can nurses in California practice if they are receiving prescription cannabis?

[ksparks]

I practice as a nurse in NC and I have chronic pain along with several other medical problems and I have been given such a hard time by my employer about taking pain medication. The last employer said I wasnt allowed to take it less than 4 hrs before my shift and not during my 12 hr shift. I was subjected to frequent drug test during and after my shifts all because i disclosed to employee health upon hire of my medical issues and list of scripts. The Nurse practice act of NC doesnt address it. The only thing i have found is that it states a nurse cannot work if they are intoxicated or not able to perform. I have been taking pain meds for years and I have no side effects on them now, my body is used to it. I found its much harder to perform in pain. I might cut corners because i hurt and the pain is distracting.

Anyway. I know that medical cannabis is used in CA and wondered how employers react to nurses that use it. Is there anything in the Nurse Practice act of CA that addresses it. Of course im not going to go into work blazing high or anything but if its not allowed on work days can they use it on days off because as far as i know there is no test that can tell how long ago you used it.

[dope a mine]

Almost all hospitals will drug test, and if you test positive for THC you will fail the drug test. Even though it is legal in CA, hospitals can still deny employment if you test positive. I think that is very unfortunate because cannabis is really a great and powerful medication. The drug screening is unfair because THC metabolites stay in your system for a long time, thus the testing does not measure impairment. And the laws regarding cannabis are so outdated and strictly political rather than scientific. Hopefully that changes one day!

[mlbluvr]

Tricky. Even as they legalized medical marijuana, in 2012 they passed a zero tolerance marijuana DUI law in CA. If you are tested, and any trace of THC or metabolites is found in your system, it is considered an automatic drug DUI.

[mlbluvr]

Even trickier, CA also passed a law in 2012 that a nursing license (and a teaching certficate) can be revoked upon conviction of a first DUI. So while medical marijuana may be 'legal' in CA, is it really, knowing that you are at constant risk of a DUI, and then can lose your nursing license? Knowing this, I don't see the CA BON approving marijuana use in my lifetime. And if they don't, I also don't see employers allowing it, either.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Although the acceptance of medical marijuana is growing (pardon the pun) in CA, the CA BRN still does not smile upon MJ abuse...and neither do most employers here.

Also, keep in mind that marijuana can NOT be legally prescribed in CA--or anywhere in the US for that matter--as it remains a Schedule I controlled substance. Physicians can only recommend it use. So the "it's prescribed!" argument is dead in the water.