Nurses with Medical Marijuana Cards.

Nurses General Nursing

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A new topic for you all to consider; is it legal in your facility for nurses to have medical marijuana cards and of course that use them. Anyone have experience with a nurse testing positive and not fired?

db2xs said:
Which ... is why really, we need better regulated cannabis products and more robust research.

THC is the cannabinoid that makes you "high." CBD has already been scientifically proven that it works great for pain and seizures and other things, and it does not make you "high."

My mom has a medical card and uses CBD. She was able to quit using Ambien nightly for sleep and Tramadol for chronic pain within a month. Her husband's blood pressure has also lowered since using it. They also live in a state where recreational use is legal. I am excited to watch the research in years to come about CBD since there are already so many documented benefits.

As for myself, I tried MJ for the 1st time about a month ago at the age of 37 while in a legal state on a ski trip. Before anyone has a conniption fit, I do not work right now and will not be returning to work for at least another year. I got a mild high (hubby and I went slow so we didn't overdo it), and then I went to sleep. My "high" consisted of giggling my head off at the TV. Woke up the next morning and felt totally normal.

I think that as time goes on, more and more people will see MJ less scary than it has been portrayed. I abhor alcohol and can hardly believe that with 200Billion in costs each year and thousands of deaths that it is still legal. Sad.

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There are 400 compounds involved in marijuana. Many compounds in Cannabidiol (CBD) are not psychoactive and indicated for the treatment for many conditions. Watch Sanjay Gupta WEED. Several series available. It is free online. There is also the American Cannabis Nurse's Association which provides education, membership and certification programs

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I wrote a paper on this not long ago. The discrepancy lies between federal scheduling and state law. There is a currently a gray area between what is legal nationally and what is legal state by state. The Federal classification of marijuana remains at schedule I, which by definition, denotes that marijuana currently has no accepted medical use in the United States, and a high potential for abuse. There are many states that have allowed it for medical use and a handful that has allowed it for both medical and recreational use. However, it remains a schedule I controlled substance. Therefore, if it is found in your system it is up to whichever governing body that is looking at your test results to determine what the outcome will be. On the other hand, narcotics are a schedule II drug controlled substance which has a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, but it does have medical use and therefore may be prescribed.

Many marijuana producers often operate under the fear of not knowing if they will be raided by federal agents and have their supply and proceeds confiscated as there is still no clear guidelines on what is acceptable and what is not. You can operate under state law and obey all requirements but are still breaking federal law and can face jail time. Therefore, as a licensed professional, it is not wise to test positive for marijuana. If you test positive for narcotics but have a valid prescription you are fine, but even if you have a prescription for marijuana you can lose your license and your job. Until that gray area is closed and federal and state law begin to correlate, there is danger in any medical professional using marijuana. Not forgetting that the metabolites of marijuana stay in your system for much longer than narcotics which only have a half life of 4 hours and a metabolic footprint of about 5 days.

Lastly, as other readers have stated, at the end of the day, hospitals and employers make their own rules and if they choose to terminate for a positive screen they will, regardless of the federal vs state law issue.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Maintaining a nursing license, and working as a nurse absolutely can not coexist with pot smoking, in any state . Medical card, state/ federal legality regardless.

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A narcotic?

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There are plenty of nurses who take mind altering substances including any psychotics, anxiolytics, SSRI's while working. Believe me. Because you smoke weed doesn't mean you come to work high much like those who enjoy an adult beverage or 10 once off shift don't come to work drunk, at least let's hope not.

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I'm in California. An old boyfriend filed a complaint with the BON alleging that I use marijuana and starting that I have psychiatric problems and that I am impaired at work.

I have depression and adhd, and I see a psych and take meds. My work is flawless. I do have a medical marijuana card, and I would test positive if tested right now.

Do I need an attorney? Will they contact my employer? Will there be an investigation? All I got so far was a letter informing me of the complaint - no response deadline was included.

Anyone with experience with this type of situation?

