CBD oil Medical Marijuana Products and drug tests during nursing school

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Hello, I am currently in an RN program (associates 2 year). I have a disability the school is aware of my disability. Due to this medical disability I take several medications (via current prescriptions) at night. The prescriptions I take have possible side effects (memory, cognitive ect over time). I found out recently that I qualify for medical marijuana. I am wondering if CBD oil could be an effective and safer substitute for the synthetic meds I take. I would like to stop the synthetic meds because I worry what they might do to my brain over time. I have tried living med- free for periods of time and life was so painful I wanted to die. I haven't tried switching over to CBD oil yet because I worry it will show up on a drug test. I was drug tested upon entry into the nursing program. I passed- the meds I take aren't the kind that would make me fail a drug test. I'm worried if I do switch from synthetic meds to CBD oil that I will test positive on a drug test. I'm worried that if I stick with the synthetic meds I take I will end up with early Alzheimers. The Board of nursing in my state does not make allowances for medical marijuana users. If a nurse tests positive they lose their license. What do you guys think I should do? I don't know if/ when I will be drug tested again in this program. Becoming a nurse is very important to me- I feel it is my calling. My brain is also very important to me- I don't want to end up with early Alzheimers.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Most (read that- almost all) employers are going to drug test you. ALL drugs (including CBD oil) have 'possible side effects'.

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Thank you for your input! I am aware that most (possibly all) places of employment drug test medical staff, I am glad they do and I feel they should. From what I've researched the side effects of CBD oil (if any) aren't nearly as malignant as the meds I am on currently and have very little THC. Hence the dilemma. I am still hoping for some advice.

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If the BON in your state does not make allowances then I would not take the risk. Even the smallest amounts may still show up and I would hate to have your hard work go down the drain. At the same time, consider whether or not your health is more important than becoming a nursing. You say you don't want to get Alzheimer's early, but want job could you do otherwise? Can the medications you are using potentially result in you causing harm to a patient? I did see you mention over time, but I am also concerned about first doing no harm to a patient.

Discuss what the best decision would be for you with your medical professional. He or she can give you the best advice.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

It depends on the CBD oil as to whether it shows in a drug test. Full spectrum oils that contain the legal limit of THC (

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Hi, thank you for your thoughts and input on my post, I appreciate it! I think you are right, it's not worth the risk of potentially getting kicked out of the program. The meds I take, I take before bedtime, they have worn off by morning and they do not affect my quality of care of patients in clinical. I wish I didn't have to rely on them. I would like to be med free.

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I will PM you, thank you for being open to educate me on this matter and for your input!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

I am sorry to hear that you're between a rock and a hard place.

Please consider the possibility that if you choose to use medical marijuana (as it's legal where you currently live) or CBD that it may not be legal in a state where you want to practice (Rx or not), or it may be prohibited by the terms of your prospective employer (any US Governmental agency - DOD, VA, etc.). So you could jump through all the hurdles and then have difficulty getting a license or a job. This is true even if marijuana is legal in the state where you live. Hang in there.

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Thank you for your reply, you made some very good points! After reading the posts of yours and the other nurses who replied I have decided not to jeopardize my chance at becoming a nurse. I worked very hard to get into the program I'm in. I'm not going to do anything to ruin it even if it means having to rely on meds with potentially horrible side effects instead of switching to CBD oil.

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Check out Kratom for sure. I've heard amazing stories and just recently a friend who started it and fixed his pain. And it's not psychoactive. As of now the feds haven't cracked down on it. Our drug policies don't make any sense though so the landscape might change at some point. CBD oil is good but if there was just a little bit too much THC in one batch you might potentially test positive. Like an athlete with "tainted supplements"

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Specializes in medical surgical.
Check out Kratom for sure. I've heard amazing stories and just recently a friend who started it and fixed his pain. And it's not psychoactive. As of now the feds haven't cracked down on it. Our drug policies don't make any sense though so the landscape might change at some point. CBD oil is good but if there was just a little bit too much THC in one batch you might potentially test positive. Like an athlete with "tainted supplements"

Actually Kratom is illegal in many states. You can go to jail for it in Alabama. Many states are following this as well....i.e Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky among others. I fully expect it will be federally illegal very soon.

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Thank you for your reply, you made some very good points! After reading the posts of yours and the other nurses who replied I have decided not to jeopardize my chance at becoming a nurse. I worked very hard to get into the program I'm in. I'm not going to do anything to ruin it even if it means having to rely on meds with potentially horrible side effects instead of switching to CBD oil.

It is very frustrating. I broke my knee into "a million pieces" (the surgeon's words) a few years ago. I now have "moderate to severe" arthritis and a 10 mg THC gummy bear from Maggie's farm here in Colorado or CBD is the only thing that would help when my knee is really vexing me (which happens maybe 1/month). Well, only non-narcotic thing. None of the prescription NSAIDs come close.

But now that I'm in RN school I don't use that or CBD. It's just not worth the risk. And with jobs hair-testing it's REALLY not worth the risk. Even with just using CBD you could test positive.

Our country is backward as hell when it comes to this.

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