Medical marijuana, role of the nurse, professional organization

Nurses Medications

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It would be nice if we could have an intelligent and professional discussion about this topic without a whole lot of judgement going on. I tried to find an appropriate topic before stating a new one but many (most? all?) of them have been closed.

Right up front I'd like to say that federal law and state law clash on the use of marijuana in a medical contex, so there's no need for anyone to state that again. Also, the action of any state's Board of Nursing is unknown, and should be researched by those who have questions. (So, call them and ask! And let us know what you've been told.) If you know of documented cases of license suspension or revocation, provide links to verifiable information, but please, no scary stories without facts.

I started by Googling the question "What is the role of the nurse in a marijuana dispensary?" My state is one of the ones that recently approved medical marijuana use and will soon be accepting applications for dispensaries. It's an occupational setting I would consider, so I am interested in hearing from nurses who work in dispensaries or clinics.

msslim said:
You all shoould watch the documentary by Dr. Sanjay Gupta called Weed. It came on CNN on 8-11-13 but you can probably find it online or catch a rerun. It was very interesting, showing how marijuana basically helped save a 5 year old little girl's life in Colorado and helped some other people with their health conditions. They explained the chemical breakdown of it and how it affects the brain, etc.

The more I research cannabis the more stories I hear about people who are helped. I have never heard of a person that was actually harmed. We really need to stop acting like children and actually help our patients. I am not sure why nurses feel like they can't think for themselves.

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Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

I had an oncologist recently tell me all about the evils of medical marijuana...he said (sneeringly) in conclusion that "basically it's just a legal way to get high".

Uhhhh excuse me, but what about all the oxycontin, dilaudid, fentanyl...I could go on and on...that you prescribe? Lots fewer benefits and you still get high. At least with marijuana cancer patients could get some real relief without many of the nasty side effects of opioids.

JMHO!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
FineAgain said:
I had an oncologist recently tell me all about the evils of medical marijuana...he said (sneeringly) in conclusion that "basically it's just a legal way to get high".

Uhhhh excuse me, but what about all the oxycontin, dilaudid, fentanyl...I could go on and on...that you prescribe? Lots fewer benefits and you still get high. At least with marijuana cancer patients could get some real relief without many of the nasty side effects of opioids.

JMHO!

I know quite a few oncologists from some pretty reputable settings and they all appreciate the fact that cannabis DOES offer some symptom relief for SOME of their patients.

Any oncologist who is willing to consider it only a "legal way to get high" is poorly informed and should be avoided, IMHO.

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This is to the person who wrote the first negative comment.

What is important here is to realize that marijuana was a part of the United States Pharmacopeia since 1851 and was only removed due to an activist used by the U.S government once alcohol prohibition was over. Alcohol was once illegal but you see its is now sold on the shelves at most stores. Alcohol is actually non-beneficial to health and the government learned of the profits they could gain from taxing it and now it is legal. Thats exactly what is going to happen with marijuana. Actually the human body can not be harmed much with the use of it unless a person smokes something like 15lbs in 15 minutes which is not possible. The human body has specific receptors that interact with it, which in turn help release cannabanoids which can kill cancer cells. That is just one example. You really should research things if you are going to treat patients. It will only help you to be a better nurse.

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I can't ever imagine a dispensary needing a nurse? You don't need a nurse when you purchase advil or aspirin. I would think that before dispensed, the usual "have you taken this medication before"? would be asked and the pharmacist would go over it and that is it. Since I have lived my entire life in California, I think we here just don't give a hoot about this as it is so common.

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toomuchbaloney said:
I know quite a few oncologists from some pretty reputable settings and they all appreciate the fact that cannabis DOES offer some symptom relief for SOME of their patients.

Any oncologist who is willing to consider it only a "legal way to get high" is poorly informed and should be avoided, IMHO.

Exactly....and alcohol is just a legal way to get drunk, yet nobody bats an eye at it.

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Did you accept the position? and if you did can you share your experience so far? I am currently doing my NP and would like to get into this type of role when I am done.

Amber

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I am also very interested in the growing role of Registered Nurses in cannabis medicine. I found this article a few months ago posted by American Cannabis Nurses Association.

"Nurses can fill the gap between patients and dispensary staff. As a profession, we are trained to look at the whole picture and treat the patient holistically. We take an oath to do no harm and to advocate for the patient's rights. Nurses are altruistic by nature and seek to relieve the suffering of others. Our training compliments cannabis medicine perfectly...Treatment is not a one size fits all and nurses are able to individualize the care. Nurses could make the difference between success and failure for a patient. It's time to bring more nurses to cannabis medicine."

https://eloisetheisen.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/why-nurses-are-vital-to-the-medical-cannabis-community/

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Nautinikki said:
I am also very interested in the growing role of Registered Nurses in cannabis medicine. I found this article a few months ago posted by American Cannabis Nurses Association.

"Nurses can fill the gap between patients and dispensary staff. As a profession, we are trained to look at the whole picture and treat the patient holistically. We take an oath to do no harm and to advocate for the patient's rights. Nurses are altruistic by nature and seek to relieve the suffering of others. Our training compliments cannabis medicine perfectly...Treatment is not a one size fits all and nurses are able to individualize the care. Nurses could make the difference between success and failure for a patient. It's time to bring more nurses to cannabis medicine."

https://eloisetheisen.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/why-nurses-are-vital-to-the-medical-cannabis-community/

A very poorly written article. First, we do not take an oath to "do no harm" (that's the Hippocratic Oath). Secondly, she means "complement" not "compliment". That's just in the snippet you quoted, I didn't bother to click the link to read the actual article.

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klone said:
A very poorly written article. First, we do not take an oath to "do no harm" (that's the Hippocratic Oath). Secondly, she means "complement" not "compliment". That's just in the snippet you quoted, I didn't bother to click the link to read the actual article.

Besides which, how much nursing assistance do people need to smoke dope??

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This is a very closed minded and distasteful response to a valid and honest question. Cannabis is an herb with many proven medical benefits. Please educate yourself before spreading your uneducated and fear based opinions.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I don't have an opinion either way on MM. I don't think the average person cares much one way or the other if a person with Cancer , Glaucoma, Fibro or other pain syndromes smokes it. Last year I read an article about steeping the leaves in a tea and drinking it as a treatment for fibromyalgia. If I wasn't a nurse I just might try it. To me that seems much less harmful than opiates. Still as I am subject to testing at any time, and I have been before the board and in diversion for Alcoholism I just won't go there. Like other "Natural" substances W/O FDA approval there is no telling the purity and strength of what you are getting. I have had two patients in the Geri Setting on Marinol (Marajuana Pills) that did help with appetite and nausea but it never seemed to make them high in anyway.

Add to that is the fact that there is no such thing in the (US anyway) of a prescription for MM. Physicians write a recommendation (Not A prescription). In California there are Physicians making a fortune by selling these recommendations for anywhere from $50.00 to $200.00.

The recommendation cannot be written on a prescription pad and must include one of the 11 conditions approved for MM in California. It must be signed and dated by the physician and state something to the effect " Patients suffers from nausea and vomiting R/T Cancer treatments and may benefit from MM"

I don't see the roll of a nurse in a MM dispensary unless you as a nurse are planning to open one yourself. There is a school in Sonoma County in California that teaches people how to grow, prepare and join a collective to market their product, but I am not sure about the particulars.

I was watching an episode of "COPS" one night and the officer pulled over a trunk he suspected had illegal alien's in the back but what he found was a truck full off marijuana plants. This was one of the states where marijuana is legal. so he cited the driver for a broken taillight and sent him on his way.

Hppy

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