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petcorrector said:
I'm in California. An old boyfriend filed a complaint with the BON alleging that I use marijuana and starting that I have psychiatric problems and that I am impaired at work.

I have depression and adhd, and I see a psych and take meds. My work is flawless. I do have a medical marijuana card, and I would test positive if tested right now.

Do I need an attorney? Will they contact my employer? Will there be an investigation? All I got so far was a letter informing me of the complaint - no response deadline was included.

Anyone with experience with this type of situation?

I'm not in a position to give anyone legal advice, and am not doing so here, but I will say that, if I were in that situation, I would not consider dealing with the Board without a lawyer experienced with dealing with the Board. Do you have professional liability (malpractice) insurance that will provide (or pay for) legal representation? If so, have you notified your insurance provider yet?

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petcorrector said:
I'm in California. An old boyfriend filed a complaint with the BON alleging that I use marijuana and starting that I have psychiatric problems and that I am impaired at work.

I have depression and adhd, and I see a psych and take meds. My work is flawless. I do have a medical marijuana card, and I would test positive if tested right now.

Do I need an attorney? Will they contact my employer? Will there be an investigation? All I got so far was a letter informing me of the complaint - no response deadline was included.

Anyone with experience with this type of situation?

I have no experience with this type of situation, but I'd stay come to a full stop right now with the marijuana. I've read and heard that the CA BON is very slow when it comes to responding to complaints (and everything else). Hopefully, this might work in your favor? If it does go further, definitely consult with a lawyer that specializes in board issues.

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Question im a nurse and live in a state that does not have medical marijuana yet, but will proscribe meronol . Ive been out of work for 5 months from a work related accident.

My pcp has me on pain meds short acting, its not helping, but i also take for chronic back issues (bars, screws, fusions) i am also being treated for MS but not dx yet. I never take meds at work. I work pills around schedule. When accident happened they drug tested , i passed , no doubt i wouldnt.

So now ortho through workers comp wants me on long lasting meds and use what i have as short acting since i only get 2 a day.

My question is meronol is synthetic and if i have an rx for it would it help with pain, and i got hired on other pain meds and benzos, and muscle relaxers so what would i have to do to see if they will treat meronol the same, or will it be treated like i was smoking the real stuff, im getting ready to ask pcp for rx. But can i lose my workers comp, nursing license or job and how do i find out. Of course I would not use at work and only when in pain. How long does synthetic last in system before it hits its peak verses pot. I know the longer you are on any meds the longers it takes to get out of systems. Im facing a knee replacement, are these questions i need to ask ortho through workers comp or pcp. Any advise would be helpful. I just want to walk and work in no pain. ( ive done pt for 9 weeks, steroid injections, synthetic material in joints, 4 weeks of more therapy .

Thank you kab

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I agree that nurses should not be under mind-altering substances, but aren't US Government pharmaceuticals mind-altering? I think marijuana is the least damaging drug out there. It's comical that nurses who test positive for weed are fired and nurses who do not test positive but are on pharmaceuticals are ok. Most nurses who take the "mind-altering" pharmaceuticals such as Paxil, Gabapentin, Prozac, and Ativan are not always the best. People who injest marijuana for behavioral health issues are not know for being out of control. If the drug is controlled by the user, it should be permissible.

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Marijuana is a better drug than most pharmaceuticals. I think it's bologna that a nurse would be fired due to use of this drug. Most adults these days takes MANY drugs. As a nurse, you should KNOW that drugs do help with certain issues. Then again, we are all made as different individuals and not everybody has the same viewpoint. What makes for a great nurse: a calm, intelligent, quick to act, compassionate, hardworking, attentive indivividual. Marijuana is harmless in my eyes. Legalizing weed will make the government lose too much money obviously. And the "higher-ups" in pharmaceuticals will lose extensive amounts of money by distributing bud as a substitute to the pill mill craze. It's all about money. Welcome to the 21st century, or rather, the crave of human kind. It's a sad place we live in. Smoke more pot y'all!

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