Medical board charges psychiatrist Paul F. Reardon with drug violation, lying to police and board re: pot smoking

May 12, 2011

On April 20, 2011, the Medical Board of California issued an Accusation against psychiatrist Paul Frances Reardon, charging him with unprofessional conduct. 

According to the Board's document, on about November 13, 2007, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from a citizen reporting a drunk driver.  The license plate reported corresponded to Reardon’s vehicle. 

Laguna Beach Police visited Reardon’s home later that day and advised him they’d received a call from the Sheriff’s Department about his driving. Reardon admitted he shifted between traffic lanes but it was because he’d turned around to talk to his children, who he was driving home from a karate lesson.  The officer asked Reardon if he had any “pot” in the car and Reardon replied that he did not.  However, when Reardon opened the car at the officer’s request, the officer noted a strong odor of marijuana and subsequently requested Reardon retrieve it from the vehicle.  Reardon removed a plastic bag containing 16.36 grams of marijuana, rolling papers, one joint and one smoked joint. 

Reardon received a misdemeanor citation for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.  Reardon completed an eight-hour drug diversion program and the court dismissed the matter. 

In addition to a violation of the state drug or federal drug law, the Board has also charged him with use of self-administering of a controlled substance, unprofessional conduct and dishonesty or corruption, for having lied to the Board in a March 2011 interview in connection with his use and possession of marijuana.

Source: Accusation in the Matter of the Accusation Against Paul Frances Reardon, M.D., Physician and Surgeon Certificate No. A 49699, Case No. 04-2008-193568, Before the Medical Board of California Department of Consumer Affairs.