Medical marijuana in the nursing home

[Enthused RN, BSN, RN]

Is this allowed in any nursing home? There was a recent incident that makes me wonder about it since it's considered a legal drug in some instances.

[chrisrn24]

I've seen marinol but not marijuana itself.

[amoLucia]

We had another thread about this some time ago. Don't remember any answers though.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Wedon't allow smoking so medical marijuana wouldn't be allowed unless it was baked in a brownie and then there would be the question of how to write the order. I can just picture the DPH tagging us because the resident only ate half abrownie.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

It was allowed in one nursing home where I've worked. The resident was A & O and could smoke independently, although his MM and paraphernalia were kept in the med cart and signed out each time he went outside. Funny how many staff members could be found out there with him on breaks---not smoking ganja themselves, just basking in the aroma.

Naturally, his use of marijuana had to be approved by the DHS and meticulously careplanned. (That would've been interesting from the standpoint of a surveyor.) It CAN be done; it's just not simple.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I don't see why not if it is Rx'd. I cannot imagine the work required to get this care planned appropriately.

[eeffoc_emmig]

If residents can have orders for whiskey, why not marijuana too? I had a little old man than was allowed up to 90 mls of whiskey at bedtime each night.

[CrazyGoonRN]

I'v seen Marinol where I work but no medical marijuana. This might be because I live in TN. Other states might be different.

[miasmom]

I have seen it. Had a card. Would roll him self outside to smoke.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

My residents are not allowed to go out to smoke alone---ever. And staff members are not allowed to go with the resident. If they don't have a family member or friend who can take them out, they don't smoke...anything. We are not going to change our smoking policy to accommodate marijuana.

Personally I have nothing against medical marijuana. I had chemo therapy years ago. My doctor suggested I find some marijuana to use if the nausea got really bad since it works better than any legal drug. I had 2 kids at home under the age of two so going through the day high wouldn't have been a good thing!

I do think, however, that since we are a medical facility, we should ban smoking all together.

[amoLucia]

Viva commented about the issue of second hand smoke - I wondered about that too.

I really don't know if institutions would be able to provide safe and therapeutic management. I can just see all the negative potential possibilities.

And who will have to monitor all the safeguards put into place? Something else for nurses to get hung up for.