Nurses using pot

LPN1974, LPN · Mar 21, 2005

To restate my last thread regarding medical marijuana:
what is known about NURSES that smoke pot for medical reasons and have a recommendation themselves (I'm not referring to their patients.)
Do you know of any nurses with a legal ok to use pot, that do use it and what do employers think of this?

No, don't know of any. I thought it was still illegal to use even for cancer patients. Isn't it?

LPNer · Mar 21, 2005

No, don't know of any. I thought it was still illegal to use even for cancer patients. Isn't it?

Seems like Cali and one state on the east coast has approved it, was it Mass? I am not sure, just recall reading someplace that it had been approved in a second state. Cali may have even revoked that since I last read anything.

I would think if it is recommended, in writing by the MD, and is legal in the state it is being used, well, I wouldn't think that any different than me taking Vicodin when I get home from work to relieve the pain in my back.

I do not take Vicodin within 5 or 6 hours of the time I start work, I would think 8 hours more appropriate for the weed, but I am not familiar enoough with it to say. Alchohol needs 8 hours to reach its' half-life, anybody know what the weeds half-life is? (Not how long it is detected in the urine or blood.)

LPN1974, LPN · Mar 21, 2005

Seems like Cali and one state on the east coast has approved it, was it Mass? I am not sure, just recall reading someplace that it had been approved in a second state. Cali may have even revoked that since I last read anything.
I would think if it is recommended, in writing by the MD, and is legal in the state it is being used, well, I wouldn't think that any different than me taking Vicodin when I get home from work to relieve the pain in my back.
I do not take Vicodin within 5 or 6 hours of the time I start work, I would think 8 hours more appropriate for the weed, but I am not familiar enoough with it to say. Alchohol needs 8 hours to reach its' half-life, anybody know what the weeds half-life is? (Not how long it is detected in the urine or blood.)

I have a friend who works where they do aLOT of urine testing and she says it can be detected in the urine a month after use.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Mar 22, 2005

Alchohol needs 8 hours to reach its' half-life, anybody know what the weeds half-life is? (Not how long it is detected in the urine or blood.)

The half-life of marijuana is in excess of 72 hours.

http://drugfree.8m.com/Marijuana.html

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

:stone Medical marijuana is legal in California; therefore, I'd assume it's lawful for California nurses to use it for medically necessary reasons.

LPNer · Mar 22, 2005

The half-life of marijuana is in excess of 72 hours.
http://drugfree.8m.com/Marijuana.html

Wow, I didn't think it would be that long, but then I am not a chemist!

On the other hand, just because a compound has not reached it's half-life does not mean it is strong enough to alter behavior or thought proccesses.

It leaves a lot to think of since it is legal to work while taking prescribed medications as long as they are not having adverse effects on performing the job. But then, how is that defined? Safely?

I take a Vicodin almost every morning (I work nights) and never take one after 6 hours (though one time I did take one 5 1/2 hours one time) before the start of my shift.

I worry sometimes if that is affecting my abilities, but I have read and reread some of my charting and see no difference in days when I take one 6 hours before and when I take one only when I get home in the morning.

It's just a guess, but it is a semi-educated guess that it would not affect the nurse IF she is not taking to close to starting duty or while on duty.

The legality? If it's legal to use it in a given state, I don't see how they could prosecute a nurse for using a prescribed medication.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

It's on the list of banned substances that the Intervention Project for nurses here in Florida allows their participants to use. So, I sincerely doubt, even with a script, one would be allowed to work. I certainly wouldn't want to work beside a legally stoned nurse. Even if it's medically necessary, it impairs the nurse so he/she can't function. If they are that sick that they need it, they aren't going to be working anyway.

To the poster above, just because a medicine is legally prescribed, doesn't mean a nurse can take it and practice.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

To restate my last thread regarding medical marijuana:
what is known about NURSES that smoke pot for medical reasons and have a recommendation themselves (I'm not referring to their patients.)
Do you know of any nurses with a legal ok to use pot, that do use it and what do employers think of this?

While MDs may order marijuana for patients, I do not know that it is legal to use anywhere. Though, many law enforcement officers turn a blind eye.

The groups that I know of in Cali that supply medicinal marijuana, do not supply it in the smokable form. It is distilled/turned into a liquid form for cooking. It is known as "mother's milk" and is much more discreetly handled that way.

The predominant uses of J are as an appetite stimulant or as a glaucoma med. Nausea can be easily covered by newer legal meds on the market. Chances are if you have glaucoma pain or cachexia so severe that it requires treatment with J, you probably won't be working as a nurse.

stidget99 · Mar 22, 2005

Pot. Prescription narcotics. ETOH. Sleep deprivation. Bottom line, whether legal or not......an impaired nurse is an impaired nurse. Not one whom I want to depend on in a code.

jschut, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

Pot. Prescription narcotics. ETOH. Sleep deprivation. Bottom line, whether legal or not......an impaired nurse is an impaired nurse. Not one whom I want to depend on in a code.

And I agree wholeheartedly with that one!

Sheri257 · Mar 22, 2005

:stone Medical marijuana is legal in California; therefore, I'd assume it's lawful for California nurses to use it for medically necessary reasons.

Wrong assumption.

Just because it's "legal" in California for medical purposes doesn't actually make it legal since federal law still bans marijuana.

Basically the strictest law prevails, and that would be the feds in this case.

While people think California is pretty lax on this, people still lose their jobs here if they test positive for marijuana use.

:coollook: