Will marijuana ever be okay in nursing?

[Bakingismylife]

Okay I realize my username isn't the best for this topic... anyways

Let's talk about marijuana. The fact that it's illegal is mindblowing. Let's ban a plant but not life crippling narcotics. We all know that marijuana is safer than alcohol.

Unfortunately with the weed being legal in certain states, I feel like the BON wouldn't care about those laws. Plus being illegal on a federal level (what.) doesn't help either.

So do you guys think weed will ever be okay in nursing? I hope one day it will be. To be honest, with all the stress (mentally and physically) we go through, a joint might be extremely beneficial. What do you guys think?

[K9lover, ASN, RN]

I would say marijuana is not likely to lead to addiction in people not prone to it. Although I did not care for it when I was young and drank I would not chance it but I am addiction-prone. I doubt that anyone who drinks a glass of wine with dinner would go nuts on it.

[Dixie Darlin]

I honestly think it should be. With it becoming legal all over. Alcohol is legal but its addicting dangerous life threatening at times. With the side effects of the things that are legal compared to the side effects pot Im lost to why it isnt legal yet. I know if it were legal Id smoked. But just like any mind altering substance it shouldn't be taken while caring for patients.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I think it is unfortunate that nurses cannot use it for symptom relief and/or anti-anxiety to a limited degree (not before work etc.). It seems safer than many of the legal drugs used for these purposes.

However, since it is illegal I certainly wouldn't stay in any area where anyone was using it so as not to ever risk my license.

I think some day it will be legal, but I still doubt the BON will ever allow it for nurses.

[wondern, ASN]

I agree with CrunchRN. Plus alcohol gives some people the shakes when they don't have it which can highly affect dexterous skills. Cannabis does not do that. Did you ever see a surgeon with the shakes? It's rather frightening.

Also cannabis does not pickle your liver.

To say someone should choose another profession because they use cannabis is unrealistic to say the least.

[wondern, ASN]

Is it okay that people use Xanax everyday at work or not? Same difference but ones legal and ones not. Is it okay that people come in wreaking of alcohol from drinking all night the night before? Happens all the time because it's legal. Is that right? I personally would prefer a cannabis user as my caregiver than either of the above. The ridiculous part is it's not legal yet so all people can have a choice that's legal.

Maybe since Trumps supposedly such a smart businessman he'll do something about it. Imagine the taxes!

[maxthecat]

OK, if the problem is that it is "a mind altering substance," then I guess we need to get rid of all the psych meds, too.

[LovingLife123]

Work in trauma sometime and then tell me there's nothing wrong with marijuana and it's safer than alcohol.

You want some relief from the stress of nursing? Go work out at the gym. Best stress reliever ever. The best 60 minutes of my day.

Opioids have their place. Perhaps not as much as they have been used in the past, but they most certainly have their place. For someone who is in pain and takes as prescribed, they do not cause addiction. It's when people take more than prescribed or when they no longer need them that addiction occurs.

I'm also tired of hearing how marijuana "cures" absolutely everything. Along with apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, and whatever else "natural" is out there.

You are looking for an escape from your stress. So does the alcoholic, the oxy addict, the heroin addict.

[elkpark]

To say someone should choose another profession because they use cannabis is unrealistic to say the least.

It's hardly "unrealistic" if the profession in question doesn't permit cannabis use. How dumb does someone have to be to put her/his license and livelihood at risk over a recreational drug?

[wondern, ASN]

It's not a matter of how dumb, elkpark, respectfully. It's a matter of reality. People are using it medicinally and now some recreationally as well, legally. Its found to be helpful, for some very helpful.

People do dumb stuff on opiates more and more everyday. Have you noticed on the news how many addicts lately are found passed out in their cars, OD'd in the parking lots of convenience stores, with their babies in the back in the car seat??? They're sooo addicted they can't live without it physically without harsh physical withdrawals. Something has got to be done about this opioid crisis and cannabis may help or even may be the answer to the problem.

People also do really dumb stuff on alcohol, maybe more so than cannabis. Who knows? Someone on here said their husband who was a law enforcement officer said cannabis users in general seemed to be much less belligerent to deal with than alcohol users so...who knows? It just needs to be studied more. Maybe it could help society as a whole. Who knows?

Both opiates and alcohol are physically addictive, correct? I believe so. Is cannabis? Not physically, I don't think.

Plus now that some more progressive states are legalizing cannabis for recreational use wouldn't that be discriminatory to allow drinkers but not cannabis users? I don't know??? I guess an employer can do whatever they want really.

Times are changing and we need to study these issues not only for our patients but also for ourselves if so desired.

All change has to start with awareness of the problem, right? That's not dumb, is it?

Opiates are being used where something much less harmful or addictive or killing could be used in its place. I don't call that dumb. I call that speaking out.

A lot of good young people are dying from opioid addiction. Lots of babies are being left without parents. Something has got to give.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Plus now that some more progressive states are legalizing cannabis for recreational use wouldn't that be discriminatory to allow drinkers but not cannabis users?

No, it would not be "discriminatory" legally because neither drinkers nor cannabis users are a protected class. Nor are smokers, the obese, or opiate users with legal prescriptions. Facilities may choose not to hire any of the above if they so desire. Or they may hire one and not the other.

[No Stars In My Eyes]

You are looking for an escape from your stress. So does the alcoholic, the oxy addict, the heroin addict.

'... As an extremely intelligent man said one time, "SO?" '

[Thank you Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy]

[Polskijames]

I think it totally should be okay, I'm right there with you. And to the people going on about it being bad for your health in terms of smoking I've got news....go into a dispensary and there are other ways of taking it (edibles, transdermal, liquid drops, pills, etc). I don't know if any of you listen to Dr drew, but he cites studies that show marijuana is not an addictive substance, is an adjunct to opioid therapy and can actually help people get OFF of them, and can help with mental illness...in addition to nausea, seizures, etc. I've been told that some hospitals in the rec states no longer routinely test for it. I also know it's up to the employer whether they want to tolerate use. But, why is a nightly CBD joint cap a problem when it isn't having any effect on my performance as a nurse or employee? Maybe if it was federally legal the boards might come around. Personally, I think it would be up to some state boards on whether they would not prosecute a license because of marijuana use. I could see CA or OR BoNs not disciplining nurses if they tested positive, but I still think we're a long way from that time. I can tell you that when I worked in CA no one cared, the physicians, the staff, it was a regular part of their lives. East of the continental divide is a different story.