Compassionate Use Act in Texas

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I am a 100% disabled veteran with ptsd currently working successfully as an RN. 
I am wondering what the implications are for prescribed cannabis use under the care of a physician for disabled RNs. I was under the impression that unless it’s federally legalized even with a prescription for it we can’t legally consume it. Of course this goes without saying that people don’t consume it on the days they work and provide patient care. 
 

This is specifically a question about Texas law. I’ve perused the BON and it’s so dense with information it’s hard to find what I’m looking for. 
I’d like to start travel nursing and I know there will be drug tests. I’m not worried about testing positive for the other medications I’m on because they’re federally legal and I have a prescription. 

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

Unfortunately as an RN in the United State you are not able to use cannabis in any way, and a positive test will result in a notification to the BON which will put your license in jeopardy and likely have you in a recovery-type of program.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Jaded is right. Cannabis use is incompatible with holding a nursing license in most if not all states. It’s not worth the risk of popping positive on a drug test. Don’t do it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You're actually not protected in terms of employment or licensure because a medication is prescribed or federally approved.  There are number of legal medications that employers of direct-care nurses can prohibit an employee to take while at work.  

The Texas compassionate use act does not protect the right of workers in safety-sensitive jobs to use cannabis.

At the same time, use of Cannabis is not actually strictly prohibited by every board of nursing, there are a few that have put out position statements that their only issue is if there is evidence you are impaired while on the job.

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On 11/20/2021 at 3:53 PM, VivaLasViejas said:

Jaded is right. Cannabis use is incompatible with holding a nursing license in most if not all states. It’s not worth the risk of popping positive on a drug test. Don’t do it.

I have to wonder what you mean by “incompatible with holding a nursing license”

To me, telling anyone these days that what they do off the clock under the guidance of physicians makes them less then and they shouldn’t be a nurse isn’t a reflection of objective fact, but of social stigma. Of course no responsible professional would consume and be under the influence at work but what people do at home is their own business. Especially if it’s for medicinal purposes. I really do hope the US catches up and reschedules cannabis so we don’t have to deal with the archaic policies surrounding it. 
 

I also found that the Texas BON only warns against “intemperate use of substances” which seems intentionally vague. I’ve even emailed them to ask specifically for updated guidance to no avail. 

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I’m all in favor of cannabis use when one is off the clock. I’m retired so I can indulge without fear of losing my job if I test positive for THC. But when I was nursing, I knew better than to use because the BON would have been all over it if I’d been caught. Again, I don’t know for sure how many states have this prohibition, my state is very liberal but we have it too.

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