RN with medical marijuana card

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Long time lurker here.

So I have cancer. Papillary Carcinoma of my Thyroid. Diagnosed in 2011. I have one RAI treatment left to use and I am saving that in case it spreads to my bone, lung or brain. Had multiple surgeries on my neck. I now have what my surgeon calls a Chernobyl Necklace. I still have cancer in my neck. This is a strictly surgical disease at this instance, but since tumor is extremely close to my larengeal nerve, surgeon will not operate on it unless it gets larger.

Enter Cannabis Oil.

Studies have shown tumor reduction with the use of topical cannabis oil in my type of cancer.

If I have a medical card, FROM a DOCTOR, would the BON of PA still revoke my license?

1 Votes
Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

This would be something that I would discuss with your provider once things are up and running here in PA. The reality is that at this point they are still trying to figure out how to implement this whole medical marijuana thing within the constricts of the law passed. Until the rubber meats the road no one will know for sure what professional regulatory boards will do to reconcile the law with their obligations. However even if the. BON doesn't have an issue your employer can still have a policy against marijuana to my understanding. Additionally I wouldn't be shocked if it's decided that certain professions are not permitted to be issued a card while actively working. (Think nurses, CDL holders, etc) unfortunately there are a lot of stuff from the just say no era of drug policy that really clouds just how long or when persons who use marijuana can become impaired.

1 Votes
Specializes in Med-Surg/Neuro/Oncology floor nursing..

Each state law is obviously different so I dont know the specific law in PA but I don't see why they would revoke your license. You say you have the card from your doctor so I assume medical marijuana is legal in PA. It would just be like drinking or having a RX for oxycodone. Just like you cant come to work drunk or impaired from oxycodone it wouldnt be advisable to come to work impaired from marijuana.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I'm sorry for what you're going through. Currently there is a discrepancy between state and Federal stance and marijuana is still illegal on a Federal level, even if the state is agreeable. Jeff Sessions currently has a plan to enforce the Federal stance and it's not looking good for those who rely on it. As far as nursing goes, I do not believe there is a single state board that is tolerant of marijuana use and all employers test on hire. Any positive test will trigger a landslide of unsavory reactions. If you're not currently working then you should be ok for the time being, but if you have to test I would be extremely cautious. I would absolutely NOT volunteer that information to any state board.

1 Votes
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Regardless of the legal status of marijuana, facilities can set their own rules as to what they will and will not allow for their employees. So, while you may still have a license from the PA BON, you may not have a job.

1 Votes

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I hope the CBD helps.

1 Votes

Well, I am in the market for a new job and MMJ has just been implemented here in PA on 1/1/18. If I am just upfront with my employer and it is acceptable to them, maybe I should be in the clear?

1 Votes
Well, I am in the market for a new job and MMJ has just been implemented here in PA on 1/1/18. If I am just upfront with my employer and it is acceptable to them, maybe I should be in the clear?

I wouldn't count on it. This question comes up frequently and the outcome is never "My employer and the state board of nursing said it's OK."

1 Votes
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
youenjoymyself said:
Well, I am in the market for a new job and MMJ has just been implemented here in PA on 1/1/18. If I am just upfront with my employer and it is acceptable to them, maybe I should be in the clear?

First of all, I'm glad you found something that can help your cancer. Your health is the most important thing because everything else, including your nursing career, relies heavily on it.

If you're upfront about your marijuana use AND your use is acceptable to the employer, then it would be a non-issue as far as your employer is concerned.

But as others have said, the PA BON will have its own say in the matter. They won't get between you and the employer, but they do get to decide for themselves on licensing nurses on medical marijuana.

BTW, a medical marijuana card is NOT a prescription as marijuana--including cannabis oil--remains a Schedule I drug and can't legally be prescribed until they either change the law or reclassify marijuana to another schedule. The doctor may be recommending its use but he/she can't prescribe it.

DEA / Drug Scheduling

List of Schedule 1 Drugs

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
youenjoymyself said:
Well, I am in the market for a new job and MMJ has just been implemented here in PA on 1/1/18. If I am just upfront with my employer and it is acceptable to them, maybe I should be in the clear?

Not only is it not ok but you run the risk of them informing the state board and having your license suspended and yourself placed in a monitoring program which is expensive, time consuming and stressful. I wouldn't.

2 Votes
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
youenjoymyself said:
Well, I am in the market for a new job and MMJ has just been implemented here in PA on 1/1/18. If I am just upfront with my employer and it is acceptable to them, maybe I should be in the clear?

I've worked in two states where medical and recreational marijuana are both legal, and the state BON and employers are STILL not okay with nurses who partake.

2 Votes

What Meriwhen said.

1 Votes
+ Add a Comment