I have been exploring the possibilities of becoming a cannabis nurse, or aka medical marijuana nurse. There are some programs that claim to certify RNs. I approach cautiously because I am considering the actual possibilities within an emerging field.
My question is what is the career path? Would this just be a sideline? Is there any money to be made (sorry but that's important).
I recently started asking around at the local PA dispensary, spoke to pharmacist. She was confused as to what an RN role would look like.
I am both excited and confused when examining the options. Is there anyone here who has any actual experience as a cannabis RN?
5 of my good friends were a Cannabis nurse. One of them is a co owner of a dispensary shop in MA, 2 in Colorado , and 2 in California. But I also know 3 of my classmates were a Cannabis nurse in Canada and all of them love the job including wages which one of them I knew made over $100K. It's a high demand in states that legalize recreational cannabis. But in order for you to get the job you need to go schooling and take classes for Cannabis as your specialty. Try to search this websites https://cannabisnurses.org/ https://www.msnedu.org/cannabis-nursing/
Specializes in 25 years NICU 5 years Telephone Triage.
There's a company a nurse started that offers a class in cannabis nurse certification for around $1000. It's in person. I looked into it. It mainly describes how a nurse would be a "consultant" to a customer who wants to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. The nurse is taught about the different strains of cannabis and how they work, they would then charge a fee to the customer who comes to the nurse asking which strain would work for their illness. You would be a private consultant.
I cannot see the need for a nurse doing this, so I never pursued it. A person can just go to a dispensary and ask the person working there! I think these courses are just taking your money. There is a cannabis nurse website:
www.cannabisnurses.org
They offer certification too. But I don't see the need for a nurse to do this, and the money would be limited
The lack of validity in many of these responses is exactly why there is a community of nurses available to discuss these opportunities. I am starting on my path to Certified Medical Cannabis Consulting. If you check out the American Cannabis Nurse Association and/or the Cannabis Nurse Network, they will provide a lot of information. Also check out Cansoom for their certificate program and Pacific College for their accredited program for Marijuana for Health Professionals. One thing I will say, just like all certification, you are paying for a piece of paper and peace of mind, however, there are many paths to Cannabis Consulting or even Dispensary Nurse. And the industry is wide open for nurses, so you can really make you own opportunities in the Medical Cannabis arena.
Just food for thought for all you naysayers, 33 states have legalized medicinal use, 11 states have legalized adult recreational use. And the legal market is expected to grow from $3 billion to $143 billion by 2025. In Massachusetts, in 2019 alone, legal sales reached over $420 million. Scientific American reports that cannabis use among adults ages 50-64 has increased by over 60% since 2006 and over 250% for those over age 65.
As Nurses we are advocates for our patients, so who better to understand the endocannabinoid system and the many, many effects that cannabis can have on the body. Budtenders are not trained, educated or certified for that matter. So no, its not a stretch to have nurses work side by side with patients, especially the baby boomers, who are chronically suffering and seeking relief and a symptom free life. To provide education, dosing guidelines, methods of use (many other ways besides smoking) and even recognizing any drug contraindications.
https://www.NCSBN.org/marijuana-guidelines.htm << NCSBN's guidelines for nurses to follow to work with medical marijuana patients. Follow these guidelines and you can work as a Cannabis Nurse whether you have been certified or not.
MedicalMarijuana2020.com << for up to date research and regulations.
Radicle Health << Eloise Theisen is a Prime example of a Cannabis Nurse, Self Employed, making great money
And search on instagram for "Cannabis Nurse" you will find many experienced RNs/NPs
The lack of validity in many of these responses is exactly why there is a community of nurses available to discuss these opportunities. I am starting on my path to Certified Medical Cannabis Consulting. If you check out the American Cannabis Nurse Association and/or the Cannabis Nurse Network, they will provide a lot of information. Also check out Cansoom for their certificate program and Pacific College for their accredited program for Marijuana for Health Professionals. One thing I will say, just like all certification, you are paying for a piece of paper and peace of mind, however, there are many paths to Cannabis Consulting or even Dispensary Nurse. And the industry is wide open for nurses, so you can really make you own opportunities in the Medical Cannabis arena.
Just food for thought for all you naysayers, 33 states have legalized medicinal use, 11 states have legalized adult recreational use. And the legal market is expected to grow from $3 billion to $143 billion by 2025. In Massachusetts, in 2019 alone, legal sales reached over $420 million. Scientific American reports that cannabis use among adults ages 50-64 has increased by over 60% since 2006 and over 250% for those over age 65.
As Nurses we are advocates for our patients, so who better to understand the endocannabinoid system and the many, many effects that cannabis can have on the body. Budtenders are not trained, educated or certified for that matter. So no, its not a stretch to have nurses work side by side with patients, especially the baby boomers, who are chronically suffering and seeking relief and a symptom free life. To provide education, dosing guidelines, methods of use (many other ways besides smoking) and even recognizing any drug contraindications.
https://www.NCSBN.org/marijuana-guidelines.htm << NCSBN's guidelines for nurses to follow to work with medical marijuana patients. Follow these guidelines and you can work as a Cannabis Nurse whether you have been certified or not.
MedicalMarijuana2020.com << for up to date research and regulations.
Radicle Health << Eloise Theisen is a Prime example of a Cannabis Nurse, Self Employed, making great money
And search on instagram for "Cannabis Nurse" you will find many experienced RNs/NPs
Yes! The best post! I just watched the ANA webinar today "Medical Cannabis: Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors" presented by Carey S. Clark, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN. So much information including what you posted here:) I highly recommend this webinar!
According to ANCA there is no national cert recognized yet. The science behind cannabis is huge and more patients are using cannabis you’re right! For those patients who use cannabis, it’s important for doctors and nurses to get educated. I am also looking to branch out into the health coach, holistic, cannabis nurse arena.
I've been curious about the topic myself I am literally just starting in my nursing journey being in pre nursing right now but looking at a lot of venues for where exactly I might wanna land myself in the long run.
Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP
731 Posts
A lot of dispensary employees seem confused all the time...... ?