Future of marijuana/medical marijuana in nursing?

[antnurse]

Im just very curious as to how doctors that prescribe marijuana in states that have it legalized such as colorado, California and such operate. There are about 10 states this year that are voting on medical marijuana, and lets face it people, it seems to be only a matter of time before the federal government gets involved with it being medically legal everywhere.

No matter what your moral obligations of weed may be, the scientific factors associated with it are inexcusable. Do you think marijuana will soon be an alternative medication doctors may prescribe to patients not interested in getting hooked on harder things such as opiates and other pain killers?

Im also pretty interested in how nurses play a role when you work with/for a doctor that is qualified to prescribe marijuana, anyone work with one and are educated with the process?

I just see this as inevitable, and im curious as to how this movement will turn out, considering medical and recreational marijuana movement is showing no signs of slowing down.

[enuf_already]

In an outpatient setting, the physician would write the Rx, hand it to the patient, and my responsibility as a nurse would be zero.

I guess I could potentially provide patient education, but like any other medication prescribed for home use, I can educate about it but never have contact with it or the Rx.

Knowing the government, they will regulate who can prescribe so they can get their cut of the revenue, so I doubt that every MD will be able or for that matter desire to be licensed to prescribe marijuana.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

No matter what your moral obligations of weed may be, the scientific factors associated with it are inexcusable.

That sentence doesn't make sense. Do you mean the scientific factors associated with it are indisputable? Or something else? And while there is some agreement on the benefits, there is not a solid consensus on the possible negatives. And before you say there are none, think again. Every medication has a price. EVERY single one. It then becomes a matter of risk/benefit.

[antnurse]

The obvious benefits of it. And yes im well aware of the risks, but in my opinion the risks seem minuscule compared to 90% of the other drugs doctors prescribe and people often get hooked on

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I know dozens of people who have been using medical marijuana for years, many for more than 10 years, over the long term at different points, they have experienced some the various side effects such as; amnesia, changes in mood, confusion, delusions, fast/pounding heartbeat, feelings of unreality, hallucinations, mental depression, nervousness and anxiety.

[Farawyn]

Following

[Libby1987]

It's a non issue as far as I can tell. We have a shop in our small rural town and many people have cards, we add it to their med list and that's about it. Not even sure who writes the rx, no one spends two seconds thinking about it, or at least talking about it, I can't say for sure what others are thinking.

Way more concerned about the DUI's secondary to rampant alcohol abuse and the meth issues around here.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

As a nurse, my role is to be informed about the medication my patients are using, I find the education information on the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CICC net) valuable. I also find the RXFiles ca Cannabinoids: Drug Comparison Chart a useful resource.