the influence charges (DWI, DAI or DUI).  Most jurisdictions make no distinction between felony and misdemeanor charges or convictions and admission into pre-trial…

In this “highly sensitive” climate of state license investigations, almost any professional work place complaint can become the basis for a license disciplinary action. It is the manner in which the licensee responds to the first contact from either work, the Board, or a criminal investigator that determines how the investigation will proceed.As I have…

Every licensed professional must respond to every Board proceeding, petition, or order to show cause. An April 4, 2014 case of Joseph Szerencsits, Jr., vs. Board of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Board of Accountancy, 2014 Pa. Commw. Unpub, Lexis 206, discusses this rule. The case is a perfect example why a license must respond to…

On March 12, 2014 the New York Times published an op-ed Why Aren’t Doctors Drug Tested? The opinion piece spells out numerous national cases of drug addicted doctors and nurses engaging in extensive 1) addiction-related malpractice, 2) patient assisted suicide, 3) personal drug overdose, and 4) drug tampering (stealing patient’s medications and shooting up with…